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, boot worship, spanking, nipple clamps, temperature play, sex toys, masturbation, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, rimming, knotting, double penetration, 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 19: Grandmother-in-Law
Magnus huffed indignantly as he threw another piece of clothing onto the slowly piling heap on the bed. Lorenzo made a small sound as he dodged the piece of clothing, before he turned toward Catarina with a questioning look. All the woman offered him was a bemused smile.
"What, exactly, is he fretting about?", asked Lorenzo confused. "Surely you must have met the parents of at least one of your past lovers before, Magnus."
"I have. Many times", muttered Magnus. "But none of those were the Inquisitor. After my track-record with the Clave, I am not keen to be in the same room with the Inquisitor in general. Yet meeting her as the only living family of my chosen mate...?"
"I can see that being awkward", Lorenzo nodded after a moment.
"What about you?", asked Magnus as he picked a different outfit to try. "Met the parents yet?"
"Oh no. My darling Shadowhunter wasn't as lucky in how his family received his sexuality", replied Lorenzo with a sober face. "Andrew hopes that, given time, his parents will come around. However, at least his aunt is very supportive. We meet her for tea and cake every other Sunday."
Humming, Magnus made a mental note to invite Andrew and Lorenzo over more often. He knew it was very hard when those you loved couldn't accept you – and over the war and after, Andrew had become a very dear friend to Alexander. Magnus made a pleased sound as he twirled in front of the mirror. He looked impeccable in the black leather-pants and the dark-purple silk-shirt with the frills. Now, the purple-black vest and he was perfect to go.
"What do you think? Can I go like this?", asked Magnus, turning toward his friends.
"Depends on the criteria", noted Catarina, her eyebrows raised. "If you want to be most comfortable that evening? Then yes. If you want to leave a good impression? Maybe lose the skin-tight black leather pants that show off... quite a lot. It might be a bit too daring for Madam Inquisitor."
"...That is a very good point", muttered Magnus with a small pout.
"What is the battle-strategy?", inquired Lorenzo seriously.
"Battle what...?", asked Magnus confused, sitting down with Lorenzo and Catarina.
"Battle-strategy. You aren't looking forward to this, however you want to leave a good impression on her, because she is important to Jace and it is important to you that he's happy. So I assume a man your age and experience has a plan for that", explained Lorenzo pointedly.
"Not exactly", admitted Magnus a bit sheepishly. "I... don't have a grasp on this woman. She has been known as a cold-hearted ice-queen who only cares about her job. I've seen her around Jace though and it's... pretty clear that what made her cold-hearted was the loss of her family. She thaws around Jace; he is the most important thing for her. I... don't think there is anything I could say, do or bring to just convince her like that. She wants the best for Jace and... all I can do is show that I love her grandson very dearly, anything else would look like I'm trying to sweeten her up."
"Mh, that's a very good point", agreed Catarina. "One day, Madzie is going to bring people home and if they'd try to suck up too much to me, I'd be just more suspicious."
"No—o, don't remind me that our sweet pea is going to grow up one day", gasped Magnus.
"If I may suggest", interrupted Lorenzo, a bit amused. "Show her that you do love Jace. Put your focus on that. On everything you've... done for her grandson in the past year. I mean, quite honestly, I would give you the blessing if he were my grandchild? You gave up your magic to save his life! If that wasn't overly romantic and intense, I don't know what is."
"And you took him in when he got kicked out of the Institute!", agreed Catarina enthusiastically.
Slowly, Magnus blinked as he stared at them. He... hadn't really thought on that. It was so natural to do such a thing; he always had a big heart. But yes, he had done a lot for Jace. He didn't even want to think about what could have happened with Jace without him... Hopefully, that would appease Imogen into not going full Inquisitor on Magnus.
/break\
"Mh. I haven't finished the page yet", grunted Jace, grasping Raphael's wrist.
The vampire smiled softly to himself and retreated his hand. The two sat curled together on Raphael's favorite armchair; well, Raphael was sitting in the armchair, Jace was sitting square on his lap, legs thrown over the armrest of the chair and head resting on Raphael's chest. In Raphael's hand was a book that the both of them were reading. It was one of the things they shared – Raphael had joined Jace's book-club and they liked to read the books together, either like this, or when one of them had a particularly hard day, the other would read it aloud.
"HOW are you two just sitting there, all calm and collected and-"
Raphael looked up, only slightly bemused. His blonde didn't even bother looking up, instead finishing the page and turning it for them both. As quickly as Simon had come running in, as quickly was he out again, throwing his hands up in the air and cursing in Spanish.
"Amor, you should try to relax a little", advised Raphael gently.
Instantly, Simon stuck his head out of the bathroom again, glaring pointedly at Raphael. "Relax?"
He narrowed his eyes at Raphael before vanishing into the bathroom once more. Jace finally lifted his head up, frowning in confusion at the bathroom before turning toward Raphael curiously.
"What's... his deal? I don't really get why he is so nervous", grunted Jace before deliberately raising his voice. "After all, he was the one telling me I don't have a reason to be nervous meeting his family, so this seems quite hypocritical of him, don't you think, Raph?"
Laughing softly to himself, Raphael leaned in to kiss Jace's temple. Meanwhile, Simon came storming out again, wearing a different shirt than before. He pointed his toothbrush at Jace.
"You! You shut up!", huffed Simon offended. "Your grandma is scary! And besides, I've never met the family of someone before! When I was with Clary, that wasn't an issue because I already knew Luke and he's like a dad to me. Then there was Maia, but like she is estranged from her own family so that wasn't really... an issue. And Raph, okay, sure, I met Rosa, but... that was different."
At that, Raphael fell silent and his smile turned slightly sad. The memory of introducing Simon to Rosa was bittersweet, he cherished every memory of Rosa that he had, but it made him so sad to think of the loss. To think that he would never see her again, never get to introduce her to Jace. Jace turned his head to gently nuzzle his cheek soothingly.
"How are you not nervous at all?", asked Simon, trying to change the topic as he noticed Raphael's shifted mood. "I mean, she's the Inquisitor. If she doesn't like us, she can throw us in Shadow Jail."
It was cute to see Jace open and close his mouth, shaking his head and deciding against arguing. Instead, the blonde leaned back against Raphael, seemingly melting against the alpha.
"She may have the power to do that, but she wouldn't", offered Raphael.
"How can you say that so confidently?", asked Simon with a slight whine.
"Because Jace is the only family she has left and she wouldn't hurt him like that, she has spent too much time thinking she was all alone, thinking Jace was dead, to actually risk losing him again. And you and I both know what we mean to Jace, so... throwing us in jail would upset him."
"Greatly", tagged Jace on. "It would upset me greatly. And grandma wouldn't do that."
"See", hummed Raphael pleased, resting his chin on Jace's head.
Simon was grumbling beneath his breath as he headed back to the bathroom, potentially to keep fretting. It was strange how calm Raphael felt, but he fully trusted Jace – that was what this was about. He trusted Jace to have their back, to not back down and let his grandmother have the final say about whether they would pull through with the mating. Jace tilted his head and smiled up at him, conveying that he understood Raphael trusted him on that.
/break\
The serenity Alec felt was strange. It should mortify him, to be meeting the Inquisitor, not as his parabatai's grandmother but as the grandmother of the omega he was courting. The thought to be open about courting Jace, about being with a man in general... it had strangled and suffocated him. Meeting Magnus, falling in love with Magnus, it had helped him so much in embracing who he was. Still, he knew that the main reason he was so calm right now was the bond. He could feel how giddy and excited Jace was – there was no fear coming from the omega, he was simply happy to get to introduce his boyfriends to his grandmother. This ease was contagious for Alec.
The five of them had agreed to do this at the loft; Hotel Dumort was perhaps not the best location to invite the Inquisitor to. Jace had cooked himself, with Raphael. Alec had cleaned up and set the table, while Magnus and Simon were mostly busy fretting. They were trying to calm each other down but that hardly worked when both of them were worried about today.
With Raphael and Jace busy in the kitchen and the other two pacing on the balcony, where the dinner table was set up, Alec was the only one to hear the knocking when the Inquisitor actually arrived. He put his most polite smile on as he opened the door for her.
"We're glad you could make it, Imogen", greeted Alec as he opened the door.
"Really? Because I would have expected to actually be invited if you wanted me here."
She was radiating ice. And suddenly, the serenity Alec had felt seemed to melt away. He swallowed as he led her inside. When she shed her coat, she handed it to him and then headed into the loft, following the voice of her grandson and finding Jace in the middle of spoon-feeding Raphael.
"It tastes perfect, solecito", assured Raphael, smiling at the blonde.
"Jace", called Imogen out pointedly, gaining her grandson's attention.
"Grandma! I'm so glad to see you! I'm sorry I've not been calling a lot!"
He hugged her tightly, looking so incredibly happy to be hugging her. It warmed Alec's heart. He knew how much this meant to Jace. To have family. After Michael, after Valentine and Jocelyn, after Robert and Maryse – he deserved family, who loved him unconditionally.
"Oh no, it's quite alright, my boy", assured Imogen gently. "I know how hard you work. I do too, after all. You're just all Herondale, Jace. And I am here now, that's what matters."
Entirely different words and tone of voice than what she had said to Alec. It made the archer smile a bit. She could be such a hardass, but she wouldn't guilt-trip Jace; she knew he still felt bad about what had happened while he was possessed by the Owl so she did everything to assure him that she didn't hold him accountable for any such thing. Not even for not calling as often as he could.
"And Raphael is right, that does smell divine", noted Imogen as she sniffed curiously.
"And it's nearly ready. We'll leave it on a low setting while we eat the salad. Magnus and Simon should have finished that up. We set the table outside, since it's such a nice day."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, the weather is quite nice."
While Jace and Imogen started talking, Alec decided to go check on Magnus and Simon. Once outside, he paused to appreciate the sight. Magnus was wearing those skin-tight black leather-pants, the ones that made Magnus feel all-powerful in his comfort. And damn did they look good.
"Stop staring at your husband's ass", advised Raphael as he came up from behind.
Alec quickly caught himself and nodded sharply. No need to have Imogen catch him be a perv. It was naive to think that Imogen didn't know they had sex, but it was better to not be too obvious about it? Maybe she would think they were innocent and all of that.
"She's coming in a minute, her and Jace are selecting the wine", informed Raphael.
"Oh. I'm... so looking forward to that", sighed Magnus.
He took a deep breath and Alec came to gently kiss his husband to calm him down.
/break\
"Uhm, so... how... have you been, Madam Inquisitor?", asked Simon awkwardly.
He had no idea how to refer to her. She was his boyfriend's grandmother, but she was also like really scary and the leader of the Shadowhunters. The woman narrowed her eyes at him.
"Please, call me Imogen," her voice however was sharp and nearly threatening. "And I have been very well. Finally fully recovered and taking over my job again. The one where I sent criminals away for life. People who... break... things... like the law..."
Her eyes wandered over toward Jace at that and the threat was more than clear. To everyone aside from Jace, who was happily piling things onto his grandmother's plate, telling her about how Raphael had taught him this dish and how the two of them had been cooking together lately. That alone kept Raphael smiling and not getting nervous about the threat. It was cute, Simon was really happy about the things Raphael and Jace had found for themselves, especially when he thought about how in the very beginning, Raphael had only considered this for Simon's sake, for the sake of Simon's feelings for Jace. However, by now, Raphael truly was in love with Jace, for Jace's sake, and the two had found things they shared. In return, Simon had found things to do with Jace alone, the blonde was surprisingly enthusiastic about the pop-culture that Simon had introduced him to. They were watching Buffy together right now (and Simon totally knew that Jace loved it).
"Oh, honey, could you be a dear and get me a glass of water?", requested Imogen.
Jace nodded with a smile and walked off, leaving his alphas all alone with his grandma. Simon instinctively tried to hide a little behind Raphael, who was handling this decidedly better than him.
"I just want to make one thing very clear", started Imogen slowly, smiling at the four one by one. "My grandson has suffered greatly during his life. All I want for him is to be loved and cherished the way he deserves. If you will do that, if you make him as happy as he seems right now, then I will gladly welcome you into the family and support this relationship."
For a moment Imogen paused, letting this sink in, her voice growing more gentle and her smile fading as she looked at them once more. "But if you hurt him, after all the pain he's been through, you will regret ever having been born. He is my family, my only family, and I am so proud of how hard he has been working on his mental health. I know you have been helping him with this, to varying degrees. But a relationship with him is not going to be easy. He will not always be as happy as he is right now. I've seen Stephen and Céline, I've seen how much they struggled. The highs are high and good, but the lows, the manic episodes, the depression, it's a lot of work. It will cost you, personally. Because you're not just signing up for the good times. I need you to be aware of that."
Simon swallowed hard, biting his lips. "My mom's an alcoholic. She's sober now. But I grew up with her drinking. And I've been there during her lowest lows. I know it's hard work, I know it's frustrating and sometimes, it hurts. But when you love someone, you can endure it and you will be there for them. I love your grandson, I love him very much, and I'll be there, whatever he needs."
Raphael smiled proudly at Simon and leaned in to kiss his mate's cheek. "Well-put, amor."
"That goes for us all", offered Alec, holding Imogen's gaze. "I've been with Jace through thick and thin and that will never stop, whether he is my mate, or my parabatai. And Magnus took Jace in when Jace didn't feel safe at the Institute, offered him a home. We're here for Jace, we were here for him and we will continue being here for him. Because we love him."
Her gaze was intense as she let it wander one more time, taking in the honesty in all their eyes. Even Simon felt far less frightened now and could meet her gaze full-on. And then she nodded.
"Then you have my blessings for this relationship. Though I would advise you to set a date for a mating ceremony, Alexander. You know that parabatai are not allowed to be in a romantic relationship, for good reasons. It's dangerous. A mate-bond is something different, because it offers an additional stability that is needed. As the Inquisitor, I can't give you long on this relationship without a sealed mate-bond. Casual relationships between parabatai are prohibited."
"I also brought more wine!", declared Jace as he came out, interrupting the conversation.
/break\
Jace smiled to himself as he sat leaning against Magnus, listening to his warlock talking to Imogen. He'd heard the conversation earlier; bringing water from the kitchen didn't take that long. But he also knew his grandmother hadn't sent him away because of water. She wanted a moment with his boyfriends. He felt like he should give them a moment. However, he loomed close, to interrupt if she upset them or threatened them. If he was being honest, he didn't think what she said was bad. It was just... protective. And it felt strangely good to have someone in his corner like that. It felt even better to hear his lovers speak up and assure her that they did have his back. Though in a way, what she had said had felt like a gut-punch – the reminder that this high, this good feeling he has had in the past weeks, it wasn't going to last. Deep down, he knew that. He knew he was on a rollercoaster ride and sure, he took his meds, but he had felt the temptation of just... not taking them.
"How long are you going to be staying?", asked Jace hopefully.
"Only for the weekend, I'm afraid. Work will only be piling on", sighed Imogen. "But I want to spend as much time with you as possible. There was this play you were talking about..."
"Yes. Cat and Elaine went to see it and have been talking about it since then. But my boyfriends are either philistines of the finer arts, or too busy with their duties", sighed Jace.
"If you want to see it, you can use my booth at the theater", offered Magnus with a smile.
"That is a lovely idea", agreed Imogen. "Let's go to the theater together and you could show me the city a bit, we have never really gotten around to that."
"I'd love that. Think you can arrange for something for tomorrow, Mag?"
He tilted his head up to look hopefully at his warlock. Magnus smiled gently at him, tracing Jace's face before nodding. He leaned down, kissing Jace. Gently, innocently. Only motivated by wanting to kiss Jace. Those were Jace's favorite kind of kisses, the ones that were only born out of the need to show affection, to be gentle with each other.
"Anything for you, sweetheart", assured Magnus. "And that way, I won't have to feel as guilty about having canceled on you with work..."
"It's okay", sighed Jace, nuzzling into him. "I know your job as High Warlock is important. I'm not gonna hold it against you that you helped your people when they need you."
Raphael sighed, pocketing his phone. "A text from Lily. I'm afraid Simon and I will have to bow out for the night. It was lovely, Imogen. I hope we can do it again."
"Lunch, day after tomorrow? Before I have to return?", suggested Imogen with a smile.
"Sounds great. And have fun at the theater", offered Simon, waving at them.
"Well, seeing as fifty percent of your boyfriends are biding it a good night, perhaps it's time for us to leave too?", suggested Imogen. "Walk me back to the Institute?"
Actually, Jace had planned on staying the night with Magnus and Alec. Still, he put a smile on and agreed, kissing Alec and Magnus goodbye and leaving only shortly after Raphael and Simon. The two of them walked in silence for only a bit, Imogen holding onto Jace's arm.
"You truly love them, don't you?", asked Imogen softly. "Alexander, I... saw coming, I admit. But... all four of them? And I'm not trying to be judgmental here, I really am trying to understand, but... I had one husband and it was already hard enough to balance our relationship and my job. Can you balance four partners and your job...?"
"Maybe. I think. I don't know", admitted Jace after a moment. "To be honest, I... I don't know what I want from my life right now. I don't... I think it's time I look for a different career."
"What... were you thinking about?", inquired Imogen curiously.
"I... While I took a step back to concentrate on my recovery, I was mainly overseeing. Head of security. I jumped at the chance to be on active duty again. But... it blew up in my face spectacularly and it... actually set me back. I've been having nightmares about it, panic-attacks. It feels like it undid so much of the work I put into it over the past months and it's so... frustrating."
"So you want to... become head of security again?"
"I... want to become head of security. For the Clave", admitted Jace after a moment.
Imogen raised her eyebrows in surprise at that. She had tried to lure Jace into a higher position for a while now; she would have wanted him to be head of the Institute and then climb the latter to become consul and one day replace Imogen as the Inquisitor. Jace didn't want that.
"The... plan you have in your head for me isn't... where I see my life heading. I'm not a politician, I will always be a soldier. Even when I am not an active soldier anymore. Leading them, organizing them, making strategies and plans. And then, one day, be head of the Inquisitor's security."
"How do your boyfriends fit into that plan?", questioned Imogen.
"In that plan, Alec's the Inquisitor", stated Jace, the smallest smile on his lips as a dreamy expression took over his face. "You will have to retire at one point, grandma. And no one is better suited to take over. Alec will work his way up, becoming consul and then Inquisitor."
"I could... see that", nodded Imogen after a moment. "Well, not what I'm supposed to do with retirement. The job has been my life for the past twenty years..."
"You could be a great-grandma", offered Jace, flushing. "I mean, not any time soon – but then Alec's not gonna be ready for a few years either – but... we talked about it. About wanting kids."
Imogen nodded, with an eager sparkle in her eyes at that. "Great-grandchildren. How nice. Though, the question was more about your... other partners."
"I... was thinking that maybe... you could help me with that", started Jace reluctantly. "I don't know... about it entirely yet, I need to talk about this with them too. But I wanted to see if the option would even be... available. But I want them to move to Idris with us. I want Magnus to be able to be the High Warlock of Idris, to build a warlock community in Idris. I want Simon and Raphael to lead a clan in Idris. It... We need to open the borders, we need to... have more open communication with Downworlders. New York, we, we're proof that great things can happen when we come together. We would not have been able to take the Circle down without the pack, the clan and the warlocks. Shadowhunters in general rely so much on warlocks, on their magic – we need to establish trust and mutual respect between Shadowhunters and Downworlders. My mates have shown me this."
"That... sounds very... reasonable", drawled Imogen after a moment. "You're right. Relations between Shadowhunters and Downworlders have been complicated at best. You're not the first one to notice that. The Clave has been debating ways on how to... change that. But no one has made an actual good suggestion so far. I do like yours. I'll put out a feel about it, set things into motion."
Jace smiled faintly at that, nodding. "Thank you, grandma."
He would have to talk about this with his boyfriends, to see if they would even consider it. It'd be the perfect solution. Alec could continue the career-path he had always dreamed about, without their husband living in New York. After everything that had happened in New York, Jace knew that Raphael had been dreaming about a new start. He wouldn't want to leave the clan, or his lovers, but Jace knew that at times, being at Hotel Dumort was too much for him because of the memories.
/break\
Saturday had been a blast, going to the theater with Imogen, showing her around New York earlier that day. And lunch on Sunday had actually been far more at ease than Friday's dinner. It seemed that enough had been said to ensure everyone knew where they stood. He had hugged her goodbye and watched her leave through a portal. Afterward, the four of them simply collapsed on the couches in a heap, Jace laying sprawled out between Simon and Alec.
"I was thinking May", noted Jace softly as silence laid between them.
"What about May?", asked Simon, looking utterly confused.
"For the, you know, mating ceremony", muttered Jace, cheeks a bit red.
"...That's soon. Wait, where is this coming from?", asked Alec concerned. "Is it about-"
"Don't fuss", warned Jace, pressing a finger against Alec's lips. "Yes, I heard what my grandmother said. And I knew that even before she said it. What we have right now is against the Law. Once we get mated, we're on the safe side. I... get if that's too soon for you guys, Raph, Si, but..."
"No, I mean, honestly, Raph and I sealed the matebond about as quickly. When you know, you know. That's what my mom always said to me", shrugged Simon. "But May already, huh?"
"I... want a spring wedding", shrugged Jace, cheeks still red. "Think you can... do that?"
He turned toward Magnus, whose entire face lit up. "Oh, a spring wedding! I love it already. Yes, I will absolutely put together the perfect wedding for us!"
Magnus leaned in and kissed Jace rather enthusiastically. Jace turned to look at Raphael, tense.
"I'm with Simon on this. We're courting you because we love you, because we want you to be our mate. May sounds lovely. I'm... glad you made your choice, and that you chose us."
Raphael smiled as he kissed Jace's temple. When they had started courting him, Jace had honestly been waiting for the second shoe to drop, for them to realize this wasn't a good idea, or fit. But hearing them yesterday? They weren't going to realize that it was too much work, because they knew how much work it was. And they had chosen to sign up for it, because they loved him. How could he not chose them? The men he loved, the men who loved him, accepted him?
"I... talked to my grandmother about... the future too", started Jace after a moment. "And while I don't want to make any... plans for you, I... have this... image of the future in my head."
"Tell us about it", urged Raphael, gently running his fingers through Jace's hair.
"I know Alec wants a political career. That's going to bring him to Idris. Become consul, become Inquisitor one day. And... I was thinking, maybe my career could... lead me to become head of security for the Inquisitor one day. Which... would also lead me to Idris..."
"Something tells me you have part for us in that image too and it's not long-distance", said Magnus.
"I was thinking that maybe... the High Warlock of Idris would be... something Idris needs and a position you would be very suited to fill. I know you love your community in New York, but I also listened to you when you told me about how many don't feel safe here anymore, not since the war, since everything that had happened. Maybe... if you were to move to Idris, to offer them a new community there... it would be a start", explained Jace, licking his lips. "And... the same goes for the clan. Establishing a clan in Idris. I know how Raph feels about New York some days... and it'd be a good new start, somewhere new. And we could all be actually together."
"I... do have to admit that... Lorenzo did a good job, for while he was High Warlock. He would take good care of New York if I left. And I have been in New York for longer than intended. You're also... right, so many don't feel safe here anymore. So much has happened. The opportunity to offer that part of my community a new, safe place..."
"There's no rush to this, but... that was kind of... where I see us, down the line", continued Jace. "Something to... work toward. But I figured... so you know where I'd want us to go."
"Moving to Shadowhunters Metropolis? That does sound exciting", hummed Simon with a grin.
"I do think that it's a very good option that we could... think about", agreed Raphael. "There would be a lot of work that goes into such a move, among the clan. But I do like the idea."
Jace couldn't help but smile to himself as his idea was being received with nothing but encouragement and open minds. He purred softly to himself, feeling more at ease now. This had been running through his head for a while now, but putting it to words made him feel much better.
Author's note: Now that the boys are slowly making plans for the future, let's throw them a curve-ball and put some Accidental Child Acquisition in next chapter, mh? ;D