Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)

The Village

*Around four weeks later*

Quinn sighed wearily and closed the book he was reading. He'd tried to concentrate for the past hour or so, but it just wasn't happening. A low level of stress had prevented him from relaxing. It was his night off. Air was working and he'd settled down in the furs on their bed to study some magic tomes he'd discovered in Secondo's library. It wasn't the sort of light reading that you could skim through, and try as he might, the noise was distracting him.

It was the kit. He'd been screaming on and off for a while now. Even through the soundproofing that surrounded Earth and Zoe's apartment, he could hear it. He could feel the distress too; not just from little Rin, but from his parents.

This seemed to be a nightly thing now. Quinn had checked him over and he didn't seem to be ill or have any discomfort beyond what was normal. It had taken its toll on Zoe and Earth. The two of them were exhausted-all eye bags and visibly frazzled and disheveled-but so far they'd refused the offers of help from the others. They'd settled themselves into their own little microcosm, and the pack had taken a step back and tried to offer practical, non-intrusive help instead; they'd delivered food to them, done their laundry, picked up Earth's shifts so he could spend his time with his family.

Enough was enough, though.

Quinn sensed Zoe's despair and it broke his resolve.

He closed the book he was holding and put it on the table next to the bed. He stood, stretching out and heading to the bathroom to do the necessaries. There might not be another chance for a little while.

Quinn considered putting on a shirt, but decided against it. The lair was warm, the chill of the winter night kept at bay by the fire in the hearth and the fancy underfloor heating that Air insisted on having installed. Quinn was grateful for it on the slate under his bare feet, and he smirked when he thought about his mate's thoughtfulness.

He left the apartment and wandered down the corridor towards Earth's door, pausing for a moment with his ear to the wood. Still crying. He didn't bother to knock, just opened the door and walked on in there.

The three of them were in the bedroom, so he headed there and gave them the courtesy of one knock before he let himself in. He winced as the sound of the kit's cries pierced his ears with nothing to muffle it now.

Zoe paced back and forth with Rin propped up against her, his cheek resting on her shoulder. She patted his back and made soothing noises. Her cheeks were wet from tears and Quinn's magic found its own way to her.

Earth was hovering nearby, and he turned on Quinn with a snarl, stepping between the perceived threat and his mate and kit.

"It's just me," Quinn said.

Zoe peered out from behind him and sniffed.

"We're sorry, Quinn. We've tried everything, but he's just so upset tonight. I'm sure he'll calm down soon and give you some peace."

She spoke loudly to be heard above the noise.

Quinn scowled at her and gestured towards Rin.

"May I?" he said, addressing Earth because he knew the other ghoul was in über-protective mode, so he didn't want to cause any kind of issue that would add more stress to the already fraught situation.

Zoe's eyes flicked to Earth as she spoke.

"Please," she whispered. "Is there something wrong with him? He isn't hungry and I changed him and burped him, but he's just so upset."

"Let me check," Quinn said, still with his eyes on Earth.

The big ghoul sighed and nodded, and Quinn sent him some mojo. He felt stressed. Felt helpless. Was pissed off at himself for not being able to fix this. Whatever this was.