Twenty-Five Dustin

Mark and I were standing in the Dean's office, hand in hand, ready for whatever was coming our way.

We'd spent the entire night outside of the academy's boundary. Once the familiar ritual was complete, Mark was able to generate a small dome around us on the flying carpet to keep us warm. It was probably one of the most peaceful nights I'd ever had with him tucked safely in my arms. Knowing that he was mine and I was his brought a sense of belonging that I didn't know was possible. I'd never felt more loved.

But dawn came, as it always does, and we knew we had to go back to campus. We landed the carpet and dismissed it back into the gem before hiking the rest of the way back into the academy. The moment we stepped back through the barrier, two staff security members were waiting for us. They said we needed to follow them to meet with the Dean. I knew we'd done nothing wrong enough to get us arrested, but I had a feeling they probably weren't happy with the entire scuffle that happened. Either way, both Mark and I followed without resistance.

A few minutes later, we were standing there in his office. The security staff were dismissed, and the Dean told us to take a seat. But we didn't. We stood tall and proud, knowing that we had nothing to be ashamed of.

"I heard things got pretty serious last night," the Dean said, looking between the pair of us. "There are several parties involved with conflicting stories. Not only that, but some scouts from the NFL and your parents were involved." The Dean focused his attention on me. "Would you care to explain?"

"Those assholes–"

"Let me," I said, interrupting Mark. "Please."

He huffed, the anger clear on his face. But he simply nodded, letting me take the lead.

"Last night, Leroy and Travis approached me, my family, and the scouts with the intention of embarrassing me in front of everyone. They outed my relationship with Mark, hoping it would cause my life to fall apart." I paused. "But I stuck by Mark anyway. And when we tried to leave, they attacked Mark, then shifted and attacked me. Mark healed all my wounds, but his are still plain to see."

I reached up, gently pulling Mark's shirt down to show the massive purple bruise splashed across his chest.

"Even my own father attacked me. I defended myself and was badly hurt. When Mark saw the damage they were doing to me, he teleported them back to Lake Erie."

The Dean sighed. "I know. We had to send a rescue team out there to fish them out this morning. They're all fine."

Mark scoffed.

"And that's a good thing," the Dean added. "The last thing either of you would want is to be up in front of the Elder Council for murder."

"We know that." I glanced over at Mark. "Don't we?"

"Yeah, yeah," he sighed. "I don't want them dead, but if I hadn't sent them away, Dustin might be dead. I had to do it!"

"I know." The Dean leaned forward, pinching the bridge of his nose. "That's what makes all this so difficult. If you hadn't stepped in, things would be a lot worse. But because the pair of you were the winners in this fight, it leaves you in a precarious position."

"Damned if you do, damned if you don't," Mark said.

"Exactly." He took a deep breath before sitting back in his chair. "I'm being forced by the school board to expel you both."

Neither Mark nor I flinched.

"I see that doesn't surprise either of you."

"Why should it?" Mark asked. "You said if this happened again, that's what would happen. And I have no doubt that Dustin's father is irate and that those two assholes are telling every single person they know a lie like they have been for months."

"They'll be expelled this afternoon," he replied calmly. "Please don't think they'll go without punishment."

"It's hardly a punishment at all…"

"Unfortunately, it's the only option I have." The Dean pushed himself up from his chair, his eyes full of regret. "So, you are both hereby expelled from Widdershins Academy. Dustin Fangborn, your NFL draft offer has been rescinded."

Mark gave a start, but I didn't flinch. "That's fine," I replied. "I was going to turn it down anyway."

"Markus Altair, your father has offered to make a generous donation to the school if I allow you to stay on and finish your degree." He gave me a good, hard look. "I can accept that offer if you'd like. The school board would certainly be happy if you were amenable to that. However, your father also mentioned that if you deny his charity, he'll cut you off completely."

"My father can go fuck himself," Mark replied without missing a beat. "He's never been part of my life before, I don't see why I should indebt myself to him now."

"I had a feeling you'd say that." He took a deep breath. "I'll draw up the paperwork, but you two are to clean out your room and vacate it immediately. Both of your parents are waiting to take you home, should that be your wish." He paused. "However, should you want to take a different avenue, I could hold them off for a while."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You're going to help us avoid them?"

"You're both adults and can make your own decisions. Also, Mr. Altair, consider your scholarship voided without retribution. I'll also inform the board that your capstone project was destroyed. And if you ever say anything to the contrary, I'll deny it vehemently."

Now, it was Mark's turn to stand there with his jaw hanging slack.

"And," he added. "I have something for each of you to get you started out there in the wide world."

Turning to the series of shelves behind his desk, the Dean plucked two small boxes from the shelf. One was long and thin, covered in green leather. The other was squat and square with gilded ornamentation. He gave the thin one to Mark and the other to me.

"A wand is the right of any great witch who graduates from Widdershins," he said to Mark. "And as far as I'm concerned, you are one of the finest students we've had."

Mark pulled the box open, revealing a bright violet silk interior. In the center of it sat a stark white wand with detailed engravings along the shaft. It looked as if it had been carved from ivory.

"It's an heirloom from my family," the Dean said. "Carved from the horn of a unicorn that our family owned some centuries ago after it died. I've no children to pass it on to, but I know you'll take good care of it." He then turned to me. "Werewolves aren't gifted anything necessarily magical when they graduate, but I figured you could use some cash to get started."

I flipped open the box to find that the interior was simply an inky blackness.

"All you have to do is reach in and think about what you want. I'm sure Mr. Altair is familiar with this particular spell."

Mark nodded but kept his eyes fixed on the Dean. "W-Why are you doing this for us? I know you don't want to expel us, but…" he looked down at the wand. "These are kingly gifts."

The Dean held Mark's gaze, a smile curling at the edges of his lips. "Because you two aren't the first non-traditional pairing that's had to deal with a cruel world. Some of us have had to keep our entire lives a secret, and I'm hoping, with these gifts, maybe you two can help others out there like you and bring us into a better future." He paused for a moment. "My husband and I will be looking forward to hearing from you."

"Your husband?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes. The werewolf who coaches the football team."

My hand went to my lips. "Oh my god…" I stared wide-eyed. "I had no idea."

"Then our act is working," the Dean replied. "An act that we shouldn't have to carry out. Not even the staff here at the school know. We never come to work together, and we never leave together because we both know we'd be without jobs if we did." He looked between the pair of us. "And I hope, wherever you two end up, that you can create a little more peace in the world."

Mark nodded, taking the wand in his hand. "I promise. We'll do everything we can."

He gave the wand a short flick, a shower of golden sparks flying from the tip. With a satisfied smile, he turned it upside down and pressed the tip to his opposite palm. Muttering under his breath, he gave it a sudden shove. I couldn't help but gasp, thinking he'd pierced through his own hand with the thing. But when he pulled his hands apart, the wand was gone. All that remained was a tiny freckle in the center of his palm where it had touched him.

"Now, both of you need to go," the Dean said, taking the empty box from Mark. He placed it back on the shelf. "My team will escort you to your dorm to collect your things. After that, they'll take you to the edge of the barrier and confiscate your school rings. Once you're past the barrier, you'll be on your own." He glanced back at Mark. "Do you know where you're going?"

Mark nodded confidently. "Thanks to your gift, I know exactly where we're going."

The Dean smiled. "I bet you do."

What did they know that I didn't?

"Be on your way then, and I wish you both the best of luck."

"Thank you," we both replied and walked out of his office for the last time.

The trip to our room was quiet. Thanks to the security staff that took us the long way around, we didn't run into anyone. Back in the room, we found packing to be almost a relief. I packed my things into my duffels sort of haphazardly while Mark gently put his things away, organizing them as he went. Thankfully he had that suitcase with an apparently endless amount of storage. I didn't really understand how the magic worked, but it came in handy, so I didn't have to strap several duffel bags to my back on our way out.

In a matter of ten minutes or so, the entire room was stripped clean. Everything was packed neatly into Mark's suitcase. In fact, it was the only thing still sitting in the center of the room.

We both stood there for a long moment, saying goodbye to the place we'd met one last time. I reached over, twirling my fingers around Mark's for equal amounts support and comfort.

"Ready to start our life together?" I asked.

"It's a bit sudden," he replied honestly. "But we'll be okay. In fact, I have a feeling we'll be better than we've ever been before."

I smiled, squeezing his hand. "I guess it's time to go then."

"I think so, too."

Mark made a move for the suitcase, but I stopped him. "I got it."

"Oh good," he laughed. "Cuz that shit's heavy as hell."

He wasn't joking. The suitcase, while small in size, weighed easily over sixty pounds. I was surprised the handle could ever support the weight of it, but it didn't creak or give way. Hefting it up, I followed Mark out of the room. We both hesitated more than once in the hall, taking a good hard look at the building we'd spent years in that we'd never see again.

The security staff did just as the Dean said. They took us through the rear entrance to the building, down a small path, and into the edge of the woods where we wouldn't be seen by anyone. At the edge of campus, with the barrier glimmering only a few feet away, they stopped and demanded our rings. I took mine off, turned it over one last time, and tossed it to the nearest guy. Mark did the same, but he practically hucked it. Apparently, he was more ready to leave than I was.

"I have one last thing to do here," he said, pulling out a folded letter. I'd watched him hastily write it back in our room but didn't know who it was for. "I'm just letting Todd know we're leaving," he added, glancing at me. "And that I want him to write to me."

"Maybe he can come visit once we get settled, yeah?"

Mark smiled. "That would be amazing."

He held the letter up, said a few words under his breath, and with a flash of violet light, the letter disintegrated. Mark seemed satisfied with the result and pulled the green gem out of his pocket, tossing it to the ground.

"Wolf cock," he commanded.

The gem flashed and the flying carpet appeared once more. I stepped up onto it, putting the massively heavy suitcase down at last. I turned around, holding a hand out to Mark to help him up. We both glanced back, the security staff waiting patiently for us to leave Widdershins Academy for good.

"You said you wanted to live in Michigan, right?" Mark asked. "Someplace near the water?"

"It was mostly a joke." I paused, the excitement running through me as I thought of the rolling waves crashing on the beach. "But can we?"

He smiled. "Of course we can. As soon as it"s summer again, we'll travel up the coast until we find the perfect spot, alright? For now, let"s just find a place to wait out the winter."

"Perfect," I replied. "I can't wait."

"Ready?"

I grinned from ear to ear. "With you at my side, I'm ready for anything."

"Off we go then!"

Both of us knelt down and Mark grabbed the edge of the carpet. With a snap of the fringe, we were off, racing into the sun-soaked sky. All that lay in front of us was freedom. It was terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. But as I looked to the violet-eyed man beside me, I only had one thought.

I love you.

Through our newfound familiar connection, I heard his reply.

I love you, too.