KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

Caden looked at Nero briefly with alarm when they laughed that way. Once Nero shifted back to reveal their masterpiece, Caden had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing out loud. However, that didn't stop Caden from taking several photos with his phone.

He looked at Nero's full hands and patted their shoulder. "I'll grab the mirrors," he said and gathered the one in the main room before wandering into the bathroom. It was a little more difficult to take the mirror from the bathroom wall, and it would be obvious it was missing, but hopefully Avery wouldn't notice straightaway.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

Cassiopeia remained glued to Nic's side while they walked back to the training room. She had to admit, aside from Nero's memories, she was enjoying the extra time with Nic. The rest of the week he would be busy trying to hunt down this creature for them, and Cassi would be in her store working as well as doing her own research to prepare to take the thing killing people in Nic's hospital down.

"That makes sense. You did really well with Kiki today," Cass noted. She looked up at Nic while they walked, tracing his facial features with her eyes. "Thank you for looking out for her like that."

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

---

---

Antoinette McCarthy

Location: Foyer – X-Mansion
Skills:

---

---

Antoinette blinked owlishly at the people in the room. Her head moved between looking from Jean and Scott to Guin and Pietro before looking back again. She had to think back to the last time Mary had a slip, and the only time she remembered was when they were in that alternate reality. Could she have slipped again? Of course, Antoinette knew that mental health problems didn't just magically go away. Mary was likely fighting every day, but maybe things had been calm until recently. It would explain why she was gone so often. She could be looking for answers for her mental health or the Phoenix.

Jean's story with the Phoenix had been like a bedtime story for the students of Xavier. She was sure everyone knew the story of the Phoenix and how Jean had fared with it. But Mary having it on top of everything, that could definitely be cause for alarm. Especially if she was sending notes that declared she was in trouble.

Antoinette tapped a finger to the bottom of her chin, processing all the information. "It's been a while for sure. The alternate reality was when I noticed," Antoinette said, glancing at her friends for confirmation. "If it's getting bad again, she definitely needs her team." Her family, Antoinette thought, but she wasn't sure if Mary considered the X-Men her family.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

"I believe it is more closely related to asshole than a sewer cover. Cass was just specifically calling out men rather than all people," Caden roughly explained.

It took a few minutes but Caden became successful in finding some of the make-up Nero had requested. He returned to Avery's bedroom and shut the door behind him before depositing the goods into Nero's lap.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

Cassi blushed from the way Nic was looking at her. She reflexively went to tuck some hair behind her ear but it was all braided back. She blushed more before taking Nic's hand to stand. She was amused by his attempts to keep them both in the same room no matter what.

"I'm starting to think you like being with me, by how much you want to keep me in the same room as you," she teased him.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

Caden watched with amusement while Nero marked up Avery's face.

”I believe it's meant to be a play-on-words, my dear.” He walked over and kissed the top of Nero's head.

”Remember less is more,” he said and left to find Nero some make-up.

Caden didn't want his friend's entire face to be covered with the sharpie, but he didn't mind some of it being that way. Avery had to learn to relax and not be so uptight all the time. Besides, everyone else would get a good laugh at seeing the word and the hearts on the alpha wolf's face.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

Cassiopeia watched Kimiko go, half tempted to change her mind and just follow her back to her room. Cass could wash her hands and sit on Kimiko's bed until she was done. But Cass understood the value of alone time and believed Kiki needed a little of it to reset.

Her thoughts became distracted when she felt the familiar sensation of Nic playing with her hair. She had left her hair in braids due to not being able to condition her hair properly last night. She turned her attention to him, amused by his actions and words. She could shower here easily. Caden was a gracious host and was never short on supplies for his guests.

”If you want me to shower with you, you just have to ask,” she teased him. She looked down at her hands and wiggled her dirt covered fingers. ”I should wash my hands at the very least. If I shower, I don't think I'll be able to get my clothes back on,” she said with a laugh.

Cassi was wearing clothes that contained spandex, and since she had been in the rain with them, they almost felt permanently a part of her body. Taking them off would be difficult let alone putting them back on.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

Caden rubbed the back of his neck, thinking about what they could say.

”Well, Cass kept calling him a man-hole. Well, an territorial, overprotective man-hole, but that might be too long,” Caden mused.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

Cass smiled and kissed the top of Kimiko's head. ”Good. He deserves it. But I think we should get ready to summon Crowley. Why don't you go shower up, Kiki. You too, Nic. I can gather up some of the items Nero wrote down.”

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

Caden snorted and laughed at Nero's idea. ”You know, I think that is the perfect idea,” Caden agreed.

He released Nero's hand to open the door to the staff's living quarters. Several people stopped to stare or give Caden questioning looks.

”He'll be fine, just needs to rest. Leave him be. I or Kimiko will come check on him later on.” Caden repeated this statement several times, knowing it would get around to the other staff members.

Caden opened the door to Avery's room and walked the few feet inside to his bed before flipping Avery onto the bed unceremoniously.

Avery's room was standard with his bed and dressers, plus an ensuite. His bedding was black and white, simple but cozy with two photographs hung above the bed. One being a gentleman playing a guitar and the other a fighter with their gloves up. His walls were a dark grey, allowing for the room to be dark and promote a better sleep. He kept a couple plants. Ones that were low maintenance.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

Cassiopeia shifted when Kimiko did, mostly because her arm had been around Kiki. She squeezed Nic's hand to keep him in place and relaxed.

Cassi rubbed Kimiko's back, a soft smile on the sorcerer's face.

”Do you want to go see him?”

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

Caden laughed and started to walk. He led Nero from the garage towards staff housing.

”Am I? I think I'm rather agreeable,” Caden said with a grin. He had one arm wrapped around Avery which left him with a free hand to reclaim one of Nero's.

He looked down at his little imp and raised an eyebrow. ”Can you tell me what the prank is before I pass judgement?”

hr]

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

”Goodness, that was always a stupid idea. But you try telling men that,” Cass said and shook her head. ”Modern medicine is a marvel, though. The things that can be done today is like magic, even though I do prefer the traditional methods,” Cassi said and waved the hand she held Nic's with around the room.

"Cell phones still surprise me. The advancement in technology in the last twenty years alone is overwhelming."

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

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

---

---

It wasn’t easy fighting to tear the wall back down. Avery hadn’t realized how quickly and thoroughly he had put up the wall in his anger. There were layers to it, and each time, Avery had to remind himself of his love for Kimiko and how it felt to hold her. Caden would through in words of encouragement from time to time which helped Avery finally break through.

He felt her flame engulf him briefly before passing out, unable to stay awake from the mental strain it took.

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

Caden watched Avery collapse forward, and waited to see if the wolf would rise on his own. The steady rise and fall of deep breathing told Caden that Avery had passed out.

Caden chuckled and shook his head. ”Stubborn ass. And I thought Cassi was bad.” Caden kissed Nero’s hand before releasing them and stooped to pick up the two-hundred-and-twenty-pound wolf. Caden hefted Avery over his shoulder with a bit of a gruntmand turned to look at Nero.

”I’m going to take him to his room in staff housing. Do you want to come with me?”

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

”I’m fairly certain I’m the fascinating thing. Either that, or he’s trying to be nice even though this world confuses or terrifies him. Either is fine. You should have seen us when electricity became a thing. And the telephone. I think we resisted using the phone for ten years before we had no choice,” Cassi said, possibly exaggerating.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

Caden kept one eye on Avery while the other followed Nero's movements. He couldn't help but smile while Nero fell into the role of Alpha and caretaker.

He took Nero's hand when they came to stand beside him once more. Caden knew had made the right choice with Nero, but this moment served to show his dragon that he had chosen right. The dragon rumbled in approval, and Caden squeezed Nero's hand in response.

It took everything in Caden not to laugh at Nero's comment, but he couldn't keep the smirk off his face.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

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

---

---

Avery felt mentally tired and defeated. Caden and Nero's words encouraged him to fight and push, but he also wanted to give up. Avery's wolf howled and scratched at the wall, creating holes for Avery to attack and pull.

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry. I love you I love you I love you.

The words repeated over and over in Avery's head as he fought to tear the wall down. He didn't expect Kimiko to forgive him. He didn't even expect her to want to feel him in her mind again, but he wanted to give her the choice. He had taken away her choice when he built the wall and that wasn't right.

Avery started to feel warm mentally and physically. Light flared in his minds eyes as the wall started to crack. He could feel Kimiko's fire, and he didn't care if it burned him as long as he felt her again.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

Cass narrowed her eyes playfully at Nic before slipping her hand into his. She resisted the very sudden and violent urge to crawl into Nic's lap and kiss him deeply.

She pulled her focus away from Nicholas to look at Kimiko. Cass placed a kiss on her temple.

”I have a few tricks up my sleeve to help with nightmares, but I won't push. It's an open offer. Whenever you want,” she assured Kimiko.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Caden

---

---

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

---

---

Avery attempted to look up at Caden and the dragon bared his teeth. Avery growled but backed down. Asserting dominance over Avery wasn't usually this difficult of a task. Often Avery would submit with no problem.

Caden was used to the occasional fight but he always made sure Avery didn't win. Sometimes it was close, but Caden understood how important it was to be Avery's alpha. However, now that he had Kimiko, Avery might want to challenge Caden again or leave. Caden was prepared to let Avery go if that was what he wanted, but not like this.

Nero's words had an additional effect on Avery that seemed to help. Even if it didn't, Caden was more than fine with Nero speaking out. The mate bond forming between them placed Nero in an alpha position as well. Although, Caden didn't think they would be able to assert pack magic like he could.

Caden glanced at Nero briefly, showing the slight tilt of his lips up in a subtle smile before he turned his attention back to Avery.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

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

---

---

Avery retreated within himself after Nero's words. His woods seemed duller, darker. The natural light that used to follow Avery was nonexistent, but he still found his way to his wolf and that brick wall.

The wolf was standing now, desperately clawing at the wall to try and tear it down. Avery looked up. The wall seemed to go on forever. Avery slumped forward and rested his forehead on the cold brick wall.

Kiki… I'm sorry.

”Remember your bond to her. Remember what it was like when it first formed. That flare of fire, that sensation as it crawled over your skin, holding you…” Caden coached Avery though it as best he could.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

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

---

---

Cass blushed when Nic flashed his perfect smile at her. She had missed that smile.

”He found me,” Cassi clarified. She held Kimiko while her head rested on Cass’ shoulder. ”I like to think he's learning what not to do by observing everything that goes on here. But yes, we're not telling Avery that another male carried his mate.” Cass really didn't want to get into a fight with Avery. She knew she wouldn't come away from that without some damage.

”You still haven't seen my shop. You should come see it and the cats again. Maybe spend the night,” Cass suggested.