The Abbey was a hive of activity as the residents partook in various celebrations for All Hallows Eve. It was a favourite time of year for everyone, and by the time Quinn and Air made it back to the main building, most of those celebrations were well underway. None of the usual gatherings interested them this year, though.
They wandered through the hallways to the conservatory that was attached to the back of the older part of the Abbey. It was far enough away from the main ballroom, where the official party for the majority of Siblings and ghouls was happening, that they were unlikely to be disturbed or gatecrashed. As they passed the ballroom, Ifrit and Alpha spilled out into the corridor, arms draped over the shoulders of three Siblings dressed as witches.
Ifrit grinned at them as they passed.
“Congrats, guys!” he called after them.
“Yeah, and happy Halloween!” Alpha added, followed by a chorus of repetition from the Siblings.
Air grinned at them, holding up the hand that was joined to Quinn’s.
“Thank you! Happy All Hallows!”
The music slowly faded as they rounded the corner to the smaller hallway where their gathering was happening. Quinn’s feet stopped moving.
“Fuck. Wait,” he said, suddenly nervous.
Air turned to him and frowned, gaze searching his face. He reached up and laid a hand on Quinn’s cheek.
“What’s wrong, Sweet?”
Quinn sighed and offered him a half smile.
“I’m just being me.”
Air’s eyes softened and he shrugged, realising what might have given him pause.
“Don’t be nervous! Just enjoy it. Almost everyone we love is here with us, to celebrate.”
Quinn looked him up and down, basking in the warm glow of his soul and in the beauty of the other he could still see radiating out from it.
“This is all for you, Air. I wanted you to have this. I wanted you to have what you’ve always deserved. What I never gave to you. I’m just sorry it’s taken this long.”
Air nuzzled his neck and placed a kiss under his jaw.
“You’re wrong, Sweet. We deserve this. We always did. It doesn’t matter that we didn’t do this years ago, because we are doing it now. This is for us. Everyone is here for us. There won’t be a single ghoul or ghuleh or person there who doesn’t think we deserve this. Every single one of them wishes us well. You don’t need to worry about the attention. Just feel the love and it’ll all be fine.”
Quinn realised he was being stupid, but he hated to be the centre of attention.
“I know...”
Air smiled up at him, eyes glinting.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep the speech short and sweet. I’d hate to bore everyone and cut into their drinking, eating and dancing time.”
Quinn huffed and leaned down to kiss his forehead.
“You could never bore anyone, Azael.”
“Come on, then. Amaya’s here. I bet she can’t wait to see her sire and her step-sire drunk and high. We’ll give her cringe fuel for years to come.”
Quinn took a deep breath and slowly blew it out.
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Air grinned and pulled him towards the entrance.
YOU ARE READING
Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)
FantasyMxM Follow up to Essence of Quinn Parts 1&2. Quinn must face his past to be able to move on with his future. He's overcome most of his demons since he was summoned by Secondo and he's gone up against destiny itself, but a past transgression will co...
