Jimonael || Shadowhunters || Malace || The Primal Instinct || Malace || Shadowhunters || Jimonael
Title: The Alphas of Jace Herondale – The Primal Instinct
Fandom: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments
Disclaimer: All rights to the Shadowhunters show reserved to Ed Decter, the books the show is based off and its characters belong to Cassandra Clare. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Warnings: polyamory (m/m/m/m/m), alpha/beta/omega dynamics, hurt/comfort, fluff, courting, wingfic, wing kink, praise kink, BDSM, non sexual submission, bondage/shibari, kneeling, collar/leash, pet-play, spanking, nipple clamps, sex toys, masturbation, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, rimming, knotting, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Magnus/Alec/Jace & Raphael/Simon/Jace (at the same time, in a consensual poly relationship)
Side Pairings: Lydia/Isabelle, Maia/Clary, Aline/Helen, Underhill/Lorenzo, Luke/Catarina
Shadowhunters Characters: Jonathan Christopher 'Jace' Herondale, Magnus Bane, Alexander 'Alec' Lightwood, Simon Lewis, Raphael Santiago, Lily Chen, Lydia Branwell, Isabelle 'Izzy' Lightwood, Helen Blackthorn, Aline Penhallow, Clarissa 'Clary' Fray, Maia Roberts, Bartholomew 'Bat' Velasquez, Maxwell 'Max' Lightwood, Imogen Herondale, Luke Garroway, Catarina Loss, Madzie Loss, Lorenzo Rey, Andrew Underhill, Rebecca Lewis, Elaine Lewis
Summary: The Primal Instinct is a club owned by Raphael Santiago, where alphas and omegas can tap into their second nature, on a consensual, non-sexual level. However, lately omega regulars have been disappearing. Jace goes undercover and learns a lot about himself.
The Primal Instinct
The Alphas of Jace Herondale
Chapter 18: Rest and Recovery
The upside of having four alphas was that, even when one of them had to leave the comfort and safety of Jace's room for their own work, he still had at least one other alpha with him. The downside of having four alphas was... the exact same thing, actually. There was not a moment's solitude for Jace. His four alphas were hovering, they didn't leave him out of their sight at all, even when one had to leave, they made sure at least one other could be with him to watch over him.
It was weird. It was both reassuring and nice, as well as overbearing and exhausting.
He appreciated it, he loved how loved it made him feel. The part of him that was still rattled from the experience was glad that he had the safety and protection of his alphas around him. But... that same part of him also wanted to be alone, at least sometimes. He wasn't used to showing his vulnerability like that, he preferred to break down alone, curled together under his bed.
"I have to take care of this. Will you be okay, parabatai?"
Alec smoothed Jace's hair back to kiss his forehead. The most frustrating part was that he was annoyed by feeling so caged and smothered but he knew it'd be unfair to be annoyed with them – they were only doing this out of love. They loved him and cared for him and wanted to be there for him. But it still felt suffocating. He just wanted to punch a dummy for a while and then break down crying, without anyone coddling him about it.
"Magnus and Simon are still here", sighed Jace, only mildly frustrated. "I don't need all four of you around me 24/7, Alec. I... know you mean well but a guy needs some..."
"What do you need, sweetheart?", asked Magnus, gently tilting Jace's head back.
"I just need to be alone for a bit", admitted Jace reluctantly. "I just... I'm not used to this, to always being around people. I need... I need to be just me. This is all so... much."
"Jace-", started Alec to protest.
Magnus quickly silenced him by taking his hand and pulling him down to kiss his cheek. "He knows. He knows we're here for him. But I think... he's right. We've been hovering around him ever since we freed him, you barely let him go into the bathroom alone, love."
"...Because I'm worried", muttered Alec flustered. "I..."
"I know", assured Jace, taking his parabatai's hands to squeeze gently. "I know. You guys are worried about me and... care... but... I just... need some time alone, okay?"
"I... I mean, I guess", sighed Simon, running his fingers through Jace's hair. "But you'll text us when you're ready for company again, okay? Because uh. I don't know how to explain it, but there's an unruly feeling in my chest and it only eases when I see you."
"Because you're courting Jace to be your mate. And he was kidnapped and injured. The alpha inside of you doesn't want to let your potential mate out of sight, not right now", explained Magnus. "It's instincts. How about you distract yourself from that by comforting Clary? She had been worried out of her mind for Jace too and we've been... exclusively hogging him these past two days."
"Okay. Yeah. I guess I can do that. Should check in with my family too. You'll... really be fine, alone? Promise to text as soon as you need anything, okay babe?", asked Simon worried.
He leaned in to kiss Jace, making the blonde smile a little. His alphas were so sweet. A part of him felt guilty for sending them away, but he was just so – on edge. He needed to be just him for a little bit, without having to put on a brave face so he wouldn't worry his boyfriends.
"I'll be at the loft, if you need me", noted Magnus, kissing Jace on the forehead. "Be good, love."
Jace smiled at them, nodding as he watched them leave. As soon as they were gone, he collapsed back onto his bed and heaved a deep sigh. Raphael had to leave an hour ago already to take care of club business – after all, he had just discovered that two of his members had been abducting other members. Now that they had spent the past two days – the general 'they' of other Shadowhunters on the case, namely Helen and Underhill – gathering all the evidence at Anna Morgan and Tobias McKay's places, Raphael felt responsible of informing the people close to their victims of their loved ones' fates. Sighing, Jace ran his hands over his face.
"Daddy? What are you doing? Why did you send papas away?"
Bastet kept nudging his arm with her little face, until he cracked a smile and lifted her up to place her on his chest. The tiny black kitten immediately started pawing at his chest, very contently.
"Because daddy needs some alone time, Bastet", chuckled Jace. "Will you be fine on your own too? Because I really wanna punch something. I've basically spent the past two days in bed."
"Mh... if you bring bacon back", negotiated Bastet with a nod.
Jace laughed softly and kissed her little forehead. He carefully placed the kitten on the bed before leaving the room. Training, that was what he needed. When he reached the training room, he found Aline and Isabelle going at it hard. After a bit, they noticed him.
"Jace. You made it out of bed! Good for you!", exclaimed Aline teasingly. "Up for sparring?"
"Two on one?", challenged Jace with a cocky grin.
"Oh, it is on, pretty boy", huffed Aline and straightened up. "Iz?"
"I'm right at your side. Show us what you got, Jace."
Jace grinned pleased by that and grabbed a training staff for himself. The three of them went at it for two full hours with no break and no slowing down, until they finally ended the session. Both girls were out of breath, but Jace wasn't ready to join them on the floor yet.
"Jace. This wasn't about training. What's going on?", asked Isabelle as she watched him.
"I'm not-", started Jace frustrated as he concentrated on the punching bag. "I'm not strong enough."
"You just wiped the floor with the both of us, so I feel... offended by that", huffed Aline.
"I'm so tired of being helpless", growled Jace, not minding the girls and more ranting to himself at this point while hitting the bag hard. "As a child, I was always helpless when it came to my father."
The girls remained silent, watching him relentlessly hit the bag. "He comes back, pretending to be Michael all over again, and I'm just – back to being a helpless kid! He takes me to the Morning Star and I'm just... completely... helpless once more. Lilith hijacks my mind and I'm helpless. Imprisoned in the City of Bones, I was helpless. And now this! A mission and I get kidnapped and I hang there all helpless, needing to be rescued again! I'm so tired of needing rescuing!"
He squinted his eyes, tears gathering in the corners of them. Frustration, pure, raw frustration. He was so tired and so frustrated by all of this. All the while, he kept punching the bag over and over again, until someone grasped his wrists and physically stopped his punches.
"That's enough."
Jace looked up, looked right into the warm, dark eyes of his parabatai. It figured he would check in on Jace once he was done with his meeting. His teeth ground together hard as he averted his eyes.
"Your knuckles are bleeding", whispered Alec gently. "Let me-"
Twisting his hands out of Alec's grasp, Jace turned away. "I'll go on a flight."
"Jace-", started Alec frustrated, reaching out for his omega.
Isabelle grabbed him by the shoulder and held him back, shaking her head. Together, the Lightwood siblings watched Jace spread his wings and leave the room. After, Alec turned to glare at his sister.
"Don't glare. You know I'm right – he needs time to himself right now. Clearly, he's... not dealing well. And I don't think he needs his worried parabatai right now", argued Isabelle.
"I'm not just his worried parabatai", muttered Alec frustrated. "I'm his future mate. I love him. I just—I can't see him like this. I want to hold him, to-"
"Protect him. That's the problem, Lightwood", sighed Aline with an eye-roll as she got up. "He is strong, but he's been put in a victim position too often now and always, he needs someone to come to his rescue. Just... don't push him. Let him get this out of his system and come to you."
Alec gritted his teeth hard at that, but he decided not to say anything. Instead, he left, going to track his other mate down. This wasn't... He couldn't... How could he watch Jace suffer and not be right there to hold him? Why would Jace not want Alec to hold him...?
/break\
He found Magnus at the loft, though with a client, so instead Alec got busy preparing cocktails for them – non-alcoholic, of course. But Magnus still loved the fruity taste. In the other room, Alec could hear Magnus say goodbye to his client, the door closing. After, Magnus' steps led to the kitchen and moments later, arms wrapped around Alec's waist.
"Mh... one of my Shadowhunters", whispered Magnus pleased. "How are you, my love?"
"Frustrated", growled Alec annoyed as he turned around in Magnus' arms.
"What is it? Can I do something, darling?", asked Magnus concerned.
"No...", Alec sighed, shaking his head before burying it in Magnus' neck. "Jace doesn't want my hugs. I just... want to hug him. Hold him. Shield him. But he just... stormed out, annoyed..."
"I have a feeling that things are more complex than that", whispered Magnus gently, running his fingers through Alec's hair. "Tell me what happened, love."
"I went to check up on Jace, he was sparring with Aline and Izzy. He was... venting. About being tired of feeling helpless. And... And... I understand it... on principal, I understand how helpless he must have felt, that he's... tired of needing rescuing... but..."
"Oh, darling", sighed Magnus as he kissed Alec's forehead. "Give our sweetheart a little time."
"That's what Izzy and Aline said too", grumbled Alec frustrated.
"Come. Let me distract you from that, my love", whispered Magnus with a small smile.
Alec kept grumbling a little as he was being led to the balcony. Smiling to himself, Magnus ran soothing circles over the back of Alec's hand. It wasn't that he didn't understand why Alec was pouting right now, because he wanted to be able to help his parabatai. However, Magnus also understood that sometimes, a person needed some space. With everything that had happened in the past year, Jace had been dealing. But this? This was... a set-back. And Magnus, the alpha currently courting his precious omega, he too wanted to simply wrap himself around Jace and shield him from the world for a while, because... because it was so straining, so exhausting, to know his omega in constant danger, to once again see him be hurt, stand helplessly aside as he got hurt. Those were instincts and Magnus knew they weren't the end all be all, because they were more than their instincts. For now, they needed to give Jace the chance to digest what had happened to him and consider what he wanted to do about it, how he wanted to go on from there. And then it was on Magnus and the others to be there for Jace and support him in his decision.
/break\
Simon was smiling to himself as he was laying in an essential cuddle-pile on the couch in the penthouse. His omega wanting time to himself meant that Simon could do some bonding with his friends, with whom he hadn't spent time in days due to the cuddle-pile in Jace's bed.
"Pass the popcorn!", complained Bat, reaching out and flapping his hand.
"What? No!", huffed Clary, hogging the popcorn against herself.
Simon was sitting next to Clary, who was of course sitting next to her alpha, with Bat on Maia's other side. Clary had her feet in Simon's lap, the bowl of popcorn hogged on her lap as she leaned against Maia's chest comfortably. Bat tried to reach over Maia to get to the popcorn.
"How about Maia takes the popcorn so both of you can reach it?", suggested Simon amused.
"Ye—es", groaned Bat pleased as he got a handful of popcorn. "So... how's Jace?"
"Come on. We made it only five minutes into the movie", sighed Maia annoyed.
"What? Like you're not curious too. It's been days", huffed Bat, nudging her.
"He's fine. I mean. I don't know", Simon sighed softly. "He wanted time to himself. So I'm trying to give him space. Which is why you are here. So you can distract me from running back to him and cuddling him for the rest of eternity."
"And here I thought we were here because you missed us. I'm wounded", drawled Maia.
"Oh, come on. You know it's both", huffed Simon with a grin.
"Back to my brother", requested Clary, waving a hand in front of Simon.
"I don't know. All of this... got him. I mean, it figures? He wanted to do this, it was like his first big mission since the war ended. And this is how it ended. He's frustrated and I don't think it's something I can help him with", offered Simon. "He has to... come to terms with that himself."
"That's surprisingly mature of you", teased Bat with a grin.
Clary narrowed her eyes thoughtfully as she watched Simon for another moment.
/break\
Raphael smiled to himself as he watched his angelic boyfriend fly above. While Simon was keeping busy with his friends – which was a bit much for Raphael at times – he had decided to get comfortable on the rooftop. They had put up a beautiful garden here, with Jace's help. Jace loved flowers, gardens, they had one in the Institute that was basically his refuge. So Raphael had consulted a gardener and redesigned the rooftop into a beautiful garden. One that wasn't just for Jace to enjoy, Raphael had to admit he really enjoyed being up here too, basking in the sun. Reading a book in the warmth of the sun, surrounded by the beautiful flowers. When Simon's friends had arrived here, Raphael had gently kissed Simon's forehead and grabbed a book before leaving. Keeping busy himself. That was, until he spotted Jace circling above. Slowly, he closed the book and put it aside, instead watching the beauty of those wide, white wings.
"Solecito", greeted Raphael gently as the blonde finally landed. "What brings you here."
"I... don't know", sighed Jace, looking strained. "I... I don't..."
"It's okay, beloved", assured Raphael, scooting aside a little. "Sit with me? Sort your thoughts?"
Humming to himself, Jace sat down. The first thing Raphael noticed were the bleeding knuckles – the blood had crusted over, but still the smell was prominent. Carefully, he took Jace's hand, caressing his knuckles gently. Jace furrowed his brows, watching him.
"I was sparring. I got mad... at everything. Alec wanted to... but I just... urgh."
"Little of that made sense, angelito", offered Raphael. "But I gather you got these from sparring."
"Yeah. And just... I got frustrated, because I'm... I'm so tired of being helpless and Alec wanted to... hug it better, or whatever... because that's just... what he does", muttered Jace, head tilted down. "I ran out on him. I know he means well. I love him, you know I do. I just... I couldn't."
"I'm sure Alexander knows", assured Raphael.
"You... are calming", muttered Jace. "Simon would just be rambling so much. And Alec... is Alec. He's very overbearing when he worries, which... I love him for that, but... I just... can't deal with that right now. And I know Magnus is with Alec and after... Alec needs Mag himself."
Raphael's lips quirked up at that. He was calming? Slowly, he leaned back against the backrest. Invitingly, but not making Jace feel forced to be physically close to him. After a moment, Jace turned toward him, staring at him. His hair was messy, so were his clothes, he was sweaty and disheveled. Slowly, Jace leaned against Raphael, resting his head on Raphael's chest. Carefully, Raphael began carding his fingers through Jace's damp hair.
"Can I text the others? So they know you're safe?", asked Raphael after a moment. "Alec must be fretting, if you just ran out on him."
"He must be mad", muttered Jace frustrated, clawing his fingers into Raphael's shirt. "He just worries and I just—I walked out like that. That's so ungrateful. And... And now I'm with you-"
"Jace. Stop", interrupted Raphael firmly. "You're allowed your space. You have the right to want to be alone, my love. And... And you have the right to chose who to be with. I'm not just saying that because you chose to be with me; part of making this poly arrangement between us work is that we have to trust each other. If you feel forced to spend exact equal times with each of us and start feeling guilty when you spend time with only one of us over the other, then... that's not working."
"I... know. In theory. But...", Jace sighed, burying his face in Raphael's chest.
"Look at me. I'm not feeling guilty for being with you instead of being with Simon. Magnus is not feeling guilty being with Alec instead of being with you. We love more than one person, it's okay."
He buried his nose in Jace's hair while getting his phone out with the other hand, typing a message in their PolyChat, aptly named by Simon, naturally. Though Raphael had to admit, he hoped Alec wasn't going to be angry. Of all four of them, Alec was the most... emotionally unstable. He was the alpha who had been in love with Jace for the longest, had been the only alpha in Jace's life for so many years, and beyond all else, the alpha who had his soul bound to Jace. Now, courting Jace, it was messing with Alec's emotional and hormonal state.
"I wanna take a bath", mumbled Jace. "I'm all gross and sweaty."
"Do you... want me to be with you?", asked Raphael. "Will you let me take care of you?"
"What? Bathe me?", huffed Jace amused. "I'm not an old geezer-"
"I assure you, that's... different", interrupted Raphael, smiling bemused. "I want to take care of you, as I do in our sessions. Afterward, when I clean you? Magnus and Alec have done that for you too in the past. It's just like that, my love. But it's okay if you want to be alone."
"...Mh... Okay, if you put it like that", whispered Jace. "I do like that part of the aftercare..."
Raphael nodded pleased at that and led the way downstairs toward their suit. He motioned for Jace to head to the bathroom already, before Raphael himself went to check in on his other love.
"Are you having fun with your movie, amor?", asked Raphael.
He leaned over Simon from behind, kissing his forehead. Simon looked startled, blinking a bit.
"But you just texted me you're with Jace. Why aren't you with Jace? Where is-"
"In the bathroom. Where I'll be joining him in a moment. I just wanted to let you know that we're both home, okay?", whispered Raphael, gently brushing Simon's hair back.
"...Okay", mumbled Simon, making a bit of a face. "I just... How is he?"
"Exhausted. He spent all day exhausting himself. Now, he needs to rest. I hope the bath will help sooth him. I'll let you know when we're done. Enjoy your movie."
"Do you... want us gone by the time you're done?", asked Maia, eyes surprisingly serious. "Your omega's in a pretty... messed up state of mind right now. Want your home to you and your mates?"
"I'll... ask him and then I'll tell you before we're done." Raphael nodded at Maia in appreciation.
Then, he headed toward the bathroom, where Jace was already standing all naked. For a moment, Raphael simply took in the sight. His omega truly was breathtaking. Smiling, Raphael approached the bathtub, turned on the hot water and then mixed the soothing bubble bath that Magnus had given him with the comment 'Jace really likes this one', as well as some flower petals. Jace huffed when he saw that, but Raphael didn't mind. The aim here was to spoil Jace.
"Get in, kneel so I can reach you properly", instructed Raphael, keeping his voice soft.
He made sure not to use the same firm voice he did during a session, because that wasn't what Jace wanted right now. Jace obeyed, though he looked doubtful as he stared at the water slowly covering his thighs. Somehow, Raphael doubted that Jace really bathed to actually relax.
"Stretch your arm out", requested Raphael as he took a soft sponge.
The reluctant doubt slowly melted off Jace's face the longer Raphael took care of him. He rubbed gentle circles over Jace's skin one arm after the other, starting with the bloodied knuckles. After he cleaned the sponge, he took the sponge soaked in the good smelling water and squeezed it out over Jace's shoulders and back, letting the warm water run down over his skin. Jace's eyes closed and he slowly relaxed. Raphael started scrubbing Jace's back, massaging the sore, tense muscles. Then, he ran soothing circles over Jace's chest. Gently, Raphael pushed Jace back, until the blonde was laying in the bath, properly soaking. The Shadowhunter looked so serene.
"I'll wash your hair now, okay?", asked Raphael, amused by Jace's soft expression.
The omega turned into pudding under his hands as Raphael massaged the shampoo into his scalp.
"Who do you want in the penthouse when you get out of the bath?", asked Raphael. "Do you want me to send the others away? Do you want... Simon to stay?"
"I want the others to go. I'm not ready for Maia's snark yet and... I don't know Bat enough to want to be around him the way I feel right now. But... But I want Si. And Alec and Mag", whispered Jace. "I think... I want all of you with me, if you want to."
"I'll let the others know. You, enjoy your bath a little longer", whispered Raphael.
He kissed Jace's forehead before leaving the bathroom to inform the others.
/break\
Jace felt much more clear-minded by the time he climbed out of the bathtub and got to wrap himself up in one of the soft, comfortable bathrobes. His mind had been so... all over the place all day, but he really felt much clearer and more at ease right now. All clean and comfy, he headed to the bedroom. When he found all four of his alphas already lounging on the bed, he felt conflicted.
"What is it, angel? You requested us to be here, right?", asked Magnus as he saw Jace's face.
"No, yes, I did. I just... I'm sorry how I behaved this morning", sighed Jace. "How I sent you guys away. How I walked out on you, Alec. I know you guys... love me... and just worry. I'm..."
"It's okay. Take your time explaining", whispered Magnus. "Sit with us, choose your words."
Eagerly, Jace crawled into bed to lay between Magnus and Raphael. Simon immediately took a new spot, laying so he could rest his head on Jace's thigh and was laying squeezed between Raphael and Jace, making Raphael smile in amusement. However, Alec remained on Magnus' other side, simply watching his parabatai for now. The intensity of his eyes was nearly unsettling.
"I'm still getting used to having... so many people care for me. And I'm struggling with... feeling so helpless. It's frustrating. Having you all hover about just... it made me feel even more like I'm relying on you, like I can't do anything alone anymore. And don't say something like 'but you don't have to because you're not alone'. I know that, but this is different. I'm a soldier. I'm a warrior. But I keep... I keep needing rescuing. And I'm tired of being rescued."
He took a deep breath, leaning more into Magnus. "I needed to be rescued as a child. I needed to be rescued from the Morning Star – Alec nearly lost his life trying to save me, Clary did save me. When Aldertree was bullying me, I needed Magnus to offer me a place to stay because I couldn't stand on my own two feet. When... Valentine... killed me, I needed Clary to use the Angel's wish to bring me back to life... When Lilith possessed me, I needed Alec, Izzy and Magnus to free me. And... And now this. I was coping with all of that, I was really working on myself. This was supposed to be my comeback as a Shadowhunter, my first big mission. And I... I needed you guys to save me again. I'm so tired of feeling helpless."
"We're parabatai", whispered Alec. "We're parabatai to be there for each other. To have each other's back. I will always try to save you when you need help. Just as I will always rely on you to save me. That's how the bond works. Life has been hard on you, Jace, and I... I'm sorry this keeps happening, but having someone who loves you ready to help you is not a bad thing."
"I... am trying to learn that, Alec", sighed Jace annoyed. "But this is how I was raised – needing help is weakness and weakness is unacceptable. You... You can't expect me to unlearn life-long lessons after a couple months of therapy. I'm trying, I really am..."
"I know, parabatai", assured Alec gently, carefully leaning over Magnus so he could kiss Jace. "I know. I just... You're frustrated that you need help. I am frustrated when I can't help you."
"Quite the pair", hummed Magnus bemused. "My precious Shadowhunters, whatever am I going to do with the two of you... We'll have to adjust to each other and to each other's needs. Yes, the two of you were adjusted, but... your dynamic was different, it changed when you got romantically involved. And you're going to need to readjust yourselves to it too."
"You're right, Mag", sighed Jace, letting himself fall back into the pillows after his kiss with Alec.
"Part of that is open communication", continued Magnus on. "You were frustrated this morning, but you told us what you needed. You told us that you needed space. That was good. Better than... running out, or letting your frustration build up to the point of lashing out on us, because... while we do understand your issues and that they make things harder for you, that's... not our fault either."
"...I'm sorry I ran out on you and growled at you, Alec", sighed Jace.
"Your turn to apologize to him, Alexander", prompted Magnus after a moment, earning a look from both Shadowhunters. "Lashing out isn't okay. But... you did set your boundaries, you requested some alone time. And, Alexander, you pushed regardless of it."
"...You're right, Magnus", whispered Alec looking guilty. "I'm sorry, Jace. I should have let you be. I just... I just don't handle it well not being there for you. But... But that is... my... issue."
"Now kiss and make up", continued Magnus pleased.
Jace rolled his eyes fondly at his warlock, though he did as instructed. Magnus was right. Both their behavior hadn't been ideal. Pushing the people who wanted to help him away wasn't great, but Alec really shouldn't have pushed when Jace asked for space.
"We all have to adjust to this", whispered Magnus once more, laying an arm around Alec.
"I mean, I feel like I did pretty well", noted Simon dryly, earning a glare from Alec. "What?"
"Don't provoke him. He might bite you", whispered Jace amused. "But... yeah, you did. Thanks. For... not coming, even though I was literally here, in your home, hogging your mate."
"Eh, I had pretty good company and what matters is that you had whatever you needed – in this case, Raph", replied Simon before leaning in and whispering. "And I think it made him really happy. He was all puffy chest proud, you know?"
"Simon", growled Raphael, looking a bit flustered.
"What? It's okay to let our omega know that you are proud you could be there for him", countered Simon with a shrug. "I mean, that is what it means to be mates. And Magnus just said 'open communication'. I feel like that shouldn't just be 'I need' and 'I'm sorry'. It should also be positive reinforcement. Saying what is going well and what makes us happy, not just what's not working and what's making us unhappy, because then you really run the risk of focusing on the negative."
Alec stared at Simon in bewilderment. "That actually made sense and was sensible."
"...How does he manage to make something positive sound like an insult?", muttered Simon.
"Either way", interrupted Magnus and cleared his throat. "Simon is right. We should also point out things that do work and things that make us happy."
Jace turned onto his side so he was facing his vampires. "Thank you for today, Raph. It... was exactly what I needed. And... you were right. This whole... bathing-thing... weirdly soothing."
Raphael smiled amused at him. "You're welcome, solecito."
The serene moment was interrupted by Jace's phone. Alec reached beside himself at the nightstand, where Raphael had put it – and Jace's Herondale ring – earlier when taking Jace's things from the bathroom with him. There was a surprised look on Jace's face as he saw the caller ID and his alphas exchanged a few curious looks during the very short and vague conversation.
"What... Who was it, Jace?", asked Simon.
"My... grandmother. She said she's coming to New York for a while. Because she heard about what happened. She also wants to meet the alphas courting 'her precious, only grandson'."
Author's note: Aaand next chapter, grandma returns to see if these four are worthy of Jace. Prayer circle for the nervous boys. ùû