An Uncertain Present

Daniel can still remember the day he first met the Dark Order.

He had been fourteen years old at the time, so it was about a decade before even the Shadowhunters came to be. Daniel had not known what kind of danger they would bring back then, but he understood just what kind of monsters they were now.

The fallen angels responsible for sending his twin sister to her death. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

And now, he was almost certain they have returned, the thought making his blood run cold.

SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO....

*****Daniel's POV*****

The sky was a soft pink that day, and laughter filled the air. He and his little brother Harry had been sent to the Marketplace earlier that day to pick up some bread, cheese and chicken for tonight's dinner. For the sake of preventing Harry from gnawing on bread (the staple food of the eight year old at that time) Daniel was carrying that and the cheese. The pungent smell of the yellow hunk made his nose itch, so he had to force back a sneeze.

Meanwhile, Harry was busy doing chicken impersonations with the very much raw chicken he carried. Quite horrible ones too if he must say, the blonde's high pitched voice as he attempted to give the chicken a voice was like chalk screeching down a chalkboard. The urge to slap the other boy was very evident, but Daniel reminds himself that as they were flying so that could likely knock the youngest out of orbit. Besides, it wasn't likely he'd be able to hit him anyways. Especially not without dropping the delicacies he was holding.

Mother may not be the most powerful between herself and Father, but that in no way meant that he wanted to invoke her wrath. And considering how easily Harry would start crying, he would not be surprised if that led to him getting in trouble.

That did not mean however that he could not tell Harry to stop, even it was highly unlikely that it would work.

"Har, can you please cut it out." He says with a small moan.

His wings flapped agitatedly behind him, a red hue popping up amidst the deep black-blue abyss of them. Out of all the four siblings, Daniel had been the only one to receive Da's power of sensing the lines connecting people and controlling emotions that they brought. Or as Father liked to put it: sensing the ties that bind. He did not have much control of this ability yet, but he was hard at work to learn.

And as he does have this power, it was no surprise that a flicker of his emotions could be spotted in his wings. The red signals the irritation/anger that he feels now. He wills the hue to disappear, not wanting to be angry. The darkness of his wings hid all the occasional bursts pretty well, but if he dwelled on a feeling too much, well, there would be no way to hide them then.

"Bawk bawk bawk BAWWWWWK!" Harry crows in his best chicken voice seemingly not hearing Daniel. So the eldest tries to grab his attention again. Thankfully, he is successful on the second attempt.

"Harry, can it!" He growls out.

Harry huffs. "Fine fine fiiiiiiiiiine. But I'm hilarious, right?"

Knowing that the God awful sound will only continue if he says otherwise, Daniel reluctantly agrees. "Yes. You are a lot of things." Such as annoying. He leaves that part unsaid.

The two boys land right in front of their home a few moments later. Dust swirls around them in a puffy orange cloud as their wings collapse against their backs. Harry waves the offending cloud away with his free hand, the other clutching at his designated basket of victuals that their Mother had them retrieve from the Market Place. Daniel hefts his basket over his shoulder with ease, being cautious to avoid the contents spilling out.

"I can't wait for dinner tonight! What do ya think Mom will make this time?" Harry chatters on like the ever inquisitive little boy that he is.

"If you'd paid attention this morning you would know." Daniel says with an incline of his head.

"Yea. But I was busy eating breakfast, and besides, we both know you're gonna tell me anyways so..." he trails off, giving Daniel an excited nudge in his rib cage.

The eldest resists the urge to groan. He had been out doing battle practice with his father the other day and had managed to bruise his right side when he had a harsh tumble down the hill. Daniel wishes he could say it had happened in an attempt to try out a brand new fighting move, but in reality it was only from tripping over a tree root.

Normally, his father would have stopped him from getting injured, but the archangel had known that learning from experience would be the only way his son could learn not to make the same mistakes. Daniel reluctantly agrees with this, knowing that he now will pay much more attention to detail in the future.

The two boys shuffle towards the door, careful not to drop their baskets. Daniel is just about to push open the door when he hears a voice. It made him freeze in place, right after he had knocked on the door with two resounding thumps of his fisted left hand. Beside him, Harry also froze in place, his wings quivering behind him.

"Veriziel look what we have here: aren't you two boys a little too small to be angels?" A man's voice asks.

"Hmm Hmm hmmm. Yes Arkanekiel I believe they are." The other stranger says with glee.

Daniel yanks Harry in front of the door before turning around. He flares his wings out protectively as soon as his little brother is safely out of view. Blue eyes narrow at the two figures standing before them now, their leering forms silhouetted by pitch black wings.

He cannot put his finger on why he finds these two strange men so disturbing. Perhaps it was their uneven gates, the way he could count each individual rib from underneath their cloak like garments that clung to their skin. Or maybe it was the crooked smiles they gave himself and Harry; smiles that were filled with what looked to be slightly yellowed teeth and puffy gums. Or it could even be the color of their eyes, the pitch blackness of them unnatural on any human, an endless abyss of nothingness that had no light in them. And he need not forget the even greater abyss of their inky wings, trimmings of a dull gray slipping out of them every so often reminiscent of a ticking clock.

No matter what it was that frightened Daniel, he found himself shuddering regardless. Judging by the quivering in the space behind him, Harry was doing the same as he buries his face against Daniel's back.

"We're not angels." He levels the men, no, the fallen angels with what he hopes is a stern glare. "We are nephilim."

He found in a small moment clarity as he said those words that he understood what these men exactly were. Father had told them in his stories about evil angels who had fell from Heaven long ago because they had committed wicked deeds. Their once beautiful physique and wings had become ugly in the process, a sign of the light they once held within their graces withering away into nothingness.

The one called Veriziel barks out a laugh, some flecks of spittle sticking to his lips. There is a manic look in this guy's abysmal eyes, a look of absolute darkness. Daniel feels terror gripping him in a vice, forcing him to meet that gaze head on.

Father did always say not to show fear to the enemy.

"How adorable that you speak to us in that tone little one. We are your elders." Arkanekiel snaps at him, dragging what looks to be lifeless fingers through the matted brown locks of his hair.

"You should treat us with respect." Veriziel agrees. Unlike his companion, this fallen angel is slightly better groomed. His ice white hair is about as albino as it can get, as is the pasty skin he has.

Daniel knows he shouldn't, but he still finds himself opening his mouth to utter a snarky retort. Luckily, his action is halted as the door behind himself and Harry finally swings open. Veronica-their mother- takes in the scene with confusion, that quickly sharpens into a serious concern with the narrowing of her eyes.

Her hands reach out to grab her sons in a vice-like grip before tugging them behind her. Too surprised to know how to react, Daniel finds himself going along with the yanking gesture. He and Harry end up stumbling into the house. While the youngest flounders to the ground Daniel manages to keep upright. He refuses to lose sight of these two fallen angels for even a second. Who knew exactly what sort of dangerous things they could cause.

There was a reason Father told them to avoid the fallen at all costs.

Mother seems to have the same feelings he has. Her fierce green gaze bores into the fallen angels, and shockingly there is no visible fear rolling off of her, though Daniel can see it in the way that the lines connecting her to Daniel and Harry flare with tinges of protection and rage and overwhelming worry. She was afraid, just not for herself.

Daniel understood the feeling. He expresses it now in the careful grip he keeps on Harry's right wing. The bronze feathers there are soft to the touch. As Harry is only eight years old, several spots along his wings were still covered in fluffy down, and plumage that would likely molt away as he got older.

It made the little boy a rather adorable sight to look at, although the upkeep of such new wings was rather arduous and annoying. Harry ended up having to have the most grooming sessions per week out of all the winged members of their family. And as Harry is not well-versed in such practices, it was left to their parents to do the hard work of straightening lopsided feathers and teasing out the rift raff that Harry would get in his wings every time he decided barrel rolling down a hill was a good idea (which was a lot more often then one might think).

Veronica's voice is firm as she begins to talk to the fallen, her hand resting readily on the sword lying on the walk in table. Father had left plenty of his weapons lying around the house, claiming that you never could know when something dangerous could attack you in your own home. Daniel supposed that today his point had finally been proven.

"Hello there. I don't think we've been introduced. My name is Veronica Windimiere, and if I see you lay a hand on either of my sons you can be sure there'll be hell to pay." She snaps icily.

Veriziel raises his hands placatingly. Daniel notes once again how lifeless they seem, and with the sliding back of the dark robes the fallen angel wore he is also able to spot the scrawling black veins on his arms. The way they bulged and appeared swollen gave off the impression that they were most certainly infected. Though there is the question as to what per say the black veins were infected with.

"Now now Ms. Wi-"

"Mrs." She corrects with a growl.

"Mrs. Windimiere, " He corrects. "We are only here to see your husband. We don't....have to hurt you or your sons or..." he licks his lips hungrily, his eyes seeming to darken even more if that was even possible. "Your daughters, but we need to find Remiel. So tell us where he is and we should be on our way."

Daniel feels disgust worm it's way through him at the hungry look Arkanekiel also sends their way. The two were definitely the worst kind of fallen there was: only someone truly sick would thinking that assaulting young children was okay. Fear continues its sauntering down his spine, and he once again has to keep himself from shuddering in terror.

"And I say that you no. You both better get out of here. NOW!" She snaps.

"My my, someone is being difficult. I guess we'll just have to do things the hard way then." Arakenekiel smirks, his wings fluttering behind him despite the lifeless look of them.

Daniel can see the way his mother tenses up even further. The sword she gripped in the hand she held behind her back held a dull gleam in the shadow of the doorway. Her knuckles whiten from gripping the hilt for so long. It would seem that she might have to use the blade, and even though father had taught her how, Daniel didn't find their chances promising.

"I think not." A voice booms.

Daniel peers up from behind his mother to see his father swooping down. Remiel was dressed in casual wear, his blue eyes narrowed with an expression he could only describe as absolute rage. Veriziel and Arakenekiel also seem to recognize that anger, and Daniel feels a grim satisfaction at the way they cower away from his father.

"R-Remiel. We-we wa-as looking for you." Veriziel points a shaky finger at him, his wings quivering behind him shakily.

Remiel gives the two men a bored frown, rolling his eyes in the way he always did when he was annoyed. Daniel usually saw that look whenever the debtors came by, or at the marketplace where people tried to sell father overpriced goods. Both times were viewed as unnecessary hassle. Daniel wonders if Remiel views this situation the same way. The way the archangel clenched his jaw so hard that his teeth ground together spoke a different story though.

Perhaps this situation freaks him out too?

Daniel figured that if his father was unnerved, it would be about his family being in danger. He thanks God in this moment that Pippa and Sara aren't here. They were supposed to be spending the day with their uncle Samuel. Apparently he and his girlfriend were getting awfully close. Father had said that it wouldn't be surprising if the pair were to get married soon.

"I already told your organization that I'm not interested. And I'm not giving you my power either. So put an egg in your shoe and beat it." Remiel fists started to glow, the light of heavenly fire consuming them.

Daniel, who was still behind his mother and protectively in front of Harry, could feel the power emanating from his fists. Heavenly fire was no joke. Daniel knew from watching his father in previous fights the kind of damage it could deal. It was why the Archangel Michael used heavenly fire inside his most prized blade, just as Remiel kept the same fire inside his heavenly bow and arrows.

Arakenekiel took a threatening step forward. Daniel noted the hunger that was still in those dark eyes. In front of him, Veronica clenches her weapon even tighter.

"You know that we're going to keep coming back for your gift Remiel. Your resistance is futile." The fallen angel said this with a smirk.

Daniel felt the threat was a lot less effective with Veriziel still shuddering with fear. It was almost as though the fallen angel hadn't grasped the gravity of power that Remiel possessed before coming here. Now, when faced with the Archangel, Veriziel could see how dangerous of an opponent they were truly facing.

It only took one raised hand on Remiel's part. Said hand was bursting with heavenly light as he glared daggers at the two fallen. The light reflected in the archangel's eyes, the blue of them gaining a white sheen.

"LEAVE!!!" He thunderously roars. The two fallen angels hastily make a retreat, not once bothering to look back as they go.

Yet Daniel can easily see that this is far from over.

BACK TO PRESENT DAY...

Daniel lands on the ground, his wings swishing closed behind him. The ground crunched underneath his combat boots, though he wasn't the slightest bit concerned about damaging the grass. After all, it was already long dead anyways.

The scenery around him was nothing like the first time he had ever been here. The trees swayed lifeless in the breeze, the pine needles and leaves all fallen from the branches. Any greenery on the ground was brittle and withered away, the only thing remaining was the unnatural white sand that permeates demonic energy. A foreboding fog eclipses the air, preventing Daniel from seeing most of the stars.

Luckily, what he was searching for wasn't something that made him need to look up.

In front of him stood two tall oak trees. Both were so tall that their tops rose up into the sky, impossible to see from the fog that lingered on the ground and in the air. Unlike the other trees in the area, these two were alive. Though, it wasn't in the traditional sense per say

"I see you two haven't changed at all since the last time I was here."

Daniel runs an idle hand down the bark of one of the trees. The pattern of the trunk here was swiveled and curled. Oak trees were meant to be tall, and just as important: straight. The former was a successful continuation of trend. The latter on the other hand.

The two trees swiveled to form a perfect oval, the circular pattern unmistakable even in the terrible fog. The gap was easily twelve feet wide and eight feet tall, perfectly encompassing any of the combatants that had fought in front of it on that fateful day. Even Daniel himself (one of the tallest in the mix) would have been swallowed whole by the portal that had once been active their.

Sara had created this portal. Sara gave everything for this portal to work, even her life.

The portal had succeeded in sending a vast majority of the Dark Order into the nightmarish world of Thule, where no light could survive. Their numbers had been so badly damagednthat it became apparent the group would have no choice but to disband permanently. This should have been a cause for celebration.

But all we were left with was the fear we lost much more than we gained.

Daniel had felt hollow after the disappearance of his twin. An emptiness he had never experienced before encompassed him, leaving him lost and alone. Five years may have passed, but the pain in his heart still remained in its depths, just waiting to be dredged up again.

He sighed.

There are important things to do here.

And so he carefully scoops up a few blackened gray feathers. These were the remains of the fallen angels Daniel and his siblings had so bravely fought that day. Slowly, he drags the evidence he found on the High Grounds- a place that should've been safe from penetrating darkness- out into the open. He examines the two feathers side by side, sensing the energy from within. Daniel could feel the way this energy pulsates from each fiber of the feathers, he immersed himself in it so they could resonate with his own wings.

He lets out a surprised gasp as the two feathers disintegrate in his palm, the darkness of them flaring up before being extinguished with a firm finality. Daniel had figured this would happen, especially after what Harry had told him, but this...this...

This was unbelievable.

These feathers should've lost their ability to disintegrate long ago, as the beings they had been attached to were long dead. Being able to do so now should've been impossible. And yet it had still happened. The dark energy had reappeared for a few brief moments.

This could only mean one thing. He didn't dare to voice his thoughts aloud.

Daniel's heart pounds in his rib cage as fiercely as though it were knocking on Heaven's door. He can feel the blood rushing in his ears in a way that made his hands twinge and an all too familiar pain rise in his gut, the sting of it forcing him to the ground as he dry heaved shakily. Numbly the winged nephilim keels over on the ground in a fetal position to brace himself against the pain.

"Ha....ha....ha..." he pants, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. "Why....this shouldn't...be happening....so why....?"

Unceremoniously he lifts his right hand to yank up his shirt. Daniel lets out another shuddering exhale as he sees the rune on his abdomen. What was supposed to be a rune meant to bring him happiness, care, loyalty, faith, teamwork, and friendship now only served as a bitter reminder of what he had lost, the flare of pain he felt now a burning echo of the initial devastation that loss had given him.

"When will this end? Will you ever stop hurting me?" He groans as he coughs up a small wad of blood that lands as a dark puddle on the ground. Numbly, Daniel swipes his mouth clean with his jacket sleeve. This blood had been a recent addition to the pain he occasionally felt. Daniel still was unsure why it was happening.

Not to his surprise, the eerie forest does not provide him with an answer. The rune continues to glow a dangerous ruby red, so bright that he can imagine blood flowing from it freely. Small, wiry like black veins bulge out from it slightly, the spidery veins an infection that could not be cured. These little marks had risen a short month ago, around the time he had started to have nightmares again.

Daniel had hoped that he would be able to skip the horrid dreams that came with the upcoming anniversary of Sara's death each year after his father had returned, but apparently nothing would be able to make them falter. But at the very least, the mark did begin to die down with its fierce light, leaving behind a hurtful puffiness that sizzled to the touch.

After the pain patters away for a temporary retreat, Daniel's blue eyes find themselves traveling upwards to look up at the sky. Fog blots out what would be a clear sky, but that does not stop him from picturing a starry night with laughter and pearlescent wings; a final moment of peace before unending suffering.

"I still want to believe.....but no one else does..." Daniel gets back onto his feet, dusting off his pants.

He'd dressed for training today, his wings fluttering behind him. The presence of them was a reminder that he could not stay here long, there was work to be done. Flight practice was supposed to be today after all and it was best not to keep Alec and the others waiting.

"I'll be back." He promises to no one in particular. Daniel takes off into the sky, his large wings propelling him up into the air.

*****Armando's POV*****

Little did Daniel know, his dear friend had been watching him the entire time. Armando lets out a weary sigh as Daniel disappears into the fog. He had a feeling that this issue still needed to be resolved.

The question is: will it ever be?

To that, Armando had no answer. What he did know however was that he has work to do. Best to try and help Daniel out later when he was free then to fall behind on orders. Considering his network of associates, he might be able to help and get work done too.

Still, Armando does take the time to scan over the old battlefield. He had been here a few times with Daniel before, back when Sara's death had been a recent wound to the heart. They had found nothing then but the same sense of loss they only felt.

This time however, things were different.

Armando cast his orange hued magic into the air, letting it run rampant as it sought out each nook and cranny of the clearly dead landscape. He expected it to swirl back to him to report negative results. There had been no negative signaling energy here for almost six years now, so why should this time be any different.

Yet it was.

Armando shudders as his magic returns to him. The once purely orange light is entangled with a sickly black twine of energy that is nothing but evil in origin. It had been a long time since Armando had last seen this darkness. He had hoped that it would never grace him with its presence again.

"Hmmm, it looks like I have something to look into after all."

He opens a Portal behind him back to his shop, taking the small band of entrapped energy with him. When the Portal whooshes closed only an eerie landscape was left behind. A landscape that wouldn't remain so empty for much longer.

"The Darkness will return....."

****Alec's POV****

Alec could feel the wind in his wings as he dodges yet another attack from the wooden sword, a manic grin on his face. The N.Y. Institute let in the soft morning rays, showcasing the stark black runes scrawled on the training room floor. It was true that Alec was meant to be out at flight training soon, but he had agreed to a morning workout with Jace first. Hence why he was in the training room now, battling back well aimed blows from his parabatai's sword.

"I'm....going...to...get...you! Ha...ha..." Jace pants as he continues his barrage.

As it would happen, his wings had made him a lot faster than he previously had been before. Jace had to use his angelic runes just to keep up with him. White wings moved with sinewy grace behind him. The archangel felt as though they were almost taunting him, his parabatai lunging to attack just a second too late as the wings yanked him back. This cycle had been going on for the past few minutes now, and all of Jace's attempts had been to no avail.

"You'd think you would've gotten me by now." Alec teases his brother. He parries a much fiercer thrust in the direction of his abdomen, pushing Jace back with a force that came easy to him ever since the reawakening.

"Heh, I'm just getting started. Remember, I'm the only one who can wipe the floor with you." Jace says with his own cocky grin. Sweat clings to the blonde's bare chest as he had forgone a shirt long ago. Said red t-shirt laid discarded in a pile next to two bottles of water.

Alec flaps his wings in challenge, gripping the two wooden swords he held tightly. It was clear to him that it was time he struck back. Go on the offensive to wipe that smug smirk off Jace's face.

"I'd like to see you try."

With that said Alec lungs across the room to close the gap between himself and Jace. He slashes with powerful strokes at the other man's stomach and kneecaps. Jace manages to just barely block the movement, his sides heaving for air. The two parabatai push away from each other before continuing their fight, each parry and thrust well-timed with the pulse of their parabatai bond flowing freely between them.

When Alec had first become immortal, there had been a concern that the change would negatively affect his bond with Jace. Luckily, his fear was so far unfounded. The Lightwood and Heronadale had yet to have any negative drawback from this change. If anything, their bond had only grown stronger.

"Hah, I win!" Alec let out a huff as he finally subdued Jace to the ground.

One elbow dug into the blonde's throat, his hands pinned down by his knees placed on the palm of each one. Alec's free hand was poised at his side, ready any tricks the other parabatai might have. He no longer had either of the swords he had been battling with earlier, his blonde brother was also sans any weapons. The wooden blades lay discarded haphazardly off to the side, out of use for the time being.

"Ack, fine fine fine. Just get off of me you big lug." Jace sputters out.

Alec lets out a chuckle before stepping away. He dusts himself off as Jace scrambles back onto his feet, going over to put away the wooden swords. Hazel eyes follow his movements, content to just remain in one place after that strenuous training session.

Belatedly he realizes that it would've been best to take off his shirt around the time Jace had. As an archangel, the ability to sweat would eventually disappear with time, as would the usual discomforts of getting sick. At the time being Alec still has these problems though, as was evident in the way his blue-now navy- shirt clings to his back.

The wings trailing behind him were impervious to the sweat, though they did produce a certain oil to make them slicker during battle. Harry had told him it would make him more evasive during a fight. Alec wasn't sure how true this actually was, but as he had no evidence against this claim as of yet, he figured it best to keep quiet.

"That was a good fight. You almost had me that time." Alec admits.

Jace waves off his words as he gulps down dome water from one of the bottles. The contents are gone in a matter of a minute; Jace leaves behind only a few speckled droplets in the wake of quenching his thirst before tossing the now emptied bottle in the recycling bin in the corner of the room.

"No I didn't. Though I did pin you pretty thoroughly last week, so there's always that." Jace said.

Alec rolls his eyes. "I tripped over one of my wings on accident. I don't think that one should count."

He remembers how he had attempted to rush Jace that day, only for one of his feet to land on an outstretched wing, sending him sprawling to the floor. His brother capitalized on the obvious mistake, forcing Alec into an uncomfortable pinned position on the cold floor.

Jace snorts. "Not likely Alec. That win was too epic."

Alec crosses his arms over his chest. He can feel his wings fluffing up agitatedly behind him. They too remembered how uncomfortable he had been. It was as though they had a mind of their own sometimes, especially in moments like these when they outstretched to thwack Jace in the back. The movement forced the Shadowhunter to stumble forward slightly.

"I think my wings agree that you're a moron." Alec says with a laugh.

"Hmm, of course they would. Did you do that....or did they...?" Jace casts an appraising look at the two feathery appendages.

"It was them that time. I wasn't thinking of whacking you, but after seeing it I can't say I'm mad." Alec murmurs.

Jace nods contemplatively. "I guess they can sense everything you do, even desires you didn't know you had."

Alec flushes at that. He recalls all too well the last time that his wings acted out on their own. It had been yesterday, when Magnus came home from work. His husband had been dressed in a ravishing suit that hugged his body in all the right places alongside his sleek black pants. Pair that with some neatly done makeup and slightly mussed hair from Magnus's ring clad hands made the warlock look amazing.

Despite knowing how tired Magnus must have been after a meeting with the Spiral Labyrinth, those wings had all but lung for the warlock to tug him right in front of Alec. The two had wasted no time removing all their articles of clothing (which turned out to be quite a lot) before making out on their way to the bedroom. Dinner had grown cold by the time Alec and Magnus had made their way back out to the dining room, but neither of them had complained. It was a good night for pizza anyways.

He opens his mouth to let out a response, but gets cut off. "I seem to have arrived at the perfect stopping point. Alec, are you ready to get going?" Alec and Jace turn to see Daniel leaning up against one of the entrance pillars. He was clutching his abdomen a little tighter than normal, almost as though he was trying to keep something in.

Alec gives his brother one last pat on the shoulder. "See you at dinner later yea?"

Jace dips his head. "Yea, have fun parabatai. Try not to crash into anything this time."

"Heh, you wish!" Alec says with a chuckle.

The two pull each other into one last hug before breaking apart. Alec walks over to Daniel, letting his wings flare out in preparation for flight. Today, they would be doing some strenuous aerial training, all for the surprise if the upcoming evening after dinner.

Magnus is going to be so surprised!

****Pippa's POV****

Pippa had been busy doing figure eights in the air when Daniel and Alec had finally arrived. As the High Grounds we're still recovering from the battle that had taken place after Dad's reawakening, they had resorted to flight practice over the Brocelind forest. The trees here were laid out in thick combs, the only breaks being the cobblestone path that led to Alicante and, of course, Lake Lyn. Currently the lake was a gleaming shade of gold as the sun shines brightly overhead. The sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds, that Harry was amusing himself with by flying right on through.

"Hey guys!" Alec lets out a call of greeting. His white wings kept him steady in the air, flapping gently with the soft wind.

"Hey Alec, Daniel! About time the both of you got here." Pippa murmurs. Her own flame colored wings balance out behind her as she halts her flight pattern to remain stationary in the sky.

"Sorry we're late, I lost track of time." Daniel confesses.

"Dan Dan, Alec!" Harry cheers. The youngest had his golden green eyes on the newcomers now, his wings dispersing one final lump of cloud before flapping over to them. Harry tugs both males into a tight hug. "Missed you guys!"

"You literally just saw me this morning Har." Daniel grumbles, though he does reach up to pet Harry's unruly head of hair.

Alec smiles fondly at the spectacle, his hazel eyes meeting Pippa's green ones. The Shadowhunter turned archangel had been fitting into his new life nicely, though there were still plenty things he had yet to learn about the winged nephilim. Pippa could only hope the news wouldn't freak him out too much. Otherwise, she was unsure what could be done.

"So, what're we going to do first?" Alec cracks his knuckles. "Jace helped me get warmed up earlier so I'll be ready for whatever we're doing."

"We'll see about that." Pippa said.

"I was thinking we'd do some regular laps up here before attempting some tight space maneuvers down in the forest. If that goes well we can do some aerial fighting afterwards." Daniel tells the group. Her older brother had pulled away from Harry, as had Alec.

"Sounds like a plan." Alec agrees.

"Race you guys. C'mon Pip, bet ya can't catch me." Harry crows before speeding off.

Pippa gives a seething glare in the youngest's direction, ignoring Alec and Daniel semi-amused/exasperated stares as her own wings flare out dangerously behind her. She may be the most temperamental of the the three winged nephilim, but there was only one thing Harry did that would really enrage her immediately. And that was calling her Pip. Harry knew this, and would always take advantage of an opportunity to get her mad. Something to do with being the youngest sibling, she supposed.

"Harry!!!" She shouts as she flies after him.

The youngest had made the decision to try to lose her in the woods. Bronze wings tucked in close to nosedive down into the trees, flapping open at the last second to dive through a rough patch of prickly thorns. Pippa follows suit, her own wings lithe enough to avoid the jabbing thorns that wanted to stab into her plumage.

She comes out of the thorn patch no worse for wear to find Harry speeding on through some scraggly bushes. Pippa gives chase, her own wings propelling her right over the undergrowth with ease. Often Harry would fly without direction, but today his target was Lake Lyn, which became all the more apparent as they reached the shoreline of the large body of water.

The air becomes much cooler once the water is underneath her, small waves rippling with each flap of her wings. Ever the Wild child Harry was flying low enough to the water's surface that his wings splashed up some droplets into the air. Pippa let the refreshing liquid splash her face. Unlike other nephilim, Lake Lyn's hallucinatory effects after coming into contact (or more specifically drinking it) have no effect on herself or her two brothers.

The sprays of water make her blink rapidly to keep her sight on Harry. The youngest was almost at the other end of the lake now, having already done a quick loop around the small island in the middle of the body of water. Pippa chooses this moment to slam into Harry, sending them both catapulting into the sand beside the rippling shore line. A cloud of dust is kicked up upon their crash. Harry's wings flail behind him as he coughs up sand. Pippa grins victoriously from her pressuring weight on his back, feeling a vindictive sort of success at catching her target.

"Don't...call...me Pip!" She snaps. "How many times to I have to tell you Harry?!"

Harry's voice is muffled by sand as he responds, still laughing for who knows why.

"Sorrryyyyyy....its just really fun!" He claims with glee. Pippa wants to smack him, but she doubts that stop him from teasing her again in the future.

Daniel and Alec take this moment to land beside them. Judging by the windswept look of their hair and the way Alec had a few twigs poking out from his wings, Pippa would guess that they had followed the same path she had chased Harry down.

"We finally caught up to you guys. Harry, please stop bothering Pippa. You know it only angers her." Alec chides the youngest with one waggling finger.

Harry pouts, his wings as lopsided as the smile he wears. "Awww....but I don't wanna..."

The childishness of her younger brother could be unbelievable at times. Today was no exception. Pippa swats his head one final time before pulling away. Luckily she was dressed in training clothes today, otherwise she'd be even angrier at Harry for soiling her outfit of the day.

"Harry." Daniel mutters sternly. His black wings were sleek shadows behind him in the sunshine, somewhat dull in the daylight. They always were much nicer to look at during the night, when the star like glimmer of them was easy to pick out.

"Fine. I won't do it again...today." Harry said. Daniel and Alec were seemingly appeased by this, the small trail of annoyance in their wings vanishing for the time being.

"Well, then it looks I'll just have to keep smacking you down next time." She mutters.

"Yea, if you can catch me." Harry says with a wink.

They both knew that Pippa always caught Harry regardless of whatever trick he pulled. The youngest might be the fastest of the bunch in the air, but Pippa has relentless determination on her side. She would catch him, it was just a matter of when.

"So, now that the shenanigans have been done, let's get some aerial fighting in. Pippa, you'll be with me. Harry you'll pair off with Dad. Try to figure out where he is instinct wise and improve from there." Daniel said.

"Alec, you ready for some flight fight?" Harry says excitedly, flexing his wings. A few spatters of sand kick up as a result. The peaceful sound of Lake Lyn's gurgling water continues on undeterred by the movement.

"Sure...though I'm not sure how good I'll be." Alec admits.

Pippa finds his confession to be pretty accurate. This would be the first time the new angel would be doing some in air fighting after all, there was no telling how easy it would be for him to learn the necessary techniques involved in aerial combat.

At least this isn't technically his first time learning.

The more Alec remembered of his past, the more likely this kind of training would be easy. It helped too that Alec was born and raised a Shadowhunter. The nephilim were known for their battle technique, the runes that gave them enhanced power only serving to aid in their strategy and prowess in battle. Mid air fighting was essentially a step further from what an everyday Shadowhunter could do (mostly because the extra angles of attack and the need for some of your focus to always be on keeping in the air) so it should be manageable at the very least.

"You'll do just fine, I'm sure of it." Daniel pats Alec on the arm reassuringly.

"Thanks, hopefully you're right." Alec responds.

Daniel gives one more nod before motioning to her that it was time to take to the air. Pippa follows the eldest with ease, glancing back one last time to see Harry sling his arm around Alec's shoulder tugging him off towards the other side of the lake for more room, as aerial battle could take up a lot of space.

****Jace's POV****

He had been pacing the training room floor for the past five minutes now. The wide panel windows let in the rays of sun from outside, lighting the room without the artificial lighting. The staff he has in his grip had been twirled a great many times now, his skilled hands noting every divot and scratch in the adamas endowed wood.

He had been training since the early hours of the morning (long before Alec showed up), so much so that sweat clung to him like a second skin. Training had always been a form of emotional release for him. Jace could always count on a hard work out session to relieve the tension he had riddling his tired frame.

But that had not been the case today.

Jace had thought long and hard about what he was going to say to this person. He could only hope that they would be able to help him.

Jace was uncertain that they could.

"Jace, you wanted to see me?"

He turns to see Simon walking in. His friend was decked out in casual wear: a Star Wars logo t-shirt, some skinny jeans and an old pair of white tennis shoes. There were plenty of runes covering the new Shadowhunter's arms already, despite the fact that he'd only been one for a little over two months now.

"Yea, there's something I need to talk to you about." Jace walks over to the bench, grabbing up his water bottle to take a big gulp from it. The cool liquid was refreshing to swallow. It satisfied the dehydration from all the training he had been doing. Though it did little to solve the problem of his sweaty palms, of the anxious pounding of his heart.

"Alright. What is it then?" Simon asks.

"Uh, well...." he scratches the back of his neck anxiously. The words seem to abandon him now that he's face to face with Simon. What was I trying to say again?

Simon must notice his odd behavior too. An amused and curious smile stretches out across the planes of his face. His dark eyes blink, the darker lashes on them casting small shadows on his face from the light of the training room. Sometimes, Jace is surprised that this room still stands. Clary had tested numerous new runes in here, and he would be lying if he said none of them resulted in powerful explosions.

"I can't believe it. Is the Jace Lightwood Herondale nervous?" The question is said much more like a statement. Jace resists the urge to glare at his friend.

"Pfft no, of course I'm not nervous. You're being ridiculous." He tells Simon.

The new Shadowhunter raises a skeptical eyebrow at him; Jace has a feeling that he does not believe him at all. The case in his back pocket feels like a heavy weight. Jace hasn't the slightest clue why it is taking him so long to finally give the ring inside a purpose. Maybe it's just nerves. Yes, it's probably nerves.

"Well, it that isn't the case, then I guess you have nothing to worry about."

Jace struggles to find words....and unfortunately is unable to find the right ones.

And so he gives a numb nod, unable to swallow the lump in his throat. That does not stop him however from speaking about other things. Simon had also mentioned there was something he wanted to talk about. Talking about his up and coming (because yes, there's no way that he wouldn't be doing it) proposal would happen soon enough. He just had to wait for the right moment.

Jace just wants everything to be perfect for Clary.

"So what's been bothering you then?"

Now it's Simon's turn to grow nervous. His hands clasp behind his back, his body shaking with nervous energy. Jace's eyebrows furrowed with confusion. He had never seen his friend act quite like this before, which was saying something seeing as how Simon used to be. Back when they'd first met, Simon seemed to get freaked out over just about everything, which really was saying something.

"Oh, well, there's something I've been planning for some time now. I figured I'd tell you about it first. And then hopefully Alec next." Simon said.

"And that would be what exactly?" Jace asks, tilting his head to the side curiously.

The water bottle on his hand was covered in dewy moisture. Some of which was sliding down onto his hand. Usually, he would not be using a regular, plastic water bottle. In his haste to get to the training room this morning though, he had forgone his normal metallic bottle.

"I think it might be best if I just show you." What Simon pulls out next sends Jace into a surprised sort of shock.

The object turns out to be a small, velvet box. And when that box is opened, there is a ring inside. And not just any ring....

An engagement ring.

"That-that's....." Jace is at a loss for words.

"I never knew how much I needed Isabelle in my life until I had her. I-I...Jace, I want to marry her. I want to marry Izzy. It's all I want. So what do you think?"

Jace may be uncertain about how he will propose to Clary, but he knows how Simon's confession makes him feel.

"That's wonderful news Simon." He murmurs. His heart bursts with happiness for Isabelle and Simon both. He only wants the best for both of them.

****Harry's POV****

Harry swipes sweaty strands of hair out of his eyes, forcing himself to focus on the situation at hand. He and Alec had been battling for the past several minutes now, trying to see just where Alec's learning curve fell with his instinctual knowledge and what his faintly returned memory had taught him.

Initially, the youngest would admit that he had been taking it easy on Alec. There was the concern of him being too challenging during the first session, making him hold back on his more...let's say dangerous skills. He found himself floundering a few times though, surprised to find that Alec already had mastered the basics.

"Haaaaaaa!" Alec yells as he tries another blunt dive at him. Harry manages to spin out of the way just in time as two white wings slice through the spot in the air he had been just moments before.

Harry jabs one of his own wings out in retaliation, which Alec decides to catch and throw backwards. Balance alludes him momentarily as he spins waywardly before finding his balance with a strong gust of wind. His father takes this moment to launch another attack. This time he successful in jabbing him in the gut that he is unable to recoil from fast enough.

"Got you that time." Alec gives a victorious grin.

Harry can't help but return the smile, impressed at Alec's quick learning. "You clearly know the basics, and are plenty capable of thinking on your feet." He praises.

Now that they've halted fighting, Harry can get a good look at his father. The angel's hair was windswept from flight, his clothes all black as was the norm for training attire. A few leaves still littered the white wings behind Alec from the dive into the bushes earlier. To be honest, Harry has no idea how the twigs hadn't fallen out yet considering how many weird movements Alec had made in the air in the past hour. Harry also notes the blue glow in his father's eyes. It appeared that whenever Alec called upon heavenly power, his hazel eyes would turn back to their original shade. This was interesting, considering that this was the only time these blue eyes seemed to appear.

"Thanks. I think Institute training has a lot to do with it."

"Perhaps in some cases, " Harry concedes. "But I think how quickly you learn is all you."

Alec gives a nod. The two continue training for the next hour, occasionally observing Daniel and Pippa across the lake. If Harry had to make a guess, he would say that the pair was mostly even during the fight. Though with Daniel, one could never truly be certain, the eldest always having some miraculous trick up his sleeve to use at the last moment. Harry and Pippa and even Sara never saw this trick coming until it occurred and by that point it was much too late for the other siblings to do anything about it.

At the Loft in Alicante....

*****Magnus's POV*****

He pays extra attention on pulling the tie through the last loop, nestling the thing snuggly against his husband's throat. Alec stands in his usual soldier stance in front of him, though his hands fiddle around behind him, as does the wings framing him on both sides.

Before they'd gotten married, Magnus had believed his Alexander to be a silent type. It wasn't a bad assumption as Alec often was rigid, authoritative and a man of little words unless spoken to. What he had not realized at the time was that instead of words, Alec would often express himself through actions. Casual touches, hugs and kisses were all Alec's way of showing he cared. So Magnus understood that the way Alec's wings reached out towards him was their way of expressing Alexander's desire to be close to him.

"The guests should be here shortly. Are you sure everything is ready?" Magnus asks Alec as he finishes up with the tie. This one is a vibrant sapphire blue that matches well with the glowing blue Alec's eyes sometimes take on.

Magnus finds the new eye color ravishingly handsome. He always did have a thing for handsome men with blue eyes after all. Alec seemed a little on the fence about the occasional eye color change, but his husband's opinion on the matter had ebbed away at the uncertainty he still held.

Alec places a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Mags, I'm sure everything will be fine. We've already double checked everything so nothing should go wrong."

"Ah, but there's the key word Alexander. Should. You never can be certain that'll hold through." Magnus chides.

"Hmm, I suppose you're not wrong. We can check again if you'd like?" Alec asks.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Magnus and Alec both perk up at the knocking sound from the front door. The thuds resonated with the black painted wood, allowing the noise to be heard from just about anywhere in the house. It could be a bit annoying when they were trying to enjoy a quiet evening in only to be interrupted. How might you ask were they interrupted? Well, let's just say their occasional neighbors (because yes, the whole building was usually theirs aside from the visiting Clave dignitaries) were a bit rude.

A bit being an understatement. I can still remember the way Sonia and Ralph crashed into our door while making out so heavily it clearly was heading towards the bedroom.

"Rain check that thought for next time pup." Magnus pecks his husband on the nose before spinning with a flourish, missing the way his gesture sent a flush of pink on Alec's cheeks. "The guests are here at last."

*****Clary's POV*****

Alicante was chillingly cool by the time she, Jace, Isabelle and Simon arrived at the Loft's front door. Like the penthouse apartment back in Brooklyn, she knew that Magnus and Alec's home was neatly decorated. Magnus mostly took the reigns in the decor department, having owned several estates over his centuries of life.

But the trained eye could see all the intricate details that were clearly from Alec: he weapons rack at the front entrance as they were let in was the first thing that Clary could see as she walked in, a Keurig coffee machine sat on the kitchen counter as Alec liked to make his own in the morning, the billowing curtains and stain glass doors also among the many touches the former Shadowhunter had made to his and his husband's shared home.

It was no time at all before Magnus was opening the door to let them in. The High Warlock of Alicante was dressed as prestigious as ever, his red and gold color scheme suit and tie matching well with his black dress pants and slacks. A gold streak had been applied to Magnus's coiffed hair to finish off the stylish look alongside some sparkling glitter that Clary wouldn't be surprised if he had invented considering how much of it he owned.

Magnus leads them into the living room where the plush white couch remains in front of the flat screen tv. Apparently the living room had yet to undergo any extraordinary changes the warlock would invoke whenever the mood struck him. Perhaps Alec's presence had something to do with that.

"Biscuit, Isabelle, Jace, Sherman. So lovely to see you all. Come on in." Magnus greeted Clary and Isabelle with a hug. Jace received a pat on the shoulder, while Simon just groaned about Magnus getting his name wrong yet again, much to everyone else's amusement.

"Magnus, I like what you've done with the place." Izzy murmurs as she walks toward the dining room, Simon trailing behind her like a happy puppy.

Clary spots what her parabatai is talking about almost immediately. Instead of the old framed portrait of Magnus that used to hang near the bookshelf, there was now a picture of Magnus and Alec together. The photo was clearly recent; Alec's wings were captured on camera hovering behind him, with one outstretched to wrap around Magnus to hold him close just like the arm around his waist would. Both men were smiling in the picture, the blue sky overhead depicting a clear day. In the background what looked like the frosty white sand of a beach could be seen.

"Oh, I see you've spotted the new picture. Alexander and I had it done on our weekend stay on my island of the coast of Florida. It was nice to get away for a few days." Magnus explains.

"I'm sure it was." Jace agrees. He was standing right beside her, his hand clasped in hers. "You and Alec could use a break after all the work you've been doing lately."

Magnus dips his head in agreement. "You're not wrong there Jace. Though I will say it can be a struggle to get Alexander to willingly leave his work behind for a few days. Shadowhunters really are workaholics." He huffs.

"Eh, it's not like you didn't know what you were getting into." Izzy stifles a laugh.

"She's right. And Alec is probably the biggest workaholic of all." Simon agrees.

Magnus gives them an annoyed glare, but doesn't disagree. Alec chooses this moment to barge into the conversation. His wings trail behind him like puffy clouds, almost obstructing her view of Harry following from behind him. Clary has to strain her head to get a peek of Harry's bronze wings, though his amused chuckles are impossible to miss, almost like strange little hiccups that were amusing to listen too.

"Are we talking about me?" Alec crosses his arms over his chest, fixing his parabatai with a stern glare. Jace has the nerve to look like he didn't contribute to the conversation at all, taking on a mock innocent expression that makes her want to giggle at the absurdity of it.

"Why do you think it was me?" Jace says in an oh so innocent tone.

Alec just does his trademark eye-roll, unimpressed by his brother's antics. "When is it ever not you, parabatai?"

Izzy just shrugs her shoulders and starts laughing. Jace and Alec both give her an annoyed glare as the rest of the room joins in the amused chuckling.

"He's got a point there." Clary agrees, earning a smile from Alec and a cackle from Harry.

"Well in any case, dinner is ready. Pippa and Dan Dan are setting it up now." Harry tells them gleefully.

"Great! Let's get to the table then. Being a new Shadowhunter is exhausting!" Simon exclaims rather dramatically before pulling his girlfriend into the dining room with him. The rest of the group dutifully follows behind the couple, ready for a good meal tonight.

****Time Skip/Magnus's POV****

Magnus lets out a sigh of relief he hadn't realized he had been holding as he waves Daniel and Pippa goodbye as they leave for the night. As they were the last remaining guests, only himself and Alec remained in the room. The Loft was quiet without the company it previously held. During his bachelor days, Magnus would have wanted there to be parties and noise long into the night. Now however he was fine with the peace of a quiet home with his husband. This was a testament to how much he had changed.

There was also the bundle of nerves thrumming in him with excitement.

"So Alexander...now that we're alone, what exactly do you have planned for us this evening? You know I hate surprises." He turns to face his husband.

Magnus found Alec stretching out in front of the balcony window. The former Shadowhunter had changed out of his evening attire and into some sweatpants, a sweatshirt, a winter coat and some combat boots that looked as though they were geared more towards snow then they were for fighting demons. Alec must have changed as Magnus was letting guests out the door, though he hadn't the slightest clue as to what for.

Perhaps for the surprise?

Alec looks up from zipping his coat as he hears Magnus speak. His cheeks are a slight rosy pink from the struggle of shoving his arms and legs into the confines of clothes. The tips of his ears are also a hue of reddish pink, an adorable tag along to Alec's ruffled up hair. Behind Alec, his white wings glow with an array of gold and blue and periwinkle too.

"Hehe, it's a surprise Magnus. And what do you mean you hate surprises? You always surprise me with your magic." Alec murmurs.

Magnus huffs. "It's one thing if I'm doing the surprising, another entirely when it's someone else Alexander."

Alec lets out a chuckle at that. He walks over to Magnus to wrap his arms around him, pulling him in for a soft kiss. Magnus can feel the heat of his angel as they press close together, and out of the corner of his eyes he can see the way Alexander's wings stretch out behind him to rise into the air with euphoria.

He deepens the kiss easily, tasting the sweetness of his husband's mouth. Alec responds to the motion just as passionately, one of his hands tugging at the strands of Magnus's glittering hair (because yes he had put glitter in it). The tugging is sharp enough to induce a low moan from him that makes Alec grin. When the pair finally cut off the kiss for the necessity that is air, they keep their foreheads together, content to stare into each other's eyes.

When they finally catch their breath, Alec's response is teasing.

"You know you're a hypocrite kitten. But that's okay, I love you so much, I could care less." Alec says before pressing a delicate kiss on the tip of Magnus's nose. The gesture makes him flush crimson, from embarrassment or arousal Magnus was not entirely sure.

"W-what?" He manages to stutter out as Alec ushers him into the bedroom.

"Get dressed Magnus. The night sky awaits us."

That made Magnus's eyes widen as thoughts whirled into his head at lightning speed. He can't possibly mean that we're going flying together does he? I didn't think he was ready yet.

"Does that mean....?" He didn't voice the thought, worrying that if he did it would not come true.

Alec gives him a gleeful grin. "Yep, we're going flying tonight."

That was all it took for him to get on board with the surprise. Magnus wasted no time getting ready, snapping his clothes on with a small burst of magic. He was so ready for this. Flying with Alexander would be a dream come true for sure.

*****Alec's POV*****

The wind billows through his wings, propelling him higher into the air. It had been quite a few months since he had gained his wings, and Alec could now confidently say he was decent at flying. The freedom the wind provided him was not lost as he soared through the night. Being out in the open sky was always enjoyable. Alec had not realized how much more enjoyable it could be when his favorite person in the whole wide world was with him.

"Alexander, we're getting quite high up. Are you sure this is safe?" Magnus asks with some trepidation.

The centuries old warlock was held carefully in Alec's strong arms, shielded from the most dangerous of biting icy wind currents. With it being so close to Christmas season, Alec had made sure that he and Magnus had both dressed for the weather to prevent frostbite, not that he could really get it anymore. But people would start asking questions if he wore t-shirts outside during winter.

Alec lets out a chuckle. "I've got you Magnus, don't worry." He peers closed at Magnus, beginning to get the sense that his husband wasn't asking for safety reasons. "You're not scared, are you?"

Magnus lets out a nervous laugh. One of his ring clad hands splays out across his chest. Alec can feel the slight chill of it through his sweatshirt, and he can see the neatly done burgundy nail polish on the man's fingers.

"Of course I'm not scared. I've been alive for centuries Alexander, I'm not scared of a little-Watch out!" Magnus's arms wrap tight around his neck squeezing him tightly.

The reaction had been so fast that Alec can't help but choke a little. The crisp air was drawn out from his lungs to leave him breathless. The Angel finds himself spiraling off to the side, hopefully away from whatever Magnus was shouting about.

That tight grip eventually recedes as he comes to a halt. He flaps in place, staring at Magnus with what had to be an incredulous expression.

"Magnus, what on earth was that about?" Alec lets out a huff. A puff of cold air comes from his exhale, the white mist of it leaving him with temporarily fogged vision. Hazel eyes blink to make the problem recede.

"Look at that Alexander." Magnus points with one hand.

Alec follows the pointing to see a large Acriux demon flying in the air. The nasty beast was mostly bird-like in appearance. It's wings and body were a matte black, with the only color being blood red wing tips. The things head was that of a serpentine, allowing long coiling necks to form three large heads with arching fangs of about two feet in size. It's tail was mostly a feathery blue, though a few black barbs shot out from it two. Alec knew from past experience that they dripped with a deadly poison; poison that could kill a nephilim within seconds if they received enough of it.

Rwowoowowowowwwooooooowwwrrrr

The demon lets out a mighty roar, it's amber eyes wide. It's flawed hands were what look to be disfigured reptilian arms. They look like that of those from a Tyrannosaurus rex, each of them tip with wicked looking flame inducing claws.

"An Acriux demon! But what's it doing out here, all alone no less." Yes, Acriux demons were known for fighting in pairs. If there was one here, then where was the other one?

"I don't know. But we can't let that thing terrorize the city." Magnus's voice was barely heard over the now howling wind. Thankfully Alec was able to pick it up, though most of his attention was focused on keeping himself and Magnus in place.

"I can't fight very well with my grip on you. Do you think you could blast it away with your magic?" Alec has to raise his voice to be heard.

Unfortunately, Magnus was not the only one to here it. Three snake heads swung over to look at Alec and Magnus. Those dastardly smiles dripped with even more venom. Frankly he was surprised to see that the demon had some sort of drooling problem, but he digresses.

"Yes Alexander. Just get me a clear shot without getting us killed." Magnus answered back.

"I wouldn't have it any other way. One clear shot coming right up."

So instead of flying away from the Acriux demon, Alec found himself flying straight towards it. The demon seemed delighted that it's prey was flying right towards it, giving a toothy smile filled with jagged, somewhat blackened teeth before doing the same. The sharpened bird claws were reaching out for Alec as the monster got all the closer. Overhead the moon shone on brightly, the crescent that it was tonight was blissfully unaware of the fight amidst the stars that were already twinkling in the night, Alec gives a shout of rage right before the demon reaches them. With quick reflexes he spirals out of the demon's range. Had he been any slower, Alec and Magnus would've gotten a good face full of dripping venom. As he is an Archangel, Alec knew that the venom would have little to no effect on him. Magnus in the other hand....

He would be a different story. I have to make this end quickly.

"I'm going to give you a shot from above. Can you deliver it?" Alec asks.

Magnus gives him a grim nod, his terror from going higher into the sky seemed to have temporarily vanished in the heat of battle. Red magic glows in Magnus's hands, making him look all the more beautiful a vision. If Alec wasn't busy fighting off a demon and keeping them airborne he knew he would be taking time to admire Magnus. As this was the case, he only had time to catalogue the apprehension on the High Warlock's face, the way his eyeliner brought out the amber-gold glow of his eyes. Alec could not be sure when Magnus's glamor had slipped down.

He wasn't complaining though. His husband's unglamoured cat eyes were always a sight to behold, especially when Alec could see the light of the stars reflecting off of them.

"Of course. Lets make this quick."

Alec does a quick, circular flight around the demon, careful of its snapping fangs and dripping venom. As a result, the three heads become tangled together, effectively making them unable to reach out to bite them. With that success Alec surges even higher into the sky with his wings pushing air underneath them. The normally white feathers were sparkling with a deep blue-purple light, the few white dots like stars in a dark sky. Alec was still unsure as to why his wings would change color, and Daniel and the others had not known either. Meanwhile, Magnus prepares himself to strike at the monster, his golden eyes narrowed.

Alec feels the moonlight on his back as he rises over the Acriux demon. This high up, they have a perfect sight of the demon's back. The creature was swinging its tangled heads around in a desperate attempt to find them, all the while snarling with rage. Spittle clusters around its lips as its seventeen (yes Alec counted) eyes gleamed with rage.

Rrrrrwoowowoowwooooor

"Now Magnus!" He shouts.

"On it!" Magnus tells him.

Red light shoots from Magnus's hands. The beam of energy slams right in between the monster's shoulder blades at its most vulnerable spot. The demon roars with angry pain. Red fiery energy burns the pained demon alive before it disintegrated into the night like it had never been there at all. The two halves of Malec watch it go with narrowed eyes, knowing that they won't miss it for even a second.

"Well done." Alec gives his husband a proud smile.

Magnus squeezes Alec's shoulder gently, his cat eyes flicking to the flapping wings before gazing into his hazel eyes. Those eyes seem to gaze into his very soul, leaving him breathless.

"Hmm, I'd say more like medium rare." Magnus responds with mild amusement.

Alec can't help the laughter that follows, nostalgia from years ago and having other man he loves so much in his arms making him feel warm inside.

"You're such a dork!" Alec exclaims with giddy laughter.

Magnus gave him an affronted look, shifting in Alec's sturdy arms to gaze into his eyes. Even after a fight in the sky, Alec found that Magnus looked as stunning as ever. The stars is the sky reflected the gold of his unglamoured cat eyes just right, giving them a kaleidoscope of brilliance.

"I am not! Take that back Alexander Gideon Lightwood-Bane." Magnus swats his chest, earning another rumbling laugh from Alec as he ascends higher into the sky.

He hadn't realized just how much they had dropped in altitude during the battle. The wings behind him flap extra to propel them higher, sending blusters of snowflakes scattering away. Magnus reaches out to grab one, catching the delicate thing in the palm of his hand. It is only magic that keeps it from melting away from the heat of his hand.

"No I'm not. That title belongs to you darling, and you alone." Magnus presses a kiss to Alec's deflect rune, sucking on the sensitive spot there. It was a dirty move to use that spot against him, but it did the job of drawing Alec's attention elsewhere.

"Ugh..." he groans, trying to balance arousal with keeping them in the sky. "That's not fair and you know it Mags." Alec can't help the small whine he lets out as Magnus nips at the pulse point there, his whole body quivering in response.

"Hmmm, I'd say all is fair in love and war, but I'm certain you already know that. How about we fly home for the night? I should thank you for this splendid surprise." Magnus purred our the last two words, his hot breath sending tingles down Alec's spine.

"You read my mind." Alec said. Together, the two fly the rest of the way home, trading off kisses as they go back to the City of Glass.