Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

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

---

---

Their reaction makes me giggle and I easily wrap my legs around him once he picks me up. It feels amazing to be held by him and it frightens me just a little at how much I like it. I tilt my head as I look into Caden’s eyes and grin at his remark. “Maybe, but I’m betting you’ll love it.” I pull myself closer so that I can kiss him on his lips, realizing that I had definitely missed him while he was gone. It’s scary how much he’s changed me already, but I’m going to enjoy the ride as long as he lets me.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

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

---

---

It’s a bit maddening that he’s holding back, but I kind of enjoy it. I fidget, shifting my weight, before I close the gap and stand on my tiptoes to put my arms around his neck. ”You’re such a tease.” I tell him with a smirk, knowing full well that I’m shamelessly a tease as well.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

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

---

---

Watching him closely, I give my best doe-eyed and innocent expression as I take a step towards Caden. ”Oh really? What did you have in mind?” I bat my eyes, resisting the urge to smirk.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Nic’s Apartment - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

When our fingers brush, it takes most of my resolve not to drop the bottle. The moment is over too soon, though, annd Avery and I watch as Cass enters her home before he starts the drive to my place. The conversation is light, focusing more on swapping techniques with each other. When we get to my place, I thank him and make sure to gather all my things plus the treaty book. When I enter my place, I find Jane and my dad both passed out on my couch. I shake my head, amused by this, and quickly snap a photo with my phone before I go to wake them.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

Caden takes the jok a little more seriously than I thought he would. I watch him fidget, curious about this new side of Caden I’m witnessing. He’s closing the distance between us little by little and though I want to tease him by backing away, I stay still and let him. I don’t remember the last time I played the prey in a game of cat and mouse, but I found myself enjoying it. ”I guess I can forgive you.” I tease, but I feel my cheeks warm as I continue to follow his movement.

I know it’s not his fault that he had to leave my to my own devices and it’s definitely not his fault that the tension between us felt like an electrical current pulsating. I lower my gaze and look up through my lashes at him, shifting my weight and fidgeting.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: In front of Cass’ Townhouse - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I’m excited at the prospect of adding more skills to my list and it seems like Avery is as well. Cass starts to get out of the car and I nod when she says she’ll see me later; I can’t wait. ”Oh wait, the rum!” I say to her, pulling it out of my backpack and scooting across the seats to get closer. ”Let me know how you like it.” I tell her with a smile.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

I feel my cheeks warm as I watch them check out my body. ”Oh you do, do you?” I ask, taking another couple of steps backwards from him. ”Even after ditching me and leaving me bored all alone in this big place?” I take the moment to look over him as well and I tilt my head with a smirk.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: On the Road - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Smiling, I nod. ”Thank you.” I say in a whisper and lean back into my seat. ”Alright Avery, you have a new trainee.” I say with a grin before throwing a wink at Cass. A strand of her hair has fallen loose and my fingers twitch, but I keep my hands to myself, choosing to look out my window instead.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

With a small laugh, I shake my head. ”I didn’t think Mein Drache would give up so easily on little ol’ me.” I tell him with an exaggerated pout, walking backwards away from him with my hands clasped behind my back. ”And here I thought we were making some good progress in our relationship.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I chuckle at the exchange before I lean over to Cass and whisper, ”Would I be safe at that gym?” I don’t know if Avery was supernatural or not, but I don’t want to leap headfirst into danger. ”Or am I overthinking?”

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

I let him lead me, following happily and giggling a little as he walks backwards. ”Not the pool.” I say with a wink. ”If I could rely on it more, I would have used it to maybe go somewhere you already checked.” I say with a smirk.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

---

---

”I’d like that a lot, actually.” I say, sitting up now so I could see Avery a little better. ”Do the two of you train at his home then?” I steal a glance at Cass, noticing she’s staring out the window as the streets start lighting up more.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

I step towards him with a smirk. ”Specifically a crow creature if nothing else.” I wink before I take his hand. ”I was tempted to teleport somewhere else to tease you, by the way.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Homeward Bound - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Well that’s the last time I underestimate you, Avery.” I tell him, impressed by him. ”I do some boxing at my local gym, but never anything more than the basics.” I might need to ask if I can steal Avery away to train me or join on his sessions with Caden.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

I tilt my head. ”The cabinet?” I ask, guessing what he meant by another cave. I stand up, brushing off anything that might have clung onto me from the cabinet or floor, before I look back up at him and wager another guess. ”Or hell?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

Location: Being Chauffeured - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I open one eye to peer at Cass in a sidelong glance with a smirk lifting the corner of my mouth. ”I would never do that to Avery.” I say with certainty. ”Unless Avery is a secret body builder, I’m too big for anyone to carry… Wait how did you guys get me out of the morgue last night?”

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

I let out the laughter I had been holding in. ”You deserved it.” I tell him, sticking my tongue out at him before I scoot forward and tumble out of the cabinet, landing to sit on the floor. I look up at him and grin widely. ”I was hoping for more of the dragon story though. Did he ever find his treasure? I’m dying to know.”