KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain & Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery glanced down at Kimiko, a bemused expression on his face. He looked at Nic then back.

”Oh, not to worry. I have absolutely nothing planned. Nothing at all. Aside from her training regime in the mornings, I believe Kiki is completely free for you to take to lunch, Nic.”

A mischievous sparkle twinkled in Avery's eyes as he watched Kimiko, clearly picking up that she was trying to tease him and even possibly break his professional stance during training.

Avery turned his focus to Nic and instantly noticed the tattoo and how fresh it was. ”Wicked tattoo, Nic. When did you get it done?”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain& Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery opted to be a trainer mostly today since he started so late. He normally worked out before he trained people unless he was just training Caden. When it was just the two of them they often went about doing their own thing. However, Avery was training three people today, so he needed to concentrate more.

Avery stood in front of Caden, watching him do his pull-ups. Avery crossed his arms, smirking at the dragon.

”Engage your core, old man. You're slowing down,” Avery said and knocked against Caden's core, causing him to tighten up.

”You're going to make me pay for that comment today, aren't you?” Caden finished up and dropped back to the ground.

”I would never. I am a professional. Now put on the weight belt and start with the one arm pushups. Fifty on each arm, then deadlifts,” Avery said, smiling cheerily before he walked over to Nic and Kimiko.

”What am I cancelling?” he asked Kimiko.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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When Kimiko stopped Avery to kiss him until both of them were breathless, Avery couldn't help the grin that crossed his face. Now he definitely didn't care about the gym or training today.

Avery rested his forehead against Kimiko's, taking one more minute with her. ”How about we start with hand holding when we are around the staff and our friends? Then we can go from there. But if you ever want to push it, just know that I'm comfortable with that.”

Avery quickly pecked Kimiko’s lips before he forced himself to walk away from her and into the gym. If he didn't do it now, he wasn't going to do it. He'd much rather take Kimiko back to her room and talk about their relationship.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Even if Nic hadn't said he was in love with Cassi, the dreamy expression on his face told Caden everything he needed to know. If Caden had any doubts before, he didn't now.

Caden finished his warm up on the floor before he stood, and grabbed water from the fridge.

”She is pretty incredible. I'm happy for the two of you. I'm also glad Cassi is with someone who cares for her the way she deserves. I'm rather protective of her, but I know I don't have to be with you.”

Cassi was due for something good in her life. Something to show her that she was worthy and worth being loved. She had been carrying the burden of her family on her shoulders for many years. Nic was good for her for many reasons, and Caden would always be grateful for Nic giving Cassi the love she needed.

Avery finally walked into the gym and Caden turned. ”Well well well, look what the cat dragged in. Or should I say fox?”

Avery smirked and nodded to the pull up bar. ”I think you need a longer warm up. Up you go.”

Caden laughed before he listened to his trainer.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Is it embarrassment or shyness?” Avery asked, slowing his pace to match hers while they talked.

Suddenly the gym didn't seem as important to Avery. All that mattered in this moment was Kimiko and her feelings. This was perhaps the most honest moment the two of them were having in terms of the intimate part of their relationship and Kimiko wasn't shying away from it at the moment.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden chuckled and nodded, remaining silent for a moment while he worked on getting his heart rate up. He glanced at the door while he ran, still surprised Avery hadn't shown yet. Surely he would have texted to say training was off. At least Nic and Caden had an idea of what to do in the gym.

”Cass is anything but reckless. She's usually pulling one of us out of the fire, if you'll pardon the phrase,” Caden said as he slowed to a walk before getting off the treadmill.

”I have a plan to win her back, don't you worry,” Caden joked before he went to one of the mats to continue his warm up with some ground work.

”Speaking of winning Cassiopeia over. How is it going between you two? I see she finally got her mark on you,” Caden said and nodded towards Nic's upper arm tattoo. ”Impressive work,” he added.

Cassi was always a stickler for detailing but Nic's tattoo was meticulous in its detailing.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery cocked his head to the side, looking at Kimiko curiously. ”How so?” He started to walk down the hallway again but slowly so they could finish their conversation. While they walked, he drank his protein shake.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden started to jog lightly, building up slowly to a run while he and Nic talked.

”I'll check in to see how the case is going, but Cassi doesn't take well to people butting in on her cases. Besides, she knows how to handle redcaps better than anyone. They don't necessarily have leadership or a hierarchy but all redcaps are descended from the same Scottish line. Cassi's family is like royalty when it comes to the Fae, witch, and sorcerer world. It's likely why Costa approached her to handle the mess rather than me.”

Caden breathed a sigh of deep relief when Nic mentioned Cassi was saying his name without cursing it in the same breath. ”I won't say anything, but thank you for telling me. I bought her something while in New York to try and break the tension… I've never gone this long without talking to her. I'm not handling it well, not that I am upset with her. I understand why she is hurt.”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery chuckled, finding Kimiko’s reactions adorable. Once they were on the main floor, Avery grabbed Kimiko around the waist and stopped her in the middle of the hallway. He kissed her once before letting her go.

”Just wanted to do that before we head into the gym. I want to try and keep things professional,” he told her.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden smiled and nodded before he sat on one of the benches to put on his shoes.

”Oh good. Nero and I got back from New York late last night. I wasn’t planning on coming today, but Nero woke me and they want to move some things in the room around. I’m having some renos done,” Caden explained.

He stood up and started to stretch to loosen up before he went over to one of the treadmills he had. He only had two plus two ellipticals since, most of the time they opted to go for a run on the property to warm up.

”Do you happen to know Cass’ schedule for tomorrow?”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”That doesn't surprise me in the least,” he said before starting the blender.

Avery glanced sideways at Kimiko, his eyes drifting down the length of her body before looking at the blender to determine when her drink was mixed enough. Avery turned the blender off, poured her drink into a second cup, and handed it to her.

”Let's head up. Nic should be here soon if he isn't already,” Avery said. He put the supplies away before rinsing the blender out and set it by the large industrial sink.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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I’ll start compiling a list of things. Have fun… I love you.

Cassi laughed to herself, shaking her head at the thought of Nic doing more than he already does to make it up to her. He was already blowing her out of the water with everything he had done and continued to do for her. What else could he possibly do?

Cassi reread her last three words over and over, the smile growing on her face before she was headbutted by her familiar. Cassi set her phone away and gathered Max into her arms before scratching his head. He purred and stretched accordingly before loading on her lap, watching Wayland hunt bugs in the garden.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden looked at Nero one last time before he grabbed his running shoes and left. The smile on his face seemed to be permanent these days, even with his rocky relationship with Cassi. Still, nothing could shake the image of how Nero looked after Caden kissed them moments ago.

Caden headed into the gym and greeted Nic. He glanced around not seeing Avery or Kimiko.

”Did we both beat Avery to the gym?” Caden was shocked. That was a first.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Well, Madame, you'll be happy to know I have made sure the kitchen orders many more strawberries. They should be delivered tomorrow,” he said.

Avery enjoyed the closeness of Kimiko, even if it was simple. It reminded him that she had chosen him as well. It reminded him that she was still there.

Avery turned the blender on, mixing up his shake before he poured it into a cup and started making Kimiko's for her. He put in the right amount of protein for her size and added more berries to substitute the missing strawberries. He added greens as well to up the fibre intake before blending it up.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Cassiopeia had moved onto the plants she had taken from Nic's when he texted her again. This time Cassi heard the buzz of her phone and wiped her hands before she opened up her messages to see the one she missed earlier and the new ones.

Cassi instantly saved Nic's photo after sending just the hot emoji.

I hope I'm one of these cuties. And unfortunately no, I did not fall asleep. Once I'm up, I'm up. Text me when you're on your way back, so I can head in and work on breakfast.

She added a frowning face after her statement about not being able to fall back asleep, followed by the kissing one at the end of her text. She was glad cell phones were a thing. It definitely made relationships easier to maintain while living your own life.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Be sure and tell me as soon as you know. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing that outfit as soon as tonight,” he said.

With one last look at Nero's small yet lethal frame, he turned his head and gathered his clothes for today's work out. He dressed quickly in some compression gear before he walked over to Nero.

”If you finish moving things before I'm done and miss me, be sure to come and find me,” he said and kissed Nero deeply.

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery laughed and shook his head. ”I am the manager,” he informed her. Avery started to add some ingredients to the blender, deciding he would make two separate shakes today since he would need the extra protein for today.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Ever since Cassi could remember, she had had an affinity for plants. Even before the wind called to her, the plants in and around her home in France played and talked with her. Even the keepers of the plants, small Fae-like folk, responded and liked Cassi. They were often shy creatures and didn’t come out around humans or strange supernatural creatures. Unfortunately, Cassi had never seen any of the Fae folk in the United States. It was probably for the best. The hunters in America were ruthless.

Cassi was talking to the plants as she tended to them. She was so immersed in her work that she didn’t notice Nic had messaged her. She just kept working, letting the task and the fresh air wake her up.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden grinned, his eyes narrowing playfully. ”And how do I earn the privilege of seeing that outfit?”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery chuckled as he entered the kitchen, smiling and greeting the others who were already in there.

”Too late to change your mind about us or the workout routine? Cause if it’s about us, the answer is yes, it's too late,” Avery said and leaned back to kiss Kimiko’s cheek before he pulled out some ingredients to make their protein shakes.

As he worked, he spoke to the chef about supplies needed for the kitchen, letting them know they needed extra strawberries and baker's chocolate this time.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Cassi’s phone buzzes while she is pruning some of her plants. She sat back on her heels and smiled before opening the camera on her phone to take a picture.

We miss you too.

Wayland and Max were wandering around the backyard while Cassi worked, her tools laid out in the photo as well.

Don’t forget to talk to Kimiko.

She added in a second message.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Caden smirked at Nero’s silent standoff with him. ”I think this is my favourite outfit of yours. Although, it might look better with that necklace I bought you,” he informed them, walking backwards into the closet.