Ascension

Chapter 6

Mick was whistling a merry tune as he walked up the stairs to his home. The boy named Peter had come back to Crossroads Books and searched all around for Captain Ink. His third eye had started flashing blue and red when he saw Reid in his normal clothes with no trace of any curly facial hair or a pirate’s feathered hat. Mick had quickly pacified him, saying that Captain Ink had gone on a long voyage and had left his twin brother to do his job. When Peter demanded what was special about Reid, the man quickly threw a handful of confetti in the air and pretended to pull out a rubber chicken from the boy’s ear. Adequately pacified, Peter had gone around the shop, this time seeking out books about magic. Mick had carted the boy around on his shoulders, this time noticing the little smiles that Piper shot him through her purple fringes of hair. Mick had chuckled in bemusement at her subtle flirting and the little adventure with the boy in the shop had left him in a good mood.

He nearly fell over himself in surprise when he entered his apartment and found Gabe lounging on the sofa in a pair of faded jeans and an old band t-shirt that he had stolen from Mick’s closet. He had his bare feet propped up on the coffee table and was nursing a beer while watching the news. When Mick walked in, he turned and looked at him with a strangely blank face.

“Welcome home, Mick,” he said, giving him a small, half-hearted smile.

“Hey, Gabe,” he replied, eyeing him carefully, instincts immediately going into overdrive. Gabe hadn’t worn that face in years, not since he first met him in the shrink’s waiting room.

Gabe set his beer down, turned the TV off, and took the helmet from Mick, cupping his cheek in one hand and giving him a quick peck on the mouth. He set the helmet aside, taking his jacket from him to hang up in the cupboard.

“How was your day?” he asked casually.

“Not bad,” he replied, hanging his keys on the hook by the TV. “Betsy got Dennis to stock up on peaches. She’s making the cobbler a Saturday special.”

“For her Watchers?”

“Yep.” Mick toed his boots off and wiggled his toes in his thick green and yellow socks. Gabe glanced at them and gave a small suffering shake of his head. “I had lunch at the Horseshoe. Donna sends her love and Rooster says yo.”

“Yo back,” Gabe chuckled, shutting the closet. “How’s Reid?”

“He’s fine, his usual self. He played magician with a little boy to convince him that he was his pirate alter ego’s twin brother.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Reid’s playing Captain Ink’s twin.”

“Ah. The Peter kid.”

“That’s the one.”

Mick watched the movement of his sharp hips as he strolled to the kitchen. “I ordered us a pizza,” said Gabe.

Mick caught the can of beer that Gabe tossed at him and opened the still hot pizza box on the table. He raised his brows at the impressive arrangement of pepperoni, bacon, sausage and ham.

“What, no vegetables?” he asked casually. “You’re not gonna sic me with any of your pineapples and tomatoes?”

“You like the meat,” he replied, one side of his mouth quirking up, “and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to indulge a bit.” He tilted his head slightly, a spark of worry lighting in his eyes. “That’s okay, right?”

“Oh, yes!” he exclaimed quickly. “Hell yes! I mean, of course it’s okay. I was just wondering because you always go health nut on me when we order pizza.”