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”Wir können definitiv noch weitermachen.” I rest my free hand on the table, palm up so they can rest their hand on mine if they want.

I'm glad Nero wants to do more things with me. I was wondering how long they would stay here before they had to move on, but I was trying not to think about that.

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I set my phone aside, letting it fall silent while I finish going through my cleansing process. Nic must be looking through the contacts I give him because I get a longer period of time before I hear the ding on my phone. I’m glad because I finished the process I needed to do.

I start blowing out candles the old fashioned way while reading Nic’s messages.

Uh, ya, not so sure if they can convince him. I could try though, but if he really doesn’t, I can give him a charm. It will be better than nothing.

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Happy with that answer, I take his cue by placing my hand on his. I have to scoot in a little closer to reach, but I’m glad that Caden seems to be enjoying this as much as I am. “What are some other activities you like to do on dates?” I ask, switching to English only out of habit.

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Oh! That’s good to know! I reply almost instantly.

I mean, I’ll still try to convince him and enlist your help there, but I’m glad there’s an alternative if he really doesn’t want to do it :) I almost want to ask if she has any additional tatttoos other than the demon one.

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”This, talking, getting to know one another. I’ve always enjoyed what comes after a date too,” I say with a wink. ”Although on a first date, I am generally a perfect gentleman and take the individual to their home before returning to mine for the evening.”

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Would you rather the charm as well? I do suggest the tattoo since you’ll be involved a bit more.

Tomorrow I would have to start designing a tattoo for Nic. I always liked to do something more intricate with the anti-demon possession tattoo. It was always the same principle, but I enjoyed adding to it, so it didn’t look so obvious.

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Despite the warmth I feel in my cheeks and ears, I smirk at him. “You did drop me off at my house the night of the chimera, we could consider this to be a second date to help you keep your perfect gentleman status.” I say teasingly, giving his hand a small squeeze.

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I think I would definitely prefer the tattoo for both of us to be honest. I send almost immediately.

I just know my dad’s generation can be uptight about it, so that’s why I’m concerned if he’ll agree or not :) I briefly wonder if Cass would be able to create the tattoo with inspiration from traditional Chinese tattoos… I start to google image search to see if I can find any ideas.

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I find myself chuckling from Nero's assessment. ” Monster hunting as a first date? That would be a first.” I glance down at my wine, giving it a swirl before I smile and look up at Nero. ”Well then, I'm glad you agreed to a second.” I squeeze their hand in return and rub my thumb along the back of it, my eyes locked with theirs.

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Nic's messages seem to come more quickly, but I don't mind. I'm glad he wants to go with the tattoo even if his father may not approve.

I understand. Some ethnicities or religions have different views. There are other cultures that value tattoos as a right of passage or storytelling. I inform Nic.

My fingers start to twitch and I get up to find my sketchbook and pencils and pens and I start to draw, muttering and whispering to myself. One by one my cats come to observe what I'm doing, sensing the magic forming as I draw. They often come near when I perform certain spells, feeling the call to witness and sometimes contribute.

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I grin, enjoying that Caden is going along with it. "Thanks for asking me on it." I tell him with a wink. His intense gaze makes me blush, almost causing me to break the staring contest we've entered, but I can't bring myself to look away from him. Quickly licking my suddenly dry lips, I say in a smaller, much less teasing voice, "I'm looking forward to many more."

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I send Cass the Wikipedia link I find. This goes into a lot of detail about tattooing in China - I found it interesting and wanted to share in case you'd like that. I tell her honestly. Reading random Wikipedia articles is a favorite pastime of mine. Scrolling thru this particular article, I find myself going down a rabbit hole about the Derung people, fascinated with them and wanting to learn as much as I could.

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With watching them so intently, my eyes shift to their lips. Instead of their tongue wetting their lips, I wish I was the one who was doing that for them. I manage to pull my eyes from their lips with great effort to look back into Nero’s eyes.

”I’m looking forward to taking you on more,” I tell them honestly. I would love to be able to do that with them.

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Once again, I’m let into believing that Nic is psychic. Aside from Caden, I have never been this close to being on the same wavelength as another person before. I shake my head in amazement as I open the article Nic sent me.

Is this a hint? I ask, teasing him.

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I fidget in my seat happily, glad we are in agreement for more dates. "Plus you have to show me that club you mentioned the other day." I remind him before I heavily bat my eyelashes. "I'll need your protection." I say with a wiggly wink. Every part of me wants to jump into his lap, be closer to him, something, but I'm trying to stay on my best behavior. I opt for wiggling my toes and kicking my legs a little instead.

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Oh, no! I just love going down Wiki rabbit holes, so I thought I'd share the adventure I'm on tonight lol I tell her in a text. I start going through other resources and articles, looking for any other interesting holes to get sucked into.
Basically, I'm trying to see what I can use against my dad to convince him into a tattoo

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I snort and lean back in my seat. Our food arrives, and I release Nero’s hand so the pair of plates can be set down. ”Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher, dass die anderen Schutz vor dir brauchen werden,” I tease. Although, I would be entertained to see just who tries to take advantage or harm Nero before they know just who and what they are. It could be rather fun, actually.

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Haha, okay. If you want something Chinese-inspired, I can incorporate it into the tattoo or design a second for you. You just have to let me know.

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I grin widely at that comment as I tug my gloves off and stuff them into my waistband. "Stellen Sie sich vor, wie viel Spaß es machen würde, in zwei Sekunden von der Beute zum Raubtier zu werden." I say with a wiggle in my seat. The food looks incredibly intricate, like little puzzles on each plate. Everything comes in small quantities, which is perfect for a being that doesn't need to eat. Anything I didn't really like, I pushed towards Caden.

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Maybe... Let me think on that and get back to it. I've never really looked into tattoos before, so I probably don't have any preferences to the design. I did want to talk with my dad and see if maybe I sold the tattoos as a father-son thing, we could do similar designs.

Wait, are you saying you design tattoos??

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”I can imagine it, which makes me definitely want to witness it,” I say and join them in sharing the meal. I take whatever they don’t, and we finish off the first bottle of wine, so I get us a second.

The meal continues much the same, with us talking about nothing and everything. I take what Nero doesn’t want and finish mine as well. In between plates, I take their hand up again, rubbing my thumb along the scarring. It doesn’t bother me; I just want to know the story — like I am sure they want to.

At the end of the night, I pay for our meal, including a generous tip for them and a nice one for our valet. Before Nero can enter the vehicle, I wrap an arm around their waist and pull them in. I lean over them, dipping them in the process as my lips connect with theirs. I kiss them deeply, longingly. Near the end, my tongue flicks out to taste their lips. I can taste the wine from dinner, and it takes a lot of strength to pull myself away.

”Let’s get you home,” I say, my voice little more than a growl.

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I smirk and set my pencil down for a brief break. I lean back in my seat. I’m working on yours right now. I sip my water and look towards the window. Wayland meows and nudges my hand for pets, and I smile at him.

”My fuzzy little guy,” I coo.

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A squeak escapes me as I'm suddenly crushed against Caden and I'm stock still for a moment from the surprise before I throw my arms around Caden's neck and kiss him back. Too soon, it's over and my body shivers from how Caden growls his next words. Despite feeling winded and about to swoon, I grin lopsidedly when Caden refers to his house as 'home'. "Bitte." I say with an enthusiastic and energetic nod.

"Ja, bitte." I add.

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Just when I think Cass couldn't be more interesting and amazing, she manages to prove me wrong. You're incredible and I can't wait to see it I would ask for a picture while she's working on it, but I figure it's better to wait for it to be finished.

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I nearly lose my resolve and kiss them again. I nod, clear my throat and lower them into the car. I stare at Nero why they are sitting in their seat, caught in a moment before I pull myself from it. I close the car door and run a hand over my chin while I walk around to the driver's side and slide in. I’m barely in the seat before I put the car in gear, and I’m speeding down the street and onto the freeway. Thankfully, it’s late enough that I don’t have to weave around traffic too much.

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I blush and laugh, shaking my head. Well, thank you. I guess you’re alright. I set my phone down, and Wayland crawls into my wrap. I scratch his head aimlessly while I perch on the windowsill and look out the window, letting the cool breeze ground me and keep me safe.

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I wiggle in my seat as we fly through the streets, not from being scared of how fast Caden was going, but just the fact that he merely exists near me. (And how badly I wish we are 'home' already.) I steal a glance at Caden sidelong, afraid if I make direct eye contact that I would lose my composure and be sliding over the console to him lap. I almost crack a dad joke to ease the tension, but I manage to stop myself by clamping down on my bottom lip.

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Why thank you kindly, ma'am I send with a laugh and a cowboy emote. I hear my dad get up off the couch and I move to give him room on the floor cushion with me. He raises an eyebrow in a silent question of why I have my phone out and I tell him it's Cass. Suddenly it doesn't matter if I'm on my phone, tell Cass my dad says hello!

My dad just woke up and he wants me to tell you "hi!".

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As I drive, I start to relax and feel more settled, even though my thoughts are still on getting Nero home. I reach my hand over and rest my hand on their knee.

”Did you have a good day?” I ask, just wanting to hear them talking.

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Tell him hi back for me. I send the message, then look out the window once more. I should let you go. I send. Nic should be in mourning and spending this time with what family he had left. I shouldn’t be monopolizing his time.

I sigh and move Wayland. ”Come on, we should go to bed.” I shut the window and start cleaning up.

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I squeak, not having expected him to talk during this drive. Flushing from having made that sound myself, I say, "I did." I say, kicking my legs a little. "Obviously I liked the parts with you the most, but I think I made good progress with befriending Cassi." I finally turn to look at him, ending up with me just getting more wiggly.

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"She says hi back, dad." I tell him with a chuckle. He seems pleased with that and leaves me to go graze on some food.

Are you trying to get rid of me? :'( I send in a little bit of a tease. I think my dad is fine with me being on my phone periodically, especially since it's with Cass, but if she wants to go to the bed, I don't blame her.

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I grin from the squeak, enjoying the little sounds Nero makes. My mind briefly wanders to what other noises they might make, but I quickly pull myself from that thought path. My hand tightens on the steering wheel before I clear my throat and relax.

”I think so, which is good. She’s my best friend. We’ve been through a lot together. It would be good if the two of you got along.” I squeezed Nero’s knee but kept my eyes on the road. I didn’t want to get distracted more than I already was.

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I put all the loose bits and paper away to keep the cats from causing destruction while I’m sleeping. My phone pings, and I read the message as I walk to the bedroom.

I’m not trying to, I just… don’t want to take you away from this moment with your dad… and your mom.

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I nod, recognizing that he had the same idea as me regarding Cassi and myself. "I figured, even before you actually shared some of your history with me..." I fidget, trying to decide if I want to say the next part, but I say it anyway. "I actually got a little envious of you two earlier." I admit to Caden.

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I'm just picking on you ;) It's okay if you want to go to bed or if you want to stay up - either way, I can hold a conversation with both you if needed :)

My dad comes and sits by me and sees some of the Wiki articles I'm reading, almost looking concerned. "What are you reading?" He asks.

"Oh, I was looking at Chinese history about tattoos. Hey, while we're on the subject, how do you feel about tattoos?" I saw my opportunity and did not hesitate on taking my shot to try convincing my dad to get a tattoo.

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That makes me look at Nero. I frown a little, concerned and I rub my thumb on their knee. ”Whatever for?” Truthfully, I assume why because it has been a common thing in some of our past relationships. Cassi and I found the more serious ones managed, but the short-term ones generally ended because they thought Cassi and I were still sleeping together. It was ridiculous, but it was understandable. No one seemed to understand just how much she and I had gone through together.

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I read the message Nic sends but set my phone aside as I get ready for bed. I worry my bottom lip as I get the cats settled. I should just tell him that I feel bad or a burden, but I can’t seem to do that. It isn’t about me, not tonight. I wash my face and brush my teeth before I reply

I should get some sleep. It’s been a long day and it’ll be long tomorrow, too. I don’t know how the two of you are going to manage it with being awake half the night.

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I feel myself shrink in my seat. "I'm jealous that I'm not that close with you... Or anybody for that matter." I say truthfully in a very small voice, feeling immensely vulnerable and embarrassed at the same time. Glancing away from Caden and out the window instead, I chew on my bottom lip. I recognize that we're getting close to Caden's house and start to worry that I might have killed the mood that was so nicely set up from dinner.

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He squints as he reads the specific article titles. "And the Derung people?" He asks as another message from Cass comes through.

"Actually," I say, quickly sending a message to Cass.

I mean, running on very little sleep is usually my MO anyway lol I text her, thinking of how many late nights I've spent in the ER. I turn my attention back to my dad.

"Do you know anything about them? I don't actually remember if you told me when mom and you left China." It had started as pure curiosity, but now I'm realizing that I don't really remember my parents telling me almost anything about when they still lived there. One of the few things was about the traditional funeral services they had for my grandparents, but I can't really remember anything else.