KazAlkemi

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 and squeezed Kimiko's hands. He stopped outside the kitchen and turned to face her.

”I mean, I could try. Might be fun,” he joked. ”As for the mated part, it's more of a choice. When I was told about it, there is a tug that one can feel. A pull towards their person. If you close your eyes and let yourself feel it, some people see it as a string or cord running from you to them. The same is for your pack mates. So that pull or that cord, you follow it and accept it, let it join with you. I can have Bran talk to you about it more if you want. It's a little confusing,” he confessed before walking into the kitchen.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Cassiopeia smiled, despite the warming she felt within her from Nic's teasing. She kept her focus on making breakfast and nodded.

”Yes. You can eat first and then I will heal you up a bit. Then I shouldn't have to cover your tattoo before you shower.”

Shortly after that, Cassi added the egg, hash browns, spinach, and bacon to the plate. She turned and handed Nic his. ”What do you want to drink?”

Chicago After Hours

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
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”Oh, really? Well I suppose I'd have to challenge you then. At least until we're mated, then it won't matter.”

Avery turned around once they were in the living room. He switched their hands around but continued to hold her hand behind his back, leading her to the kitchen.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Cassiopeia's face burned behind her hands, but she eventually had to pull back to tend to breakfast.

”King The Land is the English translation,” she mumbled and added some spices to the sunny side up egg before putting bread in the toaster.

She had looked up several different recipes for something that was high in protein and would keep him going all day at work.

It was loaded toast with hashbrowns a spinach, but she also made bacon as well. Aside from that, Cassi had made Nic a Greek yogurt parfait for work, and several other snacks. All of that was sitting in the fridge, packed up and ready to go though.

Cassi looked up from her egg cooking when Nic teased her. ”If I was watching that I would have left it on and told you you're going to be late for work,” she said. The toast popped and Cassi turned to set that on the plates.

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Caden

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

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”Only for you,” Caden said and kissed Nero before setting them down on the floor of the shower.

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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”On the contrary, I don't think you stink at all. You're natural scent is stronger right now and I enjoy it very much,” he said and kissed her forehead.

He pulled back, but took his hands and led her from the gym while he walked backwards. ”Maybe I am ordering you around. I am an alpha after all.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Cassiopeia turned her stove on and started to crack the eggs. The hash browns were already cooked and kept warm in the oven. ”Oh, nothing. Wait, what, no!”

She looked up in time for her TV to turn on with the Korean heartthrob from ‘King The Land’ on the TV. Cassi put her head in her hands and groaned.

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Caden

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

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”The love of my life,” Caden said with a grin.

As soon as Nero stepped past the threshold, Caden stepped forward and scooped Nero into a bridal carry and carried them into the shower.

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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The arm around Kimiko’s waist tightened as she trailed her hand down Avery’s back. He had half a mind to pick her up and place her on one of the pieces of equipment to keep kissing her, but he didn’t. Instead, Avery pulled himself back. He loosened his hold around her waist and broke the kiss to rest his forehead against hers.

”How about we have breakfast outside? You shower, and I’ll bring it up.” Now with the house in normal working order, Avery didn’t have to make the meal. Something was likely already ready for them to have.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Cassiopeia leaned forward on the couch, having found her way there earlier when the TV show started to get good. When the front door opened, Cassi jumped and made a surprised noise before she quickly turned the TV off.

”Hi! Welcome back,” she said, overeagerly. Cassi stood and approached Nic to take the smoothies from his hands. She kissed his cheek and walked back to the kitchen. ”Breakfast will be ready soon. Did you want to shower first?”

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
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Caden grinned and nodded in agreement. ”May as well. After all, my reputation is on the line,” he joked before heading into the bathroom while Nero undressed.

Ω Heroes of Olympus: The Next Age of Heroes Ω

Ezekiel Kel

Location: CHB
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Ezekiel’s face flamed from Demi’s unspoken innuendo. He cleared his throat and shifted his feet to get rid of the jittery energy that zapped through his body, but Zeke remained firmly planted on the porch. He didn’t underestimate Hedge’s skills about coming after them even after Hedge had left.

Once Demi reemerged from his shower, Zeke was feeling calm again — at least until Demi kissed him. Taken aback, it took Zeke a second to return Demetri’s kiss, which meant it was over far too soon for Zeke. He blinked, staring at Demi while he talked to Kiera.

Zeke shook himself out and linked hands with Demi before leading them down the steps.

”How about next time you sleep in Apollo cabin and get hit with the bat? You tell me how much fun it is then.” He followed behind Kiera and Sera as they all walked to the dining pavilion.

”Are you coming to Leandra’s trial?”

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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Memories of last night filtered into Avery's brain while he kissed Kimiko. The feel of her skin, a whisper of more when she was ready, had him pulling her in closer. Avery snaked his arm around Kimiko's waist, glad the others had left so he could hold and kiss her like this.

He deepened their kiss by brushing his tongue along her bottom lip before tangling his tongue up with hers. The taste of her smoothie still strong.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Too engrossed with the TV show, Cassi's phone and Nic's text message was forgoti. Which was likely for the best since Cassi hadn't been looking over case files yet.

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Caden

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

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Caden laughed again and kissed the top of Nero's head.

”I believe I'm what society would call a man whore, darling. I don't think you want to know my number count. I don't even know it.”

He stripped off his shorts and tossed them on the end of the bed.

”Are you joining me in the shower, or do I have to have fun by myself?”

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 mirrored Kimiko's smile, easily getting himself lost in her hazel eyes when she met his gaze. He brushed his thumb across her lower lip as he spoke.

”You're more important than my need to ‘wolf out’,” he said before closing the distance between them with a kiss.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Cassi glanced at her TV screen, watching the two main characters locking eyes before the guy looked away with indifference. She swallowed and replied back to Nic's message.

Just gardening and things. Reviewing the case.

She didn't know why but she felt embarrassed by the fact that she was watching K-dramas. There was no way Nic could ever find out. She couldn't bring herself to turn the TV off yet, but she would before Nic arrived.

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
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Caden laughed and shrugged. ”Makes it feel more like a hotel and less like a permanent stay. Most people get the idea. Those that don't, Henry gets to throw out.”

Caden walked over to the bed and leaned over to stare at the headboard with Nero. ”What are you looking for, my little imp?” His tone was playful, but deeper and evocative.

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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Before he can talk himself out of doing it, Avery pulled Kimiko into a hug. He doesn’t care that she is sweaty from her work out and sparring. Her scent envelops him and he sighs, resting his cheek on top of her head.

”There was nothing you could have done differently in that moment, little fox. It was an unfair fight. It must have been something they were planning for a while, waiting to catch you off guard and it worked.” He kissed her head before moving back.

Avery rested his thumb under her chin, and titled her head up to make her look at him. ”We can practice climbing trees now, if you want. It’ll be easier for me to catch you with two arms if you slip,” he said.

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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Cassi continued to multitask between getting some snacks ready for Nic, as well as breakfast. She knew the food would cook quickly, so she didn’t want to start right away but got the ingredients sorted. She had paused in her task to watch another scene from he K-drama she was watching.

Oh. Do you not want it to be a surprise?

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
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Caden seemed to grow a permanent smile on his face anytime Nero was around, and this was no different. Caden’s eyes drifted up and down, following Nero as they pranced around him, never able to sit still. He chuckled to himself as Nero listened off almost everything aside from furniture that they brought over.

”You know we’re going to have to bring that all back after the renovations are done, right?”

They reached the second master bedroom on the top floor and Caden opened up the door. The master on the guest wing wasn’t as large as Caden’s or the other rooms in his wing, but it was still comfortable and inviting. The windows over looked the side garden of the house, providing a private view.

Caden walked into the bedroom after Nero and shut the door, ready to shower and clean up for the day.

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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One of the difficult things about being in a relationship with a woman like Kimiko was knowing when they needed comfort and when they didn’t. Avery knew how independent she was, and that she didn’t seem like she wanted to be fussed over. However, Avery wanted to fuss over her.

He waited until she went through her breathing exercise before he closed the distance between them. Avery forgot about Caden and Nero even though they were still in the room.

”We can still try if you want… I just don’t want to push you before you are ready. I want you to like my wolf side, not be afraid of it.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
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I suppose I can allow that. Oh, good! I’ll be able to heal it a little and wrap it before you leave for work. I’ll see you soon?

Cassi pressed play on her show again before she started to prepare Nic’s breakfast, as well as a few things he could take to work with him.

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Caden

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

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Caden smiled and looked back at Avery and Kimiko before he left the gym with Nero in tow.

”So, what did you move over to the other master bedroom?” Caden already had some clothes in that room. Before he fell into a relationship with Nero, Caden had that room reserved for his overnight conquests, so it made sense to have a second wardrobe in that room. However, Caden hadn’t spent time in that room in weeks. He wasn’t sure what he had on there anymore.

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 walked over and grabbed a towel and a bottle of water for both him and Kimiko. He noticed Nic was leaving and nodded goodbye to the man before his focus returned to Kimiko. He drank his water while she confided in him.

The image of Terry grabbing Kimiko and squeezing her until she dropped her star ball was something that Avery carried with him, even though he wasn’t there. He could picture it so clearly in his mind's eye. Avery looked away from Kimiko, feeling his own emotions starting to take over. He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.

”We can try, but I don’t know if there is anything I can teach you to prevent that, Kiki. He grabbed you by the neck and squeezed until you couldn’t breathe and nearly lost consciousness. The best advice I could give you would be not to get caught, but there is always going to be the possibility that someone or something is going to want what you have.”

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi had finished her chores in the garden and was currently standing in the kitchen eating toast while she watched a K-drama on her TV. She wasn’t sure what compelled her to put the show on, but Cassi had quickly become fascinated with it.

Her phone chimed, and she jumped a little before muting the TV. With the piece of toast in her mouth, Cassi smiled and typed back to Nic.

Banana kale, please! How was the work out?

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Caden

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

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While Caden had his phone out, he quickly found a couple of stables in the area of Chicago that Nic could take Cassi to. With that task completed, he looked up to see Nero doing their walking handstand. He smirked and turned to see Avery and Kimiko deep in conversation.

”Little imp, shall we go clean up then have breakfast? Or are you enjoying yourself?”