#the infernal devices fanfiction

[singitoutgirl26]

Does anyone know of a fanfic where it's modern day and somehow Will Herondale gets brought back to life and ends up in a poly relationship with Tessa Gray and Jem Carstairs with a happy ending? Because I really want to read a fic like that. Or even one set in the time period of The Infernal Devices where the three of them end up in a poly relationship? I need good fanfics to read for this universe😭 recommendations are 100% welcome

[vwritesaus]

SO. it's been a hot minute, i know, but i'm posting some wip snippets very shortly!!

to those who sent me those prompts from ages ago... these are for you ♡

[tscclace]

Can anyone recommend me fanfics involving canon ships or time travel from any of the Shadowhunter Chronicles series?

[jamessxcarstairs]

Title: The Jade Fist

Word Count: 1,914

Rating: G

Summary: "He poked his head around the corner, and saw Jem sitting on the floor with his legs pulled up to his chest and his face buried in his knees. It had been about two months since James Carstairs arrived at the Institute from Shanghai, and it was an odd adjustment. Not only was there now another Shadowhunter boy his own age in the Institute to train with, Will had actually taken a liking to him. And he’s pretty sure Jem feels the same way, which didn’t exactly bode well with Will’s plan to make sure no one ever liked him."

Will believes he may have found a new friendship in Jem. When he finds Jem upset over missing his family and his home, he discovers something that can make Jem less homesick.

Part 1 of If Aught but Death Part Thee and Me

Read it on Ao3

London. February, 1874.

Will was sitting up in his bed, nose deep in reading Dickens’ Oliver Twist . Ever since his arrival at the Institute three months ago, he had been throwing himself into reading any book he could get his hands on as a distraction. While it helped in some ways, in other ways it didn’t: it would help him in that moment, but the second he was called down for supper or for his tutoring he was reminded again.

Reminded of why he had to leave.

He still remembered the look in the demon’s eyes, the way Ella’s body looked after- No . He wasn’t going to think about that. He went back to his book and tried to lose himself in the story. He was swiftly pulled back to the present by a muffled noise outside his door. He didn’t know who was out there, but he really wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone.

“Whoever's out there, you may as well just leave! I’m busy!” He shouted with as much venom as he could. Yet, the noise continued. Will, now irritated, got off of his bed in a huff and swung open the door. “I said …” and there was no one out there. He listened closer, and realized it was the sound of muffled sobs he had been hearing; it was coming from the main corridor.

Will shut the door to his room as softly as he could, and he walked down the hall towards the corridor. He poked his head around the corner, and saw Jem sitting on the floor with his legs pulled up to his chest and his face buried in his knees. It had been about two months since James Carstairs arrived at the Institute from Shanghai, and it was an odd adjustment. Not only was there now another Shadowhunter boy his own age in the Institute to train with, Will had actually taken a liking to him. And he’s pretty sure Jem feels the same way, which didn’t exactly bode well with Will’s plan to make sure no one ever liked him.

“James? A- Are you alright?” Will asked, a bit awkwardly. It had frightened Will how quickly being nasty and cruel towards people had become his gut response while speaking to people after only three months of living at the Institute. Though he supposed that if one forced themself to behave a certain way, it became second nature after a while. But Jem? Jem was different. He was already dying, so Will’s curse wouldn’t affect him, right?

“Will!” Jem exclaimed, clearly not expecting to see Will hovering over him like a lunatic. He stood up carefully, rubbing his eyes. “I didn’t think anyone was down here.”

Will shrugged. “My room is down that way. I was just reading. Are you alright?” he asked again.

Jem looked down at his shoes, and shook his head a bit. “Just feeling a little homesick, that’s all,” he said, his voice small. Will took note of Jem’s hair in the glow of the witchlight lamps. He could’ve sworn there were more silver strands than when he saw Jem this morning, but it was probably just a trick of the light.

“Oh,” Will replied. Why am I so bad at this ? He thought to himself. “Is… there anything I can do to help?"

Jem smiled slightly, and nodded. “D’you want to take a walk with me back to my room? I could use the company.” Wordlessly, Will followed Jem down the corridor and they walked together in silence for a few moments.

“So, what were your parents like?” Will asked finally, trying to break the silence. Though he regretted it almost instantly when he noticed Jem flinch. “Nevermind, you don’t have to tell me anything. I don’t even know why I asked that,” he said, silently cursing himself.

“No, no, it’s alright. I don’t mind telling you. They were pretty amazing people.” Jem took a deep breath, and then continued. “My father, Jonah, is from London. And my mother, Wen Yu, is from Beijing. They met when they were teenagers while my mother was in London on her travel year. I inherited my mother’s features, though I’ve been told I have my father’s face. When I was very small, I barely remember the time before, my parents were assigned to run the Shanghai Institute, and-”

Jem stopped speaking suddenly, and Will glanced over to see that Jem’s eyes were starting to fill with tears. He started to panic.

“No, wait, don’t cry!” Will put his hand on the other boy’s shoulder, hoping to reassure him, but then pulled away as he tried to come up with something to cheer him up. “Jem, have you ever heard of… demon pox?”

Jem looked up at him at that, cracking a slight smile. “What?”

“By the Angel, you’ve never heard of demon pox?” Will said with mock concern. “It’s a horrid thing, really. What a way to die.”

“I don’t think demon pox exists, Will.”

“But it does! Why, they only way one can get it is by going down to deepest, dampest part of town, and f-”

“William? James?” A voice interrupted Will’s rant. Around the corner came Charlotte, holding a witchlight stone. “Oh! I thought I heard your voices. What are you boys doing down here?”

“I was just telling Jem here all about demon pox. Wild stuff,” Will said. He heard Jem stifle a laugh.

Charlotte sighed. “Will, I told you to stop speaking such nonsense. Anyway, Jem, it’s you I was looking for.”

“Me?” Jem asked.

“Yes, James. Henry has something he’d like to show you. He’s waiting in the drawing room,” Charlotte said gently.

Jem nodded, and said “thank you, Charlotte,” and went to go follow her. Then, he turned around to look at Will. “Why don’t you come along, Will?”

Will, shocked by Jem’s gesture, didn’t know what to say. “I dunno, Henry isn’t quite used to my charming wit yet. I wouldn’t want him to blow a gasket on my account.”

“ Will …” Charlotte scolded.

“I insist. Please come,” Jem said, gesturing down the corridor with his arm.

Will hesitated a moment, but then nodded and said “alright,” and started after them.

“Jem, thank you for coming! Oh, and Will. Thank you for coming, too!” Henry said.

Will entered the drawing room with Jem and Charlotte, and he saw Henry sitting on one of the massive sofas holding something wrapped in parchment.

“What’ve you got there, Henry? Dear God, please don’t tell me it’s another invention…” Will exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air.

“Well, yes, I suppose it is,” Henry said, thinking about it for a moment. “Jem, I have something for you. I tried to do research on what kind of weapons might’ve been popular at the Shanghai Institute, and I came to the conclusion that long swords were quite popular! So, the best part is that not only can this be used as a weapon, it also has a practical, everyday use as well.” Will caught Charlotte’s glance at Henry, and she looked incredibly proud.

Jem took the item from Henry, and started to unwrap the parchment. Will watched in silence as Jem lifted the item from the parchment, and saw his eyes widen in surprise. It was a walking stick with a jade dragon-headed top.

“It’s a sword that doubles as a walking stick!” Henry said. “Isn’t it exquisite? The sword pops out when you press that switch there, and I thought the walking stick could give you support on the days when you’re feeling ill. I even included some jade in the embellishments, since I learned that it can be found in the river near where you grew up.”

“This is incredible, Henry! Thank you,” Jem said, a huge smile on his face. It was the type of smile that lit up your whole face, Will thought. It was the first time Will had seen Jem truly smile since arriving at the Institute. Will the knew what he could do to cheer Jem up.

That night, Will traveled down to Whitechapel to peruse the night market there, which was run by Downworlders and Sighted mundanes. He walked along until he came to a booth that was run by a warlock woman with bright, blue hair, and was covered head-to-toe in jewels.

“What brings you to my booth, little Shadowhunter?” The woman asked curiously.

“I’m looking for something to give to my friend. D’you have anything made from jade?”

“Oh, yes. I’ve got only the finest jade imported all the way from Shanghai,” the woman said, pulling out a large, wooden box, and revealing hundreds of jade pieces in various shapes and sizes. The one that caught his eye was small and round, and if you looked carefully you could see that it resembled a closed fist.

This would be perfect , Will thought. He then paid for the jade piece, and went on his way, trying to figure out the best way to give it to him.

When Will got back to the Institute, he heard the familiar sound of Jem’s violin, and followed it to Jem’s room. He pushed the bedroom door open, and he saw Jem sitting on the trunk at the foot of his bed, looking rather feverish.

“Jem,” Will said, trying to get his attention.

The violin playing ceased, and Jem turned his head to look at Will. “Oh! Hello, Will,” Jem said, his eyes lighting up.

“You don’t look so well,” said Will. “Did you take any of the… the stuff?”

Jem sighed. “Yes, I just did. This is my immediate reaction to it, becoming feverish and whatnot. It’s rather-”

“I got something for you,” Will interrupted.

“You got something for me ?” Jem asked, looking incredulous.

“I heard what Henry said earlier about jade, and I thought this would make you feel less homesick if you had it.” Will pulled the small parcel out of his pocket, and handed it to Jem.

Jem took it, and started to unwrap it. Will’s heart started to beat rapidly, trying to anticipate what his reaction would be.

“Wow…” Jem said finally, his fingers gliding over the jade. He looked up at Will then, and his face crumbled. He walked over to Will and wrapped his arms around him, burying his face in his shoulder.

Will stiffened. He normally would have pushed them away if someone tried to hug him, but he let Jem hug him in that moment; he felt tears dampen the material of Will’s shirt. The sound of his sobs broke Will’s heart. It was the sound of a boy who felt lost and alone, much like he did; the thought made Will’s own eyes well up with tears.

“Thank you, Will,” Jem said, his voice muffled by Will’s shirt. At that, Will wrapped his own arms around Jem, holding on to him tightly. Will wasn’t very good at friendships, but in that moment he vowed that he would try to be for Jem.

The next morning at breakfast, Jem took his normal seat at the dining room table next to Will. He smiled at Will as he sat down, and he noticed something shining at Jem’s collar. It was the jade pendant that Will had given to him last night; he had attached a chain to it, and was wearing it as a necklace. Will felt his face heat up and he ducked his head, smiling to himself.

[waywardwindee]

need a marauders in the shadowhunters universe fic so bad.

this was inspired by this note on my phone:

[saintgoths]

☾༺♰༻☽ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀꜱᴇx ☾༺♰༻☽

mdni 18+ - m/f sex.

summary - you ride will herondale.

word count - 508.

will herondale.

“I like that,” he shuddered, his arms wrapped around your waist as he possessively held onto you, you, who had eagerly bounced on his cock had your body leaned against the warmth of his chest, arms looped around his shoulders, focused on chasing your cum that your heat had tightly pulsed around his width.

Just as you had promised from your recent mission, you’d fuck Will if he continued to be good, and as if the world had become alternate, the blue-eyed boy had become well-mannered, courteous and doting, hiding the lump in his trousers he had desperately wanted you to take care off.

You had rolled your hips, your wet walls throbbing against the skin of his cock, the head of his penis licking against the sponginess of your sex, his eyes drunk and dark as he felt his head spiralling, he had wanted this to last for God knows how long, how open his mouth had been, his spit gently drooling down his chin as he had been intoxicated by his lust. Bucking his hips forward, drunk off your hearth as he robotically moved his body.

Smoothly, you had moved your fingers to his chin, cupping his face ere moving to press your lips against his, he had behaved like a dog, one that belonged to an owner, an obedient pet willing to be destroyed by his Goddess, how a dream come true this was, how many moments he had fantasised about you, taking him, riding him and embracing him like the touch starved man he was.

“[Y/N],” he breathed out, whiny, his cock twitching between your cunt, throbbing with impending cum, holding onto your body tight, his demeanour desperate and submissive, his usual cool blue eyes now dark with lust looking into yours, reticently begging you to allow him to cum and once you had purposely locked and tightened your sex around his width---he had grunted, his moan dismayed and chopped, “I love you!” He cried out once his load seeped and coated the warm walls of your cunt.

His grip around you now loose as he had fell against his back, his mind dumb and anxious of the intense climax your wetness and warmth had brought to him, his hands now beside your hips as you rolled yourself, racing and reaching for your climax, using him as your toy while fiddling with your bare and hard nipples. “Good boy,” you moaned, “lay like that for me,” you whimpered while bouncing your figure up his cock, the curved tip of his shaft bruising the soft formless button inside your sex, your heat wetting around his width as you had begun to cream around his length.

“Oh yeah!” You cried out, “fuck!” You whimpered, your body now arthritic and rigid while the rest of your orgasm capped and painted his member aided with soft whines and whimpers rooted from Will, who had looked up at you with soft passionate eyes. “You think everybody heard?” You asked and with a weak chuckle, Will had nodded.

“Definitely.”

ᴡɪʟʟ ʜᴇʀᴏɴᴅᴀʟᴇ ᴍᴀꜱᴛᴇʀʟɪꜱᴛ

[kvohru]

boxes of clementines | w. herondale

will herondale x fem reader, no mention of shadowhunter stuff, established relationship, husband!will, fluff!!!! so much fluff!!!!, cross posted on ao3 under @/kvohru

‘There are boxes of clementines in the kitchen and the thing is that I love you again.’ — Alessia Di Cesare, The Side Effects of Eating Too Many Clementines

Despite it being a December morning, it was surprisingly warm in your home— for a wintry London day's standards, that is. The sun was up, for one thing, its delicate rays filtering through the clouds and into your kitchen.

Perhaps it's the fact that you live in the countryside? you thought idly as you put away your groceries. Maybe that's why it was sunnier today? Well, regardless, your warm friend was still a welcome guest any day.

Seeing as how it was the weekend today, neither you nor Will had work, so you took it as a chance to get caught up on some housekeeping chores like groceries and such. Well, you had been out getting groceries while Will—who was set to return by the afternoon—was out doing… other things. (He was out replacing something or the other, you weren't quite focusing when he had told you about it the other day.)

And so you went on, adopting a tranquil rhythm, sorting boxes into cupboards and washing all the fresh produce you'd bought. Apples, strawberries and cucumbers were left to soak in the sink while the boxes of clementines were left on the kitchen counters.

You let out a contented sigh. It was a good morning.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

It was well past the afternoon when Will was walking up the stone walkway to the quaint countryside home. In fact, the sun was already starting to set by then, the pale blue sky quickly turning a warm orange instead.

He trudged up the steps to the front porch, adjusting the large bouquet in his hands; a brilliant arrangement of flowers that he didn't think twice about buying when he passed by that florist he often frequented for you.

He shifted the bags he was carrying along with said bouquet to his other arm, freeing up his right to dig into his coat pocket for the keys. “Cariad?” he called as he walked in, toeing his shoes off and placing them neatly beside the door.

It was a few seconds before your reply, which came in form of a Hm?, could be heard. He set all the bags down. A few more seconds where he could hear your feet padding across the wooden floors before you finally, finally, came into view.

“Will!” After all these years, you still had a way of seeming utterly excited when seeing him. I mean, he could practically see the almost cartoonish glimmer in your eyes from across the room.

“Hey, darling,” he greeted gently, his whole body instantly relaxing at the sight of you. It was as if simply being around you worked all the knots from his shoulders and eased all his muscles.

The smile wholly transformed your face at the sound of the term of endearment, the corners of your eyes crinkling adorably and your lips splitting instantly into a wide smile.

The setting sun cast long shadows on the ground, the slanting rays giving a warm orange tinge to the earth, the sky and everything in between.

Your eyes finally left his face and travelled down to his body, where you finally spotted the bouquet balanced on his elbow. He had thought it'd be the first thing you'd notice when he walked in, seeing as how it was almost as big as his torso, but you hadn't.

You'd been too transfixed on his face, on him, to notice anything else.

Your face instantly softened, an almost infinitesimal shift in your expression that would've been impossible to notice if it were anyone else looking at you. But Will noticed. He always did.

It was like it was happening in slow motion, that change in your expression. From the previous childlike joy at seeing your husband to the look of pure, unadulterated love in your eyes.

“Oh, darling,” you breathed, almost to yourself, as you walked closer. You gingerly plucked the bouquet out of his arm, instantly pulling it up to your face to smell it. It really was a gorgeous arrangement; from the roses to the carnations to the peonies, and the tiny pieces of baby's breath sprinkled throughout.

And the part that made it all the more precious to you was that you knew Will had taken time out of his day to put it together. You knew it wasn't prearranged, and the image of your husband standing at the florist and meticulously putting together an assortment of flowers for you warmed your heart to an immeasurable degree.

“Will,” you breathed again, and… were you getting teary-eyed? You looked up at him, and yep, those were definitely tears lining your waterline. He couldn't help the corner of his mouth lifting at the sight. “They're so beautiful. You're so beautiful. Thank you so much. I love you.”

You were gushing your praises and gratitude now, and it wouldn't be long before—

“Wait,” you mumbled, a look of realisation (which looked more like horror than anything) falling over your face. You whipped your head around, your ponytail smacking him in the chest from the force of the motion.

He barely contained his amused scoff. You were and would always be incredibly and adorably predictable. Not to mention incredibly easy to read, too.

“No occasion,” he said, interrupting your Oh No Did I Miss An Important Date?™ scanning-over-the-calendar routine. You let out an audible sigh of relief, your whole body slumping forward with the motion, and this time Will couldn't hold back the smug grin.

You set the bouquet down and looked at him, suspicious despite your relief. He could practically hear the question in your gaze (refer back to what I said about you being incredibly easy to read), and he was sure it went something like this: A bouquet this big for no reason?

He sighed dramatically and leaned closer, his voice taking on that classic teasing lilt of his, “What? Can't a man surprise his wife with flowers in peace?”

“But why?” you insisted quietly. Clearly, you were incredibly worried you'd somehow forgotten about an important date. Because what if you had and Will, being the ever so gracious (debatable) man that he was, didn't want to embarrass you by reminding you?

“Just because.”

“But it's so big.” Your worried gaze met his, and his grin split even wider.

“Not the only big thing I can—”

You smacked him lightly on the arm to shut him up. “Come on!” he complained, forever the melodramatic man that he was, “You practically walked into that one!”

You rolled your eyes, but the gesture held absolutely no heat, especially not when you were smiling despite yourself. “Thank you,” you said sincerely, rising up on your tiptoes to press your lips to his, and hoping he could sense the extent of your gratitude in that kiss.

“Of course, my love,” he murmured softly between kisses, the teasing leaving his voice entirely and being replaced by an insurmountable amount of love.

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

A while later, after he had changed and joined you back in the kitchen, the two of you could be found sitting at the kitchen island, sharing a clementine.

[livsoulsecrets]

Tessa&Kit Fic - You were an angel in the shape of my mom

Written for @fandombingo Martian Bingo prompt: “The longer we wait, the worse it’s going to get.”

Fandom: The Shadowhunters Chronicles.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences.

Summary: In the day of Rosemary’s death anniversary, Tessa and Kit talk about loss, guilt and survival.

“I must be the worst son in the world,” he whispered. “Rosemary’s lucky she never had to deal with me.”

Tessa winced as if she had been slapped. The down tilt of her lips was such an unnatural sight he had to double check before he truly believed her distaste was being directed at him.

“Don’t you ever say that again.” Tessa told him.

Read on AO3.

The sun had already begun to set when Kit heard Tessa stepping into the porch of their backyard.

He spent most of the afternoon tucked into the recliner Jem bought as a gift for Tessa, lost in thought.

He had good memories of countless afternoons spent chasing Mina around the green expanse of their garden as Tessa settled in to watch them, a book in hand.

He also found it was as good a place as any for sulking.

His mom settled into the less comfortable wood chair by his side and turned her body to face him. He very deliberately avoided her gaze.

She seemed determined not to push him, if her quietness and smooth movements were any indicators. It reminded him of his first weeks living there.

Tessa and Jem had been painstakingly careful around him, mindful of their words and postures, easygoing and kind, trying their hardest not to scare him away. It made Kit feel like a ticking bomb about to go off half the time. The other half, it made him feel oddly wanted.

Kit wished she would just tell him what to do, only this once. He was good at following a parent’s orders, most of the time. He tended to Johnny Rook’s every whim for years, after all.

But Tessa wouldn’t. She always had good advice to offer and time to hear him out, should he ask for it, but no orders to be followed blindly ever came out of her lips.

If only Kit didn’t hate the idea of asking for help so badly, he would appreciate her patience some more.

“I’m fine,” he said, breaking the silence once it became clear Tessa wouldn’t.

“That’s good to hear,” she replied, unconvinced.

He tapped his feet against the floor impatiently. “It‘s just a bad day. Nothing to worry about.”

Tessa hummed noncommittally and nodded. “I see.”

Kit huffed an annoyed breath and immediately regretted it when his mom’s eyebrows knitted together in a pained expression.

He hated to be the one causing her so much distress. Still, the attentive way her eyes tracked his every movement made his skin crawl.

It reminded him of nights spent sneaking his way through the Shadow Market, his father’s eyes seemingly everywhere and nowhere all at once, watching and waiting for his next mistake.

Tessa wasn’t looking for a reason to punish him, but he feared that his skin would always crawl at the feeling of being watched closely, regardless of whose eyes were laid on him.

“Do you need some time alone? I can leave,” she offered, even though the idea clearly displeased her.

Why couldn’t he stop screwing everything up?

He already had two dead parents and a whole lineage of tragedy to account for. Did he really need to make life harder for Tessa, too?

“No, that’s not it,” he hurried to say, pulling his legs up to tuck his knees under his chin.

Tessa went very still, intelligent gray eyes narrowed. Her silence spelled out the questions she wouldn’t ask out loud.

“What’s it, then?” He could almost make out in the curious glint of her eyes.

“Tell me,” The tense line of her jaw nearly let out.

“Let me help,” Her hands said as they drew patterns over her sweater.

“I think I liked it better when I didn’t know anything about Rosemary,” he muttered finally, rocking the chair back and forth.

Tessa hummed. If the statement surprised her, she didn’t show it at all.

“Now that I do know some things, as small as they are, it hurts more. I thought it would make everything better if I knew what she was like or why she left.”

Kit played with a loose strand of fabric on his shorts, pulling on it with more force than needed as he spoke.

“It doesn’t really help,” he confessed. “Now I know the exact day she died—and what for? So I can have one day every year for the rest of my life to feel miserable?”

He gestured broadly to himself, still avoiding his mom’s sharp gaze.

When it became clear he had nothing else to say, Tessa gently reached for his hand, stilling his attack on the worn-out fabric of his clothes. “I can understand why days like today can weigh you down. I’m afraid there’s not much to be done about that.”

Kit tensed immediately, realizing how pathetic it was for him to whine about Rosemary’s death anniversary in front of Tessa, of all people.

She had experienced more grief than almost anyone else he knew, except for Jem. They had lost everything but each other. The weight of so much loss became so heavy some days that Kit could almost touch it in the air of their home, tucked away in the corners of the house and hidden behind the echoing sound of Mina’s giggles.

Tessa sensed his regret and rushed to reassure him, “I’m not saying this because I want us to compare our losses. It’s a pointless game to play, believe me.”

She laid a hand on his knee, stopping his shaking leg. Kit hadn’t even realized it was moving that much.

“What I can tell you is that we honor those we lost by living.”

It was a beautiful sentiment, he could admit, but it felt too out of reach for himself.

“I didn’t lose her,” he mumbled in response. Tessa startled, titling her head in clear confusion. “I never had her in the first place.”

Tessa said nothing, just waited as he worked through the lump in his throat.

“Sometimes I feel so angry at her for leaving me behind,” he confessed. “For dying before I had a chance to really know her.”

He laughed a hollowed sound, devoid of any joy. Tessa’s eyebrows scrunched together in a painful twist of her serene expression.

“Isn’t that ridiculous?” He huffed. “Rosemary gave everything up to protect me. She died for me, and I’m still angry because… Because I didn’t have anyone to draw a Mother’s Day card for? Because she didn’t tuck me into bed and read me a story every night?”

To his horror, his breathing grew heavier alongside the tears dropping from his cheeks. He forcefully rubbed at his face to dry them.

“I must be the worst son in the world,” he whispered. “Rosemary’s lucky she never had to deal with me.”

Tessa winced as if she had been slapped. The downtilt of her lips was such an unnatural sight he had to take a double check before he truly believed her distaste was being directed at him.

“Don’t you ever say that again.” Tessa told him.

She had never spoken to him like that before—so hurt and fierce, like someone had reached inside her chest and broken her heart in two.

“Kit,” she whispered, propping his face up with two of her fingers against his chin. “Don’t you ever repeat that, do you understand? Never again.”

He nodded, still taken aback by her reaction. Then, Tessa softly ran her fingers through his hair, soothing him gently.

“It’s not stupid to feel angry at our parents for the choices they made that impacted our lives,” Tessa said, her own eyes watery. “I didn’t have a chance to know Rosemary, but I’m sure she wouldn’t blame you for what you feel now or for how you felt growing up.”

Had anyone ever held him the way Tessa did now? Had any other person in the world looked at him with so much sorrow in their eyes and managed not to make him squirm under their gaze?

“Being left behind leaves a scar. It doesn’t matter what the reasons were. As noble as they may be, they still hurt. It doesn’t make you a bad son to still carry this hurt with you. You must feel it. In fact, the longer you wait to feel it, the worse it gets.”

He shook his head in denial, the feel of Tessa’s hand against his nape like hot iron for a moment as Kit felt the familiar grief taking over.

“I was just a baby when she left. I can’t miss someone I didn’t know,” he countered.

Tessa smiled sadly, larger and older than life. “Oh, dear, I wish that was true.”

Kit suddenly felt very small and young, as Tessa’s voice became sadder and more ominous.

“Our hearts and bodies carry pain far past what our minds can see. All it takes is one moment for it to be brought forward. Yes, you were too young to remember what it was like to have Rosemary as a mother. It doesn’t change the fact you lost her. It doesn’t mean you can’t mourn what could have been.”

Kit wasn’t sure he believed in that completely. His father had taught him that it was stupid to dwell on the past, especially if it involved his mother.

Tessa was a far smarter and kinder person than Johnny, but Kit had learned that such deeply ingrained lessons were hard to unlearn.

“Any mother would be lucky to have you as a son, Kit,” Tessa said, holding his face delicately, her thumb caressing the slope of his cheek. “I know I am.”

Kit looked at his mom—really, properly looked at her. Her face, preserved by time. Her gray eyes, kinder than he deserved them to be. Her smile, small and sincere and heavy with loss.

He loved her so much more than his heart could bear. He loved her and trusted her and couldn’t imagine a world where she didn’t love him too.

Kit wasn’t used to believing he had earned his place in anyone’s life, but Tessa made it feel so easy—like he didn’t need to earn anything in the first place.

“Do you mean that?” He asked, sounding like a scared boy searching for dry land in a revolting sea.

And Tessa threw him a lifeline as easily as she had undone each of his defenses. “I do. Of course I do.”

She laid a kiss on his temple. His eyes closed, and he instinctively leaned into the touch.

Kit felt far younger than he truly was as Tessa held him and pressed kisses to his forehead. He was certain, then, that the steadfastness of her love would never cease to amaze him.

When Tessa pulled back to look into his eyes again, he ruffled his hair before saying, “I’ll never try to replace her, Kit. She’s your mother too and will always be. You don’t need to be scared of talking about her.”

He nodded. His throat felt too tight for him to try and say anything at all.

“But since the day I laid my eyes on you, I’ve loved you. I knew that feeling, deep in my gut. I had felt it three times before, and I felt it again when I met you.”

His treacherous, already swollen, eyes watered once more against his will. Tessa’s gray ones mirrored his, if kinder and wiser.

“My sweet, brave boy,” she whispered, pulling him to her chest again. “I love you. So much more than you know.”

Kit laced his arms around her, slotting his face in the crook of Tessa’s neck.

For once, he didn’t doubt her.

[reality-exodus]

The Last Hours of a Herondale

Ch2 sparkles

Words:2k

Pairing: Matthew Fairchild x Fem!Herondale

I walked out on a fast pace without turning back or waiting for my brother's Parabatai. I was wearing my own coat now as I strolled down the alley to get on the bridge and find my way to the institute.

"He just worries you know" I heard, I could see Matthew walking behind me with the side of my eye, he was still holding his extravagant coat in hand. "And can you please stop rushing on my account I will get my alcohol, therefore I wish this was more scenic" Matthew joked. I admired the way he used his vocabulary always, sobber or not. I listened to his wish, my arms crossed across my torso, I was making this gesture to highlight my fury, although if I am being frank I was shivering to the freezing temperature of London.

"Didn't sincerely seemed like he was concerned about me, more like he did not have the mood to hear our father whine about his daughter to be wandering alone helpless in the streets of this horrific city, As if I am a damsel in distress." I barked, my nerves were still tense, I was too angry to concentrate on anything.

Matthew didn't reply immediately, he touched my shoulders carefully to place his coat on me, he observed my being cold. I tensed and reflexively turned to face him, shocked, not so much because of his gesture but with the fact that I felt as if I would see something. I always looked chill with my charisma therefore I was freaking out most of the time internally. "Do not worry, I know. It is not nice to watch another broken past." He assured me and I exhaled relieved lightly and placed my arms on the sleeves while he tied the belt around my waist gently.

"Its never the past that gets me unnerved. Even though I think I witness the worse of you every time you drink alcohol." I spoke and looked at him. I rarely seen his eyes so upclose. They were green, darker as if the reasons that got him drunk every day and night had shaded his eyes too.

"And what unnerves you?" He asked me. Despite the instability of his voice that seemed so familiar since he was more drunk than sober.

"When I see the future, I have only seen it a few times. Three to be honest." I spoke and looked elsewhere, I was scared to look for his comment or his eye contact, these were things I avoided speaking of, barely mentioned them to my parents. "I will get going it gets colder" I excused myself, expecting him into offering to escort me.

"I was leaving anyway, my beautiful bottle is right down this way." Matthew spoke and walked away from me. I smiled and started walking down the bridge.

The way there was peaceful and calming, I was gazing at the cloudy sky trying to make out at least a small, tiny star but the rain that started a few minutes ago was getting stronger. It felt nice, the droplets on the coat and on my hair made me colder but the feeling was refreshing as the wind blew as well. I placed my hand to the bottom of my chaotic braided bun and set it loose into the two braids and I started loosing them as well.

I was so peaceful and calm. Forgot about my fight with James, the vision of Polly, the demon splatter and the times I saw James disappear and Matthew almost lose his life. I opened the door and walked in unknown of the mess I was in. I hoped I wouldn't meet anyone. I only went inside Lucie's room, I hoped she would be awake. I knocked the door.

"Come in" her sweet voice sounded and poked my head in. "What happened to you? Where is James?" she asked, her voice sketched with concern as well as her expression, she stood up from her desk and approached me. We were the same height even though she was two years younger than me. Her hand got my wrist and pulled me inside her room. "If mama and papa see you, you'll scare them to death." She spoke.

"Nothing happened, we only killed a demon." I replied and threw my boots next to the door and walked to her mirror to witness myself the big deal. I, indeed looked horrible, my light brown hair were wet and filled with mud that made them stick together and my face had dirt as the rain spilled the light make up I wore. "James made it explode." I sighed.

"And why are you wearing Math's clothes?" she asked me. "You are shaking..." she noticed.

I smiled subconsciously as I took off the coat and let it fall on the ground. "He accompanied me up to a point on my way home and I was cold." I explained briefly as I started taking off the heavy and wet equipment. "Could I use your bathroom? I do not feel comfortable being on my own." I added with false hopes that she would not start the curiosity drill of questions.

"Why? What happened?" Lucie asked me as she assisted me, with great care to not trigger any seizure, to take off the rest of the equipment until I was with the underskirt.

"Nothing in particular." I spoke as I took her comb and started untangling the mass in my head trying to remove as much of mud as possible. I felt my sister's gaze upon my back and let out a sigh. She probably was the only person I was unable to keep secrets from. I was a pretty cold person therefore Lucie can read me, even though my pages are always blank. "Alright, I fought with James before I left. I was certainly right with my arguments. Perhaps, I was a bit harsh." I explained.

"Oh do not even worry, he won't remember it in the morning..." Lucie smiled lightly. "This is why you came here. To cover for him, so mom and dad won't know you returned alone?" her smile got bigger. She is such a sweet angel. When me and James fight she is more sad than we are. 'You are twins, you can't talk to each other like that, you are supposed to be two of a whole' she usually quotes and tries to stop our conflict which most of the time plays out into a best sarcastic comeback battle as we actually forgot what we fought about.

"You really think so?" I asked lightly and then walked into her bathroom as I started washing the mud from my face.

"Do you remember what you fought for?" asked Lucie and my smile disappeared lightly. "Well, since it is this serious, tell me about it." She encouraged me and I exhaled unwilling to so.

"Do not tell mama and papa... James started disappearing during the battle... It was a close call for me and Math, and especially for Math... After we killed it, we went at that stupid tavern they hang out... And I had a seizure with flashback. So we were kind of on edge both of us." I unriddle the events of the night as I filled the tub with water.

"I don't think you are worried that you spoke harsh to James. You are simply upset. Come on. Have your shower and I will get you some tea and then I can tell you about my book, so you take your mind off." Lucie giggled and I nodded with soft smile. I winked and nodded before she closed the door of the bathroom.

~

I came out of the tub and saw that my sister brought pajamas and underwear, freshly washed, they smelled vanilla and sandal wood. The clothes were mine. I wore them and walked out to the bed where I saw her laying with a book. "Feeling better?" she asked me and I nodded.

I climbed next to her on the bed and placed the book aside with a smile as she took her brush and removed the towel. Lucie began to brush my hair. I have curly and long hair, longer than hers, with the color of my father's while I had my mom's eyes, deep gray. The brush met a comb and she abruptly untangled it making me jump.

"I am careful, you know that" Lucie reassured me with a sweet smile, she knew I was anxious.

I didn't really felt when I fell asleep, I hugged Lucie's stuffed animal. Tomorrow would be a great day, the Carstairs would arrive. I was happy to see them, to see Daisy and Alastair again. I was probably the only one who found Alastair likeable but this didn't really matter, he didn't seem to care that much to converse with anyone. Us Herondales have a special place for the Carstairs family in our hearts. My father's parabatai was a Carstairs, uncle Jem became a silent brother under awful circumstances while he was on his death bed owing to a demons doings. I cannot imagine how my father was feeling back then, I do not have a parabatai like James has and like Lucie will soon have. I have a close relationship with Barbara and Anna Lightwood but none of them to a point to have such eternal and unbreakable bond.

Uncle Jem must be the only person I can talk to about the visions I see and not feel like a freak. The whole clave looks at me and my brother as if we are some kind of unexpressed danger against the Nephelim race. Even my mother and father are uncomfortable when we speak about it. Perhaps it is in my head. Uncle Jem always knows what to tell me to ease me and not make me feel... different from everyone else. Speaking of whom I had to summon him, I was obliged to report to him every single vision I had as well as the conditions it came under.

"Lina..." I heard in my sleep as I felt a soft shake. I turned around ignoring the voice and this is when the blanket was pulled violently from my figure. "Lina!"

"What!" I exclaimed disturbed and shot up.

"Get dressed we have to get breakfast the Carstairs will be here soon" Lucie spoke as she was literally jumping up and down on her mattress.

"Is James back?" I asked her.

"Yes he is." James replied and I turned my head to see our brother sitting in the arm chair on Lucies room, it was next to the pile of my dirty clothes.

"Oh Good morning" I greeted and sat up and leaned to the bedframe as I stared at him. The gash on his hand was fully healed and he looked well and rested.

"Oh Good morning to you too" He chimed therefore his expression was just like mine dead serious as we only stared at each other. I could sense Lucie darting her gaze between us.

"Now come on you two..." Lucie began when a ghost appeared in the middle of the room.

"Oh look at the two naughty Herondales following their father's footsteps once again. Stubborn as donkeys!" Jessamine floated in the room.

"Ah great, here were the commentary again." I spoke inside my teeth.

"Jealous much Lina? At least the ghost can form more ingenious sentences than you." James smiled at me. The revenge begun.

"At least the ghost has the intelligence to think before they speak nonsense." I smiled back, Lucie was saying we had the same facial features, even our teeth and expressional wrinkles were the same, everything except our eye-color. He had brown eyes, I had gray.

"At least the ghost has manners!" Jessamine whined at us. "Like father, they say..." she sighed and floated to the edge dramatically.

"Does she though?" James asked Jessamine and she turned her attention to him, her expression puzzled.

"You really do just barge in a room, that is really not lady like." I commented with a fake frown, my posture was suddenly fixed as I was remarking the good manners that my father always said were more important than anything else. She was the last Lovelace of her family name and now she was haunting my house.

"Uh Tessie really left your upbringing to Will didn't she?" Jessamine huffed in annoyance when my father opened the room.

"She indeed did, Jess. Aren't they adorably charming?" My father asked as he looked at us his eyes were smiling.

"So adorably charming that they get on my nerves almost as much as you do Herondale." Jessamine spoke up.

"Then I did a wonderful job." He smiled lightly and sat down on the bed next to me. "How did the hunt go? You must have returned late huh?" Will asked us. I could see his gaze searching for injuries or any sign that needed his attendance or an iratze.

"It went well actually. We found a Deumas demon" James spoke and then my father looked at me.

"And? What happened?" Will asked us, I could sense his enthusiasm.

"Well at first I was up the building watching Matthew and James. And they struggled a bit, so I thought I would step in." I smiled proudly and felt James' eyes on me.

"Yes, Lina stepped in and saved Math's ass..." James spoke and our mom stepped in.

"James! Language." She noticed and allowed him to keep going.

"She used the whip and injured it and lured it away from Math but then it cornered her and thankfully Thomas was there and assisted Lina." James continued and smiled at me.

"James recovered from the hit and he tried to kill it at first but then he had a gash on the hand during this attempt so me and Thomas kept it in line when my bright twin came slashed it and filled us with ichor and blood." I finished the story.

"And then we stayed at Devil's Tavern for a drink." James spoke up and looked at me.

"Or eight?" I lied with a giggle.

"Eight? Linette!" My mother exclaimed and made a move to touch my forehead and I pulled myself from the way.

"I am fine mom, I do not have temperature or something. I was only a bit dizzy and Luce offered to brew some lemon balm with anice to sooth my stomach." I exclaimed. They knew I was uncomfortable with physical contact.

"I was with her as well. And so were the boys its really not big deal, or the first time it happens" James tried to cover for me but he earned an almost infuriated gaze from our father.

"Well it isn't that bad..." Lucie intervened.

"Well I was celebrating the demon victory. And then I got entinced by the drunks around me?" I smiled and my father shook his head. "I know I am a girl and I shouldn't- ." I started off and then saw my parents exchange a look.

"Lina... It is not that. Honestly I couldn't care less what each one of those pretentious Clave members has to say about me, my wife, my children or my parabatai. Both me and your mother have been through the gossiping and it doesn't real phase us, it never did. We just want you to be safe." My father spoke and carefully took my hand I exhaled as I realized I was still wearing gloves.

"I don't see you preaching my twin about these. But anyway, I see your points and your concerns." I spoke and gave him a light smile and removed my hand. If you'll excuse me. I must get prepared for breakfast." I excused myself to go to my room. I didn't know how I felt and suddenly I wasn't in the mood of socializing either. Even if it was with the Carstairs.

[thelikesoffinn]

I hate the ongoing hypocrisy sometimes.

Like, chaps. People. Beautiful butterflies.

You are allowed to turn straight characters gay bi ace or whatever you want in your fanwork. Go for all them Ronance, Harringrove, Drarry and Clizzy's.

You're allowed to turn them trans, you're allowed to have them in poly relationships. Into Herongraystrairs but want to write about Will becoming a woman? Totally fine! Ron x Hermione x Harry? Cool, go for it.

It's your imagination! Write that fantasy gay slash AU, draw that trans character fan art - it's all up to you!

But.

But.

That goes both ways.

So if someone really likes the thought of, let's say, Steve and Robin together, we can't go ahead and throw stones because Robin is canonically gay. She is, of course she is! Just like Steve is canonically straight and overly in love with stupid Nancy - doesn't mean Steddie fanfics are any less cute, right?

It's just fan work. It's for fun. It's for living out your fantasies. And that includes writing characters that are gay in a straight ship and vice versa.

You don't have to like it! But man, just let people live.

Jesus Christ.

[caterpillarinacave]

 Chapters: 1/1

Fandom: The Infernal Devices Series - Cassandra Clare Rating: Not Rated Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Charlotte Branwell/Henry Branwell Characters: Charlotte Branwell, Henry Branwell Additional Tags: Fairwell, Idiots in Love, Mutual Pining, Fluff, Christmas Fluff, Period-Typical Sexism, Author Is Sleep Deprived, No Beta We Die Like Thomas and Agatha, I'm too tired to even read this over before I post it so yee-haw everybody Summary:

She fell in love with him in the summer, though she didn't say it. And it turns out it's nice to be in love on Christmas; even if you don't say it.

 Or; Three Fairwell meetings pre-TID from Charlotte's point of view, and one from Henry's.

Happy Holidays everyone! My gift to you is 5k worth of Fairwell. 

[vwritesaus]

TSC WIP snippets pt. 1

this is a RATHER LONG POST sorry so i will put everything under the cut :>

to @faithfromanewperspective:

      ‘Is this Adelaide?’ Thomas asks in a high voice, his tone coloured with surprise. ‘I see no churches at all…’       ‘It’s just… sand,’ Alastair mutters by way of agreement. …       ‘Apologies for the intrusion,’ Thomas begins, grinning shyly, ‘but I think we’re lost.’       ‘Lost!’ The man bursts out into crowing laughter and slaps Thomas on the shoulder. Alastair winces from the force of the action and the sound echoing in the chamber. ‘Let me guess—you were bound for Adelaide?’       Thomas blinks. ‘How did you—?’       ‘You’ll be amazed how many Shadowhunters end up here instead of Adelaide,’ the man tells him. ‘I swear, ever since those Portals became popular, our travelling system has gone to the dogs! You can’t go wrong with a horse and carriage, or just a horse, but no—you simply must travel by Portal now. Extremely unreliable, I say.’

to my four lovely anons:

1—       When Thomas peers into the box, whatever remaining confusion was on his face vanishes. He stares blankly at the inside, his fingers frozen in place against the corners, and Alastair feels part of his stomach drop.              ‘Alastair… what is this?’ Thomas asks softly.        Alastair is grateful to find no disappointment or annoyance imbued in his voice—and then immediately chastises himself for thinking something so ridiculous in the first place. This is Thomas, the man who took his heart and holds it like it's precious and worthy and wanted. The man who saw past all the nastiness, the cold front Alastair had put up for so many years, and continued to love him regardless.       The man who Alastair wants to spend the rest of his life with, no matter the odds. So he clears his throat slightly, shaking away the anxiety, and says, ‘It’s my ring, Tom,’ as though he is merely commenting on the weather.       ‘I can see that,’ Thomas replies. He lifts his gaze and sets it on Alastair, his eyes glimmering with an emotion Alastair can’t quite put his finger on. ‘Why is it in a box?’

2—       ‘Your father won’t bite him,’ Sophie tells him, a shadow of an amused smile on her face. ‘I imagine he merely wants to get to know him better.’       Thomas shifts in his seat and glances once more at the open doorway Gideon and Alastair have just walked through.       ‘I know,’ he murmurs, ‘and for that, I’m so glad. Only, Alastair… I know he’s feeling nervous.’       ‘Whatever for, love?’       Smiling furtively, Thomas looks at his mother and says, ‘He wants to make a good impression. He’s very conscious of his—how did he put it? “Prickly personality”.’

3—       Charlotte came into this marriage with the sole belief that he’ll fall in love with her in time. That no matter how long it took, she would see it through for the rest of their lives. Because she loves him, and love withstands the test of time no matter how hard a situation becomes.       Now… now, she’s not so sure.       Perhaps it’s time to realise that Henry will never love her.But she loves him. She can’t deny that, and she never could. She loves him, and she’ll live with that knowledge until she draws her last breath. But she doesn’t know how much longer she can keep her true feelings behind an alabaster mask of indifference, or hide her face in the pillow when Henry looks at her for too long, or press down the flutters her heart does whenever he does something silly, or makes a breakthrough with an experiment, or merely smiles at her.       And yet, perhaps all she can do is break her heart fully and accept that, like her position at the London Institute, her marriage to Henry isn’t something that can last forever. That perhaps love can’t withstand the test of time, after all.       That not even five years of being together could have Henry fall in love with her.

4—       ‘There’s no need to panic,’ Thomas says softly. ‘I’m right here, aren’t I? You’re safe.’       There’s a beat of silence after Alastair sucks in a shuddering breath, during which he stares at Thomas with wild, terrified eyes. Then an odd flutter crosses his face, his expressive eyebrows dipping dangerously close to the middle of his forehead.       ‘I’m—I’m safe?’ he splutters. ‘You think… you think—? Oh you… you stupid man.’       He grabs Thomas by the shoulders, not giving the man a chance to feel anything except confusion, and shakes him violently.       ‘It’s not myself I’m worried about,’ Alastair croaks out. ‘It’s you.’

to @ibrushmyteeth-donttellanyone:

      ‘The point I wish to make,’ Alastair interrupts, ‘is that during that picnic, Fairchild and I had a rather… frank conversation.’       ‘About?’       ‘As far as I recall, it had something to do with an autumnal masquerade ball up in Cambridge which promises to have formal attire, a range of posh sorts, and an abundance of alcohol.’       Thomas blinks in astonishment. ‘Cambridge?’ he echoes.       ‘Quite,’ Alastair says in a sombre tone, and Thomas laughs. ‘Yet… I suppose it would be a different venture than our usual nightly strolls and patrols.’       ‘It would,’ Thomas replies with a nod.       ‘And it would be rather dire to attend such an occasion without Fairchild’s opulent outfits and charming personality, but it does bring forth the opportunity to be alone with each other without the need to entertain a third party.’       ‘I wholeheartedly concur with that statement.’       Alastair is about to say something else, but stops himself. He instead purses his lips and narrows his eyes at Thomas. Thomas merely stares back expectantly, trying his hardest to keep his expression neutral. He knows what’s about to happen, and grins inwardly when, like clockwork, Alastair visibly withers.        ‘Are you really waiting for me to ask?’ he states in exasperation.       A large smile overtakes Thomas’s face at the question, and he leans in until their noses are mere inches apart. He relishes how Alastair’s eyes widen at the sudden proximity—always so full of surprise whenever Thomas does this—and quickly kisses him before he can protest or say anything.       ‘You refer to waiting for my beloved to ask me to attend a masquerade ball with him in Cambridge, correct?’ Thomas lowers his voice until it’s the softest whisper and says with utmost severity, ‘If so, then yes, I am.’

and last, but certainly not least, to @drunkonimagination:

      ‘Welcome home.’ Pulling back slightly, Thomas kisses Alastair’s curved mouth and presses their foreheads together. ‘Goodness—Raziel, have I missed you.’       There’s a soft snort, and long fingers brush over Thomas’s shoulders. Alastair’s voice is light as he says, ‘Last I checked, Thomas, I am not Raziel. Have I been gone so long that you mistake me for an archangel?’       ‘Yes, mi amor,’ Thomas replies playfully, ‘you’ve been gone far too long. You must remind me exactly who you are, and it must be done now. Before it is too late and I forget who you are completely.’       Alastair laughs loudly, and is still laughing when Thomas presses fast kisses all over his face.

also yes you read that correctly, it does say "pt. 1". pt. 2 will be posted sometime this weekend, and it'll be snippets from the remaining chapters of dear christopher and ch2 of timeless, so stay tuned if you're interested!!! :D

[paraheronstairs]

my ao3, fanfiction.net and wattpad history are coming with me into the grave, respectfully

[latenuitrambles]

Are there any Jem girlies ( gender neutral) on tumblr idk why I started having some major TID brainrot and kinda wanna write some drabbles about Jem and will and honestly the whole cast. I love them <3. so if anyone wants to request!!! please do

[bytheangell]

What Matters

(Read on AO3, written for @malecdiscordserver By The Angel Bingo prompt: Royalty AU)

Tessa steps into the room, looking at the two men in front of her with so much fondness she knows it must be taking over every feature on her face. Thankfully, they’re too wrapped up in their own little worlds to notice her arrival. William and James are enjoying one another’s company in the drawing room, with Jem playing the violin softly and Will drifting in and out of near-sleep as he does, eyelids closing and opening with languid movements. These are the moments Tessa cherishes - the ones where the two of them are alone, or at least alone with her, and able to exist in one another’s presence in whatever intimate moments they choose. Sometimes it’s a warm embrace, and sometimes those moments also include Tessa, but other times it’s simply this - simply existing.

Jem’s playing comes to a stop, or at least a prolonged pause between pieces, and it’s only then that the two boys notice her arrival.

“Tess, my dear, how long have you been standing there?” Jem asks.

“Long enough to watch Will nearly fall asleep twice,” she replies with a small smile.

“I did not!” William replies indignantly, blinking the sleep away rapidly and doing his best to stifle the immediate yawn that tries to escape his lips.

“You started snoring once before Tessa even arrived,” Jem points out.

“James! Whose side are you on?!” Will demands, eyes narrowing without any true seriousness.

“The side of truth,” Jem replies without missing a beat, placing his violin down gingerly before sweeping across the room to take Tessa in his arms.

Tessa beams at the sight, noting that he must be having a particularly good day in regards to his chronic illness because there’s no falter in his steps, no hesitation in his touch. She knows better than to question the gift of a good day, which come few and far between lately, and laughs along with the movement of him grabbing hold of her and spinning her two steps into the room where Will waits, standing now, hand outstretched to grab her own in the hand-off from Jem.

It’s always like this between the three of them. Even on the bad days, the energy and understanding between the trio comes with such ease that Tessa often wonders if it’s too good to be true. Yet day after day, it proves true. Day after day their arrangement plays out in the public eye to flawless perfection, and their private lives are left to be whatever they make of them.

It’s easy to look back and see all the ways things could’ve gone wrong, and truly appreciate the way they played out instead.

Tessa’s forever grateful to have found them, and even more thankful that they welcomed her into their private lives so easily. It was just for show, at the beginning. Will and Jem wished to be together, but Jem was the heir to a throne, and coming of age to take full control of the kingdom his parents left behind in the wake of their untimely deaths. It wouldn’t do to be a King without a Queen, and it absolutely wouldn’t do to be a King with another King. At first, Tessa agreed to simply be there for show. She’d live in the palace, of course, and walk hand-in-hand with Jem in public and show off their betrothal to the world with beaming smiles, but that was to be all. She was simply a cover for her two friends to be happy together.

Until she developed feelings for both Jem and Will, and they for her, the more time she spent with them. She wasn’t certain, at first. Not certain enough to say anything and risk, well, everything. Not just everything between herself and Jem and herself and Will but between the two of them as well.

They were all uncertain, all afraid that acknowledging the truth of what their friendships were evolving into would ruin the already delicate balance of their situation, but after a time it became undeniable. It was obvious enough in the way they acted around each other that Will cared for Tessa, as did Jem, a love that was wildly different in some ways, but strikingly similar in so many others. But the care was there, underlying in every action, every word, and when they finally broached the subject it was obvious that Tessa was more important to both of them than a simple public face.

The evening they finally addressed the growing emotions between the three of them was a long, draining, but ultimately cathartic night for all of them, and it ended with an agreement: to at least give it a try. The ‘it’ in question being allowing themselves the chance to see if something, if anything, between the three of them could work. They were still worried, not that they had any reason to be - of course it would work, it already was working.

Almost nothing in their dynamics changed, with the exception of Tessa now sharing in some of the lingering touches, and then kisses, and then more. At the beginning it was always separated - Tessa would be with Will while Jem was off, or with Jem while Will had other engagements, and sometimes the two boys would go off on their own for hours before Tessa saw them again. But when they were together it was as if nothing changed. Everything simply became more, became better because there was no more hiding of smiles or longing glances or loving remarks.

Once the three of them became fully themselves, what already came so easily between them now felt as second-nature as breathing.

So when things evolved into the three of them becoming more intimate all together, not a single one of them seemed surprised by what was, at that point, a natural evolution.

Of course, prying eyes would not see things the same way. Tessa often imagined the scandal they would cause if anyone ever found out. Sometimes they ran through ‘what-if’ scenarios, partially out of excessive caution, more often because Will always finds a perverse pleasure out of imagining the faces of the other royals should the truth ever surface.

Tessa wouldn’t mind people knowing, of course, but there’s a particular sense of peace they hold now that she would sorely miss should it ever be lost.

“What’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours, Tessa?” Will asks.

“Oh, nothing,” she says, shrugging off the thoughts. “Just wondering if I may also be graced with a Jem Carstairs composition tonight. I do love a good lullabye,” she adds with a wink, causing Jem to laugh and Will to exclaim indignation once more.

So long as she never loses this, never loses them, nothing else matters.

[saintgoths]

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜱɪx

CHAPTER SIX - THE KING.

WORDS - 6,021.

RATING - 18+. [Self-harm, slut-shaming, dry-humping and kissing]

SUMMARY - as Charlotte and Henry leave for the De Quincey mission, the rest along with Nate stay in the institute guarding the place. Unaware that during the absence of their leaders, secrets and lust are revealed.

"I never walk about after dark, It's my point of view, 'Cause someone could break your neck, Coming up behind you, Always coming and you'd never have a clue, I never look behind all the time, I will wait forever, Always looking straight, Thinking, counting all the hours you wait." - Oblivion by Grimes.

feedback would be appreciated! and i would like to say, this story is a will romance story, but i just want you to be aware that serena is a man-eater...

i also cross-post this fic on wattpad and ao3.

previous chapter - chapter five.

“Dear Lady Evaline,

I miss home, I miss you and I miss my family. The people in the London Institute are kind but they still do not fill the hole that was violently taken from me. I want to go back home, to Venus; I want to go to the ruins of where I used to live, and I want to bury my family the Venusian way.

I am honoured that the Great Families of Venus have moved to the Mortal Realm for me, but it’s not the same, London cannot capture the beauty of Venus and the more I stay away from it the more I feel like I am losing myself and my identity.

Mr. Sapphire has brought me a gift, two, a necklace and the very book of Aphrodite, I have not opened it yet, as for I am anxious, I want to discuss it with you Lady Sapphire---”

��Serena?”

Confused, Serena had turned around. It had been Will who stood under her doorframe, he had a unfamiliar look on his face, one that had many layers, a look that seemed to want to understand her, question her and even find her suspicious. The Venrosa woman had wondered if he had knocked, but he hadn’t given her too much time to think as he began to question her.

“What are you?”

Serena frowned as she gripped the head of her chair. “I didn’t allow you in,” she said and with a quick twisted look on his face Will closed the door behind him.

“I don’t care,” Will responded rudely. “What are you? Tessa said you healed her. You can do the same for Jem, can’t you? Get up.”

Stubborn, Serena crossed her arms as she looked him up and down. “Not with that tone I’m not,” she spat as she rudely pulled a face, aware that Will had almost been shaking out of desperation, the Herondale man dropped his shoulders, clasped his hands together as he walked towards her.

“Serena,” he pleaded. “Please, Jem needs you,” he gently cried out and with her lips sealed, Serena eventually got to her feet, she hadn’t looked back at her letter but reminded herself to resume writing it when she returned from Jem’s room.

Without looking at him, Serena had walked past Will as she aimed to step out of her bedroom, quickly, he had followed her and easily caught up beside her. “I’m not doing this for you,” Serena said as she closed her bedroom door. “Take me to his room.”

“Right,” Will muttered as he led Serena on the pathway to Jem’s chambers. The beginning of the walk had been quiet, Serena had barely looked at him whenever they turned every corner and walked up a step, but there had been a curiosity that had bubbled in Will’s stomach, questions he had wanted answers to, almost each second, Will had flared his fingers as he gathered the confidence to ask. “What did Lyonel want with you?”

With a frown, Serena finally looked at him. “It has nothing to do with you.”

Annoyed, Will held back the need to groan. “Lyonel barely comes here.”

“He wanted to give me something,” Serena said as she focused her gaze forward.

Interested, Will cocked the right of his eyebrow. “Like the book that was on your bed?”

Silent, Serena’s nails dug into her palms, her silence leaving Will in the dark who had clenched his jaw as the two of them arrived to Jem’s room, the Herondale boy pushed the door open. Tessa had been with Jem, and by the way Jem had swayed to the side to see who had accompanied Will, a short smile had stretched against his pale face once he had realised it was Serena. Tessa who had appeared apologetic turned to look at Serena. “I had to tell them---”

“I understand,” Serena whispered and relieved, Tessa had taken a step to the side to allow Serena to pass. She would rather not have Serena not trust her, but she had to take the chances of Serena being able to help Jem.

“So, are you a healing warlock?” Jem had questioned as Serena had sat on a stool beside his bed.

“No,” Serena replied. “This is just one of my abilities,” Serena tightly explained as purple chaos flickered around her hands. They had all watched and listened, a soft ooze noise spread from Serena’s hands and through the entire room, the sound new to the rest, couldn’t help but feel that the noise had somewhat had a calming essence to it.

Intrigued, Jem had watched how the colours swirled around her hands, the purple had a few pink dots in it as it danced around her hands and curled around her fingers. “It looks beautiful,” Jem had complimented, the picture of the chaos having him forget about Will and Tessa who had been behind Serena, both of them compelled by the magic. “Is it magic?”

“More like chaos,” Serena shrugged as she gently moved her hand to Jem’s body, she hadn’t said it, but he had looked terrible. There was still beauty within him but he had looked drained, as if the next breath he was about to take was about to be his last. Focused, Serena had pushed her magic into him and the sensation for Jem had felt like wind passing through him.

He gently gasped at the new feeling; his eyes wide for a second fore they relaxed. “It feels good,” Jem whispered as he softly stood up, his short motion had Tess and Will shortly snap to their feet but Jem had gestured that he was okay.

“I don’t know if this will heal your condition, what you have in you…” Serena whispered, eyebrows furrowed as she concentrated on the movement in his body. “Feels different,” Serena said her sentence had caused Jem and Will to share a sharp look.

“He does look better,” Tessa muttered as she quickly glanced at Will who had briefly shared the same excitement as her. “If it wasn’t for me, you never would have been hurt.”

“Hurt,” Jem spoke the word on an exhale of breath, almost with disgust. “I wasn’t hurt.”

“James,” Will’s tone held a warning note.

“She should know, the both of them should know, William. Otherwise, Tessa will think this was all her fault and Serena would probably wonder why her healing powers aren’t fully working on me---my apologies, I do feel better,” he smiled.

“You were ill,” Will said, not taking his eyes of Jem as he spoke. “It’s nobody’s fault,” he paused, Serena had then let go of Jem, clasped her hands and pulled them to her lap.

Jem had foretold the story, how a demon called Yanluo killed his parents, a demon that held a grudge against his mother, and how the Shanghai Institute was slaughtered by Demons, and how Jem was tortured by them in front of his parents, entities that had injected him with poison, the man had then explained the pain it had brought him.

Jem had then spoke about his sickness, had explained how Mortmain likely made money due to trading Opium, a drug people could easily get addicted to. “In Chinese, we call it foreign mud or black smoke,” Jem had explained his city wouldn’t have existed without it, and empathetic, Serena had remained silent, listened to how he despised people who would do anything to get their hands on it, had thought of them to be weak, but once he had said that, there was a silence.

Serena had learned that drug had meant of a slow death, thus the name. The Silent Brothers, who were the weird men Serena had saw a couple of hours ago attempted to heal Jem’s body when he found, they had experimented on him, for weeks until they understood that there was nothing, nothing they could do to heal him.

The only way Jem could survive was to continuously take the drug until he died.

Serena gently sucked in her teeth; eyebrows furrowed as her hazel eyes wobbled. “I’m so sorry,” Serena had whispered and with a gentle smile, Jem had turned to look at the girl.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” he consoled and as she fiddled with her fingers, Serena returned his kind smile, if only Jem had realised what he had done telling Serena this, Serena who would now put her entire focus on him, the guilt of not being able to save her family, sharply projected onto him.

♡⊹˚₊ ❦ ❀ ₊˚⊹♡

Serena had lost count to what number this attempt to paint her family was. The Book of Aphrodite had still remained unopened and the faces of her family had remained unidentifiable. Serena had grimaced, she put the paint-brush down and moved away from her canvas, her footsteps light but the woman had still felt that she had used every muscle in her body to move herself.

She had given her letter to Thomas, Thomas who would send it to the post office, while Serena would wait for Lady Evaline to return to her apartment and read it.

She sighed; Serena leaned against the chair she had sat on. She had missed her room, though she had been grateful that Charlotte had given her a roof over her head, the room she was in missed the touches of her mother. Her mother loved to design not only clothes but homes, it was Serena who had given her mother Selene the visual she’d want for her room and in a matter of days her mother would bring her style into life.

She needed a drink.

To help her with everything, her thoughts, her sadness and her creativity. Thus, she had planned to go to Myrtle and Doves.

In a matter of minutes, Serena had dressed herself, hated the way Mortal Realm clothing had looked on her, but somehow, it was garment people liked.

Once she closed the door behind her, she had walked down the corridor, her senses aware that someone had walked down the same path as her, her orbs then adjusted onto Tessa who had walked the path of her brother’s room, Nate.

“You look pretty,” Tessa smiled as her steps became slower. “Where are you going?”

“For a walk,” Serena muttered as she passed by her.

“A lady shouldn’t be going out this time, especially alone,” Tessa forwardly stated and as kickback, Serena stopped walking.

She turned around with a sharp smile that silently told Tessa she had provoked her. “I’m not an ordinary lady, I’ll be able to protect myself,” Serena stated.

“So, what are you?” Tessa questioned as she looked at her. She had tried to find out about Serena in the library, read books of Supernatural creatures that were similar to what Serena had been, though, the closest she’d ever got to was Serena being a Warlock.

It frustrated Tessa, because Serena said she was no Warlock, and her argument seemed to be strong as Tessa had tried to compare her to other Warlocks, Serena had no mark. Though, the Gray woman had considered if she examined the rest of her body, one would be there.

With a knowing look, Serena turned on her feet. “I’ll see you later,” Serena bid with a sigh, leaving Tessa in the corridors alone to return to her brother.

Within minutes of making her way to the pub, Serena had taken in how empty the streets had been. Still, she had walked, aware that there had been an essence that had slowly revealed itself to her. So, Serena had halted. “Come out,” Serena commanded and within seconds, a woman had crept out of the darkness.

She was a Vampire.

Red-haired woman, pretty green eyes that reminded Serena of a lake, slim figure and was medium-height, the woman was beautiful, with her curly locks that framed her hair, Serena had learned that women of this time normally wore their hair high due to class. Serena had thought that was stupid.

When the woman had spoken, Serena had briefly focused on the beauty spot above the left side of her lip. She had an accent different to what she had normally heard presently. However, Serena quickly understood that the accent was Russian. “Venusian Spirits…” the woman had whispered with thirst. “It is true, your bloods smell so sweet,” she desperately breathed.

Eyebrows furrowed; Serena’s eyes sharpened at the Vampire. “Just as poisonous to Vampires as sweet,” she clarified and taken back, the red-haired Vampire’s hunter face softened as she bowed to Serena.

“My apologies,” the woman said, but Serena wasn’t sure if she had genuinely been apologetic. “Angelika Ovechkin,” she introduced, and when she stood up straight, she focused on Serena, took her in, shadowed every detail of the Venusian’s body, pleased that she had been one of the first Downworlders in the Mortal Realm to have a clearer look. “There’s been whispers about a Venusian Spirit here, should’ve noticed by the repeating symbols.”

Confused, Serena’s face twisted into a curious expression. “Symbols?” She lightly repeated.

Just as confused but for Serena’s lack of knowledge, Angelika took a step forward, her move swift almost as if she floated. “You don’t know?” Angelika asked. “Whenever a Venusian Spirit appears in the Mortal Realm, Aphrodite’s Symbols appear more, like roses growing everywhere, especially places they do not belong, an excessive number of Swans and Peacocks appear more often.”

“Oh,” Serena said in a tone of inquisitiveness, though, quick, Serena had fixed her sight onto Angelika. “What do you want with me?” The dark-haired woman asked, hand under the cloak she had pulled on fore she left the Institute, underneath her cloak had been her right hand that gently flickered her Chaos powers, ready to defend herself if she needed to.

“Ah,” Angelika said once she had remembered what she had wanted Serena for. Quick, she had retrieved a card she had then given to Serena, unsure, the girl had taken the card from her and read it.

It was an invitation to a party tomorrow. “When word gets out that a Venusian Spirit is coming to my party every Downworlder is going to be there,” Angelika smiled, her eyes bright as the idea of Serena agreeing to come sparkled in her eyes.

Though, without giving Serena the time to respond, Angelika had disappeared the moment Serena looked up from the greeting card, leaving her alone in the streets.

♡⊹˚₊ ❦ ❀ ₊˚⊹♡

Serena had been surprised that the Institute had been so noisy when she returned, the second she stepped through the doors she was surprised by the quick feet that had ran past her, confused, Serena closed the door behind her as she had attempted to take in what the ruckus has been about, and when she focused, the name Nate was thrown around multiple times, and the young lady quickly realised that Nate had gone missing.

Will had been the next person to walk by her, and once he realised that Serena had returned to the Institute, his eyes sharpened. With Nate’s disappearance, Will almost thought Serena had left until Tessa told him she went out for a walk.

“And where have you been?” Will poked. “Of course,” he said before Serena could answer for herself. “Drinking yourself to death.”

With a scoff, Serena looked him up and down. “You’re one to talk,” she snapped as she had then focused on Thomas who had quickly walked towards them.

“They found Nate,” Thomas said and with a thankful smile, Serena beckoned her head at him, both Will and Serena had commenced to follow Thomas to where Nate was. “He was in the drawing room, behind the curtains,” he explained and confused, Serena furrowed her eyebrows as she pondered how did he find himself behind there. “Minute he saw me, he went right off his chump. Started screamin’ and yellin’. Tried to bolt right past me, an’ I nearly had to give him one over the gash to keep him quiet.”

When they arrived to the drawing room, Thomas pushed the door open, there was Nate, with Tessa beside him. “Miss Gray, Master Will and Lady Serena is---”

“Master Will is right here,” said Will, ducking nimbly around Thomas, despite the other boy’s bulk. “Our wanderer found at last,” he said, unaware that Nate’s entire gaze was fixed on Serena, who had been uncomfortable while scratched her elbow and looked away from him. “Thomas tells me you were hiding behind the curtains?”

Offended, Nate finally looked away from Serena. Tessa who had noted the exchange the two of them had nervously bit her lower lip. “Who are you?” Nate said as he looked at Will dully.

Quickly, Tessa introduced both Serena and Will to Nate, though, neither of the boys seemed all that happy to meet the other, and Serena awkwardly brushed off the quick looks Nate would give her. “So, are you a Shadowhunter like the others?” Nate questioned and stiffly, Serena shook her head.

“No, I just have the sight,” Serena responded and in disbelief, Will glanced at her.

“For the moment can the both Nate and I have space?” Tessa questioned and quickly, Serena left the drawing room, without saying a word to Tessa, Will followed Serena.

In the corridor, the both of them walked, Serena ahead of the Herondale boy who she could feel examine every inch of her body. “You reek of alcohol,” Will said and on the defence, Serena turned to look at him, her eyes wide as she thought of what to say to explain herself. “You’re harming yourself.”

Serena’s face immediately twisted. “I cannot be harmed---”

“It appears like you’re trying to,” Will scolded, his usual playful eyes harsh. “I know when someone is trying to self-harm, I’m the self-claimed King of it.”

“It’s just not that,” Serena frowned and confused, Wil tilted his head.

“Then what is it?” Will pushed. His hands now in his pockets as he stared down at her. “You barely tell us anything of yourself, while living under our roof. You lie what you are to Nate---:

Serena had then rudely scoffed; Serena was sure that Will did in-fact not care about her lying to Tessa’s brother. “Nate will be okay not knowing what I am. It’s just you---you want to know everything about me!” Serena snapped heated, aware that Will usually got a rise from seeing people upset, she held her tongue.

“Maybe that’s true,” Will said, his voice no longer harsh and spiked with fire. Serena looked away from him. “I can keep your secret, Serena.”

Dubious, Serena’s nails gently raked against her palms, with the side of her eyes, Serena’s eyes returned to look at Will, Will who usually had a smug look on his face. Who usually had a look that revealed when he was about to make fun of someone, had looked different this time, his expression had been distinctive. Serious but soft as he stared at Serena.

He had always thought her eyes to be very pretty. In truth, they’ve known each other than less than a month, and Will who had believed that it was his eyes that were normally deemed to be the most beautiful others had looked down upon, had believed had been exceeded the magnificence of Serena’s.

“I don’t trust men like you,” Serena truthfully said as she finally looked at him face to face, and when her face finally levelled with his, Serena had immediately saw his usual bright eyes that immediately became duller.

Will hadn’t thought a sentence like that would offend him. People usually said rude things to him, but the more he had stood around Serena, spoke to her. He had been revealed to a side of him that yearned for her acceptance, her validation, thus, Will frowned. “You don’t trust men like me while you busy yourself with men like Davidson?” He questioned as if he had been in disbelief.

“They look down on me for being around you,” Serena said.

Will had frowned even more. “They?” He repeated, his tone of voice had demanded Serena to explain more.

Though, before the Venrosa woman could say anything, quick footsteps interrupted their conversation, Serena sensed it to be Jem, so she had looked to the side, prepared to heal him if he had asked. “Will…” Jem greeted before he had looked at Serena. “Serena,” he smiled. “Charlotte wants to talk to everyone.”

♡⊹˚₊ ❦ ❀ ₊˚⊹♡

For minutes, Serena had sat down through countless of talking, Nate had spoken about his situation with De Quincey and his gambling addiction. Serena sat through Nate’s tale of how De Quincey despises Shadowhunters, not like she cared.

They had spoken about Mortmain, Tessa’s mother and diary pages, and as much as Serena had wanted to be interactive, she couldn’t help but think of what Will had said. How she was intentionally harming herself. Serena had known that she was drinking to numb her pain, but she hadn’t realised, she had drunk so often that if she were a mere mortal she would’ve---

“Well, Charlotte has gone to notify the Enclave,” Tessa said, her voice had snapped Serena out of her day-dreaming.

Serena frowned; how much did she miss?

“That’s all the rest of London’s Shadowhunters---of the location of De Quincey’s hideaway, so they can plan an attack,” said Tessa. “But really Nate, you shouldn’t be worrying about these things. You should be resting.”

“So, it’ll just be us,” Nate’s eyes were closed. “In this big old place. Seems strange.”

“Oh, Will and Jem won’t be going with them,” said Jessamine. “I heard her talking to them in the weapons room when I went to get the blanket.”

Nate’s eyes opened. “They won’t?” He sounded astonished; Serena frowned. “Why not?”

“They’re too young,” said Jessamine. “Shadowhunters are considered adults at eighteen, and for this kind of undertaking----something dangerous that the whole Enclave is participating in---they tend to leave the younger ones at home.”

Serena had looked at Tessa who seemed to be relieved. Bored, Serena looked at her fingernails, Thomas had walked in during their conversation, he had carried a stack of folded clothes that he passed onto Nate who thanked him.

“I’ll ask Agatha to prepare something light, and perhaps a game of cards to keep us occupied after we eat. Sandwiches and tea, I think---Serena join us!” Jessamine suggested and returned back to reality, Serena sat up on her seat and turned to Jessamine, they had all looked at her, Tessa, Nate and Jessamine, as if they were a crowd of curious owls. However, Tessa seemed less likely to join the game. “Won’t that be fun?” She asked while Nate and Thomas exited the room with the clothing.

“Sure,” Serena agreed as she pulled herself closer towards the blonde woman.

“Cards?” Tessa, who had been shocked nearly speechless by Jessamine’s suggestion and Serena’s contribution. “You think we ought to play cards? While Henry and Charlotte are off fighting de Quincey?”

Jessamine tossed her head. “As if our moping around would help them! I’m sure they’d rather we were cheerful and active in their absence rather than idle and morose.”

Tessa frowned. “I really don’t think,” she said, “that suggesting cards to Nate was a kind idea, Jessamine. You know perfectly well he has…trouble…with gambling.”

“We’re not going to gamble,” Jessamine said airily. “Just a friendly game of cards. Really, Tessa, must you be such a wet blanket?”

“Wet blanket?” Tessa repeated out of confusion.

Serena turned to Tessa to explain. “A wet blanket means that you’re not fun.”

Tessa had then glared at Jessamine. “I know you’re only trying to keep Nate happy. But this isn’t the way---”

“And I supposed you’ve mastered the art of winning men’s affection?” Jessamine snapped, Serena raised the both of her eyebrows, she had thought, if they had actually wanted to know how to win men over, they ought to ask her. “You think I haven’t seen you looking at Will with puppy-dog eyes?”

Serena bit her tongue.

“As if he were even---he strips Serena naked with his eyes to even care about you! Oh!” She threw up her hands as Tessa avoided Serena’s look. “Never mind. You make me---"

“This shouldn’t be something we’re arguing about,” Serena frowned in distaste to how Jessamine treated Tessa.

Rudely, Jessamine turned to look at Serena. “And I’ve heard about you!” She rudely pointed, surprised, Serena pointed towards herself. “Don’t even try and get your sticky hands-on Nate and make him impure like you!”

Serena gasped at Jessamine’s sentence, enraged, the woman stood up on her feet and sharply slapped Jessamine. There was a pinching silence as Jessamine held her face. Tessa looked between Serena and Jessamine, silent and surprised on what had just happened, Serena had then gripped her hand before she pulled it back to her side.

“Don’t give me ideas,” she warned Jessamine as she rudely looked at her. Heated, Serena stormed out of the Drawing Room with Tessa behind her.

Tessa was unsure if Serena had wanted anyone to speak to her, so she scrambled towards her own room leaving Serena alone, but the Venrosa woman followed after Tessa. Not only did Serena slap Jessamine for what she had said to Serena, she had also slapped Jessamine for her rudeness towards Tessa.

Tessa had allowed Serena in, the Gray woman had splashed water on her face fore she untangled her hair with a hairbrush. Serena had barely taken in Tessa’s room; it had been plain compared to Serena’s room or even Jessamine’s.

“Are you okay?” Serena asked, hands clasped together she had sat on Tessa’s bed.

“I’m fine,” Tessa muttered, unaware with how much she sounded like she had disregarded Serena’s question, though, Serena did not take it to offence. “A thing inside of me is telling me that Jessamine deserved that slap.”

“She did deserve it. She’s rude to you all the time, it was bound to happen,” Serena explained and by her own surprise, Tessa sourly laughed.

Though, Tessa had wanted to ask Serena what Jessamine had meant. “What did she mean by that?” Tessa curiously questioned; she had wondered how innocent she appeared to the rest of them. “Jessamine calling you sticky hands, what does that mean?”

Awkward, Serena had smiled at Tessa, she had contemplated on how she should explain it to Tessa, and if she did, Serena had wondered if Tessa would not want Nate around her, as she had noted that she was very protective over her brother. “Serena!” She had heard Will call, and confused the darker-haired woman pulled herself to her feet.

“I’ll be seeing you,” Serena promised, and without hearing Tessa speak, Serena left Tessa’s bedroom. There had been a frown on her face the moment she saw Will standing beside Tessa’s door frame. “Step away from the room,” Serena instructed and obedient, he did, which had surprised Serena, however, the smug look on her face made Serena realise that he knew about the slap.

“I never took you for a violent princess,” he said with a playful voice and Serena crossed her arms as she looked at him with disgust.

“Never call me that again,” she commanded and with a chuckle, Will leaned against the wooden walls with his hands stuck into his pockets.

“I wish I saw that,” Will said, his eyes brighter than what she had saw a couple of hours ago.

Serena pulled her face back as Will continued to talk. “I like seeing that fiery side of you, it would’ve riled me up---”

Serena had then slapped his chest. “You are disgusting!” She spat, but Will grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to him. He had wanted to do everything to her, and Serena could see it, she had fought back and released herself from Will’s grasp before she scurried back to her room.

♡⊹˚₊ ❦ ❀ ₊˚⊹♡

It had been the next night, Serena had sat in front of her vanity mirror, prepared to leave to Angelika’s party. She had taken out one of her pretty dresses and had completed touch-ups on herself, if the party she was invited to wasn’t secret, she’d ask Sophie or Agatha to help her but they couldn’t know.

The only one who did was Thomas, as he was the one who was going to drive her there. At first, Thomas was unsure to go along, but Serena had promised that she’d return to the Institute safe. She had convinced Thomas to not stay at the destination.

When Serena had stepped out of the bedroom, she had walked into Will. He had looked beautiful; Serena had thought and she had caught the way he had looked at her. “Where are you going?” Will questioned but Serena had not responded and focused to walk by him.

Stubborn, Will caught her wrist. “Let go!” Serena frowned.

“Are you going to drink again?” Will questioned and embarrassed, Serena had shrugged him off.

“No,” she frowned and shook her head. “Not exactly.”

“Drinking is not the best way to mourn, I out of all people will know that,” Will shared and with a twisted face, Serena rubbed the area of her wrist Will once had in his grasp.

She looked him up and down, annoyed he never seemed to mind his business. “What do you know?” Serena rudely questioned and with a rude look, Will shoved his hands in his pockets.

“I know more than you would expect,” Will argued and with pressed lips, Serena had watched Will aim to hold her again.

She had let him. Allowed him to take her back into her bedroom. “I will be late,” Serena complained and with a gentle smile, Will released his free hand from the dents of his trousers.

“They will be okay with you being late, you’re too beautiful to be mad at,” he kindly shared and surprised, Serena had sat back on her bed.

“Who is this and what have you done with Will?” She investigated and with a laugh, Will had sat beside her. Serena looked at him and gently shuddered, this is the first time they have been close with each other without arguing. “Thomas is waiting for me.”

Will curved his eyes. “It’s quite annoying that Thomas,” Will frowned. “Gets to take you to these secret places and I don’t get to know or even come.”

“Well, I tell Thomas because he’s kind and handsome,” Serena said and taken aback, Will knitted his eyebrows.

He stuttered before he asked her. “Do you like…Thomas?” He questioned as he waited for Serena’s response.

“No,” Serena said as she held back her smirk. She had saw the twinkle of jealousy that danced in his eyes. “I’m just stating the facts.”

Will hummed in response as he gently pulled away from her. “You don’t think I’m kind and handsome?” He innocently questioned and Serena stared at him, aware that he had been playing, though she had still spoke to the truth.

“I do think you’re handsome,” Serena shortly clarified, she had thought he was pretty even. “But kind?” She rhetorically questioned and cheekily, Will slid his hand towards hers, she hadn’t done anything to pull away from him, Will had then laughed at her response, aware that there had been a soft grip around her fingers.

“You’ve been drinking every day,” he had brought up again and with her lips gently pinched, Serena sighed through her nose.

She had then accepted that he will never drop it. “Why do you care?”

“Sometimes I hear you cry,” Will said and tense, Serena gently flared her nose. “You cry out for your family…your family died. Do you think it was all your fault?”

Suddenly, everything felt heavy and Serena looked away. “It was,” she said as if it was a fact.

“I know what that feels like,” Will kindly shared, he had then urged her to look back at him. His pretty eyes and calm face, Serena couldn’t help but stare at him, she understood why Tessa felt at such awe whenever she saw him. “I had an older sister Ella,” Will introduced. “She was a warrior, she was…I was attacked by a demon that I released from a Pyxis. She went to protect me and ended up getting poisoned by the demon…” he trailed, his last word almost a whisper, it was as if he had wanted to say something else, but couldn’t.

With empathetic eyes, Serena had saw an emotion in Will she had barely saw, guilt.

“I’m so sorry Will,” she gently apologised, and when the Herondale boy returned to gaze at Serena, there had been a look of encouragement in his eyes, to push her to explain her story. Serena hesitated, but she could feel the way his thumb circled around her knuckles. “What I am, I’m special,” Serena said. “There are people who hunt people like me,” she explained and with anticipation, Will held her hand tighter, aware she had used her strength to not cry.

“The people who tried to hunt me burnt my home, in attempt to find me, but I wasn’t there. I wasn’t there to protect them I---”

Will hugged her, allowed Serena to gently cry against him. “I couldn’t stand not knowing you,” Will said as he hugged her tighter, as if he was afraid that she’ll slip from his grasp, Will inhaled her scent, infatuated by her presence, her story. “I dream of you every night, of you happy, when you’re crying, I cannot bare seeing you upset, Serena.”

Serena had not been aware with how intense Will had felt. “I want to fix it,” he whispered and with her hands against his chest, welcoming his warmth through her palms, Serena shook her head.

“You cannot fix it,” Serena foretold as she pulled away from him. Hands clasped around her face, Will moved his fingers to wipe her tears, wiped them as if someone were to wipe a blurred window. He looked at her, captivated by her essence, if she saw the way she’d look, as if she had been a Siren pulled out of the water, eyes mesmerising, lips soft and pretty. Will could feel his heart want to explode.

He had made her feel things intensely, and he had kept it for too long for his own sake. “I feel silly,” Serena pouted, and Will’s eyes softened. “Making a girl cry?” Serena claimed at Will who had then smiled, his hands still around her face, Will pulled himself closer.

“You’re not just a girl, are you?” Will asked and he stared at her, thus, he had wondered how silly he had looked. As if he were a lone man facing a giant Goddess ready to be claimed by her. “Serena,” he had whispered, not to call her, but to say her name. “Serena,” he repeated again, reminding himself of the times he’d touch himself in thought of her, how he’d cry out her name as he’d reach his bliss, how he’d curl his back and buck his hips again, and again, and again. This woman was compelling. He had wondered how she would feel, how she would taste. “Serena,” he said again before he kissed her, and he gently moaned. It just as he had thought, she had tasted, good.

Shocked, Serena had gasped into his mouth, but had kissed back. Eyes closed as Will leaned her against the bed, he wondered if Serena could feel him, how he had ached to rock against her. He had wanted her so badly, wanted Serena to himself, so he had continued to kiss her, melt into her and yearn to rest his body inside of her.

Serena whined against his lips, she could feel him, and she wanted him so badly. So badly. “No,” she whispered as she had pushed him away, Serena quickly got to her feet. “I need to go,” she blurted before leaving her bedroom without looking back at him.

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