KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic&Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia blushed and dipped her head, even though Nic kissed her cheek.

”I was worried you were going to start stalking me and boombox ‘Careless Whisper’ outside my place, and I didn't want my neighbours to call the cops on you,” she defended.

She watched Nic walk away, smiling fondly before she turned and scooped Wayland up from her seat. He protested for a moment until Cassi plopped him in her lap, and he purred contently.

”How are you doing, Ren?” It had been a few days since Ren revealed the demon deal he had made, and although everything was progressing forward, Cassi still liked to check-in with Ren daily.

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Caden

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Location: Marrakech – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Aye, that we must.” Caden stood after Nero, the height difference shifting as soon as he stood, and he chuckled before paying their bill, and escorted Nero out of the building.

”Is there anywhere you wish to go before we return home?” Caden had no further plans for the day, as he was sure it was the same for Nero, but he wanted to make sure.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Kimiko finally looked at Avery, and rather than speak, he let her talk. He listened quietly, his fingers sliding up to allow for his hand to cup her cheek. He smiled as she explained, and his own heart pounded with elation from her confessions of how he made her feel and how she liked the nickname.

The name repeated back to him by her sounded superior to when he said it, and he smiled. Avery brushed his thumb along Kimiko's cheek, his hand falling away after to stroke her shoulder and arm. He watched the motion until he reached her hand and pulled it away from her face. He intertwined their fingers and held her hand.

”Maybe because you're in love with me just as much as I'm in love with you. Maybe because no one has loved you or worshipped you the way I intend to.” Avery brought Kimiko's hand to his lips and kissed her hand very softly. His eyes shut and he sighed, his breath settling over her skin.

”Maybe because you know you deserve this, but you don't know how to fully accept it yet.” He placed a kiss along the inside of Kimiko's wrist, feeling her pulse jump against his lips. Avery smiled and placed a third kiss further up her arm.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic&Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia grinned and wiped her hands on a napkin before holding her hand out to Nic to shake. ”Deal,” she agreed happily.

Cassiopeia resumed her eating with renewed vigour. It had been an age since she shopped for a man, let alone shopped at all. She finished her meal and stood to go wash her hands. When she returned, she found Wayland had taken her seat and was peering at the items at the table while vying for Nic's attention.

”I can't believe I've been replaced so quickly,” she said, and scratched Wayland's head. He barely acknowledged her.

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Caden

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Location: Marrakech – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden grinned, his eyes shifting to look at Nero's lips while he spoke. ”Mmm, I enjoy that perhaps more than showering you with gifts… Shall we return home then?” Caden's eyes lifted back to Nero's, a suggestive look in his eyes, and he slid his hand up higher on Nero's leg.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery watched Kimiko curiously as she continued to avoid looking at him. It's in moments like these that Avery desperately wanted to know what her past relationships were like, and why Kimiko believed herself to be so unworthy of love, or at least shy enough to not accept it for what it was.

”Are you sure? You aren't acting like it with how you keep from looking at me.”

Avery lifted his hand from her hip and lightly touched the bottom of her chin with his fingers. He didn't force her to look at him, but rather attempted to coax her to look at him with the gentle brush of his fingers.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic&Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia gave Nic an accusatory look. ”I appreciate your desire to be frugal, Nic, but you need to let the patchwork suit go and buy some that are more appropriate. Everyone needs at least two good suits, plus some other semi formal clothing,” Cassi declared. She wouldn't force him into an impromptu shopping spree, but she would make sure they made time for it in the near future. Especially before they went to Montana for his conference.

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Caden

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Location: Marrakech – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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With those comments, Nero succeeded in relaxing Caden's worries. He laughed and rubbed his jaw. ”Well, we can't deprive you of that now, can we?”

Nero's second dessert was delivered in a box for them to eat later. However, the way Nero had devoured their first dessert, Caden wasn't sure it would make it home.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Concern moved across Avery's face and he held Kimiko gently yet securely. He was worried the nickname didn't land well. It had briefly come to him a couple of days ago while he was working, and he felt it suited her so completely not only because of her power, but because of how her bond was represented for him.

”Do you not like it? I can keep using little fox… I just know Caden will call you that sometimes.” He wanted something that was just theirs. Something they didn't have to share.

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic&Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia concentrated on her meal as well, grateful when Ren helped the conversation switch. ”Oh, we need clothes for Nic. Our friends Caden and Nero are going through what we call a binding ceremony. It's kind of like a wedding but more intense. It's only an intimate gathering but Caden is known for going over the top, so we have to dress for the occasion.” Cassiopeia split the rest of the bruschetta and gave Ren an extra piece before she gave Nic some and then herself.

”I'll make sure we get pictures so you can see Nic all dressed up,” she told Ren.

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Caden

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Location: Marrakech – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden felt his cheeks grow warm and he quickly turned his head away. He understood the conversation was all in jest, but Nero's teasing and laughter left him feeling slightly embarrassed.

Nero had become incredibly important to Caden in a short amount of time. Anything they said mattered a great deal to him.

”Well, if you're certain.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery's smile shifted into a crooked grin as he met Kimiko's eyes. ”You know me too well, my little fireheart. I can leave it alone if you want, it just means I'll get to take my time instead.”

Chicago After Hours

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Nic&Ren's Apartment – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Cassiopeia was quickly moving onto her second piece of pizza when Nic's hands grabbed her hips. She stopped, having realized what she was doing and blushed.

"Well, you're no fun," she said, attempting to cover up her embarrassment. Cassi stood and claimed a seat of her own. She resumed her eating and happy dancing.

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Caden

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Location: Marrakech – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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"Overconfident, really? Hmm, sounds a bit full of himself then. Are you sure you want to be mated to someone like that, even if he has gorgeous eyes?" Caden watched Nero closely, shifting his eyes back and forth for them before he settled on his blue-green. But overconfident? Caden was confident, of course, it came with his age, but he was worried it was a negative now.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden's House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery cocked his head to the side, looking up at Kimiko. "Now who's playing coy? I think you know what I want, unless you want me to give you step-by-step instructions." His hands wandered back up Kimiko's body.

"How much do you like this outfit?" he asked her nonchalantly.