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Nero beams from the kiss, their mood instantly lifting from Caden’s affection. “I’m thinking an overload of sweetness so both of us can get through this morning.” They declare with a nod.

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Nic just finishes breakfast for his dad and himself when he finally gets a text back from Cass. He chuckles, practically hearing her grumpy morning voice through the screen. He snaps a photo of the breakfast bowls he made; on top rice he’s added a soft-boiled egg, avocados, butternut squash and cauliflower with tzatziki sauce.

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”Mmm crepes it is,” Caden said and kissed Nero once more before he rolled over and picked up the phone from the bedside table and called down to the kitchen to have their breakfast made.

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Cassi finally woke up enough to realize it was Wayland she was cuddly to death, but the cat didn't seem to mind much. Her phone buzzed now that it was off bedtime mode and she yawned before rolling over to answer it.

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Nero beams, scooting after Caden to cling to his back like a backpack. “Lots of that ‘nut-tella’ stuff too please.” They whisper excitedly as Caden talks through the phone. With him awake, it’s much easier to distract themselves as they pull away enough to start tracing the tattoos on Caden’s back before lightly running their fingers over his scar.

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Chuckling at her predictable reply, Nic puts his dad’s bowl in the microwave so it retains its heat a little better before taking his out to the terrace. He snaps a photo of the view with his food in the shot.

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Caden chuckled and acquiesced Nero's request and asked for a wide assortment of crepes as well as those filled with Nutella. The tracing of their fingers along his back were welcomed, bringing goosebumps and a tingling sensation. When Caden felt the strange numbness of Nero going over his scars, he worried, but nothing out of the ordinary happened. In fact, the touch felt more soothing and relaxing. Caden hung up the phone and turned his head to glance at Nero.

”If you continue that, we're going to miss breakfast,” he purred.

---

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As she woke up further, the bed grew uncomfortable forcing Cassiopeia to rise and prepare for the day. She stretched again once she was standing and headed for the washroom.

After, she made her way downstairs and checked her phone.

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Nero kisses the scar before letting themselves fall back onto the bed with a soft chuckle. “We could always do both.” They say with a teasing tone as if the two don’t keep each other up all night regularly.

“Do you know what you’re going to say?” Nero asks before their mind can wander.

---

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Nic finds himself almost wishing he had taken Caden’s offer on a vehicle just for moments like this. Setting his phone down on the table, he grabs his journal and another book he had borrowed from Caden. This one isn’t spelled like the peace treaty was, so Nic has taken extra precautions to keep it as safe and secretive as he can.

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”Do what? Breakfast and sex?” Caden stood and headed for the closet. He paused when Nero asked what he would say to Cass later.

”Remind her how much we've been through together… And how much I love her, and how happy I am that she has Nic.”

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Cassiopeia made herself a much more simpler breakfast of toast, but she didn't want to have a terribly full stomach today. Not when she was going to start her hunt for redcaps today.

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Nero hops off the bed and patters behind Caden into the closet. “I just want to know whether or not I need to wait to shower.” They tease before pulling him down by the arm to kiss his cheek.

“Well, I hope it goes well… I know you miss her.” Nero tilts their head as they look up at Caden. “Just remember that you don’t have to protect my honor, okay?”

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Finished with his breakfast, Nic finally picks up his phone and grins as he takes everything back inside, tucking the book in his closet in a hiding spot he found before heading downstairs to wash dishes.

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”Oh, well I was going to shower after breakfast. I was just going to pull on something comfortable before going downstairs,” he said.

He wrapped the arm Nero had pulled on around their waist and pulled them in for a proper kiss.

”I know I've said this a lot already, but thank you for being so understanding,” he whispered.

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“Oh! Then I’ll do the same.” Nero chirps before Caden grabs them around the waist. Only the tiniest squeak escapes them before the two share a kiss. Staring at their love, they can’t help but smile goofily at them but his words make them flush.

Nero glances away. “I’d have to really be some sort of monster not to…” They mumble.

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Nic runs a hand through his hair as he finishes the dishes. Maybe Caden would host a lunch, but that might be too obvious… With a glance at the microwave, Nic sighs. His dad is definitely avoiding him…

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”No. It would be reasonable not to be understanding. Many of mine and Cassi's relationships fell through when they realized Cassi and I used to date, let alone were betrothed. Your understanding and even acceptance means everything to me. My only hope is that Cassi will come to see you differently. That she'll remember how you helped us save Ren from the Chimera.” Caden placed a kiss on Nero's cheek and nuzzled their neck before letting them go.

”Breakfast first, my little imp,” Caden said, grinning cheekily.

---

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Cassiopeia wasn't sure which would be easier. A public lunch or a private one. Of course, Ren might be more comfortable in his own home, but Cassi wanted to offer her home just in case.

Cassi stood after finishing her breakfast and served the cats their meals before she headed upstairs to get ready for the day.

---

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The blush coloring Nero’s ears grows deeper as they fidget while Caden talks. “I mean, I was a little jealous of you two at first… You were so close, but anyone with a brain can tell you’re just friends at this point. I would say brother and sister, but you’re not European royalty… Your chin is too strong.” Nero holds Caden’s chin with a smug smile before laughing from the way his beard tickles their neck as they nuzzle them.

“Breakfast first.” Nero agrees with a wide smile before dancing around Caden to grab some shorts and a sleep-shirt to wear to breakfast.

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Nic wipes down the counters and everything before heading upstairs to his room to do some light studying at his desk. He has a short debate on whether it’s medical or supernatural he’ll research before he decides on supernatural for this morning.

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Caden laughed but nodded. ”Best friends, not quite brother and sister. Cousins maybe,” Caden joked and led Nero out of their bedroom once they were ready.

Nero's cats greeted them and followed along. The noise of the renovations carried through the house to them while they walked down the hallway to the dining room.

---

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Cassiopeia returned to her case files to review. She would have to call Costa at some point to get some more details from him.

---

Cassiopeia’s doorbell rang just as she was pinning her hair back. She frowned at it and looked at Max. Max glanced up at her, tail swishing across the floor before he trotted to the front door. Alright, so that cat wasn’t worried, but that still didn’t explain who or what it was. Cassi picked up her phone and made her way downstairs. There was nothing from Costa or anyone else stating they were coming over. Frowning still, Cassiopeia opened her front door.

”Can we talk?”

Cassiopeia froze. Her face dropped, and she scanned the large black man standing in her doorway. Then reality came crashing back down on her. She had half a mind to slam the door shut in his face, but Nic had been right; she needed to talk to Caden and hear him out. Caden lifted a bottle of whiskey and some of her favourite snacks. Frowning once more, Cassi turned away from the door and walked to her couch.

Caden let himself in, breathing a sigh of relief and shut the door behind him. ”Should I get some glasses? Cassi gave him a look, and he decided that meant no. Caden took a seat next to her, and Cass took the bottle from him. She opened it, taking a sip from it and then another long one. She sighed, the comforting burn settling in her stomach, and handed the bottle back.

Her cats drifted into the living room. Calypso instantly wrapped herself around Caden, and Cassi scowled at the cat. ”Traitor.”

Caden chuckled despite the tense situation and rubbed his finger under Calyspo’s chin. She climbed up the dragon, trying to get as close as possible before nudging Caden with her head. Caden obliged by tucking Calypso onto one arm and holding her close. With the other still free, he handed Cassiopeia the Tiffany blue box.

”What, are you hoping bribery will work?” she scoffed. Cassi took the package from him and stared at it. She knew she was being difficult and after talking to Nic, she knew she didn’t want to be, but these were leftover emotions that she wasn’t done feeling yet.

”No. I saw it and thought of you, that is all,” Caden explained while his friend tore into the box. Cassi gasped like he thought she would and held the delicate bracelet in her hands before slipping it on over her wrist. It complimented her skin colour, and would pair well with anything.

”Shouldn’t you only be buying jewelery for your mate now?”

”When has being in a relationship ever stopped me from treating you as I always have?”

Cassi glanced sideways at Caden, and the earnest, loving look on his face nearly had her crawling into his lap and apologizing. She growled and snapped her head back. ”Stop that.”

Caden simply grinned and looked away. He helped himself to some of the whiskey before he set the bottle on the table, in easy reach for them both.

---

They had been arguing, yelling, and sitting in silence for over an hour now. Caden ran a frustrated hand over his face. ”This isn’t like that, Cass. You need to trust me.”

”Trust you? Caden, I lost everything. I can’t lose you, too. This whole thing with Nero and not knowing their past. This Mundus… There’s something not right, I can feel it in my very soul.”

Caden stared at the cat in his lap, the one who refused to leave since he got to Cassi’s. ”I love them, Cass. With everything that I am. I’m not walking away, but I can’t walk away from you, either. Please… I know how much you worry. I know with everything that we’ve been through… that you’ve been through… it isn’t easy to let those we love fall into something that can bring them harm, but Nero is my mate. I’ve chosen them. Their past isn’t so different from yours or mine. It’s full of pain, full of mistakes, and survival. They deserve something good like we got. I deserve them.”

Cassi started to cry and angrily wiped away her tears.

”Mon amour…” Caden shifted in his seat, sliding closer to Cassi. Calypso finally vacated his lap, allowing him to get closer to his friend.

”I can’t lose you,” Cassi said and looked at Caden.

”Then don’t let me go.” Caden looked into his best friend’s eyes. They stared at each other for a long moment before Cassi shifted, and Caden wrapped his arms around her. Cassi curled into Caden, crying as she clung to him. Caden started to cry as well, rubbing Cass’ back while she wept.

---

Cassi wasn’t sure how long she sat like that with Caden, crying and wrapped in his arms, but her face felt puffy and she felt drained. Cassi pulled back, and Caden released her, but his focus remained on her.

Cassi reached forward, grabbed the bottle of whiskey and emptied it of its contents before setting it down. She rubbed her face and sighed.

”I’m not going to run away,” she muttered, feeling Caden’s eyes boring into her.

”Are you sure? It’s happened before,” Caden said with a smile.

Cassiopeia shoved him, and Caden laughed. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. ”I love you Cass…”

Cassi turned her head and looked at her best friend. She sighed and pressed her forehead to his. ”I love you, too. You insufferable dragon.”

Caden chuckled and pecked Cassi’s lips before he released her. He stood and started to clean up. Once he was in the kitchen, he noticed the case file and flipped it open.

Cassiopeia shuffled into the kitchen, Max wrapped in her arms, and she looked at what Caden was looking at.

”I was about to go and follow up on that when you ambushed me.”

Caden smirked, flipping through the case file and Cassi’s notes. ”Do you want an extra hand?”

He looked over at her and chuckled at her expression. ”Not because you can’t do it by yourself, but for old times sake,” he said.

Cassi set Max down and poured herself a glass of water. ”Won’t you be missed if you spend all day with me?”

”Probably, but they’ve also been pushing me out the door to fix us, so…They would understand,” Caden said.

Cassi sipped her water, mulling that fact over. []”How did we find two people who understand us so well?”[/color]

”Maybe it’s a once every three hundred year perk,” Caden joked. He flipped the case file closed and went to find cat treats. []”I’m not sure, Cass, but I’m grateful for it every day.”[/color]

Cassi sighed. ”Alright. Let’s work on this case. I know Nic will feel better if you’re with me. That man worries way too much.”

”It’s called love, Cass.”

Cassi’s face flushed, and she handed Caden the cat treats. ”Shut up and let’s get going.”

---

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“Hello darling.”

Nero nearly jumps out of their skin, turning around to glare at the King of Hell, who stands pompously in the office of Nero’s house. “Natürlich würdest du auftauchen...” They turn to level a glare at Crowley.

“You know I don’t speak German, Cait-sith.” Comes the smooth response as the other demon takes a seat in one of the more obscure armchairs adorning the room. Somehow, he still looks comfortable as hell in it.

In no mood to play these games, Nero leans back against their desk and crosses their arms over their chest. “And I don’t speak whatever that was. How can I help Lucky the Leprechaun today?” A wide grin spreads across their face as they watch Crowley.

Crowley’s eyes narrow in suspicion as they regard the tiny imp. “Something is different about you…” He says slowly, folding his hands in his lap.

“I’m sure that’s your imagination running wild, Your Highness.” Nero glances at the ledger sitting on the desk, only half-filled out so far even though they’ve been at it for what feels like hours already. At least Nero kept the demons away by sending them to retrieve the less valuable items from Hell for them. “But seriously, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company in my house?” The grin stays on their face, but their eyes narrow to glare at Crowley.

The King of Hell milks the tension in the room, deigning to check the dirt under their fingernails instead of answering right away. Nero taps their fingers on the desk impatiently, their leg shaking with nervous energy. Can Crowley tell I’ve regained my humanity?

The silence starts to become deafening as the two demons stare, or rather glare, at each other before one of them finally speaks. “I’ve heard some interesting rumors as of late.” Crowley cocks a brow as he smirks at Nero.

Fuck.

---

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Before Caden called Nero, he called on Avery. It took a while for Avery to pick up the phone, but when he finally does, Avery yawned before saying hello. Caden frowned and checked his watch.

"It is nearly two in the afternoon, Zain."

"And I was a wolf all night. I slept some, but I'm sleeping more," Avery responded, his voice gruff. "What you need, boss?" Avery yawned again.

"Can you pick up Nero for me? Cass and I are going on a hunt."

There is a pause on the other end and Caden wondered if Avery fell asleep again before he responded.

"Of course. Do you need me to dress in the usual way?"

"Yes, if Kiki goes with you, you two need to stay in the car though. Let Nero come to you and don't open the door for them. I still have to talk to them, but I'll text you the address."

Once Caden hung up the phone with Avery he texted Nero.

---

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"Sure thing, boss," Avery said, more awake now and hung up the phone with Caden. He set his phone down and kissed the top of Kimiko's head.

"I have to go to work," he informed his sleepy girlfriend.

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A grumbling mumble tumbles out of Kiki’s mouth before she remembers how to use words again. “Tell Caden to fuck off.” Having let go of Avery at some point in her sleep, she tangles her limbs around him again. “Mine.” After she practically growls this, she buries her head in his sweatshirt and inhales deeply

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The wide grin remains on Nero’s face, their eye twitch the only thing that gives away their alarm at Crowley’s announcement. “And? Are they at least funny?” Nero asks lazily with a tilt of their head. They feel their phone vibrate in their pocket and turn their back to Crowley as they pull it out, dropping the fake smile. Their eyebrows knit together when they see Caden’s text but they do let out a small sigh of relief that everything seems to be sorted between Caden and Cassi now.

“I wouldn’t call them funny, my pet.” Crowely’s voice has an amused tone to it. ”At least, not funny to a cait-sith.”



The other demon clears his throat impatiently, not appreciative of Nero’s divided attention. Rolling their eyes and sighing softly, they slip their phone back in their pocket before turning around to face Crowley with a smile again. “Alright Lucky,you can stop beating around the bush. I’m on vacation still, so I hope for your sake that this is important.” They pull one of their knives out of their secret hiding place and toss it up in the air before deftly catching it.

Crowley’s brow raises, not expecting the threatening aura from Nero. Sure, the tiny thing is always up to something and can be an annoying thorn in his side, but it was usually through clever pranks. “Well, darling, there’s been whispers of a lover-”

“Give me a moment to find some pearls to clutch for this scandal.” Nero says this with a flat expression and tone, but there’s a cold prickle on the back of their neck. Did someone see me with Caden?

---

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Avery chuckled, his arm wrapping around her again. His hand found its way back to the small of her back naturally, and he sighed happily. A warm, bubbling feeling settled in Avery's stomach when Kimiko claimed him as hers. It wasn't anything official like the mating bond, but it still felt good to hear.

"He said you could come with me," Avery said. "He wants us to pick up Nero. Sounds like things went well between him and Cass," Avery added.

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Caden watched Cassi make potions for their hunt today. He remained quiet, having always found watching her work strangely therapeutic. Caden's phone buzzed and he looked down. He rose an eyebrow in surprise before typing back.



"Trouble in paradise?" Cassi asked. Caden didn't miss the hint of bitterness in her tone, but he chose to ignore it.

"The King of Hell is paying Nero a visit."

Cassiopeia paused and looked at Caden. She opened her mouth and Caden held up a hand. "Whatever you are going to say, don't. Trust, remember? You have to give them a chance, Cassi. You said you would. Besides, Nero can handle Crowley. And Avery is going to be there."

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Kiki easily snuggles into Avery again, feeling rather content until he mentions Cassi and Caden. She whips her head out of his chest, her face splitting into a wide grin. “Wait, really? I thought it would take ages!” No longer feeling tired, Kiki untangles herself from Avery and scrambles off the bed in search of her phone. Once she finds it, she frowns - it’s dead since she didn’t let it charge overnight.

“Oh, damn it all.” Kiki glares at her phone as if it’s the objects fault for being dead right now. She trudges back to the bed, placing it on the charging plate on her nightstand before crawling back into the bed. She reclaims her previous position.

---

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The phone in Nero’s pants pocket vibrates again, but they ignore it for now, keeping their eyes fixed on Crowley and his smug, stupid face. “Well, I can’t say I’m not disappointed - here I was hoping for something juicier than who I choose to sleep with.”

“That was just to see how you’d react.” This time Nero doesn’t hide their annoyance, letting the crossroads demon see their eyes roll. He chuckles heartily at the reaction before leaning back into the chair and resting his ankle on his knee. “Who else is here today?”

Nero looks at the King of Hell with rising irritation. “For fuck’s sake, just tell me why you’re here before I decide to take your throne for myself.” It’s an empty threat, but this is the first time Nero has ever threatened to de-throne anyone, something that Crowley takes notice of.

“Fine, ruin my fun.” He says as all humor leaves his face and his tone growing serious. “Your kittens weren’t finding anything on the chimera, so I took over-”

“Don’t insult cats by calling my demons ‘kittens’.” Nero interrupts as they hop onto their desk to sit.

Crowley bows his head in silent acknowledgment before continuing. “Anyways, they weren’t finding shit so I start assigning my own demons to find out more.” The raspy, Scottish accent pauses and locks eyes with Nero. “I’ve lost some of my favorite toys to this investigation.”

“I would offer condolences but I know you didn’t actually care for them that much.” They were starting to grow not only impatient with the King of Hell, but also just bored with the amount of showboating they were being forced to sit through when they could be wrapping up their business here and finally start the process of leaving demons behind them.

“If you interrupt me again, cait-sith, I will make it my personal mission to ensure you never enjoy another day up here.” As much as Nero wants to interrupt to be annoying and also find out what the fuck Crowley keeps calling them, they know Crowley could make good on the threat. Nero will rather deal with the showboating, instead waving their hand to prompt the other demon to continue.

“Wherever this beastie came from, someone is doing everything they can in order to keep the trail cold. I’d start watching your back if I were you.” Crowley leans forward, holding the armrests of the chair as he stares into Nero’s eyes. “And that’s not me threatening you.”

Before Nero has the chance to reply, the insufferable demon snaps his fingers and disappears. Nero hops off of the desk and chews on their thumb in worry as they begin pacing. What the fuck did this mean? Their phone buzzes again and Nero pulls it out quickly, worried that Caden is threatening to fight Crowley, but it’s just a notification from something.

I need to figure out how to get rid of these… The imp thinks to themselves before they open their phone to see if Caden had responded. They start to type out a reply before loudly sighing and just hitting the call button.

---

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---

Avery rolled onto his back and shamelessly watched Kimiko trot around the room in just t-shirt and underwear. He smirked at her outrage, but was quick to wrap her up in his hold again.

His arm snaked lower, resting along her butt, and pulled her close.

”You know we have to get up. I need to go back to staff housing and change into my uniform,” he pointed out to her.

---

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Caden helped Cassiopeia when she allowed him to. He just finished bottling some of the deadly sleeping powder when his phone started to ring. Caden quickly washed his hands before answering.

”Alles okay?” He left the kitchen in favour for talking to Nero in the living room.

---

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A warm blush dusts Kiki’s cheeks as Avery’s arm touches her butt and she keeps her face hiding in his chest so he doesn’t see. When had she taken her shorts off?? “I don’t wanna.” She mumbles but she takes a deep, calming breath before lifting her face to look at Avery. Hopefully she’s not still flushed.

“Why do you have to wear a uniform? Do I need to dress in all black too?” Kiki asks, starting to go through possible outfits in her head.

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Nero almost immediately relaxes at the sound of Caden’s voice, audibly letting out a sigh of relief. “Es ist alles in Ordnung. Es tut mir leid, ich weiß, Sie sagten, nur im Notfall, aber ich wollte wirklich Ihre Stimme hören. Ich habe The Crow unter meine Haut gehen lassen.” The demon shakes their head, letting their hair whip around as if it will get rid of the irritation Crowley left in his wake.

“Ich bin froh, dass du und das Kätzchen euch versöhnt habt.” Nero says, a small smile lifting the corners of their lips.

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Avery pressed a kiss to Kimiko's lips when she looked at him. He brushed his fingers along her arm and shook his head.

”You don't have to. I need to because I'm working.” Avery placed another kiss on her lips. ”Plus it makes me look mysterious and dangerous,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

---

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Caden smiled at the sound of Nero's sigh and their voice reassuring Caden.

”Was hatte der König der Hölle zu sagen?” Caden sat down on the couch and was quickly joined by Calypso. He scratched the cat under the chin before rubbing their back.

”Wir müssen regnen und das Mittagessen auschecken. Vielleicht können Avery und Kiki dich zum Mittagessen einladen, wenn du noch möchtest.”