Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)

Found Family

They waited in the chapel for Amaya’s arrival. Quinn, Calista, Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Secondo and Councillor Shay.  

Quinn, again, didn’t take his eyes from the circle. Calista gripped his hand. Or was it the other way around? He wasn’t sure. But they waited all the same.  

Secondo informed them, just before they left, that Boreas was sending a chaperone with Amaya. That had pissed Quinn off no end, but he supposed extra security for her was a good thing. Once they were here, though, whichever guard he’d sent could wait in the chapel. No way was one of Boreas’ ghouls following them around all day and having access to their private conversations. 

Shay accepted the summoning and Quinn held his breath as the magic inside the circle shimmered. The anticipation that had gradually built throughout the morning reached its peak, and a few seconds later, two ghulehs appeared in the summoning circle. 

Quinn felt Air’s happiness before he registered who the second ghuleh was. 

“Grammie!” Air said, and he, Quinn and Calista ran over to greet them. 

Amaya threw herself at Quinn and he breathed her in, nerves instantly calming as her scent registered and his arms closed around her back. He held her slight form to him and he finally let himself feel some semblance of happiness.

“Welcome back,” he whispered into her hair. “I’ve missed you so much.” 

He felt the soothing tingles of her magic and sent her some of his own. Amaya looked up at him and grinned. 

“I know. I can feel it.” Her brow creased. “You look different. Are you okay?” 

She took his hand and led him away from the circle, accepting a hug from Calista.  

Air and Ayla continued to embrace, their heads close together as they spoke in low voices. Their tone was serious, but Quinn tried not to think about it. 

“I’m fine,” Quinn said. Amaya stepped back and looked him up and down with a sceptical expression on her face. Quinn smiled at her. He couldn’t hide anything from her, so he corrected himself. “I’m fine now that I know you’re okay. You are looking very well.” 

She beamed up at him. 

“I am well. And well cared for. So there is no need for you to have been so worried about me.” Quinn scowled. Of course she would know. “Everyone there has been very nice to me. I have a nice room in Agrat and Svarog’s lair. The other seers are... nice.” She scrunched up her face. “Well, they are odd, too. But they mean well. So, yes, it’s been… nice.” 

Quinn laughed, feeling himself relaxing more and more the longer he was in her presence. 

“Well, okay. That's very... nice. You are happy, though?” Quinn asked her, rubbing his palm up and down her arm gently.

She nodded and gave him a half smile. 

“I know it’s not what you want to hear, but yes. I think it’s all what I needed. Some stability.” 

Quinn frowned at the tone and at the words that seemed way beyond her years. She saw too much.  

“Amaya, I want you to be happy. That’s all I want for you.” 

She shrugged. 

“I know. But you would prefer me to be happy here, with you.” 

Quinn sighed, and Calista put her arm around his waist. He couldn't deny that.

“You know we would,” Calista said. “But we want what’s best for you.” 

Amaya smiled at them both and the others approached. Ayla broke away from Air and came to give Quinn a hug.