Malec One-shots

Parabatais

Alec awoke and saw someone standing in the doorway. He was frightened for a moment or two, and then he recognised the small frame in the doorway. “Leah…” he murmured, pulling back the covers and sliding out of bed. He bent down to her height. She had choppy short black hair – it had been longer, but in the fire that had killed her family, it had been singed and burnt and the length it was now was the longest they managed to save. He brushed her fringe off her face. “What’s wrong, sweetie?” He asked putting his hands on her arms. She looked up at them.

“I had a dream…about the fire.” She was clutching her forearm, which was still in bandages. Underneath, Alec knew there was thick burn scarring. He felt a wave of sympathy for the small child, and he picked her up gently, rubbing her back soothingly as he put her in bed next to a sleeping Magnus. “Don’t worry, sweetie. You can sleep with us tonight.” He whispered, kissing her tentatively on the forehead. And he cuddled her close as sleep took the both of them.

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Alec put a hand on Leah’s shoulder. “Straighten your back a bit.” He told her, and she nodded, making the correct adjustments. “Okay dad.” She said. He gently tapped her elbow.

“Pull your arm all the way back, and breathe calmly.” He instructed her, “and when you’re ready…fire.” She steadied herself for a few seconds before letting it go. The arrow struck a few centimetres off the centre. She breathed out angrily, but her father Magnus put his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure your dad wasn’t very good at it when he first started.” He soothed, smiling at Alec. “But dad was amazing at archery by my age! Aunt Clary was telling me just the other day how he saved her life with his bow!” She cried. Alec shook his head.

“I was eighteen when that happened. Not fifteen. By fifteen I was still at your level, don’t worry.” He said as he began walking over to the target to pull the arrow out. As he did, the door to the training room opened. “Still trying to learn how to use the classic Lightwood weapon?” Hero teased, running his hands through his shaggy red hair. His father, Jace, was behind him. Leah licked her lips. “Yeah, yeah, shut up.” She muttered. The energetic boy ran up to Alec,

“Uncle Alec! Can you help me with my archery?! My dad can’t help me…” He muttered, looking over at Jace, who laughed. “Hey, Alec was always the only one who used a bow and arrow. How was I supposed to know?” His parabatai gave him a knowing grin.

“Sure Hero, why don’t you line up next to Leah and I’ll help you both.” He said, smiling. Magnus was stood on the side-lines, watching the two teenagers. “Where’s Emi today?” He asked as Hero stood next to his cousin. “Oh, she’s out with aunt Isabelle, so I figured I’d come train with my ol’ parabatai here.” He said, swinging his arm over Leah’s shoulders. She glared at him,

“Bleh, you stink of sweat.” She murmured, and Hero just laughed. He was used to her snarky comments. Leah was very much sarcastic and pessimistic. But she was fun to be around, caring, and a brilliant fighter.

Alec watched his daughter as she readied herself for another shot. Magnus laughed and drew his arm around his partner. “She reminds me of you,” he said. Alec looked at him, a surprised look etched onto his face. “Me? But why?” He asked. Magnus smirked. Alec was adorable, even when the lines of age were cutting into his face a little now. “She’s so determined at what she does, and she’s so protective of her cousins. Plus she’s parabatai with a Herondale.” Magnus added. Alec scoffed,

“I accidentally became parabatais with a Herondale. I thought he was a Wayland when I made the bond.” He defended. Magnus shrugged,

“She idolises her dad, you know. She looks up to you in every way. She wants to become a person like you, you know. She even wears the same shabby clothing because she saw her beloved daddy wearing them.” Magnus insisted, and then sighed theatrically. “It’s despicable, considering the fashionable High Warlock of Brooklyn is her father.” Alec blushed,

“I’m sure if Isabelle were to take her out…she would start dressing in your kind of clothes.”  Alec said meekly. “I don’t want our daughter dressed in such indecent clothing! Boys might look at her!” He gasped. Alec chuckled, “you are…impossible.” He muttered.

“I know, but you manage me.” and Magnus kissed him on the cheek. “Now go on, you have an archery lesson to teach.”