#carding his fingers through izzy's hair to calm him down

[ourflaghashands]

just wip things

a spicy scene from Pitch Black that I was too impatient to wait for 😂 (don't worry, I'm still working on chapter 4)

Read under the cut!

(I don't write spicy stuff very often so I'm sorry if it's wonky :'D)

Izzy paces back and forth across the captain’s cabin. It’s well past the point when Stede said he would be joining him, and Izzy is dying for an explanation. He hadn’t done anything wrong. At least, not really. But Izzy can still see Stede’s face, pinched and anxious, and the authoritative voice pouring out of him still rings in Izzy’s ears. He doesn’t know what to expect when Stede finally joins him.

He manages to get in a few more laps before the door opens with a gentle click and Stede walks inside, looking pale and drawn.

“How’s Frenchie?” Izzy asks, before anything else can be said. Stede puts up a hand momentarily before divesting himself of his coat. He sinks into one of the armchairs with a sigh. “He’ll be fine. Might need stitches, but Roach assured me he’d make a full recovery.”

Something in Izzy’s chest unclenches. He knows that it wasn’t his fault, but he had a sense of responsibility for the crew. He was supposed to make sure they were prepared for everything, and Frenchie’s sword work had never been his strength. Perhaps Izzy would have to fix that.

“Good.” Izzy murmurs, just loud enough for Stede to hear. He doesn’t want anyone to think he’s gone soft, so he adds, “It’d be a shame to lose the only bard on the ship.”

Stede snorts, slightly undignified, and the response says more about how exhausted he is than his looks.  Izzy slinks over to him. “What was it you wanted to speak to me about?” He can’t just sit here and wonder any longer – the unknown is driving him insane.

“I’m under no illusion about your abilities with a sword, Israel, but even you have to realize you were way in over your head. Why did you put yourself in that position?” Bonnet’s words strike something in Izzy, drawing up memories of the night of The Incident with Edward.

Izzy swallows, looking down at his feet. “I couldn’t let anything happen to my Captain.” He responds easily, because it’s true – even if he and Edward still aren’t entirely in good standing with each other, Izzy still can’t bear the thought of losing him. He’s been the one constant in Izzy’s life. The single port in a storm for as long as he can remember.

“I understand. And I do thank you for helping him. But next time you shouldn’t go in alone like that.” And Izzy knows Bonnet is right, loath as he is to admit it. Izzy has always been Edward’s attack dog, his sword, an extension of the legend himself, but Blackbeard’s reputation isn’t unfounded. Ed probably would have been okay if Izzy hadn’t jumped in like that, but taking the risk of finding out was too terrifying to give thought to.

Izzy finally crosses the room to Stede and sinks to the floor, resting his forehead against one of the Alpha’s knees. “I’m sorry for making you worry.” He bites the words out, because this sort of vulnerability is still new to him. Bonnet makes a noise, somewhat like a scoff but too gentle, and cards his fingers through Izzy’s hair.

“You’re okay, darling. I’m just glad nothing happened.” As calm as Stede sounds, the memory of his furious gaze is still Fresh in Izzy’s mind, and it draws a submissive whine from the omega’s throat.

“None of that, now.” Bonnet murmurs, reaching down and forcing Izzy’s face up. He leans down and presses their lips together, all gentle. Izzy lets himself melt into it, lets Bonnet deepen the kiss and explore his mouth with his tongue. He takes what he’s given and nothing more, until Bonnet breaks the kiss. Izzy’s tongue darts out to wet his own lips.

He’s still tense, despite the fact that Stede seems to have forgiven him. There’s always been a balance to Izzy’s experiences, and right now the scales feel tipped. He had upset Stede, he knows he had, but there’s no follow up. No retribution. It leaves something in him unsettled, and Izzy doesn’t like it.

“What if I…” He trails off, before he realizes how messed up that thought process is, and he feels his face go warm.

“What if you what?” Bonnet prompts. His hand is still in Izzy’s hair, scratching soothing circles into his scalp. It’s almost distracting enough to make the omega lose his train of thought. He feels his face pinching together like he’s just eaten a lemon. How does he voice the problem without sounding absolutely mental?

He’s never been good with words. That’s always been one of his shortcomings.

“I…you can’t just forgive me, Stede. I saw how angry you were.” Izzy doesn’t look Stede in the eyes, focusing his attention on a fold in the Alpha’s shirt.

“I just did.” Stede says, nonplussed. Izzy fights down a groan, shaking his head and nearly dislodging Stede’s hand.

“I don’t want you to.” Izzy clarifies, feeling his face grow hotter. “I need you to follow through.”

There’s a long moment of silence, before Stede makes a soft noise of understanding. “You…want to be punished.” It isn’t a question, but Izzy nods a confirmation all the same. Shame wells up in the pit of his stomach because he knows it’s not normal of him, but he can’t help the way he is. A lifetime of conditioning, quid-pro-quo, an eye for an eye – whatever you want to call it – has made it impossible for Izzy to leave things feeling unfinished, especially when it comes to those who have earned his respect.

And, despite everything, Stede has earned it.

Stede hums thoughtfully, his hand leaving Izzy’s hair. Izzy fights down a soft noise of disappointment – he hasn’t earned that affection yet. There’s a lingering silence, and Izzy’s nerves fray just a little more as time stretches on between them. He feels like he’s about to burst when Stede finally addresses him.

“What if you made it up to me?” Stede asks, and Izzy finally raises his eyes to look the Alpha in the face. It’s a decent proposal – Stede seems hesitant to actually punish him, never seems to really want to unless he’s truly angry, but his eyes are bright, and Izzy thinks he can work with this.

“…Yeah, alright.” He concedes, the tension in his shoulders receding a bit. He will earn his forgiveness. That’s acceptable.

“Come here, darling.” Stede urges Izzy up with his hands, and Izzy rises from the floor, clambering into Stede’s lap and straddling his thighs, his feet hanging over the edge of the seat. Stede pulls him into a heated kiss, and Izzy can feel that the Alpha is already half-hard in his trousers. Something in Izzy’s stomach squirms pleasantly at the thought. It could have been the excitement of the raid, but Izzy likes the thought that their proximity is what’s doing it.

Stede kisses Izzy until he’s breathless, delirious and pliant under the Alpha’s hands. The hard line of Stede’s cock is pressing into the space between them, and Izzy’s hips roll forward into the bulk of it, making Stede hiss into his mouth.

“Strip for me, Darling.” Stede’s voice is rough, and tinged with the steel of command that Izzy is helpless to disobey. He carefully extricates himself from Stede, removing his clothing one piece at a time. His cravat and ring are first, and he places them carefully on the nearby table. His vest, shirt, and pants are quick to follow, before Izzy peels off his smalls. They’re damp, and he knows he won’t be putting them back on until they’ve been washed.

Stede rises from the chair, grabbing a cushion off of the nearby chaise and depositing it onto the floor. “Kneel there, and wait for me.” He says, no-nonsense. Izzy sinks to his knees on the cushion, glad of the padding. He’s not as young as he used to be, after all.

Stede busies himself, grabbing a few things from around the room before going into the washroom for several minutes. Izzy remains where he is, letting the calm warmth of obeying the orders given to him wash over him. He’s drifting, mind pleasantly fuzzy, and the burning need between his thighs is only a distant bother.

He loses track of time, and nearly jolts out of that fuzzy space when Stede returns, carrying a basin and wearing a robe that does absolutely nothing to hide his straining erection. He places the basin and a cloth down on the table, before turning his attention back to Izzy. He pets a hand through his hair, humming pleasantly.

“Good boy, Izzy. So patient for me.” He rumbles, and it’s enough to make Izzy’s legs shake where they’re still holding him up. Stede reaches down and presses the pad of his thumb against Izzy’s lower lip, and Izzy’s mouth falls open obediently. Stede presses the digit flat to Izzy’s tongue, holding his mouth open.

“Will this be alright for you? If I use your mouth?” Stede asks, and Izzy whines at the promise of it, nodding his head just slightly so as not to dislodge the Alpha’s hand. The consent seems enthusiastic enough for Stede, because he removes his thumb and tugs his robe open. His cock is standing at attention, rock-hard and glistening at the tip. Izzy feels his mouth water, but doesn’t close it.

Stede shifts closer, letting just the tip rest against Izzy’s tongue. He shifts his hips, dragging it back and forth against the plain of it, before slowly pushing in. His thrusts are shallow at first, presumably to let Izzy get used to the feel of it, before he pushes deeper. Izzy can feel the tip of it hitting the back of his throat before long, and subtly tilts his head to give the Alpha a better angle, breathing through his nose.

Stede sets up a slow, lazy rhythm, giving Izzy time to pull in little puffs of breath between each thrust. It’s a torturously slow pace, but the repetitiveness of it drives Izzy to heights he didn’t know he could reach. The weight of Stede on his tongue, the control of it, and the knowledge that he’s being used by Stede to chase his own pleasure tugs him into that fuzzy space once more, and he’s only mildly aware of saliva leaking from the corners of his mouth.

He’s painfully hard himself, and he can feel slick drooling out of him, down between his thighs and onto the cushion below him. He reaches up to hold onto Stede’s hips, his fingers digging into the soft flesh. He doesn’t control the pace – Stede is doing that, but he needs contact, and this is the best way to get it.

Stede seems to read his mind, and one of his hands goes to Izzy’s hair, fingers carding through it and pressing against the base of his skull. Izzy’s eyes slip closed and he loses himself in the sensation of it. The alpha keeps up his carefully controlled pace, and Izzy can feel warmth and pressure building between his thighs; he’s close to coming, his hips twitching slightly against empty air.

It goes on like this, Izzy quickly losing track of time, his own arousal building. Stede’s thrusts are getting a little faster, cutting Izzy’s breathing off at quicker intervals. He’s swallowing around Stede’s cock, willing the Alpha to go deeper. Stede complies, and soon enough he’s fucking into Izzy’s mouth with abandon.

The intensity of it is too much, and Izzy feels the tension between his legs build at a dizzying rate. His thighs flex as he tries to stave it off, but there’s nothing he can do. Heat blooms low in his belly and his hips jerk forwards as he comes, untouched, his cunt clenching rhythmically on absolutely nothing.

He distantly hears Stede swear above him, a choked-off ‘Did you just—’ spilling out of his lips before his hips stutter and he comes down the back of Izzy’s throat. Izzy swallows him down with purpose, sucking gently until Bonnet’s softened cock slides back out of his mouth, leaving him empty. He whines, bereft, and suddenly Stede is on the ground with him, pulling him into a filthy kiss. Izzy doesn’t doubt he can taste himself, his tongue is so far back in the omega’s mouth.

The aftershocks and shaking in his thighs are too much, and Izzy sinks the rest of the way down, a grimace pulling at his lips as he lands in the cold puddle of his own slick. Stede chuckles gently above him, pressing his face down to nuzzle into Izzy’s hair. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” He murmurs, before carefully rising to his feet. “Get on the bed.” He says, crossing over to the table to fetch the basin and cloth.

Izzy rises on unsteady legs, making it over to the bed and sitting down heavily. Stede sets the basin down next to the bed and pushes on Izzy’s chest until he’s lying back. Stede goes to work on him, using the damp cloth to clean the slick from his thighs and cunt. The drag of it on his oversensitive nub draws a whimper from him, but he’s too far gone to feel shame for it. Stede makes a soothing sound in the back of his throat, finishing up his work before climbing into the bed next to him.

He pulls Izzy against him and Izzy immediately shoves his nose into the crook of Stede’s neck, scenting him thoroughly. A stuttering purr rumbles up from his chest, unfamiliar but comfortable. He curls up against the Alpha, hoping the noise will be enough to convey his thanks. He no longer feels off-kilter, and he can feel the tug of sleep softening his edges until it pulls him under. He’s vaguely aware of Stede pulling the blanket over both of them, but he’s out like a snuffed candle before much else can register.

#Pitch Black #SteddyHands #Stizzy #technically this is just Stizzy for now #but eventually.... #im steddyhands trash so #u know #ABO dynamics #up in this bitch #so beware of that if you haven't ready Pitch Black

[ethvn-torchio]

Bucky x reader, except the reader is also a supersoldier who went through the same thing, so she 1000% understands. They both wake up from a nightmare and comfort each other, and end up having very passionate sex.

oH mY gOd iZzY!??!??!! good lord that is 𝓈𝒽𝓇𝑒𝓍𝓎.

Anyway babe, here's a bucky x fem!reader fic for ya. also omfg i love bucky barnes sm 🥺 hnngh mr barnes can rail me any day

Warnings: smut (duh), p in v sex ;) a little angst kinda? top!Bucky, bottom!reader (kinda?) unprotected sex

Word count: 1,398

You and Bucky were no strangers to nightmares; over the years, both of you were frequently plagued by them. They never became any easier to manage.

You live in the now, but there is one thing that will always and forever be a part of your past.

The Super Soldier serum.

The Soldier is part of who you are - who you both are. It's a part of Bucky, a part of you.

It wasn't an easy decision to make; to take that acceptance of what the past had set you on, and face forward.

Bucky shouts, bringing you out of your light, fitful sleep with a jolt. You throw yourself up and away from the bed with one quick motion.

It takes a moment for your vision to clear, and your breathing to steady. By the time your heart slows back down to normal, you're aware of Bucky was sitting up, leaning back with his hands braced on either side of his hips, breathing harshly, and panting as sweat dripped down his face and onto his chest, fingertips glistening with moisture.

Your pulse hadn't even calmed down enough for you to register what caused it to speed up in the first place when you exhale sharply, seeing Bucky crouched in the middle of the bed, face contorted in the middle of a scream. You can't see his eyes behind the glare the moonlight throws at you, but you get the feeling he's looking right at you.

He's looking at you.

"Bucky," you say, softer than you intend to, eyeing him as you finish sliding up onto your feet in the floor. "Hey. It's okay, Bucky. Breathe," you offer, holding your hands out open and out to your sides, to show you mean him no harm.

Bucky doesn't register your words and doesn't stop staring at you. His eyes are wide, his fists clenched.

"It's only me, Bucky," you breathe. It's then you notice how tense his body is; the tic of the muscle in his jaw, the tension in his arms, the way his shoulders hunch. He looks like he's ready for a fight, ready to grab his weapon of choice and take aim for the kill.

"Bucky, look at me," you request, the words coming out as soothing as you think you can get them. "Breathe with me. Come on. It's just me. You're safe," you reassure, still maintaining a safe distance.

It takes a couple of seconds, but you can see the way his shoulders visibly relax when he finally looks up at you, breathing deeply and still shaking. The sight of him in the state he was in made your heart ache.

You nod, ready to approach.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, and you can hear him swallow audibly. "I…" he falters, pausing, and then he pauses again, exhaling harshly. "I'm sorry." he repeats.

"Do you...want to talk about it?" you ask tentatively, though you doubted he would. Neither of you liked to talk about your nightmares.

"No," he replies, almost immediately, though you can see him glance back at you briefly before his eyes avert back to their spot between his knees. "No, I don't. I don't want to…I don't want to think about it anymore."

"Okay," you agree, "Okay," you repeat again, slowly. "I don't expect you to." you add with a smile, though you doubt he can see it. You sit beside him on the bed.

You let the silence fill the space between you, letting him collect himself. 

Finally, he says, “I don’t want to go back to sleep.” 

You shift, tucking a loose hair behind your ear. “Well, what can I do to help?”

Dark, lustful eyes follow your silhouette. "I don't want to think anymore... just let me..." He whispers, the tone of his voice desperate. 

You wordlessly nod, allowing him to pull you into a kiss. There’s nothing quite romantic about the way he kisses you, insatiable and impassioned. The kiss feels longer than it actually is. 

Finally, you break apart, staring at each other for a moment longer before his eyes glance down to where your lips are still slightly parted, watching him. 

Without another word, his cold metal hand slides up your nightshirt, leaving trails of goosebumps in it's wake. He helps you out of your shirt, leaving you in only your sports bra.

His brow furrows. He growls, and you can hear the telltale sound of tearing fabric - and then you’re bare for him, nipples hardening in the cool air. 

You never liked that bra, anyway.

He mutters your name in appreciation, teeth grazing your neck. His hands trail along your body, like he was making sure you were real. 

You wish you could see his brilliant blue eyes, if only to reassure him more. 

He tugs impatiently at the waistband of your shorts, pressing his forehead to yours. You card your fingers in his hair, and before you know it, your shorts are uncaringly tossed to the floor. 

He pauses at the waistband of your underwear. You can feel his hot breath against your neck, his fingers hooked at the waistband.

"Bucky," you plea softly.

That's seemingly all the motivation he needs, and your underwear is added to the ever-growing pile of clothes on the floor.

He doesn't hesitate to touch your clit, rubbing tight circles on the bundle of nerves.

You mewl, spreading your legs for him, anything to get more attention on your clit.

However, he abandons your clit in favor of something else.

You can feel the cold metal of his fingers In your searing heat, and you squirm. “Bucky, oh, God-” you mutter, biting your lip. 

He shushes you, pressing a kiss to your lips. You quickly get used to the icy coolness of his fingers, it adds another layer to your pleasure. He buries his two fingers to the knuckle, pumping and curling his fingers just right, making you a wet, wanton mess. 

He hits your G-spot, and you throw your head back, moaning aloud. He hits that spot a few more times before he removes his fingers, making you whine at the loss.

“Suck.” is his simple demand, fingers coated in your slick.

You oblige, sucking his fingers, the faint taste of metal mixed with your own juices.

He groans, and then his fingers - wet with your own spit - go back down to your clit, rubbing it with fast, light strokes.

You moan, clenching around nothing, aching for him.

Eventually, he stops, and you can feel the head of his cock brush against your entrance. He pauses, pressing his forehead to yours. "-needed this so much, Doll. God, I-" he trails off.

You press a kiss to his cheek. "I'm here, Bucky."

He exhales shakily, and suddenly, he buries himself inside of you to the hilt.

The noise that he releases is primal.

You moan at the feeling of being full, and the delicious stretch that comes along with it.

He stays like that for a brief moment, letting you adjust to him before he rolls his hips.

He thrusts sharply, experimentally, before he finds his rhythm, setting a frantic pace, fucking you like he'd never see you again.

He peppers kisses everywhere he can, kissing your lips, your cheeks, your neck, your shoulders - as you writhe underneath him, incoherently begging for more. He grips your hips, holding them tightly, muttering slurred praises in your ear.

It was something carnal, something wild and desperate, and it was so fucking good.

His skillfull fingers find your clit once again, and the combination of the attention on your clit and the way he hits your G-spot makes you cry out his name, you orgasm steadily approaching.

You clench around his cock and he groans in appreciation, kissing and nipping at your neck.

There was surely going to be a hickey on your neck and bruises on your thighs when you woke up tommorow, at the rate he was going.

His hips begin to stutter, his breath gets shaky. "'M gonna-" he warns,

You were about to respond when he pinches your clit, and your orgasm hits you suddenly, quickly. You yell his name, milking his cock.

He groans into your hair, whispering your name as he gives a few short, choppy thrusts before he orgasms.

You both sleep nightmare free the rest of the night.

-------

Taglist:

@rizwritesfandom @motherfuckingstargirl10 @haydens-moles

yo sorry this was vv not good ngl 💁🏻‍♀️ but like I'm really tired yall I'm sorry 🗿✌️ hope y'all enjoyed<3 also the ending was trash

Edit; wtf deadass I forgot the part where the reader was supposed to have a nightmare too????? Literally ignore me sldjfhskek

#bucky barnes #jo's writing #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes x fem reader #smut #izzy! #asks #smut fanfiction #fanfiction #marvel #marvel fanfiction #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes fanfic

[lost-in-the-80s]

The Wedding

Pairing: Izzy Stradlin x fem!reader

Words: 2.321k

Summary: Your brother's wedding has arrived, without having a boyfriend, you invite Izzy, your best friend, to be your date. (smut)

A/N: When I started listening to gnr, it didn’t take much time before Izzy got a place in my heart, so this is for his birthday

Song rec for the fic: Woman by John Lennon

Sitting on an airplane for over an hour now, Izzy observed your asleep figure beside him, your head laying on his shoulder, like you had done so many times before, unaware of the warmth it caused on the brunette’s heart.

He questioned himself for a thousandth time that week. Why in the hell did I agree with this?

The idea didn’t sound like a big deal at first, accompanying you to your brother’s wedding wouldn’t cause any harm. But as the days started to go by, his mind traced every aspect of a wedding, the music, the romantic atmosphere, the dancing, and he soon started to regret having said yes so easily.

The truth is that Izzy has always loved you, ever since the day the two of you met. It all happened so naturally that he didn’t notice he was in love until you went on a date with another guy.

At first, he loved your voice, he’d call you just to hear you talking for hours about the most random things. Then it was your eyes, he found himself entranced by their color, the way they rolled when you got annoyed, and how they seemed to invade his deepest thoughts and memories every time you looked at his eyes.

The last thing was your attitude, your bluntness and forward behavior shocking him sometimes, and being his main entertainment in others. He found a true interest in watching you, it didn’t matter what you were doing, you would always be in his sight.

And even though years passed, that feeling seemed to just grow more and more, and every time he saw you going out with another guy, his heart broke into smaller and smaller pieces.

Little did he know the reason behind your maneater habits.

The truth is that, just like him, you had fallen for him since day one, you loved his nonchalant attitude and his style, the shape of his hands and fingers, and how dry his voice was after his third cigarette.

Just like him, you would secretly observe him, the two of you being too good on your game to ever get caught by each other.

But you didn’t want to risk your friendship over admitting your feelings, especially when you didn’t know if Izzy felt the same way. So you went on multiple dates, meeting guys with the most different appearances and personalities, all in hopes that one day, you’d meet someone capable of making you stop thinking about the guy from Indiana. That, obviously, never happened.

A little turbulence on the plane woke you up, you immediately looked up, meeting his brownish eyes.

“It’s just turbulence. Go back to sleep.”

You nodded slowly, before laying your head on his shoulder again, inhaling his scent of cigarettes and cologne and immediately feeling your body calm down.

---

You looked at yourself in the mirror of the hotel room, rolling your eyes at Niki's choice of color and design for the bridesmaids' dresses.

A soft knock on the door caught your attention and there stood him, a black blazer matching his black jeans.

He looked you up and down.

"You're gonna steal the bride's attention like that."

"It's grey, the most boring color ever! I wouldn't steal her attention, even if I wanted to."

He chuckled softly.

Well, you stole my attention. He thought to himself.

Picking up your purse and gift you exited the room, locking your arm with his for support, as you got on the elevator and then walked towards the hotel's saloon.

---

During the entire ceremony, Izzy found his attention caught by you, the way you stood out amongst the other bridesmaids and how impatient you seemed to grow with how long the ceremony was taking.

Your grey dress looked like pure silver, reflecting the lights. You looked so beautiful that he wished he had brought a camera to take a picture of you.

Your eyes caught his for once, and you blinked in his direction, smiling when you saw his lips turn into a small smile.

After what felt like forever the ceremony ended and he found himself sitting at a table with “Y/N and boyfriend” written down on a card.

“I think someone gave them the wrong info.” He showed you the card when you plopped down on the chair beside him.

You rolled your eyes. “Classic coming from my family.”

You lifted the tablecloth, making him look down to see what was happening.

“These heels are killing me.” You complained, removing your silver sandals and quickly massaging your feet.

“I bet they are.” He took two champagne glasses from a waiter passing by.

He knew you weren’t used to heels. Being almost his height, you never felt the need to wear them that often.

“Thanks.” You took your glass towards your nude lips.

“How much did you pay for that gift?” He pointed towards the biggest package on a pile, knowing it was yours.

“300 bucks.”

His eyes widened for a second.

You didn’t wait for him to say anything, knowing exactly what was crossing his mind.

“He’s my only brother. I might not like Niki that much, but he’s happy with her, and I’m happy for that.”

“Fair enough.” He drank from his champagne again. "Those ice statutes are quite tempting for a man who wants to take a piss,"

He chuckled to himself, but soon realized that your attention was focused on the main door.

“See that girl over there?” You pointed at the door.

“What’s with her?”

“That’s Braeden,” the name made him realize she was your sister. “She’s the only woman taller than me here….”

He looked back at you, and so you lowered your voice, keeping eye contact with him.

“When the bouquet time comes, you’re gonna block her.” You gestured aggressively with your hands, making a smile start to form on his lips.

“Why?”

“There’s no way my younger sister is gonna get married before me.”

He chuckled. “I didn’t know you aspired to marriage Y/N.”

Your eyes softened with his sentence and a small pain formed in your heart. If only he knew what crossed your mind when you looked at him during the ceremony.

---

The night seemed to go by faster than he expected and soon he found himself at the drinks table, observing as you talked to some relatives of yours on the other side of the saloon.

You sensed his eyes and looked towards him, giving him a look that said “Help me.”

He chuckled softly, but before he could do anything a woman’s voice caught his attention.

“You must be Izzy.”

He looked to his side, seeing a woman that looked just like Joey, your brother.

“Yes, and you are….” He extended his hand for her to shake.

“I’m Martha, Y/N’s mother.”

“Pleasure to meet you.”

“I didn’t know the two of you were dating.”

He choked on his drink.

“We aren’t, we’re just friends.” He looked down for a second.

She nodded slowly, before locking her eyes on your side.

“I know my daughter very well,"

Her voice made him look back at her.

“She has had many boyfriends in her life, but I’ve never seen her look at them in the way she looks at you.”

He opened his mouth, but your presence made him stop.

“Hey, mom!” You smiled, kissing her cheek.

“Hello, darling.” She touched your hair, adjusting some locks. “I promised I'd dance this one with your father.”

You nodded in understanding as she smiled before walking away.

“So… wanna dance with me?” You nudged him from the side, before taking a sip from his drink.

“With this song?” He asked, taking notice that Woman by John Lennon was playing.

“Why not?” You shrugged.

“Okay.” He placed his now empty glass on the table before taking your hand and guiding you towards the other people there dancing.

One of his hands held you delicately by your waist as you slowly swung to the song. Your eyes locked on each other as the other people around you seemed to disappear.

Your mother’s words mixed with the lyrics hitting his head like bells as he finally noticed the glow that formed in your eyes as you looked at him, making his heart race faster than ever.

You just realized another song was playing when someone bumped into you, making a disco song hit your ears.

You both looked so distracted and for a second you thought you’d sit down for the rest of the night, not being able to feel his cold fingers brush on your skin through your dress.

But those thoughts washed away when he let go of your waist just to grab both of your hands and guide you throughout the song, just like he did for the rest of the night.

That was the happiest night you have had in your life, and when your hotel room number became noticeable at the end of the corridor, you wished you could turn back time and do it all again.

“Happy with your bouquet?”

“More than happy.” You giggled, smelling the flowers one more time.

It was comic the way Izzy put himself in front of your sister, pretending not to be aware of what was happening.

“Thanks for that.”

“If that makes you happy, I can do that at the next weddings too.”

Next weddings. The thought made butterflies erupt in your stomach.

“So…” he started, stopping in front of your room as you opened the door.

“So…”

“Tonight was fun.”

“Yes, it really was!” You said looking down. “Thanks for coming with me, Iz.” You leaned towards him, kissing his cheek gently.

“Anytime.” He replied so lowly that you weren’t sure if he had actually said that.

You entered your room and closed the door, resting your forehead against it as you sighed.

Rushed knocks against the wood made you regain your posture and quickly open the door.

Izzy looked deep inside your eyes, his brown orbs saying everything his mouth wanted to.

Not a second after that and you wrapped your arms around his neck, your lips colliding against his.

No kiss ever had felt like that. It was warm like fire and exciting, you felt your heart start racing faster and your mind went numb.

He wrapped his arms around your waist, bringing you as close as he could while entering your room and kicking the door shut behind him.

Soon you found yourself in your bed, your legs wrapped around his hips as your tongues fought for dominance, making small moans and grunts leave your mouths. One of his hands started traveling underneath your dress's fabric, exploring every inch of your legs, making you shiver with his cold fingers.

Your lips found his neck, kissing and biting at his flesh with desire, delighted by his irregular breathing and the small moans he tried to hold.

A certain hardness was pressed against your core among what seemed like a thousand layers of clothing. The sensation making you wet as you bit harsher on his neck, loving the smirk that formed on his lips.

He pushed himself off of you, standing up and ripping his shirt open, the sound of buttons hitting the floor filling the room.

“I need your help with the dress.”

You sat on the bed, your back facing him as he found the zipper, opening it quickly while he applied wet kisses on the extension of your back, biting your flesh just like you had done with him, making a small moan leave your lips.

“So beautiful.” He whispered against your ear, making another shiver possess your body.

You stripped off of the dress as you watched him undo his pants and remove his underwear with it.

He made his way back to the bed, his calloused fingers removed your blue lace panties slowly and delicately. One of his fingers traveled in between your folds, his eyes closing for a second when he noticed your wetness for him.

Izzy cupped your face with one of his hands, kissing you tenderly before asking.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!”

You felt the tip of his member entering you, making you close your eyes, focusing on the sensation it caused. You felt him slowly expanding your walls until it was all the way in, making a soft and small moan leave your lips.

Izzy looked at you for confirmation and after seeing you nod, he started moving.

In the beginning, it was slow and passionate, he made it the most intimate he could, touching every inch of your skin, whispering sweet nothings on your ear, as you traced his back and arms with the tip of your fingers, allowing your nails to softly touch his skin.

After some minutes, sweat started to form on both your bodies, your moans coming out in unison filled the room as you felt your walls start to clench around him.

That’s when he sped up his pace, the tip of his member now hitting your g-spot with no mercy, he massaged one of your breasts with his hand, while the other rested on the bed for support.

“Izzy,” His name left your lips in a loud moan and you saw a proud expression consume his features.

“I know, princess, I know.”

You closed your eyes and moaned again, feeling as you and he both came at the same time. A groan leaving his throat matching your whimpers as you felt a wave of pure pleasure wash over your body. Your legs started to shake and you scratched his back, while he bit harsh enough to leave a mark on your neck.

Both sweating and trying to gain your breath again, you laid in bed, your head resting on his chest as he softly caressed your body.

“Izzy?”

“Hum?”

“This is not a one-time thing, right?”

“No, Y/N, it is not.”

Thanks for reading <3

Tag list: @born-to-lose @slashscowboyboots @ginny-rose-sixx @dynamitebabe @tuffduff @almosthonest @gamsbeans @stars-kiss-the-sky @gnrfandom-music3 @ladieswttda @teasid @littlemisscare-all @rumoured-whispers @1800endmeplease @izzys-nose-ring @motley-cruer @angxlxc @oihanasstuff @apovanity87 @julessworldd @anaavibes @mudkicker @dazeduchess @izzysjujuhounds @claire-xox @makemeyourwife-loveofmylife @pinkpatiencecreepers @polka-dot-duff @stradlin-cold-heartbreaker @nathaniel-hornblower @alcoholandarson @stevenizzynslashsbabe @gabyisaclassicrocker

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#harley writes #izzy stradlin #izzy stradlin smut #izzy stradlin fanfic #izzy stradlin imagine #izzy stradlin one shot #izzy stradlin x reader #izzy stradlin fic #guns n roses #guns n roses smut #guns n roses x reader #guns n roses imagine #guns n roses fanfic #guns n roses fic #guns n roses one shot #gnr #gnr imagine #gnr smut #classic rock #classic rock imagine

[heavenunderthemoon]

could we get another jj and daughter fic, maybe one where she has to protect herself and Henry from the unsub and is in jj and will wedding. (set in 7x24)

Per your request! Hope you like it!

“Cheers”- JJ x DAUGHTER! READER

WARNINGS: themes of violence, major fluff at the end

WORDS: 5,671

"Y/n?"

Henry's head shot up from his spot on the floor, his stack of legos momentarily forgotten as he bolted to meet his father at the door, the childlike pitter-patter of his feet enough to make you follow suit.

You followed the sound of his voice, a bit confused as to why Will was home so early. It was one of the rare days he was at work while your mother stayed home- well, she was supposed to stay home. Its had been all of an hour and a half that she had been home before she got called in, leaving you with the responsibility of watching your younger half-brother.

"Will?" You rounded the corner, footsteps immediately coming to a halt as your eyes settled upon a new face, their own eyes lighting up when you came into sight. Their demeanor made you tense. The way Will stood, slightly favoring one side, shoulder dipping as if there was a gravitational pull that only he could feel, a magnet dragging one side of his body to the ground. His eyes flickered between you and Henry and the woman. His orbs were boring into yours, as if sending you a silent message, trying to exude a wave of calmness but there was something underneath that you could see as well, a layer of alarm that made your mouth dry. One of his feet were slightly in front of the other, placing himself before her as if to serve as a barrier between you three.

And the woman. Well, she looked...dangerous. That was the first word you had thought to describe her. Her eyes were sharp, focused, and fixed you with a predatory stare. Her hair was raven black, almost like Emily's, but the comparison stopped there because Emily had never looked so feral. Your hand clamped onto Henry's shoulder, preventing him from going any closer to the woman.

"Oh, she's so beautiful, you never did say how pretty she was." Her voice was just as predatory as the rest of her. It sent shivers down your spine and you could see Will react in the same way. Her body moved, as if to take a step forward and the Lamontagne man matched her steps, earning an amused glance from the woman. Her eyes glided off of you, coming to rest on the small blonde boy by your side and her lips twisted into one of irritation.

"Is he still in diapers? I don't really do those."

Will's face contorted with an emotion you had never quite seen on the man.  Unbridled rage. A horrible twisting feeling in your stomach began to settle, one that you normally faked to get out of your algebra tests, but this one was real. Incredibly real, and when the man turned to you, eyes connecting with your own, you listened when he spoke. "Take Henry to the kitchen, I'll be with you in just a second."

Your mouth opened and closed, about to protest, but when you looked back at the woman, that hungry look still in her eyes, you were turning on your heel, ushering the boy out. - "No."

"Y/n-"

"You're leaving us with her?" Your eyes flickered to the woman standing in the kitchen doorway. You had known something was wrong the minute Will had walked through the door, his voice shakily calling out your name and now you knew you had been right. Will had slunk back into the kitchen, his side still pulling him to the ground, before attempting to tell you goodbye. Henry sat on the counter where you had placed him, happily munching on a granola bar you had opened for him.

"No, Will, what the hell is going on? Something is..." You looked to the woman again, lowering your voice another octave and turning it into a hushed whisper. "Something is wrong, I can tell, okay? You're lying to me." Perhaps it was because your mother was a profiler or maybe it was the vast amount of time you spent with the man on a daily basis, but you knew it was true. The man was hiding something.

"I can't." And when he said it you knew that was true as well. His shoulders were slumped in defeat, chin turned downwards and you realized you had never seen him look so...afraid. So tired. "I need you two to behave, okay? Do whatever she says and wait for Mom to come home." His eyes were staring into yours again, pleading you, begging you, to listen and that twisting feeling in your stomach hit once more.

"I-I don't understand." Your voice was breathy, hands beginning to shake, but for the sake of Henry you were keeping it together, holding yourself together with tape and glue because he was a child and while you were still a child too, you didn't get to be one. Not right now. Not with the woman standing in the doorway, that sinister smile dancing upon her lips.

Will nodded, eyes downtrodden. A hand reached out to squeeze your shoulder. "I know. I'm sorry." He took another moment before shaking once more. "I love you, you know? I know I'm not your real father-"

"Will." You tried, tears beginning to threaten to leave your eyes.

"But you're my daughter. You're just as much mine as Henry is." He continued.

And now the tears were spilling over. You remembered when you had first met the man, how JJ had teased him about how nervous he had been. He had shaken your hand, his large hand practically consuming yours. How he had laughed when you had fixed him with narrowed eyes and a stern scowl, something that had looked ridiculous on a child so small, but he had listened all the same when you asked him 'What are your intentions with my mother?'. How, after that initial meeting, he had started to come around more often, burrowing himself into you and your mother's daily routines. Suddenly, he was pouring you cereal in the mornings, or appearing at soccer games, rowdily yelling whenever you received a yellow card. How his things began to appear in the small house your mother and you had lived in at the time, small things at first- like, a razor, or a toothbrush- and then big things- like, his old boombox that he used whenever he was in the garage, or the horde of healthy food he brought with him (because your mother and you would sustain yourself on junk if you could and you had until he showed up.).

You remembered all those things and now they were flashing before your eyes because what he was saying, how he was looking at you, made it feel like he was saying goodbye and you while you had lived in a world without William Lamontagne Jr. before, you couldn't quite picture doing it again.

"Please, don't leave us." And the words that you were pleading him with had a double meaning because god be damned if he left that threshold let alone the world.

Will didn't say anything, pulling you into a warm embrace, and you melted into it. "I love you too." You murmured against his shoulder, and he nodded, pulling back to place a hand on your cheek, staring into your face as if to blaze it into his mind, before he was turning to Henry.

"Daddy, let's play!" The boy's arms extended and his father took the cue to lift him off the counter's ledge, placing him gently on the floor.

"Daddy can't play right now, I gotta go to work. But, this is, um-"

"Izzy." The woman readily provided, stalking into the kitchen. She came to a halt next to you, her hand coming to rest on the small on your back and you fought back a repulsed snarl.

"Izzy. Can you say hi to Izzy?"

The boy didn't seem to understand the tension, something you were grateful for. "Hi, Izzy!"

"She's going to stay with you both until Mama comes home, okay?"

Henry's blonde hair moved as his head nodded. "Okay."

"Hey. I love you." Will's voice broke a little as the exchanged their goodbyes, ending in an embrace all too similar to the one you had received and you but your lip, steeling your face. You didn't know what the situation was or what the future held, but you knew one thing. You knew that every time Will's eyes filled with hurt, the woman's lips quirked in satisfaction. She took pleasure in other people's pain, and you weren't going to fuel her anymore than she needed. He told you to wait for your mother to come home.

And that was exactly what you were going to do.

-

Your fingers twirled a crayon between them, leg shaking underneath the dining room table you and your brother were stationed at. His eyebrows were furrowed, concentrating on the scribbles before him. You looked down to your own paper.

Blank.

How were you supposed to concentrate when Will was out there doing God knows what? Or with this woman- Izzy, if that was her real name- under the same roof. You didn't trust her, choosing not to turn your back on her the minute Will had left the house.

It was strange, you observed, to feel so unsafe in your own house. You hadn't lived there for long, only moving once Henry was born. That tiny little house your mother and you had lived in for so long hadn't been enough, and once news of her pregnancy had broke, the two parents had searched for a new house. You remembered saying goodbye to that house, all the movie nights with just the two Jareau girls, the notches on the wall to indicate height (you would insist to take your mother's height as well even if she had stopped growing long ago), the chips in the paint from when the two of you decided to move furniture by yourself, or the glow in the dark stars that used to hang from your ceiling. It hadn't been a sad goodbye, of course, because now there was a new house.

A new house that held pictures of the three of you- now four, with Henry. A house filled with toys strewn about the living room because the boy always forgot to pick them up, or his drawings strung up on the fridge. A house with a backyard (a cool one, with a tree and everything that you had tried to climb once and never had again because you got stuck and Will had to help you down). A house that was a home.

And all of that was gone in an instant because now it didn't feel like a home. It felt like a lion's den.

"I'm thirsty." Henry turned to you, and you moved to stand before the lioness was moving.

Her hand placed itself firmly on your shoulder, forcing you back into your seat, as she stared at the boy.

"I'm going to get him some water." You tried to mimic the tone your mother used when she was cross with you. The tone that said 'Don't even think about it'. But you must've done a poor job because she was chuckling softly, shaking her head, before turning her attention back to the boy.

Her slender fingers closed around a discarded green crayon, letting it glide across the boy's paper. Slowly, she began to sing, a rendition (a very poor one, in your opinion), of 'Ring Around the Rosie', and Henry was giggling.

"You're silly."

You silently thanked whatever higher power was out there for the sweet, perfectly oblivious boy that was your baby brother.

"Can we play hide-and-seek?"

"In a minute. Come here." She reached to pul the boy onto her lap, and your hand clamped down around his wrist, pulling him into your side on instinct.

"I think he's fine right here, right Hen?" You were already lifting him onto your lap, squeezing him tightly as if to reassure yourself that he was still there. He was your baby brother, your responsibility. Your mother had chided that to you a million times when he was beginning to crawl, or walk, or run. You were the older sister, the last contingency, the arms to back him when he fell, and you would make damn sure that he never did because he was Henry. The boy who, in his first moments in this world, had clenched his tiny fist around your finger and never let go. The boy whose first words had been a butchered rendition of your name (a nickname your mother still tortured you with), the boy whose first thought in the morning was to run into your room, jumping onto your sleeping figure until you were awake.

Izzy's withering stare was enough to make you feel sick, but you clenched on tighter and she, reluctantly, settled back into her seat.

"My grandfather's name was Henry. He had blonde hair just like you."

"I bet he was as psychotic as you." You said through gritted teeth, and your words only seemed to make her smile, egging her on.

"He was a scary man, yes."

"Why?" Henry's tiny voice whispered, and she clasped her hand's together.

"Let me tell you a story."

-

The legos on the table clashed together, a misshapen attempt at a spaceship (though you would never call it that to Henry's face, even if he didn't know what misshapen meant), taking place before you. Every so often, the boy would hold his hand out, allowing you to place another building block into his tiny palm before he decided where it went. The sound of a glass hitting the table to your right sounded and you glanced at it briefly, a cup of water for the boy.

Izzy turned, heading to the window and as Henry reached for the glass you shook your head at him. "Don't drink that."

The blonde's eyebrows scrunched, but before he could question it, his eyes were turning to something behind you and you felt a hand clamp around your mouth. You almost screamed, heart quickening, when a wisp of blonde hair fell into your eyeline and you relaxed, turning to meet your mother's gaze. Her eyes were frantic, movements swift and you saw the tiniest bit of relief before she held a finger to her lips, ushering the two of you into the hall closet quietly.

Henry was the perfect size for it, the small boy able to stand in it without his head grazing the coats hanging on the shelves but you had to hunch your back, bending your knees slightly.

"Stay here, don't come out till I say it's okay."

The FBI logo painted across her chest made your eyes widen, her hands reaching for her gun as she turned. "Woah, wait, Mom, are you gonna be okay?" Your voice hissed out your own whisper.

Your hand held her arm, tightly, enough to make her pause in her motions because before that, before your touch, she had been lost, swallowed whole in the sea of thoughts that was her worry for her children. Her worry for her son, the small boy who still hated baths and needed a nightlight, and you, a girl who had grown right alongside her, all through college, through her FBI training, through her media liaison days, and now as she was a profiler. Children who were in danger because of her.

Her bright blue orbs met yours and they softened because, as much as you would attest that you hid it well, she could see the fear that painted your face. It showed in your flared nostrils, clenched jaw, and shaking hands. "I'll be fine." She tried, but the firmness in her face never left and it was something that you weren't accustomed to. Today had been a whole lot of that- seeing things you weren't accustomed to. Will, afraid, your mother terrified, and both fighting tooth and nail for you and Henry to be okay (well, as okay as you could be shoved in a coat closet).

Still noticing concern, she gently took your hand from her arm, placing a quick maternal kiss to your cheek. You tried not to think about what she was going to do, tried not to think about the hand still on her gun, the bulletproof vest on her chest. You tried to think about this like Hide-and-seek, a fun little game on your mother's day off.

"I'll be fine." She said one last time, a whisper that haunted your ears after she  closed the door. It haunted you as the yells began, screams of rage, shouts of fury, clashes, clangs, and everything in between. You grabbed Henry, pulling him into you and covering his ears as best as you could. His small hands wound their way around your shirt and even if it was your favorite (a band t-shirt that Will had gotten you and that your mother absolutely hated), you let him. His whimpers were muffled from your shirt and you shushed him softly, cooing into his ear.

"Shh, you're okay. We're okay." And you weren't sure if you were talking to him or yourself at that point.

You could hear your mother yell, a subsequent, loud 'BANG' like a glass shattering being heard and you held your breath, hearing nothing but silence after. Henry's breathing was shallow, and you strained your ears to hear anything, anything at all. You wanted to hear your mother yell, or cry, or tell you to come out, something to tell you she was okay. But nothing came.

The door of the closet was grated, small slits in the wood that were used for insulation purposes but now served to allow you to look out into the hallway and when you did you wished you hadn't. Your mother lay on the floor, the ground around her littered with broken glass- a vase, ceramic, one you had made in fourth grade (It was bumpy, sloppily painted, and had a very crude carving of your initials on the bottom) and your mother had kept all these years. You had called her a hoarder, but she called it being sentimental. From the shards that rained down upon her, and the small puddle of blood leading from her head to the floor, you assumed she had been struck down with it.

Her blonde hair was becoming stained with the scarlet liquid, body moving slowly, but surely to get up, but none of it mattered because your vision was blocked another figure moving towards your mother, a gun trained on her back and before you knew it you were moving. The closet door was thrown open, and you shut it behind you, making sure to keep Henry concealed. The sound startled Izzy, but you didn't hesitate to throw your body toward her, using all your weight to tackle her to the floor. You both landed with a 'THUD', and you groaned. The gun previously in her hand clattered to your left, but before you could make a grab for it, the brunette moved much quicker than you did after the initial shock. Her fist rained upon your cheek and you shrieked, taking the hits as you kicked at her body and twisted to try and grab the weapon.

You could see your mother standing, getting a second wind as she laid her eyes upon you, and her eyes flared with so much fury that you stopped your mad grabs for the weapon, staring up at the woman above you. Despite the pain in your nose, the feeling of blood dripping down your face, or the eye that was threatening to shut due to swelling, you smiled. Blood stained your teeth when you did, almost making you look animalistic and when you spoke, Izzy hardly had time to react.

"You lose."

The brunette's eyebrows furrowed before she was pulled up by her hair, your mother delivering a swift roundhouse kick that rendered the woman unconscious. The last thing you saw before you passed out was the panicked figure of your mother, pleading you to stay awake before you surrendered yourself to the abyss.

-

You woke up in an ambulance bay, eyes(or, eye)  fluttering open to greet the scene before you. It was moving. That much you could feel. There was a metallic taste in your mouth that made you believe the paramedics had given you some kind of painkiller and glancing down to your arm and finding a large I.V. needle confirmed your theory. The metal walls were lined with medical supplies that tipped and toddled at every bump in the road. Paramedics, two, sat on your left, fidgeting with your cuts, rubbing something on them that you couldn't even feel. Antiseptic? Your mind tried to catch up with your surroundings.

A hand squeezed your left forearm, the grip familiar and unrelenting and you allowed it to pull you out of your hazy memories, the foggy remembrance of blows to your face. Looking in the direction of the squeeze you saw your mother, teary-eyed and red-faced. She was clutching Henry, sat upon her lap with his head burrowed into her neck, but fine all the same. Your mother looked fine as well, apart from the tiny cut on her forehead, already covered with gauze and medical tape. Knowing your mother she had probably refused medical treatment until she knew you would be okay. Her maternal instincts always did make her a little irrational sometimes (you would never say that aloud to her).

"Y/N? Y/N? She's awake! Y/n, can you say something? Y/n?" The paramedics were coming to hover over you now, a flashlight being shined in your good eye while they physically opened the other. Her grip was tightening and you licked your lips, trying your best to nod to let your mother know you were okay.

She had been a wreck when you were five and crashed your bike. That had been a small cut on your knee. Or when you fell off the monkey bars when you were eight. A scratched elbow. Now, sitting in the back of an ambulance bay after getting the crap beaten out of you, you thought she might just implode.

"Ouch."

She laughed. A breathy, tear filled laugh, but a laugh all the same, her shoulders sagging with relief. "Oh my god. You're okay?" She turned to the paramedics, of whom were now scribbling into a chart. "She's okay?" When receiving a nod, she turned back, though now her eyes were narrowed, that watery smile gone. "What part of stay here until I say-"

"You were hurt-"

"I was fine, I had it handled, and then you come out of nowhere-"

"She had a gun to your back-"

"And you're hurt! Oh my god, look at you-"

You fixed her with as sarcastic of a smile as you could, but you were sure it just looked wrong on your face now. "Gee, thanks, Mom."

She huffed, letting a hand come down softly upon your cheek to cradle it. You held in a wince, knowing it would make the situation worse.

JJ stared at you for a long moment, feeling the motions of the ambulance as they moved. Her daughter, her first baby, her child, her best friend. The girl she shared clothes with, the two of you constantly stealing each other's jeans and sweaters and claiming you hadn't. The girl she ordered far too much takeout with every Friday (you were trying to go through the entire Chinese takeout menu and the two of you were halfway there). The girl who made her coffee in the mornings, or shared her love of cherry pie, or watched too many romantic comedy movies to count. Her first baby, who still liked to go trick-or-treating because 'is there really an age limit?'. She was lying in that ambulance bay, beaten and bruised and getting gauze placed on her swollen eye, all because of her work.

The thought made her sick.

Noticing the far-off look in her eyes, you rose a hand, letting it rest on the one that sat upon your cheek. "Hey, I'm okay."

JJ stared a moment longer, not quite convinced, before she let out a long sigh, nodding softly. A small smile tugged at her lips and she dipped her head toward the medical supplies covering your swollen eye. "You look like Patchy the Pirate.

"Shut up."

-

You hated hospitals. They smelled like antiseptic and blood and made your head spin. The medics had cleared you five minutes ago, allowing you to leave with the promise to take the prescribed medications they had given you. Rossi had stayed with you while your mother had gone to check on Will. Now, Rossi walked you to the hospital room he was stationed in (Rossi had also informed you he had been shot, of which you had responded by quickening your pace, practically running to the room). The man's eyes twinkled when he mentioned your father, almost as if he knew something you didn't but you hardly focused on anything else, your mind consumed in the fact that Will was shot.

Seeing the open door, you didn't hesitate, running in. Your mother was standing by the bed, Henry at her side. Will was awake, an abandoned shoulder sling in his lap. You lunged at him, body covering his as you clutched him tightly.

"Woah!" The man chuckled, despite his shock at the small teenager flinging herself toward him, and hugged you back, his hand coming to cup your head.

"You were shot." You said, not quite letting go, and you could feel the man nod softly.

"I was."

You pulled away and now it was Will's turn to worry. The swelling had gone down with your time at the hospital. It wasn't gone completely, and the bruising was still prominent, but at least your mother couldn't call you 'Patchy' again. His fingers brushed against the bandage on the crest of your cheek, eyes scanning your face.

"You should see the other guy." You joked quietly, and he chuckled sadly, shaking his head.

"That's my girl."

You beamed.

Will's eyes flickered to your mother and then back to you, and you narrowed your eyes at the two of them, noticing that same twinkle that Rossi had when he brought you back over. "What? What is it?"

The two shared another look, before your mother was moving forward, grasping your hand in hers. Her eyes looked into your, letting you know it was a serious conversation, before she was speaking. "I haven't agreed to anything yet, because I want to know what you think, because what you think is important to me, and whatever you say I won't be mad, I promise-"

Your lips turned upward, settling into a smirk as you glanced at Will. "Did you finally pop the question?"

The Jareau woman's lips parted, face contorting with confusion. "Wait, she kn-"

You cut off Will's nodding, your smirk widening into a lazy grin. "Mom, he asked me for permission two weeks after he moved in- four years ago. I'm just surprised it's taken him so long." Amusement flooded your tone and it made your mother scoff, playfully hitting the Lamontagne man on his good shoulder.

"Hey! I was waiting for the right moment." He defended, and you shook your head.

"Right, 'cause in order for it to be the right moment, I have to look like Igor?" You snorted.

Your mother rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "So, I'm taking that as a yes."

You nodded, leaning into her shoulder. "Yes, it's a yes."  

The two whooped, making you shake your head in embarrassment, catching the curious glances form the nurses stand you four were receiving. Henry, unaware as to the cause of celebration, joined along simply for the fun of yelling. You sighed, shrugging your shoulders before joining in.

-

A surprise wedding.

Well, not a surprise to you (Penelope cannot keep a secret to save her life), but a surprise to your mother all the same.

"There's gonna be a boy in the house." The blonde flurried around the guest bedroom, one of many in his large, large mansion, getting herself ready for an impromptu wedding. Her motions were erratic, dropping earrings, lipgloss tubes, and she only had one heel on.

Her statement made you snort in amusement. "There's already a boy in the house. Two of them, if I'm counting correctly."

She turned, her dress only half-way zipped up, pleading you to go along with her statement.

You sighed. "Okay, so there will be a boy in the house." You repeated with a huff.  "So what? We like boys, right? Otherwise you're gonna have to cancel the event going on downstairs-"

"Y/n!" Despite the interruption, she laughed, a small bit of tension seemingly relieved. You smiled, aching your goal. With a sigh you stood, motioning for her to turn around as you both stood before the full-length mirror in the corner. Just by looking at it, you knew it was expensive. The handles were ornate, delicate engravings of rose petals and forest branches decorating the sides of it, the glass clear as day. Your mother obeyed, turning to her reflection and watching your motions in it.

You fingers gripped the zipper, tugging it gently until it was closed. "Look, if you want to bail on this wedding, we can. I will hotwire a car, pull it around front, and we'll do the whole 'screeching tires' bit and peel off into the sunset. But I know that that's not what you want." You reached up, placing the last pins in her hair.

"It isn't?" The blonde inquired, and by the pace at which her chest was rising and falling you could tell she was calming down, just the sound of your voice enough to make her do so.

"Nope. You want to go down there and marry him, not because he's the father of your child, but because it's Will. Will, the guy who makes us fantastic eggs in the morning that we can never quite replicate."

She nodded "They are good eggs."

You smiled. "And because he listens to you, and to me, and to Henry. You deserve the world, Mom, and he can give it to you." You slung an arm around her shoulder, resting your head against hers. "And his accent isn't too bad."

She laughed, it being contagious enough to spread to you. After the chuckles settled, she sighed, staring at the bandage on your cheek once more. She hadn't quite taken her eyes off of it all night.

"You scared me tonight." She said softly, and just like that her smile was gone. You stared back at her in the mirror. Standing next to her, under the roof of her millionaire coworker, you could see the similarities that people so often pointed out. After the growth spurt you had experienced last year, the two of you were practically the same height, you were probably an inch taller. Your eyes held that same hue of blue that made it look like a small oceanic whirlpool waiting to suck you under. And your golden hair glinted in the moonlight filtering in from the open window. You were a splitting image of her.

You nodded solemnly. "I know."

That answer didn't seem to be what she wanted. "She could've killed you."

"She was going to kill you. Her gun was raised," Your mother opened her mouth to speak, but you sighed. "You had her, I know."

JJ's cupped your head, patting it gently. Just as similar as you two were in looks, you were similar in actions. The Jareau woman protected her family at all costs, and you had just proved that you would do the same.

"I love you, kid."

You smiled. "I love you, too." You turned to face her, cupping her cheeks in your hand. "Now, put on your big girl pants, we have a wedding to attend."

-

The wedding was beautiful. You had spent the ceremony next to Penelope, the woman a blubbering mess the entire time. You weren't sure how a person so small could have that many tears, but she did, and you stood corrected.

The sound of the fork clinking against the glass made the guests turn their attention to you, and your hand clenched the cup a little tighter before you could lose your nerve. Your eyes found your mother's, her and Will at the table over, and your shoulders relaxed, the tightness in your chest dissipating.

"For the longest time, it was just my Mom and I. My Mom worked hard to make sure that I had everything I could ever possibly need, and did so without question. She's my best friend, my lifeline, and my biggest supporter, and I thought that, as long as I had her, I wouldn't need anyone else, but when I met Will, I changed my mind. Will, earlier today you said something to me that I've been thinking about. You said to me that you may not be my real father, but I am your daughter, and you loved me all the same." Your eyes turned to Will and you swallowed. "Before I met you, I had never given anyone a Father's Day card. Well, I got one for mom, but I always crossed out 'father' and put 'mother' and I didn't have to do that anymore. I had never gone to a Daddy-Daughter dance, something I definitely owe you for, because the amount of times I stepped on your toes is obscene. What I'm trying to say, is that you aren't just a fill in father for me, Will. You're my dad, as real as you can get. I love you both so much, and I'm so happy that I get to be a part of this family." You raised your glass, the other patrons following suit. Your mother had a watery smile- something you would definitely tease her about later. "Take care of my girl, 'cause I know where you live. Cheers."

"Cheers!"

#jennifer jareau x reader #Jennifer Jareau x daughter! reader #jennifer jareau #criminal minds x reader #Criminal Minds #spencer reid

[lovemalecforever]

Chapter 23

I get to love you.

Alec was glad that the chapter of Camille Belcourt is finally over. He looked again where he killed the vampire and sighed with relief. He then looked at the time and quickly reached home. When he did, he found his husband half-dressed pacing in the living room wearing a worried expression.

"Magnus?" He called softly.

Magnus looked at Alec and sighed with relief. He walked towards him and hugged him tightly.

"Alexander, thank goodness! Where were you? I was worried sick."

"Calm down, love. I had some business to finish. I thought while you're getting dressed, I'll complete that. And, why are you half-dressed by the way?"

"I'm... I'm not feeling well, Alexander. I already told you, I've been feeling weird since morning, and it's not just because of Camille, there's something else I can't put my fingers on. And, about being half-dressed, I needed help for putting on the vest and the coat, so I was looking for you. I got worried when I couldn't find you anywhere."

"Hey, relax love." He cupped his warlock's face and kissed his forehead. While doing so, he sends his calming magic into his body. He knew it was wrong, but his husband was way too worked up and needed to relax a bit.

Magnus leaned into the touch and instantly relaxed, oblivious of the how.

"Now, let me help you." He helped his husband for getting dressed then he himself freshened up and changed into a white button-down shirt with dark chocolate brown pants and jacket with a black square pocket and black shoes.

When he came into the living room, he saw his husband waiting for him who was, as usual, looking ravishingly hot. He was wearing an ice blue button-down shirt with wine red pants, a light wine-colored vest, and a long wine red colored double-breasted coat with embroidery of black and silver and black shoes. His makeup was done perfectly, with dark perfectly smooth eyeliner and black kohl. The eyeshadow consisted of a blend of wine and black. The hairs were spiked up having streaks of wine red at the edges. He kept staring at his husband with his mouth hung open.

"Stop staring, Alexander. Can we leave now?"

Alec got out of the trance with his husband's voice. "Uh.. hun, yeah, yeah." He cleared his throat. "Sorry, I got distracted, my husband is looking way too hot than I imagined."

"Thank you for the compliment, Alexander, but can we leave now, so that we can come back soon."

"Seriously, Magnus! Fine, create a portal, and don't think about any destination."

Magnus obliged and they stepped into the portal. When they stepped out of the portal, his mouth was hung open and there was a glint in his eyes. He was completely speechless.

"A.. Alexander.." He breathed out.

"Thoughts?"

Magnus looked at his husband then at the gazebo where they had stepped out of the portal. It was right in front of his eyes, looking like heaven created on earth.

The whole gazebo had lanterns hanging from them, two on each side giving it a warm glow, the conical ceiling was covered with LED white lights on both inside and outside. The pillars had spirals of different varieties of roses. There was a circular table placed in the center of the gazebo, with several scented candles placed in a heart shape in the middle of it. The whole table was covered with rose petals over which lay their dinner, a red velvet cake, two different shaped boxes, and a bouquet of flowers with a card on it. There were two chairs kept on the diagonal corners, over which lay a set of speakers and a few small gifts.

Magnus looked at his husband with tear-filled eyes. "Alexander, you... you did so much. I don't know what to say."

"Then don't say anything, just enjoy the evening." He held his warlock's hand and dragged him inside the gazebo.

Magnus looked at his surroundings with tears in his eyes. He looked at the cake which had a 'happy anniversary Malec' written on it. "Malec? So you finally accepted our mundane ship name? "

"Nope! That's Clary and Izzy's doing."

"Smart women!"

Alec looked at his husband and shook his head, then leaned over and kissed his temple. "Let's cut the cake first, shall we?"

Magnus nodded. They took the knife which was knotted with ribbon, cut the cake together, and fed each other.

"Happy anniversary, Magnus Lightwood Bane."

"Happy anniversary, Alexander."

They leaned in and kissed each other softly yet passionately, tasting the sweetness of red velvet cake on each other's lips. They poured all the emotions into that one kiss. When they broke the kiss, Magnus' glamor had disappeared and his eyes were shining brightly with tears filled in them.

Alec then picked up the bouquet and handed it to his husband.

Magnus took it and inhaled the scent of mixed flowers which calmed his whole body. He then looked at the card and took it gently, placing the bouquet on the table. His eyes watered when he read the contents of the card.

~~~~~~~~~ You said you were a monster I saw an angel

You said you were ugly I saw a beauty

You said you were useless I saw a caring personality

You said you were called an abomination I saw a person with a pure heart

You said you don't deserve to be loved I saw a person who needed to be loved

You said you hate yourself I saw a shattered heart

You said there's nothing but darkness around I saw a broken soul

I saw a broken soul...

«Happy 6th year anniversary, love. Thank you for coming into my life and making me the happiest person ever. These six years are the best six years of my life. You pushed me and helped me get out of the closest. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't crash my wedding that day. Maybe, I would be married to Lydia and living a life of a lie. But I'm not, I'm here with my husband, creating the best memories of my life. I can never thank you enough, Magnus. You're the light to my darkness, sunshine to my storms, strength to my weakness, and healer to my cries. I love you so much, and I wish to spend eternity with you.»

P. S. There's a big surprise waiting for you. ~~~~~~~~~~~

Magnus looked at his husband with tear-filled eyes. He was really touched by every single word written on that card.

"I love you so much, Alexander. You are really special to me. You make me the happiest person ever. You have no idea how much you mean to me. I may have had lovers before, but no one was as special to me as you are. I should thank you for coming into my life and loving me for who I am and not what you want me to be. You saw through me, the monster I was, the crimes I did, but you still loved me and never left. I have no words to convey how thankful I'm for that."

"Hey, don't say that. You're not a monster, Magnus." He wrapped his hands around the warlock's neck and kissed him on the forehead. Magnus leaned into the touch. "Now, are you ready for your gifts?"

Magnus frowned at that. "Alexander, I... I haven't brought anything for you. I even forgot our anniversary and even if I can summon anything in a second, I didn't know what to get you. I'm sorry."

"Hey, don't be sorry about that, love. You've already given me the best gift by telling me the whole truth. I don't need anything materialistic. Honesty was the best gift you've given me, Magnus."

Magnus smiled at that. He didn't know what he did to deserve such an understanding person like him. "Thank you, Alexander."

"Now, the gifts." He picked up the photo frame which was wrapped beautifully and handed it to his husband.

Magnus took it and blinked twice. Something was written on the wrapper in his husband's beautiful handwriting.

#theworldisNOTyourtrash,Magnus.

He glared at his husband and Alec looked away, trying to suppress his smile.

The first time Alec got to know about this habit of Magnus was when he had gifted him the omamori charm and Magnus threw away the wrapper on the floor like trash. Since then he noticed that it's not just the wrappers, he does that with anything which is in his hands, the only exception being his phone.

"I do NOT do that, Alexander."

Alec rolled his eyes at that. "And I'm a warlock. Now open the gift, will you?"

Magnus opened the wrapper as gently as possible then kept it on the table. He felt his husband's eyes boring at him the whole time. He gasped when he saw the contents of the gift. It was a photo frame consisting of the paintings of all their anniversaries and their wedding day, beautifully framed together. The frame was made with handcrafted wood and it had a richness to it.

"It's beautiful. I love it. Thank you, Alexander."

"Thank Clary, I've asked her to do it. There's no doubt she did an amazing job." He smiled warmly when he saw his husband's reaction.

"I'm still going to thank you." He pecked him softly on the lips.

Alec picked up the second gift and handed it to him. Magnus took it and opened the wrapper gently yet again. His eyes watered when he saw what was inside the box. It was a set of 3 diamond rings, which were joined together with silver chains having a small cut of emeralds on them, the first and third rings were designed to sit on the base of fingers, the second ring on the middle part of the finger. The words FOREVER YOURS MLB were engraved on each ring separately on top of it and AKU CINTA KAMU on the bottom of the ring, each letter having small cut diamonds on it, which were shining brightly as the moonlight fell on it.

He took out the rings from the box and slid them on his fingers. They fit perfectly on his fingers. He traced the words gently, feeling every minute diamonds engraved on it. A warm smile played on his lips.

"Aku cinta kamu, Alexander Lightwood Bane. I'm speechless. Thank you so, so much."

"I love you too, Magnus. Now, your last gift. But, before that.." he switched on the speakers and placed his hand forward gracefully. "Dance with me."

Magnus looked at him wide-eyed. "You can't be serious!"

Alec rolled his eyes. "I've been practicing. Now, come on."

Magnus took his hands and rested one hand on his shoulder and his face on his chest. A slow track of 'I Get to Love You' by Ruelle started playing on the speakers and he gave in to the music and closed his eyes, relishing every word of the song and his husband's embrace.

[A/N: Before reading further, imagine Malec dancing on this track. The song is attached above.]

"Whatever may come, your heart I will choose. Forever I'm yours, forever I'll do." Alec whispered softly in Magnus' ears.

"The way you love, it changes who I am." He whispered again.

"They say love is a journey, I promise that I'll never leave. When it's too heavy to carry, remember this moment with me." He whispered yet again and Magnus tightened his arms around his husband, not wanting to let go. Alec played the song once again, relishing every single moment.

When the song got over, Magnus opened his eyes and unwrapped himself from his husband's arms. But his eyes went wide from what he saw. There, in front of his eyes lay something really unexpected. His husband was looking heavenly. There were huge silver wings fluttering beside him and his eyes were turned into icy silver, without any trace of his true hazel one's, having a hopeful look in them. He took a few steps backward, gasped loudly, and covered his mouth.

"A.. Alexander! What.. what is this? You? This? What's going on?" He trailed off, not wanting to believe what was in front of his eyes.

Alec took his husband's arms and kissed the back of his hands. "This is your final gift, Magnus. Happy anniversary." He said hopefully, he didn't want it to backfire, he knew it wouldn't. But if by any chance it did, he would be crushed.

"You're.. you're.. what are you? Are.. are you Im.. immortal? But! No, this has to be a dream. This can't be true." He looked at his surroundings frantically. "This is a dream. I know it is. I need to wake up. This is all a dream."

The light hopeful smile which was playing on Alec's lips disappeared completely after hearing that. He gulped and reached for his husband's hand but Magnus backed off. Tears formed in Alec's silver eyes. "Magnus." He called softly. "It's not a dream. I'm immortal, love. That's what I went to New York for. Catarina helped me with this." He confessed and tried to reach for his husband again, but Magnus backed off. His wings rippled conveying his sadness through it.

"No! don't touch. Whatever you are, don't touch me. I know I'm dreaming. And whatever you're doing to keep me asleep, I'll break through it and get back to reality. I know my husband would never sacrifice his mortality, not even for me. So back off, and if you try to do anything.." he produced his blue magic dancing above his palms, "dream or not, I'll burn you in flames." He said coldly, his cat eyes boring at him.

Alec took a few steps backward and looked at his husband, then at the burning ball of magic in his hand. His silver eyes turned into a dull gray color and tears escaped from them. His wings turned dull gray too and hung low, touching the floor completely. "I'll do anything for you, Magnus." He whispered softly in a choking voice. He didn't expect this to happen, his warlock didn't just reject his immortality, he wasn't even believing any of it, and was seeing him as a threat. He sniffed and looked at the floor. He was broken by the turn of events.

Magnus looked at the creature's actions dumbfounded. Even though he wanted it to be true badly, all he could think was this to be a dream again, as the other ones. He didn't want to be trapped again. He was thinking of attacking the thing when he heard the familiar sniffs and looked at the creature. His heart skipped a beat and he withdrew his magic. He could recognize his husband's saddened voice anywhere. No one could imitate it as the shadowhunter never showed his emotions to anyone other than him. He gulped, hard. It didn't take him long after that to realize that this wasn't a dream and he had hurt his husband. He looked at his shadowhunter or now angel? and saw that the wings were now curled around him tightly like he was hugging himself and the sniffs have increased.

"A.. Alexander?"

"Now what, Magnus? Do you want to kill me too?" He asked in a low voice.

Magnus' heart sank hearing that voice. He really had hurt his husband badly. "A... Alexander, is it really you? You're immortal? For real? I... I'm really sorry. I really am. I freaked out. I didn't mean to hurt you, I never could. I'm so sorry."

Alec's eyes turned silver and hopeful again and he looked at his warlock. He saw the genuineness in those golden cat eyes.

"Magnus, it's me, love. Please, don't do that, please believe me. Yes, I'm immortal, I did it for you, for us. I love you Magnus, more than you could imagine."

Magnus stepped forward and wiped away the tears falling on his cheeks, then looked into those dull silver eyes. It suddenly struck him and tears formed in his own eyes.

"Oh, my god! Alexander! You're immortal, I can't believe this! You're actually immortal! You.. you did it for me? I have you for eternity! You're not going anywhere? Is that what this ring meant?" He looked at the ring in his hand then at his husband, dumbfounded. Alec smiled at that and nodded. He took his husband's palms rested on his cheeks and kissed it.

Magnus looked at his husband with adoration and hugged him tightly, clinging to him like a koala. "But why? How?"

Alec finally relaxed when he felt his warlock's arms around him, his wings curled around Magnus' body and he held his husband tightly. "I heard you, Magnus." He whispered in his ears.

********************************

*A month ago*

Magnus was sitting beside Alec's bed, holding his shadowhunter's hand in his own. He never moved from that place. It's been more than a week and his husband was still in a coma. He hadn't eaten anything in that week, Catarina had to force-feed him in order to keep him alive.

Magnus didn't want to move from that place, not even for a second. He wanted to be there when his husband woke up. He was sobbing badly and was holding his shadowhunter's hand tightly.

"Alexander, I don't know if you can hear me or not but wake up. Please, wake up. I can't see you like this. It's killing me. I never thought I would love someone so madly, but I was wrong, I love you so much, Alexander. I don't think I can live without you."

He sobbed and a teardrop escaped from his eyes and fell on Alec's hand.

"Come back to me, Alexander, please. I don't know what I'm going to do if you.." he trailed off and sniffed.  "I never thought I would find someone whom I wished to spend my eternity with, but I did. Yes, Alexander, I want that with you. I know I'm being selfish, but seeing you like this made me realize how much your presence in my life means to me.

I never thought I would ever get married, but then, I found you. You were the first of many things, and you would be the last. The last person I'll ever love. I don't think I can fall in love ever again if something happens to you. And I don't want that. I... I wish you were immortal, Alexander.

I know that's your decision to make, but it's killing me to imagine a life without you. I know now how you felt when I was lying there five years ago, when I lost my magic, you wanted to grow old with me. I want the same, only difference being, I want to spend eternity in your arms." He sniffed and caressed his cheeks.

"I love you, Alexander. More than I imagined I could ever love someone. Just come back to me, please, even if it's for the next 50-60 years. I don't know what I'll do after that, but I can't see you dying. I can't." He rested his head on his chest and started sobbing, after some time he fell asleep like that.

*******************************

"Alexander... I.. I have no words. I know I confessed that, but I didn't think you could hear me. I know I was being selfish when I said all that."

"Magnus, don't say that. You have the right to be selfish sometimes. I got selfish too when you lost your magic. I wanted to grow old with you. I guess now both of our wishes came true. We have an eternity waiting for us." He touched his forehead with Magnus' and wrapped his fingers around his neck.

Magnus sighed and leaned into the touch. "Alexander.. why? How? When? What exactly are you now? Don't get me wrong, I'm obviously happy that I have my husband for eternity, but it's a big decision, being immortal sometimes feels like a curse, it's not easy to live for centuries without feeling empty."

"Not when you're with the right person, Magnus. I love you and I made this decision when I was sure I wanted it. I just didn't do it for you, I did it for myself as well. I can't live without you, Magnus, ever." He cupped the warlock's face with one hand and his wings wrapped around Magnus' waist and legs. Magnus looked at them wide-eyed and Alec smiled.

"They just want to hug you and calm you down. They can sense your stress. Don't freak out because of them."

Magnus looked at the wings wrapped around his body with awe. His cat eyes had a different kind of glint in them. "They're beautiful, Alexander, but you haven't answered my questions yet."

"I'm still a shadowhunter, just an angel now, literally. And to answer how and when, it's a long story. I heard everything when I was in a coma, Magnus. You, Izzy, and others. It was breaking me from inside whenever you pleaded me to come back to you. After I gained consciousness and got back home, I remembered everything that you said. I was waiting to see if you'll ask me to be immortal again, but you didn't, so I didn't give it much thought either. But the first time I heard you crying and confessing all that again behind my back when I came back home early one day, it shattered every core of my heart. I know you did that a lot behind my back." He took a deep breath then continued.

"Even you know it well, Magnus, that how much I tried to talk you through it. But you always kept me pushing away. You know we tried mundane ways too, but nothing worked and it killed me every second seeing you like that. That's when I started researching about becoming immortal. I found out about a shadowhunter becoming immortal without turning into a downworlder. That's when I knew that I wanted it. Even you know how much shadowhunting means to me." He looked at his warlock's tear-filled eyes and the wings fluttered around his body.

"When I was sure about becoming immortal, I went to Catarina for help and she agreed. My visit to New York was actually to get permission from my family and to transform into an immortal. I didn't want to lie to you so I preponed the meeting and shifted it to New York. I did it because I love you Magnus, so, so much. Seeing you like that killed me, it made me realize how worse you'll be when I'll be gone one day and I didn't want that. This one month was the worst phase of my life. You were so broken, so vulnerable, even when I was there right in front of you. I didn't even want to imagine how much worse you could get if I'm not there. That helped me to will my decision of becoming immortal. I can't see you like that, love."

Magnus wrapped his husband in a tight hug and let tears fall on his shoulder. "I can't believe this, when Camille.. when I kissed her you were already immortal. If something would have happened.. whatever happened in my dream..." He tightened his fist on his jacket.

"Mags, hey, don't think about that. Nothing happened and I'm still here with you. But I do have a question, Magnus."

Magnus broke the hug and looked at his husband, but their hands were intertwined now.

"When you saw my wings, why did you say that you're dreaming? The way you reacted broke me, Magnus."

"I'm sorry, Alexander. I... I told you that I had lied to you about my nightmares. I... I had these weird dreams sometimes where I'm at a similar place like this with you, and you reveal to me that you're immortal, I get all happy and when I reach for you, you change into some weird looking man and I get trapped in a cell or dark basement. It's always slightly different, but that's how it goes. When you revealed your wings, those dreams flashed in front of my eyes. I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to hurt you."

Alec rubbed his temples and sighed. "And why you never told me this before, Magnus? You had the precognition thing about me being immortal as well."

Magnus rested his face on Alec's chest and Alec's wings stroked his back in soft motions. "I'm sorry, Alexander. I never gave it a thought. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me as I wanted you to be an immortal."

"Mags, from now on, you're talking to me about your dreams and nightmares. I don't care even if they're baseless."

Magnus nodded against his chest. "I love you, Alexander. I don't know what I did to deserve you. You sacrificed your mortality for me. But, if you were already an immortal when you came back from New York, why didn't you tell me about it? Why did you never talk to me about it?"

"I was waiting for our anniversary. I wanted it to be a surprise for you. And about talking to you, I knew you would have refused it and tried to convince me not to do it, even when that's exactly what you wanted. I know you enough to know that you would have put my needs above yours. I know my husband, Magnus."

Magnus huffed and pouted, taking the opportunity Alec kissed him, pouring all of his emotions into it. When they broke their kiss, Magnus looked at him and blinked thrice.

"Are you feeling better now, Magnus? Did you like your last gift?"

"Much, thank you, Alexander. And I loved the gift. This is the best gift I've ever gotten. By the way, what am I supposed to call you now? You're not just a shadowhunter anymore. What about winged nephilim? Or an angel? I like the sound of both!"

"Don't you dare, Magnus Lightwood Bane!"

"Come on, angel, don't ruin the fun now."

"Magnus!"

Magnus rolled his eyes and took a bite of the cake, ignoring the flaming eyes of his now winged nephilim. He was actually feeling really happier than he was showing. He literally wanted to jump in his husband's arms and shower him with kisses, but he was trying to suppress that.

"Should we proceed with dinner now?" Alec asked. He was secretly relieved that his husband was going back to being his normal self again. His eyes were back to hazel again and he had put his wings back in the wing scar.

Magnus looked at him with curiosity. "Have you glamoured your wings? And how are you changing the colors of your eyes?"

"Let's discuss this over dinner, I'm starving." Alec uncovered the lid of the pots and Magnus gasped. The whole cuisine was Indonesian and Magnus' favorite.

Magnus looked at his husband lovingly and sat on the chair Alec pulled out for him. He kissed his winged nephilim passionately then started digging into the food. They spent the rest of the evening talking about Alec's newfound powers and going through the presents their family had gifted them.

#asaab #angst with a happy ending #angst #fanfic authors #alec lightwood #fanfiction #lightwood bane family #malec forever #malec fic #fantasy #fanfic #happily married #magnus bane #malec

[doc-pickles]

i won’t hesitate (for you) ch. 10

Jo is happy, at least she feels like she is. When someone from her past shows up, will her and her daughter's world ever go back to normal? Or will things change for good?

Hello! I hate this chapter a lot but here you go! We only have ONE MORE CHAPTER left of this story though! Woohoo!

TW: Depictions of Domestic Abuse & Miscarriage

The room was dark, creaking floorboards alerting her to the fact that she wasn’t alone anymore. Eyes cracking open, she watched for the telltale shadow that would appear in the dim hallway light to let her know he was home. She prayed for just a moment that she was hearing things, that he wasn’t actually there. 

Of course she was wrong, her body flinching as he clambered into the room loudly. She should be used to this by now, the chill of fear running up her spine as she prepares for the worst. But she isn’t, she hopes she never is because that means there’s a sliver of hope left for her. 

Her fingers curl around the small swell of her stomach. It’s unnoticeable to everyone except her, the only person who knows about the little life growing there. She closes her eyes, a single tear running down her face as she apologizes to them, to her baby. 

“You stupid slut, I saw what you did at…”

The rest of his words don’t matter, she tunes them out as soon as his fist lands on her face. The blows continue, she tries to curl up and shield herself but he’s not giving any form of mercy tonight. Before she knows it, she’s splayed out with his feet and fists taking turns pummeling into her ribs. She can feel the bones cracking, sharp pain radiating underneath her skin as she tries unsuccessfully to keep her tears at bay. 

He finishes finally, satisfied with himself enough to step away and brush off his hands as if he’d just gone through a rough cardio circuit at the gym. 

“Hope that teaches you a lesson, Brooke. I’m going to shower, you better be cleaned up by the time I come back.”

As soon as he’s out of her sight, she looks down at the damage he’s done. Bruises are starting to form almost everywhere on her body, blood stemming from her forehead. Her body is aching, but she forces herself up and out of the bed. A look behind her reveals the puddle of blood she’d been laying in, the bright red staining the sheets and her pajama bottoms. 

“I’m so sorry,” her voice cracks as she lays a hand on her stomach, tears streaming down her face. “I promise I’m leaving, this will never happen again.”

  Jo bolts upright in bed, sweat soaking her body as she comes to. The nightmare dissolves from her vision, but the feeling it leaves makes her skin crawl and her chest grow tight. She can feel herself hyperventilating, her lungs constricting as she tries to get air back into them. 

“Jo? What’s wrong? Is the baby okay?,” Alex is up and next to her in seconds, one hand spreading over her back to rub circles as the other splayed against her rounded abdomen. “Babe?”

She shakes her head, body deflating as she lets out a quiet sob. Her fingers rest over Alex’s on her belly as she leans into him, “I- it was… nightmare.”

The sweat pooling on her skin doesn't help the nightmare slip away, the perspiration reminding her of the sticky feeling of blood clinging to her skin. The radio silence from the baby in her womb doesn’t help her anxiety either, the lack of movement making her mind race unpleasantly as Alex’s fingers card through her hair. 

“Jo, baby you gotta breathe,” Alex’s voice is slow and soothing in her ear, his tone calm as he tries to ease the panic building in her chest. For years she was positive that she’d never be able to get the feeling of Paul’s hands on her out of her head, but the way that Alex’s fingers trail so lightly over her hot skin helps remind her that things have changed. “That’s better, keep breathing. You’re okay, I’m right here.”

As the visions of her past finally begin to fade from her vision, a swift kick hits her stomach under Alex’s hand. Relief begins to course through her then, her mind finally catching up to the fact that the memory that had plagued her dream was far in her past. 

“I… I keep having the same nightmare about…,” Jo still can’t bring herself to say the words, to admit what Paul had put her through out loud. Instead, she goes with a roundabout answer. “This is my fourth pregnancy and I still can’t shake that feeling that everything is going to come down around me.”

She’s never told Alex about the losses she’d endured with Paul, she’d never had a reason to, but the way he presses his lips against her forehead assures her that he was nothing except supportive. 

“Well I’ll be here to catch whatever fallout there is, I always will be,” Alex pulled Jo closer to him, then dragged them both back down to the mattress. “Go back to sleep, we have a long day ahead and I’ll be here the whole time.”

Jo settled into Alex’s embrace, fingers clutching lightly at his shirt as she dozed off. Alex couldn’t find sleep again though, eyes watching Jo tentatively as his fingers traced patterns into her expanding belly. 

She’d never talked in detail about Paul, only snippets here and there that painted a clear enough picture of the horrors that Jo had gone through. Knowing that she’d been pregnant twice before Harper though, that made things seem so much more real for Alex as he felt a flutter of kicks under his fingers. 

Sleep finally found Alex, whispers of promises on his lips as he held Jo close to him. 

+

A nervous energy radiated off both Alex and Jo as they stepped back into the courthouse. Harper had just been dropped off at Link and Amelia’s, the little girl slightly confused as to why both of her parents had teary eyes. Deep down, they knew what the verdict of the day would be, but the tense environment of the courthouse was getting to both of them.

“Oh shit, she really dragged her kids in to see this,” Alex groaned as he and Jo walked the halls of the courthouse, his eyes watching the two young children run around Izzie and her lawyers. “I haven’t seen them since I left… knowing Izzie they still think I really am their dad.” Jo studied the melancholy look on Alex’s face as he looked towards the kids he’d helped raise the past couple of years. She couldn’t help the raging anger she felt towards Izzie for what she’d done, but she reeled it in for Alex’s sake. 

“Hey, you’re doing the right thing by going through this stupid trial. At the end of the day what those kids deserve is the truth,” Jo placed her hands on Alex’s shoulders, looking up at him with a reassuring smile. “And if for some reason the test comes back and says they are yours then we’ll figure everything out. Don’t worry about today, it’ll all work out.”

Wrapping his arms around her waist, Alex leaned down and kissed Jo sweetly. Leave it to her to know exactly what to say when his ex took him to court and the kids he thought were his showed up to witness the fallout. The pair broke apart when a booming voice announced that the judge was ready for them.

Heart racing, Alex walked into the courtroom with Jo’s hand clasped tightly in his own. He eyed Izzie, Alexis, and Eli who all sat together on the opposite side of the room. If he squinted hard enough, he could see similarities between himself and the two bouncing children, but it paled in comparison to the way Harper looked almost identical to him. The little girl, who’s first two years of life he had missed, made the same faces he did and had the same sparkling eyes as his younger sister. Never for a moment did he doubt that she was his, the moment Alex laid his eyes on Harper as she ran towards Jo he knew that she was his daughter.

“We’re here to settle the child support case filed by Doctor Isobel Stevens against Doctor Alexander Karev,” the judge’s voice pulled Alex from his thoughts, his hand squeezing Jo’s as they waited for him to continue. “I have the paternity results for Alexis Isobel Stevens and Eli George Stevens before me now” The tension in the room was palpable, Alex feeling as if his breath was being held back by some unknown force as he waited for the results to be announced out loud. He could feel Jo’s foot bouncing rhythmically next to him, a sure sign that she was just as nervous as he was. Finally, the judge spoke again, “These results certify that neither Alexis or Eli Stevens are the biological children of Doctor Alexander Karev.”

The burst of air he’d been so desperately craving finally rushed into Alex’s lungs as the words he already knew to be true were confirmed for him. He could feel Jo kissing his cheek, mumbling some string of encouragement that was lost in the haze of his mind. A small part of him was sad, thinking about the time and love he had invested into Izzie’s children, but it faded when he remembered that he had two biological children with Jo that meant more than anything to him.

Izzie must have been on the same wavelength as Alex because she spoke up next, voice dripping with malice as she glared at Alex and Jo, “Do you have the results for the other two kids? Surely they can’t both be Alex’s.”

Before Jo had a chance to jump out of her seat and rush towards Izzie, the judge read out the rest of the test results, “Both the paternity test for Harper Josephine Karev and Doctor Josephine Karev’s amniocentesis results confirmed that Doctor Alexander Karev is the biological father of both children.”

Upon hearing that news, Alex moved out of his catatonic state to pull Jo into his side, his lips pressing a kiss into her hair as he spoke, “Told you, I never doubted you for a second.”

“Upon receiving these test results, I’ve made a ruling on the outcome of this case,” all eyes in the courtroom turned to the judge, his eyes scanning the two parties tentatively before reading the papers before him. “Since neither of Doctor Isobel Stevens' children are biologically Doctor Alexander Karev’s, I’ve ruled that her child support claim will not be accepted. Doctor Stevens, you will repay Doctor Karev any legal and personal fees he’s incurred during this trial for the inconvenience you’ve caused him. Furthermore, I’ve pushed through the legal paperwork filed in the interest of Harper Josephine Karev so that Doctor Alexander Karev is now legally her father. Case dismissed, court adjourned.”

Alex didn’t think he had ever felt this relieved in his whole life. He pulled Jo into his embrace, kissing her soundly as she laughed away a few stray tears. The worry and anxiety consuming both of them had faded away the moment the judge had read out the results, their fate seemingly sealed in the best way possible.

As Jo and Alex made their way out of the courtroom, Izzie caught Alex’s eyes. She wore a scowl as she stared them down, eyes narrowing at the younger woman as she passed her by. Tightening his grip around Jo’s shoulder, Alex led her past the blonde and into the hallway they'd just stood in a few weeks earlier. 

“I told you everything would work out,” Jo smiled up at Alex, hands smoothing over the blue dress she’d picked out that morning. “Thank god too because I’m pretty sure nothing else is gonna fit me. Now, let’s go celebrate. Lunch?” Alex glanced at Jo with a smirk, one hand ducking into the pocket of his suit jacket as he spoke to her, “I actually had another idea, if you were up for it.” From his jacket, Alex produced a velvet box that he popped open to reveal a set of silver rings. The diamonds that glittered back at Jo instantly made her eyes water, her gaze moving from the box up to Alex’s face. 

“Marry me again, Jo. I promise this will be the last time,” a chuckle left Jo as Alex spoke, their eyes meeting in a tender gaze. “I love you, it took me so long to realize that and then I let you go, but I swear I’m never gonna leave again. You and Harper and this baby mean too much to me. So… will you? Marry me again?”

“Yes, yes, yes. Of course I’ll marry you Alex,” Jo nodded, a watery laugh escaping her as she leaned up to kiss Alex. “On one condition though.”

“I would do anything for you to marry me Jo, you know that,” Alex smirked, his forehead leaning against hers as he chuckled. “I’ve only asked you about a hundred times.”

“Let’s go right now,” Alex’s eyebrows rose in awe as he stared at Jo. “I don’t wanna wait, I wanna be married to you again. And I really don’t wanna have to file a bunch of paperwork to get you on this kids birth certificate once they’re born.”

A cheesy grin settled onto Alex’s face as he watched Jo through misty eyes. He’d spent so many nights in a lonely bed in Kansas thinking about this moment, dreaming about a future where he got a second chance with Jo. Truthfully he’d always thought that the dreams were just wishful thinking, but standing here now with her in front of him and a new life bursting between them, he couldn’t believe how lucky he’d gotten.

“Well then let’s go,” Alex grabbed Jo’s hand and began walking through the halls of the courthouse, their laughter echoing off the stone walls as they made their way towards the marriage clerk's office. “Do you think we can get our frequent visitors card stamped?”

“Alex!”

#jo wilson #jo karev #alex karev #jo x alex #jolex #jolex fic #jolex fanfic #greys anatomy #greys fanfic #nina answers #hesitate

[sugarandspace]

Little things

AO3

Magnus notices. He pays so close attention to Alec that it would be a miracle to miss something, especially something Alec does so frequently.

Magnus isn’t sure if Alec has noticed it himself.

Whenever Alec is overwhelmed, his hand flies to the back of his neck, the fingers lightly brushing the strands at the base of his skull.

When he’s stressed, he leans his head down, both of his hands going to the back of his head and weaving into the dark hair. The hands leave behind a mess of strands that go to every other direction, except to the one they are supposed to. Like a testament of how scrambled his thoughts are in his head.

Frustrated, and he grips the hair hard enough for Magnus to feel it in his own scalp.

Magnus doesn't know if Alec notices it himself, but he’s sure his siblings have made the same observation as Magnus has.

Izzy is over a head shorter than her brother but whenever Alec leans down to hug her, she makes sure to bring one of her hands to the back of his head, holding it gentler than is needed. Her small hand pets the hair softly, and Alec relaxes into the hug even more.

Magnus starts doing it too.

He notices that the best way to make Alec calm down is to get him to settle on the couch, his head on Magnus’ lap while Magnus cards his fingers through the messy mop of hair. Alec’s hair is longer on the top of his head, and Magnus can twirl the wavy strands around his finger easily. He finds out that the repetitive motion paired with seeing and physically feeling Alec relax is comforting to him too.

Sometimes a more firmer touch is needed, a grounding sensation when there are too many things in Alec’s life going too fast. Sometimes he needs a gentle touch, something soft to remind him that there are room for things like that in their fast lives and occasionally dark world.

Magnus has noticed all these things, but it takes longer than it should for him to realise that Alec has noticed his things as well. And like the great boyfriend that he is, he’s been using his knowledge to his advantage, in a similar way that Magnus has been using his.

#malec #shadowhunters #alec lightwood #magnus bane #shfanficnexus #my writing #i am a ball of stress so here #have this

[malecsecretsanta]

Merry Christmas, @lieselfh!

Read on AO3

*****

A Book of Happy Memories

Alec and Magnus had been best friends for years, and up until a month and a half ago, Alec was convinced they would only ever be best friends, no matter how deep his feelings for Magnus were. That is, until Magnus asked him out.

Alec can honestly say he has been happier over the past month and a half than he ever has been, and that’s all because of Magnus. They’re now going into their first Christmas together, as a couple, and Alec couldn’t be more excited, even though he is nervous.

-

It’s two weeks to Christmas and Alec is starting to stress a little bit. He has been able to find Christmas presents for almost everyone he cares about, and even some he doesn’t, but he just can’t seem to find a present for his boyfriend.

Yes, Alec has bought gifts for Magnus before, but this time, it’s different. This time, Alec isn’t buying a gift for his best friend. He’s buying a gift for his boyfriend, and he really wants it to be something special.

The problem Alec has is, what do you get a person who seems to have everything? Alec has tried to ask Magnus what he would like for Christmas, but his beautiful boyfriend, whom he loves with all his heart, Alec reminds himself daily, isn’t very helpful at all.

-

Alec thinks back to the first time he had asked Magnus what he wanted for Christmas, a few weeks ago. They were walking back to Magnus’ house after a date when Alec stopped Magnus, taking Magnus’ hand in both of his own.

“Hey Magnus? I’ve been trying to figure something out, but I just want think of anything.” Alec has said, causing a confuse look to cross Magnus’ gaze.

“What is it, Alexander? What’s wrong?” Magnus had asked softly, stepping closer to Alec.

“It shouldn’t be this difficult, because we were friends for years before we started dating, and I never had a problem, but now I just can’t figure out what to get you for Christmas.” Alec had said in one breath, looking down at their hands.

After a few moments of silence, Alec had taken a deep breath and looked up again. When he saw the soft smile on his boyfriend’s face and the loving look in his eyes, Alec felt himself relax.

“Oh Alexander, you don’t need to get me anything. I have everything I need, right here.” Magnus had said, leaning up to kiss Alec softly.

Alec could tell Magnus was being serious, but he couldn’t help the sigh that escaped his mouth at that. Alec really wanted to give Magnus something for Christmas, but he didn’t know what, and he knew he wasn’t going to get much help from his boyfriend. The next few times Alec had asked proved as much.

-

Alec is sitting at home, going through all the photos of Magnus and him he has collected over the years, all the way from when they were children, and he can’t help but smile. Seeing how they had changed over the years and being able to see the love in his eyes and in Magnus’ eyes as they looked at each other, even before they started dating was a sight that really warmed his heart.

When Alec had looked at the photos before they started dating, he had had been able to see the love in his eyes, but it wasn’t until Magnus had told him how he felt and for how long, was Alec able to see the love in his eyes.

Alec has often found himself looking at these pictures of them. It’s one of his favourite things to do. Alec has wanted to turn them into a memory book for the longest time, but he has never found time to do it.

“That’s it!” Alec said, triumphantly.

He knew exactly what he was going to do for Magnus’ Christmas present.

“Alec? I heard you shout, are you alright?” Izzy asks, sticking her head around the corner.

“Yeah, I’m alright, Iz. I just figured out what I’m giving Magnus for Christmas.” Alec says, smiling brightly at his sister.

The bright grin he received from Izzy was enough to make Alec feel giddy with excitement.

“If you need any help, just let me know, okay?” Izzy says.

Alec gets up and crosses the room. He wraps his little sister in his arms and planted a quick kiss in her hair.

“Thanks Izzy. I’ll definitely take you up on that.” Alec says.

With a smile, Izzy walks away, and Alec gets started on his boyfriend’s Christmas present.

-

Once Alec has everything he needs for the memory book, and all the photos printed, he gets to work getting the memory book ready. He enlists Izzy’s help, since she’s the more artistic of the two of them. Thankfully, Izzy happily drops everything and agrees to help Alec, more than excited to see what her brother is doing for her favourite person in the world.

“Oh, this is so cute! Magnus is going to absolutely love it!” Izzy all but shrieks, jumping up and down, after Alec tells her his plan.

It takes Alec a moment to calm her down, but when he does, they get started on making the book.

-

It took them almost a week and a half to complete the memory book, because Alec insisted on telling Izzy about almost every photo, and the memory behind it. Alec knows she doesn’t mind, though. Magnus is her favourite person, and she loves him almost as much as Alec does. Izzy has told her as much.

Finally, Alec sits at his desk, his sister leaning over his shoulder, looking through the book. He knows he has an incredibly sappy smile on his face, but he really cannot help it. This book is a compilation of many of the happiest moments of his life, with the person who makes him happier than anything.

“Do you know what my favourite thing is about Magnus?” Izzy asks softly, looking at the loving expression on her big brothers face.

“What’s your favourite thing about Magnus, Iz?” Alec asks, looking up at his little sister.

“The fact that he makes you so happy. It’s a good look on you, big brother?” Izzy says, hugging Alec from behind.

Even though Alec tries to act tough, he agrees with his sister. He really loves Magnus and how happy he makes him.

-

On Christmas Morning, Alec goes to fetch Magnus from his loft, so they can go to have Christmas lunch, just like they do every year. He gets there earlier than he normally would, because he wants to give Magnus his gift before they head out.

When Alec lets himself into Magnus’ loft, he finds his boyfriend sitting on the couch, still in his pyjamas with a cup of coffee in his hands.

Magnus looks up as Alec enters the room. His face instantly brightens when he sees his boyfriend. He puts his mug on the table in front of him and stands to greet Alec.

“Hey, you. What are you doing here so early?” Magnus asks, hooking his arms around Alec’s neck when Alec pulling him close by the waist with one hand.

“Merry Christmas, my love.” Alec says, leaning down to kiss Magnus softly, both humming into the kiss. Magnus cards his fingers into Alec’s hair.

“Merry Christmas to you, too, babe.” Magnus says, once they part.

“To answer your question, I wanted to give you your present before we go to my house. I thought it would be more special that way.” Alec says, bringing the wrapped present out from behind his back, and holding it out to Magnus.

Magnus looked at the package Alec was holding out to him, and then back into his boyfriend’s beautiful hazel eyes. He couldn’t help the warmth and love that flooded him.

“Alexander, I meant it when I said you didn’t need to get me anything but thank you.” Magnus says softly, taking the wrapped package from Alec.

“I know, but I wanted to give you something special.” Alec says, smiling down at Magnus.

“Before I open this, let me get your gift. Ill be right back.” Magnus says, planting a quick kiss on Alec’s cheek, before he darts into his room, while Alec makes himself comfortable on the couch.

Magnus comes back a few minutes later with a beautifully carved wooden box in his hands, his present from Alec balanced perfectly on top. When he gets to the couch, Magnus gives the box to Alec with a soft and warm smile on his face.

“Merry Christmas, my Alexander.” Magnus says.

Alec stares at the box in his lap, captivated by the intricate carvings on the box. His fingers stop over the “AGL” engraved on the lid of the box.

“Magnus, this box is absolutely beautiful.” Alec says, in a breathless voice.

“I’m so glad you like the box, Alexander.” Magnus says, before bumping his shoulder into Alec’s and whispering: “Although, the real present is inside.”

Alec chuckles at that, and slowly opens the box. Inside the beautiful box is an equally as beautiful bamboo notebook and pen set, each engraved with “AGL”. Alec slowly picks the book up with gentle fingers skimming over the cover.

“Open it” Magnus whispers, smiling softly at the awestruck expression on Alec’s face. This was definitely worth it.

Alec does as Magnus says. He opens the notebook and lets out a breath when he sees the bookmark that is hidden inside. The bookmark has a picture of the two of them from what had turned into their first date. One of their photobooth photos. Below it, their names are written, as well as the date they started dating.

Alec is so overwhelmed that he could do nothing more than wrap his arms around Magnus.

“Thank you, Magnus. These are so beautiful. I love them. And I love you.” Alec says, when he pulls away slightly, to look Magnus in the eye.

“I’m glad you like them. I love you too, Alexander.” Magnus says, softly before pulling Alec in for a hug again.

When they part, Magnus starts opening his gift. He takes his time removing the wrapping paper, knowing how impatient his boyfriend is getting. He figures he has to tease Alec a little bit, right?

“Magnus, we need to be at my place in a little while, and you still need to get ready. Please stop teasing me and open your gift.” Alec almost begs.

Relenting, Magnus removes the last of the wrapping paper and holds a beautiful book in his hands, “Our book of memories” written on the front, as well as their names.

Inside the book, Magnus sees all the photos from throughout their years of friendship, in chronological order, starting from the day they had first met when they were children, with a caption about each photo.

Because of time, Magnus isn’t able to go through the whole book at the moment, but what he sees he absolutely loves, and he tells Alec as much.

“Alexander, this is perfect. I love it, almost as much as I love you.” Magnus says, leaning up to kiss Alec, softly.

“I’m really happy to hear that, Magnus” Alec say, when Magnus breaks the kiss.

The only response Magnus gives is pulling Alec in for another, deeper kiss, that leaves them breathless when they part again.

“I’d better get dressed, otherwise we’re going to be late, and Maryse is going to have my head.” Magnus says, drawing a chuckle from Alec.

After one more quick kiss, Magnus dashes to his room to get dressed.

-

Finally, Magnus and Alec make it to Alec’s house for Christmas lunch with the family. When they are greeted by Izzy, she quietly asks Magnus what he thought of his Christmas present, to which he replies that he loves it.

Throughout the afternoon, they all laugh and have a wonderful time. Alec cannot help my take more photos, of all of them, but specifically of him and Magnus.

“More memories for our memory book?” Magnus asks, wrapping his arms around Alec’s waist.

“Yeah, not that I need photos to remember these moments. With you by my side, I remember them all.” Alec says in reply, turning his head to took at Magnus, and putting an arm around his shoulder.

“And this is where I intend to stay, Alexander. I’m not going anywhere.” Magnus says, with a soft smile. Alec smiles softly in return.

They’ve been saying “I’m not going anywhere” to each other for years, and they both know they mean it. Together is where they are meant to be, and Alec honestly cannot wait for the future at Magnus’ side, and a book of memories to remind them of how far they have come.

Alec held his glass of wine out to Magnus. “Here’s to a wonderful future, filled with many more memories.” Alec says.

Magnus clinks his glass against Alec’s. “I’m ready for any future with you, Alexander. I love you.” Magnus replies.

With a smile on his face, Alec leans down and kisses Magnus, softly. Alec knows, without a doubt, that any future with Magnus is going to be a good one, and he is ready to see their future pan out, and to see many more Christmases like this.

#lieselfh #malecsanta19 #*fics19 #*gifts19

[itsanerdlife]

Outlaw’s Promise 1/23

Pairing: MC!Single Dad!Clint Barton x Nurse!Reader

Warnings: Language. Stalking. Violence. Law breaking. Minor mentions of child incidents.

You were always trouble. The law was more like a guideline you liked to pick and choose from. But when you met the Outlaw Sinners and their VP Clint Barton. You’re in for so much more. You’re falling fast, his daughter has you wrapped around her finger as well. But when dangers closes in are you saving yourself or can you count on Clint and the Outlaw’s?????

Tag List Is Open!!!

Running a hand through your tasseled hair, it hung down in waves, accenting your blue strikes through out it. You move around the pool table, wondering how you let Tucker convince you to play this damn game. You were sure it was cause he hated you kicking his ass at cards, or darts. Leaning over the table, you attempt another shot, trying to get a feel for the game while Tucker got refills.

“Sweetheart,” a voice not belonging to Tucker, makes your eyes lift up “you’re holding that stick all wrong.” He smirks from the table he sat at. Watching you with the most gorgeous set of grey blue eyes, like storm clouds on a summer day.

“What?” You straighten up. Your eyes slip over him, his arms filled the sleeves of his red T-shirt with tattooed muscle. He slips out of his seat, coming towards you.

“I can show you.” He nods. His dirty blonde hair is rumbled, giving him that extra bad boy vibe, tattoos, cocky smirk, and fuck me muscle. Oh god he was trouble wrapped up in sin. Your mouth went dry and watered all at the same time. He screamed weakness. You had a thing for trouble and bad boys, and he hits all your key points.

“Oh, um.” you glance at the table. “sure.” You were surprised by the word that fell out of your mouth. He steps closer, his hands cover yours holding the pool stick.  Oh god, this was such a bad idea, this was not a good idea. But the heat coming off him, made your knees knock together.

“Firm grip,” he directs, you hold on a little tighter “more.” He smirks, your heart practically jumped into your throat. Your hands flex, gripping the stick. “Not too hard, not too lose.” He nods. “Good.” His hands slip to the waist of your black, ripped up skinny jeans. Excitement and dirty pleasure pulse through you at his firm grip. He’s suddenly bending you over the pool table.

Yes. Yes. Yes!

“Line up your shot.” He spoke softly next to your ear, sending a shiver down your flushed body. His own body lined with yours, his hands slip around yours, helping you guide the stick. You could feel the heat coming off him. He was so close you were sure he could heart the increase in your heartbeat. “Like when you aim a gun.” His warm breathe ran over your neck and ear, you press your lips together, telling yourself not to lean into his body.

This is a terrible idea!

“Now you’ll put your weight into the motion.” His one hand leaves the stick, slipping to your waist. Your faded grey Beatles T-shirt was knotted up on your hips. His rough fingers, brush over your exposed skin, you swallow loudly. His hand holds your hip. “Rock.” He nudges his thigh into the back of yours, you give a slight rock. Your stick hits, pocketing two balls. “There you go, just like that.” He grins, you flush red instantly.

“The fuck do you think you’re doing?” Tucker growls. The two of you straighten up. You’d forgotten about Tucker, than again he wasn’t much to think about. Not when this stranger was far more man, and interesting than he was. He even smelled like trouble, like heartbreak and filthy sex.

“Calm the fuck down.” He sighs, not looking at Tucker, he was watching you. You’d just been checking him out and he watched.

“Don’t think you get to put your hands on my girl, then tell me what to do, fucker.” Tucker puffs up, like he was a hard ass.

“Tucker,” you step between them “don’t be stupid.” You warn him. The stranger was in much better shape, he looked like a criminal, Tucker just liked to talk big and start fights, which he usually loss. “You’re in over your head.” You mutter at him.

“Yeah, Tucker.” The stranger smirks. “Stay out of this.” Your eyes sink closed, knowing that wasn’t going to go well.

“Stay out of this Y/N.” Tucker’s hand pushes you to the side, sending you stumbling over the pool stick, bumping into the pool table, that kept you up right.

“You’re a fucking idiot.” The guy steps forward. “I’ll knock you on your ass, putting your hands on a woman.” His finger slams into Tuckers chest, you watch as Tucker winces. Your eyes roll.

“She’s mine, I’ll do what I want.” Tucker bites out.

“I am not.” You snort, shaking your head.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” The stranger leans around Tucker looking at you. You nod.

“Fucker are you kidding me?” Tucker shoves the guy. He barely sways, that was a deadly sign, Tucker was in beyond over his head.

“You’re in over your head, dick.” He smirks, shoving Tucker back. Tucker stumbles back, barely catching himself.

“Hey!” Nick calls from behind the bar. He was the owner of outlaw, and not someone you fucked with. “Take it outside, Barton!” He jerks his thumb towards the door. He wore a black T-shirt, black jeans and a black eyepatch. Nobody knew why he had the eyepatch, he never answered, just smirked and walked away.

“Let’s go.” Tucker, puts his arms out wide, like he was showing off. You slap a hand over your face.

“For fuck sakes.” You grab your jacket and purse, heading for the bar. You slap them down next to Nick.

“Play nice.” He smirks at you. You roll your eyes, shoving out the door, where Tucker, and the one Nick called Barton were. There are a few guys who followed, you’d seen them at the table with him, and a few of Tuckers friends. You groan, knowing this was going to be a fucking mess.

“Last chance, Tucker.” Barton taunts him. “Apologize to the lady and walk away.” He warns him.

“Don’t be a bitch.” Tucker taunts.

You sigh, running a hand through your hair. Barton’s fist collides with Tucker’s jaw. You were in awe, the hit was wild, out of nowhere, perfect, deadly aim. Who the fuck was this guy?

Everything Peaches 2/6/19: @xmtd5 @mo320 @courtmr   @all1e23 @izzy--lee @irepeldirt @dumblani @crist1216 @alyssaj23 @allyp1023 @joannie95 @kolakube9 @rileyloves5 @sarahp879 @sea040561 @sexyvixen7 @pcterpvrker @pigwidgexn @doctoranon @abschaffer2 @nickimarie94 @teller258316 @wandressfox @amandab-ftw @henrietteoaks @nea90sweetie @circusofchaos @itsagalaxystar @bettercallsabs @miraclesoflove @lucifersnipnips @queenkrissy11 @sadyoungadult @destiel-artemis @paintballkid711 @iwillbeinmynest @sweet-honey15 @chanelmadrid13 @mellxander1993   @spookygrantaire @geeksareunique @supernatural508 @sammysgirl1997 @itzmegaaaaaaan @booksbeforebois @mariekoukie6661 @pure-princess-97 @capsheadquaters @samanthasmileys @youclickedthislink @futuremrsb-r-main @lovemarvelousfics @petersunderoos96 @loving-life-my-way @booktvmoviefangirl @supernatural-girl97 @fanfictionjunkie1112 @abbypalmer14-blog @meganlikesfandoms @awkwardfangirl2014 @supernaturaldean67 @xqueenofthecraziesx   @queenoftheunderdark @writingaworldofmyown @supernaturallover2002 @sprinklesandsugarcubes @whothehellisbucky-1930 @verymuchclosetedfangirl @for-the-love-of-the-fandom @ocaptain-mycaptainmorgan @wonderlandfandomkingdom @crazy-little-thing-called-buck @letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked @stupendoussciencenaturepanda @jamesbarnesappreciationsociety

Clint Barton: @coley0823 @lakamaa12 @boltsgirl919 @honey-bee-holly @marvelfansworld @dumbbitchenergytm @x-whyareyoureadingthis-x @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory

Outlaw's Promise: @eliza-kat @tuuksmain @bookluver01 @mybarnesmyhero @marvelfansworld @ohsnapitzmarvel @rainbowkisses31 @thefandomimagines @sarai-ibn-la-ahad @searching-for-neverland @thebitchiestnerdtowalktheearth

#Marvel #Clint Barton x Reader #Avengers #Clint x Reader #Outlaw's Promise #Marvel Fanfiction #Clint Barton AU Series #Avengers Fanfiction #Clint AU Series

[ohfreckle]

fic: hearteyes, motherfucker (malec; pg)

The experiment recounted in this fic really took place. The idea behind it was to see if strangers can fall in love, starting from the premise that mutual vulnerability fosters closeness.

Written for the 3B Countdown Calendar.

If Magnus hasn't been able to find true love after twenty years of hit and miss, surely a scientific experiment won't change that. Who does still believe in love at first sight anyway?

   It’s not until the very last second that a flutter of nerves sends Magnus’ pulse tripping. Something in his chest clenches with a flash of panic. What if this changes everything? But then the door opens and all Magnus can do is step into the unknown.

Whatever he expected from a room in which a scientific experiment is about to take place, this isn’t it.

Magnus expected miles of cables and neon light glinting off a wall of monitors, the noisy whirr of computers and cameras following his every move with their red blinking lights. Either this project is grossly underfunded, or Magnus watches too many Sci-Fi movies. The room is austere, empty except for two lamps, a table with a tape recorder, and two chairs. The soft, clean white of the walls is soothing Magnus’ nerves.

It’s just talking. Magnus is an exceptional and (so he’s been told) charming conversationalist even on a bad day. He can answer a bunch of questions, even if he thinks the research topic is pointless.

Strangers don’t fall in love. In lust, yes, Magnus has done that plenty of times. But not love. Most people can’t even tell the difference and end up hurt and disappointed. Magnus wishes he could claim that he isn’t one of them.

Lust—yes. Oh god, yes. Magnus’ stomach drops when the door on the other side of the room opens, and out steps the most gorgeous man Magnus has seen in—ever.

The meaning of tall, dark, and handsome shifts in Magnus’ mind, sudden and irrevocably, forever reshaped to bear this strangers’ face. Something twists in his chest and spreads through his veins, sharp and hot like fire. Magnus recognizes the first spark of interest, so vivid he’s instantly swept away by images of short, dark strands of hair slipping through his fingers and generous lips sliding against his own.

As instructed they sit down at the table, facing each other. “I’m Magnus.” Magnus extends his hand, pleased when the man doesn’t hesitate to shake it. His handshake is warm and firm, his palm a little damp. Nerves. At least Magnus isn’t the only one.

“Alec. Hi!” Alec’s smile is small but it reaches his eyes. It’s impossible to mistake the glittering in them for anything but blatant interest that matches Magnus’ own. Pity. It seems this experiment is ruined before it even started.

Their introductions are brief. They both live in New York, and Magnus learns that Alec is a homicide detective with the NYPD. It surprises Magnus, but that is probably more because the detectives in the late-night reruns rarely look like they stepped out of a high gloss magazine. Magnus supposes they both don’t quite fit the mold; people rarely associate a professor in anthropology with the crisp, navy winged eyeliner he took great care to apply this morning.

“Well then, I believe we have some questions waiting for us,” Magnus says, finding himself a lot more eager to get this thing started than ten minutes ago. “Ready to bare your soul?”

Alec’s dry snort tells Magnus that he isn’t the only one that didn’t come here of his own volition.

As much as Magnus loves his friends, their meddling with his love life is a constant point of irritation and has led to more than one embarrassing situation. And yet, here Magnus is again because his best friend signed him up for this experiment. Cat conveniently forgot to tell him before it was too late to drop out, counting on his reluctance to be unnecessarily rude. Sometimes having friends that know him so well sucks.

“You go first.” Alec pushes the stack of small cards in the middle of the table towards Magnus gingerly, almost as if he’s trying to convince it to be gentle.

“I imagine this is quite different from what you’re used to.” Magnus winks, making it clear that he’s just teasing.

He needn’t have worried that maybe his joke fell flat. Alec barks out a low laugh, looking positively delighted. “Yeah, I’m usually on the other side of the table. Maybe I’ll learn a new trick or two. Mix things up a little with the perps.”

“It will be my pleasure to help you out with new experiences,” Magnus says and picks up the first card from the stack, not at all charmed by the way the corners of Alec’s mouth lift at the corners. Attraction, nothing more. “When did you last sing to yourself?” He reads the neat print on the card out loud, laying it down on the table between them. Magnus hesitates for a second, but Alec picks up on it. Of course it would be Magnus’ luck to be partnered up with a real-life detective who's not only a trained interrogator but most likely versed in reading even small nuances of body language.

“Now I’m curious,” Alec says, picking up the card and twirling it between his fingers before he lays it down, tapping it thoughtfully. They’re nice fingers, long and strong with perfectly manicured nails. Magnus can’t help but mirror the motion, keeping his fingers just barely from touching Alec’s.

“Actually, I sang to myself on my way here. An old lullaby my mother sang to me when I was little. After all these years it still soothes me when I’m nervous or upset.”

“You were upset when you came here?”

Any reservations Magnus might have had about sharing something so personal vanish into thin air the moment Alec’s eyes soften and he covers Magnus’ hand, squeezing lightly. Magnus barely knows this man, but everything about Alec screams sincerity, makes him feel safe and appreciated.

“Nervous,” Magnus admits, swallowing around the sudden tightness in his throat. “I could have been paired up with a yeti.”

“Who said that you weren’t?” Alec grins and lets go of Magnus’ hand with a parting squeeze. “My sister always tells me that I look like a caveman when I haven’t shaved for two days after a double shift.”

“As an anthropologist, cavemen are somewhat of a specialty of mine. They’re quite fascinating. Broad chest, lots of hair and testosterone.” As soon as the words tumble from his mouth, Magnus holds his breath. He’s a master of innuendo, and even if he doesn’t try, something not entirely appropriate often slips out at the most inopportune circumstances. Like an actual scientific experiment. Oh well, it’s not as if he’s invested in the outcome, no matter how alluring the company.

“Good. That’s good.”

That’s all Alec has to say on the matter, not bothered in the slightest as he reaches for the next card, navigating the slightly awkward situation with remarkable aplomb. But then, terrible puns probably don’t even register as a blip on the radar in a seasoned cop’s daily routine.

“Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would be your ideal dinner guest?” Alec reads, his brows drawing together as he places the card on top of the one Magnus just answered. “What does that even mean? An ideal guest is somebody who doesn’t complain about the food even if the vegetables are soggy and helps with the dishes, but I guess that’s not what this means.”

A barrel of emotions flickers over Alec’s expressive features, none of which Magnus can read. Alec casts him a long look. This time it’s him who’s trying to decide if he can trust Magnus.

“Hey, it’s okay if you don’t want to say more. You already answered the question. Nothing says you need to give a name.”

“No, it’s not—I just don’t think about people I don’t know, not in that theoretical way the question suggests. I like to think about the people I know and care for. I’ve got my work cut out with that.” Alec laughs a little and shrugs, leaning back in his chair. “That sounds way deeper than it is. It’s just a stupid question. I don’t know everyone in the world, so how would I know if they’re an ideal dinner guest?”

Alec is a grown man, but frowning over a question he deems pointless he looks so much like a disgruntled cat that Magnus bursts out laughing. Most people would have chosen an artist or a politician to surround themselves with an air of sophistication, but Detective Lightwood disputes the question. It’s such a different viewpoint from Magnus’ own who thinks about strangers for professional reasons and out of curiosity all day long, but presented so calm and matter of fact that Magnus wonders how he didn’t see any fault with the question himself. It’s been a long time since Magnus was this intrigued with somebody outside his line of work.

“Tell me who you’d like to have dinner with, then,” Magnus prompts, not quite ready to move on. “Out of all the people you know.”

“My brother Jace.” Alec’s answer comes without hesitation, his mouth and eyes softening with fondness. Magnus doesn’t have siblings, but if he had he hopes they’d look at him like this. “He’s a terrible dinner guest, always helps himself first and takes the biggest steak. Always finds a reason to duck out of helping with the clean-up. It’s been like that since we were kids, but in return he doesn’t complain about my cooking and pretends he actually likes it.” Alec grins, looking at Magnus from beneath his lashes as if he’s confessing a secret, and Magnus finds himself drawn in and leaning close eagerly. “We always tease our sister Izzy about her abysmal cooking skills, but the truth is that I’m not that much better.”

“That sounds lovely. Seems like dinner with your siblings is quite an entertaining affair.”

“They used to be.” Something akin to wistfulness settles over Alec, dimming his smile like the sun becoming veiled by clouds. His whole body draws into itself, his knuckles white where he clasps his hand on the table. It seems impossible how small this literal mountain of a man can suddenly appear. Magnus’ throat constricts with sympathy, and he has to stop himself from reaching out consciously. He barely knows this man. But it feels like he knows him, and it didn’t stop Alec.

“And now it’s not?” Magnus skims his fingertips over the knuckles of Alec’s hand, skin prickling when the knotted fingers relax under his touch. It shouldn’t be this easy, shouldn’t feel so natural.

“I—I did something I’m not proud of.” Alec swallows and looks at their hands, loosening his grip so he can turn his hand and brush his fingertips against Magnus’, lost in thought for a moment until he physically pulls himself together. They’re barely touching, electricity crackling in the sliver of air between their skin. It makes Magnus’ breath catch in his throat, but it seems to settle Alec’s emotions. “We haven’t talked in weeks. It all seems so stupid now, so petty. I should go and apologize. I will.” Sucking in a deep breath, Alec slumps back in his chair. “You know, these questions are total garbage. You weren’t wrong about baring our souls. Can’t they just ask us about our favorite burger?”

The heavy air between them lifts as soon as they aren’t touching anymore. It helps Magnus to clear his head enough to remember to reach for the next card, gives him something else to focus on than this strange connection that seems to surpass simple attraction.

“Let’s hope I didn’t jinx it then,” Magnus says, holding his next card up between two fingers. He means it. As fascinating as he finds Alec—fascinating being a massive understatement, he’s riveted—this is about all the soul-baring in front of strangers he can stomach without copious quantities of alcohol.

“I like your nail polish.”

One quiet remark, and the shaky equilibrium Magnus regained seconds ago is once again shot to hell. There’s no hidden meaning in the words, no come-on, just Alec’s quiet, absolute focus on him that makes something in Magnus’ chest loosen and unravel at an alarming speed. It’s unsettling, the whole experiment is. Magnus feels off-kilter, more drawn to Alec with every passing second, and he isn’t sure he likes it.

He didn’t ask for this.

In the back of his mind a voice that sounds like his friend Ragnor snorts inelegantly. Ah, my friend, but you did.

As much as Magnus wants to object, he's never been prone to deceiving himself. He's still a romantic at heart, wants to believe in that one true love that will get under his skin so deep he'll never want anyone else. He just doesn't think it's out there for him. All around him people are happy and well into starting their own family, and at thirty-three all he has to offer is a battered heart that was broken and stomped on one time too many.

But what if?

"I'm sorry if that was too much," Alec's voice cuts into Magnus' thoughts when the silence between them stretches out uncomfortably long.

"No! No, not all. I just don't usually get compliments without an ulterior motive. It's always Magnus this, Magnus that. Or people wanting to get into my pants." Magnus shrugs unapologetically. It's not bragging if it's the truth. He's been around the block, perhaps once or twice too many. A warm body is an excellent cure for just about everything.

"Shame, people should be nicer to each other." Alec stretches and rolls his shoulders, wincing a little around a yawn. "Sorry, long night at the precinct."

Magnus tries to focus on that, yet another glimpse of the kind and thoughtful man he can sense under the handsome facade, but it's impossible not to notice how Alec's shirt stretches tightly over his broad shoulders and chest. Magnus is only so strong, and Alec’s particular brand of intelligence, paired with heart and devastatingly good looks are quickly drawing him in.

“Anyway, the color suits you.” Alec inclines his head towards Magnus hand where he’s still holding the card between his fingers. “I’ve never seen a guy who can pull off sparkly, turquoise nail polish. It’s unusual. Special. Like you.”

The bold statement sends a flutter of warmth through Magnus, curling in his middle and quickly traveling up until he can feel the tips of his ears grow hot. Without a doubt Alec will notice it, but at least Magnus manages to keep his voice steady. “Are all detectives this blunt?”

“Only when the situation calls for it.” Alec smiles, quite obviously pleased with himself. “So, what do you have?”

“What do you consider your greatest achievement in life?” Magnus reads, glad it gives him something else to think about than the slow, erratic thud of his heart.

"That's a question for long nights of introspection, but I think we're already pushing our allotted time frame."

Magnus puts the card on the smaller pile and loosely clasps his hands. "I don't like to think there's just one single accomplishment that obliterates everything else I've done in my life. From an outsider's perspective my academic career as a professor at one of the top universities in the world most likely is the pinnacle of success. I love my career and I work hard for it, but I don' t value my personal achievements any less for it."

„I imagine you have quite a lot of those as well." Alec nods, his face serious and intent as he listens, his hazel eyes fixed on Magnus. "I get it. My job is important to me, but I want to be more than just Detective Lightwood. I need to be Alec, too. Matter to someone as family, a friend, a lover."

"Since we're both here, it would seem we're still working on the latter," Magnus laughs and winks to lighten the mood. It's working. Alec smiles, a little sheepish, his eyes lighting up with humor and a faint flush spilling down his neck. He really is exquisite.

If they'd met in a club, Magnus would have made his move already, willing to forget pretty much every standard he has about potential partners for a face and body like Alec’s. Intellect isn’t exactly a necessity for a night of anonymous passion. Hell, Magnus has half a mind to tell Alec screw this, let’s get out of here. The way Alec’s eyes keep straying to his mouth tells him he wouldn’t be turned down. But there’s more to Alec than stunning looks, more to the heat that’s spreading languorously in Magnus’ system. Less than half an hour and Magnus is already in much deeper than with people he’s known for months.

Magnus wants to call it potential but it feels like more than that. Potential means something might happen, but hasn’t it already? Wishful thinking, the magic of the moment, whatever it is, something is there between them and Magnus wants it. It scares him; too much too soon, like standing on the edge of a cliff with nowhere to go but taking a leap of faith.

The next questions fly by in a blur, scraps of information painting an even more captivating picture of Alec. Magnus files away Alec’s indignant Hey when he can’t hold back his surprise at learning that Alec plays the piano, offering the same sentiment in comfort after Alec’s halting confession about his strained relationship with his father. That’s another thing they have in common, and once again Alec’s hand over his own is a welcome touch that soothes an ache Magnus thought long healed.

“Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.” Alec leans back heavily and runs a hand through his hair, muttering something Magnus can’t quite catch but that sounds a lot like for fuck’s sake.

“Out with it, darling.” It’s really just a slip of the tongue, but oh, if Magnus had known that the simple endearment would make Alec look at him like he’s two seconds from rounding that table, he would have done it an hour ago. Heat burns its way up his spine, sharp and sudden, leaving behind a lingering warmth that feels almost like a touch.

Almost, but not enough.

There’s a split second of hesitation before Alec straightens and meets Magnus’ eyes. “I almost got married. Tuxedo, white gown, the whole shebang.”

“That’s—interesting?” The warmth that a moment ago suffused Magnus whole body simmers down and gives way to mild confusion. “Forgive me, darling, but you don’t strike me—”

“As straight?”

“Straight, bi. I just don’t think women are your type.” The ridges of Magnus’ ear cuff tickle against his fingertips as he fiddles with it. It’s a nervous tick, something he unconsciously does when he’s uneasy, but like hell Magnus will admit to that. He meets Alec’s eyes straight on, lowers his lashes just the tiniest bit to make it a challenge.

“Fuck no, I’m so gay I can’t even think straight,” Alec snorts. It should be gross and unbecoming, not even vaguely attractive. Maybe it’s simple relief that makes Magnus find it charming. “I wasn’t out back then. My parents arranged a marriage, and I was so deep in the closet that I didn’t know how to get out.”

“This story is truly scintillating, Alexander, but I’m glad you got out eventually.” Magnus quirks a smile, some of the tension easing out of him when it’s met with a smirk. The thought of Alec being with a woman (or really anyone) shouldn’t affect him at all, but here he is, a sour taste lingering in his mouth. Christ.

“That was the last time somebody called me that. Alexander,” Alec clarifies. “Right before I said No in front of the altar and came out to half of the city’s old money families. My mother almost fainted from sheer outrage, and my father told me to be a man and go through with it anyway. Which in return made me almost faint because I couldn’t breathe around my anger and disappointment.”

“I take it that’s part of the reason for your strained relationship?” Magnus isn’t sure what’s worse. Having a father who shows so little regard to his son’s feelings, or one who isn’t around at all. Either way, they both drew the short straw.

“My mother eventually came around but I haven’t seen my father since then.” Alec doesn’t look particularly upset. An old wound then. Magnus knows more about old wounds than he cares to admit. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t occasionally hurt.

“That wasn’t an easy thing to do. I’m proud of you, Alexan—Alec.”

“No, I like it.” Alec leans forward, their hands touching unerringly again. Just a brush of their fingertips, but it grounds Magnus, soothes his scraped raw nerves. Alec seems to feel the same because his eyes are bright and warm when he looks at Magnus. “It sounds different from you, like it matters. Like I matter.”

Magnus swallows around a lump in his throat. "You do matter. So much," he says, his voice hoarse, and he means it. To me. All of this may seem like a forgotten dream tomorrow. Magnus feels torn, spread thin by sharing so much of himself. He's unsure how much of what he feels are his own emotions and how much is a product of the intimacy that's forced on them, but Magnus knows that Alec is special. However they will go on from here, nothing will change that and Magnus will be richer for having been allowed to spend time with him.

Nodding jerkily, Alec smiles. A private, tiny thing that's all the more precious because Magnus put it there. "Thank you."

"Well then, second to last one. Shall we?" Magnus reaches for the next card of the now significantly smaller stack, eager to break the silence that follows after their last exchange. It's not an uncomfortable silence, quite the contrary. He has an inkling that quiet times with Alec are something to be cherished, but this moment feels private and he's reluctant to share it with whoever is undoubtedly listening in.

"Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?" Magnus reads the question and now it's his turn to mutter 'for fuck's sake'.

Goddamn, all of a sudden he's so sick of this soul striptease. Getting to know Alec has been nothing short of a revelation but Magnus wouldn't mind continuing their conversation over a triple shot latte and some lighter topics. He has opinions about Prada's spring collection and a feeling that Alec might just humor him. As he does right now, waiting patiently while Magnus mentally cartwheels through his thirty seconds of conniption.

"You okay?" Alec's voice is warm, soothing, a hint of concern deepening it. If that's his interrogation voice, criminals from all over the city must be standing in line.

"Yeah, let's get this over with." Magnus forces a smile, dropping it immediately when Alec gives him an unimpressed look. Well, it was worth a try. "This is a sore topic and in a way one of the reasons I'm here today."

Not even his best friends know what's sitting on the tip of Magnus' tongue. He pauses, looking at Alec for—he isn't quite sure what but receives nod and a smile anyway, and that's what makes him jump. "There's a box on the shelf of my office. It contains tokens from everyone I've ever been in a relationship with. Some remind me of happy times, lovers who crossed my path and we were right for each other until we weren't anymore."

"And some memories were not so happy?"

"I've loved once with everything I had, only to find out that person betrayed me in any way possible. I closed myself off years after that. Until—“ Today. Magnus carefully looks down on his flawlessly painted nails, not quite sure what he's implying. He's not in love with Alec. It's impossible. "Once or twice each year I open that box and go through its contents. It reminds me that I'm capable of love. Even if it isn't in the cards for me right now, which is entirely my fault, it gives me hope that one day I will find somebody who loves me the way I deserve. And that's why I would save that box even if the whole building would collapse around me."

"It's not your fault, it's that person's fault." Alec looks genuinely upset, a deep furrow between his eyes marring his lovely features. "But I get it. I don't love easily and I don't let myself be loved easily. Or so I've been told."

Magnus laughs ruefully. "What a pair we make."

"I'd say a pretty good one." Alec meets Magnus' eyes without reservation, frank and so soft it makes Magnus tremble with the effort to sort through his warring emotions.

"Put on the headphones on, start the tape, and stare into each others eyes for four minutes," Alec reads after picking up the last card. He barks out a laugh. "Now they're going easy on us?"

Magnus isn't so sure about that, but he's pleasantly surprised when the tape provides merely a background of ambient noise that fades into nothingness. Combined with the stark white of the room it feels like Magnus is falling, his world shrinking, their surroundings fading until it's just the two of them.

There's a green ring around the hazel of Alec's eyes, faint laugh lines Magnus didn't notice before surrounding them. It's a comforting thought that despite his often gruesome job, Alec still likes to laugh. As someone who celebrates life, Magnus can’t even imagine facing death in all its forms each day. If he had to, though, laughing with friends and family would be an absolute necessity to hang on to his humanity.

Right on cue, Alec smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. It softens his classic features, makes Magnus wonder how he'll look when he outright laughs with his head thrown back in mirth or happiness.

An image of Alec stretched out on the golden sheets in his loft flashes through Magnus' mind, Alec’s face relaxed in sleep and his lashes casting shadows against the crest of his cheek in the early morning light.

Magnus never takes anyone home.

Maybe it’s the heat that’s creeping up his neck, maybe his thoughts are splashed all over his face, but as soon as Magnus’ imagination takes flight, Alec’s gaze drops to his mouth again and the room around them grows several degrees hotter.

With the temperature, Magnus' heart rate spikes too. They aren't even touching but his skin prickles with Alec's imagined touch, and in the back of Magnus' mind his thoughts from earlier are rushing back to mock him. Instant attraction kills any possibility for deeper feelings? The hot mess of emotions in his chest, an explosive mix of want and something much softer, tells a different story.

Magnus wants. It’s not a new experience. He’s burned hot and fast like this before, but it’s been a long time since it felt like kindling rather than straw fire. Yes, he wants Alec with an intensity that feels like a punch to the chest, but at the same time he’s suffused with an inexplicable bone-deep satisfaction that’s rooted in the joy of simply being in Alec’s company.

Four minutes should last an eternity. In this room with Alec, they are over in the blink of an eye. Magnus startles when the tape runs out, the silence almost deafening around them. Before he can think of something witty to say, the door across the room opens, and an assistant calls for Alec to follow. His own name rings out a second later.

Everything goes so fast, Magnus doesn’t have the presence of mind to protest, to tell them No, he needs to talk to Alec. He remembers being briefed about the protocol, but right now he doesn’t give a damn. He doesn’t even have Alec’s number.

As a scientist, Magnus knows that experiments need to be documented and evaluated with utmost diligence. He also knows that the research assistant who asks him even more questions than he just answered is only doing her job. By signing the agreement before he went through that door, he agreed to everything that's happening now.

All rational thinking though can't alleviate the growing sense of urgency that makes Magnus snappish and even more impatient by the minute. Biting his tongue when the assistant's tablet crashes for the third time, Magnus is only mollified when she asks his consent to give his contact information to Alec. He signs that form with a bit of extra flourish, grumbling just a little when she rolls her eyes that yes, Mr. Lightwood will be asked to do the same. Well, maybe Magnus asked twice, but scientists can't be trusted.

After yet another technical mishap with the printer, Magnus is finally re-released into the real world. He's still thrumming with nervous energy and too many emotions, but he takes his time buttoning his coat and binding his scarf. Even if Alec decided to stick around and wait for him, he’d be long gone by now. Even angels aren't this patient. He'll have to wait for Alec's contact information or his call, hoping against all hope that the tablet saved at least this bit of information. Damn. Patience admittedly isn't a virtue he can claim for himself.

Magnus steps out of the building, ducking his head against the cold and debating on which direction to take. A walk and maybe a cup of coffee might do him some good to clear his head. So caught up in his thoughts, Magnus only notices Alec unfolding his tall frame from one of the benches lining the street when they're already standing close enough to touch.

"Alexander!" Magnus breathes full of wonder, reaching out for him at the same moment Alec reaches for him.

"I thought I missed you," Alec says quietly, fisting his hands into the lapels of Magnus’ coat. His nose is red from the cold, and he's shivering in his too thin jacket because he waited for Magnus.

Something in Magnus cracks. A surge of warmth sweeps through him, sweet and heavy, leaving a dull roar in its wake that makes it impossible to form a thought beyond Yes.

It must show on his face, or maybe he said it out loud. Everything slows down as he tilts up his face and watches Alec’s eyes drop to his mouth again, their breath mingling in the chilly air between them. Alec’s skin is cold as he brings a hand up and strokes his thumb over Magnus’ cheek, but it still leaves a path of heat that sends Magnus’ heart racing.

“Can I—”Alec starts, his lovely brown eyes almost black when Magnus nods.

“Hey” someone shouts, a bicycle bell ringing up a storm behind them because they’re standing in the middle of the pavement. The moment is broken, and Magnus sighs with regret as he feels Alec straighten. Despite his warm coat, he suddenly shivers. Neither of them moves, though, the cyclist already gone and forgotten.

“Fuck,” Magnus says with feeling.

“Fuck,” Alec agrees and huffs out a laugh, brushing the back of his fingers against Magnus’ cheek. It almost makes up for the kiss Magnus was robbed of. “Should we get a drink first?”

“I was just about to get coffee.” Magnus nods and steps back, starting into the direction of a little coffee shop he saw on his way here. “You look like you could do with a something hot. Other than me.”

Alec laughs, throwing his head back before he quickly falls into step with Magnus. He looks even better than Magnus imagined. It’s only a short walk, seemingly even quicker with the additional spring in Magnus’ step. He didn’t miss the first in Alec’s question about getting a drink, and Magnus always collects.

***

Alec squeezes his eyes shut and rolls onto his back with a groan. It’s late already, little specks of dust dancing in the pale sunlight that’s streaming through a gap in the curtains. The other half of the bed is empty, he can tell by the lack of weight against his side, so he might as well get up. Not bothering with more than a pair of boxers, Alec steps out of the bedroom, following the delicious smell of fresh coffee and pancakes.

He could get used to this vacation thing. Especially if the first thing that greets him is the sight of Magnus in nothing but a pair of boxers and his favorite apron.

“Morning, Mr. Lightwood-Bane,” Alec murmurs as he steps behind Magnus and slides his arms around his middle, mindful of the spatula Magnus is brandishing. “This smells amazing.”

“Good morning to you, too, Mr. Lightwood-Bane.” Magnus tilts his head, giving Alec better access for the row of kisses he lays against his throat. “They better smell amazing. I had to borrow butter from Mrs. Rafferty downstairs because somebody distracted me yesterday and we never made it to the grocery store.”

“Isn’t that the purpose of a honeymoon?” Alec hums, stealing a bit of the pancake Magnus slides onto a plate. “Staying in bed all day and never leave the house?”

“Larceny before noon, detective?” Magnus scolds, his voice mock-stern as he swats at Alec’s hand. “We should at least stock up on food. I think I’m still blushing after listening to Mrs. Rafferty prattle on about the many creative uses of butter.”

“Did you learn anything interesting?”Alec grins and fills two cups of coffee, sitting down at the table while Magnus carries over their plates. His apron says ‘kiss the cook, often and everywhere’, framed by a glittery heart. Alec would be a terrible cop if he couldn’t carry out a direct order, and Magnus doesn’t even try to resist when Alec pulls him into his lap and starts on the arduous task to kiss him breathless.

Breakfast turns into brunch as they share small bites of pancake between kisses, each one longer and heavier than the last, their hands roaming over hot skin in long caresses. It’s only been three months since Alec snapped at Izzy for signing him up for an experiment he thought to be utterly pointless, three months filled with love and happiness and Magnus. Everyone, even their closest friends and family, called them crazy when they invited them for their impromptu wedding last week, but Alec couldn’t care less. This—Magnus is it for him, and he knows Magnus feels the same, so why wait?

Eventually, they’ll have to emerge from their touch-drunk bubble and face the real world again. Neither of them had been able to take off more than one week from work on such short notice, and there was no time for a proper vacation. Alec thinks he likes this even better, just the two of them in their home. They have a lifetime for traveling together. One honeymoon trip every year sounds about right to Alec.

They'll have to buy something nice for Izzy for making him go to that experiment. Maybe a toaster, but unlike Izzy, toasters belong into the kitchen and can explode, so perhaps a fruit basket.

"Alexander, I’m afraid you're not doing a very good job," Magnus interrupts his thoughts and wriggles a little in his lap, tugging on his apron. "Kiss me, or do I have to call the cops?”

“I’m sure that won’t be necessary,” Alec murmurs against Magnus’ lips. He does take orders very well.

#malec #malec fic #shadowhunters #My writing

[deathbyvalentine]

WWR

Addiction

Last year, the decision was easy. Accidentally drink demon blood, detox, fight the urges for months upon months while feeling like shit. Simple enough - Ash had a fuck ton of willpower and the hatred of the supernatural to carry her through. Now though. Now it wasn’t so simple.

She pressed her head against the cool porcelain of the bath in Tammy’s bathroom. She had been throwing up for over an hour now, so violent it was almost a convulsion. Shakes wracked through her, making her spill the water on the way to her mouth. She closed her eyes, forcing herself to breathe evenly.

There were two factors. One - was there any point trying to fight against something that was it turned out, was inherently her nature? She was made this way not just by one factor, but multiple forces all playing their hand. She was barely human, between the blood and the fates and the coin. 

Factor two - it was impossible to deny how much better she was when she was high. She was quicker, stronger, bolder. She was powerful. She could kill or exorcise demons with a touch or a luck. That Ash didn’t feel guilt, didn’t feel anxiety, didn’t spend hours scared of her own thoughts. Wasn’t it more useful? And now she was technically dead, she was pretty sure the demon blood would help out that that screaming terror she felt in her head whenever her thoughts strayed to her pale skin, her blue fingertips.

Crucially, another factor came to mind. Ash had opened her eyes and closed them again when she saw the blood soaked child standing in the bathroom, lights flickering. When she was high, she didn’t see Violet or any of the other monsters that had been following her for years. Either because the blood healed that fractured part of her mind or because it was enough to keep ghosts at bay, she didn’t know. It didn’t matter. The fact was there and since the revelation that had destroyed her, Ash wasn’t sure if she was strong enough to face her sister anymore. Blood would keep her and the guilt far away.

_________________________________________________

Fae games

She wasn’t sure why it mattered to her so much, but it definitely did. Maybe it was the final straw after losing an eye, having her lip split open. Maybe it was the fact it was done without any permission at all. But she was most definitely not impressed by the purple scribbles that had appeared on her face, as embedded as tattoos. 

She was a little vain. Her body was studded with scars and staples,  her clothes usually a little threadbare and stained. Her face and her hair mattered to her. It was all that got her into any beds at all, as let’s face it, her personality didn’t do any of the heavy lifting. If she wasn’t pretty, that was a major kick to her already limited charisma. Which of course, the fae and half the men in the room didn’t understand, making her feel like she was overreacting which only made her angrier. 

With a sigh, she opened her phone. Time to order a bulk pile of foundation to Izzy’s place she guessed.

_____________________________________________________-

Riding towards the apocalypse

In her dream, she was utterly alone. Fog lay heavy around her ankles and the sky above her was grey. She had never been in a forest like the one she was currently in. The trees towered above her like dead skyscrapers, the leaves ashen. The only sounds were her footsteps on the soil and dead leaves littering the forest floor. She wasn’t breathing, she didn’t hear her heartbeat in her ears. Her breath did not add to the lingering mist. She walked, though she wasn’t sure what for. Something was calling her forward, a force as strong as magnetism, as irresistible.

The clearing appeared suddenly.  One moment there was a line of trees and the next there was not. In the middle of the clearing, her horse stood. She knew it was her horse the same way she knew her own name. She stepped forward, aware she was trembling slightly.

It was huge, a thoroughbred for sure, its coat a velvet black that almost shone. Its breathing sent clouds of steam from it and it eyed her with no fear, only a curiosity. She approached carefully, catching hold of the reins where they hung down. It had no saddle, but it did have a bridle. She ran her hand down the horses snout, amazed at how warmly it nuzzled into her until both of them were resting heads against each other. It was only when she carded her fingers through its dark mane she woke up.

She knew two things for certain as she sat upright in bed, wearily rubbing at her eyes. That was her horse, the horse that Famine road. And that it existed somewhere more waking than dreams.

_____________________________________________________

Back from the dead

The jolt felt like being shot. And she knew what being shot felt like. The metal lodging deep in her chest. The shock waves coming off it in harsh ripples. The feeling of being dragged up from a deep, dark place. A place where no light reached. A place where there was nothing, nothing at all. Not even her.

Thrown from there into this room, this room where there was light and warmth and people, people peering at her, music playing from a distant room, the feel of her gloves on her hands, so much sensation, so much jostle, so much noise. It hit her hard, a wall of input.

She didn’t mean to start crying but she did, hands flying to her mouth to try and muffle the desperately broken sounds. She couldn’t articulate the two horrors she just felt. Horror one; feeling the life eek from her body as her blood fell into the earth, numbness spreading first from her fingertips up and up, cold falling into her bones, vision falling from her eyes until the black enveloped her completely. Horror two: that same black. Is this what awaited them all after death, the normal ones, the ones that didn’t make deals? No heaven, no hell, nothing but the cold dark where no light could live. If Ash knew one thing, just one thing it was this: monsters lived in the dark. And there was so, so much dark. Waiting for her, waiting for them all.

Ash had never been afraid of death. Not of heavenly reward nor hellish punishment. But now she was afraid of something far, far worse. The nothing that was just beyond this life. Ash desperately, painfully didn’t want to die. And now all that was stopping her from falling into that void was the coin beating in her chest. She clamped a hand just below her throat, feeling the cold there. She’d take this half-life over no life at all.

______________________________________________________

Family 

She watched them surround John, with calming words and touches. It was easy enough to slip into the dark of the manors gardens. She knew nobody would follow her. Loneliness was comforting in its reliability. She found a bench, curling up as small as she could, a shield against the deep night. 

She loved them but she would never be embraced like him. She was too odd, too standoffish, too bad at people. She wasn’t easy to love. She knew that and she never knew it more keenly than in this moment. It was sharp and unkind, a thought that would never go away. It would bloom like some unwanted flower.

It was John that came to find her eventually, a situation unfurling inside that could really use her intervention. She bid goodbye to the hunter next to her, Mccall. She had been rather charmed by his clumsy attempts to comfort her, honest and well meaning. It showed the good heart he had, shining through, despite everything. 

She had for a long while thought that goodness was determined mostly by species. But maybe there were no good species or bad species. Maybe it was about individuals. Some people were just born wrong and she was one of them, Born bad, born with a thorn in her side. John was good. So was Sean and Bekah and Tammy and Izzy and Cordy. She knew this as she knew her own name. She wondered, if deep down, they knew she was bad. That too, would make sense.

__________________________________________________________

Depth Perception

It was driving her nuts. She knocked glasses off sides, bumped into doors, tripped on stairs. No task was simple now and that was even without the deep revulsion she felt when she had to clean out the socket where her eye once sat. She changed the dressing daily, unable to stop looking at her reflection in the mirror. On some levels the grotesqueness suited her. The outside matched the inside. Her look was edging towards her destiny.

It gave her a good excuse to spend a lot of time in the makeshift range they had at Cordy’s. She had to learn to compensate for the lack of vision. Learn to line up her arm with the line of sight, get her accuracy back to where it once was. It was frustratingly slow going but the methodical physical action was good for her. Breathe in, breathe out. Hold your arm steady. Don’t blink. Know where your target is even if you shut your eyes. 

She went through more bullets then than she had in the literal Somme. She felt better for it though, cleaning her gun afterwards (indeed with more care than she cleaned her socket). It didn’t matter if she looked dangerous or frightening. She was dangerous and frightening. And she could still shoot better than damn near anyone.

_________________________________________________________

Police Raid

Ah.  A problem she could solve. She couldn’t quite keep the grin off her face as she grabbed Cordy’s mobile phone so she could get a better shot of the closest officer’s face. Annoyed, they tried to snatch the phone from her hands but she weaved backwards easily, oddly graceful. “No. It is perfectly legal within the UK to film an encounter with an officer as long as it isn’t impeding an arrest.” It tripped off her tongue easily, by heart.

As did the rest of her rights. She had already hidden her weapons, a place she was sure nobody would look, but that wasn’t the point. The point was creating a distraction for those that hadn’t been so quick. There was also another, slightly grander purpose that she would never admit to anyone as it was far too idealistic and starry eyed to fit her image at all. She genuinely believed that it was her duty to use these rights, to fiercely protect them and utilise them. The police hoped you didn’t remember them, it made their jobs so much easier. Ash, as always, refused to make things easy. This country needed to be careful it didn’t grimly slide into the image of America were police broke laws and rights as easily as a twig.

Their guns didn’t scare her. Their masks didn’t scare her. She had seen worse things on a biweekly basis. Her grin and her confidence made them uneasy, she could tell. They relied on being able to induce fear. With a quick blink, she began asking for their warrants. 

________________________________________________________

Paying the cost.

Snap. A collarbone breaking. Thud. Her head meeting a wall.  Bang. A bullet lodged deep into her thigh. Knifes into hands, rope around her throat, claws down her chest. There were too many breaks, slices and impacts to name. Her body was a map of bad decisions and impulsive moments. Staples littered her abdomen, glinting like teeth. Scars shone like moonlight.

Visions. Nightmares. Hallucinations. Tainted blood. Withdrawal. A severe lack of sleep, a drinking problem and commitment issues. Her mind too bore the marks of her life and they were not as easily hidden under fabric.

And now there was something else. Her eyes were darker. Her skin had a sickly pallor, circles under her eyes were now a dark purple. Her lips, once very pink, had a tinge of blue, as did her nail beds. Her hair hung lank no matter how  times she washed it. She was hungry, constantly. Sleep embraced her like an old friend but she woke up screaming from the darkness, causing Izzy to rush in, wrap her arms around her and turn on the light.

She was dead. It was an indisputable fact and she felt it deeply. Feelings were dulled. Sensations too. Everything seemed a little greyer, a little further away. She was already half a ghost, existing in a world that should have eluded her. Only a coin in her chest and a sense of duty keeping her away from the grave.

______________________________________________________

Crushes

Kara. With her gorgeous grin and her strength. When she wrapped her arms around Ash, she felt like she was anchored. Like she couldn’t just disappear. She was a hundred comforting things, flannel shirts, take out, binge watching TV. She was warm autumn nights and lazy mornings. And she was good in a way Ash would never be.

Alice. Ash could talk to her about anything, anything at all and Alice wouldn’t look at her like she was crazy. She had been hypnotising when she danced, one of the only people that seemed to understand what the music meant to Ash. She was beautiful, decorated with a halo of darkness.

Nora. Poor, poor Nora. Ash couldn’t think about her.

Reggie. Reggie who was fun incarnate, who lit up a room with nothing but a smile and a cigarette. She could be a hell of a distraction. She could be as intoxicating as the whiskey Ash so loved, a divine way of forgetting. A partner in crime, a partner in the apocalypse.

Audrey. Leather and red lipstick and not taking her shit. Someone that knew her in a way nobody else did. She alone had held her missing flyers, had seen the nightmare that was her sister’s body. She was clever and quick and no nonsense and handsome as fuck in a suit.

Laura. Cool and hot and way, way out of her league. She seemed like the type of cool that was only interested in irony and sex which Ash could happily provide. Her tone tended to have eighteen layers of meaning and she could only guess at a couple.

Bella. Her heart skipped a beat whenever she looked at her. She wanted to trace the outlines of her scars. Her blood called to some broken part of her, but her personality called to all the protective parts of Ash. She knew sister troubles, she knew demons and temptation. Ash knew from a single moment that if anyone laid a finger on the girl, she would rip them apart without a single thought. She was soft with her. Only her.

_______________________________________________________-

Jessica Jones marathon

She hadn’t exactly made an effort with her appearance. Bella had seen her soaked in blood after all, screaming. There was no coming back from that really. But she had washed until she smelt of nothing but violets and all her injuries were freshly and cleanly bandaged. It occurred to her that she didn’t know how many dates Bella had been on. She wanted to make it good. But she also didn’t want to freak her out with formality and pomp. 

She took the middle ground. A bottle of whiskey rather than wine, a backpack full of snacks. The one thing she had decided to lean into fully was bringing flowers. Dark red roses, thorns still attached. The idea of handing them over made her cheeks burn but she refused to back down. She had come this far damn it.

Jessica Jones and booze. What more could anybody want?

#wayward road #larp #prose #prompts

[jamesbarnesappreciationsociety]

James Barnes Family Man Part 1: Isabella Marie

Summary: Discovering love in an unexpected place.

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x OFC Jillian

Additional Character: Isabella Marie

Warnings: Extreme fluff

Word Count: 1,322

A/N: The first chapter of “James Barnes Family Man.” It’s my first series! Thanks to @suz-123 for helping me. Any grammatical and punctuation errors were made by yours truly.

COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME!!!

Ah, yes Father’s Day, the hallowed 3rd Sunday in June. Some dad’s consider it Holy Grail Sunday because their loved ones showers them with breakfast in bed, homemade crafts, and a vast array of gifts; ranging from ties, tools, and fishing equipment.

Too bad for James Buchanan Barnes, although he wanted kids, his fragile mind told him no child would ever love a monster like him. Little did he know, the stars aligned perfectly and his dream would come true. Jillian brought sunshine into the dark and dismal caverns in his head.

Their meeting was pure happenstance. He, Steve and Sam decided to explore the city. Since neither super soldier had ever been to a department store in the 21st century, this turned into a field trip!

As the trio meandered through a maze of aisles and people at Macy’s, someone caught his eye. There she was at the Men’s Fragrance counter, cherry brown shoulder length hair, olive skin, brilliant smile and well defined figure. It wasn’t his intention to buy anything but all of a sudden he needed, no wanted cologne.

“S’cuse me ma’am. Can’ya tell me what smells good nowadays?

“Good afternoon sir. My goodness, there’s so many to choose from. You have no idea what you’d like?”

“Nah. What would you like to smell on a man?”

Tapping a finger on her perfect chin, Jillian chose “Invictus” by Paco Rabanne.

She sprayed a small piece of construction paper and handed it to Bucky..

“Wow, this is nice. You’ve got good taste, Doll.” Jillian blushed.

With the transaction completed, she thanked Bucky. “Enjoy your cologne.”

Summoning courage, Bucky asked her name. “Jillian.” Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink.

“M’James but my friends call me Bucky.” “Pleased to meet you Bucky.”

Following the initial meeting, she and Bucky met for coffee, dinner dates, picnics in the park.

Jillian explained trepidations about him meeting 3 year old Isabella Marie. Izzy, as she’s affectionately called, was abandoned by her father at birth. He no longer desired to be a parent. Bucky didn’t want a fly by night fling; he wanted forever, showing Jillian everyday.

Time had come to meet Izzy. Bucky sweated profusely. “Calm down, Buck. You’re gonna be fine pal.” Steve leaned against the door jamb. “What if she doesn’t like me? What’ll her ma think?” “Trust me, you’ll be alright.”

“Randy’s Ice Cream Emporium,” a quaint little shop with multi-colored awnings, large windows, cute blue chairs. Jillian chose here because it was Izzy’s “happy place.” Bucky brought a bouquet of flowers for Jillian and a pink rose, minus the thorns for Izzy.

Beaming, Jillian greeted Bucky. “Hi.” “Hi yourself. How are ya?” Sitting at the table coloring was the world’s cutest 3 year old. Curly brown hair, soft grey eyes and a smile that melted the hardest hearts.

“Isabella, this is James. James, this is Isabella.” “You can call me Bucky.” The little girl smiled and Bucky fell under her spell. “Hi Buckwoo. I Izzy.”

Jillian watched the interaction between her daughter and Bucky. She wasn’t afraid of his arm. It’s as if they’d known each other for years. “Here, wanna color?” “Okay.” Izzy climbed in his lap smiling.

Bucky and Izzy were two peas in a pod. Playing hide and seek, coloring and baking cookies.

Aware of ever present danger, Jillian and Izzy  moved into the compound. It was an adjustment. Izzy didn’t mind. She loved spending time with Auntie Nat and Wanna.

Tony cleared a floor the family. Izzy’s room was filled with teddy bears, dolls, tea sets and princess accessories, including tiaras and feather boas! Two more rooms became “Princess Izzy Land”. Her “kingdom” consisted of a huge playhouse, gym set with two swings, seesaw and sliding board nestled on the best indoor turf money can buy.

On any given day, Princess Izzy would “hold court”. Steve, Bucky and Sam were her loyal subjects. She instructed them to sit on the floor, placing a tiara atop their heads with a feather   boa wrapped around their necks and have tea. Jillian, Nat, Wanda and Tony stumbled upon Her Royal Highness having tea and crumpets with the oversized commoners of “Izzy Land.” Snickering in the background, flashes of light captured the moment, as raucous laughter erupted.

As Father’s Day approached, Jillian planned something special for Bucky, but at the last minute, he and Steve were called away on a mission and didn’t know if they would be home in time. She and Izzy were disappointed, especially the little one. When Bucky left, Izzy always cried. He’d already made up his mind to leave the field once he and Jillian were married. Being a full-time husband and dad outweighed missions.

Saturday before Father’s Day, Izzy whispered in her momma’s ear the surprise from her to Bucky.

Later that evening, Bucky and Steve returned. Izzy jumped from the sofa in their apartment and ran to Bucky’s waiting arms.

“Buckwoo, Buckwoo you here!!!”

“Yes sweetheart, I’m here. Missed you and your momma so much.”

Izzy wrapped her tiny arms around his neck as far as she could and kissing him on the nose and cheek. Jillian’s eyes watered. The two most important people in her life were there and all was right with the world.

Father’s Day was around the corner. Izzy enlisted Wanda’s help. “Auntie Wanna, help me write to Buckwoo.” “I’d be happy to. What should it say?”

“Dear Daddy Buckwoo, I love you. Kisses, Sugar Plum Princess Izzy.”

On the front, she colored three stick figures, Mommy, Izzy and Daddy Buckwoo, decorated with Princess stickers!

FATHER’S DAY 6:50 a.m.

Pots and pans rattled in the kitchen, startling Bucky and Jillian. Stealthily, Bucky stood in the hallway watching Izzy set up her pink wagon with cereal, juice in a sippy cup, spoon and handmade card.

“Izzy has a surprise for me. Shhhh, here she comes.”

Carefully, Izzy pulled her wagon to Bucky’s side of the bed and laid her hand on his face.

“Hey Sugar Plum, what’re you doing up so early? Is everything okay?”

“Happy Fodder’s Day Buckwoo, I love you.”

Having a family wasn’t on Bucky’s “to do” list. Fate had other ideas making it possible not only for a loving girlfriend, but a daughter as well.

“I made this for you. Auntie Wanna wote it.” On blue construction paper were 3 colored stick figures, stickers and an adorable message inside.

Bucky became emotional. “Sugar Plum, thank you so much.”

“Daddy Buckwoo, are you sad? Don’t cry.”.  

“Oh Sugar Plum, I’m not sad. Matter of fact, ya made me extremely happy.”

Jillian pulled a huge box from under the bed. “Sweetheart, here’s my gift. Open it.”

Inside, the leather jacket Bucky admired 7 months ago. “Doll, this is the jacket I wanted! How….when?”

“I’ve had it awhile. Nat kept it safe in her closet.” Bucky kissed Jillian deeply. “I gotta surprise for  you and Izzy.”

Getting down on one knee, he asked Jillian to marry him and adopt Izzy. “I ain’t good with words. You and Izzy are my world. I’d be the luckiest knucklehead in the world if ya marry me. Also, I wanna adopt Sugar Plum. How ‘bout it?”

One velvet box contained a pear shaped Vera Wang engagement ring. The second box was a small gold necklace with Isabella Marie engraved on a heart.

Jillian nodded ‘yes.’ Izzy jumped up and down on the bed singing.

Father’s Day would never be the same! James Buchanan Barnes live has come full circle.No way in hell he’d allow ANYONE to take that away from him!

@suz-123 @rebelslicious @pegasusdragontiger @goodnightwife @bolontiku @stars8melanin @ek823 @yknott81 @crazy-little-thing-called-buck

#bucky barnes x ofc jillian #james buchanan barnes family man #isabella marie #bucky barnes #bucky imagine #marvel #mcu #happy bucky #daddy bucky

[sinsiriuslyemo]

Dearest readers,

Here is episode 25 of the final season. I’m so so so so so so sorry, but we’re going to be having a mid-season one week hiatus. Both of us are getting story fatigue and we’re afraid of it affecting the quality of the episodes. Being that this is the final season, we don’t want that at all. So I hope you guys will understand, there will be no Cuba v DR for one week. But we have decided to hold another contest in that week and will post details very soon (like later today or tomorrow morning). Thank you guys so much for your readership and your understanding! We love you!

Sinceriously,

Amanda

EPISODE 25

Eddies fingers trembled as he held his papers from the clerk's office. He moved into the living room of his place, reading them over and over again. He was actually doing this. He had an official date for his paternity case. He felt a sudden rush of panic, sitting down and trying to calm his rapid breathing. He felt the blood pulsing in his body, the tingles of panic in his fingertips.

“This is my son,” he whispered to himself. “I can do this.”

A knock on his door made him jolt in his seat and he let out a breath as he stood. Looking through the peephole, he opened the door to Rafael.

“Hey, I got your message. Are you okay?” his uncle asked as he stepped inside.

“I’m not sure,” he mumbled. “I got my court date.” He handed the papers over to Rafael, hands still slightly trembling. “Fuck this is really happening.”

Rafael read over the court document, nodding his head. “You know once you establish paternity, Melanie will be entitled to file for child support if she wants to.”

“I’ll drop out of school if I have to. Pay everything they ask. I just want to know him, tio. I want to know my son.”

“I know, I just wanna make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into,” Rafael answered. “I take it the talk with her didn’t go well?”

“She’s furious at me. She doesn’t get it.”

Rafael tipped his head from one side to the other. “She might have her reasons, Eddie.”

“If it was Roxie keeping you from your baby, would you give up?”

“It’s different situation, Eddie,” Rafael answered. “I’m not telling you not to go through with it, I’m just saying that she has her truth, too. Just like you have yours.”

“I don’t want to hurt her or put her through this but she won’t let me do anything with him. I want to know my son. He needs a father.”

“You do whatever you think is best, but just remember--”

A knock on the door cut Rafael off and he furrowed his brows at Eddie as the young man went to answer.

“Can I help you?” Eddie asked.

“Are you Eduardo Cuervos?”

Eddie knitted his brows and nodded. “Yes, I am. Who are you?”

“My name is Captain Leonard Williams, I’m the commanding officer over at the 33rd precinct in Washington Heights. I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time,” Williams said, showing Eddie his badge.

“What’s this about?”

“I’m looking for a woman named Reina Rodriguez?”

Eddie tensed. “Yeah, what about her?”

“I understand you knew her rather well,” Williams said.

“We haven’t spoken in years.”

“When was the last time you spoke with her?” Williams asked.

Eddie thought for a moment. “Shit I dunno, we hooked up a few times since we broke up but not since I was eighteen. Why?”

“She’s missing,” Williams replied, tilting his head. “And we have reason to believe that she’s responsible for the shooting that occured in Highbridge Park, where your sister was shot.”

“What? Reina is a psycho but she wouldn’t be a part of shooting children. And if she ever wanted to run she wouldn’t come to me. Will all due respect sir, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“Well, we have solid evidence that she was there, son. The question is whether or not she was running the show and we have evidence that suggests she was in charge,” Williams answered as he took out a business card from his pocket. “So, if you hear from her, I’d appreciate it if you gave me a call.”

Eddie took the car and stared at it before nodding. “Thank you, Captain Williams,” he mumbled.

“Thank you,” Williams replied, glancing at Rafael, who had been completely silent during the entire exchange. “Aren’t you ADA Barba?”

Rafael nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“He’s my uncle,” Eddie offered.

“Oh, I see,” Williams replied, smiling softly before he looked back to Eddie. “I appreciate your help, Eduardo. Thank you for your time. Nice to meet you, Mr. Barba.”

“Likewise, Captain,” Rafael said, giving the larger man a nod as he turned and walked back down the hall.

Eddie looked to his uncle. “What the fuck was that? I’m not involved with Reina.”

“I don’t know…” Rafael mumbled, still looking at the door, which was now shut. After a moment he looked back at his nephew. “Eddie, listen...if the police is looking into what happened at Highbridge Park, it’s only a matter of time before they start closing in on Nevada…”

“I’m not involved,” he whispered.

“I know that,” Rafael replied. “But I also know how highly unusual it is for a captain to leave the precinct in order to question a civilian. Just trust me, I have a bad feeling about this. For Mateo’s sake, just be careful.”

You walked into the diner near Rafael’s old apartment and found Izzy sitting in a booth by the window. Going over you smiled at her and sat down, ordering a coffee for yourself.

“How are you? Nevada told me about Vincent...are you okay?” you asked.

Her bottom lip trembled as she shook her head. “No I’m scared,” she whispered. She switched to sit on the same side of the booth as you so she could hug into you. She seemed to calm the moment you hugged back.

“Why are you scared? Don’t tell me Vincent was stupid enough to come see you,” you replied.

“No, I just…” her heart twisted. “I don’t want him out…”

“Neither do I, but he is...it doesn’t mean you have let it take over your life,” you said.

“I don’t know how to keep it out of my head,” she whispered.

“Focus on things you enjoy doing, things that make you happy,” you said.

“What If I can't focus?”

“Then you close your eyes and picture the love you’re working towards. What does it look like, smell like, what’s the temperature. By the time you’re done describing it, you’ll be a lot calmer.”

“Does that shit actually work?”

“Yes, it does,” you said softly.

“Okay...okay, maybe you’re right. I mean, it’s not like he’s come to see me or anything. By the way, thank Nevada for me,” she said.

You smiled and nodded. “I will pass along the message,” you said softly, stroking her hair. “You know, I used to dream of having a little sister when I was a kid. If carrying around his ugly baby doll and call it my little sister. Rafi would take care of me and I’d take care of her.” You smiled down at Izzy. “I wanted to braid her hair, and we could talk about who we were dating and tell each other secrets that we’d definitely not tell Rafi because he was a boy.”

Izzy laughed at the thought, looking at you. “Did you really want a sister that much? You were so mad when you found out, I just figured…”

“People process in different ways. I was more angry about the lie. I was mad that all of this time I could have spent being your older sister, I felt like it had been taken from me.”

“I was worried you’d be mad, you’d isolate me and hate me.”

“You made the choice for me,” you said, echoing your mother’s words as you looked down and silently cursed at what an asshat you had been. “We’ll never know what choice I would have made but I will tell you one thing, I would have never hated you. You were innocent in all of this. The same way you are now. Bad people have come into your life. Maybe they changed you, that’s okay. As long as they don’t take who you are. And I love who you are, Izzy. My creative and beautiful little sister.”

When you looked back up you saw the shimmer of tears in you sister’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

Izzy sniffed and hugged you tight. “I’ve just always wanted to hear something like that from you.”

You smiled and hugged back. “If you’ve been waiting this long I haven’t don’t my job as a big sister. I love you, Izzy. Nothing you do will ever change that. I know you’re close with Rafi, I get it. But I want us to be closer too. Okay?”

Izzy thought for a moment. “Do you think you could teach me Spanish?” she whispered. “I never learned and I’ve always wanted to.”

You grinned, leaning in to whisper. “I don’t know if anyone has ever told you this, but I am a great teacher.”

Both of you laughed as she wiped her eyes and looked up at you. “Thank you, I needed this.”

“Thank you, I love getting to see you more. And don’t worry about Vincent, you aren’t who you were a few years ago. You are a successful artist, you are making a life and a name for yourself and he is nothing on your path to success. Don’t let him waste any more of your time, entiendes?”

She nodded, leaning her head on your shoulder. “Can we order yet? I’m starving.”

“Me too.”

Rafael started to put his tools away after putting together the baby swing and set his tool box back into the laundry room. He opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water and considered what else he could do to prepare for the baby’s arrival. With Roxie quickly approaching 29 weeks, their time was steadily running out. 

I could deep clean the apartment.

A knock on the door broke him from his thoughts and he took one more swig from his water bottle before he went to answer it, only to find Amber on the other side.

“Roxie’s at work,” he said softly.

Amber nodded. “Yeah, I know. I'm actually here to see you. Your sister said you could help me,” she said nervously.

“Me? Help you with what?”

She tried to compose herself for this. But the longer it hung over her head, the sicker it made her feel. “My mother filed for custody of Fallon. She wants to take my baby away.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he replied with a frown.

“I don't know any other lawyers and your sister said maybe you might know someone. Rafael, please, I'm desperate, she's my baby girl.”

Rafael sighed, looking down at his feet and nodding. Why Amber couldn’t have picked up a phone book herself was beyond him. Still, as much as he preferred to not have to deal with her for the rest of his life, he didn’t wish her any ill will.

“Yeah, let me just change my shirt,” he replied.

She sighed in relief. “Thank you,” she said as she started to come inside.

“No, no...don’t come inside. I’ll only be a minute. Just...wait out here. We’ll go get a coffee or something,” he said, not waiting for a response before he went into the bedroom to change his shirt.

“Seriously?” she asked as he came out and grabbed his keys.

“What?”

She sighed and rolled her eyes as she bit the inside of her lip. “Nevermind, you're helping me. I really don't have room to criticize.”

“Since when has that ever stopped you, Amber?” he replied, locking his front door and walking to the elevator.

She didn't say anything, but still gritted her teeth as she followed him down the corridor. She just needed him to help her keep her daughter, was that such a big thing to ask? She was his little sister’s best friend--couldn’t he get over himself long enough to help her when she really needed it?

“So she filed for custody. On what grounds?” he asked as they took the elevator down to the lobby.

“I don't...um.” She grabbed the paper from her purse and handed it to him. “My father is a sexual predator and she let it happen. I will not let my daughter go to them.”

“Sounds like you have it figured out already. What do you need me for?” he asked as they got out of the elevator.

“I need a lawyer. I can't risk any scenario not being covered. My daughter will not live in that horrible home,” she said.

“Something wrong with google? Weren’t you a reporter?” he asked as they walked to the bodega across the street.

Her jaw clenched, but she managed to keep his voice calm. “I don't trust lawyers. I need the best one and they'll all say they're the best.”

“Again, weren’t you a reporter? Reporters allegedly fact check for a living, don’t they?” he asked before he addressed the guy behind the counter inside the bodega. “Can I get a coffee?”

“Creamer?”

“No, black please.”

The man nodded and got Rafael his coffee before he looked at Amber as Rafael put a dollar on the counter. The man put the dollar in the register, eyes still on Amber as he waited for her order.

She grabbed a bottle of water and placed it on the counter.

“Just this water please,” she said before looking back to Rafael. “I trust your opinion on a lawyer. Only yours.”

Rafael sighed as she paid for her water and bit his bottom lip before he nodded, relenting. “I can give you Rita Calhoun’s number,” he mumbled. “I went to Harvard with her. She’s good at what she does.”

Amber nodded. “Thank you,” she said softly. “Do you think she'll win?”

“She’s good at what she does,” he repeated. “She can help you.”

He asked the man behind the counter for a pen and paper and jotted down Rita’s number, handing it to Amber. He pulled the paper back when she reached for it and waited for her to look at him.

“This is the last time I’ll ever help you. I’m done here, Amber.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just what I said, I’m done,” he said.

She stared at him for a moment, narrowing her eyes. “Are you still harping on something that happened almost ten years ago? I thought we buried our past, Raf--”

“--Just because I forgave you, doesn’t mean what you did was okay. I thought I could handle still having you in my life and be friends with you, but the fact is, Amber, I don’t want you in my life. I don’t want to be friends with you. I don’t think you’re a good person.”

“Excuse me?” she hissed, arching a brow.

“There are certain things that I value in a person and one of them is empathy. My definition of empathy is the ability to understand how someone else feels and I think you lack empathy. Your so-called apology was all about you. It was never about me, it was about you. Your excuses, your attempt at an explanation...so I forgive you, but I don’t forgive you for you but for me. What you did to me...that’s between you and God, but I’m not going to spend another second of my life invested in you. You’re not worth it to me and I’m not gonna do it.”

She gritted her teeth and nodded. “Fine, I'll stay out of your life. But ya know Rafael, what if we had stayed together? We would have hated each other by now.”

He snorted as he rolled his eyes and handed her the strip of paper with Rita’s number on it. “I’m not having this conversation right now--”

“--No, you are having this conversation right now,” she fired back as she moved to block his path.

Rafael bit his top lip and nodded once. “Okay.”

“If we had stayed together--”

“--It has nothing to do with whether we would’ve stayed together or not. It has everything to do with the fact that you’re not a good person and I don’t want you in my life. Period,” he said with a bob of his shoulders. “I don’t hate you. I really do wish you luck on this custody thing. I don’t wish you any harm, but this is where it ends for me.”

“Fine. Thanks for the help, I promise not to ride my broomstick near you anymore.”

“Okay,” he replied, moving past her and leaving the bodega without another word.

“How many guys we looking for?” Omar asked from the backseat.

“Two,” Nevada answered.

The man who’d changed the plates had been able to tell them about the men who’d given him the job. Nevada wanted all the guys that stole their guns, but if he could start with two and work his way to the others that was fine too.

“I’ve been waiting until we got to slit a couple throats as a family again,” OJ said with a grin. “Coño, the kids got me watch Peppa fuckin’ Pig with them so much I gotta crush a couple tracheas to keep my sanity. That little pig bitch is mean, I’m not sure what it’s teaching my kids.”

“You done? With the Pepper pig?” Nevada asked, arching a brow at his brother.

“Peppa,” OJ corrected.

“Whatever,” Nevada replied as Omar laughed from the backseat.

As the men approached the bar in which the men were known to be hanging out, Nevada sat up, trying to see into the window. “Alright, both of those assholes are sitting right there at the bar. Omar, go around back, just in case they try to bolt.”

Omar nodded in understanding. “Right.” He got out of the car and walked towards the corner, going around to the back alley of the bar.

“Let’s go,” Nevada mumbled after OJ had parked.

He and OJ got out, walking into the bar and moving straight for the two near the back. OJ sat on side of the pair, while Nevada sat on the other.

“Gentlemen,” Nevada said, looking right at the two. “You know who I am?”

“Who doesn’t know who you are?” One of the men said a bit nervously. “What can we do for you, Trujillo?”

“Heard you guys took a little ride over the Henry Hudson a few nights ago,” Nevada replied, tilting his head to one side.

“Another job,” the other man said. “If you’re looking for information we don’t know much. We’re low level players in whatever they had planned. They didn’t tell us dick.”

Nevada leaned against the bar to meet eyes with OJ, bobbing his shoulders. “They didn’t tell them dick, he said.”

OJ inhaled deeply through his nose, brows shooting up on his forehead.

“So why don’t you tell me everything you do know, and maybe I won’t let my brother over there take your fingers,” Nevada said.

He held his hands up in surrender. “All we were told was to deliver the guns downtown to a guy who paid us our share. We didn’t get any more info, man. If I had known it involved you, Trujillo, we wouldn’t have done it.”

Nevada nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure. Where’d you meet him?”

“He told us to meet him downtown, paid us and told us to lay low for the next few weeks.”

“Yeah, good job doing that, right?” Nevada replied with a smirk. “Where downtown?”

“We met him at the docks, quick and easy.”

“Okay...this guy got a name?” Nevada asked.

“Went by Jason, no last name. Shorter guy, brunette Latino.”

“Okay,” Nevada replied, looking up at OJ for a moment before he looked at the pair sitting between them. “Thanks for your help.” With one more glance at his brother, he gave a nod.

OJ and Omar, who had come in from the back entrance immediately grabbed both men by their shirt collars and yanked them off their seats.

One of the guys spoke up. “Wait a second--”

“Hey, you said if we told you everything you’d let us go!” the other exclaimed.

“No, I didn’t. I told you he wouldn't break your fingers. He won’t,” Nevada replied before he looked up at OJ and Omar. “Break everything else.”

The men struggled against Nevada’s brothers shouting and struggling angrily.

OJ grinned, pinching one man's cheek. “Oye we are gonna have so much fun asere.”

Nevada turned to everyone else in the bar with a friendly smile. “They’re a little drunk,” he said, pointing a thumb towards the men behind him.

#Nevada ramirez #rafael barba #cuba v dr #trouble in the heights #law and order svu

[little-fandom]

Strong At The Broken Places - Chapter X

Alec and Magnus get a fair idea of where Jonathan's power comes from. Back at the Institute Alec and Clary figure out what might be able to break the demonic bond.

read on ao3  

As if it couldn’t get any worse.

While the medic treats Clary’s wound Alec receives another fire message. And knows Jace won’t be happy about its content.

“Jace,” he starts, and his brother turns to him from his spot besides Clary, still not letting go of her hand.

“What?” He raises his brow in question.  

“It’s from the Inquisitor,” Alec waves the card in his hand. “About your trail. It will take place tomorrow-“

Alec barely gets to finish when Jace interrupts with frustration in his voice.

“What? Are you serious? Now?” He snorts. “Doesn’t the Inquisitor have any more important things to do, like she did all this time before? Now when Clary is here-“

“She doesn’t know this. I haven’t told her yet.” Alec cuts in and Jace looks at him confused, so he sighs and adds. “We had more pressing matters than Clave, right?”

“Yeah, right.” Jace looks taken aback for a second. “But this doesn’t change anything. I’m not going, I can’t leave Clary.”

“Jace, please.” Alec tries. “I assured her you would come at any date she established. To be honest, I thought he may come here and discuss this with me before but, here we are.”

Actually he more wanted that, than thought it might happened. He isn’t the Clave’s favourite person right now, has never been.

“No, Alec. Look,” Jace moves to get closer to him and starts in lower voice. “We’ve just got her back, and who knows what happens next? I need to be with her-“

“But Jace, this won’t take long. It’s just a formality. We’ll go there and-“

Jace starts to shake his head and Alec knows if the only person can break his Parabatai stubbornness, it’s Clary. So he turns to her with a pleading expression.

“Jace,” she starts and he quickly makes her way back to her. “Alec’s right. You should leave this whole thing behind. Think of the trial as the end of this.” She smiles gently at him. “Besides, I can take care of myself. It’ll be only a few hours.” She puts her hand on his cheek and rubs it lightly.

Jace sighs heavily as he turns to Alec, but finally he nods.

“Okay, I’ll go.” Alec doesn’t get to cheer for a second as Jace carries on. “But only if you stay and look after Clary.”

“Jace.” Alec’s mouth hangs open for a second. “I-, We settled that we’ll go there together-“

“Alec, I can handle this. Like you said, it’s just a formality. Please.”

Alec hesitates for a second. They were supposed to do it together. But as much as he hates leaving his brother alone in this, he knows Jace won’t change his mind.

“Fine.” He agrees. “I’ll stay.”

Jace beams at the news as he returns back to Clary.

It’s getting late and Alec can feel the exhaustion settling back at him. It’s been a long day, for all of them. They still don’t know everything, but with Clary’s memories back, it’s more than they’ve knew for about a month.

“Darling,” he feels Magnus’ hand traveling from his shoulder down his arm to intertwine their fingers. “we should head home. It’s been a long day.”

It’s just like Magnus has been reading his thoughts.

“I agree.” Maryse responds as she stand up from the bed she’s been sitting at. “We’re all exhausted and should get some rest. Everything seems to be under control here now.”

Clary nods at them reassuringly that she’s fine, but Luke still eyes her cautiously.

“Seriously, I’m fine!” Clary exclaims. “But you all look like death. Really, get some rest.” She holds Luke’s hand gently. “Besides, Izzy and Jace are still here. If anything happens, they’ll let you know.”

They seem to be convinced enough, too tired to actually manage to protest. Luke leans in and kisses Clary on the forehead, while Maryse smiles gently at her. Simon hugs her and then leaves with Isabelle, who declares to walk him out.

“I missed you Fray.” Alec states with a soft smile and pats her on a shoulder.

“Wow, this is probably the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” Clary responds with a smile and Alec chuckles.

“He does try.” Magnus says as he also hugs Clary goodbye.

As they’re back at the loft, making their way to their bad, Alec remembers he needs to talk to Magnus about something. As much as he wants to go to sleep… it just won’t let him rest.

“Magnus…” He starts, when he moves under covers to join his boyfriend.

“Yes, darling?” Magnus already holds his arms open, and Alec pillows his head on his chest, but still looks up at him.

Alec takes a deep breath and begins to speak.

“Do you think… I mean,” he struggles to find the right words and exhales again. “Do you think Jonathan might be getting his power from Asmodeus?”

Magnus turns his eyes to look at the celling, his expression hollow, so Alec can’t really read it.

“It’s possible.” He answers after a moment.

None of them speaks for a while after that. Magnus starts to run his hand up and down Alec’s back, as if he’s trying to ground himself.

“And do you think…” Alec asks then. “That your father could show up here?”

“Look, Alec I don’t know.” Magnus answers frustrated. Alec knows he doesn’t like to talk about his father, but this is important. They’re not ready for a greater demon to show up here, more the Prince of Hell.

“Hey, it’s okay.” Alec puts his hand on Magnus’ chest and strokes lightly, trying to calm him down. “I’m just trying to figure something out of this.”

“I know, angel. I know.” He exhales again, his tone turning gentle. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Alec places a kiss to his chest.

“It’s just…” Magnus tries again. “I have no idea what my father might be planning. But whatever it is, it’s bad. Maybe taking my magic was already part of that? Maybe he planned to give it to Jonathan all along and I was a fool to-“

“Hey, you saved us all that night.” Alec interrupts him. “No matter what.”

“Yes, maybe I did then.” He sighs, “But now…”

“We’ll figure it out.” Alec throws his arm around Magnus’ middle and holds him tightly. “Together.”

Alec feels him nod, and then Magnus places a kiss on top of his head.

“You know,” Magnus starts after a while. “I used to think my father is not so bad. He did love my mom, and maybe he even loved me in so twisted way, but now…”

He doesn’t need to finish. Alec knows. Even after what Asmodeus did to him as a child, Magnus still tried to find some good in him. As he always does. But after his magic… There’s no way his father’s intentions may be decent.

“We need to figure out how to break this demonic bond.” Magnus resorts. “I’ll look through the rest of my resources tomorrow.”

“Need some help?”

“No, sweetheart. You need to be back at the Institute.” He feels Magnus smile into his hair. “Jace won't be happy, if you leave Clary.” He chuckles.

“Very funny.” Alec states, but there’s laugh in his voice. Magnus looks down at him and pecks him lightly on the lips.

“I’m glad you’re staying. I’ve always hated your trips to Alicante.”

“I know babe, but I don’t like leaving Jace all alone.” Alec adds in a helpless tone.

“He’ll handle it.” Magnus assures him. “Now, sleep. There’s another day waiting for us tomorrow.”

Alec nods, settles more comfortably on his chest, and waits for sleep to overtake him.

He wakes up in the middle of the night, confused when he doesn’t feel the familiar warmth pressed next to him. He knows something is wrong. Turning on his back, he scans the room for any sign of Magnus.

He doesn’t need to try very hard to spot him. He sits at the edge of the bed, head in his hands.

“Hey, baby what’s wrong?” Alec tries, as he moves on the bed to get closer to him.

When Magnus still doesn’t answer, Alec’s not sure if he should touch him, but he attempts with a light as a feather touch on his arm.

“Are these the nightmares again?” Alec asks gently.

Magnus sighs, nods slightly and rubs his hand on his face.

The nightmares haven’t returned for weeks. At least Magnus claimed so. When Alec is with him, he usually sleeps through the whole night. But now…

“It’s fine now.” Alec says, gently stroking Magnus’ hair from his face. “We’re safe.”

He puts him into his arms and hugs gently, till he feels Magnus relax a little. Then he pulls back and continues.

“Do you want to tell me what was it about?”

It usually helps. When Magnus tells him, he lets the emotions flow out, and it’s good. He shouldn’t keep it all inside, when Alec is right  here to listen.

Magnus pulls back lightly to look him in the eyes.

“Alec, I-…” He takes a deep breath. Right now, he looks so small, scared and vulnerable. “I don’t think it was just a nightmare.”

Alec looks at him confused, but hands never stopping creasing his back softly.

“What do you mean?” He questions.

“It just felt so…real.”

“Babe, they always do.” Alec assures him smiling softly.

“No, this was different.” Magnus breaks from his embrace, to which Alec is surprised, but lets him. Then Magnus’ hands wander up and down his arms, like he needs to ground himself onto something. With his eyes still down he continues. “It was my father.”

Alec doesn’t say anything more. Just waits for him to elaborate, but can’t help the feeling that he knows what this is about.

“He said I was right.” Magnus whispers as his teary eyes finally meet Alec’s. “Alec, if we’re right-“

“We can’t be sure.” Alec interrupts gently, soothing his hands on Magnus’ thighs.

“Yes, we can. It was Asmodeus himself who told me, how can this be a coincidence?”

It’s not. And Alec knows it. But still, he doesn’t want to believe it. Recently, it’s becoming worse with every day. And when this whole mess hits its climax… it might end even causing even more damage than they thought.

Alec closes his eyes for a moment to breathe deeply and sort out his thoughts.

“So, if Asmodeus is really going to divert his magic, or yours to Jonathan…”

“Which now we know he will,” Magnus cuts in. “Alec, the whole city might be in danger.”

“I know, your magic is powerful-“

“No, I don’t really think you do.” Magnus says, but there’s no anger behind it. It sounds more like fear or concern. “Look, my power… it can crumble down whole cities.” He adds the last part in a low whisper.

Alec knew his boyfriend was powerful, but… that much? It somehow terrifies him, that something so known as safe by him can cause so much damage if in the wrong hands.

“What do we do?” Magnus looks at him with a pleading expression.

But Alec doesn’t have answers. How can they go against something so powerful and dangerous? Jonathan wants to destroy New York, and with suitable resources, he might be able to do just that.

“I don’t know.” Alec replies honesty. “But we’ll figure it out.”

Magnus lets out a long exhale and falls forward onto Alec’s chest.

And he’s always there to catch him.

“Maybe I should stay with you?” Alec starts, as Magnus settles down his books, to start the search for a way to break Clary’s connection to Jonathan.

Alec is still worried. After Magnus’ nightmare, everything feels more real. And he really doesn’t want to leave his boyfriend alone right now. Even though he has his task at hand, Alec knows Magnus will get consumed by the thoughts of his father eventually.

“Or you can come with me? The Institute’s library-“ Alec tries to continue, but Magnus interrupts gently.

“Darling, Isabelle and Simon will cover the library, I need to find if something is here.” He gestures at his surroundings.

It’s true. They’ve established that Izzy and Simon will research the library, while Alec watches over Clary. Luke and his mom probably will come over sometime to help.

“Okay, so we can bring the books back there and-“ Alec suggests, but Magnus lets out a small laugh.

“Angel, there are dozens of books here, moving it will take all day.” Magnus moves from where he’s been standing near the couch to reach Alec by the doorway, and place his hands on his shoulders.

“Then I’ll stay.” Alec states.

“Alexander, Jace will be mad if you let Clary out of your sight today.” He starts to run his hands up and down Alec’s arms.

“Well, Jace can deal with it. Clary is perfectly fine.” He sighs. “Besides, I really don’t want to leave you.”

“I’m perfectly fine too.” Magnus resorts as he ducks his head to catch Alec’s eye.

Ale rolls his eyes to that, and Magnus chuckles. But as Alec’s gaze turns more serious Magnus mirrors it.

“Are you sure?” Alec asks.

“Positive.” Magnus smiles at him, and his hands wander to Alec’s waist. “I think some time alone will do me good. Besides, you’re just a call away.”

“Of course.” Alec tries to reciprocate his smile, but he must be failing, because Magnus still eyes him with concern.

To reassure himself and Magnus, he leans in for a soft kiss. Magnus’ hands tighten around his waist, and Alec hooks his arms around his neck.

He doesn’t want to let go. But right now, the world around them is slowly starting to crumble, and only they can stop it from totally falling apart.

“Go, I’ll be fine.” Magnus smiles when they pull away from each other. “Let me know if you find anything.”

“Sure.” Alec nods. “Love you.”

“Love you too, angel.”

They decided not to tell anyone about Asmodeus. For now. Right now their priority is to find out how to break the demonic bond and help Clary.

He walks into the Institute and spots Izzy, heading in the direction of the library, carrying two steaming cups of coffee.

“Hello big brother.” She greets when she notices him.

“Hi, how’s it going in the library?”

“Slowly, but going. Haven’t find anything yet, but there’s still quite a lot to get into. Mom and Luke will come over later to help.” Izzy finishes, but looks at him in concern. “Are you okay? You seem tired.”

“Yeah I’m good, we just didn’t sleep very well last night.”

Izzy must have heard the worry in his voice that he’s desperately trying to hide, because the next moment she asks.

“Is Magnus okay?”

“Yeah.” Alec sighs. “Nothing to worry about, for now. Let’s focus on Clary.”

Isabelle nods and walks straight back to the library, knowing the best not to push now.

Alec enters the infirmary just when Jace is about to leave.

“You sure you don’t want me to go with you?” He catches his brother by the arm.

“Completely. I’ll deal with this, you just take care of her.” He points at Clary with his head.

Alec still doesn’t feel convinced, so Jace exhales heavily and adds.

“It’s not such a big deal. It’ll be fine, just stop worrying.” He pats Alec on a shoulder. “Call me if anything happens, see you tonight.”

“Yeah, good luck.” Alec says and his eyes wander behind Jace as he leaves the room.

He makes his way to Clary’s bed, and sits opposite to her.

“Looks like it’s just you and me today, Fray.”

She smiles brightly at him, sweeping her hair behind her ear.

“So, did you remember anything more?” Alec asks, as he settles more comfortable on the bed.

“No,” she shakes her head lightly. “I mean, I do get those flashes of memories, but… to be honest I don’t think I want to remember everything yet. I don’t want this to come and crash on me, you know?”

Alec, nods and smiles softly at her.

“Of course. What’s important is that you’re here. Don’t worry, we won’t let you beat yourself up with those memories, it wasn’t your fault. Whatever he made you do.”

Clary looks more relieved after his words, as she exhales slowly and then moves to get up from the bed. Her smile extends as she speaks again.

“You know, I kinda missed you too.”

As they both laugh Alec thinks this day may not turn out as bad as it was supposed to.

He takes Clary back into her room, since she’s completely healed, so there’s no need for her to stay in the infirmary.

“Oh, how I’ve missed this.” She traces her fingers down some of her sketches hanging loosely on the wall.

“Do you need anything?” Alec asks from his spot by the door.

“Besides a paper and some coal, I don’t need anything else.” Clary smiles at him.

“Okay, so I’m just gonna…” Alec emerges fully into the room and sits on the edge of the bed.

Clary shoots him a bit annoyed but also soft glare.

“Alec, I know Jace told you to keep an eye on me, but if you leave me alone for a few hours nothing will happen.”

“Well, you can’t be sure of that.” Clary sighs at his words as she moves to stand in front of her easel. “Besides, Jace would kill me if I left you for even a minute.”

Clary laughs and sets a new canvas on the easel.

“Okay, so if you need to stay, at least you can fill me in.”

“Fill you in on what?” Alec asks confused as he shifts on the bed.

“Alec,” Clary throws her hands in the air in a gesture of surrender. “It’s been a month, and I have basically no idea what’s been going on with all of you.”

Alec sighs and rolls his eyes.

“So, tell me what’s up. Come on, distract me.” She continues.

Alec doesn’t feel like talking about it. It’s been good recently and not thinking about that night seems to help a bit. He doesn’t even want to remember, but involuntarily his hand wanders to the spot slightly above his heart, where the worst reminder is located. He knows Clary is dealing with a lot too right now, so she could use a distraction from her own memories and feelings. But Clary also deserves an explanation. She sacrificed herself for Jace. Alec’s sure he told her some of the events from that night, but of course left out a few awful details.

“Fine.” Clary states after a minute, taking Alec’s silence as a refusal. “If you don’t want to talk about you then… how’s Magnus? I didn’t really have time to catch up with him.”

It’s even worse question. What Magnus had been through… well there’s not any blissful story he can share, but his mind mechanically suggest him the same answer as always, before he even gets to think.

“He’s adjusting.”

Clary’s eyes shoot up from her canvas as she looks at Alec in confusion.

“Adjusting to what?”

So Jace didn’t get to that part, Alec thinks.

He messed up. Alec’s not sure if Magnus wants Clary to know. Hell, he said he wouldn’t tell anyone if Magnus didn’t approve. But he didn’t even think, before saying it. It just came out.

But also Clary is family. And Magnus did save Jace that night.

“Ehm,” Alec clears his throat awkwardly. “I guess Jace didn’t tell you.”

“Tell me what?” Clary moves to sit on the bed next to him, her expression turning even more concern.

“Magnus…he…” Just say it Alec, he won’t be mad, Alec reprimands in his mind. He takes a deep breath and continues. “Magnus gave up his magic to save Jace.”

Clary’s eyes widen in shock, and she shakes her head lightly as if to pull the jolt away.

“He did… what?” She questions, and Alec is not in the mood to repeat it, but before he gets to she pulls her hand out to stop him. “No, I heard you but… it’s just… huge. A huge sacrifice.”

Alec sighs and nods lightly.

“And how is he doing?” She carries on as she turns to fully face Alec.

“It’s better.” Alec admits honestly, because it is. Or it was. Before yesterday, the nightmare and... well everything that may come upon them. “It’s been hard but… yeah he doesn’t regret it.”

“I need to talk to him.” Clary states as she stands up.

“Wait, Clary. It might be better if you just stay at the Institute-“

“Alec.” She stops him, voice dripping with frustration. “You’ve just told me Magnus sacrificed his magic for Jace, I need to go thank him, it’s the least I can do-“

“Yeah, I know Clary.” Alec admits. “But… he just needs to be alone for some time now.”

“What, why?” Clary questions.

“It’s just…” He starts and sighs. They agreed not to tell anyone yet. It might not even be truth. It feels real but… no, not now. If he starts even thinking about it now, his mind will go down the spiral of not so pleasant thoughts. He can't have this now, can't lose his composure. “He just wants to focus on his research back at home. Let’s not disturb him.”

Clary eyes him cautiously, like she knows he’s not telling her something, but she lets it go for now.

“Okay, fine. But let me know, if he shows up here. I really want to talk to him.”

“Yeah sure.” Alec agrees and hangs his head down as Clary returns to her spot on the bed, next to him.

“So,” she starts, a playful grin playing on her lips, as she nudges Alec with her elbow lightly. “Home?”

“What?” Alec asks, confused at what she means.

“You said Magnus wants to be alone back at home.”

“Well, yeah… the loft.” Alec frowns.

“Your home too, right?” She continues, soft smile creeping onto her face.

“Well… I mean, yes.” Alec rumbles. “But how did you know? I’ve been referring to it as home for some time now…”

“Oh I know,” Clary’s grin widens. “There’s just something different about the way you say it. It feels… warmer, I guess. I don’t know.” She chuckles.

Alec laughs too, and they don’t say anything for a moment after that. When Alec speaks later, there’s a soft smile playing on the corners of his lip.

“Yeah, it does.”

Everything was going great. Perfect even. Alec spent most of the day in Clary’s room, looking over her, just as he promised Jace. He did call Magnus and told him he might have accidentally reveal the secret of his magic lose to Clary. He wasn’t mad. Actually he said he was planning on doing so sooner or later if she already didn’t know. He promised to come by later, because all of the books were exhausting him. And he has missed Alec.

At that Alec feels his heart warming.

Now he’s settled in his spot on Clary’s bed, looking through some paperwork. After talking to Clary he informed the Clave of her whereabouts and the Inquisitor is scheduled to visit some time tomorrow.

So everything’s been going great. Clary’s at her easel, drawing. But as Alec shoots his head up, to rest his eyes from the paper work, his gaze wanders to Clary’s canvas, and there’s something bothering about it.

“Clary, what are you drawing?” Alec asks as he gets up from the bed and stands behind her.

“What?” Clary’s voice sounds like he woke her up from a deep sleep. “What do you mean? I wasn’t drawing-“ At that her eyes land on the canvas and she gasps. “By the Angel, it looks just like-“

“Lake Lyn.” Alec finishes for her. It looks identical as the painting that’s hanging in his office. “Clary, why are you drawing Lake Lyn?”

“I don’t know.” She answers taken a back. “I wasn’t even aware I was doing that.”

Alec feels this strange feeling building in his gut.

“Should we call Jace?”

“No.” Clary states. “Not yet, it might be nothing.”

“Clary, do you really believe-“

Suddenly Clary drops her piece of coal and winces in pain. Her hand wanders to her collar bone, the rune.

“Clary what’s going on?” Alec feels the panic overcome him, but still tries to keep calm. She doesn’t answer. Her eyes are shut tightly and her whole body feels tensed. “Clary come on, talk to me, what’s going on?”

“It burns!” She almost yells, and it’s followed by a helpless cry, her hand clutching on the demonic rune.

Alec tries to remain calm as he catches her before she gets to fall from her chair and half carries her to the bed so she can lie down.

“Clary, I’m going to get some help, okay?” He wants to turn and leave to quickly get a medic, but then Clary is gripping his forearm tightly, with no intention of letting go.

“No, just…” She gasps and a screams tears through the room.

“Okay, okay I’m here.” Alec reassures her and runs his hand through her hair softly.

He has no idea what to do, how to help, or what the hell is going on. All he can think about is that Jonathan is coming. And he’s coming sooner than they thought he would.

He pulls out his phone and quickly texts Isabelle, to get a medic to Clary’s room.

Izzy shows up not even a minute later.

“I sent Simon to get help. What’s going on?”

“I don’t kno-“ Before Alec gets to finish Clary lets out another scream.

Alec takes a deep breath and tries to think. He draws out his stele from his pocket and puts it onto Clary’s skin with his trembling hands.

“What are you doing?” Izzy asks with her hand on his forearm.

“I’m drawing a blocking rune.” Alec announces. “It might not help, but we never know.”

Isabelle nods and lets go of his arm.

Alec’s hands are still shaking, but somehow he manages to draw the rune. Clary’s breathing seems to calm down a little and Alec looks at Izzy with a little bit of relief, which she mirrors.

“It’s…” Clary’s voice is low, almost a whisper and Alec needs to bow down to hear her. “It’s Jonathan, he wants to break to me.” She barely gets to finish and another scream follows.

“What do we do?” Izzy asks, panic clear in her voice. “Where the hell is the medic?”

Alec thinks, a million thoughts seem to race through is mind, but none of them is able to help Clary in any way. He’s heartbeat speeds up, and he runs a nervous hand through his hair.

He does the only thing he can think of.

“Clary listen to me.” He leans down and takes her face between his hands. “Open your eyes, look at me.”

“Alec, what are you-“ Izzy starts, but Alec cuts her off with one glare.

“Clary, come on.” Alec pleads and a second later Clary’s eyes flutter open. “That’s good, just focus on my voice, okay?” Clary tries to nod, but then another wave of pain shakes her body and she cries out.

“Clary listen,” Alec continues. “You’re stronger than this, than him, okay? You can resist it. You did before, back on the beach. Do the same now. Block him of.”

“I can’t.” She sobs.

“Yes, you can Clary. You’re stronger than you think.”

Clary shuts her eyes again, but her expression is focused, as if she’s really trying to fight it.

Then Simon enters the room with Annika, but Izzy stops them with her hand, clearly understanding that Clary can’t get distracted now.

“I can hear…” Clary whispers and squeezes Alec’s hand, harder than anyone would accuse she’s capable of. “The voice, it’s… the Angel.”

Alec’s eyes widen, but he tries to shock not to hit him too hard, staying focused, still continuing.

“Focus on him. Whatever he’s trying to tell you, focus on it. Force back every thought of Jonathan. He’s nothing. Okay?” Clary frowns, but her breathing seems to even out. “You’re doing great Clary, keep going.” He encourages.

Alec is sure he hears Simon’s voice from the doorway, full of dread, but he doesn’t let it get into him. Not now.

Next moments pass by in silence, only the sound a Clary’s heavy breaths filling the room, but soon they start to even out. Then Clary seems to calm down completely, she’s still breathing a bit hard, but then her eyes flutter open.

“Alec…” She starts and Alec lets out a breath he was holding. “What-“

“It’s okay. You’re fine.” Alec slumps down on the bed and runs his hand through his hair again.

“Clary!” Simon’s heading to her side, Isabelle no longer able to stop him. “What the hell happened here?”

He looks at Alec, but he just shrugs, not sure if he’s able to force some words through his throat now. He feels his sister’s hand on his shoulder, and immediately relaxes a bit, putting his own palm to cover hers.

“The Angel…” Clary starts and all eyes turn to her. “He wanted to communicate with me, and Jonathan tried to stop him.” She explains.

“Did he say anything, the Angel?” Izzy questions.

Clary seems to think a bit, before she speaks.

“It was more like a vision.” She states. “I saw my rune, and Jonathan, and-“ She pauses and her head shoots up to look back at the canvas. She gets up from the bed, regardless everyone’s attempts to stop her.

“This.” She says, tracing her fingers down the lines of her drawing. “Lake Lyn.”

Alec tries to put the pieces together. There’s gotta be a connection. Nothing is a coincidence, not anymore. Magnus’ dream, Clary’s drawing and now the vision…There’s only one thing he comes up with.

“Clary, if the Angle showed you this…” He says carefully. “What if this is the way to break the bond?”

All eyes turn to him and his sight hoovers over them.

“How?” Clary asks.

Alec takes a deep breath and explains his theory.

“What if the water from Lake Lyn can destroy the bond? It would work like holy water. Besides, the lake is a Mortal Mirror, it’s a Mortal Instrument after all.”

Everyone seem to wrap their heads around this new information. The room turns quiet again, everyone’s expression scrunching in thinking. Then it’s Simon, who speaks first.

“Actually this makes perfect sense.” There’s no sarcasm or bitterness behind his tone, and Alec realizes that it really does makes sense.

“First the Angel made you draw it, you didn’t even knew you were doing it, right?” Alec continues, because he needs to be sure.

“Well, yeah.” Clary replies as Alec can see the thoughts running through her brain in her eyes.

“And then he showed you the vision, which Jonathan wanted to disturb, but you resisted him.”

“Yes.” Clary nods slowly. “But, why now?”

Alec swallows visibly before speaking.

“Because he’s coming.”

Everyone in the room wears the expression of fear and worry on their faces. But they need to work, there’s no time to lose.

“All right, so we need to get to Idris-“ Izzy starts, but then Alec is hit with the sudden realization.

“Jace.” All eyes turn to him again. “He’s in Idris now, we need to get to him.”

“I’ll go.” Izzy says, and Alec is already opening his mouth to argue, but his sister stops him. “Look, Alec someone needs to stay. You watch after Clary, reach the others and tell them what we found out.” Alec still doesn’t look convinced, so Isabelle adds. “I’ll find Jace as soon as I get there. Besides, I’ve been there before. There’s nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“I don’t want you to go alone-“

“I’ve got this big brother, you need to handle everything here.”

“Okay,” Alec nods, because it’s true and there’s no time to lose. They don’t know how long Jace will stay there. He knows he needs to stay here. He’s the leader after all. Then he pulls his sister into a hug. “Just, be careful.”

He kisses her on the forehead as she nods and then, she’s leaving the room.

“Call Luke,” Alec turns to Simon. “tell him to get here as soon as he can, I’ll reach Magnus.”

Simon is already pulling out his phone, and when Alec is about to do the same, he feels a light hand on his shoulder.

“Alec…” Clary stares back at him as he turns around to face her. “Thank you.”

Alec looks confused, not sure what Clary means, and as she notices it, she continues.

“For, you know, talking me through it.” The corners of her lips quirk slightly, but then she drops her gaze and becomes more serious. “I don’t think I would be able to resist it, if not you.” She looks up at him, and there’s so much honesty and gratitude in her eyes that Alec can barely stand it.

“You would.” He states firmly. “You’re really stronger than you think.” He smiles a little at her. “Now, we need to get to work. We figured out one thing, but it doesn’t solve all of our problems.”

He turns into his Head of the Institute mode, and strides out of the room to call Magnus.

It’s time to tell them.

#malec fanfic #shadowhunters #malec #my take on 3b #post 3x10 #my writing #Alec Lightwood #Magnus Bane #Clary Fray #Jace Herondale #Isabelle Lightwood #Simon Lewis #Luke Garroway #Maryse Lightwood #sh #angst

[wen-kexing-apologist]

yo, i need a prompt about alec referring to magnus as family like, magnus needs to know he has that family. if you're up for writing that :)

Hope you enjoy! [Taking Malec ficlet prompts. (It may take some time to hear back because of school, but I’ll get to every one)]_____________Magnus blinked awake, needing no alarm but the sliver of light that peeked through the curtain. He stretched the exhaustion from his bones, and turned on his side.

He smiled softly to himself, as he took in the view of Alec’s bedhead, the sharp curves of his runes against his skin, the steady rise and fall of his chest. Magnus couldn’t resist running his fingers through Alec’s hair.

“Morning,” Alec mumbled, wrapping his arm around Magnus and burying his head into the crook of Magnus’ neck, pressing a kiss there, breathing him in.

“Morning, Alexander,” Magnus sighed contently, toying with Alec’s hair, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“What time is it?”

“Time to get up,” Magnus replied, tracing lines down Alec’s back.

“No,” Alec groaned, burying his head further into the comfort of Magnus’ arms “Five more minutes?”

“You drive a hard bargain, Alexander,” Magnus replied “Unfortunately, we’ve both got rather pressing morning meetings, and it would be unprofessional of us to keep everyone waiting,” Alec groaned “I’ll make it up to you after work tonight,”

“After work?” Alec asked, pulling his head up to look at Magnus through one eye.

“Are you not coming home after work?” Magnus frowned.

“No,” Alec’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion “Are you?”

“I work from home, darling,” Magnus readjusted underneath Alec’s weight, toying with the hair at the base of Alec’s neck.

“I know,” Alec rolled his eyes, pressing closer to the warmth of Magnus’ skin. “I just meant…I don’t know, I thought you were coming tonight,”

Magnus cocked his head, pushing himself to a sitting position, “What’s happening tonight?”

“The dinner?” Magnus had been around Alec long enough to recognize the hurt in his voice.

The bedroom stilled into confused silence. Magnus opened his mouth to say something, then changed his mind, Alec could see the gears turning in his head, before Magnus snapped his fingers and summoned a small leather bound book, he thumbed through it quickly, eyes skirting every page until they found what they were looking for.

“Oh, that dinner,”

“Yes,” Alec chided “That dinner, with Izzy, Jace, Max, and my mom,”

“I remember you telling me about that dinner, I thought I wasn’t invited,” Magnus said, and it wasn’t unkind, there were many things Alec didn’t bring him to, and many things Magnus went to on his own as well. They were busy people, he understood the requirement to be away from each other from time to time.

“What? Why would you think that?” and Magnus found himself a little sad at the way Alec seemed to doubt himself. Like Alec himself had done something wrong.  

Magnus shrugged “You told me it was a family dinner,”

“Yeah?” Alec blinked, as if he expected Magnus to keep talking and-

Oh. Magnus, looked down at his hands, played with his rings, and cleared his throat against the lump that formed in his throat “Oh,” he met Alec’s eyes once more, even as his own began to well with tears, his face hosting a glowing smile “You think I’m family?”

“Of course,” Alec said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “After everything we’ve been through, how could I not?” Alec took Magnus’ hand, he brushed a thumb across Magnus’ cheek. “Magnus, I told you weeks ago I can’t live without you, and I meant it.” Magnus wanted to memorize the way blush bloomed on Alec’s face “Two days ago, Jace told me to stop acting like a love sick puppy because I got a last minute assignment and had to patrol instead of getting to come home.”

Magnus held Alec’s hand where it sat on his cheek, he pressed a kiss to the palm.

“I’m pretty sure the whole world knows how much I love you,” Alec whispered, and it made Magnus’ heart shatter under the force and the weight of those words. “I don’t see a future without you in it. You saved Izzy’s life, you saved Max’s life, and you saved me.”

A sense of calm washed over Magnus’ body, a calm Magnus had never experienced in his entire life. He felt his stomach drop, he felt the ground fall out from under him and he was sent plummeting into new territory.

Magnus Bane had lived for four hundred years, and he had fallen in love with thousands of souls. Some had stayed for a while, some had left far before Magnus was ready to admit. Four centuries of life, and he had thought he had known what love was. He had thought he knew what it was to be desperate for a touch. What it was to share a heartbeat. What it was to be loved.

Four hundred centuries of life, and he had never realized how wrong he had been until this very moment. Magnus had thought he knew what it was to be loved. He had thought he knew what it was to want more. To want a future.

He had never pictured a ring on Camille’s finger when he asked her to marry him, she had just chewed him up and spit him out so many times he thought he could keep her if they shared that kind of bond. Sitting there, holding Alec’s hand, the both of them still half covered in golden sheets, and bathed in golden sunlight, Magnus thought what it might be like to hold Alec’s hand when there was a golden band around his finger.

“I love you,” Magnus could barely get the words out, it was wrapped up in so many unsaid things, so many unspoken promise. “I love you,” he said again, pressing their body’s close, capturing Alec’s lips between his own. “I love you,” he whispered, as he leaned back slowly, pulling Alec down with him.

“I love you, too,” Alec beamed, as he sat above Magnus, legs wrapping around his torso, fingers carding through Magnus’ hair. He kissed Magnus quickly, “and we’re going to be late for work,” he whispered in Magnus’ ear as his hands snaked around Alec’s back.

“Five more minutes,” Magnus hummed, as his lips chased Alec’s.

Alone in this room together, covered by golden bedsheets, Magnus and Alec lost all sense of time.

Family. Magnus thought to himself, afterward, when sweat stuck to his skin, and Alec had finally forced himself out of bed. I have a family.

#malec #malec fic #malec ficlet #malec fanfiction #shadowhunters #shadowhunters fic #shadowhunters ficlet #shadowhunters fanfiction #sh #sh fic #sh fanfiction #magnus bane #alec lightwood #alexander lightwood #MyFics #sent me prompts #magnus bane has a family

[axelsagewrites]

Isabelle Lightwood*Looking into the future

Requested by anonymous:

Can you write something ansty for Isabelle lightwood x reader like someone flirts with Isabelle and she flirted back by accident. They would get into this big fight if they make up or not it's up to you! I also want to say I love your writing!

Masterlist HERE 

Wattpad HERE

Isabelle Lightwood was gorgeous. Everyone with eyes knew it. Isabelle wore an air of confidence around her that made you tremble in your boots while she could sprint in heels. She was cunning, witty and downright perfect. Well in at least my eyes. Isabelle Lightwood is my girlfriend. I don’t know what I did to deserve her but for some reason she chose me. Honestly, Izzy and I aren’t the same in many ways. She likes fashion and I don’t care, she bold and strong and I'm a wallflower, she has a temper and I’m normally the calmer one. It normally works out since according to her I'm her anchor and I help calm her down. It's not the opposites attract kind of cliché, its just love. No matter how similar or different I think we would have ended up together anyway.

Isabelle had to go on a mission tonight so I decided to go out with some friends who were mundane and didn’t know our world. It wasn’t often I saw them so decided to make the best of the night. I sent Isabelle a good luck text and told her I loved her. I do it every time because I never know when her last mission will be. One of them suggested going to a club. They desperately wanted to go to the pandemonium but it was ‘super inclusive’ and thought we wouldn’t get in. until my phone dinged and they saw my lock screen; a selfie Izzy had taken on my phone in front of the club with me a little behind her. “Whos that?” (Y/F/N) asked, “And who’s Izzy?” they added, referring to the notification that she texted me. “My girlfriend.” My friends ‘ohh’ed as I opened the text. ‘love you too’. “Let's see.” I cautiously showed them the photo again. What were they planning? “Is that the pandemonium? Can she get us in?” (Y/F/N) asked excitedly. I bit my lip. It was a downworlder club, well mainly, some mundies were allowed. They had seen the photo, they wouldn’t let it go anyway. What’s one night? “I can probably get you guys in. I know the owner so it should be fine.” I shrugged. “You know Mattias Kane?” Their jaws slackened and I grimaced at their choice of words. “It's Magnus Bane. And yes.” They didn’t make a move until I reminded them. “We going or what?”

My style had slightly improved since meeting Izzy as she said, often, ‘were not leaving till you change’ or ‘Angel! Alec dresses better than that’. So my clothes had gotten better so I had proper ‘club attire’ according to Iz. We stood in the line but when we got to the front the bouncer gave my mundane friends a strange look. They shoved me to the front so I was face to face with the werewolf. He crossed his arms and stared at me. I had only been a couple times so I doubt he remembers me. “Their guests,” “Of who?” “Magnus Bane,” I could hear their smirks. “if you don’t believe me I could call him out here.” “Go on then”I sensed my friends deflating. They didn’t believe me and neither did he. I smirked and pulled out my phone. I met Magnus through Izzy and when Izzy broke her phone she used mine to call him. she also made me spam him when he broke up with Alec. The bouncer's smirk faltered slightly when he saw me click Magnus’s name but didn’t break character. I held the phone to my ear. One ring Two ring Three ri-“Hello?” the other end was quiet except Magnus' voice. “Hey, it's (Y/N).” “….” The line was silent for a couple seconds. I heard him ask someone something before asking “You're dating Isabelle right?” “Yup.” “What can I do for you? As long as it requires no magic, money or a lot of time or effort as I'm currently watching the bachelor with Alexander.” I heard Alec tell him to shut it and chuck something. I had to chuckle a little. Oh, I was gonna tell Izzy as soon as I saw her. “I'm outside the pandemonium-“ “You go clubbing?!” He suddenly sounded a lot more aware. “Since when? Izzy’s always whining you won't go with her! What in the hell? Are you ok?” “Yes!” I cut him off before he could continue. “Some mates and I are trying to go in but the bouncers got a stick up his arse.” “Donald?” Magnus asked. “You Donald?” I asked the bouncer. He nodded with a straight face and no smirk. “Yup.” “Put him on.” I handed the phone to him and he let us in. just before I hung up Magnus said “Izzy’s always wanting you to go with her. Alec said she's on a mission there. Keep an eye out.” “Ok.”

I didn’t see Iz but I did see the bar. My friends were surprised when they didn’t get carded. I didn’t want to explain it was partly because the guy 2 seats down from us is actually 97, not 16 like he looks. I was pretty much ditched, my friends. Some wanted to dance and the others were flirting with some downworlders. I checked and saw it was some werewolves from Lukes pack so quickly sent one of them a text basically saying not to tell them about the downworld. I wanted a bit of air so I decided to see if the bathrooms were quieter. My heart lurched though as I saw familiar long dark hair enter a closet with some guy. Izzy. I walked over to the door and opened it slowly. Izzy was pressing this random guy against the wall and grinning at something. The guy saw me out the corner of his eye, smirked and began to run his hands over Izzy. She didn’t stop him. “What the fuck?” I whisper, eyes glazing over. Izzy’s head shot in my direction and her eyes bulged. I turn and run. I hear her shout stop and the guy groan. Looking back I see him with a seraph blade protruding out his ribs but I didn’t stop to stare, I kept pushing through the crowd. As I pass one of my friends I grab their beer out their hand. Thank angel it was full. I managed to get out a side door into an alley. A couple was making out and stopped to look at me. I glare. Fuck love. They scuttle off and it wasn’t because of me. I turn and see Izzy standing at the door. “What?” I spit, venom in my voice. I bring the beer to my lips and gulp it down. “Listen, please. I had too. He was a demon and what can I say? You normally understand I need to flirt a little.” I threw the beer bottle at the wall and turn to look at her. “That wasn’t just flirting!” I scream. “You were bloody leaning all over him. he kept touching you and you did nothing!” she flinched at my words. “If I knew that’s what your job was…” I closed my eyes. “What?” she stepped forward. “You don’t trust me?” she asked with disbelief. “You have the nerve to make this my fault!” I can't believe her. “That wasn’t even 2nd base Izz, one more minute and you could have been wearing even less than you are. I don’t care if it's your job,” I lower my voice. “It hurts to see you like that. Someone else's hands all over you.” My voice carries as much venom as before. “I can't believe you lied to me.” “I didn’t lie,” she said hotly, hands on hips. “I told you demons like to see some skin.” “No, Iz,” I said, stony-faced. “Alec told me you dress like that to get more kills. You told me it was your choice what you wore. I respect that. I always have. I don’t appreciate being lied to. You never told me you basically make out with them for a kill.” “I didn’t lie,” “No, you just didn’t tell me,” I yell again but I can't control myself anymore. I run my hands through my hair and sigh. “You don’t get it Iz. Look at me,” I grab her shoulders but she avoids my eyes. “I'm nowhere near your level. You could go out and replace me in seconds. Everyone knows it. Don’t show me what could happen. I cant handle that.” I let her go and walk down the alley to the main street. “You think I’d replace you?” I freeze at her words. “I need you. I want you. You keep me calm, happy, loved,” she walked closer with every step. “you are worth ten of me. Think about it.” I close my eyes tight. I don’t want this right now but my legs seem frozen. “Even my brother approves of you. That’s a lot.” She put her hand on my shoulder. “How can I make you trust me?” “I don’t know,” I whisper. “ it's like looking into the future. What could happen? No ones making you stay. I remember the first thing Jace told me when he saw I liked you,” my heart hurt at the memory. The words still etched in my mind. “’She’ll get bored, she always does, you won't be the shiny new thing forever.’” Yeah, Jace didn’t like me much. “I don’t want new, I want you.” She hugged me from behind. I sighed. “I need time Iz. I just need to think, get some air.” She nodded and pulled back. “I get it. I’ll give you the night to think. But remember, I love you. Its just my job…my job is demanding.” “I noticed,” I mumble as she walks back to the door. “I have to go get my seraph blade. Stay safe.” I turn my head to look at her as she disappears inside. I begin to walk home from the club. I pull my phone out and text my friends. Before I shut my phone off I click Izzy's name. my fingers hover over the keys, not knowing what to type. My fingers begin to move as they normally did. “Stay safe, love you.” The love you was so natural. I paused before sending though. I pressed a few more buttons and sent; ‘Stay safe. Talk later’ I slipped my phone into my pocket and keep walking.

#Isabelle Lightwood #isabellelightwood #isabelle lightwood imagine #shadowhunters #shadowworld #shadowhunter imagine #shadowhunters imagine #platonic alec #platonic magnus #platonic jace