[IC] Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Cary, IL
Skills:

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I shake my head at Nic and flip through the radio station until I find a good one and bob my head along to the music while Nic drives us back to Chicago.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I don’t take my eyes off the bag even when I hear Kimiko’s voice more clearly. ”Don’t miss,” I tease her.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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The drive back already feels faster as we pass the farmland we saw this morning on the way here. Every so often I glance over at Cass and smile as she happily bobs her head to the music.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I narrow my eyes, trying to decide if I could actually throw it at him or not. “I’m letting you off easy this time.” I declare, shaking my head with a soft laugh. What an absolute little shit-stirrer of a brick wall.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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As we near the city limits of Chicago, I start to feel less joyful. I look over at Nic periodically, in between the times he looks at me, but now, when I look at him, I start to feel sad, which is ridiculous because I will see him tomorrow, and we’ll get to have another adventure. However, the adventure we had today is coming to a close.

I take Nic’s hand from my thigh and intertwine our fingers. I rub my thumb along the back of his hand, watching the movement. ”You’re dad will be happy to have you home,” I say in an attempt to fill the space between us.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh and finish hitting the bag to turn and look at Kimiko. ”You are no fun,” I say and take a sip of my water.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I squeeze her hand. “Would you like to have dinner with us?” I ask, enjoying the feel of her thumb on the back of my hand. I’m positive my dad will not mind at all.

”Or the three of us could go out for dinner. Unless you’re tired of my company?” I’m teasing, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she is.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grab one of the tiny 5lb weight and toss it at his feet before I flip him off. “It’s almost as if you want me to at this point.” I tell him with a shake of my head.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I take a moment to think about Nic’s offer, although I don’t really need to. I look at Nic and smile. ”I’m not tired of your company. I’m actually sad that the day is coming to an end. I would love to spend supper with you and your dad,” I say. I’m curious to see how excited he’ll be hearing Nic and I are dating.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Only so I can show off more,” I say with a wink. I decided to give the bag a break and go over to the treadmill. Although I prefer to go for a run outside, but if Kimiko still wants to keep going, then I’ll run in here.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I grin and squeeze her hand excitedly. “My dad’s gonna be so happy to see you.” I say, almost doing a little wiggle in my seat like she does so often.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I pause at his words. ”You’re absolutely bonkers - how would you be showing off?” I ask. “Do you mean you’d just outright catch the weight or…” I have a hard time believing it, but it won’t be the first time I’d be wrong.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch Nic, feeling the excitement radiating off of him, and I laugh. ”I’m not sure he’s going to be as excited as you are right now,” I tease. I lift Nic’s hand and kiss the back of it, amused and warmed by his affection.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Wolves have exceptional reflexes,” I inform her. ”Have you ever seen a wolf hunt? Not a werewolf pack, but an actual wolf pack? The way they can anticipate what their prey is going to do next,” I shake my head in awe just thinking about it. ”It’s incredible to witness, but what I’m trying to say is werewolves are the same. When we shift into our wolf, we become the wolf more than the human. We switch places. But even when we are human, we have heightened abilities thanks to our wolf brothers and sisters.”

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I laugh. “Are you kidding? The man loves you.” I tell her with a grin as I pull off the freeway. “By the way, if you don’t want to tell my dad right away about us, that’s totally fine. That might be a lot of pressure to put on a new relationship.” I say, genuinely meaning it. As much as I know my dad would love to hear the news, I don’t want her to feel like she has to do anything for my sake.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch him as he talks, my lips twitching in amusement. The way he speaks of this is sort of… cute? That doesn’t seem like the right word, but I can’t think of anything else that fits better. But the next thought I have makes it bitter; if I had been born full kitsune, would I better understand what he’s saying?

“So you’re telling me I can chuck these at you next time you tease me, got it.” I say in a teasing tone.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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My eyes widened, surprised Nic would make an offer like that. I understand where he is coming from, but his father has been calling me his daughter-in-law since the beginning. I don’t think the pressure would be a problem.

”Really? If we don’t tell him, that means you won't be allowed to touch me for the whole evening. I don’t think you can do that,” I tease him.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I chuckle when Kimiko states she’ll throw the weights at me the next time I tease her. ”Alright, deal,” I say. ”Have you done any resistance training with bands?” I ask

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I chuckle. “That would be hard, but I could manage it if you truly wanted to.” I turn down the street towards my place and gently squeeze her hand again.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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“Like once I think.” I try to think of why I didn’t do more, but ultimately shrug. I probably just grew bored of it or something at the time. I’m willing to try whatever Avery suggests though - he really is a good trainer, despite his teasing.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Well, I like when you touch and hold me. Even if I do turn as red as a tomato. If you want to tell him, it's fine with me,” I tell Nic. The nice part about this is Nic's father already knows what I am. I don't have to hide that part of me if I don't want to.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Okay, well resistance training is another good way to build strength,” I say. I walk back to the cabinet, unwrapping my hands as I go and pull out resistance bands. There are three different colours and I grab the green, which is a medium resistance.

”Let me show you some different resistance stretches you can do for the muscle groups we worked on today. I want you to do five sets of ten for a total of 50 reps, okay?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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My lips begin to curl into a smirk as an idea forms in my head. “What if we… just didn’t say anything but didn’t hide it either? How long do you think it would take my father to notice and realize?” I glance over at Cass to gauge her reaction.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I give Avery a mock salute. “Yessir.” I say as I walk over to join him. I’m actually kind of enjoying myself. To be fair, I’ve always liked physical activities, but Avery had me debating if I want to stick around and keep him as a trainer. The thought is tempting.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I look at Nic and laugh. ”Well, I'd suggest no kissing, then. That would be a dead giveaway. I think he'd notice right away,” I say. Nick's dad was pretty observant.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smirk and shake my head. After I show her the different stretches I want her to do, I step away. ”Try and stay focused this time,” I tease her.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I nod, laughing. “Maybe he just already knew before we did.” I say as I pull into my complex’s parking lot.

“Oh, I meant to ask if you wanted to stop by your place first - I don’t know about you but my socks and shoes are still a bit damp. If you want, we can throw clothes in the dryer too.”

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I quickly snap the resistance band at Avery playfully when he teases me. “I’m going to kick your arse if you keep this up.” I threaten lightly.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Oh, ya. You're dad definitely won't be able to tell we're dating if I'm walking around the apartment in your clothes,” I tease Nic. ”Although, I wouldn't mind running my socks and shoes through.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I turn around and grab the other end of the band before it hits my back and grin.

”You could try,” I taunt her. I release my end of the band and step on the treadmill.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I laugh at her reaction. “My dad has a couple hours before he’s suppose to be home otherwise I wouldn’t have offered it.” I say with a chuckle and shake of my head before I start to imagine how cute she would look in one of my t-shirts… Ears red, I snap out of my daydream.

“But yeah, we can at least get those socks and shoes dry if nothing else.” I say with a sheepish smile.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I glare at him, half tempted to just pounce on him, but I refrain and shake my head with a roll of my eyes. “Agitateur de merde.” I mutter to myself with a soft laugh before focusing on the resistance band sets Avery had shown me.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I find myself blushing as well when Nic says his dad won't be home for a couple hours still. Why do I feel like a teenager sneaking around our parents' back? It was like I needed an escort and I sneaked away to meet my lover in the garden.

”Oh, okay,” I say nodding and unbuckle my seatbelt. Oh okay? Please don't let this get awkward, Cassi. You're a 300 year old sorcerer, act like it! I mentally berate myself.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I let Kimiko return to her task and turn on the treadmill. As I start to jog I start humming Rihanna's S&M song. Sometimes it's hard for me to stop being a shithead, but at least I come by it honestly.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I’m very glad I took the time to clean my place today - not that it’s usually messy, but now I started to overthink if I should have invited her over or was it too forward of me? I get out of the SUV, grabbing empty drink containers to toss into the trash, before I went to open Cass’ door for her.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I stop in the middle of the set, my ears burning once again. “I liked it better when we were fighting.” I lie, twisting my neck and shoulders to get the tension out of them. I’m awarded with satisfying cracks from both.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I look at Nic and get out of the SUV when he opens the door. ”You don't always have to open the door for me,” I say, although I'm pretty sure it was one of those things he was raised to do. I just didn't want him thinking he had to.

I look up at Nic's building, excited to see his place and what Nic was in to.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s Home – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I chuckle. ”Don't stop in the middle of a set. It throws your rhythm off,” I say and look at Kimiko. ”Better?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I grin at her comment. “I know, but I like to.” I offer her my hand to help her out of the car and lead her towards my place. Technically, it’s an apartment complex, but the buildings were more like small condos. Differing shades of beiges and greens make up the palette of the community and each apartment has a beautiful adobe exterior with a little entryway through an arch to the front door. There’s a small wall in front of the house that serves as a little porch and I have two exterior seats and a small table set there.

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Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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“Much.” I say, returning to my routine and starting the set over. I refuse to look over at Avery though - I find that I like when he orders me around a little.