KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia looked at Nic, a tender smile forming on her face. She could picture the image so clearly in her head. Nic coming home from a long shift, a little black haired boy running out of the garden to greet him, and Nic picks him up to toss him over his shoulder. Cass in the garden with two little girls picking flowers and vegetables, a newborn in a basket by the window. The image filled her with such love and joy it nearly broke her.

Cassiopeia rested her hands on Nic's cheeks and kissed him deeply. She focused on how his lips felt on hers, and how her heart beat for more than just her.

”I love you.”

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Caden

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

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”Yes my little imp.” Caden rose up on his feet and kissed Nero's forehead. He stood after and stretched while he yawned. Caden pulled out his phone and sent the video to Cassi before he set his phone aside.

Caden sighed, the full weight of the day settling onto him. He kicked off his shoes and socks unceremoniously before stretching out on the bed.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery shut his eyes when Kimiko's hand brushed his forehead. It was a simple touch with nothing behind it, but Avery craved her touch in such a way that she could have slapped him and he would have been grateful. He opened his eyes when she questioned him and he looked at her, the pain in his eyes genuine.

”I… Yes, but I didn't intend for it to be a full block… I just wanted some silence, I didn't think. God, Kimiko, I didn't think. I'm so sorry.” Avery slid forward in his chair, bumping knees with Kimiko and rested his hands on her leg. He hadn't intended to touch her until she wanted him to, but selfishly he needed to reassure himself she was with him.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”And spirit. But can you handle five kids with my attitude?” Cassi challenged. She finished her tea and set the glass down while she listened to Nic's suggestion.

Ideally, raising her children in her ancestral lands would be how Cassi wanted to do it. The connection to the land would help hone their powers while giving them strength. But could she go back and raise a family on the land where she lost hers?

”Maybe we should visit first before we think of buying there…” Cassi understood this conversation to be hypothetical, but if it did become true, she at least wanted to know she could go home before raising a family there.

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Caden

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

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”Oh? You didn't leave your phone in there set to record?” Caden kissed Nero's cheek before he set them on the bed. Caden crouched in front of them with his hands on their legs. ”Privacy is important, my little imp.”

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Avery Zain

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

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”Make-up came off but marker is there still. Faded but better.”

Avery hesitated in the doorway another moment longer before he walked over to Kimiko. He pulled out a chair and sat next to her.

”Are you okay?” he asked lamely. Her position told him she wasn't, but he didn't know what to do for her. He didn't know how to help her since he was the one who did this.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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”Oh, I'll definitely be stubborn again,” Cassi said, not bothering to deny it. She kissed Nic back before pulling away. She reclaimed her tea and sipped it.

Nic's imagery of toddlers running around zapping things made Cassi's eyes sparkle, and she nearly choked on her tea.

”Oh my goddess, could you imagine? We'd have to follow them around to keep them from burning the place down,” Cassi laughed and then sobered. ”Oh, we'll definitely have to live in the middle of nowhere by that time,” she said, remembering how she nearly set her home on fire when she was young. ”And they might not have the same power set as mine. Generally speaking, powers used to skip a generation or show up depending on what was needed. Since I'm the only one, I'm not entirely certain if or what powers our children may have, but one of my jobs was helping the children in the coven hone their skills. I'm certain I'll be able to handle whatever pops up,” Cassi said reassuringly.

The idea of having children with Nic didn't even phase her. The idea seemed right, natural. Cass didn't even pause to think about what she was saying. In her mind, it was going to happen one day.

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Caden

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

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Caden chuckled and kissed Nero's forehead. ”Please no,” he joked before yawning again.

He looked at Kimiko and smiled tiredly. ”You can only let him stew so long. Besides, it might be a long conversation for you two. He needs boundaries and he needs to trust you. Go to him, Kiki, if he isn't already on his way back. I need a break anyways,” Caden said before yawning again.

He stood, holding Nero and walked over to Kimiko. He squeezed her shoulder. ”Suivez votre cœur.”

As they left, they came across Avery. ”We're going to bed. It's been a long day. If you want, have Kiki tell you have the events unfolded, or I can fill you in later. Good luck.” Caden patted Avery's shoulder before heading on back to the room he was currently sharing with Nero.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery nodded and watched them go before he looked back at the library. Now what? He stood in the hall, feeling very nervous. At least Caden and Nero had been there before as a sort of buffer, but now?

Avery scratched at his forehead, hoping Kimiko wasn't going to be laughing at him the entire time. That wouldn't make for great conversation. He walked into the library but hovered by the doorway, unable to walk further inside without her permission.

Avery's wolf pulled him to go in, to hold her and breathe in her scent, but Avery couldn't bring himself to do it.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi shut her eyes and focused on Nic's touch. She smiled when he mentioned how intense her powers were. It was one of the reasons why she set up blocks in her home. It gave her a break.

”I don't mind you being a little intimidated,” she teased. Cassi opened her eyes and pressed her forehead to Nic's.

”I hope I'm never that mad at you,” she said honestly.

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Caden

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

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”The prank helped but I think your reaction is what sealed the deal,” Caden said, looking at Kimiko. ”He looks like a wounded dog, and he only ever gets quiet like this after I've reemed him out and he knows he was wrong. It's hard to see, but he needed to understand just how bad this one's,” Caden said with a nod.

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Avery Zain

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

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Now that Avery knew what his face looked like, he couldn't bear the thought of going downstairs to beg for food. Even though his stomach was rumbling painfully. Instead, Avery retreated to Kimiko's room to scrub his face.

He stared at himself in the mirror, his makeover looking even worse in reflective glass. He groaned and stared up at the ceiling. He had to hand it to Nero. When they decided to prank someone they pranked someone.

Avery rummaged around until he found some makeup wipes, and having looked it up on his phone, oil and rubbing alcohol to help with the permanent marker.

Avery scrubbed and stubbed his face until it was red. The permanent marker was still present but it had faded a bunch. Hopefully by tomorrow would be completely gone.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia sipped her tea, nodding her head in agreement with Nic when he assumed what she had heard in the past. She freezed though when he mentioned her nickname. Cassiopeia sipped her tea but it didn't taste as it had before. She leaned forward and set her cup on the coffee table.

"I always hated that name," she confessed. "Bana-bhuidseach stoirm. Storm Witch. People started whispering that name when they saw what I could do. It was always whispered in fear. Some people were fanatics and said it in reverence, but that never sat well with me, either."

She shifted in Nic's lap, so she was sideways and could see him better. She was fine with Nic comparing her eyes to a storm, though. It was true. On cloudy days like this, they seemed more gray to her. When she called the storm to her they seemed to shift and crackle, mirroring whatever storm she called. When she was happy or excited, they were usually a vibrant blue. When she was sad, they were a deep, dark blue.

"I'm glad you're not afraid of my power, though." The relationship would never have worked out if Nic was afraid of her.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery shifted his attention from Kimiko, feeling a pang from the easy way she had dismissed him. He looked at Nero and frowned. The 'food' they suggested was barely scraps. There wasn't a lot left.

"I had some extras set aside for you, Avery. It's down in the kitchens if you want it," Caden offered.

Avery nodded his thanks. He looked back at Kimiko but she was already buried in her work again. He sighed, knowing he deserved it, but hating it all the same. He slipped out of the library without another word.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia giggled, finding the way Nic just moved her around as he wanted exciting. ”What about my eyes?” she asked, knowing she was setting herself up to blush and be embarrassed.

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Avery Zain

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

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Still frowning, Avery took the offered dagger and looked into the reflective side of it. His eyes widened and he groaned. ”Oh my god. Are you serious?”

He examined the words and the overly done make-up. He rubbed at his cheeks, but the blush barely smudged. He was going to have to shower, but the permanent marker on his head was going to be more difficult.

”For fucks sakes,” he grumbled and tossed the dagger onto the table. He crossed his arms and looked at Kimiko, ignoring Nero all together.

”Can we talk? Alone.”

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Caden

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

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Caden laughed and showed Avery photos he had taken when Avery had been sleeping. ”You can thank Cass for the word choice,” he added before putting his phone away.

Caden wrapped his arms around Nero from where they stood and pulled him into his lap. He kissed the back of Nero’s shoulder, watching Kimiko and Avery.

”Kiki, I can have some food sent up for all of us instead if you want,” he said, offering her a way out if she wasn’t ready to talk.

Avery pulled his gaze away from Kimiko and glared at Caden. Caden raised an eyebrow and shifted his eyes up to Avery’s forehead, then back. Avery sighed and rolled his eyes, remembering that he was the one who fucked up and had no say here.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi wanted to play hardball with Nic, but it was difficult with him smiling at her like that. Eventually, she caved and heaved a sigh. ”Fiiinnne. But you cheated, with that smile of yours and those eyes,” she declared.

She twisted away from Nic to reclaim her tea. She took a sip of it, savouring the taste.

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Caden

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

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Caden coughs into his hand when Kimiko starts to laugh hysterically. He smothers his laugh for a moment, but when Avery looked at him with confusion, Caden couldn’t hold back the laughter anymore.

”Did no one talk to you on your way here?” Caden eventually asked through the laughing.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery frowned when Kimiko started to laugh at him. He didn’t understand what was humorous about this moment. And then Caden started to laugh while Nero tried their best to hide from him. A sinking feeling started to form in the pit of Avery’s stomach because the imp was hiding. Then Caden asked if anyone had said anything to him.

”No…I ignored everyone, but most of them gave me a wide birth or stopped and stared. Why…What did you do?” He looked at the imp who was still hiding behind their book.

Caden laughed and patted Nero’s hand, telling them to tell Avery what was going on.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia’s eyes remained on Nic while he cleaned up her face. She held onto his hand earnestly, not looking away from him. ”I do feel safe with you,” she told him. It surprised her as much as comforted her how true those words were and how much she loved them.

Cass didn’t feel like she had to be the strong one around Nic. She could crumble and fall apart if she needed to. Which made it difficult to keep everything together when she needed to, like earlier.

She broke eye contact with Nic to stare at their pinkies intertwined. It was a juvenile way to make a promise, but it made Cass smile. And he called her adorable. She bit her bottom lip, debating on denying him this simple request.

”But what if it’s like really bad?”

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Caden

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

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Caden chuckled to himself as he watched the diverse reactions from the knowledge that Avery was awake. Caden could feel Avery getting closer, so he was certain Kiki could sense the same. He patted her hand at one point because she seemed about ready to bolt. Eventually though, Caden heard the familiar footfalls of Avery walking down the hallway. However, they sounded more sluggish and hesitant than usual.

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Avery Zain

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

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It seemed like the closer Avery got, the more nervous he became, which exacerbated his symptoms. At one point, he had walked into Caden’s house, but turned around and quickly walked back out when a wave of nausea hit. After taking a few more minutes outside and finding water from the cooler, he made his way back in and headed down the hallway.

He paused for a minute before he walked into Caden’s study. The three of them were sitting there, Caden gave him a brief smile, his eyes roaming over Avery’s face before looking away. Nero couldn’t seem to sit still, and then there was Kimiko. Avery found that as soon as he saw her, he couldn’t look away from her.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi looked worried when. Nic took the teacup she had been holding onto tightly. She shifted like she was about to snatch it back to protect herself with it, but Nic pulled her into a hug instead. Cass sat there for a minute, feeling stunned. And then the tears started.

When Nic hugged her a second time she held onto him tightly, barely reacting to when he pulled her onto his lap. She buried her head into his neck, feeling ashamed for having doubted Nic, guilt for wanting him to care for her, and grief for so many lives lost because she had been mad at the wrong people.

Eventually, Cass was able to pull herself back. She sniffed and laughed slightly. ”I’m always crying around you.”

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Caden

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

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Caden smirked and shook his head at Nero before looking at Kimiko. The obvious need to go see Avery was apparent in how her body was reacting, but Caden respected her desire to stay put. Avery deserved to feel panicked.

”Yes. He'll be able to find you as long as you keep the connection open.” Caden was curious how long it would take Avery to realize he had make-up on his face. He hoped none of the staff told him.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery sat in his room, knowing exactly where Kimiko was for several minutes. He knew she knew he was awake, and some messed up part of him thought she would come to him first, but of course, she didn’t.

”No shit, Zain. You fucked up,” he cursed himself, muttering under his breath.

Avery sat for a few more minutes until most of the nauseous and dizzy feelings went away. He was dressed in loose clothes, a pair of shorts and a T-shirt because he felt disgustingly warm.

When he left his room, he had to pause in the hallway for a moment. Dizziness overtook him, along with the brightness of the lights in the hallway. He managed to find a window and saw it was rather dark and gloomy outside, which explained on the lights were on. As he walked, he ran into a couple of people but didn’t stop to talk. They stared at him, seemingly in shock, but Avery ignored them all.

Once he was outside, he felt like he could breathe again. The damp, cold air filled him up and soothed his burning skin. As much as he wanted to go to Kimiko, he couldn’t deny the relief he was feeling from being outside. Avery took his time walking across Caden’s backyard, going over what he was going to say to Kimiko while he drank in the cold air.