angelcakealec

[angelcakealec]

Having Helenus beside him was a pleasant surprise. And when he pulled him closer, Alec's heart skipped a beat. The kiss? Absolute perfection, just as Alec remembered. He inhaled a little shakily, smiling at the words spoken against his lips. "No patrol tonight." He explained. "Or....according to Hayden for a week incidentally. I suppose he thinks he's punishing me for something." He said thoughtfully. But then he turned a bright smile to Helenus, dimples on full display. "So...I am here. To whisk you away for an evening on hunting ghosts or whatever they do on these silly haunting tours. You owe me a date....after all."

“Those too,” he couldn’t help but smile at Alec calling himself his boyfriend. It still amazed him that he was lucky enough that Alec returned his feelings. “Ah,” he chuckled, “Please don’t worry about it. I can tell how much she cares about you. She seems like a strong and deeply caring person. I like her,” he assured him. Helenus watched as the only customer left, giving them as brief wave goodnight. Then he stepped forward, wrapping one arm round Alec’s waist and pulling him close so he could kiss him. He’d figured Alec wouldn’t want an audience. “It’s very good to see you,” he said against Alec’s lips when the kiss ended.

[angelcakealec]

Alec exhaled a self-deprecating laugh. "Well...at least you got to save someone in the end. I just sort of sat there. Got saved myself."

"Dude, I totally forgot that butthole got you too." Kwan says, trying to refrain from swearing inside the Institute. "But no, yeah, so glad he didn't kill me even though it was pretty close when my lung got punctured.. I'm glad he didn't kill you either."

[angelcakealec]

Alec got a small sense of satisfaction hearing that Jace was actually worried about him. He sighed heavily. "Actually...I think it has more to do with abandonment. He feels like Clary abandoned him. Everyone essentially has. Well except for us. I guess he thinks that by keeping us at arm's length it won't hurt so much when we evidently leave him."

Alec gave her an identical raise of his own eyebrow. "I am telling you no such thing." He said. "I honestly don't know what it all means. I just know I love him. And he...." He had a hard time saying it outloud, even though he was certain it was true. "Loves me too." Watching his sister's face he sighed. "Don't get any wide ideas. Nothing actually happened. Like that....I mean. We slept...well mostly."

"Maybe that's it though, don't you think?" Isabelle pointed out, frowning a bit in thought. "I mean, he nearly died. That'd rattle anybody. So he acts out, lashes out too. Like a kid. Because in the face of death I think we all go back to our baseline selves." She placed her hand on Alec's knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I think he just needs a bit of time... or needed, really... He was so worried about you last night, you know. I thought he was about to have a panic attack. But then I got angry, and.... well, I'm sure you can guess how that went after."

The grumbling only deepened the cat-like grin on Izzy's features. If he was getting that worked up about it, that meant things were really serious... at least for Alec. She made a note of the name of the bookshop--she'd have to scope out this guy for herself. Because younger sister or not, she would go full momma bear mode for Alec or Jace in a heartbeat. Her attention came back to the present though with those last few words. "Different... and he's fae," she repeated, her eyebrow arching in curiosity. "Alexander Lightwood. Are you telling me you're his soulmate?"

[angelcakealec]

"Or um....wayward boyfriends." Alec mumbled, keeping his eyes hidden from Helenus. He'd though he was past the awkwardness, but he apparently was not. "I um..." He tucked some hair behind his ear, finally glancing up at him. "I'm sorry for sicking my sister on you. She can be a little....forceful."

Early Evening @ Priam Books

"I like to stay open late on Wednesdays. Give people a chance to drop by after work instead of having to wait till the weekend,"

[angelcakealec]

Alec sighed. A long, weary sound. He rested his cheek on her head. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm just...I'm out of ideas at this point. It's like we're 10 years old again. You know? Like he's guarding himself."

Alec groaned behind his hands. He hadn't told her for this very reason. Apparently. But he couldn't exactly lie about it now. And he didn't really want to. Because things with Helenus were good. Really good. It felt like he'd finally found what he'd been looking for all this time. He dragged his fingers down his face, fixing her with his best glower. "My love life is not one of your silly little teeny bopper fantasies, Isabelle." There was no heat in his words though. Because, it was nice to see her smile. Really nice. At the mention of talking more about Jace, he scowled. "Ugh." He threw up his hands. "Fine. We met that day at the park...you know when I fell asleep? We had coffee. Well I had coffee, he had tea. But he owns a bookstore. Priam Books." He wasn't going to divulge Helenus' secrets. Not even to his sister. "He's fae." Was all he said. And then he didn't know what to say. Because simply saying they were dating didn't even begin to cover it. "It's...different." He settled on.

Izzy let out a small sigh of relief, both for the sake of Alec's words and the fact that he was finally here and safe. Even if she was upset, his safety mattered to her above all else--and that included getting past this distance with Jace. "Thank you," she mumbled against is shoulder, not quite relinquishing the hug just yet. "I couldn't deal with more fighting right now, even from me." Because she felt as if she'd aged by at least a decade in the last year alone, let alone since arriving in Chicago. "We need to be a family again."

The immediacy of the blushing and sputtering only confirmed her theory and deepened her curiosity. She really could read Alec like a book. "Alexanderrrr," she teased back, drawing out his full name as she poked gently in the middle of his chest. "Oh, I wholeheartedly disagree. It's exactly my business." The hastened addition to his words actually elicited a sort of squeal from Izzy in all of her excitment. "Many? And I haven't even heard about him at all. Now that's just cruel. I need all of the details. And don't pretend that you wouldn't rather talk about this--because I could certainly go back to lecturing you about Jace and whatnot, but this is far more fun and you know it."

[angelcakealec]

"There are worse things than being coddled. Aren't there?" He rolled his eyes lightly. "Like almost dying? Because....yeah. I'm with you."

At the Institute

"I'm going stir crazy. Hayden won't let me leave the Institute much until I can walk without the cane."

[angelcakealec]

Alec grimaced. "I know..." He moaned softly. Knowing deep down he'd be the one that would have to fix this. Despite how upset he was about everything. Because he knew Jace. And Jace was using this as a further sentiment to how awful a person he was. How much of a monster he was. Alec puffed out a breath, wiping his hair back from his face. By the angel, he was so tired. Of just...well everything. He hadn't been expecting Izzy's affection though. But he was grateful for it. He wrapped himself around her, relishing in the moment for what it was. A comfort. "I'll talk to him." He mumbled into her hair.

Her expression changed and Alec knew he was still in trouble. But in a much different direction. His eyes widened at her question as he turned into a very flustered looking tomato. "Isabelle!" He cried, "That's private!" Pouting a little at that, he crossed his arms indignantly. "Who I kiss is none of your business." But, now that he thought about it. Isabelle was always telling him when she kissed someone. Whether he wanted to know or not. With an exasperated roll of his eyes, he shot her a look. "Many...many times. I'll have you know."

It felt worse to actually hear it all described out, in truth. Because even what she'd known couldn't compare to hearing that Alec had been so badly injured and on his own. Well, without Izzy or Jace around. Because now she had these fae siblings to be grateful to. And it didn't escape her notice that Alec seemed to more than know Helenus by the sounds of things. But it did soften her expression and her anger considerably. Because he had been safe. They'd healed him and given him a place to stay for the night. And he was right to lash out a bit about nobody finding him. Ava had left to do that very thing before Izzy had even finished dealing with Jace. Dealing with. That didn't feel good either, to think about it like that. Because both of her brothers were hurting, and being in the middle of it was growing increasingly tiresome. So she sighed deeply, coming back into the present and stopping her pacing.

After a moment she made her way over to the chair to kneel in front of it, pulling Alec down into a hug. Damned if he was uncomfortable either, she would hug him whether he liked it or not. Because he was there and he was safe, and she needed to remind herself of that. "You're not awful. Neither of you are. But you're both annoyingly stubborn and wreckless in ways that threaten to make me the world's youngest heart attack victim," she shot back softly. "And I'll forgive you if you tell me one thing."

Isabelle pulled back then, searching Alec's face. "When you say you know this Helenus guy... have you kissed him yet?" Her expression had tugged its way into a mischevous smirk for the time being, because it was easier to slip into that side of sisterhood than it was to be angry with him. She was tired of being upset. Now she wanted nothing more than to be happy that her brother might actually be getting a boyfriend, if her assumptions were correct.

[angelcakealec]

For allllll the bbies!!!!

Colour Asks

RED Crimson - What was an event that’s shaped you to be who you are today? Light Pink - Do you have stuffed animals? Blush - Are you single? Amaranth - What’s your favourite emotion? Cherry Blossom - How are you feeling right now? Hollywood Cerise - What are your ambitions? Razzmatazz - Favourite TV Show? Rose - Where do you feel most comfortable? French Rose - What is your favourite flavour? Cameo Pink - Favourite movie?

ORANGE Buff Orange - Would you consider yourself athletic? Burnt Sienna - Favourite smell? Melon - Do you like to dance? Carrot - Do you bake? Copper - What is your favourite kind of day? Orangeade - When do you feel alive? Gamboge - Where do you want to travel? Peach - Favourite texture/s? Vermillion - How brave are you? Bittersweet Shimmer - What is your favourite memory?

YELLOW Flax - Do you like going to the beach? Wheat - Who can you trust the most? Laser Lemon - What kind of phone do you have? Gold - Are you high maintenance? Mellow Yellow - How calm are you? Unmellow Yellow - How high energy are you? Papaya Whip - How honest are you? Transparent Yellow - Would you consider yourself to be special? Canary - Favourite song? Reed Yellow - Do you play an instrument?

GREEN Pear - Where do you feel rested? Olive - What is your favourite food? Fern - Favourite plant? Moss - Are you quiet or loud? Tea green - How do you relax? Celadon - Dream job? Harlequin - Can you act? Malachite - Do you speak more than one language? Mantis - Favourite animal? Seafoam Green - Do you like water?

BLUE Sky Blue - Would you ever want to fly? Periwinkle - Would you want to breathe underwater? Powder Blue - Or control the weather? Liberty - Become the president/prime minister? Space Cadet - Become an astronaut? Celeste - Have perfect pitch? Eton Blue - Become invisible? Indigo - Become immortal? Iris - Grow plants at will? Whispering Blue - Or teleport?

PURPLE Lilac - Would you want kids? Lavender - What is your favourite time of day? Mulberry - Could you betray someone? Eminence - Favourite sounds? Palatinate - Do you think you’ll make it to 100 years old? Prune - Do you ever think about dying? Fandango - Do you spontaneously start singing sometimes? Thistle - If you could become wise, rich, or intelligent, which would you rather? Mauve - What would you name your kids/pets? Royal Purple - What’s your favourite emotion?

OTHERS Cream - If you had 1 day left to live, what would you do? Silver - Are you a good person? Ecru - How do you feel about the world today? Auburn - Favourite colour? White - Do you own lots of makeup? Black - What is the greatest success of your life so far? Bronze - Would you follow my blog? Pink Nectar - What’s your aesthetic? Sepia - Do you like photography?

[angelcakealec]

Alec sniffled, then laughed a little at himself. He wiped his eyes though it didn't really do much good. The tears continued to slide down his cheeks. "I don't know when I turned into such a girl..." He said softly, biting his lip as Helenus leaned in again. He moved to meet him in the kiss. Tears quickly forgotten. Everything else in the world seeming to just melt away.

When Helenus gasped, Alec jumped a little. Immediately assuming he'd just done something wrong. But when the fae rested his forehead against his, he relaxed again. A wave of pleasant emotions sort of flooding through him. Some of which he knew were not his own. It was as if the two of them together formed one perfect heart. It beat together. It loved together. Like they were intertwined. The only thing he could compare it to was what he had with Jace. That connection. Though, not nearly as intimate. It was as if Helenus could see him completely. Like there was no barrier between them. And Alec found he wasn't afraid of it. Quite the opposite.

Somehow, the connection went even further. To where Alec felt like he was almost inside of Helenus' skin. Like they were one person. He could feel him inside him too. It should have felt wrong. Like a possession or something. And Alec did briefly worry that it was just that. But then he remembered that he was warded against such magic. And then also remembered he'd been the one that had allowed it to happen in the first place. "What..." He finally spoke into the silence. His eyes searching Helenus'. Trying to find some answer for what was happening. He reached out, brushing his fingers over the fae's smooth cheek. Then a feeling of calm came over him. Like he'd just found his way home after a long journey. Home being here it seemed, with Helenus. "Oh..." He whispered. "It's you."

The tears that welled up in Alec's eyes seemed to make them even bluer than they already were. He knew, no he could feel, that they weren't sad tears though. So he smiled softly at him again. His eyes really were the most beautiful he'd ever seen. A shade of blue that left him mezmerised. Or maybe that was just Alec himself. The soul he could see in those eyes. He leaned in again as he felt Alec moving towards another kiss. It felt like this was what his lips had been made to do. He could have happily continued like that, with their lazy but wonderful kisses, all morning. But then he felt a shift.

Alec wasn't the only one to gasp. Because Helenus felt it. The moment Alec let him in. The moment he accepted him. Accepted their bond. He rested his forehead against Alec's. His eyes still closed and his heart beating a little faster than usual. It was more than he'd hoped for, having Alec open himself up to him like this. So soon. He'd been prepared to wait. To give Alec all the time he needed. But it seemed he hadn't needed it.

Helenus poured the love he felt for Alec into the place he'd opened up for him. Then after a moment he opened himself up fully to the other man. A silent invitation for him to take the place that had been waiting for him there. Waiting for him for millennia. He wondered if Alec would understand what it meant then. If he understood with this act what they were becoming. Something he'd longed for in his youth. Something he'd long since given up hope of ever finding.

[angelcakealec]

Alec couldn’t help but smile at the messages. And it felt good to know Helenus wanted to see him again so soon. Because Alec certainly wanted to see him again too.

Alec: I was actually just thinking about how I could carry him around. Maybe a little pouch I could attach to my weapons belt?

Alec: And yes of course! I’ll see you as often as you’ll allow. I don’t want to make a pest of myself.

Alec: Spiders too. All those legs. They totally creep me out.

Alec: I get that. Losing people has always been a fear for me as well. Which is funny. Considering I’m a nephilim. We are raised to expect that you could lose anyone in your circle at any time. Hazard of the job, they say. But I’ve never been able to detach myself enough for that.

Alec: I just laughed and disturbed Jace. But seriously though. I’m no match for him in hand to hand combat. Never have been. I’m more of a distance fighter. With bow and arrow.

Helenus was sat on the sofa. Legs stretched out on the coffee table and Aeneas curled up in his lap. His one hand idly stroked the cat. In the other he held a cup of herbal tea. When his phone buzzed though he instantly swapped stroking Aeneas for checking his messages. The smile when he saw it was Alec replying was instantaneous and completely unconscious.

Helenus: That's truly wonderful news! I'm so happy for you

Helenus: He gave you a duck?

Helenus: A very cute duck I have to say. Does it have a name?

Helenus: That's very sweet of him if he hates them.

Helenus: I understand the impulse haha but the might not help mended fences.

[angelcakealec]

Alec: Thank you :)

Alec: He did! Just a little one. A duckling. A mallard duck I think.

Alec: So cute! Like a little ball of fluff and feathers! His name is Nelson.

Alec: I don't even know why he hates them so much. He came to us like this. Maybe he had a bad experience with one or something.

Alec: Probably just an irrational fear. Like I have for frilly pink umbrellas.

Alec: Is there anything you are afraid of? You don't really have to tell me I just want to know everything about you.

Alec: You are probably right about that. Maybe I'll just annihilate him tomorrow while we're training.

Helenus was sat on the sofa. Legs stretched out on the coffee table and Aeneas curled up in his lap. His one hand idly stroked the cat. In the other he held a cup of herbal tea. When his phone buzzed though he instantly swapped stroking Aeneas for checking his messages. The smile when he saw it was Alec replying was instantaneous and completely unconscious.

Helenus: That's truly wonderful news! I'm so happy for you

Helenus: He gave you a duck?

Helenus: A very cute duck I have to say. Does it have a name?

Helenus: That's very sweet of him if he hates them.

Helenus: I understand the impulse haha but the might not help mended fences.

[angelcakealec]

Alec huffed out an exasperated laugh. Because it sounded so much like his sister. Like she had before the world broke her. He closed his eyes at her touch. Allowing it to do as she intended it to. “By the angel…I’m so happy you are here, Izzy.”

Alec held her tightly. “No. It’s not.” He told her fiercely. Because she needed to hear it. “It was never your fault. I promise.” He kissed her hair. “And I know it hurts. And I know nothing will make it better. But I’m still here. And so is Jace. We’re here. We aren’t going anywhere.”

The sound of her words made his heart ache. Because by the angel he had missed her. Her strength. Her conviction. Her protectiveness. She was wise beyond her years. And it pained Alec to know she’d had to grow up so fast. But that was true of most nephilim. “To love is to destroy.” He murmured. A sentiment he’d heard from Jace since as long as he could remember. It was something his father had ingrained into him. Something that Alec had never approved of. Because Jace was sensitive to matters of the heart. Something he let very few people know about him. Because as Isabelle said, it gave people the ability to hurt him. And Jace didn’t handle hurt well. “I don’t know what to do about it…” he admitted. “It seems stupid to keep fighting with him about it. And it’s not like it’s me his anger is even aimed at. So… how can I take it from him? He keeps waving it at me like a flag like I could just reach out and take it. But he doesn’t want that either.” His eyes bore into Isabelle’s. He felt helpless in the face of it all. And he handled helplessness the same way Jace handled hurt, which was not at all. “I’m not angry with him..” he said desperation clearly in his tone. “I’m afraid for him.” He was extending that fear out towards his sister. Because they had a mutual enemy in this fight. And he’d always fought best with her by his side. And Jace too. Relief sagged into his shoulders like a physical thing. “I love you, Izzy.” He told her, eyes a little too bright. “And I’m glad you’re here. Where you belong. With us.”

He let out a sound that was almost like a laugh but not quite. ���Oh…we’ll figure it out.” He agreed, giving his sister a little smile. “We’re Lightwoods. It’s what we do.” And it felt good to say that. Because somewhere in the middle of it all, he’d forgotten. “All of us.” He added, roping Jace in whether he liked it or not. Her sob broke him. As only the sob of a younger sibling could. Because it pulled a fierce protectiveness out of him. Because he was meant to protect her as much as she was meant to protect Max. He pulled her into his arms, cradling her to his chest as if she were small. “Not your fault.” He told her. “Jonathan. Was not your fault.” But he knew it felt to her like it was. Because he felt it too. That debilitating guilt. But he would never leave her alone in that grief. Never alone.

[angelcakealec]

Alec winced. Because yes. He did do that. But not because he’d meant to. He opened his mouth to defend himself but didn’t bother. It wasn’t as if anything he said at this point would matter.

Alec collapsed gratefully into the chair. Folding over and covering his face with his hands while she paced. He scrubbed at his face, trying to gather his thoughts into a coherency.

When she finally spoke again, he sat up to face her properly. “Well you know most of it. We went out to scout the whereabouts of the fae. I didn’t know Jace was gone. I usually don’t always see him. So when I found the fae and he was trying to go into the bookstore. Priam Books. You know? Helenus owns it. I know him. So I fired a warning shot at him. And he was supposed to catch and stop. But he…” Alec shrugged helplessly, because none of it had gone to plan. At all. “He didn’t. So it hit him. Which was an assault actually. So it was his right to respond to it. And Jace…” he trailed off then because Jace’s absence was still an open wound. “Wasn’t there to intercept like he was meant to.” Because Izzy had fought with them before. She’d know that was precisely where Jace was supposed to be. “So he came at me. And what do you think happened? I’m not an offensive fighter, Izzy. I did my best. But at the end of it I was either going to be dead or…” Alec exhaled. He hadn’t even talked to Helenus about that part. How the fae wanted to take him as a prize or something. Which he hadn’t taken much time to stew over until now. And really that line of thinking left him rather cold. Because he’d seen what fae liked to do with their toys. “My leg was broken. My wrist too. And by the angel I was concussed. Then…” he inhaled a breath.

“Helenus came and… I don’t really know what happened. But the fae was gone.” He gave his sister a truly apologetic look. “Of course I wanted to come back here. To tell you I was fine. But I wasn’t. At all. And they helped me. Saved me really. Helenus’ sister is a healer or something like that.” The remnants of her magic still thrummed through him. Only it wasn’t startling to him as it should have been. “So I stayed where I was. I didn’t do it to be hurtful to you. I didn’t do it to be spiteful at Jace. I did it because…” he swallowed hard. “Because I felt safe there. Izzy. When have I ever felt that before? And after everything… I just wanted a little peace. A little fraction of peace. I know it was selfish and I am so sorry for doing it. I feel terrible about it. But are you really going to stand there and say you wouldn’t have done the same thing? Jace could have found me if he wanted to. But he didn’t… did he? And neither did you. Or anyone. And that’s okay. I’m not upset about that. I just want a little forgiveness from you. For being an awful older brother to you.”

Alec should have been expecting that. But flinched anyway. Because of course Isabelle would be upset with him. Of course she would. "By the angel....Izzy." He breathed, catching the door and following after her. He caught up with her in three strides, catching her gently by the arm. "Izzy..." He said again, a pleading edge in his voice. "Please...just...stop...okay?"

"I'm really freaking sorry. Okay? I am. It was really stupid. It was dumb. It was the worst. I'm an awful brother. You should be angry with me. But..." He let go of her then. "I didn't do it on purpose. I lost my phone somewhere in the alley. And I couldn't even think. Yes. I am totally pleading insanity right now but it's true. Because it would take being on my deathbed to keep me from you and by the angel I was there...okay? I'm sorry. Really, truly, just sorry."

[angelcakealec]

Alec got lost in the beauty of Helenus' eyes. He'd always thought them beautiful. Ever since he'd met the fae. But those had been solely human eyes. Brown, soft, lovely. These were something else entirely. The violet in them, the way they seemed to dance. It made Alec's heart ache but not in a painful way. Nothing in regards to Helenus had ever been painful to him. Caught as he was in the pull of the fae's eyes, Alec felt safe. Like he belonged there. Alec had never felt like he belonged anywhere until now. He took a soft breath. All the floating pieces finally starting to form together in a single, breathtaking landscape. And he found that landscape, there, in Helenus' eyes.

Helenus leaned down and pressed his lips against Alec's. Each kiss he'd received from him thus far, grew in their perfection. Each one, drawing more and more out of Alec. But it was all something he so willingly gave to Helenus. Wanted him to have. He wanted him to have everything. He wanted to hide nothing from him. That in itself was a huge sentiment to the trust he felt for him. Because Alec held his secrets close to him. Things he'd never even told to Jace, that he told everything too. Was all right here, in a perfect box, being extended to Helenus should he want it.

After an eternity, the kiss finally ended. Only Helenus did not pull away from him this time. Instead, his breath caressed over Alec's lips. They tingled. Whether it be from the actual kiss or the closeness between them, Alec wasn't sure. But he found it didn't matter. Not at all. Nothing mattered anymore. The relief in that sagged through him and he melted against Helenus, curling into him, against his chest. And it was sort of funny in a way, that he could fit there. So perfectly. But as comforting as it was, being cradled in Helenus' arms. He wanted to look upon him again. so he pulled back, hovering there as he spoke.

Helenus' words touched something in him. Something that had never before been touched. Not even close. And the weight of it. Knowing that someone could love him that much. Was so overwhelming. But in the best way possible. Tears welled in his eyes, but he'd never been less sad in his life. He swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to think of something to say, anything even remotely intelligent. But the only thing that came out was a soft whimpering sound. A whimper with so much depth to it though. Shifting, he welcomed Helenus back to his lips. Kissing him again. This time though, it was more though. Somehow. And he wanted to stay there forever. Because this had to be what forever felt like. It just had to be.

They kissed lazily for a while. Alec becoming more and more soft against Helenus. A warmth settling in him there. Somewhere deep that he couldn't actually identify. The tears had at some point, started to fall. Sliding down his cheeks. Alec could taste the salt of them as he kissed Helenus. Kissing Helenus felt like the most natural thing he had ever done. Even more natural than handling his bow. More natural than etching runes on his skin. And everything around him screamed of Helenus then. Every sound, every scent, every breath. A wave of emotions flowed through him. Brushing against him. As if they were beckoning to him to let them in. Because they spoke of Helenus, Alec let them in. And it was an overwhelming gust. Running through him. Settling in him. In his heart. His heart stuttered once, as if it was absorbing them. Then it started to beat, so strong. Like it beat for two people. Only, there had already been a second beat there. Jace's. But now it seemed to be making room for another heart beat. Helenus' heart. And Alec gasped against the fae's mouth.

The look in Alec's eyes. The amount of need and want in them was enough to leave Helenus feeling like the air had been knocked from his lungs. His thumb stroked over the hand he was still holding. He hadn't realised just how good seeing that in his eyes would feel. How much it would mean. The relief to have it confirmed that Alec felt the same even before he voiced it. Yes, there was not even an ounce of doubt in his mind what they were to each other. He wasn't sure how it was possible that he'd found his mate in a nephilim. Though he supposed they both had some small amount of angel blood running through them. He also wasn't sure to what extend Alec would feel the bond. Or what it would feel like to him. But he knew it was there.

A bright, and yet somehow soft, smile broke over his features. The stars in his violet eyes seemed to dance with his joy. Because it was pure joy that Alec's words sparked in him. He bent his head to kiss him again. Into that kiss he poured all the love he felt for Alec, the joy of having that love reciprocated. He let it go on longer this time, like they were anointing their love confession. When it broke he didn't go far though. "I find I'm rather relieved to hear that," he whispered against Alec's lips. "Because for as long as I have left to live I will only want you," he confessed. "I love you," he repeated before renewing the kiss.

[angelcakealec]

Alec eyed her a little warily. "Not everyone..." He murmured. Meaning of course, Jace. "Did he come home last night?"

"Oh, Alec," she said in surprise, stopping so she wouldn't walk into him. "Everyone's going to be so relieved you're back,"

[angelcakealec]

The chirp of his phone startled Alec awake. He hadn’t even realized he’d gone to sleep. He was surprised to find Jace there beside him on the bed. Sleeping as soundly as Alec had ever seen him. It settled a warmth in him. One he hadn’t felt in a while. Things with Jace weren’t perfect. But they were better. A little peeping sound reminded him of another warmth he had.

He rolled over and retrieved his phone off the bedside table. The sight of a text from Helenus made his heart skip a beat. He certainly could get used to that he decided. He settled back in the bed. Pulling the covers up and over both him and Jace. Curling up a little closer than he had been.

He considered the little peeping duckling nestled in his box. And contented himself with plans for getting him supplies he’d need. Then he set to furiously texting Helenus back.

Alec: Hi!

Alec: You won’t believe this.

Alec: I made up with Jace.

He snapped a picture of the duckling and sent it to Helenus.

Alec: He hates ducks. I couldn’t stay mad at him after that.

Then he snapped another picture of Jace and sent that as well.

Alec: Though. I do kind of want to write on his face with a marker.

Text To Alec

Helenus: Good evening my love

Helenus: Just wanted to check in to see how you are and how your day has been?

@angelcakealec

[angelcakealec]

Alec wanted to argue with her. She was so obviously not fine. But he had so many battles he was fighting already. The idea of adding another one to the list was insurmountable.

He felt immediately sorry when she flinched. Because that wasn’t what he was going for. He was tired and sore and just completely done with life on so many levels. But he didn’t need to take it out on Ava. Or even Jace for that matter. They were all struggling. They were all hurting. And they didn’t need to be fighting against each other.

Alec closed his eyes. Taking a moment to breathe. Because he hadn’t done that since he’d left the bookstore. “Ava…” He said with great restraint. He wouldn’t lash out again. But he also wasn’t at all stable. Not in a way he’d like to be. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. Honestly though… I lost my phone somewhere. I wasn’t tracking very well. I must’ve hit my head or something.” The memory of the fight was still vivid whenever he closed his eyes. But it wasn’t completely a bad one. Because Helenus had been there. “I was sort of expecting Jace would care enough to come find me. But don’t worry. I won’t be making that mistake again.” The pain in his voice startled even him.

He fought himself to smile a little. Because that’s what she needed him to do. And above all else, Alec did what people needed of him. Sitting with Ava and having tea did sound appealing right now. Even for just a short time. “Better make it coffee.” He winced. “You know. So I don’t just keel over.”

The mention of the bookstore made him jump. He opened his mouth to speak but only an indignant squeak came out. But of course Ava would know. He’d told her about meeting Helenus that day in the park. His cheeks flushed a bit and he ducked his head. “Well…” he said almost in a whine. “It’s not like I don’t read.”

Ava frowned at the coldness in his tone. She wasn’t sure she’d heard it from him before. At least not directed at her. “Well you’ve both made me almost throw up with worry recently so I’d say just this once the comparison is valid,” she argued. There were purple smudges under her eyes. Testament to the fact she hadn’t slept last night. That she’d convinced Joseph to swap patrols with her so she could go out looking.

“I can’t imagine you did,” because it wasn’t really in Alec’s nature. “But what happened?” She took a deep steadying breath and then froze. Because something had just clicked in her tired brain. When she’d hugged him, he hadn’t smelt like he usually did. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Where exactly were you all night?”