#bane and freeze are only mentioned briefly

[daandyli0n]

Shut Eye, Act One: Uneven Footing

chapter one: it begins with a cabin and a fresh start

ah yes, a happy little family just moving to a new server! i’m sure nothing traumatizing is gonna happen to anyone!

(no real warnings (yet), except for some very vague hybrid stereotyping and some vaguely implied familial issues)

~~~~~~~~~~~

Server 303 is a strange one.

First, it is the only known server that has a hellhound simply living on the server. Hellhounds, working for both Lady Death herself and the Deity of Vengeance, typically only arrive on servers to drag souls that are marked to face the Goddess of Death and their crimes. The Hounds typically don’t just live their lives peacefully on a server. They are typically there for a purpose.

Second, the server also allowed anyone to be there. Invite or not. It’s a blessing for many; Sea Dwellers having to travel across long stretches of river to make it to the ocean safely, avians traveling long distances, heck: even wanderers just passing through.

The server’s admin and his right-hand man are their own category of Strange.

The server’s admin, known simply as ‘Signal’, and the right-hand man, who was simply known as ‘Coyote’ (it’s well known that it’s not his real name, but he’s never given it to anyone but Signal), were quite odd. Signal, a Screen-Headed Robot with a scary amount of sentience, and Coyote…well, a coyote hybrid. 

It’s odd to see a coyote hybrid with such a high position.

People typically don’t trust coyotes.

Add onto the fact that they were both skilled fighters and insanely strong, and…well, there’s your “Own Category Of Strange.”

But, of course, that didn’t shake the courage of a young sheep hybrid and his family, simply looking for a new beginning.

Enter Hickory Silverslip.

He suddenly plopped down onto the server’s spawn area, disoriented (entering servers is a b**ch in his humble opinion), with a small baby strapped to his chest, and clutching the hand of a small fox(?) girl. On his other side, a much smaller sheep hybrid stumbled dizzily from his own entrance.

Hickory wasn’t what many people would think of if they thought “sheep hybrid”; brown wool, bright teal eyes, dressed in a gray shirt and an orange flannel, some black pants (specifically made to fit a hybrid’s legs), and holding his long wool in a ponytail of sorts. The main indicators of him being a sheep hybrid were his horns and hooves.

The girl on his right had purple hair, fox ears, and a tail. She wore a white t-shirt with a teal flower design on it and some black pants. Her eyes were purple…but one had black sclera and the other was white. There were very thin slits on the sides of her mouth.

The stumbling boy had black wool, silver-blue eyes, and freckles. He was dressed in a long-sleeved red shirt underneath black overalls. On the front, there was a small stitched-on design of an apple. His wool was relatively short and curly, but a long bit of his bangs were covering his right eye.  He is clutching a small wooden sword. He was starting to look up in wonder.

The infant was a deer hybrid. Light brown hair, bright green eyes, and some fawn spots on his legs. He was in a lilac shirt. He was still napping on his father’s chest.

Hickory got his bearings and looked around at the children. “Alright…are we all okay?” He looked down at the enderfox girl beside him. “Vexen?”

Vex groaned. “I’m okay…”

He turned to his left. “Slate?”

The lamb stumbled more for a second, before he tried to stand up straight. “Yeah, yeah, just a lil’ dizzy is all…” He almost tripped over air as he finished that sentence.

Hickory stifled back a laugh before looking back down at the baby strapped to him. “And Elliot’s still asleep. Surprisingly.”

He brushed himself off and helped his siblings up. Slate let out a groan. “Alright, so, shouldn’t Mr. Admin be showing up to show us around, or-?”

Almost as if on cue, two people walked up. One was a robot, and the other appeared to be…a dog hybrid? A wolf?

The robot was busy chatting away to the mysterious hybrid beside him, while the hybrid suddenly looked up to them at full alert. The robot suddenly stopped, noticing the group at spawn.

The robot had a TV-like head with a white screen, the screen also having a face on it. The face had changed from one of minor surprise to one of cheer. He seemed happy to see them at least. He was wearing a pale blue sweater and some light gray pants. He also seemed to have some kind of black shoes.

The hybrid next to him seemed to be some kind of wolf or dog hybrid, with pale ginger hair, gray eyes, and seemed to have some freckles. He almost seemed to be dressed in a button up shirt and some brown pants.

Of course, Hickory knew who these two were.

Signal and Coyote.

Which meant that the hybrid was a coyote hybrid.

“Ah! Welcome, welcome! You must be Hickory!” Signal greeted, holding out a hand.

Hickory cautiously extended his own hand out. “Yep, that’s me. You’re Signal, right?”

“You would be very correct, my friend! The one and only! If I remember correctly, you’re settling down around here, right?”

“Yep. We just want to do a quick tour around the main area and then get to making a little house-”

Signal suddenly interjected, “Oh no no no, there’s no need to concern yourself over that! We have an abandoned cabin that’s in the woods that you could stay in if you want! Just a few missing blocks and the windows are a bit cracked, but nothing too difficult to fix!”

Hickory smiled. “Ah, well, that’s a relief. Building doesn’t come naturally to me.”

He grabbed onto Vex and nodded to Slate, who seemed to have finally gotten his balance back. “Well, where’s it at?”

Signal’s screen changed its emotion into a beaming smile. “Oh, just follow us! Come on, Coyote!”

Coyote quickly turned around and followed the group. He was still watching the newcomers like a hawk.

—----------------------

“You know, I don’t think I got your last names.”

Hickory cocked his head. “You didn’t?” He seemed lost in thought. “Could’ve sworn I wrote those down on the request…”

He looked back at Signal. “But our last name is Silverslip.”

Signal’s screen’s expression turned to one of shock. Coyote’s eyes snapped up from Slate, who was gently attempting to whack at his tail with his wooden sword. “‘Silverslip’? As in, Bane Silverslip?”

Hickory’s smile slipped into a frown. “Um…yes? Do you know my father?”

“Do we know-?!”

“Of course we do. Who doesn’t?” Coyote suddenly spoke up. It was the first time he had spoken up since they had gotten there. “Bane Silverslip is a rather famous man, you know.”

Hickory let out an uncomfortable chuckle. “Well, uh, what’s the problem, exactly?”

Signal glanced over at Coyote. “Well, it’s just-Coyote, did Bane ever publicly talk about any kids?”

Coyote let out a small ‘hmm.’ “None but Freeze, if I recall.” 

Hickory’s smile faltered for a moment. “O-oh.” he stammered out. “I just thought…I mean, we’ve been living together for about four years now…so I just thought…but it’s fine.” Bitterness crept into his tone at the end.

Coyote huffed. “Y’know, I don't remember lamb kids being this annoying.”

Slate gasped. “Hey! It’s not my fault that you people can’t take my awesome fighting skills!” Slate seemed more proud of himself than upset at the comment.

Hickory snapped his head back. “Hey, Slate? We can practice with the sword later, okay?” He glared at Coyote. “And you, watch it. He’s four. And my brother.”

Coyote returned the glare. “Now listen here-”

Signal got between them. “Coyote please. Y’know, Hickory has a point: Slate’s a child, he probably doesn’t know any better.” There was something…odd in his tone. “Though, now that you mention it, I don’t think that I’ve ever seen a sheep hybrid interested in combat before. Aren’t they typically farmers and such?”

Hickory frowned. “Excuse me?”

“Just saying, that’s from my knowledge man.”

“Still, if he wants to get good at combat, then he can.”

Coyote smirked. “Well, from my knowledge, sheep hybrids typically aren’t…how do I say this..good fighters?”

Slate yelled out a “what?!” and Hickory looked clearly pissed. “You little-”

Signal pushed them both back. “Okay, okay, let’s just get to the cabin so these people can get their things settled. We’ll…do the tours tomorrow, alright? Give you both some time to cool down.”

And so the group continued on towards the cabin. But not before Hickory shot Coyote a glare, pulled out his communicator, and typed out a message. Coyote got a small ‘ping.’

Hickory whispered to you: F**k you man

—-------------------

“Okay. What colors do you two want your beds to be?”

Slate scoffed. “Red, of course! It’s the coolest color ever, y’know.”

Vex yelled out “Purple!”

Hickory sighed, “Well…we have some red dye, but we don’t have any blue. And, unfortunately, it’s too dark out to get any. If I had some tools, then maybe I’d consider it, but…”

He looked over to her. “Also, your room has a lot of holes in it. You and Slate might have to share a room for a bit, just until I repair the other rooms. You won’t mind that, right?”

“Pfft, of course I won’t! We’re best buddies, remember?”

Hickory smiled. “Didn’t think you’d mind, but just wanted to check.”

As the pair were put to bed, Slate lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Restless.

“Hey Vex?”

“Yeah?”

He fiddled around with the blanket. “Do-do you think that I’ll be a good fighter? Even though I’m a sheep?”

“Of course man! I don’t care what that Coyote guy says, I believe in you!”

“It’s just-I also wanna farm, but I also wanna be able to protect myself. To protect all of us.”

“Ignore that guy, Slate. He’s just being a meanie. You can do it, no matter what all those mean bullies say about you!”

He smiled. “Thanks Vex.”

“No problem Bro. Now go to sleep before Ory comes in here.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

yep...no angst incoming at all...just pure fluff, i promise (there will be angst, at least by chapter three)

(is it possible to put oc stuff on ao3-?)

[nabrizoya]

TLH; theories, expectations and hopes.

Kinda want to talk about downworlder appearances here. A little more than a long post. 

» 2. Downworld Denizens.

note: to all those who haven’t yet read TDA, GOTSM etc. (because ik a few who haven’t read them yet) this post is not for you. 

TL;DR this post talks about the proportion (no math here) of downworlder appearances in each of the series and novellas we have read. The Bane Chronicles not included.

For understanding’s sake, I’ll divide the downworld as the shadow market does. Into four major segments: warlocks, faeries (with sub-divisions), vampires and werewolves. While we do see other groups of non-shadowhunters and mundanes like the irfits, the djinns, the kelpies, sprites and wights, the mermaids, witches etc. we haven’t seen much of them be a major part of the plot as the above mentioned four do. 

That being cleared, let’s start series wise. 

▸ In The Mortal Instruments, we saw all the four interact. More than interact, actually. Every one of them played a major role in turning the series around. 

Vampires, we know what Simon Lewis, Raphael and Lily did. What antagonists Camille Belcourt and Maureen did and how they shaped the series. 

Werewolf packs, there were revolutions and the emergence of newer and stronger packs.

Warlocks, Magnus Bane, of course, but Ragnor played a part in the first trilogy and we saw Catarina’s abilities in the later half. Tessa was briefly mentioned and the timeline added up by the time COHF ended. 

In TMI, the Seelie Court entirely turned the tables while TDA picked up the thread from its counterpart, the Unseelie Court. Mark was taken away by the wild hunt which sets the precedent to TDA.

And, The End. 

[It’s been two years since I’ve read TMI and I barely remember things from it. All those I do remember is from vague readings that I did from wikia or see Dani’s rereading posts. There are inaccuracies here, but the jist remains the same.]

▸ Walk over to The Infernal Devices. 

Magnus Bane was a crucial character in the series, with a random appearance from Ragnor Fell. We saw Mortmain’s parents too, the warlocks whose deaths Mortmain wanted to avenge. Tessa is not a major warlock character. She’s the protag.

The Dark Sisters, a pair of witches, who unethically and literally shaped Tessa because she possessed the ability to shape-shift. 

Vampires, Alexie deQuincy, the guy in association with the Pandemonium, the club that Mortmain ran. Camille orchestrated the attack on him besides being a side character. 

Werewolves; we saw them both attack and defend Will Herondale on his way to Cadair Idris. Woolsey Scott was the head.

And that’s pretty much where downworlder appearance subsides. No mention of faeries. 

▸ On to The Dark Artifices now. 

Faeries played a MAJOR role in the events of TDA, which makes sense because the Cold Peace greatly influenced the beginning of the series. 

Mark’s return and the eventual discovery of the alliance that Malcolm had with that dude, [for real, I actually forgot his name and I can’t remember or be bothered enough to look it up], who used Mark and Kieran as their pawns to get what they wanted. 

The Unseelie King is dead, the Seelie Queen yeed her last haw and we saw the whole business with the first heir, that took its origins from Ghosts of the Shadow Market. 

Oh, not to forget the ruthless Riders of Mannan. 

And Thule, but we don’t talk about that here. 

Vampires, well, only Nightshade and his drugs. 

Werewolves, nope. None at all. 

Warlocks, yesss, what with the warlock fever and such. The major warlocks we noted are Magnus, Shade Fell, Tessa and, of course, Malcolm Fade. 

Hypatia Vex and Barnabas Hale also were instrumental to the plot since they detailed the tensions of the market. There’s sourness that we saw between Magnus and Hypatia, which should hint towards something. 

▸ Going forth with the Novellas, in Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy, we saw each one of them be mentioned to connect the dots between TMI and TDA and then draw the strings from TID. 

We noted the Uprising and the news of Lucian’s turning in the werewolf part. 

Vampires, I don’t think there was any mention of them at all. 

Warlocks, we saw our little Max Bluebell, Magnus and Alec as a family. Tessa is a warlock who has settled with her and our long lost love, Jem Carstairs. 

Faeries, now, aah, Helen’s inhumane exile, Andrew and Arthur’s torture in the Land Under the Hill, Lady Nerissa, the brief Wild Hunt stunt when Simon got imprisoned and Mark Blackthorn *sob* etc. 

▸ Ghosts of the Shadow Market:

Faeries, yet again, who, out of their spite, destroyed Matthew Fairchild’s life and we don’t how much more detrimental it is going to be ahaha pain my old fren, they harmed Jem too along with Rosemary Herondale, almost killed Tessa etc. 

Vampires, still none. But we did get to see Raphael and Lily’s interactions (The Son of Dawn) and Lily’s past (The Land I Lost). 

Warlocks, yes Tessa! Malcolm Fade and the weird book he was looking for in Every Exquisite Thing. (👀) Catarina Loss and her excellent healing prowess. Leopolda and her stains. Yeah, nothing more.

Werewolves, oh yes Mr. Scott, who helped end Leopolda Stain’s plans. And oh, the smuggling of yin-fen ofc in The Son of Dawn, and the kind werewolves who helped Alec, Lily, Tessa and Jem in The Land I Lost. 

That’s pretty much it. 

The real requirement that the post will satisfy is to see how each of them will make an appearance in The Last Hours.

Warlocks: 

Magnus will not play a major role (nor do I want him to which I will explain in a further post).

Tessa is minimally using her warlock magic. You know, for the smallest of things like some healing powers, lighting a candle with magic. The small stuff. She will, also, play a major role in defeating Belial because she is Belial’s daughter though currently, she is choosing to not use her demonic powers. 

Hypatia Vex is rumoured to be Magnus’ girlfriend? But I’d also like to see her as the authority of Hell Ruelle. Let’s not reduce her to being a simple love interest please.

Malcolm Fade.

I’d also like to see Catarina please Miss Clare, make it happen. 🥺

Land Under the Hill: 

Faeries shall certainly make an appearance. But most of all, they’ll be more inclined to destroy the Herondale lineage. The same happened with Matthew (as we found out in The Land I Lost from Auraline’s guardian): to end the Herondales.

There is a snippet in COI wikia where Cordelia freezes when a faerie tells her not to marry a man who does not love her. I’m ready to believe this is Mother Hawthorn, Auraline’s guardian.

There are also theories that Grace is Nene. Which is a possibility, and if it is true, we can see another faerie plotline.

I’m grasping at straws at this point but,,, Jesse speaking about the Land Under the Hill when he first meets Lucie will probably mean something? This is not my strongest bet, because in Chapter 3, the idea is diminished. Jesse tells Lucie that shadowhunters know about faerie traps too. But, just in case, some food for thought. 

Vampires & Werewolves: 

Vampires and Werewolves WILL play an important role in shaping the series here. With little to no involvement of theirs in TID (and TDA), it is a heavy possibility. 

The series took off with Elias’ punishment for being the person responsible for the deaths of werewolves in Idris. This will come back and bite the families, I’m sure. 

There are theories Matthew might be stripped of his marks to either become a vampire or a werewolf. Strong bets, but I hope not. (is this how werewolves will take their revenge? who knows).

Woolsey Scott and Camille Belcourt are set to make an appearance and we do not know why. 

Pandemonium is coming back too, lads and ladies and everybody else. 

Lily Chen is already present and she is set to become friends, or at least acquaintances, with Camille because they spend the 1920s together. 

Cordelia is going to save Lily and I cannot wait for it. 🥺

And, the end. 

This will also lead more towards the building up of The Wicked Powers too. 

. . .

One last warlock to talk more about is Malcolm Fade. 

Around the timeline of TLH, he has a connection with the Blackthorns and for the most part, is trusted by Magnus and Ragnor as a good and virtuous man. I should believe he was, until the truth is dug out, either in 1903/04, or sometime before 1936 when Jem inquires with Sister Emilia about Annabel Blackthorn. 

As per the information from TDA, Malcolm already was associated with the Unseelie King in the early 1800s, before the Accords that granted peace between downworlders and shadowhunters. He took the Black Volume of the Dead, though he is not possession of it. Yet.

Let me give you map of MF connections (mf connections lmao): 

Blackthorns 

Necromancy 

Black Volume of the Dead 

Warlock Magic aka Portals and Death Magic 

Cornwall Gardens and Institute

Avenging to vengeance 

Shadow Markets 

Sisterhood 

... This will then lead us to more interesting theories. Cassie did mention in one of her asks/answers that Malcolm is going to be a major character in this series. And you bet I’m making a theory about this too. 

That concludes the post. That’s it. If you’ve managed to read this entirety, you’re either too excellent or you’re just as jobless as me. Either way, here’s your reward for bearing with me. Trust me, you won’t regret opening it.

[k-popscenxrios]

Didn’t Ask For This Pt 4 (Roommate!JK x OC)

A/N: The way I’ve written Jungkook in this story has me melting like I’m not even kidding. I love flirty JK so much dangit (Also part 5 will be out tonight, so look out for it!)

Summary: “I didn’t know you hated me so much,” he spoke as he grabbed my wrist and once again turned me around to face him, “and quite honestly, I don’t think I’ve done anything horrible enough for you to hate me to the degree that you do.” “You say that like the hate isn’t mutual,” I remarked as he shook his head. There was a bitter smile on his face as he took a deep breath, “I think you are quite honestly one of the worst human beings I’ve had to come in contact with.”

6.1k words | drama ✞ | fluff ♡

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Finale

⇨ Masterlist ⇦

“Thank God you’re going to be with me today,” I hugged Chaeyoung as she just giggled, “I can’t handle Jungkook all on my own.”

“Well don’t be so focused on Jungkook that you forget that Jimin is single and very hot. He’ll be cleaning with us, too.”

“I forgot he was also gonna be with us tonight,” I felt my face heat up in embarrassment. “I’m not sure that I’ll have a chance with him. He did see Jungkook and I immaturely bantering back and forth.”

“Maybe he doesn’t mind. You never know,” Chaeyoung shrugged as she looked behind me. “Jungkook’s here.”

I spun around and spotted the bane of my existence walking toward the two of us. He had a small smile on his face as he spotted Yoongi up at concessions and waved his way. He also spotted Jimin walking from the break room and waved at him as well.

His eyes finally met mine as his face remained unchanged, sending me a small wave. Chaeyoung took that as a wave in her direction as she smiled and waved back at him.

“I have a quick question before he comes within earshot,” Chaeyoung leaned into me as I looked away from Jungkook and over at her. “If I were to flirt with him, would you disown me?”

“Yes,” I quickly answered, “I would rather you flirt with Yoongi or even Jimin. You’d have a better chance with Jimin than I would, anyway.”

“Not true,” she mumbled as she glanced over in Jimin’s direction.

“If you want, I could talk you up,” I smiled as Chaeyoung blushed.

“I want you to flirt, first. If he doesn’t seem interested, that’s when I’ll try…”

“Not if that means you’ll flirt with Jungkook,” I snapped as she frowned, “he’s an ass! He’ll just lure you into bed and never call you back.”

“Okay but,” Chaeyoung held up a hand to stop me, “he lives with you and sleeps in a twin bed, and he’d have to see me at work. He wouldn’t be able to ghost me.”

“He might quit, I don’t know,” I shrugged, liking the sound of that. If I knew that he would for sure quit over it, I would almost encourage Chaeyoung to do it… but I would feel like I was using my best friend just as much as Jungkook would be using her for momentary pleasure.

“Okay, pause,” she mumbled as both Jungkook and Jimin made it up to us at the same time. I took a deep breath and pulled out the schedule that my manager had given me, and we all started off for the day.

…

“Okay, I think Jimin’s flirting with me,” Chaeyoung mumbled as we split up with them to clean the restrooms.

“Really?” I smiled in excitement as Chaeyoung let a sheepish smile appear on her face.

“I wanted you two to hit it off, though…” she tried to not look sad, but I could tell that she was.

“I don’t care, Chae! Plus, if my dating life is so important to you, I think that Yoongi might like me? It’s just speculation, but it’s possible.”

Chaeyoung bit the inside of her cheek in thought before shaking her head, “I don’t know about that. He just broke up with his two year long girlfriend only a couple weeks ago. He might take a while to come around.”

“Well, I’m in no hurry,” I shrugged as we finished up in the last of the three female bathrooms. “Anyway, we should head into theater 7. The boys should be in there already.”

…

Jungkook and I ended up being split into one group while Chaeyoung and Jimin were in the other. We were running low on time between movie showings, so we divided the theaters amongst the groups. I wanted to be grouped with Chaeyoung, but since Jungkook and Jimin are brand new workers, we couldn’t just send them off alone to clean the theaters.

And unfortunately for me, I’d rather Chaeyoung flirt with Jimin rather than Jungkook any day.

“It’s flattering that you picked me,” Jungkook joked as I gave him a fake laugh.

“Chaeyoung and Jimin have been flirting it up all night. I had no choice.” I mentioned as Jungkook laughed.

“Really? I thought Jimin had eyes for you.”

I spun around and looked at him with surprise. Surely he was kidding…

Jungkook looked like he was having trouble keeping a straight face as I felt my cheeks heat up. I felt my heart betray me for actually getting a little excited about a boy having a crush on me.

After all, thanks to Taehyung, even boys that liked me in high school wouldn’t ask me on a date. The closest I got to dating a boy was back when I first started at the movie theater. I had been there a few months and was put in charge of training our new hire, Yoongi.

He took to me very quickly and relied on me to answer all his questions about everything that he didn’t understand.

At the staff Christmas party, he had asked me if I would like to go to his New Years party. I agreed to go, but that night ended up being a disaster. I showed up to the party in the prettiest dress I owned, freezing my butt off because of how thin the material was.

I found him pretty quickly in the night, but that was the same night that he asked his (now ex) girlfriend out. I was so embarrassed over my assumptions that I left before even saying hi to him. The next night when we worked a shift together, he asked me why I didn’t go to his party. I lied and said that I was feeling sick and just didn’t want to be around all those people.

Thank God that Taehyung never found out about it, because if he had, Yoongi would never talk to me again.

“You’re not funny, Jungkook,” I mumbled, finding myself getting more upset over that than I wanted to admit. My love life was a lot more pathetic than I wanted to admit. Jimin’s cute and he seems sweet, but I did not want to seem so desperate that I would kiss any guy that showed any interest in me.

“I thought it was pretty priceless,” he bit his lip and rushed to walk ahead of me. He turned around and walked backwards, looking into my eyes as I tried to avoid his. I could tell that my demeanor had changed, and I’d die if Jungkook found out that I’d never had a boyfriend before. He would never let me live it down.

“Whatever,” I mumbled as he continued to study me. He slowed down and stepped in front of me which caused me to run into him. I dared myself to glare up at him for walking into my path, and his cologne once again engulfed me.

I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the weird feelings that were swimming in my stomach, but when I saw Jungkook’s eyes soften, I nearly melted. How does someone as disgusting as him have such a mushingly soft look?

“Are you okay?”

I looked away from his eyes and pushed him away from me. The smell of cologne faded away as I brushed past him and nodded.

“Yeah, just being so close to you is revolting. Don’t do that again.”

…

We met back up with Chaeyoung and Jimin as the two were smiling and laughing with each other. The two seemed to hit it off when they had the alone time together.

I felt envy in the bottom of my chest as I dared myself to look at Jungkook. He wasn’t paying attention to me; he was also looking at Chaeyoung and Jimin. I felt myself want to vomit at the thought of Jungkook looking at Chaeyoung like he was.

Chaeyoung is beautiful and somehow still single… and if he wanted her in his bed, it seemed like all he’d have to say is that he was interested in her.

But maybe Chaeyoung doesn’t care about Jungkook anymore now that she’s caught Jimin’s attention.

“Okay,” I cleared my throat as we all stood in a circle once more, “our last theater is a big one. We might need someone at concessions to come help us clean. There were almost 200 in this theater.”

“Wow,” Chaeyoung’s eyebrows raised, “I didn’t realize we were that busy tonight.”

“Me neither,” I shrugged as I looked at the numbers I’d written down, “When Yoongi gave me the numbers, I couldn’t believe it.”

The four of us made our way to the theater in question as I took a detour to the concession stand. I walked up to Yoongi and he smiled when he saw me heading his way.

“I need some help for 1. It’s up to you on who goes.” I spoke as he looked at everyone that was at concessions with him.

“This is a hard one...” he mumbled before looking back my way, “I think I’ll send myself.”

“That’s what I thought,” I smiled and gestured for him to hurry up, “we don’t have time to just stand around, go grab a broom and meet me there.”

“Yes ma’am,” he laughed and disappeared into the back room.

It wasn’t long till Yoongi was walking into the theater, and I smiled at his exaggerated breaths.

“Sometimes I think you’re trying to kill me,” he spoke as I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him briefly.

“I didn’t force you here. You chose to be the one,” I shrugged as he just laughed.

I looked up to see Jimin and Chaeyoung giggling about something. They were growing close awfully quickly, and I felt myself growing insecure by watching them. Why was Chaeyoung able to get boyfriends so fast while I’m working on year three of a platonic relationship with Yoongi?

I looked back down at Yoongi and felt a sigh leave my mouth. Did it really have to be Yoongi? Did I actually like him like a boyfriend? Or did I just see him as the only guy in my life I was willing to see a future with?

I sighed and found myself seeing Jungkook in the same row of seats as me. I sent him a questioning look as he just looked my way with an unreadable look on his face.

“Pick a different row, douchebag,” I spoke loud enough for him to hear, but not loud enough to cause a scene.

“I was actually here first. You’re the one that walked in my row when you were staring off with that empty brain of yours.” He responded as he took a few steps closer and swept up more popcorn.

“Why do you always have to be right?” I mumbled as I noticed everyone was starting to look our way. “It’s okay to admit that you’re wrong every once in a while.”

“But I haven’t been wrong yet. I’m not lying to you, I’m just acknowledging your flaws.”

I took a deep breath and shook my head stomping up to him with my eyes narrowing, “Why are you such a-”

I felt my breath catch in my throat as Jungkook caught my wrist and pulled me to stop right in front of his face. Our faces were so close that if I stumbled from my awkward stance, my forehead would be touching his nose.

The cologne once more consumed my brain as his narrowed eyes slowly softened a sickening amount. I was getting nauseous at how often Jungkook and I were standing close to each other. I’d never been this close to anyone before today, and it’s happened about three times just today.

“I’ll tell Taehyung that you keep pulling me close to you like this,” I threatened as Jungkook sighed and shook his head.

“You’d admit that this is happening? That’s awfully mature of you,” he snidely remarked before he leaned into my ear. I almost squirmed under his hold, confusion and embarrassment taking over me.

“Did you really think I’d make a move on you? Disgusting.”

I shoved him off me as I swallowed and cursed my cheeks for displaying just how embarrassed Jungkook had just made me.

“Get back to work,” I ordered as I spun around and pretended like nothing ever happened. I was just hoping that everyone else would also act as if they didn’t see anything.

…

“The sexual tension was so thick that I thought he was about to rip your clothes off,” Chaeyoung whispered as we headed to the closest fast food restaurant for a dinner break, “I was getting nervous just watching you two!”

“I’m sorry, but the energy that you actually felt was anger and disgust, not arousal or anything even close to that.” I felt embarrassed talking about it, but that was all Chaeyoung wanted to talk about.

“God, how did your heart not burst out of your chest when he pulled you closer to whisper in your ear? I would have just melted into mush if a hottie like him did that to me.” Chaeyoung put her hands on both her cheeks and bit her lip, “I would kill for him to do that to me my God.”

“Well, go right on ahead and seduce him for the love of God,” I felt the bitterness in my voice, and Chaeyoung seemed to sense it, too.

“Okay, Ari, why are you so upset over it? Don’t you want a boyfriend?” She asked as I shuddered.

“Him? My boyfriend? We’d kill each other even if we attempt a relationship.” I felt a headache forming behind my left eye, “Don’t romanticize what just happened. You wanna know what he whispered to me when we were that close? He said ‘Did you really think I’d make a move on you? Disgusting.’ Is that something you want in a boyfriend?”

“Wow,” Chaeyoung frowned and put her hand on one of mine, “Ari, I’m sorry… just, it looked like his eyes were telling a story of how strong his feelings are for you, yet your brother forbids your love.”

“This guy hates my guts, Chae. And I, in turn, hate his guts as well. We don’t mix well together.”

We finally made it into the parking lot of Taco Bell as Chaeyoung and I stepped into the building.

…

The rest of the night was going fairly smoothly as I saw the clock strike 10:00. Our last movie of the night let out at 10:05, and we were about done with taking out the trash. After we cleaned this last theater, we would all be good to go home.

I looked over to Chaeyoung who was actually looking Jungkook’s way. I caught her attention and sent her a questioning look as her cheeks heated up and she looked away.

Was Chaeyoung crushing on both guys at the same time? Is she nuts? What does she even see in Jungkook? I will never understand…

“Which theater is our last one?” I snapped out of my thoughts as I looked back at Jimin.

“Theater 2,” I responded with a soft smile as he nodded.

“Do you think that you and Jungkook could finish taking out the trash? If Chaeyoung and I start cleaning in 2, we’d get out sooner.” Jimin offered as I looked at my phone. It was nearly 10:05, so I just sighed and nodded. As much as I didn’t want to be left alone with Jungkook yet again, I’d live with it.

“Go on. There isn’t much to take to the dumpster, anyway,” I spoke as Chaeyoung smiled at Jimin and the two of them turned around and began walking back the way we came.

“I’ll text you if we finish before you guys,” Chaeyoung looked to me as I nodded and gave her a thumbs up. Not even three seconds later, they had disappeared from sight, leaving Jungkook and I to finish pushing the trash cart to the dumpster.

The two of us were mostly silent as we unloaded all the bags of trash into the smelly dumpster in front of us. I wasn’t about to say something to him because I was honestly really tired… I didn’t have the energy to have any arguments with him.

I thought that we were just going to stay silent until meeting up with Jimin and Chaeyoung again, but Jungkook opened his big mouth to disprove my hopes.

“Taehyung texted me earlier today. I told him about me beating you in Wii bowling.”

“Great,” I mumbled. I just know that Taehyung is going to tease the life out of me for losing to not just anyone, but to Jungkook.

“He liked the idea of going bowling soon. He said that he doesn’t have to work on Monday night, and neither do we. You should ask Chaeyoung and Jimin if they want to tag along if they’re off.” Jungkook continued. I was relieved that he switched the conversation to making plans instead of gloating about his win over me.

“Okay,” I simply agreed as I could sense Jungkook’s surprise. He didn’t push any further as we walked back into the building and left the trash cart in the electrical room.

I felt my phone go off in my pocket as I pulled it out and spotted a text from Chaeyoung, “They finished the theater so we just need to clock out.”

“Awesome,” Jungkook sighed and I noticed him run his fingers through his hair. I tore my eyes from him as he glanced over my way in return. A small smirk appeared on his face as he started walking closer to me. I could only be thankful to the trash and sweat that was masking his cologne which smelled too good for my own sake. “You know, when we work the same shifts, we should ride together. It’d save gas that way.”

“Hell no,” I responded quickly as Jungkook just laughed and shrugged.

“Your loss. I’d let you DJ,” he shrugged, but I wasn’t giving in. The drive was one of the few times I didn’t have to deal with him, and I wasn’t about to add him to that, too.

“I’ll pass,” I rejected again as I looked over at him. He just continued to look down the hall as I narrowed my eyes slightly. What do people see in this guy? Looks can only go so far when your personality is so… ugly…

We met back up with Chaeyoung and Jimin as the first thing that popped into my head was the bowling plans. I smiled at my friend as she raised her eyebrows at me.

“So Jungkook, Taehyung, and I are going bowling on Monday night. If either or both of you are free that night, you’re welcome to come,” I offered as Chaeyoung smiled and nodded.

“I’m free that night! What about you, Jimin?” she turned to look at the boy as he pulled out his phone to check his schedule.

“Uhh, yeah! I can make it as long as it’s after 5:30,” he smiled and looked at Jungkook and I, “Are you going to AMF?”

“That’s the one like five minutes away, right?” Jungkook asked as we all nodded, “Then yeah. So does 6:00 sound good?”

“Yep,” Chaeyoung smiled and looked my way with a slight smirk, “You should ask Yoongi to come, too. I’m sure he’ll be there if he can make it.”

“Oh yeah, I’ll ask him on our way out,” I nodded as I ignored her teasing look. I was just asking him because I would like for him to be there. Nothing more and nothing less.

We all headed to the back to clock out as I spotted Yoongi standing at the sink. He was almost done washing the dishes, but he was still a good 50 minutes away from being able to go home. Unfortunately, there’s a 10:30 movie, so we don’t officially close until 10:50 tonight.

“Hey,” I smiled and walked up to him. He looked over at me and smiled before looking down at what he was doing.

“Are you guys done?” he asked as I nodded and stepped slightly away to make sure that I didn’t get splashed by any of the water rushing from the sink.

“Yeah,” I voiced, “You wouldn’t happen to be busy on Monday night, would you?”

Yoongi glanced at me for a few seconds before looking back into the sink, “I think I’m off on Monday. Why?”

“Awesome,” I smiled and tried to contain my excitement, “I’m inviting some friends to go bowling at AMF, and I was wondering if you wanted to go.”

“That sounds cool,” He smiled at me and started to drain the sink and dry his hands. “What time?”

“6:00,” I informed as he nodded, “It’s gonna be me, Chaeyoung, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook. That’s all that I know of.”

Yoongi’s eyebrows raised at the mention of Jungkook. He lowered his voice and leaned toward me so that only I could hear him.

“You invited Jungkook to go?” he was completely perplexed as I just smiled and shook my head.

“Uh, Jungkook was actually the one that had the idea in the first place. He found out that I’ve never been bowling, so now we’re going,” I explained as Yoongi just nodded and raised his eyebrow at me with a little disbelief.

“You two must have not dated very long for him to not know something simple like that,” I mentioned as I nearly choked on my saliva. I forgot that Yoongi’s under the impression that Jungkook and I used to date…

I shuddered at the idea before snapping back to the present.

“It just never came up,” I tried to play it up, but Yoongi was too intuitive for my lies.

“You love Wii bowling to death. What do you mean that it never came up?” he was quick to spot my bull crap as I felt my face heat up.

“Does it really matter?” I mumbled in embarrassment as Yoongi sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Fine. I’ll stop pestering you. I’ll be there at 6 on Monday.”

“Awesome,” I smiled and walked over to the computer to clock out. I couldn’t help but notice that Jungkook had hung around instead of leaving ahead of me like the last time we left around the same time.

I walked past him, only for him to push himself off the wall that he was leaning against and follow me. “We don’t have to walk together, you know.” “Taehyung also texted me to say that I need to walk you out when we work together so that he knows you’ll be safe,” He mentioned as he had his nose in his phone. It was a miracle that he wasn’t crashing into anything.

“And you’re actually listening to him?” I laughed as Jungkook just ignored my comment. It didn’t take long for us to get to our cars in the parking lot as I unlocked my car and opened the door to get in.

“I’ll see you at home,” I called out as Jungkook looked at me from his car and just waved before we both disappeared into our respective cars.

::

The weekend felt like the longest I’d ever experienced due to the amount of business that we did at work. A really big movie had just come out, and everyone and their dog was dying to see it opening weekend.

I’d barely had time to sleep when not at work, and I didn’t have to even think about Jungkook for the whole weekend since we worked opposite shifts for two days, and then on Sunday he worked concessions while I was on cleaning.

After the busy weekend came and went, Monday was finally here. Jungkook and I had the whole day off while Taehyung had a morning shift to work until 12. I had every intention to avoid Jungkook until Taehyung got home, but those plans fell through very quickly when I ran into Jungkook on my way to eat lunch.

Neither of us said anything to each other as I brushed past him and tried to ignore just how strong his cologne smells today. It was as if he knew how much I liked it, so he put on more than usual today.

“I’m pretty sure that Taehyung’s inviting some people to come bowling with us,” Jungkook spoke, following me into the kitchen. I opened up the pantry and tried to ignore any words Jungkook had to say, but he wasn’t giving up that easily.

“I think he’s inviting Jennie to come,” Jungkook mentioned as that caught my attention. Taehyung was inviting a girl? Not just any girl, but an ex of Jungkook’s?

“Is he crazy?” I asked as Jungkook’s eyes slightly brightened at the fact that I responded to him.

“I guess so. I mean, I’m over her, and I wouldn’t flirt with a girl that Taehyung likes,” Jungkook spoke, leaning against the counter behind him. “I don’t know if she’ll actually come, but he mentioned wanting to invite her in a text he sent me last night before he fell asleep.”

“I don’t care if you’re over her, you’re a huge flirt,” I narrowed my eyes, “Plus, wouldn’t it kill you for your friend to score a girl that even you yourself couldn’t keep?”

“She might be hot, but my attraction to her was mostly physical. Relationships like that never last very long,” Jungkook glared my way before walking closer my way. I took a deep breath to try and keep from smelling his cologne once he got too close, but it was too late. He was already too close to me.

“It wouldn’t stop you from coaxing her into your bed,” I spat as Jungkook just smirked and took another step closer to me. I looked up at him almost nervously, but I didn’t want to lose my tough glare his way.

“My bed is in this apartment, you know,” he spoke softly in a way that sent chills down my spine, “I’m not bringing anyone back here to catch sight of your ugly face.”

I shoved Jungkook away from me and cleared my throat to ignore his smell, “Go to hell.”

“Nah,” he laughed and moved to open the fridge next to me, “Anyway, tonight should be fun. Chaeyoung and Jimin will probably flirt until all of us puke, and you’ll awkwardly talk to Yoongi until he asks you out, if he ever does.”

“It’s none of your business what he does with me,” I spoke mostly into the pantry since I was still looking for something I could fix. Maybe I’ll just make an egg sandwich…

“I mean, for a girl who wants a boyfriend so bad, she sure doesn’t give a guy off any vibes of being interested.” Jungkook remarked as I pulled the loaf of bread out of the pantry.

“How do you know any of the vibes that I give Yoongi?” I put the bread on the counter next to the fridge as Jungkook closed the fridge on me. I looked up at him as he leaned against the fridge and smirked.

“You want in the fridge, right?” he raised an eyebrow as I nodded and tried to shove him out of my way.

“Jungkook, what is your problem?” I huffed as Jungkook bit his lip to try and bite back a smile.

“Do you really think that Yoongi has an interest in you?”

I took a deep breath as I felt myself not liking where this conversation was about to head. “It’s very likely. But I don’t have to prove anything to you.”

“Hm,” Jungkook nodded and looked up at the ceiling, “So, if someone as pretty as Jennie were to flirt with him, you think he’d turn her away for you?”

I felt my gut twist at his words, and I didn’t have to think very long about it. He’s mostly indifferent around people he doesn’t know, but he is a male… No, I don’t want to think about something like that. Yoongi doesn’t just let people flirt with him out of the blue. It would make him uncomfortable.

“He might not turn her away for me, but he’d probably ignore her. He doesn’t give just anyone the time of day.”

“Well, do you think he would get jealous if I were to…” Jungkook paused as he pushed off of the fridge and I jumped as one of his arms pressed into my back. My heart jumped as I looked up at him and our faces ended up impossibly close to each other’s. His smell was filling all of my senses as my stomach started to churn. I did not like this feeling…

I blinked a few times as Jungkook just continued to house a slight smirk on his face. I swallowed and started to try and back away, but he used his free hand to secure his hold on me.

“Do you think he’d be jealous if he saw us this close?” Jungkook asked as I briefly thought about it. In all honesty… He would probably brush off all feelings he might have had for me if he saw us like this. He’d give up instead of being jealous. After all, neither of us have tried that hard to show each other any relationship past friendship.

“No,” I swallowed and looked away from Jungkook. I wasn’t liking what Jungkook was saying at all. It was making me upset more than anything, “I think that he’d give up on me if he had any feelings for me. After all, we’ve never hinted at anything past friendship between the two of us.”

“Hm,” Jungkook spoke, continuing to hold me close to him. I started to push him off of me, and to my relief, he actually let me go, “Well, sucks for you. I guess you’ll just have to deal with this on your own.”

“I don’t need nor want your help, anyway,” I slightly glared at him before shoving him away from the fridge to continue making my sandwich.

::

Jungkook and I didn’t really talk the rest of the morning as I waited for Taehyung to get off and get home. Time went by so incredibly slowly as I sat in my silent room, scrolling through all my different social media accounts.

Time finally came for Taehyung to get home as relief washed over me. I was getting sick and tired of being around Jungkook, whether we were avoiding each other or not.

“Ari~!” Taehyung sang as he smiled and gave me a hug, “So I invited two coworkers to come tonight. I think you might like one of them…”

I raised an eyebrow as Taehyung let go of me and pulled out his phone, “So I invited Jennie to go, as well as…” he paused before turning his phone screen for me to look at it’s contents. “This is Jung Hoseok. He’s an old friend of mine from high school. Do you remember him?”

I looked at the picture and nodded, “Yeah, I think I remember him. I’m pretty sure he gave me a ride home one day after school when you went home with Jungkook after dance practice.”

“Oh yeah,” Taehyung nodded and smiled, “But I invited him and I told him a little about you. I think he’d be a good boyfriend if you two hit it off.”

I felt my face heat up as I raised an eyebrow, “My brother, Kim Taehyung, is trying to set me up?”

“I know, I know,” he shook his head and his face heated up to match mine, “I’ve been pretty harsh on all guys that even look your way, but I’m feeling real guilty. After all, you’re nearly 20 and you haven’t even had a boyfriend before.”

“Thanks to you,” I mentioned as he winced. I couldn’t help but cringe at the fact that Jungkook had heard Taehyung say that about me.

He showed me his phone again as he grimaced when he realized that Jungkook was also in the room. “But look, I’m trying to set you up now. He’s good looking, isn’t he?”

“Well,” I looked at the picture and felt my cheeks starting to heat up, “Yeah, he’s pretty cute.”

I jumped at the sound of Jungkook clearing his throat, “As much as I like hearing about you setting your sister up, it’d be great if I could not be in earshot for it. It just makes me feel guilty for this poor guy that’s walking into something he isn’t capable of handling.”

“I’m sorry?” I glared at Jungkook, but he just continued to scroll through his phone. “You were fine with talking about Yoongi earlier, but now that Hoseok is brought up, you don’t want to talk about it?”

“Well, Yoongi knows how immature you are,” Jungkook remarked as he looked up from his phone before locking it, “But Hoseok is too good for you. You’d destroy him.”

“Destroy him? I’m not a bomb,” I glared as Jungkook just smiled bitterly.

“You’re destructive like one.”

“Okay,” Taehyung waved Jungkook off as Jungkook looked back down at his phone, “Well, he’s going to be there tonight, so if you’ll talk to him a little bit, maybe you’ll hit it off.”

“I’ll give him a shot,” I nodded and sent Taehyung a thankful smile, “Thanks, Tae. You didn’t have to do that for me.”

“I know,” he smiled back before wrapping an arm around me, “But how have you two handled each other? I see you’re both still alive.”

“She’s tolerable,” Jungkook spoke up as I ignored him and sighed.

“I haven’t really been around him much because of working being hectic, but when I am around him, he’s been… okay.”

“Wow,” Jungkook looked up at me with a slightly offended look on his face, “I gave you a way better response than you gave me.”

“I guess that means that I’ve been better than you have,” I narrowed my eyes as he stood up and raised his eyebrows.

“Which one of us has put up with your whining over having no boyfriend?” he snapped as I took a step closer to him in annoyance. Taehyung sighed behind me and disappeared into the kitchen to get away from the two of us.

“I’m sorry, you keep bringing it up! I wouldn’t have talked about it this much if you hadn’t initiated it.” I retorted, taking another step closer to him.

Jungkook stayed quiet for a few seconds before taking a step closer to me. We were now only a few feet away from each other with glares shooting in the other’s direction. I was even doing a good job not getting too focused on how good he smelled…

“Why are you so obsessed with my love life, anyway?” I asked in a much softer voice than before. I was almost afraid for Taehyung to hear my words, and I think Jungkook was thinking the same thing when he replied at an equally low volume.

“You’re just so pathetic.” His words didn’t exactly sound genuine, but I just assumed that they were.

The two of us continued to stare into the other’s eyes as I found my harsh glare melting into what was almost a soft look. Jungkook’s eyes followed suit as I felt like different eyes were looking at me. He was giving me a look that mirrored the look I saw him give me at work the other day.

I actually found myself liking the eyes I was looking into. If I could just get a look like that out of Yoongi or Hoseok, I would be on the right track.

...Wait, I wanted Yoongi and Hoseok to look at me the same way Jungkook did? I felt a weird twisting in my gut at that thought, but I tried to ignore it. Why was Jungkook looking at me that way, anyway?

“Did you two eat?” Taehyung asked from the kitchen as both Jungkook and I answered at the same time.

“No.”

“Cool, let’s order something,” he continued as Jungkook and I moved away from each other. We pretended like nothing ever happened as I walked into the kitchen with to talk to Taehyung.

I couldn’t help but continue to think about my previous thoughts. Why did Jungkook look so… soft? It was going to bother me until I got some answers, and unfortunately for me, I didn’t really want any answers.

::

A/N: The more I post, the more excited I get over this story! Things only get better from here cx

⇨ Masterlist ⇦

[malecsecretsanta]

Merry Christmas, @stupidnephilimlove!

Merry Christmas!! I hope you like it!!!!

*****

Find You There

One.

It’s dark outside. Snow falls gently from the sky, pelting the grass in a fluffy white blanket. Their home is abundant with joy and warmth, incomplete traditions of years past inviting comfort into the hearts of a now complete family.

Alec looks on fondly as his husband gathers their sleeping eleven year old daughter into his arms, carrying her to her bedroom. His mother is smiling, her hair resting on her shoulders. Her fingers curl elegantly around a wine glass stem, her right arm resting at Luke’s waist as they snuggle together on the couch. His father and his new wife stand in the corner, laughing softly. There had been years of turmoil when his parents had been married, and a deep sigh of relief had followed their divorce. He was glad to see them both smiling and happy; something he wasn’t entirely certain he’d ever seen when they had been together, not even when he was a child.

Isabelle, Jace, and Max sit on the other couch together, setting up the next game for the evening. Max is 16 now, and Alec feels a never ending burst of pride towards his youngest sibling. He’d been nothing short of a menace growing up, but the years have started to mellow him out significantly. Alec feels all 29 years of his life as he watches him grow into an adult, and it’s something that should maybe bring a feeling of dread, but all Alec feels is a deep and sated content.

Jace, his best friend and sort-of brother, is finally at a point in his life that he can say he’s genuinely happy. Years of abuse from his father, Stephen Herondale, had culminated into a reckless boy longing for love and affection. He’d found it in the Lightwood home, but it wasn’t until a couple years ago when he began regular therapy sessions that he really began to find his own purpose in life. He’s a successful entrepreneur in a happy relationship with his longtime girlfriend, Clary Fairchild. Alec thinks of the ring he knows he keeps in his jacket pocket and he smiles, looking at the bright and happy redhead standing in the corner with her childhood friend and Izzy’s boyfriend, Simon Lewis.

Izzy had made friends with Clary a few years ago, bringing her into their lives and subsequently tearing down all their walls, one by one, until she burrowed her way into their tight knit family. Simon had followed her, similarly settling into their lives as a permanent fixture. Alec had, admittedly, been rather averse to their presence at first but eventually warmed up to the both of them, knowing they had made his siblings happier than he had ever seen them.

Magnus interrupts his musings as he settles in next to him on the large armchair which, though wide enough to seat both of them comfortably, finds Magnus more in his lap than on the chair itself.

“Serenity is asleep,” he says, “She woke up for a bit when I put her in bed but all she wanted was Bun.”

Bun, as their daughter affectionately called her stuffed rabbit, had been around since they’d adopted her 4 years ago. It was the first gift they had given her when they brought her room, and she refused to sleep without it. Alec feels affection swell within him, knowing his little girl was just that, still- a little girl.

“Thank you,” he says, leaning over to give him a chaste kiss.

“What were you thinking about over here?” Magnus asks, and Alec shrugs.

“Just that I’m happy to be here with everyone.”

Magnus hums in agreement and sits up slightly as Isabelle smirks in triumph, announcing the start of the next game.

“Let’s kick their asses,” he grins, and Alec smirks. He loves his family, but there’s no way in hell him and Magnus are losing their winning streak this year.

Two.

Magnus can feel his magic bubbling to the surface, playful and curious as it always is in Alexander’s presence. He suppresses it, not wanting to scare off his new- well. It’s perhaps a bit early to call him his boyfriend- they’ve only been on a grand total of three dates- but the sentiment remains. He really likes Alec, and he’d like to keep him around, if only for a little while.

Everyone leaves him eventually.

They’re sitting in companionable silence, grading tests and sharing longing glances every so often. As he falls into a deep state of focus, he doesn’t notice the blue sparks that start to make their way towards Alec, running across his arm.

“Oh,” Alec says, and Magnus looks up.

Whatever it was he thought he would see, it’s certainly not tendrils of magic wrapping themselves around Alec in smoky blue wisps. Magnus pales and forcefully draws the magic back into him.

“I can explain,” he says, struggling to come up with something to tell Alec.

“Why’d you stop?” Alec asks, pouting, and Magnus freezes.

“What?”

“The magic, why’d you stop it? It felt nice.”

“It… felt nice,” he repeats, somewhat stupidly, taken aback by Alec’s reaction. No one had ever reacted to his magic like this; not even his own mother. In all his nearly 30 years of life, he never thought he’d find someone who would not only accept this side of him, but become confused when he hid it away.

“Yeah,” and Alec is blushing now and oh, this man will be the death of him, “It felt like you.”

“That’s because it was,” Magnus mutters, astounded by this man’s ease of adaptation, “Me, that is. It was me.”

“I figured.”

Magnus shakes his head, smiling brightly at the man sitting across from him. Slowly, he lets go, and his magic reaches out to him again, soft and curious. Alec smiles and Magnus thinks that maybe Alec might just be the one to stay.

Three.

He’s walking along the poorly lit Sunset Boulevard. It’s mid-January and damn near 4 in the morning, but the light leather jacket he has on has him sweating in the California weather. He’s never been able to adjust to the weather here, despite the fact he’d lived here since he was a child.

He doesn’t really know where he is or where he’s going, but he knows he’ll find his way to where he needs to be. It’s a gift that has been with him (with his people, really) for millennia now. He looks up at the night sky, seeing the stars that are there despite the intense light pollution, and he imagines he can see his home from here. He knows he can’t, and that he’ll likely never see it again, but he can certainly hope.

He hears the flash of a camera and he curses, preparing himself for the ambush. He keeps walking, minding his own business, knowing this is the best method for dealing with the unwanted attention he’d been at the behest of for nearly 5 years now.

“Alec! Hey, Lightwood, Alec Lightwood! What are you up to tonight?” the paparazzo calls, and Alec keeps walking. He scoffs as the man continues to follow him, taking pictures as they go. “Come on, man, give me something here! You got a new boyfriend? How’s your sister?”

Alec grits his teeth and spins around, his eyes flashing in anger. The man takes a step back, frightened by the sight. “Woah, hey, I don’t mean any harm,” the guy laughs nervously, “I mean, we’re just concerned ya know, after that brush with death the people wanna know how she’s doing in rehab-”

Alec feels his eyes flash brighter, and the man falls on his ass, breaking his camera in the process. He knows he needs to control himself, he needs to calm down, but the mention of his sister has him seething. He stalks forward and the guy backs up before scrambling to his feet and running, disregarding the shattered equipment he left behind. The tension leaves him almost immediately, and his eyes return to normal. He picks up the camera and stands, turning around to go home. He freezes.

“What the actual fuck?” the man breathes out, his eyes wide.

“Ah, shit,” he mutters, pulling out his phone. He dials the number he knows practically by heart, getting in contact with the organization so that they can get the mess he’d made taken care of. He explains the situation briefly before hanging up, knowing they’d be arriving soon.

“Are you Alec Lightwood?” the man asks when he pockets his phone, seemingly shaken out of his earlier shock.

“Yeah, I am,” he says, knowing the man wouldn’t be remembering this conversation tomorrow, “What’s your name?”

“Magnus Bane,” he says.

“Are you okay?”

“Your eyes were white,” the man says instead of answering the question. Alec curses himself internally; he’d known he was angry, but he hadn’t realized it was that bad. If the paparazzo had looked at him for any longer, the man would be dead.

“Yeah, that happens sometimes,” he says. He can hear the tires screeching not too far away, and he sighed a breath of relief.

“Are you an alien or something?”

“Yeah, actually, I am.”

“Why are you just,” Magnus hesitates, “answering my questions? Aren’t you concerned I’ll tell someone?”

“Not really,” Alec shrugs, greeting the two suited women who exited the car matter-of-factly, “You won’t be remembering this conversation anyway.”

“Wait, what-?”

“Alec,” Maia calls, exasperated, “How many times are we gonna have to do this?”

Alec just shrugs and she rolls her eyes. Gretel smirks at him, amused.

“Who is this guy?” Maia asks.

“His name is Magnus. He just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time; the guy that pissed me off already ran away, but I have his camera.”

“So what you’re telling me is we’re going to have to track this guy.”

He shrugs again and Maia sighs, taking out her sunglasses and neuralyzer.

“Again, what the fuck?” Magnus calls, “I’m standing right here! What are you people going to do to me?”

“Magnus, don’t worr-” Maia starts, her smile sweet and deadly.

“Wait,” Alec interrupts, chewing his lip, “Let me talk to him first.”

Maia huffs and puts her neuralyzer back in her jacket pocket, waving her hand. He walks up to Magnus and hesitates, “I’m sorry about this, I didn’t know you were here,” he says, “But if you don’t mind, I would like for you to at least remember meeting me tonight. If that’s alright with you.”

“Are you telling me they’re going to just… take my memory of this?” Magnus asks, baffled.

“Sort of. It’s more like they’re just gonna… convince you to forget certain things.”

“That doesn’t make this any better.”

“I know,” Alec says, sighing, “Let me make it up to you? When it’s all over?”

“What are you suggesting?” Magnus asks, somewhat suspiciously.

“Dinner?”

“Oh,” he says, “What, like… Like a date?”

Alec blushes slightly, “If that’s what you want, I don’t mind it being a date.”

A smile finds its way onto Magnus’ face, and Alec’s heart stutters, “Okay, I’ll go to dinner with you- on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“If it goes well, and we… get to know each other, tell me the truth of what happened here tonight.”

Alec looks back at Maia and Gretel, then back at Magnus, “It’s a deal.”

He grins and walks back to Maia, explaining the deal to her. She rolls her eyes and grumbles under her breath about troublesome aliens and pretty boys. She walks up to Magnus, pulling the neuralyzer back out. In a matter of minutes, Magnus’ memories of Alec’s more extraterrestrial abilities were erased, and the girls were gone.

Magnus snaps out of it, looking at Alec.

“So,” he purrs, “you got a phone number?”

Four.

Magnus lets out a deep breath and plops into the grass, his sore feet throbbing. Church and Clefairy curled up next to him, sleepy from the long day of travel. Alec throws the bags on the other side and plops next to Magnus, groaning.

“I could sleep for an eternity,” Magnus mumbles, Alec grunting in agreement.

“We should probably let everyone out for a bit, get some fresh air,” Alec suggests. Magnus nods and reaches for his pokeballs, pressing the release button for each one. Church gets up, excited to see his friends (or, about as excited as any Gglameow can get) and Alec’s Clefairy does the same.

Alec’s Snorlax looks around for food before deciding it would rather sleep, settling in a soft patch of grass and snoring peacefully. Magnus’ eyes widen in curiosity as he realizes that this is the first time meeting all of Alec’s Pokemon, and he sits up a little straighter from his own spot in the grass.

Magikarp flops around in the grass next to Magnus’ own Magikarp, and he smiles in amusement. Magikarp were incredibly useless in battle until they evolved, but they were at least good for drawing a smile out. His eyes flit to the right, where Alec is standing, and his eyebrows raise in alwarm at the Bewear trying to elicit a hug out of Alec.

“Bewear, no,” Alec scowls, “We’ve talked about this. You can’t hug me, you don’t know your own strength. I’ll hug you, but you have to calm down first, okay?”

The Bewear slumps in defeat before sitting down. He wraps his arms around himself and pouts, and Magnus has to try really hard not to laugh. Alec sighs and wraps his arms around the Pokemon, muttering something that he can’t hear, and his heart just about melts in his chest.

This man will be the death of him, he’s certain.

He startles as he feels something brushing against his legs, and he looks down to see his own Espeon cuddling up by an Umbreon, presumably Alec’s. Wooper is running around with Clefairy somewhere in the distance, but he can’t drag his eyes away from the sight below him. Church and Clefairy’s bond was something that he sometimes still couldn’t believe himself, but to see his Espeon and Alec’s Umbreon interacting in this way…

Well. He can’t help but entertain that Alec may be his soulmate, if soulmates are a thing. To have Pokemon that are this compatible with one another is rare even amongst family. The rareness of the parabatai bond that Church and Clefairy share only further serves to confound and baffle him.

His thoughts settle themselves as Alec sits next to him, running his hand through Umbreon’s fur.

“I didn’t know you had an Espeon,” he whispers.

“I didn’t know you had an Umbreon,” he responds, “Or a Bewear, for that matter.”

Alec snorts, “He killed a few Team Rocket grunts not long before Izzy and I left. I was supposed to… take care of him,” he curls his lips in disgust, “I ended up training him instead. He’s a good Pokemon, he just doesn’t really know his own strength. We’re working on it, though.”

Magnus nods in understanding. Alec is a caring man with a heart much larger than he can sometimes bear, but he continues to care even when he’s suffocating.

“What’s in that one?” Alec asks, and Magnus remembers he had one last Pokemon to release. He hesitates.

“It’s a Dragonite,” he admits, “Rescued him from Team Rocket a few years ago. She was in a bad way, and the trauma from the experience still affects her now. I’ve never released her around strangers before, and I’m just worried she might attack you.”

Alec hums, considering. He stands and walks a few feet away before calling Church and Clefairy over, the rest of Magnus’ Pokemon and Alec’s Umbreon following moments later. He sits amongst them, placing his hands gently on Church and Espeon.

“Let her out,” he calls, “Maybe if she sees that the other Pokemon feel safe with me, she won’t attack.”

“And what if she attacks anyway?” Magnus asks, his heart pounding against his chest.

“I’ll protect the Pokemon,” Alec says, “Don’t worry about that.”

That’s not what I’m worried about, he wants to say, but he knows Alec already knows that. He just cares far more for the safety of their Pokemon than his own safety. He drags in a deep breath, looking down at the Pokeball before pressing the release button.

Once Dragonite has settled, he runs his hands down her flank and muzzle, whispering. She hums. He breathes, in and out, before stepping to the side and allowing her to see Alec. She perks up for a moment, considering the sight before her. She approaches slowly, suspiciously, and Magnus follows in nervous apprehension.

As they approach, Dragonite sniffs around, watching Alec with an intensity that would make any man fear for his life. Alec didn’t even react, continuing to pet the others. Eventually, Dragonite must decide that Alec is okay, because she lays down- still separated, not entirely trusting of her new companions- and watches.

Magnus lets out a deep breath and sits next to her. Alec Lightwood was definitely going to be the death of him.

Five.

Alec gazes down at the small box in his hands. He’s had it for a few weeks now; he’d honestly intended on proposing the day he got the damn thing- he was owed enough favors from his vendors, he could have gotten the flowers and the food in a matter of hours if he really needed to- but Magnus was acting… weird.

Well. Weirder than normal.

He’s the first to admit that his boyfriend is strange. The nature of a 400 year old man who’d been hiding his powers for nearly that long and then suddenly had them back only a few years ago, he supposes.

But this was weirder than his usual. He’s been distant, and though it’s difficult for him to describe, even the air around them feels different. More charged. Sometimes- and he knows this is crazy because Magnus has always had control over his magic, even when they were first together and he was still getting used to it- it feels like the magic is reaching out to him, trying to pull him in. He could talk to him about it if Magnus would just stop avoiding him.

He sighs and pulls out his phone. If Magnus won’t talk to him, then Alec’s just gonna have to figure this out on his own.

“Hey, Ragnor?” he says, “Are you free today?”

Alec briefly explains the situation and they make plans to meet that afternoon at Ragnor’s home. He got up and grabbed the keys to Magnus’ car, knowing it would take at least an hour to get to Ragnor’s. He could run some errands on the way there, stop by the office to check on the interns. He briefly considers leaving the ring at home before changing his mind, grabbing it and stuffing it in his jacket pocket.

He can’t stop thinking about Magnus the entire time, biting his lip raw as he makes his way upstate. What if Magnus has grown tired of him? They’ve had the immortality argument before, and though he’s mostly accepted it now, he can’t help but wonder how Magnus can even stand to be with someone like him.

Mortal. Boring. Predictable.

He pulls into Ragnor’s driveway, impressed as he always is by the house. It’s an 18th century cottage, European inspired and probably expensive as all hell. Being immortal certainly has its financial perks.

Ragnor greets him before he even walks up to the door, having felt him enter the wards the moment he passed the mailbox. He’s ushered inside, and he smiles in amusement at the man’s antics.

“Now, now,” Ragnor says, practically pushing him onto the couch and summoning a tray of tea and snacks, “From what you’ve told me about the way Magnus is acting, I’m fairly certain I know what the issue is on his side. You, on the other hand…”

“Me?” he asks in confusion, his brows furrowed. What did he do?

“You see,” Ragnor begins to explain, munching on a cookie (It’s a biscuit, says the voice in his head that sounds like Ragnor, and he wonders when that happened) “When warlocks allow their magic to be active and have been in a relationship for so long, our magic begins to reach out to that person. It’s totally normal, usually wouldn’t be a cause for concern, except that it can only happen when our partners possess magic of their own.”

“I-” Alec starts, and isn’t that something? To think he’s had magic this whole time, to know that he’s not so mundane after all, “I’ve never used magic.”

“I know that, you know that, Magnus knows that,” Ragnor says, “That’s probably why he’s been so distant. Old insecurities and frankly ancient trust issues have come back to bite him in the arse.”

Ah. “I guess that makes sense. Suddenly finding out I have magic after all these years…”

Except he hadn’t known, either. He really needs to talk to Magnus about this. But, first thing’s first.

“Can we find out what I am?” he asks, “Like… what kind of magic do I have?”

Is he immortal?

“Yes, of course,” Ragnor says, pulling out a small vial, “Just drink this.”

Alec eyes it suspiciously, raising it to his face to sniff. No smell. He shrugs and downs it, not feeling any different, though by the look on Ragnor’s face he was certainly seeing something. He looks down and gasps.

“Where did these tattoos come from?”

His arms are covered in them. Stark black, curving in confusing manners, almost like calligraphy. Except, when he looked at them, he knew what they meant. Courage. Strength. Stamina. Healing. Angelic power.

“You, my dear boy, are one of the last remaining nephilim,” he says in awe, “and judging by the wings you now have on your back, I’d say the blood of the angels runs quite strongly through your veins.”

Alec whipped his head around, and he caught a glimpse of white glowing wings before they vanished. He looked back at Ragnor, then down at his now bare arms.

“How the hell am I supposed to tell Magnus that I’m a Shadowhunter when they don’t even exist anymore?”

Ragnor winces, “Well, it won’t be easy, that’s for sure,” he softens, “But he’ll listen to you. He loves you to the point that, if you were even a fraction of a bad man, he’d be in severe danger of being hurt.”

Alec nods, instinctively pulling out the box and looking at it. Ragnor inhales sharply, not quite a gasp, and sits up straighter. Alec looks up at him, and the look Ragnor gives him is nothing short of pleading.

“Take care of him.”

“I will,” Alec says, more determined than ever. He has some favors to call in.

Plus one.

Magnus wakes up slowly to his boyfriend- husband, he corrects himself with glee- wrapped tightly around him. He grins and turns around, facing him. Alec is still asleep, though he seems to be waking up now. He leans forward to press a kiss to his forehead, and Alec’s nose crinkles slightly. He can’t resist pressing another kiss on the tip of his nose before Alec tips his chin up, and he kisses his lips.

It’s soft and gentle and slow. They don’t have to get up or go anywhere or do anything. They could lie here like this all day if they wanted, wrapped up in nothing but each other.

Magnus hums and pulls back, his eyes fluttering in contentment. Alec has a soft smile on his face, his fingers gently stroking under his eyes.

“I love your eyes,” he mutters, and Magnus smiles.

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you too.”

Alec kisses him again, somehow softer but no less intense in emotion. He could do this for hours; days; he could do this for an eternity, if he had the chance to do so. He pulls back again.

“Simon told me something interesting at the wedding last night,” he says, laughing at Alec’s eyeroll.

“How interesting can it be? It’s Simon.”

“He told me that you asked him to turn you.”

“Oh. Yeah.”

Magnus snorts, “Oh, yeah, he says. How do you forget to mention that?”

“I forgot it happened,” Alec mutters, “I was desperate to get to you, but then Clary came up with that rune, and well…”

Magnus sighs, wrapping his arms around Alec and pressing a kiss onto his temple. Alec leans over and kisses his neck, snuggling into him.

“I still can’t believe you came,” Magnus whispers, “I didn’t think I would ever see you again. I-”

He thought he would be alone. Forever.

“I told you,” Alec says, “We always find our way back to each other, and it was only Edom.”

“Clary had to invent a new rune just so you could bare to enter Edom,” Magnus says.

“Yeah, and I found you,” Alec insists, “I’d find you anywhere if I had to. If you somehow ended up in another dimension, I would find you there. When I die and you live on…” he swallows, tears pricking his eyes, “We’ll find each other again. You’ll never be alone, Magnus.”

Magnus rests his hand on Alec’s cheek, staring at him in wonder, “Where have you been all my life?” It’s cheesy but he means it all the same. Where was this man when he was alone, for all those centuries? Where was he as the Angels looked down on him in contempt, throwing tragedy at him from every angle?

“I was looking for you,” Alec says, and what is Magnus supposed to say to that?

He can’t think of anything, so he kisses him. And he kisses him. And Alec kisses him back.

[tired-college-student-writing]

Devil’s Rejects

Summary- The demons are no longer considered odd to see around the Office, nor are their odd habits. The Egos had been in a state of relative calm and all were content. Too bad it can’t stay that way forever. 

Part 1 (here)

Part 2

“I’m just saying,” Anti mumbled as he followed after Dark, “That you should just let me go back to the Cabin and we resume this later.”

“And I’m just saying,” The monochrome being stressed, “That if I let you go now then you’ll never come back until I track you down again for next months meeting.”

Anti rolled his eyes but didn’t even try and argue. They rounded the corner just in time to see the Jims speed towards the living room door. Bim followed behind them and grinned at the pair.

“Oh hey Dark! Anti! You get the announcement on the new member?”

“Obviously, Bimbo,” Anti groused, crossing his arms, “Darky won’t let me go home and won’t trust me not to run if out of his so he dragged me to meet the newbie.”

“Hey now,” Dark growled lightly, “I could toss you into the void until I’m done with our latest coworker if you’d prefer.”

“Try it you-”  

“Boss Jim, Monochrome Jim, Glitch Jim!” The four brothers chanted breaking up the argument.

“There will be plenty of time for your schoolyard arguments later,” AJ said, earning a snort from RJ and Bim.

“Instead let us proceed to the latest addition to our household!” WJ cut in, clapping his hands together happily.

“Yeah! We can only report one story at a time!” came the teasing quip from RJ earned him

Bim rolled his eyes, “Brats, just open the door.”

The Jims giggled but RJ did as requested.

The seven all freeze as their eyes land on the newest ego, feeling the presence they knew too well. Their forms flicker almost without them realizing it, changing Bim, Anti and the Jims into their demon forms, Dark, on the other hand, lost his ever-present red and blue glow, becoming monochrome. It’s not until the older egos paused, staring at the demons with wide eyes, did the newcomer turn his slit eyes towards the door.

“Well, Well, Well,” The Devil purred, taking in their presence “Look who we have here. So this is where you seven disappeared to.”

“Lord Lucifer,” Dark said, making Wilford freeze. If he wasn’t mistaken Dark sounded… scared, “What a surprise, I hadn’t thought you of all people would get pulled into this world.”

“The world works in mysterious ways, Durans. You of all people should know that” He hummed, tail flicking as he walked closer to the group.

“Durans?” Google asked, the name foreign on his tongue, pausing briefly as he saw Dark flinch, “Is that an Abyssal phrase?”

“No,” Dark answered, “That was my original name before I was brought here.”

“Your name has changed,” Devil asked with a raised brow. Dark gave a slight nod.

“Yes, sire. Since I’ve become an ego, I’ve gone by the name Dark.”

The Devil’s pupil grew thin, fire flicking along his tail. The egos could do nothing but gape as the demons all but cowered in front of the newest Iplier.

“HE is the leader you spoke so highly about?” The yellow-eyed man scoffed, looking nearly scandalized, “He is a basic Jinn, entirely ordinary. I was not aware how desperate this group was for leadership if he managed to become the ultimate authority to you.”

The silence that fell over the room as the egos shared a look.

“Well,” Wilford broke in, smile wide as ever even as his eyes grew hard, “He is one of the oldest egos, and has the largest experience leading out of originals. It made sense to allow him to lead.”

Devil sneered, “Either way, I can see there’s a need for a serious overhaul of management here. I’ll see to it soon that this place is run as it’s meant to be.”

The demons part as he glided towards the door, holding their breath as he paused.

“Timeus,” He said locking eyes with the stalk still the game show host, “or whatever asinine name you’re going by now. As the highest ranked official present, You’ll lead me to my chambers and debrief me on what’s been happening here.”

Bim bowed deeply, “Of course, sire. Right, this way.”

No one moved or spoke as the pair left and disappeared further into the house.

“What the hell was that?!” Doc asked, looking at the remaining six demons baffled.

“Isn’t it obvious?,” spat AJ, making the room whip around to look at him, “That was Lucifer Morningstar or Satan. He was the leader of hell.”

WJ nodded, “How the fuck did he end up here? I thought we were rid of that stinking pit.”  

“Time out,” Bing threw up his hands, “Time out! Since when do you guys swear, or like get mad?!”

The older twins just scowled. RJ spoke up, his voice much quieter then they had ever known him to be, the vemon burning through their brains, “If our highness is sticking around, I’d get used to us being…  colder,”

“We weren’t the bane of the crown for nothing,” CJ’s laugh was empty and cruel. The egos didn’t move to stop them as they fled the room.

“I should go warn the Septics,” Anti said, electricity crackling across his skin, “and tell Virgil and Blank to stay the fuck away for the rest of forever.”

Dark sucked in a harsh breathe, “I hadn’t thought about them. Please tell me no one informed our lord of the Sanders or Blank.”

Dark sounded desperate, he never sounded desperate.

“We hadn’t gotten to them yet,” Wilford answered slowly, “Dark why-”

“As my possible last request as your leader,” DArk raised a hand to silence their cries, “I want you to never mention those two anywhere were Lord Satan might hear you. It’s for their own safety that he stays oblivious to their existence.”

“Dark, What is happening?” Wilford asked, voice soft and unslurred. The demon looked down, hands shaking

“I imagine based on Lord Satan’s reaction to the current state of the Office,” Dark’s voice cracked, and he cleared his throat roughly, “That he will be making some changes around here. The first of which will most certainly striping me of my role as leader.”

[simkaswriting]

Fishnets-(Sweet Pea)

Characters: Betty Cooper(mentioned), Cheryl Cooper(mentioned), Veronica Lodge(mentioned), Tall Boy, Sweet Pea and (Y/N)

Pairing: Hint at Sweet Pea x Reader

Warnings: Swearing and smoking

Word Count: 2455

Summary: What will happen when (Y/N), the youngest Blossom, runs away from home and starts attending Southside High? Who’s eye will she catch?

(Y/N) Blossom has not had it easy, with the murder of her brother and suicide of her father, with the prejudice and hatred she faced at Riverdale High due to countless rumours. She often admired how her older sister, Cheryl, managed to seem cool and unbothered all the time, until she realised that it came with a price. On the outside her sister may have looked like she had no care in the world, but on the inside, she raged a war on herself and everyone around her. And that’s when (Y/N) realised that the only way to truly rid herself of the weight on her shoulders was to wash her hands clean of her family and start anew on the other side of the town. 

Southside High was a dangerous place, perhaps even more so than the streets after dark. On average, three people get stabbed a month, drugs run wild across the school and gang activity is not uncommon. What better place for (Y/N) to start her new life than this school, tucked in the corner just out of God’s sight where nobody would look for her?

The ominous sound of heels on wood could be heard echoing around Southside High as (Y/N) Blossom made her was to her first class of the day, English. She keeps her head held high as she passes a couple making out by the lockers, not giving a shit about attending class. She briefly thinks back to her days at Riverdale, there is no way in hell that you’d catch anyone out of class, let alone making out in the corridor. But this is the Southside, she thinks to herself. Things are run differently around here.

She finds the door with the numbers 334 spray painted on it with ease, the plaque that should be there missing. She pulls out a small mirror from her handbag and quickly checks her lipstick, the ‘Dare You’ shade making her feel fearless. Though if you payed real close attention, you could tell she was so nervous it made her sick to the stomach. Transferring school is never easy, and it’s even harder if you’re a supposed ‘rich snob’ attending a crime-riddled High School. 

With a small sigh and a little pep talk, consisting of ‘don’t be a little bitch, you’ve faced more daunting shit before’,  she tucks the pink mirror back into her bag and walks into the classroom. 

Every pair of eyes turns to her immediately. She wonders if it’s because of the way she’s dressed,  or because of her signature bright red hair that only a Blossom has. Then (Y/N) comes to the conclusion that it’s because she interrupted the lesson which nobody was paying attention to anyway.

But one pair of eyes stays on her longer than others, and that pair of eyes belong to the local Serpent Sweet Pea. As he takes in the girls appearance, the flaming red hair, the ripped fishnets, the skirt that shows just enough to make you wonder, and the heels which look impossible to walk in, Sweet Pea can’t help but wonder why he’s never seen her around the Southside before. Surely he’d never forget her.

The teacher turns to her, a pleasant smile on his lips. 

“Ah, you must be the new addition to this amazing school, (Y/N).” The teacher says sarcastically as he motions around the classroom that’s half-fallen apart. There are holes in the walls, half of the lights work, and there isn’t a single surface that isn’t covered in graffiti. Some students are sitting on tables, some are even smoking. She wonders if this is even legal, but she comes to the conclusion that even if the things going on around her are weird and unheard of in the Northside, she likes it.

(Y/N) nods once, before turning on her heels and stalking to the back seat next to the window, the only one in the back row that isn’t taken. She feels eyes all over her body, but she just keeps her head up and takes a seat. 

It doesn’t take long for the class to start talking again, and as she listens in, (Y/N) is glad to find that she isn’t the topic of discussion. Instead, phrases like ‘I got some jangle, pretty cheap if you want’ and ‘C’mon, nobody’s looking this way anyway’ are heard. And that’s when the girl sees that her 4.0 GPA is about to go downhill faster than her families reputation.

Lunch comes around sooner than (Y/N) would like, as she enjoyed just dodling on her sketchbook, and soon she finds herself in the full cafeteria, feeling like a fish out of water. 

There are two distinct groups she can make out. One consists of people with leather jackets that have the Southside Serpents logo on them, and the other look like drug dealers. Neither seems like a fun option to sit with, though she’d sooner sit with the Serpents. After all, she is acquainted with Tall Boy.

“Why is a Blossom even in this part of the town? Do you want your ass beat, little girl?” The man, who’m (Y/N)s come to learn is called Tall Boy, laughs at her as he aims his dart and throws. It lands on a 20.

Coming to the Whyte Wyrm was her last resort. Even someone like (Y/N), near enough fearless and cocky, would steer clear of this place. But business calls, and she has to answer. If she wants to cut the leftover ties with the Northside, she has to do this.

“You know the shit that’s been stirring up in the Northside. With the sudden fall of the undercover drug empire my father ran, I’ve decided to come live here, because God knows that as bad as this place is, the Northside is worse.” She crosses her hands over her chest and leans against the table next to Tall Boy. 

In order for (Y/N) to attend Southside High, she needed someone to pose as her parent, as a legal guardian had to be present. But given the whole ‘I just ran away from my sociopath mother’ situation, the Blossom couldn’t call her actual mother. So, what better way to go around things than hire a Serpent to pretend to be her father?

“How much do you offer?” Tall Boy looks at the girl next to him. He knows her plan is nuts, but if she’s willing to pay, then why the hell not give it a try? He knows a good deal when he sees it.

(Y/N) grabs three darts from the box on the table and walks to the white line on the floor, indicating how far away she has to stay from the dart board. She takes a small breath, aims, and throws. A triple 20.

“$500.” She flashes the man a quick smirk before aiming and throwing her second dart. Triple 20. 

Tall Boy raises his eyebrows at the red-head in front of him. If he didn’t know better, he’d think she was a Southsider, with the way she’s dressed and behaving. She looks like she knows how to handle herself and she resonates with power. He thinks to himself, this might work.

“Tell you what. You hit bulls eye and I’ll do it for $250.” Tall Boy leans back against the table she was at a few seconds ago and watches in amusement. He isn’t underestimating her, but he knows it’s unlikely she’ll hit it. 

She aims and throws, and with a triumphant smirk, takes a roll of cash out from her bra. There is exactly $250 rolled up with a pink band. She hands it to the dumbfounded man before pulling the darts out of the dartboard. 

Tall Boy huffs and shakes his head. He should have taken the offer when he still could, but she won fair and square.

“Alright kid, I’ll do it.”

For today, she doesn’t get lunch, just because she doesn’t have anywhere to sit. Nobody acknowledges her existence as she walks back out of the cafeteria. Nobody but a certain raven-haired boy who’s been keeping a close eye on her since first period. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he felt like he knew her. He felt like he has to protect her, though something tells him she can do that well on her own. But it was that bit of flickering uncertainty that something might happen to her that caused him to follow her. 

(Y/N) sits down on the steps of her new school and pulls out a cigarette and lighter from her bag, lighting it with one flick of her finger before slipping the lighter into her bra for security. One can never be to sure, and she wouldn’t be able to afford a new one, even with the money she took out of her trust fund before leaving her family. 

She takes a long, slow drag as she surveys the people around her. They’re all laughing and joking around, some smoking too. The majority wear the symbolic Southside Serpents jacket. Why was she so afraid of going here? Why does everyone hate the Southside part of Riverdale? It’s just like the Northside, but with less stuck-up jerks. Like Veronica Lodge, the self-proclaimed ‘bad girl gone good’ with an alcohol addiction. Or Betty Cooper, the bane of (Y/N)s entire existence. 

She thinks about what her new life has planned out for her. The cheap trailer she bought would do, it’s not exactly Thornhill, but in a weird way she feels at home in it. It has no long hallways she’s banned from entering, no cold-hearted parent who could freeze hell over with one glance, no secrets that could ruin the family, like the one that already has. It is small, but it will do her just fine. 

(Y/N) picks up on footsteps nearing her, but she doesn’t turn around. 

“That’s a bad habit you’ve got going on.” Sweet Pea asks the girl sitting in front of him. He’s not one to usually talk to strangers, or anyone outside of the Serpents, but for some reason he feels like if he doesn’t talk to this mysterious girl he’ll loose his mind. And the red hair… He swears he’s seen her before. 

(Y/N) turns around and raises an eyebrow at the boy. She notices his tattoo, he’s a Serpent. Back in Riverdale, everyone was against these guys, even scared of them. But the boy doesn’t look threatening. No, he looks kind of cute.

“Sorry, didn’t realise you were my mom.” She smirks and turns back around. Just like she thought, the boy sits down next to her and smirks. 

“I’m Sweet Pea, welcome to Southside High, a.k.a the best school in all of New York.” The boy motions around him, pointing out the graffiti and barb-wire covered fences surrounding the school. She can’t help but laugh a little at that. Even if this shithole is what it is, a shithole where dreams come to die, it’s still better than Riverdale High. At least here she can be herself.

“I’m (Y/N), nice to meet you Sweet Pea.” She extends a hand out for the boy to shake, which he does reluctantly, as if contemplating whether or not this is some sort of joke or trap. 

As he shakes the mystery girls hand, which sends a little jolt of electricity through him, who now has a name, something clicks in Sweet Pea’s head. The red hair, the clothes, the attitude, the name. (Y/N) Blossom. Instead of feeling hatred and anger towards the girl, he feels curiosity. What makes a rich girl wander into the Serpent territory, let alone permanently move here?

She stubs out the cigarette and throws in haphazardly behind her, not caring where it lands. It’s not like there are any animals around who might swallow it. 

“What’s a Blossom doing so far out of her comfort zone?” Sweet Pea asks the girl next to him, catching her off guard. 

It doesn’t take her long to realise her hair was a hint enough, which made her think. If this guy, Sweet Pea, could tell it was her, then so could others. There is no point in trying to lie, It’s not like she was wanting to hide the fact she’s a Blossom, but it would make her less of a target. But now that this boy she’s just met knows…

“Said Blossom didn’t feel like being good and playing by mommy’s rules anymore.” (Y/N) looks up at Sweet Pea, the boy taller than her, even with the heels she’s wearing. She can tell by the sudden look of approval that she’s said the right thing. But does she mean it? Is she ready to let go of her past self, the snobby rich kid? Yes, she is. 

Sweet Pea stands up and offers a hand to the Blossom, something he’d never imagine himself doing. Blossom’s are even more hated in this part of town than Mayor McCoy, which is a hard feat to accomplish. But he knows he’d do anything to protect the red head. Why? Because the thought of someone hurting her fills him with white-hot rage. 

(Y/N) takes his hand and stands up, brushing gravel off her skirt. 

She faces him, and for a brief second she’s stunned speechless. The boy doesn’t have stunning looks like Chris Hemsworth, or the alluring personality or Mr Darcy, but he is definitely something. His brown eyes are bright and full of humour, yet smeared with hatred and bad memories at the same time. His hair is combed to the side and his tattoo is on display. His clothes look old and worn, but she doesn’t care. In a way, she feels like he’s what she’s been looking for. To some, Sweet Pea might look like a renegade, but to her, he looks like someone she want’s to spend all of her time with.

“Feel like skipping the rest of the day? I ought to give you a tour of this place. Don’t worry, I don’t bite.” Sweet Pea asks (Y/N) casually, though a part of him desperately wants her to say yes. He knows there’s more to the girl than the fishnets and heels, and he wants to get to know her. Even if she is a Blossom, a sworn enemy.

“Snakes don’t bite unless they’re provoked, I payed attention in Biology.” She laughs a little as the two make their way from Southside High, heads held high  as they get looks from bystanders. But neither of them care, as they’re too immersed in the other to pay attention. 

As (Y/N) looks over the boy next to her, with his Serpent jacket and ripped jeans, she can’t help but be intrigued by him. He of all people decided to approach the newbie, and she couldn’t be more glad. 

[batwomanandmotherpanic]

I'd like to politely address these, if I may.

- Jacob is not a villain. Catherine has briefly been mentioned in Detective Comics and they seem to still be married. But Catherine's not really relevant to the story, so... eh.

- Maggie isn't relevant to Kate's life anymore, nor to the story, so I don't know why she'd be mentioned, either. She was briefly seen in the Rebirth one-shot, though.

- Bette was mentioned in issue #1 (she's attending West Point, so again, not really relevant to the story).

- The "backtracking" is part of the villains' plan, so it's not just being done for the sake of it.

- All of these reasons puzzle me a bit.

First, is this thing about working for Batman and being aided by a Pennyworth some kind of dig at her not being independent anymore? Because she wasn't in the New 52; not when the DEO had her under their thumb. Plus she grew out of that stiff-necked "I work alone" policy of hers in that series, which made Rebirth 'Tec possible...

Character growth, y'know?

Second, if Kate "running into Batman rogues" is a problem, it would've been an even bigger problem in the Williams/Blackman run, wouldn't it? In the Rebirth series she's only encountered Scarecrow and Pyg (who is arguably more of a Nightwing rogue now, but whatever). But in the New 52 she tangled with Bane, Mr. Freeze, and Killer Croc. Plus she used several other non-Batwoman rogues, like Black Mask and Fright, to glean some insight into how to defeat Batman.

I really don't understand how you can say this isn't a Batwoman book. The reasons you list are just detail stuff; at the core of the book is Kate being introspective, and to a degree she's never really been to before, and that's definitely all her.

I just finished issue 13 of Batwoman.

Listen, DC. I will finish this “Fall of the House of Kane” arc to see if you actually are able to make this worthwhile, but if not, I’m going to drop this series.

That kills me to say, but I’ve waited over a year hoping that this series would once again reach close to the heights of it’s predecessor.

But you turned Jacob Kane into a villain. (And seemingly erased his current wife? Unsure of this, she may have been briefly mentioned, but still)

There has been no mention of Maggie Sawyer.

There has been no mention of Hawkfire.

And it seems you have also decided to backtrack on Beth and just make her a villain again too.

Not to mention the fact that this is barely Kate’s book anymore anyway. She’s working for Batman, working with a Pennyworth, and keeps running into Batman rogues instead of any of her own (of which she had at least five at last count).

So, yeah. I love Kate Kane. I love Batwoman. But this is hardly even a shadow of the series I fell in love with.

[comic-watch]

In his efforts to speak with Batman, Donatello accidentally switches Place with the Monstrous Bane! Unleashed upon an unsuspecting New York, Bane Takes over the Foot Clan with little Effort. Donnie trys to find a way home with Batman’s help.

Batman/TMNT #2 Writer: James Tynion IV Artist: Freddie Williams II Cover Artist: Freddie Williams II Colorist: Jeremy Colwell Publisher: DC Comics and IDW Comics

What You Need to Know:

In The Last Issue, Bane was transported to The Turtle’s Dimension, and Donatello was sent to Gotham City. This was the result of the Foot Clan attacking the machine that Donatello was going to use to contact Batman with.

In the meantime, Batman has some questions for Ras Al Ghul. Ras was disappointed with Bane, whom he thought initially impressive, but ultimately not Controllable. He gives Batman a clue to his whereabouts. Briefly mentioning his former partnership with the Shredder.

Donnie and Robin are following Mr. Freeze through a Tunnel. Each on a bat-cycle. When Freeze blasts their Bikes and destroys them as he made his getaway. In classic Donatello Fashion, he mends the parts with Robin’s swords and makes a sled to catch up to Freeze! Robin is not so impressed with the banter that Donatello offers, as they close in on their quarry., but he catches on just enough to say “There is no escape from the Bat-Sled.”

Freeze is subdued with ease, and Donatello “Geeks Out”. Once again Robin is not impressed.

  What You’ll Find Out:

At Wayne Enterprises Batman, Robin, Batgirl, Lucius Fox and Donatello all confer about the Dimensional Portal. Lucius is not even sure that the parts should work together. Donnie apologizes for being selfish,”It was selfish. I wanted to be something more than what I am. But there’s no telling how much Damage that caused.” Batman gives him a pep talk and he Robin and Donnie Head through the Dimensional Portal, only to see the city in Flames!

  What Just Happened?

Bebop and Rocksteady sit and commiserate in a seedy bar. They are complaining about how Bane has taken over the Foot Clan. Without the Shredder to lead them they have been looking for strong leadership, and Bebop and Rocksteady were not smart enough to satisfy the ninjas. A straggler still loyal to the old clan comes in bearing a message. He tells them that bane took the whole clan on himself, and earned the respect by defeating them all with his bare hands. 60 men he took, and that he is waiting outside for the Mutants to pay their allegiance, or be broken like the rest.

Back in the Sewers, the Turtles have been run ragged keeping the Foot Clan at bay. Mikey is complaining of a sprained ankle and Raph and Leo help him through the door. Mikey who thinks he has died and gone to heaven “See?! Heaven is Freaking Awesome! when he sees Batman and Robin in the Lair with Donnie.

Leo is glad to see Donnie is alright and thinks that Donnie just left to get reinforcements but Raph is a bit less forgiving. He yells at his brother, and Splinter tells him that “I am certain, your brother feels terrible enough without your help.”

The team welcomes Batman and Robin to their lair. Batman knows that the supply of Venom is getting low and that it does not exist on this plane. They discuss that he will need to manufacture some more.

Bane has Bebop and Rocksteady abduct the one man that may be able to synthesize his drug, Dr. Baxter Stockman! He says that he needs to have much more and that he plans to use it on all of Manhattan!

Rating: 8.5/10

Final Thought: The story moves forward with twists and turns. The plot is well-paced and the artwork is phenomenal! A great story and a joy to read. The coolest thing is seeing the crossover of these characters while it maintains the integrity of each respective book and tone. Check this one out because it is fun, and whether you have a nostalgic view or are just a new reader who enjoys the characters this is a solid story and a lot of fun!

  Bane takes over NY and Donnie and Batman are after him! In his efforts to speak with Batman, Donatello accidentally switches Place with the Monstrous Bane! Unleashed upon an unsuspecting New York, Bane Takes over the Foot Clan with little Effort.

[malecsecretsanta]

Merry Christmas, @inmalecscarvesmeanlove!

Merry Christmas, dear giftee! The time has finally come to receive your present and I hope it is a gift that will make you smile during the holiday season! Hope you have a wonderful time, however you’ll be celebrating! Love & Hugs!, ;-)) X

Read on AO3

*****

'Twas The Morning After Christmas

Cocooned in a warmth that made it hard to leave the bed, Alec squeezed his eyes shut and tried once more to will himself back to sleep. Pulling the covers over his shoulder with his free hand, he burrowed even deeper into the pillows and Magnus, their curled up bodies in contact from head to toe, with a tight clasp of hands anchored to Alec’s chest for good measure. Attempting to regulate his breathing and convince himself that his eyelids felt like lead, he concentrated on trying to match the puffs of air that tickled the back of his neck at regular, slumber-filled intervals but Magnus’ contented breath only served to highlight his own restlessness.  With a resigned huff, Alec placed a gentle kiss to the back of his husband’s elegant hand before extricating himself oh-so carefully from his embrace. Madness, right? But his mind was already half-awake and planning the day ahead, even if his body would take a while longer.

Throwing on the furry Dalmatian onesie (complete with leather paws) that Izzy and Simon had given him yesterday for Christmas, he was grateful for it’s insulating properties against the early morning chill as he trotted off to the kitchen, drawing a line at using the hood because, after all, he didn’t want to look stupid.  Casting an accusatory look at the unsightly amount of after-party debris that littered, what seemed to be, the entire loft, Alec decided that no restoration work could possibly take place without first restoring himself to full consciousness. And that required strong coffee.

Stopping momentarily in his tracks at the bombsight that greeted him, in what years of living here told him should be the kitchen,  Alec was almost tempted to crawl back into bed.  Luckily though, his body’s more-important-than-blood craving for caffeine stopped him and he dragged his paws across the floor to the coffee-maker, scraping the silly string from the top of the machine so he could prepare his self-medication.  Visually filtering out the worst of the carnage as he fished around for the necessities, Alec hastily spooned in the elixir of life and poured the water, setting the timer to ‘Herculean’ as he tripped his way over to the balcony doors, intent on reaching the only floorspace not covered in party poppers and burst balloons.

Grateful for the fairy lights that still lit up the cosy corner of his retreat, Alec tentatively stepped out, bracing himself against the cool breeze that set his fake fur on end as he threw dignity to the wind and yanked up his hood, droopy ears and all.  Leaning his elbows on the balcony wall, the crisp air hit the back of his throat as he inhaled and helped clear the last vestiges of sleep from his eyes as he took in the early morning bustle of the Brooklyn streets below.  Still blanketed in a thin cover of grey, the view was quieter than usual but breathtaking nonetheless.  Alec assumed he wasn’t the only poor soul in need of recovery from the previous day’s family festivities and he spared a thought of commiseration for all his fellow cleaner-uppers who faced the daunting prospect of a job not even Harvey Keitel would agree to take on.  Unless, of course, his darling hubby was sufficiently recovered from his holiday hangover and had the energy to help him out. Remembering the amount of toasts and tipples that had been celebrated last night, he somehow doubted it, but if anyone could withstand the negative effects of too much alcohol, it was Magnus.  His beloved imbibed cocktails as naturally as Alec breathed in air, and never looked anything less than fabulous for having done so, he thought with an enviously proud smile. The smug shit.

As if conjured by thought alone, he heard the doors behind him open briefly before two over-sized white paws snuck around his waist and an intimately familiar body moulded itself to his back, providing a much needed layer of warmth.

‘Don’t say it,’ he warned with a shake of his head, long black ears flapping in the cutest way..

‘I thought I spotted you out here, darling,’ Magnus chuckled regardless, ignoring the groan and snuggling in even closer, exaggerating a shiver. ‘It’s freezing out here, Alexander.  Why don’t we go back to our cosy bed and lick each other….clean,’ he practically purred, ‘before our little angels rise and shine….hmmm? Six in the morning is an ungodly hour, even for you.’

Alec turned around to apologise but faltered, mouth agape, as he took in the oddly arousing vision of his bare-faced, floppy-haired lover dressed in a black cat onesie with white paws and whiskers that barely pulled focus when compared to the golden eyes that glowed from beneath the silky hood.  

That was until said lover started laughing.

‘OK, get it over with,’ Alec muttered with a reluctant grin, as Magnus’ amusement could no longer be contained and he buried his face in Alec’s chest in an attempt to stifle his laughter.  Patting his back in sarcastic comfort, Alec rolled his eyes as Magnus emerged, eyes wet, to take a second look, choosing to suffer the humiliation in order to hold him tight.

‘Oh my darling, you even manage to look sexy-cute as a pooch!  It must the scruff!’ With that, Magnus launched himself at Alec who kissed him back hungrily, ensuring the weather and coffee were both soon forgotten as they pawed each other clumsily between giggles and gasps, only slowing down when the distant timer let them know the beverage was ready.

With a reluctant groan, Magnus planted a final smacker on his favourite pair of lips before stepping back, tugging Alec with him as they headed back inside, paw-in-paw.  Tacitly agreeing to ignore the mess they were walking through, both removed their hoods and hands in order to make their drinks, sipping them as they sprawled on opposite ends of the sofa, legs entwined.  

Eyeing each other over the rim of their mugs while enjoying the comfortable silence, Alec found himself declaring, ‘I love you,’ with the dopiest expression on his face, a habit he found impossible to kick when faced with his incredibly handsome husband, and one, for some strange reason, that had rubbed off on Magnus, who returned the sentiment with a look of sappy contentment that never failed to make his pulse jump.

A sudden high pitched squeal from behind the sofa startled them both but Magnus recovered quickly, holding a silencing finger to his lips as they realised its source.  Leaning over to quietly place their drinks on the table, both pulled on their hoods and hands before getting to their knees, ready to catch them by surprise.

Mouthing the countdown together, they prepared to go over the top…..3, 2, 1, ‘GOTCHA!’ they yelled…… but their little devils had disappeared. Well, almost.  Five chubby blue toes poked out from the gap beneath the sofa until another’s hand quickly pulled them under, leaving Magnus to clamp a hand over his mouth to prevent a give-away laugh.  Sharing a look of loving indulgence that every parent would recognise, Alec winked before using a stage whisper to ask, ‘Have you seen Chairman this morning, babe?  Because I think we might have one or two mice in the loft.’

Rolling his eyes as he grinned, Magnus played along.  ‘Now you mention it, I haven’t, but I bet he’s hiding around here somewhere just waiting to spring into action.  Let me look..’

As Chairman’s favourite bell-in-a-ball rolled out, rather conveniently Magnus thought, from their sons’ hiding place, it was Alec’s turn to cover his mouth as a rather large, albeit woolly, hedgehog was forcefully ejected from the same place.  The only telltale sign it was really their cat in disguise (thanks to a compromise on Max’s part when Santa had failed to deliver the real hedgehog he’d asked him for) being the disgruntled look he shot them before flouncing off in a manner not unlike that of his owner.

Motioning for Alec to climb over the back as he prepared to cover the front, he speculated aloud, ‘Well if Chairman doesn’t seem willing to catch them then that leaves US!’  With perfect synchronicity they both jumped down to find their mischievous sons huddled together, looks of childish excitement on their adorable faces as they crawled out from their hideout to clamber into their daddies’ laps before collapsing all together on the sofa.

‘Papa, you scared us!’ chortled Max, their four year old baby warlock whose big blue eyes shone with happiness as Magnus tickled his sides.

‘Good because you scared us too! You pair of scallywags were supposed to be asleep in your beds,’ he replied, lifting the wriggling bundle onto his lap as Alec allowed their older son, Rafe, to tickle him instead.

‘Dad’s in love with Papa!’ the dark haired mini shadowhunter teased, bearing an uncanny resemblance to his father as he mimicked him, ‘I love you, kiss, kiss, kissy-face.’  Alec cracked up, unable to help himself as all three members of his family descended on him, covering his face in noisy wet kisses that left him begging for air.

Taking pity on him, Magnus called off their affectionate assault and insisted on them returning to bed for a little while longer, despite the weak sunlight that threatened to spill in through the loft’s windows.  ‘Don’t forget we’re meeting friends and family at the dome later for the Boxing Day Bowl ‘n Roll.  You’ll need your energy for that,’ he reminded the boys, as an unexpected yawn escaped him.

‘Looks like they’re not the only ones who need more rest before Team Lightwood-Bane show the others who’s boss,’ Alec pointed out, realising the prospect of more sleep suddenly seemed a good idea as he remembered how much energy would be required to keep up with his siblings and their partners, Simon and Maia, neither of which were short of the competitive spirit.  

‘Will Madzie be there too?’ Max asked tiredly, as he tucked himself into his papa’s neck.

‘She will, blueberry,’ Magnus replied softly, nodding for Alec to follow him as he carried their youngest to their bedroom instead.

‘Cat too, Dad?’ Rafe mumbled, as he traced a finger down along his father’s neck rune.

‘Cat too, angel,’ Alec confirmed, placing the gentlest of kisses on the mop of dark hair.

Not bothering to change clothes, Magnus snapped his fingers to turn back the covers before he and Alec placed the boys in the centre of the bed and climbed in to bracket them, sharing a sleepy smile over their heads as they all settled in.

‘I love you all,’ Magnus whispered, a wave of blue spark drawing the blinds to keep out the sun and hasten their rest.

‘Me too,’ Rafe agreed as his eyes drifted shut.

‘Uh huh,’ managed Max.

Grasping Magnus’ outstretched hand which lay across their cherished children, Alec blew his husband a kiss before closing his eyes too.

‘I love you all too. Merry Christmas, my boys.’

Even Chairman thought their smiles looked cute as he settled along the pillows a short while later.