KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I wrap my arms around Nic, my face his chest as I hug him, seeking both comfort and stability. That thought startled me and I froze before I slowly pulled away from him. The only other person I had in my life like that was Caden. I honestly never thought I'd have a connection like that with anyone else. My cheeks are red again from the revelation. Thankfully, the bus arrives.

”So, did you experience heart aching happiness or not quite?” I ask as I get onto the bus.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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My body tingles and raises goosebumps along my skin. Nero's bite makes me part my lips and my tongue searches for theirs. The kiss is different from our past ones. It almost feels like a promise. It's frightening but I fall into the idea fully. At this point I don't care if Nero destroys me, as long as they are the one to do it.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I was surprised to be hugged by Jane and Kat. I know we hit it off well, I just wasn't expecting to be accepted so readily. I liked it though. Aside from Caden, I didn't really have friends. It was nice to have that option now thanks to Nic.

I lead the way to the bus stop. ”Sorry again for my weird behaviour at the beginning… I saw you and Jane at your mom's memorial and I don't know… it looked like Caden and me so I just assumed,” I said with a shrug, staring at the sidewalk while we waited for the bus.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I smile and pull Nero in close to kiss them properly. I splay my hand on their lower back, dipping them slightly to deepen the kiss. I remind myself that whoever flirts with Nero or tries to pick them up, it doesn't matter because they're coming home with me. I know there are going to be people there who will try and steal Nero from me. When they look the way they do now, it would be surprising if no one tried. I'm half tempted to ask Nero to play a game with me, and pretend we don't know each other so I can try picking them up all over again.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh, watching the two of them. I look at Nic sideways as he's being attacked.

”I think a certain four legged creature would appreciate if you stopped by,” I said, agreeing to Nic taking the bus with me back to my shop.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I put my tie around my neck and look at Nero. They spin and I smile, my eyes looking them up and down. Selfishly I'm glad they look that good in green. ”Bestechend.” I walk up to them and take their hand, making them do another slow twirl.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The last game is much more evenly matched. It's also a very close call. We pretty well match shot for shot until Jane and Kat score the game winning goal. We laugh and smile, throwing in a few smack talk comments, but it was fun. I'm still grinning even though it's finished.

”I should probably get back to my shop,” I tell them all. ”But I had a lot of fun. Thank you for inviting me.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I chuckle and shake my head. ”They might like that too much anyways,” I say.

I look at the outfit they picked and I can't deny I'm thrilled they picked that one. I look at Nero's stockings and nod in agreement. ”I would wait until after. Kiki said she's going to do a bit of a costume change as well.” I start changing into my all black suit while Nero gets ready as well.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I shake my head and shove him slightly, only in a joking manner. ”Ya, ya. Watch it with the short comments. I can cover defense while you go for the long shots,” I suggest.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I enjoy the deeper kiss while I can. I nod when Nero says they just have to dress and they'll be done. I walk into the closet to pull out my suit.

”So, about the club,” I start. I hang my suit up on the hook outside the closet and look at Nero. ”I've been there a few times and I usually arrive alone, but I don't leave alone. Depending on who's there, they might not understand that I'm unavailable. I've asked Kiki to play me in a way to try and mitigate that. But if anyone touches me or flirts with me, it doesn't mean anything to me.” I look at Nero seriously. Our relationship is still new, but my hope was that we can withstand meaningless flirting.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Bring it on,” I say and smile. We go head to head, yelling and cheering as we hit the plastic puck back and forth. Sometimes, the puck gets stuck in the middle. We get it a couple of times but we lack the reach Nic has. Still, Jane and I make the most out of an uneven situation.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I smile softly and brush a hand through Nero’s hair gently. ”You look beautiful, mein kleiner Kobold,” I assure them. I peck their lips while I hold them. I would kiss them more, but I don’t want to ruin their make-up.

”We’ve got an hour before we have to go. Is that enough time for you to finish getting ready?” I ask them.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Tails!” I cry out before Jane can even respond. I look at her apologetically before I look back at Nic, eager to know what the coin landed on.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I beam when I see Nero and wrap my arms around their waist when they meet me. ”Oh, maybe. If you truly are deserving. What reward would you like mein kleiner Kobold,” I ask them.

I look into their eyes, mine shifting back and forth to see how their make-up plays off of their coloured eyes.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I grin and nod. ”You’re on,” I said and went to stand by Jane. We made a good team fighting zombies; I’m sure it will translate to defense and offense with air hockey.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I laugh and nod. I close the door, giving her a wink before I head up the stairs by her room. I look between my room and the quest room, unsure which Nero would be in. I walk into my room first, closing the door being me.

”Nero?” I walk further into my room and look towards the closet and bathroom.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh but nod, following him over to the table. ”Okay, but who versus who?” I ask.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I chuckle and lean against her doorframe. I glance at my watch and nod my head from side to side. ”An hour? Hour and fifteen at the most. Does that work?” I ask her.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Jane and I make a good team. I tap the card I have one more time for each of us so we can play for a bit longer. Eventually, my time runs out before hers does. I cheer her on loudly until time ends for her as well. I laugh and high-five her before we look at Nic and Kat. ”Now what?” I ask.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I laugh at her as I lead her down the hall to her room. ”It’s not as big as my place in London,” I remind her. ”but it is my favourite house. Did you take a look around while you were waiting for us?”