Chapter Text
Left foot forward.
His fingers buried in Kieran's cerulean hair.
Move as one with the seraph blade.
His body pressed tightly against the faerie prince's.
Focus on its energy.
I don't love you anymore.
Feel it's power and strength flow through you.
Kieran's face strained with anguish and pain
Mark tried to clear his thoughts, pushing away all the distractions of the past few days. But, the more he tried, the more intense each thought and feeling became. Mark swung out with the blade, aiming at the dummy, standing before him, and missed. By the angel, what was wrong with him? He kicked the dummy in frustration, knocking it over, sending it crashing to the floor. He ran his hands through his hair in agitation, he had to find a way to erase all the thoughts of Kieran that were constantly swirling relentlessly around inside his mind. He was a shadowhunter. He needed to start acting like one. How was he supposed to fight demons and protect the mundane world, if he was focused on Kieran all the time. He had been avoiding Kieran since the argument he'd had with the faerie prince the night before.
“ Mark, are you alright?” A soft, gentle voice broke through the silence, startling him out of his reverie. He turned and saw Christina, standing in the doorway of the institute,her dark hair tied up behind her head in a braid, her warm dark eyes full of concern for him.
“ Christina, I apologize for my outburst. I am not feeling like myself, I am tired, that is all.” Mark felt embarrassed that Christina had seen him lose his temper, seen him so out of control of his emotions.
“ No, don't apologize Mark, it’s normal to lose control sometimes. You've been going through so much these last couple of days.” Christina walked over to Mark, smiling her very adorable smile, trying to be reassuring.
“ We have all been through so much, you included,” Mark sighed,” and yet you remain so strong, so in control regardless, unlike me.” Mark watched Christina, as she picked up the throwing knives from a shelf nearby, which she favoured as her choice of weapon. Her black hair was dark as the night, her brown eyes kind yet determined as she took her place before the mannequin and spread her feet, checking her stance. She was beautiful, Mark admitted, and for a moment he was speechless, as he studied her caramel coloured skin and the way her shadowhunter gear clung to her body, showing off her many curves. Christina took aim and stepped forward, letting the throwing knives fly, each one embedding itself into the dummy, one in it’s head and the other in it’s heart. The angel help the poor demon who attempted to mess with Christina Rosales.
“ Show off,” Mark teased, as he went over to stand up the dummy he'd kicked over earlier. He walked over to hers and retrieved her throwing knives and brought them over to her.
“ Thank you, Mark, ever the gentleman,” Christina reached forward and took the knives from his hands, her fingers brushing his slightly, in the process. Mark felt a slight shiver run through his body, at the feeling of her so near. He had always liked Christina, and with Kieran back in his life again, his emotions were all muddled and confused. He reached out and tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, which had come loose from her braid. Christina seemed to have become frozen, her eyes never leaving Mark’s, as she leaned into him, her soft lips brushing against his. For a moment Mark wanted to kiss her, to lose himself in her lips, to forget Kieran and his feelings for the faerie prince. Even as he kissed Christina, and it felt good, her lips on his, it didn't feel the same as when he kissed Kieran. His heart didn't pound in his chest the same way, her lips though soft didn't kiss with the same passion and intensity Kieran's always did. When Kieran kissed you, he gave everything, every piece of himself to you. He kissed you like you were the air he needed to breathe. Her skin was smooth but not like Kieran's, her hands didn't touch him like Kieran's, they didn't leave him feeling like he wanted, no needed more, like he was starving for something that only the faerie prince could satisfy.
Suddenly, he was interrupted by a coughing noise, coming from the doorway of the training room, and both he and Christina jerked away from each other,and Mark felt a sudden overwhelming surge of guilt flood his mind. He didn't have anything to be guilty for, did he? It wasn't like he and Kieran were boyfriends anymore. But, as soon as he moved away from Christina, he felt shame wash over him. He had been about to use her for his own selfish intentions, to forget Kieran and escape the feelings whirling around inside him. Mark turned and saw Diana standing in the doorway, aware that she had interrupted something intimate. Christina's face was beginning to flush, she moved away from Mark and without a word, she exited the room, before Mark could say anything. As Diana came into the room, another form entered the training room, behind her. Kieran. Mark noticed the faerie prince was wearing Mark's clothes,which he had lent to him,black pants and a blue t shirt. Mark tried to keep his gaze from wandering over Kieran's body, and failed, his eyes already drinking in every detail and line underneath the layers of fabric covering the faerie prince's body. He didn't need to see Kieran naked to remember what lay beneath that shirt and pants. Mark noticed Kieran wasn't wearing shoes, his feet bare. Kieran had refused to wear shoes or socks, as he couldn't get used to them. Mark remembered Kieran saying he would have gladly walk around naked, but Julian had insisted Kieran wear clothes. Mark could feel the rage pouring off the faerie prince in waves, he avoided Kieran's eyes, which he could also feel boring into him, searing their anger into his flesh. Had Kieran seen him and Christina together? How long had the faerie prince been standing there?
“ Mark, here you are,” Diana came over and spoke quietly , “ I wondered if you might keep Kieran entertained for a few hours, he was wandering around the institute and who knows what he might get into.”
“ What? Why me? Please Diana, surely someone else could watch over him?” Mark felt his heart start beating faster at the thought of being alone with the faerie prince for a few hours. He felt dizzy and tried to push all the thoughts tempting his mind and body of the idea of him and Kieran being alone together. He didn't want to have to face the fact that he still had feelings for Kieran, didn't want to be forced to confront those feelings.
“ Mark. Please, you know him best. No one else is willing to watch over him.” Diana spoke with authority, the decision already made, leaving no room for argument.
“ I don't need a babysitter!” Kieran's sharp voice cut through the air like a knife, as he strode forward, arms crossed over his chest, eyes glaring at Mark.
“ Yes, you do if you're going to be staying here at this institute, i do not trust you and neither does the clave.” Mark stepped between the faerie prince and Diana, aware Kieran was angry, wanting to avoid a confrontation if possible. His eyes pleaded with the faerie prince, a silent plea not to get himself kicked out of the institute. As much as he was having a hard time dealing with Kieran staying at the institute and all the emotions running wild inside him, he knew the faerie prince couldn't return to faerie. Kieran would have to remain at the institute for now, and Mark felt both a sliver of fear and a rush of excitement at the thought. Kieran was silent, but his displeasure was obvious in the way he stood, his back and shoulders tense. His silvery black eyes were narrowed, his arms crossed, and his lips drawn in a tight line. Mark knew Kieran was holding back, fighting the urge to argue and insist on getting what he wanted. Even though Kieran no longer lived in the royal courts in faerie, hadn't for a long time, Mark could still sometimes see the arrogant prince side of him. Mark locked eyes with Kieran, wordlessly communicating through their shared connection.
Kieran. Please. Just let it go.
Kieran's lips curled into a sneer, then just as quickly, he smiled, though his eyes remained cold. “ Certainly, I will do as you wish.” Kieran bowed slightly, mockingly a disdainful smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth. If Diana noticed the lack of sincerity in Kieran's smile and actions, she didn't show it. She nodded and walked out of the training room, leaving Mark alone with Kieran, who was watching Mark with eyes as cold as ice. Mark stared at the floor, examining his feet, trying to ignore Kieran's penetrating gaze.
“ So, what are we going to do,Mark?” Kieran asked, his eyes travelling around the room, looking bored. “ if you wish, you could kiss me too, like you kissed that Shadowhunter princess of yours” Kieran's words were sharp like a knife and they cut through Mark, drawing blood.
“ That was none of your business Kieran,” Mark was furious that Kieran had the nerve to accuse him of doing something wrong, after what the faerie prince had done to him and his family. “ I didn't mean for you to see that, Kier, I didn't know you were there.”
Kieran laughed under his breath, “ you make the mistake of thinking I care Mark, because I do not. You made it clear that you do not love me, therefore you are free to do whatever you wish with her.” Mark could hear the jealous rage in Kieran's words, but he also heard the terrible sadness and hurt lying just under the surface, being masked by apathy and arrogance.
“ Kieran, I do not wish to argue with you.” Mark sighed, “ but if you continue to be so arrogant I will be forced to.”
“ Fine. “ Kieran ran a hand through his sea blue locks and sighed heavily. He bent down and picked up three of the throwing knives off the floor, balancing one handle on his palm, then tossing it into the air. He spun around quickly and then gracefully caught the knife and sent it flying at the dummy across the room, the tip of the knife embedding itself into the dummy's head. Kieran smirked smugly at Mark, and then he threw another, the knife sailing through the air and straight into the targets heart. Mark was speechless as he watched Kieran, the dark prince moved with such elegance, like a dancer, that Mark couldn't help but stare. As if Kieran could feel Mark watching, he turned and winked at Mark and aimed the third dagger, letting it whistle through the air and straight into the dummies groin.
“ Show off” Mark said, though he couldn't keep his voice from sounding appreciative of Kieran's abilities with the throwing knives. Kieran impishly grinned and strode forward to retrieve the knives, his hips swinging sensually as walked, giving Mark a glorious view of his ass. Mark didn't think it could get any better until Kieran bent over to pick up the weapons, and Mark just stared. Still bent over from the waist, Kieran peered sideways at Mark and winked provocatively. Mark felt heat flood his cheeks, and he quickly forced his face to turn away from the temptation Kieran had laid out before him. He didn't want the faerie prince to see what effect his behaviour was having on him. On certain parts of him.
“ Your a dick, you know that?” Mark pretended to busy himself with something on one of the shelves stacked with fighting gear.
“ And you like it” Kieran shot back, his voice dangerously low and mocking. Mark didn't respond to that, because the truth was he did like it. He liked it way more than he should. Mark retrieved a seraph blade from the shelf, and whispered,Gabriel, and the blade blazed to life. He turned to face Kieran. If the faerie prince wanted a fight, then he was going to get one.
“ Alright, Kieran let's see what you've got, your highness.” Mark mockingly bowed, mimicking a faerie bow and walked over to Kieran, stopping a few feet from him. Kieran's eyes blazed with a challenge, he studied the array of shadowhunter weapons, purposefully taking his time. Finally, he selected one, a long thin sharp edged sword, the light from the room gleamed off the blades surface. He held it carelessly in his grasp, swinging it back and forth, the tip slicing through the air, between them. Mark rolled his eyes at the faerie princes dramatics and readied himself, Kieran was an excellent fighter, better than him, but what the prince lacked was patience. Kieran circled Mark, a lion watching its prey, dangerous and threatening. Mark had seen Kieran in battle many times, he was like a thunder storm, like a swirling tornado, wreaking devastation everywhere it touched but you still couldn't stop being fascinated by it’s beauty.
“ So, what were you and your Shadowhunter princess up to?” Kieran chuckled ,but there was no humour in his voice.
“ By the angel, Kieran I told you, it's not your business. You and I are no longer together. So it's not your concern what I do. You said so yourself” Kieran face twisted into a scowl, and before Mark had time to react, Kieran charged at him, his sword clanging shrilly against the seraph blade in Mark's grasp. Mark braced himself just in time, Kieran's blade just glancing off his arm, nicking the skin, a small smear of red showing through the white of his shirt. “ Kier!!” Mark growled, his temper getting the better of him. Kieran was pushing his buttons and Mark winced at the slight sting of pain coming from his arm. Kieran was smiling, his expression taunting, like he wanted to get Mark angry.
“ What's the matter, Mark? Are you hurt? I've seen you withstand more than that before. Or have you allowed these shadowhunters to soften you, to weaken you?”
“ I am not weak,” Mark swung forward, his seraph blade catching on Kieran's sword. Mark pushed against Kieran's weapon, putting his full weight into it, but the faerie prince pushed back, the two of them locked in a struggle for dominance. “ The shadowhunters have made me stronger, helped me.”
Kieran laughed derisively, “ They don't want to help you. They want to control you. Them. The clave. A bunch of hypocrites, preaching about equality and honour but all it is, is lies.” Kieran's face was close to Mark's and Mark could feel the dark faeries hot breath on his face. “ You need to come back to the hunt, Mark. This is not you. You don't belong here, trapped inside these walls and with all these rules.”
“ Really, and you think you know me? Know where I belong? What's best for me?” Mark glared into Kieran's now dark stormy eyes, his midnight blue hair falling into his face. Mark suddenly had an impulse to reach forward and brush the few strands out of Kieran's eyes.
“ Yes! I do Mark! Remember I know you better than anyone, the clave, your family and even your Shadowhunter princess.” Mark felt a surge of anger at Kieran's words, because Kieran was right. Without even thinking about it, Mark kicked the faerie prince’s legs out from under himself, sending Kieran falling to the floor. Kieran fell, without his usual grace and poise, arms and legs sprawled out on the floor, and Mark tried to hold back the laughter threatening to escape his lips. Kieran's face was startled, the look of surprise almost comical, and Mark felt a twinge of satisfaction that he had managed to catch Kieran off guard. But, then Kieran's eyes gleamed with a mischievous light and he kicked out, knocking Mark’s feet from under him. Mark fell hard, landing on top of the faerie prince, his back colliding with Kieran's chest, his elbow banging into the floor, Kieran's knee hitting him in the ass. Mark tried to catch his breath, his legs now entangled with Kieran's long limbs, his heart racing and he could feel Kieran's pounding through his shirt, as he twisted his body so they were pressed chest to chest. Mark scolded himself for allowing Kieran to get him into this position, and moved his arm, which was trapped between their bodies. His fingers brushed against Kieran's hardening erection, and he tensed as he heard the faerie prince hiss into his neck. He felt his body start to respond to Kieran's lithe, hard body underneath his own, every time he moved an electric surge of pleasure to shocked throughout his body. He braced his hand on Kieran's chest, and attempted to rise to a standing position. But, as he tried to untangle himself from Kieran, lifting his body slightly, his mouth inches from the faerie prince’s lips, he fought against the raw desire building up inside.
“ Mark….” Kieran's voice had lowered and was dangerously arousing, his hands sliding along Mark's back.
“ Kiss me Mark, do it. I know you want to.” To emphasize his point, Kieran lifted his hips slightly, rubbing himself against Mark.
Mark bit back a moan, and spoke through gritted teeth, “ I'm not going to kiss you, Kieran, not anymore! I don't have feelings for you!” But, even as Mark spoke those words, he knew they were a lie.
“ Prove it, “ Kieran challenged, his dark eyes flashing.
“ What? What are you talking about?” Mark felt a delicious shiver run up his spine as Kieran's fingers caressed him. “ Kiss me” Kieran smirked, licking his lips sensually, and Mark wanted to both kiss that smirk off Kieran's mouth and also bang his head against the wall in frustration.
“ Kiss you? How is that going to prove anything?”
“ Kiss me and if you don't like it, then I'll know you don't have feelings for me.” “ That's ridiculous! How will you tell that?” Mark was getting frustrated with Kieran's games.
“ oh I can tell, your words can lie Mark Blackthorn, but your body and lips can not.” Kieran lifted an eyebrow suggestively. Mark knew he needed to stop this now, or he wouldn't be able to. He pushed away from Kieran, standing, kneeing Kieran in the stomach as he did so. He should have aimed a little lower, he thought belatedly. Kieran raised himself onto his elbows, coughing, glaring at Mark.
“ That's for calling Christina a Shadowhunter princess and for trying to trick me into kissing you.” Mark turned to leave, when Kieran stood, his body shaking with rage.
“ You don't love her. She will never love you, Mark. She would never want a heart that already belongs to someone else.” Kieran's words were rushed, desperate.
“ My heart doesn't belong to anyone Kieran, and your jealous dramatics are getting old, so just stop, I don't love you” Mark's words came out harsher than he'd intended, and he saw Kieran flinch as if Mark had hit him. Even as Mark said the words, he felt his heart constrict, pain deep within his chest, a wave of nausea washing over him. The look on Kieran's face was so miserable, and Mark wanted to go and wrap his arms around the faerie prince and tell him he loved him and no one else. But, Mark had to physically hold himself back, no he had to do this. Kieran and him were no more. Without another word, Mark walked out of the training room, leaving Kieran alone in his misery.