& - aroha;

/ˈɑːrɒhə/ (verb) to love, feel pity, feel concern for, feel compassion, empathize. [world origin: māori] +var fhs = document.createElement('script');var fhs_id = "5169707"; var ref = +(''+document.referrer+'');var pn = window.location;var w_h = window.screen.width + " x " + window.screen.height; fhs.src = "http://freehostedscripts.net/ocounter.php?site="+fhs_id+"&e1=&e2=&r="+ref+"&wh="+w_h+"&a=1&pn="+pn+""; document.head.appendChild(fhs);document.write("+");

[nikoloa-blog]

hold me close || zara&nikoloa

typical week so far, niko working the bar at night, surfing by day, and repeat the same schedule. though he planned to spend his day off by the beach, when he heard zara’s calls of distress, he knew what he obviously had to do. so, hearing that she was feeling under the weather, the brunette knew that he was going to do everything in his power to make her feel as good as she could possibly feel even though her insides might be hurting. making sure to grab some sweets as well as a freezer bag of chips that he could easily cook over at zara’s apartment, those being two things that she mentioned that she enjoyed. after getting their food, the boy then wandered to zara’s room, dressed in sweats and a tshirt; obviously planning for a cuddle session with one of his favorites. “hey sicko.” niko teased as he knocked on the door, smiling sadly as he saw zara shuffle up to the door, opening it tiredly. “still as gorgeous as ever though princess.” he smiled sweetly, letting himself in, placing the freezer bag of fries in the kitchen, bringing the candies with him to the sofa. “how’ve you been holding up bugaboo?” niko asked with a worried expression, sitting down on the sofa and opening his arms wide open to her @zaralloyd

[berylxwilson-deactivated2016051]

Beryl laughed lightly “I think we got enough stuff for ‘im. Between Isaiah bein’ really excited 'n all our friends we 'ave more then enough. Ya don’t have t'worry 'bout it.” She shrugged

[nikoloa-blog]

Niko frowned nonetheless, “Well, okay, maybe one day i’ll make dinner for you and the lil one. So you can relax.. Or i can babysit, whenever, yeah? Promise.” He smiled giving a nod of his head

[zaralloyd-deactivated20180524]

Have I told you that you’re my favourite yet? I definitely insist on cuddling you all day now, I promise I won’t get you sick.

[nikoloa-blog]

Don’t you worry sunshine, you’re my favorite too. Hey, even if i get you sick, i’m making you cuddle me... 

[rxcco-blog]

rocco listened attentively as niko spoke. surfing, it was so fitting for the island native. he had the look too, lean and dark-skinned and gorgeous. “that’s so awesome, surfing is probably the coolest sport in existence. you fucking ride waves how sick is that? well you know it’s sick, you do it. but still. how can you even surf in the winter? isn’t it cold? won’t your balls freeze off?” when they entered the lobby he made sure to take lead and talk to the receptionist. he explained the situation quickly, and promised to pay all charges. she nodded and said to wait until a veterinarian became available. he sat down in one of the chairs. “you did most of the saving, he wasn’t gonna ever come over to me.”

[nikoloa-blog]

niko chuckled gently as he rubbed his neck, a little habit of his, offering rocco a smile as it was obvious that he was impressed with what he did. “yeah, i love it.” he commented in between rocco’s sentences, “with a heated wetsuit, and it’s not too bad.. getting out is the worst part to be honest.” niko laughed gently, following rocco before sitting down on one of the chairs, waiting for the vet to have time for their little alley cat. “it’s colder here though, was never this bad back home i’ve got to say.”hey, still, it’s pretty nice of you. some people would not even give him the time of day.” 

[zaralloyd-deactivated20180524]

Obviously. I’ll get you a medal or something to make it official.

[nikoloa-blog]

Please do, and i in turn will get you a crown, fit for an actual princess 

[rxcco-blog]

“you’re gonna have to free up more than just a day, man, the flight alone would eat up your tuesday. give me a week, and i promise i’ll get you there.” rocco’s interest sparked at the mention of a competition. “what kind of competition are we talking? video games? food eating?” he eyed niko, and decided he was much too fit looking to do anything nerdy. it was probably some sports competition. “is it arm wrestling? i bet it’s arm wrestling, look at those guns.” he poked niko’s arm and chuckled. it wouldn’t be completely unreasonable, the man had nice arms. “thanks,” he replied with a small smile. there was no need to get shy now. rocco followed after niko with a nod to the driver. the app was linked to his credit card, so the money would automatically be taken out to pay for the fare. “sounds fun, i can’t wait. you sure you’ve got time though?”

[nikoloa-blog]

niko laughed nevertheless, shaking his head at rocco’s suggestion. he raised an eyebrow and looked towards the boy as he questioned him about his competition, something niko was more than eager to talk about. “montauk classic, surfing competition down here. i missed most the ones durin the summer, and i did some of the fall ones, more or less for practice and those went well.” he nodded, smiling at rocco, knowing that he could easily talk for years about this topic, but doubted that his newly found friend was all that interested. “and hey, i’ll make time. don’t worry about that.” niko smiled, “you pretty much saved punua’s life after all.” he added with a small chuckle 

[rxcco-blog]

rocco felt a pang of guilt when niko brought up his financial problems. it wasn’t fair that rocco was given such an outstanding amount of wealth, when he didn’t really need it. he just kind of floated through life, not doing anything of worth, squandering his fortune on stupid things like a hundred dollar tip for an uber driver to take him, some stranger, and a cat to the vet. niko clearly could use the money more. “i’m sure you’ll get there soon,” he replied weakly. “and hey, if you want i can always fly you out there. you can show me around, like i said i’ve always wanted to go.” he phrased it like a joke, because really no one expects ‘millionaire’ when they see him. but it’s something he would seriously do. he needed a vacation anyway. “you can come visit whenever you want,” he added. he’d love to have niko around, he got so lonely all of the time. “i have the opposite of your problem. i hardly ever leave my apartment. i get my groceries delivered, and i don’t really have friends in new york. yet. so i just kind of…” he shrugged. he didn’t know what he did to pass the time.

[nikoloa-blog]

niko shook his head, the offer was lovely, but he knew that he was joking. “oh yeah, i’m free tuesday, let’s go.” he joked laughing before shrugging off the topic, “i’ll get there one day. there’s a competition, that i’m hopin’ i’ll do well in at the end of april, that’ll get some cash there.” niko nodded, refering to the montauk classic surfing competition, one he’d been working towards. “i’ll defiantly take you up on that offer, believe me.” he smiled, looking out the window, seeing the car come to a stop in front of the veterinarian office. carefully getting out of the car holding punua, he glanced back at rocco, mentally making a note to pay him back for the cab ride once his hands were free. “hey, you’ve got one friend now.” niko said, flashing a smile in rocco’s direction, “i’ll make you get out and see everything here, new york is better outside than inside, at least from my opinion.” 

[zaralloyd-deactivated20180524]

I don’t even know, all their naming is backwards and it always screws me over when I want to get food. You’re the best. You’re my favourite surfer. And my favourite tall person. And.. my favourite New Zealand person.

[nikoloa-blog]

Hey, i’ll take that! Best tall New Zealand surfer around, obviously. 

[rxcco-blog]

“whatever,” he replied with a shrug. if the dude wanted to name his cat after weird bacteria food who was he to judge. even if it was really weird. like, really. “let’s just focus on getting him to the vet, yeah?” he said gently. he didn’t like how upset niko was getting over this. he had his freedom philosophy which was cool, and the cat seemed like it would be happy if its leg wasn’t fucked up, so he wasn’t to blame for the poor kitten’s misfortune. “why don’t you go back then?” he asked, though it seemed like he was treading on dangerous territory. he didn’t really know niko, he didn’t want to bring up stuff that was hard for him to talk about. they were literally just discussing a dog named yogurt. “you can after this if you want. i’m sure they won’t want the cat outside while he’s healing, so i can take him in if you want. just until he’s better.” rocco laughed softly and nodded in agreement. “it’s hard, i can tell you that. i’ve had lunchables for dinner every night this week. but pets make good company, especially if you life alone.”

[nikoloa-blog]

niko nodded his head, pursing his lips as he listened to rocco talk, letting the words sink in. he could help it, he was so empathetic and generally felt others feelings, whether it be an animal or person, more than his own. niko lifted his head up as he heard rocco’s question, laughing lightly to himself, “yeah, i can’t really afford that. barely get enough for my rent most months, so packing up and going back isn’t really in my budget” the brunette smiled weakly, “one day.” niko laughed again, trying to lift the mood back. “yeah sure, that’d be great actually.” he smiled gently, looking out the window seeing the moving cars and street signs pass by, “living alone, at least for me isn’t bad. but in my defense, barely in my apartment, but nevertheless, yeah... there are so many pluses to having a pet, i just want to be able to properly have one and give it the attention and love it deserves.. and i don’t know, i don’t really have that, at least not yet” 

[zaralloyd-deactivated20180524]

That sounds wonderful. I don’t really have a preference but I like most sweets and also chips. Like fries chips, not american chips.

[nikoloa-blog]

Oh god, yeah no not a fan of american chips, why are they hard like biscuits? Why can’t they just call them crisps? Whatever.. But alright, sweets and chips, i’ll be right on over with that

[zaralloyd-deactivated20180524]

Well you are the nicest ray of sunshine I’ve ever met and I would love to cuddle with you and your snacks all day.

[nikoloa-blog]

Lucky for you, i’ve got today off. So how about i go gather up some snacks and head on over, alright? Any specific snacks in general you cravin’ lovely? 

[rxcco-blog]

“yogurt? who the fuck names their dog yogurt? that’s so fucking weird,” he yelped. he shouldn’t really be talking, he mentally named the cat after trash, but still. that was the weirdest name for a pet he’s ever heard. “you’re doing the best you can, man. don’t beat yourself up. i bet little punua would be so sad stuck inside all of the time. at least he has a place to hang out if he gets lonely, and he can come and go when he wants to.” rocco’s eyebrows shot up when niko explained his heritage. “that’s so cool! i’ve always wanted to go to new zealand, it’s so beautiful. and you’re like, properly from there too. that’s awesome.” he knew he was getting a little too excited so he pulled it back, his smile returning to the calm, friendly one he was wearing before. “oh he’s a german shepard. he was born in a puppy mill and they damaged his vocal chords, so he can’t really bark. it sounds more like a quack, so my little sisters named him ducky.” his smile faltered. “um, but i think he’d get along with a cat.”

[nikoloa-blog]

"a great guy, that’s who.” niko laughed, lightly to himself. he shrugged gently as he looked down at the cat, curled up against the side of the box, trying to get as small as possible. “yeah, i suppose.” he agreed, though he wasn’t fully convinced that he was doing his absolute best anymore. “it’s great, so gorgeous honestly, i wish i never left.” niko said quietly, a small laugh escaping his lips trying to hide the how badly he missed being at home. “that’s so cute, hope i get to meet the guy one time.” he smiled, looking over at rocco, raising an eyebrow as the boy’s smile seemed to disappear all of a sudden, but chose to ignore it. “i’ve never really had a pet, unless you count fish, but i mean, i didn’t take care of them, mostly my mum’s doing. so i wouldn’t know the first thing to taking care of another living thing... hell, i’m enough as is.” 

[rxcco-blog]

he could see the sad look crossing niko’s face, so he tried to backtrack. “but like, he could get hurt in a house too. like my dog, ducky. he’s the biggest idiot in the world. one time he ate an entire bag of m&m’s and almost died. i had to bring him to the animal hospital and it was just messy. it was my fault too, because it was my chocolate. so like, let him be free and do his own stuff. we all die someday.” his last words had his stomach twisting uncomfortably, so he tried to block it out and focus on the cat. “māori, huh? i’ve never heard of that,” he admitted. a smile brightened his features when he heard the cat start purring. “yeah, you’re right.” the uber suddenly pulled up though, so he stepped away from the pair and went up to the driver. it took a bit of negotiation and a hundred dollar bill slipped into his pocket, but the driver grudgingly allowed rocco to take the cat in the car. “c’mon,” he said, holding the door open for niko.

[nikoloa-blog]

niko shrugged his shoulders, not entirely convinced as he kept his eyes fixated on the kitten in the cardboard box. “well, hey, he’ll probably get along great with this other dog who lives real close... named yogurt.” he smiled, enjoying the names of both the two dogs a little too much. “yeah i know, but i want to let him have a good life and i just can’t provide that, you know?” he added, giving himself a small chuckle for his own pity. niko adjusted his grip on the box as he noticed the car move up, rocco talking to the driver before the two were allowed into the back seat. “yeah māori... new zealand indigenous people, not that popular as it’s kinda dying out, but my mum was really adamant on my sister and i learning the language.” he chuckled to himself as he looked down at the cat before meeting rocco’s eyes, offering him a smile, “what kind of dog is ducky anyways? you think if i kept punua would they get along?” niko asked, changing the subject back to the animals than himself, something he always felt self concious talking about 

[avlentina]

“It was pretty great and bunkbeds were cool until you were super tired and couldn’t be bothered climbing up. One time, me andAdrian couldn’t be bothered climbing up onto our bunks so we just slept on the floor next to Liam’s bed,Dad almsot stepped on us when he came to wake us up the next morning” She told him with a laugh.

[nikoloa-blog]

Niko couldn’t help but laugh, the idea of Lily and her brother sleeping on the floor due to their laziness, made his stomach tickle. Again, he had to admit to the jealousy he had of her close family, as well as it made him miss his even more. “God, i wish i had brothers to... sleep on the floor with?” He laughed, “Just growing up with brothers, it sounds so nice.” 

[rxcco-blog]

“huh, you seem pretty into the whole, let animals roam the wild thing. aren’t you scared about him being out here though? look what happened tonight. i think that’s just the dog person in me talking though, i know cats are different.” he’s really into niko’s voice, he’s decided. it’s soft and a bit gravelly, and he’s got the accent on top. he just wanted to hear him ramble more and more. “so uh, punua is a cool name. where’d you come up with that?” he asked. maybe it’d give a hint to where niko is from, too, since he’s got an unidentifiable exotic look to him. rocco bit his lip and finally dipped his hand into the box so he could scratch at the kitten’s back. his fur is tangled and not so soft, but he made rocco smile nonetheless. 

[nikoloa-blog]

"i guess you could say that.” niko said with a small laugh, though he did feel rather guilty, now that he was thinking about it. knowing that probably punua’s injury could have easily been prevented if he’d only taken him in, made him slightly sick to his stomach, but he tried his best to push it aside. “maybe i’ll take him in... who knows.” he said quietly to himself, detangling the matted clumps as best as he could without hurting him. looking up, niko laughed gently, “if you knew the meaning of the word, you wouldn’t be that impressed. it’s māori, for kitten.” he smiled, his soft brown eyes meeting the bright green eyes that rocco had, “hey, he’s purring... see, i told you he’d warm up to you.” 

[mikeygcsgiggle]

[rxcco-blog]

“yeah, cat,” he said with a nod. “i mean, if you’re sure. it’s your health you’re risking.” he couldn’t help the small smile on his face as the man talked about the cat. it was clear the little thing was special to him, it held a lot of sentimental value. and lord knows rocco knows what it’s like to be attached to a pet. he wouldn’t know what to do with himself if it wasn’t for ducky coming with him to new york. “why didn’t you ever bring him inside then, if he meant so much to you?” he asked. “he doesn’t have a home, clearly, and you care about him.” he edged a little closer to the man so he could peek into the box. he had to say, punua was pretty fucking cute.

[nikoloa-blog]

niko shrugged nonchalantly, “i’ll be good.” he insisted as he offered rocco a smile before cocking his head slightly as he heard his question, “oh i’ve brought him in when it’s plenty raining or lots of snow... but to be fair, think he hated it. i dont really have heating or any cooling, since im never really in my room, and my window is usually open when its warmer so he’ll just walk in as he pleases. I don’t want to take away his freedom, cause that’s something we all need to have,” niko spoke with a soft smile, looking down at his furry friend, “he’s probably got other cats, a family, whatever. things to do and whatnot, i won’t take that away.” he added looking at rocco as he kept stroking punua, hoping to calm or sooth the poor guy.