KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Times Square – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden rested a hand on Nero’s leg once they rejoined him. ”The first time I came to New York, I sat in Times Square and Central Park for hours. There are so many people from all walks of life here.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery looked at Kimiko and smirked. He poked her nose, which was nearly the only thing that was showing now that she had put the hood of his sweater up and tightened the strings. ”Would you like me to leave you alone with my sweater and your new stuffed animal?” he teased. Avery piled some snacks onto a plate before he claimed a spot in the middle of the couch.

He flipped the TV on and pulled up the streaming services. ”Mmm, a comedy or action-comedy maybe?” Avery pulled up the movies and looked through the list.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Times Square – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden led them around the square so they could see every possible angle. He took them down Broadway street where most of the play houses were, to the giant candy and toy stores, then up to the top of the red stairs.

Caden sat down on one of the steps, letting Nero explore on their own.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery popped some of the popcorn into his mouth, and poured himself a glass of water before Kimiko returned.

”Should we watch a new movie?” he asked, not sure what Kimiko was feeling up for.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Times Square – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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The flash of black eyes doesn’t deter Caden or frighten him. If anything, it excites him. Caden grinned at Nero before looking around and nodded. ”It’s just as lively during the day but more hectic. At night, though, it’s almost magic.”

Caden reclaimed Nero’s hand and started to lead them down the sidewalks to take in more of Times Square.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery chuckled and looked at the trolly of snacks. ”Okay. You did go to all the trouble of making all these snacks,” he said and released Kimiko to go and investigate what she had found.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Times Square – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Watching Nero’s reaction to seeing Times Square is like seeing it all over again for Caden. He let them do their turn, smiling while he watched them take it all in. Caden loved Times Square at night because it always seemed to be different. The stores and the billboards were the same, but the people and the energy were always different.

”What do you think?”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery’s heart seemed to restart when Kimiko said he could sleep next to her. The anger and the fear relaxed, knowing Avery could better protect and care for Kimiko if he was in the room with her.

He rubbed her back until she pulled back to look at him. ”I did promise you that, and I always keep my promises.” Avery removed his hand from the back of Kimiko’s head and wiped away what remained of her tears.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Walking —> Times Square – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden caressed Nero’s cheek, smiling down at them. ”Then close your eyes and keep them closed until I tell you to open them.”

Once Nero complies, Caden leads Nero down another street. As they get closer to their destination, the sounds of New York get louder and more exciting. People are laughing and shouting. There’s music playing from street performers, and the smell of food fills the air.

Caden pulls Nero into Times Square, taking them further until they stand nearly in the middle. The lights are brilliant and all the stores are still open despite the later hour. Caden moved to stand behind Nero.

”Okay. Open your eyes,” he said, looking up at the flashing billboards, the giant red stairs, and everything else Times Square in New York has to offer at night.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery’s breath catches in his throat when he sees the tears in Kimiko’s eyes. She buried her face in his chest before he could do anything about them. Avery holds the back of Kimiko’s head, letting her cry.

A soft smile spread across Avery’s face when Kimiko announced that Avery wouldn’t be sleeping outside her door. ”Then where will I be sleeping?” he asked her softly.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Walking – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden smiled at Nero and took their hand. ”You’ll see,” he said simply. He had them walk a block before stopping and turning to look at Nero. ”Do you trust me?”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery locked the door behind him while Kimiko spoke. He stared at the lock, his back turned to her while she apologized and rambled. Avery did not want her to apologize. He turned to see her looking at the floor.

Avery tossed his sweater on the couch as he passed. He walked up to Kimiko and pulled her into a tight hug, mostly to get her to shut up. Avery held her close for a minute before talking.

”I know you are strong enough to handle this, and I know you don’t need me, but I want you to need me, Kiki…I want you to want me and to rely on me. I want to be there for you. I want to hold you when the nightmares come and wipe the sweat off with a cold towel.” Avery pulled back and made Kimiko look at him. ”You aren’t alone anymore, little fox. Neither of us should have to feel alone again.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Driving —> Walking – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden looked at Nero and grinned. He looked away and shrugged. ”Maaaybe,” he said.

The car stopped, and Caden patted their legs. ”Last stop,” he said before the car door opened.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery yanked his shirt off as soon as he was in his room. He tosses it onto his bed and goes into the bathroom to splash some water on his face. He feels edgy. His wolf is irritated, telling him to move faster because something could get into the house while Kiki is in there alone. Avery knows that to be impossible, but his wolf is irrational at the moment.

Avery cleaned up a little, moving as fast as he dared. He needed to relax, so as he switched his clothes, he took steady breaths in and out. Avery pulled on white linen pants with a loose, button-up black shirt, but he left it mostly open, knowing Kimiko seemed to like it better when he did that. He pulled out a navy blue hoodie with the Chicago skyline on the front of it and headed back to the house.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Driving – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden nodded and finished his champagne so he could continue massaging Nero’s legs. ”Perhaps tomorrow night… We’ll see where we end up after my plans for us conclude.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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The frown remains on Avery’s face. For some reason, he can’t get past the fact that she hasn’t been calling him. Does she not realize he barely sleeps, either?

”Why don’t you go to the kitchen and get some snacks or something for the movie. I have to go back to staff housing to get you a new sweater,” he said, turned, and walked away from her.

Avery didn’t know why it bothered him so much that she wasn’t relying on him, but he was. He left Caden’s house, typing on the keypad outside so the door locked, and he marched angrily across the grounds to staff housing. He could still hear music and laughter from those who remained, but he ignored all of them on his way to his room.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Driving – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden sipped his champagne and rested his free hand on Nero’s leg, massaging little circles into their calves while they rode in the backseat of the car.

”They do have a bit of an underground scene,” Caden said with a nod.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery frowned at the mention of Kimiko having a nightmare. ”What did I tell you about when you have a nightmare? I told you to call me, remember?” Avery had been keeping his phone on at night so that he would hear when she called. He had been staying inside the house for a week just for that reason.

Avery stepped closer to Kimiko. ”Am I really going to have to start sleeping outside your door like an actual dog?” His eyes crickled with amusement, but he was completely serious. He would sleep outside her door if she wasn’t going to tell him when she needed him.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Empire State Building —> Driving – New York City, New York
Skills:
Fit

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Caden laughed and kissed Nero. ”We have one more stop tonight, then we can go to the hotel.” Caden took Nero’s hand and led them back to the elevators.

It was the same sort of journey back down. Outside, car and driver waited patiently for Caden and Nero’s return. Once they were on the move again, Caden opened the bottle of champagne that was on ice in the car and poured Nero a glass before pouring himself a glass.

”Now, I have the whole weekend planned, but was there something you wanted to do while in New York?” Caden asked curiously. It was possible that he didn’t anticipate all of Nero’s needs and desires while they were here.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”We could set up in the living room, or there are TVs in the rooms of the guest wing,” Avery said. ”I was going to go change. Do you still have my sweater from last week?”