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Kiki blushes but nods. “Yes, actually… Would you be willing to teach me?” She asks while trying not to think about where Avery’s hands have travelled down to. “I have a sneaking suspicion you don’t get massages for yourself very often.”

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Nero greedily drinks the water before taking a deep breath, blinking as they regain some of their composure. They blush at Caden’s comment. “Ich wollte nicht von meinem Thron aufstehen.” They tease before quickly drinking the rest of the water.

“Mundus made a deal with me while I was a child…” Nero bites out his name. “He took advantage of me as I was in a lot of pain from…” They flinch, the sting and sound of the whip fresh in their head.

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”Who has the time?” Avery joked. ”I can show you. You want to be careful with your hands. You don’t want to end up hurting yourself,” Avery explained. He found a knot in Kimiko’s lower back and started to work on it while he talked.

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Fire danced behind Caden’s eyes, but now was not the time to act on Nero’s comment. ”Ich bin hier, um alle Ihre Bedürfnisse zu erfüllen,” he replied instead, resting a hand back on Nero’s leg.

Caden’s eyes flickered to Nero’s shoulder, picturing the scars that span their back. Although he doesn’t like the idea of Nero being taken advantage of in such a vulnerable state, it made sense that Mundus came to them then.

”That makes sense. He saw a way in. Most demon deals are made that way. When a human sees no other way out. What else did you see?” he asked tentatively.

”Mein mächtiger, kleiner Kobold.”

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“With everything you do, you should make the time.” Kiki says in gentle admonishment. “What do you do to make sure you don’t hurt your hands?” Avery gets a particular spot on her back and she concentrates on breathing through it again.

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Nero nods, knowing this demon tactic very well. “I think I saw my father… And he made me pretend to be a boy so that he still had a heir… But that led to other boys making fun of me for being so small…” Nero’s brow creases.

“But then he remarried and actually got a male heir. But after that I was back where the boys were and that’s when they…” Nero still can’t say it. “At least I can understand my gender issues a little better now…”

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”Work out, use my knuckles more than my fingers and thumbs if I can. I do a lot of work with my hands, so that also helps keep up the strength,” he explained. Avery worked the knot until he felt it release, and then he moved up her back again.

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There’s something in the idea of Nero’s father forcing them to be something their not that has Caden frowning, the fire in his eyes turning malicious. ”No one can tell you who you should or should not be. Even if it was 900 years ago.” Caden pressed his lips to Nero’s temple in a silent kiss.

”I’m sorry you were made to suffer for his pride.”

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“Should I get one of those ‘gorilla grip’ things or whatever they’re called?” Kiki sighs in relief as Avery works out another knot. “This might come as a surprise, but I don’t use my hands very often.” She turns her head a little in an attempt to see his reaction.

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Nero nods, overall kind of feeling empty. Their eyes close at Caden’s kiss. “Gender norms have always been dumb. I guess I should count myself lucky that the boys who bullied me didn’t figure out I was a girl on top of everything else they seemed to hate about me.” They let out a long sigh.

“Definitely makes sense now why the musical got to me.”

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”If you want, but you can’t really feel the muscle tension with those,” Avery explained, squeezing and rubbing the muscles around her shoulder blades.

”I’m not surprised due to your boxing skills,”” Avery teases. ”Where do your strengths lie?” Avery asked curiously.

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Caden growls his assent. If they had found out, Nero was biologically female… Caden didn’t allow the thought to form fully. Instead, he wrapped his arms around Nero and pulled them in closer.

”It does. I think the musical and this memory coming up will help you finally process and let go of that trauma that happened to you so many years ago. And, we are now one step closer to understanding Mundus and how he plays in all this,” Caden said and placed another kiss on Nero’s temple.

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Kiki shows Avery her middle finger. “I mean, outside the fox skills and my impeccable boxing skills, I play the piano and cello pretty well.” She tells them. “Okay, so what would you recommend i do with my hands to help?”

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Nero happily nuzzles into Caden when he pulls them close. “You’re right.” They say before smiling. “Thank you for helping me through it - it’s always pleasant waking up from those with you being the first thing I see.” The peer up at Caden an move to kiss his cheek.

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”I have a few thoughts,” Avery said, his tone suggestive.

hr]

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”I’m glad I can be here, as well. There is no place I would rather be than by your side, Nero,” Caden said. He brushed his fingers under Nero’s chin, holding their gaze with his own. ”I love you, with everything that I am.”

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This time, Kiki turns around fully to glare at Avery. “Dirty old man.” She says with a shake of her head, but her cheeks and ears give her away. Her thoughts are very easily taken over by her lewd imagination. She buries her face in her hands, willing herself to stop being a degenerate.

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Nero beams at Caden, little tears springing at the corners of their eyes. “I love you too.” They adjust so they can kiss Caden’s lips. “Time for dessert?” They ask with a tired smile.

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Avery laughed both from Kimiko’s comment and her reaction. ”Looks like I’m not the only one with a dirty mind,” he said. Avery patted Kimiko’s shoulder before he resumed his work.

”I remember hearing you play cello, but I didn’t know you played piano, too. Do you usually play classical music?” Avery asked her curiously.

His hands started to make slow passes along the pass of Kimiko’s neck, gauging to see her reaction to his touch.

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Caden smiled happily, brushing his fingers through Nero’s hair, and released it from its binding. ”Definitely,” Caden said and kissed Nero again.

He stood with Nero still securely in his hold and walked from the office into the dining room. Caden set Nero down on a chair at the table, shifting the chair to point away from the table and knelt down to free Nero’s feet from their heels.

”I ordered three of everything. The menu looked rather delicious. There should be plenty of fruit as well,” Caden informed Nero. He slipped one shoe off after the other, setting them aside before he looked at Nero.

”Would you like dessert in bed, my little imp?”

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Kiki huffs but makes no further comment as Avery moves the conversation along. “I was classically trained, so that’s often what I’ll play from memory, but…” She blushes a little.

“Not to brag, but I pretty skilled at both so it’s not hard for me to play something different.” Avery passes over her neck and she flinches while tensing at first. “Ah, sorry, I think that was just involuntary - it doesn’t hurt.”

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Nero can’t help but feel a surge of love for Caden as he helps them undress by taking off their shoes. “Perfect.” They say in reply to Caden ordering all the desserts. “The bed sounds like a good place to eat.” The smile, leaning down to kiss Caden’s forehead. They hardly have the chance to do that.

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”Really?” Avery asked, not hiding the impressed tone in his voice. To be classically trained was no easy feat. Avery knew Caden was self-taught, but he wouldn’t compare anyone to him. That would be like trying to compare Avery’s strength to a bodybuilder. It didn’t even come close.

”I’d love to hear you play again,” Avery confessed as his fingers brushed across her neck.

As Avery expected, Kimiko tensed from his touch. He tried not to let it bother him, but it was a tall order. Avery rested his hands on Kimiko’s back, staring at her neck. The memory of her black bruises filled his mind and vision along with Nic when he cursed from first seeing them.

Avery sighed and looked down, closing his eyes. ”You don’t need to apologize for your body’s reactions, Kimiko. Not for this,” he said. Aver sighed again, finding his resolve, and looked back. ”How about this,” Avery shifted his position from behind Kimiko. He pushed himself to the side, his right leg sliding along the couch and behind Kimiko. Avery grabbed a couch cushion and set it down in front of him. Avery now had his left foot on the floor while his right leg remained extended on the couch, and he patted the cushion.

”Lay back on this, so you are looking at me. Keep your eyes on me while I try working on your shoulders and neck, okay? If you need, you can ask me all the questions you want if it’ll help you stay present with me.”

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Caden’s eyes shut when Nero placed a kiss on his forehead. He smiled, pleased by the simple act of love and respect. Caden opened his eyes and brushed his thumb along Nero’s cheek.

As he watched his thumb move across their skin, Caden’s mind drifted to everything he would do for Nero without them needing to ask. He adored the person seated before them. No matter who they were before, all that mattered to Caden was who they were now and how they treated him and his loved ones. Nero was the epitome of everything Caden had wanted in a mate and then some. Their fierce nature and thirst for life complimented Caden so entirely that he quickly forgot the pain Nero’s life had once been.

Caden rose to his feet, bringing Nero to stand with him. He turned, leading Nero into the bedroom and stopped just beyond the threshold. The jewellery bags greeted them, and Caden paused momentarily, wondering if now would be a good time. No, he wanted to do it at home, on one of their walks.

Caden turned to face Nero and stepped behind them to unzip Nero’s dress. The smooth fabric fell to the ground, and Caden bent down, placing kisses from Nero’s shoulder to the back of their neck and then to the other shoulder. He then ran his lips up the side of Nero’s neck.

”You relax. I’ll bring in the desserts,” he ordered.

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“I can do that - I just need you to sing your song for me first.” Kiki listens to Avery before she leans back. “You can still reach my neck like this?” She asks as she arches her neck to look up at Avery.

She had noticed his tone when he asked her if she was really classically trained. “Do you play any instruments?” She asks, jumping on his offer to ask him questions.

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Nero feels like crying again from Caden’s actions. He’s so gentle and caring towards them that it’s hard not to feel like swooning. Before he can leave to grab the desserts, Nero stands on their tiptoes and wraps their arms around Caden’s neck, holding him in a tight hug. They then kiss his cheek before letting him go.

“I don’t know how or why it happened, but I’m so lucky to have found you.” They whisper sincerely. Once they’ve made sure Caden’s heard, they shoot him another smile before going to get one of their sleep shirts to wear.

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Avery’s cheeks darkened with a blush when Kimiko said he’d have to the play song he was humming last night. He ran a hand over his face and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly nervous.

”Um, ya… I guess that’s fair.” He rarely, very rarely, played the songs he wrote for anyone. He cleared his throat to focus on the task at hand. He looked down on Kimiko after she laid back and nodded. ”I can,” he assured her and slid his hands under her shoulders and started to knead her shoulders before he tested the waters with her neck.

”Oh, I can only play guitar. Acoustic, electric, and bass and sing, but that’s about it.”

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Caden pulled Nero in, lifting them off the ground slightly as they placed a kiss on his cheek. He let them go reluctantly but he did promise Nero dessert in bed.

”I think we were both due to have some good in our lives,” Caden said, brushing his thumb across Nero’s bottom lip before they both turned away to finish their tasks.

Caden stacked several of the desserts onto a tray, along with a dessert wine the staff had brought up, complimentary. Caden walked back into the bedroom and laid the tray out on the bed before he poured to glasses of wine and set them on the bedside table. Caden scanned the desserts, popping some fruit into his mouth before he selected a dark chocolate cake that smelled of hazelnut. Caden scooped a piece with a fork and popped it into his mouth. He shut his eyes and moaned, the taste of hazelnut and caramel mixing well with the mouse base.

”Sehr lecker,” he practically moaned again. Caden had quite the sweet tooth.

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Kiki stares at Avery with wonder at his reaction. “You don’t have to play if you don’t want to.” She reached up to caress his cheek, noting the dark blush on his cheeks before she pulls her hand back, worried it might get in the way of his massage. “But now that I know you play guitar, I want to hear it.” She still flinches when he touches her neck, but it still doesn’t hurt.

“I’m assuming since you listed bass with guitar that it’s not an upright bass that you can play?” She concentrates on breathing to try and stay relaxed.

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Nero notes Caden’s reaction with curiosity as they climb into the bed. They steal his fork to use and taste it herself. Their eyes widen and they wiggle a little where they sit on the bed. “Sehr lecker!” They agree with delight.

“I didn’t know you liked sweet things.” They say as they hand Caden his fork back.

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The idea of playing for Kimiko is something Avery had thought about when he wrote the song. After all, he wrote it about her, but it still made him nervous. What if she hated the lyrics? Or hated his playing? He’s momentarily distracted when Kimiko caresses his cheek.

His eyes shifted to look at her. She flinched again from his touch, and it nearly broke him. The bastards were dead, but they would never see or understand how much they took from her. Avery was glad they were dead, but he worried that he wasn’t enough to give Kimiko her life back. Avery shifted his thumb to run along the side of Kimiko’s neck and the top of her shoulder in a smooth back-and-forth motion. He repeated the action several times on one side before doing it on the other.

”If it gets to be too much on your neck, just tell me to stop. I don’t want to force you to sit through this,” he said carefully. ”Ya, no. It’s just a bass guitar. If you want to hear the song I wrote, I wrote it on my guitar, so it sounds better if I play it that way anyways.”

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Caden took another bite after his fork was returned. It was just as decadent as the first bite. Caden goes to set the plate down to undress, but he has to take another bite before he can.

”Oh, I have a terrible sweet tooth. Especially when it comes to baked goods,” he confesses. Caden stripped off his jacket and hung it back on the hanger. The white dress shirt he wears underneath the vest is form-fitted to Caden’s body, hugging nearly every curve and outlining his arm and back muscles. He slipped off his cuff links before taking his tie off and unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt.

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Kiki watches him carefully, seeing a slew of emotions behind his eyes but unable to make them out. She understands to a degree without knowing the exact thoughts he’s feeling. It’s probably similar to her own - everything just accumulating to frustration with the entire situation. “So far, so good… I can only assume what might be hiding in there after…” She lets her sentence trail off, knowing she doesn’t have to physically say anything.

“If you don’t mind, then I’m happy to hear it however you want me to.” She says, grateful for the topic change but also excited to hear the song he wrote. “I’ve always wanted to learn bass guitar though - it’s supposed to be similar to cello, but I haven’t made time to do it.”

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Nero can’t help but let their eyes wander as they giggle from Caden’s actions. The dessert is super delicious, so they don’t blame him for going back for another bite. The demon situates themselves in the bed and gets in a comfortable seated position before they take some of the fruit and cheese to eat. “You sure look great for someone with a sweet tooth.” They tease gently.

“Why not just take the shirt off?” The imp asks, eyes drawn to the exposed chest left by the unbuttoned shirt.

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Avery liked that they didn’t have to say everything that they were thinking in order for the other person to understand them. They already had a strong connection even without the mate bond.

”If you want me to teach you bass, I could, but you owe me. The list of what I am teaching you is growing rather long. I’m going to need a lot of PB&J sandwiches,” Avery joked.

His fingers continue to work along the tight muscles of Kimiko's neck. He's honestly surprised she doesn't have more mobility issues. Or frequent headaches with the amount of tension he feels in her neck.

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Caden walked back over to his piece of cake and took a bite before answering Nero. ”High metabolism,” he said with a grin. ”As for why I’m not taking my shirt off yet.” Caden paused and picked up his wine glass from the table next to Nero, smiling at them. ”I thought you’d want dessert and a show,” he said and took a sip of his wine.

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Kiki laughs softly, but she breathes a little harder. It still doesn’t hurt in the slightest, but she can feel herself start tensing up every so often before she remembers to relax. Maybe her headaches weren’t just sleep deprivation-related… “I don’t know, what if you grow tired of PB&J? Then what would I have to bargain with.”

She closes her eyes for now, counting in her head with each inhale and exhale. “I can make some toast with jam and cheese on it too if you’d like.” She smiles, thinking of the breakfast item her da would make for her often.

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Nero raises their eyebrows with a smirk. “Oh, another show?” They ask, taking a bit of cheese before they sip at their own wine glass. “Careful, you’re going to give me a complex with spoiling if you’re not careful.” Their tone is teasing, but they definitely don’t mind being rained in presents from Caden either.

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Avery cocked an eyebrow at Kimiko even though her eyes are closed. ”Jam and cheese? Your tastebuds are confused,” Avery decided.

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Caden chuckled and kissed the top of Nero’s head. He set his wine glass down and walked back to the dresser and closet. Caden slipped his watch off and put it back in its case.

”I think I can live with that. Besides,” Caden said, bending down to untie his shoes. ”you’re my weakness and I’m here to serve you in whatever capacity you deem necessary,” he said.

Caden stood back up again, slipping his untied shoes off his feet while he watched Nero.