****Daniel's POV****

His wings felt heavy by the time he landed in the house for the night. Daniel felt a nervous energy racking his frame, as it has for the past week now. He could not say why, but something was telling him that there was danger on the horizon. Perhaps it's Raziel's warning finally coming to pass. But what enemy is out there? Who is my Father supposed to fight? It unnerved him to think that it might be the very fallen angels his twin sister had sacrificed herself to destroy them all. Everything inside him boiled in anger at the mere idea, no, possibility (because that is what it was at this point) that they could be back.

"The Dark Order, if they are back...then they'll pay for what they've done." His aching hands clench tightly at his sides, turning his knuckles a pale white at the strain. "I'll make sure of it."

It is with this in mind that Daniel had decided to go to the Lightwood Manor that night instead of returning back to his home in Italy. He knew that his siblings would have questions for him about his whereabouts, but right now he could not be bothered to care. I'll text them that I'm okay. That's all they really need to know.

Daniel did know that text would only be halfway true. It had been almost two days now since he had talked to his father. The fact that Alec inadvertently had learned about Sara without actually learning about her at all tugged at his heart strings. They had been placed long ago out of tune in concerns to Sara, so they played a sad twang that just made him ache all over.

Sara....you're go- he wouldn't dare allow himself to finish that thought, not while his parabatai rune still burns on his abdomen. There was no explanation as to why this rune still sent pain swarming in his veins from time to time. Daniel had his own theory though: Sara was punishing him for failing her. Pippa would tell him he was being ludicrous, and Harry would likely just do that sad puppy look he always made when something upset him. Daniel didn't need their pity, didn't want it either.

But with each passing year I still get it. Some things never change.

Silently he walks through the halls of the manor. Those black wings get dragged around like dead weight through the halls. They are sweat damp from so much flying, leaking out trickles of body fluid onto the floor. Despite Daniel's occasional visits here, the place was still covered in layers of dust. Plenty of the furniture was covered in the pale yellow tarp that would normally be layered on stuff in an attic to keep it mint condition.

Daniel could fondly remember the many decades he had spent living here. He can see each slab of stone, every slate of wood, and each smile of all the people he lived with while here. Daniel can see his wife, Harmony with all her grace and tenderness. No one had ever moved in the way she could, with each footfall like a small caress of the earth. Her eyes had been endless pools of green, the fountained into a truth he could never grasp. She had always been something more, a bright light in his universe. Daniel had grieved her terribly when she'd passed on. The same had been done when his daughter and two sons had died too. Those were some of his worst days, those deaths a stabbing knife in his heart that made it spout with blood.

"I thought I might find you here." As he knows this voice, Daniel doesn't take a defensive stance as he turns around.

Armando is standing there, one unimpressed eyebrow raised as his arms remain crossed over his chest. It was his classic 'judging without saying anything' look. Out of all the faces Armando made this one was one of his least favorite, third to outright anger and tearful sadness. After knowing each other for so long, Daniel had likely seen all Armando's emotions, but sadness was always the worst of all.

If I could I'd make sure you never had anything to be sad about again.

Considering what an emotional mess he himself is however, Daniel finds it highly unlikely he'd be of much help to his friend, even if he knew Armando would reassure him otherwise.

"Well, now that you've found me, you can leave." He grunts.

Daniel knows perfectly well why Armando is here. That subject weighs heavy in the air, a water balloon hanging from a thin thread. Just who might drop it to make the splash Daniel was unsure, but he was determined for it not to be him. I've never been good at talking about my feelings after all.

"Daniel, isolating yourself won't do you any good." Armando begins.

"Oh, how quick of you to assume? Maybe I'm just taking some time for self-reflection. Kids these days would call it "finding the real me"." Daniel explains with a wave of his hand.

Armando snorts. "You and I both know that if you haven't found yourself after almost eight hundred years, it's likely you never will."

"Au contraire my dear friend, I think the only way we can really find ourselves is if we actually go looking. Arguably, I've never looked before, so now is the perfect time." Daniel goes over to one of the tarp covered couches and plops down. The cushions rustle with the movement, letting him sink down into the plush material.

Armando joins him without any invitation. They sit shoulder to shoulder, staring out at the dust covered floor in silence. Daniel rubs at his wrists, an old habit he really needs to stop doing. Sometimes, the need for a release in tension was just too much for him. His head felt clouded with too many thoughts to process in one day and his heart kept on aching with its unruly pain. When will you stop hurting me? When will all this end? Some questions have no real answers. If there are any to these, well, Daniel has not found them yet.

"Daniel I know that you're upset. That this time of year is always hard for you." Armando tries to start the conversation up again.

Daniel is torn between smacking him and kissing him. It was not often that he did something fueled by his own wants, his own needs. Gray areas, for lack of a better term, did not hold much weight in his mind, but Armando always fell into that category. He let his walls down around him, so much so that it scares him at times. And that is why rejection from Armando hurt so much more than from anyone else. Only one time in their shared history together had Daniel been rejected by Armando. It had been perhaps one of the worst days of his entire life.

It had been the day that Daniel had so foolishly asked Armando out. And what a mistake that had been.... some thoughts were best not to dwell on. That was one of them.

"So what's your point? Don't you dare suggest I see a therapist. I have enough problems as it is without someone psycho analyzing my brain for all the flaws in there. And we both know there are a lot of them."

Daniel is taken off guard when Armando cups his face with one hand and directs him to stare straight back at him. Those amber eyes are dark pools of brownish-burgundy in the darkness of the manor. The lights were all off still, casting long shadows on the floors. Starry light was all that provided sight here, unless Daniel turned on the lights indoors. He'd rather not now though, not when Armando was staring at him so intently that it made his throat run dry.

"You're not flawed Daniel. You never have been, and you never will be. Don't ever forget that, okay." Armando waits until he gives a jerky nod in response before continuing. "In times like these, I think the best solution lies in delicious glass."

Even though he was tired, Daniel could still feel a smile trying to perk up the corners of his lips. His heart happily thumped in his chest, warmed by Armando's understanding nature and easy acceptance to all his problems. Both men have their issues, but were willing to overlook them when it came to the love they share for each other.

"I'll get the glasses if you summon the alcohol?" Daniel stood up slowly.

Armando smirks slightly. "You read my mind Lightwood."

****Izzy's POV****

Isabelle was beginning to get annoyed.

For the past hour now, she'd been looking for clues to her boyfriend's whereabouts. Apparently, Simon had planned to try something new for their date tonight. Isabelle had been skeptical, but reluctantly accepted per his pleading puppy look, because who in their right mind would say no to that face.

Except now she might be regretting that decision.

It was date night, a time meant for relaxation and being in each other's presence. Instead she was going on a wild goose chase all over New York. She'd traveled from the Institute to Pandemonium to Taki's to Magnus and Alec's Brooklyn Loft to Hotel DuMorte to the Silent City to a retirement home to the Hunter's Moon and more. Her feet are aching in her nine inch heels now, and Isabelle swears on the Angel that if this continues on much longer that she will full on strangle Simon, even if he was doing all this insanity for a good reason.

****Time Skip (where Isabelle seethes in rage lol)****

Isabelle was trudging tiredly as she finally reached the last destination. As it would turn out, after running around New York City the past two hours the place she was meant to end up all along was the Institute. What in the world was Simon thinking exactly when he planned this?

The doors swing open before she can even knock. Simon stands at the entrance, his figure outlined by the blue-white light of the witch light in the halls. He is dressed in a most spectacular fashion tonight: form fitting suit and tie of a deep navy blue. His shirt is a pristine white, a crispness to it that only came from being thoroughly ironed out over and over again. Isabelle rarely got to see her boyfriend look so good, though she had seem him look this nervous before.

Simon rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. He was likely taking in her tired eyes and hunched shoulders. It had taken more than one stamina and speed rune for her to collect all the clues that led back to here and still have some energy left. Needless to say, no way would she being going out on patrol later that night. If the need for sleep didn't shut her down, her aching feet likely would.

Oh, how Isabelle wished she had the hindsight to wear combat boots. Instead she was dressed in a sleek red dress that hugged her in all the right places. Glimmering stones were woven into it like shiny embers sparking from a flame. Her heels were a deep velvet to match, and her ruby bracelet went along with it too. They were quite the pair: her in that glorious red and him in that dashing blue.

"Simon, please tell me we'll be having dinner now. I think I've had enough games for tonight." Izzy gestures demonstratively to her hair. The black strands that had once been so neatly tucked behind her ears were hung in disarray over her forehead and eyes, giving off that windswept look that Alec got from flying from long hours. "My hair won't be able to take much more running around." The neither will I was left unsaid but heavily implied.

Simon reaches forward to brush some of the silky strands back. His touch his so tender, warmth seeping out from his finger tips. It had been a bit of an adjustment for Isabelle to get used to: Simon being a living thing again. For him to have a beating heart came with some strange new changes, but none of which had been horrible. Especially the one where I get to listen to his heart beating along with mine. That was likely her favorite change, but being able to cuddle with her boyfriend in the cold without him freezing her up from a lack of body temperature was pretty great too.

"I think it looks just as lovely as always." At Izzy's disbelieving look, Simon nods seriously. "I really do. You know that I don't need you're hair done up with all those products to find it pretty. I like it just as much like this," He twirls one strand around his pointer finger. "It's the wild side of you, strong and free."

"Flattery will get you nowhere love." Izzy pecks his lips quickly. Simon chases her lips with his own as she pulls away. "But I do appreciate the effort."

"I'm glad. And I'm sure you'll love what I have planned for tonight." There's an excitement in Simon's eyes now as he says this, the glee filled smiled going along to match.

"Color me intrigued. Do I get to know what this surprise is now or..." She leans close to Simon, her lips a mere centimeter away from his ear as she says, "do I have to wait for it in the bedroom later." in a seductive tone that makes Simon's eyes widen, his mouth forming a small 'o'.

"U-uh...." Simon reddens in that flustered way he always gets when Izzy does this. "It's not that kind of surprise Isabelle."

"Oh." She steps away, trying to hide her disappointment. "Well what is it then?" Usually surprises were either of that variety that they both found pleasure in or the adorable, nerdy, dorky Simon variety that always pleased Simon and left Izzy a little bit confused.

"Ah ah ah, if I tell you it'll be a surprise. Now, let's get going." He grabs her by the hand to tug her in the direction of the OPS center.

Isabelle walks hand in hand with him as they pass by other Shadowhunters. Her curiosity over the surprise only grows as they meet Magnus in the OPS center. He is dressed more casually than he normally would. A sweater that clearly has to be Alec's dwarfs his frame. The material is a soft olive green, unlike the sparkly rhinestones embedded in his leather belt that keeps his black skinny jeans hugging his hips.

"Magnus what're you doing here?" She asks.

"Oh, I'm only going to be here for a short while. I have a dinner date of my own to get to after all. Really, I'm only here to do this." Magnus swirls his hands around with that blue magic of his. A Portal opens up into existence with its swirling purple light as space reality bends.

"Thank you Magnus." Simon tells their friend sincerely. "I owe you one."

"Think nothing of it Shawarma. Good luck, your destination awaits." Magnus pats Simon on the shoulder, giving the couple a pleased smile that stretches up the corners of his face. Despite his casual wear, the warlock still has his black eyeliner on that sharpens his eyes with cat-like intensity. Simon doesn't complain about being called by the wrong name, just rolls his eyes in exasperation.

"And on that note we'll get going. C'mon Izzy. Catch you later Magnus." Simon says.

"Bye Magnus! Say hi to Alec for me." Izzy tells the sparkling man. Magnus gives her a nod and watches as she and Simon step through the Portal.

***Tiny Time Skip***

The first thing Isabelle sees as she steps out of the Portal is several glimmering lights. Crashing waves sound from nearby as ocean water drifts up the sand with its fluffy sea foam. A few seashells lay on the ground scattered, as do some pieces of sea glass. These pieces glitter with a moonlit silver sheen. Her eyes drift over each of them, noting the different shapes and sizes of each piece.

It's only once she is done looking over them that she notices the fairy lights hanging up by several wooden poles staked into the ground. She walks with Simon down this path as the stars glimmer overhead. At the end of the path is a neatly set wooden table with a red and white checkered table cloth laying over it. There are two chairs surrounding it, with three plates with gray covers situated on top. The faint whiff of food scent is in the air that makes her mouth water and her stomach growl.

Ever the gentleman, Simon pulls out her chair for her. Isabelle takes her seat and allows Simon to push her up close to the table before he takes his own. They stare at each other for a brief moment, appreciating the ambiance of the evening. A lilting music plays from somewhere nearby. Isabelle swerves her head to find the source only to come up with something sitting right on their table. A BOSE speaker lets out an amorous tune in a quiet level as to not disturb the pair.

"So, is this why you sent me on that wild goose chase earlier?" She makes a sweeping gesture to the wonderful setup. Simon gives a small nod.

"It's part of it yes. But there's more too it then that."

"What then? I don't think there's any discernible pattern between any of those places. It seemed like you wanted to annoy me, if anything." Isabelle is a Shadowhunter, great at her job with all it entails. She was not; however, the best at reading people. Even an adorable nerd like her boyfriend could catch her off guard if he tried enough.

Simon makes a humming sound in the back of his throat, as if that was the answer he was expecting. Casually he reaches out to entwine one of his hands in her own. Their fingers press together with a comfortable heat made all the more apparent by the night chill in the air. Overhead, the full moon was high in the sky with its rounded out beauty. Like the shimmering stars, it was something she enjoyed looking at with each passing night. So many stories lay up in the night sky, just like they did on the ground below. And for a Shadowhunters, they light our way in the darkness, just like the Angel Raziel is meant to guide us.

"Izzy, I picked them not because I wanted to annoy you, but because they're all places important to us."

"What do you mean?" Izzy asks. "I'm still not following."

Simon lets out an exasperated huff, but there is no heat behind it. "Isabelle, being with you in all those places taught me how much I valued having you at my side. And, once we did finally get into a relationship, how much I love you. I-I never thought I would meet someone as amazing as you. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for having you in my life." He pulls up her hand to press a soft kiss to it, those brown eyes never leaving her own.

"I-I don't know what to say. Except, I love you too Simon." All the anger from rushing around earlier had dissipated now, leaving her with that all encompassing warmth in her chest that Simon was oh so capable of inspiring within her.

"Haha I was hoping you'd say as much. So on that note," He pulls off the plate covers one by one. What is underneath turns out to be shrimp fettuccine Alfredo steaming with a delightful air that only makes her stomach growl again. "let's eat."

***Simon's POV/Time Skip***

Dinner came and went much faster then Simon was anticipating. Soon enough, dessert had come around and Isabelle was patiently waiting for him to pull off the lid. Sweat trickles down the back of his neck. His whole body is filled with nervous energy, the type that won't go away no matter how many times he tries to push it back.

"Simon are you going to pull up the cover or should I?" Izzy inquires.

Thankfully, if Isabelle notices his state of unease she does not mention it, content to let him work it out on his own. C'mon Simon, you can't chicken out now. This is what Izzy deserves, and besides, Alec will kill me if I don't d this now when I'm supposed too. Just thinking about the new Angel's threats alleviated the tension in his shoulders.

Normally those threats would scare the living daylights out of him, but today they just reminded him of how important this evening really was, not just for him and Isabelle, but for everyone else too. Soon enough we'll all be family. And family doesn't give up on each other, even if they're scared of rejection. With these thoughts in mind, Simon lets out a shuddering breath before rising from the table to take a few steps back. The ring in his pocket weighs heavily, just waiting to be placed on Izzy's ring finger. Isabelle looks at him funnily, still not knowing what was going on at this dinner tonight; what Simon's true intentions are.

"Isabelle, for the longest time I was in love with my best friend. I thought Clary was the only person I would ever truly love and that was that. But, I realized after meeting you how wrong I was." Isabelle opens her mouth to say something, but Simon places one finger on her lips, a gesture to be quiet so he can get what he needs to say out. His girlfriend gives a small nod, and lets him continue.

"Meeting you was an eye opening experience that shocked me to my core. The world was opened up to me in a way it had never been before, leaving me breathless and terrified out of my mind. The rug had been yanked out from underneath, face planting me into the chaos of war. I lost my way at first, still searching for what I couldn't have." Simon knew Isabelle would understand he was talking about becoming a vampire and being in a relationship with Clary for that brief amount of time. She offers him a sympathetic smile that warms his heart that beats on overdrive.

"It was only once I gained my footing again I met someone else, only to find out that she wasn't right for me either." Here he was referencing to Maia and the disagreements they had. The two would always remain friends but they both knew that a relationship was not an option for them.

" And after that the world turn into a nightmare for me as I felt like I was losing everything and everyone." He takes a shuddering breath again, overcome by the emotion those memories brought. "But, through all of that there was always someone by my side. Someone who I could always count on, and believed in me even when I felt lost, alone and unsure. That person was you Izzy."

"Simon I-" The next words are stuck in Izzy's throat as she too is overwhelmed by emotion. Simon can see it in the misting of her dark brown eyes. In the way her lip trembles with lost words unable to come out. He raises up a stilling hand to let himself continue.

"I understand now that I can never know what will come next for us. But if there's one thing I do know it's that I want you to always be with me. Each day I want to spend with you. Pain and sorrow, joy and happiness, I want to share it all with you. You're my everything Isabelle. And that's why" it is in this moment that he gets down on one knee, eliciting a gasp from Izzy. "I'm asking you now, will you marry me Isabelle Lightwood? Marry me and make me the happiest man alive."

He pulls out the ring box, opening it up to show the beautiful ring inside. It was made of an adamas infused platinum material to give off a sparkling resilient sheen. Five diamonds are embedded in the metallic band, with the one in the middle that stands out with its purity and fine cut wonder. A few smaller sapphire gems are cut into the ring too, nestled in between the diamonds. And, of course Isabelle can't see it, but a special inscription is carved in the inner band of the ring. An inscription that reads 'Forever yours, Simon'. It was a promise to always be there, even before they got married.

Isabelle stands up stiffly in shock, her eyes widened and her lips in that 'o' shape. Simon feels tension riddling his shoulders and legs. It weighs him down like a heavy anchor would a ship. He waits with baited breath for Isabelle's response. What she says next could make or break his heart. It was simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating for someone to have that power over him.

"Simon," Isabelle breathes out his name with a reverence that startled him. She grabs at him, her hands wrapping around his own. Her eyes glimmer with happy tears. "Yes. A thousand times yes!" Simon shoots up to his feet at that, allowing the two to share a passionate kiss. Everything shines with extra light in this beautiful moment as Isabelle slides the ring on her finger and gives him a loving smile that makes his heart beat even faster.

This moment is perfect, and Simon never wants it to end. And neither does Isabelle, if her spilling tears and endless kisses are anything to go by.

We're going to get married. I can't believe it!