[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia tries not to get mad at Nic, but she’s emotionally wrecked right now. She pulls her head from his neck, shifting away from him a bit to stare at the floor.

”Yes, I’m sure he’s really struggling with the fact that he’s choosing the person who lead the charge and murdered my entire family. I feel absolutely terrible for him.” Her tone was full of bitter sarcasm, but she didn’t care about being sympathetic right now.

Nic switches the topic of conversation and Cassi looks back at him and nods. ”It was. The lightening was controlled. You were never in danger,” she found herself adding.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic bites his tongue, only thinking of his question. Can Caden even break his bond? If he can’t, then what choice did he have? Her bitter sarcasm made it clear that they aren’t going to broach the subject tonight, not while emotions are still high. “I never once felt in danger.” He tells her, looking into her eyes as he does.

“I don’t know why I wasn’t terrified, but I was worried about you more than anything else. Somehow I knew that you wouldn’t hurt me.” He kisses her forehead and runs his fingers through her hair again. It was starting to get a little frizzy with her curls poofing out as they dry. Nicholas finds it absolutely endearing.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Some people would argue you were in shock,” Cassiopeia pointed out when Nic stated he hadn’t been afraid. Cassi was happy to hear that he wasn’t, though.

She looked into Nic’s eyes and brushed her fingers down his cheek. ”I would never hurt you,” she declared.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nicholas ignores the easy excuse, instead focusing on what she said last. “I know.” He can’t help the dimpled smile he shows to her, leaning just a little into her touch. “I don’t know how I know, but I just do. I trust you completely.” He whispers the last part, his hands moving to cup her cheeks as he kisses her nose.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic’s smile is infectious and Cassi can’t help but reach out and brush her fingers along his dimple. She isn’t sure why, but in that moment, she feels that those smiles are for her and only her. Cassiopeia is certain Nic smiles like this for others when he is genuinely happy, but in this moment she chooses to believe otherwise.

His words cause her heart to flutter in her chest and Cassi places a hand over his chest. ”Thank you for looking after me… Thank you for staying.”

Nic could have easily left, and Cassi wouldn’t have blamed him. He didn’t sign up for any of this.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic’s smile stays on his face when Cass thanks her, the dimple staying for her to trace. “I’m here for the long haul.” He tells her as his heartbeat quickens under her hand on his chest. Yes, he’s definitely developing big feelings for her and as terrifying as her world is, he wants to stay by her side.

Closing his eyes, Nic takes a deep breath in and lets Cass’ scent mix in with his senses for a moment before he lets it out. “I’m going to put the clothes in the dryer before they get that musty smell and then we’re going to cuddle until you fall asleep, okay?” He kisses her nose again before kissing her lips very gently. He plops her back onto the bed before heading out of the room.

“Once I finish this, I won’t leave your side again tonight unless you ask me to.” He promises at her door before heading down and switching the loads.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia’s focus doesn’t waver when Nic makes his proclamations or when he moves her off his lap and onto the bed. She folds her legs out, sitting cross legged and watches him walk around her bedroom to tend to the laundry.

Wayland bolts out the door before Nic, Calypso quickly on Nic’s heels. The sight warms Cassi’s heart more than anything.

She had thoughts and dreams about Nic being in her room for the first time and this definitely wasn’t how she had envisioned it, but she didn’t mind the slower pace.

Cassiopeia shifts on the bed after Nic leaves and moves her blankets and rearranges the pillows. She’s unsure what side of the bed Nic may want so she stays in the middle until his return.

I’m here for the long haul. Cassi’s heart had started to pound in her ears when Nic said that. She was too tired to unpack the full meaning of that statement, but she sincerely hoped that was true. She wouldn’t mind walking through this life with Nic by her side. She had spent too many lifetimes on her own for a good portion of them. She didn’t want to keep going through this one without someone.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic picks up Calypso and Wayland on his way back to Cass’ room, giving them both lots of kisses and a couple of treats he had picked up for them. When he reaches Cass’ room and walks through the door away, he pauses. “Do you sleep with the door open for the kids or closed?” Nicholas asks, his foot hooked around the door ready to close it.

He smiles when he sees Cass in the very middle of her bed, the blankets and pillows rearranged as she sits cross legged. “God, you’re adorable.” He breathes with a smile as he waits for her answer.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia blushes for the first time in hours. ”Open for the cats,” she said, and moves her hair over to her other shoulder. ”I wasn’t sure what side of the bed you wanted… I usually just sleep wherever the cats aren’t,” Cass said with a bit of a laugh, the sound weird to her ears.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic leaves the door be and joins her on the bed, letting the cats in his arms free. “I usually just sleep sprawled out, so I’m good with whatever… As long as I can hold you.” He says with a smile. He leans over and plays with her hair. “Where’s a brush and some hair ties? Your hair needs a bit of taming.” He says this with a smile, twirling a curl around his finger.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cass bats Nic’s hand away from her hair. ”You can’t tame something that doesn’t want to be tamed,” she said and mussed up her hair so that it was even more unruly. She grinned at him. ”It’s the Scottish heritage. I can’t tell you how many hairbrushes and hair ties I’ve broken over the years.”

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic grins, chuckling at Cass’ reaction and catching both her wrists easily with his hand. He held them gently, not wanting her to further tangle her tresses. “I was going to braid it for you - will you let me do that?” He asks, mirth dancing in his eyes.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cass pulls lightly against her hold, but not enough to break his hold or to give the impression that she wanted to break free. She narrowed her eyes slightly, ready to protest about him trying to tame her hair when she paused. Cassi titled her head to the side, looking intently into Nic’s eyes.

”You used to do your sisters hair for her, didn’t you?”

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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His smile widens and Nic nods. “Thickest hair I’ve ever seen in my life to this day.” He says gently, a little laughter in his tone as he remembers how many brushes and combs he broke trying to take Kiki’s unruly hair.

“I’ve done it for some of the kids who come through the ER too, tell them that they have to have their hair tamed to make it easier for the doctors.” His lips quirk up in a crooked grin now.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia smiles at the images Nic creates for her. She leans forward and pecks Nic’s lips. ”Okay. You may braid my hair. Everything you might need is in a basket under the sink,” she told him before she settled back into the pillows.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic kisses both of her hands before releasing her wrists. “Thank you.” He says, sliding off the bed and finding the basket under the sink easily and bringing it back to the bed. He pulls out a wide tooth comb and sits on the bed next to her.

“You can put your head in my lap while I get the tangles out if you’d like. You just let me know if anything hurts, okay?”

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Mmm, if I fall asleep on you, you’ve been warned,” Cassi informs Nic. She shuffles forward on the bed before she lays down and stretches her legs out. She looks up at Nic and admires him from this new angle.

”Is this how you got all your past partners to fall madly in love with you?” she asked, gently teasing. She was glad she was feeling better enough for the playful banter with Nic.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nicholas snorts at her question. “I must admit, I’ve never done this for an ex.” He tells her, looking down with an amused half-smile. He starts at the ends of her hair, gently pulling the comb through to get any knots.

“But if you do fall asleep on me, I can’t promise I won’t make you look like you hail from Whoville.” He teases.

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[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassiopeia looks away from Nic and plays with the sleeve cuffs of her sweater when he states he’s never done this for an ex. The idea of her being the first warms her soul. The change of emotion has her laughing when Nic playfully threatens her. It sounds more normal to her ears this time.

Cassi looks back up at Nic. ”Did I mention my magic works long distance? I might have to retaliate if you do that.”

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

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Location: Cass’ Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Nic grins now, glad to hear her laugh - the other one hadn’t sounded normal to his ears but this one does. “As long as you leave my pretty face alone - I rely on these good looks.” He leans down and kisses her nose before resuming the great task he’s given himself. Her hair just bounces back to its shape with each comb through, the frizziness still there, but it’s starting to become easier to run his fingers through her hair.

“What kind of braid would you like? And how many?” He asks as he starts to section off parts of her hair.

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