Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Cassiopeia’s Townhouse, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”How can you say Dr. Sexy MD doesn’t exist when I’m right here.” I tease with a gesture to myself, but I let her move on and explain next steps for my dad. ”I actually did an exam this morning when I found him. Well, at least now I have an explanation for why he was in such good condition despite his clothes.” I chuckle at this while I take the bottles. The way my mood has changed in just a little bit of sleep was probably a little shocking, but I can’t express how happy I am that I still have my dad. I want to tell her everything about my life as it has happened so far and why what she and the others did was so important to me, but I don’t want to overstay my welcome.

Glancing into the living room, I can see my backpack sitting by the couch. I pull out my notebook and a pen, quickly writing my name and number onto it. ”I don’t know when you and Caden will want to talk to me about… all of this, but feel free to reach out to me here. I’ll probably be staying with my dad for the next couple of nights so I can… monitor him for lack of a better word.” He’s not my patient, but it’s the only way I can describe how the next couple of days off work will go for me. I pull her into another tight hug. ”Thanks again.” I say as my dad joins in on the hug this time too, also thanking Cassiopeia.

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Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I tap my chin as I think about it. ”Which one’s your favorite?” I ask before something shiny in the other corner catches my attention. Forgetting that I had been trying to avoid Cadeb seeing my mottled back, I traipse over to the object and grab it, greedily inspecting it. ”I could probably spend forever just looking at everything you own. I never thought I’d meet someone with as big of a hoard as me. Crowley excluded, obviously.” I turn the object over in my hand, trying to see if there was a way I could take it apart.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Cassiopeia’s Townhouse, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I let out a chuckle and eat another piece of bacon before I respond. ”Is it anything like how medical shows don’t actually represent working in a hospital?” I ask before chuckling again. ”If you want me to, I can wait until you and Caden debrief me, but just know my reasoning isn’t because I want to be some kind of superhero or something. I finish off the food on my plate, realizing that I was famished. ”You’ve just introduced me to a new world that I could use to possibly save more people.”

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Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I blink in surprise at this reveal. Maybe I should have been using my immortality to learn that many languages too… It probably comes in handy often. ”Oh,” My face starts to warm when he asks why I chose it. Do I tell him it’s because it reminded me of him? No, too cheesy Instead I just smirk and tilt my head. ”I dunno.” I straighten to put some distance between us and back away a couple steps. ”Do you think you could teach me some of the languages you know?” I asked instead to change the subject.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Cassiopeia’s Townhouse, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I give her one last reassuring squeeze before I let her escape. Clearing my throat, I picked up the plate and held it up in a gesture as I said thank you. ”I hope you know you won’t be able to get rid of me now.” I say with an easy smile. Now that I know of this supernatural world’s existence, I want to know everything I can about it. I’m even hoping that I might be able to help some patients out better with the new knowledge. ”Do you take on apprentices?” I’m half joking, but I really want to learn more. I snack on a piece of bacon off my plate as I try to gauge how she’ll answer.

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Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I’m thankful for Caden holding the tablet up a little so I can see it too since I kind of grabbed it and rushed over right after. ”Ah, so you’re a spring chicken.” I say teasingly when he reveals his age. From my perch on his shoulder, I reach out and tap some of the other papers I see on his desk, noticing that there’s a lot of different languages. ”How many languages do you know? I’ve heard you speak at least four different ones since meeting you yesterday.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Cassiopeia’s Townhouse, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I take the plate from her but immediately set it down on the counter. She still won’t look at me, choosing to stare at my chest instead. Her reasons for not telling me were completely valid and I could see Caden even playing a role in stopping her from telling me. Looking back, I remember something shattering during our conversation yesterday. At the time, I thought it had merely been one of her cats, but now I have the feeling her cats are much better behaved than that.

Her last statement makes me suck in a breath, even though it was barely at a whisper. Was that why she couldn’t look me in the eyes? Thinking back to last night, I remember she hardly looked at me in the morgue.

Using my hand, I gently raise her chin so she can finally look me in the face. ”Listen to me, at the time I thought it was batshit bonkers that you were doing that, I’ll admit, but you saved my only remaining family using it.” I can feel my eyes well up with tears, but I don’t break eye contact with her.

”That wasn’t my mother anymore, I know that. I work in an hospital emergency room, it’s hard for me not to know that. But you,” My hand is shaking under her chin but I’m afraid if I let go, she won’t see my sincerity. “You gave me a reason to keep on living and I could never hold a grudge against you for that.” I stay staring at her like that for a moment, making sure she really heard what I’m saying before I pull her into a tight hug, lifting her feet just a little off the ground. “I promise.” I whisper the last part.

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Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I find myself grinning as I listen to him gush about the tablet. He was fucking adorable in this state, almost like a child in his wonder. ”This is how Crowley convinced me to take on this job. He said I could have my choice of his collectibles.” I look around with wide eyes as if I’m back in his storeroom. ”There was so much to choose from, I wish I could’ve stolen it all.” I throw a wink Caden’s way after saying that. ”But when I saw this, I knew both of us would love it… Or I hoped you would, but I think you probably like it, yes?” I tease, walking over to where he sat to peer over his shoulder, resting my chin on him.

”Now you need to tell me how you’re able to understand all of this because i doubt you were alive back then…” I tilt my head, still keeping my chin on his shoulder as I think. ”Unless you were and in that case, you simply must tell me the secret to your skincare.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Cassiopeia’s House, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch her actions and I can’t help but want to apologize to her again. Is that why she was acting so guilty? I want to hug her again, but I hold myself back, unsure of how she would react. “Sorry, but I don’t know if I would have reacted differently if you had told me.” I run a hand through my hair. ”I was so desperate for any answer outside of what the police were telling me that I probably would’ve gone to where the beast was by myself and gotten killed. You were right not to tell me.” I tell her gently.

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Nero

Location: Caden’s Mansion, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I watch him work studiously, catching myself intrigued by his work ethic with the tablet. I might need to bring him some of my other collectibles if he enjoys this that much. ”Ich gehe davon aus, dass dir meine Wahl gefällt?” I ask as I walk into the room, hands innocently behind my back as I look around the room. It was very different from the rest of the house and more like my place, which makes me feel a little better about the state of my house in comparison. My eyes rake over all the shiny things I wanted to immediately pick up and inspect closely. I do my best to not have my back face him, feeling strangely self conscious about the scars that riddle it and my left hand.

Translation

”I take it you like my choice”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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My brow furrows when she still won’t make eye contact with me. I walk over to hand my dad the plate of food. ”I’ll be right back.” I tell him in a whisper before I head into the kitchen, hopefully out of my father’s earshot.

”I’m not going to faint.” I tell her genuinely. ”My dad explained how hard all three of you worked to not only kill the actual monster, but to ensure his safety at the same time. I’m also not angry with you either if that’s the issue.” As much as I want to grab her and make her face me, I don’t. I truly have no ill will towards her - maybe a lot of questions, but no ill will. Besides, I wanted to wait to ask those for when my father wasn’t around. Sure, there is probably no way to take back what he had experienced, but I don’t want to put him in any more of harm’s way.

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Thank you.” I chirp before racing for it, not wanting to see his reaction. It’s stupid of me to feel this awkward about sharing a new treasure with someone, but it could also be embarrassment from the… splashing entrance I made this morning.

I quickly pull off the wet clothing with a frown. I had chosen something a little more feminine today, but that quickly became useless. ”I really should have just walked.” This wouldn’t be an issue if I was a proper white-eyed demon, but that’s a rabbit hole of thoughts to go down at another time. I throw the shirt over my head and pout at the fact that it fits me more like a dress. I turn my back towards the mirror and grimace - unless I wore a high collared shirt, the longest of the scars on my back would always show a little bit, but the tips of three other scars could be seen protruding out of the shirt’s neckline.

Knowing there’s not much I can do regarding that, I tie the bottom of the tshirt into a knot so I’m not swimming in it. The pants fit a little better and I can tie them to be tighter, but I have to roll the cuffs of the pants at least five times until my feet aren’t hidden anymore. I debate if I want to try putting on the soggy leather gloves on so that my left hand’s burn scar isn’t so prevalent, but I think that will just bring more attention to it instead. Besides, wet leather was not enjoyable to wear.

Stretching on my toes, I hang the clothes on a rod in the bathroom, throwing a towel on the floor to try and catch most of the water, before I come out. Some of Caden’s staff are already busy cleaning the water I tracked in and they give me directions to Caden’s office. I peer into the doorframe, nervous for some reason on what he would think of the tablet.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I flinch at her joke, but my dad laughs heartily. “She’s a very nice girl, Nicholas” He says with a couple of nods like it’s me he needs to convince to agree to this marriage. He thanks Cassiopeia for the tea and adds just a bit of honey to it before taking a sip. He sighs in contentment as I reach for my cup.

“Are Caden and… uh… Nero here too?” I ask, trying to get Cassiopeia’s attention. She’s hardly looked our way since walking into the room. Is she embarrassed? Or maybe she feels guilty for everything that happened yesterday. Normally, I would easily hold a grudge against someone who lied to me and then also used my mother’s dead body for a spell, but having my dad back makes all of those feelings disappear.

”Would you like some help in the kitchen?” I ask as well. She’s the one who saved us, I should be making her breakfast.

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I’m keenly aware of all the water I’m tracking into Caden’s house, but despite everything I’m happy to see him. ”Sorry for the mess,” I say with a guilty look as I take the clothes from him. ”But, I got my prize from Crowley and wanted to…” The sentence dies off. I was planning to give Caden the prize, but then I start to overthink it. What if he thinks that’s moving too fast or something? I stand there awkwardly for a second as I try to weigh the pros and cons quickly in my head, but eventually I shove the stone tablet into his arms. I was going to make a run for the closest bathroom after handing it over to change, but I realize I have no idea where that is. So instead I awkwardly explain to him what the prize is.

”It’s a carving of a Germanic dragon, Crowley said it was probably circa 880s.” I push my wet hair off my forehead to gauge his reaction.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Sorry for invading your personal space,” I chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck as I watch her work in the kitchen. I reach out to the cat watching me, wanting to give it some head scratches. ”My dad explained to me what you all did for him. I really can’t thank you enough.” My dad joins me, patting me on the arm and nodding in agreement with my statement.

“Our family owes you a great debt.” He agrees. “Will a marriage do? Nic here is single.”

I groan, slapping a hand over my face. ”Dad, please don’t.” I plead in embarrassment.

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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My whole face flushes as I try to glare up at where I can hear Caden’s voice from. I pull myself out of the pool and my clothes droop with the weight of water, a puddle forming underneath me. ”Ich hätte einfach gehen sollen.” I pout as I wipe water off my face. ”Ich zielte auf die Terrasse… Aber ja, eine chemische Reinigung wäre schön.” As if I’m a dog, I shake my head, trying to get some of the water out of my hair.

Translation

“I should have just walked.” “I was aiming for the patio” “But yes, dry cleaning would be nice”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Cassi’s House, Chicago, IL
Skills:

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My father and I had had some time to catch up, letting me know just what the three ‘monsters’ had done while I was asleep. I had to let him know that mom hadn’t survived the attack. I look up from the couch when I hear Cassiopeia’s familiar voice enter the room. In only a few strides, I’m across the room and engulfing her in my arms. “I don’t know how to thank you.” I whisper in a thick voice, the tears coming back again.

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Nero

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills: Smoke Form, Teleport

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I hesitate for a moment as I decide my next move, but immediately laugh at my own hesitation. The man had said he would enter hell to drag me back with him. I grin at that thought again. Prize in hand, I make a pitstop at my house to change out of last night’s clothes and into something clean. Crossing my fingers, I imagine Caden’s house clearly in my mind. Hoping it works smoothly, I try using Teleport. My mind must have wandered while I was trying to picture Caden’s house because I end up in the pool instead of the back porch.

”Leck mich am Arsch!” I yell in frustration, dragging myself, my prize from Crowley, and my sopping wet clothes to the nearest pool ladder.

Translation

Literal translation: “Lick me on the ass.”, more commonly used like the phrase “bite me”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Hell
Skills: Smoke Form

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Not wasting anytime once inside the house, I go into smoke form and head straight to hell. I find Crowley sitting at my desk fiddling with one of my hand puzzles, but this doesn’t really surprise me. ”Do you need help with that? I think I can get a child down to teach you how to use it.” I tease in a snarky tone. He looks up to give me a flat look, obviously not amused by my jokes.

“You’ve come back empty-handed.” He states simply.

I shrug, walking over to grab my knife from it’s place on my shelf. ”Yeah, well, that thing was rather nasty, so I think thanks are in order instead.” I spin to face him. ”And by thanks, of course, I mean its time to hold up your end of the deal.” He rolls his eyes.

“Did you want to cash in on that now?” I nod, thinking it was rather obvious what I wanted.

Not much later and I have my prize, ready to take it back up with me. Crowley asks me why I’m so eager to leave, seemingly weirded out by my behavior. ”Oh, I’m taking a sabbatical. I found some fun in Chicago so I’m heading back. Don’t contact me unless there is literally no one else who can do the job.” I grin at him, daring him to object. He doesn’t.

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Nic Wu

Location: Chicago, IL
Skills:

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With a groan, I sit up, holding my head in my hands. I feel like I had slept for the first time in a week but also like I’ve never slept in my life. I tiredly run my eyes before I realize I’m not at my place. I peer around and not really able to recognize this particular interior. I hear some light snoring and my eyebrows shoot up. There, sleeping soundly on the floor, was my father. I nearly fall off the couch I’m on, unable to believe my eyes. “Bàba?” I whisper as I reach a shaking hand towards him. His own eyes flutter open and find me peering down at him and without hesitation the two of us are embracing each other tightly. I find myself starting to sob, overjoyed that I didn’t lose all my family, that I still had my father.