Walking through the Institute Charlotte felt peaceful; though she was all alone by herself she was happy for the quietude. Being with child she no longer felt fit to go on political errands. Walking through the living quarters of the massive Institute she stopped at William Herondale's room. It's now or never, carefully opening the door to the room she crept inside. Peering in, clearly she was not the only one here tonight. Will was asleep twisted in a mass of sheets. He is so peaceful, so young looking, so untormented when he sleeps Charlotte thought.
The boy had so many secrets, a massive burden he had to carry all alone that he could let go of when he was asleep. Suddenly he started to twist and jerk, he started to breathe heavily making whimpering sounds. 'Will, William, wake up' she crossed towards the bed and sat on the edge and shook his shoulder. His eyes snapped open, the blue extremely bright even in the dark. 'It's okay, it was just a nightmare' to this he did the most un Will like thing she thought he would do, he hugged her and started to cry.
After her momentary shock she looped her arms around Will and leaned against the headboard. Cooing in his ear and smoothing out his hair like a mother would do for her child.
Not since the day she met him had she seen this kind of vulnerability in the boy. Though he was snarky and hostile she had grown to care for the young boy with the blue eyes. The boy was hers.
Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes later William's sobs died down into just heavy breathing. 'I am so sorry Charlotte' Will stuttered leaning against her shoulder. He was so undone; he had the vulnerability of a small child. 'I had a dream, the demon that killed my sister came back to kill me' he whispered.
'William, look at me' he looked up. 'You are my boy, my child and I will never let anyone or anything harm you' she told him with such fierceness it made her tired. 'I love you and Henry loves you especially, I know we are not like your birth parents-'she was cut off by a bone crushing hug. 'I do not deserve you and Henry' he laid back down onto the bed. Charlotte eased off the bed and into an overstuffed armchair. 'Go to sleep now William, I will keep you safe' in response Will smiled and closed his eyes.
After a while his breathing evened out, Charlotte's eyes grew heavy. My boy she thought as she drifted off to sleep.