KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”Break as much as you want. Everything can be replaced,” Caden said. It was all just stuff anyways and if it helped Kimiko, he didn’t care what got broke.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”And you will…Eventually,” Avery said and turned his head to kiss the top of Kimiko’s before he rested his head on hers again. He fell silent for a minute, warring with himself on whether he should say anything or what he could possibly say.

”I’m not going to pretend I can even understand what you are going through or what you are feeling when you see the woods or see me in my wolf form, but I went through a pretty rough patch after the wars. I fought along the front lines in World War two, the Korean war, and Vietnam. The things I saw, the things I did to survive… That stuck with me for a long time. I was angry for a long time. Living didn’t feel right; people around people were terrifying. I hated a lot of things for a long time, but one day something just clicked. If I kept reliving those times, those moments, I lost. I lost the war, I lost my friends all over again, and I was so tired of losing. What happened is a part of me; fighting or ignoring it didn’t help me, but accepting it did. Accepting that I fought and survived allowed me to live again, at least for a while. Then my wolf went through a dark phase, and that’s when I met Caden, and he pulled me out.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden barely sat up from getting his shoes and socks off when Nero jumped into their lap. Caden let out a surprised grunt before he laughed and ran his hands up their legs to their hips.

He looked into Nero’s eyes and sighed. He leaned forward and rested his forehead on Nero’s chest. ”I’m doing… not great actually.” Caden had thought about lying but decided at the last second it wouldn’t help anyone if he did.

He pulled back and looked at Nero. He smiled sadly at them before he continued on. ”I know it’s not me Kiki is angry at, but the two people I’ve known for the longest are angry with me right now, and I am struggling with it. I’ve never gone more than a day without talking to Cassi, and I miss her. With Kiki, she’s always been able to count on me, and I feel like I’ve let her down.”

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery moved closer after Kimiko moved closer. He switched positions so his legs were on the bed and he pulled Kimiko in her blanket burrito in between his legs. He rested his arms around her while her head connected with his shoulder. Avery rested his cheek on her head and huffed a laugh.

”I’m fairly certain he said those things to get you to explode like that. You don’t need to keep those feelings bottled in, little fox. You can be angry and frustrated, sad and scared, even happy when you feel happy. Nothing is going to get better if you try and force it to be better.”

X-Men: Cosmic Crusades 👽

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Antoinette McCarthy

Location: Foyer – X-Mansion
Skills:

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Antoinette followed Pietro and Guin, glancing over at her friends a couple of times before they reached the front door. Antoinette’s eyes widened in surprise at who was standing in the X-Mansion foyer. When it came to X-Men royalty, these two were definitely at the top of the list.

”Hi Jean, hi Scott!” Antoinette waved eagerly at the both of them before she frowned at bit. ”Mary hasn’t been around the mansion much. Last I saw her was two days ago,” Antoinette informed them. ”Did something happen?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden sat down in one of the armchairs in his room to take off his shoes and socks. As he did so, he watched Nero. "Do you want me to? I can shift right now if it is something you want to see," Caden said.

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Avery Zain

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Location: Caden&Nero’s House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Avery watched Kimiko wiggle her fox self under the covers. He took a step towards the bed until he felt magic in the air and understood that to mean she was shifting back. Avery turned away and stripped off his shirt before he opened his drawer to find some sweats to change into.

He managed to change his clothes in the five minutes it took for Kimiko to shift. He looked into the mirror when he heard her voice. Avery turned around and leaned against her dresser, crossed his arms, and shrugged.

"Don't be sorry. This is one of the reasons why I work out as much as I do, or I go to my screaming spot, or... I find someone who won't remember me in the morning," Avery said with a shrug. He pushed away from the dresser and sat on the end of Kimiko's bed. "Are you really that mad at Caden for telling me about you and him?"

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Chuckling and shaking his head, Caden followed Nero into their bedroom. He shut the door behind him, moving some of the luggage that Nero just dumped out of the way. He discards his jacket, smiling at his little imp.

”And how I missed seeing you in that bed,” Caden replied. He walked over to the bed and stared down at Nero, the amusement plain on his face.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery can't help but laugh at the look he received. It reminded him of her deadpan look.

”So much sass still,” he teased and headed inside. He heard the door of Caden and Nero's bedroom click shut and sighed, relaxing. At least the rest of the night should be quiet.

Avery headed down the hallway on the main floor into Kimiko's room. He closed the door and set Kiki on the bed with her clothes. Unsure what she wanted to do now.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden shut the car off and got out. He paused to watch Nero effortlessly carry their luggage into the house. He glanced over at Avery and laughed.

”I might have to fire you, Zain,” Caden joked and headed inside, following Nero upstairs.

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery grabbed Kimiko’s clothes before he got out of the SUV. He adjusted Kimiko in his arm before he looked up and snorted, laughing at Nero and Caden. He shook his head and glanced at Kimiko, who was sitting up with her paws resting on his shoulder. ”Do you want to head inside or run around outside in the open part of the backyard?”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Tomorrow or Tuesday,” Caden informed them.

”Actually, Caden I was hoping I could shift tomorrow afternoon and stay out all night. Kiki and I went for a bit of a run but it wasn't for long enough,” Avery explained, wrapping his arms around Kimiko, so he could carry her out of the SUV.

”Of course. I can see her on Tuesday then,” Caden said with a nod as he parked in front of the house.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: SUV —> Caden&Nero's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden pulled into the driveway and glanced over at Nero. ”We have never tested the theory but her family and mine have had a history of hate and partnership over the centuries. She's not going to kill me,” Caden said and kissed Nero's hand.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Caden glanced at Nero when they rested a hand on his lap. He smiled and captured Nero's hand with his and held it tightly while he drove.

Eventually Avery started talking, asking about the trip and the week ahead. Caden went over the contractors who would be coming tomorrow to start work on the house, plus the errands and calls he wanted to make for his and Nero's collection.

”And I need to go talk to Cass.”

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Avery Zain

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery turned to look at Caden. ”If you don't mind, I think I'll stay back for that,” Avery joked awkwardly.

Caden chuckled and turned down his road to the house. ”Don't worry. I'll be walking into the lion's den by myself but it's time. She's terribly stubborn and we won't get past this if I don't start pushing.”

”What if she doesn't get past it?”

”Three hundred years of history. I don't believe neither of us want to throw that out the door. I won't give up that easily.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Caden

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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”Let's save that type of driving for when it's just you and me.”

Caden sat in the driver's seat of the SUV, waiting for Avery and Kimiko to be situated before he pulled away and drove them home. As he drove, he rubbed a hand across his face, messing with the hair on his face while he got lost in his thoughts.

He knew Kimiko would be okay, but that was now two women in his life pissed at him for different reasons. He knew Kimiko would be okay. He just wished she wouldn't keep everything so bottled in all the time.

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Avery Zain

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Location: SUV – Chicago, IL
Skills:
Fit

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Avery managed to juggle and keep Kimiko secured while he climbed into the backseat of the SUV. He held her close, humming the song he had sang to her softly while he looked at the window. He brushed his hand along her body like he would if it was her arm or her back. He hoped it was enough of a comfort to her as she needed right now.