#yet fixed. preserved in the snap of a shutter

[wickershells]

shadow by leonard nimoy, from ‘the full body project’

[lokuhapuarachchi]

Eros' Lost Arrow: A Spring Evening in Sefton Park

On a beautiful spring evening, I strolled past the water fountain in Sefton Park, Liverpool. Suddenly, I felt as though someone were watching me from behind. Halting, I turned to look back. Atop the fountain, Eros gazed down at me. In the sky above, the moon seemed anxious, attempting to shield herself. Eros held his customary weapon, the bow, in his hand, aimed directly at me. Yet, there was no arrow to be found. Where had it disappeared to?

As I pondered, memories from decades past flooded my mind. It was during my teenage years. One day, while traveling to school by train, I encountered Eros. On that fateful day, he took aim with his bow and let loose an arrow that pierced my heart. The pain was unbearable, my heart ceasing to beat after bleeding profusely. The arrow he had shot me with came to rest at the river's deep bottom.

"Eros," I murmured, addressing the deity, "Here I stand in this garden today, after a long journey with my trusted companion by my side. My path nears its end. Soon, darkness will engulf the light. You shall never retrieve your lost arrow."

On a serene spring evening, I wandered through the tranquil pathways of Sefton Park in Liverpool, camera in hand, ready to capture the essence of nature's beauty. As the golden hour bathed the landscape in a soft glow, I felt a gentle whisper of inspiration urging me forward.

Suddenly, a feeling of being observed overcame me, prompting a pause in my steps. With a curious glance over my shoulder, I beheld Eros perched atop the fountain, his watchful gaze seemingly fixed upon me. Above, the moon cast a shy veil over herself, as if in anticipation of some unknown event.

In that moment, I raised my camera, framing the scene before me with careful attention to detail. Eros, with his bow poised and the empty space where an arrow should be, became the focal point of my composition. The tranquil waters of the fountain mirrored the enigmatic allure of the evening, inviting reflection upon the passage of time and the echoes of distant memories.

As I snapped the shutter, I couldn't help but recall my own encounter with Eros in the fleeting days of my youth. The sting of his arrow, buried deep within my heart, had left an indelible mark upon my soul, guiding me through the labyrinth of life's experiences.

With each click of the camera, I sought to capture not just the beauty of the present moment, but also the essence of the past that lingered within it. The photograph would serve as a testament to the eternal dance between light and shadow, love and loss, that weaves its way through the tapestry of human existence.

And so, as the last rays of sunlight kissed the horizon and darkness began to envelop the park, I knew that I had captured more than just an image – I had immortalized a fleeting glimpse of eternity, forever preserved in the lens of my camera.

-Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi

[happyumbrellla]

Malec : Chapter 4

Chapter 4 : Property of Magnus Bane :

Alec had taken a shower, much longer than that he could have taken at the Institute, and had donned his pajamas. And he was now sitting on Magnus’s couch, his knees glued together, his hands crosses nervously playing with his fingers. The cat felt his stress and he fanned the air with annoyance with his tail :

        -I’d like to see you in my shoes, grinned the shadowhunter.

The animal replied by a meow before burying his head between his paws. The elder Lightwood took a deep breath :

        -You are a shadowhunter Alec, you know how to defend yourself against a warlock.

Warlock wha was currently in the shower. Water dripping on his curves, rolling on the muscles of his back, on his abdominals, on his… No. Alec shook his head, what was he thinking ? He hardly realized that he was in love with Magnus so having such thoughts was too early. He swallowed as he heard the bathroom’s door open. Magnus was wearing gray pants and a black T-shirt with a blue sequined inscription on it ; « We’re not going to sleep tonight ». Alec blushed and stared at the TV screen. He didn’t know what a zap was but he was suddently very interested. Seeing people missed their waterfalls or animals being cute were significantly more interesting than the warlock who had just passed in front of him :

        -Do you want to eat something special Alexander ?

        -Uh… What do you propose ?

The warlock shrugged his shoulders and entered his kitchen. Alec heard the fridge door open :

        -Sweet or salty ?

It was the first time they had asked this question at their dinner. He got up from the couch and joined the warlock in the kitchen. He froze. Magnus was leaning in the fridge and Alec had a stunning view of his buttlocks. He swallowed before coming closer, restraining himself from slamming his palm against the surface of flesh, which looked bouncy, before his eyes. The warlock turned his head towards him without changing his position :

        -So ?

The shadowhunter watched the inside of the fridge and prayed to the Angel that Magnus couldn’t see anything. There was so much food in there, but his eyes lit up with a large pasta dish with salmon. Magnus smiled and grabbed the dish :

        -I see that you have good taste.

The warlock slapped his fingers and the dish was warmed. Magnus pulled out two plates and two sets of cutlery before placing the whole on the table while Alec put the food plate on it :

        -Please, please.

The shadowhunter opted for the preservation of his dignity and used a « normal » portion just as Magnus did :

        -So ? What do you think ?

        -It’s so good.

The compliment made the warlock smile :

        -You cooked that ?

        -Yes.

The elder Lightwood opened his eyes wide in surprise :

        -Woha.

He devoured his plates with an appetite. He loved the salmon pasta and Magnus’s had a little something extra that made them even better. His plate empty, Alec stared at the dish still half filled. A fine amused smile appeared on Bane’s lips :

        -If you want to eat more, you can.

        -I should not…

        -Your mother isn’t here to quarrel with you. Eat your hunger Alexander.

The young man hesitated half a second before seizing the plate and finishing it :

        -That’s better, said the warlock.

The latter crossed his fingers under his chin and watched as the shadowhunter ate. He didn’t realize it, but he was adorable to get from everywhere. Alec let his head swing back with a sigh of happiness. He was completely satisfied. He was certain not to eat until tomorrow at noon so he had just gorged himself on his favorite dish :

        -You’ve got everywhere, said Magnus wiping the young man’s mouth and chin.

The latter brought his head forward and blushed, feeling the warmth of Magnus’s hand not far from his face :

        -I can… Do it… All by myslef, he slammed before pulling back to take his towel and wash himself.

The warlock rested his ans snapped his fngers. The dishes went into the dishwasher and the latter set out alone :

        -What are your cinematic tastes ?

        -What ?

Magnus opened his eyes and mouth wide :

        -You never saw a single movie !

        -No. What is it ?

        -Oh my god, cried Magnus.

He stood up from his chair and grabbed Alec’s wrist. He dragged him to the living room and pushed him onto the couch :

        -We’ll have to fix it.

        -I don’t understand…

He stood yp from turned on his TV and tapped on the remote to open a large list of… Tips. Alec didn’t dare to move with the host who was chaining the « No, no, not enough this, not enough that. » What was happening ? Then magnus finally exclaimed :

        -I konw !

That made Alec jump. The warlock picked a trick on his screen and came to sit next to the shadowhunter :

        -What’s going on Magnus ?

        -You’re going to watch your first movie. And I think it’ll please you.

The shadowhunter was far from being serene, but he thought that he was with Magnus and that they shared strong feelings for each other, so there was no danger. Then he relaxed and concentrated on the images that began to scroll.

          -So ? What did you think ?

        -It was good.

And Alec was sincere. This film had been really good. There had been action, explosions, unlikely cascades… Yes, the shadowhunter liked it. For a long time he had not relaxed as much. The warlock stretched and Alec looked away, blushing as Magnus’s T-shirt rose slightly, revealing the dull skin the other man. He wanted to put his fingers on it to confirm that it was as soft as it looked. But he couldn’t :

        -Are we going to sleep ?

Unfortunately, the moment Alec dreaded so much. He followed the warlock to the room and stop moving in front of the double deb with canopies :

        -Right or left ?

The shadowhunter blinked several times. He didn’t understand what Magnus was asking him :

        -Sorry ?

        -I ask you which side you want to sleep on.

        -Left.

The warlock climbed onto the bed and sat down, his back against the headboard. He snapped his fingers to reveal a grimoire and began to read it, completely forgetting the presence of the young man in front of him. Alec approached, almost timidly, from the bed. He touched the sheets with his fingertips before sliding his legs underneath. He stood with his back straight for a moment while staring for a moment while staring at the curtains of the bed. Did Magnus lock them when he was asleep ? Besides, his eyes slipped too quickly according to him towards he warlock. He was more beautiful with this little air concentrated on the face. His eyes slightly folded perfectly accompany his serious air :

        -What is it Alexander ?

The latter looked away, blushing :

        -Nothing. Nothing at all.

        -Do you want something before you sleep ?

Alec turned his attention to the warlock, the red on his cheeks accentuated :

        -Like… Like what ?

Magnus finally abandoned the reading of his grimoire to look at him :

        -So ?, he whispered approaching the Nephilim very gently.

The latter didn’t move. Yet, he should have. Magnus was getting too close to him. The eyes of the shadowhunter turned back and forth between Magnus’s eyes, turned cat, and hi slips. He loved Magnus’s true eyes, they thought them magnificent. He wasn’t going to kiss him ? In any case, that’s what it looked like. Magnus’s lips almost touch Alec’s lips. Several times. Each time the warlock made the shadowhunter believe that he would finally kiss him, but he didn’t. Unconsciously, Alec then moved forward in the hope of capturing the tempting lips but Magnus pulled back enough to put an end to the game. A satisfied smile appeared on his face :

        -That’s interesting, he murmured.

Alec blushed, realizing what he had done. He turned his back abruptly to the warlock and rolled himslef into a ball in the sheets :

        -Good night Magnus, he declared calmly.

        -Good night Alexander.

And with a finger snapping, the light goes off. The shadowhunter swallowed. He was terrified at the thought of coming into contact with the body of the warlock lying at the other end of the bed. In other words, he didn’t sleep very much that night.

 Alec awoke as soon as the rays of the sun filtered through the shutters of the room. He hadn’t slept much this night, too distressed by the presence so close to Magnus. Even though the warlock had slept deeply… And he was still sleeping now. The shadowhunter stood on one elbow to observe his neighbor. Magnus was no longer wearing makeup… When had he removed it ? When he had gone to bed he was still wearing it. Whatever, Magnus was handsome without makeup and glitter. At that moment, he was even more so, his facial features were relaxed, calm, appeased… His hair, slightly in battle and his mouth half open. Alec realized that the warlock trusted him, otherwise he wouldn’t be as vulnerable in the presence of a shadowhunter. Alec’s eyes fell on the warlock’s lips again and he wondered what effect it would do to kiss them… He was asleep, he wouldn’t know about it… Just once… Lightwood’s son swallowed as he gently approached the warlock. He was a few centimeters from his goal, breathing cut by anticipation… :

        -Miaou !

The shadowhunter leapt out of bed on hearing Chairman Meow’s plaintive meow as Magnus opened his eyes. Yhe warlock straightened up and watched with amusement an Alec with his butt on the ground, outside the bed, and with a frightened air :

        -Would you be afraid of my cat ?

        -I didn’t hear him coming !

Chairman jumped on the bed and rubbed his master cheerfully, purring and miaulating. Magnus returned his affection by caressing him :

        -You’re hungry.

The cat raised his ears on his head to the word « hunger » agreement. Magnus snapped his fingers :

        -Go. Your bowl is full.

The animal licked the warlock’s hand before leaving the room :

        -Make yourself at home, Alexander, Magnus said rolling around in the blankets with the firm intention of falling asleep again. Alec got back on his feet, took clean clothes and headed for the bathroom :

        -I’ll take a shower.

        -Will you join me ?

The fingers of the shadwhunter clenched on the door handle as he blushed :

        -I… Uh… No ?

        -Okay.

What ? That was all ? A simple « no » had sufficed ? And Magnus didn’t brandish the contract under his nose, Alec locked himself in the bathroom and threw himself under the water’s jet. He didn’t know what to think… What did Magnus want to do with this contract ? He knew that the warlock wouldn’t use it to harm him but… Perhaps to force him to assume his feelings… Or was it just a pressure for Magnus against his parents ? What if Magnus really had no feeling for him ? Alec shook his head. Magnus wouldn’t have felt so hurt at the announcement of his marriage with Lydia, if he hadn’t feelings fir him. The warlock just took care of him without filtering his desires, yes, there. It was undoubtely Magnus’s plan, to force Alec to be himself and to live happily.

 Alec put on his fighting uniform before leaving the bathroom. He put his pajamas on the bad, next to a sleeping Magnus. The shadowhunter blushed when he thought about what he had nearly done a little earlier. He left the room with as little noise as possible, crossed the living room and reached the front door. He could leave the apartement without fear, Magnus was in it :

        -Don’t you forget anything Alexander ?

        -Uh…

Alec turned to face Magnus, who was well awake and detailed him from head to foot with… Envy ? Then he presented him a set of keys :

        -How do you plan to enter tonight if you don’t have the keys ?

        -I… I thought you would open the door for me…

        -If I’m here, yes. But if I don’t, I’d rather you don’t wait outside.

Alec picked up the keys and found himself dragging his fingers a little more than necessary against Magnus’s skin, making them both shiver :

        -Uh… See you tonight ?

        -Do you want me to open a portal for you ?

        -You could ?

        -Alexander, Magnus sighed.

He slammed his fingers and a door opened :

        -You will be right in front of the Institute.

        -Thank you Magnus… See you tonight.

        -Yes Alexander.

It was strange to say that, but also… So nice. The shadowhunter looked at the keys in his hands and he couldn’t help smiling. Izzy had been right, Magnus had given him keys. When Alec arrived in the hall of the Institute, everyone looked at him. He immediatly felt incomfortable :

        -Alec

His sister rushed to him and hugged her strongly :

        -Everything went well ?

        -Yes.

Isabelle was going to ask something else when Lydia called the duo :

        -Hello Alec. I wanted to tall you that the Clave has received the missive of cancellation of our marriage.

        -I’m sorry.

        -Hey. You deserve to be happy Alec. Don’t worry about anuthing else, she said with a smile.

And it was a sincere smile that did good to the young man. What followed didn’t do him any good at all :

        -Alexander ! In my office !

The tone used by his mother clearly showed no good. The brother and sister exchanged a worried look. Even though the Lightwood no longer occupied the office of the head of the Institute, Maryse still had her own office. Robert was already there :

        -Sit down.

They obeyed. The silence that followed was embarassing for Alec, very embarassing, and was broken by Robert :

        -We are waiting for yout report.

        -Which report ?

        -What happened with Magnus Bane yesterday ?

The young man arched an eyebrow :

        -Uh… We watched a movie…

        -And ?

        -And nothing. We slept.

The Lightwood parents exchanged a glance before turning their attention to their son :

        -Nothing else ?

        -No.

Robert’s face closed more as he thought, before saying :

        -What does this cursed warlock want… He now has a way of pressure now…

Alec stood up abruptly. He was tired of the comments of his parents. Magnus was a good man, and he was going to prove it to his parents :

        -That’s enought ! You may not like Magnus but he deserves respect. He isn’t like you think he is, so shut up !

The elder Lightwood left her mother’s office by slamming the door. He was furious. Magnus was maybe a warlock but he deserved respect. Moreover, he had helped more against Valentin than the Clave itself, so he deserved it doubly :

        -Alec !

The young man turned to face Raj :

        -I wanted to give you this situation report.

The indian handed him a tablet which the young Lightwood took :

        -Thank you.

        -And I wanted to tell you that I’m happy for Isabelle, he added putting a hand on Alec’s shoulder.

The young man smiled. Raj wasn’t always pleasant with him but for once, there was sincerity in these words. The latter quickly removed his hand from the other man’s shoulder, whistling with pain :

        -What is it ?, said the elder Lightwood.

The palm of the other shadowhunter was red as if it had been burned. Raj looked up at Alec and they almost got out of their orbit :

        -What is that ?, he asked his colleague.

        -What ?

        -The thing you have around your neck !

Alec put his fingers to his neck and felt somehing leather. What ? He turned to the first reflective surface he found and ran out of his saliva. A crew neck of leather decorated his throat and the words « Property of Magnus Bane » were engraved on it in letters of gold. What was thaht ? He clapped his hands around his neck and ran to his room. He grabbed his cell phone and called the warlock :

        -Pick up ! Pick up !

But he fell on the voice mail. He grimaced before looking at himself in the mirror of his room. The necklace was gone. What the hell was that ? The shadowhunter discreetly left his room and joined the operation center. Magnus was there with Hodge, Clary and Jace. Alec was angry so he crossed the room wth great strides to join the object of his murderous mood :

        -Alec ?, asked Lydia taking his step.

The warlock got up from his chair and when he turned around, he found himslef dacing the elder Lightwoog, whom the anger made terribly sexy according to him :

        -What did you do ?

        -I just helped Jace and Clary locate the warlock who probably prepared the potion for Jocelyne.

        -Ho… Good. But that’s not waht I was talking about !

        -What was the matter with my dear Alexander ?

        -When Raj touched me a while ago, I found myself with a necklace indicationg that I was YOUR property !

The warlock smiled :

        -It’s normal. I want to remind everyone to who you belong if I’m not there to do it myself. If you don’t want to see the necklace around your pretty neck, make sure no one touches you.

Magnus winked as the elder Lightwood remained completely paralyzed by the shock. Then the warlockturned to Jace and Clary :

        -Are we going ? And no Alec, you do not come. Thank you.

The two shadowhunters followed him as he opened a portail to Ragnor Fell’s hiding place. Hodge tapped Alec’s shoulder :

        -It’s very brave what you did fir Isabelle. Does he treat you well ?

        -Yes. But I have a hard tim understanding whe he did this… The necklace I mean.

        -He was clear Alec… You beling to him. And he wants everybody to know that if anyone approaches you.

The mentor of the boy went away. Lydia did the same, not without having a small, half-amused, half-comforting, smile to the young man who had almost become her husband.

Masterlist

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