Family Matters

[silvering]

When; Monday during the day
Rating; G
Characters; Clary Fray & Jem Carstairs
Summary;The name Herondale is important to a lot of people
Log;

Clary's text message is innocent enough. Jem catches none of Clary's excitement from it.

He opens the door to her, dressed neatly as always. "Clary," he says with a smile, feeling no residue effects of the awkwardness of his near admission on the network.

"Did you want to go out today?"

Comments

[cupio]

She means to tell him in her own time, intends to stay calm for at least as long as it takes to make tea or coffee. But the minute he opens the door, all of Clary's curiosity and excitement bubbles up from under her skin and she just blurts it out.

"Why didn't you tell me Will's last name was Herondale?"

As questions go, it's clearly a little strange.

[silvering]

Jem gives her a dumbfounded look for a moment before he gestures for Clary to come in through the door.

"Surnames never came up," he points out, "Why? Is Will something of legend in your time?"

It would be typical of Will if he was.

[cupio]

Now she has confirmation from Jem himself, Clary looks even more excited. So much so that she actually makes a little noise of barely contained suspense.

"Okay, so Jace calls himself a Lightwood. But he's not. His last name is Herondale."

[silvering]

Laughter bubbles up for a moment, a Herondale masking as a Lightwood? And then Jem is clutching at Clary's wrists as the information sinks in.

"Please tell me you aren't kidding? Will has descendants?" There is a fierce pride and joy rising up in Jem that Will finally accepted someone's love.

[cupio]

"It makes total sense. Every time you tell me about Will, all I can see is Jace!"

She beams at him, pleased that she's brought some life back into his features. She doesn't even mind the touching, mostly because she's too excited to notice, her own fingers curled in the fabric of his sweater.

"He didn't know for a long time, maybe that's why he didn't tell you. Or maybe he didn't think to. And I didn't know because I didn't grow up a Shadowhunter. I forget that names mean something. But he is. Jace is like Will's great-great-great grandson or something. He must be."

[silvering]

"And things you told me about Jace reminded me of Will."

The smile is threatening to split Jem's face in two. "He must be. Only a descendant of Will could be afraid of ducks. This...this is marvelous." It doesn't matter about any complications the information may bring.

He can barely speak, he's lost in the thought that his one wish came true.

"And your surname," Jem asks urgently, "What is it? I might know it."

[cupio]

She feels her heart swell with pleasure. It's simply nice to watch him smile, to see his joy burst through his face.

"It's Fray." But it occurs to her that he might know someone else under another name - "My mom made her last name sound more Mundane when she left. Hers is Fairchild? I suppose that means I am too."

Morgenstern doesn't count, it will never count.

[silvering]

Apologies to Clary if she finds this rude but Jem studying her face with renewed interest.

"You share the surname with a great woman," he informs her with an excited smile. "Charlotte, the head of my institute had that maiden name." Jem can't quite over this.

The wrist grabbing ends to be replaced by a brief hug.

"It means so much to know both names live on."

[cupio]

"Really?"

She laughs as he hugs her, smiles when they pull away, "Oh wow, that's so strange. You know that right? That we both know Magnus and Jace is related to Will and I'm related to someone you know too. It's super awesome."

[silvering]

"It almost sounds as though the whole institute moved continents," Jem says with a shake of his head. "It seems that I can never leave Will wholey behind.

Now tell me, why was Jace masquerading as a Lightwood? Will feuded no ends with the Lightwoods we knew."

[cupio]

"He didn't know about Stephen, his father. Not until very recently. He thought he was someone else. And the Lightwoods have looked after him for so many years - he didn't have anybody else - that they consider him one of their own.

Alec and Isabelle are like his brother and sister. He adores them."

[silvering]

This sparks hundreds of questions for Jem. He can't understand why any family would part with a son willingly. His lips part to barrage Clary with questions. With an effort he recollects himself. It isn't fair to her.

"Do you think he will mind if I talk to him about this?"

[cupio]

"I'm sure he'll be fine with it," a soft, eager smile, "But just treat it carefully. He ... has some issues around family. We both have."

[silvering]

"Family problems run in the familes," Jem says quietly. "Charlotte collected us all. I will be careful and I won't pry too much." He smiles, "Perhaps I can tell you the good stories from you distant family past instead."

[cupio]

"Yes, please."

She's delighted, grinning at him. "Do you want me to make tea? We could talk about it. My mom isn't very big on me knowing much about her life but she isn't here."

[silvering]

"No, I will see to the tea, take a seat." Jem moves with an energy that is more reminiscent of his more outgoing parabatai.

The cane is left to one side and the kettle is on in the blink of an eye. "Would you like biscuits?"

[cupio]

"Yes, definitely. Biscuits are always great."

She takes a seat, her smile mirroring his. "I can't believe that bit of news has cheered you up so much. You seem like a different person."

[silvering]

Jem slides the biscuits on to a plate and brings it over to her while he's waiting on the kettle.

"It is the best news, I could ever have had. I do not need to worry so for him anymore."

[cupio]

"For Will?"

It's a nice sentiment. But Clary of all people knows that family doesn't always mean happiness. She keeps that to herself though. "Maybe it would help Jace to hear more of the people in his past too."

[silvering]

"For Will," Jem affirms and brings the teas across. "He's not let many people in during all the time I've known him. I feared he would be lonely when I am gone."

He smiles, "I hope so. There are a few interesting stories for him, including the reason behind his fear of ducks."

[cupio]

"I still can't believe they were both afraid of ducks."

She laughs though, sweet and light, "It's crazy."