Baz
I feel it before I'm even half-way up the stairs to our room. Simon Snow's magic. It's pouring off of him like it does when he's about to go off. Normally, I would intentionally push him to the point of going off, but tonight is different. I've been a walking zombie all day (I hadn't been able to hunt for days), and now that I've finally gotten down to the Catacombs to hunt for rats, all I want to do is sleep. Also, we're on this truce. I shrug to myself. Can't have him burning down Mummer's House now, can we? I hurry up the rest of the stairs and open the door to our room.
Snow's sitting on the edge of his bed, clutching his head. He's shaking, probably with the effort of holding back his magic. I walk across the room, and when I sit down on my bed across from Snow, I realize just how exhausted I really am.
"Snow," I say to get his attention. He doesn't seem to hear me. I lean in closer. "Snow," I say louder. "Listen to me. You need to hold back your magic. You can't go off here." Up close, he looks flushed, and his magic is almost overwhelming. His fingers are twisted in his hair, and I think I see tears on his face. Without thinking, I grab his hands and gently pull them out of his curls. His skin is hot to the touch. "Look at me, Simon. Deep breaths, now. Don't think about whatever it is that set you off. It's not important right now. Just focus on reigning in your magic."
Simon
Why would she say something like that? How could Penelope ever say something she knows would hurt me? I ask myself the same question again and again in my mind. I can still hear her voice in my head, echoing. It's too much, and when my magic rises up in me, I'm not sure if I'll be able to hold it back.
And now Baz is here, sitting right in front of me. What does he want? I really can't handle him right now. I'm gonna go off. Penny only just left the room, and now here's Baz, ready to nag me.
But he doesn't. He takes my shaking hands, and tells me to breathe.
"Penelope," I mutter. "She—"
"Don't worry about Penelope."
I try to focus on the haze around me. On pulling it back. But my chest is still clenched from Penny's harsh words. I swallow hard, but I can't get rid of the knot in my throat. I feel like I'm burning, and I smell smoke. I'm gonna go off. I'm gonna go off.
"Simon," Baz says firmly. He holds my chin up and forces me to look at him.
And in his eyes I see… concern.
"Whatever happened… it's okay." It comes out like he's surprised he's saying it. "You're going to be okay."
That does it. Those words are all it takes to break through the magickal flood pouring out of me. I let out a sob and all my hurt and anger with it. The fight I'd had with Penelope had left a heavy burden on my heart, but now I let it all out with my tears. Then, Baz does something surprising. He reaches out with both arms and pulls me to him. And I don't try to stop him. I just let him hold me as I cry.