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Cassiopeia greeted all of her cats. Gathering all three into her arms and squeezed them. She kissed their heads, cooing to them before setting them down. Max sauntered off, waiting to be feed, while Wayland ran off and Calypso wound herself around Cassi’s legs.

Eventually Cassi managed to feed the cats, and gave them a little cat nip before heading upstairs. Max followed along behind her, hopping onto the bed and sat there watching her while Cassi prepared for her own shower.

She smiled at her phone and texted Nic back.



She tossed her phone on the bed before going into the bathroom to shower. Cassi wanted to make sure Nic knew she was enjoying when their relationship was going physically as much as she enjoyed it mentally and emotionally.

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”This building is one hundred and three floors. I believe there are multiple elevators to the top due to the height. With a combination of the weight and cables it can’t make it all the way to the top. Plus there are exhibits on some of the floors.” As if on cue, the elevator doors open up to one of the floors to reveal a historical exhibit of the Empire State Building. ”We can wonder through or go to the next elevator,” Caden said.

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Avery returned to the little hallway outside of the washrooms where he left Kimiko. He is half tempted to walk into the woman’s washroom to make sure is okay and still there. Instead, he settles for standing outside the woman’s washroom.

”Kiki? I’m just outside when you’re ready,” he said. He spoke a little above a normal volume, but didn’t feel the need to shout knowing Kimiko would be able to hear him just fine.

Avery stood in the hallway, looking towards the exit and fidgited with the straps of his bag, worry etched into every line of his body.

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Nic comes out of his shower, drying most of himself before stepping out. He’s glad he dried off while in the shower as he realizes he forgot to set out a bath mat. He hangs his towel to dry and shimmies into his briefs before heading into his bedroom. He flops onto the bed just as his phone vibrates.



Nic sends that with a smile, happy when he thought of the the afternoon and evening with Cass. His smile tilts into a crooked smirk as he types his next message.



His ears flare with blush and he almost doesn’t send it, but ultimately decides to send it with selfie of him winking but making a funny face just in case it came across too fast.

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Nero doesn’t answer, instead grabbing Caden’s hand and dragging him along. Their curiosity loves the detailed exhibitions and diagrams. “Are we on any kind of time constraint?” Nero asks as they peer closely at the information available. They want to read all of the little signs and greedily consume their knowledge.

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Kiki is washing her hands when she hears Avery outside the door. She can’t help the smile that automatically appears on her face as she exits the bathroom. She’s able to see the concern he’s carrying in his body and her smile falls as she places her hand on his shoulder. “I’m okay - I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Her lips quirk up in a small half smile as she tries her best to convince not just Avery but herself that she’s okay. “Everything else okay?” She asks to make sure.

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Cassiopeia wrapped herself in her towel and added some oils to her hair. She then twisted it up and wrapped her hair in a bun so that in the morning, when she let it go, it would be nice and wavy and frizzy-free. Hopeful Nic wouldn’t tease her then.

She walked back into her bedroom to see Max lounging by her phone. She scratched her familiar’s head before picking up her phone. She flushed almost immediately but happily texted Nic back.

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Caden grinned and happily followed Nero along while they took their fill of the little exhibit. ”We have all the time in the world, my little imp.”

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Avery heard Kimiko exit the bathroom before she reached him. He looked her up and down to make sure she was unharmed. Her hand connected with his shoulder, and Avery visibly sagged, the tension leaving his body. He hadn’t realized he was that wound up.

Avery set their helmets down and opened up the bag to pull out Kiki’s leathers for her. ”Ya… Ya, I’m okay. I think it’s just going to take me a while not to be on high alert when it comes to you,” Avery said.

He looked at Kimiko and switched the gear into one hand so he could caress her face. ”Did you have fun tonight at least?”

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Nic grins to himself as he reads her next message. He’s still just plopped onto the large bed and it’s getting difficult to keep his eyes open. The bed is rather comfortable. Before he responds to Cass, he quickly sends a text to Caden before he forgets.



He wants to add how Cass reacted, but decides he better not. So far he has been successful in not getting in the middle of it all. He returns to his messages with Cass.

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Nero turns away from the information to beam up at Caden. “Ich liebe dich, Mein kräftiger Drache.” They hop up to kiss his lips quickly before returning to exploring the exhibit. Once satisfied that they had consumed all the knowledge available, they finally turn back to Caden.

“Okay! Onward we go.” Nero declares with a satisfied grin.

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Kimiko frowns, concern etched into her brow as she looks at Avery. She knows she can’t stop his worrying as much as he can’t stop her nightmares. When he caresses her face, Kiki leans her head into his hand and closes her eyes. “I had loads of fun.” She grabs his hand and kisses it as she opens her eyes.

“Definitely the best first date - you’ve effectively ruined me for anyone else.” She half smiles as she teases him lightly. Kiki really doesn’t have plans to date anyone else - truthfully, she’s a bit grateful that Avery has bonded with her. Even though she doesn’t quite understand it fully, she’s elated to know that Avery would be there for her.

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Cassi turned on some soft Lo-Fi music after plugging her phone in and finished up her after-shower routine. Not feeling quite tired yet, despite the long day, Cassi pulls out one of her sketchbooks and sits on the floor, leaning against the bed, and she sketches out some things for Nic and his dad.

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Like the doting boyfriend he is, Caden happily follows along behind his imp. He looks over some of the exhibits, refreshing is memory of them before continuing on. His phone buzzes, and Caden pulls it out to make sure it isn’t anything important.

He sees it’s Nic and opens the message, briefly worried until he reads it. Caden chuckled and texted Nic back.



Caden looked up when Nero skipped over, and smiled. ”Then let’s keep going.” He led them to the elevator without a line again.

This one moved a little, but it still had thirty-some-odd floors to climb. The elevator doors opened to reveal another exhibit but with a more modern, pop-culture collection.

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Kimiko’s words work at clearing any lingering feelings of worry about her or them, and Avery grins. ”Good.” He pecked her lips before he held his hand out for her stuffed animal.

”Tell mini me goodnight. We have to stuff it in the bag,” Avery said. Now that the riding gear was out of the bag, it was empty, aside from Avery’s wallet and phone.

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Nic feels his phone vibrate and opens his eyes, ready to tease Cass for texting him back when she should be sleeping. His ears warm at Caden’s message however. He has a small mental debate with himself before he ends up just sending the message.



Leaving it at that for now, he puts his phone on silent. He doesn’t have nightstands to place it on the bed as he crawls under the blanket. As soon as his head hits the pillow, he falls asleep.

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Not bothering to ask, Nero prances out of the elevator and starts reading everything. This one is much different, but they love it all the same as they learn new things and view the displays. They make their way back to Caden a little faster than the last exhibit.

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Kiki grins that Avery calls it ‘mini me’ and happily hands the plush to him as she takes Sarah’s leathers. “I knew you’d come around to the name.” Despite how the date ended, Kimiko really did enjoy herself and is happy that she learned more about the mysterious man.

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Caden’s phone buzzes again, and he reads Nic’s message.



Caden knew it wasn’t as simple as that, but he missed his best friend. However, he wasn’t going to push because he knew her.

Nero rejoined them, and Caden smiled. ”Ready to go to the top?”

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Avery stuffed the thing inside the bag and zipped it up before it could fall out. He gave Kimiko a look while he put on his leather jacket. ”I’m making a mental catalogue of better names,” he said.

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Nero nods enthusiastically at Caden’s question. “Let’s go!” They chirp brightly as the wrap their arms around his again. They really are enjoying themselves and fidget happily on their feet.

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Kimiko beams at Avery as she also pulls on her leather jacket. “I can’t wait to hear your suggestions - hopefully they’re better than Larry.” She teases as they walk out to the bike and she pulls on the remaining leather needed.

“Ōkami is Japanese for wolf… Wolves are believed to be the messengers of kami, gods and deities… They’re also considered guardians and protectors. There’s actually a lot of folklore about it.” She finishes getting everything on and holds her helmet, not wanting her conversation with Avery to end just yet even if they’re going to be together still once back at Caden’s home.

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Caden smiled and walked into the final elevator to the top. He took the moment while they were alone to hold Nero close and kissed them softly. Caden ran his hand up and down Nero’s back while they kissed and thought about the weekend he had planned for them. The elevator dinged, and Caden pulled back.

There was another exhibit, plus a small little cafe. However, all around were doors that led out to the observation deck. People milled about, and Caden guided Nero outside. A gust of wind greeted them initially before it died down. As Caden said, there was chain link fencing all around to prevent people from leaning over the edge or jumping. Still, the view was incredible.

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“Ōkami?” Avery said, attempting to say the word correctly. He listened to Kimiko, taking her hand to walk out of the arcade once she was ready. ”I like that,” he said, smiling at the pleasant folklore the Japanese had for wolves. In a lot of lore, wolves were considered villains. Norse mythology was the only one Avery knew of where wolves were revered rather than feared.

They made it to Avery’s bike, and he put the key in the ignition before he put the bag on Kimiko this time. Now that it had a giant stuffed animal inside, he couldn’t wear it, so she would have to. He clipped the front so it wouldn’t fall off and then put his own helmet on.

Avery sat on the bike before Kimiko and fired it up. He revved the engine, letting it warm up, and pulled on his gloves.

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Nero’s a little breathless when the elevator doors open and they look around as they try to take everything in while Caden lead them outside. The wind musses up any sense of their hair being neat now, but Nero doesn’t care. Tugging on his hand, the imp runs to the fence to peer out over the city.

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Kiki smiles to herself and pulls on her helmet. The little smile he got from the wolf lore in Japan was endearing. She gingerly climbs onto the bike behind Avery and wraps her arms securely around him once again. She tries to remind herself to not death grip him and gives him a thumbs up to let Avery know she’s all set.

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Caden stood behind Nero while they took the city in. He rested their hands on Nero’s hips before lifting them slightly to give them a better look. The ledge was nearly at their chest in some places, so at least this way, Nero would have a better look if Caden lifted them up.

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Once he receives the okay from Kiki, Avery puts the bike into gear, and they roll forward. Avery takes it slowly through the city streets like before, holding Kiki’s hand or resting his on her knee every time he has to stop for a light before rolling forward again.

When he reaches the freeway, Avery drives to keep up with traffic, but he keeps to the outside so he doesn’t go as fast as he could.

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A small squeak leaves Nero as they’re lifted up, but a wide smile crosses their face as they see more of the view. They hold onto the fence to help balance their weight a little better as they peer over the city. They turn their head to look back at Caden, their eyes wide with joy.

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Kiki doesn’t know if it’s because of how well their date went or because she saw how protective Avery had been during the date, but she isn’t nearly as scared as she had been prior. She still holds tightly onto Avery, but it’s more of a comfort to be close to him rather than out of fear. His little touches at each stop squeezed her heartstrings. When the two get on the freeway, she’s still wary of any big rigs they pass, but overall, the ride back to the house goes smoothly.

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Caden led Nero around the observation deck, stopping here and there to pick them up again and give Nero a look at New York from all angles. Caden stood with Nero in-between two binoculars one could insert coins into to see into the harbour and the Statue of Liberty. He held Nero from behind, arms wrapped around their waist, and rested his chin on the top of Nero’s head.

”Was denkst du, mein kleiner Kobold?”

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They make it back to Caden’s place without incident and without Avery’s ribs being squeezed to death. Avery parked the bike in the garage and turned off the roaring engine. He removed his helmet and turned his head to look at Kimiko through his peripheral vision.

”You didn’t squeeze my lungs out. Does that mean you are starting to warm up to the bike?”

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“Es ist atemberaubend.” Nero replies, still wide-eyed as they look over everything. They try to turn their head back so they can look up at Caden. “Können wir sie beherrschen? Gemeinsam?” The second part is in jest, but Nero is sure that between them and their dragon, they could rule over something if they wanted to.

They stop trying to peer up at their mate and instead lean back into him more, closing their eyes and just letting the wind whip around them and the slight cold nip at their skin.

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Kiki removes her helmet just in time to hear Avery. “I don’t think I’m starting to warm up to the bike as much as I’m starting to realize that you’re not going to hurt me.” When she dismounts the bike, she’s still a little wobbly, but not as bad as the first bike ride she took with the wolf.

“I know you’ll protect me.” She smiles with closed eyes and a tilted head, genuine in her words to him.

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Caden chuckled, looking out over New York City and all the lights. The sounds of life were carried on the wind to Caden’s ears. He squeezed Nero a little closer. ”Ich fürchte, ich bin nicht auf dem Markt, irgendjemanden oder irgendetwas zu besitzen oder über ihn zu herrschen,” he informed them.

Caden had inherited his family’s role to lead the dragons, but there were so few of them that Caden just let them be and live their lives. It was all he wanted for himself as well.

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Avery looked at Kimiko after she got off the bike, ready to steady her if she needed it. Her words were kind, and he was glad to hear she trusted and felt safe with him.

”Always, little fox,” Avery said and brushed his fingers lightly along Kimiko’s cheeks. ”I know why you wore make-up tonight, but I just want you to know that you are stunning without it.”

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Nero chuckles to themselves. They’ve never been one to want to rule over anything anyway - maybe that’s something left over by everyone and everything that’s ruled over them. “Es ist sowieso zu viel Arbeit. Wir würden nie Zeit für andere Aktivitäten haben.” They reply while wrapping their arms around themselves and Caden’s arms.

“Das ist einer der Gründe, warum Crowley mich Botengänge für ihn machen ließ - er wusste, dass ich nicht versuchen würde, seinen Thron zu stehlen.” Nero adds, remembering how they told Cassi this on the first day they met.

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Even as her ears and cheeks warm at his compliment (and the nickname he just used for her), she opens her eyes and slyly smirks up at Avery. “I know.” Kiki teases before resting a hand on his cheek. “You, on the other hand, might benefit from some.” Feeling much better already now that they’re safely back at Caden’s, Kiki pushes her helmet into Avery’s hands. She starts running away after that comment, stumbling and shedding the leather as she makes her way to the house laughing.

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”Ich frage mich, ob Crowley mehr über Ihre Geschichte wissen würde,” Caden mused out loud. It would stand to reason the King of Hell knew some information, if not all of it.

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Avery faltered at Kimiko’s comment. He lunged for her, but she was already on the move. Avery laughed, shaking his head and got off the bike. He put the helmets and the keys away before he walked out of the garage, typing in the passcode to lock it up for the night.

”Little fox little fox, come out come out wherever you are,” Avery called in a sing-song voice. He walked into the house, locking the front door behind him, and stripped off his leather jacket. He made a mental note to check all the doors and windows before they started their movie night.

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“Er kennt einige, da bin ich mir sicher.” Nero replies, agreeing with Caden. The demon has his fingers in as many things as possible; if anyone would know something, he certainly would. “Vielleicht kann ich ihn überreden, ein paar meiner Sachen aus der Hölle mitzubringen.” Probably not unless Nero threatens to take his throne which he would recognize as an empty threat.

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“Or you’ll blow my house down?” Kiki shouts back through her cracked bedroom door. She really is just changing into a tank top and shorts - knowing how warm Avery can be - to get ready for a movie night. She grabs a scrunchie and puts her hair up in a messy bun before leaving the room. “Or do you prefer grandmothers?” She calls down the hall.

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”Vielleicht können wir ihn kontaktieren, wenn wir wieder zu Hause sind,” Caden suggested,

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Avery grinned and walked down the hallway leading to Kimiko’s bedroom. ”Depends. How quickly do you age?” he teased Kimiko.

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“Okay, wenn wir zurückkommen, werde ich das tun. Im Moment würde ich gerne weiter verwöhnt werden.” Nero says before wiggling so they can turn around in Caden’s arms.

“Wohin also als nächstes?”

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Kiki peeks around the corner just in time to see Avery walking towards her. She grins. “Hopefully not too fast.” She replies.

“Where are we watching the movie?”

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