#thank you again tessa!💜 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

purplebass · 11 months

Note

Ooh okay CONGRATS ON THE MILESTONE GIRL you deserve it! If you're still taking requests, might I ask for a Matthew + Alastair friendship fic of some kind? ❤️

Thanks 💜 I really tried to make it cool and funny and there is also Thomastair at the end. I hope you like it ✨

Read on A03

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

Alastair knew he shouldn’t have asked for Matthew’s help, but he was desperate. As the second anniversary with his beloved Thomas was close, he was out of ideas, something he did not like nor wished on his worst enemy or least favorable acquaintance. Not even on Matthew, decidedly, who he had never once thought as a foe but not as a friend either.

He checked his pocket watch. The clock had just struck seven in the morning, and he was by the gate of the house he and Thomas had been sharing for five months. He knew that he was the one who was early, and not the other one who was late.

The evening before they both were at an event at the Townsends, only because their parents had forced them to attend. Matthew’s mother, the Consul, rendered it imperative to go, and so did Gideon Lightwood, who was not blood related to Alastair in any way, yet had been a more fatherly figure to him in the last two years than his father had ever been. Alastair’s heart warmed at the thought, and although he and Thomas hated the Townsends and found them annoying, he convinced him to go for their father’s sake.

Catherine, whom Alastair concluded was indeed on the list of those he would call boring, spineless and least favorable to become one of his friends, was getting into shadowhunters politics. Charlotte Fairchild was to be her mentor, something she did not enjoy and of which Alastair knew because of his dinners at the Lightwoods. He swore he had never seen Matthew’s mother sigh and shake her head so much during dinner, but he knew her hands were tied.

After Bridgestock was kicked out as Inquisitor of the London Enclave, all the members decided that it was mandatory to mentor the new shadowhunters who wanted to get into their politics. To train them for their role so they would not resort into threatening other members of their society in order to get what they wanted. Charlotte herself proposed it, and Alastair thought it was a good idea. He knew that the woman was disheartened that her older son Bridgestock treated him as a bargain chip, and she didn’t want that to happen again to someone else with good intentions. As much as Alastair despised Charles Fairchild, he could understand his mother’s worries.

The other members of the Enclave, including himself and Thomas, voted in favor of this measure, which ended up being approved. Charlotte, Gideon, Will and Tessa, all offered their help as mentors along with some of the other representatives.

There were two people along with Charles – who wanted to try to get into shadowhunter politics again, much to everyone’s dismay – who wanted to train for shadowhunter roles in London. One of them was the aforementioned boring Catherine Townsend, while the other was a person he had learned to know well during the last few years, Thomas’ cousin Jesse Blackthorn. Catherine expressed her desire to become Consul a few months prior, along with Charles. Meanwhile, Jesse, much to no one’s surprise, wanted to train to become the next head of the London Institute.

Charlotte chose not to mentor her son because it would have looked like nepotism – wasn’t it, though?. She would’ve gladly trained Jesse along with Gideon, but in hindsight, it was more fitting for him to be mentored by Will and Tessa, with whom he already worked everyday. In the end, it was Gideon who got Charles. Thomas patted his father’s shoulder once he knew, and offered him a genuine smile of understanding. Alastair wasn’t sure which of them had it worse, but probably both.

This party was to celebrate Catherine’s first six months of training, and of course, they needed to attend to show that the Consul’s family and acquaintances were supporting. Alastair would have rather stayed home with Thomas, but he had a mission to accomplish, and he knew only Matthew could help him.

He wished to talk to Fairchild directly at the event. It wasn’t like they never talked during events, but it was suspicious. He tried to intercept him when he went to the bathroom at some point, but believed it would be too awkward and stayed rooted to his place, hearing his sister Cordelia drone on the last addition to her and her husband’s house in Curzon Street. He rolled his eyes at that. Who cared about a statue made by a mundane artist when his mind was blank? He needed to find Matthew as soon as possible.

He had no way of tracking him – that would’ve been too much – if not through fire messages. And that also posed to be quite a difficult task. Thomas, who had been incredibly bored by the event, said that he wanted to do something exciting. Thus, even though it wasn’t their night duty to go on patrol, he agreed to go out with him until he had enough. Well, until Thomas, who had been yawning for the whole night, had finally given up on staying outside. If it were for him, he would’ve been in bed two hours prior, and he would’ve asked for Fairchild’s help way earlier. He waited for Thomas to doze off peacefully and sent the message.

Fairchild. I know you must be surprised by this message, and by the hour on which it finds you, you must think I am either drunk or crazy – or both. Fret not with your speculations, as I will cut to the reason why I willed myself with the task of writing to you this late, and this unexpectedly. I found myself consumed by despair. And by shame. But I know that you are the only one who can help me. It’s been two years since I and Thomas started our relationship. The date is upcoming – in three days – but I still can’t find the perfect gift. I wanted to surprise him with something he may like, and I thought that you – nevermind. Perhaps this is uncharacteristically strange coming from me, but you do understand that desperate times call for desperate measures (and desperate requests for help). Feel free to ignore.

Alastair found himself sighing numerous times as he mulled over the words of the message, but he still sent it. To his shock, the Fairchild boy had replied to him.

Carstairs. You’re right, I’m appalled. It was the last thing I expected to happen on this day. Catherine Townsend sucking up to my mother at the dinner didn’t faze me one bit, I know the woman is vile and I – I’m sorry, I was just rambling. I just thought of the perfect place where you can go with Thomas. We can go there by car tomorrow morning, but we need to meet up early. I can’t come before 7am, as I need my beauty sleep. You woke me up, but I’m willing to forgive you just because I care for Thomas’ happiness and I think he will be enthusiastically taken aback by where I thought you could take him.

Alastair confirmed that the time was perfect and he would wait outside his house in Cornwall Gardens. All the while he was hiding in the bathroom, because fire messages made too much noise and he didn’t want Thomas to wake. He wondered about the place he wanted to take him but decided he wanted to be surprised. Matthew didn't reply anymore, and he hoped that they had an agreement. Yet, it was half past seven and he couldn't see a hint of the blonde bohemian, and he started thinking that he had stood him up.

Alastair didn’t even know why he was annoyed by Matthew’s tardiness. Was he late? He just said not before seven, he didn't – He saw the Ford Model A approach and he massaged his temples. Calm down, Alastair. Do not lose your cool, he repeated to himself.

“About time,” Alastair said gruffly, but at least he uncrossed his arms off his chest.

“Good morning to you too, Alastair,” Matthew cheered from behind the wheel. “Bad night?”

Alastair rolled his eyes. In another time, he would have told him to mind his business. But he wasn’t the same person as he was years ago, nor was Matthew. “I could not sleep,” he sighed, remembering all the tossing and turning about last night.

Matthew, who Alastair wasn't surprised to see wore a golden waistcoat and jacket that matched the details of his car, simply shrugged. “Yesterday's event at the Townsends upset your stomach too?”

He felt like rolling his eyes again. “If Catherine ever becomes Consul, I hope I'm not in London anymore,” he scoffed.

“The feeling is mu –” Fairchild stopped abruptly and looked up, and Alastair dreaded that Matthew had seen Thomas through one of the lowest windows of the house.

He turned quickly, relieved that was not the case, and realized what distracted the other from finishing his sentence. “Something is meowing at your feet,” he commented sourly with a frown. Knowing Matthew, it could have been some new customization of his Ford.

“Yes, I haven't forgotten about you, kitties,” Matthew said instead, and he lowered to pick up a box from the floor of his car. “There, there, here we are,” he cooed. He got out of the vehicle and started walking toward the door of Alastair's house.

“What are you doing?” Alastair frowned, glancing at the kitties before Matthew could advance closer and ring the doorbell. There were two of them: one was a tortoiseshell, while the other was a brown tabby. They were probably strays and not older than a few days.

“We are going to the countryside, Alastair. As much as they would keep us company and stop us from tearing each other's hair with their fluffy cuteness, I think they should stay home.”

“In case you forgot, this is my home.”

“And it can be a temporary home for the kitties,” he said excitedly, offering Alastair his megawatt smile, even though he knew it wouldn’t help matters. “In case you forgot, I do have a massive and lovely dog in my home.”

“Since he is lovely, surely, he must love cats,” he asserted.

“Absolutely, he does. But you understand that I can't leave Oscar alone with them,” Matthew tried to plead his case. He looked down at the kittens mournfully, and they meowed at him. “They’re tiny little things and they’re defenseless. They’re the equivalent of a newborn baby,” he argued. “Would you leave a newborn baby alone?”

“That’s beside the point,” Alastair objected, but the meowing of the kittens alone was tugging at his heartstrings and he didn’t want to admit it to Fairchild. “There would still be no one to attend to the kitties.”

Matthew shook his head as he stroked one of the kitties’ heads. “They wouldn't be alone. Thomas is inside, I assume.”

“Where do you think –” Alastair closed his eyes for a moment out of exasperation. “We're losing precious time. Moreover, in case you forgot, Thomas must not know of my encounter with you.”

“You're wasting time by dragging the issue out! Just leave the box in a room and close the door. I'll get them when we get back and I'll see if I can find them a house.”

“What if Thomas finds them?” Alastair wondered. “You do know that this house is his as much as it’s mine –”

“You think too much, Alastair,” he raised his eyebrows disapprovingly. “Just leave them in a room that Thomas doesn’t like, then. That’s it, I resolved the problem for you.”

Alastair wanted to argue with Matthew, but he was right. Again. He was dragging the discussion out and he was concerned that Thomas would wake up soon and he would look for him, even though he left him a note apologizing. He needed to do this quickly. He took the box away from Matthew’s hands and he made a mental note of the house.

He realized that the room Thomas never seemed to enter was Cordelia’s old room. It made sense. Even though Cordelia moved out of the house several years prior, Alastair and Thomas thought that for the moment they wouldn’t turn it into something else. Cordelia (and James) used the room when they stayed there when one of their parties went too far into the night and they didn’t want to walk back home. Lazy, if anyone asked Alastair, but convenient for his immediate scope. He left the box on the other side of her bed, and bolted the door. He then ran out of the house as if it were on fire to meet an excited Matthew already waiting in the driver’s seat.

“You know, it would be ideal to keep conversation while we drive,” Matthew quipped a while after they left London behind. “The road is long.”

Alastair barely glanced at him, his hands gripped the side of his seat tightly. “I have nothing to say,” he retorted, trying not to sound too blunt.

“You didn’t even ask me where we’re going,” Matthew observed, raising an eyebrow at how his traveling companion sat. “You are not going to fall, trust me.”

“What?” he wondered louder than it was appropriate. “Mind the driving, Fairchild. I don’t want to die young and above all, I’d regret perishing in the countryside.”

Matthew replied with a mirthful laugh, and Alastair glared at him this time. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to taunt you, but you make it so easy,” he shrugged. “What did the countryside ever do to you?”

Alastair managed a smile. He remembered another time, another himself. A younger self who was less carefree than he is now. A young boy who could only find solace in going horse riding in Dartmoor and hunting for blackberries. A boy who rejoiced when they moved there for a while, because the pubs and grocery shops were too far from their house, and his father too lazy to look for his poison. A place where he felt they never stayed enough because of said reason. His father’s love for the bottle overshadowed his affection for his family, and that probably quelled the peacefulness of those memories.

“I used to live in the countryside every once in a while,” he confessed to Matthew. The car wasn’t too fast, and he was trying to appreciate the landscape. It distracted him. “At Cirenworth.”

“Oh, in Devon, I see. Cordelia told me about it,” he nodded. Seeing that the other didn’t answer anymore, he continued. “You don’t sound too happy about it, though? Was this place ugly and water leaked from the pipes, your shirts would get drenched and you had to wear a bathsuit your whole stay so that at least, you’d be prepared to get soaked?”

Alastair pinched the bridge of his nose. “You always come up with the most absurd scenarios, Fairchild,” he shook his head. “I am afraid to ruin your fantasy, but no. On the other hand, Devon is an outstanding location and so is Cirenworth. It is immersed in nature and there are many paths that lead to the beach. It is quiet and no one bothers you and you have plenty of space to train in the moor. It was the best place I’ve ever lived.”

“Seems like the perfect place for relaxing,” Matthew assumed, keeping his eyes on the road. They had just passed a sign and he realized they were closer to their location than he thought. “Have you been there recently? To visit your mother and little brother?”

“I’ve been there a few weeks ago,” he confessed. “We had a picnic in the rose garden by the house with Thomas.”

He recalled the memory fondly. His mother and Risa prepared a picnic in the extensive garden at Cirenworth. Zachary had grown so much in the time he hadn’t seen him, and he dedicated most of the time to playing with him in the grass. Thomas had accompanied him, of course. His younger brother grew attached to his partner, and he demanded to sit him on his shoulder because he was the tallest.

Alastair had a mini heart attack every time Thomas helped little Zachary on his shoulders. He was protective (even though he knew Thomas would never let him fall) but he was also quite mushy. This was a feeling that he had discovered in these years of being in love with Thomas and being loved back by him.

“I would love to see that place someday,” Matthew smiled, and even if he was looking ahead of him, Alastair knew that he meant it. In all fairness, he even wondered why his sister had never invited him over.

“What about you, though?” Alastair found himself wondering. “Is there a place like Cirenworth in your life?”

“I had one, when I was a child,” the blond replied uncharacteristically quietly, not meeting his eyes again. Well, he better watch the road. It was barely visible in between the corn crops on either side of them. Alastair hadn’t dared to ask where they were going and now he regretted it. “Fairchild Manor, in Idris. We used to go there on vacation during the summer. I remember thinking that my parents decided to paint the building in a mellow gold hue to honor my birth, but of course, I was deluding myself,” he laughed bitterly. “Aside from this little childhood embarrassment, I felt like we were truly a family when we were there. An ordinary family. My mother would ignore the shadowhunter business as long as we stayed there, and we would play different games in front of a glass of freshly made tea. My father would ditch the experiments and I would push his chair so we could go on long walks together. I even played with that menace that is Charles –” he rolled his eyes, as if he was incredulous. “Those were good times.”

Alastair listened to Matthew’s story carefully, and he was surprised at how similar their happy place seemed to be. The only striking difference, he was sure, were their fathers. He admired Henry Fairchild. He was often criticized for being a man of science, but it was just shadowhunter society closing itself to modernity again, which wasn’t good. If it hadn’t been for him, they wouldn’t have had things like portals. His father, on the other hand… there was nothing to admire, he concluded. He was better off dead.

The conversation veered on other topics like the weather and how nice it seemed to be. Matthew asked what Alastair thought of the recent shadowhunter happenings in London and they discussed that for a while. Their earlier conversation broke the ice, despite the day being far from chilly.

As he descended out of Matthew’s car when they arrived, Alastair found himself sweating in spite of the hat he was wearing and a gentle breeze blowing in their direction. Must be the countryside and its air, he thought. Yet, it was the autumn season, and he realized that he was getting antsy and anxious because he was about to find out what his partner’s close friend had thought for them.

“Please do tell me why, because my curiosity is unending,” Matthew said abruptly as they walked who knew where, as there was literally nobody in the clearing facing them. “You still haven’t asked me where I brought you, Alastair.”

Alastair shrugged, trying not to clench his fists in frustration. “What if I said that I trusted your taste? Would you believe me?”

He snorted in response. “Of course I would,” Matthew smirked. “I know I have impeccable taste.”

“Whatever you say, Fairchild,” he replied sourly.

Matthew stopped, and so did he. Alastair realized that they were almost in the center of the clearing. There were short trees on every side, and small patches of flowers. It seemed like the best place for a picnic and to have a little privacy, but would Matthew drive that far from London – he still didn’t know where they were, but considering the over two hours of travel, he decided they were a little outside of town – to take him to the perfect place to eat on the grass? He wouldn’t know how to get back there again if he did.

The blond glanced at the clock in his pocket and turned to Alastair. “They should be here any minute,” he spoke confidently, offering him a smile.

Alastair wanted to ask him who, when something caught his eye. It was barely midday, but there was a shadow invading the clearing. He knew it couldn’t be a demon – it was broad daylight – but his hand still went on his weapons’ belt, ready to grab his spears to attack. His hand went slack when he noticed the source of the shadow: a big hot air balloon. It wasn’t just a regular hot air balloon. It was also propelled by some kind of magic, he assumed, because of the color of the fire under the rainbow colored tarp.

“You look like you were expecting an ambush,” Matthew observed, glancing at Alastair’s astonished expression. “I know, I was also quite surprised the first time I saw one of these up close. Isn’t it fascinating?”

“What?” Alastair managed to say, his mouth gaped open. “Quite,” he added with a sigh. Damn.

The colorful air balloon descended into the clearing and gracefully landed not far from the two of them. Three people came out of it with happy smiles, along with the warlock, who Alastair didn’t recognize. Matthew walked to the man as soon as the clients left, but he stood there. Immobile until the other took notice that he hadn’t bothered to catch up to him. He gestured for him to come there, and only then, after taking a long breath of encouragement, did Alastair follow, albeit slowly.

“Frank, let me introduce you to Alastair Carstairs,” Matthew told the purple-haired warlock. “He needs to surprise an important person and he thought that your hot air balloon ride would be the best experience that he could have.”

“Sure, welcome, shadowhunter. Anyone of Mr. Fairchild’s friends is a friend of mine,” Frank said. “I don’t usually let shadowhunters ride my balloon,” he chuckled, “but I am willing to help you since you’re a good friend of this handsome fella,” he winked at Matthew, which made Alastair frown. Maybe Matthew knew this warlock personally.

He glanced at his friend. “Well, thank you very much,” he answered with a clipped tone, trying to be cordial. “About that, can I speak to my friend Matthew for a second?”

The warlock shrugged and went towards a small cabin close to the woods that Alastair hadn’t noticed before. Once he was out of earshot, Matthew asked: “I don’t understand what’s wrong. Is it because he’s a warlock? Because –”

“No, absolutely not,” Alastair quickly said. He never had problems with downworlders, and it annoyed him that the other thought that was the issue. “I didn’t realize you were taking me here,” he sighed, “where are we?”

“That’s because you never asked,” Matthew chided, and he had to give it to him. It was the truth. “We are in Hatfield park, in Hertfordshire. Hatfield House is not far from here. It’s where Queen Elizabeth grew up.”

“Good for her,” he snorted. So they were indeed not far from London.

“You don’t sound too excited,” Matthew said. “Is it the place? Is there too much green? Is –”

Alastair couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m afraid of the heights,” he confessed, ready to be ridiculed by Matthew.

“Bloody hell,” he replied with a neutral expression. He seemed to be genuinely understanding. “I didn’t know.”

“You couldn’t have known,” Alastair frowned, gazing away. The warlock sat on a chair and was sunbathing. “If I’d only asked,” he clenched his fists. He was angry at himself. “Guess it can’t be helped now. I’ll have to think about something else before Friday.”

“Don’t be hard too on yourself, Alastair,” Matthew tried to console him, something he didn’t expect. “I can tell Frank that regrettably, you have changed your mind, and you wish to go back to London. Simple as that. Trust me, he’s not going to hold it over your head or curse you.”

“Warlocks can’t curse people,” Alastair remarked, tilting his head in the direction of the man.

“Not the warlocks you know,” he winked with a smile, but Alastair raised his eyebrows. “Fine, fine, you’re right! Must you always be so fussy?”

Alastair shrugged, and Matthew took it as a sign that he wasn’t going to answer and started walking in the opposite direction, where Frank was probably asleep by now. He came back a couple of minutes later saying that the warlock was nonchalant about their decision not to go on with the balloon ride, and to come back if they changed their minds.

Alastair didn’t talk all the way back to Matthew’s car. He was thinking about the hot air balloon, and how Thomas would react if he took him there. He would love it, he told himself. He would absolutely adore it and talk about it non stop for months. He reckoned Thomas mentioned balloons more than once, when they saw a photograph of one in The Star. He always meant to take him on a ride, but he wasn’t sure he could overcome his fear of the heights.

He was still thinking about this when they got back to the car, hands clenched into fists on his lap and his eyes fixated on nowhere precisely. He was thrown back to reality after Matthew groaned, which reminded him that they still hadn’t left. He wondered how much time had he stared into space.

“If you fixed your hair, I think I’m ready to go back to London,” Alastair muttered.

“I have bad news and good news,” Matthew sighed, his hands crossed on the steering wheel. “Which one do you want to know first?”

“Is this a game? Because I don’t think we have time for those, Fairchild. You better start the car or we won’t even get to London in time for dinner.”

“Well, congratulations! I’m afraid that is the piece of bad news I was going to deliver, but you’re good at guessing,” he chuckled, even if there was nothing to laugh about. Alastair raised an eyebrow, and he continued. “The car won’t start.”

“Say that again,” Alastair said, aggravated.

“The car is out of fuel. It won’t start. Look,” he turned the keys into the ignition, but no sound could be heard from the vehicle. Instead of the usual purr of the engine, there was utter silence.

“Out of fuel? Didn’t you get some before leaving?” Alastair tried not to get too agitated.

“I didn’t think I would need more. I thought it would last,” he shook his head in frustration. “Look, I apologize. There’s nothing we can do but wait. I’ve already called for help.”

Alastair scoffed, and crossed his arms on his chest. “Well, whoever you called better come here soon. I can’t lose more time, I’m already running out of time. I shouldn’t have –” but he bit his lip and he didn’t finish. He wasn’t even angry, but he was a little anxious.

“Asked for my help?” Matthew dared to ask. “Kind of odd, I must say, but I thought someday it might have happened,” he clenched his jaw. “And not because I am a connoisseur of the best entertaining experiences Edwardian society has to offer. We both love Thomas, and we both care for him. You want to make him happy, and so do I. Shouldn’t that be the end goal?”

“It should,” he admitted. “And he is. I’m not being cordial towards you just because you’re one of Tom’s best friends,” he said, and Matthew raised an eyebrow. Alastair ignored him. “I do not harbor any animosity towards you because of the car, in case you’re wondering. I’m just angry at myself.”

“Since we’ll be spending a few hours together before help gets here…” he left the sentence hanging. “I have a fine ear that is very willing to listen, in case you need to vent,” Matthew smiled.

Alastair thought about it for a few seconds. He had already shown Matthew his vulnerable side when he desperately asked for help the night before. He also confessed his fear of the heights, which only Thomas knew about. Telling him more wouldn’t be too confidential, would it? It wouldn’t mean they would become friends.

“Do you ever want to,” Alastair began, “make someone happy but you know what’s standing between your happiness and them is you?” He said bitterly. “This hot air balloon idea you had, Fairchild, was thoughtful. Thomas had expressed the desire to go on one casually in conversation, but I never dared to follow because of my little fear.”

Matthew’s mouth gaped open in disbelief, but it was quickly replaced by a warm smile. “I do know that feeling very well, yes,” he gazed up at the sky, as if he was longing to fix that but could not. “To be honest with you, Thomas also expressed the desire in conversation with me as well, when I told him that I knew a warlock that had a balloon business,” he pointed out. “This is why I brought you here in the lively Hertfordshire,” he cocked his head. “And yes, I also had selfish reasons. I wanted to ride the hot air balloon myself, but alas, I also abhor heights,” he scoffed. “I was hoping you’d force me to ride, even just to see my face turn green like the countryside,” he added, and Alastair started chuckling. “You see, acrophobia is not that uncommon! Even dashing men like me have fears.”

Alastair tried to rein his giggles. It was unlike him to laugh so freely in front of people in general, if they weren’t Thomas or his family. But laughing was freeing, and it made him feel better. He should do it more. “I never thought I’d laugh about that with you, but thanks.”

“Well, there is a first time for everything,” Matthew grinned. “And thanks for what? You’ll have to find something new for Thomas.”

“You still tried to help me,” he said. “Even though it backfired. I appreciate the effort.”

The sound of wheels on the soil alerted them that whoever Matthew had called to take them back and also bring fuel for the car was closer and approaching. Alastair didn’t know how much time had passed ever since they sat waiting. Matthew kept talking about random stuff – some of it eccentric nonsense – and Alastair listened to him. There was nothing better to do, he told himself, and Fairchild’s stories were amusing. Time had to pass.

They got off the Ford to meet their savior. Alastair thought it would be James, because he was Matthew’s parabatai, but instead –

“Thomas, my dear,” Matthew spoke before Alastair could, and walked briskly to his friend. “Why are you here? It was Jesse I sent a fire message to!”

Thomas glanced at Matthew briefly, and acknowledged Alastair. He frowned, not used to the sight of his boyfriend with one of his best friends. He seemed surprised, but his eyes didn’t betray much emotion. “I was with Jesse when he read the message and I offered to come instead. He and father had to go out together. Is there something wrong with me being here?” he asked the blond, but he knew the question was directed at him.

“What about James?” Matthew inquired, which was weird. He knew James wouldn’t be in town today, but Matthew had to know that too, since he sent the message to Jesse first. He was catching himself in his lie, but Thomas ignored that.

“James went to see that mundane sport with Cordelia – what’s the name again? Ah, polo, it was polo.” Thomas replied curtly, not breaking eye contact with Alastair. “Whereas I was free. I had to go to buy groceries with someone this morning, but when I woke up, the bed was cold and empty.”

“Alright, alright, Thomas,” he patted his arm. “I’ll leave you two alone and get the fuel.”

Thomas waited for Matthew to go back to the carriage with which he had arrived, to start speaking. “Why were you two together?”

“He was going to the countryside,” Alastair looked away and sighed. “And I asked him to go with him. He knows a lot of places. Also, I thought I left you a note before I left.”

“You only enjoy the countryside where Cirenworth is,” Thomas replied, rolling his eyes with a grin. He wasn’t definitely angry, just puzzled. And teasing.

“Hamsar-am,” Alastair said. “You know me too well,” he snorted, managing a smile reserved only for his lover. “But I can’t tell you.”

“And I don’t want you to tell me,” he answered with a smile. “I was just messing with you. About the note, too. Which, by the way, was so sweet,” he licked his lips and stroked the side of Alstair’s neck, lingering on his shoulder blade. “We still have to go grocery shopping, though.��

“I would never forget about grocery shopping,” he fixed his gaze on Thomas’ lips and then his hazel eyes, which reminded him of nuts. He loved nuts. “We can go tomorrow morning, since this day is done.”

Thomas nodded, but something caught his eye behind Alastair. “Oh, man. Is that a hot air balloon?” he exclaimed, his hazel eyes filled with excitement.

“Majestic, isn’t it?”

“And it’s descending down there. Can we please take a look, Alastair? I want to see one up close!” He was giddy.

Thomas got excited even for the little things like this balloon and seeing him so happy always put Alastair in a good mood. Thomas took his hand and he dragged him to the field where he and Matthew had been a few hours prior. A group of werewolves had just enjoyed their balloon ride, as Frank the warlock was just wishing them goodbye.

“Do you think we can ride it?” Thomas asked, his eyes beamed at the balloon. He didn’t wait for his reply and went to the warlock directly. “Good morning, sir. Do you offer balloon rides?”

Frank turned with a smirk, and eyed Alastair and then Thomas. “Oh, there’s a third shadowhunter. A friend of Mr. Fairchild too, I suppose? Have you changed your mind, then?”

Thomas glanced at Alastair, and he sighed. “Excuse us,” he told Frank, and pulled his puzzled boyfriend away from the warlock until they were far enough. It looked like deja vu. “I asked Matthew to help me last night,” he took a pause, “about your anniversary gift. And he took me here, to a faraway place, because he thought you would like riding a hot air balloon. And he was right,” he managed a tight smile. “You know I’m afraid of the heights,” Alastair muttered. “But he didn’t know that, and now I have to think about something new.”

“Oh, if we are coming clean now, I also asked your mother about your gift,” he scratched the back of his head and looked away, his cheeks assuming the rosy color of shyness. “She told me you love khoresht-e ghormeh sabzi and that is a dish that is usually made during festivities. But you know I can’t cook, for the love of the Angel,” he chuckled, and Alastair raised his eyebrows. One time, Thomas managed to burn a hard boiled egg, but he was getting better.

“We aren’t perfect,” he said.

“No one is,” Thomas said softly, grabbing his hand. “That is what makes us special. Being afraid of the heights won’t make me love you any less.”

“I’m deeply sorry about that. Perhaps I should try to get past my fear and ride the damn balloon with you, but I don’t think I can.”

“I don’t think I can cook a decent meal either, so I think we are fine,” Thomas smiled. “It isn’t the end of the world. And you shouldn’t if you don’t want to.”

“Are you really sure about that?”

“Positive,” Thomas kissed his cheek. “How about we go back? There is something back home that you need to see.”

“Alright, I’ll be leaving. I left Oscar with the doorman and I need to go back to my apartment,” Matthew announced after he accompanied Thomas and Alastair to Cornwall Gardens.

Alastair proposed they rode in the Lightwood carriage, but Thomas insisted they went in the car so Matthew wouldn’t have to ride alone. There was barely space for two in the Ford, so the ride back wasn’t comfortable. Alastair’s only joy was that thanks to the lack of space, he had to lean on Thomas, which he didn’t seem to mind.

Alastair raised his eyebrows at Matthew, who, on the other hand, seemed to have forgotten about the box he had left this morning in Cordelia’s old room. Matthew blinked, probably to make him understand he remembered, but Thomas spoke first.

“No, Math, wait,” Thomas said. “Come, and see what I found too. Perhaps you can help us, since you know so many people.”

Thomas entered the house first, followed by Alastair and Matthew. The two exchanged a quick glance – Alastair was glaring at him, Matthew just shrugged – as Thomas led them into the living room. Alastair exhaled a much held breath but it was short lived when he heard a noise coming from the wooden table. Meowing. Meowing and a bad smell which he possibly identified as animal droppings. Alastair wanted to run, to fly, to hide, but that was also his home, and he couldn’t.

“Are those… kittens?” Matthew chanced, feigning surprise, when Thomas showed the box to them. “How adorable!”

“As you can see, they are indeed. Two strays,” Thomas took the tortoiseshell in his arms and started petting it. Alastair wanted to die. The image of Thomas with a kitty was too much to bear, but he also didn’t know how to explain why the cats were there, if he ever asked. Which, of course, he did. “I have no idea how they got here, though. I was about to leave for my parents’ house when I heard some noise coming from Cordelia’s room, and I found them.”

“How odd. I wonder how they got there. They mustn’t have possibly crawled so young, and carried the box with them,” Matthew observed, and Alastair would’ve rolled his eyes higher than the ceiling if he could. He never met someone who was able to craft such lies and make them believable in the span of a few seconds. Thomas also made a face.

“Come on, stop joking,” Alastair interjected, looking at Matthew briefly. “I brought the cats here, Tom. They are Matthew’s. But I suppose you already know that, since it would have been quite impossible for them to get in on their own.”

“I knew it,” Thomas said. “Cordelia’s room, really? You know that I never go there. If they hadn’t meowed, I couldn’t have found them.”

“That was the aim, Thomas,” Matthew replied. “I only asked Alastair to leave them here because we couldn’t have possibly taken them to Hertfordshire. I would have brought them to my apartment once we returned.”

“Who said they are going back?” Thomas inquired. “Do you stake a claim on the kitties, Math?”

“I – don’t think so,” Matthew revealed. “I can’t keep them. I don’t intend to turn my home into an animal house. Oscar is enough for me. I planned to take them to the London Institute, since they would have the space to thrive. Even though I don’t think Uncle Will loves cats that much. Maybe, if I asked Jesse, he could convince him –” Alastair cleared his throat. “Sorry, I was rambling. Anyway, no, Tom. I do not stake any claim on these little cuties. Feel free to keep them or give them up for adoption. Just find them a good family who won’t throw them away.”

“Good, because I think I’ve just found them a family,” he confessed happily, eyeying Alastair, whose heart started beating faster in his chest. “What do you say, Alastair? Do you think you can accept these two kitties into our house?”

Alastair felt his cheeks burning. He couldn’t contain his own happiness when Thomas openly talked about them as a family in front of a crowd (there was only Matthew there with them, but still). “There is enough space for two kitties here, that’s for sure,” he grinned, his eyes only for his boyfriend.

“Then they are officially ours,” he looked down at the kitty.

They ended up naming the two cats Ra and Horus like two of the most important Egyptian gods. This put Alastair in a good mood, and he decided to leave the hot air balloon fiasco behind him. And so did Thomas with the Persian dish.

“I will cook khoresht-e ghormeh sabzi the day after tomorrow,” Alastair announced that evening, when they were on the rug playing with the kitties. “Since it is going to be an important day for us and you’re not going to make that for me.”

“I planned to ask Risa,” Thomas confessed. “But no, I don’t think I can. I will ask somebody to go on the balloon ride with me.”

“Fair enough. My fear shouldn’t stop you from doing these activities, but for the love of the Angel, be careful,” he warned.

“Yes,” he nodded. “Let’s say Ra and Horus are our gifts, what’s that sound?”

“Good,” Alastair smiled, and he couldn’t help but kiss his boyfriend on the rug, the cat making meows of protest. “Let’s hope they don’t develop an Aedipus complex,” he added, and Thomas couldn’t help but laugh.

Fairchild. We decided that the cats, now officially named Ra and Horus, will be our anniversary gift to each other. Just wanted to let you know for no other reason than to thank you. I thought keeping them here was a bad idea, but it turned out better than expected. Thomas says to come with Oscar if you want them to meet so they can be friends. And next time we go to Cirenworth, you could come with him to visit. You don’t have to respond to this message.

Matthew received the fire message right when he was lounging on his bed with Oscar and smiled. Were they friends now? He didn’t know. He just knew that, in spite of everything, he had enjoyed spending a day with Alastair Carstairs and to his surprise, he thought they also had things in common. He would definitely bring Oscar to Cornwall Gardens to become Ra and Horus’ friend and would gladly accept an invitation to Cirenworth.

Who said that cats and dogs couldn’t be friends?

#tsc #tsc fanfiction #tlh #alastair carstairs #matthew fairchild #thomas lightwood #thomastair #alastair and thomas #the last hours #chain of thorns #chain of iron #chain of gold #tsc fan fiction #tweety.writes #tweety's celebration #posta

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moodmusicmonday · 1 year

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What a STRONG start for May! Check out this amazing playlist! Seriously! Pop it on in the car, while you're working or even when you're doing your Spring cleaning! Great list, and even greater fics to come! HUGE thank you to all of our creators that submitted their songs! Make sure to be looking out for these *NEW* stories!

Can't wait? Well, you're in luck! Some fics have already been released--and you NEED to check them out! Look for the 📖, then click on the link! Don't forget to show your support! Like, comment and/or reblog!

As always, thank you so much for supporting this blog! Whether you actively participate or you signal boost us, we see you, and we love you so, so much! We'll see y'all again soon! 💜

~🎵~

@alj4890

“Sparks” - Coldplay; Mixed Signals, *new* series [OPH, Ethan Ramsey x f!OC (Chris), ft. Bryce Lahela and Tobias Carrick]

@aussiegurl1234

📖 “Gone” - NF, Julia Michaels; Black Silk, Chapter 5: Thora; [TRR AU; Liam x f!OC (Alice), Drake x f!OC (Delilah)]

@cariantha

📖 “Hey Stupid, I Love You” - JP Saxe; Power Play [OPH; Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Sawyer Brooks)]

@peonierose

Wildflower, Part 1/? [OPH; Keiki Lahela (*new* f!MC) x Koa Haulani (m!OC)]

- “Sweethoneylove” - Babe Blakes - “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” - Creedence Clearwater Revival - “Wildflower” - 5 Seconds of Summer - “Blurry Eyes” - Michael Patrick Kelley - “Fallin’ for You” - Colbie Caillat

@tessa-liam

“Ready For Anything” - Landon Austin; Smoke and Mirrors, Chapter 7 [TRR/TRF+; Liam Rys x f!MC (Riley Brooks- Rys)]

“Fall Into Me” - Forest Blakk; Marabelle, Chapter 5 [TRR; Liam Rys x f!OC (Sophie)]

@txemrn

“I Don’t Miss You Anymore” - Loveless; Like Ships in the Night, TBD (OPH; Ethan Ramsey x f!OC [former])

“Take Me with You” - Secondhand Serenade; I Don’t Have Anything to Hide… There’s Just One More Thing… (OPH; Ethan Ramsey x f!OC (Tatum Erikson)]

~🎵~

Tags are in the comments! Please let us know if you'd like to be added/removed!

#mood music monday #moodmusicmonday #choices mmm #spotify #choices fanfiction #choices fanfic #choices mood music monday #choices music inspo #music inspo #Spotify

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txemrn · 2 years

Text

It's that time again!

Hey, sweet friends!

Firstly, if you are being tagged, that means that at some point, you enjoyed something that I've written and asked for a tag. And for that, I want to thank you so much for the support! 💜

Second, I'd like to take this moment to update my tag list. But, I'm going to need your help! Here's how it's going to work:

If you want to remain on my tag list, please comment on this post or DM me exactly where you would like to be tagged.

If you wish to be removed, keep scrolling. NO comment is necessary. There are NO hard feelings, NO questions asked (people and tastes change).

⭐ Remember ⭐

The tag list is a tool for YOU. It's not about making me feel good or special; it's all about making it easier for YOU to know when I've posted something that you are interested in reading. Please consider this before you comment. I don't want to annoy anyone with unwanted tags.

I will start using my new tag list ...

Monday, September 26th

... but please know that you can send me a tag change request at any time.

Thank y'all so much for your time! I appreciate y'all! 💜

~🖤~

PERMA

@alexabeta @ao719 @charlotteg234 @chemist-ana @differenttyphoonwerewolf @foreverethereal123 @harleybeaumont @issabees @kat-tia801 @khoicesbyk @kingliam2019 @lovelyladyk88 @mainstreetreader @mom2000aggie @neotericthemis @nikirennie87 @peonierose @schnitzelbutterfingers @sfb123 @shannonwrote @shewillreadyou @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam

ALL TRR/TRH

@21-wishes @angelasscribbles @gkittylove99 @iaminlovewithtrr @lovingchoices14 @motorcitymademadame @princessleac1 @rubiwalker @twinkleallnight

ANYTHING LIAM

STAY

@amandablink @bbrandy2002

@belencha @busywoman @debramcg1106 @walkerdrakewalker

ALL TNA

@bisexualdisasteracd @choices-addict @rookiemartin

BOUGHS & MOCKINGBIRDS

@caroldxnvxrs @lem-20 @queenrileyrose @walkerdrakewalker

POUR TWO GLASSES

@3pawandme @alyshak92 @alyssalauren @debramcg1106 @ladyangel70 @walkerdrakewalker @veebug8

ALL OPEN HEART

@annfg8 @cariantha @lsvdw-blog @ohchoices @thegreentwin

RICOCHET

@youlookappropriate

#tag list cleanup #txemrn

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oysters-aint-for-me · 4 months

Note

Hello there! thank you for responding to my excited tags. I'm glad to know that you're open to talk about the book. There is a lot of potential for spoilers in the Becky Chambers tag, so be aware of that if you look through it.

my favourite about the series is that rereading the books is very rewarding. I've found more details even on the seventh reread, and enjoy the connections to the other books very much.

What is important to know before starting the next books is that apart from one character each the other characters in the books are all new. Pepper is in books 1 and 2, books 2 and 3 don't have any characters in common. Ashby is mentioned in book 3, while his sister Tessa is a main character in book 3. Pei from book 1 reappears in book 4 and Ashby is mentioned again. so while they share the same galaxy, we get a new set of characters and places each time. Lots of people are sad that we don't get more about the Wayfarer crew, so if you don't know in advance that the further books are about other people, you might be disappointed.

There is a short story about the Sianat woman we meet when Ashby and Kizzy go down to their planet. It is part of a short story collection called "Infinite Stars - Dark frontiers" and I liked the story very much. Should you want to read it but not buy the entire book, I'd be open to scan the pages for you.

Have fun!

SEVEN REREADS?! omg that’s awesome that you can get that many out of it! im on book 2 now and have started rereading the first one by listening on audiotape and i’m already like OOOH that was FORESHADOWING and OOOH i get why that’s called that now! like for a very long time i had no idea why they called it “sib” or “the stasie” but now i get it! i really love how immersive the books are though, that it doesn’t necessarily explain every little thing to the reader, you just are kind of thrown in and you learn what something is if the characters need to learn something but otherwise it’s like you’re just thrown into this world and for some reason that makes it feel more real??

and yeah, i see what you’re saying about missing the wayfarer crew - i also wish i got to spend more time with them (esp. jenks and sissix and kizzy and dr. chef!) but i do think it’s cool to get other perspectives of different characters in this universe. i feel like maybe there might be some fanfic out there that could soothe the ache of missing the wayfarer crew but i haven’t looked into it much for fear of spoilers.

i would love to read that short story! i’ll have to find the book. (thank you for offering to scan but i don’t mind buying it, lol, i collect books and i’m just owning that now)

have you read “to be taught if fortunate”? it’s like a novella that is also sort of part of the wayfarer series - i don’t remember what it is supposed to be about, but i ordered it along with the other three.

(also sorry for not responding to this for a while - i am so bad at noticing when i get messages in my inbox because i have had my asks closed for like the last two years! 💜 i was very excited to see this message when i did check tho so thank you!)

#wayfarer #becky chambers

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tessabennet · 1 year

Note

A key scene, you say? Ok...

WHAT IS THE KEY SCENE, TESSA??? TELL ME!!! 👀

(I know you're not going tell me. Mean.)

So, different question then: have you cracked 1 million words yet?How's the writing going?

❤

You're right, dearest J, I'm not just going to tell you 😈

BUT

I will let you know that this is the song for the chapter. And I will give you this little snippet:

And maybe, if Bucky was a stronger man, he'd stop and ask what brought this on. What kind of higher power suddenly decided to not deal Bucky the worst possible hand for once. Maybe he should stop and ask.

Fuck, he's not gonna stop this. No way. He's not as crazy as he may feel sometimes. And he's only human at that.

As for how the writing is going... eh. It's exam season, so I have a lot less time than I'd like. I'm still on my way to the 700k, with only one chapter left for part 7. Tbh I'm not sure I'm really gonna crack the million words with the series, that'd mean more than 100k words for each of the parts that are left... then again, you never know 🤷‍♀️

Anyway, thanks for asking! Hope you have a lovely day 💜

#writing #fanfic

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bartowskis · 6 years

Photo

I just want your extra time and your…kiss. ↳ [ Prince Medley, CSOI 2017 // Tragically Hip Medley, TYCT 2018 ]

#virtuemoir #virtuemoiredit #tessa and scott #thank you canada tour #tyct #tyct 2018 #tyct 2018 st john's #csoi 2017 #csoi 2017 toronto #tessa virtue #scott moir #vm gif #vm parallels #*#missed you in the last couple shows elvis but i did love seeing this choreo again #this gifset is 110% dedicated to my bb @ntmists #love u my fellow prince choreo enthusiast 💜#vm prince #vm tragically hip medley

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marlaluster · 6 years

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Emptying the cliptray on the new phone. ....

1. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpCsAo6Dxif/ 2. 809,634 likes chrishemsworthThat’s a wrap on MIB for me!! From London to Morocco to Italy and NYC. Thank you to all the fantastic cast and crew who took part on this epic journey and our director F.Gary Gray, cheers for the fun times, big laughs and solid memories. Can’t wait to show what we’ve put together. see you all soon #MIB @tessamaethompson random_lyfee❤️ sknne@chrishemsworth hope this is not a remake, cos M.I.B does not need a remake. gracesmith6999🙌 anbar2004So are u gonna make MIB 4 or something?!?! cristalcortesvaldez@officialchris_hemworth Thanks Chris you are very handsome and a great actor, I love your work and way of being. ladyday_moda🔥🔥😍😍 decodeashdeneHope ya got a little extra for doing yer own stunts Chris... svelbylb jamierabbage@paigeannmurray new Mib aaronmatthewatkisson@chrishemsworth was your face really Thor after you shaved that beard? Sorry dawnsellwoodCan’t wait to watch it! ❤️❤️ aaronmatthewatkissonSorry.... Dad jokes for days jeffrey.middlemanGrest pictures ans comments _carolinad4There’s gonna be a new MIB movie ??? paigeannmurray@jamierabbage what’s MIB? jamierabbage@paigeannmurray men in black... goflexinterior🔝🔝🔝🔝 sammy_rio😍❤️😍❤️ the.irish.cream@xenasaur there’s no replacing will Smith but at least try better than herrrrrr😂 alberto_farinaWhat man in black? thokozilesakala31Wow the crew😍😍😍 hiyadudaYAAAAAASSSSS [email protected] fardinrap.ir❤️❤️❤️👑 1 DAY AGO Close Log In to Instagram Log in to see photos and videos from friends and discov 3. crew who took part on this epic journey and our director F.Gary Gray, cheers for the fun times, big laughs and solid memories. Can’t wait to show what we’ve put together. see you all soon #MIB @tessamaethompson ksenia_koss0103stunning julijaa_19😍😍🔥 [email protected] mib!!! sekendiz.elif.88@marvelrepliklerii sonunda Türk buldum mdkslsl [email protected] her yerden çıkabiliyorum kelddmdkd thaillyankeeDope pic; can't wait to see this new version of the MIB!!! gursharan1551👌🏻 pmlucciBravo! jit_nayakKeep beards,it suits u sydneyrockandroll5☁️ sydneyrockandroll5☁️ jacqueflemmingsITS THE VALKYRIE IM.GLAD U GUYS ARE ACTING AGAIN boogedemara🤩🤩🤗🤗😍😍🤗🤗 falcxns_soldierThis is it chief yangchaorens👏👏 _giuliatozzi_Plese stay another week 😭😭😭 princesscat36@emilygreen17_05 I C O N S curry_mastermind@Chris hemsworth your an amazing actor I love Thule your the best avenger and keep on going steffani_fernandesEU TE AMO nylarh7@thecoolmamahaha what are you doing with him ??? !! zara.a.fWelcome to 🇲🇦 korstunt👍👍👍👍👍 soniasaidi96It was an honor !! ❤️🎥 hippymandy@lukebanda14 a MIB movie obrien_is_joshOkay Chris jwhulk123I will do ANYTHING to go in the premiere to go watch this movie with Chris just tell me where the premiere takes place and I'll go. emilygreen17_05@princesscat36 They sure are. lesterjb592@joshbrolin Josh when's the baby due.... Never got the memo lol just curious girl_after_my_own_heartCheck out my acc @girl_after_my_own_heart livs.picsxYou look old yogi.aditya.p@joshbrolin THANOS CAR💜💜💜 [email protected] [email protected] nu mi-ai zis ca ai poze cu Chris 😂😍😍 daxjacobYour brilliant movies we love it givemeamilliondolar🕶🤩🕶 #givemeamilliondolar 🕶🤩🕶 weegran.63Can't wait for the new film x [email protected] in another life, sure 😂 david80101Thor and the volkarie togther 🤔 chrishemworthh@meherinriya thanks sweetheart lino.ciaooReally cool 😊🔥🔥 julianxprincesswhy did i think at first it was @michaeljackson in the second photo😂😂😂 miriamschamunCheers!!.. 👏👏👏from Argentina anusheth89@chrishemsworth Y have u chosen @tessamaethompson In ur movies...🙄🙁 sharkk.spamm@ellen_place AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH OMHMYGODH WHAT ICONS IM SOBBING😢😢😢😢 katarinasalazaru n tessa r so hot d_sato_✨✨✨ haniazeidann@halaafify w b3din baa patricia_de_los_angel💪👑😍😍😍 random_lyfee❤️ sknne@chrishemsworth hope this is not a remake, cos M.I.B does not need a remake. gracesmith6999🙌 anbar2004So are u gonna make MIB 4 or something?!?! cristalcortesvaldez@officialchris_hemworth Thanks Chris you are very handsome and a great actor, I love your work and way of being. ladyday_moda🔥🔥😍😍 decodeashdeneHope ya got a little extra for doing yer own stunts Chris... svelbylb jamierabbage@paigeannmurray 4. Argentina anusheth89@chrishemsworth Y have u chosen @tessamaethompson In ur movies...🙄🙁 sharkk 5. https://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/107660065/from-action-hero-to-dorky-dad-10-minutes-with-chris-hemsworth 6. Stuff - stuff.co.nz Login Check your weather regions Auckland Auckland Canterbury Ashburton Christchurch Timaru Central North Island Rotorua Taupo Tauranga Whakatane Hawke's Bay Gisborne Hastings Napier Manawatu Dannevirke Levin Palmerston North Whanganui Marlborough Blenheim Kaikoura Nelson Motueka Nelson Northland Dargaville Kaitaia Paihia Russell Whangarei Wellington Paraparaumu Masterton Wellington Otago Alexandra Dunedin Oamaru Queenstown Wanaka Southland Gore Invercargill Taranaki New Plymouth Taumarunui Waikato Hamilton Te Kuiti Thames Tokoroa West Coast Westport Greymouth Reefton Hokitika From action hero to dorky dad: 10 minutes with Chris Hemsworth (Video) Michael Harry 11:51, October 7 2018 0 Interviewing Chris Hemsworth is like playing a match under lights at the MCG. The pitch is set under blazing studio lamps in an auditorium filled with the Thor star's entourage, and we have just 10 minutes with the Australian star. Much like the TV series Entourage, Hemsworth employs two of his best mates from primary school, Aaron Grist and Luke Zocchi, as his personal assistants. "They're a couple of mates of mine from school… we went to Heathmont College and Ringwood Primary School, played football together and now we travel the world together. It's a pretty cool thing." READ MORE: * When Chris Hemsworth met Chris Pratt * Chris Hemsworth photo perfectly captures parenting * Chris Hemsworth's kids have to wait for childcare like everyone else * Chris Hemsworth wears sexiest man alive tag with ease STUART C. WILSON/GETTY IMAGES Chris Hemsworth says he lives a relatively low-key life with his family in Byron Bay. Our chat takes place before a swish benefit at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art, where the Tag-Heuer ambassador is appearing to celebrate 55 years of the iconic Carrera. ADVERTISEMENT He looks as stylish as you would expect from an international action hero, casually dressed in a white T-shirt and loose black wool jacket, expensively-beaten black jeans, combat boots, and a silver ring hanging from his neck from a long chain. He's a bit sick with a cold, I'm told, but has braved wild weather to auction off a Carrera Calibre Heuer 02 (final price, AU$35,000) for the Australian Childhood Foundation. "I came with a suit but it was rainy and cold and I had this cashmere-esque jacket and I thought 'this feels super cosy and comfortable' – it's like chicken soup on rainy day." While some people might collect shoes, or jackets, or watches, Hemsworth has one style weakness: boardies. "I like buying boardshorts. That's all I wear at home – I've got three pairs on underneath these jeans right now." JASIN BOLAND/ WALT DISNEY STUDIOS Chris Hemsworth as Thor in 'Thor: Ragnarok'. Despite growing up wearing Rip-Curl surf watches on his wrist, Hemsworth began to appreciate fine timepieces after Tag-Heuer gifted him a Carrera while shooting Rush in 2013. "Prior to that, it wasn't even in the conversation because they were out of my league. But after that I started buying friends [who] I worked with Tags as thank you gifts." Hemsworth says he follows a reasonably strict diet to keep that famous rig in order. "I have an 80:20 rule, 80 per cent good, 20 per cent cheat," he explains. "There's so much good food and organic farming in Byron, it's just spectacular. I've travelled all around the world and that's the place we keep coming back to." The 34-year-old now bases himself in the hinterland outside Byron Bay with Spanish wife Elsa Pataky, and their three kids, India Rose, 6, and twins Tristan and Sasha, 4. They live a fairly low key life, all things considered, with Hemsworth reading picture books to his kids every night. 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thebrideoftiffany · 7 years

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I'm about to watch Gotg vol. 2... Is it bad that the part I look forward to most whenever these movies come out is your fics? I mean, to me Apocalypse was mostly a way to get more Naomi and Peter, and that says a lot considering my love for MCU movies. I love your work, keep it coming💜💜

Wow, thank you darling! That's very kind of you to say that and makes me very happy that I write these fics. I've already started working on the new Tessa fic and I hope that when it comes out, it lives up to your expectations. I also hope you enjoy GOTG 2!Thank you again!Love you!

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purplebass · 1 year

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Hey! This is super late but congrats on your follower milestone 🎉 I love your Blackdale fics so much (especially anything post ChoT!) and I was wondering if I could request a fic where Lucie and Jesse go on holiday for the first time? I thought it could be fun to see since Jesse hasn’t gotten to travel before 🥹💛

Thank you very much, I'm humbled! 😊💜 Here I finally am, with the fic. I hope you like this because there were several cities ideas for them, but once I was sold on the two I chose, I thought they were perfect. 💖

Read on A03

Farewell. Farewell! One Kiss and I'll Descend

February, 1905: London

A bright winter morning, Jesse decided that it was time for him to make another one of his dreams come true. Dreaming was the only thing he could do while he was a ghost. He could only long to be under the sun again, the warm rays grazing his skin even during the cold seasons. He could only crave the food he saw on people’s tables during their meals, or the satisfied expression of children when they ate their favorite dessert. He could only long to touch someone or to be held, or simply being seen and acknowledged.

Ever since he had been granted another chance at living, he decided to use it to the fullest. He had several things he wanted to accomplish, but he was aware that he couldn’t do everything at once. Some things needed time, like this project that wouldn’t leave his thoughts. The idea of it scared him a bit, but he thought it was time to think about it, make it real. He needed to face his fears. He had been thinking about that plan for weeks, but for one reason or another, he thought it was better to postpone it. He didn’t even talk about it to anybody. Not directly, at least.

He stirred in his bed, his joints cracking when he curled his toes and fingers. He was still amazed by the sounds his body could produce. Things moved about him, inside of him, never ceasing to remember him that he was alive. He yawned. He was up awfully earlier than usual, but Will gave a task and it would offer him the perfect occasion to research for his dream. That was what it still was. A dream. He needed to organize, otherwise, he knew he would delay this idea even more.

He got ready and he headed to the library. He sometimes liked to be an early riser, and he started taking notice of the small habits of the inhabitants of the London Institute. He knew that Bridget never rose before seven, and she tended to a small garden in the backyard before she cooked their breakfast. Will was the earliest riser of them all. He was often up at five thirty, to go out to ride on his horse Balios for an hour or two. Lucie told him that Will gifted Balios to her, but he loved the horse and when he had time, he tried to ride before the city would wake up.

The day before, Will asked him if he could help rearrange a section of the library. Jesse didn’t think twice before saying yes. He thought that he could research on his project while being there. It was the perfect moment. Lucie would be away for the whole day with Cordelia, and she wouldn’t disturb it. She wouldn’t find out about the dream, either. She couldn’t. Yet.

Jesse rummaged through the shelves of the library in search of books he could use for his specific research. The library of the London Institute was so big and very stocked, that it was like looking for a needle in a haystack, but he was sure he would find something before nightfall.

First things first, though. He needed to start rearranging the books before researching for his own ends. He decided that for every twenty books he would rearrange, he would take a break to go to the section where the books he needed were located. Funnily enough, that section was better organized than the one he was looking after, and he wondered why.

He found several photo albums with pictures of the Herondales when they were younger. They loved to take photographs, even though they used to take more time to develop when Will and Tessa got married. He found their wedding invitation in a small blue album. There was also a collection of photos of them with James and Lucie.

He heard footsteps behind him and he turned, nodding his head to greet Tessa who had just entered the library. She was another early riser, he learned. “Good morning, Jesse,” she greeted him with a sincere smile, eyeing the albums he was looking at. “She was so cute, wasn’t she?”

Jesse smiled. He always smiled when he thought about Lucie or someone just mentioned her. Just thinking about her filled his heart with glee and adoration. He glanced at the photographs, trying to hide his embarrassment. “I hope it’s okay I was going through these,” he said apologetically. “But I couldn’t help myself.”

“They’re here for a reason,” Tessa grabbed another box where some more pictures were stored. “Oh, this seems like ages ago,” she sighed, and Jesse saw that it was yet another photo of Lucie as a little kid, wearing her gear for the first time.

Jesse grabbed another album, this time one that looked so old and worn. On the front there was a small inscription: Paris, 1879. “I like looking at old photos,” he muttered shyly, “it’s interesting to see how people or places changed through the years.”

“This was the first time we went on a trip together,” Tessa said, touching one of the pictures affectionately. It was a photo of her and Will in front of the church of Notre Dame. “We still weren’t married by then, but we still wanted to go on a trip,” she chuckled, as if she had just told him a secret. “Will had just turned eighteen,” she added, and her voice made Jesse think that it hurt Tessa to be the only one stuck in time, the only one time that didn't change. She looked at the photo with melancholy, but then she turned to him. “Were you looking for something specific, Jesse?”

“I would love to go on a trip as well,” he said honestly, putting the photos back where they belonged. “Go somewhere just for a few days – for now. I’ll have my travel year to stay longer. When I decide where I want to go,” he stated, realizing he was probably rambling. “I was looking for maps and Baedekers,” he added.

“A trip sounds like the perfect break from the London routine,” Tessa tilted her head to the side, as if thinking. “Have you already thought of a destination?”

“I have a place in mind that’s not too far,” he mulled over with a frown. “But I’ll have to check the guides to see if it’s feasible. Also,” he scratched his chin, “I didn’t plan to go by myself. I wanted to leave with Lucie,” he revealed, feeling his cheek heat up. “She still doesn’t know that I want to go on a trip. I needed to be sure of a few details before asking,” he sighed, “in case, uhm, it doesn’t go well.”

“Why shouldn’t it go well?” Tessa wondered, focused on the shelves before them. “Listen. I can help you if you tell me your idea,” she offered, “I’m more familiar than you are with this library, and I’m here to help you rearrange the books,” she said.

“In case you, uhm, don’t give us permission to go,” he confessed.

“You don’t need our permission to go on a trip, Jesse, even though I’m glad you asked,” Tessa replied with a smile, and he grinned. “Lucie, however –” she left the sentence hanging. Perhaps she was thinking about it, but didn’t have an answer to give him. She probably implied she had to ask for permission to leave.

He was independent, and he would turn nineteen in a few weeks. He knew that he could go and leave wherever he wanted, if he wanted to. And Lucie could too, but he realized that their situation was slightly different. They would be away from home together for a few days. And they would be alone. Unsupervised. Will and Tessa asked them to keep the doors to their rooms open whenever they wanted to be together at the Institute. This way, they wouldn’t be tempted to do things they shouldn’t do. He wondered if they would let their only daughter leave with her boyfriend to go on a trip. He still thought it didn’t hurt to ask.

“I know it is an improper thing to do, and that we will be by ourselves” he said quietly. “Because we are not married,” you also weren’t married either when you went on your first trip, he wanted to add, but held his tongue. He didn’t want to look like he was trying to bribe Tessa, so she would give them the green light to leave. “I still thought it was worth trying to ask.”

“Dear, no,” Tessa touched his shoulder lightly, guiding him to the right section of the library. Why did he miss it before? He waited expectantly for her to continue with a pensive expression. At least, he hadn’t told Lucie. She would be devastated if her parents said no. “I meant that wasn’t the right aisle to look for Baedekers and maps,” she reassured him, and he relaxed a bit. “We’ve known each other for a year, Jesse,” she started, “and you’ve been nothing short of reliable and delightful to be around. We only established rules because we know our daughter can be,” she looked for the term, “quite convincing when she wants to do something, but I think you realized that yourself.”

Jesse laughed. “I would do anything for Lucie,” he said sincerely.

Tessa seemed pleased by his answer. “We trust you, Jesse,” she replied. “I always did. And I know Will trusts you too, but you should talk to him too,” she leaned closer to the shelves to search for a book. “Start looking here,” she suggested, “and talk to her too. I’m sure she will be the one begging her father to let her go as soon as you tell her your idea.”

“I sure will,” he sighed, glancing at the books, noticing something about the country he wanted to visit already. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Tessa.”

Jesse spent the whole morning with Tessa in the library. Lucie’s mother found a few books that could be useful to plan his trip, but they didn’t have the latest editions. She suggested he look for them in an actual bookstore, and that was what Jesse set himself to do after lunch.

“Are you free this afternoon?” he asked Lucie once they finished eating their lunch. Tessa rose from her chair, smiling at the both of them.

Once her mother left, Lucie shifted on her chair so she would face Jesse, who sat in the chair next to hers. “I was hoping you’d say that,” she beamed at him. “I need to buy some writing supplies, otherwise, I won’t be able to write tonight.”

“That would be a catastrophe,” Jesse joked, getting an eye roll from Lucie. “Did you already run out of paper like the other time?”

“I did,” she huffed. “I’ve wasted a lot of paper because I just can’t get this scene right. I wrote it so many times, my brain started to hurt. Can brains hurt?” she wondered, but he shrugged. “It’s supposed to be set in a foreign country, but this time, my imagination just won’t work. I feel like it looks fake. How did Jane Austen manage?”

Jesse shrugged, putting his fork in the empty dish on the table. “I don’t know, why don’t you ask her?”

Something lit up in Lucie's eyes, and she gaped at him. “Should I call for her ghost, you think? That would be a great idea.”

“Lucie, no,” he shook his head and stood up. “Let her rest in peace and let’s enjoy the world of the living, since we can,” he stroked her shoulder with fondness, and she nodded.

They went out an hour later without the carriage. It was a beautiful spring day and the weather was warmer than usual, so much so that Lucie wasn’t wearing a coat on her dark pink day dress. Jesse himself ditched his wool coat in favor of a cotton jacket in a dark green color. In the front pocket Lucie put a handkerchief that was the same color of her dress because it was made from the same material, and was supposed to go with the bag that matched it.

“It’s better if you have it, Jesse,” she carefully folded the material and adjusted it in his pocket. “So you and I will match.”

“Won’t you need it?” Jesse asked then, an eyebrow raised. “In case, you know, you have to clean your nose or you just need a tissue.”

Lucie patted his chest lightly and grinned, and he knew that the argument was closed. Well, if she ended up needing the kerchief, he would give it to her.

They decided not to use any invisibility runes on themselves, since they needed to buy things. They couldn’t simply take things from shops, lest they would scare the mundanes present.

Lucie took his hand when they exited the Institute, and he accepted it giddily. This was yet another thing he enjoyed as a living person. He loved when she did these small gestures of affection, like when she held his hand as they walked casually through the streets of London. He loved when the onlookers thought they were an ordinary couple of young lovers just trotting in search of the perfect place to eat or to buy a new hat, or simply going to the park for a picnic.

He never took these things for granted. Even though they did mundane things, they meant the world to him. He used to desire them at night, while he was still half himself, part human, part ghost. He still couldn’t believe he could now hold her hand whenever he wished to, and feel her warmth radiating through him like a balm. It was like coming back home every time.

He kissed her hand as they walked, and Lucie grinned at him, and gave him a questioning look.

“I just wanted to do it,” Jesse said, almost knocking into someone to stare at his girlfriend.

“You can do it again, if you like,” she offered, her cheeks rosy. “Let’s be scandalous.”

“This is not very scandalous, I’m afraid,” he brought her hand to his lips again, “But still intimate to me, to do it in front of a crowd.”

“You also did it while we were at parties and danced. A few guests most likely saw you doing it,” Lucie retorted.

“Yes, but we were among acquaintances, Lucie,” he said. “Now we’re among strangers — ah, whatever. I forgot what I was meant to say, but we’ve arrived.”

Lucie nodded, and they entered the big four story shop. Jesse knew that Lucie loved this place. It not only had a floor dedicated to books, it also had a whole area with notebooks, pens, and other supplies. Sometimes, when he accompanied her to get paper and such, he stared curiously at the various objects that they sold, wondering if he should take on a hobby too. Glancing at the glass containers full of pencils and bottles with acrylic paint also distracted him from the chaos of the store, which teemed with mundanes about that hour.

Once they were done, they set for the bookstore floor. Jesse thought that he would tell her about the trip as soon as they found what he needed. He wanted to surprise her, but he didn’t know how she would take it. He would know soon enough.

“Where are we headed?” Lucie asked.

“The guides and maps section,” he answered with the hint of a smile. He was sure that he had peaked Lucie’s interest with that, in fact –

“Oh, how come? Do you need them for the library?”

“No, I need them for myself,” he said as they finally found the right section of the store, which was the quietest area. He stopped in front of the first shelf, where he noticed some guides. “This must be the right place.”

“I didn’t know you were interested in Baedekers, Jesse,” she commented as he started looking. He saw with the corner of his eye that she was expectant and curious. Good. “I mean, among the many things you read, it didn’t look like you liked this genre.” Her face lit up suddenly, and she grinned. “Now I understand,” she mused, “you want to help me with my writing, don’t you? To research the place where that part of the book is set.”

“In fact, I don’t,” he turned to her.“They’re meant to be used when you go on a trip.”

He heard Lucie sigh next to him, but it was quiet. “Are you planning to go on a trip? And where?” she asked, her voice rising on the second question. An old woman who was walking in the same aisle gave her a disapproving glance. She managed a smile. “If you want to tell me, of course.”

“I’m looking for maps and guides on Italy, Lucie,” he revealed. He started walking slowly along the shelves because he still couldn’t find any. “Can you help me find some?”

“Of course,” she replied. He glanced at her, trying to gauge her expression. She was a mix of sad and disappointed, but also a little mad. It was easy to read Lucie. She wasn’t good at hiding her feelings, even though she was trying now. But he knew from her mouth. She was pursing her lips – he really wanted to grab her by the waist and kiss her right there and tell her everything, but he decided to wait.

He mouthed a thanks, and pretended to be engrossed in the books in front of him, when he really wanted to see what she would do. He was teasing her.

“There it is!” she said giddily, pointing her finger at one of the top shelves. She rose on her tiptoes and tried to reach for it, but she couldn’t. “By the angel, how should short people reach for books if they put them so high?”

Jesse spotted the book she was trying to grab and picked it himself along with another one that was right next to it. “These could be helpful, they need to be. I wonder why they don’t have more,” he opened the volume and showed what was inside to her. “Well, we have to settle for what we’ve got.”

“May I borrow them for my research once you’re done?” she wondered brightly, hands tight on her small purse. “You know that part of my story is set in Italy. It could be useful.”

“It could be useful indeed,” he said. “But it would be even better to see the real thing with your own eyes,” he teased her, even though she didn’t know he was being serious.

“It would, surely,” she managed to say quickly. “Then you must write down everything you see and tell me once you return. Because you will return, right?” There was urgency in her voice, and fear. She was afraid that he would leave for good, and settle down elsewhere.

He didn’t have the heart to continue his charade anymore. “Or maybe you can come with me,” he offered, touching her hand gently. “I’ve been meaning to ask you the whole time.”

“Then why didn’t you?” Her brow furrowed, clear surprise on her face, but also relief. “I would love to go on a trip to Italy with you,” she covered his hand with hers. “Of course, I would love to come. I’m delighted you asked me, Jesse. Even though you’re such a tease!”

He grinned at her. Seeing how her face lit up, she was eager as much as him to embark on this journey. “In my defense, I wanted to wait for spring to come,” he shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about traveling outside of London for months, but I needed to mentally prepare,” he sighed. “And I think I’m ready.”

Lucie grinned, and he knew she understood. He had spent the first weeks after he returned to the world of the living getting used to being around people again. “Then let’s get ready! Let’s buy these books and start packing,” she said excitedly, tapping her foot on the wooden floor.

“Don’t be in such a hurry,” Jesse warned, holding the books in one hand and Lucie’s hand in another. They started walking to the counter where they could pay. “We’ll need to ask your parents for permission.”

“Do we?” she sighed. “By the Angel, you’re right. Even though I’m almost eighteen and I could be considered an adult, I should still ask. I don’t want to repeat what happened when I left for Cornwall,” she shook her head slightly.

“I completely agree,” he nodded. “It’s not fair to them, Lucie. You’re still living with them, and you’re their only daughter. They still feel like they need to protect you from the world, even though you’re not little anymore. It is better if you tell them that you desire to go on this trip. Your mother already knows.”

She opened her mouth in disbelief, while Jesse was paying for the books. “Does she? What did she say? If mama gave us the green light, then papa might too. Or she might convince him!” her voice rose a little, and the old cashier coughed.

“Your mother seemed positive about it,” Jesse replied, thanking the cashier and turning to leave the shop. “I found an album with your parents' photographs in the library. They went on a trip to Paris the year before they got married.”

“Very sly of you, telling me this, Jesse,” Lucie giggled. “I might use it to my advance.”

Jesse shrugged, and nonchalantly said: “You didn’t hear it from me.”

After they got back to the Institute from the bookstore, Lucie couldn’t wait to ask her parents for permission. She didn’t even take her coat off. She ran directly to her father’s office on the first floor, Jesse in tow, trying to tell her that they should refresh first.

Not a chance. Lucie wanted to storm into Will’s office without knocking, but realized it wasn’t a good idea, nor would it work in her favor. She needed to calm down. She stopped abruptly before the door, and Jesse almost slammed into her.

“I believe you’re right, Jesse,” she sighed, starting to open her coat. “We should get changed first, and then we should come here. Or maybe I should come alone. I don’t know. My father could be with somebody right now, and I need to think –” she stopped mid sentence, because the door to Will’s office opened. “Papa.”

“Lulu, Jesse. What a surprise,” Will smiled at his daughter. “Did you need something, fy nghariad?” And she spilled the beans. She told him everything she wanted to do.

“Going on a trip to Italy,” Will mumbled behind his desk. “You and Jesse,” he added, wide-eyed. “All by yourselves,” he underlined the last word.

“Exactly so, papa,” Lucie tried to charm him with a smile and a sweet voice. It worked when she was a child, she wondered if it would still work. “Jesse expressed the desire to travel to Italy, and he wishes to go with me.”

“And you, naturally, wish to go with him,” he said, frowning. “I mean, I shouldn’t even wonder. Of course, you are.”

Lucie nodded. “I don’t find it weird, papa, to want to travel with the person I love,” she said, and her father sighed. “It could help my writing as well. I would get to see places I only ever saw in photographs. It’s an occasion I can’t miss!”

“It isn’t odd at all, on the contrary,” he tapped his fingers on the papers in front of him. “I was expecting you to ask me that, sooner or later. Perhaps after you and Jesse got engaged, though.”

She rolled her eyes, and moved closer to the desk. “Two people don’t need to be engaged to travel together,” she protested. “And everyone knows that we have an understanding. They won’t find it unlikely. It’s not like they have to know we went on a trip together, papa.”

Will massaged his temples, and he was about to reply, when Tessa entered the office with a smile. “Tea is ready,” she announced, and he instantly lit up, stood from his chair. Perhaps he needed to get a break. “We can talk about this in the drawing room,” she offered, and her husband couldn’t refuse her proposal.

They sat at their usual spots: Will and Tessa on the blue sofa by the fireplace, and Lucie and Jesse on the other blue sofa in front of them. They often sat together in that room after dinner, so much so that it turned into a routine. At times, they would engage in discussions about random topics. Other times, the two couples would be lost in their own world and talk among themselves. That afternoon, however, it felt as if the air was charged with tension.

“I know you’re trying to protect me, papa,” Lucie said to break the ice. “And I love you for it, but,” she sighed. “I think you should trust me and let me have this experience. And you should also trust Jesse, a person you also know is worthy of your trust.”

“I trust Jesse,” he confessed, his arms crossed on his stomach. “And you know I trust you, Lucie. But –” he sighed again. Will was fond of Jesse, and he treated him as if he were a member of the family already, and Lucie knew that. But she also knew that her father was also worried about her reputation. They were still unmarried. “Aren’t you afraid of people’s judgment?”

“Were you afraid when you took mam to Paris in 1879?” Lucie bounced back with a smirk, and her father looked defeated. “Look, papa. I understand you. I know that you don’t want me to – you don’t want me to end up like cousin Eugenia,” she said. “And I won’t. I love Jesse. Jesse loves me. He is the most respectful person I know and I trust him. And I trust myself. We — I promise that nothing will happen while we’re away from home,” she glanced away, embarrassed. “We will be on our best behavior. Or I will hit him with my handbag,” she said, and Jesse frowned at her. “I am able to defend myself.”

“There’s no need to hit anybody with anything,” Jesse intervened, his voice rising at the end. “I attest to everything Lucie said,” he told Will and Tessa. “But I understand your concern, and I��m willing to commit right now, if you need solid proof that I’m going to cherish and respect your daughter during this trip, as if my life depended on it.”

“What do you mean –” Lucie started to say, but he was already taking his family ring off and he was staring directly into her eyes. “Jesse, what –” she stopped when he took her hand and knelt in front of her.

“We don’t need any proof to trust you, Je –” Will began, but Tessa silenced him with a: “Don’t ruin the moment, Will!”

“Lucie,” he muttered kindly as he always did. “You know I love you, and I know you wanted to wait until your book is published to get engaged to me, but,” he giggled, “given the circumstances, might we pause that promise until we return?”

“Yes,” she said with excitement, “I say yes.” And so Jesse slid his family ring on her fourth finger. In their world, it meant that they were promised to one another. Lucie leaned him and she kissed him on the lips, uncaring of her parents watching. It was Jesse who broke away, and sat back down next to Lucie, holding her hand.

“You didn’t need to do that for us to believe your good intentions,” Will said. “I trust you. And I trust that you won’t let anything happen to Lucie and that nothing compromising will happen,” he coughed and glanced away, as if only thinking about that embarrassed him too. “between you and Lucie. Which means, separate bedrooms and always being around people until it’s time to retire to your rooms to sleep.”

Tessa patted her husband’s shoulder affectionately with a grin. “What he means is that you are free to go on this trip, my dear,” she told them.

“Thank you, papa,” Lucie bolted from the sofa to go hug her father and then her mother. “I love you, mam. I promise you won’t regret this choice.”

Will just nodded, and then the argument was settled, filling both Lucie and Jesse with joy.

The preparations started the following day. The first thing they needed to do was decide which cities they wanted to visit. Lucie wanted to see some medieval places to be inspired by the scenes in her book, and she didn’t know which cities were best.

“I remember you said you enjoyed the recount of Matthew’s voyage in Venice,” Jesse said. “Shouldn’t we go there first? It’s a peculiar place, I’m sure you’re going to love it.”

Lucie said yes. “I was also thinking about Venice,” she revealed, so they settled to go there first.

Will and Tessa said they could only be away one week, since this was their first trip solo. They wouldn’t have time to visit a lot of places. Jesse would’ve wanted to see Rome or Naples or go even more South to Sicily, but they would need more days to visit all of those cities.

“We’re going to visit after we’re married,” Lucie promised, and she vowed to keep that promise. Once they were married, there would be no one to stop them from going whenever they wanted, and to make Jesse's travel wishes and her own come true. “I say this time, since we don’t have much time, we should just go to another city in the North.”

“Milan?” Jesse offered. “Wait, I think I know a more meaningful option,” and Lucie couldn’t agree more.

March, 1905: Venice

They decided to leave on the first day of March. It took them a few weeks to prepare everything they needed for the trip, but it was better to take more time to organize should something unexpected happen during their travels.

“Did you put everything you need in your trunk, Lucie?” Will asked. He and Tessa wanted to be present when they would leave.

Lucie huffed, but she knew her father meant well. “Yes, papa. How many times do you have to ask?”

“As many times as I please,” Will frowned. “Here, take this,” he offered a red velvet pouch to his daughter, who looked at him quizzically.

“What’s this?”

“Money, dear,” Tessa said with a grin. “A gift from us to you both. We thought it could be useful, since you may want to buy souvenirs and the like. Spend it however you see fit,” she glanced at Jesse too.

“You shouldn’t have,” he said. “But I’m thankful. We’ll use them wisely.”

Luck was on their side, because Magnus was in town and paid a visit to Lucie’s parents. “Portal is ready,” he announced proudly. “This will take you to the Milan Institute. I’m afraid Venice doesn’t have one. Even so, I could’ve opened one in the city, but you said you wanted the experience of taking the train to take you there, I guess,” he shrugged.

“Don’t worry, Magnus, you were already kind enough to accept this favor,” Tessa told him. “They can manage from there, I’m sure.”

“Or I could come –” Will started, but Magnus rolled his eyes at him.

“William, you know you can’t,” he interrupted. “You have to help me here, that’s why I came. Word’s on the street that the king is ill, and people are in turmoil,” he stopped, seeing that Will was frowning. “Anyways, I’ll tell you all about it in your office, but now, let’s see these young lovebirds cross the portal. They have to catch a train.”

Will repeated three times that when they were on their way to return, they had to send them a fire message so Magnus would know when to open a portal in the Milan Institute to take them back to London. (Magnus seemed very bored but he was going to comply anyway.)

Lucie and Jesse waved them goodbye, and went through the portal. They found themselves in the aisle of a Gothic building that resembled the London Institute a lot. The head of the Milan Institute, an old woman named Giulia Bianchi, was waiting for them. She knew they would come because Will had fire-messaged her.

The woman directed the couple to the station where they would find a train that would take them closer to Venice. It was Jesse who made the wish to take a train, because he had never been on one. Lucie hadn’t minded, of course. She loved traveling by train and she wanted to get the mundane experience of getting to their first destination as if she and Jesse were just an ordinary couple in love who was doing the Grand Tour – or at least a piece of it.

She found herself stealing glances at the Blackthorn family ring on her left hand as they sat in the train. She knew that it wasn’t a proper engagement and that it was just temporary, but the thought still made her feel fuzzy and warm inside. Jesse caught her once, and he offered her a genuine smile, before taking her hand in his. He seemed quite fine to her during the ride in the train, but somehow, she was a little worried about him. They had barely been out of London during the year he spent at the London Institute. And if they went somewhere, it was always through a portal and for not more than a few hours. This time, however, they will be away for a week…

Jesse confessed to her he had had a hard time adjusting to being around people during the first months he came back to life. She would make sure to look after him and be there for him, in case he would need help. She really wanted him to enjoy this trip, because he deserved it.

After four hours, they finally reached their destination. Since Venice was built on over one hundred islands, there were a series of bridges that lead to the various sides of the city, and there were some places that can only be reached through little ferries or with gondole. Venice didn’t have an Institute, otherwise they would have stayed there. Even if it did, Jesse had also asked to have the mundane experience of booking rooms in an inn as if he were a casual tourist. Just for the first city, because they would find accommodation in the Institute of the second destination.

They couldn’t stay more than two days. After searching in the Baedeker, they decided that it was ideal that they stayed near the historical center, in a small city overseeing the isle of Venice called Mestre. The first thing they had to do was look for a place to stay the night, but it hadn’t been an easy task. They had already looked for a room in three inns out of the seven the guide cited, but there weren’t any available.

“Buonasera, how can I help you?” a woman behind the counter cheered with a welcoming smile in heavily accented Italian mixed with English. This was the fourth or sixth inn. Lucie had lost count by that point.

“We would like two rooms, if it’s possible,” Jesse told her, speaking in Italian. “We’ll be staying two days.”

“I’m desolate, sir, but unfortunately, we only have one double left,” she explained. “It’s the Carnevale season, and a lot of people come here to celebrate. You’re lucky we even have a spare room!” she shrugged. “And, uhm, aren’t you two married?” she chanced, pointing at Lucie’s left hand. Right. She had his ring on her fourth finger.

He shook her head and looked at Lucie. “She has one room left because it’s Carnival,” he sighed. The woman replied in Italian so he translated for Lucie. “What should we do? Should we look elsewhere? There’s still one place on the Baedeker.”

She sighed. “We could try, but if it’s the high season, what luck do we have to find a room somewhere else? We should take it. It’s our last chance. Imagine if, while we go to the last place on the guide, someone comes and gets this room. Then,” she raised her eyebrows, “we would have to sleep in the streets like two beggars. It would be quite the experience, but –”

“But your father –” she put a finger on his mouth.

“I’m aware of what my father said,” she sighed. “But he isn’t here, is he? And it’s not like we haven’t lounged on a bed together in the past,” she put a hand on her hip and shrugged. “He will never know, Jesse. And we will just sleep, we just need a place to sleep,” she looked him in the eyes, and touched his arm. “It’s late, and we are both tired. I think we should take it.”

“You’re very good at convincing,” he smiled at her, even though Lucie could feel that he wasn’t completely sold. “Alright, let’s get this room.”

Lucie was amused because she didn’t know he had been learning Italian. She told him when they retreated to their room, after eating chicken broth and some vegetables in the kitchen of the inn. Jesse replied that the language fascinated him, so, in the prospect of coming to visit the country one day, he learned the essential phrases.

“I am no expert in Italian language, but you sounded very competent,” she complimented him, and he couldn’t help but smile, as they both set on the task of arranging their valises.

Lucie opened hers. Her hairbrush and pins and other hair accessories were in the top box, in a beauty case that she had ever since she was little. She remembered taking this to Cornwall as well, more than one year prior. The thought made her sigh. How different things had been back then. How much things had changed ever since then.

She found her night attire next, and her mouth gaped open. “Oh,” she said without thinking.

“What are you oh-ing about?” Jesse wondered. She saw that he had also gathered his night attire and toothbrush in his arms.

Lucie bit her lip and sighed. “I have to change into my nightgown,” she said, showing him the white material and the light blue robe that went over it. He frowned, but before he could speak, she continued. “You’ve seen me countless times in my night clothes,” she began, “it isn’t an issue for me to show myself in such a state of undress, and it never has been, because –” she tensed, pacing the room as she spoke. “I trust you. I love you. And soon, someday, this will be our routine, part of our daily exchange. Part of our lives as a married couple. But we’re not a married couple yet,” she glanced at the ring on her hand, “and even if I’m comfortable being like this around you, I wondered if you,” she sighed, avoiding his stare for a moment, “you may be uncomfortable seeing me like this.” She took one last breath. “So, I think it would be better if I sleep in my clothes and ditch the night attire.”

Jesse’s eyes widened, and he put his clothes on the bed. “You are thoughtful,” he walked closer to her. She had stopped in the middle of the room, and he took her ringed hand in his. It was clammy, but he didn’t seem to care. “And this, among many reasons, is why I’m in love with you, Lucie Herondale,” he stroked her fingers with his thumb. “But you said it yourself. I’ve seen you countless times before you went to bed, that it has already become part of our daily routine. To me, this is ordinary like breathing. A comfort that not many people have the luxury to have. What I wish to see for the rest of my days,” the corners of his mouth went up.

Lucie took a long sigh and she sat down on the bed with him, their hold on each other’s hand firm. “I told you to ignore my father’s words when the woman told us there was only one room available,” she said, a little flustered. “And here I am, being bothered by them!,” she chuckled, glancing at Jesse, who offered an understanding smile. “We’ve never been alone for so long. We barely have time to be alone in London.”

“What are you afraid of, Lucie?” he wondered, and she shook her head. “Perhaps, of losing control because we are alone? That being in the same bed and unsupervised will prompt either of us to do things before their time?” He didn’t say which things but she understood what he meant. That they would kiss, and things may escalate, and they wouldn’t be able to stop. She wouldn’t be able to stop.

“Maybe,” she admitted, looking at their intertwined hands.

“You have so little faith in yourself,” he confessed. “You’ve made it so far, and I’m confident that you can make it through this trip,” he kissed her hand.

“I don’t even know why I’m thinking this,” she covered her forehead with her other hand.

“Because you’re human, and you’re very much in love with the likes of me,” he touched her nose with his finger.

“Thank you, Jesse,” her face flushed every time he mentioned that they loved each other.

Eventually, Lucie convinced herself and she wore her night attire. The bed in the room was narrow, but Jesse tried to give her all the space she needed. The following morning, she opened her eyes to a sleeping Jesse. He was facing her. Close enough, but none of his limbs touched any of hers. She marveled at the beauty of him. His black lashes fan out against his cheeks created a stark contrast with his pale complexion, and he looked like a sleeping hero, waiting for his princess to wake him up.

His eyes fluttered open after a few minutes, and he stared back at her, a grin quickly forming on his lips. “You should have woken me up. We have only today and tomorrow to explore the city.”

“You were sleeping so peacefully, it would’ve been a pity,” she muttered. “We can make it, don’t you worry,” she said. “I’ll be going to wash up first,” she announced, grabbing the light blue nightgown from the chair nearby and covering herself. He turned to follow her as she walked in front of the bed, and she beamed at him.

Like the woman in the inn had informed them the evening before, Carnival celebrations were in full swing in the city. There were already a lot of masked people while in Mestre, but when they reached the historical center of Venice, groups tripled in number and it was hard to walk in the crowd without risking losing each other. They held each other’s hand firmly as they walked, and Lucie tried to avoid crowded places at all costs, even though it was barely impossible, given the partygoers in Carnival masks making it everyone’s business they wanted to celebrate.

The beauty of the city stunned them. They visited St. Mark’s basilica and San Marco’s square, surprised at how big and massive it was. “We don’t have a place like this in London, I think,” Lucie said, taking in the grandiose cathedral. “I mean the square, not the cathedral. The Institute is bigger than this.”

They were enamored with the gothic and rococo style of the buildings in the area, like the Doge’s Palace. “I imagine it’s really pretty inside,” Lucie commented. “We can visit inside,” Jesse told her. They spent the next two hours roaming inside the rooms, where there were several statues and paintings. They also looked from the infamous Bridge of Sighs, which connected the Palace with the prison. “They say it’s called like this because this was the last view of the canal before the prisoners were taken into custody,” Jesse said, “it was Lord Byron who bequeathed the name to England.” Lucie, obviously, took notes.

There were several other things they saw. They returned to the inn late, ate whatever was left for dinner, and went to sleep. The following would be their last day in Venice, and they decided to visit some other popular places like the Rialto Bridge, which they couldn’t see properly the day before because of the sea of people. That day, they were relieved to see there were less people in that area. Maybe the partygoers had moved somewhere else. (Someone told them that Carnival had ended the day before – if they only had known!). They enjoyed their view undisturbed, and then set out to buy some traditional masks for themselves and their friends and family.

The last thing they did before returning to the inn was going on a ride in a gondola. Lucie had been on ships before, but never on something like this. Jesse wrapped his arm behind her shoulders when they sat in the velvet seats of the small, odd, boat, and she let her head rest on his shoulder. The sun was setting, and it made everything even more romantic. She glanced up at him at some point, and he bent his head so he could kiss her.

“I thought you didn’t like to kiss in public,” she teased him.

“I wanted to be scandalous,” he smirked, repeating what she told him once. She rolled her eyes at him. “And we’re not in public, Lucie,” he raised an eyebrow. “Our only audience is the gondoliere, and the buildings flanking the Canal, but I don’t think they care that much. I think he lost count of the people kissing during the boat rides.”

“If you say so,” her eyes were bright, and her heart pounded fast in her chest. “Then he wouldn’t mind if we kissed again, would he?”

Jesse shrugged, but he was smirking. That was all it took for Lucie to cradle his face in her hands and kiss him more vehemently than he did.

When they broke apart, the man was blabbering something Lucie couldn’t understand. “Ah, queste coppie di sposini novelli pensano solo a baciarsi e non si godono il panorama!” he said, and Jesse giggled.

The last day went well, in Lucie’s standards. She often glanced at Jesse when they were in the streets, squeezing his hand every now and then to make sure he knew she was there and everything was okay. He seemed like he was enjoying his stay, but you never knew with him. He tried his best not to make her worry, but she was still worried about him, and she had been ever since they were on the train. He managed well the day before, but they avoided all the crowded spaces. Today, the frenzy was less, but still.

They repeated the same routines of the day before. Lucie went to wash first, changed into her nightgown, and then it was Jesse’s turn. This time, it was easier to fall asleep. They had had a long and tiring day, and when Lucie put her cheek on the stiff pillow, she was out in less than five minutes. The last image she remembered seeing was Jesse’s angular face staring right back at her from his pillow, his own eyes threatening to close.

Sleep, however, didn’t last long. Lucie woke up with a start, hearing muffled cries. She opened her eyes to the dark room, and tried to understand the source. It could’ve been a thief, it could’ve – It wasn’t. Lucie realized that it was Jesse mumbling something she couldn’t understand by her side. She took her witchlight to see better. He was holding his throat and was breathing heavily. She noticed that his forehead was wet with sweat, along with his collarbone.

“Jesse,” she called him softly, stroking his cheek, trying not to panic. “Jesse, I’m here. Jesse.” He heard her. He gaped his mouth open and gazed up at her, the witchlight still in her hand, blinding him. She moved it away so she could see him but he wouldn’t be bothered by the light. “It’s okay, it’s okay,” she kept caressing his cheek and forehead.

“I don’t know what –” he began, but couldn’t continue, his voice broken. “I don’t know.”

She took his hand and helped him lie down, then placed her cheek on his chest, trying to calm him down. “Your heart is loud, Jesse,” she muttered with care after a few seconds. He also felt himself trembling, but she didn’t say it.

He hesitated, chuckling softly in the darkness. “I don’t know how to slow it down.”

“You shouldn’t,” she said, and tried to lighten the mood with a chuckle herself, “I mean that, it will slow down by itself once you feel safe again. Just – breathe,” she tightened the hold on his hand. “I’m here.”

He nodded, even though she couldn’t see him. A few beats passed. He took a deep sigh and then another, and then – “I don’t know what’s gotten over me,” he said apologetically. “I –” he sighed, “woke up and felt my heart in my throat. I think it was a nightmare.”

“Must have been this new experience,” she pondered. “Traveling. Being far from home for the first time, not sleeping in your bed, eating food you’ve never tasted,” she began. “Being alone with me for the first time. It all came up while you were unconscious.”

“You’re probably right,” he was playing with a lock of her hair to distract himself. “I didn’t think I’d be homesick, but I’ve never been outside of London, how could I know?” he asked rhetorically, more to himself than to her. “This is the main reason I waited months before taking up the courage to leave,” he added. “I still feared it could happen, but I would’ve wanted it to do with you anyway.”

“You couldn’t know,” she told him. “And I’m proud of you for still wanting to follow through with the trip, even though you were afraid. I’m proud of you, Jesse,” she patted his chest.

He decided he would be proud of himself too, then. For making it there. For crossing the continent to get to another country he could only dream of visiting through the pages of old books he found in his grandfather’s library. I’m proud of you, he told himself in his head. For making it this far.

He bent down to kiss Lucie’s head. “Thank you, my love,” he whispered into her hair, and she rubbed her cheek against his chest. “I believe we should sleep. There’s a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Can we stay like this?” she asked tentatively. “In case, you know, have another nightmare?”

Jesse managed a smile in the dark. He tried so hard to suppress his fears, but they caught up with him. And now, he felt like he needed support, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit it. I’m proud of you.

“Just for tonight,” he conceded, resting his hand on her shoulder. “Let’s sleep like this just for tonight.”

Lucie nodded, and covered them with the heavy sheets again. She tightened her hold on Jesse’s frame as if she was holding on for dear life. And that night, they both had a peaceful sleep.

March 1905: Verona

On the third day, they left the inn. Lucie asked Jesse if he wanted to go back to London, considering what happened the night before, but he was firm that he wanted to continue. They still had roughly three days left before Magnus would open a portal in Milan to take them back to London, and he wanted to make the best of each.

They said goodbye to Venice, and vowed to go back there in the future. They needed to get on another train to reach their last destination: Verona. The choice of Verona came to Jesse when they were deciding where to go. He knew it was a popular tourist destination, mostly because Shakespeare made it famous.

“You still haven’t told me why you wanted to go to Verona, Jesse,” Lucie said when they were on the train. “Not that you need a reason to travel, that is.”

“Romeo and Juliet is set in Verona,” Jesse told Lucie, who nodded. Of course, she knew. She grew up with a family obsessed with literature, and the main theme of discussion in the drawing room was often literature. “It has a – a sentimental meaning to me.”

Lucie had frowned, curiosity taking over her. “Oh, yes,” she said, remembering why Jesse had thought about that. “You likened our families and ourselves to the tragedy while we were getting to know each other,” she told him. “Said it would be a tragedy if we loved each other.”

He crossed his arm on his chest in protest. “I did, I won’t say I didn’t,” he tilted his head to better look at her. “But it was all I knew back then. When we met the first time and even the second, I was truly convinced that our families despised each other. And out of loyalty to the Blackthorn family, I also needed to despise the Herondales. That was what my mother convinced me to think all those years. ”

She patted his forearm. “And our story turned just like Romeo and Juliet in the end, except we survived,” she smiled at him, and he chuckled.

The Verona Institute was situated in front of the Scaligeri Tombs, a group of gothic monuments where Juliet staged her death in the tragedy. “That’s the first thing we’re going to visit,” Lucie announced, and Jesse nodded eagerly.

The head of the Verona Institute was a man around her father’s age named Riccardo Ferrari. “Welcome in fair Verona,” he shook their hands. “I reckon you are the Blackthorns from London, am I right? We were waiting for you. We’ll prepare your room,” he said in Italian. “Francesca!” he called the maid, presumably. “You can wait in the drawing room, in the meantime,” he added, and then he disappeared. So much for welcoming them.

They sat by the fire, and Lucie frowned at Jesse because she didn’t understand anything of what Riccardo had just said. “He welcomed us in Verona and said they’ll prepare our room.”

“Our room?” she inquired, eyebrows raised. “But we’re not –” recognition dawned on her. “He also thinks we are married, doesn’t he?”

“I think he does,” Jesse said with an apologetic smile. “We fire-messaged him by signing Jesse and Lucie Blackthorn. And I’m sure he saw the ring on your hand.”

“By the Angel, you’re right,” Lucie gasped. “Do you think we should tell him?”

“Do you?” he wondered, but she shook her head. “Then it will be our secret,” he winked at her, and she blushed.

Riccardo Ferrari surely showed them to their room an hour or so after, but not before offering them a cup of hot tea. They refreshed themselves – they made quite the journey from Venice, and then decided it was time to visit Verona’s important landmarks. The Shakespearean ones, obviously.

Verona was completely different from Venice. Like the former, it had several gothic buildings. But where Venice was crowded, Verona had the normal amount of people one would expect from a town that wasn’t as big as London. This was a relief for Lucie, and she was sure it was a relief for Jesse as well. She clutched on his arm while they started roaming around the city, laughing about ordinary things, like an ordinary couple.

They visited Juliet’s house first. The building was not too far from the Institute, in a street named Via Capello. The famous balcony where the lovers saw each other at night was here. “The Baedeker says that rubbing Giuletta’s statue outside of her house brings good luck,” Jesse commented before they entered the two story house. The statue was near the entrance.

“Then we should do it,” Lucie shrugged. “What do we have to lose?” And they did it. There was no certainty that this couple really existed, but they were legendary anyway.

There was nobody but them visiting, so Lucie wanted to lean out of the balcony and pretend she was the tragic heroine. She asked Jesse to pretend to be Romeo. “Pretend you’ve just fallen for me,” she encouraged him. “That I’m the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen and my eyes remind you of bright stars that lighten up your day.”

Jesse shook his head at Lucie’s suggestion and smirked. “Why pretend,” he glanced up at her on the balcony – she wasn’t that distant – “when you know, as well as I, that I love you? You are the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen,” he almost shouted. “And you sure do light up my day and my night – you’ve lightened up my whole life, and my love burns for you!”

Lucie blushed from the balcony, and managed a shy grin. Those weren’t the original lines, but she melted anyway. Next to Jesse, a group of people – presumably tourists – clapped their hands. She didn’t think they would have an audience, and decided it was time to leave.

They continued their walk to Romeo’s house, but unfortunately, the building was not open for visitors. They could only admire the medieval house from outside. Lucie had collected a lot of information already, but she was hungry, and Jesse suggested they go to the Scaligeri Tombs, the place where Juliet staged her death. They went back to the institute to eat. Riccardo Ferrari prepared a feast for them, which they enjoyed because they were both tired and starving.

Come night, they said goodnight to Riccardo and his family and retreated to their room. The bed of the Institute was more comfortable than the one of the inn, and they didn’t have trouble falling asleep. Even so, every once in a while Lucie woke up because she wanted to make sure that Jesse was fine and he wasn’t having another nightmare. She was secretly happy to share the bed with him again, because she could look after him. She knew that, had they slept in separate rooms, she wouldn’t have been able to fall asleep worrying about him. She was grateful that Jesse didn’t seem to be haunted by his dreams for the whole night.

Their second day in Verona started with a generous breakfast. Riccardo was the talkative type, but Lucie didn’t know Italian nor did he know much English, so they couldn’t interact much. He talked to Jesse a lot, and he made them lose a lot of time, but they thought it would be rude to interrupt him and say time was running out. It was duty who brought the man to his office and freed them to go about the town.

They tried to see everything worth seeing in the hours they had left. Lucie itched to see the real tomb where Juliet’s remains were, and Shakespeare’s bust. Jesse wanted to see the place where Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, killed Romeo’s best friend Mercutio. After they had enough, they went to eat local food in a tavern in the last neighborhood they had visited instead of going back to Riccardo. “It’s our last day here, we should breathe the air of Verona as much as we can,” Lucie confessed, and Jesse agreed.

“I can’t believe we have to go back tomorrow,” she added with a tinge of sadness in her voice, after their bellies were full.

“It didn’t last long and we had to rush, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Jesse said. They were walking in a street where a lot of the houses had flowers outside their windows. “I’m the type of person who prefers quality over quantity.”

“Quantity doesn’t guarantee quality, yes,” she halted mid-step, and Jesse observed her with a questioning look. “I have an idea. Come,” she prodded, and took his hand to drag him close to a short wall encased in Roman columns that united in archways covered by wildflowers. “Sit here,” she told him, and Jesse did as he was told with a puzzled expression. He was even taller than her after he sat on the wall. “Can you put your hand on my hips?”

“What do you want to do?” he wondered, an eyebrow raised. He put his hands where he would hold her if they were dancing at a party. Or tried to. He was too tall.

“I’m recreating the balcony scene,” she told him excitedly. “I mean, we are recreating the balcony scene.”

“But this is not a balcony,” he said, looking behind him. “It’s the wall that delimitates a park. And I thought we already acted that one this morning for the Verona crowd to see?”

Lucie blushed at the memory. “The scene we did this morning was the lovers professing their love to each other,” she clucked her tongue disapprovingly, to which he snorted. “Use your imagination, Jesse,” she rolled her eyes. “You’re Romeo and I’m Juliet. We’ve just spent our last night together, and it’s morning. You have to leave, otherwise –” she pretended to be scared. “My parents will find you in my room and they will kill you. And I won’t just lose my lover, but my reputation will be tainted forever. I’ll be kicked to the streets.”

“So you want me to kiss you goodbye or jump from this impromptu balcony?”

“Whichever you want first,” she sighed. “Better the kissing before the jump,” she decided.

He smirked but rolled his eyes at her antics. “I can’t kiss you,” he admitted. “You can’t reach me if I’m sitting on this wall, unless –” he stopped, and got off the fake balcony. Lucie started protesting, but when she realized what Jesse was doing, she shut up. He grabbed her by the hips and helped her up on the wall where he’d just descended.

“Now I’m Romeo and you’re Juliet,” she said, surprised to be able to look him in the eyes directly from that height. “My dear Juliet, let lips do what hands do,” she cleared her throat, trying to imitate a masculine voice, and touched Jesse’s face sweetly. She knew she didn’t say the right line, but she couldn’t remember it well.

He went along with her plan. “Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.”

“Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take,” Lucie muttered gruffly, and she bent down to find Jesse’s warm lips. “Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged,” she smiled against his lips, her hands on his shoulders.

“Give me my sin again,” Jesse urged, saying Romeo’s line in her place. He cradled Lucie’s face in his hands to give her another, more intense kiss.

“You kiss by th' book.” Lucie closed with Juliet’s parting line, and bent down to kiss him a third time. Luckily, there was no Nurse to interrupt them.

“Farewell, farewell. One kiss and I’ll descend,” Jesse whispered softly, his face still inches from his girlfriend’s. He dove on her lips again with hunger.

“I thought that was my line,” Lucie argued when they separated. He helped her down the wall and she dusted the back of her dress with her hands. “I was Romeo.”

“A Romeo who mixed up the first kiss scene with his lover, with the scene before he had to leave for exile,” Jesse offered a big grin. “It’s understandable. I also would rather be with my lover forever than be forever parted from her.”

There was melancholy in his voice. He was probably remembering another time, the time when he used to be a ghost, Lucie realized. A time where, like the two lovers in Verona, they could only see each other at night. Romeo and Juliet were star-crossed lovers because of their families. Lucie and Jesse used to be star-crossed because he was a ghost and she a living girl. They belonged to worlds that intervowed together and yet, whose threads never truly met.

“You are with your lover,” Lucie said, holding his hand. They started walking back to the Institute. It was getting late, and the streets were deserted. “And your lover will never let anybody nor anything tear us apart,” she stopped and looked him in the eyes. “Only death do us part,” she vowed solemnly.

“Sounds like a threat,” Jesse joked, and Lucie rolled her eyes and started walking again.

“You know, you can back out of this relationship before we’re officially engaged, Jesse,” she groaned, while he was chuckling. “What are you laughing about?”

“My lover,” he asserted giovally. “My beautiful lover I intend to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

Lucie gaped her mouth open in awe. It wasn’t lost on her that he had just quoted the vows mundanes used during their marriage ceremonies. “Sounds like a threat,” she teased him cheekily, and they both chuckled as they walked back to the Institute.

By noon, they arrived at the Milan Institute. Riccardo Ferrari wished them goodbye and told them to greet Will and Tessa, whom he hardly knew but he believed to be nice people. He also added a line that Lucie didn’t understand and that Jesse pretended not to understand – but he completely understood – which was: “auguri e figli maschi!”

They had already sent a fire message to Will, and he told them Magnus would arrive in London around three p.m. to open the portal. This gave them the chance to do a quick tour of Milan in the two hours they had. But Magnus, as usual, didn’t follow a tight schedule, and not even an hour passed from Will’s fire message, that the portal had already been opened before them and they had to give up on their plans. They thanked Giulia Bianchi for letting them wait in the Institute and went through the portal, bidding Italy goodbye.

Will and Tessa – but Lucie’s father, especially – wanted to know everything that happened in Italy. Will was excited to know about it all the evening they were back, but Tessa reminded her husband that even though they had come through a portal, Lucie and Jesse went on a journey and needed to rest. So they delayed their tales of travel to the next day.

Jesse described how Venice surprised him and how colorful it was because of the people dressed for Carnival. He told Will he would have liked the Bridge of Sighs because it was also linked to Shakespeare, and Will said that he would definitely take Tessa there someday. However, she wasn’t of the same idea. Tessa didn’t know how to swim and she didn’t like to go close to water, so Will resorted to going somewhere else, then, like Verona.

Lucie said that she had enjoyed both cities, but, unlike her mother, she would’ve liked to jump into the Venetian water to swim, but she had been equally happy just riding in a gondola.

They told them about Verona and how exciting it was to visit Romeo and Juliet’s homes and the streets where blood was shed between their families, to which Tessa seemed very enthusiastic to hear about. They gave them the masks they bought in Venice and other souvenirs from Verona as well as Riccardo Ferrari’s greetings and wishes to see them sooner or later in Verona.

They told them everything they could have possibly shared, and kept most of their experiences to themselves. There was so much one couldn’t share with their parents.

“I know that I told my parents I enjoyed the gondola ride,” Lucie declared merrily, “but you know what I enjoyed the most? How it ended.”

Jesse, who was sitting next to her on their sofa in the drawing room, frowned. “Then you lied to them,” he stated, “if you liked when the experience was over?”

“No, no,” she said quickly. “I meant that I liked the way it ended,” she fixed her gaze on him. “I meant the kiss part, Jesse. That was one of the most romantic things I’ve ever experienced.”

He gave her an enigmatic smile. “More romantic than the reenactment of two important scenes from Romeo and Juliet in fair Verona?” he questioned. “Because those, if you ask me, are my most favorite moments from the trip.”

She gazed up at him lovingly. “Of course I also adored those romantic moments,” she stroked his arm, the Blackthorn ring still there on her finger. I loved every kiss with you. “But there was this one moment that I will cherish in my heart, while building my future.”

“What is that?”

“When we said our vows in the deserted street,” Lucie confessed coyly. “I know they aren’t our vows, shadowhunter vows, I mean, but –” she bit her lip. “That was a meaningful moment to me. It made me think about how far we’ve come. How far we still have to go,” she gesticulated with her hands. “How much we’ve promised to achieve before we will say those vows in front of the people who also love us. How much we don’t need those vows to know that you and I – nothing will ever part us, not even death.” She took the Blackthorn ring off her fourth finger and took Jesse’s hand to gently put it back on the fourth finger of his left hand. The finger where the vein connecting to the heart was. “I suppose this is yours.”

Jesse glanced at the ring, then at Lucie, and managed a grin. “One day this is going to be yours,” he simply said, caressing her hand. The hand where his ring had just been. “Until that day, I’m also grateful for what us – you and I as single people and as a couple – have achieved. You gave me back my life, Lucie. But you are also my life. You gave me something I never thought possible to get back,” he kissed her hand. “There is still room to grow. Still time to learn. Still time to –” he licked his lips, looking for the right word.

“Time to kiss?” Lucie proposed cheerfully.

“Why do you have to –” he rolled his eyes. “Decidedly, there is never going to be enough time for kissing,” he kissed her forehead for emphasis. “Thank you for coming on this trip with me, Lucie. I don’t think I can thank you enough for that.”

“And you don’t have to,” she smiled. “Haven’t I told you? I enjoyed myself a great deal,” she yawned.

“Someone needs to sleep,” he guessed. “You haven’t slept much these last three days.”

Lucie’s mouth went slack. “How did you know? And, Jesse, are you –” she twisted the hem of her sleeve nervously. “Are you okay?”

He knew why she asked. “I enjoyed myself considerably, but I can’t wait to sleep in my bed tonight,” he also yawned. “Maybe it’s better if we retire to our rooms now.”

“Can we stay five minutes more?” she pleaded, and he nodded.

“Just five,” he conceded, yawning too.

They drifted off to sleep on the sofa as the flickers of the flames in the hearth finished burning the remains of wood. It was Tessa who found them. They were peacefully resting there, Lucie’s head on Jesse’s shoulder and his head bent on her daughter’s hair. She found a thick blanket and gently placed it on the legs of the tired couple with a content smile. She turned off the candles and lamps, and went to sleep.

I know, I know, this one shot was quite long. But I couldn't stop myself while writing it, and I hope you made it here and you enjoyed it.

Translation of the two sentences in Italian: - The one by the gondoliere: "“Ah, queste coppie di sposini novelli pensano solo a baciarsi e non si godono il panorama!” "Ah, these newlyweds only think about kissing and never enjoy the view!" - The one by Riccardo Ferrari: "Auguri e figli maschi!" "Well wishes and may you have boys!" This is more of a Southern Italy saying (from where I'm from) that people usually tell to couples when they get married. They wish the couple happiness but also that their first kid is a boy. This is because the boy could carry on the name of the family, so I thought that since Riccardo thought Lucie and Jesse were a couple of newlyweds, he would wish them happiness in a very Italian way that was common at the time. Some facts about the things I said in my fic: - There is a real Carnival celebration in Venice, during the week of Mardi Gras! And there are several exhibitions and a lot of people go there, so it's very crowded! - The Romeo and Juliet painting by Sir Frank Dicksee inspired the scene where Lucie and Jesse reenact RJ's kiss. That's how I pictured them :) - The lines from this scene are from Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Scene 5. The title is from Scene 3, Act 4

#tsc #tsc fanfiction #tlh #lucie and jesse #lucie herondale #jesse blackthorn #will herondale #tessa gray #wessa #blackdale #ghostwriter #chain of thorns #chain of thorns spoilers #chain of iron #chain of gold #jesse and lucie #tweety.writes #tweety's celebration

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moodmusicmonday · 2 years

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I am loving this new playlist! What do yall think? Check it out! And as always: keep your eyes peeled for these incredible fics that are about to be released! Support one another when and where you can! 💜

Thank y'all again for another AMAZING week! Shall we do it again next week?

~🎵~

@bebepac

“Diva” - Beyonce; The Blue Honey Cafe, Trust Fall (TRR; no pairings)

“Devil” - L.I.F.T.; The Rotten Apple, I Choose You [TRH and beyond; Liam x Riley; Eleanor x m!OC (Nico)]

@kat-tia801

“Waking up Slow (piano version) - Gabrielle Aplin; Written in the Stars, part 3: I’m Going Back in the Things That I Know (TRR; Drake Walker x f!MC)

@peonierose

Go blonder [OPH; Bryce Lahela x f!OC (Luna Auclair)]

“Lovefool” - The Cardigans

“Manic Monday” - The Bangles

@peonyblossom

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) [From the Vault]” - Taylor Swift

Wine Drunk [OPH; Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Sadie Oakley)]

(Untitled) [Red Carpet Diaries; Thomas Hunt x f!MC (Jackie Hunt)]

~🎵~

Tag list (please let us know if you'd like to be added/removed):

@21-wishes @alj4890 @ao719 @atsuinawa @aussiegurl1234 @axwalker @bebepac @burnsoslow @charlotteg234 @chemist-ana @foreverethereal123 @issabees @jerzwriter @karahalloway @kat-tia801 @lovingchoices14 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @neotericthemis @nestledonthaveone @peonierose @queenrileyrose @quixoticdreamer16 @sfb123 @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @twinkleallnight @txemrn @walkerdrakewalker @zaffrenotes

#Spotify #mood music monday #moodmusicmonday #choices fanfic #music inspo #choices mood music monday #choices fanfiction #choices mmm #choices music inspo #choices trr #choices oph #choices rcd #the royal romance #open heart #red carpet diaries

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purplebass · 1 year

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Center of Attention // Blackdale

Lucie and Jesse fanfic set in the timeline post Chain of Thorns (no spoilers, because I don't even know how it ends lol) where they are married. Jesse organizes a party for Lucie. I'm proud of this fic because I've been planning for a while. It's how I wish things will go post canon, but ofc I still don't know. Let me dream. I hope I conveyed how much I love Jesse and Lucie as characters. Read on A03 💜

Jesse glanced around the room, and he could see that everyone was having a good time. He grinned, thinking that the ballroom of Blackthorn Manor had never been so crowded when he was little. The place had been deadly silent, rotting, holed up in its briars that were eating it from the inside. At some point, someone had burnt it down, and Jesse believed that reckless act had purified it instead of accelerating its decay. After they fixed the manor, Jesse vowed to never let it die again. The renovation began a new phase for the Blackthorn family. It was a way for the household to be born again, just like he did several years before.

There was a party that night, which made the whole ballroom glitter with colorful lights and cheerful chatter. He hadn’t moved past the door, waiting for all of the guests they were expecting, handing everyone a picture of the person they were celebrating that night. Lucie, his wife. His seven year old son stood by his side, wanting to be of help and surprise his mother too.

He did such a good job hiding this frolic from Lucie, or so he hoped. It was frustrating, really, and he probably knew who told her, but he didn’t mind as long as she was happy. It had been difficult to hide stuff from her in the past three months, because she had been busy working from home on her new novel and she happened to roam around the ballroom for inspiration. Her novel had been published a few weeks prior, and she could finally relax, and he could finally arrange this party. At least until the next novel, which Jesse knew she had already started writing.

The child grinned when he saw his grandparents approach. Will and Tessa Herondale were often the first guests to get to their parties, although this time they were beaten to it by some of his cousins. Jesse thought that perhaps it was because Herondale Manor was conveniently next to Blackthorn Manor, but then he realized that Lucie’s parents were always punctual when it concerned their family. They loved their children, adored their grandchildren, and often said they couldn’t have asked for better in-laws.

“How is my little nephew doing?” Will asked the child. He was now Jesse’s father in law. He and Tessa treated him as if he was another son of theirs, something Jesse had never expected from the way his mother had described them when he was little. Tatiana used to say the Herondales were monsters, children of demons, utterly selfish, but the description never fit the way they were acting with him and the others. On the other hand, Jesse thought the Herondales were some of the most selfless people he knew, always keen on helping others and the people they loved in particular. If there was one thing the Herondales excelled at, was selfless love.

“I’m good, grandpa,” the seven year old replied, and offered him a picture. “I hope you and grandma are good too!” he told him excitedly, his blue-green eyes sparkling.

“Oh, thanks,” Will said, taking the photograph and showing it to Tessa. “That’s a really nice photo. Thanks, Robert. Is this the book picture? I don’t recognize it.”

“No. This was a picture we took of mam when we were doing a picnic in Regent’s Park and she wasn’t looking,” Robert said proudly. “She was so pretty while she looked at the lake. She thought we were going to buy ice-cream but we stayed behind a bush waiting for the perfect moment!”

“He loves taking photos with his brownie camera,” Jesse added, looking proud. “We used a duplication rune to copy the picture so that all of the guests would have the same photo,” he explained.

Will nodded. “That’s a great idea, you had. Photography is a nice hobby. At least now it takes less time to take pictures. When I was your age, we had to stay put for several minutes to have our portrait taken. Ah, the world is evolving,” he commented with a bit of nostalgia in his voice.

“Really, grandpa? Then it’s good that they invented this camera or I wouldn’t have taken this picture of mam. She rarely stays put when she’s writing, and we had to wait for her to glance at the lake to take the photo.”

“The room is amazing, Jesse,” Tessa said, changing the topic. “And the book is too. Where is your mom? I want to tell her in person,” she asked the child. “Mundanes seemed to like it. I’ve read in their papers that it did well in the market.”

Robert shrugged, but it was Jesse who replied to his mother in law. “She isn’t here yet. I will fetch her once everyone is gathered.”

“Right, because this is a surprise,” Will said with delight. “We will go greet the others, then.”

“Suit yourself, there is time. I bet she’s still trying to finish writing something. I told her to get ready to have dinner at nine, and you know how she is when she’s working.”

His parents in law laughed and told him they knew, then they left Jesse and his son to greet the other guests.

Jesse never thought he would become a father. Not in this life. For he never believed he would get another chance at living properly, fully. He never believed he’d be able to move in his actual body and that it would someday generate life, for he had been dead for too long and too insubstantial to even grasp the idea of living. He thought the only thing he would be doing for the rest of his days, however long he’d last, was fluctuate between two worlds, and never see the light of the sun again. As a ghost, his only light was Lucie.

When they found out they were having a child, it was a surprise. There was the possibility that Lucie could not have children, because of her heritage. She’d told him her parents had to wait five years before they had James and her. That perhaps, she might have been able to bring him back from the dead, but could not bear children. He told her not to worry. They would be fine even without children. He did not, after all, know if he was fit to take care of a child, and the thought scared him a little. He decided not to think about it, until the unexpected news came.

“I am with child,” Lucie confessed one night, while they were sitting on their favorite sofa and she was reading pages from her book to him. His head lay on a plushy pillow on her legs, and his eyes were closed. She could see him, so she knew he might have been asleep. He gave himself five seconds to open his eyes, and answer her.

She peered over him, frowning. She definitely thought he had been asleep, and hadn’t heard her. But his eyes fluttered open and he started giggling. He sounded hysterical, which wasn’t how he normally was. He moved his head and settled his cheek on her stomach.

“Is everything okay?” his wife wondered. Was she preoccupied? She set the book aside, and ran her hand through his straight black hair. Her hand wandered on the side of his face, on his cheek. She stopped.

“I’m just,” he sighed, “flabbergasted.” She could feel his hand on the side of her hip. “I never thought –”

“You’ll be an amazing father, Jesse," she said, drying his tears with her thumb. “And I know you will give this child all of the attention and love they can get. Like you do with me.”

“I'll do my best so they will have everything I didn't have,” he murmured.

Lucie smiled. “I'm sure of it.”

Their firstborn was a baby boy. Robert. Robert Gabriel William Blackthorn. Only few knew that Robert was in memory of Rupert, because Robert and Rupert were the same name. It meant ‘bright fame’, which he surely did have before birth, since he was the child of two people who had become famous in the shadow world. It was a way to remember Jesse’s father, whom he never met and whom, supposedly, was a good man. Robert’s second name was an homage to his uncle Gabriel, who had been a fatherly figure to him after he came back. And of course, William was after Lucie’s father, who made Jesse feel like part of his family ever since he knew what he had done for James and Lucie as a ghost.

Then, they had a girl. “Poppy, are you awake? Yes, you’re awake,” Lucie smiled at the little baby in the wooden crib near her writing desk. It was her dinner time, and she knew it. She was only three, and she liked being in her mother’s study when she was writing. Poppy sat in the crib, and Lucie picked her up so that she could get the girl ready for dinner. She was a pretty girl with black hair and eyes blue like a species of poppies that you can only find in the Himalayas. They had chosen that nickname after looking at the display of blue Himalayan poppies while they were in London.

“Look, mama, that flower is the same color of my little sister’s eyes,” her son Robert had mused thoughtfully. “I think we should call her that. Her name is too long.”

Lucie and Jesse had smiled lovingly at each other. “It’s not a bad idea,” she replied. “It reminds me of when me and uncle James chose Daisy as a nickname for aunt Cordelia. Splendid!”

“Good choice, Robert,” Jesse agreed. “And in classical mythology the poppies are also a symbol of death and resurrection. It’s only fitting,” he glanced at his wife, who grinned knowingly.

That was how Poppy stuck. She was a lively child, always curious and eager to discover the world. “I’m hungry, mama,” she cried, while Lucie fixed her hair. “We need to eat!”

Lucie laughed. “You know our priorities, darling. I’m sorry if mama was late again, but you were also asleep,” she told her. “Papa and Robert must still be out, I believe. They didn’t come to greet us,” she frowned, looking at the clock. It was almost nine, and her husband and child said they had to go out to run some errands.

“That’s not fair, I’m little,” the girl lamented. “And I was pretending to sleep!”

“Why so?” Lucie frowned. “Do you not want to dine?”

“Yes, I do, mama!”

“Then why did you pretend to sleep?”

Poppy looked away, and bit her lip nervously. She had her guilty face on. The face she made when she did something her parents advised her not to do, but she did anyway. She was very much like Lucie as a little child. “I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you. Papa said so. He said…” she was about to say, and shut her mouth as if she was about to reveal something she shouldn’t have.

Lucie sighed. It was hard being a mother. “What else did papa say?” she wondered.“Mama is curious.” That did it. Poppy wasn’t a good liar. Penelope Daisy Blackthorn was always sincere, which was one quality few people possessed. She loved that she tried to be honest, but as she knew herself, sometimes a little white lie wouldn’t hurt.

“He only said to tell you to get pretty, pretty, pretty and then meet him in the ballroom with me at nine. And to wear that blue dress he gave you for Christmas.” Poppy smiled, but then covered her mouth. “Oops! Daddy said to tell you to wear that blue dress, but that I shouldn’t tell you that he told me to wear it. He told me to tell you it was my idea.”

“Papa said so, uhm,” she said, shrugging. Poppy couldn’t lie to save her life. That was how she found out that Jesse was preparing a surprise for her. And he still entrusted his daughter with secrets. Damn, she loved Jesse Blackthorn. She finished adjusting her hair and her dress, then told the child to wait until mama was done getting ready.

The whole thing was suspicious. If Jesse told Poppy to delay her because he knew Lucie’s writing habits, then there was a reason why he also told the child that she needed to wear a specific and fancy dress for dinner. What were they hiding? She was dying to know. For this reason, she wore the dress and then tried her best to fix her hair and make up, and then she and Poppy went downstairs to the ballroom.

“Papa is not here,” Poppy noticed, and Lucie looked around to see if he was about the corridor, but there was no sign of him. “Robert is not here either.”

“Mama, mama, here!” It was Robert, at least, running towards them.

“Where is your father?” But Robert didn’t answer. Instead, he opened the door to the ballroom and dragged her inside.

Lucie’s steps halted. The ballroom was arranged with different species of blue flowers and silver ribbons. The scent was incredible – Lucie loved flowers. Jesse and Poppy liked to make flower crowns and they brought them to her, claiming that she was a princess and needed her crown. Lucie also made crowns of flowers with her children, who loved to stay outside on the grass whenever the weather was warm and nice.

She recognized her family and friends at once. They all turned when she entered the room, and she felt their eyes on her. She blushed, suddenly shy, when her husband put a hand on her shoulder.

“I see Poppy finally told you to come here,” Jesse said, a welcoming smile on his lips.

“This time I’m impressed she kept the secret longer than usual,” Lucie shook her head. Poppy had already left her side and wandered to her family to be picked up by uncle Thomas, who was her favorite uncle for some reason. “What’s all of this for? What are we celebrating?”

Jesse giggled softly. “Oh, Penelope didn’t tell you, then? She’s getting better,” he commented. “Congratulations, my darling,” he said, then he kissed her lips. “Your book made it.”

“Do you mean –” Lucie gasped audibly, then tried to keep her voice down. “How did it do?”

Jesse didn’t answer because their guests started approaching them and started giving Lucie their congratulations. Her mother brought her a mundane newspaper with an article about it, then someone else gave her another one where there were the number of copies sold. Everyone of their guests had a kind word for her. Some of her friends had even read the book and told her what they liked and made some comments about her choices – James was always one of her harshest critics sometimes, but he told her he was satisfied with how she crafted her story.

When everyone had departed the Manor and returned to their homes a few hours later, Lucie and Jesse took their children to bed. They both were past their bedtime, and Poppy had already fallen asleep in her father’s arms along the way. Robert asked them to read him a story, but when Lucie started reading, she realized the child was snoring.

Once in their bedroom, they started changing for the night. Lucie changed into her nightgown and let down her hair. She sat at her vanity brushing it when Jesse approached from behind, already changed into night clothes and ready to climb into bed.

“You’re awfully silent, Lucie,” he said, and Lucie pursed her lips trying not to smile. He knew her well. “How did you find tonight?”

“I told you I didn’t care how the book did. I just wanted to publish it, however it went,” she admitted, and continued to brush her hair.

Jesse tilted his head on the side and raised an eyebrow. “I know that, and I’m sorry if I didn’t respect your decision not to see the outcome of your extraordinary tale. But I had to. You had to see for yourself how it was doing.”

“Except I didn’t want to,” her tone was bitter without meaning to. She met his eyes in the mirror. “I –” she sighed, and stopped brushing. “I didn’t want to know. What if it turned out to be a disaster?”

“Even if it did – which, you’ve seen for yourself, it wasn’t – it was still a reason to celebrate,” he muttered sweetly. “You made it, Lucie. You published your novel, which isn’t something us shadowhunters usually do. It’s a big achievement. Not only because it is your story, but also because it is a story that won’t be forgotten. You’re the first of us to ever achieve that. That is enough a reason to throw a party and have fun. To celebrate you. My lovely heroine.”

Lucie blushed. Even after years of marriage, Jesse never stopped being utterly sweet and an adoring husband. She put the brush on the vanity and rose to her full height to cup his face in her hands and kiss him. “Thank you,” she said when they separated. “Thank you for believing in me.”

He winked and kissed her lips again, then took her hand as they walked to bed. When they settled under the covers, he spoke again. “Lucie,” he whispered, “I want to know if Lord Simmons is dead.”

Lucie frowned at him. “You will find out in a few months like other people!” she laughed. “The truth is, I still don’t know.”

“You’re so cruel,” he answered with fake scorn. “But I still love you,” he kissed the top of her head and settled on his pillow, ready to sleep. “Goodnight, Luce.”

“Goodnight, Jesse. And…” she sighed, “Thank you for tonight. I had fun and I felt loved.” She kissed his cheek and settled herself beside him, her heart full of peace and love. He whispered I love you again, and she closed her eyes, thanking the angel for her loving family, hoping that her life would always be blessed like this.

#tsc #tlh #blackdale #jesse blackthorn #lucie herondale #ghostwriter #tsc fanfiction #chain of gold #chain of iron #chain of thorns #the last hours #my posts 3 #tweety.writes

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