The blinding lights and bright colours flashed across Ty's vision and he couldn't help but tug on his headphones to double check they were in place. Ty had been to the LA shadow market plenty of times before so logically the London market should be no different, yet, his mind couldn't help but flash back to the last time he was in the market. To the moment he found out about Livvy. He remembered a time when Kit's presence alone made him feel safe, made him feel like he didnt always need his stupid headphones. He guessed things really had changed in their time apart and it kind of hurt, especially considering how he felt about the other boy.
The London shadow market was remarkably easy to get into and Ty put it down to Hypatia currently being in LA. Hopefully therefore there would be no pushback from any of the patrons. Said patrons seemed a slight bit politer than those in the LA shadow market and Ty wondered if it was their 'British charm' or whether nobody had quite noticed them yet. The tents all seemed to have a green and blue sort of colour theme unlike the oranges and pinks of the LA shadow market. It was actually quite soothing really and reminded Ty of the ocean on a sunny day.
London itself was cloudy and overcast -as it seemed to be perpetually- which gave the amber, lamplit pathways of the market an almost eerie glow. Jem was stood under the overhang looking out at the Thames with an odd sort of look on his face though it lasted fleetingly before he turned to the boys.
'Okay, Magnus has gone off to deal with his own things so it's just us… that means be on your best behaviour' this was directed at Kit. 'If I remember rightly, the stalls we are looking for are towards the center of the market, one of which is owned by a faerie that I know quite well. This should help our case a little, but we still must be careful as shadowhunter are still not well rated here.' Jem said sagely.
'Okay, then let's go!' Kit said, turning to Ty, smiling slightly and lowering his voice 'you ready?'
No 'Yes' Ty replied, trying to smile back at the other boy but not quite managing.
As they moved through the shadows, the crowds seemed to become thicker and more rowdy, the English lilt of voices lifting above the market clatter. Ty kind of liked the English accent or rather the queen's english accent- he still hadn't gotten over Granfer John and his broad West Country drawl. He also quite liked the Yorkshire accent the one time he had heard it at the Scholomance from a guest lecturer. Kit had sort of picked up some of the English inflection on the ends of his r's and in the way his voice rose at every statement as if it were a question a fact Ty found rather endearing.
Suddenly, Jem stopped in front of them clearly having found what he was looking for and Ty had to swerve a little to stay upright. Ty looked up from where he had been focussed on the dusty path below him to see a rather impressive stall filled with all manner of colourful objects in bottles, terrariums and boxes. Everything was lit by small spotlights and a sweet smell seemed to pour into the air around them. The blues and green carried through to the face of this stall, it's awning draped in sparkling cyan taffetas and peridot ribbons that seemed to almost float above them in the light breeze. It's shelves were filled with a few things Ty could name and, surprisingly, a few he couldn't including what looked like dragonfly wings, mother of pearls and an odd purple fizzing liquid in a coffin shaped bottle.
'James Carstairs, now there's a face I've not seen in quite a few years' a voice echoed from beneath a drape on the far side of the stall.
'Dreah it is a pleasure' Jem smiled at the woman who had appeared from behind said drape now.
'You look as handsome as ever, are you sure you still love that warlock?' she grinned at Jem revealing a set of spiked and bright orange teeth.
'Yes, I'm afraid I am still rather fond of my wife'
'Send me a message if that ever changes'
'I'm afraid there's a line and I think Lily Chen is currently at the front of it' Kit added in and Jem blushed slightly to Ty's complete astonishment.
'And who might you be?' she asked and Ty didn't like the way she looked at him like he was prey 'I get an oddly familiar feeling from you boy and that interests me'
'I'm Jem's adoptive son, I'm nobody important but you might just be' Kit replied, slightly too quickly in Ty's opinion.
'Well aren't you one for half truths, we could make a faerie of you yet'
Ty's blood ran cold. He was sure she didn't know about Kit's lineage but the phrasing was rather close to home and he knew that faeries couldn't lie. It was just a coincidence he told himself and tried to remain calm.
'Okay Dreah that's enough, now I'm looking for a few items that I'm sure you can help me with' Jem continued, unhindered by her words or perhaps not even having noticed.
'Oh and what might they be?' she flicked her mossy green hair over a fair, freckled shoulder.
'We are looking for midnight myrrh and volcanic incense both of which I am sure you have'
'Hmm both well sought after and hard to acquire items… it will cost even you James'
'Name a price' Ty said, determined.
Dreah thought for a moment 'Hmm since it is for you James Carstairs I will only ask for each of you to give up one secret precious to you and nothing further' her smile grew wicked.
Ty looked to the others who both seemed unnerved by the concept but still willing 'okay' he said.
'You first' she said, pointing a taloned hand towards Ty.
He took a moment to think, he knew it had to be good enough for the fairie to count it but Ty didn't really keep secrets. Well, except for that one but he wouldn't be sharing that here. His hands shook at his side and his heart sped up, he wanted to save Livvy but he was already failing at hurdle number one.
'It's okay Ty, we could try something else or somewhere else at least' Kit's voice soft and hollow.
'Sometimes at night, when I look out to the ocean I think about how easy it would be to walk into it and not come back' he didn't realise what he was saying until after the fact, no not really until he saw all three of the others around him wide eyed and kit that deathly pale he remembered from their talk a couple days ago.
'That will do nicely Child of Thorns'
So she did know who he was.
'I sometimes wish Tessa wasn't immortal' Jem said, voice strong.
'Jem... dad' Kit said softly and looked at him with wide and gentle eyes.
'Immorality is as fickle as we make it James, remember that'
Would Kit live longer because of his lineage he wondered? Carefully, he looked over to the boy in question who had panic clearly written over his face.
'You don't have to do this for me' Ty tried.
'I do and remember I'm doing this for me too' Kit turned to Dreah 'I don't know if i feel bad about my father's death or not. I don't know if it bothers me all that much at all'
'Kit.' Ty found himself saying the other boy's name with a gentle sadness.
'Hmm interesting, this will do though I still sense you are hiding something from me, and take heed everything comes to light eventually' Dreah turned and began scanning her shelves, plucking the correct items off of them and wrapping them both in large, flat leaves and securing each with twine. 'Be careful with these and remember James you know where I am' she winked as she handed him the items.
The rest of their time at the market was fairly easy and they managed to get their final ingredient -chalk powdered from the bones of a murder victim- fairly easily from a sweet, young looking vampire boy who only asked for money thankfully. There was still an odd tension in the air, one that even Ty could sense, each person seeming quiet and very in on themself the entire walk to the gates. If Magnus had picked up on this when he met up with them, he said nothing, simply making a portal back to Cirenworth and ushering each of them through.
It was around 9 pm when they returned to find dinner had been left out on the table for them though Tessa, Alec, Drusilla and the children were nowhere in sight. Ty assumed the children were all being put to bed at this time considering what he remembered from when Tavvy was younger.
The four of them quietly filled their plates and sat at the dining table in the kitchen, Church having suddenly appeared sensing a chance for food.
'Something happened didn't it? You don't have to tell me but all three of you do look rather shell shocked' Magnus broke the silence, able to sense the unspoken tension within the group.
'I shall talk to you later, old friend, but for now I'd just like to go to bed' Jem said, looking across at Magnus though not meeting his eyes.
'Of course' Magnus replied.
Nothing more was said after that and as soon as each person was finished they seemed to put their plate in the dishwasher and retire upstairs with no further words. Jem and Magnus both left before Kit and Ty who now were awkwardly staring at their respective plates.
'Did you mean what you said Ty?' Kit broke the silence first.
'Hmm? Oh well yes and no. I had been feeling those kinds of things, like what I said back in LA, but less so after our talk and even less so when you are around. I feel as though you have a sort of calming presence like Livvy used to and you know everything, all the secrets and half truths.' Ty was honest, he couldn't help it around Kit… not that he was ever particularly dishonest around anyone else, it was just easier to tell the truth to the other boy.
'Oh, well I'm glad you feel comfortable around me I guess and uhm I trust you too. If you ever want to talk about those kinds of feelings you can, okay?!'
Ty thought Kit seemed a little awkward. When was he ever awkward? Perhaps it was just the topic or the day they had had was weighing on him too.
Ty awoke to a gentle knocking at his door, his head groggy and filled with last night's nightmare of Livvy and the sword as they often were.
'Come in' he mumbled, trying to wake himself up.
'Sorry to disturb you Tiberius but it seems myself, Alec and the Carstairs are needed at the Cornwall institute as a matter of urgency,' Magnus, fully dressed in a russet velvet suit and navy jeans, pushed open the door and let himself in 'we need you to look after the children as we must leave soon' Magnus seemed slightly fidgety.
'Oh, of course, yes that is no problem' Ty replied. Magnus not seeming to move at this Ty added 'could you leave so I can get dressed?'
'You shadowhunters and your privacy' he smirked but left nonetheless.
When he arrived downstairs, the withdrawing room was abuzz with activity: the adults were strapping weapons to themselves, Kit was attempting to turn on the tv but seemed to have lost the remote and the 3 children were chasing a rather put out looking Dru around the room.
'Good morning dear' Tessa called from across the room while strapping a set of knives to Jem's back.
'Thank you for offering to look after the children, it seems that some rather rowdy brownies have tried to stage a siege on the Cornwall Institute and, as the nearest shadowhunters for miles, we get the joy of dealing with it.' Alec added.
'Nah it's cool, I'd rather hang with Mina here and the boys than deal with those nasty things' Kit said nonchalantly, or rather as nonchalantly as one could while head over heels peering under a sofa.
20 minutes later, Ty was sat on a sofa with Max who was happily discussing beetles with him while Kit, Dru and Mina danced around to a Moana sing along movie they had found on the tv. Rafe was quietly sat in the corner reading a copy of the codex. Ty kept peeking up at Kit and melting slightly at the sight of him with Mina, the way he looked at her with such a caring gaze.
'I'm going to head into town to see if I can't stir up some better snacks for later. Does anyone want anything? Also Kit I will be texting you if I get confused with all your weird British candy' Dru said after the most current song had finished.
'Wait, you can't leave us here with the kids!' Kit stopped dancing to pout at Dru.
She placed her hands on her hips and gave him what Ty referred to as the you cant and wont change my mind look. 'You'll be fine, plus I won't be gone for that long- you said yourself the walk is only like 45 minutes.'
'Okay, fine, whatever just bring me back some dairy milk crunchie bars' Kit conceded.
'Sure, I'll get whatever the hell that is' she smiled 'you want anything Ty?'
Ty shrugged 'Maybe some popcorn' he knew Dru would know the type he liked, she remembered those types of things, always had.
'Cool, popcorn for Ty and weird UK chocolate for Mr Herondale' Dru nodded once and grabbed her bag heading for the door.
'I want nuggets!' shouted Mina almost as soon as Dru left.
'Now Min Min, you know we don't have nuggets for lunch plus its 11am' Kit tried, giving what he probably thought was a stern look but came across as more like he was in pain.
'Nuggies,nuggies nuggies' Mina began chanting, Max joining in a moment later.
'I would like some nuggets too.' Rafe said quietly, not looking up from his book.
Ty watched Kit try and try to stare out the three baying wolves but within moments his face broke into a smile. 'Okay fine nuggets but only if you promise to nap afterwards Mina. Max and Rafe you also better be chill after nuggets cause I do not have the energy or wherewithal for hyperactivity today'
'We promise Mr Kit' said Rafe looking to his brother with a conspiratorial gaze.
'Okay Kit Kat' Mina said, seeming more believable.
After an eye opening experience that would forever be burnt into Ty's brain and a good lesson on iratze use, the children and adults alike each had a plate full of chicken nuggets and home made potato wedges.
'Fankyoo Kit Kat, I love my nuggets and I love you' Mina said in her sweet toddler voice.
Max then mumbled out what Ty could only assume was a form of thanks around a large mouthful of food and Rafe nodded his thanks too.
Ty found himself watching Kit intently, the way he spoke so softly and kindly to the children. He gave them a level of respect and kindness that most people probably wouldn't bother with for young kids. It was adorable and heart warming, two words he never thought he would use as they seemed too frivolous before. Kit seemed to break down all his walls though.
'Ty?'
'Hmm' Ty focussed his eyes back in and realised Kit must have been talking to him. 'Sorry, I didn't hear that.'
'Oh, it's okay. I was just saying that I was going to go put Mina down so perhaps you could find a movie for the boys?' Kit repeated himself.
'That's fine. Rafe, Max, do you want to follow me?' Ty asked standing and collecting the plates to place in the sink before heading to the lounge.
Max and Rafe quickly chose a movie titled 'Big Hero 6' which seemed to be about a large marshmallow looking robot creature. Ty sat on the sofa behind the brothers who had made a sort of pillow castle atop the rug and were cuddled down together, eyes glued to the screen.
Kit joined Ty around a third of the way into the movie, sliding silently into the space beside him and smiling as a way of greeting.
'So Sherlock, are you ready to take on another mission?' Kit whispered a few minutes later.
'Ahh Watson, the game is afoot… let's find the spy shall we?' Ty replied, somehow immediately knowing what his friend was talking about.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy, please leave kudos or a comment if you like. Sorry for the late reply, i have been rather ill the last week and work has been insane atop that. Im off next friday though so if im inspired who knows there might be a bonus chapter or one shot kicking about.
Dictionary of terms:
I love my nuggets and i love you: based off of an actual conversation i had with a child at work after i gave her a cookie. Fair to say she was delighted
Crunchie chocolate: idk if other countries have them but if not its basically honeycomb/toffee encased in dairy milk chocolate in a bar and i adore them so much.