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julescarstairs · 3 years

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TDA Royalty AU: Part 4

The Ball: Part IV

Stupid skirts, Drusilla thought bitterly as she weaved her way through the cluttered garden outside the ballroom. Her ball gown certainly hadn’t been made for chasing a distressed prince between rose bushes and gardenias. Not, she thought as she ducked beneath a low hanging tree branch, that she had been planning on chasing a distressed prince between the rose bushes and gardenias. Dread had formed like a knot in the pit of her stomach at the fact that she would have to answer to both her older brothers once she returned to the ballroom – “Did he hurt you?” “Why were you chasing him?” “Who is he?” “Which Kingdom does he reside in?” “No, Dru, we won’t hurt him. We’re just going to have a little talk with him.” – but it was only a distant sensation, as if she were feeling it from the centre of a pile of cotton wool. She was worried about Ash. That was all she could feel, all she could think.

Ash had arrived to the royal ball with his father – His highness Jonathan Morgenstern – earlier in the evening, but he hadn’t really engaged with anyone. He had only spoken when his father spoke to him, and only curtly responded when he was asked questions by his Aunt, Clarissa Fairchild. He looked distinctly uncomfortable, and Drusilla had kept an eye on him as he moved among the guests right up until Julian had approached her.

“Are you alright?” he had asked her, his eyebrows furrowed with concern.

“I’m quite alright, thank you,” Drusilla looked up at him, nodding once. Tavvy, who stood beside her, was rubbing his eyes wearily. Soon after, a pair of younger children approached him – one with astonishingly blue skin – and Tavvy had disappeared with them into the crowd, clearly recognising them. Neither Dru nor Julian pursued him, because they knew that the guards posted around the room were also keeping a watchful eye on him.

Julian held out a hand to her, smiling softly. It was that smile she recalled seeing after many accidents, after many nightmares. It was that smile that told her everything was going to be alright, “Every Princess should have at least one dance. That includes you.”

Drusilla wasn’t interested in the offer. She didn’t exactly want her first dance with a Prince to be with her brother. Not that she didn’t appreciate his concern, of course. She shook her head, silently, but before she could speak, a commotion broke out by the banquet. When Dru and Julian turned to look, Emma was standing by a dark-haired Princess in a rose gold gown – it would have been a beautiful rose gold gown if custard tart filling hadn’t been splotched all over it. Emma was frowning, but anyone who knew her well knew that she was trying hard not to laugh. “Oh, goodness,” she said, “I am terribly sorry, Zara, but I am quite the butterfingers. Now, what were you saying about my family being non-existent?”

“Of course Zara would be the one to make a scene. I must make sure she isn’t invited next time,” Julian subconsciously pat Dru’s shoulder, his eyes fixed on the situation between Emma and Zara. His expression was stony, and slightly weary – sick of Zara’s nonsense, Dru assumed, “In the meanwhile, Dru, perhaps you should remove yourself from here. We don’t know who Zara will turn her words of fire on next.”

There was a satirical tone to his voice – as he disappeared into the crowd surrounding the banquet – that made Drusilla giggle behind her hand. Poking fun at Zara Dearborn had become something of an inside joke between the Blackthorn siblings, especially after each one of them had asked on separate occasions that she not be invited. Each of their requests had been denied on the account that ‘every royal was entitled to an invitation.’ Zara was entitled all right – and she knew it.

That was when Ash had approached her, his fair hair tinted gold under the ballroom chandelier. Oh, god, Dru thought nervously as he introduced himself and bowed at the hip. He had even reached for her hand to kiss it, and she had let him. She wondered why, since she wouldn’t have let any other Prince do so. Perhaps it was because he seemed to be about her age, and that made it more comfortable. He moved to stand beside her, his gaze fixed on her. He looked at her like he was looking at a precious gem. The thought made Dru flush. “What is your name, my fair maiden?” Ash asked, quirking an eyebrow.

“Drusilla,” Dru said, folding her hands in front of her, “But you may call me Dru.”

They had spoken for a while, of their favourite things and experiences. It had been quite lovely, of course, but it didn’t last. Sometime during Drusilla talking about her love for gothic fiction, Ash’s eyes had flown wide as he looked at her, as if she had just driven a dagger through the sternum of his heart. “Oh, Drusilla, no. I simply cannot do this to you,” he said hastily, raking his hands through his silvery hair, He fumbled for words, “You must understand, I just cannot bear to see you like this.” He abruptly turned on his heel, hurrying away from her.

What? Dru hurried after him, tripping on her skirts after a few paces. She hitched them up, having to run to keep up with his strides, “Ash, Ash wait! What do you mean?”

Everything had become a blur after that. She only distantly recalled running into Mark and two other royals. She only distantly recalled directing Mark to the commotion that had begun inside, between Zara and Emma. When her eyes focused in on a silhouette ducking and weaving through the garden, she had forgotten entirely about speaking to Mark at all. She set off running, almost tripping again on her skirts, and couldn’t help but let out a cry of anguish. Stupid, stupid SKIRTS.

Drusilla rounded another tree, and paused, hanging onto its low hanging bough. Ash sat at the base of it, facing the high wall that surrounded the Blackthorns’ Palace. He was staring up towards the sky, his green eyes luminous as he watched the clouds slide over the moon. They were the same green as the hills that lined the horizon.

“Ash?” Dru said softly, biting the inside of her cheek. She hoped he wouldn’t run off again; her feet were already aching in their heels. Ash was silent for a long time, and for a moment Drusilla thought he hadn’t heard her. She swallowed, taking a few steps closer to him. Her hand rested on the trunk of the tree, steadying herself. Leaves crunched beneath her shoes, “Ash—”

“Why did you follow me, Drusilla?” His voice made her name sound harmonious, “I told you I simply cannot be near you.”

“Oh? And why is that?” Dru crossed her arms across her chest, narrowing her eyes, “If you find me boring, you can just say so. No need to make a big, dramatic scene about it.”

“But that is not the case at all!” Ash looked at her now, his expression soft. His face was rounder than his father’s, but otherwise they looked almost uncanny. Same fair hair, same green eyes – though Ash’s ears were slightly pointed, which Dru assumed came from his mother. He made to reach for her, but then dropped his hand, “I quite enjoy your company, Drusilla. You make me smile.”

“I enjoy your company too—”

“And that is precisely the problem. You enjoy my company not because you want to but because you feel obligated to do so.”

This startled a laugh out of Drusilla, “What?”

Ash looked at her despairingly, as if he coming to terms with a terrible result. He pat the spot beside him, “Drusilla, come sit. Allow me to explain.” When Dru sat, he kept speaking, “When I was younger, I had a series of spells put upon me, by my mother, I think, which would make me an ideal leader. It would incite perfect loyalty from those who interacted with me, make me instantly likeable.”

Dru blinked, tilting her head to one side, “So you think I like you because of magic?”

“I do,” Ash said, looking at her sidelong, “I think everybody likes me just because of these ridiculous spells. It feels ingenuine, like nobody will ever like me for me. I seen it come over you, those spells, as I kissed your hand. And when you looked at me as you explained your favourite texts, I could see it in your eyes.”

“Ash…” Drusilla didn’t know what to say for a moment, “I wasn’t… entranced by you, when you kissed my hand. I was surprised. Nobody has ever done that for me. I am only thirteen, you know. I don’t go around getting my hand kissed by Princes every day.” Ash looked as if he had just been enlightened of something extraordinary. Dru pressed on, “Don’t you think, if I were under some spell, that I would be fussing over you like no tomorrow, instead of talking about my interests? I am passionate about the things I love. That isn’t something that’s shaped by some enchantment put on you whilst you were a baby.”

“Then—then what about how you chased me through the garden, Drusilla?” Ash demanded, his wondrous expression disappearing as quickly as it came, like a gate to his heart swinging shut, “Your dress is ruined because you chased me.”

“You confused me—I was worried about you. You looked like I’d just stabbed you!” Drusilla threw her hands up, “Ash, I am not here because of some stupid spell. You think my family would let some enchantment affect us in our own palace? That would be a major security breach, if we did.”

Ash blinked. “Oh,” he said, his pale cheeks flushing, “Oh. Of course.”

“Yes, Oh, you fool,” Dru rolled her eyes playfully, “And—to hell with the dress! The skirts were bothersome anyways. Are you done being melodramatic now? Let us go inside. I can show you to the library. It’s much nicer there.”

“Won’t your siblings dislike that?”

“They’re…” Drusilla thought of Julian, inside, dealing with the fracture of his carefully made plans, and frowned a bit, “Preoccupied. My brother asked me to stay out of the ballroom, nonetheless. Things are getting complicated.”

“Ah,” Ash looked troubled, “But my father…”

As if on cue, a voice carried over the garden, calling for Ash. Ash straightened, shooting to his feet in a matter of seconds, “Oh, Drusilla, there he is. It is time for me to go. Perhaps, next time I come, I will be able to share with you some of my favourite texts, too.”

“I would like that,” Dru said, standing, and he smiled at her. It was a dazzling smile, truly. She wondered why spells were necessary at all.

Prince Jonathan appeared suddenly, hanging onto the bough of the stumpy tree much like Dru had when she first arrived. He grinned at his son, a pretty smile, “There you are, Ash. Charming a Princess, I see,” he winked, and Ash groaned in protest at his father’s pestering, “Come along. I have some people I want you to meet.”

Ash moved to stand beside his father, and for a brief moment, Jonathan’s green gaze fixed on Dru. He was still smiling, politely, “Young Princess Drusilla. You should head back inside. It’s getting cold out, and I’m sure your family wouldn’t want you catching a chill.”

With that, the two fair headed royals disappeared, heading off towards the ballroom. Drusilla leant against the tree, pulling off her mask and letting it drop to the ground. She wasn’t sure how long it was after Ash left that she heard a crunch of leaves behind her, and she whirled. Ash? But no, it was a slight woman in a black dress. The dress had a pattern of red roses over it, and frayed out in frills as it flowed with it’s wearer’s movements.

“Princess Cristina,” Dru said, recognising her brother’s ball partner, “What are you doing all the way out here?”

Cristina smiled at her, reaching out and touching her cheek gently, “I am making sure you’re alright, Dru.”

“Did Mark send you?” Dru looked dubious.

“No, no,” Cristina shook her head, her dark hair flowing with the gesture, “Well- he wanted to come after you, but I was worried you were not alright, too.”

Dru nodded as thanks, and looked up at the high castle wall, unable to wipe the frown from her face. She heard Cristina move closer to her.

“May I see the library?” Cristina asked softly, patting her shoulder now, “Our library is quite small at home. I would like to see what volumes our library is missing.”

“Of course,” Dru said, ignoring the fact that Cristina had been eavesdropping on her and Ash’s conversation. It wasn’t a big deal, after all. With that, Dru lead Cristina inside, skirting the perimeter of the ballroom. As she headed for the hallway, she locked eyes with Ash in among the crowd in the ballroom. He smiled at her, again - a smile that spoke a thousand words, a smile that told her that he was her friend. With a final smile back, she disappeared into the hall.

Deep in her heart, Dru knew that she was not yet done with Ash, and - the more she thought about it - she didn’t want to be.

#the dark artifices #the shadowhunter chronicles #blackstairs #emma carstairs #julian blackthorn #mark blackthorn #cristina rosales #drusilla blackthorn #dru x ash #ash morgenstern #ashsilla #writing #morgenthorn

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booknerdzstuff · 4 years

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Shadowhunter Chronicles Characters Sorted Into Hogwart’s Houses

This is a comprehensive list of almost every major character in the Shadowhunter Chronicles and which hogwarts house we believe they belong in. Keep in mind that this just for fun and other opinions are allowed, as a matter of fact let us know if you disagree and tell us who and which house they should belong in. E: We would also like to take a moment and appreciate all of the good work the Sorting Hat has done, it’s a hard job.

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS

Jace Herondale: Gryffindor

Clary Fairchild: Hufflepuff

Magnus Bane: Slytherin

Isabelle Lightwood: Slytherin

Alec Lightwood: Ravenclaw

Sebastian Morgenstern: Slytherin

Simon Lewis: Ravenclaw

Raphael Santiago: Slytherin

THE INFERNAL DEVICES

Tessa Gray: Ravenclaw

Will Herondale: Gryffindor

Jem Carstairs: Hufflepuff

Gideon Lightwood: Ravenclaw

Gabriel Lightwood: Gryffindor

Sophia Collins: Hufflepuff

Nate Gray: Slytherin

Jessamine Lovelace: Ravenclaw

Axel Mortmain: Ravenclaw

THE DARK ARTIFICES

Julian Blackthorn: Slytherin

Emma Carstairs: Gryffindor

Kit Herondale: Hufflepuff

Ty Blackthorn: Ravenclaw

Christina Rosales: Hufflepuff

Mark Blackthorn: Gryffindor

Kieran Kingson: Slytherin

Dru Blackthorn: Slytherin

Tavvy Blackthorn: Ravenclaw (S: He’s too young to tell for sure.)

E: That’s all the major characters we could think of but let us know if we missed any that you would like for us to do !

S: Until next time, Ciao !

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kazledazzel · 4 years

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“Are you ready?” - Kitty (ask from @lucian-evander)

It was Rafael Lightwood Bane’s birthday, and Ty couldn’t understand why he was so nervous. He had done all he could to prepare. He had double checked everything. Nothing could have gone wrong. Tavvy, who was now nine years old and apparently responsible, had been given the task of making sure they remembered the present and card. Dru had written the card, making sure to include all their names (Ty, Dru and Tavvy) and had wrapped the present with coloured wrapping paper. Jules and Emma would be bringing a separate present, as would Helen, Aline, and baby Andrea. Ty was dressed in what seemed to be a suitable outfit; not too casual but no more formal than needed for a seven year olds birthday. Still, the root of his nerves was not something that could be fixed with good preparation. It still didn’t change the fact that he would be there.

Christopher Herondale would always be Kit to Ty Blackthorn. The two had built an unlikely friendship years ago, and for the first time since Ty had tried to raise Livvy and Kit had disappeared to England. The time in between had been like a limbo of going from weeks of not talking to long detailed letters. It took months for them to even send a postcard. It wasn't until Livvy had insisted Ty write Kit that they'd had any form of communication. At the time, Tiberius hadn't even know what he'd say to Kit. "Hello, I know we haven't spoken since I attempted necromancy and you confessed your love for me, but how's England? What's the weather like? Oh, by the way, I think I might love you back, but how are your parents?"

"It will be fine, Ty-Ty," Livvy said reassuringly as the Blackthorns recovered from the rush that came with portal travel and walked up the steps to Magnus and Alec’s loft. Even as a ghost, she could read Ty’s emotions without failure. She walked alongside Ty, though he was the only one that could see her. She seemed to float beside him, looking eerily beautiful in her white dress. She still looked fifteen, though if she hadn’t died she’d be seventeen. Ty would have been taller than her, except ghost Livvy found it funny to float just a few inches taller than him.

Ty didn’t reply to Livvy. The rest of his family couldn’t see her, and he wasn’t in the mood to alarm them. Tavvy skipped up the steps happily between Emma and Julian, looking smug with the present in his hands. Dru held back a little to stay beside Ty. Helen and Aline were still downstairs and in the process of calming their baby girl. Andrea, at nine months old, was not a fan of portal travel.

Magnus opened the door before the family even knocked. He beamed at them, playing the role of the party host very well. Ty hadn’t been surprised to hear that Magnus was throwing a birthday extravaganza for his seven year old. He had once heard a story of Magnus throwing a party for his cat, so one hoped that he loved his son as much.

It seemed he did, because as soon as he greeted the family he turned so that Ty could see the inside of the apartment. It looked as though a toy store had exploded inside of Magnus’ apartment. The ceiling had been magically raised so that a trampoline could fit inside, and Ty could have sworn he saw Isabelle Lightwood helping Max Lightwood Bane onto a pony.

Emma made a beeline for Jem and Mina while Tavvy raced to find the birthday boy.

“Don’t eat all of the chocolate or you’ll be sick!” Julian called, but Ty wasn’t sure if his call was directed at Emma or Tavvy. Dru entered the party and immediately found Kieran and Mark. Ty held back and Julian, being Julian, noticed.

“It’s okay, Ty,” Julian murmured so that none of the party guests would hear. Ty had told Julian about Kit eventually, and Jules had been more understanding that Ty had ever thought. Who knew Julian knew anything about love? “If it makes you feel any better, you don’t have to talk to him. I’m sure he’ll manage to keep occupied,”

“No, it’s okay,” Ty replied, shaking his head. He wanted to talk to Kit, no matter how much it scared him. He needed to talk to him after so long. He needed to know that there was still hope for them to have some sort of relationship, have it be romantic or simply as penpals. He just knew that his life was better with Kit in it. “I want to talk to him,”

Julian smiled. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,”

They entered the party.

It wasn’t like in the mundane movies, when the whole world seemed to go into slow-motion as the two love interests re-united after so long apart. In fact, it took Ty a minute or so to even spot Kit in the crowd of people. When he did, Kit wasn’t even looking at him.

Ty spotted him, standing by the snacks table and talking to Jace. Ty’s mouth went try, and for a moment Ty couldn’t remember a single word in the English language. Kit was laughing, his blue eyes like the pacific ocean. His hair was gold and he had somehow maintained a tan despite living in England. To Ty’s surprise, he was nearly as tall as Jace. He had gotten more muscular too, and there were marks on his arms.

Huh, Ty thought. So Watson decided to become a shadowhunter afterall.

Then they made eye contact, and Ty was pretty sure fireworks went off from inside him.

Jace was looking in between the two. He glanced at Kit, then at Ty, then back and forth a few times as if he were double checking what he was seeing. Then he smirked, whispered soemthing to Kit, and left to talk to his Parabatai. Kit was blushing.

Ty took a deep breath. He was going to be the one to make the first move. He walked over to Kit, overthinking every step, and stopped in front of him.

“Hi,” Ty said, trying to keep his voice from jumping up an octave. That was always a good place to start. Kit was looking at him as if his hair was on fire. Ty wondered if he’d ever say hello back.

“Hey,” Kit replied, and his obvious attempt to be cool could have made Ty laugh. It didn’t help that Livvy was floating behind Kit, giving Ty a grin and a thumbs up.

“Look Ty, I-,”

“You don’t have to apologise, Watson,” Ty interrupted. Then he realised he’d slipped up. He quickly worried that Kit wouldn’t appreciate Ty using his old nickname, or if he’d even remember their inside jokes. Then Kit gave a smile. It was a little weary and a slightly confused smile, but it was still a smile that gave Ty butterflies not in his hands but in his heart.

“I think I need to,” Kit said softly. Ty wasn’t the biggest lover of physical affection, but at that moment he would have loved to have reached out to Kit and put his arms around him. Out of respect for Kit’s comfort and personal space, he controlled himself and stayed put.

“No, Kit, really,” Ty insisted. “I get why you left. Everything with Livvy, and- I think I understand now,”

“That’s not what I need to apologise for,” Kit continued. Ty frowned a little. From behind Kit, Livvy was doing a poor job at pretending she wasn’t listening. “I- I said that I wished I’d never known you. That’s not true-,”

“Kit honestly it’s fine-,”

“No Ty, it’s not,” Kit’s voice was low. It was lower in a serious way, making Ty a little nervous. “Knowing you... I’m glad I know you, Tiberius Blackthorn,”

“Kit..,” Ty started, but the words died in his mouth. The he heard Magnus start to call everyone to gather around for the cake, and he panicked, worrying his chance to talk to Kit would be gone. Kit started to turn away.

Screw it, Ty thought. He took Kit’s wrist and turned him back around. No one would be watching; they would all be too distracted with singing happy birthday to Rafe.

Kit turned around and he and Ty collided. Ty had pulled him back around with the intention of speaking to him, but this was okay too.

There was only an inch or so height difference between them, and Ty was now discovering that this was the perfect height for kissing. They seemed to fit with each other in a way Ty didn’t know possible. He had seen how Helen and Aline were with each other, and Emma and Julian. He saw how in love they were and how the seemed so smitten for one another. He had wondered what that had felt like. He never imagined wanting to kiss someone. It had never been an urge. Not until now.

Luckily, Kit didn’t pull away. He kissed back with just as much power, making Ty shiver. What could have been a millisecond or a decade later, they pulled apart. Kit’s lips were as red as his cheeks.

“Ty-,”

“Does this mean we can still talk?” Ty blurted out, so quickly he was surprised that Kit understood. “I don’t ever want to not be talking again,”

Kit made a noise that was somewhere between a laugh and a breathe of relief.

“Oh, Sherlock,” he said, smirking like a true Herondale. “We are never not talking again,”

#shadowhunters #the dark artifices #kitty #kit x ty #kit herondale #ty blackthorn #tiberius blackthorn #fic #fanfic #asks #el writes #tsc #emma carstairs #julian blackthorn #queen of air and darkness #lady midnight #lord of shadows #otp

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julieandthefandoms · 4 years

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Best Day Of Our Lives

A Jemma wedding fic featuring a Kitty reunion, married with children Kierartina, and Haline being cute together. It can also be found here on AO3 :)

Also, a thank you to Kaitlin, @ineedadrinkorsleep, for allowing me to use her list of Kierartina baby names, you’re amazing!

Tagging @katie33333 @tessagraycarstairs @zafirafox4636 @fairchild-squad @lily-chen-deserves-better @ineedadrinkorsleep @older-brother-kit because I have a tag list now!

Julian straightened the collar of the suit. It was bright in shade, a thing of fire and gold. It was the kind of fire so bright it almost seemed to hold no color at all, leaving the shimmering runes custom to shadowhunter weddings to almost compete with the brightness of it. It was blinding, and Julian could admire the craftsmanship of the suit, tailored to near perfection. Julian could care less about the flashiness of the suit though. It wouldn’t matter whether he were wearing jeans, or even were covered in paint splatters. What mattered was that he was getting married to his best friend, Emma Carstairs.

For the longest time, he was sure he wouldn’t have this opportunity. He had thought he had sealed his fate on that day in Idris. The day after the Dark War, when he had asked the person he loved to be his parabatai. He was prepared to live a life of unrequited love, but by some stroke of luck, he was getting married to her. The bond had been broken, and they could be together. He could be happy.

A pang went through him as he thought back to those days, back when Livvy was still with them. She would've been wild with excitement to be there, to have planned it to perfection. Julian was almost surprised that the pain hadn’t dwindled over time, but there was still an ache as he thought of her. The feeling of loss never truly fades. He had enough space in his heart to love Emma, while still hurting from the loss of his sister.

Julian tugged at the bottom of the jacket once more.

“You look lovely, Jules.” He turned to spot his sister, Helen Penhallow Blackthorn, his suggenes, leaning against the doorframe, a bright smile on her face. She herself was dressed in a flowing gown barely brushing against the top of the floor. “We should probably get going though, you wouldn’t want to be late to your own wedding.”

~^*^~

Kit Herondale should have known better. It was bound to happen really, he was definitely pushing his luck after about the second or third wedding he’d been to, but he hadn’t expected it to be so sudden. It had all started earlier that year, when virtually every friend of Jem and Tessa’s had collectively decided to destroy Kit’s life, a simple one of sneaking Mina extra cookies and avoiding his problems, by forcing him to face all his problems at their weddings. And currently, he was faced with the person he was avoiding most.

Kit had somehow managed to skate by during most of the weddings though. Simon and Isabelle’s was first, Kit having managed to stay as close to the crowd as possible, and silently slipping away after the main portion of the ceremony to reduce his chances of getting involved in a rather awkward discussion. Only a few months had passed before Clary and Jace got married as well, Kit glimpsing a head of dark hair before bolting as soon as he could, claiming that he had to take care of Mina. In fact, what was doing was hiding in the library, pouring his heart out to his little sister.

“You’d think after 3 years my heart would stop beating so rapidly that I became concerned about my own health, but no,” Kit glanced at Mina, who was currently laughing at him, eyes half shut from joy.

She let out another giggle.

“How dare you find joy in my pain?” he said, dramatically laying a hand on his head and leaning back against the bookshelf, though the smile illuminating his face revealed his true intentions. “How can I go on now, betrayed by my own sister?”

Kit smiled at the thought.

Kieran, Mark, and Cristina’s wedding had been somewhat more challenging, him having been caught behind a huge oak tree by none other than Livvy Blackthorn, but he had somehow managed to convince her to tell no one, i.e. her twin brother, a.k.a. the person Kit was trying so desperately to avoid.

“Please, Livvy, don’t tell him I’m here,” Kit was pleading now, already on his knees, gazing up at the ghost above him.

Livvy rolled her eyes. “Fine, but only because I want you to do this on your terms. Remember though, my ship must be canon!”

“Your what?!-”

And that finally brought them up to this wedding, Emma and Julian’s to be more specific. Having been related to, however distant that relation may be, the bride had seemingly got the Herondale/Gray/Carstairs family (or as Kit liked to call it, the Herongraystairs family) a one way ticket to the wedding, and consequently, Kit facing the person he was dreading to meet again.

It had been going relatively well, he’d thought, the ceremony about to begin, and Kit quietly tucked into a corner. That was until Mina dragged him towards the table piled high with drinks, having spotted Max Lightwood-Bane, Rafael Lightwood-Bane, Tavvy Blackthorn, Gianna Blackthorn-Rosales, and Nico Blackthorn-Rosales (Cristina, Mark, and Kieran had Gianna and Nico a year before being married, and Mina instantly fell for them, claiming that they were her “best fwends”) playing near there, and Kit had thought maybe a drink or two wouldn’t hurt. He was severely wrong of course as Kit had failed to notice one head of dark hair standing not far from that very table.

Kit blamed Mina’s doe eyes, and his ability to fall for them instantly.

After his first drink, a voice had made Kit turn, causing him to end up where he was currently, nearly on the floor.

“Hello. I’d like to talk to you.”

~*^*~

Julian was bubbling with joy, a smile brightening his face as he was led to a platform, Helen by his side. He stopped at the top of the steps, turning to give Helen an appreciative nod and a smile. Julian took a sharp inhale as Emma walked around the corner, Cristina lending her off to the stage. All thoughts left him. She was breathtaking, wrapped in a gold silk gown that hugged her waist before flaring down to the ground. A sheer overlay on the silk skirt caught the brightness of the witchlight, complimenting the gold in her hair.

But it wasn’t only gold, was it? It was a beautiful mix of cadmium yellows, naples yellows, golds, yellow ochres.

She was beautiful, and Julian couldn’t help but think that he was the luckiest person in the world. As Emma reached the platform, she leaned in, a grin plastered on her face.

“I know, I look stunning.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder in a playful manner.

Julian shot back a nod. “It is your wedding, I’d expect no less.”

And with that, the ceremony began, Brother Enoch reciting a few words, before steles appeared in their hand. It passed by in a blur, and before Julian knew it, they were kissing. Time seemed to still, Julian thought he heard a crash somewhere in the crowd, a flash of blond hair blurring by the table, but he paid no attention to it. The room melted away, it was as though they, Emma and Julian, were the only two people in the room. It was perfect.

~*^*~

“HOLY-” Kit choked on his drink. He had forgotten how graceful shadowhunters were, how easily they could move without alerting anyone surrounding them. Unfortunately, that shadowhunter grace had apparently skipped a generation because Kit found himself clutching at the table for support, having nearly fallen from shock.

“Are you alright?” It was none other than Tiberius Nero Blackthorn, his arm outstretched. He was looking at him, and at that moment, all rational thought left him. He said something roughly equivalent to an audible keysmash before clearing his throat.

“Yeah, I’m alright,” Kit brushed himself off, standing up as though nothing had happened. If you pretend to be confident, it won’t be long until you begin to feel confident as well. For the first time since the wedding fiasco began, he actually looked at Ty. He was taller now, Kit was surprised to see, though he supposed he shouldn’t have. Three years did a lot to change someone, he supposed, but those eyes were the same. A beautiful yet deadly storm churning above a sea. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

Kit leaned against the table once more, this time a bit more suave and cool, and less panicky than the first.

“Why are you avoiding me?” It was a simple question, clear as day. Kit choked up a bit. “And why did you leave?”

All of a sudden, he was fifteen again, doing anything he could for Ty, the beautiful shadowhunter that had held a knife to his throat. The nephilim he would have done anything for. Years of suppressing his emotions didn’t prepare Kit for this moment, he doubted anything could have. Ty looked calm enough, but his hands were frantically twisting and unknotting a ball of pipe cleaners. He was nervous, Kit knew it, and so Kit blurted it out. He never could have told Ty a lie, even if he wanted to. Even after three years.

“Because I was hurt, and I was running away from what had happened,” Kit took a deep breath, as Ty nodded, understanding it. Kit, suspecting he was going to turn away, proceeded to continue talking, hoping to get a laugh, a smile, anything out of Ty. “Tessa thinks it was the Herondale dramatics though.”

Kit didn’t add the second part of what she said, “Running away from the person you love ‘for their own good’ is alarmingly common among Herondales,” but Ty let out a laugh, bright and brilliant, so it was a win in Kit’s book.

It was an amazing laugh, low and lovely, beautiful to hear.

“Tessa knows Herondales well.”

“She does.”

The silence stretched on for a moment, though it was a comfortable one. A silence in which both parties simply enjoyed the presence of the other.

The soft piano finally registered in Kit’s mind. A crazy idea formed in his head, one his fifteen year old self would banish to the darkest corners of his brain.

“May I have this dance?”

Turned out he wasn’t the only one to have that idea, Kit thought as he accepted Ty’s hand. An impish grin spread across Kit’s face.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

~*^*~

Soft music began playing from the piano in the corner, Jace Herondale shooting a wink at Helen as she rolled her eyes at his antics. A smile rested upon her face, as Helen looked at her brother and Emma, both beaming joy, foreheads together as they swayed to the music. It was so genuine, and beautiful, she couldn’t stop grinning even if she wanted to. She’d already missed so much of her family’s life, exiled on Wrangel Island, that she was glad to be here, sharing this moment with them.

And how lovely it was, gold decorations pinned to the walls, tables lined with dishes and drinks. Kieran, Mark, and Cristina were on the sides, cooing at their third child, Emelia, an adorable baby girl born only a few months ago. Helen spotted Ty dancing with Kit by the drink table, both blissfully unaware of the children bouncing about close to them. Dru was at the center of the ballroom with Jaime Rosales, gown flaring as she was spun.

Aline leaned into her, resting her head upon Helen’s shoulder. She was stunning, in a wine red gown with glittering gold accents, dark hair brushing against her back. Helen couldn’t stop but think about how lucky she was, to have someone so beautiful, so wonderful.

“Young love, it’s beautiful isn’t it?”

Her wife was most certainly correct, and Helen agreed wholeheartedly.

“It really is.”

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toomanytakennamesagh · 3 years

Text

TSC Villains: Ranked from Most to Least Favorite

Listen, I adore The Shadowhunter Chronicles, but the villains have always been iffy for me. This list is purely opinion based, not factual at all.

Note: I havent included Samael or Janus. Samael, cuz I havent reached his parts yet in TLBOTW; Janus, cuz I wanna see how he is in TWP first before making any opinions of how he is as an antagonist.

1. The Cohort- Probably makes me a hypocrite since, much like the others, they're also cartoonishly evil with no redeemable qualities at all. But! Theyre memorable! This is villainy at its most entertaining! Every scene a Cohort member (cough cough Zara cough cough) was in, I kept wanting them to die, get smacked around, have their spine get ripped out and crunched. I felt something more than apathy or vague disappointment!

2. Shinyun Jung- In the spin-offs but she still counts! I didn't like how cartoonishly evil she became in the second book. Like, at all. Still way higher cuz of her portrayal in the first book, her interesting relationship with Magnus, and having a lot of good lines. Bigger bigger disappointment than Annabel and Malcolm, but at least I enjoy her more. Heck, one could even say I liked her.

3. Annabel Blackthorn- An even bigger disappointment than Malcolm. We did not get to know her very well, but at least some of her scenes were memorable. I appreciate Cassie's efforts in trying to write a non-evil villain.

4. Malcolm Fade- Truly disappointing villain. I thought I'd put him higher, but at a reread I realized he wasnt there that often. I really did like his absemtminded persona in the beginning, and he was actually close to killing Tavvy if it weren't for the Blackthorns finding hom out in time. He even got to resurrect Annabel successfully! Even if it ended horribly for him, he technically won in the end. Also. The diary entries in the cottage. Breaks my heart for what could have been, and makes me want to see a short story about their doomed romance.

You know what, maybe I put him so high cuz Im a sucker for a tragic romance. I did say this list was purely opinion-based.

5. Tatiana Lightwood- Putting her around the lower middle cuz so far I don't really...feel anything for her? I like her feelings and relationship with Jesse and Grace? The dress parrallel with Miss Haversham makes a super cool image? I'd have liked it more if we got to see some complicated feelings towards her brothers, cuz really all I saw was blind hate/willful ignorance towards their father's death, and some annoying complaining about them not giving her enough. Just /some/ sign of attachment, or grudging fondness towards their childhood. Maybe we'd hear more about the relationship with their father? Idk, her scenes in the books/extras dont even fill me with dread. She's just kind of...there for the conflict. But who knows? She could get better later on, we're only at one book for now anyways.

6. Sebastian Morgenstern- Don't care about this guy at all. Nope. He at least got some cool lines and sympathy points, where you actually got to see him in a casual setting, and his death and backstory were nice. Otherwise I hate him, demon blood!Sebastian was an irredeemable monster. Idk, I know that a villain can have no redeemable or human side whatsoever (ie Joker) and still be good. But I also know that I don't feel this way about him. Who knows? It's been a while since I've reread the whole series, so I can't really articulate the exact scenes or reasons why I put him this low, I just know what there's a reason.

7. Valentine Morgenstern- Would honestly been eighth place if it werent for his appearances in the spin offs, where you got to see him deal with the other Circle members. I didnt care about this guy much.

8. Axel Mortmain. I mean this one was obvious??? TID hada lot of good stuff in it, but it was definitely not the villain. I dont even... remember him?? Or a lot of his actions?? The only thing I found noteworthy was his backstory (10/10 good motivation) but it doesn't even do anything cuz a lot of the sympathy that can be gained there wasn't done correctly. I think I remember him finally being able to talk to his dad, and instead of being sad or touching-you know, cuz he finally met the father he lost- I didnt really feel anything of that? I dunno, I could be wrong. It's been a while.

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older-brother-kit · 4 years

Text

TSMC ch. 3

I’m back with chapter 3! In this chapter: Everything goes horribly wrong, but something good comes out of it. Or does it...?

Here’s chapter 1 on AO3 and on tumblr, here’s chapter 2 on AO3 and on tumblr, and here is this chapter on AO3! Let me know by comment, reblog, or tags if you want to be added to the tag list for this story, and please let me know what you thought because I really appreciate it!!

The Sibling Matchmakers Club

Chapter 3: By the Angel

Mina was happy to say that she was enjoying her time at camp. After two weeks she’d made a great friend, figured out she was good at soccer, learned how to do origami, and started a prank war.

Ah, right. The prank war. Now Mina enjoyed pranks as much as the next person -ok, maybe a little bit more, and she would blame Kit for that- but Lucie and James had made it a little too personal. Mina had arranged the first prank because she thought they’d all be able to laugh about it and become better friends afterwards, but instead James and Lucie had gotten fired up and started fighting for real. At this point, it had gotten way out of Mina’s control.

Not that she had tried stopping it in the first place. While she’d tried talking with James and Lucie separately about how they could prank each other and still be friends, neither of them had wanted to listen. Mina quickly gave up, but decided that it wouldn’t stop her from having fun and helping Lucie out.

Though for once, Mina wasn’t doing a prank. Today was Saturday, and every Saturday the kids got to call their family back home. Mina actually owned a cell phone, a small model that her dad had been very hesitant to give her. He had thought she was too young for one for the longest time, but had rethought it after an incident where she got lost at the mall and couldn’t find him. Kit had promised to make sure Mina wouldn’t have any bad social media or weird apps if she got one, and so Mina was given the phone a week before heading out to Camp Clover. The camp’s policy was no electronics though, so Mina hadn’t used it much. Even before camp, she really only used it for calling her family and her friend Tavvy.

On Saturdays, she used it to call her dad. Jem always made sure to make time to answer Mina’s call, and Kit usually liked to make loud comments in the background. At the end, they’d both tell her they missed her and say I love you and their goodbyes. Mina was having a lot of fun with Lucie and James and the Lightwoods, but she looked forward to Saturdays the most.

Mina was startled when the phone in her hand started to ring before she even pressed the call button. It was usually her dad who called, but this time it was Kit’s name and picture that flashed across the screen. “Hello?”

“Min-Min!” Kit’s voice rang loud and clear, and Mina smiled widely without even thinking about it. “I thought I’d try to catch you before you called Dad, since you usually call around this time.” His voice lost some of its energy, and she could picture the strained look on his face. “There was an emergency at the hospital and he couldn’t leave, so he can’t call today Mina. I’m sorry.”

Mina sighed, her smile quickly fading. Her dad loved them both and always tried to make time to spend with his children, but she knew that being a doctor was a demanding job and he couldn’t always be there. Growing up, they were often babysat by different family friends until Kit was old enough to look after them both on his own.

“It’s ok,” Mina said, telling herself that at least she got to talk with her brother. “I’m happy I can still talk to you.”

There was a slight pause, and when Kit spoke she could tell he was smiling. “A smooth talker as always, Mina. So, how’s that prank war going? Did you and Lucie finally win?”

Mina perked up, and spent the next few minutes recounting her most recent successes and failures. Recently they had managed to get help and put the boys’ beds outside of their cabin, but then they had snuck a whole handful of fake spiders into Mina and Lucie’s beds. Grace and Paige hadn’t been very happy about Mina and Lucie’s sudden screams, and neither did the other side of the cabin. Mina had a feeling they were slowly getting fed up with the prank war going on, but Mina had no plans to stop anytime soon. If there was anything her dad had taught her, it was to not give up.

If there was anything Kit had taught her, it was that when it came to pranks you had to start small and work your way up to the big stuff. For Mina, the big stuff was only just beginning.

“We already have our next prank planned out,” she told Kit proudly. “It’ll be like the first prank we did, but better. There’s going to be maple syrup and-”

Mina’s cabin counselor Jessamine, who had been standing at the corner supervising the phone call, gave her a look.

Mina cleared her throat. “I mean, nothing. We’re not going to do any pranks or anything with maple syrup, because that would be bad.” She heard Kit snort.

The counselor sighed and checked her watch. “Hurry it up,” she said, nodding to the door. “The lunch bell is going to ring soon.”

“Sorry, I’ll have to end the call soon.” Mina said. “How is Dad doing?”

Kit sighed. “He’s still overworking himself at the hospital, so basically what he’s been doing since you went to camp. Then of course there’s that horrible-” Kit gasped suddenly. “Mina,” he whispered in a low tone. “You have no idea, I totally forgot he hasn’t told you yet. I know he wanted to wait to tell you in person, but you have to know. There’s this woman named-”

The lunch bell rang, and Mina heard shouts from outside her cabin about how excited they were for today’s lunch. Apparently, today they had hotdogs and hamburgers. Mina jumped up from where she had been leaning against the wall.

“I have to go!” She interrupted, and felt a little bad about it, but it was hotdogs and hamburgers today. Plus, Lucie and Mina had to finish eating early in order for today’s prank to work. There was no way she could be late. “It’s lunchtime, sorry. Bye, love you!”

“Wait, Mina-” Kit’s voice cut off as Mina quickly hung up the phone before handing it to Jessamine and rushing out the door. Normally she’d try to find Lucie first, but she bet that Lucie was already on her way to the dining hall.

Kit had mentioned a woman. Her dad had actually talked about someone that he wanted Mina to meet when she got back to camp, but Mina hadn’t known it was a lady. It was probably normal for Mina to be worried, to think that maybe her dad was seeing someone, but that was silly.

Mina’s dad never dated, so Mina wasn’t concerned at all. As she ran to the dining hall and caught sight of Lucie, her spirits only lifted.

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

“We have to finish quickly,” Lucie told Mina quietly, slathering ketchup on her hotdog. She ignored Mina trying to hide her wince at the amount. The dining hall had been mostly out of ketchup, but they’d gotten there early enough for Lucie to snatch some off of the other tables undetected. “You said yourself that the key for the prank was time.”

Mina nodded silently, having just taken a bite of her hamburger. She swallowed and coughed for a second before taking a sip of her apple juice. “I might be eating too fast.” she said sheepishly. “Though as long as we finish before James and Thomas and Christopher get here, we’re fine.”

The two of them ate at a faster pace than usual so that they could get back to their cabin and prepare their prank, though Lucie noticed that she didn’t see James or the Lightwoods anywhere. They’re just late, Lucie thought. Christopher probably exploded something again and they’re cleaning it up. Christopher Lightwood might be a genius, but his experiments often caused something to catch on fire.

Mina stood up with her empty plate, and Lucie did the same. The two of them grinned at each other in excitement as they put their plates onto the dirty dishes cart and walked out of the dining hall.

“You remember the plan?” Mina asked, and Lucie gave an enthusiastic nod.

They were going to sneak into the boys’ cabin while they were still eating lunch, and cover their entire side with maple syrup and mustard. An odd combination, but today at lunch Lucie had remembered that James hated mustard. Mina had thought it was a brilliant addition, and a step up from only using the maple syrup Mina had taken at breakfast. If any of the food workers noticed their disappearances, they didn’t say anything.

“Lucie,” Mina said suddenly, and Lucie snapped out of her thoughts to look at her.

“What?” she asked, and Mina pointed to their cabin where Grace and Paige were about to enter. “What, that they’re here? You know they like to wait and have lunch later.”

Mina quickly shook her head. “The bushes,” she said hurriedly. “Do you see them?”

Lucie looked at the bushes next to their cabin and her face paled. “Oh no,” she whispered, and both she and Lucie started running to the door.

James and the Lightwoods were sitting in the bushes, mostly hidden by the thick leaves. They didn’t seem to notice Grace and Paige’s approach.

“Wait!” Lucie called out to the two girls. “Hey, wait a second!” They ignored her, as per usual.

James glanced over, and his eyes widened as he saw Grace grab the door handle. He quickly jumped out of his hiding spot and reached towards her. “Hey, don’t open-”

It was too late. Grace opened the door and her and Paige walked through. For a split second Lucie thought that maybe nothing bad would happen after all, but the second ended quickly. A huge bucket full of a thick, red substance, tipped over and onto both girls’ heads. Lucie, Mina, and James looked at each other in horror. There had been an unspoken agreement not to get the others into it, and now they had gotten the worst people possible involved.

Grace and Paige screamed, and James immediately ran up to them. “I’m so sorry,” he said frantically, trying to wipe some of the substance out of Grace’s hair. He just smeared it in more. “I am so sorry, please don’t tell on us.”

Thomas and Christopher stumbled out of the bush, their faces shocked as they surveyed the scene. “Do you think they like ketchup?” Christopher pondered.

So that’s why the dining hall was out of ketchup, Lucie thought, and had the urge to laugh.

“Hey!” a voice yelled, and Lucie turned around to see her camp counselor storming over to them. “What happened here?!” Jessamine demanded.

James looked terrified. “Uh, I-” he stuttered. “It’s not what it looks like, we were just-”

“Just what?” Jessamine spit out. “Look at what you’ve done!” she gestured to Grace and Paige. Paige was bawling her eyes out, and Grace was glaring at them all with an intense hatred that made Lucie unconsciously take a step back.

“We didn’t mean to,” Lucie spoke up, feeling brave. She and Mina were the ones who started the prank war, after all. It wasn’t fair for James to be the only one yelled at, even if his prank was the one that got them caught. “We were just trying to have some fun.”

Jessamine turned to look at her. “Oh, I know all about your fun.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, and Lucie exchanged nervous glances with Mina. James tried to help Grace get the ketchup off again, but she slapped his hand away and he stepped back. “We’ve all been letting it slide because it wasn’t hurting anyone and you always cleaned up your own messes, but this has gone too far.”

“But-” Mina tried.

“Save it,” her counselor said, then her gaze moved to the three boys. “Now which one of you did this?”

There was a short moment of silence before James raised his hand. “Me,” he said. “I planned it and set it all up.”

“Hey, wait a minute!” Thomas protested. James gave him a look, and Thomas stopped talking.

“I did all of them myself, all of the pranks,” James announced. “Christopher and Thomas were just here to watch.”

Jessamine sighed. “Come on, then,” she said as she started to walk in the direction of the main building. She stopped to look at Lucie and Mina. “You too. All three of you are in trouble.”

Lucie slowly started to walk with them. “This isn’t good,” she mumbled to herself. This wasn’t good at all.

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

All James wanted was for them not to call his mom. Please, he thought, as he imagined the disappointment in her voice. Anything but that.

The three of them were now being led to an older cabin that was a ways off from the main cabin area, having stopped the main building and then their own cabins to get all of their stuff first. Thomas had looked guilty and both he and Christopher had apologized, but James had told them it was ok. James wasn’t looking forward to the punishment, but he was happy that he was at least able to save his friends from getting trouble.

James looked at the girls nervously. Originally they had tried to avoid talking to him, but Lucie had quickly given up and started making comments under her breath to them both.

“Is she taking us to an abandoned cabin to kill us?” Lucie whispered, kicking at some grass.

“No,” James argued quietly. “Our parents would never let them.”

Mina frowned and adjusted her ponytail. “She wouldn’t do that in the first place,” she said, but James saw her put her hands behind her back to hide the fidgeting.

“Alright!” Jessamine announced, stopping as they reached the front door. “I discussed it with the other counselors, and your punishment is to stay here for the next week.”

“Here?” Mina asked, her voice cracking. She cleared her throat. “I mean, isn’t it too old? What if it collapses or something?”

“It won’t,” the counselor said confidently, but Mina didn’t look satisfied. “The three of you are going to stay here all week, only coming out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

Lucie gasped. “We can’t stay in here all week, what are we supposed to do for fun?”

Jessamine gave her a look. “Talk to each other without fighting or pranking each other, maybe? Just a thought.”

“Hold on,” James said slowly, processing her words. “All three of us?”

“Yes, that’s what I said. All three of you, together, with only each other for company.” She paused, as to let the information sink in. “Well, you better get inside and start putting your things away! A counselor will come to escort you to dinner once the time comes, but other than that you shouldn’t be leaving the cabin.”

“But-”

“No buts!” The three of them were pushed inside the old cabin, and the door creaked as it shut in their faces.

James looked around at the inside of their living space for the week, frowning at all the dust. “This place looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in a year.”

Lucie sighed and walked over to the right bunk bed, flopping herself down dramatically on the bottom bunk. She didn’t seem to mind the dust getting onto her clothes.

“Probably because it hasn’t.” Mina pointed out, and sat next to Lucie. James sat down on the bottom bunk of the left bunk bed, making sure to wipe off the dust first.

“I guess we should start putting things away,” he muttered glumly.

Mina looked around the cabin and fiddled with her shirt again. “You don’t… You don’t think this place is haunted, do you?” she asked in a small voice.

With the way they’d been fighting recently, James would’ve normally made a joke or snarky comment, but Mina looked genuinely scared. He found that he couldn’t help but want to make her feel better.

“It’s ok,” James assured her. “There’s nothing to be afraid of, it’s definitely not haunted.”

Mina gave him a nervous smile, and they all started unpacking their things. Once James had his bedsheets on and his clothes put away into the tallest drawers, he sat on his bed to take a break.

He turned to Mina, who had finished putting away her things first and was now watching Lucie struggle to fit all of her clothes in her designated drawers. “Hey,” James said, and Mina looked up. “Why did you start the pranks, anyway? Wasn’t it you that had the idea?” At this point he wasn’t mad, just curious.

“Yup, it was me,” Mina said proudly. “My older brother likes pranks, so I already knew a few and what to do for them.” She paused and then stood up suddenly, her face bright. “Oh wait, I have a picture of him I can show you!”

James leaned forward in interest as Mina picked up her bag then sat back down and began to dig through it. Lucie had given up messing with her clothes and moved to join Mina on the bed.

“Aha!” Mina exclaimed, and she pulled out a picture and showed it to Lucie. She gestured at James to join them, and he carefully walked over and sat down next to them on the bed.

Mina handed the picture to him. There was a teenage boy with bright blond hair and light blue eyes smiling at the camera. “That’s Kit,” Mina said. “His full first name is actually Christopher, but no one ever calls him that.” Kit was sitting next to Mina by a big pool, and they were both smiling without a care in the world.

“I wish I had an older brother,” Lucie said wistfully, and James nodded in agreement. He wished that he had an older brother, but really he just wished he had any sibling at all.

“My dad took the picture, that’s why he’s not in it.” Mina explained. “I don’t think I have --oh wait, I do!” She went back to her bag, and after a minute took out another picture.

It was a strange picture. The ink was messed up a bit in places and it seemed a little old, but the weirdest thing about it was that it was ripped on one side. Ripped on one side, James thought, and an idea popped into his head. He rejected it immediately. No, that would be crazy.

“It’s him on his wedding day,” Mina said, and turned the picture over so they could see. The man himself didn’t look familiar, but the flower bushes in the background did.

There’s no way, James told himself. It has to be a coincidence.

Lucie was suspiciously quiet, and James turned to face her. “Mina,” she said, her face oddly serious. “Do you… Do you know who your other parent is?”

Mina looked surprised at the question. “No,” she said. “My dad never wanted to tell me. Look, he even ripped them out of the picture.”

“Huh,” Lucie said, looking like she was about to faint. “Mina, I have that same picture, but of my papa and ripped on the other side.”

“What?” James asked incredulously, his heart beating in his chest. “But that’s- I have the same picture but of my mom and ripped on both sides!”

Mina and Lucie looked at him and each other for a moment, and he knew his face must be mirroring theirs of shock.

“I have it!” Lucie suddenly shouted, then lowered her voice and looked at them. “I have the picture,” she blurted out, and dove for her bag.

“There’s no way,” James breathed as he reached to grab his own bag from his bed. “It can’t be!”

He and Lucie hastily pulled out their own pictures, holding them close to their chest. “On three?” Mina suggested quietly, her eyes filled with excitement and something that James thought might be hope. She put her picture down gently on the bed, face up.

“One.”

“Two…”

“Three!”

James and Lucie slammed their pictures down next to Mina’s, and James felt like bursting into tears.

The pictures fit together perfectly, like pieces of the most finely crafted puzzle. James’s mom was there in her wedding gown, two handsome men in suits standing next to her and on each arm. All three of the adults were grinning, and they all had on the same ring.

“By the angel,” Lucie whispered, and James didn’t even question the odd saying that he’d previously thought was something only he and his mother said.

“Are we siblings?” James asked, and he pinched himself just in case this was all a dream so that he could wake up. It didn’t work.

“This is impossible!” Mina said, putting a hand on her forehead. “I’m so confused.”

As James looked at how neatly the pictures all combined into one, he couldn’t help but agree.

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

Thank you reading, let me know if you enjoyed!

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livsoulsecrets · 4 years

Text

Good to be home

This is my first time writing Kierarktina, hope you enjoy it! Missing them more than never. The story is located at the LA Institue.

Kieran feels like he can finally breath when he sees Cristina and Mark waiting for him in the Sanctuary’s doors. All the stress he had been feeling ever since he left the kingdom goes away when they run to him. They quickly become a mess of hugs and kisses, so many Kieran loses count.

— You’re here. You’re really here. — Mark whispers, his forehead touching Kieran’s.

— Just like I told you. — Kieran answers, Cristina’s hand resting in his heart.

The truth is that nothing would stop him from coming there, even if only for a few stolen hours while Winter took care of everything in the Unseelie Court. Helen and Aline were out for some well-deserved time off, leaving Mark and Cristina responsible for taking care of Dru and Tavvy for the weekend, with Julian, Emma and Ty away. It was a rare opportunity for them to be together without nothing else worrying them, just like in their cottage.

— Come on, let’s get inside, Dru and Tavvy are waiting for you. — Cristina says, offering her hand to guide him inside. He takes it.

They don’t let go of each other while entering the Institute, Cristina gladly leading the way to the kitchen, where she said the kids would be.

— Hey, guess who is finally here! — She announces once they enter the room, Dru and Tavvy sat down at the table, sharing a chocolate bar. Tavvy drops the candy immediately. Kieran laughs when Tavvy runs to entangle himself around his legs.

— Hello, Tavvy. — He kisses his head and the boy laughs, running back to Dru shortly after.

— Kier is back! — Tavvy says. Mark smiles down at his little brother and Cristina buries her face in Kieran’s shoulder, barely handling how much she had missed Kieran and his smile.

— Yeah, he finally is. — Mark adds.

— Hey, Kier. Seems like you have a fan. — Dru jokes. — Nice to see you, those two were going crazy waiting for you. They made us clean everywhere.

— Dru! Don’t be a snitch! — Mark called out, his checks growing red. Cristina barely suppressed a laugh.

— Well, we just wanted to make you feel welcome. — She defended herself.

— I really appreciate that. — Kieran said, his heart content. He had one arm resting against Cristina’s shoulder. He reached out for Mark’s hand and he held on tight.

— Okay, I already got it, we’re being the fourth wheel here! We will go watch some TV, since Julian is not here to regulate it.

— I’m here to do that. — Mark said, trying to be though, but his eyes didn’t leave Kieran’s for one second.

— None of us believes that, Mark. — Dru answered, taking Tavvy by the hand and disappearing through the door.

— Well, she is right about that. — Cristina says, grinning.

— Nobody believes me in here, thank the Angel you’re back to defend my honor, Kier. — He is still smiling, but Kieran just looks at him in confusion.

— What honor? I don’t think you have had that ever since you were sixteen...

Cristina laughs so much she needs to reach for the wall in order not to fall down. Mark just rolls his eyes, which confuses Kieran even further.

— Oh, Kier, I missed you so much. — Cristina finally says and Kieran forgets all about mortal’s strange wording to focus on her.

— I missed you too. I know I can only be here for some hours, but I’m glad I could come.

— Me too. — Mark agrees, his arm circling Kieran’s waist. Cristina recomposes herself at the same time Kieran reaches for her, pulling Cristina to them.

— It is good you’re home. — Cristina says, her voice cracking. Kieran never thought he would actually hear those words coming out of her mouth, but he is not surprised by how genuine they are. He finally is home, the two people he loves the most in the world in his arms, his heart more whole than it has ever been.

Home is the only word that could possibly fit what he is feeling right now.

Kieran bends down and kiss her lips, but the sound of her phone ringing startles them a second after.

— By the angel. — She says over her breath, taking a step back. She looks at the phone and her eyebrows raise. — Oh, it’s my mom. I’ll be just back. — She says, laying a quick kiss in Kieran’s cheek before picking up the call.

— Hola, mamá. Si, todo bien. Yo también te extraño. — Cristina says, walking out to talk with her mom. Mark holds on to Kieran a bit longer and smiles down at him.

— Can’t believe I really have you right here. — Mark whispers. — Life is good.

— It can be. — Kieran answers and Mark kisses him, calmly, like they have all the time in the world.

— Come on, let’s find something to do until she gets back. — Mark offers when they break apart.

Then, Kieran and Mark occupy themselves with setting the table and picking up some ingredients to what they decided would be a chocolate cake. Cristina would probably regret leaving them alone, but it was too late for that now. She comes back after a few minutes, a worried look on her face. Kieran and Mark stare at her in confusion.

— Is everything okay with your mom, Tina? — Mark asks.

— Yes- I mean, I think so. Well, the thing is... She’s coming here. — Cristina finally manages to say. Kieran’s hair changes into a deep red color as soon as the words come out of her mouth.

— Oh. — Mark says.

— Oh. — Kieran repeats, not knowing what else to do. Mark had met Carmen once since they started dating, it was brief, but it was still more experience than Kieran had in that field. If he didn’t know what to do, then Kieran was damned.

— Boys, “oh” is not really helping right now. — Cristina falls down at a chair and puts her head in her hands.

— Sorry, it is just unexpected. — Kieran justifies.

— She said she came to New York to surprise me and Jace told her I was here. So, Magnus offered to make a portal for her and, basically, she is on her way.

— On her way? — Mark stuttered, staring at the kitchen door as if he is expecting Carmen to pop up at any given moment.

— I guess it is a good thing you guys cleaned everything up. — Kieran offers, hoping it helps.

By the sound Cristina makes, it doesn’t.

— Hey, it is going to be okay. — Kieran sits down by her side, trying to calm her down.

— Yes, it is. Look, why don’t we go wait for her outside? To welcome her. — Mark suggests. That makes Cristina looks up.

— I’ll go. You can wait here. It is better this way. — With that, she leaves the kitchen.

Kieran wishes he could say something that would free Mark from his worries, but he doesn’t think he can do it. So, they just wait in silence until Cristina returns to the kitchen, her mom following after her.

Carmen was a short woman with black hair and a firm posture that looked so much like Cristina that made Kieran a bit uncomfortable looking at her for too long. She seemed tense and so serious that being a king didn’t do much to dissipate Kieran’s nervousness when Cristina shyly introduced him to her.

— Nice to meet you properly, King Kieran. — She says, her face so neutral Kieran wonders if she is putting an effort into looking calm.

— Just Kieran is fine. It is really nice to meet you too. — He shakes the hand she offers and hopes for the best. Mark is nervously fidgeting beside him and Kieran wishes to reach for his hand to calm him down, but he doesn’t feel really comfortable doing that in front of Cristina’s mom.

— Mark, good to see you too. — The boy nods with a small smile that Kieran knows he is faking. He was about to answer when Tavvy stormed into the kitchen with Dru right behind him.

— Octavian Blackthorn, get your ass back here! It is my turn to watch TV! Give the damn remote back! — She screams after him, furious. Cristina puts a hand on the kitchen counter, a look of distress on her face. Tavvy doesn’t seem to care about Dru’s request and just hides behind Mark, hoping his brother takes his side. Only then, Dru notices Carmen is standing right there and a shade of red covers her cheeks.

— Hello, Mrs. Rosales. Sorry for bursting in. — Dru apologizes, embarassed.

— Hello, Dru. — Carmen says, a small smile on her lips. Kieran assumes that is a good sign.

— I should solve this. Excuse me. — Mark half drags Tavvy away, Dru close behind him. Kieran watches him, envious that his boyfriend got to flee the scene while he stayed behind. Still, it is not like he could leave Cristina alone, it was clear by the panic on her face that she needed him around. He smiles lightly at her and a bit of the color seems to come back to her face.

— Why don’t you sit down, mama? I was going to make some coffe for us, do you want some? — Cristina offered and Kieran never thought he would be so relieved to hear about coffe in all his life as he did when Carmen nodded, accepting her daughter’s offer.

Kieran and Carmen sat down at the Institute’s table, that seemed especially huge today because of the absence of the Blackthorns, the two of them in complete silence. Kieran had once watched a movie with Dru where the father-in-law questioned his daughter’s boyfriend about his intentions. It seemed unlikely that Carmen would do the same, but Kieran was still a bit terrified of her. Turns out being king doesn’t solve the nerve-wracking experience of facing your super awesome girlfriend’s mother when you are totally sure you do not deserve her daughter.

Still, Cristina had chosen him. She loved him just as much as he loved her and they loved Mark. Against all odds, Kieran was happier than he had ever been. Surprising himself, hiding beneath all his fear was his unshakable faith that the three of them belonged together. Not even Carmen Rosales herself could tear that apart, as scary as she could be.

— So... How has the Unseelie Court been treating you? — Carmen asked while Cristina put down the coffe mug in front of her and went to sit by Kieran’s side, the three other mugs barely fitting her hands.

The answer was obvious: once he was the king, he had been treated extraordinarily well. But Cristina had explained to him that sometimes mortal people asked obvious questions just to sparkle conversations. That and the forced smile on Cristina’s face while she stared at him pushed Kieran to answer the question with all the grace he could gather.

— It has been incredibly difficult to be their king, but I believe I’m the leader my people need. I hope I can be half as good to them as they are to me. — Kieran assumed he had done well because Cristina’s smile became more honest and she pressed her hand against his, resting both of them in his tight.

— I’m sure they are in good hands. — It is all she says, but it sounds honest, so Kieran takes it as a win.

— It is what I hope.

— And you, Cristina? Everything okay in New York? — Cristina straightened herself in the chair and went on a tangent about her work, excitedly telling details about the alliance she had been dedicating so much time to. Kieran had heard all about it already, but he found himself paying attention to every word Cristina said, his heart warm by how happy she was while talking about her job. He couldn’t be prouder of her.

Mark makes it back to the kitchen, still looking stressed. He sits down next to Carmen, Kieran supposes because it would be weird to have the three of them facing her as if they were being questioned by Cristina’s mom. He picks up the coffe mug, taking a sip, seeming glad he could focus on something else other than the unexpected family meeting they had being pulled into.

— Mark! I was just telling my mom about New York. — Despite his uneasiness, Mark grins at Cristina, the soft, honest expression that Kieran fell in love with taking over his face.

— Cristina is doing some wonderful work there. Alec himself said he is impressed with her. — Mark says, putting a smile on Carmen’s face.

— I never doubted you would achieve great things, Cristina. Estoy muy orgullosa de ti. — She says the last words looking right at her daughter. Mark's eyes darted to Kieran, the two of them knowing how important that was to Cristina.

Kieran remembered that Cristina would sometimes talk about how her mom had always pushed her to be the best version of herself, which helped building the amazing woman she was, but what also made Cristina constantly terrified of letting her down. Over time, she had learned to balance those feelings, being more dedicated to being who she wanted to be rather than who her mother expected her to be.

What Cristina never said, but Kieran still noticed, was that part of her still cared about making her mom proud. By the look of surprise in Cristina’s face, she had assumed her chances of doing so had ended when she decided to be with Mark and Kieran and moved to New York instead of going back to Mexico.

— Thank you, mom. It really means a lot to me. — Cristina answered, her brightest smile on her lips.

Kieran decided he didn’t care if Carmen Rosales hated him or not, as long as she kept Cristina happy like that, he would endure anything that came his way.

Eventually, they fell into an pleasant conversation, Carmen talking about how things were in Mexico, with Mark and Cristina occasionally mentioning New York and the new Clave. Kieran also talked about the Unseelie court and the challenges he was facing. Carmen was paying a lot of attention, her eyes following the three of them with a softer expression. She seemed more relaxed, her false calm posture long gone. Kieran was starting to think maybe he panicked for no reason at all.

Kieran should have known then that things were too good to be true. Cristina’s phone rang, making all conversation stop.

— I’m so sorry, I really need to take this. It is Lily, there must be some trouble with the Hotel. — She picks up the phone. — Hey, what- Wait, I can’t hear you. Can't you call Clary for that? Okay, fine, I'll go take a look at the Codex and get back to you. — She puts the phone down for a moment and says: — Lily needs my help with something, I’ll be back in a moment.

Her tone is clearly apologetic, but Kieran just nodded, signaling she should go. Mark looks as if he wants to follow after her with an excuse just to get rid of being alone with Carmen, but Kieran is facing him, which does make him sit very still, incapable of leaving him behind. They are doing this together.

They fall into an uncomfortable silence, the only thing keeping Kieran steady is Mark’s eyes on him. His hair stays blue through it all, Mark’s presence grounding him.

— I can tell the two of you are terrified. — Carmen finally says. Kieran doesn’t know what to answer, especially because it’s true.

— I’m not saying this is what I pictured for my daughter. It definitely isn’t. When Cristina first told me, I said all that mattered is that she was happy and I meant it. Still, part of me didn’t think it would last, but, here you are, months after that. As surprised as I am, I need to admit that I was wrong. I guess you are not going anywhere. — She doesn’t say it like that is a terrible thing, so Kieran assumes it is safe to speak.

— We definitely aren’t. I love your daughter and, for some miracle, she loves me back. I will never do anything to ruin that. — Kieran assures Carmen, that nods, not seeming surprised by how serious he sounds.

— I understand why you were confused at first, we’re still figuring everything out ourselves... But, just like Kieran, I love Cristina. I promise you we’ll keep her safe no matter what. — Mark promises.

— My daughter doesn’t really need anybody to keep her safe. — Carmen answers, a playful smile on her lips. She never looked so much like Cristina as now. — But I appreciate the sentiment. It means a lot to me.

— It is only the truth. — Kieran adds, feeling like tons of weight got off his shoulders.

— I hope we can see each other more times, it would be great to get to know the two of you better. — Carmen offers. Kieran and Mark share a look and the answer is clear.

— We would love that. — Mark says at the same time Cristina comes back. She walks towards Kieran, putting a lock of hair behind her ear.

— Did I miss much? — Cristina asks, sitting down, her hand finding the way to Kieran’s arm easily.

— I was just saying we should do this more often. I need to know better who my daughter is going to marry. — Carmen teases. Cristina blushes, her hand tightening around Kieran’s.

— Mamá! — She grunts, embarrassed. — You’re unbelievable! — She is getting even more red, but her mom refrains for saying anything else when Dru and Tavvy come barging in once again.

— We’re hungry! — Tavvy announces, making Carmen laugh.

— Tavvy! We already messed up once, say hi to Cristina’s mom this time first. — Dru tells him, holding him close. — It is really good to see you!

— It is great to see you too, Dru. — Carmen gets up and walks to them. — I love cooking, you know? Come on, I’ll teach you how to make buñuelos. — She leads them to the kitchen cabinet, Tavvy clapping his hands in excitement.

— Mark, Kieran, get ready to eat the best afternoon snack you ever had. — Cristina excitedly tells the boys.

— Can’t wait! — Mark says, getting up. He sits by Cristina’s side, a lot more relaxed than he had been just minutes ago.

— This went so much better than I thought it would go. — Cristina blurts out, shocked.

— It totally did. Your mother is pretty nice. Scary, for sure, but nice. — Kieran ponders, watching as Carmen picks up the ingredients around the kitchen with Dru and Tavvy carefully paying attention.

— And she is not wrong, you know about us... Marrying someday. — Mark whispers. — We’ll make it. I don’t know how or when, but I know we will. — Kieran knows it'll be hard and the idea still sounds insane, but Mark is so sure that he can't help but believe it as well.

— Someday. — Cristina repeats and it sounds like a promise, so Kieran says it too.

— Someday.

Then, Cristina lays her head in his shoulder and pulls Mark’s hand to rest on her lap entangled to Kieran’s. Their warmth grounds Kieran, just like it always does.

It is really good to be home.

#kierarktina #kieraktina fic #the shadowhunter chronicles #my fics #the dark artifices #tda #tda fic #cristina rosales #kieran hunter #mark blackthorn #post qoaad #kieran x mark x cristina

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hopesilverheart · 3 years

Text

Constellations of Faerie Lights

(read on ao3)

Pairing: Helen/Lydia Rated: Gen Summary: Helen laughed. “Have you ever heard of Faerie Lights? They're actually carefully crafted by various seelies and unseelies during the year, using what little natural magic and talent we have to create garlands made up of strands of moonlight and rays of sunshine. It’s actually one of the only things I can do as a half-faerie.”

“Must be because of how bright you are,” Lydia blurted out before she could think over her words. “I mean, it just- If you’d asked me what piece of nature you held within your heart, I would have guessed Light without a second thought. Oh my god, I’m just going to shut up and let you continue your story now.”

Or: Lydia has never seen anything quite as beautiful as faerie lights (or as the faerie who made them).

For the @malecdiscordserver Advent Calendar

For as long as she could remember, Lydia had loved learning about the world.

As a child, she’d dreamed of being an explorer who got to travel wherever she wanted to, visiting the most beautiful and forgotten of places. When her parents had tried to get her to learn how to fight, she’d snuck out of the manor’s library to wander around Idris – which had earned her more punishments than she could count.

Being a shadowhunter had never been her plan. It had been her duty, and it had been what was expected of her, but it had never been her dream. She still remembered hearing the other children talking about how great fighting was and thinking ‘why on earth would you want to hunt demons when you could discover the mysteries of the world?’

Becoming a Clave representative had been her way of trying to get away from the field and maybe get sent on missions all over the world.

Of course, no one had bothered to tell her that representatives spent most of their lives stuck in Idris, dealing with paperwork and following every order they were given without batting an eyelash. So much for travelling.

Needless to say, she’d been disappointed. She’d spent the first few years of her career wondering if she would have been better off marrying into another family and gaining leadership of an Institute. At least that way she would get to move freely and decide what she wanted to do with her life.

(As much as a shadowhunter could, at least.)

In the end, it took her two years to get sent on a visit to the Madrid Institute, and another year after that to get thrown into the madness of the New York Institute. The first trip had been educational and entertaining. The second? Not so much. In fact, it had almost been enough to get Lydia demoted – or to get her to quit, if she was being honest with herself.

Fortunately for her, things took a turn for the better once she hit her fifth year as a representative. She wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve the sudden burst of confidence coming from the higher-ups, but she certainly wasn’t about to complain. In the span of three months, she’d been sent to deal with Downworld relation issues in Melbourne, to evaluate a couple for headship of the Saint-Petersburg Institute, and to resolve internal difficulties in Alexandria.

Finally, finally, her choices had paid off. After years of dealing with bureaucratic bullshit and being treated like she didn’t matter, she was being sent around the world to places she’d hoped to see for over a decade.

This new development in her career was how she found herself in Los Angeles just as November turned into December. The Institute had been going through some trouble as the Blackthorn family and the Lightwood patriarch fought for dominance, causing more problems with the Downworld than was usual for the very progressive city.

Lydia had been a little worried about her arrival, since her history with the Lightwood parents wasn’t exactly positive, but the Blackthorns had completely obscured Robert’s presence and had honestly turned Lydia’s trip to LA into the best one of her life.

There was just something about the set of siblings that made her heart melt and her mind feel lighter than it had in months.

“Lydia, you’re already up!”

Alright, so perhaps there was one sibling in particular who had caught Lydia’s eye, she thought as she turned around and came face to face with Helen Blackthorn, by far the prettiest woman Lydia had ever met.

“Good morning, Helen,” she said softly, hoping she didn’t sound half as flustered as she thought she did. “I thought I would get breakfast started for everyone, since you always seem to be the one left to shoulder that burden.”

“Oh, it’s hardly a burden,” Helen chuckled, sidling up to Lydia and stealing her breath away with another one of her blinding smiles. “It makes my siblings happy and keeping them happy is the only way I can make it through the day without going insane. Although I’ll never complain about someone doing my job for me. So, what are we having?”

“Nothing special,” Lydia shrugged. “Just some pancakes. Dru mentioned you all had family plans for the day, so I figured it would be good for the kids to have something that would fill them up with energy.”

“She told you about that?” Helen asked, sounding both surprised and slightly hesitant.

“I’m sorry,” Lydia winced. “Was she not supposed to? I didn’t think it was a secret since Livia also added her own two cents on the matter, but I can always pretend I didn’t hear anything if that would make you feel more comfortable.”

“It’s just not- It’s not exactly something I’d want getting back to the Clave,” Helen admitted quietly, glancing at Lydia as though she was about to run straight to the Clave and tell them the Blackthorns were hiding nefarious secrets. “We’re not doing anything illegal, I promise, but as tolerant as the Clave has prove to be in the last year or so, I don’t exactly…”

“Trust it?” Lydia completed for her, laughing lightly as Helen’s eyes filled with guilt. “Please don’t feel the need to lie about your feelings for the Clave just because I’m here. I may be a representative, but my only obligations to the institution as a whole is to follow my mission orders. I’m here to deal with the Blackthorn-Lightwood conflict, that’s all. Nothing else will get back to the Inquisitor.”

For a second, Helen didn’t say anything, only tilting her head to the side curiously, her fair hair falling to the side and revealing her pointy ears. Lydia tried her best not to stare at them, but they truly made Helen seem magical.

One thing the past two years had taught Lydia was that shadowhunters, for all their talks of righteousness and duty, weren’t half as amazing as they made themselves out to be. Faeries, on the other hand, never pretended to be something they weren’t. They were truthful and sometimes too cunning for their own good, but at least they didn’t lie about who they were.

It was a trait Helen had clearly gotten from her Seelie ancestors. She’d been honest with Lydia from the get-go, refusing to avoid the point of Lydia’s visit the same way Robert had and bluntly stating all the problems they’d had to handle ever since the Lightwood patriarch had arrived. It was something Lydia appreciated in a person, especially in one as stunning, bright, and kind as Helen.

So maybe she was a little smitten with the other woman; it wasn’t like anyone was going to notice.

“I believe you,” Helen finally answered. “I’m not sure why, but you don’t seem like the kind of person who would lie to expose a respectable family’s secrets. Although if you dig anything up on Lightwood, please don’t hesitate to send him packing. As much as I respect Alec and Isabelle, something about their father rubs me the wrong way.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Lydia snorted, biting at her bottom lip as her curiosity battled with her manners. At the end of the day, though, Lydia was far more curious than she was polite. “What is your family tradition, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Ah, it’s just something I got from my family in Seelie,” Helen shrugged sheepishly. “My parents never had the time to teach us about Blackthorn traditions, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give my siblings something to look forward to in place of an Advent Calendar or a Christmas tree. Something a little more… magical?”

Before Lydia could ask what the other woman meant by that, the tell-tale sound of running footsteps caught her attention and had her twisting around towards the kitchen door.

Less than three seconds later, the entire gaggle of Blackthorn children barrelled into the room, eager smiles on their faces and far too much energy in their bodies for kids who couldn’t have been up for longer than fifteen minutes.

“It’s Today!” Tavvy exclaimed happily, throwing his little hands in the air from his place in Julian’s arms.

“Yes, Tavvy, it’s today,” Helen chuckled, fluffing the young boy’s hair lightly as Julian set him down into his chair. “I see you’re all very excited. I don’t think I’ve seen you up this early since the same day last year, Liv!”

“Very funny,” Livia rolled her eyes, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Lydia’s pancakes. “Oh god, can we keep you? Helen never makes pancakes. And we’re far more fun than the Clave, as I’m sure you’ve noticed by now.”

“You do realise she has a job in Idris, right?” Emma – the only non-Blackthorn of the bunch – said sarcastically, flicking the back of Livia’s head playfully and agilely dodging the younger girl’s elbow as it flew back to nudge her in the ribs. “But I agree that I could get used to pancakes for breakfast. Perhaps Miss Branwell could teach Helen how to cook properly.”

“Lydia, please.”

“I’m sure Lydia has enough on her plate already,” Helen shook her head amusedly, chuckling as she caught sight of the plate in Lydia’s hands. “No pun intended.”

“Oh god, have the puns already started?” Ty – Livia’s twin – groaned, burying his head in his hands.

“The puns never end, brother dear,” Helen grinned widely, pulling out a seat for Lydia before sitting right next to her. Lydia tried her very best not to blush but, if the look on Emma and Julian’s faces was anything to go by, she wasn’t quite as subtle as she wanted to be. “Now please devour your pancakes like the uncivilised shadowhunters you are so we can get outside before the sun comes up.”

Lydia was about to ask why they needed to be out before sunrise, but the sudden inhalation of food by the younger Blackthorns stopped her in her tracks. She wasn’t sure whether she was impressed or horrified by their speed; perhaps a little bit of both.

“Is Miss Branwell going to put the lights up with us?” Dru asked once the pancakes had been consumed and the other children had rushed away – presumably to get their shoes and jackets or whatever else they might need for this mysterious tradition.

“If she wants to,” Helen answered quietly, sending Lydia a look that was far too hopeful for her to ignore. “You don’t have t-”

“I would love to join you,” Lydia smiled. “I have to speak to Robert this afternoon, but as long as this only takes up our morning, I should be fine.”

“Oh, you can leave whenever you want to,” Helen assured her. “The main event will be over in less than a minute, but I like to let the kids have their fun for as long as they want to be there. It keeps them busy and gives me less to worry about, so I usually just sit back and enjoy the show.”

“You’ve got me more intrigued by the second,” Lydia admitted, standing up to follow Helen as the woman gestured for her to come along. “What was Dru saying about lights?”

“Right, we got interrupted before I could explain,” Helen laughed. “Have you ever heard of Faerie Lights? Stupid question, of course you have. Anyways, the common agreement in mundane society seems to be that once upon a time, the lights were made of actual fairies. Little do they know, the lights are actually carefully crafted by various seelies and unseelies during the year, using what little natural magic and talent we have to create garlands made up of strands of moonlight and rays of sunshine. I know it sounds very theoretical and a little silly but… I promise it works. It’s actually one of the only things I can do as a half-faerie.”

“You’re fine,” Helen smiled, rendering Lydia speechless as she gently laced their fingers together and squeezed Lydia’s hand reassuringly. By some stroke of luck, she didn’t pull away even as the rest of the siblings joined them in the Institute’s front hall. “Alright everyone, time to get the show started!”

As one, their little group stepped out of the Institute only to be greeted by the harsh cold air of an early winter morning. LA might not have been as cold as Idris, but mornings had proved to be cruel in terms of temperature. Lydia had been fooled on her first day there, and she couldn’t help but regret not bringing anything other than lighter clothes on her trip.

Not that she thought about the cold for too long; not with Helen’s hand in hers and the rest of the Blackthorns bounding forward a few steps before coming to a halt and turning towards the Institute with wide eyes.

Lydia was about to ask what was going on but before the question could leave her lips, Helen was turning her around and giggling wildly as Lydia’s jaw dropped.

The lights weren’t on yet – she wasn’t sure how that worked exactly, since Helen had made it seem like she’d put pure moonlight into the garlands, but she was far too stunned to wonder about technicalities – however, the Institute was already the prettiest thing Lydia had ever seen.

The garlands seemed to be made of both gold and silver strands, the colours visible even from afar thanks to the first few rays of sunshine peeking through the horizon. The strands themselves were covered in tiny buds of a flower Lydia couldn’t identify but could definitely appreciate. And the lights, or at least their containers, were made of what seemed to be delicate, glittery glass.

Honestly, Lydia wasn’t sure what was going on, but she wasn’t complaining in the slightest.

She was only startled out of her daze by Helen letting go of her hand with an apologetic smile. Lydia’s fingers suddenly felt more cold than they had in days, and she wondered if there was even a chance that she could get Helen back where she’d been seconds earlier once she was done doing… whatever she was doing with the lights.

“Are you ready?” Helen called over once she’d reached the Institute’s front door again – a door from which appeared to hang the very first garland.

As soon as the Blackthorn children answered with a chorus of ‘yes’s, Helen brought her hand up to the garland, closed her eyes tightly, pressed her fingers against one of the glass containers, and-

Lydia’s mind went blank.

She had no idea how long she stood there, staring at the faerie lights as they turned on one by one, but she figured it was far longer than most people would. She didn’t care, though, because she wasn’t sure she had ever seen anything as entrancing as the lights show happening in front of her.

By the time she came back to herself, all the lights were on and the children were gone, leaving Lydia alone with Helen. Helen, who had laced their fingers back together again.

Between the lights and Helen’s warm hand in hers, Lydia wasn’t sure she was going to make it through that morning in one piece. Her heart felt fuller than it ever had, and she could feel tears of awe stinging at her eyes.

She honestly wasn’t even sure how to describe what she was feeling at that moment. She wanted to tell Helen that the little bit of magic she had was the most beautiful thing Lydia had ever seen. She wanted to tell her that she’d never felt more content than she did right then, staring at an Institute she barely knew and holding hands with a woman she probably shouldn’t have liked so much. She wanted to burst into tears and grin like a loon and just sit there all day, staring at the constellation of bright stars adorning the Institute’s façade.

“Those are- Those are the most stunning Christmas lights I’ve ever laid eyes upon,” Lydia finally breathed out, frowning at how insufficient her words sounded. “No, that’s not right. That’s the most stunning thing I’ve seen ever, full stop. I just- How did you do that?”

“Not sure,” Helen shrugged, her cheeks redder than Lydia had ever seen them. “It’s really nothing much; just something to make my siblings smile.”

“Well you’ve achieved that and more,” Lydia nudged her gently. “There aren’t many things in this world that can make me speechless. Speaking of the kids though, where are they?”

“I leave coloured faerie lights hidden all around the Institute for them to find,” Helen smiled fondly. “Whoever can find the most gets exempted from shadowhunter duties for the entire month.”

“Oh wow, pretty high stakes,” Lydia whistled, impressed. “How many are there?”

“About a hundred,” Helen admitted with a smirk. “But they never find all of them, and most of them will be back within the next hour or so. They already know who’s going to win.”

“They do?” Lydia asked, more than happy to sit there and listen to Helen talk about her siblings lovingly while Lydia admired the lights.

“Emma wins ever year,” Helen explained. “That girl is far too competitive for her own good, and Tavvy always gives her the ones he finds since he’s too little to have duties.”

“Devious,” Lydia laughed loudly. “And what do you usually do?”

“Paperwork, patrolling, whatever needs to get done, really,” Helen answered with a sigh. “There’s always too little time to do everything, and not having my siblings around means I’m far more productive. However, I suppose- Well, I could be convinced to do something else, for once, even if it’s just staring at these lights for a few hours with a pretty girl next to me.”

“I- Really?” Lydia whispered, looking between the lights and Helen disbelievingly. She wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve the attention of the most beautiful girl in the world, but she wasn’t about to complain. “I would love that.”

“Good,” Helen murmured, squeezing her fingers again. “Because there’s nothing I’d rather be doing right now.”

If Lydia had thought the lights had stolen her breath away, it was nothing compared to what she felt at the sound of those words. Her heart skipped a beat, her stomach fluttered, and she knew her cheeks were probably brighter than ever.

Lydia hadn’t thought she would ever understand wanting to stay in one place for the rest of her life but, staring at Helen and feeling the other woman’s warmth as they sat on the grass and glanced up at the myriads of faerie lights, she thought she might finally get where everyone was coming from.

There was nothing she wanted more than for the world to stop right then, with Helen’s hand in hers and a sea of stars gleaming before her very eyes.

#Helen/Lydia #Branthorn?#Blackwell?#Helydia?#Writing new pairings is hard #Fluff #Malec Discord Server #Christmas #Alec Lightwood #Fairy lights #girls in love #really throwing pairings out into the world at this point #but god do i love my women #helen blackthorn #Lydia Branwell

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khaleesiofalicante · 4 years

Note

Do you have any favorite parts in TMI that you didn’t have before you reread and live-blogged it? Or are there any parts that you have a new appreciation for that you didn’t initially? 🖤

The Blackthorns.

I didn’t really pay attention to their scenes when I read it the first time because I was too concerned about what was happening to the TMI gang. But this time, every scene with Emma, Julian, Mark, Helen and the others hit me hard.

The little anecdotes about Ty, the way Julian carried around Tavvy everywhere, Emma being an absolute badass at 12 - it was as if I was reading about them for the first time.

With regard to the whole series, I actually started to appreciate Cassie’s writing. I mean, I know she is AMAZING. But all the emotional throwbacks, clever jokes and beautiful parallels just made me love her and her writing even more <3

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hgfanonezillion · 4 years

Text

For @neighborhoodkitchenwitch, here is your request. (unbeta’d and not thoroughly edited, so please forgive any mistakes. I’ll fix them if I ever get around to posting this on AO3.)

Jules groaned at his phone and typed a furious reply.

Emma grinned and leaned on her hand. “What is it now?”

“Helen is asking if they need to prepare for a plus one.”

“My offer still stands, you know?” Emma went back to her essay. “I pretend to be your girlfriend and let everyone fall madly in love with me and then I break up with you after we leave. And then you can pretend I broke your heart, so you’re swearing off dating forever.”

Julian laughed. “I guess. If you don’t mind giving up your holiday.”

Emma shrugged. “The alternative is staying on campus and going to my humanities professor’s house.”

“I hear he goes all out.” Jules offered.

“I hear he does too. But I couldn’t care less. My motives aren’t entirely altruistic. I need to see this mansion you grew up in.”

Jules laughed. “It’s a pretty big house, but not a mansion. And I have no idea how many people will be showing up. It could be close quarters.”

Emma’s eyes lit up. “Like, there’s only one bed? Whatever will we do?”

Jules shook his head. “Like, I have a couch in my room that I can sleep on if need be.”

Her jaw dropped. “You have a couch in your bedroom? I barely had a couch in my living room growing up.” She continued to shake her head in disbelief and attempted to finish her essay.

****

“Okay, so you’re going to have to remind me of every single person in your family.” Emma said as they pulled into the driveway. “I’m never going to remember them all.”

“It’ll be fine. Just make nice with Helen’s wife Aline and you will be golden.” Jules couldn’t help but feel anxious anyway. Would everyone believe he and Emma were actually dating?

Livvy answered the door and threw herself at Julian. “I missed you!”

Jules laughed and spun her around. “I missed you, Liv.” He kissed her cheek and saw Ty standing nearby. He walked over and gave his brother a quick hug, which Ty returned with a lot less reluctance than Jules expected.

Livvy held out her hand. “Hi, you must be Emma. I’m Livia. That’s Ty.” She pointed over her shoulder.

Ty gave a nod of greeting and then put his headphones back in place.

Emma slipped her hand into Julian’s hand as he led her further into the house. He introduced her to all the people they passed. There were far more than he even realized would be in attendance.

Aline and Cristina were working in the kitchen. Kieran enthusiastically chopped vegetables. It wasn’t very pretty, but Kieran still worked.

“How can I help?” Emma asked once Jules had introduced her around.

Aline looked around the room. She pointed to a pot. “Those potatoes can be mashed. The masher thing is in the drawer to the left of the sink.”

Emma gave Julian a quick kiss on the cheek and then wandered away to find the potato masher.

Jules sat at the table with Kieran.

“She’s cute.” Kieran said, watching her across the room.

“She is.” Jules had tried to keep Emma from this pretend dating thing mostly because he had a gigantic crush on her.

Mark came into the house and dropped a grocery bag on the island. “My wife requests and I provide.”

“Thank you, Mark.” Cristina said with a smile.

Kieran stood. “I’ll brew the ginger tea.”

Cristina shook her head. “Don’t do that.” She pointed between Mark and Kieran. “We talked about this.”

Kieran sighed and sat back down. “Sorry.”

Cristina set a kettle on the stove.

Julian noted a look that passed between Mark and Kieran. Something was happening that he didn’t understand. He’d definitely have to ask Mark about it later. Kieran was like a steel trap when it came to any information.

Emma was making herself at home rummaging in the fridge and in Aline’s spice collection.

Aline gave her an appreciative grin and caught Julian’s eye across the room. She gave him a thumbs up and then went back to the gravy.

****

Julian had never tasted mashed potatoes so tasty in his life. Like, they were mashed potatoes, how hard could they be? But these were like heaven in his mouth. What was that?

“I put a fuck-ton of sour cream and butter in them.” Emma was explaining to Dru. “And garlic powder. Though, actual garlic would have been a better choice. I sometimes put bacon grease in it when I have it.”

Aline gave an appreciative nod. “Next time I’ll make sure to have those on hand for you. I usually just do butter, salt, and pepper.”

“No offense, babe,” Helen said, “but Emma’s win. The turkey is fantastic, though.”

“And the green bean casserole.” Mark said. “All delicious.”

Jules noticed that Cristina pushed everything around her plate. She looked a little green.

Kieran was across from her. “Dearest, try to eat something.”

Mark looked over, mouth full as he spoke. “Do you need more ginger tea?”

“I need you two to stop acting like me being pregnant is a big deal.” Cristina snapped.

The room froze.

“Definitely not how I wanted to say that.” Cristina mumbled.

Julian saw Mark beaming. Kieran reached a hand across the table and squeezed hers.

The room erupted once more in conversation. Julian watched Emma across the table. She was very animated with Dru and Livvy. She even talked to Tavvy. Maybe he had a little more than a crush.

****

The couch that Jules said was in his bedroom was more of a love seat. His lanky form squeezed into it and he seemed to be sleeping fine. But Emma didn’t feel like it was fair. She’d tried to get him to sleep on the bed and let her have the couch, but he insisted.

She watched him a few more minutes before she made a final decision. She walked across the room and shook his shoulder.

Julian’s eyes squinted open. “Hm?”

“Come sleep in the bed with me.” Emma said. “Your back is going to be hurting tomorrow if you sleep here.”

“I’m fine.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Come to bed.” She pulled on his arm and brought him toward the bed.

The first several minutes the two lay there very stiff. Finally, Emma wrapped her arm around Julian’s waist.

“I like your family.” She said softly.

“I think they like you too.” He relaxed into her. “They’re going to hate when we break up.”

“We don’t have to.” Emma pressed her foot between Julian’s. “We can make this official. I’ve kind of had a crush on you since I met you.”

“Me too.” Julian chuckled. “I mean, I guess if you want.”

“Yes. I do want it. Very much.” She pressed a soft kiss to his lips and then rolled over and pulled his arms around her waist. “Good night.”

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alma-berry · 5 years

Text

Kit’s Secret Fire Message # 12

Masterlist 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

The main hall of the London institute was crowded, Ty suspected, in an unusual way. For an institute as nearly vacated as it was, one could expect some enthusiasm from his permanent residents, but even he knew better. He remembered the perpetually sour look on Evelyn Highsmith’s face from when he and his family had stayed here, and from the looks of it, it hadn’t changed.

Breakfast was a buzz of excitement and chattering voices from his fellow Centurions, mainly thanks to the occurrence of the night before. Kit’s name was mentioned over and over, making Ty’s stomach flip each and every time with its own kind of excitement. Though Kit’s absence was noticed, no one but Ty really expected him to show. Having been injured and visited by the silent brothers, they all seemed convinced he was still resting in his room. Only Ty had heard his music in the smallest hours of the night, pirouetted through the darkness like a wisp of smoke on ice. Only he had read Kit’s words, “It was only you”.

He longed to see him, and feared it. What was he to say? A simple hello seemed so little.. he wanted to feel the warmth of his skin against his, to hear the fastened beating of his heart and to know, most of all, to know beyond a doubt, that he was safe.

“Blackthorn! By the angel, stop daydreaming and pay attention!” The irritated voice of Carl Lindquist made Ty flinch, and he cursed himself inwardly for losing focus in front of the others. Carl, in particular, would use any excuse he could to scold him. Ty knew what lay behind his petty behavior, he could see the greedy way the centurion looked at him when he thought he didn’t notice.. but he had no idea what he was supposed to do with that information, other than not encourage him.

“We have twenty minutes to get ready and then we head out” Oscar eyed him with a patronizing glare. Ty and the others had agreed they should look the old warehouse for more clues about the meaning of the attack. The thought of leaving without seeing Kit made him feel uneasy, but Ty knew the importance of this investigation, and nodded in agreement as he went towards the main staircase.

When he climbed the first step, a sound rippled through the air and Ty turned to see a portal shimmering bright in the center of the hall. Not a second later, a large, threatening shape had leaped at him, pinning him to the ground with a low growl.

“Irene!” Ty called with astonishment, and lifted himself to his knees. He reached out and took her into his arms, running his fingers through the thick, silky fur of the lynx, relishing on the familiar softness of her. From above him, came the stern voice of Catarina Loss.

“Tiberius, I came here on a serious expedition. You see, I would appreciate it if some of my other students will be allowed to keep their limbs intact for the rest of the year, I’m sure you won’t object.” She loomed over him in all of her blue regalia, and gave him that piercing look she always had when she was trying hard not to make comments of other people’s intellect. Naturally, that look wasn’t often directed to Ty.

“Oh, and I promised young Mr. Anush that I would assure you of his relentless attempts to sedate you feline friend, or at least to keep her in your room. But alas, Anush is rather prone to hysteria, as you may know, and he did not take her constant snarling well.. thus, our current presence.”

Catarina paused for a second, and Ty had a feeling he was expected to make a comment of sorts, but when he hadn’t, she continued.

“Rest assured I will be informing dear Anush of your eternal gratitude, Mr. Blackthorn? The poor boy was terribly crossed with the idea of disappointing you.”

Oh, Ty realized this was when he was supposed to say thank you. It wasn’t that he took his friend for granted, it was just that he was so utterly surprised. He hurried to correct his mistakes, “Yes, thank him for me. And thank you as well, Ms. Loss, for bringing Irene to me.”

She gave him a sweet smile and waved her hand in dismissal, when her eyes paused, narrowed on something behind him.

“Ah! I was wondering when I’ll be seeing your dashing face”

Ty turned his head as a laugh, light and warm as sunlight rang into his chest.

“As soon as I heard your voice, Catarina. I couldn’t miss a visit from my third favorite warlock.”

Kit was standing in the middle the staircase, his smile radiant. Ty felt his breath orphaned on his lips, and the quick succession of his heart almost hurt.

“Third? Second I understand, with your adoptive mother and all.. but are you telling me you prefer the company of Magnus Bane to mine?”

Catarina glared at him with obvious suspicion.

“Of course not. I meant Gandalf.”

The others were looking back and forth between Kit and the Catarina like they were watching a tennis match, which is another one of those mundane sports Ty never understood. It was probably that they were amazed by the familiarity between the two, or they were more likely confused by the mention of a fictional wizard.

Ty didn’t notice any of that, he only saw Kit’s blue eyes, alive and pulsating like the shimmering surface of the ocean, right when the sun is at its highest point. He was unable to look away, even when Kit’s gaze fixed on his, pupils slightly dilated, their blue deepening with emotion obvious even to him.

“Well, as much as you’re all lovely to look at, I have other lazy Nephilim to attend to” Ty heard Catarina’s voice as if from a distance.

He was still locking eyes with Kit, even while the portal gleamed shut at the corner of his eye.

Usually, direct eye contact was something Ty would do with an effort, but that wasn’t the case.. he just couldn’t look away, and it was too much, far too much.

Kit came down the steps and stopped mid way, still a safe distance between them. He looked to Ty’s feet, his eyes widened for a split second, and Ty could feel Irene’s body tense next to him, sensing the approach of a stranger.

Everyone in the room fell silent, acknowledging the potential of danger. Ty wanted to assure Kit that Irene would not hurt him, but he wasn’t looking at him. In fact, he didn’t seem to be tense at all. He was looking at Irene with the same intense look he gave Ty just a minute before, and Ty was surprised to find that she was looking at him with the same curiosity.

They seemed to be appraising each other for a long moment, and then Kit kneeled down to look at her directly in the eye. Ty wasn’t sure who was winning that stare contest. Eventually, Kit leaned towards her, his hand stretched forward gently, not touching her, but as if offering her to approach. Ty held his breath, Irene didn’t like to be touched by anyone other than him, but Kit seemed confident and relaxed.

Ty was transfixed, as Irene stretched her long limbs and strode towards Kit. She placed her head under his hand, inviting him to stroke her. Kit patted her with his long, strong fingers, and she purred contentedly under his touch.

Ty was baffled. That was a first, and the muttered gasps around him showed that he was not the only one to notice the magnitude of Irene’s gesture. She was a wild animal, and as much as she was loving and fiercely protective of Ty, she never showed that inclination towards any one else in the slightest.

Kit seemed content with his accomplishment, and looked up at Ty with a wide smile. “What’s her name?”

Ty found it hard to answer back, his throat felt dry and he tried to concentrate his gaze on a point behind Kit’s brilliant face.

“Irene”, he responded with a croaked voice, hoping nobody noticed his discomfort.

“Huh.. Irene” Kit repeated his words with a thoughtful voice, “The woman”.

Ty couldn’t help the smile from reaching his lips. Kit remembered, after all. It was a sign that something of the old friendship they had was still between them. He could feel the terrible weight of his fears slide off his chest, and wondered when was it that he stopped noticing it was there.

His eyes scattered around Kit’s face again, trying to study his expressions without having to commit to the overwhelming power of his eyes on his.

“Yeah, well.. she’s The only woman, if you know what I mean”. Carl Lindquist stepped between them, his blonde hair pulled back tightly, making his angular face seem even more grouchy than they usually did.

“No, I actually don’t know what you mean” Kit slowly rose to his feet, and Carl took an involuntary step back. Kit was taller than him, and wider, a fact that Carl seemed to be painfully aware of.

“I mean Blackthorn’s gay” he declared with a smirk on his thin lips. It seemed like he was saying it as an insult, and Ty couldn’t understand why.

It was true, of course, he was gay. He never felt the need to hide it, as much as it didn’t seem relevant to mention it to random people, especially people like Carl, which he didn’t really like. He also didn’t understand why Carl of all people would try to use it as an insult, when it was obvious he was-

“And..?” Kit said slowly, his voice sweet and deadly like a honey trap. His cheeks were slightly flushed, but in his eyes Ty saw the menacing and defiant look of a warrior. He almost forgot how well it suited him.. how his jaw tightened and his chest heaved with suppressed expectation.

“And so if he’s gay than his beast of a cat is the only woman he will ever have” Carl looked at Kit like he was missing the punch of a very clever joke.

“Wow. I thought they only let the smart ones into the Scholomance. So what song did you sing for the auditions, Gretel?”

A chorus of giggles came from behind them, and Ty was surprised to find that even Bridgette, who apparently entered the hall while he was busy staring at Kit, held a hand to her mouth and failed to look imposing.

Carl probably tried to growl at Kit, but the sound that left his mouth sounded much like a raccoon sneezing. Ty saw a sick baby raccoon once, he snuck him to the kitchen inside his jacket and fed him warm milk in one of Tavvy’s old baby bottles.

“Ten minutes and we’re out!” He was snapped back into focus, and saw carl’s back as he stumped up the stairs.

Kit stood in the hallway as everyone went to get ready for their patrol, even Irene left, probably off to terrorize Evelyn.

Only Ty remained. He was still looking intently at a point right behind Kit, the silver in his eyes stirring, bewitching him into a hazed trance. When they were finally alone, Kit found his voice.

“He’s into you, do you know that?”

It was obvious to him from the second he laid eyes on the slimy, pompous face of that centurion bastard. He could see the way his eyes kept running to Ty and away, like he couldn’t stop looking at him and it made him angry and hurtful. The memory made Kit taste acid down his throat, and not from jealousy. Ty was unbearably handsome, anyone could see that. But the edge of violence that stained the centurion’s words felt like a threat yet to be made.

And just because he could see it didn’t mean Ty could too.

“Yes. I’ve noticed.”

Kit examined his face, there was no trace of anger or resentment in them. He said it matter-of-factly, almost absent-mindedly.. like there was nothing to be done with it. Kit suddenly felt lighter, like someone inflated a dozen balloons inside his ribcage. He could almost feel his feet leaving the ground.

He forced his eyes to the soft hollow in the base of Ty’s neck and took a step towards him, “I-“

“I want to talk to you” they started at the same time, but Ty had an eagerness to his voice that made Kit’s eyes fly back to his face, desperate to see the bundle of emotions he felt reflected back in them.

And they had. Ty still wasn’t looking directly at him, but Kit could feel the surge of electricity that sparked between them. Every part of his body suddenly aware of their nearness, of the fact that after years, they were standing right in front of each other.. and he was no longer overpowered by hatred, grief or demon poison to cloud his thoughts. He was right there, looking straight into Ty’s grey eyes.

“Are you leaving now?” His voice sounded thick to his own ears, but he couldn’t care less about being obvious with his feelings.

“Yes, but.. will you be here when I get back?” He replied in a small, worried voice.

Kit’s chest expanded beyond what was humanly possible. He couldn’t believe how one question could have such a powerful effect on him, but it did.

Ty wanted him to be there, he wanted to talk to him, and Kit didn’t care what about. If it was to call him every imaginable name for leaving as he did or to tell him he was stupid to send him those letters all of these years, it didn’t matter. He still wanted him there.

It wasn’t the blind need of friendship and affection that made him throw all caution to the wind when they were fifteen, it was the simple fact that there will be a tonight with Ty, and maybe even a tomorrow. That he will have a chance to fix what had happened, a chance of redemption.

“I’ll be here. Jem and Tessa are coming soon, with my sister. And it’ll be nice to train in a room that is not baby proof for a change-“

Kit was knocked backwards as that fuckwit centurion stepped right between him and Ty. He regained his balance quickly and shot him a glare he wished would burn a hole in his greasy hair.

“Watch your face, pretty boy” the centurion called, probably satisfied that he caught Kit off guard, something that Kit promised himself will never happen again.

“Aww, you think I’m pretty?” Kit pulled out his most charming smile, the one that made several Devon girls and boys swoon beyond coherence.

Weasel-face didn’t look impressed, though. He gave him a venomous look and spat on the floor.

“Eww. That’s rude, and disgusting. What the fuck is the matter with you?” Kit couldn’t stand people who just spat at floors. Did he fall asleep and end up in a goddamn western? Because those boots are where he draws the line.

“I don’t like you, Herondale”

This guy really needs to work on his comebacks, Kit thought.

“Well, you’re not making much of an impression yourself, dick wheedle” Kit watched with amusement as his ferret’s face reddened with indignation.

“I’m not- you can’t possibly- you don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Kit could feel Ty shaking at his side, holding in the bubble of laughter. He knew that there was no chance Ty knew what dick wheedle means, but the way that weasel-face was changing colors was simply hilarious.

“Call it an educated guess, will you?” Kit grinned widely.

He gave them one last hateful look and muttered under his breath while strutting out of the institute.

Kit heard the word “cocksucker” and called “That’s not really an insult, that’s an observation!”, but the centurion never turned.

A second later his words sank in. He felt his cheeks flare with fierce intensity and slowly faced Ty again.

A trace of amusement danced across his lips, and Kit forgot all about weasels and ferrets and the existence of other human beings. The warmth of Ty radiated through the small distance between them, and Kit ached to close it.

“So you’ll be here when I come back, right?” Ty said hurriedly, and his hand clasped Kit arm, gripping tightly.

He found no words, not a single one. He only nodded his head and wished like an embarrassing cliché that time would stop in that very instant, when Ty’s long fingers were sliding slowly down his bicep, tracing the webbed veins with a softness that made him shudder. He couldn’t help a gasp and his eyes caught hold of Ty’s in a symphony of shallow breaths.

“Than I will see you later.”

His voice was clear and steady as his fingers detached themselves from Kit, leaving the numbness of loss spreading all through him.

Ty was out of the institute in three immeasurable seconds, which were all it took for Kit to fall to his knees.

The numbness was instantly gone, leaving in its place a net of stinging needles that attacked him from every direction. Kit felt like his bones were shaking, like the tight coil that held him in place had suddenly snapped and there was nothing to keep him from evaporating into thin air.

As he watched his shaking limbs, a bright layer of light had formed on the bare patches of his skin. He felt the cold dread of recognition trickling down his spine like a single drop of sweat. He bolted to his feet and ran up the stairs towards the roof, moving as fast as he could while watching with growing terror how the light on his skin seemed stronger with every step.

He almost ripped the door off its hinges as the cool London air hit him like a scorned lover.

Kit looked down at his hands and felt the power surging in him, begging to be released. It felt heavy, as it always did, like all the blood in his body had solidified. The weight made his muscles flex like they were both light and warn.

He closed his eyes shut and tried to concentrate, like he was taught by Tessa. He heard her voice echoing through his clouded mind like a bell ringing from a great distance.

But as he welcomed the darkness, the thought of Ty’s touch slammed into him all over again, and he remembered that electric wave stream between them.

A desperate thought haunted the back of his mind - what if he could never touch Ty again? Was he putting him in danger? Or more importantly, was he losing control of his powers because he was losing control of his heart?

Ty was the first to enter the institute. His fellow centurions found a posh looking oyster bar down St. James’s and he was able to ditch them right after they ordered with the excuse of not liking the anything on the menu. That wasn’t really an excuse.. he really didn’t like anything on it, let alone the loud hubbub of people that only seemed to increase by the second. He didn’t really understand Carl’s insistence on the place, with its high prices and seemingly miniature dishes, but it turned out well for him. He was eager to return to the institute, to Kit.

Ty didn’t allow himself to think about him during the investigation, but as the hours passed and they found nothing of substance to go one with but scrapes of ichor and blood, his thoughts trailed uncontrollably to Kit.

He made an inventory list of everything he wanted to ask him, or at least he tried. Why did you leave me? Are you still angry with me? When did you learn how to play your guitar? Why did you send me those letters? Do you still dream of me? Did you decipher my letter? Do you still wish you never knew me? Did you miss me? because I have, I have I have.

As he opened the heavy iron doors of the institute, Ty was greeted by a loud shriek, accompanied by two sets of very different footsteps hurrying towards him.

There was a little girl, approximately three years old, standing in the middle of the hall, with Irene’s short black tipped tail clasped tightly in her small hand. Ty froze in terrified bewilderment. Was every member of the Carstairs household, for this was undeniably the young child of Jem Carstairs, immune to the fact that Irene was not a small kitten, but a fully grown wild animal?

The child beamed at him with her glistening almond shaped eyes, and giggled.

“Cute Kitty!” Ty lowered himself to her, examining her delicate porcelain skin, the softness of her swollen cheeks. She was quite lovely, he had to admit, and there was a reckless energy about her that reminded him of Emma, somehow.

“Yes, she is cute, isn’t she? Her name is Irene” The child looked dazed by the new information, “What is your name?”

Her smile became shy and she hid her face in Irene’s spotted fur.

“Mina”, she said, her voice muffled by the fur.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mina. My name is Ty.”

“Hello, Tiberius” a soft voice came from behind them, and Ty turned to see Tessa grey, leaning on a large tapestry of Raziel. Her oval face had a tender expression to them as she watched her daughter play with Irene’s pointed ears.

“Hi,” Ty answered, a little startled by her appearance, all though it was completely to be expected, for the child- Mina, he reminded himself, would not be allowed to wander the institute on her own.

“Would you come to study with us? The fire is lit and you must be awfully cold”

He obliged and walked after her with a slight apprehension, what would she want to talk to him? Was it to scold him? Did she know what happened on Lake Lynn?

But Tessa’s face were kind and thoughtful, and as he scanned it for any clues of her intentions, the grey of her eyes caught him by surprise. He remembered their color, so similar and so different than his, but as he examined them by the light of the fire, he saw that there was blue in them, too.

He wondered if Kit ever looked into them and thought of him, and then remembered a line from one of his poems, “Must I live or die every time / The light welds the grey of my mother’s eyes / Into the blaze of silver” and a violent shudder went through him.

“Are you still cold?” Tessa asked with a worried look on her face.

“No, it’s nothing”

She eyed him doubtfully, but didn’t push the matter.

“Ty, I.. I actually wanted to talk to you,” he sucked in a breath, “I wanted to thank you for all that you have done for my son. You were a true..” she paused, hesitant, “friend, to him.”

Ty puzzled over her hesitance. He wasn’t friends with Kit for years, and now.. he wasn’t sure what they were to each other.

Tessa gave him a knowing, affectionate smile.

“And also, my Mina is fascinated by your lynx. She is beautiful, isn’t she?”

“Yes.. I was surprised that she wasn’t afraid of her. And that Irene let her hold her tail.. she usually doesn’t appreciate it when people do that.”

Tessa laughed a light, musical laugh. “Well, Mina is quite unusual when it comes to the feline family. She demands affection, and it is usually granted to her.”

“Usually?” Ty mused.

“Magnus’s cat took some time to win over.. about ten minutes. Mina was deeply crossed.”

Ty looked at the small child, cuddled with Irene by the fire, “Are you leaving?”

Tessa gave him a sweet smile, “Yes, Jem is just saying goodbye to Kit in his room. You should go and see him.”

There it was again, that look, as if he had dirt on his face and she was debating whether to tell him so or not. What was it that she knew?

He nodded and rose to his feet, when she spoke again.

“And.. Ty? You will take care of him for me, will you? I know it’s been a long time, but now that you are here..” there was honest worry in her fierce eyes, and Ty forced himself to look straight into them when he answered.

“I will.”

Kit was sitting on his bed, his fingers playing nervously with threads of his pillow.

“I don’t have it under control, Jem.. I’m scared.”

He was pointedly not looking at his adoptive father, afraid of finding anger in his dark brown eyes.

“Earlier we just.. we just talked and he touched my hand and I.. I lost it, it was so close.”

He risked a glance at him, but found nothing but affection and worry in them.

Jem was silent for a long moment before he talked.

“Nothing happened, Kit. You managed to contain it.”

Kit rolled his eyes and punched the plain white pillow in his lap.

“I understand that it’s frightening, and we don’t know nearly enough about the nature of your powers, but you managed to control it today, and you can do it again. You have to trust your instincts.”

Didn’t he understand what was in line? Didn’t he see what Kit was risking by merely staying at the institute? He was dangerous, like an exposed wire under a stormy sky.

“But what if I can’t? What if I end up hurting somebody.. what if I hurt him? What if what I feel will be the cause of-”

“Christopher, look at me,” Jem’s eyes held an intense emotion that Kit couldn’t back away from, and he was surprised to feel a solitary tear, cracking down its way through the scorching desert of his cheeks.

“Your heart is nothing to be feared.”

Ty climbed up the stairs that led to Kit’s room. His heart was hammering loudly in his chest, and he wished Livvy would stop practicing how to hide from him and tell him what to do.

He had a feeling that so much depended on this talk.

His hands were fidgeting restlessly with one of the toys Julian had made for him long ago. his fingers dismantling it expertly.

He was nearly there.

Ty took a deep breath and whispered, “Livvy?” But Livvy was nowhere to be found.

The voice that answered him, though, was one he wasn’t expecting.

“I don’t know how to be near him..” Ty felt his heart stop, and he was amazed to realize Kit was.. crying.

“I’m scared, Jem. I don’t want to hurt-”

“You will figure it out, son. I have faith in you.” Jem’s voice was firm, reassuring.

Ty felt a bubble of hurt nestling inside inside him, releasing its venom. Was he talking about him? Didn’t he want him around? Why would he chose to stay in the institute if he didn’t? He wasn’t a formal part of any investigation, he wasn’t required or forced by any law to remain here.

He felt tears, treacherous and unwanted, streaming down his cheeks.

How could he have gotten everything so wrong? When Kit looked at him this morning, he could have sworn that there was fondness in him. Not just fondness, emotion. When he touched his hand, he saw Kit’s eyes darken into the color of the night sky, his lips parted with amazement.

Did he imagine it? He had seen that look before, several times, and he thought he knew what it meant.. but Kit was a mystery to him like any other he had encountered.

How could he be so wrong?

Jem’s voice woke him out of his revery.

“Listen.. I know that you wish to stay here, with Tiberius,” Ty’s heart leaped up his throat, did he? did he want to stay? so why-

“But Kit, you must be careful. There are still those who are searching for you, you know there are whispers as well as I do. And now that there are centurions here.. don’t look at me like that, my dearest. I know that they are not the cohort, but I still need you to be cautious.”

Ty felt the attack of a thousand questions like a swirl of bees inside his head. He loved bees, as he loved questions, but the loud, violent hustle of them was painful.

He pressed his back to the cold wall behind him, and heard Kit answer in a small voice,

“I will”.

Ty turned on his heels and headed to his room.

Kit was not just a mystery to him, he was a mystery to others, too. People were looking for him, and if Jem had any reasons to fear the involvement of centurions, this has to mean fairy.

What did Kit have to do with the fey? Who was looking for him?

Ty felt a surge of protective fire flare up inside him. If Kit was in danger, if someone wanted to hurt him, Ty had to know why. He had to solve this.

The well known, cold calmness of the beginning of an investigation settled over him as Livvy materialized at his side.

She gave one look at him and called, “What’s wrong?”

“Come,” He didn’t smile as he answered, his voice hard and sharp like a newly forged sword.

“We have a case to solve.”

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