Hard To Believe

They were at honeymoon phase. A five months honeymoon phase. Brian is happy as hell. Nigel is more than he could expected. When they first meet at that famous gallery, he thought Nigel was a pompous son of a bitch. In fact, he is, but he is much more than that. Nigel is his prince charming if he could believe in fairy tales. Not a prince, a King! Handsome, intelligent, smart, sassy, excellent kisser and the sex...wow he is amazing! How could Brian find the man of his life, and be so lucky, that Nigel could think that him, a lonely and introverted teacher, can be his prince?

Nigel is a perfect gentleman. He is supportive, a great listener, spiced sense of humor, skilled chef, a promising artist and he is the one, the only one, which can make him laugh after a stressful day. When they decided to live together, Nigel moved in to his apartment. It is so good to come back to a place where he can feel the warmth and comfort that emanates from his best friend. The sound of him singing along to some indie song. His voice is amazing, can be deep and softer or hit high notes.

Brian's house is on the second floor of an old three-story building with brick walls. An apartment with two bedrooms and a huge bathroom. One of the walls in the room showed off the beautiful old brickwork. On it, Brian hung pictures of his travels. Places where he went to study literature like England, Italy and France.

The floor was ancient oak, with walls a pale blue-gray. A comfortable l-shaped sofa, a huge tv to watch his favorite movies and a kitchen with dark blue cabinets with all the equipment he barely used. A cozy room and a light tone without much personality and the other he turned into an office with a table and shelves for his books. It was like that until Nigel arrived.

In the bedroom he swapped a double bed for a king size. He put in more pillows and bought beautiful Egyptian thread sheets and gold and brown brocade bedspreads he hadn't even known existed. He put a beautiful painting on the wall that he painted with an accent blue. It looks like an expensive place.

In the living room he threw blankets and pillows bringing more color and elegance in shades of gold, blue and green. The photo wall now featured pictures of the couple. One was taken the night they had met. The kitchen was finally really used. He bought cookware, groceries, and spices that Brian had never tried. The office gained paintings and a corner for Nigel to paint, after reorganizing the space.

They worked from the first moment. Nigel made him orgasm more times during their first month than his all other previous partners together. Their chemistry is so strong that he keep some distance from each other at public spaces, except from holding hands and chaste kisses.

He was walking back home, after got all the groceries for their weekend. He is hungry and thinking about lunch when arrived and found a gorgeous woman at the front door of his building. He barely murmured a word and the woman was after him holding the door open until a hot tall guy, a beautiful and strong woman and smaller and kind guy joined them inside.

He tried to not look at the group when he when he quickly climbed the stairs, taking a straight line to home. He opened the door and locked it. The smell was delicious and he instantly saw his man and his brighter smile, waiting for him. Without a word, Brian just kissed him, tasting some kind of pesto sauce.

“Hi my love. I thought it will take you more time to buy all I asked you.”

“We got off power at the University, so, you know, I left earlier.”

“Lucky me!” Nigel said and was kissing Brian again when the same group of people popped out of nowhere in the middle off their kitchen.

“What the hell!” “What the fuck!” They both scream at the same time.

“Easy man. We don’t want to hurt you. I am Josh. We will tell you all.” Josh was holding his hands up like in surrender.

“Josh, let me deal with those assholes. I am Margo bitches, and we are friends. We will help you to remember all of our shitty life.” She was moving into their direction when Brian seems to regain his ability to move and think.

“No!” He jumped in front of Nigel trying to protect his man, no matter what. At that moment, he felt a strange energy passing through his body. It seems familiar but he can’t remember why. He can’t move and was at mercy of what those people wanted to do with them. Fuck!

Margo put her hand gently touching his and Nigel’s foreheads and with a powerful flash he was not Brian anymore. He felt into his knees with the most killer migraine. His vision went black while he was receiving all that lost information that shows him he truly is Quentin Makepeace Coldwater.

He can’t move. He didn’t want to move. A second migraine hit him. The mosaic. How many lives one person can have? That beautiful and precious life he lived with Eliot. Fifty years. More than that. He loves that man. He loved him in every life. Probably did at the others timelines. His heart was so full of love that it could explode and spreading it out. Love, love, love. For a moment, he wanted to find Eliot and throw himself into his arms. For just one moment. Just enough for him to remember an essential information. Eliot doesn’t love him.

Quentin could stay at the cold tiles of his, no, Brian’s kitchen. His chest was heavy and aching. So much love for nothing. He needed to recover but he didn't have the strength. He felt hands on his shoulders in an attempt to help him. Unfortunately, it wasn't Eliot’s, he would recognize if it was. He took his hands from his face and opened his eyes. He hadn't even realized he had his hands over his face. His hands were wet. He also hadn't realized he was crying.

“Come on man. Let me help you.” Josh is already helping him to his feet and Kady was doing a spell to check him out.

“I can’t see nothing wrong with you Coldwater. You will be ok!”

“Thanks.” His answer was so low that Kady barely herd it. He slowly turned to see Eliot hugging Margo. The smell of something burning made all of them to look at the stove and 23 turned it off. Their food was lost for good and the little incident made Eliot be apart from Margo, but Eliot didn’t look at him.

“Q, are you ok?” Margo finally came and gave him a quick hug before come back to Eliot’s side.

“Yeah, Kady is sure I will be ok.”

“Let’s get out off here!” 23 didn’t wait before extended his arms so that everyone could touch him before blipping them to an apartment Quentin had never seen before.

It was a huge and fancy penthouse. For a second he couldn’t imagine how they can afford a place like that. Stylish furniture, open space, gourmet kitchen, spiral staircase to another level with comfortable suites and the place he is right now, a balcony with a great New York City view. He got out to breath. He need space from…it is such a pain. More than pain. Agony. Eliot didn’t look at him all the time since they recovered their memory of who they really are. At one moment, Nigel was in love with Brian. Seconds later Eliot, even remembering this love, remembering the mosaic, have no guts to look him in the eyes. To talk to him. He stayed by Margo’s side as twins joined at the hip.

Quentin made his best to hear all the news about everybody’s fake life. Kady was the one who started to put that fucking memory spell down. The comic book Fogg used to create their alternative life, the four of them that found Marina23 and got their memories back. The way Kady took care of their security, how they was searching for the rest of the gang except for Alice. He didn’t need to worry about Julia. He is sure Kady won’t let her out. He barely tasted the Chinese food someone ordered.

Eliot. It all his mind can think about right now. He took another drag on the only cigarette he could locate in the apartment. The day was cloudy and he can feel the wind that promises some rain. It is not cold as it was at Boston. This time he would be with Eliot…no, Nigel. Brian and Nigel would be at home. They will go out to have dinner at their favorite restaurant, an Italian with the most fresh and delicious pasta. Nigel. He has a lot in common with Eliot but not the same experience. Nigel was carefree. Eliot have a lot of trauma at his back.

He can’t have hope. If after the Mosaic Eliot said it was not them, why this time would be different? This time it wasn’t then. It was Brian and Nigel. Brian, a muggle professor at Harvard. Someone who had one girlfriend and one boyfriend in the last five years. Five years that didn’t existed. Knowing about the time he really was Brian, he met Eliot two weeks after he started this alternative life. It was love at first sight. He can relate to when he first saw Eliot lounging at Brakebills sign.

The difference was that Brian was confident enough to believe he could give it a shot. He just flirt back with Nigel. Quentin ignored Eliot’s flirtation because he didn’t believe he could be with him. Maybe he was wright. After more than fifty years, when he believed they were happy together, Eliot said it was not them. Not them even if they were still Q and El.

A gust of wind seemed to say he finally knew what he must do. He will be apart of Eliot, giving space to define how their friendship should be from now on. Probably he would go back to Filory with Margo, when Quentin had no reason to go back there. He had decided to stay with the monster, but Eliot managed to kill it. That was the last purpose of life Quentin could see for himself. None of the others would really need him.

He will stay with them until they located Julia and made sure she is okay. They knew that Alice would have to deal with the Library for her acts of treason, and he had no desire to see her just yet. Maybe never again. She had serious problems with magic and with people. Alice had already made it clear that she no longer considered them her friends. If it were not for Julia recreating the Keys, running out of her goddess powers, and how quickly 23 stopped Alice with the siphon, they would now be in a much shittier situation.

Fogg put them at those other lives but they found each other and recovered their real identities. They need to realize if they would be safe to be themselves again. If they could get on with their lives, without looking over their shoulders at every corner. Quentin knew that, for now, he want a quiet life, even if in a few months he might look forward to new adventures. He needs to balance his life. His mind almost spiraled at times while searching for the keys. Brian's life seemed perfect for this. Having a routine would be fine for a while. Would it be that fine without a partner? Without The partner? He wouldn't teach but taking a regular 9 to 5 job and exploring a new city could be a boost.

He went inside when he noticed a slight commotion. He had left the door open and heard 23 repeats ‘Julia, Julia’ like a mantra. Kady and Josh are waiting for him to say something else.

"What? What about Julia?"

After a few moments that felt more like hours than seconds, he saw 23's expression relax. "Julia, I found her. She was in Brakebills and now she's in New York."

"Is she Julia or someone else?" Kady asked.

"Definitely Julia. She's calling for me."

"Bring her here."

Quentin plopped down on the couch next to Josh as soon as Penny disappeared. He could see Josh relaxed. Must have smoked something. Kady began drumming her fingers on the laptop on her lap, before tossing it into the chair next to her. She got up and almost fell over back when she saw 23 back with Julia in tow.

“Jules!” “Julia!” Q and Kady said at the same time.

She didn't say anything. She just hugged Kady and then Quentin. A tight hug that reminded him of how important they had been in each other's lives. Quentin wanted that back in his life. He needs a friend. He was going to get his childhood best friend back because…because he lost his actual best friend, his love. Q knew it would be a long road to get back to what they were, but Julia is here and if her hug was any indication, she wanted him back too.

Josh got back to reality and hugged her too. It is strange how they got closer during the key quest. She was smiling at him and they all get comfortable at the sofa, and when she was about to tell them what she knows, Margo and Eliot arrived. Eliot sat at a poshy chair and Margo sat at his lap. Julia told them about her identity. She was at Brakebills as a new student. She explained how Todd helped her to find out she can’t die and who she really is. She get out of there right after she understood everything. Julia mentioned that any tracking spell she tried didn’t work. That’s why she tried to contact Penny23.

“I am fucking happy 23 could listen to me. I was afraid you were still at your identities and I couldn’t reach you guys.”

“Kady was a genius realizing everything. She brought us back, and we just found Q and El today. These moroons were in Boston.” Said Margo.

“You need to see that comic book Jules, we are all in there.” He was trying to change the attention out of the fact that he was found with Eliot.

“One thing I know for sure. This place is secure. I could not find you.”

“Marina always do a good job at the protections spells, that’s for sure.”

“Yeah Kady. She won’t come back, right?”

“No. She is afraid that we could bring huge shit to her life.”

“Good for us. This place is amazing!”

“I want to go back to Filory with Eliot, and Josh, but we need to work everything out before.”

That’s it. All his mind already told him it is about to happen. He needs to put his mind at easy. He was happy that something at this place is preventing 23 to read his thoughts. He needs some good armor at his brains. He zooned out while their friends were chatting. He was surprised when he saw empty the chair where Eliot were with Margo. He felt Julia’s hand at his arm.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah. Just tired. I need a shower and clean clothes. How are you doing Kady?”

“We are still using some clothes of our previous months. Margo wanted to go out shopping, but we decided against it for a while.”

“I could bring some to stay here with you guys. Need to go to my new, old, whatever, apartment.”

“Is it safe for me to go back to Boston? Maybe, hum, you know, spend the night?”

“Yeah, but only for tonight. We put some special protection there in order to get you guys. You can stay here; we have a lot of space.” Kady explained.

“I want to pick some personal belongs. I know I am not Brian, but he has better things than I ever had. I would pick my own stuff at Brakebills, but it is not safe, like you said.”

“Ok Coldwater. Do what you need. But be back here tomorrow before noon.”

“I will.”

“Q, how would you go to Boston?”

“Portal?”

“What about I ask for Penny’s help?”

“He is not a cab, you know…he may like you Jules, but I am not sure if there is some version of Penny that are really fond of me.” He said with a small smile.

“I can handle it.” She was smirking while she rise from the couch and went after 23.

After Julia convinced 23, Q put her aside and asked her help with an away to put some shields at his mind. Julia helped without question but something at her smile shows him that she will bring it latter.

First, they went to pick Julia’s belongs. They put a spell to expand the bag to carry all things that she could want and went to Brian’s apartment. She looked around and gave a glance at his direction. When they eyes met she just smile sadly.

Q asked 23 to wait just a few moments and made a bag for Eliot. He once made a spell to bring thinks to his hand like Harry Potter’s books, since “accio” it is not a really spell. He is a nerd after all. He made it to put all Eliot’s, no, all Nigel’s belongs at that bag. He intends to keep this place if it will be possible, but doesn’t want nothing to remind him of what he can’t have. Maybe he will not keep this place because of those memories.

“Since you are getting back to the penthouse, can you give this to Eliot? He probably will burn it all, but maybe he wants something.

“It is ok man. I won’t give you a hard time about it.”

“Q, I think we need to catch up. What about some breakfast near the penthouse tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I…I can use a friend. Thanks Jules.”

“Do you know where the portal is?” 23 gave him all the information he will need.

“I will be there.”

When they left, Q was exhausted but prepared his own bag. He put everything in, even if he intends to come back one day. He looks around to see the furniture, the photos of them at the brick wall. It is easy to see how happy they were. That made it even harder to stick to his decision.

He will be back at penthouse tomorrow and will keep his distance. Eliot is doing a great job at this matter, so it won’t be that difficult. That is why he needs Julia at his side. She will helps if he freaks out. She will remind him about what is important. Once upon a time she was his romantic interest. He turned his romantic love into friendship. He must do it once more.

Try to sleep was hard. He didn’t change the canvas and Eliot smell was all over the bed. It reminders him all those sweet moments. Taking care of each other, those cozy nights at home, romantic dinners, fancy nights out that Brian could handle much better than Q ever did, waking up with Nigel’s body around his own and sex. All Q wants is to make new happy memories but first he will spend one last time crying over the past ones.

He wake up from a good dream with a sight. He ran his hands through his hair and rubbed his eyes, trying to push the sleep away. He remembered that he had slept the way he arrived last night. He dragged himself out of bed, and got into the shower, wasting as much time as possible. He grabbed some clean jeans and a dark green button-up shirt. He took the dirty clothes, and put them into a laundry bag, before he threw them in the suitcase too.

It was around 9AM when he passed through the portal to New York, exiting into an alley from which he turned south onto Main Street. He was relieved to see that Julia was already there and no one else. 23 wasn't as bad as their Penny but still, he really wanted some time alone with Julia.

“Q!” She gave him that beautiful smile of her while gesturing for a chair next to her. The coffee shop was brand new and the smell was fantastic.

“Hey Jules.” He sat and put his bag at his side before hug his friend.

“I already ordered for us. Our favorite as kids, like old time.” That means she ordered orange juice, chocolate chip pancakes, and grilled cheese.

“No coffee?” He asked smiling.

“Of course I did! I ordered a macchiato for me and black coffee for you.” She answered poking his side playfully.

“You are the best!” He gives her a carefree smile. He didn’t remember when was the last time he was feeling so good at her side. It is like old times.

They talk about her time apart, how was to be at Breakbills, and having classes. She told him about Todd being the one that was waiting for her before her exam. How he helped her to break the spell even if they don’t know exactly, they are doing at the time. She even talk about Penny23. She said she wants to give it a try, because now he can see her and not that other Julia.

Q knew it was a matter of time until she asks about Eliot. He is not worried about it. In fact, he needs it.

“Q…You know…I heard that you and Eliot were an item until yesterday. I saw your place.”

“No Jules. Brian and Nigel were.”

“It is the same.”

“Unfortunately not.” He took a deep breath and Julia knows better, she just wait untill he start to speak again. “Remember when we got the time key?” Even with his shorter hair, some can fall into his eyes and he hide behind it for a moment.

“Sure. The one you and Eliot got it. Margo prevent you to go into Filory’s past.” It was all she could remember.

“What if I tell you that no matter what Margo did we went? We went to Filory’s past and I was the one who gave Jane the key. What if I tell you that we lived more than fifty years at the Mosaic?” He decided to be brave and tell her all.

“Fuck!”

“Yeah, fuck!” He smiled to her as she rests her hand on his to show him some support. He can go on. “We lived there at this little cottage; I got a wife, Arielle. She was brave, smart and beautiful. Ari gave us Teddy, our son. That boy was the best gift she could gave us.”

“Us?” She asked quietly.

“Us. Me and Eliot. I loved Ari. Eliot loved her as a sister. When Teddy was four, she left us. She wants a life for her own and Teddy was ours. I cried but I knew she deserved better. Ari knew, always knew, how much in love I was with Eliot. Teddy always called me Daddy and Eliot was his Pappa. We had a family. I really felt loved. We died of old age. I discovered the answer to the mosaic when I was digging Eliot’s greave. I found a different tile, a gold one. The beautiful of all life was we, our life together. I put that tile at the center of the mosaic and the key raised from it. Jane came a minute later and I gave it to her.” He pauses to sip his coffee while trying to recompose himself.

“Q it’s a wonderful story. A love story. So much love. You love each other in a way or another.” She was thrilled. She knows how much her friend had always wanted to find love.

“Yeah, but it’s not over. You know, I am not a confident person, I never think people will like me.”

“Don’t tell me. I did my best to tell you deserve better”

“I know but…The first time I saw Eliot I was blown away. I saw a handsome, intelligent, stylish, self-confident man. As I fell in love I told myself I could never have that man.”

“But you loved Alice.” She wants to make a point.

“I loved her but we don't work well together.” After another sip of coffee, he resumed. "I went headlong into the relationship with Alice thinking it was my last chance to have someone. I broke every line of ridicule by trying to bring Alice back to life. I hurt her when I went to bed with Margo and Eliot. I can see now that I wasn't good for her, and she wasn't good for me either. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine."

“Q, don't be so hard on yourself."

"It is true Jules. After realizing that me and Alice didn't work out, I stayed focused on the quest. It was hard not knowing when I would see Eliot again and when he showed up here on Earth I could only be happy."

"I remember when he arrived and you just threw yourself into his arms. How could I not have known?"

"I think you, like everyone else, still had me and Alice in mind."

"I've certainly been around a lot of both of you."

“When we went into Filory’s past, we knew it was going to be the two of us against the world. The key knew that only the two of us would work. We work in a way that, hum, that I can't explain. If I had gone with anyone else I would have gone crazy." He laughed, and when he saw that his coffee was finished, he drank some juice before continuing. "Did you know it took me a whole year before I plucked up the courage to kiss him for the first time?"

"I could have bet he would be the first to kiss. Apparently, I was wrong." It would not be the first time she'd been wrong, but it was rare.

"The next day he came to tell me not to overthink it. He thought I might regret it but it was not the case. I wanted more. Maybe, hum, maybe he never, hum, intended to kiss me. "

"Oh Q. I wouldn't say that.” Julia tried to change the focus of the conversation a little. “How does Arielle fit into your story?"

"Eliot practically pushed me into her. At first, I was annoyed with him but deep down I have to say our life was so much better with Teddy in it. He was a wonderful boy. You would love him."

"I already love him."

"After Ari was gone it was us against the world again. Not anyone who sees Eliot can imagine what a wonderful father he was to our son. When we were older, he commented that he was terrible when Fen got pregnant. He blamed himself for that. I tried to show that it was under other circumstances, that he proved that if he gave it time, everything would have worked out with Fray."

"I admit it's not easy to see him as this loving father, but I believe in you."

"It was a beautiful life Jules. Even on my bad days, he was there for me. He took care of Teddy, gave him advices, even about girls. I..." Quentin was crying and Julia moved over so she could hug him giving some love. His friend is back.

When he pulled afar, he wiped away the tears to resume his speech. "He was always with me until the day he died. It still hurts to remember…I…Us…When Margo stopped us, we ended up going back to Filory and we sat in the throne room, under the arch of her marriage to that brat. I took the letter I had sent to her from the past. The letter that warned her about what had happened to us, and that made her stop us from entering the clock and going to the past. Reading that letter, I remembered everything. Eliot remembered everything too. In a matter of seconds I got memories of more than fifty years of life.” He took a new deep breath. "I have to say that at this point I was so sure of my love for him, and his for me that, I took my heart, put it on a platter and gave it to him. I said that we worked, that we had proof that the we could be happy together. My worst mistake. He said it wasn't him, that it wasn't me, that I was being..."

This time the crying was stronger. Julia put a spell on, so people wouldn't notice the two of them and once again hugged her friend. He cried and sobbed and she let him. He just mumbled that he could vent, that she was there for him. When he calmed down, she ordered water and ice cream for them. Nothing heals a broken heart better than ice cream with your best friend.

"Q I don't even have words. I can't imagine that a love of a lifetime isn't worth living. Eliot is an asshole!"

Quentin gave a shy laugh before shoveling a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. He waited a little longer before continuing.

"The rest of the quest was really tough for me. He even said I should be life partner with someone else, when I went into the abyss to get the other key."

"Q you didn't try to get locked up with the monster because of Eliot, did you?"

"I actually thought that if I had already lived such a perfect life I could face anything. Everyone still needed to find their 'happily ever after' but I had already found mine. Even Eliot still needed to find his."

"Do you think he wasn't happy with you?"

"He was in a way, but like he said himself, he wouldn't live that way if he had a choice. Yesterday after we woke up, he didn't speak to me, or even look at me once."

"Now that you mention it... Since I arrived, he sat with Margo and then they went to the bedroom. When I came back with the suitcase, I did not see him but Margo was getting another bottle of wine from the cellar. I left his suitcase with her. This morning they were making breakfast when I left. They asked if I would stay with them but I said I had an appointment. I didn't say I was coming to see you. They must think you're still there."

"If they even remember I exist."

"Don't be an idiot. Q, do you think he's thinking you're going to propose to him again?"

"I think so. That's why he avoids me. He can rest assured; I'll keep as much distance as possible. If we need to split into two teams, please put me on your side." He said with a sad smile.

"If it's up to me, you won't need to go near him. I will respect that, but, Q, wouldn't this new romance of yours be proof that you work?"

"Not at all. It just proves that only being someone else or having no option would he stay with me. I know I'm difficult person to love..."

"Stop talking nonsense. I won't allow it. I'm sure somewhere in this world, there's someone to love you, and you'll find that person." She stopped to look him in the eyes before asking. "Are you sure there really isn't a chance with him?"

"Yeah. He is the fucking love of my life. All of them, but I am not his and I can’t do a thing about it. No matter how many times we get together, it's not enough for him. Never will." After one more sad smile, he continued. “Let's see how it goes from now on. I hope you have better luck with 23." Julia realized he needed to change the subject and no longer spoke of Eliot.

They quickly returned to the penthouse when they realized the late hour. It is almost noon and Kady had been very specific about their safety. The protection spell has an expiration date. Until they are sure that everyone is safe it is better to keep quiet.

They arrived with only five more minutes to spare. Kady just smiled when she saw them and said nothing. Penny did the same when they walked into the living room and saw that everyone was there. Quentin said good morning and went to put away his bag, asking which room he could have. Julia sat with 23 giving him a peck and Josh went to show Q where he could settle down. Margo and Eliot were talking low to each other and they continued on, ignoring him.

Quentin took the opportunity to organize the room with his things. He hung up some clothes, took out some books and left a lot in the suitcase. He thought about going downstairs but after the emotionally exhausting morning, he decided to do some reading. He refused it to be anything related to Filory, opting for Lord of The Rings. He was deep in reading when Margo walked in.

"Quentin, why did you lock yourself in this room?"

Returning his eyes to the book, he replied. "I'm not locked. So much so that you are in."

"Don't try to be a smartass. You fucking understood."

"Again, I didn't lock myself in. I was tired and decided to read a little. You talk like I never do that."

"We need to decide what to make. Lunch is ready. Josh made enough for the whole building."

"Okay, I'll be there in two minutes."

"Q what the hell is going on?"

"Nothing, except we're fucked up as usual and need to be locked in here. At least it's a luxury penthouse."

"I'm not talking about that, and you know it."

"No, I don't know." He put the book aside after marking the page and finally looked at her. "You're not one for subterfuge. What do you really want to ask me?"

"I want to know about you and Eliot. About your affair."

Quentin was expecting this question from one of his friends, but not exactly from Margo, so he wasn't fazed by it. He had released many emotions before. Eliot probably didn't say what she wanted to hear. "There's no me and Eliot.”

"When we arrived you were kissing..."

"Nope. Brian and Nigel were kissing.”

“Don't fuck with me Coldwater.”

“I am not. There was Brian and Nigel. As you well know, they don't really exist. Ask Eliot and he can confirm.”

“As if I hadn't already asked.”

“If you expect me to say anything different, you might as well give up. It wasn’t me and it was definitely not Eliot. Not when we have a choice. Talk to your best friend, he will agree. Now we're going to have lunch because I realized that I'm hungry." He got up and left the room leaving Margo looking on in disbelief as he dismissed the conversation.

Lunch went smoothly with him sitting next to Kady as she filled him in on the contacts she'd made. It was discussed whether Todd could be used to their advantage at Brakebills. In the end, they had to contact a hedge witch who Harriet always trusted. Maybe she can speak better about what was happening.

Quentin saw his friends spilling out into the apartment and ended up on the balcony with Josh to smoke. It wasn't any of the famous naturalist stuff, but it served to relax him. Josh was always an easygoing guy, and Q got carried away with light banter and even laughed with him.

He left to go to the bathroom and when he came back, he realized that Josh was no longer alone, but with Eliot. He heard his voice before setting foot on the porch and managed to avoid an unpleasant situation. He ended up going back to his room, picking up his book. About two hours later Penny called him. Kady have news.

It was an anti-climax. Kady talked to Fogg who assured them that they were in no further danger. The identity switch had done its job. The McCallisters had been defeated and Zelda was now in charge of the Library. Everything was at peace. The Dean's recommendation was that they take advantage of it before some other catastrophe overtakes their lives.

They were divided between believing and celebrating and very distrustful. In the first group were Margo, Josh and Eliot. Margo said that she needed to get back to Filory and that she would deal latter with anything that might happen. She wanted to go back, see how Fen was doing, and reassume the throne.

Julia said she still preferred to investigate. That she would go to Brakebills to talk to Fogg in person. Kady had scheduled a meeting with Zelda and they decided that it would be in Brakebills so they, along with Q and 23 would face together everything that presented itself.

Margo immediately set to work on a portal to Filory. If something changed, she would be able to return quickly. Penny helped by bringing the clock that was in the PKC to be the door inside the penthouse.

The next day after meeting with Fogg and Zelda they learned that Alice was working with Zelda. She was now the right hand of the new director of the Library, and had no plans to return. Quentin and Julia receive an invite to come back to Brakebills. He doesn’t intend to live there again but wondered if he would go back even if he lived off campus.

Margo had managed to make the portal stable by freezing the time difference between the two places in just one day. They could come and go without any major problems.

Dinner was celebratory. They ordered good food and toasted with the best wines. The conversation flowed freely and smoothly. Even the normally frowning Penny was smiling.

Quentin went to smoke a cigarette before bed, and was surprised to see Eliot step out onto the balcony as well. He immediately put out his cigarette and got up. Eliot was startled by his presence, but Q was quick to move and he was inside the apartment again in a second. He still really wanted a cigarette and instead of waiting until the balcony was empty again, he decided to go downstairs. It was still relatively early and he went for a walk around the block. Ended up choosing to sit at an outside table in a restaurant that was closing. The waiter came to let him know they weren't taking any more orders. He thanked him and said he'd just smoke a cigarette before he left.

Quentin was lighter when he got back. He entered the apartment, which was silent. He grabbed a bottle of water to take back to his room and went upstairs without a sound. He entered his room and despite feeling every part of his body almost limp with tiredness, he decided to take a shower, hoping the water would massage his sore muscles.

He left more relaxed and threw himself on the bed after only putting on his underwear. Sleep came too quickly; he didn't even have time to think. He awoke with the sensation of having heard a noise. He waited a while until he heard again. He sneaked in to see what it was. Saw Eliot, Margo and Josh walking away through the clock. He stayed in the shadows, resting his eyes one last time on the love of his life who was the last to pass through the portal. When the light went out, he knew Eliot was gone. Maybe never to return.

After that, his night turned into a nightmare. His worst thoughts had come true. He saw how much nothing they had through mattered to Eliot. He had to accept it in order to move on. That was much easier said than done. He let the tears flow. He needs to at least get some of the anguish out.

The morning after the trio's departure was one of surprise. Apparently, they had agreed to leave at lunchtime. Julia questioned the departure without saying goodbye. Kady said that Margo must have received some important news from Filory, that made her to leave in the middle of her beauty sleep. Q refrained from saying anything; after all, he was the one who told about the trio departure.

After an entire day of feigning indifference to Eliot's departure, Q collapsed at night. He had help from Julia who, at first, said she couldn't believe Eliot hadn't addressed him even once, in the last few days. She had to admit that his mid-morning departure could have something to do with the fact that he didn't even want to say goodbye to Quentin.

Q stayed another week with them while he decided what to do. He ended up learning about a magical object repair shop. The magician who owned it had retired. Kady helped him with the contact and he took over the shop, which gave him a routine job, more than enough money to keep his expenses modest and a purpose to get up every day. The store is in New Jersey and he was coming back home, staying with his dad.

Ted was cancer free for the second time. After they brought the magic back, he fell ill again. When Quentin recovered his identity, he intended to return to Boston, but after visiting Ted he realized that his father needed support. Now with the shop nearby he had time to spend with him. They even had a barbecue on a warmer weekend, with Julia, Kady and 23 in attendance.

About six months after he saw Eliot sneaking off to Filory, he got a call from Julia at lunchtime.

“Hey Q. How are things? Is the store still successful?"

"Hey Jules. Yeah, everything is going great. I'm making good money now."

"Great! Is Ted still well and healthy?"

"Yes. May the Gods keep him that way, specially a certain demi goddess."

Julia burst out laughing on the other end of the line. "You know I barely have a shred of power. I don't know if it will increase over time. Let's wait. That's not why I called you. We have a visitor directly from Filory."

"Josh?" The guy come and go a lot. He goes shopping for all of them at least once a week.

"Margo."

"Wow, I thought she was never coming back." That was a surprise because neither Margo nor Eliot even sent a message to the group. Josh is the one who brought news when he came.

"I thought so too." Julia agrees. "She wants to arrange a dinner date today. She asked to call you."

"Honestly, I've already booked with my dad and I have no desire to see Margo, even worse to cancel with my father because of her. If it was one of you, I would think about."

"She will complain."

"I can bet. However, I have no further business with her. She only spoke to me twice during her stay in the penthouse. Whatever Eliot said then, turned her against me. I'm tired of it. You know how difficult those months have been. I don't need all that drama back. I'm not ready to see Margo or hear her talking about Eliot.”

“Okay it's your burial.” Julia is laughing. “If you change your mind, we will go to that Greek restaurant we went to about a month ago."

"I remember. Great food. Tell her I am busy. Have a great time guys."

"Ok Q. I understand. Send a kiss to Ted.”

The day passed quickly. The store had more customers every day and he was always busy. He stopped working when his father called him around 6PM asking to meet right at the restaurant. At the appointed time he arrived at the new Italian restaurant. It is not far from his house. His father was already there but the table was set for three.

"Hi dad. Do we have company?"

"Hey Q. Yes I want you to meet someone."

"Who would that someone be?"

"Maryl. I met her at the Cancer Recovery Center. She's a good woman, very different from your mother."

"I have to admit I'm surprised. I didn't notice." Quentin tried to lighten the conversation as his dad looked a little uncomfortable. "Since when are you dating?"

"It's been like two months now. I know what you're going to say son. I didn't introduce you before because I wanted to see if we were going to work."

"Dad I'm happy for you. I think it's time I found my own place."

"Son, I'm not sending you away. We haven't talked about moving in together yet."

"I don't feel kicked out. I just think it would be better for you to start your life as a couple, without anyone else in the house." He was smiling. He was really happy. "I can't wait to meet her."

They talked for a few more minutes until his cell phone rang. Unknown number at the display. Quentin decided not to answer. Less than a minute later the same number called again. He didn’t answer. On the third time, he turned his phone off.

Dinner was a success. Maryl appeared to be a sensible person who had gone through the same treatments as his father. The calm features, the affectionate blue eyes showed that she cared about Ted. The short, well-groomed hair, the tasteful clothes showed that she also cared for herself. She will be good to him.

Q went to sleep without even remembering to turn his phone on again. He woke up late, got dressed quickly and ran to the store, without even having breakfast, as he always can get something from the nearby coffee shop.

He grabbed a double espresso and a muffin before heading to the store. While waiting for his order, he turned on his phone and saw that Julia had called him and sent him a voice message. He would listen in the store. When he arrived, he was surprised to see none other than Margo waiting for him at the door. She was scowling and tapping her foot. God, it would be a long day.