---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia wiped her hands on her shorts before she accepted the books from Ren. She opened one and her eyes widened. She looked at Ren then Nic, both shocked and moved that he was sharing these with her. Cassi kissed Ren's cheek before she sat at the kitchen table and carefully flipped through the art pieces his wife and daughter created.

---

---

---

---

Caden chuckled, sipping his drink happily. "Wo auch immer es herkommt, ich bin froh, dass Sie es entwickelt haben," he said. Caden set his drink down before picking up Nero's to taste to see if it was as good as their wiggling suggested.

---

---

---

---

Avery grinned. "But I just did," he said and threw another ball. "Big bad wolf, remember?" He winked at Kimiko before he straightened after throwing the last ball. "Do you want me to get you another drink now?"

---

---

---

---

Nic smiles at his dad, no longer frustrated with him interrupting them anymore. “Thanks, dad” He says, patting his dad on the shoulder. His dad fills his glass with water, kissing Nic’s cheek before heading back upstairs.

Nic gets himself a glass of water himself and refill’s Cass before joining her at the table. “I mentioned it to him the other day, but I wasn’t expecting him to give them to you tonight.” Nic scoots closer to her so he can look over her shoulder at the books.

---

---

---

---

Nero beams up at Caden from his words but it quickly turns into a pout when he steals their drink, but steals his in retaliation to taste it. They nod their head back and forth in a little dance. “Yours is good too.” They tell them before pointing to an item on the menu. “Hört sich das für Sie auch gut an?”

---

---

---

---

---

---

Kiki buries hr face in the wolf plush, completely at wit’s end with this man. “Yes please.” She mumbles into the stuffed animal before peeking at Avery.

“That or you take me home before I really do turn into mush.”

---

---

---

---

---

---

"I wasn't expecting it all. I know I mentioned it, but I didn't think..." Cassi shook her head as she flipped through the pages. "These are incredible...Is there anything you like?" Cassi had both sketchbooks open beside each other, and she looked between them both.

She wouldn't be able to make an exact replica of the artwork since she wasn't Nic's mom or sister, but she could get them close. She could get the concept right at least.

---

---

---

---

Caden read the menu item and nodded. "It does. Do you want to get a couple things to share?"

---

---

---

---

Avery laughed and kissed Kimiko's cheek. "When you want to go home, just let me know. I'll go and get you a drink if you find us a new game to play." Part of him didn't want to leave Kimiko's side, but there wasn't anything jumping out of the shadows, and this place was busy enough. He also thought a few minutes apart would be good for calming the both of them down.

---

---

---

---

Nic points to a couple pages where Kiki had been practicing foxes. “I think both my dad and I wants foxes still, and I like this kind of style Kiki did these in.” He then points to a sketch his mom had done. “I know there’s a finished painting of this somewhere. It’s probably at my dad’s still, but it’s always been a favorite of ours.” He turns to look at Cass with a small smile.

---

---

---

---

Nero nods, passing Caden’s drink back to him and reclaiming theirs. “I’d like that, yes.” Nero says before leaning into him more and setting the menu down. “Have you been here before?” They ask curiously.

---

---

---

---

Kiki sighs dramatically, but smiles. “Deal.” She says to Avery. “But I also need to show you how to properly play skeeball.” She scans her wristband and sets mini Avery down as she grabs the balls. She juggles them for a moment before rolling all three into the 100-point hole before turning to grin at Avery.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cassi paused on the pages that Nic liked, speaking about how him and his father wanted to incorporate something similar. Cassiopeia’s hands hover over the pages. She didn’t dare touch them, not wanting to mix the oil from her fingers onto the pages, but she traced the designs in the air.

”I won’t be able to recreate this exactly. Especially your mom’s work, but I can execute the idea well enough.” Ideas were already forming as she nodded to herself. ”Do you and your dad want your pieces to be identical, or can I change them a bit?”

---

---

---

---

Caden looked up until he caught the server’s attention. He ordered the small plates of food along with two more drinks before the server disappeared. Caden ran his fingers along Nero’s shoulder again.

”No, but I did some research and felt this place would be a good start to our New York adventure,” Caden said, nuzzling Nero’s head.

---

---

---

---

Avery crossed his arms as he watched Kimiko beat him at skeeball. ”So you can do that, but boxing is a foreign concept?” he asked, teasing her.

---

---

---

---

“Of course,” Nic says, understanding what Cass is saying. It would be difficult for someone to mimic another art style exactly. “As for if we want matching or not, I think I should leave that up to the sorceress to decide. Your intuition is powerful, after all.” He plays with her hair, not wanting to distract her by kissing her face. He’s loving the way her mind works though as she’s careful not to touch the actual sketches.

---

---

---

---

Nero curls into Caden more, tucking their legs up onto the booth as they begin sipping their drink again. “Well, I think if the food turns out good, we’ll need to come here every time we visit New York.” Nero looks up from their drink and sits a little straighter so they can kiss Caden’s jaw before nuzzling back into him.

---

---

---

---

Kiki shoots Avery a glare, flipping him off as she grabs the stuffed animal once more. “Come along Small Avery, we’ve got to find another game that we can beat him at.” She coos to the plush before wandering off. She’s pretty sure that wherever she ends up, Avery will be able to find her anyway.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cassi beamed at the compliment and used her phone to take a few photos of the sketches before she closed the books and set them aside so they could be put away. She leaned back in her seat, sipping her water.

She smiled at Nic and how he couldn’t seem to stop playing with her hair. She sipped her water, her eyes falling on the couch, and Cassi felt her cheeks warm. She placed the water glass back on the table.

”I should probably go,” she said. As much as she wanted to stay, it was growing more difficult to keep her hands to herself. Besides, it had gotten later, and it would be another long day tomorrow.

---

---

---

---

”I’d like that. It can become our spot,” Caden proclaimed. He kissed Nero’s head again when they curled back into him.

Their drinks and food arrived a short while later, and Caden ate happily while he and Nero talked about art and their collections. Caden was okay if he never saw everything Nero had. If it meant they were safe on earth with him, he could get over missing out on 14th-century pieces or rarer items.

After a third round of drinks, Caden asked Nero if they were ready for the next stop of the evening.

---

---

---

---

Avery grinned, watching Kimiko walk away before he went back to the bar to get her another drink. The evening so far had been full of surprises but also relaxing. Avery enjoyed the banter, and he also enjoyed how much closer the two of them were getting. Not just mentally, but physically and emotionally as well.

Avery wandered through the arcade until he found Kimiko again. If she accepted the mate bond, it would be easier to find her, but Avery wasn’t going to push that on her. Everything was going well right now. There was no need to rush things.

---

---

---

---

“I wish you didn’t have to.” Nic replies almost immediately. He twists and curls the loose hair in his fingers before tucking it behind her ear. On one hand, he loves that he and his dad will be living together - it would make it easier to keep an eye on him and try to keep him safe in this crazy new world he’s discovering.

Nic gets to his feet anyway and offers Cass his hand. “I know you don’t need me to, but can I walk you to the bus-stop?” He asks with a smile.

---

---

---

---

Enjoying the food, the conversation, and the company, Nero is happily buzzed when Caden asks if they’re ready to move to the next stop. They wiggle out from the nest they had made for themselves in Caden’s side and beam up at him. “Ready.” They say with a nod before scooting to the edge of the booth’s seat. They hop off of it and do a little spin to face Caden while they wait for him to exit the booth as well.

“What’s next?” They asks as they leave Death & Co, arms wrapped around one of Caden’s.

---

---

---

---

Avery finds her by the pinball machines and she smiles as she takes her drink from him. “I thought this was cool; they have a bunch of movie themed machines. A lot of them are older movies too!” She took a sip of her drink as she tucked mini Avery under her arm.

”How about Avery Jr as a name for him.” She muses out loud.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia smiled softly, her fingers twitching to touch Nic’s face. He stood, and she took his hand to stand as well. ”I would like that very much,” Cassi said, resting his hands on Nic’s chest.

It was hard not wanting to be close to him. To not touch him. They had so little time together, it seemed, but really, they had seen each other several times this week, what with Nic moving and Cass helping out as much as she good. Maybe this conference in November would be a good thing.

Cassi turned away from Nic to gather her things before they headed out to the bus stop. ”So, what happens at a medical conference?” Cassi asked as they walked.

---

---

---

---

The car is already outside, waiting for the couple as they leave the bar. Caden slides into the vehicle after Nero and smiles. ”Something outside, and very high up.”

---

---

---

---

”If you’re insisting on naming it after me, why not use my last name?” Avery suggested. He really didn’t want a stuffed animal to be named Avery or Avery jr. Or little Avery. It was just…weird.

Avery found a pinball machine that looked cool near Kimiko and started playing.

---

---

---

---

Nic offers his arm as they walk out of the apartment. He almost suggests taking the stairs before he remembers that they’ve both been on their feet all day. He pushes the button for the elevator. “So, there’ll be panels where different specialists can share new findings or studies, medications, etcetera - something I usually enjoy since it means I can get new information before they’re published in medical journals.” He’s geeking out a little as they enter the elevator.

“Then, of course, there’s ton of gadgets and toys you can demo, which is pretty neat. Usually the hospital won’t buy any of that until it’s at least twenty years older and not top of the line anymore.” Nic tells Cass as he leans his shoulder against the back of the elevator.

---

---

---

---

Once he’s inside the vehicle, Nero reclaims their spot in his lap. “Hmm… the Empire State Building?” They guess, but they figure it’s not going to be that easy knowing Caden. They also don’t really know any other buildings in New York.

---

---

---

---

Kimiko had no intention of naming the plushie after Avery, but she does enjoy making him squirm. “Isn’t that what Caden calls you though?” She asks, setting the stuffie on the floor as she tries her luck at the pinball machine.

“Hmm, well it can’t very well stay nameless, right?” She says, only able to score a few points before the ball falls. Kiki glares at the game before starting over.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia smiled happily, listening to Nic geek out and get excited about the conference. She stood in front of him while he leaned against the back of the elevator, her hands clasped together in front of her.

”Do I get to go to the panels as well? And why wouldn’t they buy the new equipment? It’ll be so outdated and useless by that point won’t it?” Of course, Cassi was content helping people with their ailments with herbs. Medicine that was thousands of years old, but for Westernized medicine, it made more sense to have the best equipment.

---

---

---

---

Caden rests a hand on Nero’s thigh when they reclaim his lap as their seat. ”Yes, my little imp. The Empire State Building,” he said and kissed Nero’s cheek, and then the soft spot below their ear.

---

---

---

---

”Yes, but you don’t. So it would be better,” Avery said, managing to get a bonus ball before he looses it and starts again. ”How about Larry?” Avery joked, just saying the first thing that came to his mind.

---

---

---

---

Nic smiles down at her, loving that she would want to join in on something like that. “I’m pretty sure you can attend the panels. If I can’t bring a plus one, what kind of perfect boyfriend would I be?” He says before going on to answer her next question.

“But yeah, you would think getting the newest equipment and staying on top of what works best would be a bigger priority, but this is American healthcare we’re talking about. Everything is backwards and the board of the hospital cares more about making a profit than actually helping people.” He takes a deep breath before sighing. “I’ll make sure you enjoy yourself though, have no fear.” Nic tells Cass as the elevator doors open and he walks her out.

---

---

---

---

Nero’s surprised they got it right, happily wiggling as Caden kisses their cheek. When he moves his lips to their neck, they squirm with a breathy sigh, once again feeling ticklish in that area but also loving the feeling.

“I need to find your weak spot already.” They declare with a small pout.

---

---

---

---

“Entirely too close to ‘Terry’.” Kiki says without thinking. Before she knows it, she’s having trouble breathing and close to a panic attack as her ball falls yet again. She crouches down to pick up the stuffed wolf but ends up falling on her ass instead, still trying to calm down her racing heart and slow her breathing.

---

---

---

---

---

---

She laughed, shaking her head when Nic brought up being the perfect boyfriend again. He really was, and she didn’t mind him saying it over and over again. Cassi reached out and took his hand, leaning into him a little while they walked.

She had been to Montana before. Caden had property there with a barn full of horses. She missed riding. Maybe Caden would let them stay there, but then again, he had staff to look after the property and the animals. Nic and Cassi wouldn’t be alone, and Cassi really like the idea of it just being the two of them somewhere. Maybe she could find them a cabin to stay in.

Cassiopeia pulled herself from her thoughts and mulled over Nic’s opinion on the American healthcare system. ”Would you ever want to work somewhere else? Like Canada, or somewhere in Europe? France as a good system, Germany, and Switzerland too.”

Cassi was a wandering by nature. She didn’t often remain tied down in a place for more than five years at a time, but she could see herself making an exception for Nic.

---

---

---

---

Caden chuckled, his lips still on Nero’s neck. He moved them up to whisper in Nero’s ear. ”You are my weak spot,” he whispered. Caden’s hand squeezed Nero’s thigh, before he pulled back. They were getting close to their next location and Caden didn’t want to start something he wouldn’t be able to finish.

---

---

---

---

Avery frowned when Kimiko mentioned ‘Terry’. Bastard, he thought. Avery was starting to do well when he heard Kimiko’s breathing change. He turned his head in time to see her fall to the floor.

Avery spun around, hitting the ground next to her with his knees and placed his hands on her face. ”Kiki? Kiki, you’re okay. You’re safe,” he reminded her, his voice full of concern. He looked around before he scooped Kimiko up in one arm, grabbing the stuffed animal with his free hand, and moved off to a quieter part of the arcade. He set her down on the edge of a railing, his arm secured around her so she wouldn’t fall and placed the stuff animal on her lap.

---

---

---

---

Nic makes a small humming noise as he considers this. “I wouldn’t be opposed to it, but then again, my only family is here. And that includes Jane and Kat too…” He answers honestly before looking down at his girlfriend. “We’ll see - Maybe my dad and them would want to move with us.” He jokes lightly, trying to stay optimistic. It would be hard to live somewhere without his father and his closest friends not near.

---

---

---

---

Nero shivers, both at the sensation of Caden whispering in their ear, but also at the words he says. The hand on their thigh suddenly feels very warm to them. “Well, that’s not fair. I have two weak spots then.” They tease before the door is opened for them once again.

Nero kisses Caden quickly on the lips before hopping out of the car before Caden. They crane their neck as they look up at the skyscraper before them, entranced at how the lights of the city reflect off it’s surface.

---

---

---

---

Kiki chews on her lip, tears falling as she tries to calm down. Avery’s voice helps, but her brain replays the horrible memories of that horrible event from only a week ago. “I-I-I’m sorry.” She manages to hiccup the words out before she wipes at her face. Some of the makeup she had used to cover the fading bruises rubs off, the yellow contusion on her cheek from Levi’s backhand becoming visible again. She closes her eyes and tries to focus on Avery’s words, her hands clutching his shirt even as he sets her down on some railing.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia squeezed Nic’s hand and laughed. ”Maybe. Or maybe they’d let us go for a year before we came back,” she suggested.

They reached the bus stop, and Cassi checked her phone to make sure it was running on time. She tucked it away and looked back at Nic. ”Maybe we could plan a date night for next weekend?”

---

---

---

---

A smile tugs on the corner of Caden’s lips as he watches Nero bounce out of the car. He chuckled too himself before he slid out of the vehicle and stood behind Nero. Caden placed his hands on their hips and looked up at the skyscraper.

”The area is fenced in at the top to prevent people from jumping or damaging the building. But it’s still an incredible view,” Caden told them. He moved to take Nero’s hand and led them inside the building. There was a large lineup for the elevator, the building being rather popular at night, but Caden bypassed the line to a second elevator. He handed the person standing there a couple of tickets. Once they were scanned, they were immediately let onto the first of three elevators needed to get to the top of the building.

---

---

---

---

Avery’s heart breaks when Kimiko apologises. He shakes his head repeatedly, using his free hand to wipe some of her tears away. ”Never apologize for your trauma.”

The faded bruises Kimiko had managed to cover up start to come through, and Avery is filled with a slow-burning rage that sits in the bit of his stomach. It doesn’t let it out. This isn’t about his pain; it’s about hers. Instead, Avery closes his eyes and presses a gentle kiss to the fading bruise, willing it to fade faster for Kimiko’s sake.

”Let me take you back. I’m getting a little tired of all the noise and lights anyways,” Avery said. It was half true. Being a supernatural creature with enhanced eyesight and hearing, did cause him to become overstimulated easily. ”We can watch a movie. Find a new favourite,” Avery suggested, wanting Kimiko to know he wasn’t ready for the night to end despite what had just happened.

---

---

---

---

Nic nods to himself, liking the idea of a year or so abroad. “I think I’d like that.” He says as Cass checks her phone for the time. When she meets his eyes again, he grins at the thought of another date with her.

“Definitely. Who knows, maybe I can convince my dad to go have a sleepover somewhere.” He says with a wink and an eyebrow waggle. It’s not like sex is the only thing on his mind; he thoroughly enjoys conversations with Cass and doing everything or nothing with her, but… The kissing is getting more heated each time and Nic finds himself chasing the carrot every time, trying to bite it but having it whisked away each time. He’s sure Cass is feeling the same kind of frustration, but doesn’t want to bring it up for fear that he’s the only one having a hard time keeping their hands to themselves.

---

---

---

---

Nero nods as Caden speaks. It makes sense, especially in a city like this and with how high emotions can run in humans. They don’t dwell on it much before Caden is leading them inside. They spot the long line and almost let themselves be disheartened, but true to Caden fashion, they’re able to bypass and make their way onto an elevator rather quickly. Nero’s tempted to press all of the buttons inside, but instead wraps both their arms around Caden in an effort to suppress their chaotic nature.

---

---

---

---

Kiki’s chin trembles as she blinks through the tears to see Avery more clearly. She unclenches one of her hands on his shirt, letting her fingers spread over his chest and feels his heartbeat. She leans forward and rests her forehead on his shoulder as she keeps takin steadying breaths.

Avery’s suggestion is perfect and Kimiko could have kissed him if she wasn’t in the middle of a panic attack still. Not trusting herself to be able to talk, she nods. If they head back, she can steal one of his hoodies again and cuddle him. That thought calms her down immensely and her breathing finally steadies. “I’d like that.” She whispers.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia blushed from the thought of Nic kicking his dad out of the house for a night. She stepped up to Nic, and looked up at him. ”I wouldn’t say no to the idea,” she said and leaned up to kiss Nic.

She heard the bus pull up and took a step back from Nic. ”I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said, grabbing her bus pass.

---

---

---

---

After spending nearly every waking and non-waking moment with Nero, Caden easily read the unspoken thoughts going through Nero’s head. Caden chuckled and squeezed Nero into his side, kissing the top of his head.

”Go on. The elevator is programmed to only stop on one floor. Too many people with chaotic imp energy like you,” Caden teased and nudged Nero towards the elevator buttons.

---

---

---

---

Avery’s arm tightened around Kimiko, and he lifted her off the railing. He kept her close, resting his forehead on her the top of her head. She wasn’t that much shorter than he was, well she was, but Avery never really noticed.

Her hand on his chest was comforting, and Avery didn’t want to pull away because that meant she’d stop touching him. He took a deep breath in, inhaling her scent, and sighed. Avery lifted his head and looked around.

”I’ll go get our stuff. Why don’t you go the washroom, and I’ll come to you, so you can put on your leathers and things there,” Avery suggested. That would also give Kiki a few more minutes to steady herself.

---

---

---

---

Nic pulls her into a tight hug and kisses the top of her head before releasing her. “Text me when you get home, okay?” Nic says with a smile. He wishes that she doesn’t have to leave or that he can just follow her onto the bus and go home with her.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He says instead.

---

---

---

---

A gremlin like laugh escapes Nero and they bound over to the buttons and rapidly poke each one until they’re all lit up before turning to grin at Caden. “Imagine if it stopped on each floor though.” They say before prancing back to his side.

---

---

---

---

Kiki doesn’t want to tell him that she hates the idea of leaving his side, so she reminds herself that she’ll be okay. Her hand on his chest twitches as if itching to clutch his shirt again. She nods her head from its place on Avery’s shoulder and takes a deep breath. “Okay.” She finally says, pulling her head away to look up at Avery.

---

---

---

---

---

---

”I will,” Cassi said with a smile. She stepped onto the bus and scanned her card before taking a seat near the middle, by the window so she could wave goodbye to Nic as the bus pulled away.

Once she was alone with her thoughts she flopped against the seat and sighed. She stared up at the roof of the bus, wondering why she didn’t just bring Nic home with her. She lived alone. They could do whatever they wanted without interruptions at her place.

She shifted her focus and looked out the window, watching downtown Chicago go by. She eventually had to switch busses, but the longer she travelled the more relaxed and settled she became.

Cassi got off the bus down the street from her house and walked to the park. She slipped off her shoes and walked in the grass. The cool grass tickled her feet, and she sighed. Her mind drifted back to Nic and she turned around to look at the tall buildings of Chicago behind her. The feeling of his touch lingered on her skin, and she could still feel his hair tickling her. Cassi bit her bottom lip, pulling her focus from what she left and moved ahead.

Once she was inside she texted Nic. Home, safe and sound.

---

---

---

---

”We would be here for a very long time if that happened. There are three elevators needed to get to the top,” Caden explained, wrapping his arm around Nero’s shoulders.

---

---

---

---

”I won’t be long,” he promised. Avery walked over to the washrooms with Kimiko, holding her close until they got there. He let her go, sliding his arm across her lower back to capture her hand. He bent over her hand, kissing the back of it before he released her. ”Don’t miss me too much,” he said, gently teasing her.

Avery glanced around to make sure there wasn’t anyone lurking or watching them before he left to retrieve their jackets, helmets, and his bag.

---

---

---

---

Nic smiles, waving back when she appears in the window. Once the bus is out of sigh, he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. I should have just gone home with her. Nic thinks to himself as he walks back to his place. Despite working all day and moving, he’s not tired.

He returns to his apartment and starts organizing the dishes, his head a little clearer to do so now. He’s gotten everything put away when he gets Cass’ text.



He climbs the stairs up to the second floor and goes into his room. His dad has insisted that he get the primary room and for this, Nic is glad. The bed has been assembled and even made. A box labeled ‘CLOTHES’ sits in a corner and Nic grabs a clean pair of briefs before heading into the bathroom to take a shower.

---

---

---

---

“But it would be funny, especially if anyone else got on our elevator.” Nero says impishly as they wiggle in a little weird dance at the thought. “Why isn’t there an elevator that goes straight to the top?” They ask.

---

---

---

---

Kiki’s lips twitch in a smile at Avery’s gentleman behavior but she softly laughs at his little joke. “I’ll try my best.” She tells him before heading into the washroom. She wets a paper towel an wipes her face, not longer needing the makeup on her face. The ride home on the motorcycle should be a welcome distraction.

---

---