[IC] Chicago After Hours

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh and nod. ”You could say that. I always need to stop and get a drink if I'm out and about. I don't know, it's compulsive at this point.” I take Nic's hand and slide out of the vehicle.

I open up the door and walk inside with him. ”Oh, depends on the day I suppose. I like all tea and trying new teas,” I say. I glance over the menu that sits above the counter and look at Nic. ”How about you?”

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Cafe - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I smile at this and nod along when she tells me her preference on teas. “I think I’m the same way.” I tell her, stepping behind her and resting my chin on her head as I look at the menu.

“Although, I do really like the matcha and chai lattes that have become popular, especially since they’re usually made with oat milk.” I look over the menu and decide on an earl grey blend with honey for sweetener.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I look up, tilting my head slightly to see Nic, but I can’t move much since he’s using me as a chin rest. I smile and roll my eyes before looking back at the menu. I look over and decide on an oolong tea with sunflower, amaranth, cornflower and calendula.

”How bad is your lactose?” I ask, turning around to face Nic. ”Like if I were to put regular milk in mine and then kiss you after drinking it, would you die?” I ask dramatically.

[Donut Look Now]

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Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Cafe - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I snort, not expecting the ending of that question. “Maybe in the days of leeches and blood letting.” I retort before grinning lopsidedly.

“Why, are you planning on kissing me?” Unconsciously, my eyes dart to her lips for a moment before I look back into her eyes. When I realize, I feel my ears grow warm.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I laugh and turn back around to avoid looking at his lips as well and to prevent him from seeing my slight blush. ”Well maybe. Sort of depends, I guess,” I say.

I walk up to the counter and order my tea along with a muffin to snack on for the remainder of the drive.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Cary, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Catching her blush, I order my food and pay for our order before she can, grinning triumphantly at her since she did this to me yesterday. “You know, I think it’s high time I’ve been kissed.” I tease, grabbing our drinks and her muffin.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile as he beats me to the cashier to pay for our drinks. I go to take mine from him and raise an eyebrow. ”Oh? Do you… And why do you think that?” I ask.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I hold the door open for her when we get to the entrance of the cafe. “No reason.” I say with a wink as we head back to the car. I open her door and help her inside before I climb into the driver’s seat.

“Alright, we’ve got our drinks, let’s get back on the road.” I tell Cass as I turn the car on.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I get into the passenger seat and inhale the scent of my tea while I watch Nic walk around and get in on the driver’s side. Part of me wonders if he’s trying to be on his best behaviour or impress me because of my friends.

I didn’t anticipate him to be a nervous person, but maybe there is something he’s unsure of. There’s Caden, who was born in a different time and can be intimidating. Then Avery, who is more modern than the others but still older and intimidating in his own way. Then there’s Nero. Who I don’t see as strictly intimidating, but they are eccentric. I don’t keep normal company, and that can be difficult to navigate, but Nic was doing well despite it all.

I set my tea down, and before Nic puts the vehicle in gear. I lean over the centre console and turn his face so I can kiss him properly.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Concerned with why my face was being pulled over, I blink in surprise when Cass’ lips touch mine. It doesn’t take me very long to hold her face with one hand and kiss her back. I put my other hand on the console to give me a better balance. My ears are red since I didn’t actually expect her to kiss me, but I catch myself smiling a little too.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile when I feel Nic smile. We kiss for a minute longer before I pull back. I sit in my seat, getting comfortable and buckle up.

”Thank you for the tea,” I say and start to break apart my muffin. I look over at Nic and grin happily.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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“You’re welcome and you’re adorable.” I tell her happily before I put my arm behind her seat to reverse and get back on the road.

“Also thank you.”

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile happily, bobbing my head from side to side like I’m listening to music. I pop a piece of muffin into my mouth and glance over at Nic when I see his hand reach out in the periphery of my image.

I sort of stare at him and his arm while Nic reverses. I swallow my muffin piece and look out the window to think about something else. Was I seriously just turned on by this man reversing? Why!!?

”What do you want to do first when we get to Cary? Do you want to go to one of those museums or for a walk outside?” I ask, making conversation to distract myself.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I glance at her, throwing her a smile before I put the car in drive. “Wait, wouldn’t you have seen everything in the museum already?” I tease as I place my arm on the center console.

“Did you google Cary last night?” I ask but I’m assuming she already did. I don’t get back on the freeway since we’re only a town over at this point. I like this better - I can steal more glances at Cass at stop signs and lights.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I stop eating my muffin and look at Nic, my face blank of emotion. ”I hate you,” I declare and return to eating my muffin. He wasn’t wrong. I had pretty well-used everything in a museum, but the history was interesting. I didn’t know everything about every part of the world. That was Caden’s kink, not mine.

I pick up my tea and sip it, ignoring Nic’s arm and hand on the console while I eat my muffin happily.

”Of course I Googled,” I say and list off several areas I had flagged as interesting.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I chuckle at her reaction - it’s nothing short of what I expected. “Okay, of all those places, what piqued your interest the most?” When she doesn’t take my hand, I settle for resting it on her thigh, just above her knee, instead.

“We can go there first.” I add, glancing at her as she eats her muffin. She’s way too friggin’ adorable.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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When his hand rests on my knee, I eat more slowly for a moment, staring at his hand. I swallow and take another couple of sips from my tea. ”Well,” I said, clearing my throat to keep from being too distracted, ”there’s an art and history museum, as well as this Hindu temple, and the nature preserve.” I finish off my muffin and clean up the crumbs as best I can, but I know Caden is religious about sending his vehicles in to be cleaned all the time, so I’m not worried.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving- Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I nod. “We should go to the preserve first before it gets warm, then we’ll go to whichever’s closest next. Does that work?” I ask, glancing at her while we’re at a stop light. I reach over myself to grab my tea and take a few sips.

[KazAlkemi]

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I smile at Nic and nod. ”That sounds good to me,” I agree. After the preserve, I was sure I would end up being hungrier, and then we could go for pizza. I hoped they had options for Nic. Being lactose did not sound like a fun time.

[Donut Look Now]

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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I take a moment to pull up directions before I set off for us to get to the preserve. It’s not far, thankfully. “I figured you would go for the nature preserve.” I say, smiling and drumming with my hand once I put it back on the steering wheel.