#I just adore the idea she would instantly adopt her grandfather instantly

[enigmatist17]

Elena Rivera had had a very long day.

It had begun the moment after she had finally passed on, surrounded by her family one moment, and in some sort of dark tunnel the next. Bones that no longer ached due to age and years of shoemaking carried her down the tunnel into...an office?

"Welcome Señora!" A skeleton with a clipboard greeted her, and after a tense moment, Elena gave an awkward wave, only to stop short at her own skeletal hand. "Feel free to take a moment, I know this can be very intimidating at first look, but you'll get used to it!"

"I'm...I'm dead." It's not really a question, but the nice woman nods with a smile. "I see."

"May I have your name? There's a lot of paperwork to get started, and the sooner it's completed, the sooner your family can come to pick you up!"

"Elena Rivera." The gasp that came from the other woman startled the newly dead woman, and she watched the worker? all but leap for her phone, dialing a number with a grin.

Twenty minutes, a thick stack of paperwork Elena filled out without relative ease, and more than a few curious workers constantly dropping by to stare at her for....some reason later, Elena was finally escorted out of the office she'd arrived in and into a central hall. It really began to sink in that she was dead, so taken by all of the various skeletons that she overlooked the small crowd heading towards her.

"Mi querida hija!" It was all the warning Elena got before she was in her mother's arms, eyes bright with a mental clarity Coco had not had in her last years. The very sight made the tears come before Elena could even wonder how she could cry as a skeleton, but right now, the important thing was hugging her mamá as tight. "Mi chica fuerte y hermosa..."

"I missed you so much mamá."

"I hope you missed me too." Another familiar set of arms wrapped around Elena, and she barely bit back a sob as her papá kissed the top of her head.

"Of course I did!" Her voice was rough, but Elena laughed when she and her parents finally parted, reaching out to lay her hand on his cheek. "I dreamt of this for a long time."

"We did too, welcome home, hija. Come, everyone else can't wait to meet you." Coco squeezed her daughter's hand, motioning to the small group waiting a few feet away, including her husband, who had passed two years earlier.

"It's nice to meet," "Imelda's successor!" Elena rolled her eyes as her great-uncles scooped her into a synchronized hug, lifting her up with matching grins. "You look great," "our little dictador!"

"That's what you're still calling her?" Victoria scoffed from behind them, adjusting her glasses as Elena was set down to take in the sight of her older sister.

"Vicki..." Her now phantom heart constricted at the sight of the sister she had lived past, and she smiled when she could see the beginning of tears. "No crying now, it's a happy day."

"I'm not crying." No one comments on how her voice wavers as Rosita gives her a nudge forward, Elena smiling at her tía in thanks before she's smothered in a hug. "You were crying first."

"Only for today." Coco smiled at the sight of her girls reunited after so long, looking up when her mother stepped beside her daughter. The sound of her boots drew Elena's attention, and Victoria made an amused noise at the look of awe on her hermana's face.

"It's good to see you." Imelda smiled as Elena let go of her sister, walking forward to clasp Imelda's held-out hand in hers. "You guided our familia well."

"I-I did my best to follow your example." Elena was sure the smile on her face could become permanent if she wasn't careful, though it faltered when she looked around. "We seem to be missing someone."

"Ah..." Imelda shook her head in slight amusement, various other family members chuckling. "You got here a little bit too early, like I warned him you would, but what do I know."

"Well?" It felt strange staring up at her idol with an unamused look, but Elena wanted her answer.

"Come, let's get you home first, he'll be back by sunset."

---

Héctor was having an amazing day!

Sure, he still hated being inside Ernesto's former mansion, but visiting his Shantytown familia always brightened his mood. It was a work in progress turning the massive mansion into a place for those who had no home, but he'd been only too happy to help out between his reemerging music career and his quiet home life. As much as his darling wife had tried, Héctor couldn't make a shoe worth his death, so he returned to his music after more than one late-night conversation.

He's whistling one of his work-in-progress tunes when he finally returns home, arms laden with some books and a basket full of fresh churros a few tía's had made sure he left with.

"I'm home and have churros~!" Héctor whistled as he headed for the kitchen, completely missing the fact everyone seemed to be gathered in the living room. "If you don't hurry I'm going to - AAA!" Héctor was not expecting the world to start spinning as something smacked him in the back of the head, eyes rolling around for a moment when he grabbed his head.

"So, I finally meet you!" The venomous voice behind him made Héctor jump, eyes landing on a vaguely familiar woman pointing a chancla at him. "The no-good músico que abandonó a su familia!"

"D-Do I know you?!" Héctor had been on the end of more chancla smacking than most men, and the world goes spinning again as the woman strikes with a speed he thought impossible.

"You should have never left home, and you are lucky I was not born then, or I would have smacked you all across México!" The woman lowered the shoe once Héctor got his eyes to stop rolling again, and he could do little more than open his mouth before he was yanked into a tight hug that pressed against a still broken rib. He could hear a snort or two from the doorway at how awkward he looked, bent almost in half with his long arms splayed out in discomfort, eyes wide as he tried to figure out who was assaulting him.

"Eh....Elena?" Héctor winced at the uncertainty in his voice, but is rewarded with the shorter woman pulling back with a slight frown, one arm around his shoulders.

"Dios mío you are a baby, far too young to be taken from the world! If I ever get my hands on ese maldito bastardo de Ernesto..."

"When - I- have you been here long?" Héctor stammers as his descendant runs a hand through his hair with a tsk, eyeing him like he was her son.

"Not long, you should listen to your esposa when she says something, are all men this denso?" He eyes her hand as Elena waggles a finger in front of his face, not wanting another smack to the head. "Ay I can see exactly why Miguel adores you, you two twigs are the same!"

"Miguel? H-He told you about us?" Héctor's eyes lit up at the mention of his bisnieto, and Elena had to fight the urge to pinch cheeks that no longer existed. "Ay chamaco, he still surprises me!"

"Elena, dear, why don't you release papá, and we can fill him in?" Coco chuckled, Héctor shooting his daughter a grateful look as he finally stood up straight with a pop of his spine. "I heard something about churros?"

"Sí, they're "experimental" churros." The tall skeleton grinned, one hand resting on Elena's shoulder as he picked up the basket he'd almost dropped. "The kitchens are being put to great use, and Tía Chello wants to hear what all of you think of these!"

From how he moved to how he let out the occasional grito that Miguel had begun to do when he was excited, Elena felt the years of hatred against Héctor fully fade. When Miguel told the family of the year he'd vanished into the Land of the Dead, he spoke about the man they had all believed abandoned the family with pure love and adoration. Héctor had done all he could that night to bring Miguel home safely, and despite being abandoned for nearly a century, he had loved his family through it all. Her heart ached at all the years he had missed, of the life he'd been denied, and as she watched Héctor let out a giggle when Coco dabbed some sugar below an eyesocket, Elena knew this man was to be loved at all costs.

First, however, he would know a full stomach by her cooking. After that?

Well, they had all the time in the world.

[annonniiiiieeeee]

My question is what is grandfathers reaction to their grand babies? Like Splinter, Draxum, and Katsuichi, I feel like they would spoil them rotten.

Splinter

The man is thrilled!!!

He had been hoping for grandchildren but he tried really hard not to pressure any of his kids.

When they first had Jotaro he would volunteer to watch him whenever they needed. Both parents were still active in keeping New York safe. There was going to be situations that would require both of them and Splinter is more then happy to dote on his grandson during those times.

He tries really hard to not be over barring as he knows the new parents need time alone with their kid but he is also the only grandparent with actual baby raising knowledge.

As the boy gets older Splinter and Leo, of course, show the kid Lou Jitsu movies and Jotaro loves them! But instead of Splinter watching them wishing to be back in the glory days, he instead see how the movies influenced his sons fighting abilities and how they could help Jotaro. The grandkids all know he’s Lou Jitsu, and when their older he will use the movies to teach them some of his signature moves.

When the twins came into the picture he was so excited. He had stayed at the Tenshu and was there with Leo when he was hearing all of the debate surrounding what to do with the babies. He knew he had new granddaughters when he first saw Leo holding them. He looked at them with such warmth on his face that Splinter knew they would be family.

He spoils the three bunnies rotten. Often telling them embarrassing stories from their dad’s childhood. This turns out to be a mistake when Kaida’s born. All of the stories of silly things that Leo did, like climbing up the fridge when no one was looking, have put one to many ideas in the kids heads. Between her size and knowing that their dad was an menace growing up all three bunnies are worried that their sister will get herself into trouble.

She does. She is her fathers daughter and she a baby. She does climb thing that no one would guess she could and stresses everyone out. The only people who can prevent these occurrences are Leo, he was the sneaky child he knows the look on her face when she’s got a bad idea, and Splinter, he’s lived through this before.

Over all he loves his grand babies so much.

Draxum

This is not a man that specializes in babies. He can make them but he’s never raised them.

Never the less he adores them.

After Jotaro was born he loved that kid to death. One he’s proud of his handy work and two the kid’s adorable.

He is learning how to take care of a baby. He doesn’t know what to do, or how to hold them, but he’s slowly learning. It took a long time before he could be handed Jotaro without the boy instantly crying. At first he thought he was doing something wrong and would hand the child back quickly but it was just the baby being fussy and wanting his parents.

He didn’t go with the family to visit the Tenshu when they adopted the twins. The adoption was a surprise to everyone. When the family returned with out Leo, Usagi and Jotaro he first thought that maybe they were spending more time with Katsuichi till he was told about the new babies. Then he was so excited to meet them. He knew it would be about three months before their return as both he and Leo had had many discussions of when it was safe for a baby to go through a portal. So imagine his surprise when they come back in two months.

It was not a good surprise. The girls were premature and had gotten very sick. A mixture of not being ready to leave the womb and also a lack of vaccination. Babies normally don’t get vaccinated until 6 months as they have mom’s antibodies running through them up until that time. But Usagi’s world doesn’t have vaccines or modern medicine. His world also has a high infant mortality rate. So when the girls started to get really sick they rushed back to Leo’s world.

Draxum, Leo and Casey were the ones carrying for the girls. Usagi helped as much as he could but the medical information would go over his head at times. After the two got better Draxum was still fiercely protective of them. This extended to Jotaro to. He was constantly worried about one of the kids getting sick. It starts to ease as the kids get older but any time one of them is sick. Draxum is there to dote on them.

When he creates Kaida he makes sure she has all of her vaccines and is fully developed before letting her out. He’s more anxious about it then either Leo or Usagi are.

Do not leave this man alone with these four children. They will gain up on him and get what ever they want, but in the most evil scientist way ever. You want ice cream from the human parlor but the lines long? Scopes all humans up with vines, look no line. You want a puppy, of course but let’s get one of those yokai puppies that looks adorable but can transform into a battle mount.

The man has no chill and will get his grandchildren the world

The children know this and abuse it.

Katsuichi

He sees the kids the least so he spoils them the most. He has money saved up from all his years of service so anything the kids want they get.

When it was determined that Jotaro wouldn’t be portal hopping until he was at least three months old, Gen and Kitsune went to their world to get Kashichi. The man wanted to meet his grandson and if the grandson couldn’t come to him he would go to them.

He adores Jotaro. He met Usagi when the boy was young but not this young. This is a baby. He’s so small and yet he can already see so much of Usagi and Leo in him.

When Jotaro can finally comes to visit Katsuichi is the proudest grandfather showing the boy off to anyone nearby. So proud.

When they adopt the girls he is excited for a lot of reasons. One, more grand babies!!! Two they are staying with him for three months!!!

Leo and Usagi try to visit regularly but it’s just not the same as having his family around him. But now with the girls they won’t be traveling for three months at least. He’s so excited to help them out and spoil his family. Even Leo and Usagi as he loves all of them so much.

But it becomes a nightmare when a disease sweeps through the Tenshu. The girls get sick. They were already under size and struggling with being premature. Things that worried both the parents and Katsuichi constantly, but now the girls were sick. He is terrified that he’s going to watch his granddaughters die. That he’s going to watch Leo and Usagi lose two of their kids. It’s common in their world but still so heart breaking. When Leo makes the call to go to his world Katsuichi goes with them. He doesn’t want them to be without support. He knows they have Leo’s family but he wants to be there no matter which way this goes.

Thankfully both girls make a full recovery. But just like the rest of the family he grows over protective of the two. He adores his all of his grandchildren but he worries more then he used to.

When he meets Kaida he worries for her instantly, her small size making him afraid. What if she grows ill? Is she strong enough to fight it? Yes, Draxum made double sure of that.

As she get older and starts causing chaos he worries less about her size and more about the chaos she is causing. Though it is entertaining for him to watch Leo and Usagi deal with their four chaotic kids.

He also cannot be left alone with the children. He is easily talked into going along with their bad plans.

He once saw the yokai dogs that look cute but transform into vicious protectors when he was visiting Leo’s world. The kids come to him one day to ask for a Tokage. (They think he’s the weak link that will buy them a pet, they are right) and he’s going to do it, but then he thinks and he looks at them and goes ‘you know who you should talk to?’ He makes and supports their plan to have Draxum by them a puppy.

[void-knights]

Distractions

Square Filled: Distracting them with affection

Pairing:  Loki (Marvel)/Sigyn,

Rating:   Teen

Word Count:  3314

Tags: Jötunn Loki, Loki’s past, Self esteem issues, Fluff, Comfort, Care, Shapeshifting, Snake Loki, Bisexual Sigyn,Genderfluid Loki,

Summary: Exhausted and with his energy depleted Loki’s jötunn form reveals itself against his will. Sigyn distracts him with affection.

Written for: @lokibingo​

AO3 Link

The recent missions had left Loki pushed to his limits, he could not remember being so challenged as he had been as he was as an avenger. Tonight he lay in bed unable to move after a long luxurious bath, it was like other nights or, so he had assumed.

As he went to run a hand through his hair wondering if perhaps it was finally becoming too long he noticed the skin on his hand and forearm shifting from alabaster to a deep blue. For a moment all he could do was stare transfixed as though he were watching it happen to someone else and not himself.

Then reality came crashing down around him, it wasn’t happening to another person it was happening to him now. He tried commanding his own body to obey him, to have his skin shift back, he had mastered shapeshifting at the age of sixteen he could do this. Yet he could not. His own body betrayed him. More skin shifted from the familiar Aesir to the stranger Jötunn, he panicked.

What would happen when Sigyn saw him like this? Adrenaline surged through his body giving him the strength to kick off his blankets and stumble towards the vanity. He searched the surface of the dark wood furniture, various Midgardian creams and lotions that he and Sigyn were testing lay scattered.

The cosmetics hid in the second draw down, he pulled it open with the ridiculous idea that he could somehow hide his sudden inability to master his own body by caking himself in powders and creams. It might’ve worked if people ignored the crimson eyes (Sunglasses! He reminded himself) and the raised lines that ran throughout his body.

Oh, and now he had horns? They had not been there before, he was certain that the last time he had been forced to take this form he lacked horns. Suddenly there was a pressure around his head, one he had never noticed before as the horns seemingly sprouted not from his forehead where he first thought they had but from the sides of his head, just above or behind the ears which were now pointed. The horns were a shade of blue so dark and deep they almost looked black.

Panic filled him as his form became less and less Aesir with each passing second, his nails were a dark blue just like his horns, his entire body seemed more sensitive to the heat surrounding him, to the luxurious fabrics he wore.

He could hear Sigyn approach, his hearing had vastly improved, all his senses were heightened he realized stumbling back to the bed and ducking beneath the covers completely covering himself while attempting to force his body to submit to him. Why could he not control his own body?

The door opened, he could smell Sigyn from the lemon based perfumes she favoured to her own natural musk, he could smell Stark’s aftershave and oil, metal and something artificial clinging to her.

She marched on over to the shower slightly more heavy footed than was necessary, it took time, twenty-three minutes, during that time he tried once again to force his body to submit to him. A glimmer of hope came when his fingertips turned paler, but that hope was smothered within a few seconds.

Sigyn was out of the shower, “You were right,” She said in that overly resigned but amused and affectionate way she had whenever having to admit that she was wrong, the goddess of fidelity and victory did not take loosing well. “Stark is good company, I almost want to adopt him.”

Some part of Loki could imagine the scene and Stark accepting, then Sigyn would proudly show off their Midgardian son to all of Asgard and Odin would be forced to endure a Yuletide with Stark… this was starting to sound like a good idea.

A finger prodded at his head, “Did you fall asleep in your armour again?” she asked he pulled the covers tighter around himself desperate for her not to see him like this. “Darling?” Sigyn asked sitting herself down on the bed beside him, his back against her thigh.

She sifted, he felt the blankets being pulled, “DON’T!” he warned her. She listened to his protests releasing the blankets instantly.

A momentary beat passed before she asked him, “What is wrong my love?” her fingers running along the length of his arm.

He shivered unable to respond, how was she going to react? He could not get this form under his control, she had never seen this side of him, it was something he had made sure of.

Sigyn did not abandon him, instead she draped herself over him a comforting weight atop him separated by the warmth of the blanket that used to be sinfully soft against his skin but now seemed rough, harsh. She was no fool, she quickly realized what might be happening and soothed him as best she could with a gentle humming while gently rubbing circles into his back through the blanket.

He could feel the smile gracing his own lips as she somehow managed to squeeze him with her upper body as she remained half draped over him. It seemed so foolish on his part to worry about Sigyn’s reaction, her very nature was loyalty, she was a woman who was understanding, she had stood by him through the best times and the worst.

But this, this was different, this had been forced upon the pair of them, a lie that even the god of lies had not been able to detect. It was not part of their lives until Odin forced it upon them, by then it had been the start of a great downward spiral.

They had found their place side by side once more, but the issue of what he truly was had never been spoken of or addressed. Where once before Thor’s first coronation, before the truth was revealed, they had indulged in the idea of starting a family.

Loki had always teased her that she would make a great mother, and she would, though she often dreaded the idea of carrying on her families habit of having twins. She had been a twin, her mother, grandmother, grandfather and great-grandmother all had been twins.

But the more they had spoken about it the more they had liked the idea, a pair of twins born together, raised together on equal footing. They would never need fear inheriting a throne or whether one parent thought them a mistake. They would be loved and adored, treasured until the end of days. It had been such a nice dream.

“I cannot control it,” he admitted hating how meek he sounded beneath the blankets where he hid. She squeezed him again, “My jötunn form.”

She guessed as much, even at his lowest points Loki had never hid from her like this before. He never spoke of his Jötunn side, this other form, he never wanted to admit it or address it, that was part of the problem. How could they fix something that they never addressed or spoke about?

“In what way can you not control it?” She asked him still rubbing circles in-between his shoulder blades.

If they could not talk about it emotionally than they would boil it down to simple practicality. Not that Sigyn liked this path, she would rather Loki be comfortable and happy in his body regardless of what shape it took. But this was a start.

There were many options, may ways that Loki could explain what was happening yet the best solution was often simplest. He shifted enough that Sigyn pulled herself off of him and then slowly he pulled back the blanket revealing the issue at hand.

Instead of recoiling in horror as most aesir would she inched towards him placing both her palms against each cheek, she greeted him with her usual warmth, that smile made her brighter than he remembered. She leaned into him, her nose brushing up against his the new horns were not dissimilar to the golden horns she was more familiar with.

“I told you,” she taunted before brushing her freckled lips against his deep blue lips. She grinned pleased with herself they both knew she was right. He sat himself against the headboard while she sat by his side facing him, she never stopped smiling. “Rest for the next couple of days and eat plenty, you should regain the strength to reign in your shapeshifting.”

If his brain had not been working against him he might have come to this solution first, instead he forgotten the simplest solution. Rest and recouperation.

He grinned sheepishly, “Does that mean I will be pampered?”

“You know I never miss an opportunity to pamper you my love,” She answered, he could already see her planning how she was going to spoil him. Though stubbornly she would refuse to admit it should anyone ask, I was their private life after all.

They settled into their usual ways with some minor awkwardness, laying his head in her lap she took into account his new features. While she was used to him wearing horns she was used to being able to remove them. Gently at first she tucked hair that had fallen over his face behind his ear careful to avoid the new additions. He still carried tension within his body, anxious that at any moment she would flee. She never would.

They were bound in a way that went beyond marriage, beyond simple love and affection. It was a connection that only fidelity and lies could forge, a relationship built on mischief and victory, they would not be torn apart by this simple blip.

Her fingers traced a ghostly line over the curve of his horn, a violent pleasurable shudder wracked his body, she misunderstood and pulled her hand back afraid that she had hurt or offended him in some way.

Instead, he rolled onto his back, “Do it again,” he urged the black of his pupils blown wide.

“There’s a joke here, something about horns,” Sigyn whispered against the skin of his jaw, Loki had an idea but quickly dropped it when she kissed him again.

In this form everything was new the feel of her was unusually soft and smooth, he had never truly appreciated how soft she felt against him until now. Her fingers traced along the lines running over his ribs and chest, each time she touched him his body shivered in delight.

It was moments like this that awed him, Sigyn loved him, he still could not understand how or why. Theirs was not an easy relationship, neither of them liked easy, but at times Loki knew he pushed Sigyn a little to hard. Most spouses would have left, most would have slammed the door so hard in his face all the realms would feel and hear it.

But here, as Sigyn shifted them, so she could hold him in her arms he forgot his worries just for a moment. The threads of magic that twirled from her fingers like fae dancing on the petals of a flower turned his attentions towards more pleasant things, more delightful memories.

Warm fingers lit by cool blues trailed down his arms, down his spine, she worked her magic soothing each and every physical ache she could. There was a doubt deeply rooted that she would never be able to truly rid Loki of all that plagued him mentally and emotionally.

It strengthened her conviction to remain by his side, to remind him that he deserved love and compassion. That he was worthy of everything she could give him and hoped in return that he found her just as worthy of his love and affections. Somehow she knew he did, they did not need to speak of such things.

Fingers drifted along deep blue skin, like a sapphire caught in the light of the moon his skin shimmered. Freshly fallen snow glittering beneath a pale silver moon came to her mind, the memory of a night spent together in the cold of Midgard where the northern lights overhead gleamed and glittered illuminating the surrounding lands.

They had made love underneath those lights, the cold did not affect Loki as it did her, so he lay in the cold snow enjoying the gasps of pain and pleasure Sigyn rewarded him with when he brushed icy fingers cooled by snow against her nipples.

It was something neither had considered before, the snow and ice was not supposed to illicit pleasure or feelings of warmth and comfort. But Midgard did not believe as Asgard, they welcomed the ice and snow (within reason) choosing instead to celebrate in the warmth but enjoying the cold.

Sigyn preferred Midgard for many reasons, that which was most obvious, here Loki could breathe. Free of expectations from the crowns that knew him, from the realms that would curse and defame him. Here Loki was not completely unburdened, but he walked lighter than he would in other realms.

She wanted to remind him of this, that he was loved and should not need to fear revealing his true self. But logical compassion was overwhelmed by centuries of abuse, Loki may never love his jötunn self and for that and so many other reasons Sigyn would never forgive either Odin, Frigga or Thor.

Loki should not have to live in fear of himself, for himself, but he did, and she desperately wished she could take that from him.

Drawing fingers along the lines of his body Sigyn could not help but marvel at his beauty, she was lost at the moment unable to keep her hands off him. Though in fairness she was like that with Loki regardless of form, gender or sex.

They had once spent an entire day together where Loki was a massive iridescent serpent, he had wound himself around her while she read her books his massive body had been so great that she had to use him as a chair. He had needed an escape, somewhere to hide and Sigyn welcomed him with open arms.

Though when he slithered his way up beneath her jumper, so he could have some sort of skin contact that wasn’t just her hands had been a little vexing. Especially when she needed to get up for any reason. But there was something adorable about Loki’s shimmering emerald form being so snugly wound against her, his inky black tongue flicking out against her collar bone as he nestled himself between her breasts. He made a surprisingly good chair as a snake.

But she drew the line at horses after Loki had attempted to spend the day with her in that form, having to explain why you were having a bath with your wife who was a mare was as about as awkward as anything in the early stages of their marriage. Along the way Sigyn simply lost the ability to feel awkward about being caught in odd situations with Loki.

If her spouse needed comfort she was going to give them comfort regardless of what form they took!

“Do you think being in your jötunn form may influence the way you shapeshift?” she pondered running her fingers through his hair. He always enjoyed someone playing with his hair.

Loki who had been nestled against her chest took a moment to consider this. It wasn’t odd to think that maybe it would, especially if it were simply a case of shifting between sexes and genders. But more complex shapeshifting, animals and creatures, that may not be affected.

“If you wish to see my blue breasts you need only ask,” Loki teased pressing a kiss against her collar bone, his horns bumping a little against her as he did so. Her fingers meanwhile continued to draw small circles into his scalp, he was caught between arousal and sleepiness wondering which would be the first to give out.

Sigyn thought about this, Loki never offered to show his jötunn form to anyone she suspected it was less that he was wiling to show her his breasts and more a joke. She did not press the issue for tonight, she knew the key to handling Loki when he was in states like this, slow and softly. He was not fragile or delicate by any means but that did not mean he did not deserve softness.

Instead, she offered a counter, “Well if you’re offering, I wouldn’t mind you shapeshifting into a tiger could you do that?” she asked, she had recently discovered the amazing mammals and creatures of Midgard and wondered why they had never visited the realm sooner. Oh, yes… Odin.

Loki had previously transformed into Midgardian cats, mostly a black cat to mess with the other avengers whenever the mischievous fancy took him. It was never anything big, at first he was just there inside the compound, Sam would say “Did you see that black cat?” and everyone would look at him like he had gone mad. Innocent pranking.

She had missed his innocent pranks, the ones made to entertain him and those around him. The days when they were all a lot more innocent and a lot less afraid, as a young teen Loki had always tried to win Sigyn over with his pranks. More often than not they backfired, but he had won her over by being able to laugh or walk it off. Not many (especially the men) in Asgard had the ability to do that.

It was not simply selfishness that drove Sigyn to request Loki shapeshift into a tiger, a form that he never took before which would therefore pose a challenge but because after the distraction of concentration he may be in another form that would free him from the insecurities that his jötunn brought about.

However, Loki shook his head, “Not without studying the creature beforehand,” that, or he was too exhausted and didn’t want to admit it. Sigyn pondered this as she stroked her fingers along the length of his spine.

“Then how about an old favourite?” she suggested. She could feel him vibrate, whether in relief or excitement she didn’t know, all that mattered was he was slowly being pulled away from the less cheerful thoughts and feelings this form inspired.

Well she didn’t need to ask twice, did she? It might not be a tiger but as Loki shifted into a snake he wound himself around her and held her firmly in the coils of his body. She used her magic to toss a blanket over the pair of them, his long neck and body acting as her new warm pillow made of iridescent emerald scales.

She smiled when his adorable snout tucked itself upon her neck, his tongue flicking out against her ear lobe, an affectionate gesture she had come to adore whenever he spent time as a serpent. Sigyn smiled drawing her hands over as much of his huge body as she could, there was too much of him as this particular snake. His entire body so large parts of him hung off the bed. The flicks of his forked inky tongue slowly tapered off until they came to a stop.

A smile spread across her lips as she felt the tightly wound body relax, no longer burdened by reality Loki was safe in his dreams. She would make sure of it, the gentle suggestion of magic from her would always protect him from his nightmares of which there seemed legion.

It wasn’t long before she too found the siren song of sleep within the coils of her spouse, her greatest love. Her last waking thoughts were of tomorrow where she promised to make his favourite food.

That at least should assist in his recouperation.

[dust2dust34]

4.5 prompt: All I ask + sunlight. Turn my bittersweet heart into mush like only you can, kloveyathanksbyeeeee

(I hope it’s okay this isn’t for S4.5! And that I’m answering this fouryearslateomg)

(i’ll show you) who this heart beats for (Olicity AU)

Summary: Sequel to (i will be the fire) that keeps you warm, and the second story in my spontaneous “The Artie Chronicles” series. It’s Valentine’s Day and Oliver and Artie have a very important question for Felicity. 

Rated: T (for cursing and panic attack)

A/N: Title from Wilderness by Jon Bryant. Partly inspired by @Greeenlan’s cute as sin tweet (and oh yes, that photoshoot absolutely happens in their future when Oliver and Felicity take in a couple of abandoned pitbull puppers that Artemis 100% becomes the adopted mother to).

(read on AO3)

 “Look at you.” Oliver adjusted the headband slightly. “Aren’t you just the prettiest girl?”

The three-year-old pitbull grinned where she sat primly before him. Still panting from their hour-long run, she looked every bit as cute as he knew she would with the fresh flower crown situated on her boxy head. As if she knew what he was thinking, she wagged her tail, her eyes gleaming, her smile widening, her tongue hanging out even further… 

A line of drool slid from the corner of her mouth.

Oliver chuckled.

“Yes, you are,” he said, catching it before it could turn into a shoestring. “You are the very prettiest girl, and don’t you dare tell Mommy that I’m talking to you like this, because she’ll never let me live it down that the way she talks to you has rubbed off on me. She keeps trying to catch us, but we know what she’s doing, don’t we? You’ve got my back, don’t you, girl?”

Artemis agreed with a chipper little bark. Diggle insisted it wasn’t “little” so much as thunderous, but either way, it was damn cute.

“That’s my girl. Alright, you know the plan.” The instant that word was out of his mouth, all the nerves he’d managed to beat back since he decided today was the day roared back. Fighting to keep steady, Oliver clapped his hands together. Artie instantly stopped panting, her ears perking up behind the flower crown. It was so unbelievably adorable it made his chest hurt and he huffed out another little laugh as she inadvertently calmed him. “That’s right. You’re staying right here, and I’m going to have the souffles, and we’re going to wait for Mommy to follow the flowers in here, and then you’re going to distract her with how cute you are so she doesn’t see how nervous I am. Okay? Good. Good.” And just like that, the tiny reprieve she’d given him had disappeared. “Yep. That’s the plan.”

Ignoring the butterflies in his stomach, Oliver patted Artie’s shoulder and stood up.

Was it hotter than it had been a minute ago? He’d opened the curtains to let the sun in, but it was still early, and February, at that. No way it was hotter. 

Right?

Oliver wiped his brow and then dragged his hand down his face.

His eyes darted to the large grandfather clock in the far corner. 

Almost 10:30 a.m. 

His ribs abruptly closed in on him and he frowned, whipping his wrist up to check his watch.

Yep, that was definitely the time, which meant any minute now she’d be walking in that door from her work trip to Central City, duffel bag in hand, a smile on her beautiful lips, those stunning eyes of hers looking for the rest of their little family, especially when she saw the trail of yellow daisies he’d laid out that would lead her right to him… 

His stomach pitched.

With a groan, Oliver started pacing the living room. Artie’s head followed him back and forth, her tail wagging every time he walked by her. It normally made him smile, made him stop and talk to her, but not right now. No, right now his already-pounding heart absolutely took off, racing so fast he had to force a breath into suddenly stagnant lungs. And his hands wouldn’t stop trembling. Oliver shook them out before rubbing them together. Clammy dampness made that impossible and he groaned again, scrubbing them viciously against his thighs.

He was being ridiculous. 

There was nothing to be nervous about. 

Absolutely nothing.

Oliver didn’t realize he was still scrubbing his hands against his thighs until they started burning.

“Damn it,” he breathed, wincing as the pain caught up to him.

He turned his palms up to see bright red streaks across his hands. 

The well of trepidation he’d been fighting to keep down overflowed.

Oliver abruptly stopped, his jaw clenching as his hands started shaking again. There was something to be nervous about, wasn’t there? It wasn’t what she would say, or how she would react, because he knew with every atom in his body how it would go. Because he knew her, he knew them, and he knew where they were going, and that no matter what it would be together.

It was him. Oliver squeezed his hands into tight, trembling fists. It was tying her to him, to his demons, to the shroud that followed him no matter what he did, or how many people he saw,or  how much he talked about what had happened to him on that island, or how much both his girls settled him when his neurosis became too much. It was the worry that they would never stop. It was the bone-deep terror that when he thought he was getting better, it was actually him using her and their dog as a crutch. It was the lingering fear that he was being selfish wanting to keep Felicity as close as he could because he needed her light to keep the darkness at bay. He loved her, so much, with everything inside him. More than that, even. She was his other half. She was a key to a lock he didn’t even know was there. 

But all the baggage that he came with?

His mind shot back to last month, when he’d woken from a nightmare to find himself holding her down when she’d tried to wake him, his hand wrapped around her throat. 

The only thing that’d grabbed him from the images in his mind were Artie’s wild barks. 

Because she hadn’t been able to yell, to stop him, to fight him off.

Oliver shuddered and he curled in on himself. He had been horrified, disgusted, angered, terrified, but she had still somehow managed to talk him down. Rather, he had let her. Because he’d needed her to, because the reality that he had almost hurt her was too much to bear. God, he had let himself fall into her, hadn’t he? Let himself pretend it was okay, buried himself in the belief that it was fine…

Because otherwise he would have crumbled.

She had saved him, so many times. Even with her own shadows, her own demons, she found a path through the darkness to shed her light on him.

He couldn’t offer her nearly what she gave him. 

What if he never could?

The thought ripped open a wound that had been festering since that night. No, since long before that. Since he met her.

His skin was suddenly too hot and tight, closing in on him like plastic wrap. Saliva flooded his mouth and he swallowed hard, a couple times, but it did nothing. His stomach churned, twisting, and tried to take a breath, but his lungs seized up, closing as the full weight of what he was doing hit him.

Was he really doing this? Was this the right thing to do? For her? Things were going so well with them, why would he want to mess that up, why would-

It hit him what day it was and his jaw dropped. 

What the hell was he doing? On Valentine’s Day? Of all the days, he had to choose this day? Not only was he potentially changing the entire landscape of their relationship, he was doing it in the most cliched way possible. How was that for a fresh start on a new path together?

Artie whined and her cold nose bumped his hand.

Oliver looked down at her, mumbling, “It’s okay, I’m okay, it’s okay,” but it wasn’t. And she knew it, because she stared up at him with those knowing eyes of hers. The same eyes that just a few hours ago he swore had been encouraging all this madness.

An incredulous laugh escaped him, because now?

Now Oliver looked up and around and realized that this was an absolutely moronic plan. He actually thought it would be romantic, that it would be sweet, to do this on Valentine’s Day, of all days. Yeah, it happened to be the day she got back, but he couldn’t have waited until tomorrow? Or a week from now? Or anything but this day? Was he doing it because of what happened that night? The thought sickened him. He’d had the ring for months, but it hadn’t occurred to him to use Valentine’s Day. Why would it? It was stupid. But maybe… maybe she couldn’t say no if he used everything in his arsenal.

What was wrong with him?

He suddenly saw the room in an entirely different light.

Flowers were littered everywhere. He’d asked everyone to stay out of the main room for the morning. He’d baked fucking souffles and had put a ring inside one of them-

The front door opened.

Panic shredded his insides.

Oliver lurched towards the coffee table, towards the serving plate holding two perfectly made souffles topped with his homemade whipped cream sat. He had no idea what he was going to do when he got to them, he just knew he had to get them out of there before she saw them and knew what he was going to do. It would have been fine, probably, except there had really been a plan, one that involved Oliver giving a command that would have kept Artie right where she was… 

But there wasn’t a single logical thought left in his head.

When Oliver grabbed the plate, he abruptly stopped in the middle of the flower path, looking around wildly, momentarily struck dumb as he considered shoving them behind a pillow…

He didn’t get the chance.

Sixty-three pounds of solidly muscled pitbull slammed into the back of his legs. 

One second he was standing and the next he was airborne along with the souffles.

He slammed into the floor with a crash, Artie tangled up in his legs. The serving plate crashed next as smashed flowers scattered everywhere, and then the souffles. One of them landed on the area rug, the damage absorbed, but the other exploded right next to Oliver’s head, sending chocolate and whipped cream everywhere.

“Artie,” Oliver gasped, jerking up, but she was just fine, wiggling out from under his leg. Her crown was still on, skewed as it was, and an excited grin was locked in place, making her look almost manic.

But it wasn’t for him.

Artie didn’t even look at him as she bolted for the front door.

“Oh… wow, what is… Artie!” Felicity’s voice carried from the anteroom and his heart simultaneously jolted and calmed at the same time. She’d only been gone two days, but it was two days too long. Oliver closed his eyes, collapsing onto the floor, giving himself a momentary reprieve - really, to revel in all that she was as Felicity talked over Artie’s excited barks. “How’s my baby girl doing? How’s my baby girl? I missed you, too, yes I did, yes I did. What is this on your… Is this a flower crown? Are you my Valentine? Oh my god, you’re so cute, I could just eat you up… Where’s Daddy?”

That spurred him into action. 

Oliver pushed up onto his elbow, only to remember why he’d had the souffles in the first place. Cursing, he looked around rapidly, and then for the other souffle, for where the ring-

“What is all this… Oh my god, Oliver!”

Her duffel slapped the floor and then he heard the scuttle of her heeled feet as she ran towards him. Oliver was already shaking his head, forcing a sheepish grin to his lips as he held up his hand with a, “I’m fine,” but she and Artemis had already reached him. “Wait, there’s-” he started. Felicity ignored him and dropped to her knees next to him right in the cake and whipped cream, her hands flying to his face. 

“Are you okay? What happened?”

“I’m okay,” Oliver told her, finding her arm and squeezing. “Artie and I had an accident-”

“What?” Felicity demanded, whipping around to look at the dog. But Artie was more than fine. Her crown was straight again thanks to Felicity, and staying on her head when she started to sniff around the spilled souffles. “Hey, hey, not for you, not for you! Good girl. You stay. No chocolate for you. Good girl. Wow, you are so much better at training her than me, she would have lost it like when I dropped the bowl of mac and cheese. So what happened? And what… Oliver, is this all for Valentine’s Day? That is so…”

“Yeah,” he replied when she trailed off. He waved at the ground. “These were souffles…”

She wasn’t listening, though.

She was staring at the floor next to him. 

His mouth snapped shut as his heart leapt into his throat. He twisted to see what she was looking at, but he didn’t have to move so fast because she already was.

Felicity picked up a messy little glob that was very obviously a ring.

Oliver froze.

She lifted it up, right into a ray of sunlight.

The beam cut through the chocolate and whipped cream to the sparkly diamond underneath.

“Is this…?” she managed, shock slackening her face. And not the good kind.

Oliver’s insides sank at the sight and he knew he’d been right. His shoulders collapsed on a bone-deep exhale as he said, “Yes. Yes, I was going to propose-”

Felicity’s eyes shot to his. “Was?”

“Yes, I was,” he responded without thinking. “But then I started thinking about what it meant, for you, for us, and with everything going on with me. God, I wasn’t even thinking, and it was so stupid to think I could do it on Valentine’s Day, and then I panicked and Artie crashed into me and we fell, breaking-”

Her fingers landed on his mouth.

Oliver stared up at her with wide eyes, grateful she had stopped him, but utterly terrified about what she was going to say.

“Was,” she repeated slowly. “So… you’re not going to anymore?”

“No,” Oliver said and her face crumpled. “Yes. No. I mean…” He huffed and sat up to fully face her. “I was going to propose.” A little hum escaped her, followed by a tiny, beatific smile that transformed her entire being for a split second. But then she seemed to remember what exactly they were talking about and it fell away again. “But then I started thinking about last month when I… when I woke up hurting you, and how it isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time, and how it feels like I’ve… slipped back. And instead of going forward, I’m falling backwards, and I don’t… I didn’t… I just… I needed time to rethink things-”

“Because you thought I wasn’t going to say yes?”

“No. Because I want to be better for you. I want to be able to offer the kind of life you deserve.”

“Don’t you think that’s my choice to make?”

“Yes, of course, but-”

“No,” she interrupted. “There is no but.”

“Felicity-”

“I chose this life,” she said, her voice rising. “And I chose you, and I don’t understand how you can’t see that it’s not either-or. You aren’t either-or. Not for me, not ever. It’s not a ‘we can do this, but only when you get better’ sort of thing, because that’s not how it works. That’s not how it will ever work. Trust me, I know. There was a storm in Central City last night and I ended up sleeping in the hotel tub. Which, let me tell you, is not as comfortable as the movies make it seem.”

Oliver frowned. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“Probably for the same reason you changed your mind about proposing to me.”

“I didn’t change my mind.” He sighed as he rubbed her upper arms. “I hate that I wasn’t there.”

“Me too,” she admitted in a small voice. “And I know I’m sort of negating this because I didn’t call you last night, but I would hate if I wasn’t there when you needed me. I hate the idea that you don’t want me there, because I want to be there. I need to be there. This is obviously something we both have to work on, but… I want to work on it. With you. It’s not perfect, but it never will be. And that’s okay. I don’t want perfect. I want you. I choose you, Oliver. I will always choose you, and everything that comes with it.”

A crack pierced through his chest and pressure he didn’t even realize was there eased away.

“I choose you, too,” he said. “Always.”

“Good,” Felicity breathed. “You better. I mean, who else is going to take Artie on runs, because it certainly won’t be me.”

Oliver choked out a laugh, especially when Artie took that as her cue to nuzzle her way in to join their little huddle, pawing her way through the souffle mess. But Oliver saw right through the words, heard the little tremble under them that always appeared when she wanted to stay strong in the face of something way too heavy to carry alone.

And that was the point, wasn’t it?

They weren’t alone. Not anymore. Not ever again.

Oliver’s smile grew as he watched Felicity laugh when Artie’s giant tongue swept out to kiss her all over her face. Not for the first time, he wondered if they ever would have found each other without Artemis butting into the situation. But she’d done her part - she’d brought them together, opened the door for a future of so many possibilities.

It was up to them to keep it open.

“Artie,” he said with a quick double click of his tongue. 

The dog immediately settled back and sat down - right in the spilled souffle, but it was time for a bath anyway - and stared at them with perked ears behind the flowers.

“Felicity…” Oliver took the messy ring from her fingers. She inhaled sharply, going very still, and he smiled as he took her left hand in his. “All I ask… all I’ll ever ask… is that you keep choosing me. And I’ll keep choosing you. Forever.”

Tears filled her eyes behind her glasses and she tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. 

“Will you marry me?” Oliver asked.

“Yes,” she breathed.

“Yes?” he asked, even though he heard her. But he just wanted to hear it again. And again, and again… 

“Yes!” Felicity repeated on a happy laugh and launched herself at him.

They kissed, a sweet, lingering touch that had the crack in his chest widening even more, letting in a stream of light and joy that had him laughing with her. With a grin as wide as hers and shaking fingers that had everything to do with excitement and joy now, he slid the ring on her finger. They both chuckled when the whipped cream made it easier. When it was firmly in place, he kissed the ring, her hand, and then her lips once more.

“Yes,” she repeated one more time, and he smiled so big it made his cheeks ache.

Artie’s excited bark echoed the sentiment. She jumped in to join them once more, and it continued as Felicity said, “And yes to you, too! Were you in on this, Artie? Did you know he was going to do this today, I thought we told each other everything…”

Oliver’s smile didn’t go away, not ever again. It dimmed, every once in a while, but he always chose to keep finding the light, the reason to keep it going.

He always chose her.

The End

*

My thought process while writing this: Alright, let’s do something cute and fluffy! A guarantee with Artie in the picture! Yeah… but don’t forget they’re both trauma victims in their own way… Yeah, and that this is a huge step… And that PTSD and anxiety echo for years, even when you work on it… Okay, so what if Oliver has a panic attack and freaks out?!

I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading! 

Reviews literally feed the soul and muse.

[bffhreprise]

Entry 332

 “James, dear!” I called as I hurried over to hug him.  Over the past couple weeks, my husband and I had spent countless hours discussing what being grandparents could be like now that our son was married.  We were absolutely certain that we’d never keep up, and that our son and daughter-in-law would be exceedingly busy.  No child of those two could be normal, and I worried about getting a chance to visit with them being so busy…  I needed to get as much of their attention as I could before they became too serious about having a child.

 “Don’t forget our new daughter-in-law.” teased my husband, looking startled when L-Lady—No.  Alma—when Alma hugged him.

 “Of course not.” I assured him, releasing our son to hug Alma as well.  Her strength was still very noticeable.  “How was the honeymoon?  Did you two have fun?”

 “Quite eventful.” replied James, looking amused.  “You’d be amazed how much we can accomplish in two weeks.”

 My husband laughed, saying, “Not really, not with how incredibly fast you two are.”

 “I’m pregnant.” stated Alma as she stepped next to James.

 My mouth was on the floor, and I took a while to find it again.  Reminding myself that only two weeks had passed since their marriage, I asked “Isn’t it a bit too soon to tell?”  I knew my son.  There was no possible way that Alma could have been pregnant before the wedding, she seemed just as careful as he was!

 “Alma’s not quite human, so things work a bit differently.  I assure you that she is.” insisted James, looking as happy as can be.

 After another brief pause, my husband said, “Well, I always did want to be a grandfather.”

 “Congratulations to you both!” I exclaimed, not wanting them to think I disapproved.  Shock.  Shock was mostly what I felt.  “Do the others know yet?”

 “Sorry, but your son couldn’t keep it a surprise till you got here.” replied Alma, smiling lovingly up at James.

 James shrugged and said, “Sorry, I’m a bit excited.”  Then he waved for us to follow him, saying, “Come in, please.  We have something to show you.”

 “Another surprise?” questioned my husband, obviously trying to mentally prepare himself.

 James nodded.

 “I’m sure it’s not as surprising as this.” I told them, knowing nothing could be at this point.  “Any idea when the baby will be due with the umm… differences?”  Adjusting to superhuman individuals in one’s life was difficult.

 “December, we think.” replied Alma.

 “Are you planning on finding out if it’s a boy or a girl?  That seems pretty common these days.” suggested my husband.  He wasn’t precisely great with surprises on his good days, and all of our plans for activities with the newly weds would obviously need some adjustment now.

 “Probably.” replied James.  “We figure that’ll give us more time to come up with a name.”

 “If you have a boy, are you going to carry on the tradition?” questioned my husband hopefully as we approached the ballroom.

 With a slight nodd, Alma said, “That seems quite likely.  I like how easily the name would pass in my country too.”

 “What if you have a girl?  I’ll gladly help with names.” I offered.

 “We already decided on Dani for our first girl.” replied Alma, spinning round and smiling at me.

 “Oh?  Is there a story behind this?” I asked, feeling intrigued.  Catching a pink blur, I focused on an incredibly exotic-looking girl running toward me.  She had long eyelashes, amethyst eyes, and a slightly upturned nose with full lips under it that had a distinct cupid’s bow, none of which were her most relevant features.  Her skin was a soft pink color, which didn’t remotely distract from her cobalt blue hair.

 “Mom, are these them!?” exclaimed the girl, bouncing with excitement as she put her hands together hopefully and grinned with all of the excitement of a toddler seeing cake.

 “Dani, meet my parents.” replied James, motioning to us.  Then he looked my husband and me in our eyes and said, “This is our adopted daughter, Dani Lyshaa Somerset.”

 “Uh… b-but... “ started my husband awkwardly, looking even more awkward as Dani hugged us both.  His eyes shared all of the confusion racing through my head.

 Then the girl looked at James, making almost musical noises.

 “English in front of your grandparents.” ordered Alma, sounding perfectly like a mother lightly scolding her child, which was apparently the case.

 “What uh language is that?” asked my husband.

 Language!?  Oh…  She really was speaking then.

 “Oh, that’s from Dani’s home.  The circumstances were a bit unusual, but she’s part of the family now.” insisted James, looking at my husband and me meaningfully.

 “Dani, I love your hair and umm skin.” I told her, reaching to touch her hair before I thought better of it.  When she leaned into my hand, the incredible softness caught me by surprise.  For some reason, I thought the cobalt hair would feel coarse.

 “It’s all natural!” insisted Dani, grinning at me with perfectly white teeth.  At least something about her seemed somewhat normal.

 “Is she… uh… similar to the ones in your forest?” questioned my husband, obviously struggling to find a more delicate way to ask.

 “No, she’s not a fey, but she does sense the emotions of those around her.” replied James.

 “The fey!” exclaimed Dani, jumping and spinning around to face James.  “I forgot about them.  When can I meet them!?”  She was bouncing again, perfectly excited.

 “Let’s plan on tonight for most of them.  You’ll meet one sooner.” James assured her.  “Just don’t let her know how long we’ve been back, since she’ll be disappointed that I didn’t come see her first thing.  For now, let’s head to the dining room.  Marco’s probably done preparing dinner by now.”

 “Almost, Master.” stated Mila from the nearest speakers.  “We’re putting the finishing touches on at the moment.”

 “Perfect.” insisted James as he led the way.

 Reaching up to loop her arm around James’, Alma said, “I have missed his cooking.  This will be a treat.”

 “Marco’s cooking is always a treat.” agreed my husband as he and I followed with Dani happily bouncing along between us.  “Dani, how old are you?” he questioned, pointedly not looking right at her.

 “Almost fifteen.” she told him, almost sounding flirtatious.

 With her cosmetic differences, I hadn’t really paid too much attention to what the girl was wearing.  The violet shirt was incredibly form-fitting and had strategically placed slashes throughout it.  Her black shorts were just as tight with matching slashes up the sides, small as the sides are.  Though I had seen plenty of girls wearing similar clothes these days, this outfit seemed to be taking the idea of showing off one’s figure another step farther, and why was she barefoot?  Were her nails really that white, or were they painted?

 “When’s your birthday?” I asked.

 Her head whipped around, so she could stare into my eyes.  Her eyes really were beautiful… and large.  “Uh…” she muttered, looking as if she were thinking.

 “April nineteenth.” called Alma.

 “That’s the one!” exclaimed Dani, not the least embarrassed.

 “How long have you been studying English?  You’re doing quite well.” I told her.

 “I’m not too sure.” she shrugged.  Her eyes darted forward, locking onto James’ tiny fairy instantly.

 Visions of flight and feelings of joy followed immediately.  Speaking with and riding on a squirrel was a new experience for me, but the fairy made that seem quite enjoyable.

 “Daddy, she’s adorable!  I want to ride on the umm… the squirrel!” insisted Dani.  “I want to ride on a squirrel.  I guess they’re pretty small for her to ride them like that, but wasn’t that awesome!?”

 The diminutive fairy seemed interested in Dani, flying over to hover by Dani’s face, and a few seconds of silence passed.

 “I’m still not accustomed to feeling that.  What did you think, Dani?” I asked.

 “Oh, Mom’s shown me things like that before, so I’m used to it.” she told me, seemingly not at all surprised.

 “Will the others be joining us?” I inquired, surprised that the dining room was empty.

 “You can count on it, the ones who are here at least.” insisted James.  “A couple are out on jobs.  Jemal and Kayla should return soon.  He’s probably picking her up from her friend’s or on his way back with her already.  The ones here are just giving us a few minutes privacy while you get to know Dani a little.”

 “Isn’t it amazing how pretty all of Daddy and Mom’s friends are!?” exclaimed Dani, looking to me for confirmation.

 “I couldn’t agree more.  My wife and I would feel remiss in our apparel were we to leave home in anything too casual for a visit here.” replied my husband with a laugh.

 “You’re quite beautiful too, Dani.” I told her.

 “Thank you, grandmother!” she replied, grinning at me again.  Her smile was certainly the type that lit up rooms… and stole the hearts of boys.

 Still, I couldn’t get past what she called me.  Was I really a grandmother already?  “That will take some acclimation.” I admitted aloud.  “I wasn’t expecting to be a grandmother this morning.”

 “I blame Aaliyah.” stated James.  “She insisted that Dani go with ‘daddy’ for me.  Alma wasn’t about to be called ‘mommy’ but she didn’t want to have things sound too formal when I’m ‘daddy’.”

 Danni happily said, “And they thought ‘grandfather’ and ‘grandmother’ seemed right for you two.”

 “I suppose.” admitted my husband with a nod.

 “You three already seem so casual together.  If you’ll pardon my asking, Dani, but wasn’t being adopted by someone as young as… as these two… a bit odd?” I asked.

 Dani’s grin didn’t falter, only widening, as she told me “I feel like I’ve been with them for years.”

 “But they’re really not too much older than you.” insisted my husband.

 “Dani looked like she was going to argue, but snapped her mouth shut instead.  She was obviously amused by something.

 Alma, who had glided closer to us, took my husband’s hand in both of hers and said, “Getting used to the idea of me dating your son took a while too, but families can come about in the strangest of ways.  Please trust us on this.”

 He looked surprised, but nodded again.  “Life in this household will never be normal.  I have come to terms with it.”  Then he smiled at her and said, “I think marriage suits you.”

 “It really does.” she insisted, easily matching Dani for a beautiful smile.  Even next to Dani, Alma seemed otherworldly.

 “Let’s all take this end again.” suggested James as he walked to the far end of the table.

 The little fairy was obviously excited about the upcoming meal.  Thoughts and tastes of food entered my mind in rapid succession.

 “I want some of everything.” announced Dani wistfully.

 “She really is remarkable.  I should show you some of the paintings she’s inspired if you ever visit.” I suggested to her.

 “Daddy’s told me that you paint!  I’d love to see your work.” replied Dani hopefully.

 “You should paint together.” encouraged Alma with a mischievous smile.  “Dani has talent and has been well-trained in the arts.”

 “Really?  I’d love to paint with her.” I gladly admitted.  Painting was always fun, but painting with someone was a great way to bond, and I’d need to bond with this girl… my granddaughter.  The word still seemed strange.

 “Please forgive her if she cheats at times.” stated James.

 “What do you mean, dear?” I questioned, not able to guess how someone could cheat at painting.  Art was expression, and expression could take many forms.

 “Daddy, it’s not cheating!” insisted Dani indignantly.

 “Dani has a gift for magic and uses it when painting.” explained Alma.

 I hadn’t even considered that magic could be used for painting, at least not seriously.  Well into the meal, I was still marveling over the newest addition to my family.  She seemed to have endless reserves of energy as well as enthusiasm, acting as if everything was new and exciting.

[lovely-luminary]

Okay so I absolutely adore the sudden popularity of healthier ndrv3 pre game headcanons? So here are some of my thoughts about pre game Kaito that I wanted to share :D

*He has facial hair to make himself look older so he can get a job before he’s legally old enough

*Has worked 2.5 jobs since he was 15 and one is at the nursing home his grandparents currently live. The other is a run down gas station where he studies instead of doing his actual job 80% of the time, and the .5 is any other seasonal work he can get from local businesses during Holliday’s such as working at a shrine during New Years

*Wears so many layers because his button up work shirt is on under his school jacket so he can just go straight to work from school most days

*Lives in a shitty apartment alone with about a dozen house plants. He started taking care of them for his grandmother when she first had to move into the nursing home, but he has actually become quite fond of them

*When he gets really lonely/stressed sometimes he’ll smoke his grandfathers old kiseru pipe (he swipes tobacco from the gas station) and the smell reminds him of when he was younger and more carefree and his grandparents still lived with him

*Considers himself ‘Too busy for relationships and friendships’ and can be a bit stand off-ish at times, but that doesn’t stop him from practically adopting anyone who he registers as being mistreated in front of him (he doesn’t have sidekicks but like in game he doesn’t call people his friends either, so that he can maintain at least the illusion of distance from others)

*Actually studies a lot in the hope that he can get out of his shitty situation and take care of his grandparents more easily with a decent job (Though people often tell him it’s impossible that a punk like him would ever make anything of himself)

*Used to be bullied years ago (Mostly for not having parents or having older/worn looking clothes/school supplies) but now has a reputation for being a bully due to his hot headedness and sometimes physical rebuttals

*Despite this he has a pretty strict moral code about how others (especially those he perceives as vulnerable) should be treated. It was exacerbated by seeing how other old folks at the nursing home are often treated by their family members (like those that seldom visit or are visibly annoyed by the issues their older relatives have)

*He likes to tear up rich people neighborhoods and smash mailboxes to let off steam when the unfairness of life gets to be too much for him

*like in game he has a lot of adventurous stories, but it’s mostly stuff he tells to his grandmother (who has memory issues) to both keep her entertained and to not have to keep recapping how crappy his life is to her

*Never really got into danganronpa until he one day rescues local sweaty nerd Shuichi from bullies (it was 5 against 1- clearly he Had to step in) and he consequently gained a friend who loves to info dump to him about it during lunch periods

*Kaito is mainly interested in the concept of the prize money and how he could use it to get his grandparents into a better home and to ensure their health is taken care of, though he is also really interested in the lgbt characters from the series (for reasons he has trouble admitting to himself at first)

*Though Kaito has heard of gay people before it’s mostly in a casual way with negative connotations, and it’s only after Shuichi presents the concept in a positive and non judgmental way that Kaito can gather up the courage to let himself wonder if he himself might not be straight

*Kokichi is Shuichi’s casual friend as the only other openly gay kid in his class (though they are both technically bi), so Kaito subsequently gains Another friend at lunch times

*Kokichi, much like Kaito, is often overwhelmed by feelings of injustice but is more likely to resort to tears of frustration than fists ((also Kaito is a bit of a sympathetic crier so sometimes they both get overwhelmed while arguing about something petty and end up crying at each other))

*This leads to Kaito calling him a crybaby, then later baby doll (on account of how he can almost turn off the tears instantly like a toy), and eventually morphs into calling him doll face or just doll once they start dating (I really like the idea of pre game Kaito having old fashioned nick names that he gets from watching old soap opera reruns with his grandmother)

*Maki works at the same nursing home that kaito’s grandparents are at (volunteering looks good on resumes and it beats just going back to the orphanage once school lets out). They are casual acquaintances

*Kaito would rather die than talk about any hardships he’s going through. Very much so wants to handle Everything himself without showing signs that he’s struggling

*Overall more reserved than in game Kaito and tends to only be as loud when he’s angry or too excited, like when Kokichi ropes him into pulling off a dumb prank and he gets to feel like a kid again (Because even though he is still technically a kid he never really gets to let loose like one)

*During his audition he tries to act really exaggeratedly bloodlust-y because he is desperate to get picked and knows that its his best shot for standing out

[cristinablackthornkingson]

Shadowhunter’s Short Story #31.

It was a warm spring evening in March of 2014, the sun was just beginning to set, the days becoming longer now that Spring was well and truly here. Today, March 8th, is Max-Lightwood Bane’s 5th birthday. He had of course been spoiled rotten as usual, he had a wonderful, big party in the New York Institute, attended by all his friends and family, though Max mostly stuck with his big brother, their best friend Tavvy and their little cousin Cordelia Carstairs. Max had had a ball at his birthday party, he received so many presents and was surrounded by those who loved him all day, he had been  fussed over by his grandma and Aunty Isabelle, play fought with his Uncle Jace, had piggy back rides anywhere he wanted to go, from his Uncle Simon, he drew and painted with his Aunty Clary, listened to his Uncle Jem play violin, read with his Aunty Tessa, danced with his Aunty Catarina and played pranks with his Aunty Lily. The only person missing from the celebration was his grandpa, Robert, who had died 2 years ago. Max’s memory of his grandpa was faint, as he had only been 3 when he died, but he knew he loved him very much and he missed him a lot, but his dad said he was with The Angel now and looking out for their family, which made Max very happy. 

Magnus and Alec could hardly believe their baby was 5, it felt like just yesterday they had found him on the steps of The Academy, he was growing up far too fast for their liking, as was Rafe, who had the nerve to turn 7 at the end of last year. 

Currently, Magnus and Alec were standing in the doorway to their sons’ room, watching them sleep peacefully, snuggled up under the covers, warm and cozy, something Rafe had never had before he was adopted. 

“I wish they would stop growing up so fast.” Alec softly says, leaning against the door frame. 

“So do I, before we know it they’ll be teenagers.” Magnus lightly says, resting a hand on the small of Alec’s back. 

“Oh God, that will be fun.” Alec says in a sarcastic tone. Rafe and Max were a handful now at just 5 and 7, he dreaded to think how they would be when they were teenagers, especially if they were anything like their Uncle Jace and Aunt Isabelle. 

“Hey now, with The Consul as their dad, do you think they’re going to get up to much trouble?” Magnus lightly says. 

“Yes, they’ll probably get into more trouble knowing I can’t stay mad at them.” Alec says in an amused tone. 

“Especially if Rafe grows up to be like his namesake.” Magnus says, his mouth turning up into a smile. 

“Oh lord, Ragnor would love that.” Alec says, laughing lightly. 

“And Lily, she would be thrilled.” Magnus says. Alec sighs softly and slips his arms around Magnus’ waist. 

“I want another one.” He quietly says. 

“What, another Lily? Dear God why?” Magnus says in an exasperated tone. Alec laughs lightly and says 

“No, I mean I want another baby.” He had been wanting another baby for a while now, little Cordelia was giving him serious baby fever, and has been for the last two years since she was born, but he thought it would go away, but it hasn’t and he wants another baby more than anything. 

“Really?” Magnus quietly asks. He had secretly been wanting another child too, being a father was the best thing he had ever done and he adored it, Rafe and Max were his greatest achievements in life and what he was most proud of, he didn’t care that he helped Henry create the portal or that he was the one to find the demon who had ‘cursed’ Will and get it out of the demon that he hadn’t really cursed him at all, no he cared that he raised these two beautiful little boys and got the privilege of being their papa and loving them, that’s what he wants to be remembered for. 

“Yeah really, and this time... well... I-I’d quiet like to have a biological baby, don’t get me wrong, adoption is wonderful and beautiful and adopting Rafe and Max was the best thing I have ever done, they are mine no matter what anyone says, they’re mine, but I would love to have a biological child too, I would love to see myself in our child, I think it would so amazing, but I would be more than happy to adopt again.” Alec explains. Just a few months ago, Clary and Jace had had a baby boy who they named Stephen Lucian Herondale, after both his grandfathers and seeing his little nephew and seeing how much he looked like Jace, made Alec really want to have a biological child. 

“Alexander I think that would be a lovely idea, I would love to look at our child and see you in them, I think it would beautiful to be able to bond with our child before they are born, and be there to witness their birth, we don’t know anything about the boys’ births or medical history, Max came out of a horrible situation, we know that, but apart from that we know nothing, it’s unlikely but they could be predisposed to some horrible illnesses later in life, especially Max, this time we would know all that before the baby is even conceived, and the boys, they would be such wonderful big brothers.” Magnus softly says. 

“So you want to do it? You want to have another baby?” Alec asks in an excited tone. 

“Absolutely.” Magnus softly says, pulling Alec down for a kiss. 

________________________________________________________________

The day after Max’s 5th birthday, Magnus got in touch with Catarina and asked if anyone Shadowhunters had approached her or anyone in her hospital about becoming a surrogate. When he first became Consul, Alec passed a law that allowed Shadowhunters to seek mundane medical treatment for certain things, including HRT, surgery and anything else needed for someone to transition into their true gender (Diana helped with this one in particular and had offered to speak to other Shadowhunters wishing to transition, to talk about her experience and be there for them as someone to relate to, she was certainly not the only transgender Shadowhunter but she was one of the few who were out) treatment for things such as cancer, medication and/or therapy for mental illnesses, (Jocelyn was a huge advocate for this, having suffered severe post partum depression with both Jonathon and Clary) and Fertility Treatment, for anyone who needed it, no mater their gender, sexuality, family size, etc, if you wanted a child and were a fit and capable parent, and needed medical assistance, then you had every right to seek mundane medical treatment. 

Catarina told Magnus that she had in fact been approached buy a number of Shadowhunter women who wanted to help others have a child. She told him she would call around with the surrogates profiles (which included their picture, medical history, name, age, and everything you could possibly need to know) that evening after she finished work. That had been 4 hours ago, and now it was getting close to 1 A.M. Rafe and Max were sound asleep, but Magnus and Alec were wide awake, pouring over the 6 profiles Catarina had given them. They all seemed like amazing candidates, but for some reason, Magnus and Alec were continually drawn back to the profile of a young woman named Prija  Charoensuk. She’s the same age as Alec, 25, she’s tall with long black hair, and light brown skin. She’s originally from Thailand but moved to America when she was 18. 

Magnus and Alec decide to not make any decisions this early and agree to come back to it in the morning. 

A week after being presented with the surrogate profiles, Magnus and Alec had their hearts set on Prija Charoensuk carrying their baby. One morning, a week after Max’s birthday, Magnus had called Catarina and asked her to arrange a meeting between he, Alec and Prija. She agreed and got back to him a few hours later with the information that Prija was happy to meet them in two days time, at their home. They immediately began rushing around cleaning and tidying the apartment, begging Max and Rafe to stop making a mess. They asked Maryse to look after the boys for a few hours while they met with Prija, which she was more than happy to do. 

Today was the day they would meet the potential mother of their child, and neither of them had ever been so nervous. Prija was due to arrive in about 10 minutes. Alec had dropped the boys off with his mother about an hour ago, and arranged to pick them up that evening. The boys were delighted to be spending time with their grandma and didn’t ask any questions as to why they were staying with her for a while. 

When there’s a sharp rap at the door at 4:00 p.m on the dot, Alec practically jumps out of his skin.

“I’ll get it dear, you try and calm yourself.” Magnus calmly says, patting his husband’s arm before making his way to the front door. Upon opening it, he is greeted by Prija, who he instantly recognizes from her picture. 

“Magnus Bane?” Prija calmly asks. Magnus smiles at her and holds out his hand 

“Yes, pleasure to meet you, please come in.” He says, holding the door open and gesturing for her to step in. 

“Oh wow! This place is beautiful! You have wonderful taste!” Prija says, looking around her in awe. Magnus grins broadly and says

“Well I’m glad someone thinks so! It could be even better but with two little boys running around, I decided to keep it minimal, until they’re a bit older and can appreciate their papa’s style.” Prija laughs and says

“Yes, Catarina told me you had two sons, Max and Rafael, right?” 

“That’s right! Come this way and I’ll introduce you to my husband.” Magnus says, gesturing for her to follow him through to the sitting room where Alec was nervously waiting. 

“Prija, this is my husband, Alexander Lightwood-Bane, we’ve been together for 7 years.” Magnus says in a fond tone, once they enter the living room. 

Alec immediately stands up and shakes Prija’s hand. 

“Y-you’re The Consul.” Prija stutters her jaw dropping in disbelief. She had recognized his name of course, but she thought there was no way The Consul would want her to carry his child, she thought it was another couple playing a joke, she had agreed to come here to give them a piece of her mind about messing with such a serious issue, but hadn��t realized it really was The Consul and Magnus Bane until just now.

“I am, but please, don’t feel intimidated or anything, I am no better than you or any other Shadowhunter, and please, call me Alec, all my friends and family do, and I would like it if we became friends.” He gently says. He hadn’t thought about the fact that he is Consul may intimidate and frighten people off.

“It feels rather disrespectful.” Prija wearily says. 

“I don’t feel like it is, please, I want you to see me as just Alec Lightwood-Bane, dad and husband, not The Consul, we can compromise on Alexander, if you like.” Alec lightly says. Prija smiles wearily and says

“Alright, nice to meet you... Alexander.” 

“Nice to meet you too Prija, or would you rather I call you Miss Charoensuk?” He politely asks. 

“No, no of course you may call me Prija.” She says.

“Please, take a seat, would you like something to drink or eat?” Magnus asks. 

“No I’m fine thank you.” Prija says, sitting in an armchair facing Magnus and Alec on the sofa across from her. 

“So you’re interested in being a surrogate”? Magnus calmly asks. 

“Yes I am! I do not wish to have children of my own, I’ve known I don’t want kids since I was a teenager, but I always felt a little bit guilty, because there are so many people out there, like you, who desperately want a child but can’t have one, and I could probably easily carry a baby, but I don’t want kids. When I was about 22 I realized I could be a surrogate, I met Catarina shortly after I moved here and spoke to her about it and when you passed the new law, Alexander, she helped me build a profile that people having a child through surrogacy could look at it and decide whether they liked me or not. I haven’t carried before, no one has ever chosen me, so this would be my first pregnancy.” Prija explains. 

The three of them spend the next hour chatting and getting to know one-another and by the time they’ve talked everything through, Magnus and Alec are even more desperate for Prija to be their surrogate, she is a perfect match for them, no history of poor health, she’s fit and healthy, she’s a good person, not one The Cohort’s followers, and she’s great with kids, so Max and Rafe will love her. 

“Look, I’ve always said I’d take a week or so to think my final answer through, but I don’t need to, I would be more than happy to be your surrogate.” Prija tells Magnus and Alec. She never thought she would simply click with a couple so fast, but she has, has never met two kinder people more deserving of a child.

“Really?” Alec asks in a tone of disbelief. Prija grins broadly and nods.

“Yes, absolutely.” 

________________________________________________________________

It had been about 5 months since Magnus and Alec meet Prija, and decided to have another child. The first round of IUI happened about 3 weeks after they met Prija, but unfortunately it didn’t work, nor did the second, or the third, they were now on their fourth attempt and Alec was beginning to lose hope, the odds weren’t looking good and he and Magnus couldn’t afford more than another 2 rounds of IUI, they both had a lot of money, being The Consul paid well as did being The High Warlock of Brooklyn, but they couldn’t spend every penny they had on fertility treatment. 

It had been two weeks since the last round of IUI and Prija was coming over later today to take a pregnancy test. Magnus and Alec made it extremely clear that she absolutely did not have to come over to their place to take a pregnancy test, but she insisted and said she wanted to and that they should be there when they find out the result, especially if it’s positive. 

They had introduced Max and Rafe to Prija about a month ago, they didn’t tell them she might be having their brother or sister yet, instead they told them she was a friend of daddy’s from work who was going to around a lot for a while because she had to help their daddy with something for work. The boys accepted this no problem and instantly took to Prija, they adored her and she adored them, whenever she came over she was always playing with them, reading them stories, watching movies with them, taking them to the park, anything they wanted.

They all agreed that Prija would be a part of the baby’s life, and the baby would be brought up knowing they were born via surrogacy and that Prija is their birth mom and Alec is their biological dad. Prija wouldn’t be raising the baby or be called ‘mom’ by the baby or anything, she would be more like an aunt to the baby, which worked out well as Max and Rafe had started calling her Aunty. 

A  few hours later, Prija arrived to take a pregnancy test. She played and cuddled with the boys for a bit first, then excused herself to the bathroom to take the test. Magnus and Alec had herded the boys into their room so they wouldn’t have to know what was going on, and persuaded them to stay in there for a while by putting on a movie for them and letting them have chocolate and other candy, they would regret it when the boys didn’t sleep that night, but at the time it seemed worth it. 

Magnus and Alec were currently nervously waiting in the living room for Prija, as they always did. 

A few minutes after she had gone to the bathroom, Prija comes out with a completely neutral look on her face. 

“Well?” Alec nervously asks, jumping up from his seat. Prija breaks out into a huge smile and holds out the pregnancy test up for he and Magnus to see. 

“I’m pregnant.” she softly says, just as Alec realizes that the two lines on that test means positive. 

“Oh my god.” Alec quietly says clasping a hand to his mouth. 

“A-are you sure?” Magnus quietly asks, not knowing what else to say. 

“Yes, I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but I have been feeling a bit odd lately, a couple of days ago I had some spotting like Catarina said I would, it’s still really early, but yeah, I’m definitely pregnant.” Prija softly says. 

Alec rushes to her side and hugs her tightly, tears of joy rolling down his face. 

“Thank you, thank you so much.” He says in a tight tone. 

“You don’t have to thank me, I want to do this, you deserve to be parents.” 

The rest of Prija’s pregnancy went extremely smoothly, she had no serious pain or vomiting or anything, no bleeding at all, and according to The Silent Brothers, the baby was always healthy. 

Max and Rafe were beyond excited to be big brothers, they loved touching Prija’s bump and feeling the baby move and kick, they loved talking to their sibling too, Max always talked about pirates and books and everything he would teach his sibling, while Rafe loved to sing the baby Spanish lullabies. 

When Prija was two months pregnant, they found out from Brother Enoch that they were expecting a baby girl. Magnus and Alec were thrilled, they had both always wanted a daughter, they felt a little girl would complete their beautiful family, but would have been overjoyed with another baby boy too. 

They decided they wanted the baby’s first name to be Thai and her second name to be after someone close to her fathers. After a few weeks of discussing names, Magnus and Alec settled on the name Madee Teresa Lightwood-Bane, Teresa after Tessa, who was one of Magnus’ dearest friends, she was also extremely kind to Alec and his family, she had delivered Jace and Clary’s son, who was Magnus and Alec’s godson. 

Rafe and Max loved helping their daddy and papa decorate the nursery, though Madee would be sleeping in a bassinet beside Magnus and Alec’s bed for the first few months. One evening, while Alec was out, Magnus used his magic to assemble the crib, he told the boys not to tell their dad, but of course they squealed on their papa, but Alec didn’t mind, he was just glad the damn thing was built. 

Prija was currently nine months pregnant, only a few days from her due date, and everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of baby Madee. Prija had decided to give birth in the NY Institute, in the infirmary, with a Silent Brother present to witness the birth as was tradition, and a Clave midwife there to deliver the baby. She only lived about twenty minutes from The Institute and therefore not far from Magnus and Alec, so she didn’t feel the need to stay with them or in The Institute as her due date approached. 

Today was a rare quiet day for Magnus and Alec, which meant they could stay home and be with their boys. Right now, Max is watching videos on Alec’s phone, and Rafe is helping Magnus organize his wardrobe, which really meant he was putting on shirts Magnus had discarded, jelled up his hair and ran around exclaiming that he was papa. 

“Daddy!” Max says, running up to Alec and holding the phone out to him. Alec sees Prija’s number on the screen, her call having paused Max’s videos. Alec was glad hadn’t hung up and resumed his videos. 

“Thanks buddy.” Alec says, taking the phone and ruffling his son’s hair. 

“Hey Prija, is everything okay?” Alec casually answers the phone, as Max plops himself down on Alec’s foot, wrapping his arms around his leg. Alec was use to walking through the apartment with Max hanging off his leg, at this stage, it hardly phased him at all anymore. 

“You’re gonna need to come to the Institute.” Prija says in what sounded like a strained voice. 

“Is everything okay? Is the baby okay?” Alec asks in a panicked tone. 

“Everything’s fine, I just... my water broke.” Prija says. Alec almost drops the phone in shock, he had not been expecting her to say that.

“We’ll be right there.” He says, before hanging up and shoving the phone in his pocket. 

“Max, can you get off please? I need to talk to papa.” Alec gently asks his son. Max shakes his head and says 

“Nu uh! I never letting you go again, daddy!” 

“What if I carry you instead?” Alec tries to compromise. 

“Okay!” Max exclaims, reaching up. Alec easily swings him up into his arms and makes his way to his and Magnus’ room. 

“Magnus.” He calls, just before stepping into the room. 

“Everything alright, Alexander?” He calmly asks, hanging one of his shirt up. 

“I just got a call from Prija, the baby’s coming.” 

________________________________________________________________

Prija had a very quick labor, only lasting four hours in total. Magnus and Alec never once left her side, Max and Rafe were with Clary and Jace, fussing over baby Stephen. 

After Prija had given birth and snuggled and bonded with Madee a bit, the midwife suggested Alec and Magnus take the baby and bond with her while she helped Prija clean up. So they were currently in Alec’s old room, and had yet to really properly see their daughter. 

“Here Alexander, you hold her first.” Magnus softly says, holding the baby out to his husband. Alec carefully takes the baby into his arms and pulls her blankets back to get a proper look at her. She had beautiful brown skin like Prija, and thick, curling black hair like Alec, she had Alec’s eye color too, and his eye shape, mouth shape and nose shape, she had Prija’s pallor and bone structure. She was absolutely perfect. 

As Alec gazes at his daughter, he can’t help the tears that well up in his eyes and roll down his face, he had never held a baby and met a baby knowing they were his, when he held Max and met Rafe he instantly wanted to bring them home but didn’t know if Magnus would want that, so couldn’t for sure say they were his boys, but he could for sure say this sweet little girl was his, his beautiful baby daughter. 

“Alexander, what is it? What’s wrong?” Magnus softly asks, putting an arm around his husband’s shoulder. 

“Nothing, nothing at all, she’s just so beautiful and perfect, and I can’t believe she’s really ours.” Alec says in a tight tone of voice. 

“She is rather perfect.” Magnus softly says, gently stroking his daughter’s cheek, with the back of his finger. Madee reaches out and grabs his finger, bringing Magnus close to tears too. 

“I never thought we’d have this, a marriage, two beautiful little boys and a beautiful little girl, I never thought I would get to have any of this, not happily anyway, I thought I would have to marry a girl and have children with her, and I never wanted that, I have always wanted to be a dad but I didn’t want to have kids with someone I didn’t love,.” Alec says in a remorseful tone, wiping at his tears. 

“I never thought I would have children either, I always knew I would like to have kids, but nobody ever wanted to adopt with me, and I knew I couldn’t be a single parent, I always settled for being the fun uncle, but when I saw Tessa with her children, I knew I wanted that for myself someday, I just never thought it would happen, our three babies are blessings for me, I’m not a religious person, you know that, but our little ones are a blessing and I know that, they’re our miracles.” Magnus softly explains, gazing down at his beautiful daughter. 

Finally, after centuries, Magnus feels truly happy and complete. 

Keep an eye out for part two where Madee meets her brothers and the rest of her family, coming soon!