Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)

River of Deceit

Quinn turned away from the circle in the Abbey's summoning chapel, weary after Amaya's visit. Calista took his hand and Air put an arm around his waist.

"What's wrong?" Calista asked.

He sighed, glancing down at her.

"I've just got a lot on my mind right now."

A glow in his heart made him shiver as Air sent him a touch of love.

"Shall we go talk it through?" she asked carefully. "Or is it Clergy business?"

They headed out of the chapel and back towards the lair. It was much cooler inside the old stones of the Abbey, and Quinn felt chills break out over his skin when he thought of the vision of flames.

"I'd rather not say."

She didn't question that, knowing his answer was ambiguous and that he just most likely didn't want to tell her. He knew that annoyed Calista. Not because she was nosey, but because she cared for him and wanted to help. He didn't want to worry her, though, so he kept it to himself until after they dropped her off at her and Angelina's apartment.

He and Air went back to the lair. Air went into the communal kitchen, probably looking for contraband snacks. They always tasted better that way, apparently. He grabbed a bottle of fancy juice Earth had stupidly left in the fridge, and the rest of a cake one of the others had left on the counter.

Quinn smirked and raised a brow at him.

"Air, we've just had a banquet outside."

Air shrugged and nudged open the door to their apartment.

"Might get hungry later."

"Might?"

Air grinned at him and put the acquired items on the kitchen island.

"Well, I'm kind of hungry now, but I suppose I can wait." He wandered over to Quinn, putting his arms around his back and resting his cheek on his shoulder. "Come on then, tell me what all that was about."

Quinn hugged him back briefly and then led him to the sofa in the lounge area. They sat and Air turned to face him, elbow propped on the backrest.

"I had the flames vision again. And I think Amaya was there this time." Air whined, and Quinn put a reassuring hand on his thigh. "I couldn't tell for definite. It's always fuzzy when it's my life. It was just a fleeting impression."

"So why did I sense an atmosphere between you two?"

Quinn sighed again and tipped his head back to look at the ceiling.

"She's so young and trusting."

Air snorted at that.

"Is that what you think? Because I see you in a lot of her personality, and I wouldn't have said that."

Quinn huffed.

"I mean with the visions. I don't think she questions what she sees enough. I don't know what they're teaching her on the other side, but... I dunno. Maybe I should talk to Mayim about it."

Air reached over and ran his claws through Quinn's hair.

"If you think it'll help her, then do it. But just remember how cynical you are, Quinn."

Quinn scowled, turning back to Air.

"With good fucking reason."

Air smiled patiently.

"I know. Don't go all full on questioning everything they've taught her, though. It seems to me they're doing a great job with her so far, and it would be a shame to upset her routine and piss off her mentors. Plus, Amaya would likely dig in her heels with this. She is very similar to you that way."