Morgenstern and Herondale

I was awoken abruptly by a horrendous throbbing attacking my skull. It was a torturous painful heartbeat echoing through my screaming head. Memories spilled through me—Valentines office, the whole bottle of wine, Jace in the hallway. Crap! I said Jace was hot!

Groaning, I rolled over…and immediately dashed into a sitting position, accidentally hitting my switched off bedside lamp and sending it smashing onto the floor. Jace was asleep, slumped beside my bed—he stirred and woke up, golden eyes widening. He looked at the broken lamp and sighed. "Did I scare you?" Jace asked, his normally amused, mocking expression wiped from his face. He looked glum and mildly annoyed.

I shook my head. "What the heck are you doing here?"

Jace smiled weakly. "Looking after my fiancé, is that a crime?" I collapsed exhaustedly onto my bed, snagging the covers and bundling myself up. "You must have the worst hangover ever. Here." He handed me an iced glass of water and two white tablets. Gulping them instantly, I winced and buried my guilty face into my pillow, ashamed. "So…glad you got drunk?" he snarled viciously.

"I'm sorry." I muttered, eyes closing.

"No!" Jace snapped, prodding me awake again. "No sleeping! You are the most stupid girl I have ever known! You could have done something dangerous if I wasn't there! What were you thinking, Clary?!" Moaning into my pillow, I gently shrugged my shoulders. "Don't shrug at me! Tell me what possessed you to drink yourself to idiocy!"

"Idiocy's a funny word." I murmured.

Jace clenched his fists. "Oh. Clary. You are pushing your luck." He growled, teeth gritting. "If it wasn't for your hangover, I would have put you over my goddam knee!"

"And what? Spanked me. Funny." I snorted and then sighed.

Jace crossed his freshly rune-swirled arms. "Don't tempt me."

"I would scream before you put me over your knee." I threatened, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable.

Jace laughed emotionlessly. "I would gag you before you screamed."

"I would have bit you before you gagged me!" I warned.

"Bit me?" he mused, chuckling. "Where?"

I hissed, "On your face."

He boomed a startling laugh, shaking his head. He leaned forward and purred in my ear, "I might like that too much."

I made a disgusted sound. "You are so perverted."

"You're my fiancé. Get used to it." He huffed and stretched his arm, smoothing a matted red lock of hair from my face.

"What are you doing?" I suspiciously asked, eyebrows raised. Jace continued to smooth my hair, a look of peace on his face. It was creeping me out. "Are you some sort of hair molester?"

Jace shook his head, a smile tugging. "Just—please let me. I've wanted to do this…since I met you." He moved his hand to my startled face, smoothing over my blushing cheeks. How embarrassing!

"Jace, I'm not sure—"

"Clary. I know. I know you don't feel what I feel. How about we be friends? Let's start with just friends. And then, if you change your mind, we can see what happens…" Jace released his hand and smiled kindly. His perverted side returned quickly though. "But I expect a hot wedding night."

"In your sick, disgusting dreams." I retaliated, smirking.

Jace pouted. "Oh come on. Just a nice steamy night between husband and wife, by the sea. You in a bikini. Hmm…"

"You are sooo wrong! Ugh. You can fulfil your oh-so-desperate needs with someone else."

Jace just frowned. Wow—no sarcastic comeback. "You really think I'm a women-user, don't you?" I just shrugged, feeling guilty. "Trust me. I'm not. I used to be, but I'm not anymore. I found someone special."

"I guess that's…"

"You. Yes." He smiled. Sighing, I gratefully thanked my headache for magically disappearing. Those tablets are good. Yawning, I stretched and sat up, fumbling around for the time. "It's eight in the morning, Clary."

"In the morning?! I've slept over nineteen hours?!" I exclaimed and leaped from the bed, dizziness overbearing me. Jace steadied me and I sprinted into my bathroom. Jace followed and watched, amused as I scrubbed my teeth hastily, removing the horrid taste of wine. I yanked a brush through my tangled curls and quickly applied some mascara.

"You don't need makeup." Jace whispered. I heard him.

I scoffed and rubbed cream into my cheeks. After approving of my appearance, I rushed back into my room and searched for something to wear. I had to go dress shopping with Jocelyn, so I needed something easy to wear.

"Jace, turn around." I commanded, reaching for my jeans and a white top.

"But—" he argued.

"Turn around." I growled. He raised his hands in surrender and whirled, facing the door. Quickly, I changed and—suddenly, I noticed my bedroom. It was clean! The last time I saw it, it was completely destroyed, blood splattered on the floor and clothes thrown around. "I'm dressed."

Jace turned and saw my bewildered expression. "I did a clean-up. It was a mess."

"But—but I had underwear on my floor!" I shouted, blushing.

"I know. I put them in the wash basket."

I grumbled. "You are so annoying."

"I know." He said again, grinning. "It's a talent."

I still couldn't imagine Jace picking up my clothing—my underwear! "You touched my pants!" I flushed deep with embarrassment.

"So? I didn't touch them for long." He turned and walked towards the door. "Oh, and just so you know, your mother and you are going wedding shopping in about five minutes." I turned around and searched for my stele and seraph blade. "Clary," Jace whispered. I whirled around. "Your lacy red pants were the best." I grabbed my knife and threw it at him. It buried deep into the wall above his curly soft blond hair, inches from his flirtatious face. "I'm telling the truth." He winked and ran out.

Groaning, I blushed even brighter, feeling faintly sick. That annoying, perverted blond. How would I get him back?