The accusation was clear in Alec's voice, and on the faces of his siblings, as they had not seen Robert in their home for so long he seemed out of place, and in need of having some sort of explanation for his sudden appearance. If this question annoyed Robert he did his best to hide it, understanding the void between him and his family.
"I have been sent by the Clave. They wish me to return tomorrow evening, with Sebastian Verlac, for his review," Robert explained as his gaze settled on Sebastian.
"My review?" Sebastian asked.
"Yes, to see if you are learning to adjust to proper shadow hunter life. There is another battle coming, and the Clave wants every able hand at its disposal," Robert said, his voice remaining as formal as ever.
"It was not my choice, not to be involved in the battle of Alicante," Sebastian said, and Robert nodded.
"Yes, I have been told of your situation. Still, the Clave hopes that this exposure has done you good," Robert replied.
"I believe it has done me more good than I could have ever hoped for," Sebastian said, and Robert noticed that his eyes flickered towards Alec.
"Good to hear, although neither of us are the ones who will decide whether that is true or not. Now, who is going to explain your general disheveled experiences to me?" Robert said, his attention turning towards his children.
"We had a run in with Jonathan Morgenstern," Izzy said, and Robert's eyes widened in shock.
"What? Where? Were any of you hurt?" Robert asked, his usual reserve slipping away.
"Sebastian was the only one who was hurt, but not badly. Jonathan got away though," Jace said, his voice wavering slightly as he used what had been his own name.
"We couldn't track him," Clary added, "he disappeared behind some kind of doorway."
"More of his Lilith tricks," Robert muttered. "Still, I am relieved none of you were seriously injured. What do you believe was the motive for his attack?"
"We think he wants Clary," Jace said.
Robert nodded, noticing the defensive tone of Jace's voice, that suggested any comment on the matter would have to be said with much delicacy.
"Well, it sounds like you have all had a very eventful evening, perhaps some rest is in order," Robert eventually said.
Izzy was the first to leave the room, not even offering a goodnight, being too frustrated with her father's sudden appearance after such a long absence.
Everyone else slowly started to leave the room, until Alec too turned to leave.
"Alexander, could you please wait a moment?" Robert asked, and Alec immediately dreaded the conversation he was about to have.
Alec turned back to Robert and stood stiffly as we waited for his father to speak again.
"Your presence has also been requested by the Clave," Robert said, and Alec finally looked up at him, curiosity written across his features.
"Why does the Clave wish to speak with me?" Alec asked, his tone becoming just as dethatched as Robert's.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you, you will have to wait until they speak to you in Alicante," Robert replied.
"But you do know why, don't you?" Alec asked, clearly confused.
"Yes, but I can't say anything further on the matter," the older Lightwood replied, indicating it was the end of that discussion.
"Is that all then?" Alec asked, getting ready to leave.
"No, actually, I wanted to discuss something else with you, something more…personal," Robert said, and Alec once again looked perplexed by his words.
He and his father had never been particularly close, and conversations of a 'personal' nature had stopped as soon as the night in the Accords hall had happened.
"Okay…" Alec said eventually, giving Robert a measured look.
"I have heard from some of the Downworlder members of the Council that you and the warlock, Magnus Bane, are no longer…fraternising," Robert said, his voice cold and strained.
"No. We broke up," Alec stated.
"I know it is not my place to say, and you will not like my words, but I am glad to hear that," Robert said, watching as anger flared behind Alec's eyes.
"You're right, it's not your place to say that," Alec snapped.
Robert sighed, frustrated that his words were not coming out in the way he wished them to.
"I am sorry Alexander, but I could never approve of any of my children being with a Downworlder, especially not the likes of Magnus Bane. From what I know of his past, his sinful behavior is exactly what breads chaos," Robert said, and his words only made Alec more infuriated.
"Because Shadow hunters haven never caused any chaos? You were in the Circle, surely you remember the destruction that brought about," Alec said, and he watched as his father stare at him in shock, as they had never discussed the Circle before, it had simply been a fact that was ignored most of the time.
"That was different," Robert said firmly. "Things have changed."
"Really? Because you certainly seem to hold some of the same views," Alec said bitterly. "Just because I'm not with Magnus anymore doesn't mean I share your hatred of Downworlders."
"That is not what I meant by my words. I merely hope that in the future you may date someone more appropriate," Robert replied tensely.
"Appropriate? Oh I wonder what that means," Alec said as he rolled his eyes.
"Alexander," Robert said warningly, yet Alec refused to bite his tongue.
"Father, it doesn't matter what happens, I will never be your perfect, straight son," Alec stated.
"That is not what I meant. I have come to accept that I cannot control who you are, and that you are happy, being with men, rather than woman. Whilst it is not the ideal situation I would have hoped for, I will not condemn you for it, and neither will the Clave," Robert said, watching as Alec's expression completely changed, his anger dissipating, being replaced by an undeterminable emotion.
"You're okay with it?" Alec asked after a moment of silence, his voice much quieter and more vulnerable than before.
"I have already lost one son, I do not wish to lose other due to ignorance. I do however hope that you will avoid Downworlders with reputations such as the warlock Bane possesses. It is for your own sake as much as anything else that I hope you will not associate with such people," Robert said, his voice still a little strained, but Alec could see the honesty and difficulty behind his words.
"Well then, I might be living more up to your standards in the future then," Alec commented softly as of course his thoughts once again returned to Sebastian.
Robert nodded approvingly at the statement, unaware that his son had already found someone completely worthy of both of their expectations.
A/N Hope you liked the kind of father and son bonding. Please don't forget to review, and just a warning, the next chapter is what made me increase the rating of the story…