ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴍᴀɴ ᴛʜᴀɴ ɪ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴡᴀs

   “Someone did know where I was.” Isabelle insisted, frustration growing at his protectiveness. She had been raised her whole life to handle issues as they arose. He had seen to it that she would be ready, she didn’t need him to coddle her now. She swallowed as he drew closer. It was the closest they’d been in months, and already they were arguing. She didn’t want it to be this way, not truly, but she wasn’t willing to extend the olive branch, not when he was giving her a difficult time about being out on her own. 

     She noted the way he stiffened, catching the warning in his voice. Despite herself, she shifted, standing up straight now. She knew he didn’t have to answer her, but it was frustrating and unfair. He wanted to know everything about her, every move she made, and yet he couldn’t even be bothered to let them know when he’d be back. It wasn’t fair. Yet as he continued, Isabelle’s arms relaxed, head tilting slightly to the side as he hinted at news. She couldn’t help but be curious. More demon attacks? What was causing them, and why? pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth just behind her teeth to keep from immediately blurting out her questions. 

      She didn’t want to appear childish in front of him. “The Downworld is always anxious,” Izzy pointed out but continued, “but more attacks are worth investigating. Is that why you’re home?” She asked, ignoring his insistence on her taking someone with her. He didn’t need to worry, more often than not she drug Alec or Jace with her. “Why don’t we talk about it over dinner? I’ll cook.” She offered, hint of a smile forming. There, olive branch extended.

Robert let out a long suffering breath, his shoulders drooping just a tiny fraction before he rubbed his temple.If anyone had told him how challenging raising kids would be, he would’ve given it a lot more thought -- no. That wasn’t true. All four of them were worth every single grey hair they caused him. The corner of his mouth twitched, just the hint of a smile that showed not very often. Isabelle was way too smart and perceptive for her own good. Despite not being here as often as he probably should be he knew his daughter -- and the moment she got intrigued. Swallowing hard he took another step closer. It was involuntary, the urge to be near his children whenever they were close.

❛ I’m here because we’re still the head of the Institute. Every once in a while one of us has to show up here and check in. ❜ Now he did flash her a smile -- a real one, crooked and lopsided and yet as genuine as it could be. Seeing the light in her dark eyes made it worth. By the Angel, he missed her. He missed the little girl she once was, big eyes, full of awe and wonder. It has been a time when she thought he was a hero -- her hero. Yet the only thing he did was to utterly shatter that picture. Swallowing hard he pushed the nostalgia away and put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. 

original response / @xncertainty​

   Isabelle watched him as he moved closer, the accusation loud and clear, blunt in the way Robert always seemed to be. Ever inquisitive, wasn’t he? “I went to Taki’s, if you must know. I wasn’t aware that required permission through the proper channels?” She huffed, irritation creasing her nose. She wasn’t lying either, she’d gone to Taki’s. Everything else that occurred? That had been entirely unplanned. She made a mental note to thank Alec for covering for her, pleased that neither her brothers or Jace had been willing to tell her father where she’d gone off to. She hadn’t been looking for trouble, she’d only been in search of some time outside the Institute. 

     “You didn’t tell us you were on your way back.” She noted, eyes lifting to meet his, the accusation just as clear in her tone. “I would have been here if I knew.” She insisted. It wasn’t exactly a lie either. Loathe as she was to admit it, she’d missed him and not just because she hoped he’d brought something home for her. 

                    Her flippant tone was all too familiar, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to rise. Robert inhaled deep through his nose, trying to calm the rising irration This was neither the time nor the place -- nor the right person to lash out at..❛ Permission? No. But someone should know where you are ; which I assume they did but refused to tell me.❜  Once again he quirked his brow, his tone pointed and leaving no room for doubt. Just a few feet and he would be right in front of her, two extended arms and he could hug her. However, nothing happend. He just stopped, mid-stride, the curious expression wiped from his face.

∑ - it was rare for isabelle to go and see her father , so it was only a matter of time before he started to question her . her elbows rested on her thighs and her hands clasped between her legs . relaxing over and dropping her head she let out the most broken laugh she had ever heard , we cope . yeah , if that’s what you want to call it . lifting her head up at his question . her expression was anything but happy . “ i had to go through a wedding where everyone had their significant others and mine is back in the mundie world with no memory of me dad . you said it yourself , we cope . so that’s what i’m doing . ” there was a light bark to her words , but she also knew she had to cool her temper , she wasn’t angry at her dad , not by any means when it came to simon . “ I don’t want to be with them right now dad , i want to spend time with you , like we used too . maybe spar ? i’m sure you haven’t taught me everything . ”

Book Starters. 

Book Starters.