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Nikos of Zeus has been selected.
Nikos' laugh bellowed through the arena. Finally, a chance to prove himself in battle! He had been itching for a good hunt, yearning for the soar of adrenaline when he faced off against a worthy opponent. A victory was not guaranteed, despite being written in his name. That's what made the predatory nature so exhilarating, putting everything on the line to seize glory from the clutches of another champion. Nikos also knew his own strength, if he lost he would find great admiration in his own predator. It was an excellent way to further gauge who was good to have as an ally.
"Oh gods - " Nobody's voice mumbled.
"Oh gods indeed, my friend!" Nikos chuckled heavily. "I must thank them for this opportunity."
"Not when I'm still in the draw!" Nobody yelled. "I still haven't recovered against my fight with Pearl!"
"Relax, Nobody." Nikos chuckled, rolling his shoulder back in preparation. "You have been nominated but once. The gods are likely to spare you."
Indeed, Nobody's chances were looking rare. Nikos had been nominated heavily once again, alongside Pearl. Indeed when he pictured an ideal challenger, it was she who bared Nyx's support who he envisioned. He had observed her previous battle the day prior with delight and bash, itching for the chance to go toe to toe. Nikos was even more excited by the way the pair had seemed to get along so far. The champion of Zeus would be lying if he said he didn't want the prize of living for himself, yet a part of him wanted to rip Pearl to shreds and quietly - if he was capable of such a thing - inform her of where she can improve. Such violent words were spoken with admiration for her, of course. Nikos had no doubt Pearl would do the same for him.
Yet as the wheel turned, another name stuck out to Nikos. Long, exceedingly so, and beautiful, troubling so. Scott of Aeolus occupied just one spot on the wheel yet had spread himself across Nikos' heart. It's not rare to capture Nikos' eye, he was ready to enjoy life to the fullest, fight as many people as he could, befriend as many people as he could, bed as many people as he could -
He jested. But also not really.
Yet there was something more with the way Scott had interacted with him in the short 24 hours they had known each other. While others flushed defensively under the unexpected and bombastic praise, Scott drank in Nikos' flirtations like he had been expecting them to come for dinner. He had overheard what Scott had to say about his body and it brought a smirk to his face. The man was not shy. Nikos could work with shy, but it was easier to work with advancements.
There were of course a few others who took up one or two votes on the wheel - Nikos would be happy to fight against Abolish or Sausage's unique challenges - but as the wheel slowly halted, it became clear that Nikos would be facing off against the tempest who had swept up his affections.
Said tempest was currently starring at Nikos' bare chest. How pleasant.
"No hard feelings, pretty one." Nikos announced as he approached his competitor. With any luck he would be able to gain something other than a victory from this.
"Of course." Scott dragged out his vowels, eyes still firmly planted where Niko's eyes were not.
Something was off in Scott's eyes. Nikos was accustomed to those who took in his physique to blush, to be intimated, to be easily readable. Not whatever this was. Scott showed no emotion. Was he sad? No, he didn't look sad. He looked…in control.
"Well then." Scott shrugged nonchalantly, dragging his fingers over his waist tie. "Guess we should be on even footing."
Nikos was not prepared for Scott to unthread the rope keeping his robes together and drop the fabric to his waist, retying in a way which only covered his lower half.
"You know." Nikos smiled wickedly. "You shouldn't change your outfit to something you're unfamiliar moving in just to gain some kind of edge."
"Believe me, Nikos, I've taken men larger than you wearing less." Scott chimed charmingly.
Oh he knew exactly what he was implying that little -
"Get a room!" Shelby's voice echoed throughout the room.
"Is down there a big enough room for you?" Scott gestured to the arena mischievously.
"Is it a big enough stage?" Nikos guffawed back.
"You're expecting a performance?" Scott quirked an eyebrow, a light hand settling on Niko's waist. The taller chuckled darkly, laying his own hand on Scott's frame, satisfied to come into contact with his skin.
"All I'm saying is hold on before you loose your footing." Nikos rumbled, summoning his lightning bolt and thrusting the pair in the centre of the arena.
Nikos had barely recovered from the transportation when a gust of wind separated the pair. He steadied himself in a rocky stance.
"Running away already, Scott?" He teased. "And here I thought you were coming onto me?"
"What gave you that impression?" Scott twirled his hair innocently, sitting his weight onto one leg. Nikos had no doubt this man was an actor used to using his control over himself to get what he wants. Good thing he wanted the same thing.
Nikos lunged towards Scott with a rallying cry, barring his fists. In response, Scott unsheathed a whirlwind of cloud, shielding Niko's view.
"You know I like my men muscular." Scott's voice floated in the abyss.
"Haha, you think I'm muscular?" Nikos returned rambunctiously, turning to try and find where Scott's voice was coming from.
"I mean."
Suddenly Scott's hands were snaking around him from behind, feeling up his biceps.
"Have you seen yourself?"
Nikos took the opportunity to seize Scott's wrists, mustering all his strength in a ferocious shout to flip him over his back. To his shock, Scott managed to stick a landing, far more gracefully than Nikos intended with that body slam. He backed up slightly, and Nikos thought Scott may try to saddle up against him again. In his moment of distraction, he didn't register Scott bucking his leg into his. A snort of pain escaped him as he fell to one knee, giving Scott time to push his full body weight onto Nikos. Unfortunately for Scott, sheer weight was not his playing field as Nikos rolled them both over until he was on top.
"You're a fine dancer, I'll give you that, pretty one." Nikos heaved.
"Why thank you." Scott wheezed under the weight. "I have experience…Would you be interested in learning?"
"I think this proves I've already mastered the art." Nikos boasted, planting a hand next to Scott's head as if to prove his point.
"I meant actual dancing you big brute." Scott smiled coyly. "You would make for an excellent lifting partner…I could use a beefy man like you."
"Use me?" Nikos eagerly challenged.
"I would have pegged you for the dominant type." Scott giggled, snaking a hand around the back of Nikos' curls. "Glad to see I was wrong."
Nikos barely registered the reactivation of clouds swirling around them as Scott eagerly met his lips. For all of Nikos' brash bravado, he kissed very tenderly.
"Hmmm…What's with the clouds?" Nikos crooned against Scott's lips.
"Don't want the onlookers gawking." Scott replied delicately.
"Hey now." Nikos leapt to his feet with a grunt. Before Scott could process what was happening Nikos had hoisted him to his feet, dragging him out of the clouds and against a very visible wall. Lips fought once again as the sounds of onlookers spurred them on. "Let them look. let them see what we do to each other."
"So not dominant but still possessive." Scott laced his hands in Nikos' curls once more. "I can work with that."
"Want me to snap your neck and carry you away to test that theory?" Nikos suggested lowly.
"I have an honour to maintain." Scott replied with annoyance.
"Yeah, now that you mention it it wouldn't be fair." Nikos agreed soberly.
"Flirting while fighting is pretty hot though." Scott winked.
"Glad we're on the same page, pretty one." Nikos chuckled heartily.
"How about this." Scott suggested with an intriguing smirk. "We break it up, go to our corners, start again and have a true brawl."
"Whoever wins chooses what we do afterwards?" Nikos supplied eagerly.
"Naturally." Scott agreed, tugging Nikos' hair softly as he whispered against his lips "Looking forward to it, handsome."
Nikos preened with a loud laugh at his own eagerness.
"One more kiss, eh?" He sighed, gripping Scott's shoulders. "Then get ready to be demolished."
"Ooh in which way?"
"Both, if I win."