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Kiki nods, remembering that Avery’s mentioned this before. Still, she’d probably still ask about it again before she actually remembers it. She steps closer and kisses Avery on his cheek, still holding the dishes in her arms. “Fingers crossed I can help in the future then.” She says with a small smile filled with nerves.

“Should I try and find you in the woods or wait in the backyard again?”

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Letting out a sheepish laugh, Nic nods and sets Wayland down so he can pick up his duffel bag. “They weren’t really on my mind at the time when I went up to your room.” He says with a crooked smile as he notices Cass’ efforts to not stare openly at him.

“What an adorable sorceress you make. Three hundred years old but still shy around a naked man.” Nic can’t help but tease as he slings the bag over his shoulder and leans against the wall.

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Nero only barely feels Caden’s gaze on them, their attention concentrated on a particular page. It looks like a ledger of sorts for the nobility of some European countries. Unfortunately, this didn’t cover countries part of the Roman Empire, such as Germany. Finally peeking over the book, Nero watches Caden as he works with a tiny smile.

He’s busy, I’ll ask about making a trip to his European houses another time. Returning their concentration to the book, they flip the page to continue.

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”Whatever you're comfortable with. If I'm not done shifting when you come out, just remember to keep your distance until I come to you,” he said.

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”Shy? No, it's called self control. You are incredibly attractive, Nic. A fact I am sure you are more than aware of, and now you're standing half naked in my kitchen, looking… like that and…” Cassi shifted in her seat, trying to get the excitement in her body to dissipate. She swallowed, feeling rather warm.

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Kiki nods, giving him another kiss on the cheek before scurrying inside to unload the dishes from her arms. She greets the staff still in the kitchen before she’s gently guided to leave instead of washing the dishes herself. Ears burning, she heads to her room to shed all her clothes except for the robe. She ties it securely around herself before heading outside.

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With a chuckle, Nic walks over and kisses Cass’ head. “I do treat my body like a temple, after all.” He says before walking to leave the kitchen and go back to the bathroom to change. “I’ll make sure to pass along your compliments to Avery though.” He calls out over his shoulder before running upstairs before Cass can curse him, her flushed face burned into his memory.

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Avery waited until Kimiko was inside before he headed for the trees. His mind spun with thoughts of her and their relationship. How they laughed together and teased each other. How they supported each other and could talk about anything.

He stripped down once he was on the other side of the tree line and tucked his clothes away before he started his shift.

It was slow and painful, but Avery did his best to breath through it and let his body go through the motions. Fifteen minutes later, Avery was shaking out and stretching. He scented the air, already looking for Kimiko.

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Cassi felt her breathing turn shallow when Nic approached her. Her focus shifted to see Nic's tied up towel, and all she could think about was how easy it would be to just pull it free.

Thankfully Nic walked away before she could act on her impulse. She barely registered his words as he left, the ringing in her ears overpowering everything as she remembered how to breathe. Goddess help her with how badly she wanted to climb that man like a tree.

Cassi stood and walked to the fridge to pour herself a cold glass of water.

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Kiki plops down in the grass behind Caden’s house, deciding that she would wait for Avery to meet her instead of accidentally encountering him mid-shift. She’s tempted to just shift, but she doesn’t want to ruin her robe and be left with nothing to change into afterwards. When she sees the gigantic fur-ball that is Avery, she can’t help but grin excitedly, hopping up to meet him halfway and hugging him around his neck.

“So soft…” Kiki mumbles into the mostly white fur with a silly smile, momentarily distracted by Avery’s wolf.

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When Nic returns downstairs, he finds Cass still in her kitchen. “I promise I’m modest this time.” He says, pulling on some clean black socks as he made his way towards her. He checks the time on his smartwatch before he leans on the counter towards Cass.

“I won’t ask today since you’ve already made me a great picnic basket,” Nic starts with a grin. “But maybe sometime this week we can have lunch before I start work. I don’t know if you’d want to go into the hospital cafeteria or not, but there’s some cute options outside of it where we could go.”

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Avery is momentarily stunned when Kimiko jumps up and meets him halfway before wrapping her arms around his neck. Her comment amuses him and he lets out a huff, his version of a laugh.

Avery pressed a wet nose to Kimiko's cheek before he wiggled out from her hold. He makes a grumbling noise before nudging her with his head. He then dropped his head to the ground, looking at her before nudging her again. Avery wanted to play.

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Cassi set her water glass on the counter before looking at Nic. Her eyes roamed his body, slightly disappointed he was clothed but also relieved.

She turned back and opened up the roll of the second skin and cut a large piece.

”I wasn't sure if the cafeteria had decent food, so I figured while we were here, I'd make you something.” She had made Nic a couple yogurt parfaits, and had cut up some fresh vegetables from her garden. Then she made him some simple chicken and rice with steamed vegetables as well. Truthfully, she wasn't sure how hungry Nic got at work or even if he'd had time to eat. She figured packing more was the better option.

She pushed up Nic's sleeve before she slid the backing off the second skin and covered his tattoo with it.

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Kiki laughs and pat’s Avery’s head. “Alright, alright. Let me go ‘fox out’ for you.” She says as she heads into the woods, finding a good spot to hang her robe from and shift. Between working out and Avery massaging her legs, she’s able to shift pretty easily. Looking up at the tree her robe hangs from, she’s tempted to try and climb it before she reminds herself that Avery is waiting for her.

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“Oh, pro tip for anytime you’re hospitalized - have someone go to the cafeteria to get you food. Much better selection.” Nic tries to hold his arm steady for Cass. “Usually the food patients order from is going to be strict diet depending on pre-existing conditions or what they’re in the hospital for, but if you’re not on one… Cafeteria is fair game.”

Once Cass finishes places the second skin on his arm, Nic leans over to kiss her cheek. “Although, our cafeteria might be better since it’s connected to the university… By the way, will anyone who knows tattoos be suspicious of the healing or anything on this?”

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Avery grumbled and yipped when he felt like Kimiko was taking too long. Once she came out of the tree line, he grinned wolfishly at her, his tongue lolling out to the side before he lowered his head again, tail high and yipped at her to come at him.

Training for fighting as animals always initiated from play.

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”Mmm probably not. As you should know Nurse Wu,” Cassi said and tapped his nose. ”Everyone heals at a different rate. What I did for you was basically heal any pain, swelling or discomfort. The colouring is reasonable for a tattoo you would have gotten at some point this weekend. You shouldn't start peeling until mid or end of the week and that's usually standard. You should be in the clear. But if anyone asks, I'm not taking bookings. My tattooing isn't something I advertise or do for just anyone,” she explained.

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Nic watches Cass with an amused expression as she talks, tempted to be a smart ass about the healing rate comment, but he lets it slide. “Wouldn’t dream of sicking anyone else on you, don’t worry.” He tells her, patting her head.

“Although I think Avery was thinking of talking to you.” Nic turns suddenly to look at Cass straight in the eyes. “Oh my gosh, that reminds me - he was absolutely merciless with Kimiko in training today.”

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Cassiopeia nodded; she had been hoping Avery would want to finish his tattoo soon.”Oh, that doesn’t surprise me. He broke my arm once because I didn’t have my arm tucked in the right for a close fighting scenario with knives,” Cassi stated as she put the second skin and scissors away.

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Nic nearly chokes on his own spit and whipped his head to look over at Cass. “He what?!” He asks in disbelief, feeling a primal urge inside himself to try and beat up the heavily muscled werewolf. “Uh, Cass, I don’t think I can beat him up for you...” He says in a sheepish tone, trying to crack a joke instead of planning revenge.

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Cassi looked at Nic, amusement on her face. She put her scissors in the drawer before she turned to Nic. She rested her hand on his chest and kissed him once.

”Don’t worry. Once I recovered and we went through the same manoeuvre, I succeeded with the move and ended up stabbing him. Of course, he healed within minutes, but it still felt good.”

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Nic snakes his left arm around Cass and pulls her close with a crooked grin. “Good, cause my attempt at fighting him would have emasculated me, I’m sure of it. I don’t think I could live with the shame.” He says before giving her a kiss back.

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Once Nic’s arms wrapped around Cassi, she felt secure and loved. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling and giggling before kissing Nic back.

”That’s fine. I am more than capable of defending my own honour. And yours,” she said and kissed him a second time. ”You can just heal me, or cook for me, or bring me back to centre. Or just keep loving me.” She whispered the last part, feeling her heart race with the knowledge that this incredible man did love her. That he was still here, holding her and loving her despite her behaviour earlier when he had been trying to help.

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Nic chuckles to himself, smiling down at his adorable sorceress. “Oh, I’ll love you as long as you’ll let me, don’t you worry.” He whispers back, tucking Cass’ hair behind her ear with his free hand before kissing her forehead before chuckling again. “I can’t believe you’re making me want to skip work… I’ve never skipped work for… well just about anything.” His eyes crinkle with a smile as he realizes he’s found someone so dear to him that work is no longer his priority. That’s been replaced with Cass.

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The grin on Cassi’s face only grew from Nic’s declaration. ”I’m sorry, but also not,” she said and placed another kiss on his lips before she relaxed her arms and rested her hands on Nic’s chest.

”Now, what kind of girlfriend would I be if I kept you here when so many other people need you, hmm? Go on, Nurse Wu, you have lives to save today.”

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Nic rests his cheek on Cass’ head, smiling with an expression full of joy as he holds her. “Well, when you put it that way…” He says, his voice warm. After a few moments, he moves his head to kiss Cass’ before releasing her from his hold.

“Okay, you let me know if anything happens, okay? I keep my phone on for emergencies at work, so any contacts favorited can reach me if needed.” Nic holds her shoulders with an eyebrow cocked. “So don’t do anything reckless unless you warn me first, okay?”

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”I promise I won’t. Text me on your breaks. If you’re allowed to,” she said. Cassi gathered Nic’s lunch and walked him to the front door. Wayland followed along behind them, visibly sad Nic was leaving.

”Don’t forget you owe him a sleepover. Maybe you can take him for the weekend,” Cassi suggested, looking down at Wayland.

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“I will, don’t worry.” Nic assures Cass with a smile before he crouches and scratches Wayland’s head. “I should probably get a litter box and stuff Wayland will like for when he does finally sleep over.” His fingers go under the cat’s chin and scratch there as a thought occurs. “He won’t try to go on the terrace and jump off of it, will he?” He looks up at Cass with a pleading expression, his mind full of just the word splat.

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Cassi smiled and shook her head. ”No, he’s a smart boi. He’ll be good. I’d got out there with him the first couple of times, just so he gets the lay of the land, but if you decide to leave it open he’ll be okay. I have a feeling he’ll shadow you anyways,” Cassi said, watching the two of them say their goodbyes.

”Go on now. You’re going to be late.”