"Can you please relax already before you make me get anxious as well." Clary murmured in an exasperated tone as they walked hand-in-hand with one another.
Jace let out a subtle sigh, giving her hand a gentle squeeze to reassure her that he was going to be fine. "You can't blame me for being nervous. Especially after finding out a little about your mom's past."
Clary refrained from laughing as she recalled his reaction when she disclosed some information about her mom to him. Even she had to admit that it would be stupid for him to not be slightly frightened by her. She was a total badass back in her younger days. She flashed him an amorous smile as she stopped them just outside the apartment building. "Do you trust me?"
A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he nodded in answer to her question. "Of course I do."
Clary smiled furthermore before she leaned up to place a kiss against the corner of his mouth. "Good. Now let's go inside so I can show off my amazing boyfriend." She gently squeezed his hand before she led them inside the building and directly up the stairs.
She reached into her pocket to retrieve the house key once they made it to the apartment and went about opening the door to poke her head inside. "Mom!" She announced out loud before tugging Jace inside the house with her.
"I'm in the kitchen." Jocelyn called back to her daughter.
"Do you need any help?" Clary inquired as she gave Jace a reassuring grin before she brought him along with her to the kitchen. She wasn't surprised to see her mom was in her normal attire with her hair up in a bun which was being held in place by a pencil. It comforted her to know that her mom stayed the same as she always had been. She pulled herself out of her own thoughts, knowing it was time to stay focused, and cleared her throat to grab her attention. "I want you to meet a special someone."
Jocelyn turned around with a smile, and tried not to seem so surprised when she saw a handsome young man standing beside her daughter. She almost arched a brow when she saw that they were holding hands, but she remained neutral as she held out a hand for him to shake. "Why hello there. My name is Jocelyn. And you are?"
Jace shook her hand gently whilst trying not to gape at her when he immediately saw the resemblance between herself and Clary. "Jace Wayland. It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard so much about you."
"Oh, really? I hope you've only heard good things." Jocelyn said in an amused tone before she sent them off to get seated in the dining room whilst she finished plating the food she just prepared for them. It also gave her a moment to collect her thoughts when she found Jace's appearance quite familiar, but he didn't exactly resemble Michael Wayland or his mother. She couldn't pinpoint the person who he resembled more than them at the moment, making her shrug that thought aside as she went about bringing out the various dishes of food to the table.
A few short minutes had passed when now all three of them had begun to eat the breakfast that Jocelyn had prepared, and Clary had to try not to blush from embarrassment when her mom had started to question Jace so much.
She was just relieved that they seemed to be getting along just nicely, which made Clary extremely happy. She didn't know what she would do if her mom didn't approve of Jace. And just as Clary was finishing up her second helping of food she looked up at her mom when she cleared her throat.
"So, how long have you both been together now?" Jocelyn inquired to Jace as she gave him a moment to answer by taking her time with drinking her cup of tea.
Jace tried not to squirm in his seat when this particular conversation had finally come. It wasn't as nerve wrecking when she had asked easy questions about himself, but this particular question had made his palms get sweaty, but there was no way that he was going to allow her to see how nervous he had just gotten. Instead he forced himself to flash a charming smirk as he spoke in a earnest manner. "We've just recently made our relationship official."
Clary was watching them interact as she was busy eating the last few pieces of her waffles along with fruit. She was curious to hear where this conversation was going, but also nervous at the same time.
Jocelyn nodded her head as she set her cup down onto the table. "I just hope you both aren't moving too fast." She gave them both a knowing look as to let them know what she was getting at without her having to voice it aloud.
Clary choked on a piece of fruit and started to have a coughing fit. She felt someone patting her back frantically, which made her wave them off as she took a few sips of her juice before turning to look at her mom. "Oh my gosh, mom! Please not that talk!" She nearly whined as she felt her cheeks flush a shade of crimson.
Jace felt slightly better after he knew Clary was okay after her little scare she gave him, but that feeling passed and turned to uneasiness when he realized what Jocelyn was hinting at. He almost grimaced in response to that. He never had to meet any of his past flings parents, which he was content with, but right now he wanted to make sure that Jocelyn knew that her daughter was in good hands. "I can assure you that we are taking things very slow at the moment. Although, I have to admit that trying to court your daughter is a bit of struggle since she's already proven that she surpasses me when it comes to our training. If I ever even think about doing something that displeases her, she will make sure to kick my butt in the process." He said his last words in a teasing manner in hopes of lightening the mood.
Jocelyn elicited a laugh as she shook her head from side to side and had to wipe tears from her eyes with how hard she had laughed. "Oh, I believe that very much. My daughter has proven that no one should mess with her. Even though her size may make people think that she couldn't hold her own ground."
Clary flushed again when her current company were bragging about her, but she couldn't help but laugh and agree with them.
The mood had lightened up instantaneously after that, and all seemed to be going well as they went on to exchange more stories with one another until Jace had gotten a call from Alec. Clary had bid him goodbye and promised to let him know when she would be heading back to the institute.
And now in the present she was busy with helping her mom clean up. She was in charge with drying and putting away dishes whilst her mom washed them.
"Jace seems like a real nice guy." Jocelyn said with approval in her tone.
Clary smiled in a jovial manner as she placed dishes in their spots in the cupboard. "He's not like other guys that I've come across, which is good. I'm very happy that you approve of him though. I was afraid that you wouldn't."
Jocelyn washed and dried the last dish and put it away before she frowned at her daughter. "Why would you think that I wouldn't approve of him?"
Clary shrugged her shoulder as she began to fidget with her fingers in an absent-minded manner. "Well he has a certain reputation that's circled around… But I'm glad to say that not everything that I've heard is true. He's actually the most kindest person I've ever met, and he understands what I'm going through right now. And he's helped me a lot." Clary peered up to look over her mom's features to judge her reaction, and was surprised to see that she was smiling, which made her blink in confusion. "Why are you staring at me like that and smiling so much?"
Jocelyn shook her head and laughed. "Oh, Clary… Of course you can't judge someone based off what you hear. I can see the way he looks at you, and how you both seem to gravitate towards one another. And to be honest… I haven't seen you this happy for quite some time, so I'm grateful that Jace has helped you so much since you've been in the care of the Lightwoods." Jocelyn closed the distance between them and gave Clary a tight hug before rubbing her back gently. "I know you're still hurting. It's going to get easier soon, and when you've finished your training you know that you are always welcome to come back here if you'd like."
Clary returned her mom's embrace, basking in her presence and was glad that she could have a moment like this with her since it had been so long that she has gotten to see her. It wasn't until she heard her last words that she pulled back to look up at her, arching a brow in a questioning manner. "What about Jonathan? I can't leave him alone in that big house."
Jocelyn refrained from showing any emotion at the mere mention of her estranged son for her daughter's sake. "He's a grown man now, and you are his little sister. You don't have to worry yourself about him, and it's not like you won't be able to visit him."
Clary bit her lip as she listened to her words, but ended up shaking her head in defiance. "I can't leave him alone. I know that one day we will part ways to start our own lives, but not right now. He needs me just as much as I need him. I'm sorry mom."
Jocelyn caressed her cheek as she smiled lovingly as to not let her see how she was a little hurt that Clary didn't want to come home. "Don't be sorry. He is your brother, and you're right that he needs you too. Just make sure that you don't always put him before yourself, alright?"
Clary nodded her head in agreement as she smiled in return. "I promise."
~~
Two weeks later
Clary had started her day as she normally would, but today after her training she was surprised to find a neatly wrapped gift on top of her bed.
She grinned as she eagerly walked over towards her bed, reaching out to grab the small box, and immediately ripped off the wrapping paper. She lifted the lid off the box, proceeding to remove the tissue paper that was within it and revealed a beautiful ring. She removed it from the box, noticing that there was a small note beneath it. She kept hold of the ring in one hand before she set the box down on the bed in order to read the note.
"Dearest sister, I was planning to gift you with this family heirloom on your graduation day, but of course I was too anxious to wait any longer. Father and I both had designed this ring especially for you. Keep it with you at all times. I love and miss you dearly. I hope to see you very soon."
Clary choked back a sob as tears had begun to stream down her face. She was so touched that Jonathan had given her this gift. She wiped the tears from her face before she began to examine the ring, noticing that it had the signature "M" on it along with their family symbol embroidered onto it. Her ring was designed to be more feminine she noticed, and it was very lovely. She smiled as she slid the ring onto her finger before extending her hand out to examine how it looked on her.
~~
It was later in the evening now, and Clary had just finished patrolling with Jace and his siblings. She had left them to have some family time together at Taki's whilst she went to give her mom a quick visit since she had called her to tell her that she had made Clary's favorite dinner and dessert.
A cold breeze whipped past her as she walked along the sidewalk, making her adjust her scarf and button up her jacket as she continued down the last block that led to her old home.
Clary had just reached the building and had begun to march her way up the stairs as usual. It wasn't until she was almost to her mother's front door when Clary started to feel uneasy, making her retrieve her seraph blade from her weapons belt and proceeded to murmur its name aloud to ignite it, feeling a little better as she was now properly armed.
She nearly dropped her seraph blade when she saw the front door had suffered some damage, making her fight the urge to rush into the house. She took in a calming breath as she cleared her mind in order to allow all of her senses to be alert as she walked slowly into the house whilst verdant hues skimmed along the now destroyed area that used to be the living room.
"Mom?" She inquired aloud even though she knew it was a bad idea, and before she could even scold herself for making any noise she heard movement coming from beside her. She didn't hear an answer from her mom, but instead something suddenly dashed out of a nearby room and charged right at her at full speed.
Clary twirled the blade in her hand, keeping her gaze locked on the incoming threat as she called upon her training whilst trying to not look behind her when she heard a scuffling sound coming from there, assuming that it was the demon's companion that was about to attack her as well.
The ravener demon's elongated body moved noisily along the wooden floor, leaving a trail of slime along its way as it elicited repulsive sounds. Clary waited for just the right moment until she slashed its midsection, stepping aside before it's blood could splatter onto her. It nearly roared as it turned to face her again, allowing its sharpened teeth to become visible.
"Come on you idiot." Clary taunted it as she waited for it to charge at her once again. Her lips curved into a malignant smirk when it did just as she asked, making her ready herself for the killing blow. After she dispatched of this demon, watching with disgust as it vanished back to its realm she was turning to face the other one that was attempting to take her by surprise. She walked over the broken contents that were strewn all over the floor, hearing glass crunch under her boots as she crossed the room, feeling beyond angered with the mere thought of these creatures having harmed her mother.
It wasn't until she neared the other demon that she noticed a motionless body lying against the floor, making her freeze for just a moment when she realized it was her mother. "By the angel! Mom!" She yelled frantically and almost missed when the ravener demon struck out at her.
Clary fell onto the ground after tripping over something when she had hastily backed away from its attack, making her seraph blade slip from her hold and was now lying out of her reach. She cursed under her breath for her carelessness and quickly pulled out a dagger, drawing her arm back and flung it forward with such force, watching as it embedded into the demon's chest. She winced as she got up from the ground, feeling shards of glass that sliced at her palms from that action, but she put that pain aside as she bent to retrieve her seraph blade to behead the demon, not waiting to see it vanish as her gaze was solely on her mother.
She crouched down beside her, trying to shake her awake as she willed herself not to cry. She couldn't afford to be a hot mess right now because she knew that those types of demons usually traveled in hordes.
"Please wake up mom!" Clary shook her one last time before she started to stroke her cheek, and nearly gasped aloud when she saw her eyes flutter open, causing her to elicit a cry of relief.
"Clary?" Jocelyn inquired in a croak before she gave her a frantic look as she tried to sit up too quickly. "You need to leave now! It's not safe. I failed you so terribly. I'm so sorry."
"Mom, you need to stay still until I can look you over to make sure you are alright, and call Luke." Clary was beyond confused as to what her mother was talking about, but she put that aside and had begun to examine her mother's form. She only saw a few minor cuts and bruises, and was about to give her an iratze, but she was stopped by her. "Let me heal you!"
Jocelyn shook her head stubbornly as she grabbed ahold of her daughter's hands, willing her to meet her gaze. "Clarissa! Listen to me goddammit! You need to warn everyone that he's gotten hold of the mortal cup, and everyone needs to prepare themselves for the worst. And you need to be ready the most because he is going to come for you first."
Clary blinked in confusion, thinking that her mother had suffered from a head injury, but what surprised her the most was the mentioning of the mortal cup. She knew about it, but she was under the impression that it had been hidden for years, and had never been found. "Who are you talking about, and why are you mentioning the mortal cup?"
Jocelyn eyes shone with tears as she released hold of Clary's hands to caress her cheek. "Oh, my innocent little girl. I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you from your father, and brother. I'm going to make it right though. I promise. You just need to find somewhere safe."
Clary was beyond confused right now, and she felt a headache gradually creeping up on her. "Mom, you're not making any sense. Are you sure you didn't hit your head? What does this have to do with Dad and Jonathan?"
Jocelyn looked puzzled as she examined her daughter's facial expression, realizing that she must not know of what Valentine had been planning long before her children were born. "He really kept to his word, and didn't tell you… Clary, listen to me carefully. For no reason at all must you contact Jonathan. He's not who you think he is. He's going to burn this world to ground in order to cleanse it just like his father wanted to many years ago."
Clary shook her head as she pulled away from her mother. "No, you're lying. Jonathan would never do such a thing."
"Who do you think came here and attacked me? And most likely left someone to watch over the apartment in case you came by? I know you don't want to believe it, but it was him. He's too far gone for anyone to save him. I'm sorry, Clary, but I will do what I have to in order to protect you." Jocelyn retorted in a rushed manner as she desperately wanted Clary to believe her.
Clary was too shocked to even gasp aloud when she understood what her mother was hinting at doing. She rose up to her feet, sparing her mother one last glance as she narrowed her eyes at her as she spoke through clenched teeth. "Don't you dare threaten my brother ever again. You don't know who he is, and you never gave him the chance to prove to you that he grew up to be a fine gentleman. And no thanks to you since you abandoned him." She nearly spat her last words before she pulled out her cell phone and called Luke to tell him what had happened.
She ignored the cries from her mother as she exited the apartment and went on to keep watch outside until Luke had arrived with some of his pack members. She didn't bother to greet any of them and instead brushed past them all wordlessly whilst the darkened streets greeted her eagerly.
Now this is where my twist for this story goes a little off from the books that we love so dearly. So keep in mind that not everything will go strictly by the books, and made up things may be written in as well. And what I mean by that is that we may see a darker version of Clary amongst other things. Still not sure how I feel about Clonathan moments. Let me know in the comments if you'd like me to explore with that, and please Clace fans don't come at me. This is still a Clace story, but of course there will be ups and downs to that relationship that we all adore.
