Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

---

---

The message makes me smile, even if it is a little sad. I’ll find out how repay you someday for all of this, I promise. I send the message, even if I’m a little nervous on how she’ll respond.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

I lean my head into his hand a little and make a small ‘Mhm’ noise in agreement to giving him a tour. Then I raise an eyebrow as I look up at him when he offers to take me shopping. ”Are you going to… What’s that movie, Pretty Woman me?” I ask in a teasing tone as I wrap my arms around him torso before I let out a small laugh. ”I don’t need new clothes.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

---

---

Tears start to prick at my eyes as my opinion of her soars. Thank you - I’m sure if my mom had met you, she would’ve loved you and how much you’re doing for us. I glanced at the time on my phone just to make sure we were still good on time.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

I pout a little. ”I’m just gonna send them away next time because I really do want to treat you to a tour.” There’s a tone of things in here and I want him to be able to look at it and even take some if he wanted. Plus, I like flirting with him. I prance over to where Caden is and peer up at him. ”Do we need anything else while we’re here?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

---

---

Another thing we had picked up while out is a picture of my mom that my dad kept in his store. Smiling, I shake my head at Cass’ rambling text. Honestly, you’ve done so much already. I send the text before I reread her message. Wait, did you look up Chinese funeral traditions? Even without an answer, my heart soars at just the thought that she went that far.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

I cringe and look down at my feet, ears warming with embarrassment. ”Sorry, I panicked.” I walk over to the cat tree in my office and let Luci and Mika jump into it. ”This is all new to me, which I’m sure you already knew.” I turn to face him with a sheepish smile. If I’m being honest, I don’t want any rumors to spread, especially with the chimera nonsense currently unsolved. Even if I don’t like demons, them turning up dead after every lead I send them on is alarming.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

---

---

I glance over at my dad sitting on the other end of the couch. I’ll just tell him we can’t, that way you don’t have to explain the magic part of that lol I send the text before turning to my dad to let him know.

He says we’ll just use them tomorrow at the service then :) I appreciate the effort Cass was putting in to help us. When my sister died, my parents had each other to lean on - I don’t know how my dad is going to make it through this once I go back to work.

---

---

Nero

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

---

---

The black cat immediately nudges her head under Caden’s hand and I grin. ”These would be to two I’d like to bring over-” I stop myself when Ryan walks in, and I point out the three furniture pieces. ”Go load these into the truck.” I order. I motion for Caden to follow me out of the room and into my office, closing the doors behind us. ”We should have a little more privacy here while they take care of that.” I said with a small smile.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nic Wu

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

---

---

My dad and I re-enter my place and plop ourselves on the couch. We had stopped by my dad’s convenience store to grab a few things for tonight such as candles and snacks. I pull out my phone and type a quick message. Hey, sorry to bother you, but will the police let us bring candles and light them in the station? My dad wanted to make sure it was okay.

---

---

Nero

Location: Nero’s House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Oh, the demons can handle loading the truck.” I nod to Caden before joining him to look at the pieces he pointed out. ”Do we know if the Wu’s are going to be sleeping during the vigil?” I ask, head tilted. At that moment, two cats ensnare my ankles while mewing and I bend down to pick up my two favorite girls. Why do I have the sudden urge to introduce Caden to them as Daddy? Ears and cheeks warm from that thought, I awkwardly say, ”This is Luci and Mika.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I shake my head. ”I’m stronger than I look.” I tell Caden with a wide grin as I lead him up the steps to the front door. ”I assume we don’t have time to give you the grand tour?” I open the heavy oak door and prance inside to hold it open for Caden. My house starts with a small foyer with stairs leading up to the other floors and archways leading to other rooms. I don’t have much set up in the house by way of rooms since I don’t really need a dining room or kitchen, so most of the house are rooms of chaotic things I’ve collected, organized mostly by century. I lead Caden past the stairs into what humans would call a ‘great room’.

”I had the minions bring every seat I had to this room so that they’re in one place. Makes it easier for us to choose something for the Wu’s.” The thing about the furniture I have is that it’s weird, quirky, or just plain ridiculous. When I find a piece that catches my eye, I have to seize it and add it to my hoard.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

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

---

---

My face flushes and I give it a minute to cool down before I get out of the car. I’m fascinated by what I’ve just learned and wish we could continue the conversation, but I want to get everything done for Cassi and the human sooner than later. The gangly demon is here and lets me know that they’ve arranged the furniture as I asked. ”Thank you Gregory.” I pat him on the shoulder.

“My name’s Ryan.” I wave him off and motion for Caden to follow me inside.

”Just a warning… I’m a hoarder, so there’s going to be a lot of stuff in there.” I stand on my tiptoes so I can whisper in Caden’s ear. ”But if you see something you like, you can help yourself to it.” I don’t want the demons to hear us - so far I’d been observed as someone who doesn’t get emotional over anyone let alone share their treasures. ”Oh and there will be lots of cats.” I grin at the last part.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: Nero’s House - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I sit still in my seat for a few moments, something that’s not common of me to do, as I mull over it all and try to find the right words. Some of the puzzle pieces are coming together and the unique power that both Caden and Cassi possess starts to make sense. I chew on my bottom lip before I finally respond. “I don’t like being told what to do either, so that part I can understand…” I stare at my lap before I look at Caden. ”I still have so many questions but… I think I’m starting to understand at least.” I see one of my demons start to make his way over here in a tall beanstalk of a body. ”Besides, I want the peons to get to work, not watch us.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

I frown, fidgeting as I try to run it through my head again. I remember when this was mentioned briefly the first time I was over at Caden’s. ”But if you were both happy then, why did it matter if it was what your families wanted?” I tilt my head, still confused. ”Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you’re free for me to be devious with,” I shoot him a wink before I tug on my earlobe. ”I’m sorry, I promise I’m not trying to be dense on purpose.” I bite my lip, brow furrowed, That isn’t all though, the envy I felt from earlier is rearing its head again. ”Third left is mine.” I tell Caden.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nero

Location: - Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

The car is awfully quiet and I fidget in my seat often until we drop Cassi off with the police. ”I still don’t get it.” I say before I give Caden my address and basic directions. ”Why is she being stubborn?” I don’t really expect Caden to answer - this is probably something I will just have to be confused by. ”Make a left up here.” I say as we finally leave the city and are headed towards Caden’s side of town.