Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

I watch as everyone breathlessly finish the last of their cooldowns, glad that I don’t really have to work that hard for my strength… For now. We still don’t know what’s in store for us once I regain my humanity, but for now, being a demon has its perks. “Wow, you all did wonderfully. I’m so proud of you all, even Kiki.” I say with a polite clap of my hands. I manage to dodge a weight Kiki lodges at me with a laugh, glad the human isn’t anywhere near me to get hit in the crossfire.

---

---

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

---

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

---

---

I find myself laughing over the antics on display. Other than the inhumanely way Kimiko threw the weight and the equally as supernatural way that Nero dodges, it all felt so normal training with everyone. Then I process what Nero said. ”Kiki?” I ask, glancing at Kimiko.

It’s not that unusual of a name, especially with the Studio. Ghibli movie, but I still feel like the air is knocked out of me. Kimiko gives me a confused look for a moment. ”It’s a nickname of mine.” She tells me.

“My sister shared the same nickname.” I say with a soft smile. Between the fox spirits and the nickname, it almost feels like the universe is trying to tell me something.

---

---

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

I beam at Caden, figuring out that he might need to leave the talking until later. Instead, I let my eyes wander to where the human, werewolf, and fox are. At least for now, it seems all three are getting along well enough.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

---

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

---

---

Wiping off my forehead, I look at Avery as he approaches me. “I think I’d like to move on to weights, if that’s okay.” As much as I’d like to keep hitting the shit out of the Terrance punching bag, I didn’t want to exert all my energy on just that. Plus, I can at least let Avery help Nic a little more. Hearing the two of them talking about helping Nic become a better fighter made me feel all the more guilty, like it’s my fault he was introduced to the world this way.

---

---

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

The thought of Caden benching a whole SUV makes me laugh a little. “So it’s a good thing I’ve come along.” I say with a little bit of pride in myself.

---

---

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

---

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

---

---

Kimiko declines to comment on this part of the conversation, something flashing in her expression before she looks away from me. “Well, I’m once again grateful to you for agreeing to help me.” I say with sincerity before taking another sip of my water and making my way back to my bag.

“Is the silver thing true for werewolves?” I ask, thinking of movies like Van Helsing, where silver bullets had to be made.

---

---

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

It’s fascinating to watch Caden’s muscles at work and I can’t help but admire the free show I’m getting. I mean, of course I got a good show of them in the bedroom, but I’m usually distracted by other things in the moment. “Do you usually have trouble finding a challenge in your workouts?” I ask with a tilt of my head.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

---

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

---

---

I try to flip Avery the bird, but once again find the gloves to be hindering an action. “Oh of course he doesn’t fight fair. That completely tracks.” I say, getting more hits in a row before I finally break to get water for myself.

“So, I’m guessing a mere human like me would definitely not stand a chance against a werewolf?” Nic asks before he also takes his short break.

“If you’re about to fight a werewolf, call one of us, but also try not to get in a fight with a werewolf.” I say almost immediately.

---

---

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

“Then I’m sold.” I say gleefully as I look Caden up and down before I take the end of the band from him. “Plus the jump rope thing was pretty fun once Avery showed me how to do it.” I brace myself for Caden to start, squaring my shoulders and putting on a ‘tough’ expression.

---

---

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

---

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

---

---

I nod, taking Avery’s advice and implementing it into the routine. When Avery tells me Kimiko is the prize, I can’t help but look at her briefly. I guess I could see where someone might feel territorial over her - she had that sort of ‘girl-next-door’ vibe going for her after all.

“And what woman wouldn’t swoon over some stinky, sleazy man treating her like an inanimate object?” Kimiko adds, frustration seeping into her punches now.

Nodding, I start to understand what might have happened. “Wait, so Kimiko wouldn’t have been able to fight them on her own then? I guess it’s good you were there then, Avery.” I say, still a little confused at the weird tension between the two of them.

“Hey! Don’t inflate his ego! I would’ve been just fine.” Kimiko interjects.

---

---

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

There are a couple of moments where I’m sure Caden will get the best of me or the bands would snap, but I manage somehow. I beam widely at Caden’s words when he stops for a break. “Well, as long as you remain shirtless during workouts, I’ll happily oblige.” I say shamelessly with a wink.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

---

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

---

---

”They put up with Caden cause not many people can really outmatch him,” I say, throwing a glance in said man’s direction. It makes me grin to see him actually struggling a little with Nero on the other end of the resistance bands.

I turn my attention back to the bags and the boys. “But they really did not like Avery one bit.”

---

---

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

---

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

---

---

That makes me frown. “I don’t see why they would hate you.” I tell Avery as I match the moves he just showed me.

“The assholes thought Avery was stealing away their ‘prize’.” Kiki says with a huff and a roll of her eyes as she manages to finally get a one-two punch down.

I look at Avery and raise my eyebrows, impressed he’s already seeing his help rewarded. “What prize did you steal?” I ask before refocusing on my own bag.

---

---

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

I snort at Caden’s comment. “Lucky for you, I don’t think either of us are.” I reply, mirroring his smirk.

“Alright, I’m ready.” I tell Caden with a firm nod after I make sure I have a good grip on the things.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

---

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

---

---

I nod, barely looking away from the punching bag as it slowly morphed into Terrance’s stupid face. Once I starting hearing his voice calling me a whore or whatever it was he said in my head, I make an effort to aim with the one-two punch Avery had shown me. Miraculously, I’m starting to land more shots than missing.

---

---

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

---

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

---

---

Mildly intrigued, I look at Avery after Kimiko’s able to land a punch finally. “So, a fight with werewolves? What have Cass and I been missing out on?” I ask Avery, taking the short break to drink some water and wipe my brow.

”Just know that the werewolves in Chicago suck ass.” I hear Kimiko say as she lands another hit. ”Present company sort of excluded.”

---

---

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

I blush but stick my tongue out at Caden - he knows full well what his whispering does to me. Suddenly feeling warm, I pick up the other end of the ropes and bands. “Seems simple enough.” I say, looking up to stare intensely at Caden.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

---

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

---

---

“Well, for one thing, It’s hard to miss a nose or groin.” I say after shooting Nic a glare. “And my fist doesn’t easily glance off it those either.” Biting my lip, I wrinkle my nose and stare at the bag. “What was the name of that limp dicked one?” I ask, trying to envision his face as the punching bag.

---

---

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

“You’ll never be bored though.” I tell Caden mischievously as I follow him. When he asks me if I want to help him, I grin widely. “Yes! What can I do?” I ask excitedly, already bouncing.

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

---

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

---

---

“I don’t normally get in fights,” I tell Avery honestly. “And if I do end up in a fight, a swift kick or punch usually works well, especially if they’re human.” I try one of the moves with a lot of power behind it and end up glancing off the bag. Nic tries to cover a snort with a cough.

The human grins sheepishly over at us. “Sorry, I’ve just never… seen someone struggle this much.” He says, holding in laughter.

Chicago After Hours

---

---

Nero

---

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

---

---

”I don’t blame Kiki - Cassi is scary.” I say with a small smile. When Caden turns to ask what I’ve been up to, I grin widely as I tuck the straw into my pants.

“Ich habe dem Welpen geholfen, dem Fuchs einen Streich zu spielen.”

Translations

I was helping the puppy prank the fox

---

---

Kimiko “Kiki” Voss

---

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

---

---

I bite my lip in concentration, not exactly happy with myself so far with everything today. “I should have told you my dad pulled me out of boxing classes after a couple of weeks - I’m really quite terrible at it.” I tell Avery as he patiently shows me the moves again.