It wasn’t often that Cassius got time to himself. Being engaged meant so many things and it seemed to also mean spending even more time with Kaede than what had been happening prior, if that was even possible. Breathing the same air, existing in the same moments, little things that meant they were coming closer and closer together to being a single being in two bodies. It was all very mushy to think about and made Cassius smile when he did.

Today, however, saw that Cassius was going to spend a few hours to himself. Just enough to get something cooked for dinner and maybe do a bit of grading on one of the few essay questions he gave the students of his class. Perhaps he would even go to the roof and visit with his bees and tend to the garden up there. Anything to curb the boredom of spending the day without Kaede.

Just as Cassius was settling on an idea for what to do with his time the fire alarm began going off. Cassius winced loudly and put his hat back on before making his way out of the apartment and down to the ground floor. He had to hope and pray nothing bad would happen to the building, less for himself and more for his bees. They could leave if things got too bad but the smoke would inevitably make them sleepy. Most of the hives would die in a fire like this and he’d have to start from scratch. Just when he was about ready to harvest the honey as well.

Life wasn’t exactly fair it seemed but with any hope the fire department would arrive and quell whatever flame was in process of burning down the building. When he made it outside and looked back there was almost nothing wrong but then Cassius caught sight of a single pillar of dark smoke spilling out of a window and he sighed. So there was a fire. He’d have to tell Kaede but instead of reaching for his phone he looked around the crowd that had begun to gather outside of the building. He noticed a fair number of people weren’t his neighbors and most of them were video taping the scene. He let out a chuckle and moved toward the one familiar face he picked out of the crowd.

“Good to see you Aoife,” He said gruffly, nodding his head as he walked up to his fellow professor and her cat. “Nice day for a disaster. Cute cat.” Cassius continued, walking until he took up the space to her right. He slid his hands into his pockets and gave a strained little smile that was equal parts exasperation at the situation and happiness to find a friendly face in these distressing times. Cassius wasn’t much for socializing with the other Professors but it was a bit difficult to not know someone who lived in the same building. Still they hadn’t done much talking beyond the words he spoke to her today and today seemed to be the perfect day for talking.