Will is being... ... Will.

[burning_star]

What do you mean you "look up to me?" Are you insane-- well. I am pretty amazing but-- it's nothing a mundane like you can learn from.

Comments

[steady_flame]

Is that... Is that modesty I'm hearing from you, William Herondale?

[burning_star]

Hardly. What makes you think that?

[steady_flame]

Of course, of course. You're right. My mistake.

[burning_star]

Jem, you know me better than anyone and you definitely know better...

[steady_flame]

Indeed.

If it's any consolation, Will, I look up to you as well.

[burning_star]

[Internally: "Stop."]

Of course you do. I'm your incredible, charming parabatai who never fails you.

[steady_flame]

[ He stares at Will for a few moments with a look of utter incomprehension in his eyes. He pushes a rare strand of black hair into the mess of silver around it. ]

This is different.

[burning_star]

[A bark of forced, empty laughter.]

...Different?

[steady_flame]

[ You don't usually put on this face for me. Jem watches him curiously, unable to keep the confusion from his eyes. ]

Are you feeling alright? Having seconds thoughts about joining this game?

[magnus_bane]

I used to find the bravado endearing. Until I met your ancestor, of course. [Smirks slowly, cocking an eyebrow just a little.]

[burning_star]

Until...? Oh, I'm hurt. Devastated.

[magnus_bane]

I will always be fond of you Will Herondale. And it seems you are about to get in more trouble?

[burning_star]

Me? Hardly. I'm more worried about the creepy crawlies that Jem and I'll get to hunt... Not quite the usual fare but something like it. What've you been up to? [He can't hide a small grin, then-- even though he'd like to act uninterested]

[magnus_bane]

Because I know you will lose sleep over that. [His voice was light and amused as he angled his head to look at the first Shadowhunter to treat him like a normal person.] Well... that all depends. Do you want the century and a half in the future or something closer to your time frame?

[burning_star]

To be honest, thinking about the whole future time travel thing hurts my head a bit. [That, and he really would rather not think about being dead and buried while he still has Jem and Tessa to think about. Will shifts and pushes a messy black curl behind his ear before giving a shrug.]

[magnus_bane]

I thought as much. Let's just say that I got tangled up in the affairs of Nephilim yet again. [For similar related reasons. But also different at the same time. Reaching out, he hesitated a moment then lightly placed his hand on Will's shoulder.]

You'll be fine, Will. [And just as quick, he pulled his hand away never really certain what he's allowed and isn't allowed.]

[burning_star]

Fine...Yeah, I can at least assume that. [He tries to change the subject a bit, rather preferring to have the focus off of himself.]

So what did you do to get yourself dragged into our mess again? Someone as charming as me beg you for help? [Will teases gently.]

I'm still reading Princess so... and muse is brand new

[tessa_gray]

I see that you're still trying to convince everyone that you're not a good man.

[And his ego is just as she expects it.]

It's wonderful and painful but worth it. My Will's pretty new, too. <3

[burning_star]

[Will turns swiftly as though startled by her presence. Instantly, a scarlet blush rises into his cheeks.]

Tess! I didn't see you there. Whatever are you talking about?

I skipped to the end. My muses demanded it XD

[tessa_gray]

[It shouldn't be so easy for her to sneak up on a Shadowhunter, but it is amusing that she managed the feat.]

What I'm talking about is you trying to convince your mundane that you're not someone to look up to. Acting as if you truly are that mask you show the world.

I understand completely <3

[burning_star]

I. Well-- [He all but splutters and then straightens himself up in order to regain his composure. Will is honestly a bit baffled and wonders just what he can say to make Tessa recant such a smart little observation.]

Mask? Is there something on my face, Tess?

[tessa_gray]

[If managing to get the drop on him wasn't amusing enough, that little stutter if far more pleasing than it should be. As he tries to gather his equilibrium, Tessa knows he's going to try to convince her that she's wrong about him, but it won't work. Not even the warmth that nearly warms her cheeks at that familiarity will distract her.]

If there was, I'm sure you would have noticed. Some masks cover the face and others the heart, as you well know, Will.

[burning_star]

Tess...

[There's a flash of pain in his eyes, a definitive response to the fact that he's utterly torn in moments like this. Will lifts his hand as though to reach out to her, and then he drops it to his side.]

It doesn't matter. I'm going somewhere and Jem's being sent as well and I-- I don't like the idea of it at all.

[tessa_gray]

Will...

[She had done it again. Said his name simply to enjoy the pleasure of hearing it. Although, now it isn't quite as improper as it had been the first time she'd uttered it in such a way. They were friends of sorts even if Will continued to push her away. Which made that flash of pain so worrisome... and that movement of his hand so disappointing.]

Of course it matters.

[Perhaps not now, when the shock of what he'd said rattles through her, but eventually it will be important to them all. Gone. Both Will and Jem sent away, perhaps for good, with no way for her to ever see them again.]

You're leaving? [A dull ache settles in her chest and, for a moment, she can barely speak.] Why? Is this because of Mortmain? Because of me?

[burning_star]

It's not your fault-- [He starts and then falls short, trying desperately for his expression to remain unreadable. There are lines around his mouth, his eyes the only thing reflecting the desperation clawing at the inside of his chest.]

Our Munda-- I hate using that word, even though they are just mundanes. [He says the word with chagrin.] The typists who control what my Jem and I do are sending us to this place. And... Tess-- Tess, when he goes there, he won't be dying anymore.