Klysm Hale

Salem cocked an eye in the others direction, curious to why Klysm was attempting to hold back his laugh. He let his eyes wander around the place yet again, examining everywhere and listening to the other at the same time. His eyes fell back onto the younger male’s face and nodded. “Alright then,” he said, letting out a light chuckle, still in slight disbelief with this whole situation. A young man he’s met only an hour or two ago is offering him a full ride toward school. This seemed like only high-achievers could accomplish. This was just nuts.

At the last comment, he smiled a bit. “Right.”

The raven-haired male was content with the other’s reply feeling a slight sense of accomplishment. “Let’s get back inside, it’s bloody hot out.” He was used to London weather despite being settled in for a while now. London wasn’t very warm or sunny for the most part and most people would question why he even moved to LA, to begin with, and to be fair there was no real reason within his will as to why he moved.

“How ‘bout I give you a tour of the place and then we can figure out the housing situation.” He mused, walking back inside and crossing the kitchen to get himself some cold water, “Would you like anything to drink?” He mused, “Walter has banned alcohol from the house.” The Englishman snickered, giving a toothy grin, “He’s scared I’ll spend my nights and days on the bottle and I can’t very well blame him.” However, it would take more than a stern no to stop him from doing what he wanted. 

Clary took her seat and began picking at bits and pieces of what had been assembled. Settling on about nine strips of bacon, turned out that this child had a taste for bacon. Considering it was all she seemed to eat anymore, especially when left to her own devices.  Her attention turned to Klysm, a soft sigh leaving her lips, “This child is going to drive me nuts before they’re born.”She groaned, “I don’t remember the last time I’ve eaten something that wasn’t bacon of my own free will.”

Jaci sat in her seat beside her twin, and Jackson sat beside their mother, the spots next to Brandon rested untaken reserved for the two who had yet to arrive, and Clary had to admit it was nice to have the whole family together for once. 

The Englishman gave a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he gave his wife an apologetic look, “If I could talk the baby into eating anything else but bacon I would love.” He sighed, reaching over to grasp his wife’s hand, “I’d go as far as being the pregnant one.” He grinned, his joking tone holding sincerity. 

Brandon looked up from the food-filled plate he’d been slowly eating bits of to stare at his parents’ exchange of words. He found it amusing and rather endearing, it reminded him a bit of how he and Isabella had once been when discussing having kids. A deep ache echoed in his chest and he had to clear his throat to speak up, “Hey mom, can I see your wrist real quick?” he asked casually, aware this was the first time he’d ever acknowledged Clary as his mother. 

Not waiting for her reply he stood up and gently picked up her hand from across the table and delicately begun to trace an invisible mark on her wrist, “It might feel warm at first, but it won’t sting like the Shadowhunter runes tend to” The angel mused as the mark came up a scarlet color at first and slowly turned gold before dulling over into a black rune that didn’t look like that of a Shadowhunter, but more like those that an angel would have fleeting under their skin at all times for protection. It was a completely different language and even form of application. “It’s a maternity satiation rune.” Brandon informed, “It’s not permanent, but it will allow you to eat what you’d like and allow the baby to feel satisfied with what it's given.” He continued, sitting back down, “the rune will slowly move towards your heart and eventually fade as its power dies out.” 

The girl turned her eyes up to pout at her eldest brother, “But it’s so cool.” Honestly the weapon didn’t make any sense to her, but she could honestly say that she wanted one like it. It was so beautiful and elegant, and just, ugh. She wanted to be worthy of something that great.  Her brother often told her stories of the armies meant to protect her, to protect them all. But she figured they were just that. After all, they might have been rich, but they didn’t own any armies. 

Clary offered her children a smile before her attention went back to her husband, and the kiss that he graced her with, a brighter smile spreading across her lips. “And you look as handsome as ever. Is that the sweater I bought you? You know when Nate and Kal get here, I think Nate might just keel over, seeing you in something other than a suit.” The joking air of her tone remained as she reached a hand down to take his, “Let’s eat, and then I’m going to go change clothes, and we can let these balls of energy have their presents.”

“As usual, you have a keen eye for detail, love.” He affirmed as he pulled out her chair for her to sit in, “It would be rude of me to never wear the clothes you get me.” He mused, “Besides, it makes the color of my eyes stand out, can’t you tell.” Klysm joked with a roll of his eyes as he recalled Natanaele being at their anniversary party with the rest of their family and having made the comment about the color of the sweater suiting him. 

The Italian wasn’t wrong, it complimented him very well, however, the Englishman rarely had the opportunity to don such attire at work, he practically lived in his suits and they had created an aura about him that garnered him respect and fear. After all, a man that never seems to relax for a moment is a man worth reckoning. 

“Have Kalissa and Natanaele arrived yet?” He looked towards Brandon who he could count on to always know where anyone and everyone was. 

Clary roused from her sleep at the sound of her children, and her husband. Of course she did. It was mother’s intuition. She always knew when there was discourse in her house. She could practically hear Jaci pouting because she’d borrowed Brandon’s bow again, without his permission. And she knew that her youngest was going to get in trouble again.

She pulled herself from the warmth of the bed, wrapping her plush robe around her night clothes (or particular lack there of), slipping slippers onto her feet before heading down to join the chaos of her family. “My favorite little heathens are at it again, I see. It’s not even lunch time yet.” There was an almost natural air to the way she addressed the situation. There was a mothering look, that ever so slightly, hinted at the fact that kids would be kids, but also that what they’d done was unkind and would require punishment. Though she wasn’t sure if it was being dragged out of bed or the thievery of Brandon’s bow that was the problem at hand. There was a groan from Jaci who disappeared in a flash, before reappearing with Brandon’s bow. “I just wanted to look at it.” She cast her eyes to her step son, after all it was his belonging, perhaps he should be the one to address the situation. “I’m sorry.” Jaci ammended quickly, in obvious hopes of lessening her punishment whatever it may be.

Brandon had long ago ceased to believe his step-family were the bane of his existence. He hadn’t felt that way since the Trials had taken place, and with a nod of his head he took his bow back, looking at Jaci with a soft smile “Mae presiata” My dear, he spoke with a tone in his voice that showed his age had long ago ceased to be one of human capability, “I don’t mind you borrowing my other bows, but this one.” He held it out before him, its body made of gold but light as a feather, inscribed with moving symbols in a tongue few immortals understood, “This one is forbidden. Not because I want it to be, but because it’s a gift from Luminary, my father and creator.” He whispered, the bow suddenly turning into a small ring that he placed on his middle finger, “Without it, I couldn’t protect you or command my soldiers in Elysium.” He informed, knowing a lot of what he was saying probably would not make sense to her. 

“I’ll make it up to you. Just wait until dad lets you open your presents.” He’d gotten a little something for all his siblings, but he knew Jaci would love her present the most considering this. 

Clapping his hands together as if nothing had happened he looked around, “Alright! Time for breakfast you little gremlins!” 

Klysm was impressed by his sons mellow and composed resolution to the problem. He was aware that his son was now, technically, older than him but it truly showed just how much he’d matured in scenarios like this. He had so many questions but knew there was only so much he could explain that would make sense to him. 

With a look to his wife that showed relief, he sent her a smile and got up to greet her with a good morning kiss, completely aware that the kids were present. It was hard to not smother her with love when she looked beautiful even when she’d just woken up. 

“Alright, everyone, dig in and enjoy!” he said as his kids sat around him, the table full of breakfast goods. “Christmas presents can wait for later.” He chuckled, hearing one or two groans from his kids as they served themselves what they liked from the selection of food splayed out for them. 

Hello Everyone!  Below the cut you’ll find the guidelines to my giveaway!

Richard Brautigan, “Boo, Forever”

translation: “I’m haunted by all the space that I will live without you.”