---

---

---

---

”Hey,” I say and take Nero’s hand. I run light fingers over their scars and the new one I created this morning. ”I happen to like these tiny hands. Be nice to my mate,” I gently scold. I kiss Nero’s palm, wishing at that moment I had the ability to heal them.

”Hmm, well, I’ve always gravitated towards the violin. Or any instrument with a string, really. There’s something about the tones the strings create that soothe me. But anything you chose to play, Nero would bring a smile to my face,” I told them. I didn’t want them making decisions solely based on what I liked or didn’t like.

---

---

---

---

”I would love something to eat, actually. Maybe somewhere outside?” Not only would it help to dry me off more if we sat in the sun, but it would also help me to stay grounded and connected to the earth. I always found after a ceremony like that I was flighty and in the clouds. My family and Caden used to joke that they should tie bricks to my feet to keep me from trying to fly away.

---

---

---

---

I can’t have the excited wiggle I get when Caden says ‘my mate’. His kiss to my palm sends a little pleasant shiver up my back. I want to laugh at how much Caden tries to make me discover what I like instead of choosing things he likes - it’s sweet and probably for the best, but I still have an innate need to do it anyway. “Well… Let’s start with the violin then and go from there. I’m hoping one day, I’ll be as talented as you, even if it takes all of eternity.” I beam at Caden saying this.

---

---

---

---

I scratch my chin as I think about it. “We could grab some food from a grocery store and have a little picnic somewhere.” I suggest. If we stop by a butcher or grocery store, I could get some meats and cheese and crackers along with deli meat to make sandwiches even. I close her door and make it over to my side. After buckling in and everything, I use her seat to look behind me as I back up before I start driving down the Main Street of Cary, not really looking for anything in particular. I go at a slower pace than what the speed limit is - there’s not much traffic to worry about.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I smile at Nero and set them on the piano bench to go and fetch my violin. ”I think eternity with you will be too short,” I said. I return with the violin and teach Nero how to hold it.

---

---

---

---

I gasp at the idea Nic suggests and nod my head eagerly. A little picnic in some park under a tree sounds absolutely perfect. I sit in my seat, happily tapping my hands on my legs while I wait for Nic to back up and drive to a grocery store.

I actively ignore how he backs up, so I don’t think about that and him kneeling in front of me. I start looking along the streets until I find and point out a little grocery store we can go to.

---

---

---

---

I snort, but I brightly beam his words. “As cheesy as that was… I feel the same.” I say as a light blush covers my cheeks. I hold the violin gingerly, wanting to be extra careful with the instrument. Caden was right; this fits my size better than the piano did.

---

---

---

---

I follow Cass directions and pull in to the little parallel parking space in front of the grocery store. “You can come inside with me on the condition that I buy lunch.” I say as I turn off the SUV. I say it in a sort of warning tone, but I’m mostly teasing.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I laugh, feeling my cheeks warm for probably the first time. It wasn’t that I did feel emotional when Nero said things to me, I just responded to their heartfelt words in other ways. This time, though, I did feel slightly embarrassed, but relieved they felt the same.

I rubbed the back of my neck, not quite able to meet Nero’s eyes as I handed them the bow. I distract myself by placing their fingers. ”It will take some time to get the notes and the placement of the bow just right. The bow is like a second instrument. Depending on how you tilt, push and pull it, will depend on the sounds you make. Don’t worry about breaking strings or the threads. All of that are easily replaced and have to be once in a while for age.”

---

---

---

---

I go to get out of the vehicle and pout when Nic says he’s paying. ”Fine,” I said and got out of the vehicle. I wait for Nic, though, and take his hand before we walk into the grocery store. ”Something tells me we’re going to be that couple that races each other to the cash out to pay before the other.”

---

---

---

---

I drag the bow along the strings, close to the bridge of the violin and end up making a screeching sound. Caden adjusts my placement - more in between the fingerboard and the bridge - and a much more pleasant noise sounds. I make a tiny ‘o’ as I delight in successfully playing a note.

“How long did it take you to learn violin” I ask, moving my fingers around with no direction and playing random notes.

---

---

---

---

“No, one day I’ll be able to convince you to just let me spoil you.” I say, kissing her hand when she grabs mine. I make a beeline for the left side of the store, seeing all the produce and everything there and figuring their deli department will be there too.

---

---

---

---

---

---

”Many years,” I confessed. ”It was probably the most difficult instrument I’ve learned to play. Being able to plan it now the way I can is a reward unto itself,” I said and showed Nero the next note on the scale to play.

---

---

---

---

I’m looking in the opposite direction when Nic tugs on my arm. I stumble forward, jogging a little to catch up with his speed. Someone is excited for a picnic. I grin, shaking my head.

”So I have to let you spoil me, but what if I want to spoil you?” I counter.

---

---

---

---

I nod the best I can while holding the violin under my chin. What Caden said made sense as I try to keep track of how he positions my fingers for each note. “You are very good at it - your dedication to it shows when you play.” I say with a small smile, stealing a kiss on his cheek real quick.

---

---

---

---

I chuckle sheepishly when Cass almost falls over because of me. Whoops. At her words, I pretend to think about it for a moment. “You’d have to do like a surprise attack or something.” Teasing her, I kiss her head again. “Alright, what would you like to have on this picnic?”

---

---

---

---

---

---

I find myself blushing again from the compliment. ”Thank you, my dear. I really do try to play from the soul,” I explain.

---

---

---

---

”Mmm, so be it,” I said. If that’s how he wanted to play it, then that is exactly how I would play it.

I looked over the items on display. ”Well, carrots for sure, and we need fruit. Lettuce or spinach for sandwiches, cheese. Oh, we should get some meat from the butcher if they have one in store. That’s always far better. Hmm, drinks. What do you usually like to drink?” I asked as I gathered up the veggies we needed.

---

---

---

---

“And it shows.” I manage to spot the blush in Caden’s cheeks and smirk a tiny bit. “I didn’t realize I could make you blush too.” I say in wonder, watching him closely now to see if I can catch it again.

---

---

---

---

“Look who’s the mind reader now.” I say with a grin as I grab some grapes and strawberries. “I like water for the most part, but sometimes I like something carbonated. I don’t really like soda though… or soda water. I’m picky when it comes to drinks I guess.” I say with a sheepish smile and rub the back of my neck as we make our way to the butcher, grabbing a loaf of precut sourdough bread.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I look at Nero and chuckle. ”It isn’t often, but yes, I can blush,” I said and leaned down to kiss Nero’s lips before I moved their finger positions again. ”It’s the flattery. I don’t hear it very often, at least not the way you say things.’

---

---

---

---

”That’s okay. Do you want to pick the drinks then? We could just do water if that’s easier.” We reached the in-store butcher, and I flip-flopped between ham and roast beef. ”What do you think? Ham or roast beef?”

---

---

---

---

I frown at his words as I let him move my fingers. “You should be complimented always.” I say in a matter-of-fact way. “I’ll break the hands of anyone who thinks otherwise.”

---

---

---

---

“Oh definitely ham.” I say with a smile. I kiss her cheek and let go of her hand.

“I’ll be back with drinks - anything particular you want?” I ask Cass, planning to grab some cutlery to use as well.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I chuckle and have Nero play the note a couple of times before I finish off the scale and get them to start again. ”I don’t need the compliments. I know my worth, but they are lovely to hear. You may compliment me as many times as you wish,” I tell them.

---

---

---

---

”Whatever you like. Surprise me,” I said with a smile. I turned back to speak with the butcher about getting some ham for our sandwiches. I get them cut a little thicker, but not so thick it would be hard to bite through. We can always layer the ham in case we want a thicker sandwich. Once I have the package of ham, I go in search of condiments.

---

---

---

---

I do a few laps in the pool, working everything out from the training this morning to the bike ride and then building garden boxes. I pull myself out of the pool and wipe the water off my body. I didn’t bring a towel with me as I didn’t want Kimiko stealing it. As I think about it, I wonder if she’s noticed there are no straws anywhere in the house yet.

---

---

---

---

The sound is a little stiff and not as smooth as Caden’s, but I play through the scale a couple of times. “Well, get ready to be showered with compliments often.” I say with a grin. “I need to get you back for all the times you’ve made me blush after all.”

---

---

---

---

I find some bubbly water that I like and grab a few different flavors as well as a bottle of raspberry sparking cider. I grab some biodegradable plates and cutlery, making a mental note to get a picnic basket or backpack at some point for the future. I make my way down the aisles until I find Cass in the condiments section.

I quickly set everything in the cart and flash her a smile. “Will these work for you?” I ask, gesturing to the drinks.

---

---

---

---

When I finally come to my senses, I remember that Avery won’t have a towel when he gets out and he’s been threatening to dry off in my bed a little too much. Not bothering to really change, I go into Caden’s office and grab a couple of towels.

I plan to just leave them by the pool for him Avery, hopefully avoiding his notice, but the plan fails almost immediately when Avery pulls himself out of the pool just as I’m crouching near the same side of the pool. Losing focus, I space out on the water droplets that disappear into his swim trunks. My eyes naturally fall to his groin before I realize what I’m doing and snap my eyes up to his face, red quickly spreading across my face.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I smile and clap lightly when Nero plays through the scale. I chuckled when Nero vowed to get me back for all the compliments I had given them. I take the violin and bow from Nero and place it under my chin.

”Hmm, well I’ll just have to double up on the compliments I’ve been giving you then,” I say before I start playing a classical piece.

---

---

---

---

I’m just grabbing some mustard when I hear Nic. I smiled, glancing down at the drinks he gathered. ”They look tasty,” I said, noticing the raspberry cider as well. That one looks really good.

”I got mustard, do you want mayo or butter?”

---

---

---

---

Once I wipe down my arms I notice a small figure and look down to see Kimiko openly staring at me like I had been at her earlier. For some reason, her eyes on me pleases me. One because she is looking but also because I was doing the same earlier, so now I don't feel so creepy.

Her eyes linger before snapping to my face, and I grin at her. ”What are you doing down there, little fox?” I note that she's in a robe, and the top gaps open slightly. My eyes shift, but I don't let them linger anywhere aside from her face.

---

---

---

---

“How long did it take for you to sound this good?” I ask, closing my eyes and nodding my head in time with the notes. “You know, when you leave me by myself in the tub, I just picture you playing violin in my head.” I say, finding myself humming along to the piece he plays.

---

---

---

---

“Mayo please.” I say, spotting one on the shelf made with avocado oil and grabbing it. I toss it gently into the cart. I pull my phone out to start looking at what’s around.

“Do we want to go to just a city park or check out the nature conservatory again?” I ask as I zoom in and out of my maps app.

---

---

---

---

I swallow the hard lump in my throat when I make eye contact with Avery. Little fox? I think to myself, not wanting to admit that the name sent butterflies to my stomach. Flushed, I stand up, leaving the towels on the ground. “I-I didn’t want you getting my bed wet, so I thought I should bring you a towel.” I glance away, not trusting myself to keep my eyes from wandering and definitely not wanting to look him in the eyes.

---

---

---

---

---

---

My eyes closed as I played, something I naturally did to help me fall into the music a bit more. I open my eyes back up when Nero starts talking. I smile when I see their eyes are closed. I switch the tune into something a bit more magical sounding and keep playing for them. ”I can play for you next time,” I offered. ”I enjoy playing the violin.”

---

---

---

---

I push the cart while Nic looks on his phone for somewhere for us to. ”Whichever is closer. I don’t mind either way,” I tell him truthfully. I’m just excited to have a picnic with him. It seems so simple, but to be able to sit outside and relax in nature while sharing a meal with Nic was probably my ideal idea of a perfect date.

---

---

---

---

I glanced away from Kimiko to see the towel on the chair she was leaving for me. ”Ah, well. Nero wasn’t entirely thorough with getting all the towels. Luckily, I still have some in my room, I just didn’t want to risk bringing one in case you got the idea to come out here to steal it. Seems I had the wrong idea about your intentions,” I said and walked closer to her.

I know I’m testing my self-control as much as I’m testing hers, but I don’t care. I leaned down next to Kimiko to grab the towel she had left, and I wrapped it around my shoulders.

”Thanks.”

---

---

---

---

I open my eyes just a little to peek at him. “As tempting as that is, if you’re going to be in the bathroom with me, I’d rather you be in the tub with me.” I tell Caden. The next piece he plays is one I don’t recognize, but I close my eyes and enjoy it all the same.

---

---

---

---

I look at the pictures for a nearby park and choose a nearby conservatory by a river. “Alright, found the place. Do you want anything else? Chips or something?” I ask Cass, looking over at the food in the cart to make sure we had everything we needed.

---

---

---

---

I hold my breath as Avery approaches me and ends up very close as he grabs a towel near me. I suck in my bottom lip, my brain going crazy with different thoughts as I stare at his back and shoulders before he straightens. I blink several times before I register he said something.

”O-oh, you’re welcome… Just didn’t want you in my bed making a mess.” I try to say in a normal tone.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I walk slowly closer to Nero as I play, making the sounds softer as I near them. I kneel down behind the couch just as I finish playing the last note. I set my violin aside and leaned over the couch to kiss Nero’s shoulder. My free hand goes to their chin, and I tilt their head away so I have more access to their neck.

”If that is what you prefer, then I will happily do it, my little imp,” I whispered.

---

---

---

---

I smiled and shook my head. ”No, this is plenty for a nice little picnic,” I declared.

---

---

---

---

”Ah, understandable, but your loss,” I teased, not being able to help myself. I run the towel over my head and face, but I’m mostly dry now as I stand in the sun in front of Kimiko. ”I guess I’ll go and get dressed and wait for supper. What are your plans?” I asked her curiously.

---

---

---

---

I feel the kiss on my shoulder and open my eyes just as my chin if held and my head moved. I squirm, curling up into the ear that Caden whispers into as a shiver goes up my spine. “Caden…” I whine, never not enjoying this, but also secretly hating him for it.

---

---

---

---

I grin and nod, grabbing her hand and leading her towards the checkout with the cart. Since it’s not a ton of items, we’re able to get through it quickly and I carry most of the paper bags myself back to the car. “Okay, so I found another preservation to check out. Would you like to check it out on your phone on the way?” I ask as I start putting the groceries in the back of the SUV.

---

---

---

---

I whip to glare at him at his innuendo. “You have a problem.” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest. That’s when I remember I’m still in a robe and I pull it close, not realizing it had gotten loose.

“I guess I better get dressed too.” I pause for a moment before I just go ahead and ask. “Do you want to watch TV while we wait again?” I ask meekly, not sure why I feel shy at all.

---

---