What are you chasing?
Why are you changing?
What do you think you'll find?
Packing up your suitcase, tearing out the driveway
You can go, you can take your time
Lights will shine, but I won't fade
I'll be here waiting
If you come back this way

'Cause I'm the man who stays

- Man Who Stays, Jake Scott.

Travel the world, dear.

I'll still be here.

Clary could have gone far, traveled the world and painted. When I asked if that's what she wanted she laughed and said, "Why would I leave? New York has it all. It has you."

And that was that. If you didn't want to leave neither did I.

I knew that whatever the world had to offer wasn't nearly as amazing as her.

And I was stupid enough to think you thought the same. No- I think you did. I was just stupid enough to think you would always think the same.

"Jace, you're not listening."

I look up at her, my knees against my chest. My hands cradling my temple, "You want to leave? What changed?"

"I just-Jace, I- I want to see the world."

I look up at her, a little anger replacing my voice. "Seeing the world doesn't require a break up."

Clary doesn't back down.

"I wanted you to come, but If you want to stay than I can't think of another solution"

I stand up and wave my phone under her nose, "I do! Its called technology!"

"Do you really think it would work?"

I stopped; she was doubting us.

"What are you looking for?"

Clary looks at me with wide eyes "I don't know yet. But it will be amazing."

I grab her think shoulders, feeling her start "Fine. Go chase the shadows of France and swim in Hawaii or whatever. Just know that whenever you look back, I will be here in New York living the life with the people who love me. An I'll still love you whenever you come back. Whenever you realize that you there's more to life than art."

Clary doesn't look happy, "Are you saying that I shouldn't explore the world-If you truly cared for me, you'd be encouraging-"

"I'm saying that if you truly wanted us to be together you should have waited for a more convenient time. When I'm not trying to cover rent and am getting accustomed to a new job-I-You're right. I wish you the best. I hope that one day, you can find happiness with people."

She leaves shortly after that.

It's been a year and she's still traveling the globe.

It's been a year and I'm still making a success of myself in New York.

It's been a year and she hasn't called since.

I guess I just never thought she'd want more-to want the world.

I should have considered it, of course. But I didn't. She was my world, so I assumed I was hers.

I was a fool to tell her I'd wait.

I'm still a fool.

This is so getting a part 2. !

xxx

PS. Shoot me a comment?

PPS. Please check out my Sizzy one-shot, it's "He Wasn't Good Enough For Her, (No. Wait! He Was.)"