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Caden squeezed Nero's hip again. "Now now, don't tempt me to pull this car over," he said, noting their tone.

Once Nero's hands were on the steering wheel, Caden released the brake once more and applied some gas. He sped them up so they were going at a decent pace, but nothing that would cause a major wreck.

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Tempted to smack Caden for making them squeak at the squeeze to their thigh, Nero huffs a sigh instead and focuses. Their heart thrums with excited but nervous energy as the car moves forward, they can see a curve in the road approaching and they try to gently turn the vehicle. It feels much more like a last minute swerve to turn left though and Nero makes a more alarming squeaky noise.

“I didn’t realize it’s so sensitive!” The imp mutters, trying to turn the other way to fix it and once again over-correcting the car.

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Caden chuckled when Nero became alarmed. He moved his hand from their hip to rest it over their's on the steering wheel and got them back to being centered on the road.

"It's okay. The pedals are just as sensitive. It doesn't need much coaxing, kind of like you or I when it comes to each other. A little touch, push, or tilt of the steering wheel in whatever direction you want to go will help you make the curve or the turn."

He took his hand away from Nero's and rested his hands beside them, one on the gearshift and the other on the door.

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As much as Caden’s chuckle warms Nero’s heart, they don’t appreciate it fully at this moment. With a pout, they let him take control of the steering wheel to re-center the vehicle. “This seemed so much simpler when I was watching you…” They mutter as the car moves forward.

This time, Nero waits until they’re actually on the curved part of the road to turn, moving the steering wheel by only so much. The minuscule movement has the car aimed for a retaining wall that sits along the road and with another noise of alarm, Nero starts to pull the wheel more to the left to avoid it.

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"It's okay," he reassured Nero, not worried about crashing. "There you go...yup, just a subtle turn and easy correct." Caden applied more pressure to the accelerator so they were over ten on the speedometer. "Very good. Now there's a curve coming but in the other direction. Follow the curve with your eyes when you get to it. You'll find that you naturally turn the steering wheel."

Caden was rather enjoying the little impromptu driving lesson with Nero. He figured once the little imp settled and relaxed, they would be fine with driving.

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Nero nods along, making small notes in their head as Caden explains. This is just another puzzle for them to figure out and they like that. With a deep breath, they navigate the next turn almost perfectly and let out a whoop of excitement, wiggling and bouncing in pride.

“I did it!” Nero squeals, stopping themselves from turning in their seat to look at Caden despite how much they want to.

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Caden automatically placed a hand on Nero's hip when they started to bounce and wiggle. He chuckled despite the rising tension he was feeling. It didn't help matters that Nero's skirt kept riding up everytime they shifted, and their natural scent was starting to envelope Caden as well as the perfume they wore.

"You're a natural," Caden assured them. "Do you want to go a bit faster?" he asked.

As much as he just wanted to pull over and demand Nero turn around so he could have them in his car, this moment was important to Nero, and Caden felt just as much pride as he was sure Nero was experiencing because of it.

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Nero blushes when Caden place his hand on their hip again. They truly weren’t trying to tease Caden. “Okay, just a little faster.” They answer as they nod. They’re grateful for this chance even if it might be at Caden’s expense because trying to figure out all the steering mechanics on top of foot placement seems like too much at once.

“And then we call Avery to see if it’s all-clear to go home before I further test your patience.” Nero says it in a teasing tone, but they do feel a little bad.

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Caden chuckled and kissed Nero's back. "Thank you. I'll show you how grateful I am once we are back home," he said before accelerating to thirty miles per hour.

"Going faster will make the steering a bit easier. It will still be touchy, but you won't feel like you are driving all over the place," Caden added, hoping to ease any nerves they might have because of the faster pace.

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Avery ran the perimeter of the house twice, pausing in some places to sniff out or hear the woods. As far as Avery could tell, the only creatures --- monster or otherwise --- on the property in the last few days had been those of the people who live here. Caden hadn't had any visitors in a long time, but he could see Caden wanting to up the warding on the property if demons were lurking.

Avery made his way back into the house. He went quickly to Kimiko's room to check on her. Satisfied with the light snoring, he left to the basement to check on the security cameras. Caden had many cameras set in the house. Avery knew of all of them but ignored them as they were a part of life. Caden had cameras inside the house as well as outside and around the property.

Avery went back a few hours before he started his search and scanned the areas. He breathed a sigh of relief when nothing showed up. So they didn't know about this place or the fact that Nero was living here. That was good.

Avery picked up his phone and dialed Caden. It took a few rings before the boss man picked up, but Avery didn't comment on it.

"All clear, boss. Nothing in or our aside from us since the wolves. I checked the cameras as well and nothing has been on the property. I can start monitoring them more frequently again if you need."

"Yes, I think we should until we can get to the bottom of this. I'll strengthen the warding when we get home. Let Kimiko know, she might feel the pressure if she isn't aware."

"Sure, speaking of Kimiko...Can we talk when you get home?" There was a pause on the other end of the line.

"Did she accept the bond?"

"She did."

"Alright, we can talk if you want. We'll have to start practicing blocking in the morning."

Avery chuckled. "Ya, I figured. See you soon, boss."

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Nero shivers when Caden kisses their back but tries to keep as still as possible for Caden’s sake. They test what he’s saying, moving the wheel a tiny bit and seeing that he’s correct. “Is that what you tell yourself when you drive at the speed of light?” They tease before they feel something vibrating, they bite their tongue to stop themselves from making another joke at Caden’s expense when they hear Avery on the other line.

Trying to pay attention to the road as not to eavesdrop, Nero finds it difficult not to overhear the good news. A wide grin stretches across their face as they wait for the call to end when they hear that Kiki accepted the bond. “I knew it!” They nearly shout.

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As if someone was there tickling a feather into her ear, Kiki wakes up feeling groggy. Her room is dark, but is noticeably lacking a warm body. She feels something on her cheek and pulls a piece of paper away to find Avery’s handwriting on it. She smiles before wrapping a small blanket around her shoulder and leaves her room to see if she can find Avery or a midnight snack, whichever came first.

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”No, rather I have confidence and a hundred years of driving experience,” he announced.

When Nero exclaimed, Caden chuckled and slowed the car before he put it in park. ”It is good news. One down, one to go,” Caden said, referring to himself and Nero.

”Alright, we can make for home now, which I would really like to do if you are satisfied with today's driving lesson.”

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After he hung up the phone, Avery scanned the cameras one more time before he left the room. He shut and locked the door behind him, and made for the kitchen. He decided a glass of water and maybe a sandwich would be good before he went back to Kimiko and her warm bed.

He made it to the kitchen and started to set up when he heard the faintest of footfalls. He turned in time to see Kimiko wrapped in a blanket. He grinned.

”Would you like a sandwich, too?”

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“I don’t know if you can call the early versions of the automobile ‘driving experience’ though.” Nero argues anyway before turning as much as they can in Caden’s lap and kissing him. “But yes, I’d also like to go home too.” They say with a wink before pushing the door open and hopping out of his lap.

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Kiki can’t help but mirror Avery’s grin. “Yes please!” She says, padding along the kitchen floor to be next to him and wrap her arms around him. She yawns as she nuzzles her face into his torso. “Everything okay?” She asks in a mumble.

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”Just because it was a stick and the vehicle only went so fast doesn’t mean it was any less of an experience. You try driving with a bunch of other people on horseback or carriage with one of the first vehicles ever and see how you fair,” Caden said, and childishly, for the first time, stuck his tongue out at Nero.

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Temporarily unable to continue making sandwiches, Avery wrapped his arms around Kimiko and kissed the top of her head.

”There was an unknown demon at Nero’s house. Caden thinks they are being stalked, and the King of Hell was there earlier today, warning Nero that someone wasn’t happy with them. Caden wanted me to make sure nothing else has been on the property,” he said and held Kimiko closer, nuzzling his head into her neck. ”All’s clear, but I’m going to have to keep things more closely monitored until we figure out who or what is after Nero.”

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Nero tilts their head, amused at Caden’s gesture. “You can only pull that off if you’re not the size of a giant.” They declare before dragging the bottom of their eye down and sticking their tongue out before laughing and skipping back to the passenger seat.

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Kiki smiles despite the circumstances. “Can’t say I didn’t see this coming.” She mumbles before she can stop herself. Inhaling deeply, Kiki enjoys the mild scent of the forest that lingers on Avery and the familiar scent of mint.

“Thank you for leaving your jumper behind for me.” Kiki says softly. “And the note, even though that got stuck to my face at some point.”

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Caden shook his head, watching Nero skip around the car again like earlier. Caden revved the engine, waiting for Nero to get into the car. Once Nero was inside, Caden peeled away from the curb.

”Speaking of smaller size, do you want to play tonight when we get home? I can change my form to meet whatever you have in mind,” Caden said, placing a hand on Nero’s thigh.

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”You’re welcome. I didn’t want you to wake up and panic or think I left you,” he said, rubbing her back. ”And what do you mean you’re not surprised?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

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Nero looks over at Caden with a smirk and an eyebrow cocked. “I thought someone wanted to use the knife more tonight.” They tease, seemingly pulling one out of nowhere and twirling it between their fingers. Nero enjoyed being eye-level with Caden earlier, but doesn’t know if they’d want to be with themselves in the bedroom.

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Kiki softly moans, always happy to receive back rubs from Avery. “Hmm, I just mean… if Nero’s as powerful as they are, it’d make sense that there might be others in Hell that might not appreciate that they’re helping us or that they’re having human emotions and all that.”

Kiki pulls her head out of Avery’s chest to look at him. “Look at what happen to Cassi’s family - if they were ordered to do something like that, it stands to reason that someone would miss them.” Her stomach growls and she blushes. “Maybe I should let you make the sandwiches.”

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Caden looked at Nero when they noticed the knife in his peripheral vision. He grinned and squeezed Nero's thigh.

”I would rather enjoy more of that,” Caden agreed.

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”Hmm, not a comforting thought,” Avery noted. He shuffled Kimiko to the side when her stomach growled.

”You can always hold me from behind. I just need my arms,” he said. He hadn't anticipated Kimiko needing to be so near him, but it could simply be because she was tired or it was the first night of their bond.

Avery felt more stable being in Kimiko's presence and near her. It could simply be the same thing for her, he supposed.

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“I thought you might.” Nero says with an impish and mischievous smile before slipping the knife away again. They place both their hands on Caden’s hand to avoid fidgeting with them as their thought inevitably wander back to the unknown demon. Caden had done a nice job so far keeping them distracted, but they really don’t like the idea that some unknown demon was just watching them.

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Kiki nods tiredly, hiding a yawn behind her hand before she moves to hold Avery from behind, resting her cheek against his back. “I’m sure between Caden and Nero, they can handle whatever is chasing the imp.” She mumbles as she closes her eyes, feeling like she could fall asleep standing like this.

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Caden rubbed his thumb along Nero's hands while he drove. He needed the constant contact to reassure himself Nero was present and okay. The idea that Nero was being watched didn't sit well with Caden.

With all the work they were doing to unlock Nero's past bringing about the revelation of Mundus, and just who Nero was to the Prince of Hell, did not bode well for who this low level demon worked for. Coupled with Crowley's unsolicited visit this afternoon, it wasn't looking good.

Caden looked over at Nero, having realized they were both in their own minds. He squeezed Nero's hand.

”Avery said no one aside from us and the wolves have been on the property since we started seeing each other. I'll up the wards and talk to Cassi about setting something up. You're safe with me,” he said, wanting to remind himself as much as Nero of that fact.

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Avery smirked as he felt Kimiko lean against him.

”Don't fall asleep on me. I can hardly carry you plus sandwiches and glasses of water,” he said.

Avery made simple sandwiches with ham sliced by a butcher, cheese, lettuce, and cut cucumbers for extra crunch.

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Nero looks sheepishly at Caden, recognizing that he must have picked up on their silence. “I know that between the two of us, we make a formidable pair and all… I just don’t like this gap of knowledge that’s evading me right now.” They squeeze Caden’s hand in return three times.

“Even as anxious I am to be home and in bed with you… I can’t wait to go over these books.” Even though Nero’s not sure they will have any helpful information, they need to hope they will. If not, they aren’t sure how they’ll be able to sleep until they find something.

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“Stop being so comfy then…” Kiki says in a sleepy but bratty reply. “Besides, we both know you could just toss me over your shoulder and use your hands for the rest.” Her faces starts to warm at the thought of Avery doing that and it wakes her up a little. “B-but fine, I’ll try not to fall asleep on you for now.” She hopes she’s able to play it off coolly, but she also knows how bad she is at lying around close ones.