AN: Well, hello there. A day early, but since I wont be home tomorrow I thought posting early wouldn't hurt. Enjoy!

Edinburgh (23.06.2014 – 25.06.2014)

(Alec)

My legs were cramped against the seat in front of me, my side pressed against the vibrating window and my arms crossed firmly across my chest. It wasn't exactly a comfortable position, but I didn't dare move. The reason? Magnus was sitting in the narrow seat next to me, his body twisted so that he could speak to the people sitting in the seats behind us. One of Magnus' long legs were thrown casually over the other, and his arms were wrapped around the headrest of his seat. This position meant that whenever he got animated - and that was practically all the time - his knee would twitch against my thigh and his arms would brush against my shoulder or even my hair in one particular case. As I pressed myself even firmer against the rattling plastic bus interior, trying to tune out the laughter and rowdy discussion going on next to me with out the aid of my trusted MP3 player, I decided this trip was already shaping up to be just as horrendous as I had predicted it would be.

The tour my mother had found for us was not only going to force us to bond as a family. It would also force us to interact with the group as a whole. - there were the 'no electronics on the bus' - rule, the obligatory field trips to remote places, the pre planed hikes, the 'after diner game-nights', the scattering of competitions and the meal-teams (the entire group had been divided into four groups, each one responsible for one meal a day. Of course my luck had stuck with me, and I had ended up in the meal team headed by mr. Gorgeous himself. My plan of avoiding Magnus was going fantastically!) just to name a few. At least most of the other people were somewhat tolerable. There were hardly any elderly, boring grandparents, as I had feared. In fact, the group of young people was quite substantial, helped by the four junior guides. There were five guides in total on the trip.

Daniel, a down to earth thirty-something from Northern Ireland who's favourite expression seamed to be 'no worries', was in charge of the entire operation and spend most his time happily chatting to whoever was nearby while fiddling with his clip board.

Then there were the four American junior guides, each of whom technically had a field of expertise, but all of them where really there to help out and make sure all of us paying customers were entertained at all times. Magnus, it turned out, was the science guy. Then there was the girl with the flaming hair and the bordering on invasive personality, Clary, who was the arts guide and Jace's favourite. Maria the nature and trek guide was a quiet girl, but her smile and her deep-brown eyes gained the confidence and trust of whoever she gazed at. Self-proclaimed super-geek Steven, with his printed t-shirts and crooked black framed glasses, was in charge of anything literary and cultural.

Besides the Lightwoods, there were five other families on the trip, four of whom brought children. The Gilbert's were the eldest, a 60+ couple from Ohio, who had properly never left their home state and where only here because they felt the need to give their grandchild, seven year old Jennifer, the opportunities they never quite managed to give their late daughter.

Then there were the Millstones, the obnoxious southern middle class couple, who had made the arts guide roll her eyes behind their back with their bragging non-knowledge of European culture. The Thompson-Farlow family were the almost exact opposite. The young west-coast couple had a smile for everyone they met, and were easy and comfortable to be around. Their daughter, ten year old Allison was shaping up to be just like them, confident yet open and approachable. There was one other family from New York traveling with us.

Single mother Elaine Lewis and her two children all had a yearning to travel but lacked the funds to go far. Simon, the youngest, was friends with Clary, and was an easy bloke, though I could see him and me clashing over his interest in my sister, while Jace and him seemed to be antagonizing each other over Clary. Lastly there were the Kendrick's, five of them, all of them large both in physical form and personality. Despite the diversity of the group, everyone seemed to be hitting it of.

A particularly enthusiastic and surprisingly deliberate nudge against my upper arm pulled me from my mind fortress, and before long I was pulled into the conversation.

Half an hour later we pulled up outside the train station in the middle of Edinburgh. We spilled out of the hired bus, and started pulling bags out of the compartment located under the seats of the bus. The hostel we would be staying at was only a short trek away from the station, but it was up hill, and so complaints were not absent. I was taking everything in as we made our way up a winding road to the royal mile, with a soundtrack of bagpipes blasting out from open doors of tourist shops playing in the background.

Though I was still a year or so from grad-school I already knew I wanted to study European Early Modern Military History, and so being in Edinburgh, even with my entire family in tow, was a dream come true. My mother fell into step beside me and, placing a delicate hand on my shoulder, she sent me a knowing smile. Even though my mother could be strict and hard to read, it where in moments like these that we knew we were loved and understood as well as it was possible for her to understand.

"Yo, Alec?" Jace's voice broke through our silent moment, "betcha I can get to the top before you!" A challenge like that, I knew, had to be accepted. Rather than answering, I send my mother a smile, and set of running, my suitcase rocking wildly behind me.

We had hardly made it to the hostel and gotten settled in our rooms before Magnus had announced an unscheduled field trip for 'minors, guides and Alec only'. The destination was a smallish museum located opposite the entrance to the large flattened areas in front of the castle, where the Edinburgh tattoo was held every year.

Edinburgh's Camera Obscura and World of Illusions was bigger inside than I had expected, though I didn't get to see much of its contend as I and the others were dragged up through the five floors to get to the tower surrounded by a wide porch-like area. The mystically named Camera Obscura was located behind a dark wooden door. Magnus had decided that this is where we would start our trip into the world of illusions.

"It's the best way to experience this museum" he explained as he carefully checked the white sheet of paper taped to a wooden door into the tower on which times where posted in fine print. "The next show is not for another fifteen-twenty minutes, so we can just hang up here and look at the city," the rest of the group sighed - though none of us had a clue as to what to expect, Magnus' excitement was contagious - and fanned out across the deck. I found a bench from where I had perfect view of both my siblings and the city below us. The museum was located on the top of a hill in the middle of the Scottish capital and from the top if the high building you could see the entire city spread around you.

Seeing how the kids reacted to being away from parental supervision had been interesting. At first everyone had been filled with exited energy, and the walk back up the mile had been a boisterous affair. Now, the excitement had dialed down a notch, and new groups were starting to form. Max and the youngest Kendrick, Sam, had disappeared to the other side of the terrace, bonding over what ever it is that thirteen-year-olds bond over.

The two elder Kendricks and Rebecca were stood some ways of talking in quiet voices while the brothers playfully shoved at each other. Next to me, Maria and Steven were teaching Jennifer Gilbert and Allison Farlow how to use the large telescopes mounted to the railing that ran along the deck. Jace and Clary were sat at a bench some ways of. Jace was leaning forward to point out buildings and places far below, one hand sneaking around Clary's waist as her body leaned closer to his in order to spot whatever he was pointing at better.

To my left, Simon was attempting to carry out a similar manoeuvre with my sister as he tried to teach her how to use a telescope. He was less successful, though he seemed undeterred in his efforts. Sighing, and feeling slightly more glum than I had only a few moments before I attempted to return my gaze to the vast city below me. My gaze, however kept drifting back to the people around me. I wanted my siblings to be happy, of course I did. However, sometimes I couldn't help but envy just how easy this particular brand of happy was for them.

"So... Is it that you wanted a shot at her first, or that you just wanted him?" Magnus' voice broke through my petty pouting. I had been starring at Jace and Clary, who were now leaning against the railing, trying to spot the street below.

"What?" I asked dumbly, turning towards him with wide eyes. I had gotten considerably better at conversing with the man, but when he took me by surprise I still struggled with coherent sentences. In any case I was sure he hadn't just implied what I thought he did.

"Because I'm quite sure he's straight as an arrow." Magnus commented dryly as he folded one ankle over the other, his long legs stretched out in front of him.

"He is. I mean, I'm not... She's... I'm not..."

"Whoa, slow down there, tiger," Magnus interrupted my panicked stuttering, "you're talking to a man in rainbow pants and blue lipstick. I'm not gonna judge, either way. Just thought someone should ask the though questions in case no one ever had." I admit I could only stare dumbly at him, my mouth opening and closing independently of my mind, as I tried to figure out how to respond. My instinct told me to deny everything, and I probably would have, had I been able to decide what to deny first. Magnus was considering me, one eyebrow raised, obviously giving me time to sort through my thoughts. The problem was that all I could think about in that precise (and, might I add, inconvenient) moment, was how attractive the man next to me looked and how his eyes were enticing me to either spill my deepest secrets or simply lean over and kiss him. It was quite frustrating.

"... Or we can just talk about something completely different. What's your stance on the planetary status of Pluto?" Both eyebrows were now raised, his eyes widened in honesty, and a smirk played in the corner of his mouth. A few seconds passed before a surprised splurge of laughter erupted from me as the absurdity of the situation hit me. Magnus smiled and then laughed as the giggles continued to burst from me. Blood rose to my cheeks, but I calmly swept my hair out of my eyes.

"Planet." I stated with honesty, "definitely a planet, still."

(Izzy)

Edinburgh castle was rising above us. Or rather we were stood on a big asphalted area at the end of a road winding its way among a series of smaller buildings over which a sort of super-size square house could be spotted. The castle was not what I had expected it to be after listening to Alec go on and on about the strategically important castles of Britain for hours. I had expected something like Hogwarts. This was no Hogwarts.

"It looks so dusty and small," I mussed out loud, forgetting that my history nerd of an older brother was stood right next to me. I could only roll my eyes at the look he send me, which clearly said 'dear god, save me from this stupidity'.

"Izzy, there are buildings here that are older than our nation! Some of them have been around for longer than there have been white people in the states - unless you count the Vikings. - those dusty old buildings have hosted more kings and noblemen and knights than..."

"Yeah, yeah, what ever. It still looks small and unmajestic." Alec groaned, threw his head back and clearly prepared for a longer lecture. Luckily, Simon chose that moment to slink up to us, placing himself right next to me and sending the castle one of his looks.

"Wow this is like straight out of a fantasy novel. Not sure which one, but I know I have read about a place just like this!" Simon breathed, cutting off whatever Alec was about to say. I could have kissed him for his interruption. - and for other reasons. I knew the awkward, sweet nerd had a bit of a crush on me, and I found it flattering, to say the least. For now I wasn't going to let it get too far. - A bit of innocent flirting and teasing, just to get something out of the trip. I knew nothing more should come of it. Once we were back in New York, a relationship with a boy like this guy was just not going to cut it; not in the circles I moved in. Even so, I still did feel surprisingly attracted to the boy. I would have to watch that.

Caught up in my musings as I was, I nearly missed something huge unfolding right next to me. Magnus had just pranced past me in all his glamorous glory, slung an arm around Alec's shoulder and loudly proclaimed: "this is where Braveheart lived, yeah?" This, of course had left my brother spluttering with indignation at the blatant ignorance for a few seconds, causing Magnus to laugh loudly. Alec jokingly pushed Magnus of him, folded his arms over his chest and send Magnus a look of pure superiority. "We're standing at the historical center of power in Scotland, I'll have you know," My brother said in his best school teacher voice, though laughter danced in his blue eyes.

That Jace already had a fling going with one of the guides was hardly surprising, even with the added layer of seriousness and honesty with which he carried out his pursuit of the seemingly interested girl. Simon's obvious poppy dog crush on me was not unusual, either, though back at home he would've never had the guts to do anything about it. But someone openly flirting with my eldest brother? And him not openly and coldly rejecting the advances? Unheard of.

"Huh," Magnus mussed, "I thought we stood at that place were they did that band thing every year with the bagpipes and that." Once again my brother looked affronted, shaking his head in obvious despair. The couple continued to banter, escalating to the point of Magnus mock-marching while pretending to play a bagpipe, Alec laughing embarrassedly next to him.

My brother was about as shy as they come. An unexpected hug from a family member had him cringe, and he always withdrew to his own space after a few hours of social interacting. He just about tolerated his family, and he might even have had what some would consider friends, though I never met any of them, but strangers were kept at a distance. If you managed to break through his shell he was fiercely loyal and protective, fun and intelligent. He cared deeply and always had time for you when you needed someone to listen.

The problem was, breaking that shell was incredibly though, and most people gave up before they even got started. Somehow Magnus had managed it, though. My brother was gay - not sure if he knew I knew, but it was sort of obvious if you looked for the signs - and Magnus was obviously into him. I hoped, yet doubted, Alec would let the colourful suitor into his heart. Alec had been far more lonely than any of us liked. The first steps towards friendship had seemingly been taken, and that, I reminded myself, was at least something.

Just as Magnus had grabbed Alec's hands in an attempt to get my embarrassed brother to join in his ridiculous March, Daniel returned with all our tickets. I was quick to grab Simon's hand and drag him towards the castle entrance, eager to not get caught up in the guided tour my brother would surely unknowingly be giving in a matter of moments. I did manage a glance over my shoulder, and couldn't help but smile, as I saw my brothers hand safely captured in both of Magnus' as the rest of the group followed Simon and I onto the old cobble-stoned pathway.

(Alec)

"Hey Magnus, wait up" I called as I stepped out of the dorm room I shared with some of the other boys. Magnus, who had been on his way down the hall, turned towards me with a small smile and an eyebrow raised in question.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" Dinner was about half an hour off, and the rest of our group was scattered about the place, enjoying a bit of free time.

"Of course, Alexander," he replied in his smooth, soft voice.

"You were right, yesterday, about people asking," I jogged up to where he had stopped next to one of the tall windows lining on side of the narrow hallway. One eyebrow rose a notch higher as Magnus waited patiently for me to continue. I took a stuttering breath as I steeled myself for what I was about to confess. - Magnus would not be the first to learn the truth about my sexuality - I had a few friends and a couple of what I guess you could call exes with a bit of a stretch, who knew, back in New York. It was mostly my family I didn't have the courage to tell.

Though I had only known Magnus for a short time, I had a feeling he could be trusted. "It wasn't either of them. It wasn't that sort of jealousy." I spoke softly, having come to a stop closer to the tall Asian than I had intended. Both eyebrows were up now, his smile soft and his eyes kind and attentive. "I am gay though," I added in a whisper. He gave a sort of slow nod at those words, his eyes locked on mine.

"Thank you for telling me." He told me, leaning in even closer so that his features blurred slightly. "I myself am bi."

"Bi? Really?" I blamed his closeness for the lack of filter in this particular case. Luckily he only laughed, leaning back again.

"What? Don't I look the part?" He asked, throwing an arm to the side and sending me a wicked smile. I spluttered for a second, trying not to say the wrong thing. He winked at me, pursed his lips shortly and let his arm fall back against his side. "Tell me, Alexander, if it is not Jace's love that you crave, then what was it that had you so entranced yesterday?" He had leaned into my space again, and my head was spinning uncomfortably.

"I prefer Alec," I muttered, trying to discreetly angle my body away. He must have noticed though because he copied me, turning so that we stood side by side, backs against the wall.

"I don't," he replied, sending me one of his grins. "And you are avoiding the question."

"I'm not, I just..." I protested, opting to look at the wall opposite me, rather than at Magnus. "I envy their openness, I guess. I mean, I know the closet is horrible, and I hate lying. But you've met my father, he would never understand. And I've seen what happens to people who doesn't hide, and I'm just. I'm too scared." I confessed, not daring to look at the obviously proud man next to me. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt fingers wrap around mine.

"The world is a cruel place," Magnus said in a quiet voice. "I can't tell you not to be scared. And no matter what you chose, it's gonna be hard. It sucks. Life sucks. We just have to deal with it and try and have a good time anyway." I had turned my face towards him to find his eyes resting calmly on me. Sighing I faced the wall again, then let my head fall against his shoulder.

"I guess," I relented, squeezing the fingers still wrapped around mine. "Doesn't stop it from hurting, though," I hadn't really meant for that to slip, and was grateful when Magnus only let his head rest against mine still on his shoulder. We stood like that for some time, both lost in thought.

"Come on." Magnus interrupted the silence, then, pulling me away from the wall, "let's go see what's for dinner."

AN: Thank you for reading. Also thank you for the reviews and follows, it means a lot! - I do have a confession: I got the inspiration for the SunShine tour from a Miss Marple episode (the tour it self, not the story, no-one's dying), and I didn't think they existed... So I didn't research them... So thank you, L'ecureuil, for bringing this to my attention. I hope you enjoyed Eastern Europe!

Also, Alice, I hope they do end up in a town near you, though, I also wanted to say, now, that I have not been to all the towns and cities on the tour (Only the ones in Scotland and then London) but those I am trying to thoroughly research. If there's anything in particular you would like to see, or if there is anything about something you think I should know, tell me, and I will see what I can do. I love hearing from you!

Next Thursday we are going to my former place of residence, Dundee, so that will be pretty exiting... Until then... Have fun!