Fenner and Albion were lying on Fenner’s bed, on their stomachs as Albion finished the shading on another picture he was drawing, of both him and Fenner this time. It was a sweet photo they had taken a month ago, shortly after their talk about Albion’s eye and Fenner’s ex.

Fenner had been going invisible erratically, happening every other day at points, and lasting for differing times - he stayed invisible for an entire week the last time it happened, but other times it would last minutes. Albion still remembered him, so although Fenner was sad to have to keep introducing himself to his dad, he was glad of the support from his love.

Fenner turned the page of his book, shifting to lie on his side, as his elbow were beginning to hurt. “Fen when’s your birthday by the way?” Albie asked, shading in more of the drawing. “Next week, why?” Albion snapped his eyes on to his boyfriend. “You’re kidding me, right?!” Fenner pulled his eyes from his book. “No. It’s actually next week, on Friday.”

Albion pouted at him. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me!” Fenner shrugged as best he could, considering he was lying on his shoulder. “You never asked.”

“I told you mine!”

“Yeah, it’s in like three months.” Albion glared at him. “Would you have even told me in advance?! I bet I would’ve found out from Margaret and then felt like an idiot, for not knowing it was my darling boyfriend’s birthday!” Fenner laughed, leaning forward to kiss Albion’s pout.

“Didn’t occur to me to tell you, my mum’s the only person who ever remembers, so I just didn’t think to tell you.” Albion stared at Fenner, feeling guilty. “That sucks pretty bad, huh. Now I’ll remember too, though.” He smiled brightly, causing Fenner to smile back.

Margaret knocked on Fenner’s door, alerting them that Albion’s mum was here to pick him up. “Hello Fenner,” Carmen called from the doorway. “Hey Carmen,” Fenner smiled at her as he and Albion walked down the stairs. Whilst Carmen was sure this was only their second time meeting, Fenner actually knew her quite well at this point. Albion’s sister, however, was a complete mystery. She seemed to be a social butterfly, and was barely at home when Fenner was over.

“Alright Albie, lets get home before your sister starts panicking about the lack of people in the house,” Albion giggled, giving Fenner’s hand a squeeze before thanking Margaret for having him, and leaving with his mother.

“Fenny, I’ve let the school know that you won’t be coming in on Friday,” his mother said as he was about to leave to go back upstairs. He frowned slightly. “What do you mean?” She pulled him in to the kitchen to show him a list of names. “I told you before, what happens with the other Nahreon descendants on your 18th birthday.”

Fenner rolled his eyes. “Pretty sure I was like 8 when you told me! How am I supposed to remember?”

“Hmm fair point. Well, on every Nahreon member’s 18 birthday, the other members in their area convene to bless the member and wish them well. You met them all before, but you were a literal baby so you wouldn’t remember them, and they obviously don’t remember you.”

Fenner nodded in understanding. “Got it. So where is this meeting thing, and what happens at it?”

“It’s fairly simple, everyone holds hands in a circle around the new member, blessing them, and then everyone individually enters the circle with you to hold your hands and wish you well.” She shifted in her seat. “It’s quite a lovely occasion actually. There’s about 50 Nahreon members in our area.”

Fenner’s jaw dropped. “You’re joking?! I thought this was like a small family gathering or something!” Margaret chuckled, “no my sweet, it’s quite the occasion. You’ll like it more than you think you will - the blood we all share is in harmony together, and it gives the most lovely atmosphere.”

Fenner relaxed back in his seat. “Sounds…kinda cool, I guess.” Margaret gave him a serious stare. “Fenny, it’s really lovely, it’s nowhere near as bad as whatever you’re thinking about it.” Fenner sighed, holding hands with 50 strangers sounds awful, he thought. Sorry, family I guess, he added as an afterthought as if his mother could hear his thoughts.

He fell back on to his bed, as his phone dinged.

[Albie^^] Goodnight my love <3

He smiled at his screen, typing out a reply.

Night, see you at school on Monday. Love you <3

Tomorrow was, according to his mother, going to be full of preparations so that their house and back garden would be ready for Friday’s ‘family gathering’. The neighbours are gonna think we’re a cult, if they see that handholding circle shit, he thought with a grimace.