Here's the second chapter: it takes place roughly a year after chapter one.

I own nothing

The back of the small library smelled like musty wood and leather. Dust covered a thin layer of everything, even the one small loveseat in the corner by the table. The small room was dark, except for the low light from the oil lamp that was placed on the table and the tiny window overlooking Main Street right above the chair. The only appealing part of the room was the adventure in the book.

Alec was reading Robinson Crusoeby Daniel Defoe for the second time in the past week. He could hardly help it; every time Alec read it he imagined what he himself would do if he was stranded ashore a mysterious island after a harsh storm, forced to fend for himself. Alec flipped the pages with an almost loving movement of his thumb and tucked his bare feet farther underneath him.

Luke would probably scold Alec for reading on the job again, but Alec knew he was never actually as upset as he acted. Luke was the one who taught Alec how to read, since the schoolhouse down the street was not as beneficial as Luke wished it was. It was because of the schoolhouse's poor job that not many people in the town of Alicante knew how to read very well or visited Luke's bookshop often.

The bell hanging off the doorframe jingled, and Alec dogeared his page-another bad habit Luke would be on him for-before stashing away his story under the chair and dashing to the front of the store. Alec hoped it was either Clary or Tessa; Clary would stop by because she was Luke Garroway's adopted daughter, and Tessa came because she was almost as much of a bookworm as Alec.

"Hello? Would you like help finding a book?" Alec asked, turning around a bookshelf and into the opening doorway of the store. He came to an abrupt stop when he saw the shopper; it was Jace Herondale, the son of the town sheriff. Alec's mouth turned down in a frown and he wrapped his arms around himself instinctively. "Jace, nice to see you today. What is it you're looking for?"

Alec hated Jace Herondale. He tried not to-really, he did-but he couldn't help it. Alec had heard an earful from Clary and about everyone else in Alicante about how dreamy and kind he was, but somehow Alec did not see it. The only one who agreed with Alec was Tessa, but that didn't matter since she was engaged to Jace's uncle William Herondale, who was equal to his nephew in good looks and arrogance. No matter how much Tessa whined about Jace's behavior, it was always done with affection.

Jace was wearing a stunning smile to match his clean white shirt, and his dark trousers were tucked into his boots. As usual, his hair looked like spun gold and his eyes held the brilliance of the sun.

It was disgusting.

"What I was looking for just emerged from his reading lair." Jace leaned on the check-out counter and crinkled the sign out sheet with his elbow. "How are you, Alexander?"

Alec smiled, but he had a feeling it looked more like he was baring his teeth. "I'm good, Jace. Thanks for asking. Did you need a book?"

Jace scoffed. "A book? No, of course not. You and my crazy aunt are the only people who like books." He wrinkled his nose. As if he hasn't conveyed enough disgust towards reading already, Alec thought bitterly. "Your love of books is weird, but I don't mind. Makes you different."

"I'm glad you don't mind," Alec said, crossing his arms and setting his gaze pointedly on the papers Jace was still wrinkling. Jace followed his stare and quickly checked himself, pushing off the counter and strolling over to wear Alec was standing.

"I wanted to know if you would like to go out sometime," Jace said, reaching up to Alec's face. Alec thought he was going to touch his cheek, but instead Jace plucked a book off of the shelf next to Alec's head. After examining it, deciding it was unworthy, and putting it back on the shelf, he kept talking. "Oh, come on Alec. I know you want to. We don't even have to have sex if you aren't ready."

Alec sputtered and backed away from Jace, face flushing red. Wait until Clary, who had the biggest crush on Jace, heard about this. "We-what?"

Jace's smile softened and he chuckled, shrugging his shoulders. "You can stop acting so oblivious; I've been coming here nearly every day for a reason."

"For-for books?" Alec asked, saying what he had figured. Jace had never kept quiet about his disgust for reading, but Alec thought he had been coming to do research on biology; that was what all his books had been about.

Jace laughed. "No, I came to see you. Here's the deal Alec; I like you. I really do. I know it's not common for a man to like another man, but it's not unheard of either. And I'm sure you like me back; everyone in this town loves me. Come on, let's try something out. My parents are fine with it, you know."

"I-I don't know what to say, Jace…" Alec trailed off, trying to figure out how to say no without making Jace get angry. "I just don't know if that's what I want for myself right now. Courting someone, I mean. It's distracting-"

"From what? Your reading?" Jace rolled his eyes. "Alec, your little fantasies are childish. You know being with me will be the best thing you ever do. I was thinking even marriage."

Alec nearly choked on his own saliva. "Um, I'm flattered beyond words, Jace, but I'm serious. I don't…" Then, an idea. "I just don't think I'm worthy of you!" Alec exclaimed, shooing Jace out of the bookshop. "I can't fathom the idea of you wanting to be with me, when you're far superior." Alec gave Jace one last tiny shove and quickly closed the door. And locked it.
After a few more hours of peace and quiet, Alec's shift was over. He left the bookshop once Luke came to take the last shift, and waved a goodbye over his shoulder. Luke let him take Robinson Crusoehome with him.

The little cottage Alec lived in was on the end of town nearest the sea. The yard outside was big and grassy, and littered with tiny flowers poking up from the ground. Alec hummed all the way home, head in the clouds. He couldn't stop thinking about his book and what it would be like to have an adventure of his own. The life Alec led was routined and boring. There was nothing, besides Jace Herondale confessing his feelings, that was out of the ordinary. Alec wanted something exciting to happen; something other than his everyday, provincial life.

"Hodge, I'm home!" Alec called out, swinging the cottage door open. He closed it just as fast, so he wouldn't let out the heat.

"Alec?" Alec heard a bang and a crash, before Hodge prolonged his greeting with a string of curses. Hodge came out with a bit of soot on his apron and a mysterious blue liquid dripping from the sleeve of his gray shirt.

"You've been working again," Alec observed. Hodge grinned wildly and pulled Alec into a hug. Hodge loved books just as much as Alec did, and he used the knowledge he got to create handy inventions to help people complete everyday tasks. Or, at least, he tried to. Hodge had yet to make a working invention.

"I'm almost done with my ghost-repellent cream," Hodge said proudly, pointing to the blue substance. Alec grinned and congratulated him.

That was another thing about Hodge: he believed in the supernatural. Things like magic, ghosts, or demons had always caught his interest, and Hodge had found truth in the tales. Alec thought those stories were impossible, but he let Hodge have his fantasies.

"Is that Robinson Crusoeagain?" Hodge asked, shaking his head and chuckling. He gestured for Alec to take off his shoes and led him into the kitchen, where Hodge had two steaming cups of tea on the table. Alec grabbed on, thankful to fed off the winter chill. After his hands were warmed, Alec shucked off his snow-covered coat and hung it on the rack in the corner.

"So, how was work at the bookstore?" Hodge asked, turning to the fireplace. There was already a pot on, and the smell of beef stew was rising from it. Alec climbed up onto a stool and sipped his drink.

"Pretty good. Jace stopped by again," Alec said absentmindedly.

"Oh, Jace? He's a handsome fellow, isn't he? Jocelyn told me Clary has been pining after him for years," Hodge said, stirring dinner.

Alec snorted. "Handsome, but also rude, conceited and snobbish. I hate him, Hodge. He told me he wants to go out sometime. Wants to go out, after he called my reading childishand wrinkled the book check out sheets at the shop! What a total-"

"Oh my God!" Hodge shouted, cutting Alec off mid-rant. Alec jumped up and ran over to his adopted-parent.

"What's wrong, Hodge? Did you burn yourself?" Alec asked, snatching Hodge's hands and inspecting them. Hodge waved him off and gestured excitedly at his 'ghost repellent'. The already sketchy liquid had turned red and stopped its slow descent towards Hodge's hand.

"That means it works! I just didn't want it to turn red…maybe I need to go back to Idris for more supplies…" Hodge looked over at Alec wearily. "You know how important this is, right?"

Alec nodded, understanding. "Of course. You can leave now, if you want. Church won't mind a little run to the city."

Church was Hodge and Alec's grumpy horse, and he most certainly would mind. But Alec didn't bother to put a damper on Hodge's good mood.

Hodge pulled Alec in for another quick hug and ran for his coat. Alec quickly reminded him to take off his apron, and Hodge placed it in Alec's hand. "Thank you, Alexander. Dinner will be ready in only a few more minutes, and you can tell me all about Jace when I get back. Okay?"

Alec nodded, and Hodge ran out the door and into the cold.