Griff
“Hey.” poked his head into the hallway a few minutes later. “Pruitt said you wanted to talk to me?”
Haven stood alone now. “, hi.”
closed the door behind him. He rubbed his hands against Haven’s muscular arms, a silly smile on his face. “Are my pre-audition nerves rubbing off on you?”
“It’s more than that. I just wanted to say that I-I might be out of town for a while.”
“You mean, like back in Crescent Ridge?” asked. “I mean, I expected that. But you’re always welcome to stay with me in my dorm.”
“On-campus brekkie is bad enough at Moonhaven,” Haven teased, wrapping his arms around and kissing his forehead. “I mean, like out of state, .”
“Okay,” nodded, looking up at the blonde werewolf. “What’s up?”
“Do you remember what all happened when Uriah gave you the Moonstone Medallion?”
“Um, let’s see,” began . “I channeled the power of the King of Wolves, took away Luna’s parasitic control over you and all the other werewolves, and lopped her head off like a chicken farmer.”
“ And? ” Haven asked, squeezing ’s arms playfully.
“And resurrected Pruitt and Darcy.”
“No one told you anything else, huh? Or what you said after?”
shook his head. He could feel the heaviness in his new beau’s tone. “Haven, before you get all bent out of shape, I’m open to all different kinds of relationships: long-distance, friendship, star-crossed lovers.”
“You’re only saying the last one because you’re about to audition for Romeo & Juliet , darl,” Haven chuckled.
Haven balanced against his torso as he pulled an envelope from his pocket.
“Oh, Mr. Kyler!” Old Mother Madge popped her head out of the auditorium. “Sorry to interrupt, but it looks like it’s almost your time to shine.”
“Thanks, I’ll be right in!” acknowledged before grabbing at the envelope. “Is this for me?”
Haven nodded. “Um, it’s just a little note I wrote you about my upcoming trip, plus a little memento to cherish while I’m away. My mum and dad used to write letters to each other when my dad was off traveling for work. Thought we could do the same, so here’s a head start. Also, you can share this one with the rest of your little, um, polycule.”
smiled. “I like that.” He could tell Haven was sad. “So, I get to write the next one, then?”
Haven nodded, pressing his forehead against ’s. They stayed like this until their lips finally met.
“Sorry, I’m here!” came jogging down the aisle, envelope in hand. Haven followed close behind, taking a seat next to Pruitt.
Quinn rubbed his hands together. “Why don’t we have you get up on stage and show us what you’ve got then, ?”
The witch smiled and nodded, looking from Darcy to Uriah, then to Pruitt, and finally Haven. As everyone took a seat, took to the stage.
“After we get through and Uriah, what do you say I take us all over to Witch’s Brew for a drink?” the professor asked. “Perhaps water for the younger ones.”
The group cheered in agreement.
let out a long sigh of relief, pleased that the imaginary weight of auditions was finally lifted off his shoulders.
“I suppose I won’t be asking for IDs,” Old Mother Madge joked as she telekinetically called six glass cups to the bar countertop before her.
As the men took a seat before her, Darcy slid his fingers through the belt loop of ’s jeans and pulled him back into a hug from behind. “Why’d Haven take off so fast?” he asked. “Everything okay?”
“Everything is completely okay, I promise,” said with a smile, holding up the unopened envelope. “He’s got some important wolf duties to tend to, and we’re going to be pen pals in the meantime.”
“ Ooh , what’s that say?” asked Pruitt.
“That’s for me to know,” teased, patting Pruitt on the back of his head with the unopened letter, “and for you to find out when I read it.”
“Wait a second,” Quinn interrupted, stopping the group. “Haven split already? I mean, clearly, he’s got a lot of competition.”
“There’s no competition, Professor Quinn,” said as he rolled his eyes.
“He’s got a big journey ahead of him,” added Uriah before putting a supportive hand on ’s shoulder. “But I sure will miss him taking control of Pruitt’s body.”
“ Hey now! ” Pruitt said as he smacked Uriah in the chest. “Old Mother Madge, I think I’m gonna need a double.”
The group erupted in laughter as ice, liquor, and mixers floated into the cups before them. Two water bottles floated from the cooler to the bar counter for Darcy and .
“So, it appears you are adjusting well to being a vampire and witch, Professor Quinn,” Old Mother Madge said as she slid his cup in front of him.
Quinn nodded. “You know, yeah. I needed a month or so to really let it sink in, a lot of blood bags, and a friendly reminder from these guys that I can still be the same person I was before I turned. Plus,” he said as he put his arm around Uriah, “I’m literally learning from the original.”
Uriah winked as the two men clicked their glasses together and took a sip. “So endeth the lesson.”
“Seems we’ve all had lessons of our own to learn this semester,” contributed Darcy. “Not saying I’ve totally conquered all the obstacles presented to me because I haven’t, but something tells me I should be just fine. And that I should have faith in myself that I’m not just the guy who always gets possessed.”
“I was hesitant at first about some of the newer men in your life, young ,” began Old Mother Madge, the start of a smile forming on her lips. “But I’ve quickly learned that you have an amazing support system, something critical for a witch as they grow to master the greatest of powers.”
“Thanks, I think?” chuckled, his cheeks growing rosy.
“What about you, ?” Pruitt asked.
“I’ve learned to lean on my friends, and those I love like family,” said , his eyes wandering from Quinn and Madge to Darcy and Uriah before he placed his hand on Pruitt’s. “And how are you doing, babe?”
“Well,” Pruitt said as he took a drink, “I guess both Darcy and I died and came back. I also rediscovered a past love of mine, and on the way learned the importance of how deep my love is for those still with me today.”
“And I learned I can bloody fly!” added Uriah, holding his drink up as though toasting.
“Cheers to that,” said, clinking Uriah’s cup with his bottle. The group joined him.
“So, uh, you gonna read your little love letter or leave us hangin’ in suspense, little witch?” Uriah asked as the group grew quiet.
smiled. A stainless steel hand letter opener cut across the white envelope and the folded paper inside found its way into his hands. The group looked on anxiously as he started to read it aloud, stopping every few sentences.