Essence of Quinn: Parts 1&2 Secondo Era and Terzo Era (eventual MxM slow burn)

It Could Always Be Worse

Quinn woke up, momentarily confused that he was naked and in the water. The sounds of an argument brought him to his senses and he realised he was still in the bathtub with Air; he must have fallen asleep.

"You should know better, Air. I thought I could trust you to have his best interests at heart," Doctor Michaels was saying.

"He's fine, he asked me and I helped him. He was sick of that bed. It's just a bath," Air said, trying to whisper but failing.

"He needs to go back to bed. He's still very ill, Air. Something like this could set his recovery back. I can't believe you'd do something like this. What would you have done if he'd had another fit or something?"

Air whined and Quinn felt the distress he felt at her words. He heard himself growl.

"Get out," he snarled.

His voice was gravelly still and barely carried. He turned his head to look at her and she was standing in the doorway, hands on hips with a stern expression on her face.

"Quinn, you need to be in bed. You aren't ready for this. If you can't rest then I'm going to have to drug you again. This is non negotiable."

Quinn saw red, he'd had enough of her bullshit. Guilt tripping Air and threatening him with drugs?

"Get the fuck out. Leave us alone."

He felt his eyes flashing blue and he could feel his strength waning but he put all of the anger he felt into it. The doctor raised a brow at him, she wouldn't back down that easily.

"Not until you get out of that tub and I check you over. I'm in two minds whether I should ban Air from being here altogether after this."

Air growled this time, his arms moving protectively around Quinn's torso.

"Just fucking try it," Air spat.

"Leave us!" Secondo's voice cut through the tension and he sounded beyond pissed off.

Doctor Michaels glared at the two ghouls but did as she'd been told.

"Secondo..." Air started to say, but was cut off.

"Finish up and be quick about it. I want Quinn back in that bed in twenty minutes. He will stay there until I say he can leave." Quinn started to protest but Secondo shut him down also. "She is right. You are both idiots. If something like this happens again, I will fully support her in whatever action she chooses to take to keep you safe." Quinn scowled at him but kept quiet and Air sighed behind him. Fucking Secondo. Secondo raised a brow at him, picking up on his thoughts. "You had better hurry, time is ticking."

He turned and left, closing the door behind him. Air snorted and Quinn smiled.

"Well, that's us told," Air said. "Can you sit up while I wash your hair? You fell asleep before I got the chance."

Quinn nodded and Air nudged him forwards.

"How long was I asleep for?"

It must have been a while because the water was no longer hot.

"Hmm, an hour maybe? Bit longer? I didn't want to wake you, it was nice to do something normal with you. I probably should have woken you sooner though, shouldn't I?"

"No, it's fine."

Air managed to shampoo Quinn's hair, massaging his scalp in soothing circles. He felt his eyes closing again and Air must have sensed his exhaustion.

"The doc was right, wasn't she? You weren't ready for this."

"No, it feels so good to be properly clean. I'm okay. More than okay. But yeah, I could probably sleep some more."