bowstrung

“He sounds like a good man. And they really do mean well, so don’t ever forget that, okay?” Alec knew that his siblings appreciated that he looked out for them, even if he could be snappy from time to time. Nodding, he said, “Yeah. Isabelle Lightwood. I’m guessing you’ve heard of her, huh? She’s known for her talent with the whip and she’s good at getting information.” Sometimes he didn’t approve of her methods, but she still always got the information they needed. “Follow me. She’s in the weapons room. Maybe if you ask really nicely, she’ll show you a trick or two with her whip.” And if she really wanted to see it, he’d show his bow as well. Alec stood up and gestured for her to follow him. “This way.”

“Daddy and Papa both are. I don’t know what I’d do without them.” Ana said, missing her world a little more. She gave a grin and nodded. “I’ve heard stories. She’s a force on her own.” It was a fact she knew well, but she needed to keep a tighter hold on her words. She didn’t know how anyone would react to her accidentally being outed as Alec and Magnus’ daughter. The last thing she wanted was another stint in the holding cell in the basement of the Institute, once as a kid was enough. She smiled and moved to follow after him, enjoying the fact that even in this world, her father still cared about everyone. “So Izzy is the whip person, Jace is the best with basic seraph blades, and you’re the one with the bow, right?” she asked, moving to walk beside him. “Archers are rare in our line of work. What made you pick a bow?”

Alec

“It sounds like they are good teachers,” Alec replied with a smile. He noticed her frown and wondered what that was about. If she wanted to talk to him about it then he knew that she would. He was still curious about where this girl came from, but had a feeling that it was a long story that they wouldn’t have the time for. “Thank you. That really means a lot. And I hope it’s true.” He wanted to marry Magnus, to have children with him and a long life together. Max and Raf, Alec wondered at the names. Was she someone he might know, but didn’t remember? Because Max was the name of his little brother and he supposed it was common enough, but Raf was short for Raphael, right? “You know, sometimes people take the role of big brother even when they don’t have to. It sounds like Tara looks out for you well. I’d hold onto that if I were you. And it does sound like that. Family is important. Don’t ever forget that. I’m sure that all of your brothers and your fathers care a lot about you too.” Then, thinking of something else, he added, “You might like to meet my sister Isabelle. She’s the only girl in a family surrounded by boys too. Well, there’s our mom, our parents are in Idris a lot. And anyway, my sister is tough like you too. You two would probably get along if you’d like me to introduce you to her.”

The hybrid smiled at him. “I know it is.” Ana said confidently. Each day was getting harder to hide who she was and she knew it that, but it wasn’t like she could figure out a way back either. Dark eyes watched him before she laughed. “Papa says that all the time. Since I’m the only girl, they all have to look out for me.” she laughed a little as she hopped down, moving her arm to make sure it was alright before her eyes lit up. “You mean Isabelle?” she asked, fighting to contain her excitement. She had loved the stories of her aunt when Izzy had been younger, listening to the laughter and comments as the family had told stories. “I’d love to meet her.” she said, nodding. 

Alec [ @bowstrung ]

“Yeah? That’s really good of them. I’m glad they want to help train you.” He smiled a little and nodded in understanding. “Yes, the same goes for me as well. I wouldn’t change my job for anything. You keep up an attitude like that and you’ll have a better time with it all.” He nearly reached out, but thought better of it and brought his hand back to his side. “I’m sure you do enough. What you can do is better than nothing at all. And even then, sometimes nothing is okay too, so long as you’ve tried.” He hoped that was good advice, that it would give her enough encouragement to continue trying to be the best Shadowhunter that she could be. “That’s okay. Not everyone likes to use them.” They had healers in case they wanted to do that instead. He lifted a brow, but didn’t question her further. Sometimes he did get questions about his relationship, but never once like that. Alec’s cheeks warmed some and a smile appeared on his face. “Well, thank you. You know I never thought I’d find anyone until he came along and change my mind on a lot of things. I don’t think I’d be where I am now if it weren’t for Magnus. And I now believe that anyone can find love, so long as they’re patient enough and are willing to work for it. We most certainly have had our ups and downs, but it’s been worth it.”

Ana smiled. “Papa and Daddy help, too. Daddy insisted Tara and I learn things hand to hand just in case.” Her smile faded a little as she spoke of her brother, looking down for a moment. She bit her lip a little, not sure she should explain that the iratze worked, it just took longer because she wasn’t all shadowhunter. Not like he was. That conversation didn’t end well in her head and she shook it to clear the idea of it from her mind. Hearing her father – what should have been her father – talk about the other father made her smile. She’d been young during the earlier years of her fathers’ relationship, but she remembered the big events. Like her little brothers – Rafael and Max – being adopted. “You two are inspiring, I promise. I think you’ll have a good life together.” she answered, waiting a moment and gathering some courage before speaking up again. “My dads, they adopted two of my brothers. Tara and I are twins, but he always acted a little older than me. I don’t know ow to explain it, but Max and Raf we took to so easy, it was like we were all meant to be one big family.” She only ever talked about her brothers by name, never her adult family members.