#and Jace is like okay TONIGHT I’ll eat him but never does

[whoblewboobear]

😮‍💨 Mermaid Jace x Sailor Porter au

[rhosyn-du]

Never make a mess when a total catastrophe will do - Epilogue

Pairings: Jimon, past Clace, background Clizzy, a bunch of other minor background pairings Rating: Explicit Art: @cor321​ Beta: @all-thestories-aretrue​ Tags:  Alternate Universe - College/University, fake dating, oh my god they were roommates, friends with benefits, idiots to lovers, pining, miscommunication, holidays, drinking games, mistletoe, symbolically significant Oreos, domestic fluff, brief mention of past character death, Jace’s self-worth issues deserve their own tag Summary: What do you do when you find out your sister is not only dating your ex and love-of-your-high-school-life but is also bringing her home for Christmas? Bring your annoying, hot, annoyingly-hot roommate as your fake boyfriend to show them you're totally fine with it, obviously! There's no possible way this could backfire. Link: AO3 , Tumblr Master Post

Epilogue

“How is this the third store we’ve visited that’s out of cranberry sauce?”

“Because it’s eleven in the morning on Thanksgiving Day?” Maia threw Simon a look that clearly said ‘duh.’ “I’m honestly surprised we managed to snag those last two pie crusts.”

“I should never have let myself get distracted while I was doing my shopping on Monday.” He fixed Jace with a stern glare. “No more distracting me at the grocery store.”

“You were pretty into my distraction, if I recall correctly,” Jace said with a lazy grin.

“You’re laughing now, but you’ve never seen Bubbe Helen when she doesn’t get cranberries on Thanksgiving. You don’t even know.”

Jace wrapped his arms around Simon’s waist, pulling him close. “Hey, we’ll find Bubbe Helen her cranberries. We’ve still got a hundred miles left between here and New York. There’s bound to be a store along the way that still has cranberries.”

Simon relaxed in his arms with a sheepish smile. “You’re right. I’m being dumb.”

“It’s not dumb,” Jace corrected gently. “It’s tradition, and it’s important to people you love.”

“Wow, holidays make you really sappy,” Simon teased.

“You make me really sappy,” Jace corrected, reaching for Simon’s left hand. He brought it to his lips, placing a kiss on the knuckle right above his father’s ring. The same ring he’d used when he actually proposed two weeks ago, at the same table in Java Jones where they’d made their list of fake dating rules all those months ago. He’d hidden the ring under his muffin, knowing Simon would steal the last bite like he always did, and even though it wasn’t the kind of grand, romantic gesture his siblings had suggested when he asked for their help, it was theirs, and the look on Simon’s face when he said yes was really all that mattered.

“You make me pretty sappy, too,” Simon said, drawing him into a kiss.

“If you two start making out in the middle of the canned goods aisle, I’m stealing the van and going to New York without you.”

Jace pulled away from the kiss to give Maia an unimpressed look. “No one’s making you watch.”

“Yeah, but every minute I have to spend waiting for you is one I don’t get to spend with my girlfriend, who I live two-hundred miles away from and only get to see maybe once a month if I’m really lucky.”

“She does have a point,” Simon said. “Plus, Becky can be really vindictive when she wants to be, and she’s got easy access to the room we’re sleeping in tonight.”

“And the longer we stand around here, the longer other people have to buy all the cranberries at other stores,” Maia pointed out.

“Fine,” Jace relented, releasing Simon. “Let’s go find some cranberries.”

Simon took his hand, and Jace could feel the warm metal of his ring pressing into his skin.

~~~

“We have cranberries!” Maia announced as they entered the Lewis home.

“Oh, thank god,” Becky said. “Someone was starting to get a little agitated.” She raised her eyebrows and tilted her head significantly toward the kitchen.

“So, you’re only happy to see me for my cranberries, huh?” Maia teased.

“I’ve got a whole list of reasons I’m happy to see you.” Becky gave her a quick kiss, then turned to poke Simon in the ribs. “But I’m only happy to see this fool for his cranberries.”

“Hey!” Simon protested, poking her right back.

“I guess I just don’t even rate, huh?” Jace asked.

Becky turned a wide, mischievous smile on him. “Oh, no. I’m happy to see you for an entirely different reason. I want to offer you a trade.”

“Don’t do it,” Simon said. “She’s sneaky, and she will rip you off.”

“I am sneaky,” Becky agreed, “but this is totally above board.” She turned back to Jace. “I hear that you and Maia are drinking buddies.”

“I’m not sure I like where this is going,” Maia commented.

“That’s probably a pretty accurate description of our relationship, sure,” Jace agreed.

“Which means you’ve seen Maia drunk,” Becky continued. “Which means you probably have embarrassing stories about my girlfriend. Stories that I’m more than willing to trade embarrassing stories of my brother to hear.”

“See?” Simon pointed at his sister. “Sneaky.”

“Yeah, babe, I’m not sure you’ve actually thought this through,” Maia said.

“No, I have,” Becky told her with a smirk. “I’ve also thought up all kinds of ways to convince you to forgive me.”

“Please don’t elaborate,” Simon said.

“Okay,” Maia said, “but I have an even better deal for you.”

“I’m listening.”

“How about we both tell embarrassing stories about Simon and Jace over dinner.” Maia leaned in and finished in a low voice. “And then you can show me how you were planning to get me to forgive you when we get back to your place tonight.”

“Oh,” Becky said. “Yeah, that’s a much better deal.” She turned to Jace. “Sorry, got a better offer. No hard feelings?”

Jace shrugged, biting back a laugh. “I mean, I can’t really blame you.”

“Is it too late to do Thanksgiving with your family?” Simon asked Jace. “Or we could just sit in the van and eat cranberries out of the can. That’s also an option that would be preferable to this.”

“Oh good, you found the cranberries.” Bubbe Helen emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. She walked over and pulled Simon into a hug. “I knew my grandson would come through.”

Behind her, Becky shook her head emphatically, mouthing ‘lies.’

Simon kissed his grandmother’s cheek. “It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without cranberries.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying.” She turned a critical eye on Jace. He was pretty sure she still held a bit of a grudge over him supposedly proposing to Simon in a storage closet. “And what are your thoughts on cranberries?”

“Oh, uh.” Jace was pretty sure he’d never thought much about cranberries before this morning’s frantic search across half of New England. “I’m definitely pro-cranberry.”

“Speaking of which,” Simon interrupted, “we should get these groceries to the kitchen and get started on the pies. You’re going to love Jace’s pecan pie, Bubbe Helen. It’s the best I’ve ever had.”

“Pecan, huh?” Bubbe Helen gave Jace a considering look.

Jace nodded. “With browned butter. It’s a family recipe.” Technically, it was Alec’s recipe, but Alec was family, so he figured it counted.

Bubbe Helen nodded. “You’ll do.” Then she turned with a wide smile to greet Maia, and Jace let out a relieved sigh.

As they made their way to the kitchen, Simon bumped Jace with his shoulder and spoke in a low voice. “It’s cute that my grandmother makes you nervous.”

“It’s not cute,” Jace muttered. “She’s terrifying.”

When they arrived in the kitchen, Simon’s mother was checking the turkey.

“Another half-hour, I think,” she told them as she closed the oven door. “If you work fast, you can put the pies in as soon as the turkey comes out. I cleared some counter space where you can work over there. Do not touch anything else.

“Hi, sweetie,” she added as an afterthought, giving Simon a quick hug.

Simon returned the hug. “Hi, Mom. Pie plates still in the same place?”

“Bottom cabinet to the left of the sink,” she confirmed. “Is there anything else you two need to get started on the pies?”

“Pie plates to the left of the sink, half an hour, don’t touch anything,” Jace repeated back to her. “I think we’re good.”

“Perfect. I’m going to go toss the linens in the dryer. You boys get started on those pies, and I’ll be back to check on the turkey in,” she checked her watch, “twenty-eight minutes.”

Jace watched long enough to make sure she was out of earshot before saying, “If we’re ever crazy enough to do joint holidays, she and Maryse cannot be allowed in the kitchen at the same time.”

Simon chuckled. “Mom can be a little intense about holidays being perfect, but I think it’s just because she wants us to enjoy them.”

“I get it.” Jace knelt down to retrieve the pie plates from the cabinet. “I mean, you saw what Maryse and Alec were like just over Christmas dinner. Military campaigns are less well-orchestrated than Thanksgiving at the Lightwood house.”

“Is it weird having Thanksgiving here instead of with your own family?” Simon asked as he rolled out a pie crust.

Jace set the pie plates down next to the pastry mat. “I am having Thanksgiving with my family. I’m having it with you.”

Simon smiled without looking up from the pastry mat. “If you keep saying romantic things, I’m going to kiss you, and then we’ll never get the pies ready to go in the oven on time.”

“I wasn’t being romantic,” Jace insisted. “It’s just, it took me a long time after the Lightwoods took me in to really start thinking of them as family, to accept that they thought of me as family. I’m not sure I ever would have if it wasn’t for Alec and Iz. They taught me that family can be people you choose, not just something you’re born with.” He shrugged. “And I chose you.”

Simon looked up from the now perfectly-rolled pie crust. “That was super romantic.”

“Maybe a little,” Jace conceded. He lifted the crust into one of the pie plates and began smoothing it into the corners.

“That’s actually part of why I wanted us to do Thanksgiving here this year,” Simon said as he began rolling out the second crust. “I know you haven’t always felt like you had a family, and even though I know you do now, I wanted to show you that you get to have my family now, too.”

Jace wound his arms around Simon’s waist. “Now who’s being romantic?”

The pies were not ready to go into the oven on time.

[beclynn-herondale]

You Are needed

(This is more therapeutic for me and I wanted more Jace and Magnus bonding)

It was getting late and Jace was sitting on a park bench just waiting for Clary and Alec to finally send a message that they were alright, they had gone a mission together and told Jace and Izzy to stay at the institute to take care of things.

It had been a slow day at the institute and so Izzy went off to do her thing and once Jace had finished his paperwork he had noticed it had been over several hours since they had left and no one had contacted to say they were okay.

Most people we brush it off and say they are most likely okay, but Jace wasn't like that as much as he tried to fool everyone on the outside, on the inside he always got extreme anxiety when the ones he loved were on missions or doing something that could get them hurt.

Jace tried to push these feelings down and just ignore them in the past but as he was growing and learning that feelings are okay he started feeling things he hadn't felt in so long and sometimes it was too much, his anxiety was starting to get unbearable with the thoughts of 'what if they are gone?' or 'what if they won't come back?'

It's not that Clary and Alec aren't good fighters, angel knows they are two of the best damn Shadowhunters Jace knows and just don't receive the credit they deserve cause some people suck.

No he just replays these things in his head whenever they go on missions, cause he isn't there to make sure they come home.

He knows they will have each other's backs no matter what but you never know when you live this lifestyle, and lately Jace was remembering things he didn't want to remember, things he wishes he could erase and never have to think about again.

He was remembering the dreams he had about losing Clary and he was thinking about Thule and how there Alec is dead and when he does think about both of them being dead or gone, he finds he can't breathe and he doesn't know he could live without them, he knows he would have to go on, but could he actually be able to?, But he would for everyone else, but he knows he wouldn't be himself, not his actual self if anything ever happened to them.

And he was thinking about every other negative thing and feeling he has ever had and so he went to the park in hopes of maybe not breaking down, cause he noticed as he started letting himself feel again, that feelings are important but they can also suck.

He heard footsteps and snapped back into reality, and there was Magnus approaching the bench Jace was sitting on, he sat down next to Jace, they stayed silent for a few moments.

"Have you heard anything from them?" Jace asked.

"No, you?" He replied.

"Nope, but I hope something comes in soon or I may start to go crazy," Jace said. And he realized he just let out his true feelings and wished he could take it back.

"I know how you feel," said Magnus.

"I am just worried about them," Jace said.

"I know, I am too, and if you want to talk I will listen, I know we have a odd relationship perhaps, but Alec and Biscuit love you and in that love, I too have some, and besides sometimes it's good to share our thoughts and feelings with someone or we'll go mad," Magnus said. And Jace could tell he wanted to be distracted and have his mind taken off things as much as Jace did

"I suppose you're right," he replied.

"I do tend to be often," Magnus said as a joke, which Jace appreciated.

humor was his coping mechanism and so we're jokes, he never really meant half the things he said, he just always wanted to make the mood lighter and make everyone feel at ease if he could, and avoid talking about his feelings cause sometimes it just hurt too much and he didn't want to cry, and he knew Magnus was the same in ways.

"So do you have any deep secrets you have held in for so many years, that you are dying to let out?" Magnus asked jokingly.

But there was stuff Jace held in and never shared, there were things he never even told Clary or Alec about himself cause he couldn't bear to hurt them and see the pain in their eyes.

"You know there is but I don't know if I'll ever tell them," he answered

"Jace..., Are you okay?" Magnus asked in a much more serious voice.

And Jace's heart was begging him to just say that no he wasn't and that some things were still eating him away, but how do you tell anyone these things really, especially when you know everyone has there own burdens and you telling yours would just make the load heavier?

"Do you actually want to know or are you just being polite like you always are?" He said, and he could hear the emotion in his voice and cursed himself.

"I mean it Jace, I know we both joke around and pretend we are always alright, and we may act like we annoy each other, but I do know we are similar in some ways, as much as it pains me to admit that, but if there is something bothering you then tell me, don't tell me as Alec's husband or Clary's mentor, tell me as a friend who is concerned about you," he said, "oh and you won't hear me say that again," he added again to lighting things, he knew Jace preferred it that way.

"There's a lot but I suppose today, one thing I can't seem to stop thinking about is a time when someone told me 'Jace stop killing yourself, cause the world is going to need you.' and you know I hate that the person was right, and I hate more that I can't quite remember who told me it, and I hate that I still doubt it at times," he said, he knew he would never normally say this and he should be thinking more about other things but part of him is asking himself if that's so true then why am I not there with them to have their backs?

"Well, I am going to be honest for a moment since you are letting your rare vulnerable side out all of a sudden, the world does need you Jace and so does Alec and Biscuit, look at everything you have done and look at the people you have given hope to and helped, I can tell you if you were not here today the world would be a little less bright, you are one of the rare souls who want to do good and leave the world a better place, don't let that pass you by J-Bear," Magnus said.

Jace realized him and Magnus had never really been this open and vulnerable with each other and it may not happen again, cause if Jace was being honest he was a little shit at times when it comes to feelings and being honest about them.

"J-Bear?, What's that?," He asked amusingly

"Oh just a nickname I have for you but never use cause you have so many moments where you just lose the chance of me calling you it," Magnus said jokingly.

Jace was happy they were back to joking, he was good at this kind of interacting

"On a serious note, I like it, but if you tell anyone about this I will sent the whole thing," he said.

And they both laughed and just sat there poking fun at each other, and Jace had to admit he did feel better.

Later they got a message from Clary and Alec saying for reason they weren't able to send any messages cause of the area they were in but that they were okay and would be home soon

Jace and Magnus hugged and Magnus said "it's okay J-Bear and they are okay,"

They both agreed to never mention this to any ever but that it was nice, Jace knew that Magnus likes helping people and that it made him feel better and helped him cope, so he supposed they both got something out of today, and tonight they would both sleep well knowing the ones they loved were safe.

[imjeralee]

Comfort in Despair: Chapter 27 - Spiritomb’s Revenge

Leon x F!Reader

Disclaimer: Do not own Pokemon

Summary:

Galar is rich in folklore and tales of the supernatural.

As a Pokemon Researcher who specialises in ghost types, this is a great opportunity for you to investigate and learn more about the paranormal.

Along the way, you meet Leon (in the most awkward way possible) who becomes embroiled in your adventures.

^ Basically this story is about ghosts :/

NOTE: This is a pretty violent/brutal chapter. sorry if it upsets you. The madness of this fic reaches another level. Warnings for blood, torture, violence. 

Rating: General/Teen

@marydragneell​ here is the latest update

Spiritomb’s Revenge

…

…

["I suppose I should be upset, even feel violated, but I'm not. No, in fact, I think this is a friendly message, like ‘Hey, wanna play?’ And yes, I want to play. I really, really do.”

- Dexter]

…

…

Wyndon Police Station.

The station is in uproar. The lines have been ringing off the hook since early morning and have not stopped since. It is now lunchtime, but it looks like no-one will be able to grab a bite to eat.

In Postwick, roughly 11am, a man attacked a woman with her baby as she took a stroll near the Slumbering Weald. The suspect is still at large.

In Turrfield, twenty minutes later, an old couple were robbed at point-blank and subsequently beaten to death. The suspect then fled into Route 5. Searches proved ineffectual.

In Hulbury, half an hour later, a woman had reportedly jumped into the sea. Divers are still searching for her.

In Motostoke, ten minutes later, a middle-aged man fell to his death after he was pushed over the railing of the second level of the city by a young girl. The young girl has been brought into questioning but does not recall any of her actions.

In Hammerlocke, the CCTV of the vault picked up a masked individual attempting to steal the treasures within. The suspect was later apprehended but has no recollection of the incident. It was later revealed he is a kiosk worker at the stadium and he was on his lunch break.

There’s plenty more, at least five to six maximum cases of assault, robbery, suicide, manslaughter, murder or other petty crime per city and it’s doubling as the hours go pass, and Graves rubs his chin as waves upon waves of police officers report to him a startling increase of unrelated, independent events.

This is very strange. This has never happened before in Galar. This is madness. The reporters and journalists have already jumped on this, firing out Breaking News and Shocking Stories of a region overtaken by madness. They call it mass hysteria whilst some people are debating, calling it domestic terrorism.

There are worse reported crimes taking place in bigger cities like Wyndon and Hammerlocke, where concentrations of civilians are higher. Have all the criminals decided to let loose today? Is this some cult movement? Some online, social media movement?

After barking some orders to his colleagues and coordinates, Graves quickly weaves into his office and picks up his phone to call his goddaughter.

“Hello?”

He’s grateful she picked up. “It’s me.”

“What’s up?”

“What’s up? What’s up? Have you not been watching the news?”

“No, I’m outside with Jace. We’re at the airport to send Volkner off.”

He grumbles. “Goddamnit, go home when you’re done, you hear me? Stay home tonight. The whole region’s gone crazy.”

…

Wedgehurst.

The old woman knocks on the front door of the quaint little detached house with her Applin in her hand and waits. A short while later, footsteps can be heard approaching; it opens and a little boy peers through the small gap of the door.

“Hullo,” he says.

It’s Granny Smith. She lives next door and bakes him and his family plenty of apple pies.

She gives him a wide smile, the wrinkles on her face bunching together. “Hello Johnny!” she says in her soft and gentle voice, “is everything alright? I heard some very loud noises…”

The boy cocks his head to the side as she tries to sneak various peeks inside the house; he keeps blocking her, darting his head to the left as she bobs to the right and so forth.

“What loud noises?” he asks, the corners of his lips tugging upwards into a small smile.

“Just some very strange, very loud noises,” she says, “where's your mother?”

“Out.”

“Where's your father?” she asks, before she sniffs and giggles. “What a lovely smell.”

“Yes. My dad is in the kitchen, making lunch.”

“Oh, how lovely. And here I thought you were in trouble for a moment there. Have you seen the news? It’s utter chaos out there today.”

“No, as you can see…everything’s fine.”

She nods in agreement, stroking Applin’s tail. “I’ll be off then. Sorry for bothering you.”

“Goodbye,” Johnny says, then he promptly slams the door shut. It trembles violently in its doorframe with a loud ‘slam’.

“Oh," squeaks granny, a little startled.

She slips Applin into her bag and begins to shuffle out of their front lawn, throwing a glance over her shoulder; she sees him peeking at her retreating back behind the safety of the drawn blinds of their living room and when he’s caught, he ducks from sight.

When she’s away from view, Johnny leaves the lounge and into the kitchen where two chairs stand side-by-side and a man and woman are bound by plastic nylon cable ties, their arms fastened behind their backs and their ankles tied together.

Their mouths are covered by gags fastened securely around the back of their heads and as the boy approaches with a grin, they flail and shake their heads violently, their shouts for help muffled.

…

“Who was that?” Jace asks as you hang up the phone.

“Graves, he said there’s a sudden spike in crime in Galar today and told me to be careful,” you utter.

“That’s weird, I wonder what’s going on.”

You have a bad feeling about this. “Jace, let’s go.”

You are with Jace at Galar International Airport; Volkner has left Galar. He’s already boarded his flight to Sinnoh and should have taken off by now, having thanked you and Jace once again for the hospitality.

With coffees in hand, you and Jace head for the train station that will take you to Wyndon where you will get a Corviknight taxi home.

“I better give Leon a quick call,” you murmur, and Rotom quickly dials the Champion for you.

It rings for a few seconds before it’s picked up.

“Hey,” says Leon, and despite the noisy background, you can hear the excitement and affection in his voice when he greets you. You’re certain you can hear him grinning, too.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Yep! Everything alright?”

“Graves said there’s a lot of crimes today, he told me to be careful.”

“I haven’t heard, I’m doing a photoshoot for Densoku right now,” he replies. “Where are you? I’ll be done soon; I can come get you when I’m finished.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine, I’m with Jace right now. We’re good. I just wanted to check up on you, that’s all. I’ll check if Hop and your mum are okay when I get back to Wedgehurst.”

“Okay, thanks, that would be great."

As you continue your conversation with Leon, Jace sips his coffee quietly and you hang up. He’s still feeling lukewarm towards Leon, neutral towards your relationship with the Champion.

“Is he okay?” Jace mutters, and you nod.

Whilst you wait with tourists and commuters on the busy platform along with their pokemon, this a perfect opportunity to discuss with Jace about his new job.

“I thought about it for a long time, and I decided to go for it. I’ll be an electrician at Sunyshore gym,” he says, “Volkner’s always tried to get me a job but I didn’t complete my training in time and when I did, all the jobs were gone.”

“Oh, so…you really are going to leave Galar,” you mumble.

A brief silence occurs; Jace glances at you worryingly and you look at him with a thin, watery smile.

“I’ll come and visit you.”

“I know you will.”

Eventually, the tannoy announces the train is approaching and to stay clear from the yellow lines on the platform; the train finally arrives, chugging to a gradual stop and the doors whoosh open.

A mix of tourists, and men and women in business suits with their pokemon pour out and the travellers on the platform, including yourself and Jace, pile into the awaiting carriage. Unfortunately all the seats are swiftly taken so you’re the only unlucky folk who have no choice but to stand, so you and Jace hog a small section near one of the doors, holding onto one of the handles as the train begins to move.

The conversation continues.

“I’m sorry, chuck.”

“Don’t be sorry! You’ve been offered a job you’ve always wanted! You can’t pass up on this opportunity.”

“Y-yeah, I know...I’ll miss you,” he murmurs, and he shifts his gaze to the window, watching the peaceful Galar scenery roll by. It changes from the industrial-looking airport to a highway full of speeding vehicles. Jace says, sighing, “I’ll miss you a lot.”

“Me too, but I’m really happy for you, Jace,” you reply, following his gaze to look outside the window, at the sheep pokemon.

The train enters a tunnel with a loud fwoosh and the peaceful greenery is immediately replaced with an inky black screen; the windows go dark with your reflections and behind you, a tall and shadowy figure suddenly appears.

The carriage grows cold, the temperature dropping and your body begins to tremble. Jace speaks but you can no longer hear him, his voice fading away into the background. In a split second, fear grips you like a vice, your heart grasped and squeezed, your chest about to pop. Your eyes promptly widen when you realise what is responsible for this, yet somehow you are able to move, to whip round to face the entity only to greeted with empty space and the carriage begins moving again, Jace's voice returning.

"-so I know I've always wanted to be an electrician but-"

His words fall on deaf ears as you frantically search the area with your gaze. There was no-one nearby; the seats are all filled with sleepy businessmen whilst a couple stands in the corner near the opposite doors playing with their Pokemon, who aren't affected.

"Did you see that?"

"See what?"

"A shadow," you utter. "There was something standing behind me the moment the train went into the tunnel."

Jace raises a brow and looks around you. "No, I've been standing beside you the entire time and didn't see anything. Are you okay?"

Unsure what to think of it, you hastily clear your throat and force a nod. "Y-yes, I'm fine. Never mind. Sorry, um...I'm probably tired; it was... probably just a trick of the eye," In an attempt to return to the conversation, you say, “You said you've always wanted to be an electrician?”

He nods. “Yeah, I’m really excited. I start in two months. That’ll give me time to get used to the region and find a place to stay. Volkner’s letting me stay with him for the first few months of course, but I should really find my own apartment…”

“You don’t sound so sure.”

He looks at you and smiles widely. “Ah, sorry! No, I am sure, it’s just…maybe I’m getting too attached to Galar. Chuck, would you…ever go back to Kalos?”

“I’m not sure. Probably not. Too many bad memories.”

“Hm, I see."

When the train emerges from the tunnel, the sunshine seeps into the train and the highway disappears, revealing bountiful green pastures full of grazing Wooloos and Dubwool.

However, you cannot shake off what you saw.

Meanwhile, the small TV screen fixed on the train’s walls blasts out news of violent crimes appearing all throughout Galar.

When the train arrives in Wyndon, you and Jace split up and you take a Corviknight taxi to Postwick where you quickly check up on Leon’s family; they are fine, deciding to stay at home due to recent news.

Returning home, Sonia greets you. “Hey, you’re back! Ezra's here!”

"Huh?” you exclaim as you enter the house, slipping off your shoes.

You glance at the conservatory where you see a familiar old man in a black duster with an Absol seated quietly on one of the white sofas. A flowery teacup and teapot sits on the table for him, but he’s left it untouched. The fragile decorum contrasts heavily with his dark, grungy appearance.

“Ezra!” you squawk as you head over. “You're here! I was worried about you, and there’s something I need to tell you-”

His eyes are closed and as you approach, he begins to cough, blood leaking out from the corner of his mouth and as you grab a tissue for him from the box, he shakes his head and wipes it away with his sleeve.

“I’m fine.”

“You need to go to hospital.”

“No, not yet; we need to stop Spiritomb,” he grunts.

“Spiritomb??”

“Yes, those crimes. They’re all Spiritomb’s doing. It’s going on a rampage.”

Sonia exchanges concerned glances between you and the old man.

“It’s possessing people…specifically those with immense evil in their hearts, and carrying out attacks before quickly leaving the host. It’s the work of the one hundred and eight spirits we sealed away,” he mutters, “they are clashing and fighting for control, with one personality taking over at one time… hence why the crimes that have been reported are so varied.”

“Got it,” you reply with a nod, and Ezra shifts to get up and off the couch. “Any leads?”

“Yes. I detected its presence in Wedgehurst. Let’s go now before it escapes.”

“Okay.”

“Wait!” Sonia intervenes at once, waving her hands in the air. “No, don’t go, this is too dangerous!”

“Don’t worry, Sonia. Ezra and I know what we’re doing,” you tell her with a smile.

It’s been a while since you and Ezra have worked together.

…

“The hate is strong in this one,” says Johnny, before he glances at the helpless couple he’s kept tied up in the kitchen, “I guess he has you to thank for that since you're the ones who raised him into such a disrespectful and vile spoiled brat. Let me give you a little taste.”

Sidling to the microwave, the two begin to cry with fear and flail against their bounds as he opens the door and pulls out the crudely sliced and half-cooked body of a Spearow, sliding the slushy, gooey red remains of the bird pokemon onto a porcelain plate before he grabs a fork and returns to the couple’s side.

“Open up,” Johnny says as he steps behind the father’s chair and pulls the gag out of his aching mouth.

His lips are crusted all over with spit, dry and wet, and the man shakes his head fiercely in a futile act of protest, hot tears streaming down his eyes as Johnny grabs a handful of the meat. Mangled flesh and deep red ooze drips over the boy’s small fist before he promptly smears the meat over the man’s mouth, his fingers and nails soaked with rancid blood.

The man fights to keep his jaws clenched tightly together in a desperate bid to refuse, but Johnny counters by gripping his chin tightly and with two fingers, roughly forces his jaw open, allowing him to stuff morsel after morsel down the man’s gullet. He chokes, gagging uncontrollably but Johnny merely picks the pieces up and rams them down his throat once more.

“Don’t waste food. There are starving children in some parts of the world,” he says.

The woman screams relentlessly at the morbid sight, squeezing her eyes shut with fright whilst jerking fiercely against her bonds, shaking and flinging her back against the chair as with as much strength as she can gather, the chair legs scraping an inch across the floor.

When the meat is all gone and the man is left rasping and panting, a few red blobs and chunks of flesh drop to the floor in messy piles, and Johnny abandons the now-empty plate in favour for a plastic bag he’s kept near the microwave, looping it over the man’s head and tying the handles firmly around the front of his neck.

Terrified, the man’s eyes dart left and right, the insides of the bag fogging over from his shaky breaths.

“Johnny! Stop!” the woman screams, and the boy briefly pauses in his actions to slap her harshly across the face with the back of his hand.

Her head snaps viciously to one side, hair strewn over her eyes. She goes silent from shock before she begins to sob, her cheek stinging.

“How dare you hit your mother!!” Johnny's father yells, his shouts muffled. With each word, each laborious breath, the flimsy and thin plastic of bag sucks into his mouth and out.

“Shut up,” snarls Johnny, taking a few steps backwards so he can stand proudly in front of his parents where they can see him properly.

Johnny’s smirk reaches all the way to his ears, his eyes crazed and maniacal. It’s a face not belonging to their son at all but a monster, and it sends them into muted shock.

“…You’re not my son,” the man spits venomously, wheezing as he struggles to breathe.

“You’re right,” says Johnny, “I’m not.”

Nonchalantly, Johnny sidles over to a canister of gasoline he had kept propped up next to the fridge and unscrews the lid, allowing a strong but pungent, sweet smell to waft in the air.

With a hand on the bottom and the handle of the canister, the couple scream and splutter as he douses them, emptying the entire contents over their heads and bodies; the woman continuously shakes her head whilst sobbing and begging. The man howls in terror.

“Now for the grand finale,” the boy says, dumping the empty can to the floor and whipping out a lighter from his pockets, flicking it on with a jerk of his thumb and a little flame springs up and dances in the air, taunting the couple.

Relishing the sound of their screams, Johnny promptly drops the lighter.

A fierce barrage of red and yellow immediately engulf the kitchen in its entirety.

The fire licks at their bodies ruthlessly, and Johnny stands, his eyes dancing with delight. The flames reach his feet yet he doesn’t flinch; lifting his arms into the air horizontally, he throws his head up and closes his eyes and basks in the heat, failing to notice the letter box on the front door squeaking open and a voice whispering, “Prohibere eum.”

A delicate, white paper crane subsequently flits inside, flapping its little wings as it bobs towards the direction of the burning kitchen.

The boy whips his head round to the doorway, eyes narrowing.

“Who’s there?!” he snarls.

Spotting the crane, he stares at it limply for a few seconds until it unfurls, revealing strange symbols painted in red. Brows furrowing, his hand shoots out and he grabs it, scrunching it up tightly under his fist.

Unraveling his clenched knuckles, his palm is coated in patches of the strange red ink and before his very eyes, the ink blots merge together to form the symbols which promptly disappears into his skin like a dampened tissue.

“What?!” he yells in shock and confusion; the symbols soon make their presences known once again, this time, stretching all over his arm.

His body suddenly feels itchy all over. He dares to take a peek at a mirror magnet on the refrigerator to see the red symbols have appeared all over his face.

It’s too late; the exorcists are coming for him – and the boy immediately collapses over the floor, eyes closed.

His mouth is eased open and a purple transparent bubble slinks between the gap of his lips and continues to crawl out. It grows in size until it begins to form a distinct, ragged spherical shape, followed by a stone. A smooth, brown stone with a fissure in the middle. The creature crawls out of the boy’s mouth and slips over the floor in a puddle, just as the front door is abruptly kicked open and you step inside with Ezra.

“Sequimini eum!” Ezra yells, as Spiritomb attempts to make its frantic escape.

The pokemon is heading for the window – Gengar emerges from a shadow and fires a Shadow Ball at it – the attack misses and Spiritomb phases through the glass, vanishing outside.

“It got away!” you curse, but Ezra shakes his head.

“No, not this time. I’ll go after it,” he says, before he casts his dull gaze to the bodies on the floor. "Stay here and call an ambulance and the fire brigade.”

“Understood,” you reply, and Ezra abruptly leaves the house with Absol. “Gengar, follow Ezra, then come back to get me, okay?”

Your pokemon nods and merges with Ezra’s retreating shadow.

Water-type pokemon would be handy here but you do not have any so you hastily grab a blanket from one of their sofas, and with your pokemon’s help, you each grab a corner, soak it under the taps of the kitchen sink and throw it over the burning bodies.

The fire is extinguished at once, smoke fizzing out and into the atmosphere in thick wisps; the unmistakable stench of burnt flesh hangs heavy in the air.

Whilst you call for an ambulance, Mimikyu checks the fire alarm of the house which shows signs of being sabotaged, most likely Spiritomb’s doing. Vulpix slides a paw under the blanket to check the damage and shudders once she’s had a look, she settles the blanket back over their bodies.

Once the ambulance and firefighters are called, you leave the house.

Spiritomb is the most dangerous pokemon you’ve ever encountered.

It’s time to rejoin Ezra.

…

Meanwhile, Graves slows the car to a stop and pulls up at a gas pump outside Turrfield, Route 5. It’s been a crazy, hectic day and he’s on his way back to the police station when his car has run out of gas.

He rolls up his sleeves, pulling open the flap and feeding the nozzle inside. As the car fills up with petrol, Graves stands, whistling, looking around casually when he hears a woman’s earsplitting scream in the distance.

“What the hell…”

He eases the pump out, placing it into the holster and steps out, squinting his eyes at the horizon; a middle-aged woman comes running towards his direction, dishevelled and petrified beyond belief, the expression on her face full of nothing but terror. A short distance away, a familiar old man is limping after her along with an Absol.

It’s the homeless man called Ezra, whom his goddaughter is acquainted with. The ex-convict. The man who was jailed for murdering his wife and kid.

The woman he is chasing is screaming for her life, and when she spots Graves who rushes over, she heads for his direction and clings onto his arm. Her eyes are wide and panicky as she pants heavily, gesturing wildly to the pursuing Ezra.

“Help me, please! That madman is after me!!!” she shrieks. “He's trying to kill me!”

“Absol, attack!” Ezra commands, and the pokemon dashes towards them but Graves immediately reaches a hand behind his waist and pulls out Arcanine’s pokeball, tossing it into the air and releasing the canine pokemon.

“Stop! Take one more step or I’ll command Arcanine to attack!” Graves snaps, as Arcanine readies itself into an offensive stance, growling at Absol threateningly.

Immediately, passerby’s scream and begin rushing for cover, whilst the customers of the gas station run inside the gas station to hide.

Absol comes to a skidding halt, her paws kicking up dirt, but she snarls loudly at Graves and his pokemon and begins to pace back and forth as though ready to pounce at any time should her master willed it.

Ezra growls with frustration as the woman hides behind the Chief Inspector. “Inspector Graves. That woman has been possessed by an extremely dangerous pokemon,” Ezra barks, pointing to the woman. “A Spiritomb. It’s the culprit behind the recent crimes.”

Graves turns to the woman who throw her horror-stricken glance up to him. She blinks at him with widened eyes and shakes her head wildly. “He’s crazy!! Help me, please!”

“Arceus, you’re insane,” Graves utters under his breath, “ma’am, I’ll take you to the station where you can get help. Ezra, stay right where you are. Arcanine, watch over him and make sure he doesn’t move.”

“You’re making a damn mistake!” Ezra growls.

The old man takes a step forwards and abruptly stops, bowling over with a hand clutching his chest. Absol returns to his side, yowling loudly with concern as he enters a harsh coughing fit; his chest is on fire, his lungs pierced by a sharp, throbbing pain. As Ezra splutters and chokes, he drops on one knee, slapping a hand over his mouth in a futile attempt to prevent the uncontrollable rush of blood that’s spilling out.

Viscous red lines seeps through the gaps of his fingers, spilling over the concrete in little splotches. Absol wails with fright at the sight of her suffering master who inevitably collapses over the ground on his front, motionless.

"Ezra!" Graves yells, but he's effectively halted when the frightened woman tugs on his elbow.

“Oh, thank you,” she says, “thank you so much.”

“Ma’am, stay here.” He instructs. Graves isn't on bad terms with the priest though he doesn't trust him in any way, but he cannot leave Ezra like this so he recalls Arcanine, dips a hand to grab his Rotom phone to call an ambulance only to emit a cry of pain; the device falls out of his hand but luckily, the pokemon bobs back up before it completely meets the ground

“Sir, what’s wrong?” Rotom asks, only to witness the woman dropping to the ground as a purple swirl emerges from her mouth which has latched itself to Graves’ back; a purple mist encases his body and seeps into his chest as a purple tendril begins crawling towards his mouth. Horrified, the phone flits in the air helplessly. “Bzzzzrt! Zzztop! Zztop thizzz at once! Oh, Mazzzter, Mazzter Gravezzz! Zzomeone, help!!”

The creature vanishes and Graves’ eyes snaps open, now a bizarre shade of lime green; Rotom stares in horror as the entity grins and pats at his chest and looks at his arms before spotting the bridge that overlooks the Wild Area, connecting Turrfield and Hulbury together.

….

Gengar returns to tell you Ezra is in Turrfield, so you make your way over as quickly as you can and the shadow pokemon leads you to a gas station which is in chaos. Several vans belonging to various TV stations are parked outside along with their TV anchors standing and delivering live news and interviewing witnesses. A few locals stand behind the tape, pointing and whispering, whilst a puddle of blood has been outlined with a yellow chalk.

You manage to overhear the following:

“Yeah, so I saw this woman rushing up to this middle-aged dude, and then this old dude with an Absol came and the middle-aged dude pulled an Arcanine on him. Sick move, man.”

It’s utter pandemonium. Beside one of the gas pumps, you recognize Graves’ car from the license plate and head over, peering through the windows. It’s empty.

An ambulance is also parked closeby where you see Absol outside, howling mournfully with her head raised to the air.

“Absol!!!” you rush over, squatting in front of her. “What happened???! Are you okay? Where’s Ezra?”

Absol stops yowling for a moment to regard you before a voice worms inside your mind: "My father is inside. He’s unconscious."

“…..Cassie?” you breathe out in shock.

Absol blinks at you with her bright blue eyes before she continues howling once more. The doors to the ambulance subsequently open and you’re greeted with a paramedic who jumps out and you briefly see Ezra inside, lying on a stretcher with a breathing mask.

“Ezra!” you yell, “Can I go in? I know him.”

“His condition is stable, you can go in.”

“Thank you!” you climb inside the vehicle and the paramedics within are helping set up heart monitors and IV drips around him. “Ezra, I’m here.”

His eyelids open weakly and he mutters deliriously, “….Spiritomb….it’s taken your godfather…It took the guise of a woman…your godfather thought she needed help…Don’t mind me, go after the fool before he gets himself killed…he was heading for route five…”

“But-“

“Go,” Ezra urges, “I’ll be fine…..”

“O-okay. Take care.”

You nod reluctantly and leave.

…

You find your godfather in Route 5 as Ezra had mentioned, standing precariously on the ledge of the fifty-feet high bridge, overlooking the scenery of the Wild Area below. He’s barefoot and missing his suit, his hair messy, tie undone, shirt sleeves rolled to the elbows and looking very unkempt.

None of the TV crew have arrived yet, which you’re grateful for because you do not want the media to get involved with this fiasco.

However, it’s unavoidable that some people and their pokemon have gathered around, standing at a safe distance several feet away. Whilst some individuals are recording this scene on their phone, others are trying to talk him down but to no avail. Some are actively asking if there are any trainers with ice-type pokemon that can freeze him (no-one has any, unfortunately). Ultimately, no-one seems to know what to do.

“Let me through! I know him, I’m his goddaughter!” you yell, pushing your way through the crowd and making your way to the very front. “Graves!! Graves – urgh, I mean, Uncle Chris! Don’t do it!”

Graves whips round yet you do not see his features, only a grinning mass of purple with green flecks. It’s Spiritomb, who grins maliciously at you.

“Get out of his body!” you growl angrily, gritting your teeth with rage.

“No, I like this body very much. The misery, the regret, the loneliness. He misses Ellen very much, he wants to be with her,” says Spiritomb, “and he misses your family, your father. He regrets not doing enough. You’re sad all the time because of him. He can’t do anything. He’s useless. He wants to die.”

The crowd go quiet, watching your interaction, though a kind-looking woman holds you back.

“Be careful, it’s best not to get too close because he’s very agitated right now. It’s best not to aggravate him or make sudden movements," she mutters.

You can hardly hear what she’s saying, the sheer panic and distress that you normally don’t experience during uncertain and dangerous times like these has suddenly kickstarted in your system.

“No!!!” you yelp in a desperate bid to get through to your godfather, “Stop it! Stop thinking like that!! I’m still here, I survived!!! You didn’t fail!! I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel like you’re useless. You’re not! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I’ll enroll in the police academy, okay? I won't make you worry for me anymore. I'm sorry!”

And Graves falters slightly, grumbling incoherently under his breath. Spiritomb's visage briefly vanishes as your godfather’s brows scrunch with confusion.

“You’re the only family I have left and I can’t lose you too! Please, Uncle Chris, snap out of it!”

Graves grumbles and groans in response to your pleas, his eye twitching.

You throw a sideways glance to Gengar; he’s lurking in your shadow and giving you a nod, silently travels over towards Graves’ direction.

And Spiritomb snaps, “Shut up!”

Then he turns and jumps, just seconds before Gengar leaps out from the shadow to grab him. Missed.

People scream, whilst a few trainers release their bird pokemon and direct them to go after the fallen man and Gengar buries himself into the shadows once more.

You throw yourself to the ledge, peering over where you see Graves plummeting helplessly in the air. “No!!”

Your pokemon bursts out forth from Graves’ falling shadow but he is not close enough. His eyes glowing, Gengar’s eyes and claws turns red before he spins in the air and throws his arms up, forcibly extracting a purple blob out of Graves body – it’s Spiritomb, whom he’s now trapped in a glowing red forcefield. Spiritomb growls and resists, shooting several Shadow Balls against its confines to no effect. The attack hits the walls of the forcefield akin to cork bouncing against a brick wall.

However, Graves is still hurtling towards the ground despite Gengar’s attempts, and the bird pokemon swooping towards him aren’t quick enough either.

“Wait, what’s that in the air?!!!” someone cries, pointing to the sky.

Everyone follows the direction of his finger and you see a familiar flame pokemon heading for your group. It’s Charizard; he’s zooming towards your way and the crowd begins to cheer.

“It’s Charizard!!! The Champion is here!!!”

“YES!”

“Go, Leon!!!”

Charizard swoops past and dives, folding his wings close to his body to reduce the resistance of the air, allowing himself to barrel towards your godfather's direction in seconds; in his wake, he leaves a gust of wind billowing that blows the majority of the crowd off their feet and to the ground including yourself; as you sit up, slightly dazed, you look around frantically for Leon and there he is, sprinting towards you from the direction of Motostoke.

“Leon!!!” you cry with relief, scrabbling up to stand.

Charizard returns with a massive flap of his wings, shooting up and into the air before he lands on the ground, clutching an unconscious Graves in his arms.

“Charizard!!” you exclaim, “Thank you!!”

The pokemon snorts loudly and gives you a toothy grin as he lays the unconscious man on the ground in front of you as carefully as he can so you can inspect him. You breathe a sigh of relief; Graves is unharmed.

People begin cheering as Leon finally arrives whereas Gengar returns to the bridge with Spiritomb who is still stuck in the forcefield. When the flying pokemon return, the trainers all turn to the trapped pokemon and proceed to divert their fury towards it, using a wide range of fairy-type moves and others to attack it.

You hear Spiritomb croaking out in pain whilst the other flying type pokemon join in, whaling blows and pecking at the pokemon whilst their trainers cheer and pump fists in the air.

With half of the crowd focused on and bemused with attacking Spiritomb, the remaining crowd part ways to let Leon through and you look up at him as he moves to crouch beside you on one knee.

“Hey, are you alright?” he asks gently, but you are so shocked you merely throw your arms around him with gratitude.

“Thank you, Leon…”

He bundles you up in his arms, stroking the back of your head. “It’s okay, everything’s alright. I’m here….” He mutters soothingly in your ear, “I’m here.”

…

[writeintrees]

Karo

Summary: set in a D&D type fantasy world, a man named Karo has put his past life behind him. That is, until his past catches back up to him and makes him doubt if he ever changed in the first place. His boyfriend sets him straight on that

Wrote this in a frenzy one night when I couldn’t sleep. Here’s the spotify playlist to go with Karo’s life story

Content warning: toxic family relationship, manipulation, implied past sex work and stealing while underage, transphobia, deadnaming and misgendering

2579 words

Karo smiles as he leans against his boyfriend Eumont in the back of the cart. He lets his eyes flutter closed with contentment. It has been days since they’ve seen anyone resembling bandits, and Bug is awake now to keep watch, her chin propped up on her quarterstaff.

“Hey K,” his boyfriend nudges him, “you get some shuteye. You’ve been up for a while.”

“Okay. But Eu? Let me know if you need me?”

“Will do.” Eumont gives a smile and a small wave as Karo pulls his cloak around himself and curls among their belongings and the two other sleeping party members.

------------

They are covered in mud and smell rank from the time on the road. But they have finally reached a town and that means bathing and warm food and beds. Karo is looking forward to that last one the most. His shoulder is aching from sleeping on the wood of the cart.

Adelaide goes to find an inn while they shop for supplies. Karo is mostly just wandering around and looking at the trinkets around them. There is nothing he particularly needs. He has always travelled light. 

Farrell is haggling for magic components. Eumont has a list of food and other supplies but is not in a rush to find them. They will be in town for a few days looking for a job. Adelaide does not take long to return with news of warm beds for the night.

Karo spots him first. Ice water floods his veins and he forgets how to expand his chest. The horror plays so vividly on his face that Eumont stops his pleasant conversation and turns around, hand on his sword hilt. But there is nothing that would stand out to anyone but Karo. The man is dressed in ambiguous clothing as his job requires. The only thing that stands out is the metal hairpin in the shape of the moon. Identical to the one wrapped in velvet and shoved deep into Karo’s pocket. The one he brings out when he is alone and watches the sharp edges reflect in the moonlight. 

The man looks around casually and his eyes pinpoint onto Karo with a smile that could only be described as predatory. He begins to cross the distance between them in this corner of the square. Karo looks back to find his party gathered behind him, in position for a fight but without weapons out yet. 

Karo steps forward and widens his cloak to cover his party from view. It does not escape him that he goes to hide Eumont first and foremost. Eumont, he thinks with a pang. His boyfriend should never be brought into all this. The two of them should never share the same space.

“Karo? Want me to take care of this guy?” Bug asks with a crack of her knuckles. Karo shakes his head and wishes desperately that none of them would draw attention to themselves. He does not want the predator to turn his attention their way. He would rather take the brunt of it.

“Oh Khloe, you’ve got them all wrapped around your little finger, don’t you?” He sneers, his voice dripping with more honey and venom than should be possible with so few words.

Karo steps back as if he has been slapped. Nothing could have prepared him for that voice again. He stops himself from running. Running never did him any good, and it would get back to mother and he would never hear the end of it. It doesn’t matter that he has been gone for years, that he no longer lives under her thumb, it feels like he never left. Tears gather in his eyes but he forces himself to look up from where his head is bowed. “Leave.” He wonders at even the little bit of strength he managed to force into his own voice.

“Come on, Khloe, don’t be like that. You always did get catty around your marks. Territorial, that’s what mother would say. Oh poor mother, her baby girl leaving without so much as a note.” He makes a show of looking Karo up and down with disapproval. “Maybe if you clean up a little before coming home you won’t break her heart entirely.”

Karo tries not to audibly inhale with each of the verbal lashes whipped his way. He is mostly successful. He squares his shoulders and looks his brother in the eyes. “I’m not kidding Jace. I’m not like you and mother anymore. I’m out.”

“Aww, got attached to these ones, did you? Don’t you know by now that family are the only ones you can really trust? You always were naive but I didn’t think you were this stupid.”

“I think you should go.” He manages through clenched teeth. His whole body is wound impossibly tight. 

“She’d be disappointed to see you now. Oh well-” He says with an exaggerated sigh, “Guess even if we give and give, there’s always going to be the black sheep of the family. So ungrateful. One day you’ll come back around. I’ll tell mother it looks as if you’ve stooped almost to rock bottom. We’ll be expecting you back soon.” He turns on his heel, every movement full of confidence and authority. 

Karo hates how even now he is taking notes from his brother. He hates how he wishes he could hold himself that way. He watches to make sure Jace is leaving before a sob wracks his body. He clutches his arms around his ribcage and wills his knees to stay locked. Something touches his shoulder and he wheels around. 

Eumont catches his raised fist easily, even though they are usually equally matched. “Hey. Do you want to talk?” Behind him the rest of his party is watching him with wide eyes.

Karo had honestly forgotten that they were there. His brain had just told him there was something he needed to protect. Something he did not want poisoned by Jak, by mother. And now they know, or at least suspect what he used to be. What he probably still is deep down. Every instinct to run. To leave in the night and not look back. 

Bug cocks her head. They were marks in the beginning, Jak is right. Jak is always right and it fucking sucks. And now his friends -- his marks he reminds himself bitterly -- are watching him warily and they know he is a no good lowlife and not even a good one at that. If he’s got the guts to be a con artist and a liar and a thief, he should at least be good at it. He’s a disappointment.

Tears well up so high that they blur the faces of his worried party members. Probably wondering what he’s going to do now that he’s caught. A snake is always most dangerous when cornered. A panic floods him at the thought of hurting them, suddenly conscious of the dagger brushing against his fingertips. 

Tears spill from his right eye and he can see Eumont reaching for him again. He ducks away from the touch and feels another pang at the hurt and lost expression on the other’s face. There he goes again. Just like the looks of marks who he’d tied up. Ones he’d tricked into thinking they were in love before going and stealing everything of value and leaving them confused and without a single piece of truthful information.

“I- I’m sorry.” He chokes out. Then he’s running. His feet are pounding onto the packed earth. 

He is fast. That was the thing that mother always held over his siblings. He could outpace any authorities or bedraggled lovers. He remembers his mother’s voice when he was little after he ran away with some noblewoman's silver necklace “Khloe is my little falcon. She will eat well tonight.” He took pride in putting food in the mouths of himself and his three siblings on many occasions before they started doing the big jobs. Before they started working for the Baron. Code name of course, no way that guy is an actual baron, with all the illegal shit he gets up to.

He runs up the slope of a bluff then notices when he tries to catch his breath that most of the heaving is from tears and not exertion. He sits near the cliff to watch the sun set over the mountains across the way. The tears keep coming, the breeze leaving his face cold. He tucks his hands beneath his knees and continues to sob until he feels light and empty. That is, until he thinks too hard about mother, about what Jace said today, about the life he left behind.

There is noise behind him. He traces their footsteps. One set walks slowly but not stealthily through the grass to his right. Then there is a shape in his peripheral vision.

He glances up just enough to confirm that it is Eumont. The others aren’t far behind, but they are giving some distance. He jerks his gaze back forward. Guess Eu was the only one stupid enough to get within dagger range. Jokes on them, he’d be able to get to them faster than they’d believe. Then he realizes that he has shown his hand dozens of times, using his speed and daggers and cunning in fights. Why’d he done that? There’s the sound of someone sitting beside him.

“How’d you find me?” He says, looking forward. The sun is starting to dip below the horizon.

“Locate creature.” Eumont says easily. His voice is level and not full of the anger that Karo was expecting.

“Shit.” Karo unwinds one of his arms from around his knees and rubs at his eyebrows. Caked dirt crumbles beneath his fingertips and he grimaces. What would mother say if she saw him. It has been so long since he has thought about mother. “I’m so sorry I lied to you- to you all, I mean.”

“About what?”

Karo turns his baffled expression Eu’s way. He looks almost smug. No, that’s what Jace would look like in this situation. Eu looks like he got his way, but in a much different way than his siblings would. “What do you mean ‘about what?’ Did you- did you not hear him?” He allows hope to bloom in his chest. Maybe they can go on like usual. 

“I heard. I was there. But I don’t see why you have to apologize?”

“Because you know what I am now? He’s right about me.”

“No he’s not.” Eu replies easily.

“What would you know?” He snaps. The venom in his words is familiar, and he wishes just from his family members’ mouths. His fight drains into resignation that this is just how things are. “See?” He says half to himself. “I was raised a viper and that’s what I’ll always be, a fucking black widow. A conniving temptress murderer thief. 

“I’m dangerous. I-” The tears start to drip down his cheeks again. “I don’t want to hurt you all. And if that means I can’t be with you… Well I’d rather you were all safe.”

Eumont reaches forward and easily pulls a crying Karo to his shoulder. He gently shushes him and rubs the back of his head. 

“I thought I had gotten better. I wanted to be a better person than them but I must be worse than them if even mother thinks I’m a lowlife.”

“You are so much better than they could ever be. I don’t know what we were at first, but that’s not how people treat their marks. You would rather sacrifice yourself to keep us all safe.” That’s proof you aren’t what he said you are.”

He realizes that Eu is right, at first ashamed that he has messed up so bad. Then his mind quickly transitions back to who he has become in these past few years away from his biological family. He loves these people. He doesn’t treat people like marks anymore. He’s put this life behind him.

He cries himself out. The sky is getting dark and they have to go back to town to the lodging that Adelaide set up for them. Eu squeezes Karo’s hand as the two of them walk towards the others. 

Bug uses her staff to get up and reaches down to help Farrell up as well. Adelaide makes indignant comments about being left on the ground but is ignored as Bug takes a step forward. Karo readies himself for a blow. His mind is still in his childhood home. Bug changes her good natured punch into a smile and easy lean on her staff. If the position also clearly indicates she’s not going to touch him, well that is just a perk. “We good? You running away from us again?”

“No. Sorry about that.”

“It’s cool. We were worried about you, that’s all.” Farrell says. “Who was that guy anyway? He was kinda scary. An old ‘friend’ of yours?”

“My brother.” Karo says.

“Ugh. I wanted to hit him in his smug little mouth every time he misgendered you.”

“To be fair, I have transitioned since I last saw him. Mother wouldn’t believe me. She said I wouldn’t be able to do my job if I made things ‘complicated’.”

Everyone pulls a face at that and at first Karo thinks he’s done something wrong. He looks to Eu questioningly.

“We just wish they had been kinder to you. Go on. What was your job?”

Karo swallows and turns his eyes down. “We stole things. I was good at grab-and-dash. But then mother gave me another job. She- um- she had me play long games. Sometimes infiltrating factions to get information or a safe combination. A lot of seducing men, either for one night stands or however long it took to get them to let their guard down. The Duke of Shineguard took until after the proposal. And mister Kej of Klaksberger, he-” A hand grasps his forearm and he stops.

Eumont looks nauseated. “How old were you?” He whispers.

Karo sticks out his lip in concentration, mentally counting through the years. “Started before I can remember with stealing. Then as soon as I could pass as a rebellious teenager I was sent into groups.” He watches Eu shake his head and gives him a pointed look. Even he can admit that was an ameteur attempt at avoiding the question. “Fifteen. That was when I started being a temptress. Didn’t go too well the first time I tried. I freaked out in the bedroom and whipped him over the head and knocked him unconscious. I think that was the first time I lied to mother. I thought that would be the end of it. She was so proud of me though and switched me over to long games from my usual quick grab-and-dashes.”

Eumont gives his arm a tug and they both stop. Karo can tell that it is taking everything in him to not hug him. Eu looks in his eyes with a silent question and Karo nods. Eumont wraps him in an all encompassing hug. He rocks them gently even though Karo is dry eyed this time. He feels a little numb, separated by the emotions boiling deep inside him and needing processing. Instead he focuses on the feeling of being safe with his boyfriend.

“You deserve better. I’m so glad you got out.”

Karo hugs him a little tighter. “Me too.”

[sugarandspace]

Christmas with You

Summary: Alec finds out that Magnus is going to spend Christmas alone. That just won’t do. 

(Takes place a little more than two years before In the Shadows. Alec and Magnus have been together a little less than half a year.)

A/N: I hope everyone is having a good time, whether they celebrate Christmas or not! 💙

AO3

Alec feels so comfortable he could almost fall asleep.

They haven’t had many opportunities to be like this, just enjoying their new relationship and spending time alone together since the season started at the beginning of October. They’ve been traveling for games and spending a big part of their time staying in shape and practicing, and getting away from their teammates for long enough to sneak in more than a quick kiss has been nearly impossible.

But now they have the weekend off and their next game happens to be in New York, which allows them to have a lazy night at Magnus’.

They are watching the third movie for the night, empty pizza boxes on the table in front of them. Alec is full and content and warm underneath Magnus’ solid body that’s half laying on top of him on the couch. Alec wants to close his eyes and fall asleep but he wants this moment to last longer so he fights against the exhaustion.

A commercial break comes on, and the first one is a Christmas commercial.

“What are you doing this Christmas?” Alec asks. NHL will take its annual Christmas break in a little over two weeks and he realises they haven’t discussed their plans for it yet. Alec’s hand keeps carding through Magnus’ hair where his head is resting on Alec’s chest.

“I’ll probably stay here, watch some movies,” Magnus replies. His voice is relaxed and Alec has a feeling he’s not far from falling asleep either. “Ragnor is on a business trip so we won’t be able to spend the Christmas together like we normally do.”

“You’ll be alone?” Alec asks and his mouth twists to frown.

“It’s not the first time,” Magnus says like it doesn’t matter. “I’m used to it. Christmas isn’t the family holiday for me as it is to many.”

That doesn’t sit well with Alec. His relationship with his parents is rocky and distant, and he hasn’t spent a Christmas with them in years. He used to visit for Max’ sake, but since their parents moved to Los Angeles a couple of years ago he’s had to settle for Skype calls. But every Christmas without a fail he, Isabelle, and Jace gather together so none of them need to spend the holidays alone. It’s less about them celebrating Christmas and more about keeping each other company. Alec would be sad if he had to spend that time alone.

What makes him sad now, is the knowledge that it’s something Magnus is used to.

He hadn’t realised that his hand had stopped its movements until Magnus lifts his head up to look Alec in the eyes.

“Quit pouting,” Magnus says with a small smile. “I really don’t mind.”

“You should come with me to Izzy’s this year,” Alec suggest before he has time to think about it. But as he does, he really likes the idea. “Jace is coming too. It’s nothing big, just some food and games and maybe some movies.”

“I don’t want to impose,” Magnus says, his own eyebrows furrowing. “You should spend time with your siblings.”

“Nonsense,” Alec says, sitting up a little. The movement makes Magnus sit up as well and the blanket they were sharing slides to their feet. “I’m sure they would love you there.”

“What are they going to think?” Magnus asks. It might seem like he’s trying to find reasons so he doesn’t need to come but Alec sees it as it is - that Magnus is making sure he’s not bothering them and that Alec is sure. “What if they figure us out?”

“They won’t,” Alec assures. “You’re a friend and I’m sure they wouldn’t want you to spend Christmas by yourself either.”

Magnus looks suspicious but he doesn’t argue.

“Please Magnus,” Alec pleads, placing a soft kiss between Magnus’ furrowed brows, hoping to smooth them out. “I’d love to spend more time together, even if I can’t do this.”

He ends the sentence with a kiss to Magnus’ lips. It might be playing dirty, but he’s fairly sure Magnus isn’t against coming, he’s just worried he’ll intrude.

“I want you there,” Alec says as they pull apart.

“If you’re sure,” Magnus says.

“I am,” Alec nods immediately.

“Okay then,” Magnus replies and smiles.

The rest of the movie is forgotten in favor of making out on the couch until they both do eventually fall asleep.

-.-.-

“Last moment to back out,” Magnus says as they reach Isabelle’s door. Alec doesn’t answer verbally, just rolls his eyes and rings the doorbell.

Isabelle opens the door with a wide smile on her face.

“Come on in,” she says, ushering them out of the hallway and into the apartment where Jace seems to already be waiting.

“Hello!” He greets from the couch.

There are no Christmas decorations in the apartment apart from some lights on the window and there’s no Christmas music in the background - just like Alec had told Magnus. It’s not a Christmas celebration but a fun night in a good company.

Alec and Magnus return the greeting before Magnus hands Isabelle a bottle of wine.

“I brought you this,” he says.

“You didn’t need to bring anything,” Isabelle replies but smiles nonetheless before she smacks Alec on the side. “Alec why didn’t you tell him that he doesn’t need to bring anything.”

“I tried,” Alec defends himself, rubbing his side. “But he didn’t listen.”

“It’s the least I can do since you let me intrude in your tradition,” Magnus says with a smile. No matter how many times Alec has told him that he’s not intruding, there seems to be a part of Magnus that feels like he is. Alec vows to make sure that Magnus starts feeling comfortable with his siblings.

“You’re not intruding. We’re happy to have you here,” Isabelle says gently before she pulls Magnus to a quick hug. “Thank you for the wine.”

“Are you guys coming?” Jace asks from the couch where he has a controller in his hands and the opening screen of NHL 17 on the TV.

“I’ll play,” Alec says and heads to the couch, taking the other controller in his hands.

Time passes quickly after that. They get comfortable in Isabelle’s living room, playing a round after round of NHL. Ironically Isabelle seems to be the one on top of the leaderboard. She’s playing against Jace now, the both of them sitting on pillows in front of the TV to give the couch to Alec and Magnus who are waiting for their turn.

“Are you having fun?” Alec asks quietly. They are sitting next to each other but are keeping a small distance so they don’t raise any questions. There’s no reason for Alec’s siblings to think that Magnus is here as anything more than a friend since despite his many plans to do so, Alec hasn’t managed to come out to his family yet. But still, they are careful.

“I am,” Magnus says with a soft smile on his face. “Thank you for inviting me.”

It takes all the willpower Alec has not to kiss him right there.

He settles for quickly squeezing his thigh, “Of course.”

-.-.-

At one point of the night, they order takeout. Alec and Jace tell horror stories about Isabelle’s cooking that make Magnus laugh so hard he needs to hold his stomach and all Isabelle does is shrug her shoulders, admitting her lack of skill in that particular area.

When the food arrives, Alec volunteers to get them something to drink from the kitchen.

“I’ll help you,” Magnus says and gets up as well, leaving Jace and Isabelle to open the several boxes.

The kitchen is behind a small corner, hidden from view from the living room. Instead of heading straight to the fridge Alec turns around and waits for Magnus to catch up, and it looks like their plans are similar when they both smile mischievously.

Magnus takes hold of Alec’s waits and Alec’s arms go around Magnus’ shoulders, and they meet in the middle for a quick kiss. It’s the most they’ve been able to exchange and the most they probably will until they go back to Magnus’ or Alec’s tonight, but it provides little help for the withdrawals Alec seems to be having.

“I really am glad that you came,” Alec says as they pull apart. They’re no longer holding each other but they are standing close, not making a move to get the drinks they promised.

“Me too,” Magnus agrees with a smile.

With a few more moments of smiling to each other and another quick kiss, they continue their task, and when they go back to the living room they see that Jace and Isabelle are smiling widely while whispering something to each other. When they see Alec and Magnus come back with glasses of wine they stop their whispering and look at the other two, trying to look normal.

“What are you two doing?” Alec asks suspiciously. That look never meant anything good when they were growing up.

“Oh, nothing,” Isabelle says. “We were just wondering what movie we should watch.”

“I have a suggestion!” Jace says and takes the remote controller, navigating to Netflix.

Alec rolls his eyes and decides to ignore his siblings' odd behavior. He sits on the couch with Magnus and takes his own container of food, while Jace and Izzy are sitting on armchairs on both sides of the couch.

They eat and watch the movie, which actually turns out to be a good one. Halfway through it when the containers are empty on the coffee table, Alec takes the blanket from the back of the couch and spreads it over his and Magnus’ legs. They are still sitting a small distance from each other but the blanket and the darkness of the room allow Alec to slip his hand underneath and find Magnus’ hand there, already waiting with his palm up.

Alec looks to his side briefly, smiling at Magnus who’s looking at him with a similar smile on his face. He squeezes the hand harder before he looks back to the television, feeling content.

Alec would like his siblings to know about them so he could cuddle up closer to Magnus and kiss him without wondering what might happen, but for now, this is enough. He gets to spend Christmas with the people he loves - no matter if he’s said the words to Magnus yet or not.

He hopes Magnus might already know.

[alecmagnuslwb]

New Year’s Eve: Chapter Three

Read it all on AO3 or previous ch. 1, 2

One magical night, five intertwining love stories, all culminating at midnight with just maybe some confessions and kisses as the clock strikes.

This chapter: Meet hopeful backup singer Isabelle trapped in an elevator with her lovelorn neighbor Rebecca who might just slowly be seeing the holiday for the new beginnings it holds and not the past it makes you face.

***

Noon, New Year’s Eve

Isabelle paces her bedroom in nothing but a Green Peace t-shirt she’s fairly certain she stole from her ex-boyfriend contemplating what exactly to do with herself for New Year’s Eve. Jace, her roommate and brother, is out of town spending the holiday in the Hamptons with their little brother and father. Isabelle and Alec hadn’t been keen on spending it with Robert, who’s been all but totally estranged from them since his affairs came to light, but Max had wanted to see him and Jace had drawn the short straw as the sibling support if things got rough and Max decided to come home. So, she’s on her own, her equally as party loving brother unavailable to her for the evening.

Raphael had invited her to spend the evening with him and Meliorn which is sweet, but a little tame for a night that Isabelle loves as much as this one. There’s the party at Pandemonium that guarantees her a midnight kiss from bartender and occasional fuck buddy Lydia. She’s also toying with the possibility of dragging Alec out on the town with her as well.

Not that there’s a chance in hell for that, he’ll probably be too busy moping about Magnus for that.

She picks up her phone about to text Lydia when it begins to vibrate and her Rihanna ringtone blasts out. The screen shows Catarina Loss’ name and Isabelle immediately answers never one to turn down what will no doubt be a gossip session about her brother and Magnus.

“How would you like to get paid tonight?” Catarina says as soon as she picks up, no chance for a greeting.

Isabelle chuckles as Cat’s brashness, always a fan of it, folding herself up onto her bed comfortably.

“That depends,” she says. “What exactly am I getting paid for? If it’s not sexual or illegal I’m probably in. Actually scratch that, how illegal is it? I’m willing to waver a bit there.”

Cat laughs at her a gust of wind pushing through the speaker that tells Isabelle she’s outside.

“Nothing of either sort,” she explains. “I was thinking getting paid for that thing you do professionally you know, singing? Magnus needs a backup for the Edom Records party and your name was at the top of the list.”

“I thought Gretel was doing the Edom shindig?” she muses already knowing Her answer, aside from the money which she definitely wants, she misses Magnus. They’ve maintained a distant friendship since the breakup with Alec, only because she knows just how in love with Alec the singer still is. Isabelle touring with Heidi McKenzie. this past fall has made her unable to work with him on his latest which had been a bummer when she’d realized the timing. It’ll be nice to see him. Bat Velasquez, his lead guitarist, will be there as well and their friendship over the years has always been a strong force in her life, she misses him now that he’s out on tour with Magnus without her.

“Cancelled last minute, Magnus is filling in,” Cat says into the speaker then trails off a little clearly shouting at Magnus. “That is if he ever goes inside!” Isabelle hears a muffled response that is no doubt sassy before Cat returns to her. “So, you in?”

“Absolutely,” Isabelle smiles lifting herself off her bed and towards her closet to find the perfect outfit for the night. She’s glad for the change, a fancy record party with at least a few people she knows well is much better than any of her other options.

“Your brother is catering last minute by the way,” Catarina adds on and Isabelle freezes as she slides open her closet door. That explains why Cat is yelling at Magnus to just go inside the damn building already.

“So, Aline definitely had a hand in the record company reaching out to Magnus to fill in then,” she chuckles. She knew Aline was in charge of the Edom party this year and there’s no way her influence didn’t play a hand.

“Shockingly no,” Cat confirms. “She did however send a very encouraging text to Magnus convincing him to take the offer.”

“And by encouraging I know you mean direct as fuck,” she says flipping through her dresses to pick the perfect one as Catarina hums in response. “I always thought it would be me who cracked first and came up with a hijinks scheme to force them into the same room together.”

“As did I,” Cat says on the other end briefly turning away to talk to someone else, likely Magnus again, before coming back to Isabelle. “But no matter who got the ball rolling, it doesn’t matter as long as it ends with those two sorting their shit out and me no longer having to hear ‘Crimson and Clover,’ just the slow parts, constantly playing in the background whenever I talk to Magnus.”

“At least Magnus’ sadness song is a good song, Alec listens to Avril Lavigne.”

“Shut up, he does not,” Cat says sounding absolutely delighted.

“He does. It’s ‘I’m With You’ like clockwork,” she laughs pulling out a black bodycon dress with silver stripes running down the side and tossing it onto her bed.

“Oh, I can’t wait till they’re back together so I can make fun of him for that,” Cat says filled with absolute delight. She’s pulled away again by Magnus’ voice in the background a little closer now. “Alright, I gotta go Magnus is over his existential crisis about whether or not to go inside. I’ll see you at six for some quick rehearsal.”

They say their goodbyes and Isabelle tosses her phone onto the nightstand to get dressed eager to spend her night onstage doing the thing she loves.

***

“Pleaseeeee,” Rebecca practically begs from her spot on the couch watching as Clary flits around the room braiding her hair and Helen judges her silently from an armchair. Rebecca Lewis is not one to beg, but desperate times and all that.

“No,” Helen says plainly giving her a direct stare. “Why don’t you just ask Simon to go in your place if you don’t wanna go so bad?”

“He’s in Florida with mom,” Rebecca grumbles. Three months ago, at her brother’s insistence Rebecca had signed up for a contest that would allow one person to assist in pressing the button to drop the ball in Times Square. Simon had been giddy with excitement at the prospect as had Rebecca always loving to stay up late and watch the festivity and then somehow Rebecca actually won. However, her giddiness has now faded because three months ago she hadn’t been recently dumped by her girlfriend with no warning and three months ago their mom hadn’t opted to move to Florida to discover herself and dragged Simon along with her to settle in.

Now, she just wants to stay home in her pajamas and watch Star Wars movies and eat at least ten pounds of Chinese takeout while one of her roommates goes in her place. Her roommates however don’t seem to feel the same way judging from the past twenty minutes of desperate pleading.

She turns just as Clary re-enters the room ready to beg, but Clary beats her to the punch not even meeting her eyes as she puts on her black peacoat.

“I’m not passing up on a night with my girlfriend and my dad to fill in for you because you don’t want to put on real pants,” Clary says pointedly. She walks over planting a kiss on Rebecca’s head then one to Helen’s speaking only to her. “Make sure she doesn’t choke to death on a won ton.”

“I make no guarantees,” Helen jokes as Clary chuckles throwing a wave over her shoulder as she heads out the door. Rebecca huffs at them both. They’re her best friends, her newly acquired roommates thanks to the whole being dumped situation, they’re practically her sisters they should be more sympathetic to her plight.

“Come on Helen, it’s a few hours and you get to press a shiny button,” she sits up on the couch leaning forward to hold Helen’s eyes. “And meet the Jonas Brothers.”

“I don’t care about the Jonas Brother’s and you know that,” she says standing and moving to the kitchen, Rebecca reluctantly lifts herself up and follows.

“Oh, come on, I got dumped. Don’t make me go look happy on National television,” she groans lifting herself up onto the kitchen counter.

“You got dumped nearly three months ago by a girl who you told me you weren’t sure you saw future with, that card isn’t going to work,” Helen says putting her hands on her hips.

And okay, Rebecca had said that, but it doesn’t change the fact that she dumped her suddenly just after they moved in together on their one-year anniversary. New Year’s Eve is supposed to be about new beginnings, letting the past year go, and that’s exactly what she wants to do. But she wants to do it with her face buried in carton of fried rice, not with a boy band and the mayor.

The mayor. That’s it.

“The Mayor’s going to be there,” Rebecca starts hoping to reel Helen in. She’s a political science major, an absolute politics nerd, the chance to meet and discuss policy with the Mayor is like offering a chain smoker three cartons. “And some of his staff. At the party thing before as well, which means you’ll have time to actually talk to them, ask them all sorts of questions.”

Helen’s head tilts her deadpan expression gone now replaced with a questioning gaze. Rebecca’s ninety percent sure she’s hooked her.

“Exactly how long is this party thing beforehand?” Yup, she’s got her.

“The rep I talked to said a few hours, the Mayor will be there for the whole thing and was eager to meet the prize winner.”

“And it’s just pressing the button? No other fanfare?”

Rebecca nods her head trying not to look too delighted at having finally swindled her to go in her place.

Helen lets out the most long-suffering sigh Rebecca has ever heard before placing her hands on her hips.

“But I’m supposed to stay here and make sure you don’t choke on a wonton,” she says a clear last-ditch attempt at not crumbling under Rebecca’s pleas.

“Leave me to wallow,” Rebecca bemoans and Helen’s look gets more pointed than before. “I’ll be fine,” she assures. “Go eat some food on the cities dime and geek out about the Mayor, it’ll be a way better New Year’s Eve than being on unnecessary Rebecca watch.”

“Fine,” Helen concedes rolling her eyes with a tiny smile that Rebecca can read as clearly being pleased by at least the Mayor part of the deal. “You sure it’ll be okay?”

“Positive, I emailed the rep this morning and told her I was sending a replacement, didn’t hear back yet, but I assume that’s just cause it’s a pretty busy day for her and all.”

Rebecca slips off the counter opening a nearby drawer filled with takeout menu’s and plucks the one she intends to feast from out before heading back to her burrow on the couch.

“You have to be there by three, have fun,” Rebecca says as she settles reaching out for a pen on the coffee table to circle every item she intends to order.

Helen let’s out a frustrated noise from behind her, “That’s in like an hour. With New Year’s traffic I’m definitely going to be late.”

“So you better get going,” Rebecca says circling six items in a row. She’s not even past the appetizers yet.

Helen huffs again and Rebecca hears the faint sound of her putting on her leather jacket over her t-shirt and jeans.

“You’re not going to change?” Rebecca says still not actually looking up at Helen.

“Clearly I don’t have time,” she says before leaning over the couch and snatching the menu form Rebecca’s hands. Rebecca makes feeble grabby hands at it as Helen pulls away. “You’re also doing the dishes for a month.”

Rebecca reaches out again, Helen pulling the menu back even further.

“Fine,” she huffs as Helen hands her the menu back with a smile. She turns heading for the door and grabbing her keys from the bowl beside it.  

“Don’t choke on a wonton!” she shouts cheerfully as she opens the door, definitely loud enough for the neighbors to here. Rebecca glares at the door for a second before turning back to her menu, happily circling both the cheese and pork wontons.

***

Rebecca wakes to the sound of their intercom buzzing. She blearily looks around realizing she’d decided to take a nap after ordering nearly a hundred dollars’ worth of takeout. She jumps up quickly not wanting to miss the delivery person and shouting a quick be right there into the intercom.

She stumbles into the hall barely remembering to grab her keys and wallet not bothering with her phone shuffling quickly to catch the elevator just as it’s about to close. She tosses herself inside slamming a little heavily into the holding bar on the right side.

“Ouch,” she says rubbing at her hip. A light snort comes from behind her and she twists around to see quite possibly the prettiest woman she’s ever seen standing in the corner of the elevator.

“You okay there?” the woman asks and damn that’s a pretty voice. Rebecca nods a little numbly turning back to the front of the elevator suddenly acutely aware of her outfit. She’s not one to fuss over the finer points of style but the girl behind her is gorgeous in a tight black dress and red leather jacket with hair and makeup styled to perfection.

Rebecca on the other hand is wearing a fuzzy blue robe, a torn to shreds t-shirt with her brother’s bands name printed across it and pajama pants covered in dancing penguins. Her hair is up in a bun that prior to her nap looked neat, but is now more of a bird’s nest. It’s not her finest look and while she’s not exactly been interested in anyone since her breakup she does still have eyes and wouldn’t be mad about this elevator stranger finding her as pretty as she finds the stranger.

***

It’s nearly four by the time Isabelle is ready to go, all done up and looking in her humble opinion pretty damn hot. The trip across town usually wouldn’t require such an early leave, but with the holiday she’s accounting for endless traffic and overcrowded subways.

Isabelle only startles slightly when a girl in a fuzzy blue robe comes barreling into the tiny space left open as the elevator doors closes. And she only snorts lightly when said girl rams into the side of the elevator.

She’s pretty is Isabelle’s first thought, surprised she’s never noticed this girl around the building before. Her outfit’s, well it’s something else, but the sheepish look she gives Isabelle before turning back to face the elevator doors makes it suddenly become a cute look.

They’re quiet after her quick check that the woman is alright after her bump into the wall. The woman reachs out to hit the first-floor button despite the fact it’s already lit when suddenly the elevator makes a loud shrieking noise and freezes completely to a halt somewhere between the second and third floors.

The lights above the door flicker wildly between the two and three as the shake of the elevator sends both women tumbling forward. Isabelle lands pressed right up against the stranger against the wall of buttons face to face. For a tense moment their eyes meet but a dinging sound tears them apart.

“Sorry,” she mumbles as they pull away, the woman just shakes it off, looking down to see they’d hit the emergency button upon their tumble into one another.

“Well at least we skipped that step,” the fuzzy robed woman chuckles. It’s a cute little laugh which just adds to the adorableness of this woman.

“Yeah, but the landlord sucks,” Isabelle huffs pulling out her phone from the pocket of her jacket. “He’ll probably ignore it if he’s even around.”

Her phone immediately lets her know she has no service as soon as she lights up the screen. She holds it up high trying to get a signal to no avail.

“No service. Dammit, dammit, dammit,” she says each dammit getting a little louder. She looks over to the other woman who has an eyebrow raised. “I have to be at work in like two hours so this isn’t ideal.”

“Working on New Year’s Eve?” the woman questions.

Isabelle nods, “I’m a backup singer, a friend needed a fill in at the Edom Records party.”

“Cool,” the other woman says as Isabelle starts banging against the door and pressing the buttons in the hopes something will change. She shouts hoping her voice with its impressive vocal range will catch someone’s attention, but there’s nothing but silence on the other side.

“I’m Rebecca Lewis by the way,” the woman in the robe says after Isabelle drops her hand from the metal door and sighs.

“Isabelle Lightwood,” she replies grateful to have a name to the cute face and grateful that introduction stopped her from breaking her hand by banging on the metal doors so hard. “I don’t think anyone’s out there. I knew I should have taken the stairs.”

It’s been months since the last elevator mishap, but the caution still should be there. She blames her damn heels. She should have gone with the wedges not the stilettos then she wouldn’t have even looked at the elevator. Damn, sexy shoes.

“Does this happen a lot?” Rebecca inquires and Isabelle assumes she must be new to the building if she’s unaware of the great summer elevator fiasco.

“The damn thing broke down a dozen times over the summer. My brother, who’s also my roommate,” she adds on. “Managed to get himself stuck in here three times and it took hours each time. We might be here a while.”

“My foods gonna get taken back,” Rebecca whines as she slides down onto the floor to sit.

“Your food?” Isabelle turns to her incredulously from where she’d still been staring at the doors. “I have literal work to be at!”

Rebecca looks at her like she’s crazy for raising her voice. There’s a chance she is a little bit. It’s just she was so excited about tonight and now she’s stuck in an elevator, with an admittedly cute girl but still stuck and she’s bummed about it.  

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout,” Isabelle says moving to slide down to the floor opposite Rebecca. For the first time since the elevator stopped Isabelle lets herself relax a bit, accepting her fate with a sigh.

Rebecca just shrugs one fluffy blue robed shoulder seemingly nonplussed now about Isabelle’s brief outburst.

“I just love New Year’s Eve,” Isabelle muses continuing on to fill the silence. “And this gig tonight was going to be so perfect for new beginnings and all that and now I’m stuck in an elevator.”

Rebecca snorts at that, a rough almost bitter kind of thing. Isabelle’s head perks up.

“Not a fan of the night?”

Rebecca shrugs, “I used to be, my brother and I loved it. This year not so much. Mostly just ready to put this year behind me.”

Isabelle hums. This girl sounds a lot like Alec, or how Alec will hopefully only sound for a few more hours if things go well tonight with Magnus.

“Well I love it,” she says. Always has ever since she was a little girl. Jace, Alec, her mom and eventually Max would always pass out before the ball dropped, but Isabelle never did. She’d watch with wide eyed wonder as the glowing sphere made its descent counting down in an excited whisper as to not startle her family lounging around her. As she got older it became more than that, it was a night of fun and kissing a pretty girl or boy at midnight, maybe good work if she could find it. But she always looks at it with that wide-eyed wonder she felt when she was little. New beginnings covered in glitter and bright peals of laughter no matter what the year brought always made her feel alive. She says all of that aloud to Rebecca.

She looks up when she’s done and Rebecca is staring at her, expression a little unreadable. Somewhere caught between incredulous, but also a hint of wonderous that Isabelle wants to ask about when suddenly she hears the click of boots in the hallway.

***

“Wait, did you hear that?” Rebecca asks shuffling closer to the door when she hears footsteps outside welcoming the distraction to look away from Isabelle’s glowing eyes as she talked about her love of New Year’s Eve. It’s way too much to be hearing from such a pretty girl, when she herself used to feel that exact same way any year before this one.  

“That sounds like a person,” Isabelle says standing up and immediately banging on the doors in hopes to get someone’s attention. “HEY!” she yells as she bangs her hands harder. “Somebody out there? We’re stuck in the elevator.”

“Isabelle?” a male voice on the other side says.

“Raphael?!” Isabelle says excitedly before turning to Rebecca. “It’s Raphael!” she says it like Rebecca should have any idea who that is.

“How long have you been in there?” the male voice sounds from the other side.

“Not long thankfully, but my phone won’t work in here and I have to be across town to backup for Magnus by six so can you use that weird superhuman strength of yours to pry open this door and get us out?” Isabelle pleads.

“Us?” Raphael, evidently, asks.

“Yeah, one of our neighbors is in here too, now come on super boy!”

Rebecca doesn’t know this Raphael, but somehow some way she can sense an eyeroll through the metal door.

“First, we’ve talked about this, do not call me that,” he says gruff, but with a hint of fondness. The fondness makes Rebecca’s gut twist. A feeling of jealousy she has no right to have just because she thinks Isabelle is pretty. “Second, I’m not just going to bust open the door that could kill you. I’ll text Magnus so he knows you’re going to be late and I’ll go get Meliorn to see if he can figure this out. Stay put, okay.”

Isabelle rolls her eyes, “Stay put? Where exactly am I going to go?”

Raphael huffs out a laugh muffled by the door, “Knowing you Isabelle, I wouldn’t be surprised if you tried to climb out through the ceiling and scale the building up a floor.”

Rebecca widens her eyes at the insane concept of someone not in a John Wick movie actually trying that. Isabelle shrugs, nonplussed and seemingly accepting of the fact she would be the one person outside of a John Wick movie to try that.

“I’ll be back soon,” he continues on his footsteps growing distant as he seemingly goes to find this Meliorn who can supposedly help them. As soon as his footsteps disappear Rebecca feels instant regret that she didn’t ask him to check and see if her delivery was still downstairs. She totally would have paid him back if he saved her precious food.

Isabelle shuffles and sits back down on the cold metal wall opposite Rebecca.

“Raphael will get us out no worries,” she says with a smile and a seemingly endless confidence in this Raphael.

“Is he your boyfriend?” Rebecca asks a little abruptly.

“He used to be,” Isabelle smiles. “We weren’t the healthiest for one another when we were together, better off as just good friends. He’s actually dating my neighbor Meliorn now, who’s ironically also my ex-boyfriend; you might know him he’s the guy everyone calls when they need something from our scary landlord. He has a Zen way of getting through to even the most abrasive individuals, hence why he and Raphael work so well together.”

“I don’t really know the neighbors. I’ve only been here about a month,” Rebecca says and Isabelle looks pleased like she’d assumed that from Rebecca’s earlier inquiries about the elevator and was excited to be correct. “I think I’ve heard Clary and Helen mention him before.”

“Oh, so you live in 4A?” Isabelle inquires interestedly, Rebecca just nods. “Cool. I know them, well not know them, know them, but they seem nice. Say hello when they see you and hold the doors and all that. My brother actually tried to flirt with Clary when we first moved in, you can imagine that didn’t go his way.” She chuckles at that and Rebecca joins in. Whether the flirting in question had happened pre or post Maia it doesn’t change the fact that Clary is so painfully gay and that’s coming from Rebecca who is a lesbian to the highest degree herself.

“He would have stood a better chance with Helen,” Rebecca jokes, knowing that’s also not really true, Helen may be bi, but she’s picky as hell and very particular about dating outside of her workspace and home space.  

Isabelle laughs, “Yeah that’s what I told him. He said she was pretty too, but gave him this death stare every time he saw her after he hit on Clary so he didn’t even bother.”

And yep that sounds like Helen. She’s the sweetest girl in the world until you annoy her, she’s been on the end of that very death stare so she can absolutely imagine running away if she didn’t already know Helen so well.

They lapse into a comfortable silence after that and when Raphael comes back informing them it may be a couple hours till they’re out, but that Meliorn is on his way with tools and some sort of knowledge on how to fix the elevator. They both just settle back down onto the floor this time side by side.

It’s not long before Isabelle starts talking, she doesn’t ask Rebecca about her obvious distain for New Year’s Eve this year which she’s a little grateful for, but she does talk a lot about herself and about her brothers and her career. It’s clearly mostly just chatter to fill the space, but Rebecca doesn’t mind and finds herself happily asking questions here and there and even exchanging her own tidbits of information about her brother and mom in particular.

***

“Wait so not only are your two ex boyfriends now a couple, but one of them has been friends with your brother’s ex, who is currently trying to win your brother back cause they’re soulmates, since they were kids?” Rebecca sorts out a while later. After Raphael’s second exit and a short conversation the silence had started to dwell on Isabelle so she’d just started talking about anything and everything to fill the space.

She wasn’t sure if Rebecca was even listening, but evidently she was which is nice. She even started to throw in her own tidbits of information about her family as Isabelle chattered on. It’s nice to meet someone who clearly loves their siblings and mother as much as she loves her own.

“Yup,” Isabelle says popping the letter ‘p’ at the end. “It’s funny when Raph and I dated I didn’t even know he knew Magnus, he never really talked about his friends mostly because he used to act like he didn’t have any. I got hired to backup for Magnus once and dragged Alec along and they hit it off immediately which was around when Raph and I broke up and the connection was finally made.”

“That’s a roundabout way to find out you have an existing connection,” Rebecca says squinting a questioning eye.  

Isabelle laughs and it makes Rebecca smile a very pretty smile. It’s true, it’s also a stark reminder of how bad of a couple she and Raphael had been. While Raphael’s asexuality had never been an issue, literally everything else between them had been.

“Like I said not so healthy for one another,” she shrugs. “Once we cut the romance out we finally started talking and actually became friends. Then Meliorn came back into my life and I introduced them and it just works. We cook tamales once a month together and mock Meliorn’s abysmal vegan alternatives.”

Rebecca laughs at that and then they slip back into their silence, it’s comfortable but there’s still a question lingering at the back of Isabelle’s mind. Rebecca speaks so fondly of her brother and mother who are both in Florida this year, which seems to be part of why she’s so anti-New Years, but there’s more to the picture and Isabelle is curious.

“What’s with the New Year’s hate this year?” Isabelle says a little abruptly. It’s a trait she’s earned from her big brother over the years. Alec’s bluntness occasionally carrying over into her. “I mean I know you said your brother and mom aren’t here which is definitely a factor, but that deeply indignant snort you let out earlier when I mused says there’s more to it.”

Rebecca sighs leaning her back against the cool metal. Isabelle is about to tell her she doesn’t have to talk about. That she realizes she may have overstepped and that no matter how much information they’ve swapped about one another over the past hour she’s aware they’re still practically strangers.

But then Rebecca is talking before Isabelle can get out the words.

“I was seeing this girl,” she says not looking at Isabelle, but Isabelle takes in the seeing a girl information with an internal smile. Rebecca’s pretty and loves her family and wears weird pajamas and Isabelle’s kind of into it, so the confirmation of liking girls is a nice thing to have. “And it’s not like we were soulmates or anything, but we had just moved in together and it seemed like maybe we were moving forward even if it had felt like we were a little stagnant and then she just dumps me. No warning and I had to move in with Helen and Clary which then right on the heels of that mom moves to Florida, which is great for her,” she stresses clearly not wanting to blame her mom for anything. It’s something Isabelle understands.

“And she drags Si along with her for a month and just all the positive of the year sapped away. I just want to be done with it. Usually I’d be like you, but I just can’t feel it this year. It’s not even a heartbreak thing, like I said we were pretty stagnant, it’s just a lonely thing. I’d rather forget about this year and start fresh tomorrow.”

Isabelle is contemplative for a moment. She knows she can romanticize New Year’s Eve quite a bit and knows that’s not exactly what Rebecca needs to hear in this moment. She gets what Rebecca is saying, while it had been for the best to break it off with Raphael the dissolving of their romance had axis off center and right after that her father’s affairs came to light. These events hadn’t coincided with a year’s end or any holiday, but the understanding was still there. It had all tilted her world even if it was all for the best.

She shares that quietly into the space between them eyes on Rebecca even though she continues to just look straight ahead at the doors.

“So I get it,” she adds on when she’s done explaining. “I get wanting to start fresh the next day because today was just so damn abysmal and not worth celebrating.”

Rebecca smiles at that turning her head to finally meet Isabelle’s eyes. Isabelle smiles back and is suddenly aware of how close they’re sitting. It’s gotten chillier and chillier in this elevator as the hours have passed by and unconsciously they’ve scooted closer and closer together.

It’s probably not the move to make, but the proximity and heart to heart has Isabelle wanting to lean in and kiss this pretty, sweet, slightly messy girl. And Rebecca, well Rebecca kind of looks like she wouldn’t mind it if Isabelle did just that.

She doesn’t get the chance however when the elevator suddenly jolts again. Rebecca’s knee goes up and Isabelle immediately reaches out to grasp it, the touch grounding and the penguin pajama pants soft under her fingertips. And then they’re moving just like an elevator should right back up to where they started on the third floor. The door opening to reveal Raphael slouched down on the opposing wall headphones in.

He looks up and smiles at Isabelle then down to her hand on Rebecca’s knee and raises a brow. Isabelle immediately moves it not needing that questioning eyebrow right now.

***

Isabelle’s words and understanding set Rebecca at an ease she hasn’t felt in months. It’s so nice to have someone who gets it, especially someone as bright eyed as Isabelle Lightwood.

There’s a tense moment after Isabelle opens up to her where for a split second she thinks maybe she’s going to kiss her, but then the elevator jolts back to life, the doors opening to reveal a smiling man she assumes to be the infamous Raphael.

Isabelle’s hand leaves Rebecca’s knee abruptly as Raphael takes out his headphones and walks towards them holding out a hand to help Isabelle up from the ground that she takes easily. He then does the same for Rebecca introducing himself with a kind smile that’s also sort of intense. Perfectly fitting the description of him Isabelle had given.

“It worked,” another voice, soothing and almost melodic says. There in the doorway stands another man, quite possibly the prettiest man Rebecca’s ever seen even from her gayest point of view. He smiles at them.

“Obviously. You’re a genius Mel,” Isabelle says moving forward to finally exit the elevator. Raphael follows and Rebecca then trudges out behind them. Mel, or Meliorn as he introduces himself explains what was wrong quickly as Isabelle pulls her phone from her pocket.

“Shit,” she says as the phone blows up with every message and missed call she’d received while stuck in the elevator coming in all at once. “I have thirty minutes to make it to this party.”

“Go then,” Raphael says ushering her away. Rebecca stands off to the side watching as she affectionately squeezes both men’s arms. She assumes she should probably just leave and go back to her apartment. She moves to do just that when Isabelle turns gripping her arm to stop her.

“This was fun,” she says when Rebecca turns to look at her. Isabelle’s smile is bright and weirdly, maybe a little nervous. “We should probably not do this exact thing again though.” She chuckles bright.

Rebecca laughs about to respond when Isabelle’s phone buzzes loud in her pocket again.

“Okay, I really have to go,” she says moving forward before pausing and leaning it to press her bright red lips to Rebecca’s cheek. Her lips are soft and warm and usually Rebecca would be so annoyed that someone with lipstick just rubbed it all over her cheek, but she can’t even remotely feel bothered by it this time.

Isabelle pulls back with a shy smile not saying a word and taking off rushing past Rebecca at an alarmingly fast speed, especially considering the heels she’s wearing. Rebecca watches her go lifting a hand to her cheek when she hears a clearing of a throat behind her.

Raphael and Meliorn. Right, they’re still standing there.

She turns seeing two of the most amused expressions she’s ever seen before in her life and she blushes, spluttering to say something in explanation.

Meliorn doesn’t let her though just smiles and waves her off ensuring they’ll deal with blocking off the elevator in case his temporary fix didn’t totally do the trick. She smiles gratefully shuffling back down the hallway in her slippers.

Once she’s back in her apartment she pours herself the largest bowl of cereal known to man mixing together the remaining Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles in the cupboard into a large mixing bowl. It’s delicious, not quite the dinner feast she had planned, but considering how hungry she is it suffices. She settles on the couch turning on the tv and finding the ball drop hoping to catch Helen on TV.

It’s still hours away but the globe shines brightly at the top of Times Square. She thinks about Isabelle’s musings and about the way she and Simon used to curl up on the couch and watch this very event and suddenly feels a lot less sad about it all.

She thinks that’s mostly because of the few sweet hours she spent trapped with Isabelle Lightwood.

***

Isabelle flashes her ID at the front door and is blissfully granted access to the party with no hassle.

While the rush across town had allowed her single-minded focus now she’s letting her mind wander to Rebecca. Thinking about maybe knocking on 4A’s door tomorrow and seeing if she has dinner plans.

When she enters she already hears the familiar chords of Bat’s guitar signaling they’re about to hit the stage taking her back to that single-minded focus. She pushes herself to run one last time, those final few floors, avoiding the hotel elevator cause she’s not trusting another one of them tonight.

She tumbles backstage and quickly reassures Magnus’s concerned eyes with a smile and as the music swells and Bat tosses her a friendly wink everything else falls away. It’s just her and the band and the music and only a tiny corner of thoughts about Rebecca Lewis.

***

It’s nearly an hour till midnight watching that ball shine and listening to Ryan Seacrest prattle on about the Jonas Brother’s when it hits Rebecca that she didn’t ask for Isabelle’s number or anything of the like. She doesn’t even know what apartment number she lives in and she’s suddenly hit with a wave of regret. It’s not that they couldn’t run into one another again, but there’d been a spark and much like her brother Rebecca has been known to let sparks fly and then die because her nerves get the best of her. But right now she doesn’t feel nerves, she just wants to ask Isabelle Lightwood on a date, the problem is she can’t.

Or at least she can’t in any way that’s sane and doesn’t involve rushing across town to a party she definitely won’t get inside.

Unless.

Before she knows what she’s doing Rebecca slips her slippers back on her feet securely grabbing her things from the table by the door and heading out. She should probably change, but she should also probably not be doing this.

But that spirit she once had about New Year’s Eve feels a little brighter in her veins and she feels a pull that tells her tonight has to be the night she does this.

[enkelimagnus]

Selfish Chapter 28: Simon & Izzy

Post-3x22 Jadia/Clace/Claia/Sizzy fic

Chapter 28: Sometimes things don't work out the way you thought they would.

Read on AO3

Clary and Simon avoid the crowded streets and avenues of Manhattan. It’s a daylight patrol and it means there are a lot of mundanes walking around that they could bump into, or who could bump into them any second. It’s Christmas season too, a few days before the holiday, which means everyone’s rushing for last minute presents.

Shadowhunters don’t celebrate Christmas. Out of every member of Simon’s found family in the Shadow World, only Raphael celebrates it. It’s his second Christmas as a mundane. He’s a year into his education at the seminary, and Simon has seen him several times wearing the cassock. Simon doesn’t want to admit that he somewhat misses the stern man.

Clary’s looking around at the street and the people with unrestrained curiosity and excitement. It’s Clary’s first patrol since she came back to the Institute, a little less than a month ago. Simon’s mostly there to keep an eye on her as she gets back into it. He doesn’t doubt that she’ll be fine. She’s born for Shadowhunting.

It’s in her blood in a way that it isn’t in Simon’s. It’s unnerving sometimes, to be in the Institute training, or out on patrol as a Downworlder Deputy, and for all of the people to expect him to be as performant as they are. He’s not an angel-blooded soldier of the Clave. He works differently than them.

They all seem to somewhat forget that, especially Izzy. Simon sighs a little.

Clary winces as she stretches. Simon sends her a questioning look. She chuckles. “Izzy’s been kicking my ass in training. I’m just a giant ache right now.”

Simon chuckles as well. “Izzy’s been very focused on getting you back to your pre-hiatus abilities.”

Too focused, almost.

“Was she like that when you became a…”

“Downworlder Deputy?” Simon fills in. “No, she wasn’t. Jace actually took care of most of my training. We didn’t want to get distracted in the middle of sessions.”

Clary huffs, looking at him from the corner of her eye. “So I’m guessing the two of you are happy.”

Simon swallows. That’s a bit of a complicated topic. Izzy and him have been doing alright, considering. Their relationship is a bit emptier than it used to be. He cares for her a lot, truly. After all, they have spent more than a year together.

“We’re… okay.”

Clary turns her head to look at him more fully now. She sends him a slightly worried look. A pang of guilt hits him in the chest. After everything she’s been through, she doesn’t deserve to see her two best friends falling apart. She didn’t even get to be happy for them.  

Simon doesn’t elaborate. Clary seems to drop the subject, as they turn onto a bigger avenue, and focus on not hitting mundanes.

Silence settles between them, and Simon is left with his thoughts and his concerns. They have a date scheduled tonight, in a somewhat fancier than usual restaurant. If their relationship had been going as good as he pretends it is, that would have been the day he proposes.

He didn’t even go look for a ring.

They’ve been planning to go to that restaurant for months now. Izzy’s finally back to her original Weapons Master position, Alec has taken over the Institute, and they finally have a night off in both of their schedules at the same time.

Yet, Simon doesn’t want to go. He doesn’t want to sit across from her for hours as they pretend she’s not staring at her phone, hoping for someone to call. He doesn’t want to make small talk and have her systematically shut him out. He doesn’t want to give up trying after the second slightly deeper conversation he starts.

She doesn’t want to tell him things anymore, and he doesn’t want to try and reach her either. He’s tired, of the endless work of trying to get her to tell him why she’s not okay. He’s exhausted by it all.

But he’s going to be a good boyfriend, put on a nice shirt and go to dinner with her, and see if maybe, the spark between them, the feeling that made them work so well, be so good for each other in the beginning is still there.

He cares for her, so much, but it’s not enough. Not when he sees Magnus and Alec’s relationship, and compares what he sees of them to what he feels when he’s with Izzy. She’s distant, but he doesn’t really run after her that much anymore.

-------------------------

Izzy steps up the stairs to the small restaurant they booked a table at. Her feet are already killing her, because Simon insisted on taking the subway instead of an uber, and they walked from the subway station to the restaurant.

She’s pretty cold too, and Simon doesn’t give off much body heat. She reaches for her stele in her jacket pocket and discreetly activates her Heat rune. The inside of her coat gets much warmer immediately. Perfect.

Simon lets go of her arm once they are at the entrance of the restaurant, waiting to be led to their table. His arm wraps around her in a familiar motion, hand hovering over the small of her back.

She feels guilty for not putting more effort into her outfit. She pretty much gave up before opening her closet, and grabbed the closest semi-formal dress she could fine. It’s nice, of course, a square-neck, long-sleeved eggplant-colored bodycon dress that reaches right at her knee, but she’s worn it several times before and she’s sure Simon can notice.

To be honest, she just doesn’t want to be there. This restaurant sounds great and all, but Simon can barely eat a normal meal, she’s tired of working at the Armory all day to undo the mess her substitute made, and she just… doesn’t see the point.

Simon’s great but she doesn’t trust herself around him anymore. Not after what happened at Clary’s welcome back party. She looks at him and flashes of fangs and shivers of venom running through her veins are summoned from the depth of her mind.

It’s horrible, it’s ruining their relationship, and she wants it all to stop.

They are seated at a table in the middle of the room. No privacy whatsoever, and people will stare at the weird red liquid Simon pours onto every food that goes into his mouth. Izzy sighs. She wants this to be over, so she can just get in bed and sleep it all away.

Simon shrugs off his jacket and Izzy takes off her coat. They settle at the table and look onto the menu. Izzy knows he’ll order either the cheapest thing or red meat, which is easier for him to swallow down with the added blood. She sees the seafood linguine and chooses that.

They also both order a glass of wine, red for Simon and white for Izzy.

“How was your day?” Simon starts.

Izzy sighs a little. “It was fine. Stupid Castello made a mess of my Armory, so I’m just trying to make sense of what he left behind and fix it,” she complains. She hates that guy so much. “Also did some training with Clary.”

Their wine glasses arrive. Simon swiftly pours some blood into it. Izzy ignores it. She’s used to it. It doesn’t gross her out much anymore.

“She mentioned you were going hard on her.”

Izzy shrugs. “She spent a year without any sort of training. I’m only doing what I wish someone would do if it happened to me. Kick my ass into an acceptable skill level.”

Simon hums. “Right. But you know you have time right? She’s not going to disappear again. You don’t have to push her as hard as you do.”

Izzy purses her lips. He doesn’t understand, at all. He’s not a Shadowhunter. “I’m just doing what any good parabatai would do. She can take it. Besides, she’s not complaining.”

Simon nods and says nothing else. Good. They have very different experiences of training, of existing in this world. Simon never understood the culture of the Shadowhunters. Izzy doesn’t think he ever will.

They fall into another silence. There’s been a lot of silence in their relationship lately. Izzy shifts in her seat. She hates this. She hates the silence.

Eventually their food arrives. They haven’t even tried to talk more. There’s nothing to say, really. Izzy doesn’t want to tell him everything that’s going on in her head. She doesn’t want to tell him that she isn’t happy with him anymore.

They eat in silence, drink their wine glass, and a second one. Izzy wonders if she should order a tequila shot. Get some liquid courage before she does what she feels she should be doing.

She doesn’t order it. She just gets up and goes to the bathroom.

Her lipstick is fading away, and she reapplies it. Her reflection in the mirror looks bored and sad. She wants to go home, peel away the makeup and forget this. The dress has a stain now, from the pasta sauce. Everything feels frustrating and empty. Music’s playing in the bathroom and she wants to punch something.

She comes back to the table. Their plates have been taken away and Simon’s playing with a stray piece of cutlery that was left behind. She swallows. Her throat feels dry. She sits down and looks at him.

“Simon…”

“It’s not working,” Simon says. “That’s what you were going to say.”

Izzy opens her mouth and closes it again.

Simon sighs softly. There’s a little smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He’s a bit sad. But he’s not heartbroken.

“We both know it’s not,” Simon adds. “I think it’s time we stop pretending that we’re… functioning.”

Izzy swallows heavily. She knows this is the right thing to do but she still feels sad. She doesn’t want to say goodbye to all of the good moments they spent together.

“I care about you,” she whispers.

“So do I. But we know that’s not enough.”

“Yes,” she breathes. “It’s not enough. And we… we’re better off as friends, I think.”

“I agree,” Simon nods. He grabs the check and stands up. “I’ll get this.”

She watches as he walks over to the cash register and pays. Her heart is heavy, but the weight on her shoulder is lifted.

[fraybaness]

allowed to feel

ao3

in which someone understands. | tw for mentions of violence and abuse

Maia's not used to seeing her out alone. She looks around for Jace or Luke or Simon or Izzy, even Magnus. But no - it's just Clary, hunched over an empty glass in the corner of the bar, staring off into space.

Maia walks over to her as casually as she can, trying to mask the fact that she's been staring. "Hey," she says cheerfully; Clary's head snaps up. "Need a refill?" Maia holds up her bottle of bourbon. Clary nods.

"The last guy gave me a virgin drink," Clary says with a smile. But it's a hollow smile, her mind clearly elsewhere. And it's hard to miss the bags under her eyes that concealer can't quite hide. She looks exhausted .

"That is because you're eighteen," Maia says as she fills a new glass up. "But I'll cut you some slack since you look like you need it." She places the drink in front of Clary. Clary mumbles a thanks and wraps her fingers around the glass, but doesn't drink. Maia frowns. "You okay?"

Clary looks up at her, for just a moment, and then back down again. But it's enough - enough for Maia to see a deep vulnerability in her eyes she hasn't seen there before.

But then it's gone and Clary smiles and says, "yeah. Thanks."

Clary is the type of person to wear her emotions on her sleeves, so Maia doesn't understand why she's trying so hard to hide them. It could be because they're not close. Then again, she clearly needs someone to vent to, and though Maia hates conforming to bartender stereotypes, she can’t deny that…well, she’s worried.

"You sure?" Maia asks, deciding that if Clary plays it off again, she's not going to push anymore. She can only do so much for people she barely hangs out with.

Clary opens her mouth, then closes it and swallows. "A lot has been happening."

Maia nods. She waits for Clary to go on.

Clary shakes her head and forces another smile, changing the subject. "You seen Luke around?"

Okay. So she doesn't wanna talk.

That shouldn't bother Maia half as much as it does.

"He's on a date," Maia says. "With your boyfriend's mom, actually."

Clary's wince is barely noticeable, and gone as fast as it came, but Maia catches it. She hadn't meant for the comment to actually upset Clary. It was supposed to get an eye roll in response, maybe a chuckle, if Maia was lucky. Not... this .

Maia puts down the bottle she's holding and leans closer to Clary across the counter. "Is Jace okay?" she asks. She hopes Jace's well-being is the only reason Clary reacted like that at his mention, because the alternative is so much worse.

The alternative might make Maia kill someone tonight.

"Yeah," Clary says in a small voice. "He...I don't know if Luke told you, but-"

"He was possessed by the Queen of Edom," Maia finishes for her. "Yeah, Simon told me."

Clary nods. "He's fine now. Unpossessed and everything, thanks to Magnus. He needs time to recover, though. He didn't take any time right after it happened."

"He'll be fine," Maia says reassuringly. "He has a supportive family-" she raises an eyebrow at Clary. "-a great girlfriend...and he's strong. He's got this."

Clary nods and thanks her again, but doesn't look much better. She lifts her glass and downs the whole thing in one go.

"Whoa!" Maia reaches out in time to take the empty glass from her. "Christ, okay, here," she fills a different cup with water and forces it into Clary's hands. "If I let you get drunk alone at a bar, your dad's gonna kill me."

Clary obediently drinks half the content of the glass and makes a face. "You look tired," she says abruptly with newfound bravado. Maia rolls her eyes.

"The Downworld has had things going on, too," she says simply. "And I'm not getting you another drink, lest you start saying everything that's on your mind."

That gets a genuine smile out of Clary. "I do that sober."

"True." Maia smirks. "But, hey, I've got Simon to talk to. Where are your Shadowhunter groupies?"

"At work," Clary says matter-of-factly. "Or, in Alec's case, at Magnus' place. So, you know, everything is normal."

"Except you're drinking alone."

Clary shrugs. "Needed to clear my head, I guess." She hesitates. "Hey, um...are you staying over at Simon's tonight?"

"No, why?"

"Well..." she shakes her head, as if ashamed of the idea. "I was gonna ask him to sleep over at his place. If that's okay with you, I mean."

“You have my blessing," Maia chuckles. She wishes Clary knew that just because they've both dated him, it doesn't mean Maia's going to be weird about her and Simon spending time together. She trusts Simon. She’s not going to prevent him from spending time with his best friend.

Clary breathes a sigh of relief and takes out her phone to type a text to Simon while Maia mixes a drink for another customer. When she returns to Clary, the other girl looks a little less anxious, but just as tired.

“You want something to eat?” Maia asks. Clary considers for a moment, then orders a plate of chips and retreats to a table in the back. That in itself would be fine, except two hours later, she’s still there.

“I can’t believe you still haven’t finished these,” Maia comments, sitting across from Clary and startling her. Her shift is over and Clary isn’t even halfway through the chips she’s bought. They’re very good chips. It’s ridiculous. “What’s going on with you?”

“Simon’s gonna be out late,” Clary says. “I’m just killing time.”

“Uh-huh,” Maia grabs a handful of chips and chews thoughtfully, studying Clary. “Any particular reason you don’t wanna go back to the Institute?”

Clary tenses, but forces a smile and shakes her head.

Maia hesitates. “Do you want me to call someone? Maybe Luke?” She asks; Clary shakes her head again. “How about Jace?”

Again, Clary’s reaction is worrying, to say the least: her shoulders hunch automatically and her bottom lip begins to quiver. She struggles to hide it, but the exhaustion must be catching up with her. Maia stands up.

“I have a key to Simon’s place,” she says quickly. “Come on, I’ll walk you.”

Clary nods wordlessly and follows her out of the Hunter’s Moon. Neither of them says anything as they walk down the busy streets towards Simon’s new apartment.

After about two blocks, Clary breaks down.

The sobs seem entirely involuntary and utterly draining. She collapses against the nearest wall. Her hands come up shakily to cover her face. Her phone drops to the ground at her feet, the edge of its casing chipping on the concrete. Maia can only stand there in stunned silence and watch as Clary curls in on herself on the dirty street corner and cries.

“Fuck,” Maia breathes, and crouches down in front of Clary. “Clary, are you…” She trails off, realizing are you okay? is a rather stupid question. “Hey, what is it? Are you hurt?”

Clary shakes her head. “I’m sorry,” she sobs. “I- I can’t-”

She starts to fumble around clumsily for the phone she’s dropped. Maia picks it up to hand it to her - it’s still vibrating. She glances at the caller ID.

“It’s…Jace,” Maia says. “Do you want me to…?”

Clary swallows thickly. It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots and realize golden boy’s call is what triggered such an intense reaction in her. Maia rejects the call and helps Clary off the ground.

“I’m sorry,” Clary says again.

“Clary, did he hurt you?” Maia asks abruptly. Her voice is low and quiet and sure - she already knows the answer.

Clary begins to shake her head, but stops. " He didn't," she says shakily. "But...when I ent to confront him after I found out he was the Owl- I shouldn't have gone after him. It was stupid. I was just so shocked and scared and-" she cuts herself off with another involuntary sob.

Maia is suddenly overcome with the need to protect her. Whether it's because Clary's young or her friend or just another girl who didn't deserve the horrible things that have happened to her, she doesn't know, but it doesn't stop her wanting to skin the person who's hurt her alive.

Clary clears throat and goes on, "I fought the Owl and he won. And I tried to reach out to him, to get him to break free from Lilith's control. I- I told him I loved him...and he threw me off an eight-story building and shattered my spine."

She's not crying anymore. Not really. Her eyes are red and puffy and her jaw is still quivering, but instead of tears, there is a cold, resigned look in her eyes.

And Maia feels like throwing up.

"Are you-" she tries to speak - but there are really no words for this situation. "God, Clary, that's...are you okay? I mean, how-"

"Magnus," Clary says, and for some reason there is an edge of guilt to her tone. "And Simon, and Iratze , and some Shadowhunter medics. But mostly Magnus. Because all he does is walk around solving problems that I caused."

Maia swallows. "Clary, some guy breaking your spine isn't your fault."

"But everything else was."

Maia doesn't ask her to elaborate. Whatever it is, it doesn't feel like a conversation to be had tonight.

Instead, she changes the subject back. "You can't look at Jace the same way, can you?"

"No," Clary admits, her voice cracking. She leans back against the wall, the bone-deep tiredness she feels evident in her eyes. "No, and it's not fair because this wasn't his fault! But I can't- I don't want him to touch me. I don't want him to kiss me or say my name or tell me he's sorry or that he loves me. I can't stop thinking about how stupid I felt when I told him I loved him and he just laughed. I can't stop thinking about how much it hurt , how I couldn't move ... I just...I want things to go back to the way they were." Fresh tears fill her eyes and she shakes her head, trying to will them away.

Maia doesn't say anything for a long time. She doesn't know what Clary's feeling. She was never in that situation. And she's certainly never broken her back. But while it's a vastly different situation, she knows a thing or two about being left for dead by people who are supposed to love you.

"I know," she says quietly.

Clary looks at her, fresh horror on her face. "You do?"

"Yeah," Maia purses her lips. "My abusive ex is back in town. And I won't let him leave." Clary blinks and tilts her head like a confused puppy. Maia can't help but savour the affectionate thought as she continues to explain: "He was sent by this organization to help Simon with the Mark on his head and I won't let him leave until Simon's safe."

"He's a Downworlder?" Clary asks.

Maia nods. She doesn't want to go into detail. "Point is, sometimes people you're supposed to trust will hurt you. And it doesn't matter whether they meant to or not. Whatever you're feeling - anger or pain or whatever else - you're allowed to feel it."

Clary looks at her for a moment, letting the words sink in. Then she steps forward and hugs her.

Maia is stunned for a second, not having expected it, but it's not a bad feeling, being wrapped up in Clary Fairchild's arms (no - she's Clary Fray right now, no big intimidating Shadowhunter name attached to her, no legacy. Just a scared and angry teenage girl searching for any comfort she can find in a life that offers none.) She's small but muscular under her skin, her body running hot from all the crying as she presses her face into the crook of Maia's neck, wetting it with tears. Maia returns the hug, and feels instantly calmer and warmer, and they stand like that for a long time, reminding themselves and each other that they're not alone.

They're not alone.

[little-fandom]

When memories flow out

"He knows that Alec just wants to forget. That he doesn’t want to recall the way his father treated him, the way he hurt him. But Alexander also wants to protect his family, more than anything."

Alec is still struggling, and a visit from his mother does not bring him any peace. With a news of a family emergency Alec is forced to reveal the biggest secret from his childhood to his mother. It might be the only way to solve this crisis, and with Magnus by his side, he's feels that he's ready to uncover the truth.

Or, Alec tells his mom about how his father had treated him. Magnus is there to support him through it.

Part 5 of the We Can Talk About Everything series 

read on ao3

Warning: past child abuse

“My mom just texted me.” Alec announces as he emerges into the kitchen, where Magnus is cleaning up after their dinner. They’re staying at Alec’s tonight, but Magnus offered to clean up after their meal, since Alec is still having a hard time with his mental health issues. So being a good boyfriend he is, Magnus decided to let him relax and take care of the mess himself.

It’s been a week since Alec’s ‘breakdown’, lacking any other word to name it. He’s doing better, but work still is a struggle and everything in general just puts him down. Magnus has basically stayed at his apartment the whole week to make sure he’s eating properly and just to be able to take care of him, to show him that he’s not alone. Even with Alec’s constant whining about Magnus fussing about him, and that he’ll spend way too much money on petrol since the hospital is at the other side of the city, Magnus refused to leave. For both of their sakes.

“What did she say?” Magnus asks as he dries his hands from where he’s been washing the dishes and comes to stand next to Alec, who is still frowning, looking down at his phone.

“She wants to come over.” He says, still not looking up. “She said it’s important.”

“Do you want her to come over?” Magnus prompts, running his hand up and down Alec’s arm lightly in a soothing gesture.

He already knows that when Alec is like this, he doesn’t like to see anybody. It took Magnus a lot of convincing that he is not a burden, and that he’ll spend time with him no matter what mood he’s in. Magnus is really grateful, that Alec let him stay with him during his hard time. It’s probably the most open and vulnerable he’s been with him, and Magnus does appreciate that. That he’s not afraid.

Things with Alec’s mom have been better recently. She’s been more interested in her children’s lives and she’s really trying to be there for them. Things between her and Robert are basically over and the divorce is definitely happening. They just need to sort out all about division of assets and what to do with their shared company.

Alec is still staring down at his phone, fingers hovering over the keyboard, like he wants to reply something but has no idea what.

“Love?” Magnus prompts when he realises Alec still hasn’t answer his question, he’s not even sure if he head him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, fine.” Alec replies as he shakes his head lightly, composing himself and sorting out his thoughts. Magnus is about to repeat his question, but then his boyfriend speaks again. “I think it’s been enough of hiding in here.” He states with a small smile. “I’ll tell her to come over.”

“Alright.” Magnus smiles as Alec finally looks up at him. “Do you know what might be the important matter your mother wants to talk about?”

“Probably something about the divorce.” Alec shrugs lightly. “Maybe they set up a date or something? I don’t know, we’ll see.”

“Okay.” Magnus resort as they both move to get out of the kitchen. “So, I’m gonna get going-“ He starts, but Alec doesn’t let him finish.

“No, you can stay.” He says simply. “This probably won’t take long.”

“Are you sure?” Magnus inquires. “Your mother-“

“She knows you’re here.” Alec adds to which Magnus sends him a confused glare. “She texted me last night to ask how I’m doing and I told her you were staying at my place basically for the whole week, and that we were going to have dinner tonight.”

“Alright, but still, if it’s something about the divorce I’m not sure if I should-“ Magnus tries again, but Alec just shakes his head and interrupts again.

“Don’t worry about it.” He resorts as he comes closer to Magnus, placing his hands on his waist. “I’d tell you everything either way.” He chuckles lightly and Magnus mirrors the sound. “Besides,” Alec looks down as he speaks. “I just want you to stay.”

And maybe his words wouldn’t be much of a big deal, if it was any other time he said this. But this week, Alec has been urging Magnus to go, every time he thought he was too much. Which was basically all the time. He was so worried and mad at himself thinking he’s becoming yet another problem to his boyfriend, that he was ready to abandon his needs to make up for the time he thought Magnus ‘wasted’ taking care of him.  So to finally hear him voicing what he wants, instead of what he thinks is better for Magnus, is a big progress and yet another conviction that Alec is getting back on the right track again.

Magnus cups his face, urging Alec to look up, and when their eyes meet he just smiles at his boyfriend and connects their lips in a soft kiss.

“Of course I’ll stay, angel.” Magnus states when they part. Alec’s smiles widens a bit and he leans in for another kiss, which Magnus just can’t refuse. “I’ll finish up the dishes and join you back here.”

“I can do it myself-“ Alec starts, but Magnus is already backing out towards the kitchen as he speaks again.

“No, you’re relaxing tonight.” He points an accusatory finger at his boyfriend to which Alec only rises his hands in gesture of surrender, and goes to sit back down on the couch.

Almost four months into relationship and he knows better than to argue with Magnus when he uses that special tone.

 An hour later, they’re both seated on the couch, Alec resting comfortably in Magnus’ arms, the TV’s on, but none of them really pays much attention to it. Both of them just content in each other’s company.

Soon, there is a knock on the door and Alec sighs as he moves up from the couch, placing a kiss to Magnus’ lips on his way to the door. Magnus soon follows and catches up to him as he opens the door, and Maryse Lightwood appears at the doorstep.

“Mom, hi.” Alec greets and his mother goes to hug him. “Good to see you.”

“Great to see you too.” She smiles. “Magnus.” She switches her gaze from her son to his boyfriend.

“Hello, Mrs Lightwood-“ Magnus extends a hand but Maryse only snorts and waves her palm dismissively.

“Oh, please. Call me Maryse.” She resorts simply and completely ignores Magnus’ extended hand and moves to hug him instead.

He’s a bit taken aback but accepts a hug, sending a surprised gaze to Alec. He just shrugs, but Magnus can see that he’s pretty shocked himself.

He’s only met Maryse Lightwood once, at the dinner when Alexander introduced him to his family. Not everything went great that night, but something changed in Maryse ever since, when she saw her son standing up to his father something finally hit her. And she’s been better, really. More carrying and attentive. No matter how this night went, it seemed to put Maryse back on the right track.

“So, how are you doing?” The woman asks when they move to back the living room. Alec and Magnus get seated on the couch, with Maryse opposite them in the armchair. “How is the book going, Alec?”

“It’s good.” Alec answers simply and nods. “I’m almost done actually.”

“I can’t wait till I finally get to read it.” Maryse resorts with another smile.

“Well, it’s still a lot of time till it comes out…” Alec starts, but suddenly he seems to register his mom’s words. Maryse has never really shown much of a support for his profession. Or interest. He wasn’t even sure if she read any of his previous works. But it’s nice to see her being excited for him. “But thanks, mom.” He adds, the corners of his lips quirking a little.

His mother just smiles in answer and then focuses her eyes on Magnus.

“How are things at the hospital?” She questions.

“Fine. Busy, but all good.” Magnus responds with a smile.

“Alec told me that last week was rough on you.” Maryse says with a sympathetic expression. “I’m glad you got to spend some time together this week, at least.”

“Yeah,” Magnus nods as his hand abstinently reaches out to squeeze Alec’s. “we’re glad too.” He looks up at his boyfriend and receives a smile, which he mirrors.

For a moment they just stare in each other’s eyes, still smiling softly, and then Alec shakes of his daze, reminded of his mother’s presence in the room.

“So mom,” He begins when he turns to face Maryse again. “how have you been doing?”

“Oh, I’m fine.” She replies casually.

But it can’t be a fully honest answer, since she claimed she that this visit was important.

“How are things with the divorce?” Alec prompts carefully, knowing that it isn’t his mother’s favourite subject. But still, she always tells him, Izzy and Jace everything. Max also wants to know, but he’s still too young to understand this fully. But Maryse still speaks to them about it, no matter how much they might not want it, it still applies to them.

At his question, Maryse’s expression falls, and she looks down on the floor. There are a few moments of silence, in which no one speaks.

“I can leave if you don’t want to-“ Magnus starts, assuming that maybe Maryse hesitates because of his presence. But Alec looks at him and shakes his head, a panicked look on his face. He said it was fine, but still, it’s not really Magnus' business. Well, at some point maybe it is, because Alexander is somehow involved in this, but mostly, it’s between Robert and Maryse. But if Alec needs him, then he doesn’t really want to leave.

“No, it’s fine, Magnus.” Maryse says and flashes him a smile, which gives him all the reassurance he needs. Then she picks up again. “We set a date.” She continues, still not looking up. “The hearing will take place next month. We’re almost done with settling things in at the company…” She carries on and then takes a deep breath, as if trying to brace herself for her next words. “But there is one thing, that your father has told me, he’s planning to do.”

Magnus tightens the hold on Alec’s hand, feeling how tensed he got just from his mother’s words. He reaches with his other hand to run it up and down Alec’s back lightly in an attempt to calm him.

He wishes he told Maryse about Alec’s recent state. That he might not be able to take some big, demanding news now. She doesn’t know, because how could she? Alec has been pretty good at hiding a lot of things during his childhood.

“What is it?” Alec asks, when his mom doesn’t give any intention to talk for a while.

She clears her throat, finally looking up on her son. Her gaze falls at his and Magnus’ joined hands before she settles it back up on Alec’s face.

“He told me he will fight with me for the full custody over Max.” Maryse announces and sighs.

“What?” Alec’s voice comes out as nothing louder than an exhale. “How? What-, can he do that?” He adds a bit stronger.

“Well, legally he has a full right to do it.” Maryse answers simply, but her eyes are full of sadness and maybe even fear.

“Okay,” Alec shakes his head trying to let the information sink in. “but it’s obvious that Max wants to stay with you, right? So there’s nothing to worry about.” He tries for that.

“Firstly, I thought so too.” Maryse starts, but it does not sound convinced as she speaks furthermore. “But your father can be really persuasive, and when one parent applies for full custody, they need to check the background of the both of us.” She sends Alec a knowing look and a second later a look of realisation covers him face.

“Dad made you take the Morgenstern case.” He states firmly, but Maryse just shakes her head.

“Yes, but I have not evidence to prove it in the court.”

Magnus doesn’t really understand what’s going on, or who this Morgenstern might be, but that doesn't sound good. It's feels like some trouble, but he doesn't think it's right to bring it up now, so he doesn't say anything, just hopes that things are not turning too personal. Because even if he wanted to leave he can’t, because of Alec’s strong grip on his hand. He won’t make him let go. Not when he can feel that it might be the only thing that keeps him grounded.

“Why does he want to do that?” Alec asks in a resign tone. “He doesn’t care about any of us!” His voice is filled with frustration and anger.

“I really don’t know.” Maryse replies. “It’s not like we actually talk, but when I asked for a valid reason, he just brushed me off. Maybe he just does it to upset all of us?”

Alec snorts. That would be very typical for his father.

But to take it all out on an innocent child? That is cruel. To show his superiority by taking a child away from its mother and a loving family. Robert won’t grand him all of that. And if the justice system actually worked fair, there would be no doubt that the court wouldn’t give him full custody. But sadly, Robert Lightwood does have ins in the court, and not all of his work is just. Never really was.

“There has to be something on him.” Alec snaps again, but his mother just looks at him sadly. “We know that not all of his businesses were fair!”

“I wish there was something.” Maryse starts. “But he keeps all of his reports and probably destroyed anything that might be incriminating.”

Alec sighs heavily and rubs a hand over his faces.

“I really wish there was something.” Maryse adds, her voice almost breaking down.

Alec closes his eyes for a few seconds, as if trying to compose himself, and he runs a hand through his hair in a nervous gesture.

“There might be one thing.” He says and both Magnus’ and Maryse’s eyes focus back on him, but he keeps looking back on the floor.

And then it clicks for Magnus.

“Alexander…” He starts, but Alec doesn’t raise his head to look at him.

He knows how hard it is for Alec to talk about it. How he never really told anyone besides him. How his family doesn’t know. And he hates that now Alec is being forced to do it. No matter how much Magnus wanted him to report this somewhere, it wasn’t what he meant, he wanted him to be ready.

“You don’t have to…” Magnus starts carefully. “If you’re not ready-“

“I can’t let him take my baby brother, Magnus.” Alec finally looks up at him, a mix of fear, hurt but also anger and desperation on his face. “I just can’t.” He whispers, voice barely audible.

Magnus sighs, but nods lightly, still not letting go of his hand, and he wraps the other around his waist, holding him close, giving all the comfort and protection he can.

Alec takes another deep breath and when they both face Maryse again, she looks at them with her eyes wide.

“What thing, Alec? What are you talking about?” She asks as she clasps her palms together in an attempt to stop them from shaking, but it doesn’t really help.

“I…” Alec starts as he exhales again. “I don’t know where to start.” He shakes his head lightly and looks down again, hanging his head low, his gaze fixed on the floor.

“Take all the time you need, darling.” Magnus whispers to him and runs his hand over his back again.

He looks back at Maryse, and she sends him a questioning gaze, her eyes full of unawareness and fear. But Magnus doesn’t know what to say, so he just sends her a look that seems to be saying wait, he’ll start when he’s ready.

Maryse nods back and leans in to lightly comb a hand though Alec’s hair.

“Just start from the beginning, son. There’s no rush.” She says.

Magnus has never seen Alec like this before. Just so scared and hurt. When he showed up at his apartment a week ago, he thought that Alec looking miserable and not sleeping for days might have been the worst state he’s seen him in. But this, right now, clearly tops it.

Because he knows that Alec just wants to forget. That he just doesn’t want to recall the way his father had treated him, the way he hurt him.

But Alexander also wants to protect his family, more than anything. So if it’s the only way to save Max from the monster Robert is. He’ll do it. No matter how much pain it causes him now.

“You know how dad treated me,” Alec finally starts. “how he began to hate me after I came out.”

“I know, sweetheart.” Maryse says, her voice soft, but also resigned. “But it won’t be enough-”

“I know.” Alec nods lightly, still not looking up. “But the things he said… it wasn’t the whole thing.”

“The whole thing?” Maryse repeats slowly as if trying to figure out the meaning of his words. Her expression turns horrified as she may slowly come to the realisation, but she still asks. “Alec, what do you mean?” 

“I mean, he abused me, mom.” Alec looks up into his mother’s eyes and Magnus squeezes his hand tighter, when he hears the way his voice trembles. “He beat me, he… not constantly, but it happened a few times…”

“Oh, my God.” Maryse’s hand wanders to cover her mouth, her eyes glistened with tears so much, that Alec has to look away. “Oh, God.” She repeats and shakes her head as tears begin to fall. “I’m so sorry, son.” She sobs and moves to embrace her child.

Alec accepts the hug, putting his own arms around his mother’s back as she cries into his shoulder and he has troubles keeping his own from flooding.

At this, Magnus carefully stands up from the couch, leaving Alec safe in his mother’s arms. He leans in and kisses the top of Alec’s hair as he whispers.

“I’m proud of you, angel.”

And as he receives a slight nod from his boyfriend, he makes his way to the kitchen and busies himself with preparing some tea, as he gives them a moment of privacy.

Maryse doesn’t notice the little exchange between them, as she keeps trembling and sniffing in her son’s arms.

“Mom, I’m fine now.” Alec tries as they pulls back lightly. “It’s in the past, I’m all good now.”

“How could I be so blind?” Maryse asks herself more than Alec, but before he gets to say anything, she carries on. “How could I not see anything? It was right in front of me, he hurt my children-“

“Mom, it was only me.” Alec adds quickly. “He never laid a hand on Jace, Izzy or Max. I made sure of it.” He adds in a lower tone.

Because by that, he means that he kept putting himself at line for it, for the rest not to suffer. He doesn’t want to remember. It feels terrible to even speak these words. It’s actually the first time he called it by the name. Abuse. When he told Magnus he hasn’t really said this word.

“That doesn’t make it any better.” Maryse shakes her head as new wave of tears stains her cheeks. “He hurt you… my baby.”

She sobs again, and Alec puts her back into his arms.

“How could I not notice anything?” Maryse keeps whispering to herself. “Always so focused at work… I am the worst mother, I should have-“

“Hey, mom, stop.” Alec states firmly and pulls back to look at her. “You couldn’t see it, because I hid it. He made me hide it, but… it’s not your fault-“

“It is-“

“No, it’s his and his only.”

Maryse doesn’t look convinced, but she lets it go for a moment, exhaling heavily, before she begins again.

“What didn’t you say anything?” She asks softly. “I know, I wasn’t there for you when I should have, and I am so sorry, baby-“

“I couldn’t, mom.” Alec says, his voice weak as he tries to get the words out pass the lump in his throat. “He forbid me to. He said that if I told anyone, he’d hurt you, or Jace, Izzy or Max… I couldn’t let him do that. I’m their big brother, I need to protect them-“

“I should have protected you.” Maryse cuts in firmly. “I am your mother. And I failed so much at this task.” She shakes her head again. “When did it start?” She asks then, brushing Alec’s hair from his forehead as she sits next to him on the couch, occupying Magnus’ previous spot, taking the hold of his hands, in her own trembling ones.

“He did it first when I was twelve.” Alec admits. A new wave of terrible memories floating out. “Before Jace came to live with us. I don’t really remember why… I guess he was just upset with me about something I couldn’t do right, or something I messed up.”

Maryse nods in understanding as she sniffles when more tears escape her eyes.

“Do you remember that archery tournament I went on when I was fourteen?” Alec asks then, and Maryse confirms with a nod.

“You ended up at second place.” She states with a proud smile.

“Yeah, I did.” Alec recalls with a little smile, but if fades when he continues. “I also came back with bruised ribs and you noticed, remember?” He inquires and his mother nods again, her expression turning sad, as she probably knows what’s coming. “It wasn’t some kid who beat me up, because I got a better place than him, it was dad, because I didn’t come in first. He got mad and just lost it.”

“Oh, baby.” Maryse says mortified. “I’m so sorry.”

“It happened a few times again, later on. Every time I messed something up, or any of us messed something up. But as I got older I learnt to protect myself, and somewhere along the way he realised he can’t really hurt me anymore, not physically at least, so he switched more to verbal abuse. Especially after I came out…”

Maryse exhales heavily again and runs a head through her face, ruining her already messed up make-up.

“Does any of your siblings know?” She asks then.

“No,” Alec shakes his head. “They would probably tell you, so I was scared to even tell them. Scared of what he would do. I didn’t want any of you to get hurt. I think Jace suspected something for a bit, but he never really dug into it, when I said it was nothing. He was still getting used to living with us back then, I couldn’t worry him.”

His mom nods again, acknowledging the situation, before she questions again.

“So, no one ever knew?”

“Only Magnus.” Alec answers. “But not since long ago. I told him after that dinner, when you met him. I didn’t want to, at the beginning but when I lashed out at dad… I just kinda got caught up in my thoughts and somehow it came up, and Magnus didn’t let it go until I told him the truth.” Alec recalls that night when he found enough courage to uncover the truth about his father, for the first time ever. “And I’m glad he did that.” He adds then. “When I told I just… I don’t know, I guess I felt kind of lighter, with at least someone knowing. I just wanted to forget about all this but… I know it will stick with me through my whole life probably, no matter how hard I try to erase those memories.”

“Alec, I’m really sorry.” His mother starts again after a moment, when she lets all the information sink in and nearly stops crying. But the traces of tears still present on her cheeks. “When I think about how you couldn’t even feel safe in your own home… there’s no surprise you moved out as soon as you got a chance to. I don’t know what else I can do right now than to apologize to you. I know it’s not enough, I know it will never be, but I’ll try, son. I promise to try to be better. To you and your siblings. So if there’s anything more I can do for you, just name it.”

“There is one thing, actually.” Alec starts and Maryse focuses to listen to his request. “End him in that court.” He says with a small smile and his mom reciprocates.

“Oh, I will.”

Alec nods, but his smile falls a bit, when he speaks again.

“I don’t really know, how you’ll use this information.” He sighs. “I don’t really have any prove. I can testify. Jace can testify, he can say he saw something was wrong… I don’t know if it’ll be enough. But I think his homophobic behaviour and child abuse are much worse than what you needed to do in the Morgenstern case. I don’t think we’ll get him to come clean about the abuse, but maybe if we get some witnesses-“

“Honey, let me worry about that.” Maryse squeezes his hands. “I’m the lawyer here. Thank you for telling me. Really, I can’t even imagine how hard it must have been for you.”

“I can’t let him take Max. He can’t get away with all this dirty business he did. “

“I know, and I promise you, I’ll do everything I can to get justice for what he did to you.”

“Thank you, mom.” Alec says and leans in so Maryse knows to puts her arms around him. They stay like this for a while, until Alec is reminded of something.

“Magnus, you can come out now.” He exclaims towards the kitchen.

“I wasn’t eavesdropping, I swear.” Magnus says as he appears with a tray of tea in his hand.

“You didn’t have to.” Alec resorts with a soft smile. He’s well aware that Magnus had heard every word of their conversation. With his small apartment, the kitchen connected to the living room area, you need to be really quite if you don’t want to be overheard. But he doesn’t care. He’d tell Magnus everything anyway.

There’s still a lot of things he’ll need to tell his mom one day. There’s still a lot of things no one knows. Not even Magnus, not yet. But he’ll tell them. Someday, he’ll find the courage to.

When Alec finally lets go of his mother’s embrace, she gently wipes her cheeks, but it doesn’t really help for how she’s ruined all of her make-up.

“I should probably fix that.” She says when she look at her palms, smeared with black lines from her mascara. “I’ll be back in a minute.” She gets up from the couch, places a kiss to her son’s forehead and moves in the direction of the bathroom.

When she’s out of sight Alec exhales heavily and buries his face in his hands. Magnus goes to sit on the couch next to him, throwing an arm around him and kissing his shoulder gently.

“I’m really proud of you, angel.” He repeats again and feels Alec nod. “I know it muust be hard.”

“Yeah, thank you.” He replies, faces still in his hands.

“What’s wrong, darling?” Magnus asks, when his boyfriends doesn’t make any move to pull his palms away from his face.

It might be a stupid question, since a lot of things are clearly wrong right now, but he still can’t help but ask. Magnus can see the effort it takes for Alec not to cry, the way his whole body shakes. But he also knows that Alexander refuses to break down in front of his family, so he probably won’t let the emotions flood out until Maryse leaves the apartment.

“I just keep thinking of how I’ll need to tell Izzy and Jace now.” Alec sighs again. “I don’t want to have this conversation again.” His voice breaks down towards the end.

“Sweetheart, it’ll be okay. They’ll understand.” Magnus assures him.

“I know they will.” He finally looks up, his eyes red and bloodshed. “But I don’t want to say it again. Remind myself of all that. I just-, it’s just so hard.”

“Shh, it’s okay, love.” Magnus runs his hands over his back as Alec buries his head in his chest. “It’s gonna be fine. I can tell them, or your mom. You’re not alone in this.”

“I know.” Alec nods lightly. “But you were right that night.” He pulls back to look at his boyfriend. “When I told you about this. They deserve to know the truth and an explanation.” He states a bit more confidently. “I need to tell them.”

“And I’ll be right by your side, darling.” Magnus reassures him. “Same as your mom.”

“Thank you.” Alec says and hooks his arms around Magnus’ neck. “I don’t know if I’d be able to do this without you.”

“You would.” Magnus declares, and Alec just shakes his head lightly with a smile, but doesn’t say anything for a while, only leans in to kiss him softly on the lips.

“Well, you certainly make things easier.” He replies when they part and they both chuckle briefly.

Maryse emerges from the bathroom and finds them like this. Her son curled up on the couch in his boyfriend’s arms. She just looks down for a moment and smiles. She could not be happier that Alec found someone like Magnus. Someone who will stand by him, no matter what. Just always be there for him.

“I should get going.” She exclaims and they both turn to look at her from their spots.

“No, mom you can stay.” Alec responds instantly as he and Magnus move from the couch to stand next to her.

“We’ve just made tea.” Magnus gestures at the table.

“I’m sure it’s lovely, but I really should go.” She states with a small smile and turns to Alec. “Let you rest a bit.” She can see that it was hard for her son to confess it all. She doesn’t really have a heart to stay and indulge into some small talk, when her child is clearly suffering and in need for comfort, which she’s not able to give. She should be, but she knows she wasn’t there for him when he needed her the most. It’ll take time to build up what she’s ruined. It’s on a good course, but still. She knows that what Alec needs right now, is for his boyfriend to hold him close. She’s seen it. The way he relaxes in Magnus’ embrace. There’s no way she’ll deprive him from that when he’s desperate for it.

“I should get in touch with my associate lawyer.” She says, her smile fading a bit. “Let him know about this new information.”

Alec nods and Magnus wraps his arm around him to bring a bit of comfort from the memories making their way back to the surface.

“Let me know when there will be a need to testify.” Alec speaks, but his mother shakes her head.

“No, Alec. I can see how hard it is for you, I can’t ask you to go testify in front the whole court-“

“Mom, if this is the way we’re saving Max from him, then I’ll do it without hesitation.” He declares firmly. Maryse doesn’t look convinced, but in the end, she nods. “But I’d like if you didn’t tell Jace or Izzy yet. I’ll speak to them myself.”

“Of course.” She replies simply. “Let me know when and where, I’ll be there when you do.”

“Thanks, mom.” He resorts and Maryse moves to hug him again, kissing his forehead lightly as she back out.

“Magnus…” She begins as she moves to embrace him. “I know I said it the last time, but really, thank you for being here for Alec, especially at time like this. To know that he has someone who he can tell everything to… it’s a relief, really. I know he’s safe by your side.” She hugs him tightly, and then whispers quietly to him, trying for Alec not to hear. “Just please let me know when something is wrong with him.” She pleads and Magnus nods lightly.

“I will.”

With that, they all move to the door and Maryse leaves the apartment.

Alec lets out another long breath and moves to lay down on the couch. Curling himself into a little ball, tucking his knees under his chin and just lying there like this. Magnus goes to kneel beside him by the couch, but then Alec makes some space for him to lay down next to him, and without hesitation he scouts next to his boyfriend. Alec tucks his head under his chin, and as Magnus feels him shaking again, he delicately runs a hand thorough his hair.

“It’s okay, baby.” He whispers as he kisses the top of his head. “You can let go now. I’m here.”

He keeps whispering reassurances into his hair, as Alec trembles in his arms. He throws a blanket over them, and doesn’t care how long they stay like this. How long Alec’s been crying. Because it’s okay. Because if this is what he needs, the least Magnus can offer is to just hold him. 

“Thank you.” Alec says when he calms down a bit. Voice muffled by how his head is still buried in Magnus’ neck.

“No need to thank me, angel.” Magnus states, still combing his hand through his dark locks. “I’m here, always.”

“Even when I’m such a mess.” Alec chuckles lightly, the sound wet through all the tears.

Magnus pulls back lightly, cupping his face before he speaks again.

“But you’re a beautiful mess, my dear.”

Alec laughs again and Magnus joins him, instantly feeling relieved that his boyfriend begins to feel better.

“So, what do you say for another musical marathon?” Magnus asks as he’s stretching from the couch  to reach the remote from the table.

“We’ve been watching nothing but musicals this whole week.” Alec whines.

“That’s because they cheer you up.” Magnus resorts simply and his boyfriend opens his mouth to deny, but Magnus swiftly adds. “No matter how much you don’t want to admit it.”

“Okay, put on anything you’d like.” Alec responds with an eye roll. “Just get back here.”

Magnus moves to lay down back on the couch, and Alec drapes his body half on top of him. He doesn’t mind. Not even when they fall asleep on the couch, or when his back hurts the next morning from the uncomfortable furniture.

Waking up to Alexander in his arms is always worth it.

[axelsagewrites]

Magnus Bane*No Tea Tonight PT2

A/N: IM SORRY. Im a day late. But this time my laptop broke right when I had a history and english assinment. I then had to write out my English essay (4 pages) and history essay (6 pages) by hand with all my notes saved on my laptop. That was my fun weekend. Im sorry. Im trying, I promise.

Masterlist HERE

Wattpad HERE

Magnus Bane X Warlock!Reader

Part one

"Should we tell Magnus?" Isabelle asked her brother. They'd mulled over the case all night, thinking of different theories about where (Y/N) was and why. Going over files was normally tedious but the little clues they found every few pages kept their interest. Soon the pile was sky high. Alec looked up from the stove. he'd offered to make breakfast, not wanting to be poisoned by Isabelle, before they went to follow up some clues. "Maybe. I'm not sure. This might not go anywhere, I don't want him to get his hopes up," The pancakes were ready, and Alec handed Izzy a plateful. "Yeah but," she started with the pancake in her mouth, "he'll know stuff we won't. Plus, they were in love," "Exactly. When Valentine took Jace I was distraught but I knew he was alive because we were parabatai. That kept me going. Now we're going to put Magnus through the same stress with no guarantee." Isabelle sighed, "It's just not right. I would want to know," It was too early for Alec to really care about anything, but this was getting to him, "We follow up some clues, first hint of something we'll call him. Deal?" "Deal."

It was somewhat expected that most of their clues would be duds. They were vague photos of someone who vaguely looked like (Y/N) from years ago. Most of the areas had either changed or been remodeled since or it was a landmark where no one would've remembered them. They decided a snack was well deserved so bit the bullet and got some street food. "I always think I'm going to die when I eat this," Alec said once they were out of the vendors hearing. Isabelle shrugged as she plopped on a bench, Alec follows, "At this point, I'd eat anything," It was a wonder to other females how Isabelle could eat so much and be that fit. "You got the files?" Alec pulled out what a mundane would describe as a flash drive and pressed a small button. Like in the institute a screen was lit up like a hologram they could swipe on. And like all their other tech the Mundanes couldn't see it. "We've checked clues A through H. the rest seem to be spread across the world. Malta, London, Tokyo, Morocco, basically everywhere," Isabelle squinted at the screen, "I don't get it. it's not like (Y/N) was discreet. Look, they're in full view in that one, not even trying to hide," Isabelle pointed to a photo of (Y/N) standing at some old bookshop seemingly looking right at the camera, "I just don't get it," Alec thought it over when something popped in his head, "What I don't get is why we're out here when this was Jace's idea," "Oh, he's trying to get permission from the clave to escalate the case," She rolled her eyes, "Clary said they were going out today so I think he might be lying," "Ya think?" Alec was anything if not sarcastic. "Where's the bookshop?" "Dunno. it just says Marvin's Books. No street or anything," "We must be missing something," Alec muttered, enhancing the photo and looking at every corner and pixel he could. "There, look." Isabelle did and shrugged, "Do you know any Mundanes with purple skin?" Isabelle looked closer and sure enough, there was an arm in the shop window, the rest of the body not in view. But the hand was purple. "Hey, that photo at the twin towers..." "Probably the same guy. Maybe if we find the bookshop," "Well it has to be an English speaking country because of the sign," Alec nodded along to Isabelle's thoughts "and the clothes are so 2005," Alec gave Izzy a look who shrugged it off. Izzy scanned the photo some more, "Zoom in on that bag," Alec did, "And that mundane looks like she's holding a target bag." "Must be America," "Yeah. So, 2005, America, some guy named Marvin." "It's a start,"

There's only so much Isabelle and Alec can do so they went back to the institute, running the photo of the bookshop against the institute's gallery. Thank angel you can filter by date and location otherwise it would've taken weeks. Instead just 3 days. Izzy groaned when she saw the estimate. "Look who decides to show up," Alec says as Jace and Clary walk past. Jace pauses with a grin, "You know how the clave is-" "You're lying. Isabelle said you and the little girl were going on a date. So you get to alphabetize the case files," Alec grabbed and chucked a huge file filled with random sheets of paper at Jace. Jace grimaced, "Why do we keep paper copies?" Alec shrugged, "To make you suffer?" he suggested. "So did you'd find anything?" Clary asked, too upbeat for Alec's liking. Isabelle groaned from in front of the screen, "Give this thing 3 days and maybe. Something about a bookshop, some guy names Marvin, 2005, and some guy with purple skin," Clary raised her eyebrows, "You asked." Isabelle turned to her brother, "Are we telling Magnus?" Internalizing the biggest sigh possible, Alec forced himself out his seat, "C'mon then," "You know there's no point in us all going," Jace said. "Jace unless you want me to hire decorators to turn your room into a duck wonderland I suggest you put your shoes back on," Jace scoffed. Isabelle didn't, "He's not kidding. Look we got bored," Isabelle clicked on a different tab and a Pinterest board of duck-themed bedrooms popped up. Jace shivered, "Bloodthirsty little beasts. Let's go then,"

The eldest lightwood was less than enthusiastic that Clary had joined them but said nothing. Well, nothing much. Isabelle talked to Clary about what outfit to were next time they went out and Jace held his arm protectively around Clary. So Alec thought about how to tell Magnus what they'd found. Hey Magnus your lovers not dead Sup Magnus? By the way, you're missing lover might've been kidnapped by some purple dude. Hi, Magnus. So you remember that lover that's been missing for almost 20 years and is probably our fault? Yeah, we found her! Turns out we just never looked in the first place. Or as Alec actually said when Magnus opened the door, "We found (Y/N). well, pictures at least," Alec needn't have said more before Magnus ushered them all in. "What do you mean?" The group shared a look at Magnus' desperation. "I don't care how...bad it is just tell me. I need to know," Isabelle stepped forward, "We found a picture of (Y/N) after they went missing. Couldn't have been taken before 2014," "Impossible. You must be wrong," Pulling out the flash drive, Izzy brought up the photo, "That museum wasn't built till 2014. They were alive then...maybe now," Magnus just stared at the image. "But-but if (Y/N) is alive, why haven't they came back?" The shadowhunters couldn't look him in the eye. Isabelle swiped through the photos "Some of them aren't very clear but look. (Y/N) has been all over the place. Every continent. The last photo was taken in 2015 outside of some shop in England," She swiped to the photo. "They have CTV in England," Magnus' eyes lit up as he spoke, "The whole place is covered in cameras," Alec sighed, "They get wiped every few months, let alone years." Magnus ran a hand through his hair, pulling at it, "Why are you showing me this?" Isabelle and Alec shared a  look, "We need your help." Isabelle told him. She went to the photo with the man with purple skin and horns, "He's been in a few photos. Well bits of him. This is the only one showing his face. Do you, do you recognize him?" Magnus stared at the photo, "I've met a lot of warlocks. Can't you check the system?" "They're not all on there. If other warlocks hiding them they tend to slip through the gaps," Alec said. "You think (Y/N) was hiding someone?" Alec hesitated but gave a single nod, "Theirs no way. They would've told me. (Y/N) was horrible at secrets, got all riled up over them." Magnus looked at the picture longer, "He looks...familiar?  As I said I've met a lot of people. Horns and purple skin aren't such a rarity. Hasn't he shown up in his own photos?" "Only with (Y/N)," Isabelle said. Jace suddenly seemed to realize something and grabbed Clary's satchel. "Hey!" She objected as Jace rummaged till he pulled out a file, "Jace!" "Sorry babe," he flicked through the file, "Here, it's some of the pictures of him," Jace handed Magnus a small stack of maybe 7 photos that had been printed, the first being the one of the man. Clary and Alec were both glaring at him, "One less thing to file," he murmured under his breath. Magnus shot him a quick glare, "I'll have a think on it," That pleased the shadowhunters. "Look if you think of anything, even not about these photos, call us yeah?" Alec said. "Of course. Anything to find (Y/N)," Magnus seemed to suddenly dislike shadowhunters again as he began to hustle them out the door. Alec hung back to check on him, "I'm...okay. Look its difficult. I've not seen a recent picture, I've not had this sort of hope. You need to give me time," Alec nodded, "Of course. But you know we're here for you?" Magnus nodded. Alec looked over his shoulder before saying in a quieter voice, "You helped me a lot when we first met. I was confused and in denial. I know we're on different sides but Magnus, you're a real friend," "I'm glad I could help Alexander," Magnus said, "Truly. No one should feel ashamed of what they are," "And you shouldn't be ashamed of feeling alone. If you need to talk," "I'll call," Magnus finished it for him. "Thank you. (Y/N) should see me now, being friends with a shadowhunter," They both gave a short laugh over that. "I'll see you later," "Bye Magnus," Alec walked down to meet his friends and Clary. Isabelle hung back, asking what that was about. "Just wanted him to know he isn't alone," "Does Alec have a crush?" Izzy teased. Alec rolled his eyes, "We've been over this. Sure he's cute but no," "Still hung up on you know who?" she nodded to the couple in front. "Nah. I'm young, apparently, I've been...seeing people." This statement led to a long and intense discussion on Izzy's part trying to find out who exactly.

Magnus watched from his balcony as the shadowhunters walked out of sight. Chairman brushed by his feet, reminding him to feed his cat. Magnus set a bowl of food down and went to sit on his couch. The photos sat discarded on the coffee table. The warlock picked the top one up with an expression only someone with too many memories could have. "What did you do Caleb?" Magnus whispered, staring at the infrit on the paper. Magnus snapped his finger and the strongest drink he could image showed up. He flung the photo back on the pile and leaned back into the couch, drink in hand. "You were always (Y/N)'s favorite rescue,"

Part three

[the-roci]

He understood everything in theory, but that doesn’t stop anything from hurting.

When an arbitrary number of past lovers suddenly turns into kind eyes in a faded photograph and everything suddenly feels much more real that Alec has ever let it. Every small trinket, every gift that was purchased and given as readily as he gave Magnus the omamori, are all that remain of those that once loved Magnus just as deeply and fiercely as he does. But love wasn’t enough to stop the inevitable, just like it’s not enough to stop the terrifying thought that one day, he’ll become just an afterthought tucked away inside the same box.

To be opened, sorted through, and touched. Trailed along fingers that will no longer remember the warmth of his palms as they cup the curve of a soft morning smile. Alec wasn’t lying when he said that he couldn’t live without Magnus, but he never really considered the after, when he’s gone and Magnus is forced to live on without him. It’s enough to squeeze the breath out of his lungs. Because as much as it hurts to think about becoming a memory, it hurts more to think of Magnus alone, closed off or lonely after working so hard to open himself back up. So, while he still needs to process the lives Magnus has created, Alec is suddenly so very grateful for everyone who kept Magnus happy, who loved and cherished him, comforted him when Alec wasn’t yet able to.

It’s why Alec finds himself back inside the loft, the golden hues of morning now replaced by muted light. Everything is still and shadowed, with flickering candles and a music so faint, Alec can barely make it out. He would almost describe it as calm if it wasn’t for the treads of unresolved tension that bear down on him as soon as he steps through the door. Sitting in the middle of it all, with pillows surrounding him, and a martini loosely held in his hand, is Magnus. Looking every bit as frayed as Alec, and while it’s not quite like him, Alec almost feels the need reach for the glass, letting the burn of alcohol overpower the tremble that has settled inside his throat.  

Magnus turns fully towards him as Alec enters. Gone is the sharpness that lined his words over breakfast, replaced by a smile that’s equal parts small and pensive. It’s exactly how Alec’s been feeling since he stormed out of the loft that morning. Any other night Alec would follow the shine in those beautiful eyes like a beacon, but tonight, he’s cautious, giving himself and Magnus distance.

“Hey,” he says, when he wants to blurt out that he’s sorry. He doesn’t know how to navigate his feelings and instead of sitting down and talking about them like Magnus offered, they get caught and twisted, stuck somewhere behind his brain and he can’t quite reach them. So they fester, thickening and stretching until there’s a steady pressure between his temples and before he can help it, he says something stupid.

And he’s so tired of fighting, but he’s also too tired to look at all their fractured pieces and figure out how to smooth out their edges. But he wants to be whole again, complete and happy, until they can both focus on now instead of the after. Because if all they have is this, Alec wants to make the most of every single moment he’s given.

“I haven’t been handling this well,” Alec starts because he’s not sure how else to handle this outside of jumping straight into it.

“Look, Alexander, we’re both-”

“Magnus, I love you.” With everything going on with his mother and Jace and the Owl, there’s so little Alec is certain of, but at least he has this. The curve of Magnus’ lips when he laughs and the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles. Alec loves Magus, fully and completely, and there’s absolutely nothing that can change that. “But this entire thing-” his mortality, everyone who came before him, and the idea of after- “it’s just, a lot. And every time I think I have it figured out, or that I’m okay with everything, something pops up and I guess I’m not as good as handling everything as I thought I was. That’s on me though and I’m sorry for taking it out on you.”

Magnus nods, a slow and contemplative thing. A nod he’s likely used with George and everyone else that had to have this conversation. And it hurts. Maybe more than it has a right to, but the pain is shifting, settling into a place that feels more manageable.

“Figuring this all out is never easy,” Magnus says, and Alec can hear the wear of centuries in the drag of his words. “If it’s any consolation, being immortal doesn’t necessarily make me immune to saying things impulsively either.”

“No kidding. A child, huh?”

“Would you feel better if I admitted I was no better?”

Alec allows himself a sheepish smile. “Maybe. But I kind of feel like I deserved it.”

“Well, there’s something we can agree on.” There’s an easy honestly that makes the room feel bigger, like the walls aren’t crumbling in on them. It reminds Alec when he stood on the edge of his future and kissed Magnus after their first date.

With some of the tension slipping, Alec sits himself next to Magnus. The touch of their thighs pressing together is the most grounding thing Alec’s felt in the past forty-eight hours and he wants to lose himself in it. To slip back into a time when he didn’t have to think about the fact that he’s a shadowhunter and Magnus is a warlock and all the complications that come with it. But he knows they need to face this before they can make it through to the other side. There’s a small comfort in the fact that he’s always been determined, driven and stubborn until his objectives were succeeded. With Magnus at his side, he knows they can beat this. He just wishes he knew the first step in the process.

Silence falls over them. It’s thoughtful, but mostly exhausted. It roots inside Alec and from the dip of Magnus’ eyes, it’s rooted inside him, too.  “We’re both working through things,” Magnus says, “I think we’ll both have an easier time if we cut each other some slack. I was out of line this morning” It’s a soft admission, paired with Magnus moving his hand until his pinky is brushing Alec’s leg.  “I told you before that this is new to me, too. That goes beyond you being a Shadowhunter. Everything in that box belonged to someone that’s a part of me, a part that I’m going to cherish so long as I’m alive, but this,” he says, reaching further until their fingers are loosely entwined, “us, it’s everything to me, Alexander. The thought of losing you, of going through everything again-”

The rest is lost to an exhale and without thinking, Alec reaches for him. Gently running his thumb against Magnus’ eat until familiar fingers wrap around his wrist “I never meant to make you think about that,” Alec says. “I just can’t imagine a day when I don’t get to wake up and see that incredible face.”

“Neither can I,” Magnus says, and it’s so soft and earnest and it makes Alec ache in a different sort of way. “So let’s focus on the mornings we do have. Try to save the rest for later.”

It’s not a promise Alec can make, so he settles for an, “I’ll try.” He sighs, not quite managing to expel all the confusion and anger and fear that somehow managed to burrow inside him, but it’s a start. There’s so much to come to terms with and figure out, but sitting here, arms wrapped tightly around Magnus, it makes Alec certain that they’ll do whatever it takes to smooth everything out.

.

.

.

Thank you to @alcgideonlightwood for reading this one over. :) 

[callaghansjohnv]

Something About Her

Chapter Two: Lyndsey and reader anticipate their first date.

Notes: Enjoy! I hope you like!

“You fucking what?”

It was late Saturday morning, just passed 11, and you and Jason had met up at the gym. It was always something you looked forward to. A good workout provided you with a peace of mind that you knew you always needed. That, and it just felt fucking good. But this time, you hated yourself for going. You and Lyndsey have been texting nonstop since last night, and somehow Jason had a feeling that something had happened, and you may have let it all slip during a set of bench presses. And Jason’s now turning it into something extra.

“Jesus Christ,” You hissed. “Could you keep it down?”

Jason looked offended, “No? You got a girls number? At a fucking cemetery? This is the best thing that’s happened since that time you hooked up with that one girl from Zumies? I’m so proud of you?” He grabbed your shoulders and beamed. A girl with a high ponytail next to the hand weights looked over her shoulder, and gave you an inviting look. Your ears flushed.

You socked Jason in the arm, “Shut the fuck up, I swear to God, I’m never telling you anything about my life ever again.” Your muscle tank stuck to your sides, and you pulled it up to wipe the beads of sweat off of your face. You preceded to flip Jason off just before smiling apologetically at the ponytail girl. She returned it with more interest than you’d like, and then dropped her eyes to your ass.

Thankfully, your phone dinged. And thankfully, it was a text from Lyndsey, and you got out of awkwardly having to start up a conversation with a girl you were not interested in.

L: I know our date isn’t until later tonight but I seriously can’t stop thinking about how good it’s going to be(:

The smiley at the end of the text made your heart flutter. You type out a response.

Y/N: I can’t wait to actually see you

“Is that Lyndsey?” You look back to Jason, his eyes wiggling excitedly as you two walk out of the gym and into the parking lot. You beep your car unlocked.

“Even if it was, do you think I’d tell you?”

Another text from Lyndsey announces itself, but you don’t look at it.

“Hey… Y/N. Look, this is fucking great, okay? This is good for you. Getting out, meeting cute girls? You’ve been locked up in your goddamn room, lost in your goddamn mind because of B, and I just…. I want you to be happy, man. I’m just looking out for you.” This time, his words were sincere, and you knew all of them to be true. Ever since Blake passed, you hadn’t really been yourself. It was like there was an emptiness that you couldn’t fill, and nothing seemed to make you want to get up and live life. She was your life. And she was taken from you… Way too soon. 22. Gone. In a blink of a fucking eye, and it’s like nothing meant anything anymore. She was your best friend, and the love of your life, and you never had the chance to tell her how you felt. It killed you. It still kills you. And it didn’t fully hit you until this moment that it may have affected Jason. And that killed you too.

You let out a sigh, “Fuck. I’m sorry, Jace…. God, I’m the fucking worst. I love you.” You could feel your face getting hot. “I know that you’re here for me, and I’m eternally grateful for you, dude. I hope you know that. But, seriously? When I’m willing to talk to you about Lyndsey, I’ll talk. But I barely know her myself, and the thought of going on a date with her is…. I’m actually, honestly, shitting myself. And I haven’t felt this giddy since… Yeah, okay, probably since Maddie from Zumies. I don’t know… There’s something about her.”

Jason smiled, unlocking his white Jeep that was parked next to your beat-up Subaru. “Dude…. Whatever she’s doing, or hasn’t done just yet, it’s getting you to fucking smile. And that’s all I fucking care about. Now.. ” Jason pulls a hoodie out of his Jeep, and throws it over his head, “Let’s hug this out quick before this gets too sappy, and I regret talking about it.”

You met Jason back in high school. You had just been dubbed captain of the girls’ soccer team when you were officially invited to your first high school party. Everyone didn’t seem to mind that you were as gay as they came, especially after a game of 7 Minutes in Heaven with the most popular girl in school, and soon-to-be Homecoming Queen, Jamie Felton. It was the highlight of your Sophomore year. After that night, Jason came to you with open arms, and a friendship you never knew to be possible. He’s the brother you had always wanted, and the two of you have been inseparable ever since.

After squeezing Jason tight, you wave him off; Blink-182 blaring out of his window as he swerved off down the street. You get into your car, finally looking down at your phone to see Lyndsey’s response.

L: See me? You don’t know what I look like?

Y/N: It was dark?

Lyndsey responded quickly.

L: Why did you give me your number then?

Y/N: Because it seemed like you had cute attributes?

L: Cute attributes? Wow, is it 7 yet?

Y/N: You that eager to see me?

L: Why do you keep answering questions with more questions?

With a girl as cute as you presumed Lyndsey to be, you knew immediately that she had a good sense of humor. And that made your heart dance a little bit. You were excited to get to know her better. You had a ton of questions. What does she do? What’s her favorite color? Is she a dog person? A cat person? Does she have any siblings? What kind of music does she listen to? What are some of her hobbies? Her favorite movie? Place? Her favorite food? Does she like peanut butter as much as you do? Your head was swimming during the short ride back to your place.

Y/N: Maybe I like to keep you guessing?

You blessed the heavens when you find a parking spot close to your apartment complex, surprising as you usually have to walk five blocks  up 6th Ave. You lived alone. The roommate thing never really worked for you. You were introverted as fuck and you liked your space. That, and only paying $850/month in the city of Boston was a fucking miracle.

L: Maybe I kind of don’t mind that?

Y/N: Maybe there’s more where that came from?

L: Are you flirting with me, Y/N?

You took the elevator to floor three, your eyes glued to your phone, smiling, as you try to untangle your keys out of your pocket.

Y/N: And what if I am?

You unlocked #315. It wasn’t much, but it was home. A small kitchen was just to the right of the door, a round dining table was properly placed just behind a small sofa facing a decent-sized TV, and there was a hallway that led to your bedroom and bathroom just to the left. Quaint. Homey. It was just your size. You threw your jacket over the back of a chair, and headed to your room. You stripped down and ran a hot shower. Your muscles were tight after the workout this morning, and your mind drifted to later that night.

You hadn’t been on a date in God knows how long. You hadn’t had sex in what felt like ages, either, not since Maddie from Zumies, but really, you kind of didn’t count that as it wasn’t really your best choice. Not Maddie! Just that her boyfriend, Landon, was kind of still in the picture, and you had no idea…. Whatever. Sex wasn’t on your mind. It wasn’t that you were searching, or expecting sex from Lyndsey…. But the thought did cross your mind. It does with everyone, right? Fuck. You were nervous. Even in the shower, and in your own head, you were rambling. What if she eats with her mouth full? What if she orders just a salad? What if you get parsley stuck in your teeth? What if you spill shit on your shirt? What if Lyndsey’s only looking to bang tonight? You shut the water off, sliding the shower curtain away to reach for the towel. You head back into your room, and glanced down at your phone charging on your nightstand. Lyndsey texted you back.

L: Then you might be getting lucky tonight?

You stare at the text long enough that another bloop of a message pops up.

L: Totally kidding?

Y/N: Okay, but are you?

The three, little dots danced across your screen.

L: Do you want me to be?

For some reason, the conversation turned 0 to 100 real quick, and you found yourself trying to find a way to answer Lyndsey’s question with a question that didn’t lead to you actually wanting to fuck her.

Y/N: Next question?

L: Way to ruin the fun?

Y/N: We haven’t even been on our first date yet?

There was a long pause before Lyndsey’s response.

L: Haha I like you

Y/N: I like you too(:

And with that, nothing. Nada. Zip. Nothing until you dress yourself up in a nice, black button-up and your only pair of nice, black Chinos four hours later. You were just about to slip on your black Dock Martens when Lyndsey replied. It’s exactly 6pm.

L: Is it just me, or is a lot riding on this first date?

Y/N: What do you mean?

L: I don’t know? I feel like I know you but then I don’t know anything about you except that you have a serious fear of the night and you’re a good texter and you’re maybe, possibly cute? And I’m fucking ridiculous right now?

Y/N: (: You think I’m cute?

L: I thought we already established that?

Y/N: See you soon?

L: I hope so?

You send her that emoji with the girl running, along with the red car one, hoping it’d ease some of whatever she was feeling.

The restaurant was thankfully only about 20 minutes away, and it was super easy to get to. Arriving at the restaurant, and actually trying to locate Lyndsey from what you already, kind of expected her to look like? Not so much. There were, like, three other blondes sitting down at the tables. One of them was with a huge group of people, and another was with a dude. The other blonde could be Lyndsey if it weren’t for the red dress she was wearing. Process of elimination. You just knew Lyndsey wasn’t the dress type.

Did you beat her here? Did she bail on you? Did she get lost? Did she get in a car accident? Was this all just a dream?

There was a small, soft tap on your shoulder, and you turned around.

It was Lyndsey. And she was beautiful.

She had a long, black over-throw jacket that draped down to her calves, and a well-fitted, white, ‘Playboy’ shirt tucked into high-waisted, black jeans that were ripped at the knees. Her long, blonde hair cascaded down to her lower back, and her eyes…. They were hazel. And you got lost in them for about a half a second. She was mesmerizing. More so than what you possibly could have guessed at the cemetery. And again, there was something about her. Something inside you had lifted; your heart raced unimaginably quick, yet at the same time, your breath had evened out to a soft, low purr. And while it had only been less than 24 hours since the two of you had met, it felt like your souls had known each other for a thousand lives. And while the two of you walked to your assigned table, her hand brushing against yours, you couldn’t help, but wonder if it were true.

[pameluke]

A MATTER OF TRADITION by Pameluke | @janoda

After a hard week, Alec just wants to spend a quiet night with Magnus at the loft. Alas, Magnus already has plans, and long-standing traditions can't quite be postponed, so Alec tags along.

Written for the SH Hiatus Flash Bang - Bingo Square Snowy Days - Team Blue

Read on AO3 or below the cut.

It has finally stopped pouring, after a week of non-stop rain. Alec's relieved, too weary to deal with wet clothing. He's just had a terrible week, a horde of Drevak Demons causing havoc in the city for days. Half of the Institute was down with some mysterious illness Iratzes won't cure, possibly caused by demonic poisoning. Izzy thinks the Drevak poison might have mutated, but she hasn't figured out yet what's caused it. Which means he's had two Silent Brothers for guests for two days now, and he's been on his toes the entire time. They'll never stop making him feel uncomfortable.

Luckily, everybody is in the clear since this morning, and although some of his people are still in recovery, that means the Institute isn't understaffed anymore. He can finally go home for a couple hours. Let the next emergency be taken care of by Jace and Clary rather than by him in person.

He just wants to be home, kiss Magnus, have something warm to eat that isn't food from the mess, and cuddle on the couch.

Which is why he can't quite hide his disappointment when he arrives at the loft, only to find Magnus dressed in heavy winter clothing, getting ready to leave. He doesn't let the disappointment stop him from kissing his boyfriend though, pulling him in by his heavy scarf.

"I thought you didn't have clients tonight?" Alec asks, fingers still tangled in the soft fabric of Magnus' scarf. He doesn't really want to let go. The loft is warm, Magnus is warm, and Alec can feel a part of him unclench that only seems to relax when he's touching Magnus.

"I don't, it's a personal thing. Tradition as it were." Magnus pats him on the chest, then leans in to kiss him again, slow and tender. He sighs a bit when they part, keeps his eyes closed. "I would have asked you along, but I expected the Institute to keep you for at least another two days."

Alec shrugs, slides his hands down Magnus shoulders and back, lets them rest against his waist. "Donna and Lindsey got back on their feet a lot quicker than I thought they would, so we're fully staffed again." He kisses the tip of Magnus' nose, just because he looks cute, all bundled up in his winter gear. "I thought I'd spend the rest of the day and evening with you."

Magnus smiles at him, strokes the hair from his forehead. "That would have been nice. But you look like you could use some rest. I'll probably be gone until tomorrow, so you should catch up on sleep."

Alec groans, lets his head fall softly against Magnus'. "I haven't seen you for days..." He knows he's whining a little, and their separation has been 100 percent due to his responsibilities as the Head of the Institute, but he can't help it. He's missed Magnus, and more than anything else–more than a hot bath, a warm meal, even more than the 'I haven't seen you for six days' sex–he's missed spending time with Magnus. "Can I come with? Where are you going?"

"Denali," Magnus says. "Hence the outfit."

Alec lifts his brow. Magnus is many wonderful things, but a creature of winter he is not. "You're going to Alaska?" Alec slips a hand down Magnus' pants. "Does that mean you're wearing hot, winter, underwear? One of those woolen things with the feet attached?"

Magnus slaps his chest. "It's not the 1800's gold-rush, Alec. I'll let you know there's winter underclothing that's more fashionable."

Alec grins, pulls Magnus closer. "I should definitely come. I can keep you warm when you eventually get tired of the cold."

Magnus smiles, shakes his head a little. "I'm not sure it'll be something you enjoy?"

Alec shrugs. "As long as you're there, and I'm with you, I'll enjoy myself, Magnus."

"Okay, but then we'll have to get you some appropriate gear." Alec knows that particular glint in Magnus' eyes, he gets it every time he gets to dress Alec. "I could just draw a heat rune," Alec claims, even though he knows resistance is futile. He doesn't really want to resist anyway. There's something very personal about Magnus taking care of him with his magic, something special that makes him feel loved.

So he'll gladly let Magnus do his thing, watch him while he magicks up the heavy winter clothing. It's not as bulky as Magnus'–Magnus knows he likes his freedom of movement–but it's still undeniably winter gear. Not really flattering, and a little strange to move in.

"Stele is in your pocket," Magnus comments, while he puts a warm, fleece hat on Alec's head by hand. "Sure you didn't steal it this time?" Alec teases. Magnus grunts, pokes Alec in the stomach, even though the thick fabric of his winter coat makes it barely noticeable. "If I'd known you'd hold that over me forever, I wouldn't have told you."

"Uhuh." Alec pulls Magnus in for one last kiss before they need to leave the loft to do who knows what.

Magnus lingers, arms wrapped around Alec's shoulders. It's a little awkward with all the padded clothing between them, but Alec doesn't care. Magnus' lips are as intoxicating as always.

Magnus steps back, puts on a hat of his own, a dark burgundy one that matches his scarf, and draws a portal. He hands Alec a pair of mittens, waits until he's put them on, then pulls him through it.

The snow is blinding. Magnus hands him a pair of glasses to counter the bright light around them everywhere. Once his eyes adjust to the light, the view is magnificent though, and Alec grasps Magnus' hand. When Magnus had said Denali, Alec hadn't expected for them to end up on an actual mountain, but rather somewhere in the park. Denali Mountain itself rises up behind them, but they're above the snow line, valley spread out below them.  He's still not sure what on earth they're doing here, but he's glad he gets to see this, experience this moment with Magnus.

"It's beautiful," he says. Magnus hums. "I know. I always think I remember, but every time I return, I'm amazed by the power of Denali all over again."

"I didn't think this was your thing, nature and all." He pokes Magnus in the side. "You always seem such a part of the city."

Magnus snorts. "Says the New Yorn born and bred Shadowhunter. Besides, I need to keep you on your toes somehow."

"You always do." Alec squeezes Magnus' hand. "Now, where to? And what are we doing here?"

Magnus sighs and squeezes Alec's hand back, but firmer. "It's a long-standing tradition of Ragnor and mine, to come and haunt Denali. He had a cabin halfway up this mountain, like the cold and loneliness. It started as a way to keep curious hikers away, but then it got to lead a life on its own, and became some sort of tradition."

"Ah," Alec hums non-committedly. He's never quite sure how to react when Magnus talks about Ragnor. There's something so vast and unfathomable about losing a friendship that spanned centuries, Alec can't imagine what that must feel like. So he does what he always does when Magnus talks about Ragnor: pulls him closer, wraps his arm around him, and listens.

"He always was a grouch, didn't much like company, but honestly, I think he just enjoyed scaring people. Always found a way to be around for Halloween as well."

Magnus is quiet for a bit, tucks himself in a little closer, pompom of his hat tickling Alec's cheek. "I didn't come last year, it still hurt too much. But I missed it. So I figured, what better way to remember him than keep the legends he started going?"

"Sounds good," Alec says. "Did the tradition involve alcohol of any kind perchance?"

Magnus smirks. "Copious amounts."

He pulls himself loose from Alec but doesn't drop his hand, guiding Alec through the snow. It's not too difficult a hike, even with the cold air. Alec feels the stress of the last week fall off of his shoulders. He's still a little tired, still feels like he could sleep for a day or two, but his mind is clear, the sky is blue and the air is brisk. He feels more alive than he has for days.

After a while, the climb gets steeper, and Alec is starting to wonder if they should have brought climbing gear. But then he spots the wooden cabin, embedded into the mountain flank with a large plateau in front of it, and he figures they'll make it there unscathed.

Then there's a small, bright red creature running for him, and two snow-balls almost hit his face. When he straightens himself to see where the attack is coming from, Madzie has wrapped herself around his legs, almost making him trip. "Alec!!"

Alec lifts her up and twirls her around. "Madzie! As badass with snowballs as with magic I see!" He sets her down in the snow, and she immediately ducks down to make a snowball. Magnus is smiling at them, but the smile disappears when Alec ducks down as well. "Alexander, don't you dare."

Alec dares, especially with Madzie there as the cute distraction. Although to be fair, she's surprisingly accurate when she throws her snowballs with magic, so maybe Alec's the distraction. He's sure he's cute too. Magnus gives as good as he gets, but the snowboots make him a little slower than normal, so eventually, Alec manages to catch him. They topple down in the snow, Alec on top of Magnus. His cheeks are rosy with the cold, and his eyes are shining with mirth and glee. Alec simply has to kiss him. "Your lips looked cold."

Magnus smiles even brighter. "They still are. You should kiss me again." Alec dips down, but he should have know better than to trust him, because the moment he closes his eyes to enjoy the kiss, Madzie jumps on top of them, raining down an array of snowballs on Alec's head.

"I yield, I yield!" He yells while Magnus pushes him off of him. He and Madzie high five, while Alec lays defeated in the snow.

"So much for Shadowhunter reflexes," Magnus teases.

Alec dusts himself off. "You know, I'm starting to think there's some truth to those old Nephilim fables warning for warlocks and their bewitching ways."

Magnus smiles, pulls Alec to his feet. "Does that mean I'm bewitching?"

"Always."

Madzie has no patience for them now the game is finished, so she pulls them both towards the cabin, where Cat is waiting for them, hot chocolate in her hands.

"I don't remember snowball fights being part of your tradition with Ragnor," she says, her voice teasing but kind.

Magnus shrugs. "Definitely not, but it's never too late for new traditions."

It's warm in the cabin. It's cluttered with a whole slew of knick-knacks and odd things, like a statue of a three-legged unicorn, or a swaying stack of bowls that should tip over any second, but doesn't. It reminds Alec somewhat of Magnus' eclectic apothecary, only the sense of style is decidedly more... old cat-lady.

It's still cozy in a way though, and apparently Cat has conjured up dinner, because once they've struggled out of their winter coats, they immediately get to eat. It's delicious and hearty, and Alec feels himself further relax while Magnus teases him by telling Madzie and Cat about Alec's Terrible Stew And How Magnus Saved The Day.

"It was the recipe!" Alec says multiple times, but no one believes him.

After dinner, Magnus makes mulled wine, which tastes kind of weird to Alec, but it's nice and warm, and they all go outside again to watch the sunset. Below them on the slope, they can see lights of a mundane campsite, but otherwise, the night is lit by the bright moon and stars only. It's beautiful.

Magnus claps his hands. "It's time."

Madzie cheers, adorable in her red coat with bright yellow lemons. Everybody walks a little further out on the field, so Alec follows them down, curious to see what they'll do.

"Okay, Madzie, just like we practiced. The scariest you can make it!" Madzie grins. She claps her hands together in a move that reminds him of Magnus, and suddenly a huge black wolf appears in front of them. It's a little see-through in places, and the illusion is obvious in the way it glides rather than moves over the ice, but it's definitely impressive.

"Not bad," Magnus says. He's standing behind her, doing complicated moves with his hands, adding more meat to the illusion, making it bigger.

"We don't really want the locals to go wolf-hunting again, though," Cat comments, and with a swish of her hands, the creature morphs into a weird mix of wolf and moose.

"What are you guys trying to do with this?" Alec asks.

Magnus grins, mischief obvious in the glint in his eyes. "Like I said, Ragnor was a bit of a hermit, didn't appreciate people coming on his terrain. So he started to occasionally scare the locals. Enough to keep them away from the region, but not enough to start witch-hunts or attract the curious. Just some local myths."

"Uhuh." Alec can't help but be a little skeptic. "And no mundane every wanted to learn what was up? Don't they have those reality shows about people stupid enough to hunt monsters?"

Magnus smirks. "They do, and that's where the wards come in. Just enough power to make you walk in circles." He spreads out his hands, makes the monster grow two extra tails. "It all adds to the mystery."

Alec looks at the lights of the mundanes camping below them, looks at the emptiness of the mountain, eery but beautiful in the moonlight, looks at the happiness on Madzie's face. He thinks of the many sad and quiet nights Magnus has spent thinking about Ragnor.

Turns out he doesn't really care about this technically being out of regulations.

"What's your favorite color?" he asks Madzie. "That should be the color of its eyes."

Madzie nods seriously, waves her little hands. The eyes of the monster turn a bright, unnatural purple. Its mouth is open, supposedly to make sure the locals see it's many, many teeth, but to Alec it's obvious the illusion is grinning at him.

"Let's send it down," Magnus says, approving of the final look. He and Cat, with Madzie between them, move in tandem, the dance of their hands as fluent and magical as the creature hurtling down the mountain.

"To Ragnor," Magnus says, as he finishes a complicated movement of his hands.

"To Ragnor," Cat echoes him.

Alec can't let them do this alone. He finds his stele in his pocket, activates his Power rune, and taps Madzie on the shoulder. "Watch this," he says and winks at her. She grins excitedly, grabs his hand while she watches the creature close in on the campers.

Alec holds his free hand by his mouth and lets out an inhuman cackle. The rune makes it terribly loud, makes the sound carry down, all the way to the campsite. More lights flicker on.

Madzie squeezes his hand.

"A sound that scary asks for some mist," Magnus says approvingly. There's a soft smile playing around the corner of his mouth, and Alec likes to think that's his doing.

He activates his hearing rune, curious to hear the camper's reaction.

"Where's this mist coming from? It was supposed to be a clear night!"

"Did you hear that?"

"Fuck off, Marly, you're just trying to scare us with your Monster of the Mountain story again."

"I'm serious, Kenny! I heard something!"

Alec waits for a beat or two, just enough time for the campers to listen to the quiet and relax when they don't hear anything. Then he cackles again. Besides him, Madzie giggles.

Below them, there's a scream, and it's definitely not Marly.

"Fuck. Was that a hyena?"

"Oh come on, Russel, there's no hyena's in Alaska."

"There could be! You hear about zoo escapes all the time."

"Five, four, three..." Magnus counts down slowly, mirth obvious in his voice.

"Did you see that?"

"Fuck, I saw it move."

"Is that a moose?"

There's more screaming when Magnus and Cat make the monster sweep through the camp.

"MOOSE DON'T HAVE THAT MANY TEETH!!!"

There's more yelling below, the campers frantically moving through the camp, flashlights shining everywhere.

Magnus and Cat don't linger though, let the monster disappear with a final wave of their hands. Alec lets some time pass, then cackles for one last time.

Madzie claps her hands. "That was fun!" Cat sweeps her up in her arms, kisses her on the forehead. "It really was. And Ragnor would be proud of your monster. But it is bedtime now, kiddo."

She ignores Madzie's protesting and carries her back to the cabin.

Alec sticks around and watches Magnus who's watching the still frantic campers below them. The moonlight makes him look even more magical than usual, shimmer on his cheeks looking like faerie dust.

He's smiling when he looks up at Alec, but his eyes are wistful and a little sad. "I really miss him," he sighs.

Alec steps closer, pulls Magnus into a hug. There's nothing he can say to make the loss feel easier, but he can support Magnus like this, by holding him close.

"I'm really glad you came along," Magnus says into his coat.

"Me too, it was fun." Alec pulls Magnus in a little closer, presses his nose in the fabric of Magnus' hat. "I think I would have liked Ragnor," he says.

Magnus snorts. "Ragnor didn't much like anyone." He kisses Alec's shoulder, turns around in his arms so he can watch the campers panic in the night, while he leans against Alec's chest. "But you might have grown on him."

Alec squeezes Magnus a little tighter. The long days are trying to catch up with him, exhaustion creeping into his bones, but he'll stand here with Magnus as long as Magnus wants to.

"You know, tomorrow, we should really go and leave monster footprints in the snow, have them disappear into nothing," he suggests. He smirks at the idea of the campers finding them on their way down.

Magnus turns around again, smile so wide it's brightening his whole face. "You really never stop surprising me, Alexander." He buries his hands in the fur lining of Alec's collar and pulls Alec close to kiss him.

In the morning they'll tease the mundanes some more, and then they'll have a drink in the dive bar of the small village at the foot of the mountain, where they'll listen to Marly and Kenny tell their tall tales of their adventures with the Monster of the Mountain.

But tonight, it's just them and the moonlight. It's a night for them and the mountain. A night for slow tender kisses under the stars. It's never too late for new traditions.

[henry-hart]

Mo’ Danger, Mo’ Problems s1 ep2

this one is long, just saying. lolol I just really loved it and had a lot to say :))))))

“OK HEN’S VOICE IS DIFFERENT IN THIS EP asjlksjk guess there was time btw this one and the pilot

he’s still incredibly adorable tho

“He’s gotta fix that elevator.” ...and then he never did lolol

OKAY so 13 yr old Henry found a way across town at almost 12 at night???? NO MY SON. THAT IS DANGEROUS (also does Swellview have a bus system??? did he walk??? I need to know.)

“’Put this watch on your wrist.’ Sure. What else would I put it on???” .....

hologram Ray pretending that Hen poked his eye out askjsl

“I’m gonna contact you on this watch now.” “What do I do with the old one?” “Toss it up in the air.” “.....Why?” “It’s about to self-destruct.” “Dahhh!” *tosses watch but it doesn’t do anything* “Hmm. That’s weird It’s supposed to--” BAM lololol

Do you think they chose Puerto Rico history for Hen’s test subject bc Jace is Puerto Rican??? I mean, it’s a lil specific to be coincidence (i hope they did)

“Ah, Puerto Rico. Land of....” “Puerto Ricans???” “Right.” alakjsklj

I FORGOT ABOUT THIS EP. THIS ONE IS SO FUNNY!!!! (I’m remembering what happens later in the ep lol)

antique bottle shop named “Glass from the Past” gotta love the witty names

“Let’s blow some bubbles and fight some crime.” so I see we aren’t into lame puns yet lolol

the “awwww my boot!” line is in this ep “Up the boot! Ow!” “HA!”

“Give me that pretty lavender bottle...because it matches my motorcycle helmet.” asjdlkj you can always count on hd bad guys to be goofy “You better bubble wrap that, chump! That ain’t no good to me busted.”

soooooo Ray walks in through the front door of the shop while Hen just....kind of.....walks in from...the side??? Like, Jace literally just entered from the side of the stage/set. wowowow lol

“Kid Danger.” “Yeah.” he looks so smug ajsklsjksjlk like, “that’s right. you know who i am.”

Ray telling the robber to try hitting him again lolol “Try to keep your arm straight.” 

*robber hits him* “Strike three.” Hen pops in “That was only two...” “Okay, don’t correct me in front of the criminals.”

RAY YOU JUST THREW THE ROBBER INTO THAT MAN’S GLASS. WUT R U DOING???

“You really want to fight us?” looks at KD “Can I just fight the kid?” Hen’s all “???” lolol

“No you can’t just fight the--” “Sure he can! Come on, tough guy.” “Ok.” *puts his helmet over Hen’s head*

poor Hen is just spinning around 

golf clubs in a store that sells glass. that’s gonna end well.

“KD! Catch this golf club!” *hits Hen in the head* aksjlsjsk

CM AND KD YOU ARE NOT HELPING!!!! YOU ARE BREAKING ALL THAT POOR MAN’S GLASS!!!!

“CM! Where are you?” “Follow the sound of my voice!” *a game of Marco/Polo w/ A LOT OF GLASS BREAKING ensues*

“Would you superheroes just leave!!!!” I feel for you, man.

Ray had to stop a wild, golf club swinging Henry lolol

“Where is he??? Did I get him???” he asks, standing amidst all the glass he broke while RAY got the bad guy 

“Yeah, you got him.”

“My whole store is destroyed!” “No need to thank us.” “Thank you?” “You’re welcome.” Ray y r u lik dis

Hen’s hair is all wild from the helmet ajskjlskj

“Let’s go, KD.” “NO!!! Nobody leaves until you boys clean up all of this broken glass.”

MY POOR BB HAS TO BE UP AT 7 FOR SCHOOL. RAY YOU DID NOT NEED TO CALL HIM TO HELP YOU. YOU ENDED UP GETTING THE BAD GUY ALL BY YOURSELF. HENRY JUST BROKE MORE GLASS. LET MY SON GET HIS SLEEP!!!!

“This will only take us like....5 hrs. I’ll get u a broom!” *Hen just sinks to the floor* :(((((

Ms. Shapen just gave Hen a wet willy. aksjlksj The ever classy Sherona Shapen, ladies and gents.

CHARLOTTE IS SO TINY. EVEN THE KIDS IN THE BACK OF THE CLASS ARE SO TINY. THEY’RE. ALL. SO. TINY.

“This is what happens when you stay up all night on Twitflash and Twittlegram.” alksjskjls

poor Hen slept through his whole test (much like in my fic....hee hee)

J....y wud u want....a....wet willy???? (I love Ms. Shapen’s answering face alksjlskj)

Hen just drops back down on his desk. my son :((((

THE FIRST EVER TITLE SEQUENCE!!!!!! (last ep just had the title of the show. this one has the whole “It all just kind of happened” shebang)

“Now I protect the good citizens of Swellview.” Do you Ray? Do you?? (peep him charging ppl for that “protection” in a few years)

Hen just pouring an ENTIRE POT OF COFFEE into, as Char calls it, “a comedically large cup.” askdksjslk I fell you. I don’t drink coffee, but i. feel. you.

never get tired of these whack shows they watch on here. Natural surgery???? Surgery w/ no anesthesia??? what is that???? lolol

“You’re 13. You can’t be drinking this much coffee!!!!” “But I need it!”

concerned friends ftw

Jasp asking Hen about puberty......

“I haven’t had any dreams bc I’m not getting any sleep.” my bb...:(((

“I always have the same dream. It starts with me getting a horse for my bday. Then Jasp shows up. Then the horse kicks Jasp in the face.” “But I end up being okay, right?” “No.” her face kills me lolol

SIREN HART IS BACK ON MY SCREEN AGAIN. IT IS A BLESSED DAY.

“We’re home! Hen come help me please.” “HENRY, COME HELP YOUR MOTHER!!!” gotta love that s1 Piper

“What what what???” that’s exactly how I respond too hen alksjslkj

HEN MAKING DINNER. :’)))) I. MISS. THESE. DAYS. THE. HART. FAM. IS. MY. FAVE. AND. THEY’RE. NEVER. TOGETHER. ANYMORE. *cries*

how does one make chili balls????

“Make them spicy this time.” I love Piper so much gah

“Seriously? I’m like so busy. I don’t have time.” Ya’ll....the way he said this. he sounds so stressed.....my bb....I’m crying.

remember the days when Piper used to be anti-having Jasp in the house?? lolol I mean, she probs still is now, but she used to be a lot more vocal about it. “Aw man, Jasper’s here???” “Piper be nice.” “But Jasper’s always here. It’s NOT okay!!!”

“I’m going to the bathroom.” “Oh no, mom. Jasper’s going to use our bathroom.” ajskjslj

Piper telling on everyone as soon as her dad gets home akjslksj classic

their dad was a lot more....tolerable earlier on. I don’t mean he’s a bad character or anything. It’s just, he’s usually played for laughs now instead of being a parent. We get to see him actually parenting Hen in this ep, and it’s so nice. 

“Jasper’s using our bathroom.” “Oh jeez.” Like father like daughter kajslkj (also looks like Hen got his phrase from his dad. cute!)

“and Henry said he’s not gonna make dinner.” “What??? It’s his night!” “I’M GONNA MAKE DINNER!” leave my son alone, Jake (he’s my son. not yours.)

YAS. JAKE SITTING DOWN WITH HENRY TO GIVE HIM A NICE PARENT TALK ABOUT MS. SHAPEN CALLING HIM ABOUT HENRY’S FAILED TEST. YAS. YAS. YAS. I LOVE ME SOME HEALTHY FAMILIAL CONTENT!!!!!

“She called you at work?!?.....Ah, that’s so rude of her. God.” alksjslk nice save hen

“Do you realize how important Puerto Rican history is???” aksjlkjs I really thing they’re doing this bc of Jace. Like, I really do. 

Hen apologizing for letting his dad down :’))))

JAKE. HART. BEING. CONCERNED. FOR. HIS. SON. YASSSSS. He sees that maybe having a job is causing Hen’s grades to slip THIS is how you parent. (wish i had me a dad like that...)

you don’t get your 12 yr old daughter to drive u home from mouth surgery.....looking at you s4

“I can’t quit! My job’s a really big deal.” *puts hand on his dad’s leg* “It’s a junk shop. *moves Hen’s hand* You sweep the floors.” ajskjskjskl if only you knew

Hen’s like “I’m gonna go upstairs and study right now!” he takes off and his dad grabs him at the last second and makes him do this spin and akjsljs I just thought that was funny

“You study after you make the chili balls. And make them spicy this time.” He and Piper share this look lolol they’re so similar. it’s crazy

Hen yawning as he serves dinner :(((( he doesn’t even eat. he’s going without food AND sleep. MY SON NO!!!!

“I posted a pic, and now it has 45 comments. So now i have to comment on the comments!” “I’m about to comment on you.” asklkjskl (too tru tho Pipes)

RAYMOND. STOP FUSSING AT MY SON. HE IS TRYING HIS HARDEST. HE CAN ONLY DO SO MANY THINGS AT ONCE.

“Why aren’t you on your way over here???” “Because. I got in trouble for sleeping in class....and i had to make chili balls.” “Chili...balls?” “It was ‘my night’.”  lolol I love the way Hen says that. so snarky

Hen stretching over his bed like “I’m just gonna....” slaps himself in the face to keep up “Maybe I can just....I’m just gonna lie down. 5 minutes tops. just 5 min” before he just passes out is SUCH a mood.

Okay, Ray coming in thru hen’s window all angry in covered in sewage is HILARIOUS

like, I love this little “I’m gonna kill him” angry dance thing he does aksjlkjs

oh my god he’s waving his smell in Hen’s direction asjksjsl

“Awww what’s that smell???” “I’m that smell!”

“Well, Ray, I guess I fell asleep.” “WeLl I gUeSs I fElL aSlEeP!!!” Ray u sound like scooby-doo aksjskj

“You know what’s down in the Swellview sewer???” “....poop.” “POOP!”

omg I forgot about Pipes being suspicious of the voices in Hen’s room 

“Who are u talking to in here???” “Nobody.” “MOM!!!!!” “Aw jeez.” using his dad’s phrase :)))))

Hen blaming the smell on piper aksjlslkj

“It’s Piper.” “What???” “She hasn’t had a bath in a week.” “That’s a lie!”

“You disappointed me tonight.” “I’m disappointing everybody. People should just call me ‘Kid Disappointment’.” Hen....:((( (but the way he said the last part was really funny akjdlskj)

WHAAAATTT???? RAY WANTS HEN TO TALK TO HIM TO HELP FIGURE OUT A SOLUTIONG TO A PROBLEM???? YOU MEAN HE’S NOT BEING UNJUSTIFIABLY PARANOID OR RIDICULOUS??? HE’S NOT JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS??? HE’S NOT BREAKING THE LAW OR HARMING OTHERS OR DOUBTING HENRY’S INTEGRITY????? WHAAAATTT????

^^^^^that was a jab at the Ray we’ve seen as of late

“Time. School. Working for you. My family. It’s just a lot to handle.” TOO TRUE HENRY. TOO. FREAKING. TRUE.

“I do know a guy who can get rid of your family.” Who, Ray. Who do you know?

Ray actually wanting to fix a problem rather than make it worse. Yes.

and so begins Ray’s crush on Siren. Nice try dude. My crush began the second she was on screen. 

“Who’s this?” “My mom.” “Niiiiiiice. Is she still, uh, married to your dad, or--” “Yes.” “Does she ever seem lonely or--” “Go home, Ray.” 

“The picture, Ray.” 

aksjdklj I love that interchange.

also Hen just has this portrait of his mom in his room lolol what a momma’s boy :)))))

Jasp x Char covering for Hen even tho they have no idea what’s up ;’))))

GOOCH. MY MAN.

Henry does NOT have hepatitis Japser!!!! ajslkjslk

Gooch and Hen harmonizing those weird sounds omg lolol

“Oohloolooloooloooo--why am I doing this?!??!?!”

“Relax, kid.” “I can’t. I’ve got a huge makeup test  tomorrow. I need to study, and you guys are making me go ‘oohloolooloo’“ “It’s ‘Oohloolooloo--” “I don’t care!!!!” I LOVE sassy Henry

all studying done in 30 seconds???? Where can i get me one of these???

“It’s a cerebral data transducer--or as we call it, the HRZ.” wtf???? lolol

“Why am i locked in a chair???” Hen asking the real questions. 

the way Ray says “Puerrrrto RRRRRicoooo!” 

“Will this hurt???” “Yes.” WHAT???” lolol

okay can you imagine the now jace being as extra as this jace??? No??? I didn’t think so. lololol

“Well?” “That hurt BAAAAD!!!”

“I don’t know anything about P--” *starts spitting out random PR facts* askjljsk “Wooooaaahhhh. I know Puerto Ricoooooo.” 

the amount of times they’ve said Puerto Rico in this ep is crazy. I’m definitely convinced they did this for Jace alskjskl

“Do you think it’s cheating???” “Ehhhh.” “It’s a gray area.” GOOCH X RAY ARE MY FAVES. (i love Schwoz, but Ray x Gooch had some good chemistry.)

“I really doing this appreciate you for me.’ ASKLJDLKSJ I LOVE THIS PART OF THE EPISODE. THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE MY FAVORITE PART. 

at first, i didn’t even register that he’d switched the order of the words. I was like, “Ok, I knew what he meant, but something about it made my brain feel weird???” lololol

I wonder if Jace had a hard time getting the mixed up order right akjsksl

I love the way Ray says “Uh oh.” with his eyes closed. Like, “I knew this might happen, but I was really hoping it wouldn’t.” lksjklsj

“Well you could’ve before that you told me!!!” THESE PARTS ARE MAKING ME LAUGH SO HARD.

Henry: *screams all high-pitched* aljsklsjls I’M CACKLING

I FORGOT HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS EPISODE!!!!!!!!

“So I’m gonna girl like a days for a few screams---wait.” LOLOLOLOL

*screams again*

“.......You guys wanna get lunch?” CLASSIC Ray. (can something be classic already in the first ep??? I guess the word is vintage. VINTAGE Ray.....but those r the same thing??? I don’t know ajksjlsk)

“The Vermont army finally surrendered and fled the coconut plantations.” “Coconuts in Vermont?” askjslkj school really be like that sometimes

Jasper just doodling the whole time. ME.

“Okay everyone. Get out.” Ms. Shapen is a constant mood. lolol

“100 my makeup test on I got!!!.....I mean, I got a hundred on my makeup test???” aksjlk I love u Hen

*randomly screams* “...” “.... That was inappropriate.” “I just got excited.”I CAN’T TELL YOU HOW MUCH THIS PART MAKES ME LAUGH ALKSJKLSJ

“I’m really proud of you, Henry. I’d give you a hug if it wouldn’t get me fired.” ajsksj 

“Have a good weekend.” “Too you.” “....”

Henry said “Yeah, baby!” to Char. :))))) (I know it was just a quick thing on the fly, but it’s still cute)

“Where were you?” “I go to had somewhere.” 

ya’ll. Henry’s mix ups are KILLING me.

“One more time???” “I. had. to. go. somewhere. Nailed it.”

*randomly screams again*

CHAR’S SCARED FACE. I’M DYING.

“You later see!” ALKSJKLJSK

I LAUGHED FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE END OF THIS EPISODE. 

I JUST REALLY LOVE THIS EPISODE. I FORGOT HOW MUCH I DID, AND IT WAS GREAT TO BE REMINDED. 

this ep had it all

tired/overworked/stressed hen and his supportive friends and fam

then there’s that GOLDEN last two minutes with the side effects

just. wow.

props to Jace for doing an incredible job

he really delivered the goofiness. love my boy :))))))

rewatching these was such a good idea <3333

[partlycharlie-archive]

ep: things leo does; by jason grace

chapter 2. aftermath link to chapter 1

summary: 2. hey, mom? okay, there's this guy named leo, and i'm in love with him. wait - wait, you knew that already? well. fuck. wait! aha - i bet anything you didn't know he was in love with me, now did you? yeah, i thought - fuck. word count: 2,051 warnings: mention of cannibalism (not serious), mention of DDLB/NSAP, morse code a/n: valentines chapter because i’m a sucker for the babe :/  read on ao3

5. taps out messages in morse code when he thinks no one is paying attention

Two short taps. One short, one long, two short. One long, one short, two long. Rinse and repeat.

Three letters.

Jason’s sure nobody else has noticed - Leo tapping his fingers in what seems to be a random pattern is nothing new, and his eyes track Chiron’s movements with what seems to be laser focus.

He likes to think he knows Leo better, by now.

Jason thinks back on his old Morse training (“Why do I have to know this?” “Just in case.” “What the hell kind of situation requires us to tap Morse code to each other when we have fucking mouths?”) - laborious months of bullshit memorizing that he never used on quests, but damn if it isn’t coming in handy now.

Two short taps. I

One short, one long, two short. L

One long, one short, two long. Y

ILY.

Jason jerks up in his seat, avoiding Leo’s eyes when his fingers stop tapping and he glances over, obviously concerned.

Leo’s mouth quirks up into a tiny smirk - how the fuck does he manage to lift only a corner of his mouth, and still convey so much? It’s fucking adorable, and Jason hates it - and he focuses back onto Chiron, who is trotting across the front of the room with a vaguely frustrated expression on his face.

Leo’s fingers continue their tapping, slim fingers pressing coded messages into the tabletop.

Two short taps. I

One short, one long, two short. L

One long, one short, two long. Y

One short, three long. J

One short, one long. A

Three short. S

Three long. O

One long, one short -

“Alright, any questions?” Chiron asks suddenly, raising his voice to attract the attention of any heads whose heads are drooping (Jason tries not to feel guilty - fails - whatever.). “No? Alright, dismissed.”

Jason glances at Leo, who is standing up like nothing’s changed, slapping his hands on the table like nothing’s changed, brushing a hand down his jeans like nothing’s changed, turning to leave like nothing’s -

You get the point.

Okay, so Leo had spelled out ILY JASO- something. That something was either a K, a D, a Y, a C, an X, a B, or…

An N.

Was it too much of a stretch to think he might have been spelling out JASON? Zeus knows it wasn’t JASOD, anyway.

Fuck.

  6. acts like a child when he gets tired*

* leo doesn’t get tired.

“… so the chip attaches to this port -” Leo yawns, and then shakes his head to clear it up, “ - and so it becomes able to track -” another yawn, “ - the movements -”

“Leo?” Jason asks, tilting his head slowly. Leo glances up, blinking blearily (ha, alliteration) up at him.

“Yeah?”

Jason smiles fondly, unable to hold back his reaction to an evidently tired Leo.

“You look tired. Ready for bed?”

Leo shakes his head again, more rapidly this time, and his curly hair flops around with his movements. He blinks a few more times, then opens his eyes as far as he can. “Nuh-uh,” he says, with an expression like a guilty child.

Yeah, right. Even Jason’s tired, and Leo likes to call him Superman - mostly because he looks like a blond version of him, but also because he’s basically superhuman. Jason doesn’t really get tired.

“Yuh-huh. C’mon, let’s head to my cabin. It’s too late, I don’t want to wake the Hephy kids up.”

Leo shakes his head with a petulant expression, narrowing his eyes and leaning back in his chair. With arms crossed, he mutters, “Nuh. Uh.”

Jason raises an eyebrow and nods to himself for a second, fighting back an amused smile at Leo’s behavior. “Alright, you’ve got a couple of options,” he relents, watching with the fond grin that he hadn’t been able to restrain as Leo slowly relaxes, nodding with lingering suspicion still present on his face. “You can either get up and walk with me, or I pick you up. Your choice.”

Leo sighs heavily, tipping his head back and huffing out another breath through his nose. “Fine.”

Jason stands, hovering for a few seconds. He frowns as suspiciously as he can manage when Leo doesn’t stand up like Jason thought he would, instead slouching further into his seat with hands outstretched, as if…

… he wants Jason to pick him up. Of course he does.

“You’re a fucking baby, y’know that?”

Leo shrugs, a carefree smile on his face. “Yup.”

Jason sighs indulgently. “Yeah, of course you do. Alright, we’re doing piggyback, because we both know - despite how incredibly underweight you are - there’s no way I’ll be able to hold you on my damn hip or whatever for the amount of time it’ll take us to get back to the cabin.”

Leo nods and Jason turns his back to the shorter teenager, crouching on the balls of his feet with his hands outstretched behind him. As carefully as he can manage (which isn’t saying a lot, considering how fucking delirious he seems to be), Leo tucks his legs into the slots of Jason’s hips and he stands up, chuckling softly when Leo yelps behind him.

He regains his balance, though, and wraps lanky arms around Jason to rest in the juncture between his neck and shoulder.

“Good to go?”

Leo says nothing, merely nods against the shoulder he’s already starting to fall asleep on - not that Jason expected anything less.

“¡Dios mio, las luces!” he cries almost immediately, shoving his face into the back of Jason’s shirt. [t - Oh my god, the lights!]

Jason can’t stifle the chuckle that escapes him - okay, so maybe he forgot to tell Leo it was basically morning, but. Who could blame him? He’d been… distracted. By Leo. And his hands. And his hair. And his smile. And his laugh. And his -

You see? It just happened again. Totally not his fault.

Definitely.

"Sorry, love," he says, trying and failing to sound truly apologetic. (Did he just say love in reference to Leo? He’s not going to think about that.) "Afraid I can't turn these lights off."

A groan spills its way out of Leo's mouth, sounding suspiciously like a "Why not?" but with a lot more vowels, probably.

"Well," he starts, the fond amusement (he’s fond way too often when it comes to Leo, damn it) probably ridiculously evident in his voice, "there's this thing in the sky - now, don't get too excited - called the sun. Totally crazy, right? It -"

Leo's left hand knocks harshly against his temple. "Asshole."

"- even makes this wild thing called - wait for it - light! It's pretty fuckin' awesome, if I may say so myself."

Leo sighs. "You may not," he grumbles, and Jason can feel the fluttering of the other boy's eyelashes against his neck. He fights back a shiver at the surprisingly intimate feeling and tries to concentrate on getting them to his cabin.

"Hey, dad?" he murmurs, words slurred through a heavy tongue. Jason opens his mouth to answer, but -

Wait.

What?

He freezes.

Mentally, of course, because otherwise Leo would know something was up, and he was so close to falling asleep, and Jason really didn't want him realizing what he said, because it'd turn into a whole production, and Leo would never get to sleep, and then... you get the idea.

But - anyway. Back to the matter at hand:

Dad?

Is that, like, a kink thing?

Jason remembers reading up on kinks (it was a late night and too many Wikipedia articles, sue him), and he's pretty sure daddy kinks are a thing.

(Eugh. He shudders at the thought. Yikes.)

But - that didn't sound like a sexy Dad word. What would a sexy Dad word sound like? It'd probably be Daddy and not Dad, for one.

Oh, gods.

He's getting off track.

Jason decides, as any sane (teenager) semi-mortal would do, to completely ignore the last word of Leo's sentence. "What's up, squirt?"

Okay, what the fuck?

He definitely meant to say Leo, or maybe bro, as regular teenage boys do, but squirt? Gods, Jason's out of his mind.

Maybe it's because Leo's way heavier than he looks. Who knows.

"'m tired."

Jason resists the urge to fist pump the air, instead pulling Leo onto his hip for ease of motion.

"Yeah, yeah, me too. Don't worry, we're almost there."

  7. has horrible grammar when he texts (no, it doesn’t annoy jason)

[17:49] leo_valdez: wht do u want 2 do 4 dins 2nite

[17:55] jason_grace: Salmon with asparagus and rice?

[17:58] leo_valdez: damn chef grace out here [17:58] leo_valdez: yeah boi

[17:59] jason_grace: Okay, cool.

[18:38] jason_grace: Hey, Percy said he’d cook. Cool with you?

[18:43] leo_valdez: yeah np

[18:45] jason_grace: He might take a while, though, so I think we’ll be eating late tonight :/

[18:45] leo_valdez: ye its fine i ate late 2day

[22:24] jason_grace: How’s it smelling over there? I’m hungryy

[22:30] leo_valdez: lol i cant smell anything

[22:31] jason_grace: Omg lol. Do you think it’s your poor sense of smell smell or that nothing is cooking??? Haha

[22:31] leo_valdez: both lmfaooo

[22:32] jason_grace: Lol, okay.

[23:11] jason_grace: 11:11!

[23:14] leo_valdez: my wish is 2 eat

[23:15] jason_grace: Mood [23:19] jason_grace: I’ve died a million hungry deaths already. I may start to eat paper any minute. [23:19] jason_grace: It’s organic, right???

[23:20] leo_valdez: yeah totes gotta get on that #vegan #organic #freerange #localwoodonly trend [23:20] leo_valdez: ykno this shirt is made out f cotton????? thts a crop i cld totally eat this

[23:22] jason_grace: As long as you take tiny bites like a rabbit.

[23:22] leo_valdez: yeahhhhhhh [23:23] leo_valdez: i s2g im gonna eat percy if he doesnt tell me its fuckin ready soon

[23:23] jason_grace: Wait what’s s2g again? [23:23] jason_grace: Oh, nom.

[23:23] leo_valdez: swear to god

[23:23] jason_grace: Nvm*

[23:23] leo_valdez: NOM NOM I HUNGRY

[23:24] jason_grace: Lolzzzz.

[23:24] leo_valdez: thnks jace u rly gotta remind me ://////

[23:24] jason_grace: He’d probably be pretty tasty. [23:24] jason_grace: Remind you of what?

[23:24] leo_valdez: how hUNGRY I AM

[23:25] jason_grace: Nom nom nom I have no other words.

[23:25] leo_valdez: nom [mood in hungryspeak]

[23:26] jason_grace: Me nom.

[23:26] leo_valdez: i just saw th word omw and rly tht it said nom im losing my mind over here

[23:27] jason_grace: Our bellies could have been full hours ago. Savage.

[23:27] leo_valdez: ikr [23:27] leo_valdez: horrible

[23:29] jason_grace: Are tears edible???

[23:29] leo_valdez: hopefully im producing way 2 many of thm

[23:30] jason_grace: Sip slowly, I don’t want you getting full before we eat.

[23:30] leo_valdez: i gotchu [23:31] leo_valdez: trying 2 remind myself tht festus 2.0 is a living being and im not ready 2 b a murderer

[23:34] jason_grace: Oh honey. He wouldn’t be tasty. Too much fur.

[23:34] leo_valdez: u rite u rigt

[23:34] jason_grace: What were we thinking??? We know Percy well enough by now lmao. Sigh. Burp. Ugh.

[23:36] leo_valdez: im crying salmon

[23:37] jason_grace: Oh noooo why’d you have to say salmon?????

[23:38] leo_valdez: LMAOOOO

  8. loves jason grace

Okay, okay.

You gotta keep this one a secret until Jason finds his journal again, okay? He doesn’t know I took it.

I’ve read through it a couple of times, and - damn is Jace a fucking sap. It’s a pity I love him.

No it’s not, who am I kidding.

Aha! That’s the first time I’ve written it down since I realized (which was… too long ago for me to feel comfortable admitting to).

If you didn’t get that, Jason: I love you, you piece of shit.

Ugh.

Fuck, whatever, maybe this thing is a prank and he doesn’t actually love me. Maybe this is a hallucination? Dad knows I’ve been spending way too much time in the Bunker, anyways. Maybe… who knows, honestly.

God, I’m tired.

Whatever. I hope he finds this soon, I’m tired of waiting, for Christ's sake.

See you soon, hopefully.

- leo valdez, the one & only

I love you too, Leo.