Winter Blooms (Alec Lightwood)

🗝 Chapter Thirty-Two 🗝

The Inquisitor was not sure about her current situation.

She had watched with cautious thoughts as Alec Lightwood took what was now informed to her as Varian Bane out of the Institute. The pair of them going to save her grandson, the grandson she thought had died so many years ago alongside his mother and father.

They didn't return for some time, but when they did, Varian was in his own body and Jace was all smiles.

The Warlock was leaning against Alec Lightwood with half shut eyes.

When Varian saw the Inquisitor he bristled. In his mind he could recognize the fact that the Inquisitor did not mean what she did, as she wasn't aware of Varian's predicament, but he couldn't convince himself that he was alright.

He pulled out of Alec's grip ever so slightly, looking to the woman with eyes that hid what he was feeling. She spoke first.

"I am sorry for what has happened to you Varian Bane." It was an apology that was genuine, punctuated by the white color surrounding her. Varian smiled softly.

"I forgive you, Inquisitor Herondale." He inclined his head to pay respects to her, and she extended her non dominant hand. Varian took it, watching as she brought it close to her chest and bowed her head towards it.

An apology, commonly used among Warlocks.

Varian pulled his hand back slightly, showing that he was not comfortable with the touch. "You are forgiven." It was sent between the last lingering contact of skin.

Varian pushed himself back into Alec, and felt only the slightest bit of panic when the Shadowhunters arm wrapped around him. "Let's go upstairs, you need sleep." Varian didn't want to protest, he let Alec lead the way.

The few Shadowhunters that noticed the small form of the Warlock tucked into Alec's side said there 'hellos' as they passed by, most could recognizes the feeling that was currently going through as one that should not be mentioned.

Alec opened the door for Varian and watched the Warlock walk in.

He seemed dazed, distant. Alec could easily understand why, his boyfriend sat on the edge of the bed carefully.

Varian couldn't get the Angel's words out of his head, his mind chanting that something was still wrong with him. "I'm sorry." His voice broke ever so slightly when he spoke as if something inside him didn't want him to speak.

Alec felt himself melt away, he crossed the room in a hurried way, though he was cautious to not startle the Warlock. He wrapped his boyfriend up in his arms, pressing a kiss to the side of his head and muttering his words ever so softly. "You did nothing wrong."

It was true, and Varian took a deep breath as a reply. "The rune- the agony rune, it made me see my worst fears, my worst memories." Varian took another deep breath. "When I was back in my body, I thought I would be okay, but, but I felt like I couldn't breathe."

Varian's hands shook as he reached to touch Alec's face, as if he didn't believe that he was truly there. He leaned up, pressing a kiss to the Shadowhunter's lips and pulling him closer ever so carefully.

"I'm tired." He lowered himself down, rolling onto the bed and tucking his face into the pillow. He waited for the bed to creak to say that Alec was leaving, he waited for the door to click shut, but the sound never came. Alec set his hand on Varian's shoulder, pressing a kiss to it, before wrapping himself around the smaller man, becoming a barrier to protect him from the rest of the world.

Varian found comfort in it, and the two of them slept peacefully in each others arms. 

At least for a short while.