Donut Look Now

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
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I laugh, smacking the foam cubes away as she throws them. “Your nurse sounds really smart, is he single? Or is he dating his lesbian best friend?” I tease back, my smile growing wide. We reach Jane and Kat just in time for them to hear the last part of my question.

“Yeah, no, even if I were straight, you’re too much of a himbo and I’m not attracted to the illiterate.” Jane chimes in unprompted.

I climb out of the pit and turn to offer my hand to Cass, shaking my head in amusement. “See, what did I tell you, she can’t admit I’m smarter.”

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Nero

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
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I glance at Caden when Avery mentions the girls ditching him for my dragon - I can’t blame them. “Interesting.” I say when Avery finishes. “So what does Caden do to help your… wolf… stay stable? I’ve never encountered your subspecies before.” I hope he doesn’t mind my ramble of questions, but then I remember that this man knows Cassi.

Translations

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin lopsidedly at Cass, glad that she’s enjoyed herself so far. My hand twitches to fix her hair and I want to kiss her, but instead I ask, “Hey, now that we’ve cleared up our misunderstanding, can I take you on a date? Maybe dinner?” I hear Jane and Kat making their way out of the pit and towards us. I hope one of them can notice the moment soon so that they don’t interrupt us.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Hearing Cass’ laugh makes me smile each time. I easily keep my balance and my grip on Cass as we battle for victory. It’s pretty even until Kat gets a good hit to my gut and I start to double over. Trying to make sure Cass doesn’t get hurt, I pick her up as I’m bending down and tuck her into my body as we fall off the beam. Luckily, the foam cubes work well. “Cass, are you okay?” I ask, holding her in my arms for a moment as the adrenaline wears off. Jane and Kat are doing what I can only assume is a victory dance on the beam. I’m close enough that I can reach them with my arm, so I knock them off to the other side of the foam pit with a laugh.

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Nero

Location: Driving - Chicago, IL
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I kick my legs lightly as Caden drives. “How’d you two meet?” I ask, glancing between the two of them. If I ask Cass to tell me more about Caden, I feel like she’ll pull the ex-lovers card on me again - which is fine, I don’t mind it so much, I just want to get more info about Caden that won’t make me get my claws out too. “Oh and how’d he convince you to work for him?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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“How long have you been old?” I shake with laughter and try to calm down so that Cass doesn’t worry. When rules are mentioned, I’m first to speak up. “Can I propose no aiming at Nic’s groin? Really we shouldn’t be aiming at anyone’s groins for that matter.”

Jane laughs. “Down Nurse Wu, we won’t touch your twig and berries.”

“My twig and berries thank you.” I say with a small bow of my head.

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Nero

Location: Outside Drug Store - Chicago, IL
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I’m smiling as I skip along with Caden to the front and to Avery. I nod my head when Caden says Costa can do the legwork. “It’s the least he can do - I don’t like that we have to do all the work for him… again.” Granted, Cass did most of the research on the Chimera case - I just flailed about trying to make my powers work.

I peer up at Avery as we walk. “So, how long have you worked for Caden, Avery?” I ask, purely curious. I would love to get to know his unique breed of werewolf too, but I figure there would be plenty of time to crack that riddle.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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“Cass, how old are you?” I try to say in a very serious tone, but end up laughing instead. Easily standing up with her on my shoulders, I hold onto Cass’ thighs for stability. “Also, don’t worry - I won’t let you fall.” I assure her, taking the foam staff that Jane is offering me and holding it up to offer to

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Nero

Location: Drug Store - Chicago, IL
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I peer owlishly up at Caden, ears a bit warm from shame. “That sounds expens- wait, sorry, I forget who I’m talking to.” I chuckle sheepishly. “Alright, spoil me further, I guess.” I relent, beaming up at him. “Also, don’t pretend the camera would be for monster hunting.” I wink cheekily at him.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Now that makes me laugh fully. “Scout’s honor, I won’t haunt you.” I promise with a crooked smile. The kids who went after Jane and Kat have already finished and moved on to the next thing, so I take a step away from Cass and take a squat. “Hop on spider monkey.” I tease. Who knows if she’s seen the Twilight movie and will get the reference, but it’s a ridiculous line that lives in my head rent-free.

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Nero

Location: Drug Store - Chicago, IL
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I’m a little terrified at the expression Caden is making. “Um… yes? I dunno, I had the last phone for like a couple decades with no issue, but it didn’t agree with your pool.” I realize I had told him I only had the house phone before. ”Oh! I’m sorry I lied about having one to you before… I was still a bit wary of you and Cassi.” Feeling guilty, I look down at my feet, scuffing the floor with my toe.

Translations

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I grin, chuckling a little. “The best in fact. As for believing me, I’m a terrible liar so you’ll know right away if I’m fibbing.” I tell her. Kat manages to catch Jane by surprise and knocks her into the foam pit. The two finally notice us and join us where we’re spectating from. A couple of kids have been waiting patiently for their turn and quickly take over the beam.

”How do we feel about a game of chicken?” Jane agrees right away with no hesitation. Kat and I agree to be the supports, with Jane riding Kat. I lift my head off of Cass and pull away a little to see her face. ”Will that be okay?” I ask quietly so only she hears.

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Nero

Location: Drug Store - Chicago, IL
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I grin in victory of our success of finding the right scent. “Oh, well we’re here I should get a phone.” I mention to Caden, turning a little to look up at him. “I can go grab one while you two check out if that’s easier.” I say. It’s not glamorous, but burner flip phones have served me well enough so far.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

I can’t help but snort at that. “I mean, girlboss and all that, sure, but I wouldn’t say I’m attracted to those two.” I chuckle, shoulders shaking with laughter. “Jane and I were top of the class in pre-med so we become friends through our competitive sides taking over. I peer down at Cass with a smile. “If she says she was the top student, it’s not true. Don’t let her lie to you.” I wink before continuing. ”And then I met Kat through Jane. I think Jane said she met Kat at a gay bar or something one night.” I shift our positions a little so I can rest my chin on her head as we watch the two.

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Nero

Location: Drug Store - Chicago, IL
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I sidle up to Caden when he puts his arm around me, appreciative of his touch even if I know it’s to stop my gremlin excitement from going crazy. “So… old lady rose lotion kind of smell?” It’s a common scent I liked to use for torturing in Hell - it garnered some good reactions from the damned souls. The memory isn’t as fun to think about with my perspectives now - sure, my torturing of souls was much different than most, but I still did things that weigh heavy on someone just now developing a conscious.

I grab one with a cheetah print pattern design and hold it up for Caden to check, needing a distraction.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I chuckle, enjoying that she’s picked up some of the personality traits these two have. “It’s pretty rare for Jane to lose her cool - she’s the department head for the emergency room after all.” U tell Cass as I Jane taunt Kat. “Luckily for Kat though, she’s works for the defense attorney’s office, so not much throws her off either.”

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Nero

Location: Drug Store - Chicago, IL
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“I’d like that.” I tell Caden with a grin before getting in the car. I follow the men into the drug store when we arrive. I couldn’t smell what Caden and Avery could, but if they found the perfume here, I could get a whiff for reference. I prance about as we head inside.

“So, did we notice if there were anything specific about the perfume other than cheap? Like, floral, fruity, or ‘manly’ in scent?” Men’s scents and names for things were always so stupid - besides, leather and wood scents weren’t just for men anyhow.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

Nicholas “Nic” Wu

Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park - Chicago, IL
Skills:

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I chuckle, amused by her reaction. I desperately want to wrap my arms around her as we watch Janet and Kat spar, but I’m worried that’ll come off as too much. I settle for lightly wrapping an arm around her shoulder instead.

“Any bets on who will win?” I ask Cass, looking down at her. Kat is tall and relatively athletic, but Jane plays dirty and uses her short and curvy stature to every advantage. I’m just glad that they’re keeping their trash talking PG-rated - there are some families with kids here after all.

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Nero

Location: Outside Police Station - Chicago, IL
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Even if I can’t emotionally connect well to others, I’m happy to see that I can help a little. A startled squeak comes out of me when Caden pulls me close to him and I grin, wrapping my arms around him as well. I look up and beam at Caden. “Yes please!” I chirp. “Someone got me all these clothes and I want to show them off.” I flash him a cheeky wink.

Honestly, I just like being with Caden, no matter the circumstance. A small part of me that I’m in denial with is scared that I’ll have memories resurface and Caden won’t be there to help me through them, but I shove that to the back of my mind for now. I just want to be with him, that’s all.