KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
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I don't even get a chance to stop blushing. ”It's purely your fault,” I say, as I continued to watch him. I slide my arms away from around his neck and rested my hands on his arms.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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”Unbelievable,” I say with a laugh. ”We just finished a case involving the Wu family you are looking for. A hybrid Chimera escaped from hell and attacked several people including the Wu family. Nero was sent to retrieve the creature but Cassi and I got called on to solve the case. We ended up killing the creature but Li Wu died. We're still in contact with the son. He wants to help and he's quite taken with our Cassiopeia,” I say, knowing Kiki knew Cassi well.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
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My blush remains and I kiss Nic back tentatively. Last time he caught me by surprise and it was so quick. This time we are more or less testing the waters. His touch is gentle and his lips are soft, but it's the strangest thing. I can almost taste the sunshine he exudes in his daily life.

When Nic pulls me in close my arms wrap around his neck and I kiss him with more interest. This is a much better first kiss.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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”Really?” I say with intense interest. ”Which family?” I ask. My mind drifts to Nic's family simply because they are the most immediate name I have in my head.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
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One minute Nic is on one side of the counter, the next he is standing over me but not in an overbearing way, in a my insides are melting way and then he asks to kiss me. Of course I blush, his thumb warming over my cheek.

”In front of the children?” I say, trying to feign shock but my words don't match my tone.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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”A gentleman never tells,” I say and pull out of the driveway. ”And no but still somewhere classy where you both can eat me out of house and home,” I tease and rest my hand on Nero's leg. My thumb works in little circles on their skin.

”So, Kiki, how long will you be spoiling us with your presence in Chicago?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
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”For saying yes.” Wayland happily takes all the scratches from Nic. ”He wouldn't leave me alone last night until I said yes. He really is your best advocate. I've always used Wayland to help my clients settle and relax but he's never taken to someone like he has with you.”

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I smile as the two of them converse while I lead them out to the car. I open the front passenger for Nero and the back door for Kiki. I offer both of them my hands, grinning cheekily.

”We are going to make quite the statement at the restaurant,” I note.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Mystic Dreams – Chicago, IL
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I look at the two of them and pull my phone out to snap a picture of the two of them. ”You should be thanking your son,” I said. I set my bag down and go behind the counter. I scratch Calypso’s head and disappear behind the counter. I grab a box of treats for the cats and set them on the counter.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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”Und du siehst atemberaubend aus,” I whisper back to Nero. I look at Kiki, smiling at her outfit choice. ”If you want to. I wouldn't say no to it. The more you show the more you'll attract at this place. If you let your eyes shift too you'll get more bites,” I add. I check my watch and nod. ”We should get going.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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Damn him. I am flushed again from his comment and his attention as he helps me sit down. I fiddle with the loose strands of my hair and stare at Nic's feet for the duration of the bus ride.

I pull the chord when we are nearing the right stop for my shop. I wait until the bus comes to a stop before I stand and lead Nic off the bus and down the street. I open up the door and the familiar ding signals to the cats of my arrival.

Calypso is lounging on the counter. She meows a greeting before stretching. Wayland however comes trotting out of the back. He starts meowing profusely when he sees Nic though. Wayland starts to wind around Nic's legs, begging to be picked up and petted.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I inhale Nero's scent and nod. ”You're in the clear. And you smell delicious,” I say with a devilish grin. I pull Nero from the bedroom before I decide to call the whole evening off and lock them in my room.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Bus – Chicago, IL
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I blush when Nic says yes. He's so free with his feelings. I wish I was. I'm making my way towards the empty seat Nic leaves for me, but my focus is elsewhere. The bus jolts ahead and I stumble forward. My fingers grap Nic's shirt and I stare up at him.

Goddess why is he this attractive? And how do I keep forgetting he's this tall. Seriously, it's like the fifth time. I blush and release his shirt.

”Sorry,” I apologize, fully embarrassed for the third time today.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I brush my hand along the side of Nero's cheek lightly. ”Part of me would like to see what you do to anyone who tries. Another part of me knows it won't get very far.” I kiss their cheek lightly before I let them finish getting ready and I do the same.

I take a few extra minutes to help compose myself before I add my rings and a watch as my accessories. I add some cologne for good measure and wait for Nero in the main bedroom.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I wrap my arms around Nic, my face his chest as I hug him, seeking both comfort and stability. That thought startled me and I froze before I slowly pulled away from him. The only other person I had in my life like that was Caden. I honestly never thought I'd have a connection like that with anyone else. My cheeks are red again from the revelation. Thankfully, the bus arrives.

”So, did you experience heart aching happiness or not quite?” I ask as I get onto the bus.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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My body tingles and raises goosebumps along my skin. Nero's bite makes me part my lips and my tongue searches for theirs. The kiss is different from our past ones. It almost feels like a promise. It's frightening but I fall into the idea fully. At this point I don't care if Nero destroys me, as long as they are the one to do it.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I was surprised to be hugged by Jane and Kat. I know we hit it off well, I just wasn't expecting to be accepted so readily. I liked it though. Aside from Caden, I didn't really have friends. It was nice to have that option now thanks to Nic.

I lead the way to the bus stop. ”Sorry again for my weird behaviour at the beginning… I saw you and Jane at your mom's memorial and I don't know… it looked like Caden and me so I just assumed,” I said with a shrug, staring at the sidewalk while we waited for the bus.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I smile and pull Nero in close to kiss them properly. I splay my hand on their lower back, dipping them slightly to deepen the kiss. I remind myself that whoever flirts with Nero or tries to pick them up, it doesn't matter because they're coming home with me. I know there are going to be people there who will try and steal Nero from me. When they look the way they do now, it would be surprising if no one tried. I'm half tempted to ask Nero to play a game with me, and pretend we don't know each other so I can try picking them up all over again.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Altitude Chicago Trampoline Park – Chicago, IL
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I laugh, watching the two of them. I look at Nic sideways as he's being attacked.

”I think a certain four legged creature would appreciate if you stopped by,” I said, agreeing to Nic taking the bus with me back to my shop.

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Caden

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Location: Caden's House – Chicago, IL
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I put my tie around my neck and look at Nero. They spin and I smile, my eyes looking them up and down. Selfishly I'm glad they look that good in green. ”Bestechend.” I walk up to them and take their hand, making them do another slow twirl.