First Contact

A.N.: let me make one thing perfectly clear: fuck canon. Fuck timelines. For the most part, at least.

Also, heads up for some minor child abuse towards the end of the chapter. I'll put two slashes (/) around that part. Enjoy!

"Shit," Nick muttered, hands shaking. "I don't think I can hold much longer."

"What do we do?" The door jolted at that moment and the barricade budged. Both boys dove to brace against it.

"Don't suppose you have a more powerful spell?" Nick shook his head.

"Even if I did, I couldn't cast it right now."

"What, you're out of manna or something?"

"Out of what now? Shit!" The chests in front of the door budged again, a draft blowing through. They pushed it shut again, sitting on the floor.

"By the way," Harvey said. "If we die, I'm not a witch hunter."

"Your ancestors were."

"Oh yeah, sorry, I'll just call God and tell him to switch out my great-great grandpa. Sure. Fine." Nick rolled his eyes. The barricade shook.

It was over. Finally, over.

Harvey and Nick leaned out of the doorframe, still catching their breath.

"Do you want a ride home?" Harvey offered. Nick shook his head.

"I can teleport there. Besides, I can't bring outsiders. Thanks, though."

Harvey nodded. "Something to eat, then?"

"Sure."

"Let's see." Harvey walked into the kitchen and pulled open the freezer. "I've got fettucine alfredo…turkey and gravy…Salisbury steak…"

Nick grabbed a box. "Salisbury steak looks good."

"Alright," Harvey said, taking the box back. "Wait at the table and it'll be out soon."

Ten minutes later, he reemerged with two plastic trays. "Enjoy."

"So," Harvey said once they were eating. "Are your parents really strict about who you can bring to the house or…"

"Father Blackwood is, yeah." He took a bite. "What's in this?"

"I don't know but I'm pretty sure the gravy is the only thing that's different from a burger." Harvey Idly twirled fettucine on his fork. "'Father Blackwood,' huh? Catholic orphanage?"

"Satanic boarding school. My only home."

Harvey looked up at him. "I'm sorry, man." Nick nodded silently, taking another bite.

/ "Who's this?" a groggy, hungover, and slightly annoyed voice asked. Harvey jumped and Nick turned to see Mr. Kinkle in the archway between the living and dining rooms.

"This is Nick," Harvey piped up first. "One of Sabrina's friends. She sent him to check on us."

"What's he doing eating our food?"

"Dad, I'll pay you back—"

"You're gonna waste my money like that?" His voice rose as he took a large step into the dining room, forcing Harvey to crane his neck to look at him. Nick silently stood up from his chair.

Harvey almost seemed to shrink. "Dad, I'll go to the store and get another—"

Mr. Kinkle balled a fist and began to swing. "YOU'RE JUST GONNA WASTE MY MONEY LIKE THA –" /

"Tenebris somnum!" He never connected. Instead, he fell, Harvey catching him on instinct. Mr. Kinkle snored loudly in his arms.

"Sleeping spell. He should be awake in a few hours."

Harvey breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, man."

"No problem." Nick seemed out of breath, himself, nearly panting for air. "I'm gonna get going, now. Thanks for the food." With that, he was out the door.

After laying his father down, Harvey went to watch him leave. It couldn't have been more than 30 seconds, but he was gone.

A.N.: there'll be more to this, but I wanted to get this one out, first. If you have a situation that you'd like to see them get into, leave it in a review. Thank you for your time!