KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery smiled and stood with Kimiko secured in his hold. He walked over to her bed and pushed back the covers before laying down with her curled into him. There would be no need for the covers, but Avery would rather lay on the sheets than the quilt anyways.

Once he laid down and got comfort, Avery yawned and shut his eyes.

”Dors maintenant, petit renard. Tout est bien.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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”I'm sorry, too,” he whispered. There was nothing Avery wanted more than to be able to take Kimiko's pain away, but he couldn't. Instead, he could hold her close while she tightened her grip and cried into his shoulder.

Avery slipped one of his arms underneath her and picked her up. He moved so he could sit on the couch and put Kimiko in his lap. It wasn't exactly what he had in mind when he pictured Kimiko in his lap, but he needed her closer. Besides, it was easier to comfort her this way.

Avery rubbed her back while Kimiko cried. He whispered soothing words to her in French. Silly little nothing's but they had a pleasing tone to them all the same.

”Do you want to lay down and try and get some sleep with me? I hunted plenty of rabbits and other creatures last night. I could use the sleep anyway,” he told her honestly.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery's heart breaks at the sight of Kimiko's tears. His wolf stirred, but Avery dampened them back down. He had this and didn't want the wolf's emotions getting in the way.

”Petit renard,” he said tenderly. ”Why didn't you call to me? I would have happily come and laid in this bed with you. Or under the stars while I kept you warm. I wasn't expecting you to be magically cured. I was hoping you would trust me enough to lean on me to help you when you struggle, though.”

Avery pried the shirt from her hands before he wrapped her in his arms. He pulled her close, kissing her shoulder before he buried his head in her neck and breathed her in.

”I missed you.” Food was the furthest thing from his mind at this point. Avery just wanted to hold her and reassure her while also comforting himself.

Translations

Little fox.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Avery Zain

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

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Avery made his way to Kimiko’s room despite the grumbling of his stomach. He just knew he had to see her first, make sure she was okay and sleeping. He lengthened his stride to keep quiet as he moved through the house and reached Kimiko’s room quickly.

He cracked open her door, seeing her bed first and noted it was empty. Avery’s stomach clenched, and he pushed the door open further. He scanned the room and found her in the corner on the couch, a death grip on one of his t-shirts. She must have had a rough night without him, and of course, she didn’t call for him.

Avery walked into Kimiko’s room, closed her door, and walked over to her. He knelt down in front of her, his brows knitted together while he took in her fetal position. He could feel the tension and exhaustion radiating off her.

”Little fox… What am I going to do with you,” he chided gently.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”I love you too.”

Cassi waved goodbye to Nic, watching him go before she stepped back into her house and closed the door. His last words lingered in her mind. There was something about them that warmed her. Despite their fight, he was still saying being late was worth it. It stilled her mind and her shame, knowing that Nic wanted her. All the good and the bad.

She went through the rest of that day, keeping that thought in mind while she worked on the case.

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The Next Day

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Avery Zain

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

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The day had been spent mostly with Kimiko, playing and training, even napping. But when night rolled in, and the moon moved across the sky, Avery disappeared into the woods to hunt.

There were only small and medium-sized animals in the woods during this time of year. Avery was looking forward to the fall when the herd animals started to move through. He could use a deer, and even Caden hunted with him; they could get a moose.

By the time the sun started to lighten the sky the next morning, Avery was shifted back. He felt refreshed but also drained. His wolf hummed in contentment in the back of his mind, whereas his human needs required sleep and food.

Avery’s jaw cracked as he yawned, and he stretched out before pulling on his pants. Before going back to Caden’s house, Avery walked into staff housing. He made his way to his room and showered before he changed into a black hoodie and green joggers. He figured he’d wear the sweater for most of the day before sacrificing it to Kimiko.

Once he was changed, Avery made his way to Caden’s, hoping Kimiko had slept and didn’t try to stay up all night waiting for him. Or worse, and had nightmares all night and didn’t call for him.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassi smiled and shook her head. ”No, he’s a smart boi. He’ll be good. I’d got out there with him the first couple of times, just so he gets the lay of the land, but if you decide to leave it open he’ll be okay. I have a feeling he’ll shadow you anyways,” Cassi said, watching the two of them say their goodbyes.

”Go on now. You’re going to be late.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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”I promise I won’t. Text me on your breaks. If you’re allowed to,” she said. Cassi gathered Nic’s lunch and walked him to the front door. Wayland followed along behind them, visibly sad Nic was leaving.

”Don’t forget you owe him a sleepover. Maybe you can take him for the weekend,” Cassi suggested, looking down at Wayland.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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The grin on Cassi’s face only grew from Nic’s declaration. ”I’m sorry, but also not,” she said and placed another kiss on his lips before she relaxed her arms and rested her hands on Nic’s chest.

”Now, what kind of girlfriend would I be if I kept you here when so many other people need you, hmm? Go on, Nurse Wu, you have lives to save today.”

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Once Nic’s arms wrapped around Cassi, she felt secure and loved. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smiling and giggling before kissing Nic back.

”That’s fine. I am more than capable of defending my own honour. And yours,” she said and kissed him a second time. ”You can just heal me, or cook for me, or bring me back to centre. Or just keep loving me.” She whispered the last part, feeling her heart race with the knowledge that this incredible man did love her. That he was still here, holding her and loving her despite her behaviour earlier when he had been trying to help.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

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Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

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Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

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Cassi looked at Nic, amusement on her face. She put her scissors in the drawer before she turned to Nic. She rested her hand on his chest and kissed him once.

”Don’t worry. Once I recovered and we went through the same manoeuvre, I succeeded with the move and ended up stabbing him. Of course, he healed within minutes, but it still felt good.”