Okay, I just need to say that there's a difference between constructive criticism, and just being an asshole. Some of you are crossing the line. If you don't like the story, it won't hurt either of us if you stop reading it. Thanks.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Mortal instruments. I'm just dicking around.

-Clary Fray-

I keep my head down, laboring over a new sketch. Thankfully the library is empty.

Lanky arms. Stooping posture, and a stocky build. Prominent, ashen cheekbones and a strong jaw line. Winged eyelashes and a quizzical brow. Fierce, soulful eyes. Square tipped, skeletal fingers placed delicately against his temples. Mangled dirty blond hair, and chapped lips. The boy from our apartment complex.

I ache for familiarity. The feeling of comfort and home.

The chair across the table from me drags back with a screech against the linoleum. "It is nice to see you again, Clarissa."

My entire body stiffens, and I look up with only my eyes. "Hello, Sebastian." His hair is disheveled, and his black eyes are sunken. His bottom lip is cracked open, and looks like it was recently bleeding.

He leans his elbows on the table, a small smile causing the cut to break open and bleed again. "It's been a while." His voice is toneless.

I nod. It hasn't really been long at all. The wedding night was the night before last. I've been away from home for three nights now. It's the longest I've ever been away from Jonathan and my mother. "You're bleeding." I tell him casually, watching a thin line of crimson creep lazily from his lip.

He dabs at it with his sleeve. "Courtesy of Mr. Jace Wayland." Sebastian explains, reproachfully.

I finally lift my head, looking into his unblinking eyes. "You got in a fight with Jace?" I scoff.

Sebastian shakes his head. "Fighting would imply that I participated."

I find myself shaking my head as well. "He just hit you?"

"Correct."

"Why?" I close the sketchbook, placing it out of Sebastian's view.

Sebastian smirks. "I make him angry."

"Evidently." I say, pointing to his bleeding lip.

Sebastian stands from his hair, and walks around the table to sit beside me. I move my chair slightly in the opposite direction. He frowns.

His index finger traces patterns across my back. I inhale sharply, and pull away from him. "Hey, it's okay." he says thickly. "Just relax, Clary." he whispers in my ear. His breath is hot on my neck.

I stand up abruptly. "You're making me uncomfortable."

Sebastian raises an eyebrow. God fucking damnit. Can everyone do that, but me?! "You didn't seem too uncomfortable last time I saw you." He reaches for me, but I step back nearly tripping over my chair in the process. Sebastian stands quickly, grabbing my arm to keep me from falling. His grip is too tight and will probably leave a bruise in the shape of his fingers. His eyes burn into mine, and he pushes me hard into the nearest bookshelf. his forearm pinned across my collar bone. I try to move, but he presses against me harder.

His lips begin to move toward mine, but I turn my head to the side, and they end up colliding with my cheek. He doesn't take the hint. Instead, he starts kissing down my neck. "Sebastian, stop."

His mouth trails lightly across my jaw line. "Why should I?"

I push against his chest, but he doesn't budge. "Because I asked you to."

"You seemed to enjoy it last time." Sebastian says, pressing into me harder. "What changed your mind?"

I exhale, trying to push him off of me. "You had something I wanted last time."

Sebastian's smile widens. "I think I still do." he says seductively, putting his hand in my hair.

"You don't."

Sebastian flips me around, pushing me into the shelf. He is warm and hard against my back, and I know that saying 'No' is not enough to make him stop. He isn't doing this to keep me alive, like Jace is. He's doing this because he's been taught that everything and everyone is at his disposal. I don't believe in lost causes, but I believe that Sebastian Verlac is more lost than I am. "Are you sure?"

I can smell his breath in my hair. I yank my head back as hard as I can. My skull collides with his jaw, and he stumbles back. I don't wait. I bolt out the door, letting it swing open behind me.

After entering the bedroom, I lock the door behind me just in case. Jace looks at me questioningly. "Locked door? Are you coming on to me?" He jokes.

I do my best to fake a laugh. "No."

He shrugs. "That's unfortunate. Those jeans look fantastic on you."

I roll my eyes. "I'm not really in the mood for jokes right now, Jace." I snap at him, sinking down onto the bed.

Jace sits up. "What's wrong?"

"I'm just having a..." I wrack my brain for the right word, but come up empty handed. "Weird day." I settle.

"Sebastian?"

"Yeah." I answer. "He's not being very nice." It's an understatement, but I don't want to explain.

"Did he hurt you?" Jace is immediately serious. "I already hit him once today, but I won't hesitate to do it again."

"I'm fine." I tell him, and I wonder if he can hear the uncertainty in my voice.

Jace is about to respond when he's cut off by a cold voice. "Mr. and Mrs. Wayland. I expect you're enjoying your time together as newly weds." Something in his voice suggests that he knows this isn't true.

"Oh, it's swell." Jace's tone drips with apathy. "We're madly in love." His tone matches the emptiness that I feel.

"And you, Mrs. Wayland? How are you adjusting to your new life?" I shake my head, refusing to participate in the conversation.

"You may want to keep your son on a leash." Jace growls, and I can't help but think that maybe he belongs on a leash as well.

"What are you talking about, Jace?" Valentine asks, coolly.

"Sebby has been enjoying Clary a little too much." Jace glances at me, amusement masking his features.

Valentine sighs, like he's disappointed in us. "Mr. Wayland, I will see to it that my son is properly punished. I suggest you satisfy your wife's desires, so she does not need to have them fulfilled elsewhere." Valentine finishes, and my heart rate doubles. Not again...

"I would rather not..." Jace protests.

"Now, Mr. Wayland." Valentine demands.

Fuck.

Review!

To Kelly: I was wondering where you'd been! I hope it all gets sorted out soon!

-IWriteNaked