Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)

Wake Up Call

Quinn and Air vacated Secondo's bathroom and made their way back to Copia's apartment. They'd been gone for hours, longer than Quinn had realised. It was close to dawn and Aether informed them that Calista, Rain and Angelina had gone to Angelina's apartment. The others had all gone home to bed.

"Shit. She wanted us to be there," Quinn said, annoyed with himself for freaking out and abandoning her on her first night.

"I'm sure she's been fine. Rain is there with her." Air tucked blonde strands of hair behind Quinn's ear. "Should we go home for a few hours and catch her for breakfast? Or...?"

Quinn frowned.

"I think we should check in on them."

Angelina and some of the other highest Clergy members lived in a separate wing on the same floor as the Papas. It was the same apartment that Imperator had lived in all those years back and Quinn shuddered when he remembered the last time he'd been in there with that bitch.

Air knocked softly on the door before Quinn could stop him. He'd already sensed that the occupants were all asleep. Soft noises filtered through though and a sleepy Angelina opened up to them.

"Hey, you two," she whispered. "They're both asleep."

She opened the door further and looked back over her shoulder towards the sofa in her living room.

Calista and Rain lay curled around one another, Calista holding him protectively. Quinn smiled at the sight of the bigger ghoul in his mother's arms and he felt Air's happiness at the sight of them together.

"Is she doing okay?" Quinn asked her quietly.

"Are you coming in?" Angelina asked.

Quinn looked at them again. They were so peaceful and he didn't want to disturb them.

"No, leave them be."

He shook his head and Angelina stepped out into the corridor with them, closing the door softly behind her.

She threw her arms around Air who made a little surprised sound before returning her embrace.

"Thank you both for taking care of her and bringing her here. She's perfect. I've already shown her how I like my coffee and where to drop off my dirty laundry," she said with a glint in her eye.

Quinn growled, not picking up on her teasing tone but Air laughed.

"Angelina!" he scolded.

She looked up at Quinn and rolled her eyes.

"I'm kidding, Quinn. You have nothing to worry about. We are getting along fine so far."

Quinn hadn't found it funny.

"Do not joke around when it comes to her. Especially not to me," he growled.

Air stroked his arm to calm him but Angelina didn't look worried by his little outburst.

"Chill out, Quinn. Jeez," she said, shaking her head. "You know I would never think myself above any of the ghouls here. I'm offended you'd even think that."

Air sighed.

"Touchy subject," he said by way of an explanation.

Angelina reached out and patted Quinn's hand, looking up at him sympathetically.

"I'm not her," she said, realising what he was getting at; comparing her to Imperator.

Quinn slid his eyes to Air who looked at him expectantly. He scowled but decided to do the right thing, for once.