CHAPTER ELEVEN
PARABATAI

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     "Is it inappropriate to ask you to be one of the witnesses for mine and Izzy's parabatai ceremony?" Adrian asked. It was early in the morning, so early that the sun had yet to even start rising outside, and Adrian had woken up to the sound of his bedroom door creaking open. Alec had showered, and then had fallen into Adrian's bed beside him, mumbling about how stupid patrols were. He had sketched a rune on himself to keep himself awake while on said patrol, so Alec was starting to doze off now, curling up against Adrian under the covers. Adrian had been awake for hours, anxiety and excitement flowing through him at the thought of finally becoming parabatai with Isabelle in merely a few hours. But now, as he tangled his legs with Alec's and leaned into the warmth of him, he found himself finally asking the question. Isabelle had asked him who he was going to choose as his witness, as she had already asked Jace to be hers, and Adrian had only just worked up the nerve.

He didn't know why asking Alec to serve as one of the two witnesses for the ceremony was such a big deal. It felt almost like a step forward in their relationship, though he couldn't name why. Maybe because the parabatai ceremony was seen as something reverential. Adrian had heard and read stories of parabatai who loved each other so much they put the parabatai over their hearts, in the place a marriage rune was usually placed. He had always side-eyed those specific stories before—why not marry them instead, if they loved them that much? After all, Adrian had no desire to put his parabatai rune over Isabelle's heart, and he didn't want his own placed over his. But then that thought process made him doubt his bond with Isabelle, even if they had passed all their tests.

"Why would it be inappropriate?" Alec murmured, sounding like he was half asleep. Adrian untangled his legs and pulled away, rolling on his stomach and propping himself up on his elbows. Him rolling away caused the blanket to pull slightly off of Alec, but Alec hardly noticed, one of his arms thrown over his head on the pillow. The other was splayed over his stomach, his hand still slightly curled from where it had been playing with Adrian's hair. He liked doing that, Adrian had noticed. When they had started sneaking into each other's beds to sleep together—it was the only time they could spend time together, nowadays—Alec's fingers always seemed to tangle into Adrian's hair.

"I don't know," Adrian said. His soft laugh was nervous even to his own ears, and it made Alec pry his eyes open. He turned his head to look at Adrian, blinking his exhaustion away, black hair falling into his blue eyes. Adrian buried his urge to brush his hair out of his eyes and folded his arms instead, burying his face into them. His next words were muffled. "You're her brother and my boyfriend. I don't exactly know how this works and I'm nervous. I'm overthinking. I don't usually overthink." A groan left his mouth. "What's wrong with me? This is a Shadowhunter ritual as old as Shadowhunters themselves. I'm good with Shadowhunter rituals. I'm a good Shadowhunter. I'm great, actually. This shouldn't be making me as anxious as it is."

"Oh, you're great?" Alec said, shifting on his side. Adrian turned his head, pressing his cheek against his arms, and watched as Alec pillowed his own head with his arm. There was a cut there, shallow, on his arm. Adrian reached forward to touch it gently as Alec continued. "Careful, Dri, you're starting to sound like Jace." Adrian scrunched his nose up, but kept his focus on the cut. It must've been just a scrape from falling, or being knocked into a wall, because he hadn't bothered putting an iratze on. "And it's okay to be nervous. I was, too, when I had my ceremony with Jace."

"Yeah," Adrian agreed, "but you were, what, twelve?"

"That doesn't mean it's any less scary," Alec argued. Adrian murmured something unintelligible, and then he was sighing and pushing himself up. The Institute was cold—the heating was probably faulty, like the old elevator—so Adrian had opted to wearing a long-sleeved shirt and jogging pants to bed. There was a fireplace in his room, but he hadn't wanted to bother starting a fire. He regretted not making one anyway as soon as the blanket fell away from him. Shivering, Adrian reached for his stele on the nightstand and crawled out of bed. Alec sat up as well, rubbing at his eyes. "Where are you going? You should sleep some more."

"I can't sleep," Adrian admitted, padding over to the stone fireplace built into the room. It never really registered to him how large the bedrooms in the Institute actually were until he had to walk all the way across it to the fireplace, barefoot and freezing. "I'm too wired. You should sleep, though. You've been out on patrol all night." Alec grunted, murmuring something under his breath, most likely rude. Adrian kneeled down by the fireplace, already stacked with wood, and pressed his stele against one of the logs. He drew a quick fire rune, then sighed in relief when a fire immediately caught, the heat making him relax. He curled up in front of the fireplace, trying to get warmer faster. A moment later, Alec was beside him, draping the blanket Adrian usually kept on the reading chair by the window over his shoulders, then sitting down and sliding closer so he could join Adrian under the blanket. Adrian cast him a disapproving look, one Alec rolled his eyes at.

"Don't look at me like that," Alec said, reaching for the stele still in Adrian's hand. Instead of grabbing the writing tool, Alec grabbed Adrian's wrist, bringing it over in silent request for Adrian to draw a rune on Alec's wrist. Grumbling, Adrian drew a rune to keep Alec awake, despite knowing better. If he didn't draw it, then Alec would just draw it himself. "You're going to have the ceremony in a few hours. I'm not gonna leave you to freak yourself out all alone." Alec nudged him in the side once he was done drawing the rune, and Adrian grumbled again, setting the stele aside. "And as for being your witness, yes, of course I'll do it. I'd be happy to." Adrian shot him a grateful smile.

"My hero," Adrian teased, leaning forward to press a soft kiss on Alec's cheek. Alec surprised him greatly when he turned his head as Adrian was pulling back, leaning forward for a kiss on the lips instead. It was a soft kiss, but it wasn't a chaste one, not at all like the peck on the lips he was used to receiving from Alec on nights like this. It felt explorative, like Alec was trying to figure something out. Adrian couldn't imagine what, mind far too foggy, but he let his eyes flutter shut and let himself be kissed slowly and deeply. It was a good distraction from his anxiety, and he almost wanted to fall into it, wanted to fall back against the floor and drag Alec on top of him. He nearly did, but he caught himself right before he could, hand flat on the cold stone. Alec had followed him on instinct, so when Adrian caught himself, Alec couldn't stop himself in time. Their noses ended up bumping slightly together, and even though it wasn't painful or jarring at all, it still made them both break away and laugh. But Adrian ended up reaching up to touch his lips a moment later. Glancing at Alec, he asked quietly, "What was that for?"

"Nothing," Alec said, perhaps a little too quickly, as he settled back into his previous sitting position, pulling the blanket back over his shoulders. Adrian dropped his hand from his mouth and raised his eyebrows. He knew Alec far too well, and he knew Alec didn't kiss him like that for no reason. The last time Adrian had checked, Alec was still a little nervous regarding intimacy, so he saved deep kisses for when they were out on a date, or when they had no plans for the day. Even then, he was usually the one to pull away first; this time, it had been Adrian who had stopped, when he'd refused to fall back. Alec saw Adrian's curious look and gave a small smile. "What? I can't kiss my boyfriend now?" Adrian cocked his head to the side.

"It's not that," Adrian said quickly. He decided to slide closer then, pressing in close under the blanket. "It's just the way you've been kissing me lately. It's changed." Alec frowned then, genuinely confused, and Adrian released a small laugh. "Not in a bad way. Just different." Adrian tilted his head, catching Alec's eyes briefly before Alec jerked them away, the only sign that he was suddenly embarrassed. "I think I know what it is, but I don't want to jump to conclusions and make you think..." Think that I want more than you can give right now, Adrian finished to himself, unable to get the words out of his throat. It was a real worry, that Adrian was reading too much into deeper kisses when they were alone.

"And what conclusion have you jumped to?" Alec asked, his voice nothing but a murmur, eyes glued to the flames leaping inside the fireplace. He leaned in to throw in another log as Adrian studied him, clearly trying to avoid eye contact now. Adrian chewed on the inside of his cheek. He was quiet for so long that Alec dragged his eyes away from the fire, pinning him with a look that had Adrian scrambling to look away instead, his heart seizing in his chest.

"I think..." Adrian said slowly. His face felt oddly hot, and he chose to blame it on the fire. "...that it feels like you want more." Nothing but silence greeted his words, but it wasn't the type of silence that made Adrian want to shrink up in embarrassment. It was the type of silence that confirmed what he was saying, and suddenly his chest felt tight. The only sign Alec was as nervous as Adrian was his sudden shaky intake of breath.

"And if I said I did?" Alec whispered. Adrian could hear his heart beating in his ears. He stared at the flames for another moment, then abruptly turned to face Alec fully. It didn't matter how embarrassed either of them were. This was a conversation that deserved his full attention, that deserved eye contact and communication. It was abruptly clear to Adrian, then, just how many hints Alec had been dropping the past few weeks. The different ways Alec had been kissing him, the mild annoyance whenever they couldn't be alone, the amount of times he'd found a private place just to kiss Adrian senseless. The signs had been there the entire time. Adrian had just been too distracted to notice.

"Then I would ask you how far you want to go?" Adrian asked bluntly, and was endeared when Alec blinked a few times, like that hadn't even occurred to him. He had simply wanted more in whatever way that meant. Adrian smiled at him, then shrugged his shoulders, relaxing a bit. They had talked about this before, and now that Adrian was shaking his surprise off, it was easier to settle down from his sudden nerves. "You gotta talk to me, baby, otherwise I'm not going farther than what you've previously said you're comfortable with."

"It's hard to talk about it when I don't even really know what to expect," Alec admitted, waving one of his hands in the air, the only sign that he was getting annoyed. Adrian smiled, both amused and endeared. He could've given Alec some advice, but he had a feeling Alec needed to figure this out on his own. "I'd rather just figure it out as I go along. You've just been...very respectful, and it's kind of frustrating." At that, Adrian threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing around his room. The thought that Alec was frustrated with Adrian was just hilarious to him.

"You're the only person I've ever known who thought a man being respectful was frustrating," Adrian said, still laughing. Alec nudged him rather hard, and Adrian tilted to the side, nearly falling over if not for the blanket cocooning them both. It just made Adrian laugh a little harder. "What, did you want me to throw you to the ground or something? Come on, Alec, you know me better than that."

"You know what I meant!" Alec exclaimed, a bit of red in his cheeks. "And no, I just figured you would've wanted to just as much as I do—" Alec cut himself off, but not before Adrian had heard too much. Adrian's laughter cut off abruptly, and the look Alec was pinned with was dark and serious, so different from just seconds earlier.

"You think I don't want to?" Adrian asked, after a brief moment of silence. Alec shook his head and looked away, his shoulders curling inward, the telltale sign that he was feeling insecure. Adrian's chest ached. He had only been trying to be respectful, to not put pressure on him. He had never meant to make Alec feel like Adrian didn't want him. "Alec, I never meant to make you feel like I didn't want you." Alec shook his head again, harder this time.

"No, that's not what I meant, I didn't—" Alec broke off, releasing a small sigh of frustration. He reached up to push his hair out of his eyes, but his hair fell back regardless. "You're right. I should've talked to you about this. I just—I don't know, I guess I thought that you'd just know. But that was unfair. You've had a lot on your mind." Adrian scooted closer, leaning forward to press a soft kiss against Alec's shoulder, still curled inward slightly. At his kiss, Alec relaxed, his shoulders going back.

"I have," Adrian admitted softly, "but that doesn't mean I don't have time for you. I'll make time, if I have to. Besides—" A smile spread across Adrian's face, wide and bright. "—after the ceremony today, I'll have plenty of time for you, won't I?" Alec turned his head to look at him, and Adrian took that opportunity to lean forward and press a claiming kiss to his mouth, digging his teeth slightly into Alec's bottom lip. He had been careful not to kiss Alec like this before, not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable, but now that he knew Alec wanted more of everything, he thought it was a safe way to start. Judging by the gasp Alec released into his mouth, it was the right idea.

A knock sounded on his door then, loud and insistent. Alec was the one who broke away, an annoyed twist to his lips as he looked over Adrian's shoulder. Adrian laughed softly and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.

"Adrian?" It was Maryse. Her next knock was a little louder. "Get up, honey, we leave for the Silent City in half an hour." Surprised, Adrian turned to look at his alarm clock on his nightstand. It was past six in the morning. He hadn't realized just how long he and Alec had been sitting in front of the fireplace.

"I'm up!" Adrian called out, getting to his feet, leaving the blanket around Alec's shoulders. He still needed to shower, so he reached down to ruffle Alec's hair playfully, bending at the waist to press a kiss to the top of his head. "We can talk more about this later, yeah?"

"Yeah," Alec said, smiling up at him, eyes suddenly bright with fresh excitement. "Go get ready. Izzy will kill you if you're not looking your best during the ceremony."

"Alec, please," Adrian scoffed, turning toward the bathroom. "I always look my best."

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The Silent City was cold and empty as Adrian and Isabelle were led down it, the gray of Brother Zachariah's robes leading them through the dark hallways, deeper and deeper into the heart of the underground city. They had been separated upon arrival, Maryse waiting above ground while Jace and Alec were taken somewhere else, where they were to be told what to do as witnesses. Isabelle and Adrian would be brought into the room, whatever type of room it was, first, and the only thing they were allowed to have on them were their steles. Everything else was given to them by the Silent Brothers, including the clothes they were wearing, loose pants and even looser white shirts that opened at the collar. The shirt was loose so applying the parabatai rune would be easier. All Adrian and Isabelle had to do was step into the ring of fire—Brother Zachariah had been very clear about stepping over the lines, not on them—recite the vow together, and draw the runes as they did so. It was up to them who drew on who first.

Adrian cast a glance over at his soon-to-be parabatai and saw that Isabelle looked just as tired and anxious as Adrian felt. Both of them were too nervous to actually speak, but Adrian reached over the few inches separating them and gently took her hand, linking their fingers together. She released a huge sigh that echoed through the stone halls, and then she was squeezing his hand so hard he thought his hand would break. Adrian squeezed just as hard back, offering her a bright, reassuring smile when she glanced over at him. Slowly, she smiled back, and then it stretched into an excited grin. The ritual was nerve-wracking, yes, but the result would be worth it. They would be more lethal in a fight after this brief ceremony, more aware of each other, more in-tune to each other's needs. They would know if the other was hurt and be able to get to each other in time.

Ahead of them, Brother Zachariah slowed to a stop in front of large double-doors that stretched all the way to the ceiling, torches in iron holders on either side of the doors, the parabatai rune etched into the stone and painted gold. Adrian eyed the doors excitedly, his previous nerves gone, only to jump slightly when Brother Zachariah stepped to the side to let them pass. Adrian and Isabelle shared a look. They had been under the impression Brother Zachariah would be overseeing the ceremony, since he had met them above ground at the gates, had greeted them and led them to the doors. But from the way he stepped aside and motioned them forward, that wasn't the case.

"You're not coming in with us?" Adrian asked, a little disappointed. He had come to find Brother Zachariah to be a comforting presence, remembering the time he had helped Adrian at the Shadow Market, or the time he had offered Adrian a tonic to soothe his stomach after seeing Clary's act of necromancy. Even his voice—the one that should by all accounts like exactly like the other Silent Brothers—had a different edge to it, like he wasn't quite like the rest of them. Like he had never quite managed to be devoid of emotions like his other Brothers. Adrian found he wanted that presence with him when he and Isabelle became bound to each other forever.

No, Brother Zachariah said. He didn't give an explanation, just saying that one word, but he did pause to touch his chest, right below his collarbone. There was a beat of silence, and then Brother Zachariah was dropping his hand and nodded toward the door. Go through and proceed with the ceremony when you are ready. He stepped back then, folding his hands behind his back as he stood to wait by the wall. Adrian studied him for a moment, then turned his head to look at Isabelle, raising his eyebrows in question. She gave his hand one last squeeze, then took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and stomped forward to shove the doors open. They sounded heavy, but Isabelle didn't let that show as she barreled forward. Adrian could only shake his head in amusement and follow her.

The room was different from the rest of the Silent City. Where it was usually mostly made of gray stone and bone-colored marble, this room was far more beautiful. It reminded Adrian, oddly enough, of the venue in Idris used for weddings. The ceiling was high and domed, revealing stained glass in blues, greens, and pinks. Golden sconces lined the walls, holding candles, and the air was thick with sweet smoke. The floor was made up of smooth multi-colored marble. Adrian caught glimpses of white, pink, gold, silver, and black. The entire room was lined with Silent Brothers, and they parted to let Isabelle and Adrian through. It seemed Brother Zachariah was perhaps the only Brother who wasn't overseeing the actual ceremony. Up ahead stood Jace and Alec, both of them standing on top of angel wings etched into the floor. Jace took up the left wing, and Alec took up the right, and Isabelle and Adrian knew without being told that they needed to stand in front of their chosen witnesses, before the circles etched into the marble.

As soon as they were in place, the circle etched into the floor sprang up in flames, two rings of white and gold fire flaring up a few inches. Even from a few feet away, Adrian could feel the heat.

Isabelle Lightwood. Step forward. The voices rang out in both of their heads, all of the Silent Brothers speaking at once. It should've made them both jump, but neither of them did. Isabelle glanced over at Jace, who nodded with a grin, and Isabelle squared her shoulders again. A moment later, she was stepping into the ring of fire closest to her proudly, her heels clicking loudly against the marble.

Adrian Rosewell. Step forward. Adrian took a deep breath, then stepped into the ring. The fire seemed to get hotter once he did, but he hardly noticed, eyes now glued to Isabelle. They shared a mutual grin, and neither of them paid any mind when Jace and Alec were ordered to step closer. Once they were in place, the Silent Brothers spoke again. We begin the Fiery Trial. Isabelle Lightwood, Adrian Rosewell, enter the center ring. In this ring, you will be bound. Both of them glanced down, wondering what center ring they were speaking of, only to see the fire branch out to join their two rings of fire together, creating a smaller ring between the two of them. They stepped into the center ring at the same time, and the fire burned higher, all the way to their waists.

"If this burns my boots," Isabelle whispered, even as their hands found each other's, "I swear on the Angel..."

"I'll buy you a new pair," Adrian whispered back, and received a grin and a wink in response. Adrian grinned back, and then the fire was flaring even higher, to their ribcages. Oddly enough, Adrian didn't feel any heat. Not like he had when he had been in the circle of fire alone.

You will now recite the oath.

Adrian met Isabelle's gaze, tightened his grip on her hand, and then spoke. She said the words with them, and suddenly they were kids again, helping Jace and Alec remember the oath for their own parabatai ceremony. Adrian could've recited this oath in his sleep. And as he recited the words in synch with Isabelle now, he couldn't imagine why either of them had been nervous about the ceremony in the first place.

"Entreat me not to leave thee,

Or return from following after thee—

For whither thou goest, I will go,

And where thou lodgest, I will lodge.

Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.

Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried.

The Angel do so to me, and more also,

If aught but death part thee and me."

As soon as they finished the oath, the fire roared higher, and something akin to adrenaline shot through Adrian from where he had his hand in Isabelle's. Her eyes widened, like she felt the same. They didn't need instructions to know what to do next, though the Silent Brothers told them to etch the rune on each other regardless. Isabelle let him draw on her first, tilting her head and tugging her collar away from her collarbone. Adrian drew the parabatai rune there, careful not to press too hard. He was surprised when she hissed through clenched teeth, but he understood when he let her Mark him on the collarbone as well and felt how much it burned. The parabatai rune didn't just sink into his skin—it felt like it melted into his very bones, burned through his veins, found its way deep into his chest and buried itself there. His soul. The parabatai rune had been etched into his very soul. And it stayed there, sinking deep where it would stay forever.

The fire around them flared higher, rising above their heads briefly, and then it was gone entirely, leaving Isabelle and Adrian staring at each other in stunned silence, their steles loose in their hands. The parabatai rune burned still, but neither noticed. No one moved until the Silent Brothers spoke.

Congratulations, Adrian Rosewell and Isabelle Lightwood. It wasn't all of the Silent Brothers. It was just one, and Adrian recognized the kind lilt to his voice. It was Brother Zachariah, still outside in the hall. You are now parabatai. Treat and love each other well.

Adrian was scooping Isabelle into his arms a moment later, her laugh in his ear, and pressed close together, he could now feeling that their hearts were beating in sync.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi, long time no see. I put too much pressure on myself regarding this chapter which was why it took so long lmao. ANYWAY! I casted Alec! Finally! He's played by Alex Storm xoxo

ALEC LIGHTWOOD, alex storm

edited: 6.12.21