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With a smile, Gavin lifted up and pressed a quick kiss to Atlas’s lips. They parted with a smile, ignoring Charlotte swooning in the background.
“Alright, kids,” Pike said, ever the adult in the room. “Let’s go.”
Derek and Bacchus waved when they called their goodbyes. Atlas had never been happier to get back to the SUV and climb inside. He was exhausted. Between the fear, the fight, and the sheer relief of having both Gavin and Charlotte safely with them, he felt wrung out and ready to sleep for ten years.
Lark ordered pizza on the way, getting everyone’s preferred topping requests. Pike drove like he always did—fast, but safe—and had them back at the Hub in record time. They didn’t bother with the elevator, instead taking the stairs up a level to the kitchen and rec room.
As soon as they entered the kitchen, Atlas saw Fred slumped over the island, head laying on his folded arms.
“Fred,” Pike said, rushing forward. He gently laid a hand on Fred’s shoulder.
“Owww,” Fred moaned, not moving at all from his slump.
“Bad hangover?” Pike asked him quietly.
“So bad.”
“Okay, come on.” Pike put an arm around Fred. Fred lifted up, keeping his eyes closed, and wrapped his arms around Pike’s neck. Slipping his other arm underneath Fred’s knees, Pike lifted him into his arms.
Atlas stepped forward. “You got him?”
Pike shot him a look that made Atlas lift his hands in surrender. “I’ve got him.” He carried Fred from the room.
Gavin looked up at Atlas with confusion written all over his face. “What happened? Did he really have a hangover?”
“In a manner of speaking. A magic hangover. Seers are powerful, but they’re also…fragile?” Atlas looked to his brother.
Lark shrugged in agreement, like he couldn’t think of a better word either.
“And sometimes,” Atlas continued. “When they use a lot of energy, it drains them and leaves them feeling pretty rough.”
“Will he be okay?” Charlotte asked, taking a seat on one of the barstools at the island.
“Yeah. Rest, some meds, and a little pampering will put him to rights.” Lark pulled a stack of plates from a cabinet and grabbed the roll of paper towels off their holder. “Now, the question is, do we want to eat pizza in here or on the couch?”
“On the couch,” Gavin and Charlotte said at the same time before looking at each with smiles on both their faces.
“Although,” Charlotte said, looking down at herself. “I’m kind of a mess.”
“There’s a bathroom to the left if you want to freshen up, but don’t worry about the furniture.” Atlas steered them back out of the kitchen and toward the living room. “Faux leather. Dirt wipes right off.”
When they got to the living room, Charlotte veered off to the bathroom. As soon as the door closed, Rhea was standing beside the coffee table with a stack of pizza boxes in her hands.
Beside Atlas, Gavin startled. “I will never get used to that.”
Rhea smiled at him. “You will. Trust me.”
Gavin’s eyes went wide before he let out a bark of laughter. “Guess I should, huh?”
“Yes,” she answered succinctly and set the pizza boxes on the table.
From there, it was a flurry of passing plates and inhaled slices. Charlotte came back with clean hands and face, and her hair pulled back in its usual ponytail. Atlas sighed in satisfaction when Lark killed the overhead lights and turned a movie on once everyone had a full belly. Pike even came in at one point, loaded up a couple plates, and disappeared back to whichever room he had Fred resting in.
Gavin leaned back, warm against Atlas’s side, and laid his head on Atlas’s shoulder.
Lifting his arm, Atlas wrapped it around him, pulling him closer. He knew if they stayed there they’d both be asleep before the movie was half over. He nudged Gavin and whispered, “Wanna go cuddle in bed instead?”
Gavin tensed for just a second before smiling up at him. “Yeah. Let’s do that.”
