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Kiki makes a face at Avery, sticking her tongue out at him for the heartbeat comment. “If I wasn’t so distracted, I could have heard yours.” She says in a mumbled pout before relaxing into his side again, her hand relaxing on his chest to rest there still.

“Is it weird of me to be grateful that your wolf chose me?” She says as her finger traces shapes on his shirt. “I’m still not sure how I feel about everything with the mating bond and all that but… I really do like you and I’m glad for this chance.” She concentrates on the hand she has on his chest, almost afraid to meet Avery’s eyes. It’s probably weird, isn’t it.

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Nero opens their eyes when Caden pulls away, noticing the flashing dim from before. “Is it okay to stay in your lap? I mean I’ll probably end up at the edge of the balcony again, but you are my favorite seat.” They ask in a whisper, their eyes already wandering back to the stage.

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The tracing movements Kimiko does have a soothing effect on Avery, and he closes his eyes to enjoy the sensation. His heart had been pounding during the kiss, as it often does when Kimiko catches him off guard.

He listened to her thoughts, eyes closed, and a smile on his face. ”It’s not weird. I’m glad he bonded with you, if only so I could have a chance with you. I owe so much to Caden, so I wouldn’t have pursued you out of respect for him. I’m grateful for the chance to do so now,” Avery said.

He opened his eyes after another minute and kissed the top of Kimiko’s head. ”Like I said before, when I told you what was going on, you don’t need to accept the bond if you don’t want to. We can take things slow and see where this goes.”

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”You can. You’re my favourite view anyways,” Caden said and kissed Nero’s shoulder before the lights dimmed completely, and the second act started.

Caden left his arm around Nero, continuing with tracing lazy circles on their hip, but he didn’t do anything else to distract Nero.

---

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Kimiko shakes her head at Avery. “I still don’t quite understand why you felt like Caden was a barrier between us. He’s always been a big brother to me.” She can’t help how her hearts pounds when she says that, her mind immediately going to Well, except for that one time… Kiki’s glad that he can’t see her face right now.

“B-but anyway, I don’t feel forced or anything by it right now. I mostly feel like my old habits are trying to force their way in and I’m worried that I’ll move too fast with you and ruin everything.” Okay, Kiki! Stop rambling!

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Nero doesn’t make it long before they’re back at the edge of the balcony, watching the performance go by with a dreamy expression. When Elphaba ends up with the guy, they get goosebumps from their song and look back at Caden with a waggle of their eyebrows before hopping back into his lap. The rest of the musical goes on and as the chorus sings out that no one mourns the wicked, Nero fidgets. They’re a far cry from being someone like the ‘wicked witch’, but they still feel some sort of remorse with the song and its lyrics.

The music changes up and the performers have their curtain call. Nero confusingly swipes at their face as the lights come back on. Why am I crying?

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Avery smirked, looking down and rubbed his hand on his leg. ”That’s exactly why I thought there would be a barrier. You and Caden are close, and he is like an older brother to you. I knew I was going to get “the talk”, but because you’re also under his protection, I didn’t know what that meant for a potential relationship,” Caden is rambling a little as well before Kimiko rambles.

Avery noted how her heartbeat shifted again, and now she’s not looking at him. Her words don’t match her body language. ”Kiki… I know you and Caden dated for a bit. I don’t know the details, but well, Caden did tell me there is history there, but it ended amicably.”

It had been earlier in the week that Caden informed him that the two of them had tried dating once Kimiko was of age. Honestly, it didn’t surprise Avery when Caden told him. Caden kept the details limited, and truthfully, Avery didn’t care. He just cared about how it would affect Kimiko. If it affected her.

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Caden watched his imp hop back and forth, completely enraptured with the musical. Caden made a mental note to book another weekend where they could watch Wicked and another Broadway.

When Nero looked back at the couple's song, Caden smirked, holding his arms open when Nero returned. Caden finished watching the play with his arms wrapped around Nero and his chin on their shoulder. When the play came to its conclusion, Caden clapped for the wonderful performance. He had seen the musical with several different casts now. None of them ever disappointed.

Caden glanced at Nero to see that they were dabbing at their face. Caden shifted and pulled out a silk handkerchief before he presented it to Nero without a word.

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Kiki’s heart falls to her stomach and she blanches as she peeks up at Avery. “I…” A few different emotions run through her rapidly. First, there’s relief that Avery already knows and it won’t seem like Kiki has been keeping a big secret from him. Then there’s a lot of embarrassment attached because oh my gods, why did Caden teLL HIM WITHOUT TALKING TO ME FIRST?? Which leads to a frustrating thought - Is Caden still treating me like a child?

Well, this last week had certainly proved to everyone just how human and fragile she is. While Kiki has this mental break in her mind, she doesn’t realize that two fluffy ears have popped out of her head again. “I…” She holds up a finger as she deliberates over her next words with a strained face. “I wish I had known that information.” She says, her voice even more strained than her expression. She moves her hands to hide her very red face.

“I have been so anxious all week about how to tell you about that.” She mumbles defeatedly into her hands.

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Nero gratefully takes the handkerchief from Caden and wipes their face before focusing on their eyes. Once the clapping has died down and people have started to leave the theatre, Nero moves their head so they can whisper to Caden. “Can we order dessert through room service?”

A human memory tugs at Nero’s mind, making them feel woozy and nauseous from battling it through the musical. They wanted to enjoy the show with little interruption. Now that they had, Nero knows it’s only a matter of time before it surfaces. Fresh tears start replacing the ones they had just cleaned off their face and they sigh. Well, at least I’m not sobbing, I guess.

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Avery started to worry about how long Kimiko was taking before saying anything. He could hear her racing heart and uneven breathing, not to mention the ears that popped onto her head again. Avery has the urge to touch them again, wondering if his hand felt the same as when she touched him as a wolf.

Avery looked at Kimiko when she put her face in her hands. Avery shifted his arm around her to rub her back.

”It doesn’t bother me, Kiki. That was, a while ago and even if it wasn’t, it’s none of my business. You had a life before me, just as I did before you. If it helps, I tried to pursue Cass once, and she turned me down,” Avery said, offering her an olive branch of sorts with that information.

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Caden noticed the shift within Nero almost immediately. He had witnessed enough of Nero’s flashbacks to know when one was trying to come through. Caden kissed Nero’s cheek, tasting salt from their tears.

”We can order two of everything off the menu if you wish,” Caden said, more than okay to spend the rest of the night with Nero in their hotel room.

”Do you want to wait here a bit longer for more people to leave?” Caden offered, unsure what Nero felt comfortable with doing. They definitely weren’t the only ones crying after the performance. Caden could still hear the sniffling of people leaving the theatre after watching such a moving show.

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Kiki lets Avery talk, starting to slowly climb of the hole she so desperately wants to die in and looks at him again. However, when he mentions Cassi, Kiki can’t help but snort. She gasps and claps a hand over her mouth and nose. “I shouldn’t laugh at that, oh my gods I’m so sorry.” The information definitely works in easing the tension left.

“Wait, is that why you refused to call her anything but ‘Miss Alistair’ for so long?” Kiki’s lips twitch as she tries not to laugh again. Focus, Kiki! “Oh, but, um… it’s rude of me to ask you not to laugh when I literally just laughed in your face, but can I tell you something?” There’s the smallest percentage that Caden would have known this detail anyway, but while they’re on the subject, Kiki wants to just lay it all bare.

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Nero smiles, once again finding themselves incredibly lucky to have met Caden. “I think the sooner we get back to the hotel, the better. I don’t know what this memory has in store and… I don’t to end up screaming in pain here.” Although… Now that Nero thinks about it, the hotel wouldn’t be a good place to scream either.

“Maybe I can hold it off until we get home.”

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Avery sighed heavily and rolled his head back to stare at the ceiling. ”I have a lot of respect for Cass and everything she does. She also terrifies me. When I’m working though, it’s always formal titles for me. When I’m not working, I’m more casual,” he explained.

”And don’t worry about laughing. It is pretty funny now.” Avery titled his head forward and looked at Kimiko, smiling because she wanted to share something else with him. ”I’m listening.”

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”If I’ve learned anything about your memories unlocking, it is the fact that they don’t wait. If they are going to happen, they will happen. We have an entire floor to ourselves. If you scream, it’ll be okay.” Caden reaches up and kisses Nero softly.

”We can order the desserts now so they are in the room for us when we arrive, that way, no one will come up during your release,” Caden said. He stood with Nero, setting them on their feet and guiding them out of their box and out of the theatre to the waiting town car.

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Kiki takes a deep breath. “We did end amicably - Caden and I, I mean. But…” Kiki licks her lips quickly as she starts to feel her face heat up and her mouth go dry. “But, that was also the last time I’ve been intimate with anyone…” Her hands go to tuck her hair behind her ears and she glances away. “I-it’s not because I’m still hung up on him or anything like that, though. I just made a decision after that to stop… leading relationships with sex…”

She lets out a weird, awkward laugh, rubbing the back of her neck now. “And when you’re chasing your mom all over the world, you don’t really make time for dates so…” Kiki lets herself trail off there, her hands out in a sort of weird shrug.

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Nero nods along to what Caden says, letting him lead them out of the theatre as they felt like they were stuck in some sort of haze. Once in the car, Nero rests their head on Caden, using a lot of concentration to stay in the moment. They’re able to just point out that they want everything off the dessert menu and the sweets & snacks minibar menu, keeping Caden true to his promise of ‘two of everything’.

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Avery couldn’t help the smile that formed when Kimiko mentioned that she hadn’t been with anyone else since Caden, which, of course, made Avery want to make an inappropriate joke, several of them, but he refrained as she continued on.

Avery tucked some hair that drifted in front of Kimiko’s face behind her ear. He noticed how red her cheeks were and brushed the back of his fingers along her warmed skin.

”I understand. I mean, I haven’t exactly been celibate, but it’s been a year for me since I’ve been in a relationship. If it helps, I’m enjoying getting to know the real you. This weekend has been good for us as much as it is for Caden and Nero getting away, I think.” Avery brushed his fingers through Kimiko’s hair and rubbed her back.

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Once in the car, Caden pulled his phone out before wrapping an arm around Nero. He quickly looked over the dessert menu, finding it rather delicious and decided to order three of everything rather than two. Caden had also noticed some sweets in the room’s mini bar and snack bar, so Nero would have free reign of that as well.

Caden put his phone away after placing the order and glanced at Nero. ”How are you doing?” Nero was terribly quiet, and it was starting to worry Caden.

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Kiki smiles nervously, her lips trembling as she refrains from letting out another weird awkward laugh. “I’m also happy that I’m getting to know you as well.” Closing her eyes, she lets out a little hum, really enjoying the way Avery played with her hair and rubbed her back.

“Even though I’m going to punch Caden for telling you without letting me know, I’m glad he told you.” She says, leaning more into Avery and his touch. “This weekend has definitely been something.”

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Nero buries their face into Caden as he holds them. “I’m…” They can’t think of a word to describe how they feel. They feel like they’ve just ran a marathon, their body tense and unable to relax. They keep their eyes open in an attempt to fight off the memory, afraid if they close them for too long they’ll get lost in it.

“Doing my best.” Nero says.

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Avery chuckled. ”Can I watch you punch Caden in the face? Just to make sure your form is right,” he joked.

As Avery rubbed Kimiko's back, he started to concentrate on some areas that felt more tense than others. He started applying more pressure to these spots with his knuckles and fingers.

”A good something?” Avery asked, hopeful.

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”Almost there,” Caden whispered and squeezed Nero in close before looking out the window. They were indeed on the right street for the hotel now.

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Kiki cracks a smirk. “Of course you can - hopefully he’s easier to hit than a punching bag.” As Avery’s hands move along her back, she sighs softly and relaxes more. “A very good something.” She says before quietly moaning as Avery gets a particularly bad knot in her shoulder.

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Once the car pulls up to the hotel, the two quickly make their way inside and to the elevator. Nero sticks close to Caden, both of their arms wrapped around one of his for support and comfort. They practically stumble into the room when the elevator doors open.

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"Oh, it definitely is. And a lot more punchable," Avery agreed, knowing so from experience.

Avery knew he had found a good knot in Kimiko's back even before she let out a moan. He smirked before he dug his knuckle in a bit more. With his other hand he came over to massage and stretch the area around the knot to help it start to release. Slowly Avery started to feel the shift as the muscle started to let go.

Avery shifted his weight position on the couch, and sat back, planting his feet on the floor and spreading his legs. He patted the empty space in front of him.

”Sit on the couch in front of me. It'll be easier for me to get the rest of these knots,” Avery explained.

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Caden caught Nero as they stumbled into the room. He scooped Nero into a bridal carry and pressed a button on the outside of the elevator that would ensure they were left alone.

He walked down the short hallway to the open living and dining room. The dining table was full of covered dishes containing the desserts Caden ordered, but he didn't go to the table. Instead, Caden turned right and walked into the corner room.

He shut the door of the office behind him before sitting on the couch, keeping Nero in his lap.

”You're safe, my little imp. You can let go now.”

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Kiki laughs, a snort escaping. “I’m telling Caden you said that.” She tells Avery with a mischievous smirk. She can’t keep the expression up though as Avery works the kinks in her back. When he takes his hands away, Kiki is about to pout and ask why when she turns to see Avery patting the space between his legs.

Warmth colors Kiki’s cheeks and cheeks while she does as Avery bids, sitting gingerly in the spot between his legs. She reminds herself to relax or this wouldn’t do any good for her. “Are there a lot of knots?” She asks pulling her hair into a messy bun so it’s out of Avery’s way.

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Nero didn’t need to be told twice, they lean their head on Caden’s chest and close their eyes. The memory is almost instantaneous, soon filling all of Nero’s senses. This one is different from the demon memories, much more like Nero is seeing clips of different parts of their life rather than just one scene.

A steady but firm hand holds Nero’s shoulder. “You will need to act as a boy. Our family is under attack from within. I need a male heir.” Nero nods gravely…

Nero’s backed into a corner, a handful of boys surrounding them with cruel expressions. “You don’t belong here, runt.” One of the boys say before landing a punch on Nero’s face, the tiny thing clenches their fist, wanting to fight back…

The next few memories feel more like snapshots of Nero’s life. They attend a wedding, then they’re holding a tiny baby boy, then another baby. Nero starts to feel like they’ve been pushed out of sight.

“Grab him!” Rough hands capture each of Nero’s arms and they look up as the same boy that punched them looms over them. He’s gotten taller, but is still gangly. “Poor little Leofe Warde.” The boy says in a teasing voice before punching Nero in the stomach. “Let’s show him some manners!”

The back of Nero’s shirt is torn open and before Nero can struggle anymore, a whip cracks, hittin them squarely in the back. Nero hisses in pain, knowing that it must have surely drawn blood. The boys take turns in who’s holding Nero and who’s cracking the whip, but Nero doesn’t make a sound. It’s not long until the boys grow tired of this game and leave Nero there to bleed.

A hand reaches down to where Nero lays on the ground, praying that they can die swiftly and without any more pain. The hand is as black as a starless sky, the inkiness fading out as Nero’s eyes stare at this stranger’s hand. “Let me help you, young one. Why die when you can seek revenge?” Nero lifts their eyes and meets the face of Mundus.

A scream bubbles up Nero’s throat, wanting to warn the small child not to take his hand, to do anything but take his hand. It’s too late though. Red and black seems to whirl around Nero in a terrifying dance as Mundus grins widely. “You let me know when you’re ready, small one.” The giant of a man disappears in a blink…

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Avery smirked. ”Good. He’s more entertaining to fight when he’s in a mood,” Avery informed Kimiko.

Once she sits in front of him, Avery lets his legs relax around her, pressing into her legs, and his hands resume their position on her back. Avery snorted when Kimiko asked if there were a lot of knots.

”That’s putting it mildly,” Avery informed her. His eyes narrowed slightly as he started to massage her shoulders and work down her spine. He could feel where she held tension and her fear from that night a week ago. For right now Avery concentrated on her back, shoulders, and arms. He knew as soon as he touched her neck, it would be an entirely different story told since that was her highest point of trauma, both physically and mentally, if Avery had to guess.

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As always, Caden held Nero as they went through the motions of a memory. He felt them grow warm then cold, felt the tension in their back and wondered if Nero was remembering how they got those scars. Caden pressed his lips to the top of Nero’s head, resting there until Nero started to twitch and whimper.

Caden rested a warm hand on Nero’s knee. ”Ich bin genau hier, meine Liebe. Du brauchst keine Angst zu haben. Du bist sicher.”

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Kiki concentrates on her breathing as Avery works through her shoulders and arms, closing her eyes. In through the nose, out through the mouth. She reminds herself, trying to stay relaxed even though her first instinct is to tense up. A rather loud moan escapes when he finds a particularly bad spot and Kiki immediately flushes, turning a bright shade of red.

“W-where did you learn how to massage?” She asks as a distraction. She remembers how last time he had told her that moaning was normal, but she still couldn’t help feeling embarrassed when she does.

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Nero subconscious hears Caden and starts to nudge the little imp awake. Eyelids heavy, Nero opens their eyes and reaches up to cup Caden’s face. They barely notice that their hands are shaking. “My name…” They can’t finish their thought, their mouth felt drier than a desert,

“Leofe Warde…” The tiny thing mumbles before letting their hand fall from Caden’s face.

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Even though Avery was expecting some noises of release from Kimiko, he had to remind himself that he was working on her sore muscles as a concerned trainer rather than her boyfriend. He really liked the sound of her moan, even though it wasn’t sexual in nature.

”I picked up on some things with my training, videos, and watching the nurses in the medi tents. The rest was just a combination of understanding muscle tissue and hand strength.” Avery explained. He ran his hand down her arm, massaging the bulk of the muscle before he instructed her to hold her arm. He then moved along her rib cage and spine. A satisfying pop sounded as Avery moved a vertebrae back into place. ”You can relax your arm,” he said before checking her other side.

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Caden looked into Nero’s eyes, smiling with relief as they came to, but there was something different. Nero’s eyes weren’t as vibrant, and it looked like they had just been through a war. Leofe Warde. Leofe Warde.

Caden ran the name around his head while Nero curled into him. ”Can I get you something to drink?” he asked gently. Caden wasn’t sure how Nero felt about knowing their true name, so he decided not to bring attention to it until Nero was able to process it.

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Kiki’s impressed, to say the least. “As I thought - you are pretty observant.” Another moan slips out and she hears a pop so loud it sounds like it was in her head. “When do you get a massage though?” She lets her arm fall gently to her side as Avery works. If he doesn’t get one often, maybe she can learn and repay the favor.

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“Please.” Nero croaks. They want to tell Caden everything that they saw and talk through some of the bigger issues with his wisdom. But right now, they’re content to stay curled up in Caden’s lap. Nero doesn’t want him to leave just to get them a drink.

Focusing, they reach a hand out, thinking clearly of the mini snack bar with its bottled water. A few seconds later, a thud sounds as something hits against the door. They manage to open the door as the bottle rolls into the room.

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Avery chuckled. ”Why, are you wanting to return the favour, little fox?” Feeling that there are no more vertebrae out, Avery returns to working the muscles loose, shifting his hands to work along her lower back and hips.

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Caden shifted to move Nero to get them a drink, but froze when they heard the thud. Caden looked around and saw a bottle of water rolling towards him. Chuckling, he reached down to pick it up before opening it for Nero.

”Mein mächtiger, kleiner Kobold.”