#writeremma

“I’m here, I’m here!” Christopher scrambled to a stop in front of the institute where Anna was waiting, the evening shadows thick around her. He leaned against a lamppost, trying to hide his panting. Anna raised an eyebrow.

“Are you alright, Kit?” she asked. He wasn’t sure if she was mocking him, or genuinely concerned. She looked immaculate as always, her hair slicked back with pomade as if they were about to head to the Helle Ruelle instead of patrolling for demons.

“Quite,” he huffed, straightening up. “Let’s go, shall we?” He headed off down the sidewalk. With a barked laugh, Anna followed.

As they walked the dark London streets, Christopher and Anna were silent. It seemed that this was often the case lately, whenever they were alone. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to say anything, per se; he just didn’t know what to say, or how to say it.

Where do you go, during the times I don’t see you for days? What’s been bothering you so much lately? Is it your relationship with Ariadne? The serial killer? Is it my fault, somehow? But he didn’t want to pry.

As they rounded a corner, Anna finally spoke, cutting through his thoughts. “I gotta say, I’m a little surprised.”

“Hmm? What about?”

“That you wanted to patrol with me.” She fiddled with her whip absentmindedly, peering down alleyways as they passed, searching for demons. “Ma said you specifically requested to come tonight. I thought you hated patrolling.”

“Well…” She had a point. Christopher felt distinctly out of his element here. Sure, he could fight if need be, but already he longed for his lab. When I get back, I’ll just run a few more tests on the gun, see if the new gunpowder formula is any closer…

Anna was looking at him expectantly. He cleared his throat.

“Maybe I just wanted to see you.” He adjusted his glasses and pretended to search the rooftops for demons. “You’re not really around much anymore.”

“Kit.” She sounded genuinely shocked. He turned to face her again. “I’m always happy to make time for you. You know that.”

“I just… thought maybe you had found better things to do. Or… better people to do them with.”

“Oh, dear.” Anna sighed, gazing at him for a long moment before gripping him in a fierce hug. He stood stiffly in her embrace, shocked, but relaxed slowly as a memory he had forgotten washed over him.

Christopher was sitting on the sofa, four or five years old, playing with a beaker that Henry had given him for Christmas. He held it up to the light and swirled its imaginary contents thoughtfully.

Suddenly, there was a bang somewhere in the house. Startled, Christopher dropped the beaker, which shattered on the floor. My science, he thought mournfully, and began to cry.

Anna was in the room in an instant, and when she saw what had happened she called for their parents. As their father cleaned up the mess, she pulled her small body up onto the sofa as well and pulled Christopher into her lap.

“Oh, dear,” she said, stroking his hair. “You’re okay, Kit, it’s okay.” And Christopher knew that it was; if his sister was there, it was always okay.

She broke the hug after a long moment, holding Christopher by the elbows and looking into his eyes. “There is never anyone I would rather spend time with than you, Kit.”

“Then why do I barely ever see you anymore?” As the words spilled from his mouth, Christopher wondered if he’d inhaled too many chemicals in the lab; he was never so blunt with his sister.

“I…” To his shock, Anna actually looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry. There’s been a lot going on lately, with this serial killer on the loose, and…”

“And Ariadne?” Christopher guessed. This drew a raised eyebrow from Anna.

“Well...yes. How do you know about her, exactly?”

He smiled slightly. “I know you think you’re very discreet, Anna, but I’ve known you all my life. Really, you’re quite obvious.”

She laughed, ruffling his hair. “I never could hide anything from you. She… she’s been trying really hard to win me over. To win me back. I don’t-- I’m not quite sure what to do.”

Christopher let his smile grow. “Well, I’m sure I haven’t a clue. This is not my area of expertise. If Ariadne were a bacterium, perhaps I could help.”

Anna snorted. “I won’t ask for your advice, then. But, if you’re willing to listen, it’d be nice to have someone to talk to about it.” She began walking again, and Christopher followed.

“Of course. And I shall tell you all about my failed experiments.”

“I look forward to it.” Surprisingly, she appeared to mean it. “And, Kit, I promise I will spend more time with you from now on. And the rest of the Merry Thieves as well; perhaps the four of you would like to come round for tea tomorrow?”

She remembered her talk with all her friends at Anna's apartment. How many names would each of them want? Then, Lucie had not answered. Now as she lay on her bed, she knew she wouldn't more than one name.

One name that she knew very well now.

One name that she knows is now engraved on her heart.

One name for which she'll lie and live in secrets for however long she needed to.

One name, Jesse Blackthorn.

She thought of Jesse then, whose life was lost without him ever getting a chance to live. She wished things to get easier. She wished that Jesse was here. With her. She wouldn't mind being anywhere, as long as he's with her.

She tried to rid her mind of thoughts to sleep and closed her eyes. She somehow couldn't think of anything and her new discovery wouldn't leave her alone.

Annoyed, she opened her eyes and went towards the window of her room. There was no way, she would be able to sleep now, so she decided to enjoy the calm before the storm.

"Lucie?"

Lucie turned her head sharply towards the familiar voice.

"Jesse? What are you doing here?"

Lucie looked inquisitively towards him.

“I felt you call me.”

“What? But I did not-” Lucie stopped suddenly and cursed herself. She really needed to learn to control her powers. Otherwise every time when she would think of Jesse, he would be forced to be there with her.

“I sincerely apologize! I am still trying to learn to control my powers. They are- they are uncanny.“ 

Lucie started to explain when she saw Jesse’s mouth curve into a slight smile and heard him reply “It’s absolutely alright Lucie. It’s better, spending my time with you.” 

It made her heart tighten. If there was any way for them to be together, Lucie would not pass up on the opportunity. She was now more determined to bring him back

There was a peaceful quiet surrounding them then. She took a moment to look at Jesse. His eyes that once seemed eerie to her, were now so familiar to her that she found comfort in them. 

“Lucie, what happened that compelled me to come here?” Jesse looked curious but there was something more in his expression than just plain curiousness. How she wished she had got the power to read minds instead. 

“Lucie?”

Suddenly it hit her that she might have to tell him what she herself had just found out about. It was scary. But something about the look in his eyes called her to speak the truth. 

“I was thinking about you.” She decided it to be a good start and of course, can also be a good ending. Jesse, though, was waiting for her to elaborate on it. 

She took a deep breath. She decided that you can only live once and this must be said, a fact that she was hellbent on disproving, but nevertheless continued.

“I feel as if I cannot live without you. And that it was a miracle that I’ve lived until now. There is something inside you, that’s hard to explain.” Finding words to write her book seemed really simple to her now. “The only thing that I’m grateful for about my powers is that, I get to see you. I get to meet you. And I get love you.” 

The shine in Jesse’s eyes was unmistakable. 

“Lucie, I feel the same. I do wish that you would not have to face the burden of your powers. But I am thankful to them that I am able to talk to you. Or I’m afraid it would’ve been hell seeing you and not getting a chance to ever speak to you.”

They stared into each other’s eyes, in bliss, knowing their time together was limited. Any second the light will come and separate them for a time that would never seem shorter than an eternity. 

Whatever Lucie did now, she won’t care. Not until she has brought her love back from the dead.  

Taglist 

@slytherclaw-lair @emma-carstairs-herondale @immortal-enemies @purplebass @oscar-fairchild @bazsnow @an-awkward-nerds-world @stavromula-beta @themostawesomehuman @fullwonderlanddream @shadowhuntress-s @tsccreatorsnet @silent-nerd