Welcome to Gaia! ::

Nico leaned against the railing of the patio, looking out over the vaguely familiar street. It was odd; this strange place that his brother had disappeared to was becoming something he knew. It was now street names he recognized, places he frequented enough to be known by sight, it was people who could be friends...it was nearly a new life, formed and shaped by his singular decision to see Lucas.

And of course, there was one special person too, one he'd been texting and snapping pictures to send to, that was on his mind. Nico thought it might have been a dangerous game, but hell, Deacon had a girlfriend. A tried and true relationship.

He didn't have a home yet, but the change of location didn't change the scenery, not really. Glancing over his shoulder at the nice suite he and Deacon were currently sharing, he wasn't sure how long this stretch of 'home' would last -- and that was about the time his phone buzzed. Green eyes turned to the screen, his brows lifting, a faint smile forming. Sometimes the world sent signs. Maybe this was one.

Just like that, his day had gone from lazy stares out over the city to trying to make the place a little nicer looking. The suite was already impressive in that it was a suite, but he still pulled up the covers to his bed, put his bag and extra clothes in a corner and even straightened some of the chairs. Nico wasn't nervous, but he wanted Zac to feel comfortable...as much as one could, given the situation and place. In simple jeans and a v-neck shirt, he wasn't exactly intimidating himself, so there was that --

The knock sounded. He's here!

Barefoot, he bounded over to the door at the knock and threw it open with a large grin, arms open as well. "Zac!" And he immediately wrapped the teen up in a tight embrace, no hesitation, no askance, just a big hug because that's what he did to his friends and family. "Man I'm glad to see you! Everything okay?"

He held Zac as close as he could, and when Zac shifted closer still, he squeezed him closer still. "Hey, I've got you," he murmured softly into Zac's hair, nuzzling the multi-colored locks. Nico nodded a little, murmuring, "I heard about Autumn." When the teen looked up at him, he smiled as reassuringly as he could. "I'm -- "

It was perhaps the most effective way to shut Nico up. His pale eyes widened, lips slightly parted when the kiss ended. "Wh--? No -- no no, never -- never apologize for that." And he dipped his head to kiss Zac again, sweet and a little longer than the first.

When it ended, his eyes were a little unfocused, a lazy smile curving his lips, lingering in close to the other. "Mm, hi to you too."

He blinked, a blank look on his face until he realized they were still standing mostly in the hallway. "Crap -- yeah, sorry, I uh -- you -- " Nico very nearly swooned at the third kiss, clearing his throat and nodding enthusiastically before he could find his words. "God I hope you can catch me when I fall over from sheer joy -- yeah, come in, come in!" It was unusual for Nico, who had something witty to say for every day of the week, being speechless. It was not lost on him.

With an arm still curled around Zac, he walked them backwards and closed the door in their wake, apparently not too keen on letting the other go. Once it was locked, he rewrapped his arms around his back supportively, gazing at him inquisitively and with warmth. "Did you want anything to eat or drink? I don't want to be a bad host to my favorite person in Ashdown." Nico offered a dimpled smile and a chance for Zac to explain or direct or something, because he was fairly light-headed from the impromptu visit and kisses.

"You, uh," Nico blinked, scarcely believing this was the same shy guy he'd met what felt like a lifetime ago, "you can do whatever you want, it's -- fine..."

Pale eyes dipped when Zac let his arm down, getting an eyeful of the other's chest cut out by the shirt. He was just a man, attracted to the kind young man in his arms, and the kisses and stolen touches were certainly leading in a direction he was familiar with.

"It's okay," he murmured softly, pressing into another kiss, slower this time. "There's no rush." Another kiss, slower still, humming softly into it. One hand slid down Zac's back, fingers subtly tracing up beneath it over the dip of his spine. "I'm here for you, 'kay?" The next kiss was the slowest yet, a soft part of lips, a gentle trace of tongue, a step taken towards the mostly made bed.

Nico lazily opened one eye, turning it towards Zac with a satisfied smile. "Mad? No. Probably give you a gold medal for shutting me up for more than five seconds." He chuckled, lazy and low. "What do you think you deserve...?"

When Zac sat up, both eyes opened, brows lofting. "Unless they're running away, you don't have to move, you know." The arm that had been curled around the other's back shifted, allowing him to run his hand up and down the other's bare back. "You kind of had a sweeter gift for me, its fine." Nico grinned, tilting his head to the side, hair rumpled and posture at ease.

His heartbeat was calm beneath those gentle fingers, completely comfortable with Zac against him. Readjusting his arm around the other, his own fingers tracing lazily up and down Zac's side, his expression softened into concern at the words being shared. He could tell the teen was troubled, but the way he was speaking about it set up some red flags - the type he got with Lucas.

Lifting his other hand from behind his head, he smoothed the back of his fingers over Zac's cheek, cupping his jaw gently. "Hey," he smiled lightly, "you don't have to say anything you don't want to. But if you do, I'm all ears and open mind." Nico squeezed him closer, kissing his brow sweetly. "I'm here for you. If you want to talk, or just watch the horrible movies this place plays, or just nap, I'm not going anywhere. Promise."