***Gideon P.O.V***
The longer I stayed in London, the more three things became apparent. The first: my Father had gotten worse with his dallying with demons. The second: my brother was completely loyal to my father and nothing I said or did made the slightest bit of difference. And third: the time I got to spend with Sophie was making my life in London bearable. I don't know how I would be coping without her. To be honest, I would have probably defied my father, abandoned my brother and gone straight back to Madrid. But I did have Sophie, and she anchored me to London. The more training sessions I spent with her, the more my feelings for her grew stronger.
I desperately wanted Sophie to like me back, and I was doing everything I could think of to achieve this, but due to my limited previous experience with girls, and the limited time I spent with her didn't seem to help. I had developed a habit of slipping into Spanish when I was in a good mood. A habit, it appeared that only seemed to occur when I was with Sophie. Although I was enjoying the training sessions, it was becoming more and more obvious that Gabriel on the other hand was not.
One day, during a training session, his frustrations boiled over causing him to say some unforgiveable things about the institute and about Charlotte's leadership. That was a mistake as Sophie, it turned was fiercely protective of Charlotte and would defend her by any means necessary. The result of this defensiveness was Sophie screaming at Gabriel then slapping him round the face, which looked painful. Gabriel then stormed out, making comments about the fact that he had no intention of returning. Tessa, who realized that he tutor had no plans on returning, also left, which left me alone with Sophie. I turned to her, only to find her sitting on a bench at the side of the room with her head in her hands.
I awkwardly sat next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. It was the first time I had touched her out of a training context and I had no idea how she was going to react. She didn't even seem to notice, "Sophie what's the matter" I asked softly. She then looked up with such fear in her eyes that I just wanted to hold her close and protect her. She spoke so quietly that I had to concentrate to hear her "I shouldn't have spoken like that, and I certainly shouldn't have slapped him. He's gone and Mrs. Branwell will be so angry with me. She'll have no choice but to let me go". She sounded so defeated that it hurt. Without really thinking, I cupped her face in my palm, making her look me in the eyes. "Sophie you did nothing wrong. You were provoked, and defended someone who means a lot to you. I'm sure she'll understand, and I saw the whole event, I can confirm what happened if I need to." I said, and without really thinking, I lent forward and kissed her.
"Whatever happens to these training sessions Sophie, I have enjoyed my time with you. In fact, it's been the only thing that's stopped me from packing my bags and returning to Madrid. If you are agreeable I would very much like to keep seeing you" I said once I had broken the kiss with Sophie. She looked confused "I thought you hated these sessions. Whenever I do something you start speaking Spanish. Surely that's so you can say something nasty in front of me without me knowing" she said. I kicked myself for not remembering that I was the only one who knew what I was saying. "I only speak Spanish when I am in a good mood. With the way things are, I'm only in a good mood when I'm with you" I replied, which Sophie seemed to like, as she gave one of her rare smiles. Her entire face seemed to brighten when she smiled, and I made a promise to myself to get her to smile more often.
"Well in that case Mr Lightwood, I am very much agreeable to continue seeing you, regardless of what happens with training" she said, which caused my heart to lift in my chest. I'm not sure who instigated it, but I found myself kissing Sophie forever. When we finally broke for air I whispered "Deseo que podría besarte por siempre" (I wish I could kiss you forever) which caused Sophie to smile. I then added "Pero, de nuevo, al ver su hermosa sonrisa es también una cosa increíble" (But then again, seeing your beautiful smile is also an amazing thing). Sophie then kissed me lightly on the cheek, and left, saying "as much as I would be happy to stay here, I need to inform Mrs Branwell that she has lost a tutor and I have work to do". I stayed where I was for a moment, grinning at what had just happened. Eventually I too left, thinking "Today has been a very good day".
***Sophie P.O.V***
As the training sessions had been going on fairly well. I admit that I was enjoying my time with Gideon. At first, I was confused. I still had feelings for Jem, but I felt those feelings fade, and my feelings for Gideon increase. He was always so gentle and kind. He was patient when I was struggling with something and was constantly thinking of ways to help me improve. The only problem was that he would occasionally speak Spanish, and I assumed this was because I displeased him. I doubt that someone like Gideon Lightwood would ever notice someone like me, a mundane maid when they had all the Shadowhunting aristocracy to choose from. Feelings were a confusing thing.
My confusion changed one day. I had gotten into an argument with Gabriel after he had insulted Charlotte, an argument which had ended with me slapping Gabriel round the face which then caused him to leave, vowing never to return. My feeling of triumph was however short lived, as I felt awful when I had realised the full force of what happened. I had lost a tutor, who just happened to be the son of the man who wanted to take over the Institute. It was obvious that Charlotte would have no choice but to have me removed from my position and that yet again, I would be back on the streets. I sat on a bench with my head in my hands, when I felt a hand on my shoulder: Gideon. "Oh God I bet he's disgusted at me. I struck his brother" I thought. Oh how wrong I was.
Gideon not only seemed to understand what I had done, but was prepared to defend me if Charlotte started to investigate. He then did the last thing I had been expecting: he lent forward and kissed me. I was so stunned I didn't do anything. He went onto say I was the only good thing about him being in London, and that, regardless of what happened to the training sessions, he wanted to continue seeing me. When I challenged him about him making comments in Spanish, he explained that it was due to him being in a good mood. When he said that, I knew that I would continue to see him. I told him, and we were kissing again. This time, I was kissing him back. It was during that kiss I knew that my feelings for Jem were gone for good.
Eventually I had to leave to inform Charlotte about Gabriel's absence. She probably already knew, so I knew that I would have to apologize and put forward my version of the story. Depending on what she said, I would either be resuming my chores or packing my bags. I was preparing myself for the latter. I knocked on the door to Charlotte's office, and waited for her to allow me in. When she did, I suddenly got a wave of nerves. There would be no turning back now. As I entered, Charlotte looked up, with concern in her eyes "Sophie dear is everything alright?" she asked. I tried to keep calm "No not really. I had an argument with Gabriel…he'd insulted you and I didn't like it. I slapped him, and he left and he claimed that he would never return. I'm so sorry Charlotte" I said. When I had finished, Charlotte laughed, actually laughed. "Sophie is that what's worrying you?" she asked and when I nodded she continued "Tessa has already told me what happened. I'm honored to you defended me, and it is my understanding Gabriel didn't want to be here. He was looking for a reason to leave and it just so happens that you gave him that reason. I think you did him a favor" she said. I couldn't believe it, she wasn't angry with me.
I was just about to speak when Gideon of all people burst into the office. "Mrs Branwell, I apologise for this intrusion but I have to beg you not to punish Sophie. It wasn't her fault, she was provoked. I know I saw the whole event" he then stopped, realising what he must sound like. Charlotte smiled "Mr Lightwood I had no intention of inflicting any punishment on Sophie for what happened in the training room with your brother." She said. There was a slight pause, and it was obvious from our faces that both Gideon and I hadn't expected her to say that. "You're not" we both asked simultaneously, then blushed. Charlotte looked from my face to Gideon's, and raised an eyebrow. She could tell that something had happened after the fight between the pair of us, but she wasn't going to ask about it unless we said something. Instead she looked at me "Sophie dear, I feel as though you have been through enough today. Take the rest of the day off" and with that, she resumed her work, indicated the fact we should both leave.
We both took the hint, and left her office. Once the door closed, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding. Gideon just looked embarrassed "I'm sorry" he began but I cut him off with a light kiss to the lips "tell me Mr Lightwood, what are your thoughts on Hyde Park at this time of year?" I asked, with more confidence than I would normally do. He smiled, and what a smile he had. "I think that I would enjoy it a lot more with you" he said with a smile. He then offered me an arm but I took a step back "I'm still in training gear. I shall go change but I shall return momentarily" I said and hurried off before he could realize I was heading towards the servant quarters. I had to remind myself not to get carried away. I was a maid after all.
Once I changed, I decided to find Gideon. It didn't take me long as he hadn't strayed far from where I had left him. When he saw me return, he face just lit up with one of his dazzling smiles. When I had gotten closer, he offered me his arm, which I took and off we went. It was a beautiful day, and I regretted not bringing a picnic. As we walked around Hyde Park, Gideon set out to try to get to know me better. I hadn't noticed it before, but whenever he looked at me, he looked at me, rather than my scar. He hadn't been repulsed by it, nor had he asked me about it. What he was interested in were things like what I enjoyed doing in my free time, and memories about my past. He offered information about himself, like the scraps he and Gabriel had gotten into as Children and the adventures he had been in Madrid. When we finally returned to the institute, he took my hand and kissed it, saying "Hasta la próxima vez." I had heard him say that before, so I asked him what it meant. "Until the next time" he translated, which made me smile. With a nod his head, he turned and left. "Until the next time" I whispered as I watched him go. Today had been a good day.