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Cassi giggled again and buried her head into Nic’s chest when he talked to the air around them. Thankfully, no one was around to look at them strangely.

”It’s not a show. It’s just… My mom and grandmother used to kiss me on the forehead, and when I felt them and the rest of my family near, I felt that kiss again and then you kissed me there and I just… I needed to feel it again.”

She rested her chin on his chest and looked up at him. ”I love you.”

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Caden didn’t like the idea of Nero teleporting them, not that they didn’t trust Nero, but their teleportation had been sketchy at best. Caden looked down at Nero as an idea formed.

He cupped their face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs along their cheeks.

”Do you trust me?”

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Nic’s face turns to look at Cass when she talks about how her mother and grandmother would do that, feeling nearly ready to start crying at how beautiful it is to hear that. Not only that, but that Cass is even talking about her family without looking guilty or otherwise depressed. When she declares her love for him, he can’t help but adore her, an easy smile lifting his lips.

“I love you too, my little tomato.” Nic says softly, leaning down to kiss Cass on the lips one more time. A car passes back and honks, cheers from the drunk dudes in the car, and Nic pulls away to kiss her forehead again before taking his bike back.

“Are you able to tell if they like me or not?” Nic can’t help but ask as they start walking again.

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Nero look quizzically up at Caden, an eyebrow cocked as he rubs their cheeks. “I mean, yes, but can I know what you’re scheming in that head of yours first anyway?” Their eyes glance over to where the office is in comparison to where they are right now.

“I just really don’t want to lose those books, not when we’re this close.” Nero tells their mate honestly. They trust Caden completely, especially now that they know dragon beats demon, but they’ll feel much better if he will just clue them in on his plan.

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Cassi laughed when she heard the passing wolf calls and car horn honking. She shook her head and claimed the food bags from Nic so they could still hold one of Nic’s hands while they walked.

”Oh, they like you…Trust me. Before we started dating, but we were getting closer, one of my ancestors visited me at night to confirm my feelings and that you would be good for me. I don’t know if you know this about me, but I’m rather stubborn and don’t accept good things when they come my way,” she said, knowing full well Nic knew all of that.

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”I’m going to buy you some time to get those books and get to the car,” Caden said. He kissed Nero softly before he pulled back and shifted.

Caden no longer stood in front of Nero but rather a second copy of Nero themselves. Everything matched Nero identically from the hair, the two different coloured eyes, including the clothes and the knife placement.

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Nic can’t help the grin on his face hearing that one of her ancestors had already been cheering for him early on. He turn to look at Cass with shock when she mentions she’s stubborn. “You? Stubborn? That’s like trying to mix oil and water.” He says cheekily before smiling at her crookedly.

“I’m glad you listened to the this time.” Nic finally adds with a genuine smile, squeezing the hand he holds.

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Nero tilts their head, a little unnerved at how uncanny it is to be staring at a clone of themselves, but they also start smirking. “I knew I was attractive, but never this much.” Nero teases before grabbing their own face. “Okay, you being the same height as me is definitely something to get used to. Don’t forget how tiny you are now.” They say before looking at their clothes on Caden’s body.

“Is there time for me to go pick up my shirt and the books, or should I consider clothing a lost cause at this point?” They had a bralette on anyway, so they’re not entirely topless at least.

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Cassi elbowed him playfully while they walked, shaking her head at him. ”I listened to them then, too. Just today, with everything that happened and how you are always there for me, it just clicked for me that I do deserve you and this feeling of being cared for…” She trailed off, staring at the sidewalk as they walked along.

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Caden smirked, the image mirroring the same look Nero would get on their face when they were being mischievous. ”If you’ve ever wanted to have sex with yourself, I’ll be happy to comply,” Caden said and kissed Nero’s cheek.

”You have time. Just be quick about it. They aren’t doing anything, just monitoring the house. Thankfully, I also entered your home in a different body, so they don’t know I’m here.”

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Nic nudges Cass with his hip, chuckling to himself before he stops at Cass’ words. “You thought you didn’t deserve the most basic parts of being in a relationship?” He asks in mild concern. “I’m sorry you ever felt that way, but I hope you realize now that you deserve every little bit of happiness that comes your way.”

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Nero grins despite the situation. “That seems a little too indulgent, even for us… But I’ll keep it in mind.” Nero winks at their twin, kissing their cheek in return.

“Don’t do anything to get yourself hurt though, okay?” Nero says pointedly before giving themselves a tight hug and dashing back towards where their shirt should still be wherever Caden had tossed it earlier.

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Cassi paused when Nic stopped walking. She turned to look at him and felt her cheeks pink slightly. She glanced at the ground, both of her hands preoccupied with holding food and Nic’s hand so she couldn’t fiddle with her hair or anything in her embarrassment.

”Well…no. At least, not what I was feeling for you I didn’t feel like I deserved. Plus, I wanted to protect you. I know you said you wanted to be a part of this world, but I’m worried about what you might find or what you might come across if none of us are around.” She stepped in closer to Nic, put her chin on his chest, and looked up at him again.

”Are you opposed to me placing you in a bubble?”

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Caden chuckled and watched them dash off before he looked in the direction of where he sensed the demon watching the house. ”Just remember, I can shift into nearly anything. Human, supernatural creature…whatever you’ve had a fantasy about, I could fulfil it.” he called after Nero.

He thought over what he could do, shaking his hands and rolling his neck while waiting for Nero to tell him they had everything and were ready.

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Nic lets his bike rest on his hip so he can cup Cass’s cheek when she places her chin on him. He understands her concern - when they had all come back from saving Kiki, he knew from their injuries that he wouldn’t have made it out alive as a human. However, he still feels like he can manage relatively okay on his own.

“You mean like Bubble Boy?” Nic asks, bemused by Cass’s request, before cracking a joke. “Maybe I can get a life alert necklace that calls you for help.”

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“If I think of one, I’ll let you know.” Nero calls over their shoulder in response to Caden. First things first, they grab their shirt to put on and add Caden’s sweater over it. The knife they first had when Caden had played his prank is picked up off the floor and placed back securely in its hiding spot.

Entering their office now, Nero dash to their desk at the pile of books they’ve obtained and finds a cedar chest to put them in, hoping Caden drove the SUV today. If he assumed he would be hunting with Cassi, he probably did drive it. Nero lets the thought bounce around before they call out.

“Okay, I think I’m ready! Also, did you drive the SUV today?” Nero calls out, hoping Caden is listening for them.

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Cassi grinned and nodded. ”Yes, both are very fashionable these days,” she said and reached up to peck his lips before tugging him along.

They were almost back to his place and the food was calling out to her.

”I know there are still dangers, and I'm still going to worry, but I also have to trust in myself. I gave you protection runes and the anti-possession tattoo… You're smart, and you told me about what's going on at the hospital. I can't protect you every minute of every day, but I've done what I can to ensure you are, and if we educate you on what's happening, that will help you further.”

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Caden had a solid plan in place by the time Nero called out. ”No, but the car is a coupe. The trunk should be large enough to accommodate what you have. Are you ready?”

Caden moved about the house to the door that would be the closest to where the demon was.

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Nic happily lets Cass pull him forward, his stomach starting to growl as he remembers it’d been more than two hours since he last ate anything. “I told you, I’ll happily take on the role of apprentice with you.” He glances around to make sure no one is within earshot, but still leans close to Cass’ ear to whisper. “I could call you ‘Master’ and everything too.”

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Nero frowns at the cedar chest and opts for one of the moving boxes in the office instead, carefully playing a game of Jenga with the books before everything is neatly packed into one box. “Okay, now I am!” Nero replies, easily picking up the heavy box.

“Am I okay to go through the front or should I find an alternative route?” Nero’s nerves buzz with anxious energy. Crowley wouldn’t have sent one of his demons to spy on Nero the same day he visited in the flesh, so who was this intruder?

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Cassi blushed from Nic's suggestion, but the idea sent a little thrill through her. She elbowed him in the stomach, not having a free hand.

”Let's worry about what you can call me after I see your skill level,” Cassi said, her tone suggesting more than just magic knowledge.

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”An exit that is as close to the west side of the house as you can. The demon is on the east side watching front and back but I want you to exit at the same time I do. Count to ten and then walk straight and away from the house. You'll come across the car about two blocks away,” Caden said and placed a hand on the door.

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“Hopefully that day is soon.” Nic replies in a wistful tone as he brought her hand up to his lips to kiss it. They arrive at his new apartment and he hits the handicap button with his knee, careful not to kick it and cause it to dislodge or malfunction. The doors open and Nic leads the way to the elevator.

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Nero quickly goes over their house in their head, moving away from the front door and going to a side door. “Okay, I’m ready when you are.” Nero holds the doorknob and twists it, putting their toe under it to hold it in place until they’re ready to leave. The hairs stand straight on the back of their neck as they still try to figure out who the demon could be.

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Cassi watched Nic as he let them in and led the way. She couldn't keep the smile from her face as she watched him. She thought about how great their time would be once they finally got the opportunity to. She thought about how happy she was to have him, and how glad she was to decide to surprise him tonight.

Once the elevator doors opened, she squished herself inside after Nic and hit the appropriate button for his floor.

”So, Montana.”

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”Okay. Countdown from five. Remember to wait 10 seconds after opening the door then go. Five, four, three, two, one.”

Caden opened the door in a flurry and started to stalk around the yard.

”Michael! If you do not show your fuzzy little butt in the next five minutes I am completely disowning you!! This is no time for hiding!” Caden said in a huff, his voice completely mimicking Nero's.

He continued to stomp around, screwing German profanities until he called out to the lurking demon.

”Oye, you haven't happened to see a small white, adorable headache in the form of a cat wandering through the yard while you've been lurking, have you?” Caden asked, skipping over to the demon in question as he did so.

He flashed his eyes from black to white and then back again, cocking his head to the side. ”You are really bad at lurking. Did you know that?”

The demon in question looked annoyed with Nero/Caden, but when Caden flashed his eyes white, Caden saw the demon's fear and he smiled sweetly, closing the distance between him and the demon.

”And who…are you?”

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Nic leans against the elevator wall - he’s glad the elevators for the building are big, but it’s still a bit squished between him, Cass, and his bike. He shifts his gaze from holding the bike upright to look at Cass with a smile. “Yes? What about Montana?” He asks, letting himself get his hopes up.

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Nero opens the door and silently counts to ten in their head, trying not to laugh at Caden’s impersonation of them. It’s pretty spot on for their behavior. Once they reach ten, they step out of their house and head straight away with their arms full of the box of books. They’re glad that Caden accommodated for Nero to grab them though, hopeful that the two of them might find some answers.

Meanwhile the demon in the field, though clearly intimidated by Caden’s Nero, doesn’t answer his question. However, they do tilt their head to mirror Caden’s and smirk, raising an eyebrow in a silent challenge. Mostly likely a facade to mask their fear, but they also know who they work for - someone much more powerful than Nero.

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”I told Caden his jet would be appreciated but I declined the use of his home for a couple different reasons but the main one is I'd rather be alone with you when you aren't learning to save all of humankind. I was thinking maybe we could rent a little cabin or an AirBnB of some kind close to your conference,” she suggested.

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Caden remained calm even though the silent treatment frustrated him. He continued to smile sweetly and looked the demon up and down.

”Mmm, the strong silent type. Well, as much of a joy and conversationalist that you are, I really must protest you using me and my home for your kink. I mean, unless you want to come inside,” Caden said, dripping the last two words with nothing but sexual energy.

He pulled one of Nero's daggers out of his clothing and twirled the point on his finger.

”Either tell me who you are, or I'll cut the reminder into your meat suit that I don't like unwanted lawn gnomes.” Caden said, and looked up at the demon through his/Nero's eyelashes. He tried to maintain the innocent yet intimidating look Nero had, but Caden wanted nothing more than to burn the demon and the human they rode.

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Nic chuckles when Cass suggests he’s trying to save all humankind. It’s not far off, but it does sound lofty out loud. “If that’s what you’d like, I’m totally fine with that. Caden did say his staff stays out of the main house or something like that, but if it’s anywhere near as big as his place here, a quiet and quaint AirBnB sounds preferable.”

Nic leans down and kisses Cass’ forehead as the elevator doors open to his floor. He leaves the lift first and unlocks the front door, letting Cass in first. The apartment is dark right now, meaning his dad must be out. He wheels his bike to the little foyer right of the door before he starts turning on lights.

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The demon shows some fear at the suggestive words Caden says, but it’s not fear of Nero. At the threaten of their meat suit being mutilated, the demon heaves a heavy sigh before leaving the human’s body. Black smoke escapes from the mouth and disappears into the ground as the human vessel falls limp.

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Cassi happily followed along behind Nic, still carrying the food. She walked into the dark apartment, Nic beating her to turn on the light.

”The property is three times the size or more. The house is relatively the same, but I just know there is a lot of activity there during the winter to make sure the animals are well looked after. Maybe if you have a free day we can stop in. I'd just rather not stay there.”

Cassiopeia walked down to the kitchen and plopped the food onto the counter before she grabbed drinks and glasses.

”Where's your dad?”

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Caden grew more frustrated, ready to just snap this demon's neck before exorcising him, but then they smoke out and disappear into the ground. Caden frowned, staring at the ground before he walked back into Nero's house.

He paused on the threshold, staring at the space before he closed the door and locked it. Caden went around and drew all the curtains on the windows shut before he replied to Nero.



Once he completed his task, Caden opened one window, a tiny crack before he closed the curtain and blinds. He shifted again but this time into a mouse. He scurried up the curtain and squeezed himself out the window before he dashed across the yard, invisible in the tall grass.

He ran as a mouse all the way back to the car before he shifted back into his normal body. Shirtless, since Nero bore his sweater, Caden walked over to the car to check on Nero.

”Are you okay?” He looked Nero over to ensure they were unharmed. Caden's eyes glowed still from all the shifting he had done within the last few hours. Seven times in total between shifting into other creatures and himself.

It had been exhilarating, and Caden felt great from being able to shift so much, but his joy was dampened from the demon who had been watching the house and how they left.

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“Good question.” Nic replies, looking around to see if there’s any note as he pulls out his phone.



Nic runs his hand through his hair with a sigh. “Looks like it’s just us for dinner tonight.” He tells Cass as he gets his laptop out of his backpack along with the drive, setting it up on the dinner table but out of the way so they can eat first.

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Nero anxiously pulls on their fingers as they wait for Caden, pacing up and down the sidewalk by his car. They release a sigh of relief when a text message comes in from the dragon, but end up pacing again, constantly casting their gaze towards their house for signs of their mate. As if appearing from thin air, Caden stands before them and Nero squeaks from surprise, letting out a string of German curses.

“I’m not the one who went off to play with another demon. Are you okay? Were you able to catch the peeping Tom?” Nero stands on their tiptoes and holds Caden’s face as they look over him in return.

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”Is it just me or is your dad acting like a moody fifteen year old boy?” Cassi meant it in jest, she knew he had just lost his partner in life and it was hard for him, but it also seemed like he was regressing.

She opened up the take out boxes and started to pile food on a plate for Nic. When she opened up the mochi box, she popped one in her mouth and hummed happily before she finished her other task.

Cassi handed Nic his plate of food with a warm smile. ”Don't say I've never done anything for you.”

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Caden chuckled and pecked Nero's lips before guiding them to the car.

”I'm perfectly unharmed. Let's get going. I don't want to linger in this area,” he said.

He got Nero in the car before he quickly got in himself. The tinted windows concealed them, and Caden quickly sped off in the opposite direction of Nero's home and their's for right now.

”The demon wouldn't talk to me. I tried to get them to talk, threatened them but they smoked out. What bothers me is they smoked out straight to Hell. Something tells me Crowley wasn't messing with you when he showed up today.”

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Nic breaks down in a laugh, running a hand over his face now. “Tell me why I wanted to ask when I adopted a a teenager just before you said that.” He gratefully takes the plate from Cass, kissing her cheek as he thanks her.

“But yeah, I don’t get it. Everything seemed fine until you brought up your idea for his tattoo…” Nic trails off before he whips his head to look at Cass. “That’s not me blaming you in any way, though, so don’t start thinking that.” He taps his long forefinger on her forehead.

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Nero’s frown grows deeper with each word and they stare out the window with a furrowed brow. “But Crowley wouldn’t bother sending just any demon after me. He would have been more clever than that…” They tap their fingers together in thought.

“I can’t help but think this has something to do with the chimera and whoever made it.” Nero says, looking over at Caden and grabbed his hand.