Chapter One: Clary
Clary sat back in her desk chair and sighed. Every boy she saw she thought was Jace and she kept being disappointed when it was just some stranger. She grabbed her sketchbook and pencils and starting sketching what first came into her mind. She drew the angular cheekbones and defined jawline with his beautiful golden, tawny eyes and his silky light blonde hair. She drew a light outline of his broad shoulders and finally added angel's wings on his back. Jace was her angel and he was the only person she would ever feel this way about. The picture seemed to stare back at her as if he was really there. Clary could never truly capture his beauty in drawings. He was just too ethereal.
She jumped a little when she heard a knock on her apartment door. She scrambled out of her chair and threw her sketchbook onto her bed. She ran across the living room and slid slightly on the shiny hardwood floor. She threw the door open and there stood Jace. He looked at her in that way which made her feel wanted and beautiful. She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist clutching her tightly. It was the best kind of hug. The hug that said "I've missed you so much and I'm so glad you're back." He buried his face in her hair and she clasped her hands behind his head. "I missed you! You're in big trouble mister. You left me with my mom and Simon for 3 weeks" She said her voice muffled by his shoulder. He pulled her back and looked in her bright green irises. "You have no idea how much I missed you. Also, what's wrong with Simon? Besides being dead." He said and she shivered seeing his expression.
"He's been really moody lately." She said distantly. "Are you alright?" She said becoming increasing concerned for him. "I'm fine. I just really missed you." He said. She squinted at him skeptically before he picked her up her hauled her over his shoulder and she shrieked. "Put me down!" she said through fits of giggles. Jace dropped her unceremoniously on the couch and sat down next to her.
She sat up and looked at him. He looked tired. She hadn't noticed at first but now it was blindingly obvious. The dark circles under his eyes, the bitten nails and she could tell he had lost some weight by the way his clothes hung more loosely on him. "What happened in Idris? And don't say it was nothing because I'm not stupid." she said tracing small circles on the back of his hand with her fingertips. She loved his hands. Warm and delicate but also tough. "Every time I'm away from you I get so nervous that something is going to happen to you. It's so difficult for me to be far away from you. You're like a magnet, Clary, every time I'm away from you it's like some force is pulling me back to you. Being apart from you for so long… I just couldn't handle it" He said brushing his fingers across her face. She closed her eyes and laid against his shoulder. It felt nice to have him there. Real and comforting.
Clary didn't want to admit to herself that it felt good knowing he missed her as much as she missed him. "I know. I feel the same way. And I know this sounds cheesy and stupid but it's like I can't be away from you without feeling physical pain." She said and he leaned his head on top of hers. "I promise I'll take you with me next time." He said into her hair.
Jace pulled her back and looked at her with an expression of a child who just got caught stealing a cookie. His eyes were wide and serious and he looked faintly guilty. "Being back in Idris. I don't know. I just feel so alone there even when Isabelle and Alec come with me. I always feel alone when you're not with me…" He smiled sadly and she felt her heart skip a beat. She felt stung on his behalf.
"Well there is no one I would rather spend a Sunday afternoon with than you. But not Saturday afternoon. That's strictly Clary time." she said hoping to cheer him up. He chuckled and said
"What about Saturday evening?" He said a look of mischief in his eyes. She felt a surge in her chest but suppressed it, trying not to giggle.
"Nope still me time" She said as seriously as she could with him smirking at her.
"What about Sunday evenings? Would you like to spend them with me too?" He said and she smiled at him.
"I don't know. Maybe you can stay but only if you bring me Chinese food from that place over on 6th" She said smiling innocently
"Why you sneaky little redhead!" he said and placed a kiss on her forehead. She giggled like a little girl and he laughed. Jace was one of the few people who made her feel truly happy, like she could just be herself and not worry that he would judge her. "Well let's go get Chinese food then. They were your terms and you have to come with me if I am to accept them." He said and got off the couch leaving Clary feeling a little cold without the warmth of his body heat.
She got up too and slipped her shoes on. The rate at which they had seemed to return to normal was astonishing but also she was grateful that nothing had changed. Despite her suspicions that something else had happened in Alicante she tried to let it go and enjoy being with him, for now. Jace grabbed her hand and she locked the apartment door behind them.
