kind and well meaning.

.

Basil clenched his jaw and took a few deep breaths. Had this been weeks earlier, he likely would have thrown a few punches. Hell, maybe even fought to kill as he used to. But luckily for this man, he was actively trying to be a better person.

The djinn balled his hands up in fists at his side to keep himself calm as he spoke.

“I’m not quite sure how you managed to deduce anything about my personality or my ‘self-loathing’ in a matter of seconds. I assure you, I’m not arrogant. As a matter of fact, I think you are.” At this point, Baz’s breathing began to quicken as his blood pumped harder. His body wanted him to fight, but his mind kept him in check. “I’m not sure who in their right mind would open a gym across the street from an existing one and expect the owner to come out, have a round of drinks and fuckin’ sing songs of peace and love.” Basil shook his head and chuckled to himself. “I’m a business man and for you to think that everything would be fine on a business front was very ignorant of you. Assuming anything about my character was even more ignorant. I do hope your educating skills are a lot stronger than your common sense, lad.”

///

Min’s eyes flickered to the man’s jaw.

“I have my ways.” Was Min’s plain response, “And yet you assume I uprooted my entire life to come here and open a dojang so I can steal business from your gym. You’ve told me quite enough about your character, but if you’d like me to educate you here’s what I know: you’re cocky, quick to anger, and are far too willing to make irrational decisions for someone you and I both know cannot choose only one person, you or otherwise. Don’t patronize me Basil. I am anything but ignorant.” No good deed when un-fucking-punished, huh?

“Go on. Cause a scene.”

-

Michael wasn’t use to people approaching him if he didn’t recognise their essence. He certainly wasn’t use to someone doing that and knowing who he was. He tilted his head to the side, a slight crease in his brow as he tried to understand the look of disbelief on the man’s face. It wasn’t until he got a read on the man and heard the name that Michael realised who this was. An Min-Jae. Shadowhunter. Psychic. Useful.

He bowed his head slightly in return, more a sign that he saw him than anything else. “Another shadowhunter and a talented one at that. I was concerned when I learned there was only one shadowhunter in town. Poor Michele can hardly take it all on by herself.”

Michael took a moment to assess the other. “I’m sorry for your recent loss. It’s a shame I can’t promise they’re at peace given the situation we’re in.”

///

A flush of surprise at the compliment, far too used to being put down for this reason or that. He couldn’t remember the last time someone called him ‘talented.’ Maybe he didn’t believe it himself, despite how hard he worked to be better than the day before. Especially now.

His lips parted, offering a: “(Don’t tell Michele that.)” under his breath, standing at attention as he was looked over. He couldn’t help but take Michael in as well, trying to push whatever doubts about the angel in front of him down into nonexistence. His concentration wavered at the mention of his father.

“I...” He didn’t know how to respond to that, and wasn’t expecting the pang of grief that washed over him. He and his father had a turbulent relationship, but that didn’t mean Min didn’t miss him desperately. His father always seemed to know what to do. Min, on the contrary, almost never. He settled on a soft, “Thank you. Please let me know how I can be helpful. That is why I came back after all.”

-

“Yes, the angel was me, surprise.” But his tone was deadpan. 

As predicted, Malachi shrugged in response, what else was he supposed to do? Lie? Spill his guts to the ex stood in front of him? Not this time. 

“Just go.” Malachi told him. “That seems to be a theme to my life, people leave and I’m stuck trying to pick the pieces up.” He shook his head then had to turn away now. “This was the worst possible timing.”

///

God. Min-Jae knew Malachi far too well.

But this still hurt. More than he expected it to. He inhaled sharply at the order.

“Right.”

Then turned on his heels. His grip was literally around the door handle when he hesitated. The fingers of his free hand curled into a fist then released.

“You know,” turning to face the angel’s back now, “I came here because I wanted to help with those pieces. Even though I knew this would happen. I saw it and I came anyway. Like a fool. Because I care about you.” This was far more emotion than Min was used to, even though to the average person, this interaction was surely akin to two rocks having a disagreement, “So I’m sorry for the inconvenience. But that’s not going to change, Malachi. You’re going to have to get used to it.” And with that he opened the door, pausing only to comment, “Edgar’s going to come after me for this, which is fair. Don’t be rude to him.” And with that, he exited.

Upon hearing of the new business across the street, Baz was far less than pleased. He had such a competitive spirit that he took such things as a personal slight, even if they were not intended as such. To make matters worse, the other man was now approaching him. Clearly the stranger did not see the aggravated look on his face.

At first, Baz simply grumbled, scowling at the building across the street. He wasn’t a fan of men, strangers, and especially not of competition. “Baz,” he corrected him curtly. “Only my poor dead mother called me Basil.” Puffing out his chest, he stuffed his hands in his pockets to avoid any attempt at shaking hands. “Working together, huh? Well, considering I feel as though you’re attempting to take away business from my place here, and therefore money from me, I ain’t too keen on that idea.”

///

“Baz.” he corrected.

Min-Jae wasn’t sure what he’d done to upset this man, and he knew, factually, that his next comment was going to upset the man further. But Min-Jae was tired of always being the nice guy. He happened to have a lot of shit going on right now, and was allowed to be irritable too.

The shadow hunter’s face stayed neutral, folding his hands in front of him as his ‘competition’ spoke.

“...For someone who has such deep seeded self-loathing... You’re very arrogant. Aren’t you?”

Shit. It took a moment for the warlock to realize that it was Min who was speaking to him. Min as in Malachi’s ex, who was apparently in town. Great, he probably caught wind about what happened and decided to pay a visit. Peyton had to force a smile, nodding his head at the other as he was itching to run away and hide in some cave. “Of course. Min-Jae, it’s…wonderful to see you,” he said. Min was quite handsome in person, the same type of handsome that Malachi liked. He swallowed, trying to push past the awkwardness. “I didn’t realize you were…well, is it safe to assume you’re here for Malachi?” he asked, the words coming out before he really thought about it. 

///

Min didn’t pick up on the strained tone of Peyton’s voice. Or if he did he didn’t comment on it. Like Malachi (speaking of) Min could be hard to read.

“...You assume I’m... Oh.” He blinked when he realized what Peyton meant, “No, I’m...” a pause, raising a hand to run over the back of his neck, “Of course, I paid him a visit, but my reasoning for coming back is... business related. Unfortunately. And to visit a friend in the hospital. You... know him.” He had seen Peyton visit Nathan in the hospital. It was then Min realized he had no idea how much Peyton knew about him. Who he was. What he was. 

“Has... Malachi spoken much about me to you?”

Michele spun around when she heard someone approach, her katana lifted to throw. When she saw Min standing there, she froze, staring at him for a moment. She quickly sheathed her katana, rushing forward to throw her arms around his waist, grabbing him in a tight hug. Normally she wasn’t the hugging type, but it was so good to see his face, to hear his voice, after everything she’d lost. It was like a piece of home.

She pulled away after a moment, punching him solidly in the stomach. “That’s for showing up early and sneaking up on me!” she exclaimed. “I could’ve lopped your fucking head off, you know.” She couldn’t keep from smiling, though.

///

He was prepared to catch her, lifting her up off the ground. And even though he didn’t block, he was prepared for the fist to his gut. A smile despite how an eye winced.

“Mmf. You couldn’t help yourself, could you?”

-

“Michael.” Was all Malachi said on that, Min knew exactly who he was talking about, he didn’t even need to be psychic either. “I know we agreed to end things but I didn’t expect it to hurt this much.” He mumbled that now and turned his gaze to he floor instead, it had hurt when their breakup had happened as well but he didn’t exactly want to voice that. 

Mal then picked his head up and just gave him a look. “You’re not supposed to agree with me, Min. I know what sort of person I am and what I need to work on, but none of this is making me feel any better.” he nearly snapped but had to compose himself instead, none of this was Mins fault. 

He just sat back now and watched as Min strolled over to the tank, speaking of his sisters. “Probably, now her parabatai isn’t around, she hasn’t been coping so well with that and other news.” When Min said that he had missed him, he sighed a little it wasn’t really the time to hear something like that when things were still so raw so he didn’t comment. At the mention of bad visions, Malachi finally looked up again. “What bad visions?” 

///

Min didn’t respond. It was... almost too raw for him to think about too. He knew, logically, Mal was speaking about Peyton. And still he couldn’t help but acknowledge the parallels. They had ‘agreed’ to end things too - he and Mal. And it hurt every time they texted or face timed or spoke on the telephone afterwards. It still hurt now.

He didn’t pull back when the angel snapped at him, merely exhaled through his nose standing straight again.

“Malachi.”

And suddenly Fish’s castle wasn’t as important. He surprised himself when his hand slid gently over Mal’s shoulder. It was the first time they’d touched since, well, they’d broken up. “I’m sorry.” for a lot of things.

Slipping down next to him, Min’s fingers drew small circles against Mal’s back, “Other news?” He had let his eyes slip closed, opening at the question. Now he had to decide if worrying Mal with visions that may not happen would be necessary. The angel didn’t need to hear about his body, bleeding out on the ground right now. It was a nightmare really. 

“...They’re improbable...”

-

“Maybe Michael was right, having these memories just make me emotionally unstable.” Malachi mumbled that mostly to himself then shook his head. “I’m not a good person though. I’m closed off, I’m aloof and always make people cry. Those aren’t traits of a good person, Min. I wish I couldn’t feel again, it’s just better that way.” 

Malachi listened to what Min was telling him about his family and sighed a little. “Where are your sisters now?” He asked, looking over at him in the other seat. At the mention of the fish, he turned his gaze that way now. “At least Alexander won’t be coming back to finish the job.”

///

“Michael...” He didn’t confirm, he knew who Mal meant. He just didn’t expect the archangel to be in town, “You know I’m not the best example.  But I think there’s a difference between reacting to something that has happened and reacting when nothing has happened at all. That’d be emotionally unstable.” Mal just went through a break up. That felt like a valid enough reason to be sad.

He listened to the angel speak, fingertips walking around the rim of his cup, responding plainly: “You could make people cry less. But you care deeply about your friends. And you’re resilient. And even though it’s hard you at least try to be better. So you don’t mean that. Feeling nothing is just as bad as feeling too much.” Blowing a strand of hair off of his forehead he stood, making his way towards Fish’s tank, “All four of them are at the dojang. They’re over achievers. And insist on having everything unpacked tonight.” a thoughtful smile, “I think they and Michele would get along well.” But there was something to be said about moving a little slower. He had missed these quiet moments with Mal.  Offering a short, if a bit exhausted ‘ha.’ “I came back because I saw chaos, and I want to be helpful. Still, I didn’t miss Alexander when I went back home. I missed Michele. And you. So maybe there were selfish reasons for returning as well.” He watched Fish for a moment, “...I’ve... been having horrible visions.”

Min was genuinely excited to meet up with Hagen. He’d sent him a message that he’d be in town, and the address to the building he was now occupying. Really, he just wanted to make sure the man knew he was always welcome.

He was sweeping the front of the shop when he paused, lifting his head and turning to see Hagen approaching.

“Hagen.” he couldn’t help the small smile, “It’s so nice to see you again. How have you been?”

-

It was hard to see Min in person despite the fact that they had been in contact this entire time, but to see him in person was a weird feeling. They had parted on good terms but it still stung a bit or maybe Malachi was still sensitive from his break up with Peyton? 

He sat anyway and watched as Min poured the hot water over the tea leaves then took the cup, sipping a little from it. When Min finally said something, he glanced over. “I am I really that bad?” He asked with a shrug “and unwilling?” Mal had to put the cup down. “Never mind, it’s just still very fresh and nothing compared to what happened to you. How is your family?”

///

The feeling was mutual. Min wanted to reach out to touch Mal, just to make sure he was there, but refrained. His eyes flickered up from his own cup when Malachi spoke.

“I don’t understand the question.” They sat their cups down in unison, “You’re guarded, for good reason. But you aren’t bad.” A pause, “In fact, I don’t think you realize how good you are.” waving a dismissive hand, “-- Stop that. You know that’s not fair. You’re allowed to feel, Malachi.”