#{{ 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑡 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑠 }} ( auraline.)

[irigy]

The humid air of faerie always reminded him of home. Of course the two were nothing alike and yet, after everything, and with Alicante gone, he found the seelie court to be his second home. He navigated across the garden with ease, having memorized the layout for security many months ago already. He knew he'd find @elysiium there, and yet the sight of her sitting there, paler than usual, knowing what had happened to her still had Danny freeze in his movements for a second, trying to get over the guilt that had suddenly overcome him. "Your Majesty." He finally blurted out, putting on a smile and approaching. "I came to... ask how you were."

[irigy]

He hummed, shaking his head slightly as he glanced at the baby, and then at the queen again. "No, no, you've done more than enough for me. I'm in your debt." It was a great risk she took, to bring a shadowhunter into her ranks, to put all her trust into what most of her subjects would call an outsider. Danny knew that whatever happened once he took on this job, he would have to earn everyone's respect by himself. It was only fair. If others saw that he had the favor of the queen, it would only be worse. He would have to show that at the end of the day, everyone's first priority was ensuring the safety of the royal family. With a common goal, teamwork came much easier.

Such thoughts were somewhat new to Danny. He found them all too mature, strange even, since before he would've only cared about himself, not thinking before he spoke, letting his emotions get the better of him. He changed, and grew, and he definitely owed it to the new perspective that faerie gave him. Seelies seemed to be much more in touch with their emotions than shadowhunters were. His eyes brightened at the sound of praise, and he even straightened up in his seat. "Seriously? Did they say how good I was at archery? Or was it my athletics? I am pretty good at jumping."

❛ 𝐀𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐄 . ❜ danny was not meant to lose themselves in fae ; he was meant to find out who was ━━━ strong and capable , born as a hunter of shadows , protecting the mundanes from the downworlders that threated to consume them . the boy has been through a lot with his own lot so if it took finding himself away from them ? within her guard ? it was worth it . that did not mean he forgets who he was born to be . who he was meant to be . soft cries comes from ryella then ; the queen rocks her gently to the movement of the carriage . ❛ i wish i could have made the transition easier . ❜ though she truly believes this was the right path for danny , she was not naive to how some of the guard would respond to a non-fae joining their ranks . it did not happen often and it never happened with shadowhunters . ❛ but i knew you that you would fit in eventually . ❜ she smiles . ❛ and they do like you . the only whispers that have reached my ears are how well you've done so far . ❜

[irigy]

closed starter for @wickedlvly Auraline !! location: somewhere around the institute

She insisted on walking him home, and honestly, who would say no to gorgeous seelie like Rosemary? Kosmo had absolutely no problem being the one to be escorted home from their date, as he knew very well that she had all the resources to defend herself, should something happen to her. But nothing would actually happen to her. It was fine. It was totally cool. Not like the world had started falling apart around them a few nights ago. Not that Kosmo immediately took a step back and decided that it was not his fight. It was well over the head of some good-for-nothing shadowhunter. It didn’t matter anyway.

What mattered was how he totally crushed that first date. Bottomless brunch? Genius idea. The sun was still high up, dancing around in the sky as Kosmo’s well-intoxicated brain made it so, all the while holding onto Rosemary’s soft and warm hand and swinging it slightly. There wasn’t one moment of silence between the two of them, not since they’d met sometime in the morning, and this time he was still in the middle of an ugly little chuckle after their fifth time of saying goodbye to each other when Rosemary seemed to have anchored herself into the dirt, making Kosmo turn around to face her. 

He knew what was gonna happen. Oh, and did he want it to happen. But before they could kiss, he put one of his hands up pressing his index finger against his lips. “No. I ain’t takin’ advantage of our current condition. Next time I’m taking ya to a respectable place. Like uh, the zoo.” His smile faded away when Rosemary shook her head, and honestly? She was right. “Rage room?” A smile. Jackpot. He smirked again. “We’ll kiss in a rage room.” He received the gentlest of slaps across his face, was called a cutie, and Rosemary was gone before he knew it. 

Best date ever. 

It was only about a minute later, when Kosmo got his shit together enough to reach for a cigarette and look around, that he noticed the familiar frame of Auraline creeping up on him. “Holy shit, lady!” He exclaimed way too late. “I could’a dropped my lighter!” 

[irigy]

Serving the seelie queen as her guard was an honor the shadowhunter rarely expressed out loud, but his loyalty was strong, and tangible, and the last thing he wanted was to disappoint her or get her in harm's way. He owed his life to the seelie court, it was only fair that he would try and repay some of their grace. "There was no note? They didn't say anything? Nothing of importance? There has to be a reason they targeted you." His mind was racing, theorizing about the assassination attempt, paranoia already taking him to the conclusion that the attack on the queen and the destruction of Alicante was carried out by the same people.

❛ as is my duty as your friend to keep you safe . ❜ clearly a conflict of interest . danny as a guard means he must put himself in harms way to keep her safe . the idea doesn't settle well in her , but she doesn't stop the shadowhunter from working within her guard . she pulls away from their hug to answer his question . ❛ it was a demon . i do not know why they attacked so it is hard to say if it was an act of war . ❜ and while no war started after this , it clings to the air just as every other big event has in the last few years .

[irigy]

It would be a lie if he said he didn't think about what most likely would've happened if he was there as well at the time of the attack. And still he would keep telling himself that he could've had the chance to get both of them out of there unscathed, if not all. The lithe arms around him, the warm touch of the seelie queen, the scent of her hair, alive and well, hugging him close had chased away most of his worries. "It's my duty to keep you safe." And he failed. "Do you know who it was? Why? Is-- Was it an act of war?"

❛ 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑏𝑒 . 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝘩𝑒𝑟𝑒 . . . ❜ 𝑎𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 that thought to cross her mind — best case danny could have gotten her out of there having been injured himself ; worse case . . . she shudders , letting go of his cheeks to hug him again . ❛ i want you safe . ❜ even though employing danny technically means risking his life for hers . ❛ and i am okay . i survived . ❜ scarred , but survived .

[irigy]

The sudden embrace was unexpected, and very much appreciated, and thought it took Danny a couple of seconds to wrap his arms around the seelie queen's frame, afraid to make her injuries worse, he was soon hugging her back just as tightly, chin resting on her shoulder. "I'm glad to hear." He mumbled against her hair, worry seeming to leave his body the longer he spends time in her presence. Once she pulled back with her hands on his cheeks, Danny, looked her over, checking for any signs of pain, even though he knew they were long gone by now. "I'm-- I'm sorry I wasn't there. I should've been there."

𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝘩𝑒 𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝘩𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑠𝑜 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑙𝑦 , not when it comes to vulnerability especially in front of her subjects ( not that danny was her subject nor would she ever see him as one ) . but the sight of the shadowhunter hits her in an intensity she was not prepared for . her skirts tangling around her ankles as she rushes to him , colliding with his frame as she wraps her arms around him , bringing him into a tight embrace . she holds him like that for a moment , silent . ❛ i am well . ❜ she finally says despite how her eyes glisten as she pulls back to regard him . her hands rise to cup both his cheeks , her touch soft now . ❛ how are you ? ❜

[irigy]

Listen, he would never say no to the seelie queen. But he had to admit, the carriage ride was much less cooler than riding a horse beside it. Besides, listening to the continuous baby gurgles weren't that much fun either. He would say that, but at the same time if he had to hold the new princess, he would probably melt into a puddle of cuteness. The fey realm was a lot more different than the last time Danny was trapped there. Everything seemed a lot calmer, compared to the city, compared to the Institute. And Danny found himself... well, he couldn't really describe the feeling. But he knew what it definitely wasn't. He didn't have that knot in his stomach all the time. He didn't feel constant anger and sadness and bitterness. Those feelings still occurred, but in much shorter instances. They felt normal. Like... there wasn't anything wrong with him.

And his new position in the queen's guard felt right, too. It was hard to fit in, but he had structure in his life, at last. The Queen's voice pulled him out of his deep thoughts, and he regarded her as he adjusted in his seat, his own leather light armor made just for him squeaking as he did.

"Oh, it's... it kind of feels like I was... meant for this?" His last couple of words were whispered, as he himself wasn't sure if he responded with a much too personal answer than he'd meant. "The guards' li'l initiation game is fucked, though..." He glanced at the baby right after swearing, then pressed out a quiet "Sorry-"

& 𝐑𝐄.  AURALINE AND DANNY / @irigy

THE TRAVELS OF THE QUEEN were far and few between these days . having been pregnant only a few months ago and then planning leopold's coronation , it left her with little time to venture outside of her home . and anytime it was it hardly was ever alone . there are times her and leo could sneak away without the need of her guards , but any other time they were by her side — silent but watchful . today was no different , the queen having ventured to the town of spring for an overdue visit to her people . but she didn't go alone : ryella bundled in her arms , so small and content . while auraline knew it would excite the townspeople to see their new princess , in all honesty she had a hard time separating herself from the newborn right now and this little visit was just the perfect excuse . now , they were making their way back to the castle , horse and buggy their means of travel so it would be easier for the newborn ( and the fresh air was very much needed ) . it also meant she finally got some time alone with danny — her ' new guard ' whom she also had little time to check on since he joined the ranks of her seelies . but now was the perfect excuse , having requested he sit in the carriage with her while the other guards followed on their hoses . ❛ so ... ❜ she begins , turning her attention to the shadowhunter as she adjusts ryella in her arms . ❛ how has life as a seelie guard been treating you ? ❜

[irigy]

"Oh por favor, shadowhunter kids start their training early because they lack some of the skills downworlders are born with. I mean... I certainly did." Danny spoke his mind easily around the queen. Around a friend. There was an honesty about him ever since he moved to the seelie court for good. Perhaps there was something in the air. Perhaps he really was becoming more fae. "Don't get me wrong, I love it here, but I'm proud of who I am, proud of my traditions." For someone who had known him longer than a few months, the tone in which he was speaking must've been strange. Not even Danny had heard himself being so mature about things.

His integration to the seelie guard was definitely an experience. But what was even more difficult, was the way he was received by the seelies outside of court. Some kids even called him strange and ugly. Of course, seelies couldn't necessarily lie, and they were just kids, but it still hurt. Danny shrugged at her question. "It was nothing I couldn't handle. Some were distrustful of a shadowhunter in their ranks. But I guess the thing that scared me the most was... I... okay, so, I just wanted them to like me, or whatever."

THE SMILE ON THE QUEEN is so bright at his words . it's good to see danny like this ━━ jokes and smiles , matching her own . ❛ more perceptive than shadowhunter younglings ? don't let your fellow shadowhunters hear you say that . they might start thinking you are becoming more fae . ❜ she teases . but she knows what he is feeling . it's hard to mask and besides , look at how cute ryella is ? the babe all bundled up in auraline's arms , yawning and wiggling within her wrapping . it would be hard not to feel love towards her . the shadowhunter's very thoughts was the very reason why the queen introduced him to this role . the first being to help her friend , but the second was bringing something fresh to her unit of guards . for too long the seelies have been stuck in their ways . it was good for them to see a different perspective ; one from danny . ❛ really ? why , what happened ? ❜ she asks , not privy to such initiation , one that has so far been kept within the guard .

[irigy]

"Yeah, that's what you say now, but when her first word ends up being coño, you can't blame me! These feylings are very perceptive, y'know? Even from a very young age! Especially the infanta!" Four sentences and Danny had already let it show how much he cares about the baby in the queen's arms. He wouldn't trust himself to hold her though. She seemed so fragile, and Danny was anything but gentle.

See, it wasn't his first time joining a group of fighters that already worked well together. As a fresh face, the other guards had to figure him out first. And it would've been fine, Danny had done the same with the New York Institute's shadowhunters. He had done it twice, in fact. But this time, in faerie realm, things were different. He was the odd one out, not only because he was new, but because he was a shadowhunter. A mortal. With a different combat style. Different values, morals, and a loud fucking mouth. Danny took a deep breath, and looked out of the carriage's window for a moment. "Not gonna lie boss, it was a bit scary at first."

THE CALM THE SHADOWHUNTER now saw was one after a very long storm . auraline's actions those years ago , trapping her guests within the veil of her kingdom , had lasting effects — anger bordering on revenge , a battle cry that nearly saw the destruction of the very realm itself . time has passed , and while old wounds still remain , there has been a change in season . the air feels fresher , people blossoming as the flowers and trees do around them . faerie is recovering and finding it's serenity again . compared to new york , it was easier to find oneself relaxing within it's tranquility , the only thing busy here were the bees as they flew by and as they did , you could not help smiling . it's why the queen wanted her friend here , to bask in the healing of the land itself . so he could heal . her lips twitch when he apologizes for swearing , finding him utterly adorable . ❛ it's alright . she's too little to notice . ❜ she assures , brushing the babe's cheek with her thumb . ❛ i trust the ... initiation was not too hard on you despite it being ... that . ❜ if it wasn't , she is sure he would not have answered with his earlier words — ones that warmed the fae's heart .