Winter Blooms (Alec Lightwood)

🗝 Chapter Five 🗝

"I feel like you shouldn't be up so soon." Clary's voice was soft as she spoke to her newfound brother, smiling as his hair flopped into his eyes as he looked up at her quickly.

Varian was spinning a knife between his fingers, looking out of place as he sat against the wall of the training room, his legs curled against him as if he were trying to disappear into the wall. "Alec brought me in, insisted I get up and see people, but it's alright, I've just, I need to get back on my feet." His words were accompanied by a smile, that looked obviously strained. He stood, taking a moment to balance himself. "I promised Alec I wouldn't spar anyone, but come on then, you need some practice."

It was said as a statement, Varian knew that his sister was still relatively new to all of this, and her skills had yet to be honed to the level that they needed to be to fight in the upcoming war.

Clary frowned, her level of comfortability around her brother was still low, as they hadn't known each other for long, but the prospects of training with someone just a little bit closer to her level was reassuring. She shrugged, before turning and making her way to the center of the room.

Varian followed, stepping cautiously, his eyes wandering around the room as if to make sure that Alec wasn't watching what was about to happen. Though the smallest part of Varian was fully aware that he shouldn't be sparring against anyone after having only woken up almost a week ago, the larger part of him rationalized that away. Even Alec had to agree that without Varian's magic, he was at risk in the Downworld.

Training would be beneficial, and the fact that Alec felt the need to bring Varian to the Institute this morning for a meeting despite the fact that Varian was not allowed in the meeting also clued the Warlock into Alec's strong desire to not leave his boyfriend alone, even for a small amount of time.

Not that Varian minded.

"Here," Clary seemed to second guess herself as she handed Varian a bo staff, the Warlock's preferred weapon, as if she continued to believe that this wasn't a good idea.

Varian watched as she took a few steps back, lifting her own staff into a ready position before taking a deep breath and nodding to Varian.

The Warlock made the first move, his staff moving in a wobbly arc towards his sister, just slow enough for her to move to block easily. His next moves were cautious and easily blocked as he spoke in a soft tone.

"My favorite color is lilac, and I've always wanted a dog." Varian's breath picked up as he moved, dropping to a roll that his knees protested firmly against as he stood, his staff swiping through the air and pausing just inches from Clary's side. "Point."

She huffed in frustration, before continuing her staff swiping inches away from Varian's head, a look of apology passed over her eyes but Varian ignored it, making an attempt to swipe her legs out from under her. Clary jumped.

"I like red, and I use to have a cat named Binx." Clary seemed to catch onto what Varian had meant by his previous statement, the words coming in harsh pants as she tried to keep up with the Warlocks movements.

Though Varian tried to not show it, the few minutes of sparring had already taken its toll as he was just barely able to block a blow that would have been painful if missed. The block knocked him off balance, and Clary's staff paused just beside his shoulder. "Point."

Clary looked impossibly proud, and just as Varian started to stand to full height to continue fighting the echoing footsteps of someone on a warpath distracted him. His staff clattered to the ground by his feet, and his eyes were trained on the form of his boyfriend, stalking through the Institute, and once again Varian felt strange without the colors around him.

"Maybe we should-"

"Good idea." Clary interrupted, darting to grab the staff by Varian's feet as he slowly walked away. The two shared a grin, happy that they had gotten away with something so miniscule, the little bit of information that had been shared was just enough to make either seem all the more like a family.

They were, as Varian realized while walking away, the only blood family that each other had left. Though he had his baba, and would always have his baba, the idea of his sister being even partially alone was a heartbreaking one. The passing thought of inviting her to dinner at his place made an encouraging plan for the future.

The few Shadowhunters in the room seemed unbothered as the Warlock passed them, those that knew him by name said hello, their eyes lingering on his marked hands. The fact that Varian had lost his magic was something that had not been shared with anyone outside the small circle of Shadowhunters the man trusted, so the curiosity was ever apparent on those that noticed faces.

Alec reached Varian first, the speed of his steps much faster than Varian's slow lumbering walk. "My mother is on her way here." He eyes clearly showed his disappointment as they flit around the room, obviously looking for the woman in question.

"Oh bloody hell," Varian set his hand on Alec's bicep, wishing more than anything that he could share a calming emotion through the touch. The obvious lack of help the touch provided was almost jarring to Varian, he stood on his toes, pressing a kiss to his boyfriends cheek. "What's she coming for then?"

Alec suppressed a smile, the kiss bringing blush to his cheeks as he continued to speak. "I don't know, to nag at Izzy for getting injured a few weeks ago, to get on my case about-" Alec trailed off, what he was going to say falling through his lips in an attempt of holding his tongue.

A failed attempt.

Varian lowered his eyes, looking to the ground as he fiddled with the buttons on Alec's jacket. "Me." His voice was just barely above a whisper, the knowledge that his boyfriends family did not like him a harsh reminder to how different the pair was.

A hand pressed into his cheek, lifting his head back up as his boyfriend kissed him despite the others in the room. "But I don't care what she has to say." The sentences was punctuated with another kiss, and Varian smiled as he leaned back.

"Good that." Varian muttered, his eyes lingering on Alec's lips as he fell back on his heels.

Alec smiled down at his boyfriend, his hands sliding down his body until they rested on each of his hips, the action causing a shiver to pass over his boyfriend. "How are you feeling?" His voice was soft, and Varian just shrugged, starting to open his mouth to speak before being interrupted by a shouting voice and running footsteps.

"Alec!"