"How on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?" -- Albert Einstein
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Clary had never been on a date before; at least, not one where the date in question arrived at your house, exchanged awkward pleasantries with your parents, and took you out for a meal where you were afraid to eat anything that might spill on your new dress. With Simon, it had been clumsy kisses and watching anime with a bag of Doritos. With Jace… Clary didn't know quite what to expect.
In fact, she was almost relieved when he turned up at Luke's door, not in Shadowhunter gear but wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, with his curly hair combed neatly back from his face. There were no visible weapons on his person - a rarity for Jace - and he was holding a bouquet of blue flowers.
"Hey," he said lazily. Only Clary, who could have traced every tiny detail of his face with her eyes closed, who knew him better than anyone else, recognized the nervous tautness of his body.
"Hey," Clary replied, her voice slightly higher than usual. It was strangely formal, this arrangement; as if they were just starting out, near-strangers.
"These are for you, by the way," Jace said suddenly, thrusting the flowers towards Clary. "I wanted to get roses, but forget-me-nots will have to do."
Clary took them, grinning shyly. "They're perfect."
She disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a vase, and hurriedly placed the forget-me-nots inside it.
"I'll sort them out later," she explained. With a hurried goodbye up the stairs to Luke and her mother, she stepped out of the door; it closed with a soft snap. For a moment, they stood staring at one another, each drinking in the other's appearance as they were finally allowed to.
"You look beautiful," Jace told her at last, in his customary matter-of-fact way. Clary looked down at herself: she was clad in jeans, converse boots and a plain t-shirt.
"Right."
"I'm serious."
"I know you are; I just don't agree." Clary stuck out her tongue, petulant; Jace sighed heavily.
"Shut up," he advised her, taking his hand and threading his fingers through hers.
"Gladly," she replied, and planted a lingering kiss on his cheek. Jace leaned in to return it-
"Not where my mother can see us!"
Jace chuckled and hooked his arm around her waist, and Clary couldn't think of anywhere that she would rather be.