Even though he knew his friend would probably rather avoid him right then, AJ sought Howie out and gave a light tug, letting him know he wanted his attention. Howie pushed it away, but AJ felt him coming toward them. While he waited, he took the time to explain some things to Brian. “First and foremost, I’m going to have Howi help us meditate to calm down. For something like this, it’s a lot easier when you’re calm. All we’re going to be doing is holding our magic, letting it be inside of us, but not using it. That’s not exactly easy. While you and I do that, Howie will shield us, so nothing can leak out and devastate this island any more than I already have this morning.” AJ smiled ruefully.
Hesitant, Brian gave him a soft smile in return. Then he glanced sideways, his face curious, right before Howie came out of the trees. A little late, he had sensed his friend coming. But AJ figured that was just due to Brian’s lack of experience, not a show of his strength.
“Let’s do this. I could sure as hell use it.” Howie grumbled, stopping by them and sitting down. He crossed his legs, laying his hands face up on his knees. AJ did the same, gesturing Brian to follow, so that they formed a triangle. But Brian was still looking at Howie. “Your face.” He finally said. “I saw AJ hit you, but your face is fine.”
With a shrug, Howie closed his eyes. “Part of immortality and magic. Our bodies heal fast. Now, shut up and listen to me.” All temper disappeared from Howie’s voice. It turned deeper, sinking into Brian. “Close your eyes. I want you to look inside yourself, and find the core that rests there. Do not touch it, do not embrace it. Simply focus on it, letting the light surround you. This is your center, both spiritually and magically. Focus, and let it soothe you.”
AJ listened to Howie’s voice, as he had a million times before, and would many more. No matter that he could do this on his own. Howie had the heart of a teacher, and the ability to guide those who needed it. With his temper as sky high as it had been, AJ hadn’t trusted himself to take care of being properly calm. Plus, at the same time Howie was teaching Brian what he would need to find his center and ground his self. That was a vital step in magic.
As Howie continued to talk, AJ followed the steps without needing the words. He let them wash over him like warm water, adding an extra balm for his soul.
“This is the place you will find when you work your magic. This will keep you connected to who you are, so that you’re not lost on your own weaves. Without this, your mind can travel too far, and won’t be able to find its way back, or you can lose control over what you hold. Now, let yourself step into it, let it wash over you. Feed it your emotions; your anger, hate, pain, sorrow, happiness, all of it. Put that into your light, let it absorb it and absolve you. In here, none of this matters. Let if off your shoulders. Breathe easier. Relax.”
The calm on the beach was amazing. Everything that had been happening, everything that had gone on in the past few days, no longer held forefront. Each man, in his own heart, found peace. Once they let it fill them, AJ touched Howie’s hand, signaling that he was going to take over from here. He felt his friend prepare the shield around them.
“Now listen to me, Brian.” AJ began, opening his eyes to watch his lovers face. Their connection was stronger than what Howie had with either of them. It allowed AJ to better be able to read him and watch him. “I want you to open yourself to that light you’re in. Let it fill your body, your soul, until there’s no room for anything else. Keep your center, keep a hold on who you are, but fill yourself. Trust that we’ll keep you from going too far. Trust me to help guide you in this.”
“I trust you.” As he said those words, Brian opened himself and let his magic pour into him. It was a heady feeling. All of his senses grew stronger. He felt the things around him in ways he never had before. The sand beneath him, and the life inside of it. The ocean and all of its creatures. Birds in the sky. To the west, a storm brewing over the ocean, heading for Florida. Even the trees felt alive to him. It was, amazing.
When he was filled with it, so full that there couldn’t possibly be room for anything else, his head rolled back and he moaned with the sheer pleasure of it. This was better than anything he had ever experienced. Better than sex. There was so much beauty around him and so much life!
“That’s it, Brian, you’ve done so well.” AJ’s voice was soothing him, reminding him to hold to his center. “Now I want you to slowly bring it back down. Pull it back toward your center, little by little. That’s right, you’re doing good.”AJ watched internally as the magic in Brian slowly receded. His lover was taking to this almost like a natural. His control wasn’t perfect, but that was to be expected. Still, his strength was amazing. As AJ talked to Brian, helping him lock it away and re-center himself, he looked to Howie. They had both sensed Brian’s strength. He was stronger than Howie, easily, but he wasn’t quite as strong as AJ. Close enough, though, to make AJ feel proud.
Not so strong that, on his own, Roth would feel threatened by him; yet strong enough that, standing together with AJ, they would make a hell of a team when it came time to fight. Add Howie in to the mix, and their chances were stronger. With the calm his meditation had provided, AJ could see that bringing Brian over had been the best decision to make. Being mad about the fact that they could have lost him was pointless. He had survived, that was what mattered. Now what they had to do was plan and move on from here.
Once everyone was centered again, and had pulled back out, they all smiled at one another. Meditation was a calming exercise to be sure, but what they had asked Brian to do would have filled him with energy. AJ knew that sensation. He knew the electricity that burned through your body after you filled yourself with magic, especially when you had held it but not released it. The touch of Howie’s hand on his leg let AJ know that his friend understood.
Gracefully, Howie rose to his feet. “I’m going to go check on the other island, make sure that everyone there is ok.” He bent down, kissing the top of Brian’s head. “For a first time, you did really good.” He praised before spinning around and moving off toward the other island.
Brian smiled at his lover, sending chills down AJ’s spine. “That was amazing, Alex. I have so many questions, though.”
“There’ll be time for questions when Howie gets back.” AJ said. He climbed to his feet and took Brian’s hand in his. “He’s giving us privacy. We shouldn’t waste it.”