What a strange feeling it was to be feeling these feelings about someone, and about a place. It was as if his whole life was building up to this. He only expected his relationship with Nikolas to improve. He thougt he had all he'd ever wanted, the perfect man and a perfect place. Atlas pulled back after a while and smiled. "Hey, how's the pond? It's calling me." He whispered with a small laugh.
Nikolas laughed softly, his grin as brilliant as the stars, and nudged his nose against Atlas' playfully. "Always warm and ready to swim in, if that's what you mean," he whispered. If it would give Atlas the perfect night, give him a way to momentarily forget all the bad that happened today, then Nikolas would give him the world if he asked. He cared a lot about Atlas, he realized, and wanted to make him happy for as long as he was allowed.
"That's definitely what I mean. Can we go swim sometime tonight?" Atlas asked excitedly, gazing into Nikolas' eyes. He loved swimming, ever since his so-called friends pressured him to join the swim team freshman year. He didn't think he was going to like it, but it ended up being his favorite thing, after singing. Senior year he became swim captain, leading them to many victories.
Nikolas laughed again at the excitement he saw and heard from Atlas. "We can go now if you want. I've got some swimsuits in the bedroom if you want to see if any'll fit you." Nikolas remembered learning how to swim when he was a kid. His father had tossed him into the ocean, then proceeded to properly teach him after little Nikolas—or Alexis at the time—thrashed and half-assed swam back to the beach. But he wasn't bitter about that. His father had been adamant about learning through instinct, adaptation, and observation. "What good of a father am I if I don't teach you how to teach yourself when you're older?" he had said after Nikolas questioned his methods. With that reasoning, he grew to value those three things, and was eternally grateful for that.
"Let's do it then!" Atlas said a little louder than they had been talking before. He pecked Nikolas' cheek before letting go of him and taking one last look at the view. It was unbelievable, no matter how long he stayed out looking at it. He wished he could see it more often when in the city. But it was reserved for this special place.
Nikolas watched Atlas gaze at the view for a bit, then ducked down and stole a kiss from the adorable man's lips before slipping away with a chuckle. "I'll get the trunk out, then," he said as he wandered back into the bedroom, leaving the balcony door open. He got down onto his hands and knees and ducked under the bed, reaching out for the small trunk that held his swimsuits. He did keep smaller suits just in case he ever worked up the motivation to invite his friends, but… Nikolas looked over his shoulder at Atlas, smiling, then went back to pulling out the trunk. This place was only his and Atlas' now, he decided. It just felt right.
He flipped open the latches and lifted the lid, then looked back over to his boyfriend. "Come and get 'em before they disappear," he teased with a grin.
Atlas smiled and turned to walk back into the bedroom. He watched Nikolas get the trunk and open it. He giggled and dropped to his knees to look through the swimsuits. He dug through them, eventually finding one. He held it up, deciding it would probably fit him. It was ombre, light blue to maroon. He hung it over his arm and stood up. "Where was the bathroom again? He asked.
"Downstairs, the only door in the living room," Nikolas said, lightly poking Atlas' leg just because he could. He randomly grabbed a simple black swimsuit with grey seams, tossing it onto the bed so he could close the trunk and latch it back up. He, too, stood up, though he waited for Atlas to leave before changing into the swimsuit.
Atlas smiled down at Nikolas, then up at him when he stood up. He followed Nikolas' directions and found it. He went inside and changed into the swimsuit. It ended up fitting very well. He looked up into the mirror, combing back his hair with his hands. His lilac color was starting to fade, that means it's time to redye it a new color. He decided he was going to ask Nikolas what color do try next. He smiled at his refection then left the bathroom.
Nikolas tugged off his shirt when Atlas left, staring at his scarred torso in the mirror for a bit, then got completely undressed and changed into his swimsuit. Once he was changed, he headed downstairs to meet Atlas, as the only staircase to the ground was at the entrance. His eyes lingered on his beautiful boyfriend for a split second before he smiled and came over to him, running his fingers through Atlas' hair. "Starting to get a bit dull, darling," he murmured, using that as an excuse to touch his soft hair.
"Ah, I know. I was actually going to ask you what color I should dye it next. I've thought of colors that I want to try, but I can't remember any of them." Atlas said smiling. He reached his arm around Nikolas' waist, his fingers lightly running along his bare back. "I've had dark red, dark purple, mint green, and of course my natural color. Among more, I think, but that's a good taste of some of the colors I've had. I have some pictures on my phone if you ever want to see them."
"Hm," Nikolas hummed, smiling as he continued to comb his fingers through Atlas' hair as he thought about it. "Y'know, I think you'd look cute with pastel rainbow," he said with a crooked grin, picturing it as he played with the soft strands. Really, he thought Atlas was just naturally cute, but that would add onto it. "And I'd love to see them, but maybe later. I want to swim," he murmured, then used his grip on Atlas' hair to tilt the man's head back so he could plant a kiss on his lips.
Atlas smiled into the kiss then continued looking up at Nikolas. "That sounds like it'd be fun! I might have to get that professionally done though, unless you help me with it." He said, smiling. "I always dye my hair myself, it costs less that way and it's fun, but that'd be a lot to do and it sounds a bit more difficult than one color… but yeah, let's go I want to swim as well."
Nikolas chuckled and kissed Atlas once more, then let go of his hair in favor of taking his hand and pulling him towards the front door. "I might be able to help you. I've been dyeing my hair for a pretty long time, so I know my way around it, for the most part." He glanced over at Atlas with a tilted head. "But, I think a professional will be able to pull it off better than we can. No offense," he added with a lopsided smile.
Atlas nodded. "Yeah, I agree. I'm really excited now!! I know dying my hair this much with such little breaks in-between colors is bad for my hair… but I can't help it, I love it so much!" He said smiling. He looked up at the sky again as they got outside and headed to the lake. It wasn't too chilly of a night, which was perfect.
Nikolas laughed quietly at Atlas' enthusiasm, pausing to watch the man gaze up at the sky for a bit. He would do the same, but he rather liked staring at Atlas as well, especially when he was smiling the way he was right now. "C'mon," he murmured into the other's ear, smiling as well, the pond awaits." Nikolas, on the other hand, didn't wait for Atlas before wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him along to the ever-still and reflective body of water.
Atlas giggled and started walking. Even as they got closer, the pond continued to look flawless. He could still see the reflection of the sky in it, making it seem even more magical. It looked as if he could walk on top of it, looking like a solid surface. It probably was amazing in the winter. Atlas leaned his head on Nikolas' shoulder as they got closer to the pond.
Nikolas rested his chin on Atlas' head as they walked, then slowly released him once they made it to the edge of the water. He silently padded over to the pond and crouched down when he was just an inch from the lapping water, fingers outstretched and just barely hovering over its surface. "Back in Greece, there are so many beautiful bodies of water. Acheron Springs in Glyki, Lake Plastira in Krioneri, the Papingo rock pools, Piges Agias Varvaras, Kryas Livadeia Springs…" He trailed off, dipping his fingers into the clear water but not moving them. "My father would take me to all of them whenever I wished, didn't matter how far we had to travel. I loved the water. Not even swimming, just looking at it and the area around it. He and I could spend hours just admiring the beauty of everything."
Atlas slowly followed Nikolas to the pond and smiled, watching and listening to his story. He liked listening to Nikolas' stories and experiences… and just talk in general. He went up to Nikolas' side and squatted down next to him. The water was so beautiful close-up, it was just as amazing as from any other distance. "That sounds amazing… and those sound like beautiful places. I love the swimming aspect of water, but I never really got the chance to appreciate it's beauty. Now, I love both aspects… there's just something so magical about water. I don't know."
Nikolas smiled over at Atlas, glad that he also appreciated its beauty along with the swimming aspect. His smile grew into a wicked smirk, and he barely gave it much thought before he was flicking water onto Atlas. He laughed, then stood up and darted away before Atlas could get him back, keeping to the edge of the pond and not exactly going very fast.
Atlas flinched as he felt water spatter onto him. He jumped up and ran to catch Nikolas. He was not going the fastest either actually. His feet were a bit sensitive, stepping on ricks and sticks. But he eventually caught up to Nikolas and grabbed him around the waist, holding tight. He tried to pull the man into the pond, putting all his weight into it. Then falling into the pond along with his boyfriend.
Nikolas yelped in surprise as he was tackled into the water, though he didn't complain. He simply whirled around and grabbed Atlas, holding him against his chest tightly and brought them both to the surface. "Sneaky sneaky," he said with a soft laugh, nuzzling Atlas' neck affectionately as he kept them afloat. His hair was plastered onto his forehead from the water; his long lashes sported drops of their own that periodically fell onto his cheeks.
Atlas was giggling right when they got to the surface. He had his arms over Nikolas' shoulders, one of them lifting to brush his hair our of his face. He noticed how warm the water actually was, it surprised him. It wasn't hot tub warm, but it wasn't freezing. He slowly stopped giggling but kept a smile. He hadn't been in the water for a while, making this extra special, among other reasons. The hand that he brushed his hair out of the way went to Nikolas' face and softly moved his hair out of his face.
Nikolas pulled back just enough to look at Atlas, head leaning into the man's touch on his face. "I'm glad I ended up being your neighbor," Nikolas murmured as he traced slow circles over Atlas' back, "Who would've thought I'd end up next to an incredibly cute and amazing person?" he continued, smiling brightly, "Someone that has horrible impulse controls, which works in my favor."
Atlas shyly looked to the side, but he knew Nikolas was right. After only a second, he looked back at Nikolas with a smile. "Impulses like this?" He asked a split second before kissing Nikolas. He was unable to keep himself from smiling. His legs stopped moving, relying only on Nikolas to keep them afloat.
Nikolas happily kissed Atlas back, holding him close to his body by the grip he had around the man's waist. He was fighting back a smile, but it broke through and he needed to break the kiss for just a moment so he could press his forehead against Atlas'. "Those are my favorite," he said, brushing his lips over the other male's lips teasingly.
"I'm glad, they're my favorite too," Atlas said. He looked into Nikolas' eyes, unable to see details since it was dark. The moon was almost full, but it didn't give a huge amount of light. "I'm so glad you ended up as my neighbor as well. And that we somehow took a shower at the same time. It's so amazing what paper-thin walls can lead too."
Nikolas chuckled and dipped his head to kiss Atlas. Though, he didn't kiss his lips this time. His own lips brushed over the adorable male's cheek, then descended upon Atlas' neck with gentle and slow kisses, lazy in their intent. "The Fates have strange ways," Nikolas murmured lowly, his fingers of his one hand trailing up and down Atlas' back with equal laziness as his lips. One day, and he was already smitten with this man. It was crazy, but there was no reversing of his feelings, no changing what happened between them that caused this. He wouldn't want to change it. He was happy for once in a long time.
Atlas leaned into Nikolas' lazy kisses, his arms tightening around him a bit. "But they definitely knew what they were doing this time." He said softly. He thought so. He had been the happiest he'd been in a while that day, just one day Nikolas. "Happy 24-hour anniversary of meeting each other." He said with a laugh. Here they were, both in water again, but together this time and away from anyone else.
Nikolas laughed against Atlas' skin, tipping back a bit so he could start slowly making circles around the pond. "Se agapó," he then purred, layering on the accent because he knew Atlas loved it when he did that. Though he wasn't incredibly religious, even with his own culture and beliefs, he did have his moments when he did think things were working out the way they were due to the old gods. Like right now, with him and Atlas. "I'm actually going to blame Eros for this instead of them," he then murmured, accent not completely gone but coming on thick when he said 'Eros.'