Names.
The Mortal Instruments is (c) by Cassandra Clare. I am just a happy, Jace-loving fan :D

Wayland.

You stand on top of the world, apart from the world, above it, beyond it – somewhere far away from it, and yet still there. There is no one stronger, no one fiercer, no one as skilled as you. (And especially, there is no one as attractive as you. Ha.)

You've got it all.

And then, the world flip flops. You lose balance. You trip, you tumble, you dive, and you fall in love.

Suddenly, she is everything. She's the only one who can make you smile. She's the one who teaches you to smile again, in a way you haven't smiled in years. You're reluctant to let this happiness go.

Morgenstern.

You're torn.

He's the only father you've ever known. He's the only person you've ever adored and hated so much, all at once, at the same time. He cared for you but didn't care for you. He loved you but didn't love you. He hated you but didn't hate you.

But for the sake of the damn world, for the sake of damn society, and for the sake of damn justice, you'll try to forget that.

But, really?

Really and truly?

You do it for her sake.

You can't hurt her anymore. You can't bear to lose her again. You can't bear to think about losing her again. So, you've got to let go.

You fight back the urges. You pull back the hand that wants to touch her. You pull back the arms that want to hug her. You pull back the lips that want to kiss her.

In your mind, you try. You try to keep your distance. But the distance is painful. The want and the need are painful. This is beyond heartache. You're dying. To love is to destroy, and you're killing yourself.

She's the only one who can make you cry. Perhaps not outwardly, or anywhere where the public eye can see, but somewhere deep inside your heart (or deep inside your pillow) the sobs burst out. The angry sobs, the disheartened sobs, the frustrated sobs – so fearful of wanting, and wanting so much.

You feel like a monster. No, you are a monster, and never have you felt so alone.

Herondale.

You look at the pictures, the letters, the memories, but you feel nothing. You look at your past, your childhood, your lifestyle, and you feel lost.

Sure, you may not be a monster anymore, but now what? There is nothing left. Everything you knew was a lie. When you shred away those fragments and those pieces of yourself, there is nothing. Nothing but a hollow, empty shell with no name.

Lightwood.

The stars are bright, the streetlights sparkle in the night, and the world is bright and happy again. Bah. The people below dance and chatter animatedly, but you sit in the shadows contemplative. You've scarred in many places before, but this one stings in a pain deeper than all of those previous scars. The others faded, but this one won't. You know that.

But then she arrives, standing in front of you, looking even more beautiful than you have possibly ever imagined, and says four simple words to change everything.

"Please. You're Jace Lightwood."

It was almost as pleasing to hear that you didn't share the same blood. At least, not in that way. And perhaps maybe you can forgive the annoying party-goers below for being so happy when you are, or rather were, so miserable.

You feel stupid, if it were ever possible for you to feel that way. The answer was right there in front of you – is right here in front of you, and could possibly be here for you forever if you'd take the moment to breathe it in.

You realize this; she's the only one who makes you feel whole again.

You stare as she stands there, finally by your side, and reaches out her hand. You accept it. Your fingers intertwine and you walk off together.

And guess what?

You're still on top of the world.

I decided to stick my author's blurbs at the bottom instead of at the beginning so readers can dive right into the writing itself ! I personally feel that names are very important, and this belief is illustrated in The Mortal Instruments as well. So, that's why I wanted to write this as a progression of Jace's growth (is that a good word for it?) throughout the novel and how his various names effect that. This is also my way of writing Jace, since I'm sure I would butcher his eloquence and overall awesomeness otherwise :)