Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

“Are you saying you don’t like my manly musk?” I ask Cass, holding my chest like she hurt my heart. I take my phone out to see Cass had sent me Avery’s phone number.

”Thank you for his number.” I tell her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as we walk. “And for not insisting I have a crush on him like you did with Caden.” I knock her hip with mine.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I close my eyes as he caresses my cheek, slowly coming to the conclusion that I really did miss him while he was gone. Peering at him owlishly, I blink at Caden’s question. “I don’t know, the two have been with me for a long time. How can you tell?”

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I note his reaction, but otherwise ignore it. ”Yeah, funny thing about her, she does whatever she wants. I’ve been chasing her for nearly 50 years but I still can’t catch up to her.” I’m not even really sure what I would do if I did manage to meet her. Probably yell and cry since that seems like my mode of operation when facing anything stressful.

“Da didn’t even know she was supernatural. When I started leaving little fires everywhere I went, he called Caden to help.”” I still remember first meeting Caden at the age of thirteen.

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I smack my forehead. “I forgot about that.” I confess in a sheepish tone. “That’s planned for like the crack of dawn I think, so I think we could go after?” I offer her my hand to help her off the bench.

“I probably should have gotten Avery’s phone number when I had the chance.” I muse.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I tilt my head. “Is that normal of cats? These are the only two I let in the house, the strays have to stay outside otherwise my furniture gets destroyed.” I watch the furballs dash about, but they’re just exploring what’s new to them.

“They’ve always been good at doing what they’re told.”

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I nod, placing my cheek on my knees to look at Avery. “My da fell in love with a beautiful Japanese woman who was visiting London. Little did he know she was a kitsune. Nine months after she broke his heart and ran off, I showed up on his doorstep.”

“So to be fair, I’m only half supernatural. I reckon the Letters might have tried to kill me if Caden hadn’t shown up to teach me how to control the fox half.”

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

”Much closer to Chicago than Cary, thankfully.” I say. “He’s in one of the suburbs.” I send the address to her in a text before I look at her again. “Any other fountains you want to climb into today?” I ask.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I beam at this. Luci and Mika will probably love having anything but demons caring for them. “Little brown b- oh!” I realize he means the bag I used to tease him and laugh.

“I don’t actually know what’s in it. The surprise I was talking about was the cats. Buuuut, it’s all in the flirty room if you’d like to take a peek. Be warned, Kiki took her role very seriously.”

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I catch the remote and quickly find a football game to watch, or soccer as the yanks call it. I set the volume on low. “Well, I think my fox doesn’t get along well with you either if that makes you feel any better.” I confess, pulling my legs up so I can wrap my arms around them.

“I’ve never really encountered a situation like this before - not many werewolves left in Europe and certainly not any that want to cross paths with a Men of Letters legacy.” My father’s secret society had eradicated most monsters from England. I always wonder that if I lose control, will they hunt me down too?

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

”Not much at first, but he became very interested in the one-of-a-kind fountain my family has that needs repairs.” I say to start before I go join Cass where she is. “Wanted to know if there was anything special about our fountain, so I told him it had gemstones that needed proper handling. We have an appointment with him tomorrow morning. Will that work?” I ask. I have a feeling if I make up some story about needing the repairs done tonight, he might consider it.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I wrap my arms around him, burying my face into his chest. The real deal was so much better than just the leftover scent in his bed. I take a deep breath in before I move my head so I can look up at Caden again. “Alright, I’ll move in.” This seems to be the best option if we want to keep each other safe. Besides, I’m basically living in his house already. “If you’ll still let me?”

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I sink into the couch on the opposite end from Avery and groan, burying my head in my hands as I feel my whole face flush. ”Please don’t tell me he actually worded it that way.” Now I definitely feel like the annoying kid sister trying to play with her brother’s friends.

“Either way, thanks for helping me escape, even if it was my big mouth that got me into the situation in the first place.” I run my hands down my face before I look over at Avery. “Any chance you want to watch a game or something while we wait for supper?” I gesture to the TV hanging over the fireplace.

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

“Thank you John, I look forward to meeting you too. Bye.” I hang up and make sure. To write down key points in our conversation in my notes app.

I turn to face Cass. “Okay, so you might have been right about it being stolen.”

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I close my eyes, the way his thumbs run along my cheeks helps me feel safe. “There’s something or someone that scares me shitless even though I can’t remember who or what they are.” I open my eyes and look back up at Caden.

“Just know it’s definitely not you.” I say earnestly.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I put my face in my hands. “I feel like if I had known this I probably wouldn’t have cornered Caden as soon as he got home.” I peek out from behind my hands to glance at Avery.

“Why did he make you stay for that anyway?”

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

“I actually got your number from some of the workers at the Hindu Temple in Cary. I was hoping you might come by and look at this Chinese fountain my family and I own. It’s been passed down from generation to generation, but it’s been struggling lately. Do you know what kind of openings you might have in your schedule.”

John asks a lot of follow-up questions, most of them regarding the fountain, but one in particular stands out to me. “Is it an antique? More like a priceless heirloom to my family. We usually get maintenance for it with a family friend, but they’ve passed and so we’re trying to find someone who might be able to help.” I glance over at Cass, giving her a look that I hope conveyed I had some interesting news to share.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I fidget under his gaze, letting Luci chase after Mika. “It’s not what you think,” I tell him, staring into his eyes. “As soon as you asked, I wanted to agree, but I keep thinking something will go horribly wrong.”

Something in the back of my mind is begging to be brought out into the light, but I ignore it.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

“You’d have to find said towels first.” I remind him, fighting the smirk that threatens to take over my face.

“By the way, what did Nero do that had you screaming like a puppy earlier?”

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I grin at Cass and shake my head at her before I take a couple of steps away from Cass to call John Scott. It takes a couple of rings, but a man answers and I go into my spiel about fountains like I did with the workers.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I make a face and look anywhere but at Caden. “I didn’t want to worry you and I didn’t think it was a big deal…” I mumble as I have a sudden interest in scratching Luci very thoroughly.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

Not expecting it, I snort at Avery’s response before I nod at Caden. “See you then.” I say before I run after Avery, catching up with him easily.

“Sorry you had to be there for that.” I say sheepishly when I reach him. “I owe you one.”

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

“Let’s see if my charm can help us with Mr. Scott.” I say with a nod. I feel like Cass might actually like talking with Mr. Singh about fountains. I just hope that John Scott isn’t a complete stereotypical contractor bro when I talk to him.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I beam up at Caden at his words, happy that Mika seemed to be happily enjoying her new perch in his arms. Of course, Caden’s words make me blush, but I can’t help but wiggle happily. “I feel the same.” I let Caden hold my chin still while I glance over at Kiki.

“Caden’s been helping me regain my humanity too.” I tell her. “I really do want to be good enough for him.” My eyes shift back to Caden and I grin again.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

Caden’s declaration makes me feel all the more awkward now. I’m jealous of what these two have - not because Caden and I slept together in the past but more because I wanted to find that great love too. “Well, I feel like I want to crawl into a cave and die, so how about Avery and I leave you two alone for a bit.”

I look over at the wolf, silently begging him to agree and get me out of here.

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I raise an eyebrow“The same police who thought my dad murdered my mom?” My dad had finally told me that the detective had let slip they had thought my dad was a suspect.

“No offense to them, but I think we’d have better odds of solving this.” What’s the worst that could happen? We find out the contractor is a thief? It didn’t seem like too dangerous of a mission to go on together.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I take this chance to walk in and Kiki starts, not expecting me to be here. I give an awkward wave while trying to hold the cats. My ears and cheeks feel warm from how Caden defended me, but I try to ignore that. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but…” I look over at Caden and smile sheepishly.

“I might have been struggling to make a decision on your offer.” I see Avery sitting awkwardly and struggle to keep the smirk off my face. The poor puppy…

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I close my eyes, jaw clenched at how quickly this had escalated. “I’m sorry, I overstepped.” I finally mumble. “I know you an take care of yourself, I just got so worried when I saw the other demons at Nero’s place.”

“That’s fair - demons are nasty little things after all.” Nero chirps. I flush with shame at their comment.

Chicago After Hours

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Hindu Temple - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I glance back at Cassie. “You think so?” I ask. I’ve seen the bad in people, sure. The kid who’s fallen down the stairs for the fifth time this year, the man with bruises who just has a bossy girlfriend - I see these patients often in my hospital.

But I typically try to stay optimistic in these kinds of situations.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I’m aware?? I silently count to 10 in French and take a deep breath. “I’m just worried about you. Sometimes you think a little too much with your dick.” I cringe at myself for wording it like that, but it’s no secret that Caden is a bit of a playboy

“They asked me for advice on if they should move in with you or not.” I say, feeling my ears burn. “I don’t see you for years and suddenly everything about your romantic life has changed.” Clenching my fists, I look at the ground.

I don’t know how to explain it well, but I’m worried that he’s making a mistake and that it’ll come back to bite him on the ass and I’ll lose the second most important person in my life.

---

---

Nero

Location: Caden’s Home - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

---

---

I make it down the stairs, my feet softly padding on the floor. I can hear voices from down the hall and I creep quietly down to eavesdrop. Kiki makes a comment about Caden thinking with his dick and I shoot my eyebrows up in interest.