KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia smiled, shifting her drink to keep it from getting squished between them. "Oh, well if I'm doing that I'm going to need a bigger bag," she announced.

Her eyes shut when Nic kissed her forehead, finding his touch pleasurable even in this simple way. She opened her eyes once more, and beamed up at him.

"Give me another five minutes and then we can go."

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Caden

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

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Caden barely had time to make a face when Nero snapped a photo of them. He found most of the photos they took were like that. Nero looking cute with Caden half a step behind them. He didn't mind, though. As long as it made his imp happy.

Caden chuckled when he got called out. He booped Nero on the nose before kissing them. "Because you have a tendency to default to whatever I like. I want you to pick a place. Then we can go to the place I like next time."

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery grinned, watching Kimiko hide from him, and finding it completely adorable. He enjoyed how embarrassed or shy she became when all of his attention was on her. It reminded him she was just as new to this as he was.

"I hope it is a large hole or else it will be very squished when I crawl in there with you," Avery said and ran his fingers down the length of the spine, wanting to see what she would do.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia walked out of the kitchen, sipping her smoothie. She smiled at Nic, glancing down at her outfit and nodded. She felt a strange mix of shyness and confidence from Nic's words.

”Thank you. That's what I was going for.” She tucked her hair behind her ear again, bangles jangling, and gestured at the bags by the door.

”I packed extra clothes to change into if we start building those garden boxes today, though. Plus I packed a bag for Wayland. Some toys and the treats he likes, but we can get you the bigger items from the pet store.”

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Caden

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

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”Alright. How about you research each place and you tell me where you'd like to go first. Maybe I can make the arrangements for us this winter.”

Caden grabbed a blanket from the couch on his way outside. He turned on one of the heat lamps before he sat in his usual spot with Nero on his lap. Caden pulled his phone out, and hit the button for the kitchen to have breakfast sent up.

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Avery Zain

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

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”True…Does that mean you'll let me buy you your own gear?” Avery kissed her hand before he released it. He rolled over so he was on his side facing her, feeling more awake now. He rested his head on his hand, watching her.

It had quickly become Avery's favourite thing to just watch Kimiko. He wanted to learn more about her to give himself a better understanding of her. That, and he loved her.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassiopeia happily kissed Nic back. She was excited to have him to herself today. The last couple of days Cassi had to work to keep herself from losing anymore business. Thankfully, none of her regular clients seemed to be upset with her. She ensured to stock them up well, knowing she would be taking today off.

Cassi watched Nic curiously as he pulled the object he had been hiding out from behind his back. She grinned at the items and happily took the container from him.

”I love this! Thank you.” She reached up and kissed Nic's lips before she walked inside with all of her items. She tucked her pretzels away to savour on a later date, but started to drink her smoothie immediately. Her new plant seemed a little sad to her, and she decided it would go up to her bedroom.

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Caden

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

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”Fly us somewhere warm, hmm? And where would my little imp want to go? Costa Rica maybe? Indonesia? Or perhaps Jamaica?” Caden kissed Nero three times before he picked them up and carried them outside.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery shook his head. ”Aside from your stomach or your legs, this will do.” he declared.

Avery opened his eyes at the mention of the diner he liked. ”Can we take the bike?” He hadn't been able to ride since the last time he took Kimiko, and that had been weeks ago now. He missed it, and had wanted to get a few more rides in before the cold set in.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Mhmm, why am I not surprised? Is this how you are going to be with our human children, too?

Cassiopeia is smiling despite herself. After their talk of children and Cassi's past, she had dreamed that night.

She was walking through the Highlands, purple heather adoring the hills like the stars in the sky. She crested a hill to see a giant willow, standing completely alone. A crow sat below, barely visible within the swaying branches. It called out when it saw Cassi, grabbed a branch from the tree, and circled her three times before dropping the branch.

Cassi had woken with a start, waking Nic along with her. His nature had him caring for her, but Cassi wanted to sleep. In the morning, though, she told him what she had dreamt. The crow, a messenger from the other side, and the willow tree, a symbol of new beginnings and fertility. It had been a blessing from her ancestors, and something Cassi took straight to heart.

Cassi's doorbell rang, pulling her from her thoughts. Wayland instantly bounded over, scratching and meowing until Cassi opened the door. The cat instantly tried crawling up Nic's leg.

”Wayland, honestly. He's going to think I beat you.” Cassi shooed the cat inside before smiling at her boyfriend. ”Good morning, handsome.”

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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 lifted Nero. He set them on their desk and stood. ”What are you going to do when it's time to close the pool for the winter?” he asked, but was completely thrilled with the idea Nero proposed nonetheless.

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Avery Zain

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

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”Mmm, verbal promises can be broken,” he declared. With the sleep now cleared from Avery's eyes, he was able to take in Kimiko fully, and smiled. He slid his hand from her wrist into her hand, and pulled it close, wrapping around it like a pillow.

”Pack bond. I may have told him to fuck off once or twice…” Avery's irritability was nothing new. If he didn't get a good workout or a shift every once in a while, the agitation built up until he exploded on the nearest person. Caden had been doing his best to keep Avery busy until the point of exhaustion, but the lack of intimacy with his mate was starting to show.

Avery hadn't had sex with Kimiko since their fight, with good reason, but it didn't mean Avery craved it any less.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Haha, if it's pet friendly, sure. But he doesn't need to be spoiled.

Wayland already got a great deal of extra attention from Nic. He didn't need anything extra. That would simply go to little Wayland's head, and he would be nothing but trouble for Cass.

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Caden

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

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”Mmm, you make both sound terribly tempting.” Caden's eyes wandered Nero's body, imagining them dressed in something that showed off their legs.

He pecked Nero on the lips while he ran his hands up and down their back. ”Why don't we stay in? We haven't had the house to ourselves in a while, and if Kiki takes Avery out, that'll just leave you and I to do as we please.”

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery grunted when Kimiko flopped onto him, but he made no motion to get up. He laid half buried under the covers until Kimiko started to pull away. Like a viper's strike, Avery snapped his arm out to grab Kimiko by the wrist. He tugged on her, wanting her to lay back down.

”What kind of promise? A verbal one or a pinkie swear?” Avery shifted his head, pulling it out from under the pillow to look at Kimiko. He yawned before rubbing at his eyes.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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

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Cassi bustled around her house, getting things organized for spending the day with Nic. She tucked her loose hair behind her ears, the bangles on her wrist tinkling together as she shoved books and cat toys into a bag. Her phone chimed, and she paused to read Nic's message.

Works for me. We can get some supplies for Wayland, too.

Cassi's one cat had been absolutely beside himself when Nic left her house a few mornings ago. Cassi decided that Wayland needed to go for his sleepover sooner rather than later. And maybe a couple of nights at that.

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Caden

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

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The last four days were productive in many ways. Caden had remodelled his bedroom and the training room, he had made a large donation to Nic's hospital by way of security equipment from Caden's company, and he had successfully planned a date to finish his bonding with Nero. In-between that, Caden dragged Avery all over Chicago to work on cases for the police, and keep him from irritating Kiki while she did her research with Nero. Last night was no different.

After they had successfully cleared a vampire's nest from the old werewolf territory, Caden made Avery run perimeter checks. It left Avery too tired to argue with Caden, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Caden looked up from his laptop when Nero spoke to him. He glanced over to see Kimiko was gone, having missed her departure completely. Caden had spent his morning catching up on business after neglecting it for so long.

”Sure, do you want to go out or have something made up here?” Caden sent the last email before shutting his computer down.

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Avery Zain

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

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Capital punishment. That's what Avery thought of these last four days and nights. It had been hellish. He barely got sleep these days. Or time with Kimiko, but it was just enough to keep the wolf satisfied.

With the gym out of commission, there hadn't been anything for Avery to do but perimeter checks, and following Caden all over kingdom come. He understood why and welcomed the reprieve of feeling guilty and shame for the body pain and mental exhaustion, but it was starting to catch up to him.

Avery slept dreamlessly, sprawled across Kimiko's bed until he heard a door slam shut and her terribly loud, beautiful voice. Avery buried his head under his pillow.

”Go away, please.”

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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”And you love me?” Avery asked, sliding his fingers under her chin to make her look at him.

His smile was soft and easy now, nothing left of the fear and sadness earlier. His heart beat easily, knowing things were right between them.

Chicago After Hours

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Caden

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

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”Mmm, too sleepy… Help?” Caden asked. He cracked his eyes open to look at Nero, a cheeky grin adorning his face.

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Avery Zain

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

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”Owe! Damn, girl.” Avery rubbed his arm where Kimiko smacked him. Imagine if she had punched him instead. He pouted at her, but couldn't keep the sparkle of joy from his eyes that they were starting to get back to their old selves.

Kimiko's last comment sobered him and he looked down. Her hand was soft against his cheek and he sighed. ”I'm sorry,” he said, and looked at her through his lashes.

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 over at Nic and smirked.
"If he could speak, I'm sure he would say now." She walked back to the couch and handed Nic her phone. ”Avery is awake. Looks like they got a good video of him.”

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Caden

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

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Caden nodded, holding Nero closer. He smiled, turning his head and kissed Nero's head just by knowing where the imp usually sat against him.

”I just need you and sleep,” he murmured. Caden had been using more of his power and today was perhaps the worst of it with getting control over Avery. Caden usually put on a strong front but when it came to his loved ones, like Nero, he felt important to let his guard down, so they knew how he truly was.

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Avery Zain

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

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”This is kind?” It's a reflex question, wanting to bring humour into the situation. There's a smile on Avery's face from the moment Kimiko takes his hand. Thank you god.

Avery felt his entire being relax when she did that. At least Avery knew she still liked him or at least wanted him.

He opened his eyes and looked at Kimiko. ”I will never do that to you, to us again. Not only do I feel like I've been hit by a train, but when I couldn't feel you anymore… that was the worst feeling in the world.” They hadn't been bonded for long, but Avery truly felt like he had lost himself after he blocked 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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The sorcerer smiled, brushing her thumb along her nurse's cheek in time to his rubbing her back. She kissed him softly again, savouring the moment before she pulled back.

”Do you want to call your dad and check-in? We can tell him that we found a way to break the contract. Then we can watch a movie, or we can gather what we need to summon the demon,” she suggested.

Cassi's phone rang in her bag by the door. She slid off Nic's lap to get it, but Nic wasn't left alone for long. Wayland jumped into the vacated spot on his lap, and nudged Nic for pets.

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Caden

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

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”Honestly, I'd probably just fall asleep in the tub.” He wrapped an arm around Nero when they moved in closer. Caden shut his eyes and rubbed Nero's back, feeling like he would fall asleep any second.

”I can run you one if you would like though,” he offered with a yawn.

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Avery Zain

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

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The look at Kimiko's face broke Avery further. He pulled his hands away from her and ran one over his head.

”I wanted to. I thought I would calm down, but I couldn't…When he threw you over his shoulder I just saw the warehouse. I couldn't get the image of you in a cage out of my head and I lost it. And then I got angry and you got angry which fed my anger and I stopped thinking and just reacted.”

Avery's headache started to get worse with the increase of emotions. He shut his eyes and tried to breathe deeply but it wasn't helping.

”And then I tried to reach you and I couldn't. I detached from my wolf and just felt… empty. Caden forced me back, but it took so long to find you again. I thought I lost you, that it was too late, but then we felt your fire again. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. What I did was unforgivable but would you consider giving me a second chance?” Avery rubbed a fist over his heart, feeling tension as he waited for Kimiko's answer.