#matthew fairchild x fem!reader

[parkerslatte]

Until The Flowers Wilt

Matthew Fairchild x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: none. allusions to sex.

Summary: Y/N and Matthew have been friends for years. Everyone can see what the two feel for each other - everyone except Y/N and Matthew it seems.

Shadowhunter Chronicles Masterlist

•••

“Math,” James said as he watched his parabatai stare out of the window once again. “She’s going to be here soon, you don’t need to keep watch.”

Matthew’s gaze lingered out of the window for a moment longer before he turned to face James. “I’m not keeping watch.”

“Your face is practically glued to the window,” James pointed out. “She’s not meant to be here for another hour.”

“But what is she comes early?” Matthew scoffed. “She’ll be locked out in the cold.”

“I’m sure she will knock on the door,” James said, rolling his eyes. 

By the time James had managed to coax Matthew away from the window seat, there was a knock on the door. Matthew immediately shot to his feet from the seat he had only just sat down in. 

“I’ll get it,” Matthew announced before he began to exit the living area. 

Cordelia appeared in front of him and placed a hand on his chest, halting his movements. “I’ll get it.”

Matthew let out a huff and took a few steps back as Cordelia left to greet the guest. James watched Matthew carefully as he rocked back on his heels watching the doorway. He had always seen the way Matthew acted around Y/N, and vice versa. It seemed to James that everyone could see what the two felt for one another, he even had long discussions with Cordelia about it while they should have been sleeping or doing something else. 

When Y/N finally stepped into the room with a wide smile on her face she was instantly wrapped in a hug by Matthew. Initially she was shocked to be quite literally swept off her feet, but once she relaxed and recovered her arms wrapped around Matthew just as tightly. 

“Don’t go away again,” Matthew mumbled into her hair.

Y/N chuckled. “I was only gone for two weeks!”

Matthew pressed a quick kiss to her cheek and pulled away from the hug, though he still kept his arms around her. “It was still too long for me.”

Y/N rolled her eyes playfully before stepping away from Matthew and wrapped James in a quick hug. “It’s good to see you too, Jamie.”

James smiled at Y/N as she took her place next to Matthew, unconsciously leaning into him. Matthew’s arm rested on her lower back, tugging her closer. The two shared a smile, seemingly lost within each other’s eyes. 

From where Cordelia was leaning against the doorway, just behind Matthew and Y/N, James caught her eye and the two shared a knowing look before James spoke up, interrupting Matthew and Y/N from whatever trance they had put the other in. 

***

It was a nice day when everyone sat together on a picnic blanket enjoying the sun. Matthew and Y/N were seemingly late everyone had noticed. The two hadn’t even sent word of their absence. 

“Did they mention anything to you?” Thomas asked James.

James shook his head. “Matthew only told me that he would pick Y/N up in his carriage at midday.”

“Ah,” Anna spoke up, her gaze fixated over Thomas’s shoulder. “There they are now, only…” she checked her watch, “two hours late.”

When Matthew and Y/N approached, her arm was linked with his and she carried a large bouquet of flowers. Matthew’s gaze was planted firmly on her as she smiled brightly at everyone. 

“Sorry we’re late!” Y/N said. “Instead of taking the carriage, we decided to walk because it would be a shame to waste the sunshine while sitting inside a dark and dreary carriage.”

“Where did the flowers come from?” Anna questioned, a teasing tone in her voice. 

“Oh,” Y/N exclaimed as if she suddenly remembered she was holding them. “We walked past a florist and had a look inside. Matthew purchased these for me for my new flat!”

“They look expensive.”

“They were,” Y/N said. “That’s why I plan to pay him back soon.”

Matthew sent a glare her way. “You will do no such thing!”

Y/N looked up at him and grinned lazily. “Watch me.”

Matthew held her gaze for a moment before rolling his eyes playfully and sat himself down on the picnic blanket. As Y/N was about to be beside him, Matthew easily pulled her down so she sat in front of him, her back resting against his chest.

“Careful!” Y/N said. “You’ll crush the flowers.”

Matthew’s arms wrapped around her waist from behind. “Then I will just have to buy you more.”

Y/N turned her head to look at him. “You will do no such thing.”

Matthew’s head tilted towards her’s. Their faces were close but neither of the two acknowledged it, nor did they acknowledge all of the looks sent their way. Some of knowing, some of confusion and some of desperation. All they focussed on was each other. 

“Won’t I?” Matthew mumbled. 

“You won’t,” Y/N said, her gaze never leaving his eyes.

Matthew smiled. His nose brushed hers. “I will always buy you flowers because every beautiful thing deserves to be owned by the most beautiful woman.”

Y/N’s eyes widened the smallest amount. Her gaze remained on his eyes though her hand tightened on his wrapped around her waist. “You think I’m beautiful?”

“Of course I do,” Matthew said, kissing the tip of her nose before pulling his face away.

Y/N smiled as she reached forward to pick up a sandwich before relaxing fully against Matthew. 

Everyone around them resumed their conversation but everyone noticed how Y/N intertwined her fingers with Matthew’s and how whenever Y/N shuffled or moved the slightest bit, Matthew’s gaze fell to her, full of love. 

***

It was late at night when Matthew and Y/N had finally finished decorating Y/N’s flat. It had been a dreary day and with nothing else to do, Y/N contacted Matthew to help with her decorating. Matthew was knocking on her door not even fifteen minutes later. 

Matthew was sitting on the couch while Y/N came in with two mugs of tea in her hands and placed them down on the table in front of them. The two sat side by side while the fireplace roared. 

“Thank you for helping me today,” Y/N said, breaking the comfortable silence. “It would have been a boring day without you.”

Matthew smiled at the ceiling. “I’m glad I could help. And I’m happy you asked me.”

“There is no one else I would ask,” Y/N said. “Except maybe Thomas, he could easily reach the top of my bookshelf without using a chair.”

Matthew rolled his eyes and rested his head on Y/N’s shoulder. Y/N rested her head on top of his. 

“My favourite decoration is still the flowers you bought me,” Y/N said. “Even if they are a little wilted by now.”

Matthew glanced over at the flowers she had put in a vase, one that Matthew had also bought her when she first moved into her flat. 

“I will need to buy you more,” Matthew said. “And I don’t want to hear you object, because I will buy you more every single time the previous flowers begin to wilt.”

“You are impossible,” Y/N muttered. 

“But you love me for it,” Matthew said. 

Y/N didn’t respond but she smiled. 

Matthew intertwined his fingers with hers before he lifted his head from her shoulder. “Dance with me.”

“What?” Y/N questioned. 

Matthew stood up, pulling Y/N up with him. “Dance with me.”

“But there’s no music,” Y/N questioned as Matthew brought her into the centre of her living room. 

“Who cares,” Matthew said before he wrapped his arm around Y/N’s waist and pulled her against his chest as the two simply swayed in the middle of the room. The only sound was the crackling fire. 

Y/N had been close to Matthew before but there had usually been plenty of other people around. Now with only the two of them she felt her heart begin to beat rapidly. 

Unbeknownst to her, Matthew was flustered. He hadn’t known what overcame him when he asked her to dance. Only that he had an overcoming urge to be close to her and hold her within his arms. 

The fire crackled as the two continued to sway in the middle of the living room. Neither of the two were sure how long it had been since they had started. They were too wrapped up within one another to notice how much time had passed. 

Matthew moved his head from where it had been looking over her shoulder to rest against Y/N’s forehead. She was truly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Everyday he would wake up and his first thought would be of her and how her hair looked in the sunlight. He would think of how she smiled when she was happy or found something mildly amusing. He thought of her kindness, her intelligence, her humour. He also thought of her touch and they way she always sought him out in a crowd. The way she would lean into him or link his arm while walking. The way she would mess his hair up when he did something mildly irritating. She was the only person he ever let do that. 

Matthew’s eyes closed as he began to lean into Y/N, his breath mixing with hers. There was the smallest brush of his lips against hers and Matthew already craved more. He moved his hands to cup her cheeks and fully pressed his lips against Y/N’s. He nearly felt his heart explode. 

Y/N tensed her whole body as soon as Matthew’s lips touched hers. The feeling wasn’t an unwelcome one but it was a shocking one. She didn’t move and let her hands drop down by her sides. Her brain was stalling her to kiss him back but her body wasn’t cooperating. 

Matthew’s lips detached from hers, his eyes dark but blown wide as he realised what he just did. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”

Matthew took several steps back from Y/N. “I’ll just go.”

Y/N watched him leave the room without another word. She called out to him but he didn’t reply. It was only when she heard her front door open and prompty close when her body finally allowed her to move. 

She was at her doorway in an instant and swung open the door, not bothering with putting shoes or a jacket on. Luckily her flat was situated on the ground floor so Y/N was immediately opening the front door. It was pouring rain but she didn’t care, stepping outside barefoot and bare armed into the cold rain. She saw Matthew not too far ahead, his hand in the pockets of his trousers, his white shirt completely soaked through. In his haste to leave he hadn’t picked up his jacket. 

“Matthew!” Y/N called while rushing down the street, stones dug into her feet but she didn’t care. The only thing on her mind was Matthew. 

Matthew stopped and turned, he frowned as Y/N ran up to him. “What are you doing out here, Y/N? Go back inside.”

“No,” Y/N said. “You kissed me.”

Matthew sighed and avoided eye contact. “Can we just forget about that? I shouldn’t have done it and now I’ve ruined everything.”

Y/N shook her head. “‘Ruined everything’? How did you ruin everything?” 

Matthew ran a hand through his wet hair, pushing it away from his eyes. “You didn’t kiss me back. I think that’s a clear enough answer for me.” Matthew turned to walk away.

“Because you didn’t give me a chance!” Y/N exclaimed. “You were pulling away and leaving before I ever got the chance to respond. I was shocked and confused. I think deep down I knew what I felt for you. I think it was easier for me to just mask it as a close friendship because I was scared you would never love me the way I love you.”

Matthew stilled before slowly turning to face her. “What do you mean, Y/N?”

“By the angel, you can be so stupid sometimes!”

Before Matthew had the chance to respond, Y/N clutched onto the front of his shirt and pulled him down to press her lips against his. The rain continued to pour around them but they didn’t care. Not when Matthew’s hands rested on her hips. Y/N felt the heat from his palms through the thin gown she wore, now completely drenched and clinging to her body. 

Y/N’s arms moved from clutching Matthew’s shirt to wrap around his shoulder’s her hand resting on the back of his head deepening the kiss. Matthew let out a small noise as his fingertips dug into Y/N’s hips pulling her closer until her body was flush with his. 

Matthew pulled away first and rested his forehead against Y/N’s breathing heavily. “Tell me what that meant.”

“Are you really-”

“I already know,” Matthew said. “But I want to hear you say it.”

Y/N smiled. “I am in love with you, Matthew Fairchild.”

Matthew pressed his lips against Y/N’s. It was brief but it told Y/N everything she needed to know. 

“I want to hear you say it too,” Y/N muttered against his lips.”

“I. Love. You.” Matthew said, kissing her in between each word. “I will love you until I let any bouquet of flowers die.” Matthew pressed a soft kiss against the tip of her nose. “So now you cannot deny me when I buy them for you.”

The two stood with their arms wrapped around one another in the middle of the downpour, smiles on their faces. It wasn’t until Y/N shivered that the two broke whatever bubble they had been in. 

“We should get back inside,” Y/N said. “There is a warm fire. Two cups of tea still not finished and…” Y/N leaned up to whisper in his ear. “A warm bed.”

Matthew smirked before he lifted Y/N up in his arms. She laughed in delight. “I am not opposed to that idea.”

***

The next morning everyone was waiting outside of Y/N’s flat. The previous day she had invited them all over to celebrate her moving into her new home.

“Is she even home?” Lucie asked. 

“It’s Y/N,” Anna said. “When she makes plans, she sticks to them.”

“We’ve been waiting here for half an hour,” Thomas said. “Maybe she’s forgotten.”

Cordelia sighed before she pulled a key out of her bag. “Y/N gave me a key to her flat for emergencies.”

“But this isn’t an emergency,” James said. 

“It may not be,” Cordelia said unlocking the door. “But I would like to know where Matthew is.”

The group looked around at one another, only noticing that Matthew wasn’t there.

“Y/N?” Cordelia announced as she stepped into her flat. 

“Cordelia?” Matthew said, appearing from the kitchen carrying two mugs of coffee. He was shirtless and his trousers hung low on his waist. Cordelia averted her gaze. 

“Y/N invited us to see her flat,” Cordelia said as everyone entered the flat behind her. 

They all looked at Matthew. They all shared a look with one another but no one looked the slightest bit surprised. 

“Matthew!” Y/N said, her footsteps padding down the hallway. “Could you help me with this, I can’t get it to stay in place.”

Y/N appeared in the living room, only wearing a white shirt. Y/N let out a noise of surprise when she noticed everyone standing in her living room. 

Matthew placed the two mugs of coffee down before moving to shield Y/N’s body with his own. 

“You can all make yourselves at home,” Y/N said as he and Matthew began to walk down the hallway. “We will be out in a minute.”

The group waited until they heard Y/N’s door close before laughing.

“It was about time,” James said, sitting on the couch and wrapped an arm around Cordelia, a wide smile on his face.

#matthew fairchild x fem!reader #matthew fairchild fic #matthew fairchild x reader #matthew fairchild #the last hours #the last hours x reader #shadowhunters #shadowhunter chronicles

[tyblackthornsheadphones]

me on my way to write some matthew fairchild x reader fics because reading chot has me in my matthew feels

#i’ve seen so little tsc x reader #it makes me sad #rin’s rambles #matthew fairchild #matthew fairchild x reader #the last hours #the shadowhunter chronicles #chain of thorns #chain of iron #chain of gold #chot #cot #tsc #tlh #tsc x reader #tlh x reader #x reader #x male!reader #x gn!reader #x fem!reader #bisexual matthew fairchild #my husband tbh

[bookishdream]

Library

Okay, my first attempt to write about someone from the Shadowhunters chronicles James Herondale x fem!Fairchild!reader (btw no Grace, no romantic relationship with Cordelia)

The ballroom for sure looked marvelous. The big chandeliers were hanging from the ceiling in their full, rich glory. Every handle for a witchlight had glass around it that mirrored the look of rain droplets, conveying the light even more beautifully. Y/n couldn’t keep her eyes off of the two, monstrous elements of the ballroom. No matter how hard she tried, she always thought that they would just fall on her and the participants of the events. And it was a hell of an event. Tessa Herondale did an outstanding job, decorating the room with gold ornaments, black tablecloths and curtains. Gold cutlery and lucent champagne flutes were sparkling in the bright light given by the enormous chandeliers. 

Y/n caught one of the flutes and drank all the liquid in a quick motion. The Angel knew she needed it. She was hiding behind the pillar, peeking every now and then, making sure that her annoying brother wasn’t coming her way.

“Hiding, aren’t we?” Y/n jumped at the sudden appearance of a voice that she heard so many times. “Did someone ask you for another dance?” 

James Herondale was looking at her with those big, gold eyes, a soft smile playing on his lips. Y/n couldn’t ignore the fact that he was indeed beautiful, proving the rumors right. His black hair, that was tousled by a force the girl was not aware of, his eyes and what was more important, his selfless heart and bravery. Unfortunately, he was struggling with his mind and y/n was one of the few knowing about his secret relationship with the demon realm.  

“Don’t flatter me, James,” she remarked, hugging the pillar closer with her back, her palm clenched on the champagne glass. “My brother has been bothering me with looking for a possible suitor and since I have no interest in doing such a thing, I avoid him.” 

“It sure seems like cowardice to me,” the boy commented, making a step closer. His hand gently removed the flute from y/n’s fingers and he put it onto the table closest to them. Then he took her gloved palm and without a warning, led her to the nearest exit. 

“And running away isn’t cowardice? Your hypocrisy will never cease to amaze me,” y/n’s words came out as a whisper. She couldn’t contain her excitement, wondering where the boy was leading her. “James, care to explain where we are going?”

“You’ll see,” he sent her a bright smile, only his eyes were seen in the dark corridor. Not even a single witchlight was in the handle. “Be patient, love.”

Y/n’s heart rose whenever he called her love. It was basic, but except for Cordelia, he didn’t have nicknames for his friends. Perhaps the names he’s called Matthew that were too vulgar to say out loud. When the girl saw the door to the London Institute’s library, she could feel her smile growing wider. Her gloved hands started twitching and she desired to just be around all of those books. James opened the door, letting her through first and y/n saw the rows of bookshelves, the magnificent fireplace with an area to sit and relax around it. On the table beside one of the chairs was a book, opened half-way through. The fire from the chimney was giving a soft gleam to the area, making it look cozy and inviting. Y/n picked up a book and read the title. 

“Are you reading The Picture of Dorian Gray?” She didn’t know why she was whispering, perhaps it was simply the atmosphere of this place or perhaps she didn’t have to speak louder, for James was only a few centimeters from her, looking down at her eyes. “Do you know…”

“That it’s your favorite novel? I am quite aware, for you’ve been telling everyone who is willing to listen,” James answered her unsaid question. Y/n’s cheeks flushed, her eyes slightly widening. “And I am always willing to listen to you.”

“James,” the girl started, but she stopped when she felt a warm hand on her cheek. James had one of his palms on her waist and the other was caressing her face. “You know we oughtn’t.”

“We are all alone here,” she didn’t realize that the boy got closer, she wasn’t even sure he could’ve gotten closer. It was almost like he wanted to erase everything that was between them. “Perhaps Jessamine is somewhere here, but she shall give us some privacy.” 

“Darling, we aren’t engaged,” y/n wanted to create some space between their bodies, but James was reluctant to let her go. “My brother shall never acknowledge our love.”

“Matthew? He was jumping around like a lunatic when I confessed my feelings for you,” he frowned, searching for her eyes. 

“I had Charles on my mind,” she remarked. “With Mother in Idris and Father in his state, he thinks he can rule over my life,” y/n rolled her eyes.

“Then we should step forward with our undying love and I shall challenge him for a duel, should his reaction be unfavorable,” James’s eyes blinked with humor, letting her know that he should do no such a thing.

“Matthew has a wrong impact on you, darling,” it was her turn to touch his cheek. It was free of any stubble. 

“Then you must save me from him,” he joked. “I will be the damsel in distress and you shall be the knight in the shining armor,” he took her palm into his hand, took off y/n's white glove and gently kissed her knuckles. “Then you shall take me as your loving husband and we shall live happily ever after.” 

Y/n laughed at the mere thought of her saving James, but she considered what he insinuated, he wanted her as a wife, a partner, someone he shall spend his whole life with. But when she’d firstly realized she was hopelessly in love with him, they were both 15 years of age. Matthew was always the one closer to James, they always knew they’d be parabatai in the future, and y/n was never allowed to do the things boys did. But one day when she was relaxing with Lucie and an unpredictable demon ruined their afternoon tea, y/n panicked. Yes, she had been trained, yet she had never seen a demon so big and disgusting and terrifying. Fortunately, James and Matthew were in the close vicinity and they managed to slaughter the demon, ichor spilling everywhere. It had been James, later that night, that was holding y/n, calming her down, listening to her silent sobs and reassuring her that she was still a Shadowhunter, even though she froze, uncertain what to do. It had been James, later that month, that had helped her with training, snuck out with her to patrol the vicinity and conveyed his own knowledge. Then, she knew that he was the one who had stolen her young heart. 

“Will you marry me, Y/n Fairchild?” James whispered, his golden eyes looking at her hopefully, his lips formed into a soft smile that he always had when he was with her. 

“Of course I will, silly,” she kissed his nose, slightly, making his cheeks flushed. James didn’t wait for any further invitation, he ducked his head and kissed her strongly, making her heart sing and her body lightweight. 

“Lucie, have I drunk too much or are they kissing?” Y/n heard her twin’s voice, when she stepped away from her fiance, her cheeks blushing she saw Matthew and Lucie standing in the doorway. “Charles is going to be furious.”

“I need to speak to Cordelia, she shall be thrilled!” Lucie squeaked, running to her own parabatai. 

#james herondale #james herondale x reader #chain of gold #chain of iron #chain of thorns #the last hours #lucie herondale #matthew fairchild #cassandra clare #the shadowhunter chronicles #james herondale imagine

[weirdfanaus]

The Notebook

Pairing: Matthew Fairchild x fem!reader Headcanon

Words: 1554

Rating: General Audiences

Masterlist

Warnings: none

Matthew has a notebook he keeps carrying around and keeps looking in, noting things in it or drawing when he thinks no one is looking.

One day you silently try to sneak by him, you see that on a page, doodles surrounding them, are verses.

You, unfortunately, don't get to read anything more than the words her eyes sparkled before he closes it suddenly.

Matthew catches you looking and turns his face to you

"Everything all right?" 

"Yeah, yeah." 

You shake your head. 

He looks at you long and then he puts the leather-bound notebook inside his jacket and continues to look at you. 

You don't get to see more of what is written in that book until one night when he forgets his jacket at your place. 

The weather has just got warmer, summer is fastly coming by.

All the Merry Thieves and their friends come for a late brunch by your place.

You spend most of the day in the garden, playing cards, drinking and eating fruits and tarts. 

The night comes faster than you have all expected and all the guests leave when the clock streaks close to eleven. 

Matthew leaves with James, the cuffs of his jacket rolled, runes covering his pale skin. 

He is a bit too drunk, as usual.

Later that night you clean up the living space and when you lift his red jacket, the notebook falls open on the carpet. 

The same poem, now with more drawings of a woman with a big hat, flowers, mostly tulips in blue ink.

Most words are stricken off, with replacements on top or under them. 

You cannot understand much of what it is written, the writing too messy for you to understand.

Leafing through the pages, you end up on various Oscar Wilde quotes:

You can never be overdressed or overeducated.

With freedom, books, flowers and the moon, who could not be happy.

Quotes that you think match Matthew perfectly. 

More doodles of faces, eyes, splotches of green, red, black paint cover the pages. 

You read some poems, but don’t seem to fully understand them.

You close the book and put it back in its place.

The next day, you meet again, give him the coat, he smiles at you and kisses your cheek in thanks. 

More weeks pass by when he asks you to come to meet him in the Kensington Gardens, ready to spend a long day in the sun. 

You pack a blanket, a hat, a basket of fruits, tarts and sandwiches. 

You meet him by the Serpentine, under an old linden tree.

He has a blanket of his own, a small basket is by his feet.

His light pants and white shirt are cuffed, his vest thrown over the basket and he was barefoot.

He reads from a book that looks familiar to you. 

You put your basket on the corner of his blanket, take your sandals off and place your hat on the wooden holder. 

He raises his eyes from the words and smiles at you when you sit down. 

“Hello.” His tone was playful, light.

You smile, replying the same way.

He puts his book away and moves to kiss your cheek, which makes you softly blush.

He has been into kisses recently, you don’t understand why, but you enjoy it.

He sees your big basket and nods his head in its way saying:

“What do you have there?” 

“A lot of food. Amelie could not let me go without having a full meal with me. She wants me to get bigger than I am already.”

“You look amazing, mon coeur.” he replies immediately. 

You move the basket in his direction.

“I see that you have your own meal prepared.”

“Well, I wanted to be the one to offer food today. But unfortunately, society has other thoughts, am I right?” a boyish smile fills his face and you fight the urge to kiss his face.

“Unfortunately.” 

You watch how he brings his own basket next to yours and starts putting out food from both. 

Luckily, you don’t have the exact same food. 

You and your cook have picked to get things that are softer, usually eaten by you, while Matthew pulled out a box of smoked salmon and slices of bread. 

He arranged the food on plates, you try to help him multiple times, but he refuses, saying that he has it handled.

You eat a little bit of everything you have decided to bring, talk about the people walking by, the mundane couples, the children screaming, sometimes even jumping in the water, probably from a dare or because they have thrown their ball in the lake. 

You talk about books and you find out that he is rereading one that James has given him, A Tale of Two Cities.

“James keeps mentioning that his father is obsessed with this every time he sees me with it. And Mr Herondale praises my pick just as many times,” he states while looking at the cover.

“Love, love, love.” he sings, throws the book on his vest and turns to you.

He looks long at you, opens his mouth to say something, but suddenly stops as he has just realised something. 

You watch him take the notebook out and scribble in it.

“What are you doing?” you ask lightly.

His pen moves so fast on the paper that it makes you dizzy, so you choose to look at how his hair falls on his face.

“Taking notes…” he pauses. Lifts his head, looks at the water sparkling under the sun, pulls his bottom lip between his teeth. “For my book.”

“You write?” 

“Sometimes.” his eyes were again on the page.

“That’s amazing, Matthew. Are you writing something grand as Lucie?” you know that his book is filled with short verses.

“No… Not really, I mostly write verses.” his eyes meet yours, they are shining.

“Sometimes I do that too, though,” he confesses. “I can show you something, but you won’t understand anything, right now.”

“Why not?”

“You can’t see yourself through my eyes, Y/N.”

You feel like you have just stopped breathing.

His eyes are big, the same colours as the leaves of the linden tree over your heads, his hair is curled and messy, bright as the sun.

You stood there, mouth slightly opened and you see how Matthew goes from courageous to shy and ashamed of what he has confessed.

You realize that it is because of your slow reaction, so you calm yourself and cup his face, the skin soft and you try to assure him that you don’t hate him for what he has just said.

“How do you see me?” you softly ask, voice low.

He looks at you caught off guard. 

He didn’t expect those words from you, but he doesn’t move his eyes from yours.

“I see how courageous you are, how you try to help everyone, how warm you are. You picked me as your friend and that speaks loudly to me.” 

You want to ask more, but you don’t want to interrupt him.

“I see your beauty. You love and give. You have no idea how much, just having you listen to me rant helps me in ways you cannot even imagine. I want to tell you everything. I want you to know everything about me…” he stops. 

You know that he wants to say more.

“I want you. I want to court you, Y/N,” he tells you instead. 

You haven’t expected him to tell you that, but it was something you have wanted to hear for a while too.

“I want to share a life with you. I want to wake up by your side. I want to kiss you whenever I want, without people commenting on it. I want to see you smile for the rest of my life, Y/N.”

You are speechless once again. 

His eyes, you lose yourself in his eyes every time. 

“I want that too, Matthew,” you whisper, not to scare him off.

The smile that breaks on his face is the biggest and most genuine you have ever seen from him.

You have never seen him that way, he seemed light, he looked so beautiful.

He kisses your cheeks, joy pulsing through both your bodies, but you cup his face again and stop him.

And you kiss him deeply.

You feel him smiling and you smile too. 

He moves his hands around your middle, he draws you in, your bodies now glued.

He gives you his family’s ring after he kisses you a couple dozen times.

You keep it on your thumb because of how big it is.

The two of you lay the rest of the day under that tree. Matthew continues to read, now aloud at your request, from Will Herondale’s favourite book.

When the sun starts disappearing, you gather your things and take a stroll through the park, your hand on his arm.

You share the same carriage and he takes you home, right at your doorstep.

He kisses your cheek, in goodbye, but you move to kiss his lips.

He smiles while walking down the porch and you watch him climb in the carriage, waves his hand and he disappears.

But that night is not the last you see his great smile.

tag list: @malfoysmatrioshka ​ @elleclairez @alebooknerd @fair-but-wilde-child

#matthew fairchild #matthew fairchild x reader #matthew x reader #matthew fairchild fanfic #matthew fairchild fanficton #the last hours #the last hours fanfiction #the last hours x reader #cassandra clare ' #chain of iron #chain of gold #matthew faitchild x y/n #weirdfanaus

[mortalfaerie]

Parenthood Drabble

matthew fairchild x (fem) reader

tw: breastfeeding?

this is tooth-rotting fluff. matthew is his doting self when your infant daughter wakes up in the night wanting to be held and fed.

From down the hall, you could hear a shrill cry break through the quiet of the night, effectively waking you from your fitful sleep. You stirred to sit up, but were stopped by a hand on your shoulder.

"Don't. I'll get her." Your husband murmured, his voice thick with sleep. You nodded in response, and let him go leave your room, his loyal dog, Oscar, trailing after him.

You scooted back on the bed, and pulled yourself into a sitting position. Chances are, your two month old daughter would want to feed if she was crying in the night, which was something that only you could do for her right now. You undid the top buttons of your nightgown, just as your husband returned, cradling your gurgling daughter in his arms. A tired smile played on his face as he brought her over to you.

"Hello, little one." you said sleepily as he handed her over to your arms. Knowing what she wanted, she made grabbing hands at your chest, and you rolled your eyes as you shifted the open neckline of your nightgown to let her feed. She latched on easily, her little hand coming up to grab at loose strands of your hair. Beside you, your husband settled back in and draped an arm over your shoulders. He hummed quietly as he replaced your hair in your daughter's fist with his index finger, and Oscar jumped back up on the bed to lay down.

Your daughter's eyelids grew droopier as she fed, and you stifled a chuckle. "Yes, go back to sleep. Pretty please?" you cooed to her, and as if in response, she let go of your breast and gave a contented sigh, closing her eyes.

You sat there for a moment, leaning in to Matthew's side as you cradled your baby, enjoy the rare moment of peace with your tiny, all-so-new family. When she was clearly asleep, Matthew pressed a kiss to your cheek and said, "I'll go put her back to bed. You rest."

"Thank you." you murmured gratefully. Having an infant in the house could be exhausting, but your husband didn't shrink from helping raise your child like other men might, and for that you loved him even more.

Upon his return, you reached out your arms to him as he climbed back into bed beside here. "Come here." you murmured, and hummed happily when his arms came around you and he rested his head on your chest. You nuzzled the top of his head and sighed.

"I love you, Matthew." you whispered.

"I know." he replied and yawned. "And I love you more and more each day. But sleep now, darling."

"Mhm." you replied, shortly before slipping back into the realm of sleep.

#matthew fairchild x reader #matthew fairchild #the shadowhunter chronicles #the last hours #new baby #fluff #tooth rotting fluff

[parkerslatte]

Unspoken Words

Matthew Fairchild x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.9k

Warnings: mentions of substance abuse.

Summary: Matthew surprises Y/N at her flat after his year of travelling. Some unspoken emotions surface.

A/N: this is kind of a au where Matthew never had any sort of relationship with Cordelia except for friendship :)

Shadowhunter Chronicles Masterlist

•••

Y/N knew that she wasn’t expecting anyone. If any of her friends and family were going to pop around, they would send a note beforehand. Y/N was just getting ready for bed when there was a loud knock on her front door. At first she debated even answering it, but after knowing that the nice mundane doorman would never let anyone up to her apartment without knowing them beforehand, she felt the smallest bit safer.

She threw her robe around herself and took the few steps down the hallway from her bedroom to her front door. When she opened it, Y/N froze and stared wide-eyed. Her heart had immediately begun pounding.

“Hello, Y/N,” Matthew said, his beautiful smile stretching across his face.

“Matthew?” Y/N whispered, unable to believe what she was seeing.

Y/N stepped back to allow Matthew into her flat and closed the front door, still trying to process everything. Once she turned back to Matthew she hesitantly reached out and brushed her hand over his arm, trying to deem if he were real or not.

“I can’t tell if it’s really you or not,” Y/N said as she took one more step closer.

“It’s really me,” Matthew said, his voice low and warm.

Y/N trailed her hand up his arm until she reached his shoulder and gripped onto it. “You’re really here.”

“I am,” Matthew said breathlessly.

Y/N smiled and threw her arms around Matthew’s neck and pulled him tightly to her. His own arms wrapped around her waist and pressed her body into his own until there wasn’t a single gap between them.

Y/N’s head buried in the crook of Matthew’s neck as she breathed in the familiar scent of his cologne. She hadn’t realised how much she missed it until now. Her shoulders shook as she tried her best to keep the tears from flowing down her cheeks but failed. All the emotion she had over missing Matthew was all coming out.

Matthew pulled away from their hug and rested his forehead against Y/N’s. “There’s no need to cry.”

“You’re crying too,” Y/N said as she noticed the tears brimming Matthew’s eyes.

He tried to blink his own away but only succeeded in making them fall down his cheeks. Y/N let out a breathy laugh and wiped his tears away, her hands lingering on his cheeks.

“I missed you so much,” Y/N whispered. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I missed you too,” Matthew said. “More than you can imagine.”

“I wished everyday that you would show up on my doorstep, I’ve even dreamed of it a few times,” Y/N admitted. “That’s why I didn’t believe you were really here.”

“I dreamed of you too,” Matthew said. “Nearly every night I was away.”

Y/N closed her eyes and savoured the feeling of Matthew’s arms wrapped around her. It had been just over a year since she had last seen Matthew. They had sent letters to one another over the year but it wasn’t ever nearly enough. Having Matthew with her and hearing his voice was the greatest gift Y/N had ever received.

A loud crash echoed from the flat above Y/N’s and caused the two to jump apart in surprise. Y/N immediately missed the warmth of Matthew’s body. As she now stood opposite him she realised how little she wore. Her night clothes were thin and didn’t do a huge job of concealing her body. Y/N flushed and Matthew tried not to move his gaze away from her face.

“Do you want tea or anything?” Y/N asked, leading Matthew through her flat and to her living room.

The room had a lingering warmth from the fire that had been roaring not too long ago. Despite this, Y/N still felt a chill.

“I’m okay, thank you, Y/N,” Matthew’s response was strangely formal.

Y/N only nodded and took a seat on her couch and beckoned Matthew over. “Tell me about your travels.”

“I’m sure you’ve already heard all about them,” Matthew said, getting comfortable next to Y/N.

“I want to hear about them again,” Y/N said. “I want to hear you tell me, not just read about them.”

“Okay,” Matthew said, settling further down into the couch, his arm brushing Y/N’s as she unconsciously shuffled closer.

When Matthew began talking about his travels, the smile on his face was infectious. It was a smile that, before his travels, Matthew brought out so rarely. A soft smile graced Y/N’s face as she listened to Matthew. His hands flapped about as he spoke and she wanted to reach forward and intertwine her fingers with his.

It was no secret to anyone else that Y/N loved Matthew dearly. Before he left, even she hadn’t known exactly what she felt for the blonde Fairchild. She had only ever thought that her relationship with him was a close friendship. It wasn’t until he left for his travels where she realised that the ache in her chest wasn’t because her friend had left. It was because the person she loved had left.

For weeks, Y/N didn’t leave her flat much, only to buy food or gather her post. She was happy for Matthew. Happy that he was doing something he had always wanted to do. The only thing she wished was that she had realised her feelings for the Fairchild sooner.

“Are you even listening to me?” Matthew teased as he noticed Y/N’s faraway expression.

“Of course I am!” Y/N exclaimed.

“Then what did I just say?”

Y/N’s mouth opened and closed trying to respond but she couldn’t because she truly didn’t know what Matthew said.

“I will listen now, I swear,” Y/N said.

Matthew rolled his eyes and pulled Y/N closer to his side, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I’ve spoken enough of my travels, tell me about what you did.”

Y/N sighed and wrapped her arms around Matthew’s torso and rested her head on his chest. “You don’t want to hear about what I did. It’s rather boring.”

“Nothing you do is boring,” Matthew said, his arm moving from her shoulders to rest on the dip of her waist.

Y/N felt the heat of his hand through her thin nightgown and robe. She wasn’t entirely sure that Matthew even realised that he had moved his arm, but Y/N didn’t say anything about it.

“Honestly Matthew,” Y/N said. “I haven’t really done much.”

“Liar,” Matthew whispered against her hair.

Y/N sighed. “I did a little travelling of my own, not to your scale though. I just did a small tour around England, Scotland and Wales for a few months, nothing too grand.”

“Did you enjoy it?” Matthew asked.

Y/N nodded. “I did, it felt…freeing.” Y/N traced the pattern on Matthew’s waistcoat with her finger. “I do like London but being away for a bit made me realise how little I’ve actually done with my life.”

“Don’t say that,” Matthew said. “You’ve done a lot with your life.”

“But only to the confines of London,” Y/N said. “When I travelled, it was the first time I’d ever seen the sea and felt sand between my toes.”

“Where was your favourite place to go?”

“Cornwall,” Y/N answered. “I spent a week there, the longest I spent anywhere. I stayed in a small village and everyone knew each other. It was nice to now worry about anything and just live in the moment. Is that how you felt?”

Matthew smiled. “That is how I felt.”

“It was a good feeling,” Y/N said.

The two fell into a comfortable silence. Y/N still lightly traced the patterns on Matthew’s waistcoat while he toyed with the ends of her hair. Y/N felt her heart begin to beat rapidly as Matthew’s hand moved from the dip of her waist to her hip. Still he didn’t seem to notice.

Y/N tilted her head up to look at Matthew, his eyebrows were furrowed as if he was in deep thought. However once he noticed Y/N’s changed in position his gaze shifted to meet hers.

“Hi,” she whispered.

“Hi,” he replied.

The two only looked at one another, no words exchanged. Their faces so close that Y/N could feel his breath lightly fan her face and she had no doubt that Matthew could feel hers.

A shiver made its way through her body and she pressed herself closer to Matthew, wanting his warmth. The hand that had been simply resting on his lap was now rubbing her upper arm lightly trying to give Y/N as much warmth as possible.

The places Matthew touched felt like they were on fire despite the plunging temperature. His touch sent her alight.

Y/N’s hand moved from where it was rested on his chest to his cheek, her thumb lightly brushing across his cheekbone. Matthew watched her movements carefully.

“Did you meet anyone while travelling?” Y/N asked the question before she could even think about the repercussions.

Matthew froze as did Y/N.

“I didn’t mean to ask that,” Y/N said, wide-eyed and began to pull away from Matthew. “That was completely out of line. I’m so sorry-”

“Y/N,” Matthew said. He didn’t sound angry.

Y/N stopped and looked at Matthew. She was beyond embarrassed. Even if he did meet anyone, it was none of her business. Matthew was his own person and could make his own choices. And just because she loved him, doesn’t mean that he loved her back.

As Y/N began to pull even further away from him, Matthew lightly grasped her and pulled her closer to him until they were in the same position as before.

“Ask me again?” Matthew said.

“What?” Y/N questioned, even though she knew exactly what Matthew wanted her to ask.

“The question,” Matthew said. “Ask me again?”

“Did you meet anyone?” She asked.

There was a pause while Matthew let out a breath. “No, I didn’t.”

Y/N felt bad that she felt the smallest bit relieved at his answer.

“Did you meet anyone?”

The question caught Y/N off guard. “Sorry?”

“Did you meet anyone?” Matthew repeated.

“No,” Y/N answered. “No, I didn’t.”

Matthew only nodded as he didn’t meet her gaze. His eyes were fixated on where his hand grasped hers.

Y/N now felt hot. Before she was cold but now she was burning everywhere and wanted to escape the conversation. The once comfortable atmosphere had changed to one of uncertainty. Y/N didn’t like the change.

“Why did you ask me that question?” Matthew asked, his gaze still purposefully avoiding hers.

“I-I don’t know,” Y/N said.

“You do know,” Matthew said.

Y/N sighed and looked at where their hands were joined, the cool metal of his rings pressed against her skin. The words were on the tip of her tongue but she couldn’t bring herself to speak them.

“I asked you that question because…” she trailed off.

“Because what, Y/N?” Matthew’s gaze finally met her’s. “Please tell me.”

“Because I am in love with you.” Y/N’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Despite her nerves, Y/N felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest. The words she had always wanted to write to Matthew in her letters were finally spoken. The world grew dark as Y/N closed her eyes, not wanting to meet Matthew’s gaze in fear of what he would say or do. If he pushed her away, Y/N wouldn’t know how she would react.

However, what Matthew did say surprised her.

“You can’t mean that,” Matthew said.

“What?” Y/N said and opened her eyes. “Of course I mean that.”

Matthew shook his head, emotions swimming in his green eyes. “You can’t.”

“Why can’t I?” Y/N said. “I am in love with you Matthew.”

“No,” Matthew said, tears welling in his eyes. He clutched Y/N’s hands tighter.

“I do,” she said, bringing her hands from his and caressed the sides of his face. “I love you.”

Matthew’s eyes bore into hers. They held a look on uncertainty, like he wasn’t entirely sure that anything was real.

“How can you possibly mean that?” Matthew said.

“I do mean it,” Y/N said. “I love you so much that it hurt me so much when you left for your travels. I didn’t realise it before but once you left I realised that what I felt for you was love. Not the type of love you share with any of our friends. I felt it long before but was too oblivious to realise it. I fell in love with you years ago.”

“You loved me even when…” Matthew trailed off, not wanting to speak much of that period in his life.

“Even then,” Y/N said. “I adore you.”

Y/N wiped away the tears from his eyes as Matthew gently held onto her wrists, leaning into her touch.

“If you don’t feel the same, it’s okay,” Y/N said, her voice cracking. “We can just forget about it.”

“I never thought I deserved you,” Matthew said, his voice wavered like any moment he would burst into tears. “I never told you I loved you because I didn’t deserve you.”

Y/N’s heart broke hearing the sadness in Matthew’s voice. “Why didn’t you think you deserved me?”

“I could barely take care of myself, let alone you,” Matthew replied. “There were times when I wanted to tell you, not caring how it would affect our friendship. You were– are the constant thing on my mind. I wake up thinking about you and I fall asleep thinking about you.” Matthew paused to let out a shaky breath. “When I went on my travels, I hoped that I could move past what I felt for you but with every letter I sent you and how you responded with such excitement and telling me how proud you were of me, the more I fell in love with you– even if I was thousands of miles away.”

Y/N let out a breath and pressed her forehead against Matthew’s. “You deserve the world, Matthew. You deserve everything good in it.” Y/N's thumb gently moved across his cheekbone. “I know your life hasn’t been easy. I know you have struggled for years. But you need to know how proud of you I am, how proud everyone is of you. You are always surrounded by people who love you so much. Never forget that.”

Matthew let the tears fall as Y/N wrapped him into a hug. He buried his head into the crook of her neck as his body shook. Y/N clutched onto him tightly.

“I don’t deserve you,” Matthew muttered.

“You do,” Y/N said. “You deserve every good thing.”

Matthew pulled away and took Y/N’s face in his hands. “You are the best thing in my life.”

“I thought James was?” Y/N joked, hoping it would make Matthew at least crack a smile. She succeeded.

Matthew smiled. “Second best then.”

Y/N smiled as she leaned into his touch. “I love you, Matthew.”

“I love you too,” Matthew said.

Y/N’s heart swelled as Matthew spoke those words. A year of sending letters back and forth and realising her feelings for him, she never expected that he would ever feel the same way. Now as she looked into his eyes and saw nothing but pure love, she knew she was home.

“May I kiss you?” Matthew asked.

Y/N smiled. “You may.”

Once their lips touched, Y/N could think of nothing else but Matthew. His lips were soft and he tasted sweet. When she thought of kissing Matthew several months ago after a very particular dream, she had imagined fireworks and an overwhelming amount of feelings. She felt none of those.

Kissing Matthew felt normal, like their lips were always meant to touch and connect. They fit perfectly together– two halves of a whole.

An arm wrapped around her waist and Matthew pulled her on top of him with one swift motion, without disconnecting their lips. Y/N let out a small noise of surprise.

“Sorry,” Matthew mumbled against her lips. “I just need to be closer to you.”

Y/N’s eyes fluttered close as Matthew pressed his lips against Y/N’s once more. Her arms wrapped around Matthew’s neck and threaded her fingers in his hair, her nails lightly scratching his scalp. Matthew sighed in delight.

Y/N smiled into the kiss. She never would have thought that this was how her night would go. Finally kissing the man she loved after only loving him from afar. The feeling of his arms wrapped around her body made her feel safe and loved. Each touch sent her alight and left goosebumps in their wake. Everything about Matthew heightened her senses more than any rune ever could.

Matthew pulled away once more and opened his eyes to look at Y/N. His arms were locked around her keeping her in place and he tightened his arms the slightest amount.

“I love you,” Matthew said with a smile. It lit up his entire face. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you in my life.”

“How lucky you are?” Y/N said, brushing his hair away from his face. “I am the lucky one, because you, Matthew Fairchild, are a gift.”

Matthew smiled and nuzzled his head in the crook of her neck, pressing a light kiss to her bare shoulder where her robe had slid down.

Y/N smiled and held him long into the night.

_________________

#matthew fairchild x reader #matthew fairchild #shadowhunters #shadowhunter chronicles #matthew Fairchild x Fem!reader #matthew Fairchild fic #the last hours #the last hours series #tlh

[parkerslatte]

Never Let Me Go

Matthew Fairchild x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: injury and blood.

Summary: While out patrolling, Y/N is attacked by a demon and receives severe injuries. Matthew begs her to be okay.

The Shadowhunter Chronicles Masterlist

•••

The moment Y/N realised there was a demon was the moment she felt a sharp pain across her back. Blood poured from the wound as Y/N fell to the floor letting out a blood curdling scream. The blood pooled around her and every movement she made caused her body to be set alight. Y/N had never felt so much pain before. 

“Y/N!” Thomas yelled, killing the demon with deadly efficiency. 

Y/N made no noise as Thomas kneeled down next to her. She whimpered out in pain as tears ran down her cheeks. He pulled his stele out and drew and iratze. It wasn’t helping, the wound wasn’t healing. 

Thomas’s hand gently touched her back and Y/N let out another scream of pain. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“Thomas,” Y/N mumbled, her breath coming out in ragged pants. “It hurts.”

Thomas desperately looked around. Y/N’s cries of pain shattered through his heart. There was no one around. 

“I’m going to need to move you,” Thomas said.

“I can’t,” Y/N cried. “Hurts too much.”

“I need to, Y/N,” Thomas said. “I need to get you to the institute.”

Y/N shook her head. “I can’t, Tom.”

Thomas grimaced. “I’m sorry, Y/N. But I need to, I’m not going to let you bleed out.”

The scream Y/N let out when Thomas picked her up was horrible to listen to. Y/N tried to get out of his grip but it only caused her more pain. It felt like she was being stabbed a hundred times and each blade was twisting. 

Thomas hadn’t even started walking when Y/N was passed out. 

***

Matthew settled down on his couch with Oscar’s head resting in his lap. He had asked Y/N if she wanted to come around his house as he hadn’t seen her much over the past few days. Once she told him that she was patrolling, Matthew had wanted to do it with her but she refused knowing that Matthew didn’t really want to patrol. 

However as soon as Matthew relaxed into his couch, hectic knocks banged his front door. Confused, Matthew got to his feet and walked over to the front door, Oscar following at his feet. 

As he opened it, Cordelia was standing on the other side, a distraught expression on her face. 

“What’s wrong?” Matthew asked. 

Cordelia chose her next words very carefully. “Matthew, it’s Y/N. She was hurt badly.”

Matthew felt his heart plummet. “Where is she?”

“Thomas took her to the institute,” Cordelia explained as she and Matthew left his flat, Oscar in tow, and out to the carriage where James was waiting.

“My father sent word not long ago,” James said as Matthew and Cordelia got into the carriage. 

“Is- is she okay?” Matthew asked, fiddling with his ring anxiously. 

James sighed. “We don’t know. My father didn’t go into details, only to get to the institute as soon as possible.”

Matthew didn’t speak another word. Oscar rested his head on Matthew’s knee sensing his distress. James and Cordelia shared a concerned look as the carriage came to a stop in front of the institute. 

Matthew was out of the carriage and sprinting up the stairs of the institute and opened the doors. Thomas was in the entry hall with Alastair, blood staining his shirt. Matthew stopped in his tracks. 

“Matthew,” Thomas said, tears brimming his eyes. 

“What happened?” Matthew whispered. 

Thomas swallowed and approached the blonde. “We separated for not even a minute and I heard her scream. When I got there the demon was over her, I killed it but it already hurt her. She begged me not to move her but I couldn’t leave her there exposed.”

Matthew only nodded before making his way to the infirmary. He didn’t even think as he let his legs carry him. Once he arrived at the infirmary, Will and Tessa were outside looking as distraught as James and Cordelia. 

“Matthew, you don’t want to go in there,” Will said, placing his hands on Matthew’s shoulders. 

“Let go of me,” Matthew said, pushing his way towards the doors. 

He was desperate to see Y/N. He needed to know that she was okay. It was as if he wasn’t in control of his body. With one final push, Matthew released himself from Will’s hold and opened the infirmary doors. 

Matthew immediately felt nauseous. Y/N was laid face down on the bed, three long gashes ran from the top of her back to the bottom. The white sheets under her were stained red. She looked dead. Matthew stumbled out of the room, his face pale. 

“Math,” James said, resting his hand on his shoulder. 

Matthew didn’t feel it as he fell to his knees with a sob. James was right beside him pulling him into his arms while Oscar paced by Matthew. 

Matthew’s body shook as he sobbed in James’s arms, his sons echoed throughout the hallway. Everything felt numb. 

“She can’t die, Jamie,” Matthew cried. “She can’t leave me.”

James only held Matthew closer as everyone in the hallway looked down at the parabatai on the floor. Matthew’s knuckles were white from how hard he gripped James’s shirt. James never once complained as he held Matthew. He never complained as Matthew’s sobs slowly subsided as he fell into a dreamless sleep.

***

It had been hours since Y/N was brought into the institute and Matthew had remained outside the infirmary doors laying in James’s arms. He had woken up not long ago and was plucking up the courage to enter the infirmary. 

“I don’t know if I can go in there,” Matthew said.

“Uncle Jem said that she was stable,” James said. 

“You didn’t see her, Jamie,” Matthew whispered. “Her whole back was torn apart. The bed was soaked with her blood. She looked dead, Jamie.”

James sighed. “I know this is hard for you, Matthew. But when Y/N wakes up, the first person she will want to see is you.”

Matthew closed his eyes and shook his head. “She could have died. If Thomas wasn’t fast enough she would be dead right now. I might never have gotten the chance to tell her–”

Matthew cut himself off and took an inhale of air. “I might have never gotten the chance to tell her that I love her.”

James wasn’t shocked. He already knew how his parabatai loved Y/N. Ever since he first witnessed their first interaction a year ago, he knew. 

James held Matthew’s hand. “You have the chance now.”

Matthew held James’s gaze for a moment longer and slowly nodded his head and rose to his feet. James pushed the doors of the infirmary open and Matthew’s heart hurt at the sight of Y/N laying still on the white sheets. They were fresh, nothing like the horrors he had seen when he burst through the doors. Bandages were wrapped around Y/N’s body covering her whole torso and shoulders. 

Numb, Matthew walked to her bedside and sat in the chair next to her, shuffling it closer before taking her hand in his. Her skin was cold to the touch. If it wasn’t for the shallow rise and fall of her chest, Matthew would believe that she was truly dead. 

“Uncle Jem said she might be asleep for the next few days,” James said. 

Matthew only nodded. “I’m staying here.”

James didn’t argue. He only picked up a blanket from one of the other beds and draped it over Matthew’s shoulder’s. “Make sure you get some sleep yourself.”

Matthew didn’t respond as he lifted Y/N’s hand to his mouth, brushing his lips across her knuckles. Tears pricked his eyes as he looked at her still form. If she had decided to go to Matthew’s flat or he had been on patrol with her, maybe she wouldn’t be lying nearly dead in an infirmary bed. Maybe they would be cuddling on Matthew’s couch, maybe he would have finally told her how he felt. 

While letting out a quiet yawn, Matthew rested his head on the corner of Y/N’s bed and closed his eyes. He didn’t ever let go of Y/N’s hand. 

***

Y/N was still asleep when Matthew woke the next day. He didn’t move from her bedside at all. He remained and spoke to her while she was sleeping. Even when James, Thomas or Cordelia asked him if he wanted to get some fresh air, Matthew wouldn’t budge. 

“When you wake up, I am finally going to tell you how I feel,” Matthew said and brushed Y/N’s hair away from her face. “I am going to tell you all of the reasons I fell in love with you, it may take a while but I hope you will listen to them all.”

There was a hope in Matthew’s heart that she would open her eyes but they remained firmly shut. But Matthew still didn’t stop talking to her, even when Will and Tessa came in to check on her, Matthew continued to talk to her, speaking as if he could hear. 

The following days for Matthew were torture. Y/N still wasn’t awake though she had shown signs of waking up soon. A small movement of her fingers. When Matthew felt the tiniest movement of her pointer finger he immediately summoned everyone to the infirmary. Y/N didn’t wake. When there was a flicker of her eyelid, Matthew once again held out the hope that she would wake but she didn’t. Y/N still remained in her unconscious state. 

It had been five days since Y/N was attacked and Matthew had sat by her bedside for all of those days simply talking to her. But now he was desperate. Everytime he woke, he expected Y/N’s eyes to be open and staring down at him. He expected to hear her laugh whenever he told a joke. He just wanted her to open her eyes.

“You need to wake up soon, Y/N,” Matthew muttered, his lips against her hand. “I am simply going mad. I need to see your beautiful eyes again, hear your laugh, feel your finger link with mine. I need you to wake up. I miss the sound of your voice and the kindness it holds. I miss the nights we would fall asleep by the fire and end up wrapped in each other’s arms.”

A tear escaped down Matthew’s cheek. “I regret not telling you how I felt sooner. I wish I told you that whenever you awoke in my arms, my heart beat rapidly and swelled twice its size. Everytime I wake up next to you I wish that it would happen everyday for the rest of my life. The touch of your skin on mine is something I crave daily and I need it to survive. Not feeling you reciprocate the touch is slowly killing me and I’m afraid that if you don’t wake up soon, I will succumb to this illness only you can cure.”

Matthew closed his eyes and clutched onto Y/N’s hand. He only had his eyes closed for a brief moment before she felt a small movement of her fingers. His eyes shot open as Y/N’s eyebrows furrowed in pain. 

“Y/N?” Matthew muttered. 

Y/N groaned quietly, clutching fully onto Matthew’s hand. “It hurts…”

It was all she said before she drifted back into an unconscious state.

***

It had only been an hour since Y/N woke up in pain. Her hand was still clutched around Matthew’s and every movement he made, her grip became tighter. Matthew was told it was only a matter of time before she would fully be awake. 

“I love you,” Matthew said. “And I hope you can hear this, maybe it will convince you to wake up.” Matthew huffed out a laugh. “I need you to open your beautiful eyes, my love.”

With his other hand, Matthew leaned over and cupped her cheek. Some warmth had returned to her body. His thumb brushed across her cheekbone before he slipped from the chair and perched on the edge of the bed leaning down to press his lips against her forehead. 

“Please wake up,” he muttered against her head.

There was silence. 

Matthew sighed and moved to sit back in the chair. Before he could move, however, Y/N’s hand tightened around his. 

“Please stay there,” Y/N said, her voice hoarse. 

Matthew eyes widened as he looked down at Y/N, her eyes were open and staging up at him. Her beautiful eyes. 

“You’re awake,” Matthew said, smiling.

“I heard everything you said,” Y/N whispered. “I fought to come back to you.”

Matthew leaned down and rested his forehead gently on hers. “So you already know.”

“I want to hear you say it,” Y/N said. “Just so I know it wasn’t only a dream.”

“I love you,” Matthew said. “I am utterly in love with you, Y/N.”

Despite her obvious pain, Y/N smiled. “It wasn’t a dream.”

Matthew nudged her nose with his. “No it wasn’t.”

“I’ve had dreams about you telling me that before,” Y/N said. “I didn’t think I would ever hear those words spoken from your mouth.”

“You will hear them every single day if you want me to,” Matthew said. 

“I do,” Y/N said, wincing in pain as she moved her arm so she could cup Matthew’s cheek. “I want to hear you tell me that every single day for the rest of my life.”

Y/N tilted her head the smallest amount to brush her lips against Matthew’s. Taking the hint, Matthew pressed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss, afraid that he would hurt her. The kiss was quick but as Matthew pulled away, Y/N was smiling brightly. 

“I love you too, Matthew,” Y/N said.

“I only wish that it didn’t take you nearly losing your life for me to admit it,” Matthew said.

“Hey, don’t think about that now, okay? The only thing that matters is that I am alive and that I get to hold you in my arms,” Y/N said, her hand coming to rest on the nape of his neck. 

Matthew quickly pecked her lips once more. “When you are fully healed, I am going to wrap my arms around you and never let go.”

“I never want you to let me go, for as long as we live.”

#shadowhunters #matthew fairchild x fem!reader #matthew fairchild fic #matthew fairchild x reader #matthew fairchild #the last hours x reader #the last hours

[mortalfaerie]

To Fake an Engagement (M.F.)

part 3/?

mathew fairchild x (fem) reader

wordcount: 3k

synopsis: part 3 of this series. reader and mathew are reunited at the london intstitute’s famous christmas party, and spend some impromptu alone time in the games room, where those 3 little words make an appearance. flirty, but no smut (yet). no coi spoilers.

You couldn’t help but feel something had shifted for the better after Anna’s party. Winter had descended now, covering London in a constant white cover, but you still wrote letters regularly to Matthew on the days you didn’t see him, and he wrote you back enthusiastically. 

As Christmastime approached, Will and Tessa sent invites to the annual Christmas Ball at the Institute to members of the Enclave, and you diligently ticked off the days on your calendar to December 25th. Shadowhunters didn’t typically exchange gifts or celebrate in the way of many mundanes, but as it aligned with the time that the greater demon, Lilith, was banished to Edom, it warranted note and minor celebration among the nephilim. 

But, for the young and carefree members of the Enclave, it was a party, and that was enough. 

Your dress for the event had been a gift from your parents, and was far more extravagant than the practical day dresses you normally favored. All the same, you felt a sense of private vanity as you regarded yourself in your bedroom mirror, dressed and styled for the occasion. The dress was a lovely green velvet, ideal for the colder weather, with wide, slashed sleeves and lace trim. Your maid had drawn your hair up in the popular “Gibson Girl” style, with stray curls framing your face and a decorative sprig of winterberries tucked into a hairpin. You felt, seeing yourself, like you were viewing a rare exotic animal, far from what you displayed on a day to day basis.

With a knock on your bedroom door, your maid alerted you that your family was gathering in the foyer to depart soon, and you gethered your skirts and hurried downstairs. You shrugged on your coat and allowed your mother to fuss over you a moment before shooing you into the carriage. Your father nodded in that sort of patriarchal approval most moderately wealthy fathers did, and asked if you had your weapon on you- you turned out your pocket to show the hilt of your dagger, sheathed over your petticoat. He nodded again, satisfied, and you were on your way.

The Institute at Christmastime never failed to amaze you. Tessa had an admirable eye for design, and always the ballroom and foyer were transformed with berries, bobbles, garlands, and sprigs of pine. There was even a felled tree decorated in the entrance, which had carved wood rune ornaments adorning it. As your parents greeted the heads of the Institute, Tessa tapped you on the shoulder to whisper, “They’re gathered in the games room, if you’d like to join them.”

There was no need to clarify “them,” it was only ever your closest friends, the merry thieves, Lucie, and now Cordelia too. You nodded and excused yourself, gathering your skirts and hurrying down the corridor to the closed doors of the games room, where you took a deep breath and pushed through.

When you entered, you found James and Christopher engaged in animated conversation, while Matthew, Cordelia, Thomas, and Lucie surrounded the billiards table as Lucie lined up a shot. Just as she cracked the balls on the carpeted table, the doors clicked shut behind you and all turned to look. A soft silence fell across them for a few seconds as they looked at you, and then Lucie broke it by throwing down the billiards stick and exclaiming, “Oh, good! Y/N, you’re here at last.” and enveloped you in a hug. 

You laughed at her enthusiasm, and went to greet the others. Having not seen eachother in some time now due to the weather, hugs were exchanged when normally they were not upon greeting, and Thomas patted the berry garland in your hair, commenting that you had not gotten taller in the past weeks, to which you stuck out your tongue.

The room resumed its activities before you had arrived, and you took a spot against the wall behind the billiards table, where it was now Cordelia’s turn. Matthew drifted back from the table to lean against the wall beside you. Matthew, unlike the others, had not hugged you in greeting, but smiled warmly and kissed your gloved hand.

“Hello again.” He murmured as he took his place beside you.

“Hello yourself.” you replied, bumping him with your hip.

“Is it too soon to ask for your first dance tonight?” he asked, his voice still a whisper. You turned to regard him, but saw he was serious.

“Well, Mr. Fairchild,” you said with mock formality, “my affections are not otherwise engaged.” 

He smiled and replied, “Most capital. I should look forward to meeting you on the dance floor, Miss. Y/L/N.”

After that, the comfortable silence slipped over you again, as it had at Anna’s party. Your hands were close enough at your sides that your fingers brushed his, and you noticed him looking down thoughtfully as they did. 

Before long, Will appeared at the door to tell you the enough guests had arrived that you all should make your way to the ballroom, and Lucie came to link her arm in yours, just as James took Cordelia’s hand, and the remaining 3 walked side by side. You thought to yourself, watching James and Cordelia warmly proceed ahead of you, that their fake marriage seemed to be faring better than you anticipated. Perhaps, not all sentiment they displayed for the public was fake.

In the ballroom, guests were finding their places at seats arranged along the walls, and you let Lucie guide you to a table in the corner, where often the 7 of you congregated during balls. As the piano turned out a german waltz, Will and Tessa took to the floor, as the hosts always have the first dance together. As they did, the young members of the enclave began to talk amongst themselves, finding partners for the next dance. Matthew found his way to your side just as the waltz ended, and the piano began into a joyful portland tune. 

“Shall we?” he asked, a gleam in his eyes.

You grinned in return. “I believe we shall.” 

He led you onto the dancefloor, where you took your place alongside other pairs, and began in with the lively, gliding steps of the portland polka. You laughed intermittently throughout it- the polka was a fast, fun dance, leaving little time for conversation. It was a dance to have with an experienced partner, one whose company you were comfortable in. Over the past 3 months, Matthew had proved to be all of those things, and you couldn’t help but smile as he spun you about.

At the end of the set, you bowed to each other, as was custom, and he asked, “Join me to procure refreshments?” 

You held out your hand for him to take, which he did eagerly. “Lead the way.”

He offered you a sherry as you passed the refreshments, and he told you all the gossip he had gleaned from his parent’s conversations over the past few weeks as you leisurely walked a circuit around the ballroom. You smiled and laughed at his comments, but secretly you were anxious that he would drink too much as the night went on. You didn’t mind him drinking a bit, you thought, and it was fun sometimes to drink with Matthew, but you detested being truly drunk yourself, and you had waited weeks to see Matthew again in person, you wanted to savor this Matthew, uninhibited, as best you could.

You sipped your drink until you emptied it, at which point he suggested you dance again. You knew that to dance with the same man multiple times was to declare your interest, but it was well known you two were friends, so it shouldn’t seem so odd. You let him lead you in a country dance, and then turned you to Thomas, then Christopher, and even James, who was as he always was, the picture of propriety. When came a partner dance, you even danced with Cordelia, who was remarkably graceful, and then Lucie for a more jaunty circle dance that you both tripped and giggled through. 

After an hour of dancing, you had slipped back to the wall near the table when you felt a tap on your shoulder. It was Matthew, who said, “Blast. I seem to have lost something in the games room. Would you come with me to look? I could use another pair of eyes.” 

You smirked. “A button, perhaps? You do have so very many on your frock coat today. But, yes I shall help you, Matthew.”

He linked his arm through yours, and led you to the games room, making cordial conversation the way there. When you reached it, you slipped in and found it empty. Still, not wanting to make a loud noise, you gently pushed the doors shut behind you and leaned against them. Matthew, several feet away, regarded you.

“I didn’t lose anything here, Y/N.” he said, his voice low.

You cocked an eyebrow in confusion. “Then why did you-” but he cut you off short.

“I missed you.” he said, quiet, as through confiding a secret. Your heart swelled, but you worked to steady it. 

“I am here. You have been with me all night.” you breathed. “How can you miss me?”

He walked closer to you, standing only about a foot away. “I have been missing you every moment I am not alone with you.”

Your heart thudded in your chest, your blush creeping up your neck. “Do not play with my heart, Matthew.” you warned, quiet as a mouse.

He placed his hand with the ring- your family ring- over his heart and said, “I am not playing with anything, Y/N.”

Your breath hitched and you clicked closed the lock of the door. The sound of it sliding into place reverberated through the room. You stared into his emerald eyes, searching for the sign of a lie or a joke, but found none. 

Finally, your heart in your throat, you said just loud enough for him to hear, “Then kiss me, Matthew Fairchild.”

He obliged, his ring-clad hands coming to cup your face, leaning down to close the distance between you, and you gasped and rose onto your toes to meet him. Your arms came around him, one on his chest and another on his back, holding him to you. You could feel his pulse, wildly fast, under his shirt and vest, and he pressed his lips to yours in a movement that was both patient and frantic, practiced and entirely unready. 

You knew Matthew had kissed people before. You had seen it, actually, at parties and at The Devil’s Tavern. Even still, his hands shook as he cupped your face, and you moved to cover them with your own, to assure him that you wanted this too. 

Instinct taking over, your lips parted as he moved against them, and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. You made a small noise of surprise but didn’t pull away, instead pressing yourself further against him. A sort of need burned inside you, a need to be as close as you possibly could. Your hands moved to knot in his golden hair, feeling the softness of it, and he made a noise akin to a moan against your lips when you closed your fingers around a tuft of his hair firmly. Startled, you pulled back to look at him, and he returned your look of surprise.

His face was flushed, lips pink from the pressure of kissing, and his green eyes were glazed with want. “Sorry.” he murmured somewhat sheepishly. Now, that was a moment to remember, a sheepish Matthew. “I… liked the feeling of it. I didn’t think.”

You playfully bumped his head in response. “Don’t be. I was just surprised.” 

This was the Matthew you loved. Unguarded, smiling in earnest, he looked like he had when you had first met him, the look of childlike wonder restored in his eyes. You moved your hand to his cheek and he leaned into it, looking at you with an expression that was so warm and full of awe. 

“Wait a second.” you said, and moved to pull off your gloves. On your hand, catching the witchlight, was the Fairchild ring, hidden under your dress gloves but worn as a private reminder, as a hopeful prayer. He smiled seeing it glint as you placed your gloves on the bookshelf beside the door. Then, you turned to him again and said very matter of factly,

“I want you to kiss me again.” 

This time, you were ready. More confidently, you let your hands travel up his back, savoring the smoothness of his silk vest. He cradled your head like you were all that was precious in the world, and the kiss became faster, more eager, until you parted again, panting. 

“Can I pick you up?” he asked.

 You furrowed your eyebrows, but nodded. In response, he swept you up in his arms, leaving you to wrap your arms around his neck. You didn’t look away from him as he carried you to the billiard table and sat you on it, making your height level. Your legs dangled off the edge, and you kicked off your shoes mindlessly and you grabbed hold of his tie and loosened it. With your hand still around the knot of it, you pulled, bringing him back to you as his hands went to steady himself on either side of you on the table surface.

“Y/N…” he murmured against your lips. It was like a question, a warning, and a plea all at once. 

“Please.” you murmured in response, and he moved to devour your lips again. 

Suddenly, you heard someone try the handle of the door. At once, you were thankful both that you hadn’t lit any more lights than the usual witchlight, and that you locked the door behind you. Likely, it was another young couple looking to steal away somewhere, and they moved along the hallway in search of some other place. Matthew dropped his head into the crook of your shoulder and cursed, as you threaded your fingers idly in his hair. 

When you were certain they had passed, he pulled back and looked at you. “What are we doing?” he asked, a little breathy.

“I- well, you were kissing me.” you supplied, missing the warmth of his body.

“No, I mean, what are we doing? What is this?” he asked, gesturing to the space between you.

You removed your hands from his hair and wrung them in your lap. “Well, I... I enjoyed my evening very much so far, please don’t think that I haven’t.”

He placed a hand over yours to stop you from worrying at them. “But are we doing this because of the deal? Because it’s convenient?” 

Your heart fractured at the suggestion. Haughtily, you scooted off the table and paced, shoeless, away from him.

“Y/N?” he asked to your back.

“Do not speak about convenience to me.” you said, more sternly than you intended.

“What does that mean?” he asked, an edge of exasperation in his voice.

You whirled. “It means, Matthew,” you pointed an accusatory finger at him, “that I have loved you since I was 14 years old, so do not think to speak to me about convenience!” you hissed, still aware that you had to keep your voice down.

Matthew laughed humorlessly and raked a hand through his hair. 

You simmered in your building rage. “You said you would not play with my heart.” 

He pinched the bridge of his nose as he replied, “And I am not.”

“Then why would you suggest that you have brought me to an empty room and kissed me because of convenience?” you demanded.

“I suppose I thought because you would lose so little in this deal, that it might just be convenient excitement for you!” he exclaimed in a harsh whisper.

Your face burned. “I had thought better of your opinion of me.” you moved to go grab your shoes, but he caught your arm.

“I had no idea that you loved me!” he said, trying to halt you in your path. 

“Why else would I agree to this?” you demanded. “Why else would I hope that at the end of a year, you might love me? Why keep the ring?” you flashed your hand to him. “Why entertain ideas of marriage, Matthew? Why suggest I marry you if you didn’t think I loved you?”

“Because I didn’t want to think I would have to be alone!” he admitted. His eyes were sparkling with the suggestion of tears in the dim witchlight, but none spilled over.

You couldn’t take it. You might have been red with frustration and deeply annoyed with him, but you never could stomach Matthew to think so desperately low of himself. Without thinking, you wrapped your arms around his chest in a hug, and he froze, then enveloped you. 

“Matthew, you would never be alone. You have a parabatai, friends, and you would have found love regardless.” you assured him, but you felt the tremble of his body and accepted his nonresponse as him trying not cry. You hugged him closer, and listened to his heart rate as it began to finally slow, and his breaths became more even. 

“I don’t deserve you.” he said quietly.

“That is not for you to decide.” you countered, not releasing your hold on him. “I am happy when I am with you.”

He rested his chin on your head as he spoke, “But would you be happy if you married me?”

“Not for you to decide.” you repeated. “A marriage is a partnership. Its success would be as much my work as yours.”

He was quiet for a moment, before taking your face and turning it to him. “If you would marry me,” he began, “I would be forever thankful to you. I would spend each day in service of your happiness.” 

You kissed him again, sweetly this time, savoring his taste. When you pulled away, you said, “We should return to the ball before there’s much suspicion. Oh, and fix your tie and hair.” 

Matthew’s hand went indignantly to his hair, which was thoroughly mussed by your hands.

You smiled as you put your shoes back on and gloves, then peeking out of the door to be sure no one was there. You slipped out, Matthew’s arm cordially laced in yours, as you cut through to the kitchen to grab a piece of cake. While slipping through the adjoining sitting room with your spoils, you found your friends already there, having stolen some of the cake as well. 

“There you are!” Cordelia exclaimed, and gestured for you to join them, hiding out from the ball. 

James snickered, however, and added, “But first, look up.”

Confused, you looked first to Matthew, and then up to the archway above you, where a sprig of mistletoe was hung, probably by Bridget, with her folk traditions. 

You flushed immediately, and began saying, “Oh, really-” but before you could finish, Matthew snaked an arm around your waist and pressed a sweet, soft kiss to your mouth. You broke away, still blushed a deep red and regarded your friends who wore expressions of laughter, surprise, and suspicion. Lucie regarded you with a look that said you’d be explaining yourself later. For now, though, you went to join your friends eating pilfered Christmas cake as the night went on.

#matthew fairchild #matthew fairchild x reader #the mortal instruments #the last hours #the infernal devices #the dark artifices #the shadowhunter chronicles #cassandra clare

[mortalfaerie]

To Fake an Engagement (M.F.)

part 2/?

matthew fairchild x (fem) reader

word count: 1904

synopsis: part 2 of this series. after james and cordelia marry, matthew is being a bitter idiot, and reader goes to talk some sense into him. later, they go to anna’s party and things get a little flirty. no coi spoilers.

You hadn’t expected the next year to amount to much. Certainly, Matthew would forget the deal, ask for his ring back, and probably wait for Cordelia to divorce James to try to romance her. 

But, Matthew Fairchild surprised you. He had engaged you for walks, written you letters, and seemed to often hover to your side whenever you were in a room together. For the two months to follow, he even seemed to drink less. 

However, after the wedding, he seemed to slump back, drink more, and refuse company. Finally, sick of his dramatics, you went directly to his house and demanded he see you. When he came down to the parlor after being called by Charles, he was disheveled and obviously hungover. He had flushed despite himself when he saw you.

You had glared over the rim of your teacup as he idly stared into his. Finally, he muttered, “I’m sorry.” You were frustrated, but managed to ask, “Sorry on what account?”

He shot you a glare briefly and replied, “You know what. Shall I spell it out? I disappointed you. I am a disappointment, Y/N."

You softened, and schooled your tone. “You are right that I am disappointed, Matthew, but that does not make you a disappointment. I am disappointed that you have neglected my letters, that you seem to have scorned my company. I am disappointed that you will not accept my attempts to comfort you when I have so freely given them.”

He nodded, not meeting your eyes. “I admit to that.” he replied.

“And I am hurt, because I have become so fond of your company in recent months and you have-” you shook your head in exasperation, “ripped it from me without ceremony.”

Your voice had broken on the last word, so you took a long sip of your tea and collected yourself. When you again looked up, he was looking at you with a soft, sorrowful look. “I am so, so sorry, Y/N.”

“I would prefer your commitment to change to your sorrow.” You said in clipped words. Mathew raked a hand through his golden hair, the light catching on the piece of silver on his third finger. Your family ring, still in place. 

“I can make no promises.” He said finally, meeting your eyes again. He did truly look remorseful.

“Then promise me you will try, Matthew.” you said, gesturing to his disheveled state. “I am not asking that you quit your vices entirely, I can hardly say I am without vice myself, but I am asking that you try to control them.”

He was looking into his cup of tea when he replied, “I can try.”

“Thank you.” you breathed, and set your cup down. Matthew was seated across a small, circular table in the parlor, and you reached over to cover his hand with yours. He looked up with surprise, and you offered a small smile.

“I did not come entirely to schold you.” you said. Matthew smiled wryly, and it was good to see his face not in a mask of brooding and contemplation. “You came for Oscar, then?” he asked, and before you could respond, he lifted his free hand to his lips and whistled a high tone. You could hear a thump noise upstairs, followed by the patter and clacking of clawed feet on the floor, and saw a flurry of yellow fur bounding down the stairs and into the parlor.

You laughed, your hand still over Matthew’s and offered your other to Oscar, who happily sniffed and licked it. “Hello, old chap.” you cooed to the golden retriever, who thumped his tail of the carpet in approval. Eventually, he went to go curl himself around Matthew’s chair, comforting his person. 

You smiled, but answered, “No, I do love to see Oscar, but not him.” you drummed your fingers on the table and continued, “I want you to come to Anna’s party with me.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You want to schold me for my drunkenness and then have me escort you to a party?” 

You playfully glared at him, but squeezed his hand to ensure he knew you were only kidding. “Yes, I want you to take me. I want to have fun with you and my friends. No flask, though.” you added. “I would not stop you from drinking Anna’s liquor, but you needn’t bring reinforcements.”

Matthew mock pouted but conceded. “Oh, very well. You shall have naught but gentlemanly propriety from me.”

He laced his finger through yours over the table, and tapped your ring finger with his free hand. “I see you still have my ring.” he commented. 

You nodded. “I have upheld my end of our deal. I keep it in my pocket at home, as to not have my parents suspect you are courting me in earnest, but I wear it in private.” 

He pressed a kiss to the ring, and said, “You wound me, Y/N. I am courting you in earnest. Was an engagement not the prize of our bargain?”

You blushed. “Well, if they are to think that, it will be when there is an engagement.”

Catching you in your words, he grinned. “When indeed.” 

-

The night of Anna’s party, Matthew, regally and ostentatiously dressed as always, arrived on time in his carriage to escort you. Your parents had known Matthew to be a good friend of yours for 2 years now, and thought little of your sharing a carriage alone. Once inside the carriage, he pointedly showed you his pockets were empty of his flask, and you were pleased he had remembered.

You made an interesting pair upon arrival- you, dressed in an elegant but sensible blue party dress, layers of chiffon secured with a cinching midnight belt, and ivory lace sleeves and collar peeking out beyond the hems. Matthew, on the other hand, wore a brilliant purple waistcoat and evergreen colored blazer, which he quickly discarded in the heat of the party. 

You both drank, though it was clear Matthew exercised effort to be moderate in his drinking, but it was enough for you both to lose inhibitions as he turned you about the makeshift dance floor in Anna’s parlor, you giggling when he dramatically turned you and to your surprise, lifted you off your feet. The two of you staggered away from the dancing couples, laughing, both red faced, as he pulled you against his chest and your laughter was muffled in his shirt. 

He hummed to the piano music, where a vampire had seated herself and begun to play jaunty country dance music from the previous century, but to your surprise, he made no move to release you from his embrace. Neither of you did, really. When you had contained your laughter, you had contentedly rested your cheek against his chest and listened to him hum. He was warm, and the smell of him- clean linen, sandalwood, and the hint of wine that you both had earlier, was at once rich and comforting. You stood like that, lost in the rightness of the feeling of his arms around you, for probably 5 minutes before a voice caused you to jump apart.

“Matthew! Y/N! I take it you two are enjoying yourselves?” Anna asked, sauntering up to your corner of the room. 

You blushed, and busied yourself with adjusting your skirts as Matthew, quick and cunning as ever, invented a story of how yes, you were enjoying yourselves, but you had a sudden dizzy spell and had to leave the dancefloor. He had been steadying you, he claimed, and you nodded along. Anna, an older sibling herself, was a master of seeing through invented stories and gave you a look that said she didn’t believe it for a moment, but it was all good fun. Her attention was grabbed by another partygoer, and she moved on quickly.

You shot Matthew an incredulous look when she passed, and he gave you a bemused smirk. “Horrible thing, corsets? Making girls everywhere faint and swoon.” 

You scoffed and playfully nudged him, but he laughed in response. “I recall you were the one insisting we leave the dance floor.” You pointed out.

“Yes, because you were laughing so hard you could barely breathe!” he exclaimed. 

“Because you-” you set in, but quickly realized you couldn’t remember what had started you two in laughing, and the both of you began laughing again. 

Falling into a comfortable silence, the two of you leaned against the wall behind you, watching other couples dance, drink, and be merry. At some point, you leaned your head against his shoulder, but he didn’t move away. Instead, you felt him shift his weight and rest his head on yours. After a few moments, you yawned, and felt him chuckle beside you.

“Oh Cinderella, has midnight come so soon?” he teased, and you wrinkled your nose in mock disdain. 

“I think it is well after midnight now, and you are hardly Prince Charming.” you retorted.

“Is that so? If I am not, why have you danced only with me all night? If this were a ball, people would say we are in love.”

You were glad then that he couldn’t see your face, because you felt the hot rush of blood invoked by his words. You cleared your throat. “Well, this isn’t a ball.” you pointed out.

“And thank the Angel for that.” he remarked, and drew an arm around your shoulder. “Otherwise, I’m sure you standing alone with me in a corner- and, touching, my Lord,” he feigned shock, and continued, “would be the scandal of the season.”

You laughed. “I think James and Cordelia took that honor already with her confession and their swift marriage.”

You felt him stiffen at the mention, and he replied, “Ah, yes. That would be difficult to beat.” and there was a hint of bitterness in his voice. Wanting to take his mind off of it, you turned out of his grasp and extended a hand.

“Dance one more set with me, and then you may take me home.” You said.

“Methinks the lady doth command boldly.” he said, an eyebrow playfully cocked.

“I believe it is the waltz.” You smiled and added, “And now you can hold me as close as you like and no one will breathe a word of scandal.”

There was a strange, momentary burst of color in his cheeks, but he nodded and took your hand, letting you lead him again onto the dance floor.

-

On the carriage ride back to your house, you were seated on the same bench beside each other, despite having room to sit opposite. You were drowsily leaning into his shoulder, and he was tracing patterns on your hand with his, when he again tapped the ring on your hand. 

“I think you should hide this away before your carriage turns back into a pumpkin, Cinderella. Otherwise your parents will think I am courting you in earnest.” He mused playfully, echoing your earlier words. You yawned and deposited it in your pocket, immediately missing the feeling of it.

“Oh, yes. Thank you for reminding me.” You murmured sleepily. He hummed pleasantly, and then said, “You know, if you did become Y/N Fairchild, we could cause all the scandal in London and no one would be able to scoff.”

You laughed, and replied, “I will consider that when you make your proposal.”

“When indeed.” He remarked again.

#matthew fairchild #matthew fairchild x reader #the last hours #the mortal instruments #the infernal devices #the dark artifices #the shadowhunter chronicles #cassandra clare #chain of gold #chain of iron

[mortalfaerie]

To Fake An Engagement (M.F.)

part 1/?

matthew farichild x (fem) reader

word count: 2118

synopsis: reader has had a crush on matthew for years, but has never acted on it. after a night of drinking at the devil’s tavern, reader and matthew jokingly exchange family rings, a gesture of engagement. at least, she thought it was a joke. no coi spoilers.

If there was one good thing that James and Cordelia’s faux engagement had afforded your friends, it was the ability to stay out as long as you liked, feigning to help with wedding preparations or attending social events with the young couple.

In truth, most of those nights were spent you would have all longed to have spent it anyway: in the rooms above The Devil’s Tavern, idling away the time with cards, experiments, and telling stories. This was how you intended to spend this night, seated at the table in the center of the room, playing poker for hairpins with The Merry Thieves, Cordelia, and Lucie. Not having poker chips on hand, and not equally having enough coins to play for real money, Cordelia had scoffed and begun to pull out the ridiculous amount of hairpins that held up her locks- intended for a night of festivities in society- and placed them on the table. 

“Well, that will have to be at least thirty.” She said, nodding at the pile.

“Ah, well, I’ll contribute as well.” Lucie had agreed amiably, and discarded twenty or so pins to the pile. The rest of the group looked to you, your hair still contained in its chingon. 

“Oh, well, sure.” You conceded, and discarded your hairpins to the table, and idly ran your fingers through your hair, trying to smooth it out. “But I am sticking you all with the blame if it is horribly knotted by the end of the night.” You stated, jokingly.

From beside you at the table, Matthew gave you an appraising look. “Seems well enough to me.”

You gave an eye roll, as you often did, and let your hair fall over your shoulder between you and conceal the blush. It was fairly common knowledge to at least a few members of the group that you had a crush on Matthew, for better or for worse, since your family had come to London two years ago. Of course, Matthew, who had long been your friend, had appeared to be infatuated at different times, with everyone except you. You had resigned yourself, complaining to Lucie that it was hopeless, but she of course had denied it, not wanting to see you upset. Now, he seemed to be bewitched by Cordelia.

You all knew that Cordelia and James’ marriage was fake. In some ways, you thought it was rather funny. That said, Matthew seemed eternally bittersweet at the thought of it. A marriage was a marriage, was indeed a marriage, whether fake or not.  

You played cards and laughed, exchanging drinks at intervals, and nipped a bit of Matthew’s brandy while whispering about Christopher’s strategy and Thomas’ lack of proper poker face. After a game, when unsurprisingly, Lucie took the lot of hairpins, you talked idly with your friends as Lucie gloated.

“So, what will we do once James and Cordelia marry, and we can no longer feign that we have very important wedding business on dull nights?” Thomas asked the group.

“Ah, well, we could create another marriage blanc among the group, y’know?” James laughed, not noticing the slight wince Cordelia gave at the reminder. 

Lucie laughed. “Well, I am not volunteering myself as the bride. I have many things I yet need to do before marrying, blanc ou non.”

Matthew, who had been studying his glass of brandy for the past few minutes in an odd quiet, looked up and said humorously “Well, that leaves us with Y/N,” and, turning to you, asked “So do you accept such a nomination?”

You laughed, feeling your cheeks flush rapidly. “Oh, my, well I don’t see anybody proposing to me?” you reasoned, and took a brisk sip of your drink. 

“Ah, but you can have your pick!” James said, poking a finger about the table. “You could choose to be Y/N Lightwood,” he gestured to Christopher and Thomas, the latter of the two punching him playfully in the shoulder to dissuade him, but he concluded, “Or you could be Y/N Fairchild!”

The group roared in approval at the suggestion, and though it was all a joke, you couldn’t lie that you enjoyed the sound of it. 

“Oh, come now, we still have months before you marry.” You laughed. 

“And so months to plan our next deception of the Enclave.” Christopher nodded. He, probably more than the rest, loved the idea of deceiving the Enclave. 

“Certainly more time to plan than we had.” Cordelia said, with a half smile.

“Shall you accept petitions of marriage in the meantime?” Lucy asked, a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. “I think it would be most romantic, and surely, the most diplomatic means to decide.”

Mathew, in response, snorted. “Oh, Lucie, you’re beginning to sound like Charles.”

Lucie’s face screwed up in momentary dissatisfaction. “Oh, by the Angel, I should hope not.”

You smiled. “All the same, I rather like the idea of you all presenting why I should marry you, and not the others.” 

“Hm, well,” Thomas began, carrying on the ruse you seem to have created at the table. “Well, Lightwood is a good name, and you would never want for comfortable conversation.”

Christopher nodded enthusiastically at Thomas, and added “And Aunt Sophie would love Y/N.”

“Oi! Conjecture!” James said accusingly. “You can’t advocate for someone else.”

Christopher raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright! I-” he began, but then paused. The group laughed in response. “Uh. Okay, well, you would always be entertained.” he decided, and gave a toothy smile. 

You nodded to him obligingly, and then turned to Matthew, expecting him to contribute. He started when you looked at him.

“Hm? Oh! Yes, my petition.” He said, setting down his glass. “Though I am certain to be an eternal bachelor, I could assure that you would always be fashionably dressed,” he said, considering. “Your bed would always be warm, if by me or by Oscar,” he added with a smile. You laughed in response, he knew you loved Oscar. You had always wanted a dog of your own, but your parents would never oblige you. “You would be the Consul’s daughter, I should add, and Fairchild is also a good name,” and he gave you an indulgent smile and thumbed your nose as he concluded, “And I must say, our children would be beautiful indeed.” 

You flushed even redder than you had before, and the group whooped at your shock. 

Cordelia shook her head. “Matthew, nobody said anything about children. It would be another blanc marriage, after all.”

He sketched a bow to her and answered, “I will not apologize for having a flair for the dramatic.”

“Mm, well then,” James interjected, eyes shining. “Your verdict, Y/N?”

You looked around the table, surprised to see they were all looking expectantly to you. “Oh, well, if I must choose,” you began, and cleared your throat. “I think I would have to take Matthew’s offer.” And apologetically, added for Christopher and Thomas, “I am sorry, I could never say no where Oscar is concerned.” 

Matthew winked at you. “And who could blame you? He is most charismatic.” He patted your hand beside him and then said, “It is decided then, after Cordelia and James have wedded, Y/N and I shall become engaged, and you may all fuss over us in turn.” 

Surprising all of you, Matthew removed his Fairchild ring and held it out to you. “Shall we?” he asked, still smiling. Your mind raced. He was drunk, of course, and you weren’t much better. Of course, it was a joke. A ruse, and you would probably return rings in the morning after a good laugh. You bit your lip consideringly, and then decided to have fun. You reached for your family ring, and placed it in his hand. He slid the Fairchild ring onto your finger, and placed a kiss to your hand. You giggled, and the group applauded and laughed.

“My bride to be.” He said to the group, gesturing to the ring on your hand.

-

 The next morning, when your family’s maid drew open the curtains of your room, you blocked the light with your hand and was surprised when you recognized that the ring on your hand was not yours, but Matthew’s. You couldn’t remember all of night, but you must have not returned his ring before parting. You made a mental note to return it upon seeing him later, as you were likely to see him at the park, where a picnic- this time, without daylight demons- was planned.

-

You were enthusiastically listening to Lucie’s latest edition of The Beautiful Cordelia alongside the Lightwoods, Anna included, and Cordelia when the Consul’s carriage arrived, and Matthew and James together exited to join you on the blanket. You had tried to find the time during conversation and food to return the ring, but it evaded you. As the afternoon pulled on, you gathered your coat in a pile and reclined against it, watching the moving clouds. You had closed your eyes a moment when abruptly, the sun disappeared above you. Your eyes flew open in shock as you reached for your dagger, but stopped when your eyes landed on Matthew, standing over you and looking down. 

“No demons, only me.” He said with a smile. As always, you rolled your eyes. “Will you take a turn about the path with me?” He asked, and offered a hand to help you up. 

You accepted it, and brushed off your skirts. You looped your arm through his and began to walk in silence. After a few minutes, you blurted out, “I expect you’ll want your ring back.”

He shot you an odd look, and answered, “I was about to offer you yours. Though, I admit, I was tempted to keep it.”

“What?” you asked, incredulously. 

“Well, it seems to be great fun to pretend to be engaged, don’t you think?” He said, looking straight ahead.

“Oh, I’m sure, but, Matthew,” you sighed, and he stopped to regard you. 

“Ah, yes, you would not want to be engaged to me.” He said, looking inexplicably through and past you. “I would not blame you. I accepted a fate as an eternal bachelor long ago.”

“No, Matthew, that’s not-” you began, but he cut you off.

“You would want to be engaged to me?” he asked, brows raised.

“Matthew, please let me finish a sentence!” you exclaimed, and he fell silent.

“Thank you.” you sighed. “I was saying, I am sure it would be great fun to pretend to be engaged, but I would want-” you gestured aimlessly. “A husband who loved me.”

He looked at you earnestly and said quietly, though you were alone, “I could love you, Y/N.”

Your heart wrenched at his words. “I would want you to love me, Matthew, not simply be able to.”

You passed a moment of silence, regarding each other, and then he said, “Will you keep the ring?”

You shook your head in disbelief, and reached to take it off, but he stopped you. “Don’t. Keep it. You can have yours in return, but keep mine. It does me good to see someone else wear it. It’s unlikely to be given to another.” and there was a loneliness to it that hurt you.

“Matthew.” you sighed, and laced your fingers in your own. “I can’t believe I’m saying this,” you began, and he met your eyes. “What if- what if, we had a deal.” you suggested.

“A deal?” he asked. You nodded. “Yes, a deal. What if I kept the ring for… a year?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You will have to explain your reasoning.”

You cleared your throat. “You say, you could love me. If I keep this ring for a year, and at the end of the year, you love me-”

“You’ll accept my offer in earnest?” he supplied. You nodded in response. 

His eyes lit up, but he nodded with a schooled expression. “Very well. A year. Keep my ring for a year.”

“I shall.” you replied. You smiled oddly, and regarded your interlaced hands. “I do quite like the Fairchild ring.”

He smiled warmly. “It is quite superior, as far as family crests are concerned.”

You nudged him playfully. “You are biased, Matthew Fairchild.”

“Perhaps I am. Am I the worse for it?” he replied.

“Oh, no more than the rest of us. We shadowhunters are terribly prideful.” you said, and looked up to him. To your surprise, he pressed a kiss to your temple. You squeezed his hand without thinking, and he smiled. “A year. A winter wedding then, or spring?”

All you could do was laugh in response, but your stomach was tied in nervous, hopeful knots.

#matthew fairchild #the mortal instruments #the infernal devices #the last hours #the dark artifices #matthew fairchild x reader

[mortalfaerie]

To Fake an Engagement (M.F.)

4/?

mathew fairchild x (fem) reader

word count: 2k

synopsis: things have gone smoothly for reader and mathew in the months since the christmas party, but as feelings grow more serious, mathew decides he needs to tell you something, a deep, horrible secret. coi canon divergent, no spoilers. discussion of mathew's "greatest sin" from GotSM

-

Two months passed as through in a dream. Mathew and you were inseparable, and you had explained to your friends after some pestering that you were secretly courting but not yet engaged, and had not taken the matter to your parents yet. Though a little exasperated and wondering why you were waiting, when surely your parents would support the decision, they kept your secret.

You went on respectable outings and took walks in the park, Matthew being “all gentlemanly propriety” as he had once said, though more than once you had stolen away to kiss feverishly in private, in alcoves and behind bushes. And who could blame you? You were teenagers in love. Only, despite making his intentions to marry you one day clear, he hadn’t said those words yet: I love you.

You didn’t want to force him to it. You knew he would tell you in his own time, but you wished he would, to affirm your hopes.

You had been surprised when a week after the Christmas party, it came to light that Matthew had bought a flat of his own. It had been shocking at first, since though you knew his family was very wealthy, he never gave off an air of superiority you had expected from someone of his status. He had given you and all your friends a tour, when he had moved in after a spat with his family. You were happy to see him happy, but you would like to see him reconciled with his parents. You were fond of Charlotte and Henry Fairchild, and them you, for forcing Matthew out of his foul moods.

It was a Wednesday in February, and the sun seemed to have come out for the first time in weeks. You were responding to a letter from your cousin when you looked out your window and saw Mathew approaching your house. Startled, you jumped up and smoothed your dress, arranging your hair in the mirror, just as your mother called that “your friend, Matthew” had come to ask you to walk in the park. You gathered your coat and boots, and came down the stairs to join him, smiling as you took his arm.

“What brings you around unannounced?” you asked, as you proceeded down the street toward the park at the center of your neighborhood.

He looked at you sideways and smiled crookedly. “Can a man not engage the attention of the woman he’s courting?”

You laughed and nudged him, answering, “Of course I am glad to see you, but what is the occasion?”

“There are matters I would like to discuss with you.” he replied.

“Oh, dear.” you remarked, and shook your head.

He smiled. “Don’t look so grave. I haven’t come to break this off.”

“Well I should certainly hope not, because I’m sure Lucie and Cordelia would be after your head on a platter if you did.” You replied. It was true that the two of them had leveled not-so-joking threats at Matthew should he break your heart after telling their group you had an understanding. Matthew, recalling this, winced beside you.

You were approaching the park now. The snow had mostly melted by now, and the unusually sunny weather had allowed for the ground to dry. As such, Matthew gestured for you to sit on the grass, and then joined you, taking in the sun on the pond water.

“So, my brooding love, what is it you must discuss with me?” you asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

He gave you a nod, looking pale. Your heart picked up, wondering what was so severe that he was visibly distressed by it. As support, you offered your hand, and he took it, lacing your fingers together.

“I must tell you something, Y/N. It will not reflect well on my character, and it may impact your desire to continue in this arrangement we have, which is why I must tell you now.” he began, and looked to you to gage your reaction. You were looking at him in alarmed confusion but nodded for him to continue.

“You recall that Alistair Carstairs was a menace to us at the Academy?” he said, his voice snagging with venom on his enemy’s name.

“Yes, I remember you telling me. He was a bully and he spread rumors-” you began, and he finished, “About my parentage. Yes.”

He took a deep breath and said more levelly, “Even after I left the Academy, his word stuck with me. I couldn’t put the notion that Gideon Lightwood was my father out of my head, since neither of my parents have my hair, but Charles has our father’s red hair. Well, I had been at the Shadow Market, and despite the advice of a good man, I bought a tincture from a faerie meant to compel the truth from a person.” His voice broke, and he closed his eyes, collecting himself. You squeezed his hand to let him know he could take as much time as he needed to, and that you were here for him.

Finally, he cleared his throat and continued, “I slipped the tincture into a batch of scones for my mother. I meant to ask her, after she ate one, if Gideon was my father, but- faeries lie. I should have known that. It wasn’t a truth tonic, Y/N. And I didn’t know my mother was with child.”

“Oh, Matthew.” you whispered, so full of sorrow for him and this cross he had been carrying.

“My mother became ill. She recovered, but… the child was lost. I killed it, her. It was a girl. And the most wretched part is they would have named her Matthilda, for my great aunt. My great aunt, who had my hair. There was never any truth to the rumor at all.” He choked on a sob, and it was clear that even now, he was tormented by the mistake.

Your heart broke, and you pulled him to you, letting him drop his head into your lap as his tears wet your skirt. You consoled him, feeling some tears well up in your own eyes to see him in pain, and told him again and again, “It wasn’t your fault, you couldn’t have known.”

“I am a murderer, Y/N. I killed my unborn sister.” he said with such awful resignation.

“You are not a murderer, Matthew, you had no reason to know it would harm her, or that she was with child, you couldn’t have intended harm.” you argued.

“But it happened because I believed a stupid rumor over my own parents. And because of it, someone died while I got to live.” you leaned down and wrapped your arms around him as his body shook, and assured him,

“You are a good man, Matthew Fairchild. I know this, and this knowledge doesn’t change that. It was a terrible, awful mistake, but it was a mistake.”

“How,” he hiccuped, “can you love me, knowing now what I’ve done?”

You pulled him up so he faced you. “I can love you because I have loved you with every foolish thing you have done until now. I came to love you because of who you are, and I will love you still, knowing this. You are still the boy I fell in love with when I moved to London, and you are the man I love now.”

Tears streaked his face as he responded, “You are the most kind person I have ever known. Your capacity to love and forgive astounds me every day, and I am so, so lucky to know you, Y/N.”

With a deep breath, he added, “And I love you, with every fiber of my being.”

In spite of yourself, you felt a grin spread across your face. “You love me?” you asked, almost disbelieving.

“Yes.” he said, as serious as you had ever seen him. “I love you. I love, I love, I love you.”

You wiped the wetness from his cheeks with your fingers and cupped his face. “I love you, too, Matthew. I love you so much.” and you leaned in to kiss him, slowly, and meaningfully.

When you parted, he said, “Then there’s something I need to ask you.”

Your heart thudded with abandon in your chest. Was this what you thought it was? It wasn’t even close to the end of your bargain! You schooled your voice to be calm and responded, “Yes?”

“Will you marry me, Y/N Y/L/N?” he said, quiet enough that only you two could hear.

Tears spilled over now, as you nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. Yes, of course I will marry you. By the Angel, yes!”

He pulled you into a strong, crushing hug. “Oh, thank you. Thank you, Y/N." he repeated, holding you close. He pulled away, looking you in the eyes to say, “I have worked on my drinking, I don’t know if you’ve noticed. I don’t carry a flask anymore, and I have a flat. I can support you.”

You laughed. “Matthew, I would marry you if you had nothing.”

He playfully raised an eyebrow and asked, “But you are glad that I don’t?”

You both laughed as you responded, “Of course.” You gasped, and then fumbled for your pocket, producing the Fairchild ring from it. You put it in his hand and removed your own glove, offering him your hand. “Put the ring on, in earnest this time.”

He grinned like an idiot as he slid his family ring, which had been in your keeping for months, onto your own hand again. He brought your hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to it. “My bride to be.” he murmured, just as he had that night in the Devil’s Tavern all those months ago.

Your heart swelled for love of him. You loved him, for better or for worse, his foulness and his sweetness, all of him.

“Y/N Fairchild.” you said, trying out the name.

He smiled. “I shall have it engraved on every surface in our home. So, a spring wedding, or autumn?”

“Hmm.” you considered. “Autumn, I think. We have no need to rush.”

He gave you a mischievous look. “Only that I wish to have you in my own home, through the night, as soon as I can.”

You blushed despite yourself. “Oh, very well. Perhaps a May wedding…” you trailed off, and leaned in to kiss him, this time full of promise of things to come.

-

Your parents had been surprised, but supportive. After all, what shadowhunter parents wouldn’t support their daughter marrying into the Consul’s family? An engagement party had been held the following week at Matthew’s new flat, and at your request, his parents were invited. He wasn’t overly excited to speak to them, but he understood how much having his family involved in the wedding meant to you, and he obliged.

You were standing in the foyer beside him, dressed in your best party gown, when Henry and Charlotte arrived. When they entered, at first no one spoke, and then Charlotte smiled warmly and took your hand. “Y/N, dear. I could not have wished for a better woman to love my son.”

You felt Matthew relax some beside you, and he smiled cordially to his parents. “Thank you, mum. I am very lucky to have her.”

Henry had grinned and shook your hand, welcoming you to the family. After they proceeded into the large parlor, Matthew wrapped an arm around your waist and pulled you to his side, pressing a kiss to your temple. “Thank you.” he murmured.

“For what?” you asked, confused.

“For this. I think you’ve made me a better person in their eyes. You changed me.” he said, resting his chin on your head.

“No, you changed yourself, Matthew. That was you.” you countered.

He gave a chuckle and held you tighter. “Well, you gave me a good reason to change.”

You happily snuggled into his chest, lingering in the foyer a little longer before going into the party.

#matthew fairchild #matthew fairchild x reader #the mortal instruments #the infernal devices #the last hours #the dark artifices #the shadowhunter chronicles

[mortalfaerie]

Alright cool! May I have an Anna Lightwood x fem!reader? Where she’s a Fairchild (maybe Matthews twin who spent a lot of time with her mother in Idris) and Matthew introduces her to Anna who just falls in love with her and unlike someone (Ariadne) the reader falls for her as well and wants to be with her. Also could we have supportive parents in there as well? Please?

greetings anon it has been 4 months but i am here and the gears of my gay little brain are working so stay tuned

#the last hours #cassandra clare #the infernal devices #the mortal instruments #the dark artifices #the shadowhunter chronicles #the shadowhuter chronicles