Well, it's not just Niko and Zadan, but there's some interaction in there. It's a look at what things were like before Jaldia. Enjoy and remember to keep the suggestions coming.

ZzZzZ

"No."

"C'mon Niko, don't be a wimp." Zadan taunted.

Niko growled and shot his older friend a dirty look. "I don't need a tattoo to express my friendship with you guys."

"You do if you're going to be a Blue Dragon." Terik said. A wicked smile slowly spread across his face. "You're afraid."

"Am not." Niko spat back quickly.

Zadan and Terik shared an amused look, which earned them a darker look from Niko. All three looked up as a whimper sounded from the other side of the room. The tattoo artist apologized profusely as all five men in the room glared at him. The man currently getting tattooed threatened a violent death if he slipped up again.

"Alexi, if you threaten his life you'll just make him nervous and then he'll just jab you again."

"Shut up Walker." Alexi snapped, green eyes flashing. "The tattoos were your idea."

"Oh stop being a baby." Walker said with a grin. "It's not that bad. Besides, you're scaring the kid."

"I'm not a kid." Niko snarled.

His four friends laughed, which just angered him more. He turned to storm out of the tattoo parlor, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He shrugged the hand off, but turned to face the owner. Reddish-brown eyes gave him the puppy dog look that had weakened his resolve many times before. They served their purpose once more as Niko sighed, the anger rushing out of him like a tidal wave. No one had as much of a calming effect on him as Zadan did. His partner in crime could talk him into just about anything.

"C'mon Niko, prove to these guys you're not a wimp." Zadan said.

"I'm not a wimp." Niko retorted.

Zadan smirked. "I'm not the one you have to prove it to. You tried to ride that gorath with me, remember? No wimp would do that."

"Besides, you'll be the only one without one." Terik added, having stayed out of the conversation for a few moments. He knew Zadan would talk Niko into it. No one else could. "They don't hurt that bad anyway, not on the shoulder."

"Oh sure, you can say that. You've got tattoos on your face." Niko grumbled.

"Let the coward chicken out." Walker spoke up. "Maybe he's not fit to be a Blue Dragon anyway. Just proves what Venn has always said. The only reason he survived Hadis was he had Zadan watching his back. He's been riding his coat tails ever since."

"Hey!" Niko exclaimed. That hurt his pride and he wouldn't stand for it.

Zadan shot an outraged look at Walker, but his anger cooled when his friend winked at him. Obviously the older man had discovered a better way of persuading Niko. Now Niko had to get the tattoo or risk proving the accusations truthful. He knew it wasn't true. He had busted his ass to stay alive and pulled his weight just as much as Zadan when they were on Hadis. If he had to get some stupid tattoo to prove it then so be it.

"I'll show you. I'm not a wimp." Niko growled, glaring at Walker. He missed the triumphant look his other three friends shared.

Some time later Niko unclenched his eyes and glanced around. His four friends were standing around him grinning. The tattoo artist wiped a liquid seal over the colored flesh then stood back and grinned at his own work. Of the five dragons he had just done, this one was his favorite. The wings were spread wide and the dragon's mouth opened in a defiant roar. It was poised to pounce, ready for battle just like Niko. The blue-green eyes reflected strength and courage that shined oh so obviously in the young man's eyes. Yes, this dragon was the best he had ever done.

"Very nice Niko." Walker said, ruffling the boy's hair. "I thought there for a moment we were going to have to get you drunk before you'd get it done."

"Nah, I have more faith in my boy than that." Zadan grinned at the scandalized look on Niko's face for being called a boy.

"Your boy?" Alexi repeated with a grin.

Zadan shot his friend a look that clearly said to be quiet. Alexi snickered, but was silenced by a vicious smack to the back of the head from Walker. The younger man shot his partner in crime a look that threatened retaliation. Walker laughed at the threat and took off as Alexi lunged at him. Zadan helped Niko out of the chair and held his hand for just a moment longer than necessary causing both to blush. Terik rolled his eyes as he paid the tattoo artist and followed his teammates. He wondered just how long it was going to take those two to realize they loved each other. He hoped they did it before they left for Jaldia. There wouldn't be any time for fun and games in the final month of training. And there was a feeling deep in the pit of his stomach that something was going to happen on Jaldia. Something not good.