Winter Blooms (Alec Lightwood)

🗝 Chapter Forty-Four 🗝

Alec found the character of Jem to be expected.

The previous Silent Brother stepped out into the sun, turned his face towards it and openly cried for a moment. He took his time absorbing the sun and speaking to Alec softly as to not disturb Varian in his arms.

"Will he be alright?" It was concern but Jem did not turn to ask it.

Alec just hummed, looking down at his fiancé with a concerned look. "He is just tired, the- the heavenly fire is draining." The taller man pauses for a second, readjusting his hold on Varian to make sure that his fiancé's bare hand is touching his bare skin. He does not mind sharing his strength with Varian in any situation, though especially when the need is so high.

Jem nods and turns to face the pair, his cheeks stained pink from the sun. "She's in Venice. She has been since the end of the humans World War. We'll need a portal to get there-"

"Then we will have to wait." Alec internally groans from the idea of spending time with the man in front of him.

He is too different than what he is used to, but that is pushed away solely for the benefit of the man in his arms. Alec is vaguely aware of the fact that he could call Magnus to them, and seek his help for transportation, as quickly as this thought enters his head he speaks again. "Magnus." Alec's voice is just above a whisper.

Jem looks at him curiously and begins to say something only to be interrupted by the arriving portal immediately in front of them.

"That'll do." Jem's nearly sarcastic as he says it, stepping towards the portal with an easy confidence. Alec follows a moment behind, sure to keep a tight grip on Varian in his arms.

He lands with his knees bent, the image of Jem and Magnus embracing with bright laughs interrupted almost immediately by Varian's father reacting to the unconscious form of his son in Alec's arms.

He is frustrated, but not angry.

Magnus works quickly, instructing Alec to lay Varian down carefully on the couch and step back. Alec does not protest. He smiles down at Varian, who stirs briefly and opens his eyes. He is dazed and confused, but not shocked by his current status.

"It has been a long time Magnus." Jem speaks softly, looking towards Varian as Magnus begins his work. "Your son, he is very impressive."

Magnus pauses, a concoction in his hands that does not smell pleasant. "It is all his own doing."

Jem shakes his head, "I doubt that you had little to do with it."

The conversation is not beneficial, and a hassle beyond anything. Alec takes the mixture from Magnus, kneeling beside Varian and tilting his head back carefully. Varian is capable of swallowing on his own, and for that Alec is grateful.

It takes only a few minutes for the color to be restored to Varian's cheeks and the moment it does he is up and smiling, though still just a little tired. "Jem, you look much better." He nods to the former Silent Brother, "Baba." His greeting to Magnus is more heartfelt.

He reaches for Magnus with his left hand, a smile on his face as his baba eyes the ring on his left hand.

"I won't ask where you're going." Magnus phrases it specifically, taking his son's hand in his as he looks between the three of them, "As I probably won't approve, but whatever it is I wish you luck."

It is thanked almost immediately, and Varian stands.

A portal comes naturally with the wave of his hand, Varian's eyes on Jem. "Venice, you said?" Jem nods as a reply, and steps through first.

Alec hesitates, reaching for Varian's hand and waving goodbye to Magnus as the pair disappear. 

"Be safe." Magnus says it a moment to late, his eyes trailing on the disappearing portal as his son leaves with a mission all his own.