Chapter 2
Elliot apparated silently just outside of Thornswood alley. The guards, his closest friends Marabella and Kiran, jumped like a pair of startled rabbits. Fumbling slightly, they forced a freezing charm on him while they tried to gather their wits. He raised his eyebrow. Perhaps leaving without informing anyone was a bad idea after all.
Finally, Kiran managed to identify him, scanned him, and noted the bundle in his arms, releasing the charm. "Fucking hell Elliot! You went missing after dinner and we thought you might have been an imposter!" He rolled his eyes. "Yes, well, I have a new member with me, and I would prefer to get him to Annie before she notices and skins my backside," a flash of interest went across the two's faces, but they let him in with no comment. They would not be allowed to question anything until the sun rose and guards weren't needed anymore. Questions and conversations would distract them from their duty.
---------
The alley was quiet at this time of night. Most of the members had camouflaged themselves against their surroundings by habit, but many of the younger and untrained thieves were clearly visible as they leaned against each other, in little piles dotting the long-looted shops. Their little chests rose and fell in an almost mesmerizing way, and he had to stop momentarily to make sure none of them were experiencing nightmares. They weren't, which was good. They were too often among the little ones to even be remotely healthy.
Continuing on his way to the medic, he rocked the child gently, sorely wishing he knew more about raising children beyond the basics. But that job would be left up to his boyfriend, James, who was much more soft spoken and calmer than he was. In fact, the tall, blonde haired and green eyed man was the opposite from Elliot himself in just about everything. Where he was a leader; James was a follower. He enjoyed observing and interacting from a distance; James would walk into fire if he had to. He was the brains; James was quite muscular and strong.
Realising he'd stopped in the middle of the street to dream about his boyfriend, he shook his head, cheeks aflame, and kept walking. Annie really was going to skin him if he didn't pick up the pace.
-----
He cooled down by the time he actually reached the Medic's house. Making sure that the insomniac-wrecked girl was present, he knocked twice, sharply and quickly. A few minutes passed before the wards dropped and Annie opened the door, eyebags the size of dinner plates adoring her face. However, even though she looked like the Walking Dead, her movements were sharp and precise and she swiftly scooped up the baby, downing yet another Awakening potion as she beckoned him inside. "Get the fuck in," she muttered. "My brain's dead, but he looks fine so no full scan. I'll do a Core scan and then I'll try to get some sleep," he nodded, standing next to the much younger girl while she waved her wand in complicated patterns. "Core's fine, I removed some binds. Mostly parseltongue and some strong elemental, but nothing too Earth-shattering to be of concern. Magic is still going strong, no fluctuations. Quiet, but I think that just might be his Elemental magic talking. Now, can I get some sleep?" He nodded, picking him up. "Thanks Annie. And stop drinking so much Awakening Potions," she rolled her eyes. "Sure. Out," she pointed towards the door and he did as she asked, silently.