the storm inside | kitty (boyxboy)

38 | Return to Los Angeles

Song: Hands to Myself by Selena Gomez

Can't keep my hands to myself
No matter how hard I'm trying to
I want you all to myself
You're metaphorical gin and juice
So come on, give me a taste
Of what it's like to be next to you
Won't let one drop go to waste
You're metaphorical gin and juice

⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅

The strand of hair ended up taking them back to Los Angeles, where they decided to stop by the Los Angeles Institute for a night before embarking on their search to recharge, eat—how they missed Tessa's cooking! –and Magnus needed to check that Dru was doing fine.

The Institute looked the same as always, with the kind presence of Tessa and Jem, whom Magnus had engaged to help in babysitting services. When they arrived, Mina, Max, Rafe, Tavvy and Dru were sitting in a circle in the living room, a Ouija board in front of them.

"This ritual is sacred to only the purest of hearts," said Dru solemnly. "Otherwise, your plea won't be able to get through."

Kit and Ty didn't have the heart to tell them that ghosts couldn't move things.

"Looks like she's doing great," Kit heard Alec murmur to Magnus.

The smell of freshly cooked lamb chops wafted from the kitchen, along with the sizzling sounds of oil and pans. The table was set already, only waiting for them to be seated so that dinner could begin.

"Oh, you're all here," Tessa said, delicately balancing lamb chop on one hand and a glass of wine in the other. "I found this bottle of red wine somewhere; thought you might want to give it a shot, Magnus." She put it in the middle of the table. "No pun intended."

"That was brilliant," said Kit, as they sat themselves. Ty was beside him, as usual, but it felt good. Everything felt good when Ty was around. "Where did you learn puns? You didn't even know what social media is just a few days ago."

"What?" gasped Emma, descending the stairs, Julian behind her. "I'm appalled, Tessa! You are the best warlock ever but you can't, I don't know, magic yourself to be trendy?"

"Best warlock ever," sniffed Magnus. "I'm hurt."

"It was bound to happen, sooner or later, my overtaking of the favourite warlock position." Tessa shrugged. "As I learn the ways of the younger generation, I shall achieve irreplaceability."

"You already have," Jem said, coming up from behind her. He kissed her neck—

"Jem! Your plate!" Kit cried.

It tipped precariously over the side of Jem's hand, threatening to fall over any moment until a wave of blue magic rescued it, placing it gently on the table. "Unlike this plate, I'm shattered." Magnus folded his arms. "Utterly betrayed."

Alec pulled Magnus towards him, saying, "You're irreplaceable to me."

Kit grinned. This was the heart of them, the joking, the warmth of a family, how each of them knew what to say to each other, how everything was always perfect when they were together. He felt a sudden surge of love towards everyone—his family, and Ty.

Dru, Tavvy and their newfound friends bounced over to the table, Jem moving to pick Mina up from the floor and place her in a highchair. Their chatter filled the empty Institute with laughter, and the sounds of a family, united in heart and being forever.

Dinner was over with several pun and "I'm the favourite warlock" battles, courtesy of Tessa and Magnus. Kit couldn't remember the last time he smiled this much. He climbed to his room and turned on the Smart TV Magnus had bought for him, clicking on his Netflix account. During the dinner, Magnus had boasted of his wide collection of Netflix movies, until Kit had reminded him that they all came with the Netflix subscription.