"What's the matter, lover boy? Didn't get any sleep last night?"
Alec glowered at Jace, dodging the kick aimed for his face. He stepped in close, trying to get a punch in, but Jace blocked it and twisted away.
"I can see the bags under your eyes. You know, if you're going to spend all your free time screwing Magnus, you might want to have him lend you some of his makeup. I'm sure he's got something that matches your skin tone." Jace crouched, sweeping his leg out to knock Alec off his feet. "And as an added plus, maybe it'll be sparkly."
Alec jumped out of the way, taking a second to shake his bangs out of his eyes. "Shut up, Jace."
Jace grinned. "No dispute. That means it's true." He feinted to the left and darted forward, blocking Alec's next jab and using the opening to flip him to the ground. Alec managed to break out of his hold and use the momentum to spring back to his feet, but his form was slow and sloppy. "No, it's not."
Jace shrugged. "Regardless, you have to admit that you're not all here today. I mean, I know that I'm unbeatable, but usually you at least make an effort to best me."
He was right. Alec was exhausted. He was soaked in sweat and his hands were shaking, but he wouldn't end the training session until Jace called it quits. He had to at least give him that much.
They were circling each other slowly, and Alec knew that Jace was giving him a moment to catch his breath. He was thankful for it, certainly, but it didn't help his already bruised ego. Jace was grinning, looking magnificent as ever, even in a faded pair of sweatpants. Personally, Alec preferred to keep his shirt on, but he didn't begrudge Jace for going without. He was just relieved that it didn't bother him as much anymore.
"I understand if you're distracted by the view, but you really need to quit zoning out."
Alec winced inwardly, hissing in pain as he dodged two out of three punches aimed for his face. The blow glanced off his jaw and sent him stumbling backward. Jace grasped Alec's arm to pull him to his feet before he hit the ground.
"We're done for today. If that's how you're going to perform in hand-to-hand, I don't even want to try any weapons."
Alec didn't try to argue, Jace was right. All he wanted to do was go back to his room and collapse onto his bed. He caught the towel that Jace tossed him and dried off his face and neck.
"Besides," Jace quipped, "Magnus wouldn't like it if I did any damage to that pretty face of yours…or anywhere else for that matter. It might mess up your performance." He wiggled his eyebrows and laughed as Alec swiped halfheartedly at him.
Alec was in the middle of forming some sort of retort when the rest of the family walked into the training room. Well, rest and family being used quite loosely. Isabelle was in the process of putting her hair up into a ponytail, Maryse was dressed in her typical "businesswear" (which, Alec supposed, was what she wore ninety percent of the time), and Clary was pulling up the rear, looking timid and confused. Alec still didn't have a clue what Jace saw in her. Not that it mattered.
"I'm going to meet with the Clave," Maryse stated. "I shouldn't be gone more than a couple days, but I assume that you can handle yourselves and that you will contact me if any issues arise." They all nodded their consent. "It shouldn't be too much to ask, but I would appreciate it if you didn't do anything untoward while I'm away." Her gaze swept over each of their faces, judging their expressions, and Alec couldn't help but feel like she looked away quickly when she got to him.
Clearly, she was still uncomfortable with his current "relationship". Alec reached up to massage his jaw, wincing as his fingers touched the tender skin.
He was an adult, technically. In the eyes of the Clave, in the eyes of the mundane world, Alec was fully capable of making his own decisions and fully accountable for the consequences.
As soon as Maryse said her goodbyes and left, Jace went to Clary, looking at her her like he hadn't seen her in months. Alec wanted to throw up. They started kissing, and Alec turned away, embarrassed. He caught Isabelle's eye and laughed as she rolled her eyes and made a gagging motion.
Alec left the room and showered quickly, not bothering to dry his hair in his haste to get back to his room. He sighed happily as he crawled into bed and closed his eyes.
He couldn't help but think about what Magnus had said earlier that morning.
A trip. Just the two of them.
An escape.
Sure, it sounded great but—
But what?
Would anyone really miss him if he was gone for a couple weeks? For a month? Maybe more? Jace would probably be glad that he was gone. More time to suck face with Clary. Gross. Isabelle wouldn't care either way. She had her share of interests, not including her almost appalling approval of his dating Magnus. His dad was never home anymore. Alec knew that it was nothing personal, it was just his way of dealing with things. His mom was so busy with the Clave that she hardly spoke to him or Isabelle. Not to mention the fact that she was grieving over the loss of Max.
Alec hesitated. Would Max be disappointed in him if he knew? Would he be happy for him?
Alec smiled. Max would have liked Magnus, definitely. Magnus would have made him laugh, said something silly, changed his hair color to something ostentatious, given him presents.
Alec fumbled for his cell, dialed the number quickly, and put the phone to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me."
Alec could almost hear Magnus rolling his eyes. "Yes, I know. I have caller ID."
Alec flushed. "Oh. Well. I've thought about it."
There was a long pause. "And?"
"Yes. My answer's yes."
