---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia frowned and pushed the arrow buttons on Nic's laptop to go back and forth through the footage and flip between the videos he has.

"Different people aren't a comforting thought. That means there is more than one person. This isn't shapeshifting work so it isn't someone shedding their skin, which means we have a bigger problem," she said. Cassiopeia hunted through her bag for pen and paper and wrote down a few key words.

"And it's only happening when they are in critical? So... The patient could make it or not, which would be a good reason why it's gone undetected for so long --- aside from the whole disappearing in a cloud of pink mist thing."

---

---

---

---

Caden looked down at Nero, and chuckled. He kissed their forehead and wrapped both arms around Nero's waist. He held them close, picked them off the ground, and whispered in Nero's ear again.

"I'll make sure we get a corner table, so only I get to see your gorgeous back. No one will pay any attention to us," he said. He set Nero down and nodded to the salesperson who came over, and gathered Nero's new clothes to put into a room for them to change.

Caden released Nero and went to the other clothing rack. He picked through the clothes until he found a russet brown suit, with vest, and a white shirt that he could wear without a tie to keep the outfit clean looking but less formal.

---

---

---

---

“And no one’s really mentioned the pink mist so far. It must happen too fast for the human eye to actually see…” Nic frowns as he runs the trauma team rosters over in his head. He pulls the laptop towards himself and types into google ‘someone vanishing in pink mist’ before scrolling through the results.

Nic’s brows crease more as he skims the websites. “A lot of these are about how a body exploding might look like pink mist, like a bomb going off in a battle field…” One particular search result goes into more of the gruesome details. He adds the word ‘occult’ to his search and finds even less helpful answers.

---

---

---

---

Nero starts curling and scrunching into the ear Caden whispers in, feeling the familiar ticklish feeling that always happens when he does this. “I’m sure that’s not the only reason you want a corner table.” Nero quips before being led away by a salesperson to go change.

---

---

---

---

"Ya... I had a feeling that's what the pink mist was. I'll talk to Caden and Kiki. She has access to the Men of Letters files. They might have something on record about it. Let me know what the other hospitals say, or if this happens again tomorrow," Cassi said, thinking they might have to stage something if they can't figure out what's going on.

---

---

---

---

"I haven't the faintest idea what you are referring to. I am a gentleman," Caden announced, going into his own change room.

---

---

---

---

Nic nods absentmindedly along to what Cass says. “Yeah, I’ll try to get as much information as possible for you…” He switches the windows back to the footage and plays it again. “You’d think the hospital would have noticed a bomb going off… or employees getting covered in pink mist… would whoever or whatever is doing this be able to make all the evidence disappear too?”

---

---

---

---

“I have some experiences that say otherwise.” Nero says as they happily find a change of underwear waiting with everything else. Caden is right about one thing; the zipper was in the perfect spot for them to reach and pull up.

With a look in the mirror, Nero makes sure everything is in place before walking out of their changing room. They lean back against the wall as they wait for Caden to change. He might think their back is ‘gorgeous’, but Nero knows the weird looks people start to exchange when seeing the long scars across their skin. They nervously pull at the gloves on their hands, the fabric matching the tights they wear.

---

---

---

---

"I don't think it's an actual bomb. If it was, there would be more damage. Or the instruments rattling on the tables or something." Cassi pushed her half eaten plate out of the way and leaned forward to look more closely at the screen. "I don't think I've ever come across something like this... I mean, it's possible to make everything disappear, but a missing body that just goes poof? Why hasn't anyone said anything...Unless whoever is doing it can wipe people's minds or convince them everything is fine..."

---

---

---

---

"How rude. I defended your honour today," Caden reminded. He had a smile on his face though as he changed out of his clothes into the fresh suit. He buttoned up the vest after tucking in the dress shirt. He slipped on the jacket, deciding to leave it unbuttoned.

Caden did a quick check of his face and hair before he stepped out of the change room, finding Nero already waiting for him. He smiled, capturing Nero's hand to stop their fidgeting and he twirled them around.

"Breathtaking as always."

---

---

---

---

“That’s the worrying part for me… Jane was telling me they’ve only realized with two of the patients from our hospital because a family member showed up asking where they were… I found a third patient from ours just by skimming through the footage to find those two.” Nic’s leans back in his chair and drapes his arm across the back of Cass’ chair.

“Jane also mentioned that the operating teams have no idea what happened either, just that they were about to do surgery and then they were standing in an empty operating room… I have to wonder if their minds are just filling in gaps from the unexplainable or if they’re actually experiencing lost of time…”

---

---

---

---

Nero’s cheeks redden, once again finding that Caden always has the right words. “You clean up well.” They say as they look him up and down before stepping closer to wrap their arms around him. “Do you already have a place in mind for supper?” They ask, placing their chin on their torso to look up at him.

---

---

---

---

Kiki and Avery spent most of the afternoon in her bedroom, snacking, watching some TV, and talking. As the sunshine starts to disappear from the windows, Kiki looks up at Avery. Her head in his lap as she laid on the little couch in the room. “Don’t freak out on me… but… how would you feel about maybe getting our own place? N-not right now, but like… in the future sometime…?” She can feel her cheeks and ears start to burn, closing her eyes as if she can avoid her blush that way.

---

---

---

---

Cassi scribbled down some notes while Nic talked. Same person or multiple?? Memory gaps??? Cassi circled these items several times.

"So in all actuality, it could be one person, but they are wiping the minds of the trauma teams." Cassiopeia tapped her pen on her paper, thinking it over.

"How strange," she mused, but she was also fascinated. Cassi was always happy with a challenge. It got boring fighting the same monsters day in and day out, but a new one was always exciting.

"Maybe try talking to them tomorrow at work, see what they are saying. If it is the exact same story or any deviations in what they are telling you. Maybe approach them several times during the day to see if the story stays the same or if it changes."

---

---

---

---

Caden looked down at his small imp and chuckled. "Of course I do. How do you feel about Italian?"

---

---

---

---

Avery bit into an apple while he rubbed his hand up and down Kimiko's arm. He watched whatever was on the TV now, not really focused on it but looking at something to keep his eyes busy. If he didn't, he would just stare at Kimiko the entire time, and whenever he looked at her for a prolonged period of time she would blush and hide on him.

Avery had never been so lazy before, and although he was enjoying himself, it felt weird. After they had eaten, Avery messaged Caden to check-in. Caden had finished up before Nero was done, so the two of them were together and going out for supper. Avery tucked his phone away after that, one less thing he had to worry about.

He took another bite of his apple when Kimiko made her proposal. He chewed slowly, repeating her words in his head to ensure he heard her right.

"Why? I mean, if it's space you want, I can understand that, but we'll be here most of the time anyways...Or I guess I will be. Are you thinking of staying here? In Chicago I mean."

It was a good time to have this conversation again. Now that they were bonded, living separate or travelling without the other was not an ideal situation. Just thinking about being without Kimiko for more than a day made Avery's stomach clench in discomfort, threatening to expel everything he had eaten this afternoon.

---

---

---

---

Nic grabs his pocket notebook and starts writing down the questions he’ll want to ask tomorrow. “Good thing staff likes to gossip, otherwise they’d start getting fidgety if I asked them more about this.” He has a strong urge to loop Jane in on this, but he also doesn’t want to have her mixed in with all of this.

“Maybe Caden can pretend to be me and ask them questions if I’m busy.” The nurse muses mostly to himself.

---

---

---

---

Nero smiles widely up at Caden. “Let’s find out if their food’s gotten any better since the thirteenth century.” They stretch up to kiss Caden softly, something a bit easier to do with heels on.

---

---

---

---

Kiki watches Avery carefully from his lap, wanting to make sure she can see his body language. When he mentions staying in Chicago, she bites her lip in thought. “For the space, yeah…” She glances away with a blush, stopping herself from saying something about having him in any room of a place.

“I don’t know where I want to ‘settle down’ really… I never dreamed of finding something like this,” Kiki motions between the two of them. “When I came to visit the states, but… I don’t know, everything’s all jumbled in my head right now.” She closes her eyes again.
=

---

---

---

---

"Oh, I'm sure he would be more than willing. Although, it is really eerie...kind of arousing, too," Cassi said. Her face turned beat red when she realized what she had just said.

"Umm, forget I said that," she said and pulled her plate back over and started to stuff her face again.

---

---

---

---

Caden chuckled, and kissed Nero back softly. "If you find it hasn't, their wine is still amazing," he said.

Caden pulled out his wallet and handed the salesperson his card to run. "Is there anything else here that's caught your eye?"

---

---

---

---

Avery found himself smirking when Kimiko blushed. He had a feeling there was something about having that 'space' that she wasn't telling him.

He finished his apple, core and all, and wiped his hands on a napkin before he placed both his hands on Kimiko's body.

"I happily take full responsibility for your head being jumbled," he said and hunched forward to kiss her forehead briefly. "As for living together... Of course I would love to live with you. I never thought I would be in a position to live with anyone other than Caden, so I don't exactly have a house fund, but I could easily rectify that if you don't mind waiting... I don't want you to have to support me. I mean, unless you want to be my sugar mama," Avery said with a cheeky grin.

---

---

---

---

Nic turns his head to stare at Cass, eyebrow cocked as he smirks. “Oh, but I have so many questions after hearing that.” He leans an elbow on the table to hold his head up as he watches her stuff her very red face.

---

---

---

---

“Alcohol is alcohol.” Nero chirps in response before they shake their head. “You’ve bought me enough clothes to fill one rather large closet already. I think I have plenty.” They say with a smirk.

---

---

---

---

---

Kiki is momentarily distracted as she watches Avery eat every part of the apple. His lips are cool against her warm skin and she closes her eyes at the touch. She opens them again at the mention of ‘sugar mama’, shaking her head as she narrows her eyes at Avery before laughing softly. “I can supply the house fund, but I think I’d rather not be referred to as as ‘mama’, thank you.” She tries to say the word in her deep ‘Avery’ voice that usually gets a laugh out of him.

“You follow Caden wherever he goes though, right? So it makes sense living with him… I wonder if we can just have him add a little house on the property just for us.”

---

---

---

---

Cassi looked sideways at Nic to find him staring at her and she quickly looked away.

"Goddess kill me," she moaned and buried her head in her hands. After another moment of embarrassment, Cassi sighed and rubbed her hands on her legs. "If you're partner was a shapeshifter I mean... wouldn't you want to know what it's like?" she said, gesturing to herself.

---

---

---

---

"Mmm, if you say so," Caden said. He took his card back, and thanked the staff once more for their accommodations. He'd have to send them a thank you gift soon.

Caden led Nero out of the store and helped them inside the car. Caden crouched once Nero was inside and smiled at them.

"I know I've said it already, but you really are beautiful," he said, brushing the back of his hand against Nero's cheek. He looked down their body, his other hand rubbing against the tights they wore, happy that they indulged him and wore what he wanted them to.

---

---

---

---

Avery snorted and laughed when she tried to mimic his voice again. "Gods I love you," he said without even thinking about it.

He leaned back against the couch, eyes back on the TV, and nodded. "I do, but I wouldn't mind following you around wherever you went, either."

---

---

---

---

Nic mulls Cass’ words over in his head, trying to see it from her perspective. “I think I’d rather have my partner describe it to me.” He finally says with a satisfied smile but he can’t help but let his eyes roam over Cass’ body after she’d gestured to herself. He’s quickly becoming distracted from the task at hand and looks back at the laptop, licking his lips and rubbing the back of his neck.

---

---

---

---

Nero looks up Caden from the passenger seat, leaning their face into his gentle touch. “You might have mentioned it.” They tease as they reach up to grab Caden’s hand and kiss it. With their memories coming back slowly, Nero has started having a newfound appreciation for this body - it really is as close to their human form as one can get.

“I couldn’t help but find you very attractive when you became my copycat.” Nero purrs shamelessly with a wink. They’re playing it up, but their ears warm when they remember the words Caden had said about shifting into something from Nero’s fantasies.

---

---

---

---

Kiki’s eyebrows raise and her eyes go wide at Avery’s reaction - it’s more than she could have hoped for from him. She squirms in her position so she can cuddle closer into Avery and his lap. “You love me.” She teases in a singsong voice.

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia stared at Nic, seeing his eyes look her in with a hunger she is sure mirrors her own look. She swallowed, feeling her clothes getting tighter, and she looked away from him as well.

"That works, too," she said, pushing her notebook around. "Would now be a bad time to ask if I can spend the night, or should I go home?"

---

---

---

---

Caden chuckled, staring at Nero's legs for a bit longer. "It was rather nice looking you in the eyes for once," he said, looking into Nero's eyes now.

He leaned in and kissed Nero's cheek. "Remember...whatever you want," he whispered into their ear before Caden stood and closed the car door. He walked around the back of his car, taking a minute to breathe and settle the intense feelings he was experiencing.

He got in on the driver's side and started the car before he pulled away and headed further into Chicago.

---

---

---

---

Avery wrapped his arms around Kimiko when she cuddled in closer. He pulled her completely onto his lap and nuzzled her neck.

"Oh, hush. You said it first," he reminded her and nipped her neck before pulling back to look at her.

---

---

---

---

Nic’s face lights up with a smile and he turns to Cass with a grin. “I would absolutely love it if you spent the night.” He says, grabbing her fidgeting hands in his as his eyes shine. “I’ve been eagerly waiting for the next time you’d wear my clothes.” In fact, he had set aside some more of his clothes from his bulk phase for this exact moment.

---

---

---

---

Nero smirks and shakes their head, trying to to wave off the immense attraction they feel towards Caden. He needs to stop whispering in my ear like that when we’re out in public… The demon says in their head, knowing it’s a very small chance of happening.

“Would you be able to just shrink yourself to my size? A mini Caden?” Nero asks when Caden rejoins them in the car, watching their mate start the car. They can’t help but feel that driving one of these metal carriages would make them feel invincible.

---

---

---

---

Kiki can’t help but feel tiny when Avery’s able to easily just pull her into his lap. She squirms a little as he nuzzles her neck, softly giggling as he teases her back with his words and nips. When he pulls back to look at her, she blushes of course, but also beams at him. “It’s okay, I love you too.” She tells him, flicking the tip of his nose before kissing it.

---

---

---

---

Cassi laughed and squeezed his hands. She had in fact brought a change of clothes with her, but at the sound of Nic's joy in her wearing his clothes, she wouldn't deny him the opportunity to see her dressed in them.

"Well in that case, I think we can finish with sleuthing tonight. Bring the flash drive with you tomorrow. Caden can take a copy of it when you go for your training session," she said.

---

---

---

---

Caden pondered the thought while he drove. "I'm certain I could. Like how I can change my eyes or hair or other individual features, but I don't think it would be something I would like to do outside of the bedroom. I like this height," Caden informed Nero with a childish grin.

He drove a few streets over until the restaurant came into view. It was lit up and exuded warmth. The greenery outside and inside the building was a great attempt at making the patrons feel like they were in Italy. Caden parked the car out front and handed the keys to a valet before he opened Nero's car door and offered them his hand.

Alla Vita came highly recommended, and Caden was looking forward to a traditional Italian meal.

---

---

---

---

Avery wiggled his nose after she flicked it, then laughed when she kissed it.

"You are awfully adorable," he mumbled and found her lips with his.

---

---

---

---

“Yes ma’am.” Nic says dutifully before pulling both of her hands close and kissing her knuckles. His brain quickly fills with thoughts of Cass in his bed in only a t-shirt and he has to pull himself out of the little fantasy before his body responds.

Nic clears his throat and stands up, letting go of Cass’ hands so he can clean up the table and kitchen. “If you want, you can go get comfy in my room while I clean up.” He says - most of the cleaning up is just throwing packaging away and placing dishes in the washer.

---

---

---

---

Nero chuckles, finding his boyish grin adorable. “Total opposites in our own height preferences.” They observe with a silly smile, wiggling in their seat happily. Their eyes look up out the window as the brick building comes into view with its striped awnings.

As per usual, Caden is quick in getting to Nero’s door and they beam up at him as they take his hand. Pulling themselves up, they’re quick to make sure the dress is laying down smooth on them, distracting themselves from thinking about their back on display. “It smells amazing.” They whisper in observation to Caden.

---

---

---

---

Kiki’s face heats up as she’s not really able to react any other way as Avery kisses her - not that she minds at all. She wraps her arms loosely around his neck and kisses him back. The whole afternoon had felt like it flew by for her but at the same time it felt as though they were perfectly frozen in time from anything else.

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia was glad Nic agreed to let her stay the night. She didn't anticipate they would be having sex tonight, but she thought maybe they could do something else. At the very least make-out and be held in his arms in his bed. She knew her cats would survive without her for one night.

"Would you mind terribly if I used your bathtub? Hanging upside down is good for stretching out, but only for so long," Cassiopeia said. "I promise to keep my ankle out of the water," she said and wiggled the offending appenge in the air.

---

---

---

---

"It does. One day I'll take you to the villa I have in Italy. It smells even better there," he said. Caden released Nero's hand to place his hand on the small of their back, and led them into the restaurant. He walked half a step behind Nero, sheltering their back to hopefully ease Nero's nerves.

Once inside, Caden greeted the attendant, noting their accent and switched to Italian. The attendant's eyes lit right up and Caden went back and forth with the gentleman before they were eventually escorted to a table in the corner next to the large windows. Caden gave Nero the seat in the corner, and he took the one next to them, resting his arm on the back of Nero's chair, and his leg over his other leg in a rather relaxed, informal position.

As usual, conversation and looks from other patrons briefly turned Nero and Caden's way. Caden was always aware of when people looked, being a predator himself who needed to be on guard all of the time, but he simply ignored it, and ordered a bottle of Bordeaux for the table.

Caden tucked the menu away, and started to brush his fingers along Nero's arm. He glanced around the restaurant, heads quickly turned away and Caden smirked.

"Wir sind ein echtes Paar," he said, switching to German for the sake of a private conversation.

---

---

---

---

Avery prolonged the kiss, a intense feeling of love and joy overcoming him while he kissed her. When he pulled back, Avery rested his forehead on Kimiko's, smiling and rubbing his hand along her back.

"What would you like to do now?" They could easily watch another movie until one or both fell asleep, or go for a swim. The cooler weather was starting to come around, but Caden's pool was heated. They were told they could easily keep the pool operational until mid-October before they would have to winterize it.

---

---

---

---

Nic turns to grin at Cass, a devilish look to his eyes as he thought of caveats to her using his bath before he pushed the thoughts out. “That’d probably be the best idea until we figure out what’s slowing the healing process for you.” He says instead.

“I’ve got some oils and stuff in the cabinets under the sinks.” Nic smiles innocently as he finishes cleaning up.

---

---

---

---

Nero smiles to themselves happily as they feel Caden block their back from the view of the other patrons. After Caden switches to German, Nero happily tilts their head with a smirk. “Ich glaube, in der Übersetzung ist etwas verloren gegangen.” Nero teases, patting their mate’s cheek as they smirk.

“Danke, dass Sie mir den Rücken freihalten.” They say in a sweeter tone, their expression softening.

---

---

---

---

---

Kiki thinks on it as she catches her breath, closing her eyes as Avery rubs her back. “Well, I think we’ve been properly lazy today… so maybe some swimming in the pool would be fun… Otherwise I’m going to end up falling asleep in your lap like this.”

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia tilted her head to the side, narrowing her eyes at the look in Nic's eyes. She wasn't quite sure if he was teasing her, but she also didn't mind the look he gave her.

She walked forward, closing the distance and kissed his cheek.

”Alright, I'll see you in a bit.”

She walked back to the table and grabbed her bags and backpack before she retreated upstairs. Cass walked into Nic's room, admiring the transformation and sighed. She loved that Nic had gone with the blue tones, and the warmth of the earth tones instantly settled her mind.

Cassiopeia yawned, dumping her bags in one of the chairs by the windows before she went to the bathroom to start her bath. Cassi rummaged under Nic's counter, looking for the bath supplies he mentioned.

---

---

---

---

Caden chuckled, continuing to rub his fingers along their arm.

”Nicht alles lässt sich gut übersetzen,” Caden defended himself.

Caden looked at Nero, smiling, and nodded. ”Natürlich. Heutzutage neigen Menschen dazu, ihre Wahrnehmung klarer zu formulieren.”

---

---

---

---

”I mean, I'm fine with that as well. Nic will be here tomorrow morning for training, so it will be back to early mornings again. Although, you can sleep in tomorrow. I'll have to go pick up Nic anyways,” Avery said and ran his fingers through Kimiko's loose hair.

---

---

---

---

Nic can tell that Cass wanted to question the look he gave for and his ears grew hot. He’s glad she didn’t probe though - he’s not sure what to think of it himself. “See you soon.” He replies as she leaves to go upstairs. Nic takes a couple stabilizing breaths before laughing at himself under his breath.

“Why do I feel like a teenager all over again?” Nic mumbles to himself before grabbing his things to take upstairs. He knocks on his bathroom door as he enters his room. “Finding everything okay?” He asks through the door.

---

---

---

---

“Ich kann mir nicht einmal vorstellen, was jemand in der heutigen Zeit über sie denken würde.” Nero says as they lean into Caden more, finding his touch soothing. They wiggle in their seat as they go over the events of the day. “Kennen Sie zufällig Enochian?”

---

---

---

---

---

Kiki sighs happily, closing her eyes as Avery continues to just touch her. She leans forward and rests her head on Avery’s shoulder. “Well you’re definitely heading for snoozeville, so maybe we can put on another movie and just not watch it.” She offers in a mumble.