Changes

He didn't see Adele that Morning, He made a point to avoid those sorts of awkward interactions, besides that was the deal, after all, She kept his secrets and He kept Hers.

Nero took his shower, quickly got dressed into his uniform, a white shirt and black jeans, tying up the laces on his black shoes before packing the couple of things he needed to take with him in his rucksack. His eyes paused on his bookshelf, spotting the book on Greek Demigods He had purchased yesterday, He packed it, Nero got a longer break when working a 10-hour shift it would give him some time to read.

Nero walked through the city, listening to his music as He walked to work. This was a calming song, his Instinct was already steadily rising and he did not want to agitate it further.

Nero eventually arrived at work, the Wetherspoons was packed, as usual, the great "Golden Lion." was a communal hub for this part of the city, filled with people that Nero knew from Uni, hence his avoidance of the place in all instances other than earning his money, He only got a job at the place because his Aunt Minie knew the manager: Marcus... Nero really hoped that Marcus wasn't working today.

He started his shift, happily greeting some of his peers, especially the one that He had otherwise expected to be a little awkward.

Aaron weakly smiled at Nero as He entered the bar to clock in "Marcus is in today, Nezza." He immediately warned, Nero sighed, rubbing his eyes

"I hope that I still have some ibuprofen left, the headaches I get from his yelling are long and painful."

Aaron chuckled, ruffling his bushy Afro "a bit like this shift, innit?" He tactfully put, before going to serve a customer.

Nero was good enough at his job, the Locals liked him as long as He poured them drinks and luckily enough, Nero was getting paid to do just that. He never got tired during his shifts, soldiering on was one of his more prominent talents, but after 5 hours of relative peace working in the Busy pub, all was ruined by Marcus' appearance, He was taller, fitter and blacker than Nero was, his tight African curls cropped close to his head, He had an insufferably smug look on his face at all times, save for when He was angry that is

"Nezza!" Marcus cried happily, though his eyes showed the judgemental truth to his mood, "Show up on time today?"

Nero nodded, pulling his pint of Guineas until it was mostly full before setting it down to settle. Marcus grinned coyly, He wasn't much older than Nero and the Ignorance that youth brought didn't evade him, unfortunately, "You gonna be out tonight, I think you could do with a little excitement?" Nero's instinct rattled inside of him as Marcus patted his shoulder,

"Yeah, I'm going to Unique with Adele," Nero said, trying to tame his defiant streak, Marcus cackled

"Then I'll see You there, Becky asked me out there tonight, them two are mates right?" He knew that they were friends and He knew that Nero had a crush on Becky, He probably knew that Nero had asked Becky on a date, Nero really, really wanted to punch this guy... but it was a bad idea, to say the least

"I'll see You later on, Marcus." Nero quickly said, breaking off the conversation before he sneered.

He worked the rest of his shift, happy to have burned off a little energy, clocking out happy to be done with work "Are You off?" Aaron asked, quickly working in the Glass wash

"Yeah, um Aaron?" He paused,

"Sup, brudda?" Aaron asked curiously

"Are You guys gonna be out tonight?" Nero asked.

Aaron smiled "Me, Barry and Max were gonna head to Unique tonight, You gonna be there?" Nero nodded, Aaron grinned giving Nero a surprised look "cool, It will be nice to see You let loose for once."

The struggle to contain his Instinct was growing, especially considering the nerves he had during his walk to Eye-Candy. Nero came to the store's entrance

"Stop thinking so much for fuck's sake, just do it, she's not Becky, she likes You." He reminded himself for the tenth time, but his mind wouldn't stop producing a load of garbage... "Maybe... I mean a little couldn't hurt right, just a taste to stop me shaking so much... just a hair, a pin-drop?" Nero, for the first in a long time, let his Instinct out in public.

Just like before everything immediately seemed easier, less complicated, his mind was clear, what he had to do was clear. with a single breath, Nero pushed the entrance door open softly and slipped into the warmth of the dusty book Store.

Immediately, He saw what He usually saw, Kira sat with a bored look on her face, reading an old looking copy of the Gruffalo through her round spectacles, it was strange, She looked so... pretty, sure he'd realized that she was attractive before, but he never really appreciated it, that cute little nose and those pink lips, and that body, those juicy breasts and that sizeable ass hidden in her casual clothing, she was way too hot to be a bookshop employee, Nero approached the till, watching with a smile as she read her book, apparently too enamoured to notice him yet.

Nero cleared his throat making Kira jolt in her seat, "Jesus Christ!" She said, clutching at her chest as she smiled "You scared the hell outta me, Nezza!" She said smiling, He shrugged, resting his elbows on the counter

"Thought it might shock some life into You. the Gruffalo, really?" He said happily, lifting up the book and looking at it thoughtfully, She shrugged

"What, I was bored!?" She said defensively, Nero chuckled softly

"I uhh, had something I wanted to ask You if You don't mind?" She raised an eyebrow

"Okay, You're not gonna ask for my kidneys or anything right?" She joked with a grin, Nero shook his head,

"I'm going to Unique tonight with Adele and some friends, I like You and I want You to come with me, like on a date, but not a friend date, like a date, date." Kira's eyes widened, a stunned look on her face as she tried to process all that,

"I... well... I mean... I..." She stammered flushing furiously, Nero paused

"Shit, did I come on too strong?" He thought in panic "Damn it, why am I so bad at this, No wonder I couldn't get Becky to like me, even a girl who already likes me has been scared off, god I'm an idiot-" Kira snapped her fingers at Nero, pulling him out of his head,

"Hey! Are You okay, You looked a little pale there?" She asked, He nodded.

"Yeah, sorry, what were You saying?" She smiled meekly

"Yes, I said yes." Nero smiled, he smiled fully and earnestly, for the first time in a little while.

"Great!" He said a little enthusiastically, Kira flushed

"Y-You can pick me up at 11, I'll text You my address, b-but You'll need my number for that... if You want my number?" Nero brandished his phone, unlocking it and handing it to her happily, Kira took it just as happily, typing in her contact details as Nero revealed in the surge of his natural state, it had been a long time since He had allowed himself to run on his Instinct out in the open, He forgot how good it felt, how clear everything became "Here, all done." Kira said an excited joy in her tone "I'll text You my address and... I'll see You at eleven I guess!" Nero nodded, unable to stop himself from smiling widely

"I'm looking forward to it." He said. Kira grinned in turn, her face red and flustered even as she watched him leave

Nero headed home with his head held high, He felt good, He felt very good and He wanted to look his best for his date.

It became apparent to Nero that both his Cousin and his Aunt Minie were home, mostly because they were arguing, again.

"...Because I said so Adele, I'm sorry that I don't want You to be **** up somewhere in some random man's house!" Minerva Varla's voice was strong, commanding and with powerful control of tone

"For fuck's sake Minie, I'm not a kid, You can't just order me around like one of Your little piggies at the Station!"

Nero sighed, walking through to the neat and clean sitting room, where both Adele and Aunt Minie stood

"One, I am Your guardian, and Two, You're living in my home, while You live under my roof, You follow my rules." Adele spotted Nero, and so noticing Her foster daughter's reaction, Aunt Minie turned to look at him.

Minie was not a tall woman, but she lean and fit, having the Olive complexion of her Greek heritage, Minie had bright blue eyes, eyes so bright that they were almost silver, they were haunting, almost scary, even so, his adopted aunt was just as, if not more beautiful than Adele, Her wavy hair cut short and styled, neat and tidy just like all of her being was

"Back from work?" She asked, He nodded, pushing his instinct away, She knew when he was uncontrolled, she always knew

"Is something wrong?" He asked, seeing that His cousin was upset

"Dell wants to go out again, out on one of her benders no doubt." Adele went to speak, but Nero cut her off

"Yeah, she does go a little overboard sometimes..." Minie raised an eyebrow as Nero continued "...You don't trust her, I don't blame You, but... what if I kept an eye on here?" He said, Aunt Minie, crossed her arms, staring sceptically

"Since when do You go clubbing, Boy." Minie sneered rubbing her eyes, as Adele smiled at him, Minie Sighed "You know what, fine, just don't do anything stupid, and no trouble, understand me?" She pointed her finger at him with a look in her eyes, the look that said "No trouble like You used to make" That meant no instinct... but how would He get Kira to like him, he was boring otherwise?

"Scout's honour." He said, making Adele flush a little

"Whatever." Minie said, "Dinner will be in the microwave."

Nero, unlike Adele, didn't take long to get ready to go out, He took a long 15-minute shower, using the precise shampoo, conditioner, and body-wash, He towelled himself dry, moisturized, administered his cocoa butter, not too much He didn't wanna smell too ghetto. He had already set his clothes out for himself, pulling on his only pair of black designer jeans and slipping on one of his nice tight-fitting Armani shirts and carefully put on his soft smelling cologne, Nero looked at himself, his instinct burning lightly within, He felt good about himself, tonight would be a good night indeed, He could feel it.

"Dayum!" Nero turned, to see his foster-cousin peeking her head through his door, carefully ushering herself in.

Adele came through wearing tight blue jeans and a tube top that hugged her sizeable breasts tightly, He could tell that she wasn't wearing a bra, mostly because Her nipples furtively announced themselves through the fabric, She wasn't wearing any make-up yet, but Nero never thought that she needed it, her overly pretty face being a treat to look at on its own

"You clean up good, I hope that this isn't all for me?" despite her words, He could tell that she wanted him to think otherwise

"Wanted to look my best for Kira." He said adamantly, Adele paused, frowning a little "So... You actually asked her?"

"Yeah, she seemed really happy that I asked, she's pretty and smart and funny, I was stupid not to ask her sooner, thanks for the advice." He was sincere in his gratitude, but Adele seemed to have a kind of hidden sadness in her eyes, nonetheless, she smiled

"Good to know that I actually gave some good advice, when are You picking her up?" Nero checked his watch

"In about an hour." He said

Adele nodded, fiddling with her hands as she lingered for a minute

"Everything, okay?" He asked softly

She shrugged "Well... umm, I just... I wanted to talk about last night."

Nero frowned "I thought that we agreed to specifically not talk about that sort of stuff?" He said, She nodded

"I know... I know but, I've had a change of heart recently you know?" He didn't like where this was going... again, her flushed face, the Rosey look in her eyes, "Don't do this Dell" He thought, seeing a confession coming on

"N-Nero You know that I love You right?" He walked over to his bed, sitting to slip on his socks and fasten his shoes

"Of course, I love You too, You and the wicked witch of the West are the only family I have." He jested lightly, hoping that it would release some of the tension, Adele flinched at the word, but she stumbled onward anyway

"No... I mean, like, Love You, Love You." Nero paused, rubbing his eyes in frustration

"Yes, I know You do." it was true, Adele had been crushing on him for a while and He knew it, it simply didn't click right with him, even if they were an adopted family, she was like a sister to him, his aunt Minie like a mean and consistently annoyed mother, and in his society, he absolutely could not engage with her like that under any circumstance, but Adele piped up

"Look, I'm sorry, I know that this is awkward and wrong but... I only ever wanted to do right by You, so that we could be closer. Like all the guys I like, I just seem to drive You away, towards other girls that couldn't ever love You as much as I do..." she said, with all the real care and passion that He would expect from a lover... it only deepened his frown.

Nero shook his head, his instinct beginning to flourish under the confrontation "I..." the words escaped him, his mind foggy with uncertainty, "I understand how You feel, the frustration of liking someone who You can't be with, but I have found someone now, gold buried right where I was standing, I was just too stupid to see it."

Adele frowned further "What, Kira?" Adele got on her knees in front of him, her hands touching at his thighs "She can't like You, not really, not as much as I do. She's meek, too afraid to ask You out herself. I was Your first Nero!" He winced at the reminder of that night after Her Christmas party at the attorney's office that she interned at, stumbling naked into his room, **** off her head.

"Adele..." He whispered, partly in shame, partly in pity. She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes

"All of those girls are a waste of time, every time I try and show you that, You ignore me, even when I told You to go for Becky, I knew that stuck-up cunt would reject You, I-" She was cut off the flash of anger in his eyes, looking down in a confused irritation that sparked his Instinct further

"What!?" He snarled, Adele, mouthed wordlessly as He continued "You knew... You said that she liked me, I believed You!?" his chest stung at the thought, Adele stammered "N-No, that isn't what I meant-"

"-So You set me up to teach me a lesson, is that it?" His voice was deep and cold, piercing into her as tears fell down her cheeks

"Nero I... I'm sorry, I just-" She said, but Nero seethed, struggling to contain the familiar wrath that buzzed like wasps in his chest

"Go." He hissed, Adele just stood, a sour look on her face, but he merely turned away his spiteful gaze, Adele sniffled, more tears falling from her eyes as she quickly rushed away, leaving Nero to bubble in his Ire of growing Instinct.

He had been angry, most of his childhood was spent that way, frustrated and angry, but it had been a while, His impulses were only boosted by the instinct that He was getting very sick of caging, "Every moment, of every day, I fight myself... to keep control, and every day I suffer under this fear that It'll break free..." Nero's fists clenched, pushing aside his focus completely, reaching inside and pulling away The Veil that constricted on the truth of his very being!

Nero immediately allowed himself to fall down to the ground, sitting crossed-legged on his bedroom floor as he checked his watch "Forty-Five Minutes, 2700 seconds..." He muttered, the intense awareness of his surroundings disorienting him for a second, He had forgotten how intense it was, the bold but smooth collection of sound around him, the sharpness of his senses, the heavy thump of his heart, thundering in his chest like a drum, pumping lifeblood into his veins and restoring the stagnated flow of strength in his body.

Despite the upset in his situation with Adele, Nero caught himself feeling hopeful, Kira was one hell of a catch, and He hoped to keep this one in the Net, for too long He had been floating in a constant state of passivity, for once it was time to take some action. Nero checked his watch, time passed quickly when He was like this, standing from the ground and thinking to himself "Best get going, I'm sure she won't mind me being a couple of minutes early?" Nero grabbed his phone, quickly shooting her a text.

"Hey, Kira! it's Nero. I'll be over to pick you up in a couple of minutes." He barely had to wait a minute for a reply

"Heyyy, cool, c u in a minute, So Excited! ♥♥♥"

Nero grinned, tucking his phone into his pocket and slipping on his leather jacket, He did a quick check in the mirror, nodding with satisfaction

"I... haven't looked this good in a while." He noted before slipping out of his bedroom door. Aunt Minie was watching TV when He passed through, She waved him off silently, though the examining look in her eyes seemed to spark suspicion in her, Nero waved back before quickly slipping off "Don't look her in the eye, she'll know... she always knows." luckily He managed to get out before she could say anything, he chuckled, his heart still pumping hard in his chest as He began the short journey to Kira.