Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: About to Die - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I climb onto the bike behind Avery, full of nerves as I do so. At this point, I do feel like I can trust him, but that doesn’t help me calm down just yet. Pulling on the helmet, I place my hands on Avery’s shoulders and hold them. When the bike actually starts going though, I feel a scream bubbling up my throat and immediately wrap my arms tightly around Avery, squeezing my eyes shut and trying to hide my face in his back despite the helmet on my head.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Swallowing my last bite, I nod to acknowledge what Caden had said about the swing. I would want to think on it more later. When Caden points out the bags and boxes that still cover the room, I pout a little. “Kiki should be putting this all away - she’s the one who bought most of it.” I say with a shake of my head before I hop down off of the table. First things first, I want to start organizing all the shopping goodies by category.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I glance over at Cass with a smile. “Or what you’d find in a white girls apartment.” I joke with a smirk. “Actually though, with all the new age hype, it’s probably easier to get crystals now, right?” I mean, even my mom had gotten into the craze a little bit and had a plethora of gems she was convinced helped. “Wait, is all the metaphysical stuff about crystals true?”

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I shift my weight from one foot to the other while I think about it before I shake my head. “No, no… I’ve just never ridden one before so please don’t get me killed.” I say with what I hope is more of a smile than a grimace.

“Between Caden and my da, I don’t think you’d be long for this world if you did end up murdering me.”

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I tilt my head to the other side, setting my fork down before I pick up Caden’s phone. “O-oh.” I say as I scroll through the information and my cheeks flush. “Oh.”

I hold his phone out to him, not really sure how to react to this. “I mean… I’d try it at least if you wanted to, I just didn’t expect swings to evolve to… this.” I busy myself by engulfing the rest of my breakfast down.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Nodding, I chuckle. “I guess that makes sense.” I say, placing my hand on her thigh as I drive. “If you’re going to hoard, I suppose magical ingredients as a sorceress makes the most sense.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I cross my arms as I glare at Avery. “Funny, I was going to ask the same thing of you.” I say before making my way over to him and the motorcycle. I worry my bottom lip as I look the bike over.

“You know how to drive this, right?” I ask. I mean, I know he’s usually Caden’s driver, but motorcycles made me apprehensive.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I tilt my head at Caden while I nibble on the bite of food on my fork. “A more exciting swing?” I ask in mild confusement. “Have swings evolved into something else over the years?”

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: SUV - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I nod. It made sense that it’s for supplies. I close Cass’ door and get behind the wheel, putting my arm behind her head as I back out to head to her store. “You just happen to have everything for a Hindu temple fountain ceremony?” I ask in a teasing tone.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I make my way out towards the garage. I enter it just as Avery starts inspecting the bike. “Well, I feel underdressed now.” I say, looking Avery up and down. ”Should I be scared that we might crash now?” I ask, putting a hand on my hip as I start to second-guess my choices.

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I sit on the table once breakfast is set out and the staff leaves. I break the yolk of the egg over hash browns and start eating happily as Caden walks in, swinging my legs. “Wonderful.” I say at the news that the contractor will be here. I look around the room, remembering how Caden had introduced this room to me on my first day staying here.

“I think I like the theme of the room still - we could add a swing so it really ties everything together.” I say teasingly.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Knowing what is probably going through her mind, I’m grateful that Cass drops the subject. Far be it from me to make people change their own nickname just because it reminds me of my sister. I grin at what Cass tells the cats before heading to the SUV to open the door for Cass. “So, why do we need to go to the shop for, by the way?”

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“Just so you know, I really hate you.” I tell him, flipping him off before I close the back doors and head back to my room to change. I have leather pants and a leather jacket that I could wear, even though the pants were geared more towards the club scene. They were genuine leather though, so it should work. I have a silent debate on whether I want to wear heels so Avery didn’t tower over me, but ultimately decide to go with some high top sneakers.

Now if only I could figure out why Avery is so good at getting under my skin…

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I don’t even have time to say it back before Caden kisses me deeply. I’m a little stunned, frozen in place, before I remember to move again. “I, uh, love you too.” I mumble with a stupid grin before I head into my room. Luci and Mika greet me almost immediately.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I nod, agreeing with her. “It is, but I can deal with it, I promise.” I tell her. Unable to help myself while she’s looking up at me like this, I kiss her lips softly. I would go for a more passionate kiss, but I remind myself we still need to stop at Cass’ shop before going to see the contractor. When I pull away, I smile at her.

”We should get going - do you have everything you need from here?” I ask her.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I still regard Avery dubiously, but my stomach growls at just the thought of food. “I’m only agreeing because I’m hungry.” I tell Avery. “And I have my own leather, so Sarah doesn’t have to lend me anything.” Okay, so not a date, but am I jealous of Sarah?

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“So I was close at least.” I say with a sheepish look, ears warming at how he laughed at me. “Kids these days with their fancy words.” I shake my head in mock disappointment.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I shake my head. “Don’t be sorry - two people can have the same nickname.” I tell her, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.

“It’s not insensitive of you at all. It definitely took me by surprise when Nero called Kimiko that, but nothing you should be apologizing for.” I lean down to kiss her forehead.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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My jaw drops at the absolute audacity of this man. “You absolutely did that on purpose!” I accuse, almost following him outside before I stop myself. “Also who is Sarah??” I had my own leather pants and jacket to wear, but honestly I’m still in shock from what just happened. Wait - is he asking me out on a date?

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I stick my tongue out at Caden with a roll of my eyes, but beam happily when he kisses me. “Ooh, can I have those potato things, hashtags? And eggs? Over-simple?” I ask excitedly, already wiggling as Caden leads me. “I didn’t get any of those words right, did I?”

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I pause, having to get used to hearing someone else referred to as Kiki, but that’s quickly forgotten as Cass goes on before burying her head in my chest. Despite everything, I can’t help but grin as I hold her close. “So, the only thing we talked about was that she’s part fox-spirit, because I asked her what she was. I started to tell her about the stories my mom used to tell me and Kiki- my Kiki - growing up.” I kiss her head again, finding Cass’ protectiveness of me endearing.

“One of those stories was how we’re blessed by the fox and Kimiko said something odd like she was insinuating my family is no longer blessed. Then she looked like a deer caught in headlights and Avery came over to join us then. She started acting very chipper towards Avery in an attempt for me not to ask any follow-up questions.” I chuckled at how awkward that moment had been.

I grab Cass’ face gently and tilt it up so she can look at me. ”Caden invited us to join him for dinner tonight, is that okay with you?”

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I’m already feeling warm in my cheeks and ears from Avery’s comment about enjoying company in the shower, but his next question makes me sputter. “I-I’m sorry, what?” I ask him, eyebrows furrowed and face surely as red as a strawberry. I try to find a reason for him to ask that and come up blank, so I just continue to stare at him, frozen in place. What the fuck??

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I grin widely up at Caden once he shows me the drawer of shirts. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” I say. I really thought he might not own any since I’d never seen him in one. “When do you actually wear these? Cause you dress like this, I gesture to his ensemble with my free hand. “For staying in and wear nothing to sleep.” I tilt my head to peer up at him.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Townhome - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I luckily stabilize myself when Cass throws her arms on me, grateful we didn’t tumble down the walkway and that I left our drinks in the SUV. “Easy, girl.” I say with a chuckle, running a hand down her back to soothe her. “But now that you’ve told me you told her not to bombard me, her reactions today make much more sense.” I say, shaking a little with laughter before I kiss Cass’ head.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I narrow my eyes suspiciously at Avery, but I believe him. “Who knew a demon would care about what a mere mortal thinks of them.” I say with a shake of my head as I follow Avery towards the back of the house. I’m not meaning to actually go in the same direction as him - honestly I meant to go to the kitchen for a snack, but I found myself wanting to talk to him more.

Wait what?

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I level a glare up at him and pout. “This is not the same thing.” I tell him, but I still tuck the cologne into my pocket to use later. “Also, I knew you didn’t own any t-shirts.” I shake my head in mock disappointment.

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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<3 This time, I can’t help but speed on my way to Cass. I rush through picking up the chai latte for Cass and get a raspberry tea for myself, inspired by her drink choice yesterday. When I arrive at her place, I don’t bother sending a text, instead jumping out of the SUV to knock on her door.

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Chicago After Hours

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I stick my tongue out at Avery. “I wasn’t eavesdropping!” I say defensively before adding, “I just didn’t want to be seen by Nic yet.” I chew on my lip and look away, embarrassed. “Besides, all I overheard was you two talking about Nero.”

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Nero

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Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“Because I’m convinced you don’t own any.” I say, looking up at him defiantly before I end up mirroring his grin. “Kiki made sure to get a lot of oversized hoodies and sweaters and t-shirts for me, so I’ll need you to smother them in your scent as soon as possible.”

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Leaving Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Got it! And we can totally stop at your shop :) I look up directions to somewhere that would have chai lattes and be on the way to Cass’. Once I found one that looks decent enough, I punch in the address and start the drive. I want to talk to her about the weird things with Kimiko, but I also don’t want to text and drive or be distracted talking on the phone. I’m going to see her soon, I can be patient.

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