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Avery had turned to grab his helmet and when he turned back, he found Nero perched on the front of his bike. Avery frowned and sat on his bike.

”Your teleportation isn't accurate. Get off my bike and go bug Caden,” he said.

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Cassiopeia looked at Nic, surprised he seemed to offer them his place to use as their training grounds. Cassi debated if it would be a suitable location when Kimiko revealed the next bit of information.

Cassi's face paled and she looked at Caden who had gone still.

”He blocked you out… Caden you have to do something before I need to.”

Cassi had experience with blocking and getting people unblocked, but her way wasn't pretty.

---

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Kimiko's news didn't settle well with Caden. Blocking a mate out was never the answer or the solution, and it could be detrimental to the bond if left unattended. What the hell was Avery thinking?

Caden stood after Cassi spoke. He nodded. ”Stay here. Don't come outside, even if you feel the bond come back. Okay?”

”I got her. Just go,” Cass said, her attention split between holding Kimiko and watching Nic.

---

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Nero shakes their head, not letting their eyes leave Avery. “No.” They chirp, letting the word resonate for a moment before they continue. “If you want, we can try teleporting your bike with us too and see where it lands.” They lean closer to Avery with their wide eyes fixed on him before they scoff.

“Also, I don’t ’bug’ Caden.” Nero leans back on their heels, letting their hands and arms do the most work in keeping them perched. “I happen to enrich the day of anyone I come across.”

---

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Nic gets all the pieces of the shattered mirror off the floor and equipment before dumping it all into a nearby waste bin before he turns to face his girlfriend and her little sister. Kiki’s sobbing even more now from the reactions of Cassi and Caden. Their concern did not sit well with her.

“What’s going to happen if he keeps me blocked out?” Kiki asks between hiccups.

---

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Nic looks between Cassi and Kimiko, taking context clues from the conversation to see that this was a bigger deal than he originally thought. “How about we get you somewhere more comfortable, Kimiko.” He crouches down by the two ladies, kissing Cassi on her forehead before he gently lifts Kimiko.

“I think Cassi’s little green room will do just fine.” Nic declares even as Kimiko’s face turns red. She seems at a lost of words as she tries to decide between raging at Nic for manhandling her and sobbing at the simple, kind gesture. He waits a moment for Cassi to get to her feet before he carries Kimiko towards the other end o the house.

---

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Avery glared at Nero, debating on what would happen if he threw Nero. In the end he heaved a heavy sigh and stared at the ceiling. Avery shut the bike off and hooked his helmet on the handlebars.

”What do you want, Nero?”

---

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Caden followed the sound of his mate's voice and the motorcycle noise to the garage. He stalked inside and stood a few feet away.

Avery looked at Caden and immediately looked away. Caden's eyes were yellow as he stared Avery down.

”Give me one good reason why I shouldn't snap that precious bike of yours in half and then kick your ass across this property.”

”She can't–”

”No. She can. I've known her longer than you, Zain. She knows how to protect herself and she knows how to fight. If you were surrounded by an entire wolfpack, you wouldn't have made it out either. This is supposed to be training. You are making it seem like she is going to war. She knows she is safe and learning. She's also a fox, if you forgot. Foxes are playful by nature. It's training but it's also play.”

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Cassiopeia was ready to answer Kimiko but when Nic picked Kimiko up she decided to wait. Cassi paused to watch Nic take Kimiko from her. She smiled slowly, falling just a little more in love with him.

She got up from the floor and saw Kimiko's red face.

”Ya, he does that,” Cass said and patted Kimiko's arm.

When they walked into the hallway, Cassi scanned the area to make sure Avery didn't decide to come back inside. The last thing they needed was Avery attacking Nic because he was carrying Kiki.

Cassi followed along behind and shut the door behind them once they were in the greenhouse. She lit the candles from earlier and grabbed some lavender to burn as well.

”The mate bond is important and stronger than any marriage contract. It's binding and unyielding. It is all consuming and exhilarating,” Cassi started to say, teaching both Nic and Kiki. ”If a bond is blocked it can be detrimental to the relationship and the individuals. If it is blocked for long periods of time, the bond could be severed. But that would have to be years and years. Caden and I had started the process before I backed out. I set up a block against him and over time our ‘contract’, if you will, with each other was ended. For you and Avery as your bond is complete, that missing link would be like missing half your heart, half your soul. If it goes on for too long, well… I've heard of wolves dying,” Cassi said truthfully. ”But what Avery has done is cruel and unfair. If you are two made into one, he is forcing you into two again and that can be painful. He's being a complete selfish prick and Caden is going to kick his ass,” Cassi said before she sat on the couch next to Kimiko.

---

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Nero turns to see Caden entering the garage and raises an eyebrow. “Apparently I was keeping you from running away.” They observe Caden’s yellow eyes and his stature before turning to look at Avery again. When their dragon threatens to break the bike, Nero hops off gracefully.

As tempted as they are to ask what happened, Nero keeps their mouth shut. Their eyes, however, sparkle as they watch the power radiate off of Caden.

---

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Nic sets Kimiko down on the couch before he starts rifling through things to see if he can find a blanket to give to her. Finding one, he wraps it around her shoulders before taking a seat by the couch. He watches the young woman’s face as the two of them listen to Cassi’s explanation.

“Why the fuck would he do that??” Kimiko asks in anger. Nic watches as her face contorts through several expressions as she absorbs this information from Cassi. “I hope Caden saves some of his ass for me to kick.”

Nic snorts before covering his mouth so he doesn’t laugh. Kimiko had certainly learned some of her traits from Cassi at some point.

---

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Avery sat on his bike, staring at the wall while Caden reemed him out. Part of Avery wanted to lash out, but another part knew he deserved this. Eventually Avery climbed off his bike and stared at Caden.

”I keep replaying that night over and over in my head.”

”You need to let that night go, Zain. And you need to let Kimiko back in.”

”No. I can't protect her. It's better this way.”

Caden growled and Avery's eyes snapped down to the ground.

”Better? You're killing her. You're hurting her worse than your words ever could. Tear down the wall, Zain,” Caden ordered, the strength of the Alpha laced his voice.

---

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Cass watched Nic continue his work in caregiver mode. She smiled softly as she watched him, wondering if the act of caring for someone else was helping him process things with his dad. She mouthed the words thank you to him when he found the blanket for Kimiko.

Cass tucked the blanket around Kimiko while she spoke freely.

”I'm sure there will be plenty,” she said in agreement. ”As for why, you'll have to ask him why but I don't think he's handling things as well as he says. Also, he's a werewolf. They have this thing with control and an overly righteous sense of protection, and duty.”

Cassiopeia brushed her fingers through Kimiko's hair, scratching the fox’s head slightly.

”Remember he doesn't know you like Caden and I do. He hasn't seen you in action yet. He doesn't understand you've been on your own, looking after yourself for years. He only has one image of you in his head, and it's a really fucking shitty one,” Cassi said bluntly. ”Mix that image with the werewolf and you get a territorial overprotective man-hole,” Cassi said with a smile. That statement was quickly becoming her favourite.

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Nero glances between Caden and Avery, dying to know what happened between Avery and Kiki. “If you think Kiki is better off without you, you’re dumber than I thought.” They say coolly with a shake of their head at the wolf before looking up at Caden. They don’t want to overstep while he’s going alpha, but someone needed to point out the obvious to Avery.

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Kimiko catches the bright smile Nic flashes at Cassi and glances at her ‘big sister’ as she tucks the blanket around the fox. She snorts softly at Cassi’s words before resting her head on her shoulder. “Men are such idiots.” She says with a sniffle.

“Although, it seems like you’ve found yourself a good one.” Nic wasn’t even going to say anything, but he smiles. “Let’s just not tell the ‘man-hole’ that you carried me since throwing me over your boulder was ‘too much’.” She’s still frustrated and angry, but a change of subject is sorely needed right now.

---

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Avery attempted to look up at Caden and the dragon bared his teeth. Avery growled but backed down. Asserting dominance over Avery wasn't usually this difficult of a task. Often Avery would submit with no problem.

Caden was used to the occasional fight but he always made sure Avery didn't win. Sometimes it was close, but Caden understood how important it was to be Avery's alpha. However, now that he had Kimiko, Avery might want to challenge Caden again or leave. Caden was prepared to let Avery go if that was what he wanted, but not like this.

Nero's words had an additional effect on Avery that seemed to help. Even if it didn't, Caden was more than fine with Nero speaking out. The mate bond forming between them placed Nero in an alpha position as well. Although, Caden didn't think they would be able to assert pack magic like he could.

Caden glanced at Nero briefly, showing the slight tilt of his lips up in a subtle smile before he turned his attention back to Avery.

---

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Avery retreated within himself after Nero's words. His woods seemed duller, darker. The natural light that used to follow Avery was nonexistent, but he still found his way to his wolf and that brick wall.

The wolf was standing now, desperately clawing at the wall to try and tear it down. Avery looked up. The wall seemed to go on forever. Avery slumped forward and rested his forehead on the cold brick wall.

Kiki… I'm sorry.

”Remember your bond to her. Remember what it was like when it first formed. That flare of fire, that sensation as it crawled over your skin, holding you…” Caden coached Avery though it as best he could.

---

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Cass blushed when Nic flashed his perfect smile at her. She had missed that smile.

”He found me,” Cassi clarified. She held Kimiko while her head rested on Cass’ shoulder. ”I like to think he's learning what not to do by observing everything that goes on here. But yes, we're not telling Avery that another male carried his mate.” Cass really didn't want to get into a fight with Avery. She knew she wouldn't come away from that without some damage.

”You still haven't seen my shop. You should come see it and the cats again. Maybe spend the night,” Cass suggested.

---

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Nero watches Avery for a moment before walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder. “You rescued her and you’ve been helping her find herself again. Don’t give up halfway through.” Nero pats his shoulder before walking back over to Caden.

“And if you don’t fix this, I will throw your bike in the pool.”

---

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Kiki keeps glancing between Nic and Cassi, unable to stop a small smile as she looks between them. “I’ll visit soon, I promise.” Kiki agrees. “As for spending the night… Let me get the nightmares under control first. The first one Avery pulled me out of, I scratched him with my claws.”

Feeling the back of her head itch, Kiki reaches up to scratch, It almost sounded like Avery had just whispered in her ear.

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“Don’t worry, I’m keeping very detailed notes in my head.” Nic says with a wink and a chuckle, reaching over to rest his hand on Cassi’s lap. When Kimiko mentions her nightmares, Nic can’t help but frown as his natural instinct is to try and fix the issue.

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Caden kept one eye on Avery while the other followed Nero's movements. He couldn't help but smile while Nero fell into the role of Alpha and caretaker.

He took Nero's hand when they came to stand beside him once more. Caden knew had made the right choice with Nero, but this moment served to show his dragon that he had chosen right. The dragon rumbled in approval, and Caden squeezed Nero's hand in response.

It took everything in Caden not to laugh at Nero's comment, but he couldn't keep the smirk off his face.

---

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Avery felt mentally tired and defeated. Caden and Nero's words encouraged him to fight and push, but he also wanted to give up. Avery's wolf howled and scratched at the wall, creating holes for Avery to attack and pull.

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry. I love you I love you I love you.

The words repeated over and over in Avery's head as he fought to tear the wall down. He didn't expect Kimiko to forgive him. He didn't even expect her to want to feel him in her mind again, but he wanted to give her the choice. He had taken away her choice when he built the wall and that wasn't right.

Avery started to feel warm mentally and physically. Light flared in his minds eyes as the wall started to crack. He could feel Kimiko's fire, and he didn't care if it burned him as long as he felt her again.

---

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Cass narrowed her eyes playfully at Nic before slipping her hand into his. She resisted the very sudden and violent urge to crawl into Nic's lap and kiss him deeply.

She pulled her focus away from Nicholas to look at Kimiko. Cass placed a kiss on her temple.

”I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help with nightmares, but I won't push. It's an open offer. Whenever you want,” she assured Kimiko.

---

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Nero happily squeezes Caden’s hand three times before leaning up against him. They bounce from foot to foot as they watch Avery. Although familiar with werewolves and other supernatural creatures, Nero doesn’t know specifics. This whole experiencing with mating bonds is new and different. As much as Nero wants to make a joke to Caden telling him they’d punish him severely if he ever pulled this, they keep their mouth shut.

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“I might have to take you up on that offer sooner rather than later depending on how everything ends up with Avery.” Once again, Kiki feels an itch that she can’t scratch, feeling as if someone is trying to get her attention.

Kiki closes her eyes and brushes it off for now. “So Nic, what do you make of our world so far? Glad to be a part of it?”

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Nic fidgets at Kimiko’s question, not sure how to answer it. “Uh… Well I think that there’s good and bad with a large grey area. So, not much different from the ‘world’ I grew up in, just more dangers. So far it’s been pretty fascinating.” He steals a glance sidelong at Cassi to see if she likes that answer.

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It wasn’t easy fighting to tear the wall back down. Avery hadn’t realized how quickly and thoroughly he had put up the wall in his anger. There were layers to it, and each time, Avery had to remind himself of his love for Kimiko and how it felt to hold her. Caden would through in words of encouragement from time to time which helped Avery finally break through.

He felt her flame engulf him briefly before passing out, unable to stay awake from the mental strain it took.

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Caden watched Avery collapse forward, and waited to see if the wolf would rise on his own. The steady rise and fall of deep breathing told Caden that Avery had passed out.

Caden chuckled and shook his head. ”Stubborn ass. And I thought Cassi was bad.” Caden kissed Nero’s hand before releasing them and stooped to pick up the two-hundred-and-twenty-pound wolf. Caden hefted Avery over his shoulder with a bit of a gruntmand turned to look at Nero.

”I’m going to take him to his room in staff housing. Do you want to come with me?”

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”I’m fairly certain I’m the fascinating thing. Either that, or he’s trying to be nice even though this world confuses or terrifies him. Either is fine. You should have seen us when electricity became a thing. And the telephone. I think we resisted using the phone for ten years before we had no choice,” Cassi said, possibly exaggerating.

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Nero chuckles with a nod at Caden’s observation, watching with delight as Caden lifted the wolf. “Maybe they learned to be stubborn from you, because Kiki is also stubborn as fuck.” They say teasingly.

“And of course I want to go with you, someone has to fill me in on what I’ve missed.” Nero takes a look at Avery over Caden’s shoulder before smirking widely. “Can I prank him?”

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Kiki snorts in amusement. “I think I might have felt that way about cellphones becoming a thing.” She says in a tone similar to Cassi’s. “My da kept telling me I’d get cancer from them.”

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“Just as long as we leave the bloodletting in the past - I’ve already given that warning to Cass and Caden though.” Nic adds with a chuckle. It fills him with wonder whenever he hears this topic from Cassi - days that he only knows from history books just a far memory for her and Caden.

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Caden laughed and started to walk. He led Nero from the garage towards staff housing.

”Am I? I think I'm rather agreeable,” Caden said with a grin. He had one arm wrapped around Avery which left him with a free hand to reclaim one of Nero's.

He looked down at his little imp and raised an eyebrow. ”Can you tell me what the prank is before I pass judgement?”

hr]

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”Goodness, that was always a stupid idea. But you try telling men that,” Cass said and shook her head. ”Modern medicine is a marvel, though. The things that can be done today is like magic, even though I do prefer the traditional methods,” Cassi said and waved the hand she held Nic's with around the room.

"Cell phones still surprise me. The advancement in technology in the last twenty years alone is overwhelming."

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Nero trots alongside Caden to keep up with him as they walk towards staff housing. “I find you very agreeable as well.” The imp says suggestively with a devilish grin before glancing at Avery again.

“I was going to draw something phallic on his forehead or something like the college humans do at parties.”

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Kiki straightens suddenly as if she’s been pricked by something and creases her brow slightly as she tries to figure out what’s changed. Like a flame from a lamp suddenly growing in size… “Oh!” She says, interrupting the conversation.

Nic looks ready to jump out of his seat as he looks around to find what made Kiki exclaim. “What? What happened?”

Looking at herself from within, Kiki can see the glow of her fire illuminate a forest near where Avery’s connection is. “Seems like Caden got through to him…” Despite how absolutely furious she is with the wolf, she still smiles slightly.

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Caden snorted and laughed at Nero's idea. ”You know, I think that is the perfect idea,” Caden agreed.

He released Nero's hand to open the door to the staff's living quarters. Several people stopped to stare or give Caden questioning looks.

”He'll be fine, just needs to rest. Leave him be. I or Kimiko will come check on him later on.” Caden repeated this statement several times, knowing it would get around to the other staff members.

Caden opened the door to Avery's room and walked the few feet inside to his bed before flipping Avery onto the bed unceremoniously.

Avery's room was standard with his bed and dressers, plus an ensuite. His bedding was black and white, simple but cozy with two photographs hung above the bed. One being a gentleman playing a guitar and the other a fighter with their gloves up. His walls were a dark grey, allowing for the room to be dark and promote a better sleep. He kept a couple plants. Ones that were low maintenance.

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Cassiopeia shifted when Kimiko did, mostly because her arm had been around Kiki. She squeezed Nic's hand to keep him in place and relaxed.

Cassi rubbed Kimiko's back, a soft smile on the sorcerer's face.

”Do you want to go see him?”

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Nero wiggles with excitement when Caden approves of their prank. Patiently they wait by his side as he explains to the other staff members before they make it to the wolf’s bedroom. Nero had been here once before when they had stuffed Avery’s pillows full of straws. They like the aesthetic, but would rather it be red instead of white.

“What shall we write on him?” Nero asks with immense excitement, seemingly pulling a sharpie out of nowhere.

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“Absolutely not.” Kiki scoffs with little hesitation, instead taking her previous position and resting her head back on Cassi. “I mean, I will later of course, but I’d rather let him stew in it a bit longer.”

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Nic chuckles, glad he’s not in Avery’s position, not that he would ever willingly get himself into this type of situation. “I’m sure they’ll all make their way here eventually anyway.” He says.

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Caden rubbed the back of his neck, thinking about what they could say.

”Well, Cass kept calling him a man-hole. Well, an territorial, overprotective man-hole, but that might be too long,” Caden mused.

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Cass smiled and kissed the top of Kimiko's head. ”Good. He deserves it. But I think we should get ready to summon Crowley. Why don't you go shower up, Kiki. You too, Nic. I can gather up some of the items Nero wrote down.”

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Nero grins at hearing this. “Why ‘man-hole’? Why not asshole?” They ask as they pop off the marker’s cap and start writing the phrase in large letters. “Can you ask if any of the staff have very sparkly or glittery makeup?” The imp requests of Caden while adding hearts with the marker.

---

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“You’re just trying to get rid of me, I see.” Kimiko teases but kisses Cassi’s cheek before standing. “Au revoir, thank you for both of your help.” Although she flashes a smile, Nic can see how exhausted she looks as she leaves the sunroom.

Turning to Cassi, Nic smiles. “Did you want to shower too?” He asks, playing with her hair between his fingers.

---

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Caden watched with amusement while Nero marked up Avery's face.

”I believe it's meant to be a play-on-words, my dear.” He walked over and kissed the top of Nero's head.

”Remember less is more,” he said and left to find Nero some make-up.

Caden didn't want his friend's entire face to be covered with the sharpie, but he didn't mind some of it being that way. Avery had to learn to relax and not be so uptight all the time. Besides, everyone else would get a good laugh at seeing the word and the hearts on the alpha wolf's face.

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Cassiopeia watched Kimiko go, half tempted to change her mind and just follow her back to her room. Cass could wash her hands and sit on Kimiko's bed until she was done. But Cass understood the value of alone time and believed Kiki needed a little of it to reset.

Her thoughts became distracted when she felt the familiar sensation of Nic playing with her hair. She had left her hair in braids due to not being able to condition her hair properly last night. She turned her attention to him, amused by his actions and words. She could shower here easily. Caden was a gracious host and was never short on supplies for his guests.

”If you want me to shower with you, you just have to ask,” she teased him. She looked down at her hands and wiggled her dirt covered fingers. ”I should wash my hands at the very least. If I shower, I don't think I'll be able to get my clothes back on,” she said with a laugh.

Cassi was wearing clothes that contained spandex, and since she had been in the rain with them, they almost felt permanently a part of her body. Taking them off would be difficult let alone putting them back on.

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Nero looks away from their masterpiece and glances up at Caden with a curious look. “Man-hole like… those sewer things?” They ask before concentrating on their work again.

“I know, I know.” Nero waves Caden off when he gives them unsolicited advice. Of course Nero isn’t going to overdo it - not when much of Avery’s job is to be intimidating. Everything so far could be covered by a hat worn low. But that wouldn’t stop Nero from having fun.

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Nic grins lopsidedly, leaning casually back in his seat. “I would love nothing more than to shower with you - but I wouldn’t want you walking around naked either.” He gives Cassi’s outfit another once over and his eyes crinkle happily. “Besides, I really like this outfit on you.” He stands up and offers his hand to Cassi to help her off the couch.

“We can go back to the locker shower room or whatever it is by the gym and I can shower while you wash your hands?” This suggestion is Nic’s compromise.