Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After nearly dying to save Eliot, his friends, and the world, Quentin woke up in the hospital. He was alone. Light gray walls, a classic hospital bed, with aqua green sheets and curtains parted to show that it was already dark. The clean smell, mixed with something he couldn't identify, made him nauseous. Pain, there is a lot of pain.

Taking a few deep breaths, he managed to calm his stomach. Looking around, he saw that there were still two more chairs in the room. On a small table beside the bed, he found a glass and a water bottle. Carefully, he picked up the glass that that someone filled, and drank, a few small sips. The feel of the liquid running down his throat was comforting, as if it was the only thing in the world he needed.

The pain in his body increased after he struggled to half-sit to reach the water. He lay down slowly, hoping the pain would subside. He noticed that there were wounds on his arms, and I felt a sharper pain on his back.

The memories of the last conscious minutes emerged from the back of his mind. Fuck. He shouldn't be alive. He remembered fixing the mirror so he could throw the monster's bottle. While Everet tried to intercept and prevent the monster from leaving its reach, he ended up getting between Q and the explosion that started right after his mending.

He remembers trying to run, but he didn't remember leaving the room. It took a few more minutes before he remembered a hand pulling him towards the door. The pain made him keep his eyes closed, but he remembered the voice telling him to move on. Kady. She saved him while Penny saved Alice. Realized he was crying when noticed a tear curl around his nose and fall into his mouth. That is what it took to start the sequence of sobs he couldn't hold back.

When he finally managed to stop crying, Q tried to get his bearings. He had no idea what time it was, but he knew he was alone. Nothing in the room indicated a visitor. The machine beside him, hooked up to the access in his arm, made a noise. Within seconds he began to feel like he was going into a stupor. He went out.

When he opened his eyes again, he could see the first rays of sun. Thirst made him struggle to reach the bedside table one more time. He almost fell when he was startled by someone entering. He hoped it was one of his friends. Looking toward the door, he saw it was a student. Without acknowledging, he gave a shy smile.

"Already awake? We thought you'd sleep longer." Realizing the position, she ran to help Quentin with the water. "Let me help. Take it slow here. You haven't put anything in your stomach in five days." The young girl had kind eyes, and he could talk to her.

"That much?" It felt like I had just slept one long night.

"Your burns were pretty ugly. If it wasn't for the mix of magical treatments and muggles, you'd be raw." Quentin noticed that she was moving back just a little, to get a better look at the equipment.

"Thanks?" He tried to smile. There was a tightness in his heart. He didn't like being a burden to others.

"Want something to eat?" The young girl turned to him again, with the same serene smile. "I can arrange it."

"No…I think I couldn’t try…there is nome nausea, you know." He had become nauseous after drinking the entire glass of water.

"Okay. Your stomach will calm down. I'll find something light for you to eat. I'll be right back."

Five days. He didn't imagine that so much time had passed. Where would the others be? The initial worry become a terror as he wondered if Eliot had survived. He wanted to get up and find someone, and he almost did when the girl returned.

"Hey, don't even think about getting up before Lipson sees you." She was serious, without losing her sweetness. He quickly approached him, placing him on the bed again.

"I wanted...I need, hum, news from my friends." Without realizing it, he had that look that almost begged for something.

"Calm down. I'll try to get news for you, but I know everyone is alive if it calms you down." She seemed sincere and that was a good sign.
"Please, don’t forget about it." He said when the girl was about to leave the room.

"Lipson is on her way, she won't be long. Don't worry. She'll fill you in on everything." Yes, she would know. He had to trust that.

When the door opened a few minutes later, Q saw Lipson enter. He was waiting for her, but he preferred it to be one of his friends. He expected them to come after him since he woke up. Have they been warned?

"Good morning, Quentin. You woke up earlier than I predicted. How are you feeling?" It was good to see a familiar face.

"Good. My back hurts, but, but, I…Where, where is everyone? How's Eliot?" He needed to know.

"Mr. Waugh is fine. He's already been discharged and as far as I know he went to Filory. The others went there too. Something to be fixed, but I have no idea what's going on." She shrugged her shoulders as if it wasn't important, even though she said they needed to resolve something important.

"All? All of them?" Why didn't anyone stay with him? That hurts.

"Everyone. Only Margo stayed here, and that was until Eliot was released, the day after you got rid of the monster." She explained while examining him through various lenses.

"Oh." What else could he say? He now had new pain.

"Let me look at your back. I want to release you too. In order to tell you when, I need to examine you physically first." The doctor approached and, more delicately than he expected, helped him to sit down. She lifted the nightgown he was wearing, so she could examine his skin.

After a few minutes, she had a diagnosis. "If you continue to evolve like this, I'll release you in two days. You have to behave yourself to get out of here as soon as possible and join them. They were in a hurry so maybe they need your help."
"OK." It was all he managed to say. His mind screamed something he didn't want to hear. None of them had worried about him. None came to check if he had woken up. Not Julia, Alice, Margo, and principally not Eliot. They didn't even stop by.

He almost asked to be drugged again. He knew where all this was going to take him. He didn't feel a part of the team anymore. It was a feeling he hadn't had since entering Brakebills. He was adopted by El and Margo, dated Alice, reconnected with Julia after an estrangement, got along with Kady, Josh, Fen and even Penny and 23.

In that moment, everything seemed to no longer exist. Even if they were really in Filory, they could send a rabbit to check it out, but after a whole day awake, he knew that hadn't happened. Those last days were top five of the worst days, since he'd discovered magic was real and not just card tricks.

The moment Lipson released him he didn't know where to go. He had no desire to go back to the penthouse. The monster's memories are still strong in his soul. He wanted to get away from there. He considered going to the cottage, but he didn't know if he still had a room. He thought of his father's house, but he didn't want to go back there, to an empty house. He needed to talk to someone. The most unlikely person was chosen. Fogg.

Upon being received in his office, he seemed to feel as if the dean was feeling sorry for him. He tried to dismiss the idea, or he wouldn't even be able to talk. He shook his head as he entered.

"Good morning Mr. Coldwater. Glad to see you outside the infirmary." Fogg was sitting in his chair with some files, the folders of which he closed when he saw the former student approaching.

"Thanks." Quentin began to question whether it really was a good idea to go there. He took his time sitting down. There was no more pain. The medicine Lipson had given him was just to help him sleep.

"Can I be of use to you? After all you've done to save the world from the monster and his sister, I think I owe you something. In fact, the entire community is grateful to you and your friends." It was difficult to know whether the dean was being sincere.

"Thank you, I think." Trying to be practical, he thought about getting to the point. "Where are the others? Filory?"
"Quentin, I don't have a locator spell on them. The news I've received is that they've avoided Filory's destruction. I heard about a Dark King who had stolen the throne, but as far as I know Margo was trying to take it back. They still had a run-in with some librarians supporting Everet, but now it's all under control."

"Are they, you know, well?" he asked anxiously.

"Yes, they are. What do you really need Mr Coldwater?" The raised eyebrow showed that the question was rhetorical.

"To be honest, I don't know." He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair after admitting what Fogg already knew.

"Look, if you wish, you can have your old room in the cottage, while you decide what to do. Do you want to go back to studying?" The break could be oppressive if you can't even think about the answer.

"I don’t know, but, thanks. Again." Q seemed to have no other words in his dictionary at this point.

"That's nothing. Go to your room. You will find your belongings there, as when you arrived here." Fogg seems to be telling the truth, perhaps for the first time in years. "When you define what you want, you can talk to me, I'll be happy to help." Quentin just thanked him and let himself go.

Arriving at the cottage sparked memories of a time when he still thought things were going to work out. He climbed the stairs and opened the door to his old room slowly, afraid of what he might find. He released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, when he saw that everything was as he'd left it. Indeed, Fogg had been considerate of them. After a long hot shower, he put only his underwear and went to bed. He went out almost immediately, even after spending days sleeping.

When he woke up, the sun was setting. He got up at the sound of his stomach and headed for the kitchen. It was empty currently. He opened the cabinets looking for a quick meal and decided to eat cereal for now. When he was finishing, he was surprised by the arrival of Todd who shouted for him.

"Quentin! I didn't know you were here. I thought you were already at Filory." The boy seemed really surprised.

"Nope. I just got, hum released by Lipson." That's all he said before popping the last spoonful into his mouth.

"You're going there, aren't you?" Sometimes he understood Margo's irritation with Todd. How could he always seem happy?

"Probably." He replied after swallowing and making a tutu to clean the utensils.

"I would die to to go with you, but we have a week of exams. I will next time." It was hard to imagine Todd in Filory. Margo would probably kick him out of there so fast he wouldn't even notice.

"Right, ok." What else could Quentin answer?

He decided to walk to stretch his legs and think about what he was going to do. His intuition told him he should go to Filory, but he would get hurt. He didn't find many acquaintances, but even with those, he just waved from afar. After walking around the campus, he came back when his body felt tired.

The next day, Todd reported that the portal clock had been replaced. It is in an apartment in New York. Of course, it could only be in the penthouse. Since he decided to face Filory, and whoever was there, he had no other option than to return to the place where he cried over the death of his father and Eliot.

He knew it would be bad to get in there, but he couldn't imagine how much. Just looking around made him shiver. It was as if the monster would appear, wearing Eliot's body like a disposable outfit, at any moment. That’s why he waited almost two weeks before coming here. The months he spent with the monster were hell. It was hell when he heard Eliot's voice but at the same time it wasn't his voice. It wasn't the same way of speaking; it didn't have the same intonation of voice. The body was the same one Q had lived with and known for so many years, but it didn't move as it used to.
It was torture to have to fight to attend to the monster’s wishes, because if he didn’t, it would kill Eliot. He had already lived in a world without Eliot. He wouldn't live again, whatever the cost. Trying to keep his sanity, he headed straight for the living room, where thankfully the portal clock was. He needed to put the memories aside, let the certainty of the monster's banishment be real.

Walking past him brought back the reminder of the task he and El had. The beauty of all life. They lived over fifty years together and they were Quentin's best years. He lived his life with the man he loves so deeply, that he couldn't help but be happy. They had fights and arguments about difficult decisions in the couple's lives, but in the end, it was all worth it. Funny how it couldn't have been anyone else. Only Eliot could have lived that life with him.

He loved Julia and Alice, but they weren't the best match for him. It would never be such a complete relationship as he had with Eliot. He was happy for so long; Eliot accepted him as he was. There were no real complaints, they just liked to tease each other. Alice complained a lot about almost everything, even about sex. With El the sex was always good, fluid, no fake orgasms, no inhibitions, just real feelings. They were perfect to each other in bed and out. At least that's what he thought, until that conversation in the throne room.

The first thing he thought as he stepped outside the tree was that despite all his disappointments, he had missed this land. Counting on how long he'd lived as Brian, more than a year had passed since he'd set foot at Filory. He wandered into the castle, not knowing if Margo really had regained the throne, just betting his chips, but when he found Tick, he had his answer.

"Former King Quentin. I didn't know you were coming, but High King Margo will certainly be pleased to see you. I will escort you." Tick was never their favorite person, but if Margo kept him, it was because she had reasons to do so.

Quentin followed in silence as Tick spoke that they had finally been saved from Filory's demise, almost caused by the Dark King. According to him, when trying to bring his love to life, he had stirred up such powerful forces that he almost blew up the entire planet. If not for the children of Earth everyone would have died. There was no doubt when Margo said she would be the High King again. Tick knocked on the door before opening it. Only at that moment did he realize that it was the same room, which previously belonged to Eliot.

Margo was surprised to see Quentin. "Q! What are you doing here? I thought you are going to stay at Earth. Well, it doesn't matter anymore. We have to fucking save Eliot." She pulled him into the room by his wrist before he could even ask.

"What?" He started looking around trying to understand.

"That Dark King's bastard cast an enchantment on him. Come see! He's been sleeping for three days and nothing I do wakes him up." She pointed to the huge four-post bed. "Alice, Kady and Julia are investigating what it might be. Julia and Kady are on Earth searching at Brakebills and with the hedges. Penny went with them. Alice is searching with the library."

Q came closer to the bed but keep a distance. Eliot looked beautiful, even though he looked absolutely pale and haggard, thinner. The monster had done a lot of damage to Eliot's body, even after the hospital treatment. Q refrained from staring; He doesn’t want to show his emotions.

His mind was in fast mode. He wanted to know more about Eliot's problem, but he thought about other things too. Julia and Kady went to Brakebills and didn't look for him. Even if they were on a mission to save El, Q thought they might have talked to him. The feeling of abandonment only grew.

"Still don't have any clues?" He wanted to focus on Eliot's problem. See if I could help.

"No fucking clue. I've called even the centaurs, but no one's been able to wake him up" Margo said all this, stumbling over the own words, she was losing her nerves.

"Don't you know what spell he cast?" He knew it was a stupid question but he asked it anyway.

"Zero idea. He and El had bonded, I thought they were going to fuck but, in the end, he fucked Eliot in another way."

Hearing that was enough to finish tearing his heart apart. After the rejection, he had suffered, after remembering their life together at the mosaic. The day he heard Eliot saying he should find someone else to be his life partner, Quentin had buried his feelings seven feet above the earth.

When El broke through the monster's control, talking about proof of concept, fifty years and peaches and plums, he felt a twinge of doubt. Had he just said that because he knew Q would believe him, or had he changed his mind? Over time he became convinced it was just to gain his trust. Needing comfort, he approached Alice again, the only person who seemed to really look at him. She needed her friends back. She wanted to help, to try to make up for the betrayal, for her past's wrong choices. She had suffered. Despite everything she looked at him. She offered comfort. He was spiraling. He needed something or someone to give him a sense of stability, even if only for a few hours. He accepted because he had to finish the task of saving Eliot.

Margo's words, mixed with Eliot's leaving the hospital without even going to see him, were irrefutable proof that El was already over him, if he had ever meant anything to Eliot. His words "Not when we have a choice" shouldn't have left a shadow of doubt. He is a fucking idiot.

"What have you already tried?" The voice was a little choked but the girl didn't even notice.

"Some spells we knew but nothing too potent to make any fucking difference." Just then, the door opened with Alice's arrival, causing them both to look at her, interrupting the conversation.

"Margo, I have an idea that might be a possibility. I think at this point anything should be tried." When she stopped for breath, Q said, "Hi Alice." Only at that moment, did the blonde look and notice that he was also in the room.

"Q? Shouldn't you be in the infirmary recovering? I didn't know you left." She didn't seem worried, but intrigued.

"I have been released, as you can see." He tried not to convey any animosity in his voice, but he was pissed.

"Okay, good news. So, Margo, Zelda asked me about Eliot's symptoms and the dark king's mental condition before casting the spell. I explained that he and El were making out and talking about love, right?" She looked at the brunette, hoping to see confirmation on the girl's face.

"Right. Eliot was trying to soften the son of a bitch's hear, but what does this have to do with the spell?" Margo questioned a little impatiently.

"She thinks he might have been bewitched with something like the Sleeping Beauty spell." There was conviction in Alice's voice.

"Holy shit. Is that possible? I thought it was just a fairy tale, a Disney thing." The high king was not convinced.

"Me too but she assured me that every story has a truth in it. If so, he would have to be kissed by his true love. Someone he loves and who loves him back in the same way."

"Fuck. That's impossible, El never lived a love story." She seemed content to be the one to bring the good news, but Margo's reaction was a little different. Both started an argument, completely ignoring Quentin's presence. He walked away toward the window and stared at nothing as he thought that no matter how much he loves Eliot, it wouldn't be enough. He snapped out of his thoughts with Margo screaming for him.

"Q!!!!"

"Jesus Margo, what the fuck?" He turned to her trying, once again, not to show anger.

"Do you think it is possible?"

"What is possible?" He wasn't really paying attention.

"Christ, where were you? Is it possible that my kiss wakes him up? We are soulmates, even if we are platonic." Finally he understood the discussion of the two powerful magics.

"I think it's worth a try. What harm can it do?" He responded quietly, trying not to irritate any of them. He needs peace.

"It has to be a romantic soulmate, Margo!" The angry voice and tightly clenched hands showed that Alice was on edge.

"Alice, I'll try, you might have misinterpreted." No one was going to make her give up.

Snorting Alice crossed her arms over her chest and made a bored face.

Q was paralyzed, waiting to see the result of Margo's kiss, as she approached Eliot speaking as if he were listening.

"El, you bastard, try to wake up and prove to Alice that our love is bigger than anything in the world." She sat beside him on the bed, stroking his face as she spoke. In the end she cupped his face in both hands and placed a soft kiss on his lips. They all tensed, but Eliot didn't move a muscle.

"I told you Margo!" Alice looked triumphant.

"Fuck you, Quinn! I had to try." She desperately wanted the blonde to be wrong.

"What if it takes a while, maybe, not right away?" Questioned Q.

"Don't take Margo’s side Quentin, I'm right and you know it." Alice didn't budge.

After some discussion, Alice left Eliot's best friend aside, and called Q to talk on the bedroom’s balcony.

"Q, glad to see you okay." She seemed to be following protocol. No emotions.

"Thanks Alice."

"There's no easy way to put it, so I'll be blunt. I don't think it's a good idea for us to be together. We have to admit that we don't function as a couple." She spoke with an impassive face.

"Ok." He just stood there, looking at her.

"Q, throughout this journey, I saw that you needed comfort, and so did I. I think that continuing together would be a mistake, as it would be for the wrong reasons."

"Don't worry, I understand. I want you to be happy."

"Thanks. I will. Now we are done, let me try to put some judgment in Margo's head. If not, soon she'll want everyone to kiss Eliot and she can count me out of it." Alice entered the room again leaving Quentin to his thoughts.

He was taken in by Alice's words. She was right about everything. Always the smartest of the whole gang. They stayed together for comfort. Q was freaking out with all the chaos caused by the monster; he was losing ground and she was his rock at that moment.

She was also right about another point. Soon Margo would make everyone kiss Eliot. A shiver ran through his body. What if somehow what they lived in the mosaic made Eliot wake up? It would be impossible to handle. Everyone would ask why. Until today he hadn't told anyone except his father. From what Margo said, El hadn't told her either. One more proof that El never loved him.

Q wanted to try, but he didn't want anyone to know, let alone Eliot. The idea was formed in his mind. He would have to drug El and try when there was no one else in the room and leave soon after. He remembered that he had a medicine in his bag that he avoided taking, because it made him sleep for a long time. His depression most often made him sleep all day, but for the first few days it caused him insomnia. He just had to wait for the right opportunity. His chance came much sooner than he expected.

Alice decided to go back to the library, more research to do. She will talk to the whole gang too. Margo was called to the throne room to broker an issue with a representative of Loria. Since neither she nor Eliot had married Ess or Idri, relations had been delicate.

"Coldwater, come back inside your dickhead!" Once again, he decided to answer so as not to create conflict. She spoke again as soon as he entered. "You stay here with him until I get back. Don't let anyone in and don't leave. I'll be back as soon as possible."

The moment the room was empty, he put his plan into action. Took some water to dissolve the medicine tablet. After thinking he put two pills, just in case. El had some drug’s resistance. Sitting at the headboard, he gently lifted his love's head until he was in a position that could help him to swallow the medicine. It took work, but he ended up swallowing it.

After settling Eliot back on the pillows, he waited for some time to the medicine do its job. He could not take his eyes from Eliot. Q will need some courage to kiss him. He had only kissed El once in this timeline. Even though they had kissed countless times during the mosaic, it wasn't the same. It really wasn't, not for Eliot. All he hoped was that all the love he felt, even if it was one-sided, would be enough. He knew he couldn't measure his feelings for Eliot. It was bigger than anything was.

Hearing heels in the hallway, he realized that Margo must be on her way back. He must have gotten lost in his mind. Quickly placing a soft kiss on Eliot's soft lips, he saw that Eliot tried to move, but stopped. Q put him back in its previous position and immediately got up and went to the window. He didn't even look back. The fear that Eliot might open his eyes had taken hold of him.

"Quentin, you idiot. What are you doing at the window? Why didn't you stay by the bed?" Margo's anger flowed in waves.

"Margo, no one came near that door, there was no danger." He tried to justify himself.

"What about comforting him? Wanting to wake him up?" She didn't bother looking at him as she sat down next to her friend again.

"Come on! Do you really think he'd want to get attention from me? You're his soulmate, not me!" Even though he knew nothing would change he still tried to argue, after all it was his nature.

"You are useless Coldwater!" She replied without turning to him.

"You're right, I am. See you around Margo." He left the room, the castle, and Filory without looking back.

----------------------------
Quentin's abrupt departure didn't even bother Margo, he kept coming back. Of course, she had to complain. Eliot had already suffered all his life. He deserved to receive a lot of affection, even if he didn't realize it. She had always thought that Q had a crush on El and El on Q, but neither of them had ever made a move. El's last form of attention to the nerd had been shooting the monster. Q did everything to free El when the monster possessed his friend's body, at least that's what she heard, but he got here without approaching the bed.

She waited a few hours alone, believing that Q's return was a matter of time. Coldwater always wanted to save everyone. Hearing the bedroom door open, she thought it was him, but it was Julia and Alice, followed by Penny and Kady. No Q.

"What invasion is this?" She was surprised to see everyone arrive at the same time.

"Julia has discovered a new spell. According to her, if Eliot needs to be kissed by his true love, his soulmate, and none of us have any idea who he loves, if he does, there is a spell that can help us find out who it might be." Kady clarified with a mischievous smile on her lips.

"This hedonist has probably never loved anyone but himself." Reacted 23.

"Penny, if you didn’t come to help, you can leave! If you open your mouth to speak ill of him, I will banish you from Filory." The threat would be carried out in the blink of an eye, there was no doubt.

"It's true." grunted Penny

"Don't challenge the high king." She threatened. When El is awake he takes care of whoever it is but sleeping, she would surely defend him with her life.

Realizing that Penny would take it easy, she decided to listen to what Julia wanted to say. "So, what's this spell like? What if he doesn't have a kindred spirit, romantically speaking? And how would the spell show us?"

"The book says that we all have a kindred spirit. Even if we don't find it or recognize it." Explained Julia. "The spell has to be done by a group of people, in even number. It consists of having a bowl with water and personal items of those who want to discover the soul mate. We must get a special mirror, which will reflect the image of the person that he loves."

"Okay, but how do we find this person? The spell can show someone we don't know." Margo wasn't going to leave any rough edges. The spell could not fail.

"It shows the city, the image, like a photo, and the name. The rest we'll have to research."

"Okay, better than nothing. When can we do it? Do we have the mirror yet?" Practical as she always was. They were going to save her best friend.

"23 knows where it is and will get it as soon as we can gather the other items. We need to perform the enchantment at sunrise." Kady let her know.

Just when Margo was going to make a plan, a noise came from the bed caught everyone's attention. As they looked toward the bed Eliot was waking up. Margo jumped on top of him, causing Eliot to scream.

"Bambi! What's going on? Why is everyone here?"

Alice was the one to explain. "Eliot you've been bewitched by the Dark King. He cast a sleeping beauty spell on you. You've been sleeping for over three days. Margo tried to wake you up with a kiss, but you didn't wake up. We were about to do a spell to find out who would be your soulmate, find this person and bring them here to wake you up." She finished with a smile that didn't reach her blue eyes.

"Soulmate? Bambi is my soulmate." For a second it looked like there was fear in his eyes.

"Honey, we're soulmates but not romantically speaking. We do not fuck. At least Alice thinks it should be. Maybe it was another spell." She responded, kind of teasing the blonde.

"Did Margo's kiss, for not having the romantic connection, take a little longer to take effect?" Penny asked.

"I have no idea. It's totally out of everything I investigated at the Library, but how do I know? Margo was the one who kissed him so, it must be the most logical explanation." Alice confirmed, somewhat grudgingly.

"I don't think I have a soulmate, a true love, given my relationship history." The newly awakened man stated quickly.

"I forbid you to mention Mike. Your features changed just thinking about him." She reproached her friend.

"I wasn't thinking about him specifically, but all my life. I was never loved." His expression seemed a little blase, but I could tell it wasn't quite like that.

"Seriously Waugh? In my timeline, you had a line of boys ready to suck your dick." 23 rolled his eyes.

"It's not the same." Eliot defended himself.

"Are you going to say you didn't make any of them fall in love with you?"

"I sure did, but they didn't make me fall in love." Only Margo noticed a sadness in his voice. She changed her focus to give him a break.

"We've always had this rule, fun without compromise." Corroborated Margo. "Now it's time to celebrate. Let's have a party to celebrate Eliot's Disney moment and my return to the throne bitches. El, I'll let Fen know, she was doing a ritual for you to wake up. If Josh is back from shopping, I'll order the best dinner of the world. We deserve it."

Chapter Text

Quentin stepped back into Brakebills wasting no time to talk to anyone. He went straight to his room and sank onto the bed. Had it worked? Would Eliot wake up? He'd been hoping he'd wake up as he'd moved after the kiss, but when it came to magic, you couldn't be sure. He didn't know which would be worse, Eliot not waking up, proving they aren't soul mates, or him waking up and proving that they were, but Eliot preferred to stay away and wanted nothing to do with him. He wasn't worth it.

His mother was right, he just knew how to break things. He couldn't keep anything. Although Kady had saved his life, neither she nor anyone else bothered to see if he was okay. Just as his mother abandoned him as a child, his friends left him behind. At that moment, he wondered if it would not have been better to have died.

Quentin stayed in that vibe for days until he had a nightmare worse than any he'd ever had with the monster. He woke up in a cold sweat. His heart felt like it was going to come out of his chest it was beating so hard. He was terrified. This wasn't life. There was no joy in it. The man he loved would rather go to bed with a rogue king than waste seconds visiting him while he was convalescing.

He just realized how entering Brakebills had brought so much pain. Q thought about going back in time and never following the sheet of paper that took him there. Unfortunately, deep inside, he knew he couldn't do this. Not only did he no longer have the time key, but he also knew he could cause a bigger problem. Fuck! He wanted to sleep to forget. No dreams. Forget everything, everyone. Maybe that was the answer. Start over. Quentin got up before dawn, showered, dressed, and left campus.

He took a portal to New York and, from there, a train to New Jersey. Upon arriving at the neighborhood of his childhood, he was sad. He didn't want to go to his father's house again, but he needed to sort everything out. He had put the house up for sale and, when he returned from Filory, there was a letter informing him that they had received an offer. He entered the house slowly, fearing to find the monster waiting for him or some other dangerous ghost from his past.

The empty house looked like a mausoleum. The living room was empty. He donated the furniture to a nursing home. When entered the kitchen there were still some boxes on the sink counter. He didn't bother looking at the contents. He had already donated all the supplies, plates, glasses, pans and cutlery. Only decorative items remained.

He went out into the backyard to breathe better, while he wondered if he wanted to keep something else. He had already separated some items such as photos, some books and collector's items that were in his room.

Quentin didn't go into his father's room. He didn't have the strength for it. He asked a neighbor, Mrs Brookes, who works for an NGO, to collect the clothes and hygiene items from Ted's suite. The furniture was removed together with the furniture from the living room and dining room. The guest room had nothing of value and so she let the neighbor take what could be donated. There shouldn't be much there.

The garage is something else. That's where he and the monster crashed all those planes. He knew his mother had been there, and so, angry at seeing everything broken, she left everything for him to fix. He wanted to but didn't want to go in there. It would be nice to have someone to do this with him, but he has no one.

He thought about repairing the planes and sending them to homeless children. He thought about getting some to keep. Something to have with him that his father loved. You could also throw it all away by hiring a trash removal crew. Neither option seemed reasonable, so he didn't want to make that decision, but he had to.

He sat on the porch and thought how that house brought back good memories of his father, but bad memories of his hardest time. All his hospitalizations and his worst mental moments happened here. He always thought nothing could be worse, but he was wrong. It's much worse now.

He didn't have Ted anymore. His father had a hard time dealing with a troubled son, but he tried. He never stopped trying to support him. Even when the actions of Q and all the gang to bring the magic back could also kill him, as it turned out to be, he supported him. Ted just regretted not having known it longer and not having met Teddy. He would have loved to have been a grandfather. He even expressed a desire to meet Eliot, but Q explained that in this timeline they were not in love. Ted thought differently. He believed that a fifty-year love can’t be forgotten. Q replied that he was wrong, but that he would have really made a lot of difference in Teddy's life.

Eliot had given him the best life experience during the mosaic. He had given a love that Q didn't even know was possible to have. They worked. He loved Arielle but would have been happy without her. The most important part was that she gave them their son. Their son. El hugged Teddy like a father, even though at first, he didn't think so. He was their lifelong support. They loved each other and showed it in little cares, like cooking their favorite food, just hugging if it felt like Q was having a bad day. Sleeping together during the day to relax. Back off a few moments with his opinion just to make Q smile. He always thought it was love. The refusal to try again was making him have a new look, especially now, when after surviving the monster, he didn't care about him anymore.

Being part of a group, throughout the fight against the beast and the quest, made Quentin feel important to others, giving the impression that he belonged to something, as he had never felt before in his life. He was deluded. He had quickly been forgotten, even by Julia and Alice. Julia who was always his friend and who he thought they had reconnected, didn't even look at him as he was used as a puppet in the monster's hands. She didn't think to check on him as she investigated at Brakebills's library.

Alice was his girlfriend. True they were never good as a pair, but he still thought she liked him when they kind of got back together. He was wrong again. She wasn't around when he woke up at the hospital. When they met in Filory she didn't even hug him, and at the first opportunity she dumped him. He agreed to the breakup, of course, she deserved better than she could ever have with him, but she could have been gentler.

Margo was in Eliot mode the entire time. He understood. If El's life were in Quentin's hands, he would do the same. In fact, he did the same. The problem is that Margo think he was useless after he nearly died to keep Eliot's body alive, so they could bring him back. It was easier for her. She was away and didn't have to face El's body being destroyed a little bit, each day, by a spoiled god. It was totally unfair. She didn't care about him, always seeming to be angry, angry at him. Quentin doesn't know why Margo doesn't like him anymore, he has no idea what he did to make her not want him around, but given his history, he definitely did something.

23 had never liked him that much, so he hadn't really expected a visit. After Kady had saved him, he thought that maybe, just maybe, she could have gone to check on him, to see if he'd survived. He liked Josh. He was always an easy guy to be around. Fen was a strong woman, even if they didn't spend much time together. He didn't expect anything from them either. After two weeks in the cottage, the only person who helped him was Todd, who, trying to be the new Eliot, paid him some attention and made him eat.

His last decision was to face the garage. He saw all the destruction and could almost see and hear the monster urging him to break things. Without thinking straight, he let his magic flow, fixing everything, one by one. Then he put all the planes back in their boxes and made another call to his neighbor. She agreed to help him one last time. That his father's belongings could bring joy to someone, was his wish.

He forced himself to stop thinking. It was time to call the realtor. Immediately answering his call, Richard said he was glad Quentin accepted the offer. He asked when the house would be free as the new buyer wanted to do some renovations before moving in. The buyers wanted to change their lives, he said. The broker's words seemed to Q a signal. He should put his plan into action.

Quentin explained that he wanted to use part of the house's value to buy an apartment and invest the rest. He asked if he would recommend any broker friend in the region to which he thought of moving to. Richard referred a longtime friend. Quentin wasted no time in scheduling Darla to visit some properties in two days. It would be enough time to finish emptying the house and find a place to, temporarily, store the things he wanted to keep.

Darla was a friendly woman in her forties. She dressed a little extravagantly with her hair almost purple. She showed him some apartments for the amount he wanted to pay. On the fourth visit he found what he wanted. Near the place where he was thinking of trying for a job, with large windows, on the top floor with a nice tree-lined view of a nearby park. There was a small balcony, big enough for him to put in a chair to read. With only one bedroom but with a large living room and a modern kitchen, with appliances that would help a lot someone like him. Someone who doesn't cook.

After managing to lower the price, he closed a deal. Darla even referred him to a professional to help with the new apartment, he just wants to paint some walls, the only thing he decided to change. She also took him to some furniture stores. He chooses to purchase a bed, mattress and a comfortable sofa, as well as linen, towels, glasses, plates and utensils. He had never worried about this kind of thing in his life, but his life would be different now.

He wasn't a designer, but as it will be his apartment for, what he expected to be, a long time, he chooses neutral colors, comfortable and quality furniture. Everything would be like it, simple and cozy. He spent two weeks arranging everything he will need. He completed the apartment with the stuff that came from New Jersey. He would still have to receive his belongs that was in Brakebills, but it would be, basically, posters, books and clothes. He had already made up his mind. He locked up the apartment and headed to Brakebills, hoping that would be the last time he put his feet there.

Fogg answered him quickly. The dean was surprised by the request. Asked if he was sure of what he was asking for. It was the first time he was so honest with another person about his thoughts and feelings. Fogg listened in silence until he realized that Quentin had finished speaking.

"Mr. Coldwater, as I've said before, the community owes you a lot. Even though you nearly killed yourself, you have rid us of the monster, his sister, and Everet as well. You know that except for Jane, I'm the only person who's kept track of all the other timelines. I've always hoped that at least, this last time all of you would have a happy ending. I'll ask you one last time. Have you thought about the implications of what you asked?" He had his hands crossed on the table and his expression serrated, almost looking worried.

"Yeah. If I continue as I am right now, I will end up hospitalized; again, in…in some shit institution…and, and…I don't want that. I need a new life, new friends, a new job, I need…hum, I, I need a perspective for the future. Can you or can you not comply with my request?" After this speech, you didn't need to know Quentin Coldwater to realize that he wasn't going to change his mind.

"Of course, I can, and I'll give you more. I'll ship all your stuff to your new address, and you'll have an interview scheduled for a new job as a courtesy, plus a stipend to make up for a few things. You deserve to have it, peace of mind, I mean." Concern gave way to resignation in the older man's eyes.

"Thanks for agreeing." The boy finally seemed to relax.

"Let it be clear that I don't agree with your decision Mr. Coldwater, but I agree to help you with everything. When do you want it done?" A simple question.

"Hum, maybe today?" It was a timid request

"Quentin, I'm a magician, not a God. Can you wait two more days?" The director wanted to organize everything correctly, even though he was against it.

"Yes, I think I can, but I don't want to sleep here. Too many memories, you know. I'm going to a hotel in New York. Can you let me know when everything is ready?" Q shifted position in the chair, showing the discomfort that the waiting may cause.

"Certainly. Are you sure you will not want to say your goodbyes?" Fogg had to try.

"Nope. Let's go through with the plan, okay?" Quentin started to get up. He wasn't going to allow the dean to try to change his mind, because that wasn't going to happen.

"As you wish. I'll let you know as soon as everything is arranged." He just sat back further in his chair, giving up.

"Thank you. We've had our differences in the past, but I appreciate what, what you're doing for me." With a last glance around, Q was quickly gone.

Two days seemed to drag on. The only thing that made Quentin rise was the knowledge that all his torment was about to end. He decided it was unhealthy to be locked in his hotel room. He took the opportunity to wander aimlessly through the streets. It was a way to make sleeping easier, since he would be exhausted. Eating was not so healthy. He spent two days eating pizza and hot dogs, tasting some that were considered the best in town. Eliot would disagree with him, he would want to eat somewhere good, but fuck it. Eliot was no longer part of his life.

When he got Fogg’s message, he replied he would be there in an hour. It was enough time for him to collect everything that was his, take a shower and check out. The portal to the University was nearby and he was thrilled to finally step there for the last time. He stopped for a moment in front of the sign, the same place where his life had changed, almost able to see a ghost of Eliot lying languidly there.

His heartbeat was faster. He knew he would never love anyone to the same degree. El was the love of his fucked up life. Unwanted love, but love, nonetheless. He'd once thought that if he'd followed his first instinct, and flirted with him from the start, maybe he'd have hooked up with him sooner. He wouldn't have dated Alice. Reality is cruel, and it reminded him that the most he could have managed was to be the flavor of the month, a night or two with him, and then they couldn't even be friends. Better stop rambling about the possibilities and put an end to it.

Fogg was already waiting for him and indicated the chair to sit. They stay silent for a few seconds, but Q held the dean's gaze.

"Any chance you've changed your mind Mr. Coldwater?" No one could blame him for trying one last time.

"No, not a chance. I can’t wait, to be honest." There was a certainty about him that Fogg couldn't dispute.

"Well, I have everything prepared. I need to tell you that it was an honor to meet you and follow your entire journey through so many timelines. I hope your new life will bring you everything you yearn for." The words came out slowly. It seemed like he didn't want this moment to come.

"I'm sure, you know, I have proof of concept." The small, shy smile showed only relief.

"Then let's not waste any more time. Ready?"

"Yeah."

---------------------------------------

Eliot was feeling strange. As if something was missing and he couldn't figure out what it was. He woke up with all the gang in his room, and heard that the Dark King had bewitched him. It didn't make sense, not at all. Why would he do that? Eliot imagined that he had created a connection with Rupert.

Yes, the dark king was Rupert Chatwin. When El identified the tyrant, he used the knowledge he had absorbed from Quentin to try to manipulate him. He wanted to avoid a confrontation between Rupert and Margo, fearing for his best friend. They had even kissed, when El had shared about his lost love. Rupert wanted to know the whole story and after hearing a summary he seemed to be extremely annoyed. The expression on his face transfigured in seconds, and after that, Eliot only remembers the dark.

It was a dark emptiness, no sound, no perspective, if he was sleeping it was dreamless. He couldn't measure how long he had been in this black void, but he remembers that at one point he felt like someone was kissing him. He tried to wake up but fell into a hole that pulled him out of the void and into the world of dreams. He felt asleep but unable to wake up. He had a lingering sensation on his lips, as if there was a hint of electricity, of magic. He wanted to touch his lips but couldn't move.

He was about to give up on waking up when he started hearing voices and recognizing them. Bambi, Alice, Julia, Penny and even Kady. They were arguing about something, but Eliot was still feeling dizzy, unable to pay attention to what they were saying. He finally managed to move his fingers, his hands, and gradually his whole body responded again. When he tried to sit up, he made a noise and, in a blink of an eye, Bambi was throwing herself at him.

It took a while to understand what had happened and what they wanted to do; find his soulmate. Looks like his luck wasn't gone at all. If they had done the spell, if it worked, they would have discovered his most precious secret. Despite never having told anyone, not even Margo, he had a soulmate, something he didn't even think was possible, but it was on one side.

Quentin loved him but…He had even rekindled his relationship with Alice, while he was possessed by the monster. When he found the door to talk to Quentin, and talked about peaches and plums, he imagined that Q had understood that it was a declaration of love. It clearly was. Even so, he decided to resume his relationship with Alice. Q had surpassed him, or Eliot had been right since the throne room, not when they have a choice. When Q have a choice.

He didn't comment on the entire process of his waking up to anyone. He kept thinking that maybe Margo was right, and her kiss was enough, it just took longer to take effect, despite everything Alice had said. Thinking about all this he said that he needed to rest, because even though he looked like he was sleeping, he was tired. He had a dinner party with them all, but over the next few days, he ended up spending more time in his room than hanging out with the others. This routine was changed a little over a few weeks after he woke up.

He never thought so much about his own life. He wanted to find something that would excite him, that would make him feel alive. He has a feeling the spell was still there somehow. He thought of all he could do to help his Bambi. She was the constant in his life now.

He wanted so badly to feel complete, wanted to have a purpose, to feel useful and productive, but something was holding him back. He felt like a piece of his life was missing. He remembered the times locked in his own mind as the monster ruled his body. Like it or not, as he tried to find the danm door, he visited his life. All of it.

He knew what was missing. Love. He had Margo's love, but that wasn't it. He remembered the mosaic. He knew that none of this had really happened, but it was so fucking beautiful. Q loved him, anyway. He took care of Eliot, he was affectionate, he wasn't afraid to show him how much he loved him. He surrendered in the bed with the same intensity that he lived his life. It wasn't having sex; it was making love. Even with Arielle, Q had never left him out of anything. He had nights with her and nights with him. Teddy's birth showed a fatherly side that the former Eliot thought impossible to have, but that was there and surfaced over time.

The loss of Arielle only made them even closer. He thought Q would want another woman but no. He said it would be the two of them from now on. Eliot has never been happier. He was really loved, so much loved, that he decided they should get married. The light in Q's eyes when he proposed and when they got married, with Teddy handing over the rings, gave no room for darkness. It wasn’t real, unfortunatly.

In real life, he preferred another person, a woman, Alice. Eliot couldn't compete with her. He still remembered waking up in the infirmary with Bambi by his side. She was tired but happy to see him conscious. As soon as she hugged him, he asked for Q. He had to be brave and talk to him. The expression on her face showed that something was wrong. She explained that he had been badly injured, that he was being held unconscious to recover. His first thought was to meet him, but Margo said she believed Alice would be taking care of him, as they had resumed dating just before they saved Eliot and the world. Fucking God!

He took his feelings and buried them. Given Quentin a choice, he wouldn't be the one. No matter how much he loved Q, he wasn't loved back. Why would he be? He was aware that he could be a damned fucking bitch when he wanted to. He knew he held the title of someone who only used men for pleasure. He was the one that always said he did not date. Mike was a contingency, a distraction that gone bad.

After some weeks, something strange happened. Everyone received an invitation from Fogg to a meeting. A chill passed through his body. A good thing could not be. Had something happened? What about Quentin? No one had touched his name and he didn't ask. Didn’t want to know about his happy life with his girlfriend.

It was unanimous. Everyone was surprised by the invitation, but no one could imagine why Fogg called them all. When they arrived at Brakebills, he realized that even Josh had been called, but not Quentin. At least he wasn’t there. In the confusion between people settling into a conference room with a huge table, no one was aware of his absence. Fogg asked everyone to settle down and listen carefully.

"When was the last time you saw Mr. Coldwater?" The direct question surprised everyone.

"I knew this asshole was up to something. What, are we going to have to save his ass?" Asked an irritated 23. The traveler overreacted. He had problems with Julia and believed that having a new challenge would only keep them apart.

"Calm down Penny. I haven't seen him since the day we freed Eliot. I haven't had time to visit. Is he still in the infirmary?" Questioned Julia.

"No. He was at Filory the day before El woke up. I asked him to stay with El in the room while I dealt with a problem, but when I got back, he hadn't even moved from his post at the bedroom window. He was looking out the window like if he didn't care what was going on around him. I yelled at him, and he left. I thought he was around the castle, but I didn't see him again." Margo was irritated again. In fact, she always seemed to be irritated. She was carrying the whole world on her shoulders, with the problems of the kingdom and worrying about Eliot.

"You didn't tell me about it. Why?" Julia was indignant.

"If you were that worried about our nerd, you wouldn't have missed going to visit him while you were here at Brakebills." Replied the pissed High King.

"Shut up all of you!" It was the first time Eliot spoke. "I didn't even know he came to see me. Why didn't you tell me?" Eliot was surprised.

"You left the infirmary without even going to see him, when he was in the next room. You have no right to charge Eliot!" Alice was losing her composure. The blonde was irritated by the whole argument. Deep down, felt guilty.

Suddenly there was silence. Everyone spokes but no one made a sound. When everyone stopped, looking at each other, Fogg took control of the situation.

"I think I have your attention now. What I have to say I will say only once. Mr. Coldwater made a request, which I fulfilled. Part of that request was to bring you here to pass an important message to everyone. I will remove the spell, but I won't hesitate to put it again if you don't behave like the adults you are, or should be, at least." He spoke with an air of superiority, trying to intimidate everyone. Seeing that they were still, he decided to continue.

"He made a very peculiar request. I tried to change his mind, but he was determined, and you know how stubborn he can be. Listen to them in silence or I will silence you without a second thought." Again, he hopes everyone agreed with small nods.

"Mr. Hobermann, he said you're a good man and he expects you to be as happy in Filory as he can't be. It was easy to be in your company and he regrets not seeing you when he was there, even if you weren't best friends. He asked you to tell Fen that he admires her a lot, and that he would have liked to spend more time with her." Josh just smiled. He is really an easy guy.

"Mr. Adiyodi, Mr. Coldwater knew you didn't like him and admits he could have had better shields in his mind. That goes for Penny40 too, who is no longer here."

"This is ..." Penny was going to speak. He felt a little embarrassed about what he said at the beginning of the meeting, but he covered it up well. In fact, he had nothing against this Quentin.

In a second, everyone was silent again, and Fogg take a deep breath.

"Better this way. Miss Orloff-Diaz, you saved him. He thanked you and said he'll try to honor your help in his new life. He always admired you and regrets not saying it sooner." The strong woman just shook her head as if not agreeing.

"Miss Hanson, he's always considered you a force of nature. He's always admired you. He'll miss you. He just doesn't know what he did to you to make you dislike him." Just then Margo got up wanting to scream. Fogg cast a new spell and now everyone had to remain seated. The expression on her face said tons of what she was thinking.

"Miss Wicker, he felt too much your absence, your lack of paying attention to him. He doesn't want you to feel guilty, he knows you had too much to deal with to notice him. He thinks you can understand the decision he made." The childhood friend blinked but her expression was one of pain.

"Miss Quinn, he said you were right. Most of the time. He wants you to find what you're looking for. He knows you can do whatever you want. He really wants you to be happy." The girl just swallowed. She didn't seem to believe it.

"Mr. Waugh, Quentin said he expects you to recover from the monster and the enchantment. He didn't even know if it would be possible for you to be here. He wants you to be truly happy and to freely choose your path, without being tied to anything or anyone. If you want to live your life, live it now. He apologizes for a lifetime." Eliot was paralyzed. He didn't know what to think.

"Now that I've run through all the messages, I'm going to share his decision. He is no longer Quentin Coldwater. He asked to erase his memories of Brakebills, and all of you, including you, Miss Wicker. He already has a new life, at another place, another city, under a new identity. He was very specific in the false memories that were given to him. Everything he wanted is to avoid being institutionalized again, after he had very difficult days lately, with everything he went through. You all know it was especially difficult for him. He felt like a burden in all your lives and that's why he believes it's the best for everyone. That's it. I'll release you." The dean just made the gestures and everything exploded.

Julia was the first to get up and shout that Fogg had no right to do this. Margo made hers Julia's words and Alice joined in the chorus. Kady and Josh tried to calm things down but gave up. 23 complained that Quentin was being dramatic. Eliot was still paralyzed.

Q's words to him were an apology. Apologies for the life lived in the mosaic, even without telling others. Had Eliot misjudged Q's feelings and just been the usual coward that day in the throne room?

"You have to tell us where he is! I don't even know what I'll do to you and to this university if you don't give us Q back." Threatened Margo.

With an air of annoyance, Fogg threw them all back to their chairs, muting and paralyzing them once more.

"I'll do it one last time. It was his decision, not mine. He was saving himself. Did you know that after ignoring him, he wished Kady hadn't saved him?" He looked at each of his former students with a disapproving look before continuing. "In my opinion, all of you, with no exception, choose to ignore his needs for things more important and pressing in your lives. If other things or people were more important, ok, but that gave him the right to interpret whatever his dark mind wanted." He sighed deeply. He still regretted Quentin's decision, and deep down he really blamed the rest of the gang. "You lost the right to condemn his decisions, or my part on it, by not being part of his life, by not even mentioning his name to each other. Part of you only saw him because he came to you in search of friendship, and yet you pushed him away. No one is to blame and at the same time, everyone is to blame. I don't know where he is living, and even if I did, I wouldn't say it." Fogg have more to say.

"Brakebills gave him everything he asked for. Help to get his things out of here, memories within the standards chosen by him, and even financial help, what he said he didn't need. When he came to me, he had even bought an apartment, with the name he asked me to use for his new memory. He gave up magic too, and you know how important it was to him for a long time, but also the source of all his recent issues. The spell used is more powerful than the one used on you after Blackspire. In fact, it was his time as Brian, where he was happy in a mundane life, that gave him the idea. He wanted to be light and free as he was in that time, before the monster found him."

After considering for a few moments, he continued. "I am not here to judge you, your actions or feelings. Relationships must be a two-way street, and it seems like recently you've chosen to focus on your own issues, and have forgotten that he almost died to save you and the world. All of you have gone through difficult times, but I believe he has handled more weight than all of you, in the last few months. The choice of your priorities is up to each of you. Just as you chose your priorities, he chose to take care of himself. I don't agree with the method, but I wonder that for the first time he thought of himself before all of you, before everyone else. You will be able to speak again but I am leaving."

Everyone was free of the spell and the voices echoed high. Again Eliot, who was sitting beside Fogg, remained silent, trying to swallow the tears that insisted on coming. Ignoring everyone else, Fogg leaned toward Eliot and said above the noise, but only for his ears.

"You're the only one who could track him down but you're too stupid for that, in my humble opinion. Have a good life Mr. Waugh." As he left the room, Fogg continued to hear the lamentations and threats directed at him. He solemnly ignored them.

It took a while for everyone to calm down enough to talk like adults. Alice tried to be rational. "Q has always been a needy person, and the truth is that he was neglected for a long time. I know I was part of the whole problem when I betrayed all of you. When I approached again Q let me in because he was always like that. He believed in me, in others, but never himself. I take my share of the blame. I don't know if we should try to find him or let him be happy in his own way." She was teary-eyed.

"Alice, Q and happiness don't normally go hand in hand. He's always been a depressed kid. I'm afraid that if we left him alone, God knows where, he needs to be hospitalized anyway, or worse, that he takes his own life." Julia couldn't help remembering the suicide attempts of the teenager Quentin.

"Has he tried it before?" Worried Josh.

"Unfortunately. More than once. I don't want to feel even more guilty if I find out tomorrow that I could have done something and didn't. I know I was a bitch to him. I didn't see the signs under my nose, not even when he faced the monster to prevent it from killing Eliot." She was teary-faced but trying to be strong.

"Julia I was there. We were all up to our necks in shit, we can't blame ourselves." 23 was trying to comfort her.

"Maybe not you Penny, but I'm the person he's known all his life. I had to be able to see, even more than Alice. No offense."

"It doesn't. You're right. I always thought he could ask for help, but he didn't." She had a point and he knew it, but he didn't want to see her martyr herself.

"The nerd didn't ask. He talked to me, but he never told me what that child God was doing. He was holding all that bullshit pretty much all by himself and was still saving us." Said an uncharacteristically quiet Margo.

"Look, when I took him out of the mirror world, he seemed paralyzed, like he was empty. With everything that was going on, I hadn't thought about that until now. I think he had given up on living, even for a second. I could have seen him too. At least one of us could have gone to visit him, see if he was recovering. I actually thought Alice was going there." Kady knew it wasn't an excuse, but she used it anyway.

"I thought Julia was visiting." Said Alice with a low voice.

"We were all going about our own lives thinking that someone else was visiting. Kady, you didn't know him that well. It's harder to see. He disguises it well for a while. Since he was a kid, he was like that, especially when his mother abandoned him. He put the weight of divorce on his account." She tried to smile but couldn't get it to reach her eyes.

"What are we going to do? Shall we go after him? Would anyone know how to track him? I can see if anyone in Filory has any ideas. But I believe we have to decide what to do as a group." Suggested Margo, not trying to lead this time.

"I can look it up in the library, Julia could look around here, talk to some teachers and Kady, maybe, you can check with the hedges. Depending on what we found we'll make a decision. We'll meet in Filory in two weeks. What do you think?" She still had a low voice, as if trying to avoid crying.

"I agree Alice. I think with a new life, no drama, Q can be okay for a while. We must find some safe locating spell. Once we find him and see if he's okay, we can decide the second part, if we recover his memories back or not. In two weeks at Whitespire." The former Godess confirmed.

"Okay Julia. We'll prepare some nice drinks to discuss it. Right El?" When Eliot didn't respond, Margo put a hand on his shoulder. "Baby, are you alright?" She couldn't stop worrying about her best friend.

"Sorry I got lost with all this information. Of course, Bambi, as you wish." He tried to compose himself. He wiped his tears and straightened up.

"Let's all get out of here." Penny took everyone to the penthouse so they could each get their portal. Alice immediately went to the Library, just as Margo, Josh and Eliot entered the clock towards Filory.

Chapter Text

Kady started calling on some old and trusted people as soon as the others left. She knew better than talk to just anyone. It was a delicate situation, and she didn't want anyone to know that Q was gone. She might not be the nerd's best friend, but she knew how important he was. I actually didn't want to admit that I liked him. She had to maintain her badass reputation.

Julia threw herself on the couch and let the tears flow again. Penny just sat beside her and held her hand, trying to show he was there for what she needed. She felt like the main culprit in Quentin's decision. She felt like she was the one who had made the decision. She should have visited her friend. Torn between knowing where she was now with the deity lost, or partially lost, and trying to help Eliot, she always thought that the next day she would check on her friend. To make matters worse, she was still confused about her feelings for Penny and Kady. She felt like shit.

Alice was focused. All she could think about was how she had to find a way to locate Quentin. She felt guilty and allowed herself to stop for a minute, just a minute. All the times she got angry with her ex-boyfriend seemed futile at this point. The realization that they weren't a good couple had been an epiphany right after seeing Q almost die in the mirror world. She realized that it would be horrible if he hadn't been saved by Kady, but when faced with the real possibility of her life without him, she understood that she would suffer, of course she would suffer, but she would survive at the end. Right now, guilt screamed at her. They would find him and she would apologize.

At Filory, things weren't all that different. Margo summoned the entire magic wing. She had people go after all magical creatures for answers on how to locate the former King Quentin. She even sent ambassadors to other countries, even though she knew she wouldn't have answers before the two weeks agreed by everyone.

Josh had never seen Margo like this. She was almost guilty. He didn't see her interaction with Quentin when he showed up, but he knew how nervous she was about Eliot's situation. He was sure she had been cruel to her friend. He tried to be around, to pet her, to cook especially for her, which she pretended not to notice. One day after talking to the Centaurs and hearing that they couldn't help, he saw her dismount when she was left alone. He rushed to her side, caught her and placed her on his lap. She didn't fight, didn't say anything, just curled up and cried. They had a connection, even if she tried to deny it. Their relationship was evolving even though it wasn't official. Josh knew that Margo and Fen also had a special friendship, and it was okay. Even in hiding, Margo had a huge heart. There was room for him and Fen.

If Josh had looked better, he would have seen Eliot taking a dangerous path into depression. He went back to drinking until he ended up on the floor, somewhere. Margo had intended to make him king again, but right now the only thing on his mind was a pair of chocolate eyes, a shy smile with pretty dimples, and a body that fit his like no other ever did. The smell, the voice, the soft skin, the taste of Q's mouth. All he could think about was Quentin. In the wake of constant drunkenness, he was surprised when the others started arriving after two weeks. He didn't see the time goes by.

They gathered in the intimate dining room. Josh provided snacks and a few bottles of wine and bourbon for everyone. Eliot, trying to get up without embarrassment, claimed he was going to make a drink, but Margo's hand stopped him by the wrist.

"We're well served El. Let's save the drinks for another day." She waited for her friend to sit down again before continuing. "Any news on your side Alice?"

"I found several locator spells, but they all come up against the question of identity. They are based on trying to locate Quentin Coldwater, but he doesn't understand himself that way anymore. Our call to the energies of the universe wouldn't find him as he no longer answers by that name. We would have to extract from Fogg what name he is using now. I don't think it's an easy task." She was sitting at the end of the table and seemed to be embarrassed by her lack of success.

"What's easy in this life Alice? Will you give up?" The question was objective, but his gaze was lost.

"I didn't say that Eliot. Just that everything I've found so far doesn't fit us. Kady?" The blonde decided to divert attention from herself by getting other people to talk.

"I met with the most experienced among those I trust. They all spoke the same thing as you Alice. I reminded them of the time when we were all living different lives, and how we bumped into each other. If we hadn't bumped into each other or even found that magazine, we'd still be the same. It was finding you guys that pulled the trigger. We only found Q and El because they found us. The monster did, in fact. We're going to look for a different solution." Her expression shows her frustration at not having found an answer yet. Julia smiled trying to cheer her up.

"Margo has been trying to talk to the magical creatures here. The centaurs have already thrown in the towel. It wouldn't be their specialty, but we still have many looking for a solution." He seemed to be the most hopeful of them all.

"Exactly. What Josh didn't explained, is that I sent representatives to the other realms to see if they have something for us; after all, each realm has different traditions. We are still trying to find other sources." The high king was really trying hard.

"I wasn't successful at Brakebills too. The teachers don't want to talk. I still think I can put pressure on Lipson, but I must find the right moment. It seems like Fogg feels when I'm going to talk to some of them. I filed an application to access the area of university’s banned books. If Fogg doesn't bar me, I hope to have access next week." Julia looked a little frustrated.

"For now, we don't have anything definitive. I think we can make another date in what, another two weeks?" Margo being more objective than ever.

"I think so. Until then I hope to have access to the obscure part of the Brakebills library." Julia agreed.

"Alice, I have an idea. Since we must start the search from somewhere, wouldn't you be able to access Q's book and get his old ID? Even if he doesn't have the same name and address, he might have chosen something similar, and then we would start the search for the old job." That was the first suggestion of the day.

"I think it's a good one Josh. A starting point as good as any." A compliment from Alice was a source of pride.

"Josh, you made Mom proud."

Rolling his eyes, Josh said, "Thanks Margo."

The hours passed quickly. Despite everything, the meeting made things better for everyone, giving an illusion of progress. Any decision making made them face things a little better. Except for Eliot. He continued the routine of drinking until he passed out.

The second date has arrived. Alice had gotten Quentin's name after Blackspire, Brian Jones. He taught literature at Harvard. It would be the first attempt. They still hadn't come up with another solution for the location spell.

Margo suggested that Eliot try to use his charm on Harvard along with Julia.

"Bambi, you're not used to it, but you're wrong this time. It's Julia and Alice who should go. The two people he'll most want to meet, or someone more neutral like Josh." He was trying to be blasé about the situation

"I don't think he wants to see me after our last conversation." Alice replied.

"Fuck you two. He won't even know who you are." Kady exclaimed.

"True, but I want to go. I really do. Who's coming with me?" Julia questioned.

"I'm can go with you. I want to help in some way." Josh offered.

"You can go but come back soon; I don't want to be too long without my favorite cook." Margo gave a thought-provoking look.

"Don't worry Margo; we'll be back as soon as possible." Julia laughed when she saw Josh's expression, which looked like he wanted to go back before he even went.

After agreeing what they would do, they spent the rest of the afternoon in casual conversation. Before leaving, Alice called Margo in a corner.

"Margo, what is Eliot doing? He looks like he's on autopilot in self-destruct mode." With her hand on her hip, she couldn't be more objective.

"You are right. That son of a bitch is doing everything contrary to what he promised me. Since we brought him back, he seems like he's out of his mind. When we got back from the meeting with Fogg, he got worse." Margo mirrored the blonde's gesture, also placing her hands on her hips.

"Do you think they could have something more? I mean Q and Eliot." She always had that impression, since the menage.

"Not that I know, except for that night." The brunette gave an apologetic smile.

"Leave it in the past. It's just that…the way Q fought for him, to get him out of the monster's possession and the way Eliot is behaving, left me imagining things, I guess." She had a point or more than one actually.

"I'll try to get him back. I don't know how yet, but I will find a way." It was easy to see that she would do anything for her best friend.

"Good luck Margo."

"See you blondie." Margo pulled away with a wink.

For a few days, Margo tried to broach the Quentin issue with Eliot. He was slippery, even when drunk.

"El, darling, can we talk?" Margo approached her friend as he lay on a sofa, with an almost empty glass of wine in his hand.

"All for you Bambi." Eliot barely moved, just raised the glass as if toasting his friend's arrival.

"You're not helping with Quentin's case." He placed his hand on his shoulder to try to prevent a possible escape. "Why aren't you? You were friends, for God’s sake; there must be something you know that can help." The second part came out more aggressive than she intended.

"Nope. Julia knows everything, no one better than her to know him." He moved just enough to sit up properly. The small but strong hand still on his shoulder.

"She hasn't been around since Brakebills. I think you're wrong." She tried to look him in the eye, but Eliot kept looking at a wall as if he was watching a movie.

"About Brakebills's time, you lived with him as much as I did. You are as good a source of information as I am." He insisted on his position.

"El, you guys were closer. Even though I loved our favorite nerd, you were more attached to him." She sat next to her, sliding her hand down her arm in an attempt to take her friend's hand.

"Maybe for a while, but I assure you that in the last few months he hated me. I betrayed his trust." He changed his hand so that his friend wouldn't hold it.

"Are you talking about fucking Blackspire? Alice betrayed him too, and they even got back together." The irritation with the lack of reason was evident.

Eliot felt Margo's words cut another piece of his heart. It was amazing how everything related to Quentin hurt more than anything else in his life. More than the beatings and prejudice suffered in his childhood.

"Bambi, I don't know if you remember but I shot the monster." He finally looked at her.

"I fucking remember very well Eliot! Do you think this is worse than what Alice did?"

"It's different, he loves her. Easier to forgive her than me." He looked at the wall once more.

"Maybe he loves her more than he loves you, but he still loves you. He fought the monster; he challenged the monster because of you." She finally screamed.

"You know him Margo, he would do it for anyone." Nothing seemed to shake Eliot out of his defeatism.

"True, but from what Julia, Kady and Alice said he wouldn't accept any proposed solution that didn't end with your return." It seemed like there was no way she could get it through that thick head.

"Always wanting to be a hero, so much so that he almost died. If not for Kady..." He downed the rest of the wine in one gulp.

"You're right about that too, but I still think you can do more than get drunk and drop." She got up irritated.

"Leave me Bambi. If I'm being a burden to you, I can leave." He closed his eyes and threw his head back.

"Fuck you bastard!" Losing patience, she left him.

After a few days, Margo thought that maybe someone more neutral and with a different approach could help Eliot better than she could, at least for the moment. She was overwhelmed with the quest for Quentin and all high king’s duties.

"Fen dear, I need your help with Eliot." She motioned for Fen to sit next to her in the throne room.

"Anything he needs. I love him. I'd do anything to help." She had a worried look. "He's destroying himself, isn't he?"

"Yes, unfortunately. I think I need your intervention. He hasn't been listening to me." There was genuine sadness in her eyes.

"Do you think he would listen to me?" Fen's surprise was obvious.

"Darling, I think you are perfect for this mission." She placed her hand on that of the woman next to her and explained her reasons.

"I'll do my best." Margo was happy to see the resolution in the other woman's eyes.

-------------------------------------------------

The day after Josh left for Earth to go to Harvard with Julia, Fen walked into Eliot's quarters with breakfast.

"Good morning!" The excited voice was a counterpoint to Eliot's feelings.

"Fen darling, what are you doing here? Leave me alone." He tried to hide under the covers.

"I came to fulfill my wifely duty." She announced, still excited.

"What? Are you crazy? You know I have no intention of having sex with you..." There was practically desperation in his voice as he sat.

"None of that El. I came here because I can't let you kill yourself slowly. If you decide you want to die, there are more effective ways." Fen was sometimes almost cruelly sincere.

"Oh fuck! Margo sent you." He threw himself back onto the bed looking at the ceiling, breathing hard.

"Yes and no. We talked about it, but I came because even though our wedding is just a formality, I want to take care of you." She was a determined woman. No one can deny it.

"Then leave me, I can take care of myself." He responded by closing his eyes and throwing his left arm over his face.

"I see. You take care of yourself enough to die. And it's still not effective." The words felt like a stab.

"Fen..." He was begging her to let go.

"Shut up Eliot. From now on I'm the only one talking, even if I need to threaten you with a knife, and you know I would." It wasn't a threat yet. He didn't even move. "El, why do you want to die? Your friends fought so hard to get you back, twice in a row, and you want to die?" It was a sincere question. She waited for a few moments before Eliot realized that nothing would change her mind. That fucking stubborn woman. In some ways, she was worse to deal with than Margo.

"I don't want to die. I just, just don’t wanna feel." That was all he could admit at that moment, hoping it would be enough for her to leave.

"Since when doesn't feeling mean living? I know your life wasn't easy. Even without knowing the details, I know enough about your family to understand that they were unfair, prejudiced and didn't give you something every child should have, love." She waited to see if he would say something, but she didn't see a single movement.

"I also know that you created this persona to stand up to everyone. I realized that your addictions were part of a cheap reward for everything you suffered. I saw you fight your own prejudices to be a good king, to bring the magic back and to defend the ones you love. What I can't understand is why now it feels like you've thrown away everything you've achieved lately, pushing your friends away and punishing yourself." She was being gentle even saying hard things.

"You do not understand." He looked so hopeless, Fen's eyes filled with tears.

"I thought we'd already agreed that I don't understand Eliot. Look, if you decide to share it with me, I'll never betray your trust. Even Margo couldn't get anything out of me." She might seem sweet but she wasn't stupid.

"Bambi can be very convincing." He said with a weak smile.

"I may not look it but I'm tough. You should know that." He just raised his eyebrows.

"I really don’t know Fen. I don't even know where to start, if there's anything worth saying." He looked empty in his eyes, but the suffering was, somehow, reflected on his face.

"I think there's something to be said, even if you don't want to." She sat next to him, she was going to give him time.

"Maybe you are right." He closed his eyes again, not wanting to face the woman beside him.

"Let's get started with coffee while you figure out where to start." She poured a cup of bitter coffee, and gave him a piece of cake, which were on a tray that he didn't even realize she had brought into the room. Fen was doing great. Some distraction to attack the jugular.

After seeing him satisfied with the coffee and cake, she asked him to drink some water. He had to be whole, at least physically. He threatened to complain, but her firm gaze made him pick up the glass and drink it all, while looking annoyed.

"El, does this have to do with the monster? Were you aware of his actions?" That had been the second thing that crossed her mind. He left his biggest suspicion for later.

"Jesus no." He rubbed his long fingers over his face, trying to think of what to say. "I think if I was, and if everything I heard was true, I would have killed myself by now." She could see the sincerity in his harsh words.

"He hurt a lot of people from what I heard." She didn’t new a lot about it.

"It hurt, it killed…It seemed to have no limits. The only person he kept around was Quentin. I don't want to imagine what my hands did to him. He's must have suffered so much. He didn't deserve to be attacked, by me of all." He took a deep breath once more. It was difficult to imagine everything that happened. "Q deserves to be happy, to live in peace, to receive love, and not to be manipulated by a powerful fucking God with no damn feelings. I can't accept that I've hurt him so much." Eliot couldn't bear to keep it all inside him anymore. Fen was right, he must talk, and she wouldn't judge him. If he was going to explode, let it be with his kind of…wife.

"I see, but…I can’t understand why you left the hospital before visiting him. Margo told me you choose not to talk to him." She said with love, she wants to make him talk more.

"I heard that he had someone taking care of him. He wouldn't need me. He wouldn't want to see me. Why would he? I put him in that situation." His expression was so emotional that Fen felt her heart sink.

"Eliot…You can't answer for the monster actions." Eliot knew this, but Fen had to understand that knowing and feeling were such different things.

"I was the one who shot and released it." It was almost a whisper.

"Your intention was to bring Quentin back with you. I understand." She knew she was going the right way when she saw his gaze jump to her.

"Absolutely, but I didn't think the monster was going to own my body and...I couldn't let Q be locked in there with that thing for the rest of his life. I was to blame for him wanting to go there in the first place." He only spilled part of his confession.

"No Eliot, he always struck me as the type who wanted to be the hero, who sacrifices himself for others. Nothing you could have said would change that." She knew there was more to it, so she threw the bait.

"You don't know everything Fen. I don't know if I'm ready to tell you." He was more stressed now. His hands seemed to shake.

"No need. I think I already know. You love Quentin. Tell me I'm wrong." It was a challenge. She played the cards. Eliot pretended not to love, but he does, deeply.

Eliot was frozen for a while, not knowing what to say. "Fen..." His eyes held a silent plea for her to leave things alone.

"I know things you can't even imagine. I'm a Filorian. I've know this land better than anyone else in this castle. I've been around a lot of people, from different villages. I used to travel with my father. During a period, he went to some villages selling his knives. I know a very interesting family, that lives far away from here, near an orchard. The Coldwater-Waugh. Does anything sound familiar to you?" Their eyes met and she saw that he was surprised.

"You...Fen…How...I... don’t...Please. That life, it wasn’t real, you are confused, of course you are. It is not possible. Please, don’t mention it, ever again." At that moment he was confused, his heart wanted that beautiful life to be true, but beautiful things don't happen in his life.

"They were real El. They are real. Your life at past Filory was real. I have known about them since before you came looking for my father. I always did. I was 11 years old when I heard the family story for the first time. They said that one day the men who started their family would arrive in Filory. I had a hard time understanding." He took his hand, squeezing it lightly. "Today I understand a little about magic, and time travel explains many things. I married you because there was no way around it. If I could, I would have married another member of the gang."

"Fen, I don’t blame you." He really understood her. He also had no choice but to get married.

"I still didn't quite understand, but when I realized you weren't together or even showing your feelings, I shut up. Over time I realized that if I spoke I could ruin everything. Now, with everything that's going on...I needed to intervene. I already intended to talk to you before Margo even asked me for help. You need to believe in love. It was real. It's real."

Eliot was sobbing by now. He didn't know the weight he was taking off his chest by talking to Fen. She kept his secret without even understanding why. This woman deserved a world of happiness.

"Dear, I don't even know what to say." She hugged him and placed his head on her chest.

"Shhhh. Don't say anything. Put it out. Let the tears take away some of that pain." Fen waited calmly for him to recover.

When he had calmed down Fen asked him to try to get some sleep. They could talk later. She settled him on the bed and closed the curtains again. As she was about to leave, he muttered, "Can you stay with me for a while?"

"Whenever you need." She lay down and hugged him from behind. When he fell asleep, Fen left the room. She went straight to a trusted worker and asked for a favor. Maybe she can bring some peace to Eliot's heart.

The following days brought a change in the former high king's demeanor. He was still sad and still hanging around, but he wasn't drinking anymore. Margo gave a satisfied smile when she noticed it.

The next meeting will happen in twenty-four hours and El was thinking about what to do. Lost in thought, he didn't even see when Fen arrived and gently called to him.

"My dear wife. To what do I owe the honor?" He smiled fondly at her.

"I'd like you to meet someone. Would you come with me on a walk through the gardens?" She approached excitedly, trying to contain herself.

"May I ask who I should meet?" He let himself go when she put her arm in his.

"Surprise."

He accompanied her to a corner away from the main garden of the castle, where hardly any of them used to go. There was a hut where the employees kept some tools and can rest. They entered and Eliot saw a woman sitting at a rustic table. She had a small white box in her hands. When she lifted her face and smiled, Eliot felt a warm feeling invade his heart. It was Quentin's smile.

Fen introduced them. Her name was Elen. A tribute to her great-great-grandfather. Eliot Coldwater-Waugh.

Elen asked if she could hug him. It was a cautious hug at first, but when he felt her love and tenderness, he gave in to the affection. They stayed hugging for a while, just absorbing the moment. As they sat down, she had a word for him.

"I'm so glad I met you. We were waiting for this moment. All the family." Eliot couldn't take his eyes off that familiar face, even though he'd never seen it before.

"How many are you?" He still couldn't believe what was happening.

"I'll start with your son, Theodore. As you know he got married and had three kids, who you knew. Two girls, Jules and Bambi, and a boy, Rupert. The girls had two kids each, Martin and Josh, and Alice and William, the boy had only one, Ted. I'm Martin's daughter. I have two more sisters, Arielle and Jane. Still have my other uncles' children. The family is big. Your story has always been told at family gatherings. Said that there was no greater love. My father was responsible for delivering the letter at the High King Margo’s wedding." She told everything with a sparkle in her eyes that generated a deep emotion, warming Eliot's heart. He told how Margo stopped them from entering the clock at the last second.

"All this time I thought that when Margo stopped us from going back in time, that timeline had been erased. To me it was just a sweet, bitter memory." He was honest. He is having a hard time to believe it all. It seemed like a beautiful dream.

"We are real. We wanted to introduce ourselves, since you were crowned kings, but we were waiting for the right moment. We knew you were on a quest to bring the magic back and as you didn't appear to be together, we feared interfering with events in the wrong way." Eliot couldn't help but smile. Everyone was waiting for them to be together. He was thrilled and no longer cared about the tears that flowed, without him trying to hide them.

"Yes, we were on this quest. A lot happened and instead of getting closer, we ended up walking away from each other. My fault, I must admit." He said with a voice choked with emotion.

"Why?" She approached him, placing her hand on his arm.

"I can't believe Quentin really loved me." That was one of the hardest things to admit, even more so looking into Elen's eyes and feeling the warmth of her hand on his arm.

"Your love was clear as a sunny day. When you died, he couldn't live without you. He loved you more than anything." Eliot was afraid to see pity in her eyes, but he only saw love.

"He was also devastated when Arielle passed away. He was depressed. I had to take care of Teddy alone for a while." He told himself this countless times. He wanted to prove that he had made the right decision, even though his heart said otherwise.

"You don't understand grandpa. Yes, he loved our great grandmother, but it was different with you. It was a deeper connection. He died in his sleep shortly after making all the arrangements for the letter to reach High King Margo. He couldn't live without you." She said carefully and after that, he could only cry again.

"Jesus! I'm..." Elen went to hug him, and he allowed himself to receive the affection of his descendant, while Fen took his hand.

"Thank you, for coming here, for your affection. I pushed Quentin away as I believed he would be happier with someone else. I deeply regret it. If I can, I will do anything to win back the love of the only man who could win my heart. I will go after him and when I get it, we will have a party so we can meet the whole family." After a few seconds of looking into his eyes, Elen handed him the white box that was in her hands.

"Here, take it. It’s a symbol of your love. It's been saved to be delivered at the right time. I don't think there's a better time."

Eliot took the white box to open it. On a brown velvet nest, there were two rings. Eliot immediately recognized them. The same he and Q had exchanged when they got married at the mosaic. They were delivered by little Teddy. The carved work, which in one indicated plum branches, with small amethyst stones, and in the other peach branches, with little sapphire gems, was intact. It was still possible to see the recordings on the inner side. Peaches and Plums.

Meeting Elen was all he needed. She just had love in her eyes. He said goodbye to her, promising that they would meet soon, for a family reunion, a special one.

Upon returning to the castle, he hugged Fen with all love. "Thank you, Fen."

"You're welcome, El."

"Dante Alighieri said, 'There's no greater pain than remembering the happy days when we're in misery.' I’m in misery. I threw all the happiness away because I didn't believe in his love. I didn't think it was possible for him to love me. I’m such an asshole, I don't deserve him!" He continued to believe that he was not worthy of such great love as they experienced in the mosaic.

"Love is not and has never been about deserving El."

"You managed to show me that everything Q and I lived in the past is still valid. I did the most horrible thing in the world. I hurt Q breaking his heart, and I do not know if he would forgive me, but I need to bring him back. Am I being selfish?" He just wanted more of her sincerity right now.

"No. I haven't seen him fight for your life. From everything I've heard, it's impossible for him not to love you. I'm willing to divorce you, so you can be married only to the love of your life." She seemed to already have a plan.

"You know we don't need to get a divorce for this, but you deserve to find someone who loves you completely. More than is possible for me. If I can locate Quentin..."

"No. When you locate him." She interrupted him.

"Right. When. I'll try to make up for every pain I put him through. I'm going to ask him to marry me, and it will be a short engagement. I don't want to waste any more time." For the first time in a long time there was hope in the amber eyes.

"I'm sure it will only be a matter of time." Fen knew he still had doubts, but she would do anything to make him overcome it and be happy.

When everyone arrived for the meeting the next day, Eliot's difference was notorious, but no one commented.

"So, any news?" Eliot asked, wasting no time.

"I keep getting the same information; we need to have Q's new identity for the locator spell." Alice replied first.

"I went with Julia to Harvard. There isn’t any new professor on campus. Knowing it could be an illusion, we managed to hack into the server that held the professor’s files. Never did this before. We spent hours checking each record, but no sign." He spoke with a sigh at the end.

"We knew it could be a shot in the dark Josh, but at least we've eliminated one university. Unfortunately, we don't have time to look at every university in the country, not if we want to find him before he retires." Kady added.

"I think while we're trying to figure out his identity, we can keep breaking into college archives. We can pick some in quieter towns. I don't think he's in New York." Sugested Julia. She couldn't wait without trying something.

"Isn't there anything we can use besides the locator spell Alice?" Questioned Eliot. He could not accept that nothing could be done.

"El, if she had she would have passed us by now, don't you think?" Margo stood next to Alice.

"Bambi, I have to ask, there has to be another option. Is Fogg really out of the question?" He turned around looking at the Earth group.

"I tried to help Julia by paying a visit to our favorite dean, with Penny. It only confused me more."

"What do you mean Kady?" Eliot again.

"Fogg told we already had the answer." Everyone turned to the traveler with a huge question on their faces.

"But, we have no answer!" Julia was getting elated. Alice bit her nails nervously, having nothing to say.

Eliot paced. Despairing, he remembered one thing. Fogg told something at the end of the meeting, didn't he? He was so stunned he hadn't paid attention. Maybe he's wrong, but he couldn't pass up any possibility.

"Anyone here good with memory spells? I need to remember something Fogg told me that day, at the meeting." Eliot's question surprised everyone. Alice was the one who replied.

"Do you think he might have told you something?" He could see that she was already curious.

"It wasn't even remotely one of my best days. I vaguely remember him coming over and saying something softly, but I don't remember. Can you help me?" He was anxious but hopeful.

"We can try." Alice and Julia responded at the same time.

"El, why didn't you speak sooner?"

"Bambi after the news I didn't pay attention to anything else. I just thought about it now, after what Penny said." He wished he had remembered this sooner, but almost everything about that day was a blur in his mind.

"Let's not waste any more time. Come on Alice." Julia was already getting ready. "I know the spell too and I'll help." The spell was simple, but it would have to do it with care, to not scramble rather than search for the memory, but they did it.

"Did it work El? What did he say?" Julia was on top of him.

"Fuck Julia, let the man breathe." Josh was defending him.

"Yeah. Fogg said: ‘You're the only one who could track him down but you're too stupid for that, in my humble opinion. Have a good life Mr. Waugh’." He was relieved to remember but at the same time terrified.

"What did he mean with you're the only one who can track him?" Kady was curious.

"I don’t know! I am confused." He looked a little embarrassed.

"Think Eliot, think." Margo was begging.

"Do you know something about Quentin that we don't?" Penny was trying to get him to think.

"He can't know more than I. I know Q all his life."

"Julia, calm down please. Can I talk to Eliot alone?"

It was the first time Fen had spoken at the meetings. She usually sat at the back of the room, watching. Taking Eliot by hand, she led him out of the hall, leaving everyone in the room with a big question mark.

"Julia is wrong. No one knows Quentin better than you do. You've had a beautiful life for more than fifty years. You need to tell them. I won't pressure you, but maybe your relationship could be the key to locating Quentin." She had a point, for sure.

"Fen, you know I didn't want to tell them everything. It's not just my story to tell." Eliot didn't feel comfortable telling his friends about the mosaic. He had told part of it to Fen, who also knew the family story, which Elen shared that day.

"You don't need to give details; just say you love each other. Maybe it will help. Tell them only what's necessary. Fogg says only you can track him. El, take on your feelings. Don't be afraid to feel. Live that feeling. If you really love him, and I believe you do, take charge of the situation, fight for him. Why are you afraid to tell everyone that you love him?" Her curious eyes sought answers in his.

"I've spent my life hiding myself, hiding who I am."

"Your life is not the same anymore. Did you wear this armor in the other timeline?"

"No. Q has a heart that was always open to me. He accepts me as I am. He is so brave. I love that about him so much. He made me better every day. Even on bad days."

"Be brave for him. Face it all. If someone blames you for something, remember Fogg's words everyone is to blame."

After thinking a bit, he took her hand and nodded. "OK, let's go. I'll do it for Q."

When they returned to the room. Fen shook Eliot's hand and sat at the back of the room once more. Unable to even sit down, he stopped right at the middle of the table.

"There's one thing none of you know. Not even you Julia." He looked straight at her still not knowing how she would react.

"Impossible, he told me everything."

"Not that. I didn't tell Margo either." She then looked to see the surprised expression on her best friend's face.

"What the fuck didn't you tell me?" Margo wanted answers.

"I will not tell the story behind the information. So please, don't bother asking. I love Quentin. I’m in love with him. He's the love of my fucking stupid life." He admitted speaking very quickly. To maintain balance, he placed both hands on the table.

"Fuck!" Penny's voice.

"I knew it!" Alice.

"How can you not tell me this?" Margo.

"I always suspected." Kady.

"I never noticed." Josh.

Julia was still speechless.

"We weren't together because I was the biggest idiot in the world when I rejected his approach. I won't tell the whole story because it's not mine alone. I just want you to know that the words Q left for me defeated me. I don't deserve him, but I love him anyway, as I've never loved anyone. I regret every minute we didn't spend together. I'm a coward and I had to lose Quentin to take over my feelings." Eliot take a deep breath before continuing. He felt a tear rolling down.

"I need to find Q, even though he says he never wants to see me again. He was always brave and fought for me, for all of us. I'm not going to immerse myself in drinking anymore. I need to try to talk to him. He deserves to know he's loved. If he still prefers to continue with his new identity and forget about me, I will accept, but not before that."

For a few minutes, everyone was silent.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck! I already know how we're going to locate Quentin. El, baby, answer me honestly. Is baby Q really the love of your life? Would you call him your soulmate?" Margo was excited.

"Absolutely Bambi. He is the one for me."

"Julia, remember the spell to find El's soulmate for the kiss?"

"Right, Margo! It will be perfect!" Alice understood what Margo suggested.

"Asshole. How can you reject him if he's the love of your life?" Julia was upset.

"Lots of communication issues and unresolved traumas. I didn't think he could really loves me. I'm not proud of it. I've spent my life hiding myself, hiding my feelings, afraid to be hurt. I realized that because of this behavior I’m losing the man that I love and hurting myself badly in the process. Thanks to Fen I'm working on it. I can assure you that I love him. Deeply." He spoke sincerely, but only looking at Julia. He was afraid of how she might take him away from Q.

"But you ignored him!" The little girl grew bigger when she was angry.

"Yeah, I did, but so do you. I don’t want to blame…but we all did. You went to Brakebills and didn't visit. But that's not the point Julia. The point is what we'll do from now on. I intend to spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to him, if he still wants to stay close to me." Once again, he felt a tear run down his face.

"Julia, this time, and only this time he's right. To locate your nerd we'll need this love to be true." Kady was trying to make Julia set down.

"It's real Julia. You're angry, you hate me and I understand. As Fogg said, we've all failed him in many ways. Let's join forces to bring him back to us." For the first time he showed himself in front of everyone. Without the armor he used to wear. Margo noticed and put her hand on his arm, trying to pass some on to her best friend.

"Look El, I don't hate you. I just can't understand." The brunette seemed less irritated. She realized what Eliot was doing.

"When Q comes back, if he comes back, we can explain better where, how, when and why I rejected him. I will tell how I managed to break through the monster's block to talk to him at the park. I can say that I didn't visit him in the infirmary for a reason. I am coward. Bambi told me that he was back with Alice. I didn't want to see the two of them together. After everything we've been through, he may still wants you Alice. I just want to talk to him…I'll back off." He thought Alice could be the one if Q didn't forgive him.

"We broke up the day he came to Filory." The girl announced with an awkward smile on her face.

"Why?"

"Eliot, he never told me about you. I was suspicious when I saw him declining any, and all plans that didn't result with you coming back. He never said anything. When we got together it was because he needed someone close to him. Sorry Julia but he was feeling alone." The blonde said the last part biting her lip.

"Ok, got it, I can't blame anyone without blaming myself." Julia seemed convinced that she would have to face all her decisions.

"Hate to admit it but Fogg was right. Fuck." Kady looked almost frustrated at having to admit it.

"When will we do the spell?" Josh directed the conversation to another topic.

"We have to do it at sunrise. In the first rays of sunlight, which should hit Eliot and the mirror. I think we can do it tomorrow, if the weather is nice." Julia smiled at her friend, loving focusing on practical things.

"Do I need to do something?" The taller man was ready to fight for his love.

"We're going to need a drop of your blood Eliot. Other than that, you just have to stand there in the sun with the mirror in front of you. Penny, we need you to get that mirror as soon as possible." Kady informed all of them.

"Consider done." The traveler disappeared before they could blink.

"We're all going to have dinner and sort out everything we need. Tomorrow we'll wake up early and we'll do the ritual. We can do it at Eliot’s room balcony. It faces the sunrise." Josh opined.

"Deal. I think we can all sleep here tonight. What do you think High King?"

"Ok Julia, I will never let you down. We will need to rest to bring baby Q back." Margo was really glad to have the gang around. They continued talking. The mood was lighter, and they went to bed early after a great dinner that Josh asked his assistants to make, while he stayed with the group.

They got up an hour before sunrise. Eliot put on his best suit. Margo joked that he wasn't getting married. The answer was faster. "Bambi, it is to attract the good vibe, to be successful. I need to look good if I will see him today." Margo was happy to see that her friend has hope.

When everything was ready, and the basin of water awaited only the drop of Eliot’s blood, Julia approached with the dagger. She would take the drop of blood away while Alice and Kady took care of the mirror.

At the first sunbeam, they started to chant. When the first ray of sunlight hit Eliot, Julia pierced the ring finger on his left hand. As soon as the drop fell into the water, it generated gentle waves in the shape of a heart. As they stared into the mirror, the light reflected in it began to take shape. Q's face appeared. He was sleeping. Eliot's eyes filled with tears, and he whispered, "Q".

In a few minutes the image changed and, like on a Google Earth map, they saw first the state, then the city. Q was at Penn State University for sure. They saw the new identity appeared too. Adam Theodore Paxferrer.

Relief reached everyone. They did it. Now they had to see how to do it. While everyone debated, El was daydreaming of the scene shown in the mirror. Quentin asleep, looking calm and relaxed. That sight alone was enough to make Eliot's heart skip a beat.

He came back to reality because the decision was important. They would go there and check on how he was doing. If he was okay, if he looked depressed, only then will they decide how to approach him. Fen ad Josh promised to take care of Filory because Margo wanted to go too. They left as soon as the portal to the university was ready. The gang couldn't waste any time in case Q are not well.

Chapter Text

Life at the new university was quiet and comfortable like Adam’s wish. His English literature class was very interested. Students interacted and asked thought-provoking questions. He could see that this year would be a very good one. He was lucky to get this new post. He was tired of life in New York City. Life at Penn State University was almost easy. He lives nearby and can walk or cycle to work. The apartment was small but cozy. There was a balcony where he placed a comfortable chair for reading.

He arrived in town a few days before the beginning of classes, to get used to the place, discover the best shops, cafes, and get to know the neighborhood. The University was beautiful, classic and full of life. The city's football team was strong and should definitely shake the city with the beginning of the season. Not that Adam was a sports fan. He used to watch with his dad, more as a company to him than for fun. His father was a wonderful man but unfortunately, he lost the battle against a brain tumor. He was sorely missed and was what inspired Adam's change of life to a quieter city.

Adam knew that he had always been a quiet child, focused on books, a few friends and an almost non-existent social life. He had some relationships, but nothing lasted and the fact that he spent the last few years taking care of his father didn't help him find anyone. Now, starting a new life, he wanted to find someone to love, to share and, who knows, to start a family.

First things first, he wanted to fit into the rhythm of the new life. He toured the entire campus on the first day, even before unpacking. He was a little anxious but nothing too much. The main building was beautiful. He always liked architecture and old things. There were still not many people circulating as classes would only start the following week, but he could already feel how it would look, imagine the flow of people.

When he returned home, he realized that he would need to do some urgent shopping; he had nothing even to make tea or coffee. The company that made the move had tidied up the apartment nicely, with several of his personal items such as posters and books, already on the shelf, but there was still a lot to do. He discovered a nearby market where he bought breakfast items, some frozen food, cleaning and personal care products, as well as fruits, vegetables, eggs and meats.

After putting away everything into the fridge, he looked dejectedly at some things he still had to put away. It was already 8PM and he wanted to take a shower and rest. Grabbing the toiletries, he headed for the bathroom. The sink top was large having two tubs, with more than enough space to accommodate his products. There was a cupboard where he put the towels, after spending more than 15 minutes to find where they were. Clean clothes were easier. There were sweatpants in his suitcase, as well as underwear and a comfortable T-shirt.

After the shower, everything looked better. He decided to debut his new reading point. He opened a wine and ordered a pizza. There were flyers announcing this new pizzeria. Since they were both new to the place, why not give it a try? He was already in the second chapter when the pizza arrived. The smell was wonderful and the taste too. He had barely arrived and already had a very good supplier.

When sleep came, he went to make the bed. The mattress was still covered with plastic. He took it off and fixed it with a new bedding set he had chosen. It had been expensive, but they were soft sheets and he felt comforted by the touch. It wasn't long before he was asleep. He dreamed of a beautiful place he couldn't identify. During the dream, he walked among trees and flowers. Relaxing.

He spent the next few days building his lesson’s plan for the semester, identifying all the topics he would cover in his classes and what he would talk about in each one. He even pre-defined the themes of the works he would pass on, the books he would recommend, which authors would be mentioned, even if they didn't have time to read everything. He wanted to address classics and new authors.

He made a habit of going out for daily walks. He knew that in recent times, he had been practically locked in the house and his doctor had indicated a change in his lifestyle, as he would not always be able to eat such healthy things. He barely knew how to cook. At least his coffee was great.

The following week brought the beginning of classes and in addition to getting to know his students, he began to meet the other faculty and staff on campus. He was in no hurry to make friends, but he would like to make some, or he would end up having to find an animal for company. He thinks the Modern Art’s teacher is a very nice woman. Sheyla is in her early thirties, married and childless. She introduced him to Sebastian, the Coordinator of the Arts Course, a man almost in his forties, with vast experience, having lived most of his life in Europe. He was handsome, with straight blond hair and blue eyes. One of the other teachers in his department, who looked about his age, Angelica, was single and pretty. A bit shy and with long brown hair, she started to exchange some ideas with him. Adam thought of nothing but friendship with either of them, but they became a constant group during lunch hours, or just having a coffee in the staff room.

The following weeks continued at the same pace, until Sheyla invited him to a birthday dinner. He went and interacted with a lot of people, but no one especially captured his attention, not even Sebastian. He realized that the man was approaching and that he might have a chance if he wanted to try. Even though he had promised himself he would open to a relationship, right now, it didn't feel right. As if Sebastian was nothing what he wanted. He accepted the ride Sebastian offered, even letting the guy kiss him lightly on the lips, but something in his mind screamed that it was wrong, and he didn't know why.

The next morning gave meaning to his whole life. He was going to his first class of the day, nice temperature, blue sky, light breeze, it felt like the perfect day. Entering the campus, he saw a group of people talking, coffee cups in hands. Two men, and four women, all handsome, the kind that make you want to look again. Among them a tall man with dark curly hair looked nervous.

He almost stopped when he saw that beautiful man, almost perfect face, turned towards him and their eyes met. Adam felt a pang in his stomach, as if his insides had knotted. His face turned red, heat spreading through his chest. They stared at each other, the man's eyes lighten up and Adam saw love in those eyes. Impossible. They didn't know each other; how could he ever see anything remotely like love? He stumbled, almost fell. Did they already know each other? That face was almost familiar. Where did he know him? Nearby, a lamp exploded and snapped him out of the trance. Using all his willpower, he tried to focus his way to his classroom. He was kind of saved by being approached by a student with a question. He looked at that man one more time, and then moved on.

-------------------------------------

Eliot was so nervous that he left it to Margo and Kady to create the portal to the University. Even with Penny, they decided that a portal in a more isolated part of the campus would be better for their arrival. Anxiety made them leave early. The group was almost complete; Julia, Margo, Penny, Kady and Alice would go. Fen and Josh would be taking care of Filory. Before they left, Fen hugged him.

"Go Eliot, go get your love. Don't be afraid of your feelings, ok? Don't give up on Q not trusting you right away. He doesn't remember, but one thing the spell proved, that you are kindred spirits. You'll certainly find the way back to each other. I love you, but If you show up here without him, I'll kill you." She had a sweet smile on her lips.

"Thank you, Fen. You've been a wonderful friend. I don't know what I'd do without you these last few days. If Bambi hears about this, I will deny it. I still want to live many years." He winked at her as he walked away.

"You will, and you will live a beautiful love story too. For the second time." She muttered to herself.

Upon entering the portal, the group found themselves behind a building, a little far from where they would like to be. They walked to the entrance, which they found to be the closest to Q's apartment. With his identity they found his address. They had thought of going to the apartment, but it would be awkward to find a bunch of people standing at the door of the building. On campus it's normal for groups to just stand and talk. Penny and Margo bought coffee while they waited. Alice had wanted to hack into the college server to see Q's schedule, but she hadn't given it time.

They were just starting to sip their coffees, laughing more with anticipation than anything else, when Eliot felt him, even before he saw him. He turned and their eyes met. Quentin! He almost said the name aloud. The smile reached his eyes and when he realized that Q also couldn't seem to look away, his chest swelled with love. He saw Q turn red, stumble and almost fall. Even with a new identity it was still him. His heart speed up and it looked like he was going to break out of his chest. The spell was cut off when a lamp exploded. A young girl, clearly a student, intercepted Q. Quentin looked at him one more time before continuing his way.

"Quentin." said Julia

"Yes, our favorite nerd hasn't changed at all. El, did you see how he kept looking at you? He tripped." Margo was almost happy.

"Quentin being Quentin." confirmed Kady.

"He looks fine. At least physically, he's fine. Do you guys think we should approach him today or do we make a plan first?" Alice is always ready for a plan, but the decision was not hers alone.

"I don't know about you guys, but for me I would approach today. He really looks fine, but I want to get him home soon." The petit woman wanted her childhood friend with her as soon as possible.

"I agree with you Julia. I'd rather approach him today too. But he makes the light bulb explode, just for seeing us, I'm afraid we'll cause a fire at the university." Eliot was worried and drumming his fingers on his coffee cup.

"Yes El, but we can choose an open place to meet him." Kady suggested, turning to follow Q with her gaze, seeing where he was going.

"We're already out Kady. We'll have to choose a better place, but how do we get him there?" The brunette turned towards him, and pointed at his chest.

"You Eliot. He took an interest in you. You could invite him. A date to know each other. Not any fucking bar, because it could be danger. What about a picnic, at a safe distance from people." She said with a smile on her red lips.

"What if he refuses?" Eliot raised his eyebrows in surprise at the idea. Of course, he would be a little scared.

"Man, if he's still like he always was, and considering the way you were looking at each other, he won't refuse. I can guarantee it." 23 seemed to know more than everyone did.

"Were you able to read his mind?" The blonde was curious.

"No, but I don't need to." He smiled mischievously.

"I... Kady, do you think if we get too close, we can blow things up? You were the one who identified this issue when you guys met, right?" Eliot still looked worried.

"Yes, but not just being together. Disasters occurred when we tried to remember. Recognition can cause the explosions." She remembered well several moments with a lot of glass exploding.

"Was he trying to remember? How? Why? I mean, a light bulb exploded." Alice pointed out.

"Not necessarily. He might have wondered if he knew him from somewhere. He's under the effect of a stronger spell; the reaction might have been a little intense." Kady really was the one who best understood everything they had been through since Blackspire.

"Then it would be safe." Eliot still had a doubt but a suggestion made everything lighter.

"Eliot, what if I tried first contact? Just to probe if he's been receptive to strangers." Julia proposed.

"I think..." El started to respond but was interrupted.

"Julia, in my opinion, if we want agility, it should be Eliot soon." Alice made her point know.

"We are all afraid of an explosion around the students. Think about it. You guys stay a little farther away at lunchtime. I come close to take Eliot's picnic invitation; the boys can met at the end of the day. This way, he can sort of prepares himself. Don’t try to remember. If he says no, we will set up another plan." Everyone evaluated the plan and nodded in agreement.

Eliot made a statement. "I want everyone to know, I just decided I'm not leaving without him." He had a solemn air that was reminiscent of the time when he was the high king.

"What if he doesn't want to leave even after he regains his memory? What will you do?"

"If it comes to that Bambi, I'll move here, if he just says he wants me. I won't be away from him another day. Even if he says he doesn't want me I'll stick around."

"Would you stop your whole life for him?" Julia was stunned.

"Julia, he is my life. Priority number one. Even if he doesn't want me, I'm going to live nearby, maybe work here too." He looked into his friends' eyes. "Call me a stalker, but I'll stay here."

"Wow! I would never expect that from the Eliot Waugh I met."

"Alice, I'm going to say something only Bambi and Q knows. My life was hell. A gay boy growing up in a homophobic family deprived of being myself. When I went to New York, I built a persona out of armor. An invincible bitch. Bambi was the first one I allowed to get close to me. Then Q. Ever since I saw him staggering out of the bushes I knew, even if I never admitted it." His eyes were unfocused. Lost in memories.

"But you only dated that Mike, the guy who almost killed Penny 40. I thought you loved him because you don't date. Not even in my timeline." Penny knew most of what had happened, even though it was so different from timeline 23.

"He was a distraction. I knew the odds of Q and Alice getting together at Brakebills South was against me. I was more devastated by having to kill someone and being used to attack Q, than for loving him." He finished the sentence with a sigh, and tried to shake the bad memories away by shaking his head slightly.

"I had no idea. Sorry man." 23 was becoming less angry and more empathetic.

"Thanks." He especially looked at Julia and Margo. "Like I said before, I won't leave without him."

"I knew that one day this moment would come. I accept it because I can see what he means to you. But I will require constant visits if you stay." Margo approached her friend and patted his face, before winking at him.

"Calm down Bambi, these are just hypotheses for now."

"Are we agreed then?" Julia wanted to define. Everyone agreed. The first thing was to find out Q's class schedule. Once they were able to go to the next stage, choose the picnic spot. At the right time, they went to the cafeteria choosing a strategically placed table to see when Q arrives, while getting food and beverages.

"Guys, here comes our man." Announced Kady. "Starting the plan ‘Seducing Q’." Everyone laughed. As soon as Kady saw him sit down, she motioned, and Eliot looked at him. Q's gaze seemed drawn to look back at the same second. El felt his chest again full of love and smiled. Q was petrified for a moment, blushed and gave a shy smile back. Julia took her cue. She pretended to talk to Eliot, got up and walked over to him.

------------------------------------

Adam had to struggle to not lose control of his morning classes. He couldn't concentrate properly, thinking about the man he'd seen that morning. He wasn't used to being so easily impressed by anyone, but he couldn't stop thinking about him. He had noticed everyone in the group; after all, it's not every day that a group of such beautiful people, around his age, appear out of nowhere.

When lunchtime finally arrived, he felt relief and an intense force guided him to the cafeteria’s patio. He sat up and didn't even have to look. He was there. The whole group was there. He turned red when their gazes met once more. He saw him talking to one of the women. They seemed to come to an agreement, she got up and came towards him.

"Hello, is it okay if I talk to you for a minute? I am Julia." Julia had a friendly smile and waited for his response to see if she could sit down.

"OK? Hum…Adam." He still had the blush on his cheeks as he smiled shyly.

Julia sat up, at his left side, before starting to speak. "It might seem a little weird and rash, but my friend has wanted to meet you since the moment he saw you this morning." She waited for a moment and he realized she was seeing his reaction. "We found you to be a little shy, so he asked me to speak to you on his behalf." She mentioned the other table when she talked about her friend.

"Really? Does he want to talk me?" Q looked at her after a quick glance at the other table.

"Of course, you are a catch." Julia's soft way of responding made him like her. In fact, he felt comfortable with that girl. It was strange, but he could bet they would be best friends.

"If you say so." His response was barely heard.

"By the way, his name is Eliot." She said looking back at her friends’ table.

"Eliot." There was a softness in his voice as he repeated the name.

"Do you know any Eliot?" Her voice sounded amused.

"No, but it looks like, you know, it suits him." He glanced sideways at the young man.

"He wants to meet you to get to know you better. He wants to invite you to a picnic later today, right here on campus."

"I don’t know..." For a moment, Quentin looked unsure.

"He's a very nice guy and I can guarantee you, the only risk is that you'll fall in love. You're a teacher here, aren't you?" She was smart to divert the topic a little to make him more comfortable. No matter the name, Quentin needed to feel relaxed.

"Yes, and you…what are you doing here?" One thing he was sure of, these people had never appeared at the college before. He wouldn't be able to forget it.

"We came to explore the university. El intends to be a professor here too. We are a very close group, and we all came with him. I work in research. Alice, the blonde, works in a library. Penny, the only other guy in the group, is an expert in travels around the world. Margo, the one in the pink coat, has a high position in a foreign country. Finally, Kady, we kind of work together.

"Interesting…Margo, isn't it? If she's that busy, why is she here?" He didn't fail to notice that the brunette in a pretty pink coat would be too busy for such a simple trip.

"She and Eliot are best friends. She would never let El move here if she didn't see it first. She's overprotective." She laughed softly, which made Q smile more widely.

"Does she approve of me going to this picnic with Eliot? I don't want to get in trouble." He spoke more quietly, as if conspiring.

"Totally. You are safe." She responded in the same tone as him.

"I guess I accept it then, although…What time?"

"What time do your classes end?"

"The last one ends at 5PM. Today I have classes in both shifts." He informed her without knowing that she already knew everything.

"You can meet in that area of the woods, what do you think?" She pointed with her right hand towards an area with a beautiful lawn and some scattered trees.

"Ok…I" Just then Sebastian appeared. He arrived putting a hand on Adam's shoulder. Asking if he was free. Julia didn't like it. He ignored her presence and seemed to want to take Q’s attention away from her.

"Hello, I am Julia." She introduced herself as a bit of a challenge to the newcomer.

"Sebastian." He didn't even bother to look away when saying his own name. He continued to focus on Adam. "Adam what do you think? Can we get coffee today after class?" He turned even more so that his back was to the girl.

"Thanks for the invite, but I already have a date." The answer made Julia smile and Sebastian stiff. Sebastian's gaze shifted to Julia, and she liked him even less. He looked like he had a lot of anger in his eyes.

"Are you sure? I thought you liked men." There was a noticeable irritation in his voice.

Q's gaze went straight to Eliot. He noticed that the other looked uncomfortable with Sebastian's presence. Somehow, it cheered him up. For the first time in his life he was being flirted by two gorgeous men at the same time. In fact, there was no doubt. Since that morning, Eliot had bewitched him.

"That's not the problem; I just don't think it's going to happen between us. I'm sorry." Sebastian left abruptly, not even saying goodbye. Julia relaxed and watched as Q looked back at Eliot and the two exchanged a smile.

"It’s all settled for the date, right? My friend will be on cloud nine. Get ready to be pampered."

"Really? Is he that type?"

"Only with the ones he likes. Enjoy your meal. I'll let you eat. Oh, how about a few drinks in the evening to get to know everyone?" She couldn't help but try to spend time with her friend. She missed him and the hardest thing at that moment was not being able to give him a hug.

"It will depend." He made a playful face.

"On what?" She smiled intrigued.

"If I'm really going to like Eliot." He responded blushing a little.

"I think the odds are in our favor then." With a wink, she got up.

------------------------------------------------

"Spit out Julia. I am dying without knowing it. Who was that guy? How dare he put his hand on Q's shoulder?" Eliot was restless. He needed to know everything that had been said at the other table.

"Calm down, lover boy. The guy's name is Sebastian. I don't know why, but I didn't like him. He approached without even greeting me. He only addressed me because I spoke to him." Julia laughed. "He failed. Q didn't like his behavior."

"He was hitting on Q, wasn't he? I felt it from here." Eliot said, taking a sip of his drink to calm down.

"We had to hold Eliot down or he would go over there and screw it up."

"It would really ruin Margo. El, you're right Sebastian was hitting on our Q. He called him for coffee after class, but he said he already had a date."

"Fuck you, Sebastian! That man is mine. He choose me." Eliot seemed to want to throw it in Sebastian's face that the date was with him.

"Man, you are possessive." Warned Penny.

"Whatever." Eliot didn’t care. He just cares about Q.

"Eliot try not to choke him." Alice remembered.

"El, he accepted. Relax. By the way, the smile you exchanged said it all. Oh, I invited him for drinks after the picnic to meet everyone. He said it would depend on whether he would really like you. I said to him what we were doing here, as agreed. He was surprised that Margo has such a responsibility, but came here for you. The best friend talk made him look at you twice." Laughed Julia.

"Wonderful I'm going to have that terrifying conversation with him." Margo, pretended to get up.

"Bambi!" Everyone laughed when Margo slapped his arm.

After that, they finished eating. Eliot even exchanged a few glances with Quentin, who before leaving smiled at their table. The group split up after that. Eliot, Julia and Margo went to buy things for the picnic and food for the others. Alice, Penny, and Kady went to place spells at the meeting place. To have more protection, so that nothing unexpected could happen.

When they met again, it was about forty minutes before date time. They prepared the space and it got romantic. The rest of the group would be around having their own picnic. There was food and wine for everyone.

Eliot arrived at the rendezvous point five minutes ahead of schedule. His hand was sweating with nerves. He didn't want to screw it up. He didn't yet know how he could talk about magic with Q, but they had decided that if he couldn't talk today, El would talk tomorrow. Q was 10 minutes late and El was about to freak out when he saw him approaching. He let out a sigh of relief.

"Hi beautiful." Eliot gave his best smile.

"Hey Eliot. Sorry I'm late." Q seemed a little nervous too.

"You came, that's what matters. Can we go? I hope you like what I prepared." The tall boy made an almost reverent gesture, indicating the path they would follow.

"Yes, sure." Q followed him to the picnic point looking at him all the time, with a small smile.

"Wow. Loved it. You spent some time in it Eliot." He was surprised to see what Eliot had prepared for him. There was a blanket where the green grass looked soft. In the center of the blanket there were some plates with food, glasses and wine. Had a stranger done all this to him? Adam couldn't believe it.

"I did it with pleasure. Let's enjoy it." Eliot approached, slowly and indicated for Adam to sit down, doing the same afterwards.

"I thought it was considerate of you to send your friend first." Adam thought Eliot had been thoughtful from the beginning.

"I was afraid to approach you and make you think I'm too bold and refuse my invitation. I really wanted to get a chance to know you." They were so close that he could see his own reflection in those chocolate eyes.

"It worked, I'm, I’m here." He had that shy smile on his lips. Eliot had to hold back from kissing him even before pouring the wine.

They toasted and El served him some snacks and cheese. They started talking about work. The hardest thing for El was not calling him Q. Adam. It sounded strange at his tongue. Focus, he needed focus.

"Do you have anyone in your life right now? I know you accepted my invitation, but I don't want to take anything for granted." Q had been in a new life for some time. From the attitude of that guy, Sebastian, he certainly had suitors.

"Julia must have been talking about Sebastian." He laughed and Eliot couldn't find anything more adorable in the world. Adam took another sip of wine and smiled at the man in front of him. "We went to a birthday dinner last night; he gave me a ride back and kissed me. He wanted more but I didn't… It didn't mean anything." There was an amused gleam in his eyes.

"My luck." Eliot said softly.

"Yeah?" He lowered his eyes for a moment before raising them and looking at the man in front of him. "Do you want to, hum, stay close to me?"

"Since I saw you. You attracted me immediately." Eliot was thinking about when Q arrived at Brakebills. He couldn't be more honest.

Adam was brave to respond. "Me too. When I saw you, it was like you were a bright light and I want to be close to you."

"It would be wrong if I held you in my arms now?" Eliot was going crazy. He really wanted to have Q in his arms, even if he didn't remember him. Adam or Quentin, he loved that man.

"It would be wrong not to get closer and maybe kiss if you want."

They were sitting next to each other on the soft blanket El had bought. First El placed his hand over Adam’s that is propped up on the blanket. As soon as they touched, an energy ran through Eliot's body, and he realized that it also ran through Q's body. He saw the surprise in his eyes, but at the same time, it seemed to only increase the hunger of the first kiss. Eliot's left hand found its favorite position. Sliding his fingers along the back of his neck until he found the right spot to bring his face halfway into the kiss he'd been craving since the time he woke up after the monster. Before, he must be honest.

As soon as his lips met Adam's soft pink ones, that electricity from the first touch of his hands became a source of energy so strong that it shook them both and there was an explosion of light, not like fireworks but as if they had created a new sun. It was almost impossible to open their eyes.

Eliot was paralyzed for a few seconds and felt Adam is too. He heard the worried call of their friends. When the light dimmed, he realized that with everything that had happened, he was holding Adam close to his heart. As he pulled back to look into Adam's eyes, he caught a look of confusion in it. As if he didn't know what was going on until the brown eyes came into focus, looking straight back.

"El?" There was a different energy about the man in front of him.

"Q?" Eliot could see how much he was being recognized. It was no longer Adam.

"What happened?" For a moment, there was a lot of confusion and Q closed his eyes, rubbing his face with both hands.

"What's the last thing you remember Q?" They were speaking quietly, still recovering from the shock. Quentin looked around and saw almost all his friends there. He was in Eliot's arms. Standing up, he walked away putting distance between them all.

"Adam?" Alice asked.

He continued to pull away a little while his gaze flicked nervously between everyone. He couldn't help but look scared. It was obvious that he was trying to calm down. The entire group stood there waiting for his reaction. He had time to collect his thoughts. After what could have been two hours or two minutes he finally spoke.

"What the fuck are you guys doing here?" His voice was hard.

"Adam we..." began Margo.

"Quentin. I'm Quentin!" He almost shouted, interrupting her.

"Q!" Julia yelled. "You came back!" Julia's joy did not last.

"Not willingly. What right do you have to come here and screw it up? I was living the life I chose for myself. Fuck you all!" He began to nervously run his hands through his hair.

"Look man, you have every right to do whatever you want. We didn't even know how to break the spell. Since we broke it without even knowing how, can we talk like civilized adults? Then I'll personally ask Fogg to do the spell again and erase that we were here, ok?"

Q knew an angry Penny was more dangerous than most of them, except for Margo. He thought for a few moments before finally agreed. "I'll talk to you. One by one. No fuss. I want to start with you Eliot." The boy's look couldn't hide his annoyance.

The others walked away. They were alone but distant. Eliot was still sitting on the blanket and Q was still standing far away, not moving.

"Can I speak Q?" The question was asked carefully. He knew what Quentin was like when he felt betrayed.

"No. I want to talk." Eliot just nodded.

"I remember what happened today. I'm disgusted. You came here trying to seduce me just to break the spell and take away the life I've chosen. This is unfair and too high level of selfishness, even for you. At the infirmary, you were in the same ward as me, in the next room, and you were unable to come see me. You weren't interested in whether I was alive or dead. But it gets worse. Nothing seems more important then to found another man to hook up. What a great choice El! A villain. The funny thing is that, that, asshole fucked you more than once, didn't he? He put a Sleeping Beauty spell on you. Everything was better than be around me. Fuck you!"

"Can I speak?"

"I don't know if I want to hear you."

"I won't have the right to say a word?" Eliot felt he had no chance.

"What right do you think you have after ignoring me?" Q crossed his arms over his chest and it was easy to see the tension in his body.

"No right as a guilty man that ignored you when you needed someone. However, at the same time, may I have a right as your soulmate. I just I want to apologize, and I want to be able to explain everything. There is a lot you don’t know, and it’s my fault. I should have told you. I’m really sorry. If after everything, you still want to be back to Adam’s life, then I'll leave and along with Penny I'll make Fogg give you anything you want. You can go back to your quiet, normal life. I'll never do it again. Nothing to bother you. You'll be free of me forever." He was crying and Quentin could see it. He didn't like to see El in such a pain and almost let him talk. After a second thought he spat again.

"You never believed in that soulmate bullshit. Don’t try to use it against me. I don't want to hear anything from you."

"Okay" Eliot keep searching for something in Q’s eyes. There’s only anger. "As you wish Quentin." Eliot rose. Crying, he looked at him once more and left.

Quentin didn't expect this. He thought Eliot would yell at him, that he would assert himself, even more after he threw on the table that they were kindred spirits. He was baffled. He felt an overwhelming urge to cry, but he forced himself to take a deep breath and avoid any tears.

He saw Julia approaching. She was crying, shaking even. His instinct was to worry about her, but remembered she abandoned him.

"I'll tell you what I told Eliot. You have no right to interfere in the life I've chosen. You came here on purpose to break the spell. I was happy. Why can't you respect my choices? You abandoned me when I needed you the most. You, the person who knew me since I was a kid, who could see when I was spiraling into depression. You didn't see and I almost died. If not for Kady I'd be dead. You know why you didn't see? Because you didn't want to." He said everything without even breathing.

"Q, I..."

"No Julia, I don't want to hear it. I won't listen. If you wanted to know what I had to say, you would have come to see me in the infirmary. You know how it was, being in that hospital environment alone, without anyone? I just wanted to have someone to tell me everything was going to be ok."

"Q, I wish that..."

"Julia, no. I really don't want to hear anything from you." He said more calmly but still very angry

She still stood for a moment looking at him. He looked away and she was gone. Quentin waited for a while to see who would be next. Nobody came.

A huge anger took hold of him. They took his life and left. He would have to start all over again. Everything that went so well here was thrown away. He looked around and took the blanket and wrapped everything Eliot had brought, rolled it up, and threw it in the trash. He decided to go after them and found everything empty, it didn't even seem like anyone had been there. He walked back home. He arrived and for his surprise. Fogg was there.

"Hello Mr. Coldwater." The dean was serious and clearly knew everything.

"Dean Fogg? I really didn’t expected that!" Even with the promise of 23 and Eliot he didn't expect them to have thrown in the towel so quickly.

"Can we talk?" The older man asked.

"Sure. Please. Come in." He opened the apartment door and indicated the armchair to Fogg who, after settling down, began to speak.

"My coming here is for the purpose of restoring your way of life. I was informed of this afternoon’s events. I will restore your memories by taking away the last hours. You can continue here as if the meeting with certain people had never occurred. Can we do that now?" He was objective. He seemed to want to resolve it soon.

"They went looking for you?" The boy pulled one of his knees and hugged it to his chest.

"Yes. I was startled by their arrival in my office. Mr. Adyodi, Miss Wicker, Miss Quinn and Miss Orloff-Diaz blipped in the middle of an audio meeting. They were emphatic that I should restore everything as soon as possible. I won't erase all day, just a few moments. I need you to relax so I can do my job."

"Okay. What do I need to do?" Quentin seemed more relaxed when he saw that the director was ready to help him.

"You need to drink this liquid. I'll scan your mind and erase only the moments you saw them or were related to them. Lie back and relax, while I do my job." Fogg held out his hand with a bottle of magenta-colored liquid, which Q drank in one gulp.

"Only four went there?" The boy asked as he settled down. He saw Fogg pull out the coffee table to sit across from him.

"Yes. I know they all came here but it was those ones, who looked for me. Does it make any difference?" There was a raised eyebrow.

"Nope. Just curiosity." Quentin placed a pillow under his head, finishing up.

"We can start then. You may close your eyes." Q obeyed.

Upon meeting his memories, Fogg encountered an unusual difficulty. Quentin's mind was fighting the forgetting commands. Fogg decided to take a break.

"Quentin, you're fighting me. It was so easy when we did it before. What don't you want to forget?"

"I want to forget everything." The boy sat down and now brought both knees to his chest.

"Maybe not everything. If you keep fighting my commands like this, I'll have to use a larger and more potent dosage of the liquid you just ingested. This one has a three-hour shelf life. If you can figure out what you don't want to forget, we can still do it today. If not, I'll have to come back tomorrow with the new potion." The dean got up and sat back down in the chair.

"I don't understand. Why wouldn't I want to forget something?" There was so much certainty in Fogg's words that he began to doubt his own thoughts.

"Only you can answer." The older man sighed, slightly tired, but still wanting to help his former student. "Quentin, we can do an experiment. If you agree, I can put up a kind of flag that will show both of us the moment or moments you don't want to forget. Recognizing it, there is a chance you can accept the reversal and resolve it all tonight." The option seemed good, and Quentin didn't take long to evaluate it.

"Hum…Ok, we can do that."

"Lie down again and I will perform the new procedure." The man stood up to take his place in front of the young man again. After a few tuts, a soft light left Fogg's hands and lit up Quentin's forehead. The journey for today has begun. It started with the reminder of the alarm clock and him getting ready for class. He jumped to the moment he saw his friends and as his gaze fixed on Eliot. The light flickered when he saw love in the other man eyes and the smile of his friends. Memories flashed through the morning's classes. Again, they shimmered into conversation with Julia and the sight of Eliot uncomfortable with Sebastian's presence. The memoirs went into advance mode by the time he was in the office making corrections for early work and the two afternoon class. They shivered frantically as they showed when he and Eliot meeting, seeing the picnic that had been prepared, glowed brightly. It exploded when they kissed and when Q regained his memory. It went off when Q quarreled with Eliot and Julia.

Fogg ended the spell.

"Mr. Coldwater, I think you have your answer. I saw a diner nearby. I'll go there for a coffee while you think about how to get around your resistance. I'll be back in a hour. If you can't figure it out, I'll come back tomorrow morning with the new potion." After a nod from the young man, Fogg stood up and left the apartment in silence.

--------------------------------

Eliot was pacing like crazy. He couldn't sit inside the cafeteria where they were waiting for Fogg. When Julia returned from her monologue with Quentin, Eliot had already informed every one of the disasters of his. It was enough to look at her to understand that the same thing had happened. They decided that they would give him what he most wanted, oblivion.

Immediately they collected everything they had taken. Penny transported them all to the portal to get away from Quentin. They decided that Penny would take Julia, Alice, and Kady to Brakebills and talk to the dean. Eliot would keep his promise. He would stay. Margo said she would stay with him for a few more hours. Josh and Fen could take over the kingdom for one day, and Margo could leave at any time through the portal.

Penny returned with Fogg and Julia, and they took him to Quentin's lobby. They arranged to wait in the cafeteria.

When Fogg returned, Eliot followed him into the establishment, and they all sat at the same table.

"All done?" Julia had barely given him time to sit down before questioning.

"No. We had a route problem." The answer was given without hesitation

"What do you mean? What happened?" The concern was clear in the woman's voice.

"Miss Hanson, he fought against the erasure. He said he wasn't fighting, but he was, somehow. I have the option of coming back tomorrow with a new potion, more potent and doing it against his will. However, I found it more productive to show him the memories that he didn't want to erase, so he could deal with them. I was due back in about sixty minutes, to sort everything out today."

"What memories is he trying to keep?"

"The memories aren't mine to tell you, Mr. Adyodi. Since we must wait and you dragged me here, it's only fair to buy me some coffee." He ended the conversation, picking up the menu to choose a strong, special coffee for a difficult situation.

After the orders were placed, Margo resumed the conversation.

"Did he ask you something?" This strong woman was not one to give up easily. She wanted better understand how Q was doing.

"He was just surprised that I arrived so quickly and wanted to confirm how many of you had come to see me." Fogg took his time to respond. Certainly choosing the words.

"He's really angry. We really did him a lot of harm. I deserved every word."

"No El, he exaggerated because he is anger. Some accusations were based on things he assumed." The friend placed her hand on his, squeezing lightly to make him think better.

"I know Margo, but I turned him down, I didn't pay any attention to him because I was hurt that he had choose Alice, when he had every right to move on with his life. Date whoever he wanted." He used his other hand to pinch the bridge of his nose and try to relax, at least a little.

"Mr. Waugh I'm sure I've seen these same lamentations in other timelines. Let me clarify something. Your major problem is not accepting that Mr. Coldwater really loves you." Straight to the point.

"I know. Mea culpa." Eliot was defeated. Margo still holds his hand to give him some comfort.

Sometime later Fogg got up. "Are you waiting for me here?"

"Of course. Thanks for everything." Julia, lost in thought, thanked him. The dean didn't have to do any of this, but he did it anyway.

"My pleasure Miss Wicker." He turned and walked toward Quentin's apartment.

---------------------------------------

Once he was alone, Q simply cried. He cried because Fogg was right. He didn't want to forget the love he saw in Eliot's eyes, or jealousy when Sebastian approached him. The first touch of their hands and the kiss. It was like when they were at the mosaic. El did the same way, the same touch. The kiss was the best thing in his life. Unlike all the other ones exchanged at the mosaic. Why had it been so special? When he regained his memory, he was still in Eliot's arms. His body reacted to the proximity, the smell, the touch in such a powerful way. How could a simple kiss break that strong spell?

He practically regretted letting Fogg go. He almost went out into the street after him but decided to calm down and wait. He tried to think. He threw himself back on the sofa and regretted it immediately. He decided to make some tea. Coffee would make the situation worse.

He sat down with a cup of chamomile tea, the slow sips and hot drink made him relax a little. It was enough for him to think that he couldn't decide anything yet. He still had doubts. When he finished tea, Fogg knocked on the door. He opened it and gave way for the man to enter and sit in the same chair as before with no words. He followed him and sat on the edge of the sofa, still agitated.

"Ready for another try?"

"Not really. No…I think I need some answers. How did they find me? Why was the memory spell broken with just a kiss? Why is it that now when I'm with Eliot the emotions seem so much stronger?" He poured out all the questions in a second.

"Lots of questions. Let's start with the first one. They couldn't find you because you changed your identity. No locator spell looking for Quentin could find Adam. However, there is a spell that you can use to locate your soulmate, even if you don't know who it is. Eliot certainly performed it. It's powerful magic."

"Does he think we are soulmates?" Quentin didn't seem to believe it.

"Mr. Waugh was reluctant to believe you loved him. I believe he didn't doubt his own feelings, just yours." His expression seemed to imply that it wasn't the first time he had said this.

"Does he believe now?" Quentin was afraid of getting it wrong. Fogg seemed to be on his side in this subject.

"He believed when he did the spell or it wouldn't have worked. He really had to open his heart to make it right. Now, I can't say." He crossed his legs knowing more questions would come.

"What about breaking the identity spell? Did they really not know what to do? Did they want to break it?" The boy stood up. He had his head spinning.

"They didn't know how to break it. From what I heard, they wanted to check on you. Your friends had no idea what to do, but they ended up breaking it anyway." He waited for a second before adding. "They regretted it twice. They didn't give you the attention you deserved after saving everyone's ass and messed up your new life. The most important thing is, haven't you heard that love always wins?" There was a slight smile on the most experienced man's lips.

Love wins. Q remembered the day he went with Eliot to get the book from Marina and he fought with Julia. Other memories followed. Eliot and the throne room. "Eliot, he, he doesn't love me, he rejected me." That was all he could think of.

"Indeed, and you rejected him today. Let me ask you something, have you stopped loving him?" The dean could see the surprise in Quentin’s expression. Seeing that the young man was still not going to speak, he took a deep breath and decided to continue. "And as for the last question when two soulmates meet after the locator spell, a stronger bond is created. That bond can be destroyed only if one of the pair reneges on that said love."

"What kind of bond? What was special about this connection? It was all so intense." The curiosity was justified.

"Mr. Coldwater, I personally have never met a couple who has used the spell. What I know about it comes from reading. It's different for every couple. Some can even feel the other's presence." The boy looked even more confused.

"About what you said before, would denying make you stop feeling?" Quentin was staring at the other man, waiting for a response.

"The simple answer is no. It would make you both unhappy. I can see you need more time. You have a lot to think. I'll be back tomorrow morning with the new potion." He stood up and headed towards the door where he stopped to say one last thing. "Some questions that I imagine you still have cannot be answered by me. Maybe you should ask someone else. Good night."

------------------------------------------

Fogg returned to the cafeteria and explained what had happened. Eliot still wants to stay in town. He convinced Margo to wrath to Filory. Penny will take Julia and Fogg to Brakebills. They will reunite the next morning at the portal.

When he was alone, Eliot decided to find a place to sleep. Walking back to Quentin's building, he saw a rent sign on the building at the opposite side of the street. Using some tuts, he entered the apartment that was furnished. Finally, some luck. Putting some protections on the place, he finally allowed himself to sit down. He regretted not bringing anything to drink; he could use at least a glass of wine.

He was lost in thought when something startled him. A noise at the door. He put himself in a defensive position, creating a shield. Before the door opened, he senses him. He lowered his shield; the only thing that could get hurt was his heart. Quentin.

Chapter Text

"Hey. Can, can we talk? When he saw Eliot slowly smile, he continued. "I'm sorry. You were right at one point; you know…it wasn't fair not let you say…hum…something." Quentin had opened the door and stood on the threshold.

"It's okay Q. I understand…I would feel the same in your position." Eliot was afraid that Q looking for him was a dream or hallucination. He gestured for the boy to come in and sit on the sofa. With a simple gesture, he closed the door before also sat, keeping some distance.

"Why are you here?" The question came out abruptly, but he really wasn't angry, not anymore and he gave a half smile to prove it.

"Long story and I want to tell you all Q, I promise." He waited for the man in front of him to nod before taking a deep breath, trying to keep his nerves at bay. "I'll start with the park if I may." Once again, the boy nodded at him. "When I broke through the monster's barrier, I couldn't be happier to see you. I stayed in a place I used to call my happy place. It was as if I was in Brakebills. At first, I was alone, but then you, Margo and Fen appeared. They were pale copies of you, but it helped. There was also...not important." Eliot ran his hands through his hair before continuing. "Do you know how I managed to take control of my body for just a few seconds?"

"No idea." Q responds smoothly.

"I had to face my biggest regret." He laughed weakly. "I thought about so many things I've done in my life until you Quentin, no, that other one, told me something that made me know, without a shadow of a doubt, what it was. You, to be precise, rejecting you." Eliot swallowed hard waiting for a moment to see Q's reaction.

"Eliot, I couldn't imagine, you seemed so determined..." The chocolate eyes searched the amber ones to understand better.

"I was scared and when I get like that, I run away. I ran from you because I knew how much I loved you, and I was afraid that you might not want me, now that you had an option." He had teary eyes and was pouring his heart out and offering it to someone for the first time in his life.

"El, I always had a choice. Arielle or anyone else in the village..." He stopped when he saw the hand raised and hanging for him to wait.

"Please let me finish Q. I'm being brave because I learned from you honey. I'm trying to do it right." He saw the boy holding himself back from responding and continued. "When I said all that about fifty years and peaches and plums, it was a declaration of love. When I woke up, even though I was happy to have Bambi by my side, I asked for you. She told me that you got hurt. I was worried about your health and wanted to see you until I knew that you were back with Alice." There was a pain that showed in his eyes and in the way his lips formed a thin line.

"It was a mistake. I just, just needed someone around to notice me. I was alone and lost." He said quickly.

"Q, no need to explain, sweetheart." There was still a lot to say. "I did the worst thing I could have done. I ran away from you again. Alice, Arielle, I always thought that the love of your life…that you would always prefer one of them to me."

"No El. I loved Ari but I wouldn't have stayed with her if you hadn't pushed me to. Without her, we wouldn't have Teddy what would be...well you know, he was so special. I miss him so much. Of course, I suffered when she died but without you...When you died it was all over for me." Eliot's eyes were even more teary, shining. "Me and Alice, we don't work, I wish it did because she's more like me, but I can't see myself with her for a long time, and never for fifty years." The youngest magician was emphatic.

"I know that now Q. I really do." Eliot said as the first tear ran down his face.

"Do you?" The raised eyebrows still showed a bit of disbelief.

"I really do baby." He sat a little closer to get a better look at the brown eyes. "I was destroying myself without you, just because I love you so much. I wanted you to be happy, but I... You know me, I was drowning myself in drink and opium, so I wouldn't think, I wouldn't feel." He felt another tear fall. "Fogg called us and everything I heard only showed me how much we had hurt you, even when we all loved you. I sank even deeper to realize that my cowardice had pushed you so much further away. I wasn't going to have you anyway, not as my love, and not as a best friend." He couldn't stop now.

"When we found out where you were, we wanted to talk and explain everything and apologize. We knew you might still want to forget about us. We had hope, but we counted on it, so much that we went to Fogg immediately, after seeing that Julia and I weren't heard and that no one else would be. Even before all that happened, I had decided I would stay here. I was going to try to be your friend without even making you recover your memory again. I would work at the University and take care of you, protect you, be your support when you needed it, love you even with another identity…if you wanted to. I don’t know if I could bear to see you marry and raise a family, but I would try. After today, I know it won't be possible. We attract each other like hell. If I had enough willpower to stay away from you and you wanted me, I would have to reject you, again."

Eliot's eyes held such emotion that Quentin had to close his for a few seconds, trying to absorb what was being said. "How not to kiss you? Just rejecting you. It would make you suffer, and I would suffer twice, for me and for you. After you erased your memories, you wouldn't be able to see me again, and I would have to trust our friends to check on you. Maybe hide somewhere where I could see you without being seen, every now and then." With a sad smile, he has a question. "How did you find me now Q? How did you know I hadn't left?"

"I didn’t. I just hope. I used a locator spell. Since you found me, kissed me, there is something, like a bond between us, and it has grown stronger since this afternoon." The boy gestured trying to show the invisible bond.

"Yes, noticed it too." He smiled and had hopes, not many but he did. "I wanted to tell you so many things."

"Do not want anymore? Did you say everything?" The half-smile was a bit of a challenge.

"I still want...Hell, it is so…Look, what I want is you, more than anything. Quentin, you're the best thing that ever happened in my life. You were never the problem; you were always the solution. I've always had issues accepting good things in my life. Believing that I could be loved? Loved by you? It seemed impossible, even after fifty wonderful years." They were sitting on the couch, closer to each other, but still not touching.

"Q I need to say that marrying you at the mosaic was for love. A love that I didn't even believe I could have, or want, before you. I pushed you to Ari because I wanted you to have a choice. I thought you were stuck with me. When I said no, it was because I was sure that given you a choice, you know..." Regret was written all over his face.

"El, you must believe that I know what I want. I could have choose another person." Quentin reflected a whirlwind of emotions in his eyes.

"Q…If I believed in our love and then discover it wasn't real…would be the end of me. To find you today, I needed help to come to terms with my feelings, for myself and for all our friends. I didn't say anything about the mosaic. I just said that I love you and that you are the love of my life. I should have told you this first. You deserved to hear how much you are loved, and how much I am in love with you. Forgive me, please." He saw a more sullen expression on his beloved's face, and tried to smile and lighten the mood. "Margo still hasn't forgiven me, Julia nearly hit me."

Q laughed softly imagining their two best friends teasing and fighting with Eliot.

"They are hard to ignore." Finally, he seemed to relax.

"Certainly." Eliot stopped for breath. Those are really strong emotions. He gave up holding. "I had so much hope, while locked inside of my mind, that facing the reality that you had chosen Alice…it drove me crazy. Jealousy, heartbroken, call it what you want. I didn't want to see you with her. I went to Filory to help Bambi retake the throne. When we got there, we found about the Dark King. I didn't fall in love with him. I approached him to try to find a weak point. Yes, I kissed him but that was it. He heard me mourn your loss and, somehow, put the spell on me." Eliot was ashamed of the kiss and of being placed under a spell.

"Why did he put a spell on you?" Q still didn't understand why.

"I still think about it and I don't understand. What I do know is that I woke up. Luckily, Margo's kiss woke me up. Amen for that." He was relieved to be released from a mental prison once again.

"El, I have something to confess." A slight blush appeared on the boy's cheeks.

"Ok." He was afraid of hearing something he didn't want, but he would be strong. He straightened his back and prepared himself for what might come.

"When no one went after me at the infirmary, and only Todd seemed to care, I decided what to do. Come here and forget about you, all of you. At Filory, when neither Alice nor Margo paid attention to me, I realized that I was right. I didn't think you loved me, but I knew my feelings…I decided to try to wake you up. At the same time, I didn't want to put that weight on you, of being soulmates if it worked." Quentin spoke almost as if apologizing.

"Ah Q, it would be wonderful to woke up with your kiss." Eliot was smiling.

"I drugged you." He said it so quickly that Eliot thought twice to understand.

"What the fuck? How?" The astonished expression indicated how much he hadn't expected any of this.

"Before kissing you I gave you a dose of medicine to make you sleep. If it worked, I wanted you to take a while to wake up so no one would connect your wake-up call to me. I gave you the medicine; waited a while and kissed you. Immediately looked like you were going to wake up, you moved a little bit, and then the medicine sent you back to sleep. I fixed you into the same position. When Margo came back, I just left."

Unable to take it any longer, Eliot took Quentin's hand. The energy that passed between them made him want more, but he refrained.

"Q! My love. I don't even know what to say. The only thing I can think about right now is how much I love you. I should have said that before. A long time ago. I love you, Quentin Makepeace Coldwater." He took a breath to continue. "I’m sorry about everything the monster did to you. I shoot it because I couldn’t leave you there. I was terrified, again. I’m sorry that it took me so much time to put my feelings on the right path. I’m sorry that I didn't believe in your love. In our love. If I'm honest, I think I fell in love from day one, but I thought happiness was not for me. Depriving me of this happiness cause to deprive you too. I will understand if you decide to erase me again. I heard once that love must have hope. I will cling to it." He was really putting all his love into it so that, hopefully, Quentin would take him back.

"El, I want to believe that you came after me because you love me." He really wanted that.

"Let me prove it to you. What I want the most now, is for you to decide not to erase your memory anymore and let me be a part of your life. If you decide to stay here forever, I'll stay with you."

"Would you really leave Filory, Margo and magic to stay with me?" Quentin was trying to read Eliot's emotions at that moment.

"In a blink of an eye. You are my soulmate. I love you." He shook Quentin's hand, and the gleam in his eyes corroborated his words. Q had seen the same glow this morning.

"I..." Eliot could tell that wonderful boy didn't know what to say. Not yet.

"Q, you don't need to tell me anything right now. Listen. I've arranged to meet the group tomorrow, when Fogg comes to know your decision. You need time to think. To be honest, since the last time we saw each other, I didn’t expected but I'm glad you came." They stay in silence for a moment, looking into each other eyes. Q was trying to find out if he could believe in that love. The love he can see in Eliot’s right now.

"Ok. So, hum, see you tomorrow?" Q get up, headed to the door and Eliot followed.

"Yeah." After a moment, he decided to put all his chips on the table. "Q. Please, wait. I have no right to ask for anything, but...I just wish I could give you one more kiss. Even if it's the last one." Eliot, for a moment, thought he had ruined everything.

Quentin seems surprised. His face showed doubt for a moment, until he made up his mind. "Ok. You can kiss me."

Eliot didn't waste a second. Placing one hand softly on the back of Q’s neck and the other around the waistline, he brought the younger body up to cling to his. They fit together; It is perfect. It wasn't an explosion like the last one. This kiss wasn't breaking any spells, but it felt like both souls were singing with joy to be together again. They belong together. It was a kiss of love. Sweet and calm. This kiss, at this moment, was from a man wanting to prove his love to the other.

When they stopped for breath, Eliot leaned his forehead against Q’s. For a few seconds they just stayed like that, still, breathing together. The connection was undeniable. El didn't want to let him go, but he knew that if he wanted to have a chance to get him back, he had to let him go, for now. He pulled back far enough to look into the eyes of the love of his life. Cupping his face in both hands, he gave him one more soft, languid kiss and pulled away. Q still took a few seconds to move, but did it, with a shy smile.

Elliot had one last thing to say. "Q..." The boy stopped at the door and turned to face him again. "Just so you don't forget; I love you and I'm in love with you." The statement brought a new smile to the face of the young man who then left.

As soon as he heard Quentin entering the elevator, he went to the window. Under the shade, he watched until he saw Quentin cross the street. He saw him stop at the lobby and look back at the building before entering. He waited until he saw the light from Q’s apartment turn on. Heart pounding, he watched as Q appeared at the balcony, looking for him. He took a deep breath, opened the shade, and stepped into view. The smile he got back was worth a lifetime. Q waved and entered.

-------------------------------

When Quentin walked out onto the balcony, he knew Eliot was watching him, he could feel his gaze even though he didn't know where he was. When he went to the building, just following the spell, did not pay attention to anything. He was happy to see that he was right. El was there, watching over him. Only now, he realized that the apartment was for rent. There was no way to get confused again. He was happy to see that he really intends to look after him. Eliot's smile warmed his heart, and for the first time since regaining his memory, he smiled heartily.

He came in because he needed to think. Think looking at Eliot's face is not easy. It was amazing how he still couldn't resist him. Even when he didn't know who Eliot was. He remembered the moment he saw him at the campus. He knew he wanted that man. He always knew. Since Brakebills. He considered his friend beyond his reach and so focused on Alice, who seemed to be the right person for him.

When Julia invited him to meet Eliot, he kept making questions, as if considering the invitation, but he had already accepted. He loved seeing the jealousy in his eyes when Sebastian came to talk to him. There was no way he could trade a date with Eliot for one with anyone else.

The picnic was beautiful. El had succeeded, there was no denying, it was romantic, he had played to win. Since they sat down, he had been managing not to jump him. When they kissed, it was explosive. Fogg said that love always win. That old son of a bitch must be right.

Being as objective as he had never been in his life, he must to assume that he still loves that stylish, intelligent and selective man. He had never stopped. He deserved to be happy, didn't he? El offered to stay here with him. Was it serious? Would he adapt to a calm life in a peaceful town? Fuck, he was already considering. He wouldn't be able to sleep, that was for sure. He hoped he would at least find the right answer.

Despite everything against it, he slept. He woke up at 9AM. Good thing it is Saturday, and he wouldn't have classes. He got up and went to the balcony. Everything was closed in the apartment ahead. Is El still asleep? Had he made the right decision? His attention was captured by Eliot. He was on the sidewalk. Before turning the corner, he stopped and smiled shyly. Eliot was never shy. Always so sure of himself. His heart lurched once more.

He took a shower and got dressed. He wasn't going to wait for Fogg. Eliot had already said where they would meet, he decided to go too. For the first time since yesterday, he looked in the mirror. He was different. Yesterday morning he could tell he was happy, today he isn't sure. Not yet, not now.

He decided to get a mochaccino at the nearby cafeteria. While in line he saw his reflection in a wall mirror. He had dressed up. He put on his best black jeans and a button-down shirt in a shade of green that set off his skin. It had been a while since he wore that shirt. Margo had given it to him back in the cottage, trying to improve his wardrobe.

As soon as he received his order, he was walking to campus. He didn't know exactly where the portal was, but he knew the link with Eliot would guide him, if he so desired. As soon as he set foot on Campus, he focused on Eliot. At first he didn't feel anything, but after a second he felt like he was being pulled. He just went with the flow. He found himself in the direction of one of the oldest buildings and after going around it he saw the group. Fogg, Penny, Julia, Alice, Margo, Kady and El.

Eliot turned immediately. Surely, he had felt the same pull. Everyone turned toward him following Eliot's movements. Looking into each one of his friends faces, he saw reflected in them the same insecurity Eliot was feeling right now. The only impartial one was Fogg. He knew the time had come; he could no longer put off the decision. He walked slowly towards them. Everyone was silent until he spoke.

"Good morning." Everyone responded but said nothing more.

"Mr. Coldwater, I was going to meet you. I believe you've already made up your mind, am I right?" The dean looked calm and his expression was impassive.

"Yeah." The answer was given with the calmness of someone who has already made up their mind.

"Do you want to share with everyone, or would you prefer that we talk separately?" Once again, the more mature man was being polite and giving him a choice.

"We're going to talk separately, but first I'd like to talk to the group, if you don't mind." He stuck his hands in his pockets a little awkwardly.

"Not at all."

"Guys, I know I was unfair to you yesterday. All of you. Especially to you Jules. I know apologizing doesn't erase it. I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry. I didn't want it to be that way. I really didn't imagine that you could find me. You caught me off guard. I apologize to each of you. I know you'd like answers, but I need to talk to Fogg first. I'll be right back." He could see that most of them had tears in their eyes. Eliot's face was without its usual mask. He never seen him so exposed, except for last night. There were a few benches nearby and he led the way to Fogg, who followed him without saying a word.

----------------------------------

His heart was in his mouth. From the moment he opened his eyes, Eliot knew that today his life was going to change. He could be the happiest man in the world, or the most miserable. Never had his life been in anyone's hands, not like this. Even when he still lived with his parents, he knew that one day he would go away and take the reins of his life, walk his own path, making his countless mistakes and a few successes.

He went to the bathroom, took a shower and grabbed the clothes from the day before that he had put on to wash and dry. Used a spell to make them look smooth and presentable. He could be kicked today, but he would be a class-beaten man. He found a toothbrush still in a wrapper in the bathroom cabinet and a dodgy toothpaste. Better than nothing. He fixed his hair as best he could and regretted not finding at least some make up. He was ready. He was like a prisoner going to hear his sentence. Would he be released, or would he serve a life sentence?

Before going downstairs, he focused on Q. He felt that Q was still at home. How strange this connection is? He seemed to have a radar built into his chest. When he reached the sidewalk, he felt that he was being watched. He didn't need to think twice to know who was. He looked over and saw Q at the balcony. Despite the distance he seemed to feel that he still had doubts. So, it was better to let him think a little longer. He smiled and decided to go to the cafeteria. He needed a boost and had promised himself he wouldn't drink, he wanted to be whole.

He ordered for everyone. He had a slim hope that Q would show up at the cafeteria, but he wasn't betting his chips on it. After receiving his order, he discreetly put on a spell to keep all drinks warm as he headed to campus. He went straight to the portal for Filory. He saw in surprise that another portal had been created, right to Brakebills, which Fogg was passing through.

"Good morning Mr. Waugh. How are you doing?"

Before he had a chance to answer Filory's portal opened. Everyone else was coming from there. He didn't expect everyone to arrive together. Julia hugged him and everyone else followed. He gave their beverage and noticed that Margo had a bag, but he didn't have time to ask what it was before Alice talked.

"Eliot, what happened yesterday? Where did you sleep? Did you see Q?" The girl seemed nervous.

"Damm girl, let him breathe, one question at a time."

"Thanks Bambi. When you all left, I started looking around for a place to stay. I saw an apartment to rent, at the building across the street. It was my best chance." He smiled remembering how happy he was to be able to stay so close to Quentin's home.

"Furnished?"

"Yes Kady, very lucky me. The living room window overlooked his apartment. Before trying to see anything, I collapsed onto the couch. I have to say, that locator spell brought us together. I can kind of feel where he is if I focus. I was startled when he came to talk to me." He still felt his heart beat faster as he came face to face again with the most important man in his life.

"Fuck man. He came to you. Like I said, you have a chance." The boy seemed sure of what he was saying.

"I wanted to be so sure 23. He apologized, said he was unfair to me and to you, Julia." He needed to stand still, so he took a deep breath.

"Q being Q. He has every right to be pissed at us since we didn't pay any attention." Kady said without blinking. She had learned to know everyone in that crazy group of people.

"Yes, he hasn't changed." Eliot said with a weak laugh.

"Did he let you talk?" The blonde questioned again.

"Yes, he did, and said a few more things. At least this time he heard me." He knew how important this had been.

"What else did he say, something else than what he told us?" The childhood friend was curious.

"He spoke how helpless he felt. How Alice and Margo didn't pay attention to him at Filory." Eliot was thrilled what he was about to tell his friends. He restrained himself before continuing. "Said he kissed me to break the curse placed by the Dark King."

"Fuck! Impossible! I was there when he left, you didn't wake up!"

"Margo, he gave me sleeping pills. He didn't want me to know it was him." Eliot said quickly.

"Fucking bastard! He deceived us all."

"Looks like Quentin is smarter than you Margo. He tricked you under your nose." She poked the high king with her elbow.

"Fuck Kady. He really did." The girl seemed pleased to see this side of her friend. It wasn't just anyone who deceived her.

"He let me speak. I explained about the past, about why I hadn't gone to see him at the infirmary."

"How did he react?" There was a hint of anxiety in her voice, and she placed her hand on his arm.

"I don't know Julia, I really don't. He was calm but not convinced of my feelings. I talked about my plans that I intended to stay here even if he erased his memory again, but now I knew it wouldn't be possible." He said with a hint of sadness.

"Why not?" Julia was surprised and moved a little away from him, to get a better look at his face. He talked so much about not leaving Quentin. Now she wanted to understand why he changed his mind.

"He was attracted to me yesterday without even knowing who I was. If I showed up in his life and rejected him, just so I wouldn't break the spell, again I…I would be doing more harm than good Julia. I will make him suffer." She could see his sincerity.

"You're right. You know Eliot, spell or not, you convinced me. You really love him." She smiled. Q deserved to be loved.

"More than anything." Sighing Eliot added, "Q" and turned back. There he was.

The hardest thing about this moment was that he had already his chance to talk. It is all to Quentin's decision. He looked controlled, almost calm. That meant the he made a decision and is in peace with it.

When Q apologized, it sparked new hope in Eliot's chest. He didn't want to bet all his chips on that hope. He watched Q and Fogg moving away. Up ahead there were some benches and they sat there. Q walked away without looking back. A terrifying, icy feeling coursed through Eliot’s veins. He felt Julia's hand take his. She is also terrified. He felt Margo's hand on his back and her head rests on his arm.

"Let's hope. Our favorite nerd has got to come back to us. He has." Margo’s voice was unsure.

Eliot wanted to have faith. He was never a religious person and having met some silly gods hadn’t help him to become one. He thought about what he could cling to. In friends, of course. More than that, in his love for that man. Fuck all the gods. He wants to live this love again. Q had his back to him; he couldn't read his expression and Fogg was impassive. In five minutes, they were back. Q was serious, looking at the ground.

"I, I made a decision. You guys deserve to know before Fogg, and I do the procedures."

Eliot began to cry silently, his blurry vision barely able to focus on Q's face. He didn't want to hear the rest, but Q continued anyway.

"I decided to stay here. I hope you understand that I'm doing what's best for me." At that moment Julia hugged Eliot, both were crying. They didn't look at Quentin's face. Margo and Alice were crying too, Penny and Kady were looking at their friends, trying to put on some strength.

"El, Jules, please look at me." He spoke very affectionately.

"I can’t. I don't want to see you go; I don't want to say goodbye." Julia managed to say.

"Calm down, it won't be like that."

"How not?" Coming close, Q took her hand, pulling her out of Eliot's arms, he hugged her.

"Calm down Jules. I am sorry for yesterday. We'll be fine."

Unable to bear this farewell any longer, Eliot tried to wipe away his tears to take one last look at the face of his love. He was crying too, but at the same time he had a smile on his face. He seems happy to be alone. Eliot had to give it to him. He took a step back, so he could better observe the man he loved so much.

"El, why are you moving away from me?" Q asked quickly.

"As I told you yesterday, depending on your choice I would have to go away. I’m just trying to get a better look at you, while I can." He was feeling his heart pounding and his breathing was really labored.

"I thought you wanted to be with me." When Eliot looked into his eyes, he saw that Q was teasing him.

His friends seemed to be just as confused as he was, but Margo verbalized. "What the fuck is going on?"

"Q, please, don't play with my feelings." He begged, placing one hand on his chest.

Quentin pulled away from Julia and came towards him. Eliot felt his heart almost bursting. Q deserved everything, no matter what his decision was. With each step Eliot felt the force of the push. Tired of resisting, he hugged Quentin putting his head on his chest. He hugged him so tightly that he felt his heart beating as fast as his own.

"El, you really meant it yesterday, didn't you?" Quentin spoke more quietly, making the conversation more intimate.

"Yes sweetheart, with all my heart and soul. I love you! I also told you that we can't be close if you stay and erase your memories again." Quentin pulled away from him to look him in the eye. Eliot continued to cry. Looking around, Q saw Julia and his friends all giving each other strength, some holding hands.

"Guys, yeah, I decided to stay. I want to finish the semester, I like my class, but I won't erase my memories anymore. I want you all in my life." Turning to Eliot. "I love you too. I would be the most complete idiot if I didn't recognize the love I see right now in your eyes. You said you were ready to drop everything for me. Stay here with me?" Eliot kissed him. Nothing else would better express his answer. He was happy, completely happy.

Pulling away to breath, he was separated from Quentin as everyone else came to hug him. He let them. Everyone missed him. After all, he was always the heart of their group. One thing still bothered him.

"Q if you weren't going to erase your memory, what procedure are you going to do with Fogg?" He had stopped with his hand on his chin when he asked the question.

"True man, I don't understand either."

"I want to continue teaching but using my real name. I need Fogg's help to be Professor Coldwater and no longer Professor Adam Theodore Paxferrer. I also want to transfer the apartment to my name, my real name." He explained with a smile.

"Why did you choose this name?"

"Simple Kady. Adam and Theodore were my father's names, I just reversed the order. Paxferrer is like Makepeace in Latin." In his head it was the most obvious thing in the world. Everyone laughed leaving the atmosphere light.

"How much time did you have to think about all this?"

"Just a few days Alice. I went to sell my father's house and one thing led to another."

"I hate to mess up the moment, but I have an appointment soon. Can we perform the procedures Mr. Coldwater?" The dean looked at his watch and really seemed to be in a hurry.

"We can all go to my apartment. After the procedure we will celebrate, what do you think?" Everyone agreed. Penny gladly gave everyone a ride to the front door of Q’s place.

While Q and Fogg went to his room to perform the new procedure, the others settled in the living room and at the balcony.

"Eliot you are a dangerous stalker. Your hiding place is exactly in front of Quentin's apartment." The hedge leader was having fun. Eliot had told how he got into the apartment and what he found there.

"If I was going to take care of him, it had to be up close. I don't like to do anything halfway." Kady laughed once more, and they both walked back into the living room.

Fogg left half an hour later. Penny gave him a lift, returning shortly after. They decided to order food and buy some drinks. In less than half an hour wines and beers arrived for everyone. Shortly after 1PM, several dishes of oriental food were delivered.

Everyone wanted to talk to Q; Everyone wanted to apologize to him. There were tears but smiles and hugs too. A lot of love. Eliot wanted him all to himself, but he knew that right now he had to wait. They spoke separately and as a group. Julia was the longest conversation. Much to be explained. He heard her promise that even though he stayed here they would always talk, she wouldn't fail him anymore, even though she knew he wouldn't be alone.

They spent the afternoon eating and drinking. Q telling them what happened during this period and being informed of everyone's news. It was hard for Eliot to be physically away from him. Julia, Margo, Alice and even Kady wanted to be close to their once lost friend. Q received hugs, kisses, caresses and some playful pushes from the woman who saved him. Margo had sat on Quentin's lap for a few minutes. It was Q’s moment. Eliot knew they would leave at some point. He must wait. Even sitting apart, he only had eyes for him. Q was smiling happily, as he hadn't seen him for a long time.

Before everyone left, late at night, Margo handed the bag she had brought to Eliot. She put in some of his clothes and personal items.

"How did you know?"

"I didn't, but I had hope. I've never seen you love anyone El. Something good had to happen, at least once in your life." She had a sparkle in her eye. Finally she can relax. Her best friend had found his happy end.

"Thank you, Bambi. What would I do without you?"

"You will have to stay naked straight away. Hum, I think Coldwater would prefer it that way, let me take it back." Her laugh caught everyone's attention.

When they left, Quentin approached Eliot, pulling him closer by his hand.

"Are you ready to move in with me?" The playful tone was back.

"We've lived together for fifty years. I would be delighted for another fifty." The taller man approached, making it clear that he would never leave again.

"Hum, I love this prospect of fifty more years, or sixty. The more the better." His hand released his lover's wrist to hug him around the waist.

"I loved being with them. All of them, but I really wanted to be alone with you." The long fingers ran up his beloved's arms, until they caressed his face.

"Me either. Not being able to touch you was killing me. El, are you sure you want to stay here for so long?" He made those puppy dog eyes.

"The only certainty I have is that I don't want to be away from you again. Here, at the moon, at the bottom of the sea. I don't want to waste a second anymore. Last night, watching you leave, not knowing if I would see you again..." He let the words trail off. Didn't want to say them.

"I'm not going anywhere except to bed, and you're going with me."

Quentin pulled Eliot by his tie into the bedroom and kissed him. It was a desperate kiss. He went through so many things…he almost died. He erased his own memories thinking he would never have love in his life, never again. Now he was exactly where he wanted to be.

Quentin started taking off his tie, unbuttoning his vest, nearly ripping off the buttons and now El’s fucking shirt. Why so many clothes? He needed to feel his skin, the heat of his body. He was in such a hurry that he was getting frustrated. "Calm down my love. We have all the time in the world. Let me take care of you." The melodious voice soothed him a little. He let El take off his own shirt as his hands explored every inch of his beloved body. Remembering every muscle, the smoothness of the skin, the sensitivity of his nipples. After one more kiss, El pulled him back far enough to look him in the eye as he took off his shirt so that they were both equals. The next kiss came with even greater hunger. His hands cupped Eliot's ass, bringing their hips together. He was getting hard and wanted to show it. He realized how much El wanted him too.

He decided to taste not just his mouth, but Eliot's body as well. He began to place open mouth kisses along his white skin, let his tongue follow the curve of El's long neck, feeling his partner shiver. Slowly he went down to his shoulder, while one of his hands are still squeezing Eliot’s ass and the other was lost among the soft curls. His mouth didn't settle until it found one of his sensitive nipples. He knew every erogenous streak at Eliot's body, even though that knowledge had come from another lifetime.

Quentin wanted more. There were still a lot of clothes between them. He bent down, unbuckled Eliot’s belt, lowering his slacks in the process. The sight of his cock fighting for freedom, but still restricted by his underwear drove him crazy. His mouth wanted to devour that cock inch by inch. He started licking it even before he dropped the underwear. When he finally got rid of the last piece, Eliot's huge, thick, glorious cock was ready for him.

He wanted all of Eliot’s body. Put his mouth on that cock, suck, lick, kiss, try to swallow as much as possible. He didn't want to miss anything. It was a long time waiting. He became more and more excited by the sounds his partner is making just for him. He knew how much pleasure he was giving him. He wanted to give more. El stopped him speaking breathlessly.

"Baby, do you just want to blow me? Because if you want me to fuck you, you better stop. It's hard to control myself with you devouring me like this." His ragged breathing showed he wasn't joking.

"I want everything with you." The answer came quickly. He didn't want to waste time on words.

Eliot took his hand and lifted him up, kissing him greedily. It was amazing how each kiss, each touch felt better than the last. It was mind blowing. He felt his lover's hands reaching down to remove his clothes. Both wanted to feel each other.

When Eliot bent down to finish undressing him, Q felt he wanted to suck him too. El swallowed it as he squeezed his ass, digging his fingers between his buttocks until they found his hole. One of the fingers began to circle his hole causing a shiver to go through his body. More, he wanted more.

"El, please." It wasn't a request, it was a plea.

"What do you want darling. Tell me and it is yours."

"El I want…put at least one finger in me." The boy leaned even more towards the other boy. His body was given over to his love, to his lover.

"Slow down Q, we have all night, I want to taste you. I intend that, after tonight, you don't want any other man and never be far from me again." He once again placed his lover's penis in his mouth, giving one last suck, before changing the focus of his attention.

Eliot stood kissing that pink, wet mouth and led him to the bed. He made him lie down right in the middle and began a delicious torture, exploring his skin with his tongue moving up from his feet to his groin. After sucking Quentin's cock a few more times, he abruptly turned him over. Q gasped at the unexpected change in position and then moaned at the feel of El’s mouth on his ass. He was leaving a trail of wet kisses until he reached his hole, where that experienced and naughty tongue began to ask for passage. He was in paradise. Eliot was devouring him. How had he managed to live so long without this man? How could he ever think to forget him?

Q felt when he pulled out his tongue and inserted two fingers, after producing some lube, working to open his hole, to prepare it. His mouth went back to navigating his body, exploring every corner until he inserted his third finger. He stood still for a few seconds and removed all his fingers.

"El?" He was missing the touch of his love.

"Do you want my fingers back sweetie?" The hands returned to his body, one running up his spine and the other caressing his round ass.

"Your fingers, your tongue, your cock." He shivered once more when both hands returned to the side of his hips.

"We'll get there soon." He slipped all three fingers back into it and opened it a little wider.

"More." Eliot removed his fingers and turned him over again, kissing him so hard he knew his lips would be sore.

"Want to look into your eyes while I fuck you." Returning to kiss him, Q felt Eliot spread his legs to better position himself. He felt the head of his cock playing at his entrance. His eyes were black, desire had taken over. Slowly, he was pushing that huge cock inside of him. He could feel every inch of that magnificent cock entering, widening and filling him as only he can do, pushing slowly.

Before moving, they kissed again. There was a lot of lust but also a lot of love. It was more than he could handle. He barely managed to keep his gaze on Eliot as he started to move. He wasn't going to last, and Eliot noticed. His dick was dripping.

"Baby, you're going to come on my cock, you won't even have to touch yourself. Honey, I’m sorry. I intended to last much longer, but seeing you like this...I won't be able… it's impossible."

"El, I'm so close"

No longer holding back Eliot released the movements becoming erratic, faster and stronger. They babbled lost words between moans. Q came a second after feeling Eliot spurt inside him. The energy released when they reached their orgasms, was as strong as the energy created when they broke the spell. Both were stunned, powerless, sated and in love. They held each other in the same position for a while and kissed tenderly. Eliot was still inside him. El only came out when his cock completely soften; he took the opportunity to change position. Lying on his back, he pulled Q to him, so Q’s head was under his chin, legs entwined, and Q was playing with the soft hair of his chest.

"El, explain to me, how did we stay apart for so long??"

"Because I am a bastard asshole. I love you so much Q. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you. Promise you won't leave me for Sebastian." Eliot said teasing, while running his fingers through Q’s hair.

"He never had a chance. That night, when we went to Sheyla's dinner, he gave me a ride back and kissed me." He remembered the other night a lot as if it were something distant and not just two nights ago.

"You told me. I don't think it is necessary to know more of it." The blasé tone was just to disguise the pang of jealousy.

"You don't fool me, you are dying to know. It was a quick kiss and I just thought...Nope, I need something better." El's laughter filled the room.

"I realized he was hitting on you. I wanted to go to him when he put his hands on your shoulder like you were his." One of his hands slid down to rest in the same spot, showing how much he had been paying attention.

It was Quentin's turn to laugh. "I noticed and loved it! Margo held you, didn't she?"

"Bambi said I could scare you off, so I waited. I couldn't risk it and from Julia's smile the plan was going well. Do you know what I intend to do?"

"I think I'm scared now." He was actually curious.

"Get ready for my plan to show Sebastian we belong together." The boy announced as if he were a herald.

"Jesus El!"

"I'll make a wonderful lunch and I'll meet you at the university outdoor tables, near the cafeteria. I want to show him, and some of the students I've seen casting interested glances at you, that you have a boyfriend who loves you. I won't give the competition a chance" He said kissing Quentin’s hair.

"El, there's no competition, but if you want to pamper me, you can make that marinated chicken you made me once, back at Brakebills." Quentin played with the hair on El’s chest with his fingertips.

"Anything you want my love. I will be your chef, your driver, your personal shopper, your..."

Laughing Q interrupted him. "The most important thing is that you are my boyfriend. I never thought to use this label with you. We were always more partners than boyfriends. We already moved in together." Quentin was still happily stroking Eliot's chest hair.

"Technically we live together before. At the cottage and at the Mosaic and now here. I hope you don't get tired of me." El kissed him on the mouth affectionately.

"Never." Q was able to say between kisses.

------------------------------------------

Monday was exactly what Eliot planed. Five minutes before 1PM he arrived at the cafeteria’s patio. He chose a table and placed a placemat to set the plates and cutlery. As soon as he got ready, he saw Quentin arriving. Next to him was a woman he recognized, by description, as Sheyla. He nodded and waited for his boyfriend.

"Hello my love." He greeted and gave him a peck.

"El, this is Sheyla. Sheyla this is Eliot my partner."

"Sheyla, how are you? I've heard a lot about you."

"Nice to meet you Eliot. I have to admit that I didn't know about you until today." The woman extended her hand and the boy gladly accepted it.

"Yes, unfortunately we were apart for a while. Now that we've reunited, I don't intend to stay away. Please, take a seat." He pointed to one of the chairs across from them. The woman was bringing a meal on a small tray.

"Are you sure I won't get in the way?" She was already sitting down, but it was polite to ask.

"Of course not." El said while unpacking the plate he brought for Q.

"Jesus, it smells wonderful." Eliot smiled at the compliment.

"Thanks. Do you like cooking? I can give you the recipe." Nothing better than making allies.

"I love! Please, send it to me." She really liked trying new things.

"If I knew you were coming, I would have brought one more for you. We can schedule another day." A good host as always.

"El, it's wonderful!" Said Q after his first bite.

"Thank you, darling." His smile showed how satisfied he was with the direction of the conversation.

"Good afternoon." It was Sebastian. His face was showing some bad mood. "Can I sit with you?"

"Feel free." Eliot said with a winning smile.

"I don't think I know him." The older man spoke to Quentin, ignoring the stranger.

"Oh, hum, I am sorry. Sebastian this is my partner, Eliot. El, this is Sebastian."

"Nice to meet you, Sebastian."

"Partner?" They both spoke at the same time.

Eliot ignored the question and turned to Sheyla, while Sebastian only observe their interaction. "Want to try a piece of chicken?"

"I would love to, but I don't want to overdo it." Her look showed interest.

"You are not, I'm offering." Taking out a slice, he placed it on her plate.

"Eliot, this is divine. I definitely want the recipe." She savored the piece with gusto.

"At night I will get your number and send it to you."

"Quentin, you said he can cook, but not so well."

"Better not overpraise. I am the one that will have to deal with his ego at home." Quentin was joking, but he had a grain of truth. He knew Eliot well.

Sebastian could not take it anymore and asked. "Are you two living together? You didn't even have anyone last week Quentin!"

"We've known each other for a long time. We've loved each other for a lifetime. We had some issues that put us in different worlds, but we couldn't let anything get in the way of our happiness anymore, so I moved here to be with him. Nothing will separate us now." Eliot finished placing his hand over Q's and smiling tenderly to his man.

"Really?" Sebastian asked Quentin, ignoring Eliot.

"Yeah, Eliot is the love of my life. He came back on Friday and after talking we saw that there is no way we can stay away from each other. We did what was best for both of us. We moved in together."

"I'll have lunch at another table." Sebastian said getting off there.

"What a situation." Sheyla said.

"I understand what he saw in Quentin. Q has the best heart in the world and I'm the happiest man, just because he loves me." He bent down and placed a kiss on his love's forehead.

"You are so cute!"

The rest of lunch was friendly, and Eliot gave Q a chaste kiss before leaving.

As he walked away, he heard two young men talking. "I knew Professor Coldwater was interesting. I should have hit on him. Look at his boyfriend." El went home with a smile on his face.

The week flew by and El took the opportunity to shop a few things for their home. Q didn't have the bare minimum for cooking up to Eliot's standard. He also bought some more sheets and towels, some pillows for the living room, and two photo frames. He had taken a beautiful selfie of them watching the sunset the day before, and put it right in the living room. The other photo was one they had taken at the Cottage. Q with the longest hair, together with friends at a party. They were all drunk, but Eliot loved that photo because he and Q were looking at each other. It was right in front of his face all the time. The way they looked at each other, screams ‘Love’. That's why he love this photo.

When Q got home that afternoon, he saw the photos and smiled. Seeing Eliot putting his touches on the house reminded him that they were together for real. He didn't remember when the old photo was taken, but he knew why El had chosen it. It was already love that was written in their eyes. They were on the right track.

On Friday, over breakfast Eliot asked what Q thought about paying Filory a visit, using the portal.

"Are you tired of being here with me?" The question came out of his mouth almost immediately.

"As if that were possible, Q." Eliot, who was setting out the plate of eggs and toast, bent down to place a kiss on his forehead. "I just want to get more clothes and other stuff. I also want to say thank you to Fen. She ranks me to see things as they are. She introduced me to a person I would very much like you to meet too." He sat down and took a sip of the steaming coffee.

"Sorry, I can’t, at least this weekend. How about going on holiday? We could stay there for three days. Are you in?" Quentin hadn't thought about going to Filory yet, but it seemed like a good idea.

"Holiday? We will have a holiday in 15 days, right?" It wasn't long. He could wait.

"Right. El, if you need to pick up something, you could go, you know, during the day while I work. Kill some of the longing. Tell her when we are going. Maybe all the gang can be there with us?" He could imagine spending more time with friends. I had been talking to Julia, Kady and 23 almost every day, since the three of them lived together in NY. Margo sent messages through rabbits, always teasing them. Alice was the only one who was furthest away because of the Library.

"Perfect honey. I'll leave with you and go through the portal and come back at the same time you were leaving, and we will come back home together." He smiled seeing that Q was making plans. He would make them too.

Eliot surprised Margo with his arrival the next day.

"El! Don't tell me you've fucked up with our nerd. I will kill you!" She hugged her friend, but also slapped him on the back.

"Fuck you, Bambi. I came to get a few more things from my room and let you know that we will come to stay with you for three days. We will arrive in about 15 days." He communicated by pressing her a little tighter against his chest.

"El, this is fucking good!" They let go and she got a good look at her friend. "You look happy. A happy bitch."

"Oh Bambi, I am. How fucking blind I was. How did you manage to put up with me?"

"El, I'm not going to lie. I almost kicked your ass a few times to see if your head would come out." He could see the raw sincerity in her eyes

"Instead, you sent Fen to do the dirty work." He poked her.

"I was afraid my kick would rip off your balls." She slapped her best friend again. "I thought Fen might be more effective at that moment. You didn't want to hear it."

"When do I have time to listen to someone if I'm busy staying drunk all the time?" He sighed deeply. "You were right, Fen was right. I should have been brave and done something a long time ago."

"I remember when you came back after getting our little Q at Brakebills. I teased you but you should have seduced him right away. It would have saved me a lot of annoying stuff."

"Right again Bambi. Me and Q, we should have been together since, forever." The boy looked lost, remembering the day Quentin Coldwater came into his life.

"Darling he would never have dated Quinn if you had hit on him from the start, instead of just hanging around sucking your own dick."

"Rude."

"El my man!" The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the other two friends.

"Josh! Fen! Good to see you!" Eliot was quickly hugged by Fen.

"Tick warned us of your arrival. How long will you stay?" The wife asked.

"Just a few hours. I want to go back to have dinner with Quentin."

"You don't know how happy I am that you guys hit it off."

"Thanks Fen. Can we all sit down? I want your help." He said heading towards the conference table.

"Nothing wrong in paradise, right?"

"Nothing Josh. I want your help to make a surprise for Q." Once everyone was seated, he shared his plan, and they all agreed.

Chapter Text

Two weeks passed and Eliot convinced Quentin to go Filory at Thursday night, returning Sunday after lunch. As soon as they passed through the portal, the light of Filory's two moons received them. They had created the portal at his room’s balcony, where they cast the soulmate locating spell. Eliot reached out to Q’s hand, and together entered. The room was beautiful, decorated with flowers and his favorite sheets. They left their luggage and together went to the dining room. It was great to see everyone again. The night was full of laughs and updates among friends.

When they went to sleep there was a bathtub ready with bath salts and the right temperature. To complete the scene there were candles around it.

"We are romantic, aren't we?" Q knew that Eliot had asked someone to prepare everything.

"Always, but only with you, my love." The taller man approached him and even without touching him, he whispered in his ear, causing goosebumps.

"If Margo were here, she would vomit." El nodded with a laugh, giving him a light slap on the ass.

"Take off those clothes so we can have a good time." They entered the bathtub after quickly taking off their clothes.

"Darling, I was remembering the mosaic. Teddy loved it when we had dinner at the outside table." Eliot and Quentin went on to talk about the family memories they had in the other life. The first time Eliot brought up the subject, it was a little awkward, but now it was a heart-warming conversation.

"Yes, he did. You always indulged him." Sometimes he complained that his husband was spoiling their son too much.

"He deserved it; he was the best boy. He turned into a great man." There was so much pride in his voice that Q didn't need to look to know the smile that would be on his lips.

"We did a hell of a job with him." There was no denying that they had been a beautiful family, even with all the difficulties of the time.

"The night after our wedding he wanted to stay with us. I think it was the only time I really opposed him." The light laugh conveyed the truth of those words.

"That night was ours alone. No one else." Q turned his head enough to press a kiss to his chest.

"It was perfect." Eliot let his long fingers slide down his love's chest.

"It seemed natural for us to get married. Today I don't even know if you would marry."

"It depends." The boy responded by raising one of his hands to his hair.

Q waited for him to complete the thought and when he didn't, he asked. "Depends on what?"

"That we have the perfect situation." The words came out a little unsure.

"El, perfection doesn't exist." He responded without hesitation.

"So, you mean you don't exist? You're perfect for me." Eliot decided to take the focus off the subject a little and he succeeded because Q turned to look at him.

"You are definitely gooey." Without answering, Eliot kissed him.

The next day, after breakfast, Eliot called Quentin to a room in a wing further away from the throne room.

"Q, remember when I told you that Fen helped me see that, everything we lived in the mosaic was real and that I shouldn't be afraid to live again?" There was an excitement in him and Q could clearly see it.

"Yeah, I remember El." He still didn't know where this would all lead, but he would follow Eliot to the end of the world.

"She introduced me to someone I really want you to meet." Taking his hand, they walked into the next room. There were a young beautiful woman and some other people. Eliot hugged the woman and introduced her to Q. "Quentin, this is Elen Coldwater-Waugh, our descendant."

Q had a hard time to believe. He stood with his mouth open, looking at that beautiful face. The resemblance to Teddy was in her face. It was like going back in time. Missing his son squeezed his heart. The tears made his eyes shine even more and he had to swallow before he could speak.

"Elen? You remind me...your smile is the same...Oh God!" Q was stunned but hugged her without thinking twice.

"Grandpa Quentin. It's a privilege to be here and meet you." She whispered in his ear.

"It's strange that you call me grandfather when we're practically the same age." He playfully pressed her a little tighter against his chest before releasing her.

"I felt that way too when I met her, my love." The boyfriend shared the feeling and placed his hand on his back.

"I'm glad to see you two together." She smiled at them once again, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

"In our previous meeting I wasn't at my best, but now that I have the love of my life by my side, I couldn't feel more fulfilled. Thank you for what you did for me, for us." Eliot caressed the girl's face.

"That's what family is for. I'm happy to have helped in some way. We are close, united. We learned from a young age the history of our family, the uniqueness of having two fathers and a mother. Today it is common but decades ago it was not." She had a playful air.

"We are people ahead of our time, my dear." The taller boy replied proudly.

"Maybe it's not quite like that, El. We were ahead of time but it wasn't really our time, so if we think about it, maybe we were..." He was interrupted by a chaste kiss on the lips.

"My love, we'll discuss this later. Now, our wonderful Elen will introduce us to the other members of our family." He gave him another kiss, lightly pulling him by the hand.

"You didn't know them?" He widened his eyes. He thought Eliot had already met everyone.

"No, I haven't found you yet, so we're only now getting this magnificent opportunity." He tilted his head indicating the other people in the room waiting for them.

Elen took them to each member of the family, starting with her sisters, Jane and Arielle. Quentin and Eliot cried, laughed and seemed to be unable to contain themselves with so much happiness. Quentin could recognize Ari's eyes on one of the boys, her hair on one of the girls. Each one bore a resemblance to him and Ari. There was no denying that they were his family. He could even swear that William looked like Eliot. It was almost shocking to see all these faces, he had never seen before, become so familiar in such a short time.

The memories of a past that Q thought never existed were now clear on a sunny day. He could feel on his skin the wind that permeated the trees around the mosaic, the coolness of the waters of the stream, the heat of the torches that lit every night, the light of the two moons and stars reflected in the eyes of all those people. It was surreal.

They sat for a while with each group, getting to know the families. They learned that most lived close to where the mosaic was, some grew fruit like Ari's family, but had several different professions, teacher, tailor, pharmacist, and merchant. Such a heterogeneous group of people but with a lot of love involved.

The farewell was difficult, but the promise of a new meeting the following night made it easier for them to accept saying goodbye. Quentin became attached to Mary, daughter of William, son of Bambi. She was the youngest of the fourth generation, and had contagious energy. Eliot, who had already created a bond with Elen from the beginning, had also identified with her twin sister, Jane.

When they found their friends again, they had a lot to tell.

"Guys, I think now that Q and I, that we are together, we can tell you everything about us." Eliot announced almost solemnly.

"Please, no sex." He really didn't want to know more than he already knew from the thoughts slipping through Quentin's mind.

"But it's the best part Penny." The amusement in her voice had to do with the topic and to upset 23.

"I fucking disagree." He grumbled.

"Margo, Penny, let them talk." The young woman was having fun, but her curiosity won out. She playfully slapped 23.

"Thanks Jules. Hum…When we were on the quest, Margo stopped us from entering the clock to get the time key."

"That I did, but everyone knows. Just spit it all." Q looked at Eliot as if asking for help but his boyfriend just shook his shoulders. He couldn't do much.

"Ok. When we, when we came to Filory with you, we sit in the throne room, and somehow, we remember everything. We lived fifty years in Filory's past. I got married and had a child, Teddy." The boy poured it out without even breathing.

"Q, you were a father!" Kady said in disbelief.

"No Kady, we were parents. Me and El." He said placing his hand on his partner's thigh.

"What do you mean, as far as I know Eliot doesn't like women, sorry man." Josh raised his hands in a silent apology.

"Okay Josh. Fen can confirm this. It didn't work like that. We were a beautiful family, I loved and helped raise Teddy as a son, but biologically he was Q’s." He placed his hand over Q's.

"But you two were together, I mean as a couple?" Alice wanted to know.

"Yes. We've been married for fifty years. Arielle, my wife, died when Teddy was just four years old. After that it was the two of us. Me and Eliot. We got the key by living our life there, loving each other. The beauty of all life." The boy looked at his boyfriend and gave a silly smile that only someone in love can give.

"Jesus fucking Christ. How you two idiots didn't tell us? El, YOU never told me anything." She was pissed.

"Oh Bambi. When we remembered what happened I panicked. I'm a coward. I rejected all the happiness I knew I could have with Quentin, thinking he'd only stayed with me because he didn't have a choice. That here, with a whole world for him to choose, he would never choose me. I didn't think it was real, after all I never deserved to be loved, according to my parents." He was once again feeling guilty.

"Asshole! I could hit you right now! I understand your problems with the rotten family you had, but it was Q!" The High King had stood up and placed her hand on her waist, almost threateningly.

"Exactly." Julia agreed. "If there's anyone who can love with an open heart, without thinking twice, it's Quentin." Julia had also gotten up. It seemed like she wanted to defend her childhood friend.

"I also have my share of the blame. I knew Eliot better than myself, and I chose to believe the lie he told me, all because I felt I hadn't given him a choice too, that I forced him to stay with me. I believed he would never choose me." Quentin came to Eliot's defense. He knew he could have done it differently too.

While Quentin was speaking, Eliot put his arm around his partner's shoulders. Q automatically leaned into his body. El kissed his cheek.

"I always said they were idiots at my timeline, now I can see they are idiots at any timeline."

"Penny!" The girl sat next to him again, trying to hold back the bad boy's tongue.

"Julia! They are. Just these two not to realize how much they liked each other." He had a point and the girl gave up arguing.

"When the threesome happened, I knew it was kind of inevitable." Margo knew better than anyone how the two boys had experienced that moment.

"I never intended to hurt you, Alice." For the millionth time he apologized to his ex-girlfriend.

"I know Q, don't worry." She gave a small but honest smile. She really did not blame him anymore.

"If Margo stopped you, how do you remember?" Kady knew that many things were still difficult to explain, even with magic.

"Time travel is a totally fucked up thing, my dear. Today I took Q to meet people Fen had discovered and introduced me to. We really lived in the past. We had a family, and we have descendants. Fen found them. We were with them until some minutes ago."

It was a moment of silence followed by everyone talking at the same time.

"Calm down! Listen. Tomorrow we will have an intimate party. You are our kind of freaking family, and we want you to meet our other family. I'm happy, and so is Q. Today we have no doubts about our feelings, we trust each other, and we finally fucking realize that our love is mutual. We want to celebrate and nothing better than being all together."

"You know where the mosaic is, are you thinking of going there? I would." Kady rather suggested.

"I haven't thought about it. Did you think about it El?" Q's wide eyes showed that he hadn't really thought about it yet.

"Not really." He had only thought about Quentin, about having him back.

"I understand now why Eliot shot the monster."

"That's it Alice. I shouldn't have done it, but I couldn't leave Q there, alone with that freaking God." He would do it again, if he must.

"Now it is easy to see why Q wanted to save Eliot’s ass, no matter what." Kady wasn't even that involved but she knew.

"Even though I believed he didn't love me, I was in love with him. When we were at the mosaic, El was gone before me. I knew what it was like to live in a world without him. I wasn't going to survive that pain again." The boy said it all looking at the man he had fought so hard for.

"I'm here my love." Eliot was already kissing him.

"Get a room or I'll send you both back to Earth and banish you from Filory."

Laughing, Eliot gives Q just one more peck before Margo kills them both. The conversation continued, El and Q settled on the sofa, with their body pressed together and Eliot's hand caressing Q’s hair. They talked about a life at another time, their son, and Arielle. They are happy to finally share those years with their family. No more secrets.

"Q! OMG! I just realized that you make two appearances at the books." Julia was excited.

"Oh my holly pussy! You're dam right girl. As if it wasn't enough to have to put up with these two making out all the time, now we will have to fight against a possible inflated ego."

"Well, at least I was a fool only once." He was laughing.

"Debatable. Fell in love with El could be considered a choice made by a fool." Julia was teasing.

"On the contrary, it was the best thing that ever happened to me. We were happy in the past and we are happy again." The silly smile was back and now on both men's lips.

"My fucking goddess. Now they will start kissing again. I'm going to throw up." Said Margo but she was smiling while went to get another bottle of wine.

At the end of the night, before they went to their rooms, Fen said she had some news. She told them that her divorce with Eliot had been resolved. She was happy that El and Q were building their new life. She wants to be happy too. Everyone knew that the trio Margo, Josh and Fen was getting closer. Margo's good humor was ample proof.

The other trio in the house still seemed to be defining their relationship. Julia was fine with both, but there was still an awkwardness between Penny 23 and Kady. Julia was torn between the two, but it was still something they were working on. Although Alice is still uncomfortable seeing Q and Eliot together, she was showing interest in a guy she's working with. Who knows what it could lead to?

Q was feeling loved. He has his friends back, all of them. Some closer than before, like Kady and Fen. Eliot was almost perfect. He was keeping his promise to try to make him feel happy and loved. He had asked him what he would want to do after finishing his semester at the university, but, he didn't know yet. El reinforced he will stay by his side, no matter what he decided. He even started an exclusive food delivery service for teachers. Sheyla advertised heavily and he had some steady clients after two weeks. Q enjoyed and always received his meal, and more important, have his partner around.

The next day, preparations for the small family reunion took all morning. Eliot found time to pry Q out of a conversation about time travel with Alice, Julia, and Kady, who was apparently a fan of the subject. He took Q by the hand, apologizing for stealing him from them. He led him to their room, only stopping at the balcony, looking at each other, with Eliot holding Q’s hands in his.

"What happened El?" There was a frown of apprehension on the boy's forehead.

"I want to be alone with you." He tried to remove that wrinkle with a kiss on his forehead.

"Waugh, are you looking for sex?" There was a smile in his voice.

"Always, but that's not why I brought you here." He took both of his beloved's hands before continuing. "When we talked about our history, that we found our descendants, I kept some information for myself. I didn’t tell you an important thing." He lightly pressed his hands into yours and smiled to show that it wasn't bad at all.

"Why? You know you can tell me anything." Q continued to be understanding. Eliot was grateful for that.

"I know Q." Looking into the most honest and loving eyes, he smiled and continued. "I love you. The thing is that I received a gift from Elen. Something that belonged to us in the past. She gave it to me even before we located you. Since then, it's been in my pocket. I was wondering, trying to find the best moment, the perfect moment, to give it to you." Eliot’s wide smile and his watering eyes was showing how much he love his partner. He gave Q a peck and continued.

"Well, there is no such thing as a perfect time, like you said. I swore to myself that if I found you, I would spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy, making up for everything you went through. After all we've been through, I kept thinking that I don't want to wait another minute. We've already wasted a lot of time."

"El, what are you trying to tell me?"

Kneeling, he asked the most important question of his life: "Quentin, I want to marry you. Would you accept to be my husband, my partner and my love for another fifty years?" Eliot's eyes were full of tears and he could barely see that wonderful face.

"Oh El! Yes, yes, yes! I want to marry you. I want everything with you. You know I love you, and as you said, we've already wasted a lot of time, and we already live together, and people are going to go crazy with us..." El kissed and hugged him so tightly, for so long it felt like they weren't going to be apart anymore.

"Q, you have no idea how much I love you. These last few weeks have been much more than I expected. Do you know the best time of my day? When I wake up with you in my arms, feeling your warmth, seeing it wasn't a dream that we're together for real."

"I think I have an idea. Sometimes it's hard to believe that we are together. You know, despite the wonderful sex, I agree with you. Waking up in your arms is my favorite moment too, followed closely by going to sleep together."

"I didn't want to wait to marry you. Something simple, just our family. We must put our last names together again. I would marry you today, I just want to be with you."

"I thought you wouldn't want a wedding, a ceremony. That nowadays we would live together just like we already doing. You know, all that air of disdain you always had, was just there to hide the incurable romantic you are."

"You know me so well. Aren't you missing anything?"

"Uh...if you're going to marry me, shouldn't you put a ring on my finger?"

Carefully Eliot removed the rings from his vest’s pocket. Q almost fell when he recognized the jewelry. "This can’t be true."

"Teddy kept them and passed it down from generation to generation. Peaches and plums Q." He just gave Q a soft kiss.

"There is nothing more perfect!" This time the kiss was more intense.

They put the rings on each other's fingers, as a sign of their love and the promise of a future as a couple.

"Maybe you were kidding when you talked about getting married today, but I would marry you right now, without thinking twice."

"I had a beautiful plan of turning today's family reunion into an engagement party, but if you really want to, we can turn it into a wedding. We already have our family, food, beverage and some flowers. We would just need someone to officiate."

"I want, you know, marry you now. Everybody will think we are crazy but I don’t care. I think Josh can help us to be married at Earth. Maybe Fen can help with Filory's papers?" He was agitated and his hands were grabbing his fiancé's shirt.

"Let’s get them here." The taller boy had to give one more kiss before opening the bedroom door and asking the guard to look for his two friends.

Within minutes, Fen appeared, and Josh arrived shortly thereafter.

"I asked Quentin to marry me, and he said yes. We decided to marry today." Eliot said as he grabbed Q by the waist so he was closer to him.

"I'm so happy for you guys, I knew you were getting married. I'm just surprised it's today." Fen looked as happy as if it were her getting married again. She gave them both a tight hug.

"Men, I'm with Fen. How crazy!" Josh gave his friends a quick hug.

"We want your help to make it official. Josh, we want to be married on Earth too. Can you help us with this?"

"Guys I can do it. I once had to marry two friends at my Brakebills’s first year. I have one of those special licenses. It will be an honor marry you!" He seemed genuinely happy to help.

"Fen, darling, who could officiate here in Filory?" Eliot knew he could count on her.

"Eliot, I do know someone. Mr. Tabout. I'm going after him right now. I'm so excited!" Both friends left to put the plan into action. Josh already thinking he only had a few hours to bake the cake.

Eliot dressed up in some of his Florian outfits and helped Q choose his. Adjusted their outfit so they were matching. They took off the rings, keeping them until ceremony time. El wore a purple brocade suit, with a white silk shirt. Q was wearing a gold suit, almost peach, with a simpler brocade fabric. His shirt was also white.

They agreed that Fen would receive their family and pick them up when everyone was in the hall, and so, she did.

"You look beautiful boys! Everybody is here. Let's go?" She was almost bouncing with happiness.

Taking Quentin's hand, Eliot gave him a chaste kiss, turned to Fen, and agreed: "Yes we are ready." They entered the hall like that, hand in hand. Their smiles left no doubt, what they were feeling.

After greeting their family and introducing them to their family of friends, Eliot called for their attention: "Everyone who's here today is part of our family. Quentin and I went through difficult times, doubting ourselves and each other’s love. With the help of our loved ones, we overcame all, and today we are together and happy as we should have been since we met." He started to cry. There were a lot of feelings, but only the good ones. Looking into Quentin's eyes he saw how emotional he was too. Q surprised him when decided to speak too.

"It's amazing the difference a few weeks can make in someone's life. Everything have changed, and we want to share this new phase with you." He put his arm around the taller man's waist.

"Today I asked Quentin to marry me. He said yes!" There was a commotion and everyone came to hug them. They waited for everyone to calm down.

"You may think that we are crazy, but we didn't want to wait. After talking for a while, we decided that a few hours engagement is more than enough. In this way we declare that this family reunion just turned out into our wedding!"

At that time, there was no way to hold anyone. Everyone embraced them, even Penny. Tears glistened on several faces, and the whole family was overflowing with happiness. Josh called Mr. Taubot and they both positioned themselves for the ceremony.

Eliot took Margo's hand and asked. "Will you be my best man and led me to my wedding ceremony?"

"I would stop this fucking wedding if you choose someone else, bitch."

At the same time Quentin took Julia's hand: "Will you be my best man? I don't have my father anymore, so only you could take me to the altar, even if we, you know, don't have one."

"My honor Q. I love you, you know."

It was a quick ceremony, but there was so much love that it was palpable. The votes were impromptu but charged with emotion.

"Quentin, some people say marriage doesn't work for them, I used to say that too. Today I am here marrying you for the second time. My life without you is meaningless. Only by your side I can feel loved to the point of wanting to have a family, to believe in love, to change my whole life. Quentin or Adam, I will love you the same, and I will love you forever. I promise to continue proving my love to you, taking care of you, living our love every day, choosing you all the time. I will do everything in my power to make you feel loved every minute of your life. I am yours. I love you, my soulmate." He put the ring back on his finger, knowing it would never be taken off again.

"Eliot, you take my breath away. When I realized that I was in love with you, I also realized that I have been in love with you for some time. I've always wanted to get married, but I never thought of marrying the same person twice, but you, I would marry you a thousand times. We went through a lot, but when you came after me, I could no longer deny that this is our destiny, even if destiny is bullshit. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. You are the one I choose. We belong together. I love you, my soulmate." He put the ring where it belonged.

They went to party with their family. Quentin knew they had made the right decision. Love is all that matters. An undeniable truth. Now Quentin was sure that he is loved, by his family and especially by his husband. It was a long journey to become a happy couple. Difficult, desperate at times. Q know they still have things to work out, but the most important thing, they both have the same goal, be together. Make each other happy.

They came back to their home after all the delicious moments spent with the family, celebrating their union. Elliot is feeling whole, like he was ready to conquer the world. All these feelings had a reason and it was the man at his side. Quentin, sweet, determined, brave, smart and with so much love that Eliot felt that love in his core.

They were on their honeymoon, but Q had to work some more weeks before summer break, and before his birthday. Eliot was planning a trip for two. To celebrate both special events and spend time worrying about nothing but kiss his man.

They were tired and after taking a shower, they went to bed. Eliot lay on his side, facing Q. He still wanted to talk and nothing better than doing it looking at his husband.

"Q, are you going to tell Sheyla, and the others at work, about our wedding?"

Lifting his head and supporting it in his hand, Quentin responded with another question. "You want to know if I'm going to tell Sebastian?"

Eliot's laughter reverberated through the room. "Darling, you are so perceptive."

"Yes I will talk to everyone so he will know."

"I was thinking we could have a dinner or an intimate party Friday night, calling Sheyla and whoever you wanted. We'd celebrate our union with them. What do you think?" Eliot's head was already planning a dinner.

"Wouldn't it give you too much trouble?"

"You know I love those things, and deep down I want to show off my husband to everyone."

"Bounding out your territory; that's how Margo would say."

"For sure, but also celebrating. You know how much I love Sheyla."

"Okay. I'll announce it to everyone and then I'll invite a few people privately. I'll tell you who I invited and who confirmed." The boy promised and extended his hand to take his husband's.

"Honey, we need to tell them that we had a themed wedding. They will look weird at our clothes in the photos. Ours and the guests' too." He loved feeling those fingers playing with his.

"You can blame me and my nerdy soul." Q replied after thinking for a few seconds.

"I love that nerdy soul of yours. Tomorrow I'll buy another frame to put a picture of our wedding ceremony. I didn't expect anyone to take pictures or video. I'm glad Kady had her phone with battery. We owe her my love." He would do anything to help that woman.

"Yes, we owe her a lot. Pick one photo for the living room and one for our nightstand. It was the best day of our lives, in this timeline, so far." He pulled his beloved's hand away, and looked at the ring he placed there.

"Yes. We got engaged, and got married in less than 5 hours. We're in history." Seeing Quentin yawn, Eliot added. "We are both tired. Come here my beautiful and sexy husband. I want to sleep with you in my arms."

Quentin didn't pretend to be begged and promptly went to lay his head on Eliot's chest and fell asleep listening to the heartbeat that made his heart beat faster.

Eliot had a lot of work the next morning with ordering meals for the day. Usually he starts the preparations the day before, but with the trip he was late. He decided to make pasta with a special sauce, which would save execution time without losing quality. He went downstairs with Q to buy the missing ingredients, not before making a delicious pancake with a special jam that Josh had sent them.

Quentin arrived at the staff room and soon saw Sheyla and Angelica talking near the breakfast table, heading straight for them.

"Good morning ladies."

"Good morning Quentin. With that smile on your face, I don't even need to ask if you had a good holiday." His friend didn't need to be perceptive to notice his joy.

"True Sheyla. Quentin is beaming." She corroborated the other teacher’s opinion.

"He and Eliot are on their honeymoon stage." She spoke more quietly, joking that he couldn't hear that gossip.

"We are. Hum, I have some news, girls. Good news. We got married last Saturday." Quentin said stretching out his left hand and showing the ring."

"Congratulations Quentin. I'm so happy for you. I can see all the love you have for each other, but I have to admit I'm surprised at how quickly you made your decision." Sheyla said and hugged him. Angelica was the next in line.

"Yes, congratulations Quentin. I'm surprised too, but you guys are so cute together, I can understand. If he has a brother or cousin he can introduce me." She joked.

"Thanks girls. Angelica, unfortunately, El has no family besides me, and our friends. I'll keep an eye out if I find anyone interesting to introduce you to." He decided to explain the speed of the marriage. "As I've mentioned, we've been together before and the time we spent apart just proved that we couldn't be apart anymore. We were supposed to be married a year ago, but we are now. I'm so happy."

"I can't help but see that smile on your face."

"El wants to celebrate by inviting you over on Friday. What do you think?"

"Count on me, Jerry will love the news. You're coming too, aren't you, Angelica?"

"Of course, I wouldn't miss the chance to be with all of you. I like Eliot."

"Agreed then. I'll just invite two more people."

"I don't think it would be Sebastian." Sheila said laughing.

"I don't think he'd accept, but I'll make the invitation anyway."

"Eliot wouldn't mind?"

"Angelica, he would take the opportunity to show off how happy we are, and mark the territory even more."

Everyone laughed and went to their classrooms.

At lunchtime, Eliot served all of his customers and sat with Quentin and Sheyla who hugged him, congratulating about the marriage. They chatted excitedly and Eliot showed off his ring. Sheyla asked why the rocks and design were different. Quentin said they spent time living in a house with an orchard, where they had peaches and plums. They made their first vows of love there, and that's why it means a lot to both of them.

After returning home, Eliot left all the dishes and utensils washing, and went ahead to buy all he need to the next few days. He sent a message informing the menu to confirm how many customers he will attend, and saying that exceptionally he would not work on next Friday. After all, he need to focus on their special night's menu.

He put the groceries forward for the week asking for delivery, and took the opportunity to stop by at his favorite house store. He choose a few more things for the house, already thinking about Friday night.

When Quentin arrived, Eliot had his groceries put away except for the next day's ingredients.

"El, I'm home."

"Hello darling." Eliot kissed him on the mouth and hugged him tightly, squeezing his husband's ass.

"Already wanting sex?"

"Why not?"

"From what I've seen, you haven’t come through tomorrow's orders yet, and I have to put the students' grades into the system."

"Okay. Let’s make a deal. You finish what you have to do while ‘I mise en place’ for tomorrow. Then you'll be mine alone and I'll make you scream my name."

"You convinced me. I'll do everything as soon as possible." Said laughing.

"I didn't even have to try hard." El said giving him one more kiss, before heading towards the kitchen. "I thought we'd eat the stew Josh sent, with a red. What do you think?"

"Great idea."

The week flew by. Friday Eliot put all his party expertise into preparing for their reunion. Angelica, Sheyla and Jerry would come, as well as two more of Quentin's colleagues, Harry with his wife Lauren and Bernard. Margo, Josh and Julia would also come as surprise to his husband. Kady was busy solving a problem with the hedges and 23 was helping her. Alice was also stuck at work.

Q arrived to a house ready for the celebration. There were beautiful purple hydrangeas and peach-hued Lisianthus, with some green foliage bringing out the colors of the flowers, decorating the center of a table with a delicate white tablecloth. Eliot bought elegant crystal glasses and goblets, white plates with gold accents, and gold silverware.

He made delicious canapés, dishes in small portions, as he didn't have enough space for a table where everyone could sit. Wines, sparkling wines and a special celebratory drink, with hints of fruit and gin, which was a refreshing surprise on the tongue.

"El dear, the house is perfect. Hum, that smell is making my mouth water."

Eliot then appeared in a beautiful gray suit, shirt and tie in different shades of purple. He was freshly shaven and his hair in tamed curls graced that handsome face. The scent of his cologne reminded Quentin of when he'd first met him, at Brakebills.

"Wow…wow. Can I cancel the celebration? I want you all to myself."

"I'm yours my love. I promise that later my attention will be yours alone. Tomorrow we won't get out of bed. I'll do whatever you want." He gave Quentin a loving kiss, but didn't let him get carried away. "Go shower and get dressed, our first guests will arrive soon. We'll have some extra guests."

"Who?" Q looked like a child waiting for a birthday present.

"Surprise." The husband just laughed knowing that the guests would soon arrive.

"Okay. I'll only get ready if you give me at least one more kiss."

Eliot laughed, but kissed him once more and gently pushed him toward the bedroom, where Q found a special outfit for him on the bed.

Eliot greeted Margo and Josh while Q was in the shower. Josh was bringing out the cake, a replica of what he'd made on their wedding day, just smaller. Eliot hugged Margo warmly as Josh put the finishing touches on the table, ready to put out the cake and some sweets, Q's favorites.

Quentin comes out of the shower still wrapped in the towel and Margo didn't stop teasing his friend.

"I didn't know you would have a party like Encanto Oculto. I would have come naked!"

"Margo, Josh! I didn't know you were coming!" He hugged Margo but Josh joked that he wouldn't risk hugging a naked Q. Eliot slapped him lightly on the ass and indicated the bedroom door. Q laughed and went to finish getting ready.

Soon after Julia arrived and accompanying her was Fogg who brought a gift for the couple.

"Jules! Fogg, you really surprised me." He was trying to fix his tie, and after hugging him, his friend began to help him with the task. Fogg extended his hand to shake and he saw a smile on the older man's face. Something rare.

"I knew you'd like it. Just so you know, Kady and 23 are solving a problem, and Alice is stuck with work."

"I'm happy anyway. You will meet some people from my work and we agreed to say that we had a themed wedding because, you know, our outfit at the photos, the castle and..."

"Don't worry little Q. Mama will make your friends love you even more. We'll tell stories from the Brakebills days."

"Miss Hanson, I don't know if I want to hear what you did behind my back." Said a strangely amused Fogg. They all laugh.

Soon after, Sheyla and Jerry arrived. Angelica came just two minutes later. Sheyla praised the house and decor, stopping to see the photos of the couple.

"Quentin, your hair is so long in this picture! You look good with it like that. When did you cut it?" The friend was really surprised.

"I had a rough patch when I lived in Boston." It really was when he cut his hair, of course the conditions wouldn't be mentioned.

"I agree with you Sheyla. Our little Q looks great with longer hair. El loved it, in bed." Margo approached, placing her hand on Sheyla's arm, and raising her eyebrows, trying to insinuate some of the new couple's spicy preferences.

"Wow! Tell me Margo, did these two fall in love right away? Looking at this photo, I could say they were already in love. By the way, you look beautiful too." It was clear she was delighted to meet Q and El's other friends.

"My dear, I have thousands of stories about these two." Margo's smile was getting bigger and bigger.

"Margo!" Quentin knew that complaining would only make his friend talk more, but he couldn't help himself.

"Is this photo from the wedding? What place is this? The clothes are beautiful, but so different." Asked a curious Angelica.

"Yes, it is from their wedding. Quentin and I have been friends since childhood and he's always been a geek. There's nothing more fitting than the wedding being themed after our childhood adventures." The girl explained in a friendly way.

"Eliot didn't mind? Doesn't sound like his style." The new friend was trying to understand. She considered Eliot very stylish.

"Oh no Angelica. El was once king in this geeky fantasy realm. He arranged the wedding himself. Only the family was present. It was intimate." Margo clarified.

"I was just surprised by the speed." Sheyla pointed.

"It is the opposite for us. We watched everything they went through and, as El's best friend, I tell you that it took them a long time to finally take action. I couldn't take any more a depressed Eliot, because he was apart from Q."

"Not to mention Quentin who could only think of Eliot, wanting to bring him back to his life. They really love each other." Julia added.

"Girls, I'm here." His voice sounded slightly annoyed.

"What happened my love? Are Julia and Bambi giving you a hard time?" Eliot arrived putting his arm around Q's waist, pulling him close as always.

"Just telling that no one else could stand you two apart. Now we can't stand you two together anymore. It's too sweet for me." Complained the High King.

"See El? A plot by our best friends against us."

"Don't worry my love. They still love us even when they're being annoying."

Margo's laughter infected everyone.

With the last guests arriving, Eliot began serving the canapés as everyone already have drinks. The celebration continued lively and happy. When El and Q cut the cake, they were once again engulfed in a wave of hugs. Q felt loved and happy.

On Monday, Sheyla's topic was the party at Quentin and Eliot's house. She told some other teachers about the delicious food, the perfect drinks, how the new couple is a wonderful host. She even commented on the photos from their themed wedding and the old photo where Quentin has long hair, with Eliot and friends at a party, and that she had the opportunity to meet some of those friends that night.

Ever since he'd heard about the wedding, Sebastian had been silent, not saying a word. Finally, he broached the subject. "Sheyla, have they really known each other for a long time?"

"Yes. Why, did you think not?" That man was clearly in denial.

"At first I thought it was just a way to get me away from Quentin." He explained without realizing how ridiculous it was.

"Seb, the photo is from a few years ago. You only have to look at it once to see how they've both looked at each other with love since that time. Their love story is beautiful. I'm sorry but, you must get a new romantic interest."

"I liked Quentin right away, but I could tell he hasn't returned the interest. From the first time I saw he and Eliot together I knew I would never stand a chance. Go for another Sebastian." Said Angelica.

"This matter dies here. I will keep my distance. I admit defeat."

After that day, Sebastian kept a polite distance from Quentin. Sheyla commented to Eliot that he didn't need to worry about Sebastian anymore, and heard a convincing answer. "My dear friend. I don't worry about him. I believe that Q and I are soulmates and therefore, no one can separate us. I'm just glad we will not have any more unpleasant situations like that first lunch we had."

Months passed and their routine continued, with Q at university and Eliot serving meals and making the menu for a few small parties. They went at least once a month to visit Filory or go to dinner with the New York group, since they had two new portals close by. One night, after they'd made love, Eliot was asking what they were going to do during their college vacation. They were lying side by side. Eliot had a cigarette between his lips and Q had her head resting on her hand to look at his husband.

"Darling, have you thought about what we're going to do? We have to enjoy the weeks off."

"I was actually thinking about our long term future." He replied with an enigmatic smile.

"What do you mean Q?" He took a drag and offered it to the other man, who accepted.

"About where we're going to live. You know my contract runs until December and I can extend it if I want. I see you've settled well here and we're happy in our home. At the same time, I know you'd like to go back to Filory, be close to Margo. So, hum, I, I want to know what you think about a plan I just made." He returned the cigarette and sat down crossing his legs in front of him. The other boy ended up sitting down too, leaning back against the headboard of the bed.

"I'm curious honey. Tell me what's going on in that beautiful head of yours." He knew that when Q had a plan it was because he had already thought about it a lot.

"I thought we'd go to Filory for the holidays, after enjoying a week somewhere alone with you."

"First, I really look forward to this week alone with you. I have some ideas for that. Ideas that involve the two of us naked on a paradise beach in Italy, being able to stop by Paris for some shopping. After all, it's the city of love." Eliot gestured and the cigarette smoke formed waves.

"Anything you want." Quentin took El's free hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

"Q, don't you want to split the rest of the time between Filory and New York so we can spend time with Julia too?"

"Yes we can see Julia, Kady and 23, but I want to try living in Filory and see if I can find a job there for myself." He stayed quiet waiting for Eliot's reaction.

"My love, you are still a king. You can do whatever you want." He gave a smile that showed he was enjoying the option.

"I know, I know, but a king…I never want to be a figurative king." He may have been disappointed in Filory, but he always wanted to help.

"I'm sure Bambi will help you to find a role that makes you happy." After a moment looking into Q’s eyes Eliot asked. "Baby, are you sure? As you said, I'm happy with our current life, our routine."

"I know. I like it here, so much that I want to come visit, keep in touch. The thing is, I think I can make more of a difference in Filory. Help the land." Ele deu um meio sorriso.

"How do you manage to make me love you more every day?" Eliot ended the matter by pulling him back into his arms and kissing his partner lovingly.

Eliot and Quentin spent beautiful days in a village in Italy, near Livorno. The house of five bedrooms has been home to aristocratic families. It’s carefully preserved, full of charm and beauty. The interior has been refinished with materials of excellent manufacture, such as the floors in Tuscan terracotta. Their room is a suit all white, with wood hand worked furniture, with a balcony and an attached bathroom, in blue and white old tiles. The garden have tall holm oaks, and the panoramic terrace with sea view, furnished with table and chairs, so that they can enjoy in total relaxation the atmosphere of this charming location. The large steps that from the garden lead to the cliff, through the grove of holm oaks, also lead to a private area complete with sunbeds and umbrellas for those looking for relaxing and pleasant sea excursions.

The house had a team made up of other magicians, a chef and an assistant who discreetly served the table while they had fun. The food was always fresh and kept at the perfect temperature by the charms.

Eliot made Quentin sunbathing and swimming naked, breaking down the shy nerd's initial resistance. They spent a lot time outside, alternating dips in the sea and in the pool, drinking and making out. Usually Quentin took Eliot inside the house to make love, but he gave in once and they made love under the moonlight. Eliot could have sworn he'd never seen anyone as beautiful as Q at that moment.

After leaving their refuge, they went to Paris for five days, as Eliot wanted. They went to the traditional sights, since it was Quentin's first visit. Eliot bought some fancy clothes for him and Q, in keeping with his lover's taste.

On their way back they passed through New York to see their friends there, before heading to Filory. Julia arranged to spend a whole day with Quentin and Eliot took the opportunity to make some inroads with Kady and Penny, getting to know the world of hedges better.

When they finally made it to Filory, Margo received them with pomp and ceremony. She reiterated that Quentin was still king, and that when he wished they could discuss his plan of action to help the kingdom. Before sitting down with Margo, Q had one more pressing issue. He called Eliot for a ride. He wanted to see the mosaic, the old house, the orchard. Eliot was afraid of arriving and having nothing there. What can you expect from all this mess of timelines?

As they approached, they began to recognize the landmarks, the trees, and when they finally reached the clearing, the emotion that had been building inside their chests reached its peak. Quentin and Eliot were frozen as if fearing to break the spell of the moment. The first move was that Q took Eliot's hand, in his, seeking in the strength of their love the courage to take another step and enter the clearing.

Everything was exactly as they left it. The house painted as if they had done it the day before. The blooming garden, the tiles around the mosaic square, the outside table with the bed, the torches, even if unlit, the high chair and the chair where Eliot died softly.

Quentin was aware of his tears as Eliot gently ran his fingers over his husband's face. Q can see the same tears on his beloved's eyes. They embraced, with Quentin burying his face in Eliot's chest. They stayed like that until they noticed that they were both breathing more smoothly.

The pair decided to enter the house after a silent exchange of glances and saw that everything was also preserved, all at the same place Q left. The only exception was a letter on the kitchen table, leaning against the glass that used to be Quentin's.

Eliot ran his long fingers gently over the readable envelope, where did it say: ‘For Quentin and Eliot Coldwater-Waugh’. The handwriting was unmistakable. It was Teddy. Eliot remembered teaching his son to write at home when he started school. He and Q had helped Teddy with his studies over the years, he couldn't help but recognize it. His hands were shaking slightly as Eliot took the letter and placed it in Q's hand.

"Shall we read together?"

They sat on their old bed to read that brief letter from their son.

'Daddy and Pappa
I know that by reading this letter I will be gone. My youngest granddaughter, at the age of eighteen, discovered herself to be a magician. I tried to pass on to her everything you taught me. She created a spell to preserve the house we've perfectly kept for so many years. I'm sure you would find a way to come here again and hence this message. She also put a spell to hide the place from everyone except for you.
I had a happy and loving life because I tried to live as you did. Your love is precious and nothing could keep you apart, not even death. I love you so much. I miss you so much. I hope that one day, one way or another, we can meet again.
Love Teddy’

"Our family…Teddy…they are so beautiful." Eliot put Q into his arms. He needed to feel his body, his warmth, the confort of his love, because right now, he miss their son so fucking much. Quentin's heart was always open to him, and he needed it. Eliot hugged him close that he can feel Q’s love invading his body, bringing the strongest power he ever felt, that would never fade.

"Yes they are. We can be close to then. Have time to be with Elen and the others."

"Yes, Q, we can and we must." Turning him into his arms, he gave him a slowly and tender kiss. "I love you. I want to keep our family close, but I want more. We can’t bring Teddy back, but we…Darling, I want to have a child with you."

"Yes, absolutely. I want it too El. We just have to think about how, because I don't want to marry another woman."

Glad to know he wouldn't have to share Q's love with someone else, Eliot reassured him; "Later we see how, I just need to know that we're in this together."

"I think we must live here, at Filory. When we need a break, we'll come here for a few days, okay?"

"We need to schedule time to visit our friends at Earth too. I will miss them."

"Yeah. El, me too." They sealed the deal with one more kiss before rereading their son's letter.

Chapter Text

The months passed quickly and before they knew it, they were moving to Filory. They were going to leave a place that had brought so many wonderful moments to both of them, but they wanted to spend more time with their family, all of them, and have at least one child.

Once again, they were the hosts of a beautiful night, where they gathered all the friends. Eliot brought Josh to help and of course, Margo came, along with Julia, Kady, Alice and 23. They didn't miss a chance to tell more stories of the pair to an audience eager for some good gossip.

The party gave them that good feeling, of being able to spend time with them. Everyone wished them good luck in their new life. Eliot had to leave some recipes for Sheyla and a promise to keep in touch and future visits.

They moved the next day. Q rented the apartment so as not to leave it empty, as he didn't want to sell it just yet. The entire gang helped with the move, including Penny. They stayed in a wing of the castle, and Margo put Q and El to work the very next day. Eliot was king again, as Q. El would handle all foreign affairs. Even disavowing his origins, he could always be consulted about agricultural issues, but he refused to put his hand in the land, except for the time they spent at the mosaic.

Q was left looking after the citizens of the land. He thought of bringing facilities, like running water and electrical energy, for the castle and the nearest village provided by the energy of the winds and the sun. If everything worked well, they would extend it to the entire kingdom. Julia helped him often. She was no longer a goddess, but her magical abilities were greater and more powerful. When she got pregnant, Q just got mad by the idea of having a child in the near future. He went to talk to his husband the same night.

"El...um...can we talk?" They had just showered and Eliot was applying moisturizer to his face. He could see the smile appear on the taller man's face. "What?"

"My dear baby Q. I already know what you want to talk about." He continued to smile as he finished spreading the cream all over his face.

"You know?" He raised his eyebrows with his mouth half open.

After being satisfied, the boy turned to look directly at his husband, and not in the mirror. "My love, I saw how your eyes lit up when our dear Julia informed you about her pregnancy." He approached, placing his left hand on his shoulder.

"Oh!" He looked down thinking about how the other knew him so well. He looked up and found an amused gleam in his amber eyes.

"Let's talk in bed love." He gently turned his husband around and pulled him close by his shoulders, guiding him to the couple's huge bed, tonight with a beautiful blanket in earthy tones. After they both settled down he continued. "You want to have a child."

"Yeah. Julia is having a baby, and we want it, and it would be nice to have two babies of similar ages to be friends with..."

"Calm down my love." He interrupted him. "I believe our babies would not be friends."

"No? Why not?" Quentin couldn't believe Eliot was saying that.

"We have already established that we are all part of a dysfunctional family. Julia is like a sister to you. Our children will be cousins, almost brothers." The smile he gained after a few seconds made, all the hassles of the day negotiating with Lória's emissary be forgotten.

"Are you saying we're going to have the baby now?" He almost jumped into his husband's lap.

"Yes I am." He stroked his silky hair, which was growing back. Eliot had nothing to do but embark on this journey with his life partner.

The couple discovered that at Filory, almost anything is possible. The centaurs had a magic that would turn the boys' dream into reality. There was a way one of them could bear a child. It was something unimaginable if they were on Earth. Q's excitement showed that they wouldn't need to talk about who would carry their baby. Eliot was already imagining Q's belly the day they performed the ritual.

Exclusively the couple must perform the ritual. They locked themselves in their room, and both got naked. Q lay on his back on the right side of the huge white-sheeted bed. He was anxious, but in a good way. Quentin lifted his head to look at his husband, and saw that El was coming toward him bringing the ingredients for the ritual.

Eliot placed everything they would need on a small table they'd placed near the bed, stopping beside Q and taking the hand of that man who was capable of giving so much love, even to someone like him. Q was a miracle in his life.

Eliot made the first step. He placed a sigil in Quentin's belly. The intricate design, navel centered, took a while to do to perfection; using El's blood combined with Q's and a special oil, made with a filorian fruit that smells like coconut oil, but it is green. Eliot was nervous and silent, intent on the design while Q watched the knitted brows of his love, so committed to his task. When he finished the drawing, Eliot's smile showed how proud he was of his own work. He looked into Q's eyes and saw only love reflected.

The next step was Quentin's. He had to ingest an infusion made with special herbs that only the centaurs have. Eliot at first feared some different effect from them being from Earth, but Fen reassured them that they were safe. Eliot took the bowl with the infusion to Q, gently lifting his head so he could sip the liquid. Q's face showed that the taste wasn't the best, but he didn't complain. To have a child he would do almost anything.

After drinking all the contents, both must say a prayer to a special Goddess, Astart. They were simple words and they did it holding hands and looking into each other's eyes. "Astart, Goddess of fertility, allow us to be able to bear the fruit of our love. May your blessings provide us with the greatest joy of our lives, after we have come together, a child that we will love more than anything." They were both very emotional. Eliot pulled both of his love's hands and kissed them softly. The sigil would change after that, but they were surprised to see the sigil gain a pulsing red light anyway.

"Q, are you feeling any pain?" It was obvious he was worried about his husband.

"Nope. I feel something like, like, there is something, something moving inside me. It's weird…fucking weird, but, but it doesn't hurt." He smiled to confirm his words.

"Now comes the best part, my darling. I need to fill you with my cum." Eliot wasted no time. They had a window for him to come inside Q. He took a better position on the bed and started to gently kissing his man.

Quentin responded by threading his fingers through his partner's curly hair. He made Eliot let out a groan, feeling that Q was already getting hard and positioned himself between Q's legs looking for the perfect space for him to access his partner's body.

Quentin was excited, thrilled, and he could feel his body opening up to welcome Eliot. It was as if he had been waiting his whole life for this moment. He could feel El's hands, legs and entire body as if it were energy to be absorbed greedily, like a thirsty man at the edge of a spring.

Eliot felt the urgency in Quentin's touch and knew that this time the foreplay wouldn't be long, on the contrary, it would all be fast. He greased his fingers to start opening Q to receive him, but when he touched it, he saw that somehow the whole ritual had already prepared the way for him to penetrate Q.

Eliot looked into Quentin's eyes and saw all the adoration he felt reflected into those brown eyes. Q nodded, knowing they had to move on. El positioned himself and entered him slowly, gently, feeling the warmth of that wonderful man's body welcome him. Q is perfect.

Even though he wanted to do everything calmly to show all his love, Eliot knew they couldn't delay, they would have many other moments to savor each other. Starting to move he felt Q accompanying his movements, bringing an indescribable euphoria. Quentin was breathing heavily, and his mouth tried to steal a kiss, but barely managed to bring their lips together.

The burst of pleasure was strong and almost overcame the first time they made love after meeting again. There was so much love, it felt like Eliot could take it, could touch the feeling, it was so palpable. El stayed a while inside his beloved when they noticed that the sigil glowed even brighter and after they calmed down, the light changed from red to pink, and then to white until only the secrecy remains, without any light.

They finally broke apart, but just enough to shift positions on the bed so that Q lay with his head on El's chest and curled up against him.

"We did." He muttered.

"We did my love." An unnecessary but just affectionate confirmation.

"I'm happy, no, more than happy. I'm out of my head El. I don't want to leave your arms until tomorrow." He moved even closer to his partner.

"We're having a baby. Yours and mine. Wow. Promise me if you need something, anything, you'll tell me right away. I'll be the happiest husband in the world just by taking care of you and our little bundle." Eliot knew very well that his life would now revolve around the family they were building.

They ended up surrendering to sleep and when they woke up the sigil was gone, as it should be.

"Q darling, are you feeling something?" Eliot couldn't contain himself and placed his hand on his husband's still flat stomach.

"Hungry. I'm hungry. I think I could eat a whole cake. A giant cake."

Laughing Eliot thought about how lucky he was to be starting a family with Q. He gave him a languid kiss before standing up.

"Do you want breakfast in bed or prefers to go to the dining room? I know everyone must be dying to know details, but I can spare you for now."

"I can't wait. Let's get dressed and storm the kitchen." After another kiss, they stood up to be decent enough to meet their friends.

They walked hand in hand into the kitchen and found Margo there. She didn't let them sit down dragging them into the dining room, with Josh running after them.

Already at the table were Fen, Julia, Alice and Kady. Penny 23 was looking out the window and turned when they entered.

"It's about time." The traveler soon grumbled.

"Penny, don't start teasing." Warned Julia. Muttering to the intelligible, he sat up and took a bite of toast. "Boys I want to know everything."

"My dear Julia, everything went according to plan. The secrecy shone, and this morning it was gone. Q felt like something was moving inside him, didn't it honey?"

"Yeah, like my insides are moving." He just made a weird face. After all, nothing is stranger than a pregnant man.

"But it still can't be the baby, can it?" Everyone's attention turned to the other side of the table, where Margo was helping herself a mimosa.

"I don't think so Bambi. I think it was just Q's body adjusting, because that was before we made love." He winked at the end.

"It's so weird. I don't know what it will be like to see you with a big belly Q."

"I think it will be really weird Kady, but I can't wait." The boy still couldn't believe it, but he was absolutely thrilled.

"I didn't expect anything different. When they told us they could get pregnant, I knew it would be Quentin." The blonde in the group commented.

"Q wanted it so much he couldn't think of anything else. I wouldn't be against it, ever. I'm going to caress your belly all the time my love." Q was smiling as his husband placed his wright hand on his stomach for the second time.

Penny's face showed that he was interested, despite wanting to appear bored with the conversation.

"Julia, how much longer for your belly to show?" The only Filorian at the table was curious. There was a small difference between the gestation time in Filory. One month difference. One month less.

"I think another month and it should be more bulging by now. Q and I will only have three months apart, Fen." The brunette was also happy to have a baby practically at the same time as her best friend.

"It will be wonderful to have you two around. I love babies." Josh smiled and gave Fen a wink.

Eliot wanted to ask if they were also thinking about children, but he didn’t. Conversation flowed about Julia's diet to fight morning sickness, Kady saying she tried to help Julia with some potions, and Fen hinting at a tea that would work miracles.

Seven days later, Q had an appointment with a centaur, and a human healer to make sure everything went well. The couple was apprehensive but the news was good, everything seemed to be perfect and Q enjoying full health. From that day on, they would no longer need the centaurs, just frequent consultations with the healer.

They went back to their room and lay down on the bed. Eliot immediately lifted Quentin's shirt, and kissed his stomach. He climbed his man's body until find his mouth, but left his hand caressing his belly.

"Is it too early yet to think about names?"

Quentin laughed, and gave his partner one more loving kiss before replying. "No. There's actually something I wanted to talk about. If it's a boy, we, should, we, you know. Would it be weird for us to put Teddy, hum again? Would it look like we were trying to replace our Teddy or would it be more like a tribute? "

Smiling, El interrupted his rambling. "Please Q, let's not think too much at this point. I admit I thought about it too. I understand what you're saying and I haven't come to a conclusion yet. I think we should have an ace up our sleeve in case we decide not to use the same name."

"Makes sense." He replied after thinking for a few seconds.

"What if we choose a name that can suit a boy or a girl?" The suggestion made Q consider for a minute.

"Hum, good idea. Yeah. We can think about that."

"Like I said, we have time."

The weeks passed in the blink of an eye. Upon completing the fourth month of pregnancy, his belly was protruding, but still not that big, as if he had gained a little weight. It received kisses and caresses every morning and always before bed. El also talked to the baby saying how much they wanted them. Quentin was amazed to see so much love. Eliot was born to be a father, even when he thought he wasn't.

They were deciding if they wanted to know the sex of the baby. Julia chose to know and everyone was already waiting for the arrival of a beautiful girl.

"Q, I don't think I care if it's a boy or a girl. I understand why Julia wanted to know, but I choose not to."

"I'm anxious and I think knowing could help to wait for the next few months, but at the same time, if I knew I would end up telling you, even without saying the words." It was easy to see the apprehension in his eyes.

"My love, knowing you, I think that's exactly what would happen." Eliot was amused by the situation.

"Then we won't know. We already love our baby, so we keep it that way. You want to decorate the room soon, don't you?" His husband had already mentioned this. Quentin knew the best thing was to leave it in his care.

"For sure. I also want to go shopping on Earth for items to make our lives easier, like diapers and formulas. Some Filorians and Earth’s clothes as well. There are many things we will need. I know that if we leave it to the last minute you probably have a big belly and swollen feet to walk around choosing these things."

"You have it all figured out, don't you? I knew I wouldn't have to worry about that." He was satisfied with the arrangement.

"Darling, you're doing the hardest part, I have to take care of the practical things. I actually thought we'd take the opportunity to visit our friends. I'd call Sheyla asking her to let the others know." The suggestion was unexpected.

"El, we can't. What will they say about my belly?" He had a point.

"We have a lot of spells to disguise. Better now than at the end of the pregnancy, when they would feel your belly when they hug you, even if they couldn't see it." To demonstrate, Eliot made the gestures and Q's little belly disappeared before his eyes.

"Okay. When do you want to go?" He could no longer object, in fact he was excited by the possibility.

"In two weeks, after the meetings with the foreign delegations. You know how worried Bambi is about the deals we have to make. After that we will have time to take care of the trousseau."

They went to Earth for shopping as agreed. Fen, Julia and Penny went together. Julia wanted to buy some more stuff, Fen because, well, she loves babies. Penny as a father couldn't let go. According to him, someone needed to curb Julia's baby shopping urge, and besides that, only Kady could put her mind to Julia, but she was handling a situation with the hedges.

Shopping was good. El also had to be held back in his shopping spree, and that was Q's job. Their baby would have a lot of style, as Q's husband's taste was undeniable. In a store Eliot wanted to buy 10 sets of pants and blouse, just because he thought they were all beautiful.

It was two intense days of shopping. Fen was amazed at all the stores they went to. They had to promise to bring her when she got pregnant. Eliot knew he owed her a lot, because he'd behaved like shit when she carried their baby.

When Julia and Eliot finally accepted that they had bought everything, Penny helped them back with all of their purchases. After putting everything in the room adjacent to theirs, Q and El went to visit their friends. They took the portal from their bedroom balcony to the campus. They had left that asset, as they undid what went straight from the apartment.

They went to the meeting point at the cafeteria and then to a nice restaurant with a reserved space where they stayed a long time catching up. They sleept in a hotel so they could spend the next day at a barbecue, before returning home.

Q was surprised to see that Sebastian was there too. The barbecue involved a larger number of people, while the dinner had been for a few.

"Hi Quentin, Eliot. I hope you don't mind my presence. Let's put the past in the past." The man was serious but no longer had a stern expression on his face.

"Of course. No resentment." The youngest of the couple responded, smiling friendly.

"Thanks Quentin. I hope you do too, Eliot." There was a more serious expression now as he looked at the taller boy.

"Yes, sure." Eliot was polite but clearly put his arm around Quentin's shoulders. The awkward situation was cut short with the approach of the always-cheerful Sheyla. "My friends, great to have you all together here. We can use the heated pool. Ready for a dip?"

"We'll pass this time. We didn't bring bathing suits." Eliot apologized. The charm would disguise it but it would have to be more complex and they didn't have time.

"Too bad. But we have many other activities."

Eliot shifted position and hugged Q from behind, placing his hand on his belly and stroking, in a gesture that had become natural in recent weeks. Quentin smiled and placed his hand over his husband’s. The act did not go unnoticed by Sheyla.

"Boys, if I didn't know that Q is a man I would think he was pregnant. He even has that pregnant glow." She said between laughs.

Quentin turned red as a shrimp, but Eliot recovered quickly, not letting go of his love.

"My dear friend. We have something to tell you. We were going to wait, but we have a surrogate. We want to have a baby soon. Q is kind of feeling pregnant. You know how empathetic he is." The boy knew how to tell a story.

"Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. I assume the semen is Quentin's." She looked amused, as if trying to guess.

"It's actually mine, but the person carrying our baby is Q's cousin. They look a lot alike, so we hope the baby looks like both of us." They had invented this story to explain it outside the magical world, but they had not thought of using it so soon.

"What a wonderful thing! I can't imagine how you must be feeling. We're still going to wait another year to have our baby. We're moving to a bigger house first." From then on, the friend told her and her husband's plans for the coming months.

After Sheyla promised she would only tell Angelica, they joined the group. They policed themselves not to caress Q’s belly anymore. They didn’t want to arouse suspicion in anyone else.

The return home made them start to set up the room. Eliot decided to decorate one of the walls with a design with peach and plum trees and the hovel. He just doesn't draw the mosaic. The tones were green and beige, with the most vibrant colors representing the fruits and flowers. The furniture was all pale wood and the peach-colored rug.

Hope's birth brought great joy to everyone. Even Alice showed up to meet the girl who became the little princess of the gang. She was beautiful. She was born with skin the same tone as her father, and a face that resembled her mother. Quentin picked her up, and Eliot didn't have to look twice to know they'd made the right decision to have a baby too, or he'd lose his husband to Hope.

The last few weeks of Quentin's pregnancy had transformed him. He was constantly tired. The size of his belly had doubled overnight and he was using Eliot's body like a giant pillow to get himself into a better sleeping position. Sex became more delicate, El was afraid of causing any discomfort to his husband, no matter who fucked who.

Another thing that popped up at those last months was cravings. Eliot went crazy having to run around to fulfill Q's specific wishes. Josh got used to helping Eliot make special dishes for Quentin. Once Eliot went to get fruit from the mosaic. Sometimes Q wanted something from a specific restaurant. One day, Eliot would go to Earth at dawn, just to buy cheesecake from a store at Queens where Q used to go with his father; another night to buy pizza from a restaurant at Brooklyn, or sushi from that Japanese restaurant at SoHo, where they went some months ago.

In the last foreseen days of the pregnancy, after another checkup, the healer stated that the baby would be born in a maximum of 5 days. They already knew that the baby would be born through magical surgery and that the recovery would be quick. The only prescription was for Q to rest more. Eliot took his husband to their room and promised to come back later to escort him for lunch.

"El, I'm not sick or disabled." Q didn't want to look like an invalid.

"I know honey, but I want to take care of you, both of you." He caressed his husband's face before kissing him softly. "I need to go now. It's going to be my last meeting before paternity leave. Bambi doesn't like to wait, as you know." He didn't want to leave Q alone, but he had promised to attend that specific meeting. He couldn't leave his Bambi at the last minute.

"Okay El. I think I'll take a nap." Eliot kissed Q on the forehead, but hearing his complaint noise, he chuckled softly and kissed him on the mouth, this time hearing a sigh of satisfaction.

Later that night, after Eliot made Quentin orgasm, they took up the baby name again. It was time to make up their minds.

"Q, I was thinking of names. After our last chat, we had some. First one Alex, that means Defender of the People; Second one Avery, which means Elf King; Third one Ryan, that means Descendant Of The King. All neutral names but, I have to admit, I only know Ryan Gosling or Reynolds, both guys. If you want, we can keep Teddy, but, I think I would like another name."

"If my father were alive, I'd want to put it in his honor, but...you know, well, I want a new name too." They looked at each other for a few moments and both understood each other's eyes.

"Ok darling. We have our three top names." Both were relaxed.

"Yeah…El can we wait to see them to choose one of those?" He suggested, yawning.

"Why not?" Watching Q yawn, El pulled him to his chest. "Let's sleep my love. We both need some rest."

The day before the scheduled birth date, Q woke up Eliot around 5AM.

"El, wake up. I think our baby wants to be early." Q's voice was stressed. That made Eliot wake up immediately.

"Oh God. Q are you okay? I'll ask for Cirus, the healer, right away." Eliot jumped out of bed with a speed that left Q stunned. With no time to breathe, he put on his robe, and went out into the hallway and called out to one of their trusted guards. The man ran to the room where they had been hosting the healer for the past few days, already knowing the baby might anticipate. The centaur had already given all the instructions and the palace healer was ready.

After asking for help, El came back to Q's side, he did a few tuts to send a message to his friends, warning them about the baby. He knew that Julia would come running, and that Kady and Alice would like to be warned.

Like a tornado, Margo was in the room in less than five minutes. "Eliot, put some fucking clothes on, that robe of yours barely cover your dick. The only one without clothes right now will be Q."

He obeyed sort of on autopilot. When Cirus arrived to attend Q, he was already wearing pants and a tunic. Then Fen walked in followed by Josh, who hadn't even put on his glasses. Seconds later Julia appeared with Penny and Hope on her lap.

Handing her daughter over to 23, she reached to the bed to take one of Q's hands. "How are you?" She stepped forward. "Glad you're all set."

"My kings, it's time. We need some space."

"I'll wait in the baby's room. Hope will be better there."

"I'll go with you man." Hoberman said.

The healer performed the procedure that created a temporary opening in Quentin's body so the baby could be born. In less than five minutes, they had a beautiful, healthy baby boy in their arms. The hair was dark and curly like Eliot's. Brown eyes and mouth like Q's but with the dimple in the chin.

Tears flowed freely down the cheeks of the parents and all the aunts. Eliot had his son in his arms, cleaning him, while Cirus proceeded to close Q's body. As soon as he finished the procedure, Kady arrived through the portal on their balcony.

"We already have one more baby in our dysfunctional family. Alice said she will be here latter." The brunette arrived with a big smile on her red lips.

El put his son in Q's arms and everyone was around.

"He is so beautiful!" Fen groaned.

"Look at that chin, just like El's." Margo was delighted.

"But the mouth is Quentin's." Kady pointed.

"So are the eyes. But the hair is clearly Eliot's." Julia said as she caressed the baby’s head.

"He's perfect Q. I didn't know it would be possible to love you even more." He bent down and kissed his husband tenderly.

Josh came back, and after congratulating the parents, said he is going to make everyone a delicious breakfast.

Penny returned with Hope now awake. "Good job guys. I already warn you that if your son messes with my daughter I'll kill you."

"Nonsense. I'm sure they'll at least be great friends." Defended Julia. Everyone laughed and after a few minutes, they left the room leaving Q and El alone.

Sitting down next to his husband, Eliot put an arm around Q and went to cuddle their son.

"He's wonderful. You two are my life now. I don't even know if I can tell you how much I love you." Eliot's eyes were watering again.

"I love too El, you know it. He's perfect. Perfect because we made him. I think it's time to choose the name." Q was staring at their baby boy.

"I have a favorite, but I really I'll be fine with whatever name you choose, my love." Eliot wanted to give his husband the chance to choose the name.

"I thought about Ryan, El." Q just smiled to their son and asked; "What do you think son, Ryan…Do you like it?" The baby smiled looking into his eyes.

"It's set. Ryan Adam Coldwater-Waugh." Eliot announced.

"Our prince. Our lovely prince Ryan." Q was running his index finger across the smooth skin of his son's cheek.

"Are you ok honey? Any pain?" He caressed Q's arm that was holding the baby.

"No, I am fine. More than fine." Q finally looked up from their son to look at his husband.

They stood in silence watching the fruit of their love, and as Ryan's eyes slowly closed, they snuggled around the greatest symbol of their love. Tired from all the excitement, Eliot and Quentin fell asleep within minutes.

About an hour later, Fen came carrying a tray of coffee, juice, fruit, bread, cake and cheese. They thanked her, and arranged to meet with their friends at lunchtime. Around 1PM, they went to the dining room. Everyone was already there. Josh said the servants would bring the food.

"Guys we've already chosen a name for our baby. Meet Ryan Adam Coldwater-Waugh." Q was proud to announce the couple's decision. Eliot smiled as he pushed the stroller with his son. He picked him up once again for everyone to see. They had put on a little white outfit with cute drawings of puppies. The blanket that covered him was a burnt orange.

"Q, I thought you were going to put Teddy back on." Julia said, finishing feeding Hope, who was already half asleep.

"No, Jules. We thought we already had our Teddy and he was real. If my dad was still with us we could have done it again, but we decided to honor him with the middle name." The friend nodded when she understood that they had already had their Teddy and a whole family that was now present in their lives.

"We had chosen a few genderless names so we didn't have to think too much and we stuck with Ryan for the meaning. Ready? Descendant Of The King. In this case he's a descendant of two kings." The tallest boy in the group made a reference to him and his partner when explaining.

"El you don't have to try to fool anyone. We all know about your crush on Ryan Gosling." Everyone laughed and little Ryan made a noise in El's lap.

"Bambi, he's already become your fan. He's smiling." Margo took the opportunity to pick Ryan up for the first time, with Fen at her side, delighted.

"Newborn babies don't smile. Must be gas." Grumbled Penny. Everyone laughed again.

Alice arrived at that moment and went straight to give Q and El a quick hug, before approaching Margo to meet their son. Until the food was served, Ryan also passed through Julia, Kady and Alice's laps. With lunch being served, they put Ryan in the cart that they had brought and put it between his and El's chair. Hope was in another cart and Penny was checking her out before sitting down to eat.

The following days were difficult. Ryan's cramps, crazy schedules, sleepless nights. They had help from Fen, who whenever they didn't sleep at night, would take Ryan to look after him for like three hours, giving them a few time to sleep.

Julia came to visit at least once a week and they promised they would keep this routine so the children could be friends, or cousins, as they had planned. Several members of the Coldwater-Waugh family also came to meet Ryan. Elen was the first to visit the baby and little by little, everyone came. It was great to see the whole family.

Q and Julia, with Alice’s help, managed to make improvements, and now they had an internet point at Whitespire. They still hadn't been able to put on wi-fi, but now they could make video calls with friends on Earth. That's how they introduced their son to Sheyla and other college’s friends. They promised to take their son there in a few months.

One point that Q struggled to decide was to introduce his son to his grandmother. Quentin’s mother, always so absent, didn't make a point of keeping in touch after Ted's death, not even when Q announced his wedding. Eliot didn't pressure him, as he wouldn't be calling for his shitty family. Quentin decided to send a message saying he had a child. Her response was disinterested, thanking he sent a photo, but not trying to arrange to meet her grandson. Q would not keep in touch. He had his own family now with El and Ryan, the Coldwater-Waugh clan and their friends.

A year later, Q was happy. They had a birthday party for Ryan and the theme was animals because he was crazy about them. He still didn't say much, but he mimicked the noises, causing his friend Hope to laugh. He was already walking but his steps were still unsteady when he tried to run and Q would sometimes hold his hand. Eliot has more than once used his telekinesis to avoid falling and hurting himself.

All the Coldwater-Waughs attended the festivities, bringing more kids. Ryan was happy to have all of them around, and with Hope by his side, the little boy had a wonderful time. The couple bathed a child who was dirty, sweaty and exhausted. Ryan played with the gifts and smeared himself with all the food prepared, including eating sugar for the first time. The kid entered the land of dreams as soon as they put him to bed.

Eliot and Quentin took a shower together wanting to go bed early. "Let me wash your hair Q. I love that you're letting it grow back."

"I'm yours El. Do what you want." Quentin offered with a smile.

"Um, I was just going to wash your hair, but now that you've offered yourself to me, I'm going to have to take care of you darling." Quentin chuckling surrendered to Eliot's hands.

The next morning, after feeding Ryan some fruits, they put the boy on the rug in their bedroom, letting him play with his favorite new toys, a set of small fluffy Filory’s animals; Eliot pulled his husband back to bed.

"Q, come here. We have some time before the gang call us for breakfast, and I want to talk about something."

With no word, but with a question in his eyes and eyebrows raised, Q sat on the bed facing him.

"Listen Q, Bambi came to talk to me yesterday. She was jealous of you and Julia." He said slowly so as not to worry his husband.

"Jealous? I didn't catch it. Why?" He really didn't understand. He got closer to his partner to talk better.

"She was jealous of your connection during your pregnancy."

For a few seconds Quentin looked like he can’t see, until his face lit up with the understanding of the situation. He couldn't help himself and burst out laughing, which made even Ryan look at them.

"It's not that funny." His annoyed expression left no doubt that he didn't see the humor in the situation.

"El, I'm sorry, but it is." He managed to say it before chuckling again.

"You can stop laughing. We need to talk about this darling." He had an opposite view on the matter.

"El, I can't imagine you and Margo being pregnant at the same time. That would be the end of Filory." The playful air was undeniable.

"Q!" The boy complained.

"El, listen. Margo, she's already a human hurricane without the pregnancy hormones. I love you, but you also have a tendency to overdo it." He knew both too well to predict an hecatomb.

"Okay. You have a point. Let me tell you something. Fen is pregnant. She's going to tell everyone today, at breakfast. The trio are happy and that's why Bambi wants a baby too." Quentin was surprised.

"Both women pregnant together? Poor Josh." He had more fun with each new piece of information.

"No. She wants to wait for Fen's baby to be born before getting pregnant." He resigned himself to just telling him the news.

"I never thought she would want a baby. I always thought she would prefer to leave that to Fen." Finally, he became serious.

"Me too darling. Having Hope and Ryan around sparked her instincts, not to mention seeing you and Julia enjoying your bellies together." Eliot sighed.

"Seriously El, there's something I need to ask you. Do you really think you're ready to carry our baby? When we knew we could do it, you didn't say anything. I know I was already offering myself..."

"Honey I knew how much you wanted to have our baby and I didn't even think about anything else. I loved taking care of you. I'll admit…I'm still not sure if I'm ready, or if I will ever be, but I didn't even want to think about it before I talked to you." There was an uncertainty in his eyes that Q hadn't seen since they met again on Earth.

"I just, you know, I don't want you to feel obligated to carry our baby just because Margo wants you to." He worried that Eliot would commit before he was sure.

"I know sweetheart. If I decide not to do it, I'll talk to her. I must tell you to that I want to have another child. Previously we only had Teddy but now I would love to have one more. I know we can handle it." He kissed his husband's forehead.

"Are you trying to tell me that I, I could have another baby?" He moved a few centimeters away to look into his husband's eyes.

"I think it's all confusing. First, I would love to have another child, no matter if it came from my belly or yours. Second, I still don't know if I'm ready to carry a baby, but I'll think about it, for real. I don't want to define anything right now, just put the options on the table."

Quentin, seeing the concern in Eliot's eyes, placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"Hey, I got it. We have time to think. In case you don't want to, will Margo be happy to share this experience with me?" It was an important question.

"I think so, especially since she'll have Josh and me looking out for her."

A message calling them to eat interrupted the conversation. They now had this notice service between them. A few tuts and the message appeared in front of the chosen person. Eliot called Ryan out of the room and the boy said no, until Eliot reminded him that Hope would be there. He quickly stretched out his little hands for El to catch him.

As Eliot had said, Fen announced her pregnancy.

"Fen, I'm so happy for you, darling." The ex-husband was the first to speak.

"Oh Fen, how can I not be happy with this news." Q got up to give her a hug, followed by their other friends.

"Will you want to know the sex before birth?" Julia and Q have had this same conversation a thousand times.

"I haven't made up my mind yet, but I'll want to talk about it with you two." She was glowing.

"Congratulations Fen. I hope your baby is as calm as Hope." 23 knew she would be the mother of the year.

Kady was happy. She always talked a lot with the future mother whenever she came to Filory. She gave her friend a tight hug. "If you have any desire for things on Earth, I can help by bringing them to you."

"It's going to help me a lot Kady." Josh was almost as radiant as Fen.

"My dear, I will fulfill my promise, and take you shopping for the baby. I await your command." Eliot confirmed.

"I have to go too, because I'm the best at shopping." The high king had to go, even though she trusted Eliot.

"You can count on me too!" Julia was quick to offer.

"Josh, get ready, it's going to be a freak show with all of them." Quentin laughed when Julia stuck her tongue out at him.

Hope interrupted the conversation. She dropped a piece of cake on the floor, and whimpered.

Eliot helped a lot during Fen's pregnancy, decorating the baby's room with a forest in soft shades of green and a stream, which reminded her of the place where she was born. As promised, he went shopping with her with Julia, Josh and Margo. He still felt guilty for not being a good husband to her, especially for the way he behaved when she announced her pregnancy.

When the delivery day arrived, Fen, always so strong, was terrified. She was afraid of losing the baby again. It took a lot of affection to calm her nerves. Curtis, the healer, helped them out and gave her a soothing tea. The boy was born perfect and healthy and Fen couldn't stop crying. She didn't want to let go of the baby, and even Josh and Margo had to wait to hold the little and gorgeous Levi. He had lighter skin and eyes like his father. His hair was the same color as his mother's, and his lips were full.

Ryan, almost two years old, loved that he would have another very close friend. He only complained that he was still too small to run with him through the gardens.

Eliot arranged to take a few days off at the Mosaic. They did this with some frequency. After spending a few days on Earth, visiting some friends, meeting Sheyla's baby, and attending to Angelica's wedding, it felt perfect to spend a week there. They did with Ryan everything they did with Teddy, including sleeping on the outside bed. At their last night at the mosaic, with Ryan’s sleeping head on his lap, Eliot decided to talk to Q.

"You know, Bambi came to talk again about having a baby." Eliot stroked his son's hair as he looked at his husband.

"What did you say? How was the conversation?" Q was relaxed and with his fingertips he stroked his love's curly hair.

"I love our son and I love Bambi, but..." Quentin stared at him fondly, giving him time to speak. "I don't think I was born for this, and it has nothing to do with having a big belly. I was wondering if carrying the baby in my womb would make a difference in my relationship with him, but just look at Ryan and I know it's not possible to love him more."

Quentin took Eliot's hand and squeezed it just to show he was beside him, with him.

"Q, if you've changed your mind and don't want another pregnancy...if I'm letting you down in any way..."

"El, I love you. I love you for who you are. Not feeling ready to carry our baby won't make me love you any less. That would be impossible. Did you tell Margo that?" He loved that man with all his heart.

"Yes, I did. She managed better than I expected. However, she made me promise to talk to you. She doesn't want to go through this alone."

Quentin shifted position so he could be closer to his husband, caressing that beautiful face. "I'm in." Eliot said no more. Just leaned in to kiss his man.

Two months later, Margo tests positive just a fortnight after Eliot and Quentin perform the ritual for the second time. She ran into their room and threw herself on the bed with her friends, sharing the good news.

"Boys I got it!! Josh and I will have a little wolf."

Josh entered the room at that moment. "Sorry guys, I told her not to break into your room, but who can hold back this woman?"

Laughing they congratulated the couple.

"Q, you know that from now on, you'll have to accompany me on everything."

"I hope you let my husband sleep with me Bambi." The best friend made a poor face.

"I'll think about it. We have to decide about starting to buy the furniture and clothes. Nothing less than the best for our babies. We have to decorate the rooms, El can paint since he painted Levi’s room too. Let's drive our men crazy with our cravings. I can't wait." Margo's plans were many and even though Q and Eliot held a different place in her heart, she loves the adorable nerd.

The months passed quickly. Q just had trouble making time with Ryan. They had created a small kindergarten in Whitespire, thinking about the future babies, but that already had the presence of Ryan and the children of some of the employees of the castle, in addition to Hope, since Penny could bring her in a heartbeat. A novelty was that Elen moved closer to the castle. She became responsible for caring the children with two assistants. Ryan loves his Aunt Elen and just want to spend all day with her and his friends.

Margo made some shopping trips to New York, always with Quentin by her side, as well as Fen, Julia, Eliot and Josh. Levi and Ryan stayed with Hope in kindergarten and Penny went back to Filory just in case. They walked into the best stores in town, and came out with clothes and shoes for all the kids. Kady and Alice met them for lunch at a nice restaurant. Penny also showed up and when he saw the amount of clothes Julia bought for Hope, he complained that she wouldn't have time to wear them all. Josh didn't even bother to say anything. It was two against one.

Quentin had more fun this time, he already knew what he wanted, but he let Eliot exaggerate a little just to see his eyes twinkle. As they made for the first pregnancy, they cast a spell to hide Q’s belly. Eliot was closer to him physically this time. He was always touching Q and rubbing his belly. When they came home at night after shopping, Eliot would feed Ryan and they both play with him. Eliot and his son got used to talking to the baby before going to sleep. Ryan always said goodnight with a kiss on his parents and a kiss on the belly too.

Eliot had a hell of a time with Quentin and Margo's cravings. He doesn't know if it was influenced by his best friend, but this time his husband asked for much more than in the previous pregnancy. Cravings ranged from hot dogs with mayonnaise to ice cream with exotic flavors. He had to go buy specials Brazilian’s fruits, crepes at a France’s restaurant and cotton candy at a New Jersey’s park.

Margo was not far behind. She asked for nearly impossible-to-make foods that Josh tried to make a reality. Traveling in search of something she had already eaten, Eliot helped by going to Mexico, Spain, Japan and Italy. There were days when Eliot went to two different countries to bring food for Q and Margo.

Margo's delivery day began with her complaining of back pain. When the water broke at lunchtime, she set the castle in an uproar. From there everything happened fast. Before dark, Josh had another son. When the name was announced, Margo showed the hidden nerdy side of her. Lupin had the color of skin and hair like his mother. Beautiful eyes and lips like his father.

Q's belly looked bigger this time. He got tired earlier and his swollen feet made him rest more. He made appointments with Curtis every three days. Ryan, who was always so independent, suddenly decided he just wanted to be with Q. Even Hope couldn't keep him away for long. The couple started talking to him until they understood why he was stuck with his father. He didn't want to miss the birth. He thought he would be left out. Very calmly, Eliot explained that they would call him as soon as the baby was born and that, apart from the parents, he would be the first to catch them. After being reassured more than once, he seemed to calm down and went back to playing with his friends.

Eliot was tired of another day of him and Fen splitting up Filory's business, when he got the message. It's baby time.

Eliot ran to get Ryan while Fen went to get Curtis and warn everyone. Josh took it upon himself to warn the people on Earth and went to get Margo. Eliot, upon picking up Ryan, brought Elen with him, with Hope and Levi with the help of an assistant.

Upon arriving in the room Ryan jumped on the bed and placed his hand on Q's belly, he was worried about his father's pained expression. Meanwhile, Elen took the other two children and the assistant to the new baby's room until the parents arrived.

"Daddy are you hurt? A kiss can help." He kissed his father on the cheek.

"Thank you. I am better now. Just hurt a little before the baby arrives, but I am and I'll be fine. You know you'll have to leave the room a bit, but as agreed, you'll be the first to pick them up." He made a point of assuring him of the promise made.

"I cannot stay?" The sad puppy eyes were just like his father's.

"No my love. Your father needs to stay with the healer and as there are some rituals, you need to leave. I promise you that while it's not time, you can stay and I'll call you as soon as the baby's ready for you."

Elen, who returned to the room, decided to help. "Ryan, how about we get the baby's room and wait with Levi and Hope? I'm sure the baby will be here soon."

"Levi and Hope?" The boy looked towards the other room.

Ryan didn't want to go but accepted when Elen took his hand and went with her. Eliot ran his hand through his son's hair and smiled at the girl.

"Elen, thank you." Q muttered to her.

Soon the room was full. Kady, Julia and Penny showed up and Penny after talking to everyone went to meet Hope at the other room. Alice texted that she would be there in an hour. Margo came with Fen in tow and soon after, Josh showed up with Lupin on his lap.

When Curtis said the time had come, Josh went to the nursery, to stay with the other kids and 23. Eliot had decorated it with a rainbow near a beautiful waterfall. Light wood furniture and soft shades of yellow made the room warm and happy.

Already knowing the whole ritual, Q was calmer, but no less emotional. With his husband holding his hand, he saw the procedure being done and quickly the baby was with them. Again, they had decided not to know the baby's gender and still liked the other names they'd chosen before Ryan was born.

It was a beautiful girl. She had Eliot's eyes, a little greener. The brown hair like Q’s but curly like El‘s and the rosy mouth and full lips make her a beauty. Eliot once more cleaned his baby, and placed her in his husband's arms. He kissed him gently. Leaving the room, he went to get Ryan.

"Pappa! We have our baby?" The boy ran when he saw him arrive.

"Yes. It is a baby girl. She's beautiful, just as beautiful as you. Let's go? She's waiting for you."

"Yes, yes, yes." He almost screamed jumping into his father's lap.

Eliot sat him down next to Q, and he immediately stretched out his arms for that special little package.

"She's beautiful Daddy. I'm going to love her as much as I love Hope, Levi and Lupin." Everyone smiled at the innocence of Ryan's love. He used the only reference he had, and knowing how much he loved the other kids, everything was going to work out. Soon after, Elen, Josh, and 23 also entered the room to meet the new little girl in the family. Alice came too and kissed them, happy to meet the girl.

As soon as only the four of them were in the room, they decided on the name. It was Ryan’s choose. Avery Marie Coldwater-Waugh is the newest member of their family. Marie to honor the only member of Eliot's old life he still cherished. His maternal grandmother who was the only one who gave him affection, and sadly passed very early, when he was still a child.

Life with Avery was easier and harder at the same time. They already knew what to expect but at the same time, they had Ryan to share their attention. Together they faced a few bouts of jealousy from the eldest, the difference in the children's time, since the girl often exchanged night for day. More than once Q and Margo threw the kids to Josh and Eliot, and locked themselves together in one of the bedrooms to sleep.

As the months passed, things got easier, but Q and El decided they wouldn't have any more children. Margo said that since they already had Levi and Lupin she would not have any more babies either. They jokingly said that it would be Alice or Kady's turn, and maybe Penny should try, to which their friend responded with a death threat that made everyone laugh.

The years passed and despite the problems that eventually appeared in Filory, crises with the children when they became teenagers, constant trips to Earth to see friends, especially Sheyla and Angelica and their families, they had a good life.

The whole group was happy to see the children growing up. At age 10, Hope performed her first magic. They would still have to wait a little longer to find out if she could travel like her father. Levi loved taking care of plants since he was little and Josh was happy to see that he had the same skills. Lupine was all mother. He would certainly be one of the kings of PKC when he went to Brakebills.

Ryan was a lot like Quentin. A calmer and shyer temperament, but in skills he took after Eliot's telekinesis. Avery was already more confident and Kady was amazed to see that the girl could launch energy beams from her hands. He promised to teach battle magic once she entered Brakebills and learned to control her powers. Both would certainly go to PKC as well.

Kady decided not to have children. She never got it together at 23, and after a brief romance with a hedge guy, she ended up only having dates with Julia, who was happy with both partners.

Alice had a girl. Unfortunately, she was always busy and was the least present member of the gang. After getting married and having the girl, she at least came to the children's birthdays. Little Gwen was a copy of her mother with blonde hair and blue eyes. Her powers took after her father; She would be a metacomp student.

---------------------------------

Eliot was with Q at the mosaic, lying on the outer bed, under Filory's moons, holding hands as he thought about the difference of the life he expected to have and the life they'd built together.

"You changed my life." Eliot said in a solemn tone.

"What? Where did that come from El?" Quentin lay on his side to look at his husband, who also turned to look into his eyes and run his fingers through his lover's already graying hair.

"I was thinking about what I imagined my life would be like, and how it took such a different turn." His voice was deep and emotional.

"For the better I'm sure." Q said with a heart full of love. A love that would never die. He had his soulmate.

"Better than my best dreams. I've always missed love. I thought I couldn't and didn't deserve to be loved until you. Our life was wonderful in the past and it is fantastic now. Even with our fights and your stubbornness..."

"El!" Quentin complained, slapping his husband lightly.

"Let me finish Q. What I'm trying to say is that you've given me so much more than I could ever wish for. We have a beautiful family, once again. You..." He was interrupted by a kiss, soft and sweet.

"I know. You are everything to me too El." It was possible to see the moon reflected in the beloved's eyes.

"To think that I almost lost you when you went into that new life. It was a torment and a turning point. I had to believe in both of us." He always felt a tightness in his chest when he thought of what he might have lost.

"I'm glad you went after me. I could never love anyone so deeply. Only you."

They kissed and then held each other in silence for a few minutes.

"Q, do you think Ryan will adapt well to Breakbills? I can't believe he already took the test and passed." Eliot was being the most reticent about his son going to live far away from them.

"Of course he will. If I got it, he will to. Ryan has a more outgoing personality than I do, and he will have Hope. He will definitely adapt." Q understood their son's personality well.

"It'll be Avery's turn soon. She'll be amazing." He imagined.

"Her temperament is more like yours." Q said laughing softly. "She'll run the cottage like her pappa."

"It will be my pride." He said with a huge smile.

"I know." Q placed his hand on his husband's and squeezed it lightly.

"We're going to miss them." There was a hint of anticipated longing in his partner's voice.

"We'll still have each other and they will come home eventually." Q used to be more pessimistic but life was so good to him that he changed his perspective, even if his brain got him down at times.

"We're going to get old and have grandchildren in a few years Q." They both laughed softly.

"I really want this. You and I together for as long as possible." The smile at the end of the sentence indicated that he wanted to experience a new phase of life with that man.

"Thank you my love. For helping me change. We started over some years ago and it's wonderful."

"By your side El, it's like starting over every day." He moved closer to indulge in a long and sweet kiss.