Essence of Quinn Parts 3 & 4 (MxM)

Wake Up

Quinn stretched, sunlight warming the bare skin of his chest as it streamed through the trees and into the small clearing surrounding the cabin. He tipped his head back, closing his eyes and savouring the summer sun.

Laughter drifted out through the open doorway. Air, Ash and Lyssa were preparing dinner, but Quinn and Zaya had escaped, offering to set up the low table outside to make the most of the perfect day. It hadn't taken long, so they figured they could relax for a little while before the food was ready.

"Papa?" Zaya said. Quinn hummed and turned his face towards her. He squinted, the sun behind her temporarily blinding him. He shielded his eyes with his hand so he could see her better. It didn't help much. She grew more beautiful by the day, though. He knew that much. Just like her sister. Just like her mama. Quinn smiled at her, grateful for every precious moment that he got to spend with his ghulehs. "Papa?" she said again.

Quinn frowned.

"What is it, Zaya?"

"Wake up," she said.

His frown turned to a deep scowl.

"What? I am awake."

"Wake. Up," she said insistently.

Quinn blinked the sunlight from his eyes, trying his best to focus on her, but he couldn't quite manage it. Then there was the sound. Low and rhythmic. Soothing, but so out of place here. He scowled, frustration and confusion creeping in.

"Zaya?"

Quinn snarled, the bright light in his eyes suddenly becoming so painful he had to look away from her.

"Please wake up, Papa."

Everything went dark, and Quinn whimpered. The pain in his eyes and his head suddenly became unbearable and he tried to claw at his temples to get at it.

"Zaya?" he called out.

Something soft brushed against his face and the low, rhythmic sound soothed him. Purring. It was purring. He scented Imp.

Hold on...

Reality crashed into him, and the raw pain in Quinn's heart far surpassed the headache as he realised he'd been dreaming. Of course he had. They were long gone. Ash. Lyssa. Zaya.

"No, Quinn. It's Amaya," Air said.

Quinn groaned and blinked rapidly, turning his face towards his mate's voice.

"Amaya?" he whispered, sensing her now.

Her quintessential nature called to his. She laid her hand on his forehead, offering him soothing waves of her unique healing magic.

"Yes. I'm here, Quinn."

Some panicked thought floated just out of Quinn's reach, his pain-addled brain struggling to figure out why it hurt so much. Why she was healing him.

"Just breathe," Air said. Quinn tried to orient himself with the sound of his mate's voice. He lay on a bed, and he recognised the thin sheets and the scents of the infirmary. As his senses gradually came back online and he could think beyond the pain, he felt the needles and the tubes and the wires on his skin. Fucking great. "I'll call the Doc. She said to let her know when you woke up."

The door to the room opened and closed, and Quinn took a deep breath as Amaya's magic finally broke through, soothing the pain in his head some more, making it just about bearable and enabling him to think more clearly. Memories drifted back to him; fear and sorrow and the sound of rushing water.