Jace woke up alone. It was weird not having Clary curled up next to him, he felt lonely and disappointed. Propping himself up on his elbows he did a quick scan of the room, the fire that had been burning in the grate the night before was now a warm pile of ash and the blanket Clary had been wrapped in was in a crumpled heap next to him. He unfolded himself and rubbed his backside tenderly, apparently a night on the floor wasn't a good idea after a day of training. Jace stretched letting his eyes travel to the door where a square of folded sketching paper was taped to the wood with his name scrawled across the front in Clary's neat hand writing.
Jace,
Sorry I left without saying goodbye but Isabelle promised to take me to the apartment to grab a few things and I figured after yesterday I should let you rest. I'll see you around noon!
-Love Clary
He folded the note back up and placed it on his pillow before rummaging through his drawers to find his last clean pair of training pants and a dark red t-shirt that Simon said made him look like a walking blood cell. Jace didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or a warning.
He walked through the halls barely making a sound as he entered the kitchen to find Magnus cracking eggs into a pan wearing an apron that said "I can't cook" "Reassuring" Jace said gesturing to the apron. "I'll have you know your dear parabatai bought me this apron" Magnus huffed obviously already annoyed with him after spending only a few seconds together. "That worries me even more, he's the only one of us who's tasted your cooking!" Jace exclaimed, Magnus gave him a good hard glare before turning back to the stove, ignoring Jace completely.
Simon walked in a few seconds later his hair a frizzy mess. The t-shirt he was wearing looked two sizes too big for him and his jeans were a frayed disaster, he basically looked like he'd just been picked up by a hurricane and dumped out by its business end. Jace still hadn't figured out why Izzy was attracted to him. "Oh man I can almost taste the tension in here! What's up with you two?" Simon asked in his usual annoyingly blunt way before jumping up to sit on the counter. Jace who was seated like a civilized person on a chair pulled out the one beside him and patted it his eyes locked with Simons. But Instead of taking the ever so kindly offered chair the little geek just started swinging his legs like he was trying to get on Jace's bad side. "If you must know, Jace is being a brat and he's lucky I haven't turned him into a toad. " Magnus sneered slamming a wooden spoon against the counter. "It can't be that bad." Alec interjected standing in the doorway his arms crossed over his chest. Magnus' glare softened until his eyes fell back to Jace where they turned an icy almost flurescent blue and small sparks danced along his fingertips. Jace was pretty sure Magnus would never do anything to actually hurt him but he felt a sense of security having Alec standing there because so long as his parabatai was there Magnus wouldn't do anything too detrimental to his health.
"Where's Clary, and Isabelle?" Simon asked as if noticing they were missing for the first time. "Something about going to get clothes from the apartment." Jace said grabbing the mug of coffee from Alec's hand that he'd just poured probably for himself Jace figured but he didn't want to waste the time in making his own glass.
Alec glared at him but said nothing reaching for another mug, "Why didn't you go with them?" Simon asked, Jace sipped the coffee while keeping eye contact with the vampire over the rim of his cup before he finally came up with an answer, since he had wanted to go with them and couldn't really think of a good reason why he didn't go. "They said they wanted a girl day." he swallowed another sip of coffee while Simon blinked rapidly, his eyes clearly dried out from staring at Jace for so long. "Since when do you just let Clary have a girls day?" he asked shining an apple on his shirt even though he had no intention of eating it, "What's that supposed to mean?" Jace scoffed his annoyance level at the vampire rising as the morning dragged on. "Well I'm just saying if you thought she was in mortal danger your ass would be out there making sure she was safe, and since Sebastian's all out to get her or whatever...I don't know I'm just surprised is all that you trust Isabelle enough to take care of her."
Jace looked at Simon for a long while before answering. "Of course I trust Isabelle to keep Clary safe and I also trust Clary so yes. Simon. They're having a "girls" day." He made air quotations and got up from the table pulling his best scowl before storming out of the kitchen to the training room where he planned on throwing knives and picturing Simon's face as the target.
Clary looked out the subway windows and watched the concrete fly by while Isabelle tied then re-tied her knee high boots. They'd decided on not using a glamour rune and Clary had come to regret it especially being with Isabelle.
Her hair was in a high ponytail that trailed down past her shoudlers where it ended in small curls, she was wearing a dark red v-neck with her ruby pendant hanging in the middle and the tightest pants Clary had ever seen paired with her knee high boots. Clary on the other hand had opted for her last clean t-shirt even though izzy had practically begged her to borrow one of her shirts, she'd said no and was now stuck in a dark green long sleeve that reached to her collar bones, making her red hair look even brighter and her last pair of blue jeans. She felt unnatractive next to Isabelle, Izzy had feminin features, with long dark hair that made her pale eyes stand out, she didn't need makeup but wore it anyways and had the body that most teenage boys had sex dreams about. Clary was short with freckles and green eyes and even though Jace says her hair is the perfect balance between orange and red she still wasn't comfortable with it.
Sighing she let her eyes travel away from the window and down the aisle of the subway. There was a man no more than two feet away with a paper in one hand and a brief case in the other, he was holding the paper up to his face but his eyes were glued to Isabelle's legs as she unlaced and re-laced her boot for the fourth time saying it just wasn't tight enough, a wedding ring sparkled on his left hand and from where Clary was sitting it was looking a little loose. Just across from the them a younger boy was sitting with his phone facing them obviously trying to snap a picture of Izzy but with the train moving in such a jerky motion it must have been nearly impossible. She sighed again this time more loudly and let her head fall back against the seat and waited for Isabelle to finally leave her boots alone. After one more adjustment she leaned back and let her feet stomp onto the ground with a loud thump, earning her a glare from the elderly women sitting next to them. "We going out for lunch or is this one of those we're in we're out scenarios?" Izzy asked her dark eyebrows raised. Clary was about to answer but got distracted by the guy from earlier who's eyes were still stuck on Isabelle "gross" she mumbled rolling her eyes, Izzy looked behind her and made eye contact with the guy and kept her eyes on him until he looked away uncomfortable.
When she turned around she was smirking but she didn't say anything and waited for Clary to answer her earlier question. "Uh yeah we can get lunch if you want, I'll probably have to call Jace at some point though."
"Oh by the angel" Izzy threw her hands up in exasperation, "you don't see Simon and I calling each other twenty four seven, why are you and Jace still all obsessed with each other?" Clary smirked but didn't bother with an answer, her and Jace weren't exactly obsessed with eachother but they did talk to each other everyday and Jace did get worried if Clary didn't check in or she'd get worried if he didn't but can Izzy really blame them, especially now with Sebastian resurfacing.
They sat in silence the rest of the ride, Clary occasionally looking over at Isabelle who kept glaring at the business man who was pointedly ignoring her. The drivers voice came over the speaker announcing the next stop right before the lights started flickering on and off before blinking out completely. Isabelle reached for her whip, the subway car now lit with emergency lights and mass hysteria broke out throughout the train, the elderly women got up and walked to the nearest exit where she started beating it with her overstuffed bag, the business man tightened and loosened his tie and someone who Clary hadn't noticed before started mumbling about subway bombings and mass casualties.
"We're getting off." Izzy said tigth lipped, "What... are we going to break out of the window?" Clary asked sarcastically, "If that's what it takes" Izzy answered seriously "Jace would kill me if you got hurt and I've come to like living." Izzy grabbed her hand and pulled her quickly to her feet to the same exit the old woman was at where she shoved her out of the way and wrenched the doors open. The old woman gasped and threw her bag at the two girls as they darted out of the train catchig Izzy in the ankle and almost sending them both toppling over, Clary had to drag her away from the old lady or she was pretty sure her whip would've left a couple bruises on the poor woman. They ran up the stairs and through the terminal until they'd reached the busy streets and were sucking in deep breaths to try and level their breathing.
As soon as Clary was able to get a good lungful of air she started laughing earning a quizzical look from Izzy "Is something funny?" Izzy asked sounding slightly annoyed.
"No it's just...Izzy you attacked an old lady." She covered her mouth with her hand and tried not to laught but it was no use even tough girl Isabelle started giggling. "I was so ready to punch that bag of bones you have no idea." she huffed trying to get back some of her anger from earlier but the but, that sent the two of them into another fit of giggles, they were laughing so hard that Clary had to sit on the curb so she wouldn't fall over and Isabelle was leaning against a parking meter gasping for air. After a a few odd looks and thinking about being torn apart by demons Izzy had calmed down enough to haul Clary to her feet, even though she was still giggling and drag her downtown towards her apartment.
As they neared Clary's old home her goofy mood seemed to darken, there were no lights on in the building and the scorch marks were still next to the door where Simon had fought off Clary's psycho neighbor who had turned out to be a demon.
"In and out" Clary said looking over her shoulder at Isabelle who just nodded taking her seraph blade from it's sheath as they made their way upstairs.
The apartment was quiet, it looked like everyone left in a hurry, there were dishes in the sink and blankets strewn about the couch. Clary paced through every room noticing that Luke's suitcase was gone as well as a considerable amount of his clothes, looked like living here without her mom was a bit too much for him. Getting back on task she made her way to her room and started pulling clothes out of the closet and drawers, she made sure to grab her "sexy" underwear (basically the ones Jace had picked out) and some more pants shirts and pajamas so she wouldn't need to borrow anything more of Isabelle's. After her filling one bag and Izzy filling the other all that was left was a few art supplies and they could leave.
Clary's eyes passed over the mirror and she jumped across the room slamming into her dresser breaking the mirror and knocking a couple canvases off the wall. Isabelle came tearing into the room her serpah blade in one hand and her whip in the other, Clary's breathing was coming in, in shallow gasps and she was pretty sure she was going to pass out. "What the hell Clary you scared the daylights out of me, what happened?" Izzy dropped her whip and placed a surprisingly gentle hand on Clary's shoulder. "I'm sorry I thought... I thought I saw something." Clary stammered letting Izzy pull her to the ground to sit, "Saw what?" Izzy's eyes were so big and full of concern that Clary wanted to pull the shadowhunter into a tight hug. "Well for a second I thought it was Sebastian or someone his height but there was no one there." Izzy sat quietly for a second before saying "Wow that trip on the subway really has your nerves rattled" she tried to say it calmly but she quickly grabbed both of Clary's bags before pulling her to her feet to mumbling about them having to rush them back to the Institute.
"I think we should call a cab." Isabelle suggested waiting on the curb for Clary to lock up, "Yeah good plan." she said pulling her phone out of her pocket and start to dial the number of the local taxi company, She was in no mood for another trip on the subway.
It was another 15 minutes before the taxi showed up and Clary's nerves were so shot that she made Isabelle use her pendant to see if the guy was a demon. After a slightly awkward introduction they climbed into the cab and Isabelle quickly told him the direction before turning to Clary. "Sorry today wasn't as relaxing as I'd hoped." Izzy grumbled thumping back against the bench seat, Clary thought about it and really not much had actually happened that day the two girls had just been nervous that something was going to happen. "It's hardly your fault Izzy, besides we can still have a relaxing night back at the institute" Isabelle laughed out loud. "A relaxing night at the institute, if Simon is there which he probably will be, and don't forget Jace and Alec then it won't be relaxing, oh god and if we throw Magnus into the mix it'll probably be chaotic."
They both laughed and continued to brainstorm all of the different things Magnus would turn Jace into if he pissed the warlock off until they pulled up a block away from the Institute. The cab driver gave them a curious look when they stepped out onto the empty sidewalk but seemed to forget how odd it was after Isabelle threw the money in throught the passenger side window and waved goodbye. "You know I was always told cab drivers were really curious people but he sure was quiet" Izzy said stepping away from the curb, "He was probably wondering why two girls in the back of his cab were listing weird sea creature and started laughing at the thought of Jace as a donkey."Clary smirked and saw Isabelle try and stifle a smile, "well he is an ass" that kept them both chuckling as they walked through the main doors and into the front hallway of Institute.
They both stood quietly and listened, it didn't sound like anyone was wreaking havoc.
They made their way cautiously up the stairs and towards the living room, no one. They slipped into the library, still no sign of anyone. Suddenly there was a loud crash from the other end of the hall that sent both girls sprinting towards the training room. Before they'd even reached the door they saw Simon being thrown through it and into the opposite wall, then Jace yelled very loudly "Skill over speed Vampire." followed by a laugh. The two girls stood stock still looking between the two of them unsure what to do.
Simon, who seemed to have recovered from slamming into the wall, sprung to his feet his fangs out and literally hissed at Jace before running back into the training room and launching himself at shadowhunter who was caught off guard and tackled to the floor. The two girls followed the vampire into the room and saw Alec and Magnus standing off to the side shoulder to shoulder watching the fight play out. Magnus looked slightly amused and Alec looked extremely unimpressed.
"Jace Wayland what do you think you're doing?" Clary's voice bounced off the training room walls and had both of the boys turning towards her. Simon took the opportunity to slam his fist into the other boys jaw sending him sprawling backwards, his head hitting the floor with an audible thump.
Clary glared at Simon and knelt beside Jace who's eyes were now closed and a purple bruise was starting to form underneath his chin "You idiot Simon you could have really hurt him!" Isabelle yelled giving him a good shove in the chest. His fangs were gone now and all of the bravado from before seemed to have faded as well because he was left standing in front of Izzy his eyes cast to the floor, chewing his bottom lip nervously. Clary brushed Jace's hair away from his forehead and lightly traced the bruise, it wasn't anything a simple rune wouldn't fix but the fact that Simon was the one that gave it to him was what bothered her,and that he was lying unconscious on the floor. "Care to explain yourself?" Isabelle demanded placing her hand on her hip and fixing Simon with her most deadly stare.
"It was Jace." Alec said pushing off the wall, Magnus following. "He's been cranky all morning and for some reason got into a debate with Simon as to whether or not Vampires are stronger than Shadowhunter, Jace being the pig headed man that he is decided to throw a punch to which Simon felt obligated to retaliate." Alec was standing over Jace tapping him with his foot to get him to wake up, "all in all Jace had it coming." Alec finished sounding bored.
Simon looked over at the blond shadowhunter and his eyes were full of embarrassment, "I never wanted to hurt him honest, he provoked me." Isabelle sighed but grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him out of the room probably to get mad at him and then forgive him. "Here let's get him into bed and you can deliver the bad new when he wakes up." Alec said hoisting his parabatai over his shoulder, "bad news?" Clary asked following him, she had to double her steps to keep up with him, even with the extra weight on his back. "what do you mean bad news?" she asked running ahead of Alec to open the door to Jace's bedroom. "Well someone has to tell him he lost. I mean Simon did knock him out so technically the vampire won." Alec looked smug almost like he was glad that Jace lost, he dropped him down on the bed and made for the door. "You good from here?" he asked stopping in the doorway. Clary looked at her sleeping angel and grinned at Alec "I'm sure I'll survive" he smiled at her before closing the door and leaving her to wake the idiot up.
She sat next to him on the bed and ran her fingers softly through this hair while whispering his name, after a few seconds she saw his eyes twitch before they finally opened his golden eyes staring up at her. "What happ-" "You mister be quiet," she interrupted before he could say anything "you need to learn to treat Simon a lot nicer, he's done more than enough to prove to you that you can trust him and you need to stop starting shit."
Jace looked up at her but didn't say anything, he still looked a little confused but seemed to be coherent enough to understand her "He kicked your ass by the way...and it serves you right." she said crossing her arms over her chest and fixing him with her sternest mom look. His eyes opened wide like it was the most shocking news he'd heard and he let out a sigh, the kind Clary knew was usually followed by a bout of self hatred. "That stupid vampire beat me?" he said sounding bewildered, "I guess I should apologize to him." Jace mumbled.
Clary stared at him her mouth hanging open, did he just say he was going to apologize to Simon?.."I'm sorry you're going to what?" she asked. "Well I'm not going to right now but maybe tomorrow I'll say something." Clary's just sat there her eyes wide.
"What?!" Jace exclaimed "Is it so hard to believe that I'd apologize if I was wrong?" Jace asked sitting upright against the head board. " A little!" Clary squeaked still staring at him. Jace smiled and grabbed her by her legs and pulled her over to him, "look I'm sorry I hurt Simon, I honestly don't know why I did it and I'll make sure he knows that tomorrow." he reached his hand up and tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear "now how about you tell me about your day, how was the city?" Clary recounted the scene on the Subway and how the apartment didn't even look lived in anymore she then voiced her concerns about thinking she saw Sebatsian.
Jace's eyebrows were drawn together in concern and he absently ran his thumbs up and down her thighs. "Well no one will hurt you so long as you're with me Clary I swear by the angel I'll never let anyone touch you." Jace's eyes grew bright and he grabbed her tightly by her upper arm "Clary promise me you'll be careful, tell me you won't do anything without telling me or at least telling someone." He sounded desperate and scared,much more vulnerable than Clary was used to. And although she didn't like being bossed around and basically needing a chaperon if she wanted to leave the institute it sounded a lot better than being back with Sebastian.
"I promise Jace, you'll always be the first to know." His grip on her arm lossened and he pulled away leaning his head back against the head board so the light cast a shadow under his chin making his bruise apparent. Clary reached out to his face and stroked it softly making him close his eyes "I missed you today" she half whispered. Jace cocked one eye open halfway "I miss you whenever you're not around Clary that's why I never want you to go." he whispered back. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to his bruised chin then one on his cheek, "You should get some rest maybe try and sleep off some of the embarrassment from today." she said smirking,
"Aye, aye nurse Clary, maybe when I wake up you can give me a sponge bath?" Jace teased raising an eyebrow and smiling. "You wish blondie." She winked at him pulling the covers back allowing him to crawl underneath them, he tossed his shirt off over the side of the bed and threw his pants over next, "you know you're free to join me Clary, I promise I won't try anything." Jace held his hands up in mock surrender, Clary thought about it briefly; she had, had a long day and an early night didn't sound like the worst idea.
After Jace promised to keep his eyes closed Clary took of her day clothes and threw on one of the new pajama shirts she'd picked up. When she turned around Jace was laying face down with his head jammed between two pillows keeping his promise of no peeking. "You couldn't have just kept your eyes closed?" she asked climbing under the covers with him, "the temptation was too great." he smiled down at her placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "See you in the morning Clary." He whispered into her hair. "Goodnight Jace" she yawned, "I love you." It was minutes before they were both asleep Clary wrapped up in Jace's arms his chin resting on her head. Images from the apartment played behind her eye lids and even though that's technically where she lives, she'd never felt more at home than she did with Jace.
Man talk about building the suspense how long has it been even? I want to apologize 1)I haven't felt overly inspired lately, but don't get me wrong your comments help me out soooo much! And second school is really kicking my butt this year guys please tell me it gets easier in the real world because all of this homework and studying is making me feel like it can only go downhill from here ;) Please review guys and I'm so glad to have you back in my life! 3