Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4: Papa IV Era & The Main Event - Fate Breaker (MxM)

And Then There Were Two

“Do you want me to get Cirrus to come and sit with her while we go to Cali?” Air said. 

Amaya was using the bathroom that was attached to the infirmary room.  

Quinn paced back and forth along the longer wall, worrying his bottom lip with his teeth.  

“I...” He stopped and sighed, not liking the idea of leaving her at all, let alone with a ghuleh he didn’t know too well. “No. Will you stay with her? I can handle Cali.” 

Air looked hurt, and Quinn cursed himself. 

“Oh. Sure. I can do that. I’ll order us some snacks.” 

He looked away, towards the bathroom, but Quinn put a hand on his cheek and gently turned his face back to him. 

“I’m not shutting you out. I don’t want anyone else looking after her; protecting her. I don’t trust anyone else beyond our pack. Beyond you.” 

Air gave him a half smile and pulled him into a hug. 

“She’s safe here, Quinn,” he whispered, kissing the side of Quinn’s throat and stroking the hair at the nape of his neck. “You don’t need to worry. But if that’s what will make you feel better about leaving her, then I’ll stay.” 

Quinn recognised what he was feeling from centuries ago, recognised the long buried instincts. Amaya was not a small kit anymore. He knew that, but that didn’t change the protective feelings that bubbled up. He closed his eyes and whined as those instincts brought back painful memories. 

How had he managed to tear himself away from his family all of those seasons ago? Wandering off on some calling to save a complete stranger, leaving his heart and his soul vulnerable and unprotected to face a fate worse than death without him. 

Air held him tighter, probably realising where his mind had gone from the spike of pain Quinn had felt. 

“She will be fine. I will make sure of it.” Air let him go and stepped back, trailing a hand down his arm. “I’ll introduce her to the wonders of junk food and cat videos on YouTube.” 

Quinn huffed a laugh and kissed his forehead just as the bathroom door opened again. 

“Thank you. I owe you,” he said. 

Air grinned and shook his head. 

“No, you don’t.” 

He took out his phone and ordered some breakfast from the canteen for them. It was almost dawn by then and the residents of the Abbey would soon be awake. 

Amaya resumed her place on the bed, sitting with her back against the headboard. 

“I will find Calista. You are sure about this, yes?” Quinn asked her. 

She met his eyes and frowned, but she nodded resolutely and then shrugged. 

“I am. What’s one more shock to the system? May as well.” 

Quinn barked a laugh and grinned at her, admiring her spirit in such a delicate and dark situation.

“Okay then. I'll break the news to her. She will be so unbelievably happy to meet you. She’s ached for you since they took you, thought of barely anything else.” 

Amaya pursed her lips and then offered him a weak smile. 

“Oh,” she said quietly. 

Quinn walked over and stroked a finger down her cheek. 

“Don’t be nervous, little one. You’ll love her. She is strong, just like you.” 

He turned and left because the longer he dragged this out, the harder it would be to go. It was around six a.m. so Quinn knew exactly where Calista would be. She always got up early to swim with the other water ghouls and ghulehs, so he headed toward the gardens.