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Caden enveloped Nero in his arms, and pulled them closer, lifting them slightly off the ground. The dragon shifter was incredibly tempted to take Nero to the couch and banish any thoughts of doubt or worry from their mind.

”Well, if you are certain, then let’s go before I have to postpone this day. You are proving to be a dangerous distraction,” he said and kissed Nero’s cheek before leading them from the house.

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Cassi whipped her head around and stared daggers at Kimiko. ”Kiki! Seriously?!” Cassi’s face flushed, especially when Nic agreed with her. She pulled Nic forward, away from Kimiko and Avery, and from the others when they finally emerged from the house.

”Ignore her. She’s a child,” Cassi said, loud enough for Kimiko to hear. Cass wrapped her arm around Nic’s, taking a moment to compose herself while they walked towards the trees.

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Avery stood a little straighter in response to Kimiko’s compliment on his appearance. It quickly shifted when Kimiko referred to Cassi’s breasts. He choked and coughed himself, trying to fade into the background, but it wasn’t very easy. When Cassiopeia pulled Nic away, Avery started to laugh.

”I can’t believe you said that,” he laughed.

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Nero lets out a soft squeak as their feet leave the floor for a moment but wrap their arms happily around Caden in return. “There’ll be time for that afterwards, like you said.” They point out with a soft giggle before taking his arm hostage again.

“The sooner we finish the ceremony and the after-party, the sooner we can hide away from everyone again.” They say demurely, looking up at Caden through long, dark lashes.

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Nic coughs, feeling uncomfortably aware of just how insatiably attractive the woman in his arms is. The temptation to find someplace private threatens to take over his senses and he’s happy to follow Cassi away from everyone as a small distraction. A chuckle escapes when the witch accuses Kimiko’s of being ‘a child’. “If she’s a child, what does that make me?” He teases softly before kissing her head.

“You look incredible though, I really mean it. I might have to bring you to those fundraiser dinners if you dress like this for them.”

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Kiki laughs merrily, choosing to ignore the ‘child’ comment as she gave a little wave to the leaving couple. “Love you too!” She calls before turning to Avery with a satisfied smirk. His laughter filled her with such warmth that for a moment she forgets about everything around her and just stares at him. When she catches herself, she coughs with a small laugh, turning her red face away from him for a moment.

“I’m just trying to help move the two of them along.” She says, ears and cheeks flushed.

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”Hmm, maybe I should schedule ourselves a little honeymoon after. Then we can really hide away from the others,” Caden said.

He escorted Nero outside and followed the others at a respectable distance. From what he could hear, each couple was having their own little conversation as they made their way to the gazebo hidden away in the woods.

As they entered the woods, fairy lights hung from the trees, and random lamps sat along the path, guiding the way. About halfway from the location, flower petals littered the pathway, and the intensity of lights grew. The sun setting cast a fiery glow through the trees that brought the sense of a warm natural hearth to mind.

Caden looked at Nero, seeking their approval of the set-up.

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”More mature than her,” Cassi said matter-of-fact. Cassi flourished her dress as they walked along the lit path, smiling to herself. She has always loved natural weddings or ceremonies like these. Nic’s compliment brought her focus back, and she smiled at him.

”Only if you promise to dress like this for them,” she said and smoothed down his collar while they walked. ”I was going to go shopping for a nice dress for November. Do you want to come with me, or would you like to be surprised again?”

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Avery caught Kimiko staring at him, and it made him happier. He smiled softly, looking away from her to give her a moment and watched the ground for a moment. The path they walked was fairly smooth, but Avery guided Kimiko around any dips or rocks that might make her trip up.

”And why do the two of them need help moving along?” Cassi and Nic looked incredibly happy to him. Why was Kiki meddling?

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Nero gave Caden an excited waggle of their brows at this offer, obviously liking the idea of it. With a skip to their step, they hung onto Caden’s arm with a small hum here and there. The fairy lights draw their attention first, the lights reflecting in their large eyes as they look up at them hanging from the trees. The lamps on the ground has them smiling happily and as they come across the petals on the path, they turn their head up to beam brightly at Caden.

“Are you sure this isn’t a wedding? Should I go and change into something white?” They tease, but their flushed cheeks give away how touched they truly are.

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Nic hums, trying to think about it for a moment. “Hmm, I’d be okay with you surprising me, but just know that you’ll probably one to dress more business casual during the day with this convention. There’ll be a little formal dinner at the end of it that you can absolutely dress up like this for. I’d encourage it, actually.” He winks at Cassi before looking up at the trees and the sun peeking through.

“I think I’d like an outdoor wedding.” He says offhandedly as he appreciates the view that both the decorating and nature succeeded in showing off.

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Kiki feels light as a feather as everyone makes their way to the little gazebo tucked away. Everything just feels right and happy. She’s caught off guard by Avery’s question, however, and presses her lips tightly together with a wide-eyed, guilty expression. “Oh! No reason!” She lies terribly, her lips quivering with nervous energy. As much as she wants to share everything with Avery, she doesn’t think telling him about the two’s sex life… or lack thereof.

“Oh! This looks absolutely brilliant!” She says in a hush to deliberately change the subject, tilting her head up to look at all the lights and the enchanting atmosphere they encouraged.

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Warmth lit up Caden's eyes at Nero's comment, even if the imp was teasing him. ”Maybe you can wear white lingerie instead,” Caden whispered. He turned suddenly and picked Nero up, lifting them over a tiny creek of water that had formed in the ground. Nero was on track to stepping over it without a problem, but Caden simply wanted the excuse of picking Nero up.

”I suspect our wedding may be a destination wedding of some sort with both of our inputs. This one… I wanted to be intimate and special, but there are some ceremonial things that have to be executed in the right way for the bond to occur,” Caden briefly explained.

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”Business casual… so not short skirts with stockings?” Cassi flirted, referencing her outfit from the other day.

The tree line opened up to reveal a small, rounded bridge that crossed over a large stream where the gazebo rested on the other side. More fairy light with enclosed candles lit the space romantically. Flowers and vines wrapped around the bridge and the outer structure of the gazebo. Inside the gazebo were chairs with blankets and cushions framing the inside edge. The middle hosted a large empty space with only an altar taking up some room. On the altar rested a book, a bowl, and a ceremonial dagger.

Cassi smiled when Nic spoke casually about what he pictured for his wedding. ”Is it a large outdoor wedding or smaller?” she asked him.

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Avery looked at Kimiko suspiciously. ”Ya huh. You can just tell me later,” he decided before allowing her change of topic to take over.

The whole setting looked much better than it did while he was helping to set up. The atmosphere of the place had shifted now that everything had come together. The gazebo still looked rustic and overgrown with plant life, but the new additions made it feel more homey. The flowers added colour and texture, while the seating and blankets invited onlookers to enter and relax.

”Maybe we can come back after supper… The night sky should be clear, and with the full moon tomorrow it should be bright enough to see everything.”

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“White lingerie would only just blend in with my sk-” Nero isn’t able to finish the thought as they let out a small squeak from Caden picking them up, not having expected it. A small blush dusts across their nose and cheeks, slightly embarrassed as they look up at Caden.

Safely in his arms, Nero softly giggles. “Hmm, what about Germany?” They suggest before realizing that Caden is just casually planning their wedding. It’s inevitable, of course, but it makes the imp smile in a goofy manner nonetheless.

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Nic chuckles, his mind drifting briefly as he remembers just how good Cassi had looked in that skirt. “Maybe on the days I’m not on a panel.” He says with a quirk of his lips before considering Cassi’s question. He hums as he looks around the set-up, eyeing the dagger and bowl. He knows he didn’t need to, but he had stuffed some first aid supplies into his pockets after changing earlier.

Finally, Nic looks back to meet Cassi’s eyes. “Outdoors, maybe even something just like this, but definitely intimate. I’d only have my dad… oh and Jane and Kat, of course.” He adds. “But yeah, intimate would be nice unless you’re planning on inviting a lot of people than maybe I can be convinced otherwise.” He says this with a teasing glint to his eyes.

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Kiki tilts her head slightly, thinking over Avery’s suggestion. To be honest, walking into the forest could have triggered her trauma from the kidnapping, but between the atmosphere, the reason for entering, and the man she clings to, that memory is staying safely tucked away. “That might be nice…” She says softly, turning her head to look back at Avery again. Her heart thrums in her chest a little as she considers her next question.

“Would you want to… shift?” She asks in a mumble. Her anxiety with it all is slowly fading bit by bit, but there’s still that subconscious dread in the back of her mind.

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Caden set Nero back down before they needed to cross the bridge. His eyes remained on Nero, though, feeling compelled to keep his focus on them. "Germany would be nice...Maybe I could convince some of my family to join us," Caden mused.

Caden took Nero's hand in his and kissed the back of it. He finally broke his eye contact with Nero to look at the gazebo. Everything and everyone sat or stood on the other side, waiting for the two of them. Caden smiled before looking back at Nero.

"Ready?"

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Cassi pouted but felt warmth on her cheeks. "Oh, fine. I'll just save that for another day." Cassi gathered her dress in one hand as she walked up the steps of the gazebo. She shook her dress out and released Nic from her hold before she approached the altar. She ran a hand over the leather bound book while she processed Nic's words.

There had been so much talk about their future and children, and of course Ren's teasing about marriage but the two had never really spoken about it. Cassiopeia felt her ears warm as she avoided looking at Nic.

"Depends on if you consider ghosts a part of the guest list," Cassi said. She glanced at Nic before looking away. Marrying a witch was no simple task. It also didn't occur very often. At least not in the context of what marriage was today.

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Avery crossed the bridge with Kimiko, looking forward to spending a quiet night with her after the celebrations this evening. However, he could hear the little bit of anxiety in her voice even though she tried to hide it. Avery motioned for Kimiko to take the first step on the gazebo so they were closer in height. He stopped and brushed his knuckles against her cheek.

"I won't need to tonight, but I won't be able to resist the call tomorrow night," he told her. The moon never forced a werewolf to shift, but the compulsion to run under the glow of the moon was strong enough to not bother resisting her call.

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Nero’s wide eyes stay on Caden’s face, watching him. “Sounds a bit… intimidating.” They tell him honestly, but a smile remains on their face. They follow his gaze as he looks around and the nerves start to get to Nero - did they truly deserve to be with Caden? Everyone here undoubtedly loves and respects Caden but the imp? Maybe they just put up with them. Will his family accept them?

Caden’s question comes through, interrupting the rabbit hole of thoughts their mind was running rampant with. Nero’s eyes meet Caden’s before nodding. “Ready.”

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“Only if they fill a seat or eat a meal.” Nic jokes but watches Cassi closely as she touches the items on the altar. He wants to tell her it’s okay, thinking her mind might be going down the familiar path of blaming herself for the deaths, but holds back as everyone else starts to join them on the altar.

Instead, he kisses her cheek and squeezes her shoulder. “I love you - you got this.” He tells her encouragingly before stepping out of the way more but still close by.

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Kiki steps up and turns in mild confusion when Avery doesn’t. Oh, she thinks as her expression softens while he gently brushes her cheek. “We can try and if I get in my head, I can just head back into the house.” She offers a gentle smile before a thought occurs. “Oh, this would be our first shift together since we formed the bond, wouldn’t it?” Suddenly the aspect of shifting seemed much less concerning.

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Caden was watching Nero, waiting for their reply, so he caught the distant look his imp had after noting how intimidating meeting Caden’s family would be. Caden didn’t deny that they would pass judgment over his union with Nero, but his family also respected the right of choice and decisions made by the host and their dragon.

Nero pulled themself back to the present and confirmed they were ready, and rather than question them, Caden smiled and pulled Nero across the bridge and up the steps of the gazebo. It was finally time, and Caden couldn’t keep the grin off his face.

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Avery grinned, the excitement of shifting with Kimiko now that they were bonded plain on his face. ”Indeed it would be. We’ll be connected mind-to-mind. We could hunt together, or we could play, or we could just talk in a way most don’t get to experience.”

The sound of Caden and Nero approaching reminded Avery tonight wasn’t for him and Kimiko. Avery finally walked up the steps and pulled Kimiko over to one side of the gazebo where they could sit while the ceremony started.

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Cassi settled her hands on the wooden altar, letting the earth pull her down and ground her. She banished all thoughts of ancestral ghosts and weddings from her mind, only inviting Caden’s family should they choose to be in the space, but she didn’t think they would be present today. A cool touch and kiss to her cheek brought Cassi back, and she looked at Nic.

Cassi smiled at Nic as he took a step back. ”Is tu mo ghràdh,” she replied. It was a little more than the usual ‘I love you,’ but Cassi felt it was needed at this moment, even if Nic might not fully understand. The sound of Caden’s shoes on the gazebo brought Cassi back to the task at hand.

She smiled at her oldest friend before looking at Nero and shared a friendly look with them.

”Usually this ceremony is done in Gaelic. The most important parts I will speak to invoke the magic, but I will translate as well.” Cassi knew Caden was teaching Nero some phrases as she was doing with Nic, but Avery wouldn’t know, and she wasn’t sure how up-to-date Kiki kept with her studies.

”I will have you two join hands and shut your eyes while I cleanse you and the space. Don’t worry, Nero. It’s not holy water,” she teased, wanting to bring humour into such a serious situation. Cassi grabbed the bowl of water and started walking around the pair of them, wiping the liquid on their hands and arms, as well as their faces and necks. As Cassi worked, she spoke words of honour and bravery and of unity and connection. She altered between Gaelic and English, ensuring everyone was included. The people supporting the bonding ceremony were just as important as the two being bonded.

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Kiki watches as Cassi tells Nic that he is her love, and her cheeks blush. She can tell Nic doesn’t fully grasp what his girlfriend had said to him, but Avery easily distracts her. “I’d like that.” She says in a soft whisper as the two of them sit down. She grabs his hand in hers and places them in her lap as Cassi begins the ceremony.

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Nero keeps stealing glances at Caden, noting the grin on his face as Cassi begins to talk. They can’t help the snort they emit when the witch teases them about using holy water. As much as the demon tries to focus on what Cassi is saying though, their eyes keep drifting back to Caden.

The impulse to fidget or wiggle is strong, but they fight it. They can keep still for once - they don’t need to be in a handstand right now. A small smirk lifts up a corner of their lips as they start to thinking about the unity and connection they’ll share with Caden after the celebrations end.

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In the short time Caden had known Nero, he had quickly learned Nero's quarks and mannerisms. With that, it didn't seem like it had been a short time. It felt like Caden had been apart of Nero for months, years. He held the little imp's hands securely, thinking about how lucky he truly was to have such a companion early in his life. It was because of this connection that Caden could feel Nero's nervous energy wanting to let go and run all over the gazebo.

Caden rubbed his fingers across the back of Nero's hands after Cassi had anointed them. His eyes were trained on Nero, so he noticed the shift in Nero's demeanor. Caden titled his head slightly in silent question. A familiar look entered Nero's eyes and Caden's smirk mirrored Nero's; his eyes shifting to the brilliance of his dragon's.

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While Cassi went through the steps, the atmosphere around the group shifted. Goosebumps rose on Cassi's skin when the magic of the ceremony started to grow. She returned to the altar, exchanging the bowl for the dagger, and came back to prick a finger on Caden and on Nero's hands. As soon as blood was added to the mix, the magic grew stronger. Cassi could taste it on her tongue and it sent a pleasant tingle through her body.

"Grasp forearms," she instructed the couple. Caden's hand encompassed Nero's forearm, his fingers wrapping over each other as he held on securely.

Behind Cassi, the book on the altar flipped pages on its own, and as Cassi spoke, the wind came. It wrapped itself around Nic in friendly greeting before joining Cassi. A flare of gold and purple swirled briefly around Caden and Nero's arms before it thinned out and wrapped like a rope around their joined forearms.

When Cassi spoke, her voice sounded older, much like Caden's would get when he tapped into the power of his dragon. Her voice held the warmth of a crackling hearth, but the smell of the world around them shifted to that of ozone and fresh rain.

"The two shall become one, united and bound by blood, bone, and flesh. What one feels so may the other feel. What one desires so may the dream. What one hears so may the other see. Joined, connected, fore-" The wind snapped and howled around them. The candles snuffed out and Cassi felt the air leave her lungs momentarily. Her eyes snapped open, wide with shock before they rolled back into her head.

Caden didn't dare break the connection with Nero but he yelled at Nic to grab Cassi before she fell. But Cassi didn't fall. She was frozen in place as the vision overtook her. She saw darkness and experienced a cold so powerful she wondered if she would ever be warm again. Shadows danced around her until they started to solidify. Cassi saw a familiar chair--a throne--and she knew where she was.

People came out of the darkness, demons, devils, and witches. All manner of dark creatures crowded and shoved to get a glimpse of the people on the altar. Cassi saw Nero chained as they usually were, but they were dressed in this ridiculous gown. If one could even call it that. It was more a piece of the night sky draped across their porcelain skin, leaving them quite naked. Mundus towered over them, one hand on Nero's shoulder while the other held their chain. Cassi resisted the urge to charge forward and rip the thing from Mundus's hands.

The prince smiled, his teeth glowing in the dim light as he stared down at her and the people around her. "Bow my children, and welcome my mate."

Cassi was thrown from the vision. She hurtled through the worlds between and gasped when she finally returned. Cassi stumbled back into something warm and solid. Her eyes desperately searched for Caden's then Nero's. She looked at the demon with such sorrow before looking at Caden again.

"I can't," she said, repeating herself several times as she shook her head vigorously.

Caden refused to release Nero's forearm even though the magic had unraveled from around them. His hold tightened. "Mon amour, please. You said you could do this."

Cassi shook her head profusely. "I can't, Caden, I can't I can't I...." Her voice broke and she looked back at Nero, tears streaming down her face. "They're already claimed."

Silence filled the space, the wind finally gone. Not even the birds sang goodnight to the fading sunlight. Cassi turned and buried her face in Nic's chest. "I can't I'm so sorry I can't."

"Fuck."

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Nero tries to hold their laughter back when Caden mirrors their expression and instead they flash him a subtle wink before focusing on Cassi once again. Their hand barely wraps around Caden’s forearm but they still try, unable to hide a small excited wiggle as they smile nervously up at him. Their wide eyes watch as the gold and purple magic and its behavior, a sense of wonder and peace coming over them.

That is, until everything goes wrong. Nero watches as Cassi starts to fall and moves to catch her before they feel like their head is trying to split into two. They seize up, the pain excruciating as their hands clutch tightly at Caden to stay upright. Flashes of imagery assault Nero’s mind, feeling like one blow after another.

Only one thing cuts through it all clearly, the voice itself making Nero’s knees buckle. “Bow my children, and welcome my mate." They know that voice and their teeth grind against each other before the pain finally stops. Panting, Nero opens their eyes, searching for Caden’s face first.

“Cassi?” Nic’s voice is calm, but there’s a clear tone of panic as he tries to look over Cassi for injury and hold her upright at the same time. Both of Kiki’s hands now hold Avery’s, her knuckles white from the grip she had.

Nero briefly feels like everyone is talking under water for a minute as they try to come to their senses. Just in time to hear Cassi’s words. They’re already claimed. Nero feels their own tears running down their cheeks as they return Cassi’s stare and everything seems to freeze in hushed silence.

“It’s okay, you’re okay.” Nic is whispering fiercely as he holds Cassi in a tight embrace and tries to reassure her.

Nero’s buckling knees finally give way, no longer able to hold up the trembling demon. “Oh.” Their voice sounds distant even to their own ears as they fall limp, eyes trained on Cassi’s back but not really looking.

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It wasn’t until Nero dropped to the ground that Caden fully registered Cassiopeia’s words and what had just happened. He didn’t believe her at first, and then he didn’t want to believe her. The dragon inside warred with him, angry and wanting to be freed to go after the so-called prince of Hell. Caden was half inclined to let the dragon take over.

Caden’s attention shifted from Cassiopeia crying into Nic’s chest to his mate on the ground. No, not his mate. Not yet, anyway. Caden pulled his hand from Nero’s, releasing their forearm, and stumbled back a few steps.

”Caden?” Avery’s voice sounded barely above a whisper. Caden looked at him and Kimiko. Their faces were blurred, barely recognizable as the dragon inside him fought for control. The rage he felt was capable of burning him alive, he thought.

Caden started to shift. His hands morphed into claws, his eyes took on the shape and form of a dragon’s, and wings erupted from his back. Then he shifted again, slowly gaining and losing control of his powers as he fought to keep from shifting completely into a dragon. His eyes found Nero’s again, but even the sight of them couldn’t ground him.

”Es tut mir Leid.” Caden turned and walked quickly from the gazebo before the shift claimed him. He shifted from two legs to four and let the wolf he had claimed as his, run him through the trees.

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Avery watched Caden struggle to remain in control, but he was shocked when he ran off. Avery had never seen Caden lose control like that. He had seen Caden emotional, sure, but never to the point where he couldn’t control himself. And Avery never thought he would run from Nero.

Avery looked back at Nero and felt the need to support them. Avery squeezed Kimiko’s hands before he knelt on the ground with Nero. He stared at Nero, unsure what to do.

”I’m going to hold you, okay?” Avery waited half a second before he pulled Nero into an embrace.

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Cassi wasn’t sure how long she remained hidden in Nic’s embrace; all she knew was that when she turned back around, Caden was gone. Cassi looked down, saw Avery holding Nero, and frowned.

”Where did he go?” Cassi asked Kimiko.

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Nero blinks, their gaze shifting to look up at Caden with a look of concern mixed with fear as their arms fall from his grasp. They feel unable to muster the strength to try and pull him back to them. They focus on Caden’s eyes, watching as his dart about from one person to the next. “Ich wusste nicht, dass.” Their voice is barely over a whisper.

Caden has to believe them, right? Nero wouldn’t have willingly bonded to Mundus in the first place, but they definitely would have been trying to find a way to break it if they had known of its existence. “Mein Drache, bitte!” They plead as he runs off into the woods.

Silent sobs wrack through the demon’s body as they stare helplessly at where their love had disappeared, barely registering Avery’s words or his embrace at first. Once in his arms, their hands grasp him as the tears flood their face before they bury it in his forearms.

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“Merde,” Kiki curses after the initial shock’s worn off. She’s grateful that Avery had the sense to try and comfort the imp and wipes at the tears slowly falling down her face from hearing Nero sobbing. Cassi’s voice pulls her attention and she shifts her gaze to look at her ‘older sister’.

“He-” Her eyebrows crinkle for a moment as she strains to find the words. “He fucking ran away…” She says standing up to release some of the tension she can feel welling up inside of her. “I mean, he was about to go full dragon, but still… Merde.” She curses again.

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Nic’s grateful that he hasn’t let himself totally panic yet, especially when Caden started to lose control. He didn’t exactly want to find out what being that close to a dragon would do to his frail human body. His hands move on Cassi’s back in an effort to soothe her as his brain tries to catch up. “We should head inside…” He says, concerned for everyone’s wellbeing at this point.

“It’s going to get cold.” He continues.

It seems like it clicks for Kiki when she blinks and nods. “I’ll go ask the staff to… I‘ll just ask if we can…” Nic glances at her, trying to be patient.

“The less crowded, the better. Gather some blankets and start a fire inside.” He doesn’t mean to start taking charge, but he feels helpless. Dealing with a traumatized demon and sorceress by addressing their mental health first and foremost seems like the best idea. Kiki nods and heads off quickly.

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”Inside is good,” Avery agreed. ”Maybe have them take everything down, too,” Avery suggested. There was a lot to be set up in the house for the celebration that would no longer be happening.

Avery held Nero while they cried. He rubbed their back, slowly moving them into a position to be carried. ”He’ll come back…He just needs to regain control. He was very angry before he shut me out, but I don’t think it was directed at you,” Avery told Nero, hoping that helped in some way.

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Cassi wasn’t entirely sure she heard Kimiko right. Caden…ran away? Then Avery spoke up, comforting Nero the best he could. He did. Caden ran off. Cassi had half a mind to go after him, kicking and screaming even if he was shifting uncontrollably.

Nic took control of the situation as best he could, and Cassi was incredibly grateful for it. ”There’s nothing more we can do today anyway. Caden will come back if he doesn’t do something reckless first,” Cassi stated.

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Nero hears Kiki leave as they start to calm down enough to unbury their face from Avery’s arms. “He apologized… before run… running off.” They mumble miserably. They don’t have the energy to argue or fight off Avery helping them. They’re pretty convinced that they wouldn’t be able to walk back anyway.

“Arschgeige!”

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Nic can practically hear Cassi’s thoughts, knowing she probably wants to chase Caden down. “So,” He starts, wanting to change the subject. “Is Nero ‘already claimed’ by this… Mundo guy from before?” He guesses as he starts to guide Cassi down the steps to leave the gazebo. He’s pretty sure he hears Nero curse behind him in German.

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Avery rubbed Nero’s back, smiling encouragingly and nodding. He rose to his feet with Nero in his arms. He paused when Nic and Cassi went ahead first and decided to wait when he heard Nic ask Cassi what had happened. Nero swore in German, causing Avery to laugh.

’I think I’ve heard Caden use that one before,” Avery chuckled. ”I don’t think he wanted to leave…But I’ve never seen Caden lose control. Never. I think it just hit him, and how the two of you have been trying to break whatever Mundus had on you anyways. It’s just a lot to process, I guess.” Avery wasn’t going to pretend he understood what Caden was going through, but Avery did understand rage and loss of control.

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Cassi wrapped her arm around Nic’s, leaning into him as they walked. She was half tempted to have him carry her, but as easily as he seemed to be able to pick her up and set her on kitchen counters, Cassi didn’t want to test Nic’s ability for endurance.

”Mundus, and yes. He…I don’t know how. Maybe it was a contract he had Nero sign… I have no idea how we are going to figure it out…” Her mind wandered as she talked, and the image of Nero being naked and chained circled back around. Cassi started to cry silently.

”It was awful, Nic… He had them bound and basically naked in front of hundreds of demons and whatever ilk Mundus surrounds himself with. I’ve seen awful, inhuman things during my years on this earth, but what Mundus did to Nero…” Cassi shook her head, emotion tightening her throat.

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Nero nods they head slightly, wearily leaning their head on Avery’s shoulder as they start to make their back towards the house. “If only I could just become a wolf and run it off too.” They mutter bitterly. They can understand Caden’s reaction but it doesn’t make them feel any better about the fact that he’s run off.

“…If breaking the bond to a dragon is practically impossible, how in the hell do you break one with a nephilim?” They ask this rhetorically, their mind too exhausted to try and come up with a solution right now anyway. “How do you go back in time and kick your own ass?”

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Nic stops for a moment before sweeping his free arm behind Cassi’s knees and picking her up. “That memory you might want to hold onto before sharing with Caden.” He says as he starts walking again. He can feel his own anger boiling with the mental picture that comes to mind from Cassi’s words.

“I’m sorry you had to see it yourself.” He kisses her head as he holds her close, his thoughts going in circles. It’s useless, he feels, thinking that even if he had more knowledge of this supernatural world, he wouldn’t be able to come up with any solutions anyway. “I wish I had the answers.”

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Avery glanced at Nero as he started to walk. The forest had taken on a gloom now that the sun was nearly set. What had started off as a magical evening full of hope and anticipation had quickly turned into one of misery.

”Trust me…Running away from your problems isn’t the best solution. Kiki can tell you that,” he said, remembering how he had run from her and blocked her out when things had gotten hard. ”He’ll come around, but don’t make it easy for him… I know he left to protect you and us from his loss of control, but he left you here to deal with the worry and the pain of that memory. Whatever it was. He shouldn’t have done that.”

When Avery first met Nero, there had been something about them that Avery instantly liked. And that like had turned into a need to protect them. Avery would happily beat on Caden for Kimiko and Nero. Even Cassi, but he was certain Cassi would do that all on her own.

Avery mused over Nero’s rhetorical questions when he spotted Nic scooping up Cassi to carry her. He smirked and pointed it out to Nero. ”How about those two. Never thought I would see Cassi let someone coddle, let alone carry her like that. I think it's good for her.”

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Cassi was pulled to a halt by Nic, but she barely registered why until she was in his arms. Her mind had been flooded with Nero’s past and their present, but when she felt the ground leave her, she had enough sense to cry in alarm. Cassi’s face flushed, and she looked away from Nic.

”You can’t possibly think you can carry me through the woods and across Caden’s backyard to the house, do you?”

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Caden ran until his wolf couldn’t anymore, and then he shifted to a bird and flew until Cassi’s shop was within his sights. The hawk disappeared into a tree, where a squirrel quickly scrambled down the trunk to get away from hungry claws. The squirrel bounded across the park before crashing into a trash can. A cat yowled, fleeing from the noise and raced across the street, where it was nearly hit by a car. The cat disappeared into an alleyway, and a man walked out.

He glanced left then right, his blonde hair shining brightly in the light of the street lamps. He walked towards Mystic Dreams, constantly looking this way and then, but he wasn’t really paying attention. If he had been, he would have seen the woman walking along a path in that same park where the hawk, squirrel, and cat resided.

Now disguised as a middle-aged white man, Caden drew a design on Cassi’s door. The thing unlocked, and he quickly moved inside. Although he didn’t break anything, the woman found it odd to see a man sneaking about outside a store that had been closed for days. She knew the woman who ran that shop. She was friendly if a bit odd, but there had never been a man who looked like that in her shop. The woman pulled her phone out and quickly dialled 911.

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Nero smirks lazily at Avery’s words, knowing that he’s speaking from experience. “Shall we give him a makeover like yours?” They tease lightly, deciding they’d rather poke fun at Avery than to keep asking their dumb questions that won’t solve anything. The smirk doesn’t stay on their face long though, the demon feeling too mentally exhausted to keep it up.

Nero’s gaze shifts to look at Nic and Cassi, their lips twitching into a smile. “I think they make a good pair.” They say with a small huff of a chuckle. “I’m sure I have the human to thank for helping the sorceress give me a second chance.”

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Nic chuckles, moving forward regardless of Cassi’s outburst. “I can try at least.” He tells her with a smile. “You aren’t okay, so let me try and help where I can.” He walks on, making it through the thicket of trees and into the backyard of Caden’s house. “So, what sort of drink should I make you once we’re back? Hot chocolate?” His smile doesn’t fade as some of the staff pass by on their way to help clean up the area around the gazebo.