Disclaimer : I don't own any of the characters.

One month later ...

Clary was walking down the halls of the Institute at 12 o'clock in the afternoon when almost everybody was asleep, having been hunting during the night. Her hair was pinned up in a high pony-tail revealing her beautiful angelic face , her red curls bouncing playfully with each step she took. She was wearing house clothes,black tights with a loose white t-shirt and carrying a very big basket of clothes from the Institute's laundry room. She didn't even notice when she started leaving a trail of clothes behind her.

"You dropped this " Sebastian's voice sounded from behind her. She turned around and found him holding a couple of socks.

"Oh"she giggled. "Thanks."

"Here, let me help you." , he said, taking the basket from her tiny arms and carrying it with ease. It didn't seem that big in his arms anymore. Sebastian was very tall and broad-backed ,his entire body covered in well-trained muscles. Surely, all shadowhunters were muscular, but he stood out . He was quite attractive, blond hair, black eyes, full lips and a small nose ,for a man.

"Look, Clary, I never got the chance to apologize for when I attacked you.. I never got to talk to you alone, and it seemed weird doing it in front of the whole gang.." he said, a bit flustered.

"It's okay, you just felt the need to defend your wife , I guess I can understand that.."

"I'm sure Jace would have done the same if you were the one getting beaten..." he chuckled.

"Yeah.. I guess so..." she trailed off. She didn't quite know how Jace felt about her. Sure, they had plenty of sex, several times a day and in several different places. But when it came to feelings and expressing them verbally, Jace was reluctant to do so. Maybe he didn't feel anything, he just wanted sex. She could understand that, guys were that way. She just prayed to the Angel that she wouldn't fall for him any harder.

"Anyway, you're a really cool person and I'd really like it if we could be friends, since, you're my best friend's wife and all.."he added,avoiding looking into her eyes. He seemed a bit shy, Clary thought.

"Of course, I'd like that too. But I can't promise anything about that wife of yours." she warned.

"Yeah, Aline can be difficult sometimes, but she's not a bad person.."

"Please, Sebastian, she's not here, she can't hear you.." she laughed.

"Okay, she's the devil !" he laughed too.

"Oh, you poor thing" Clary mocked him.

They kept on giggling and laughing next to Jace's and Clary's room for over half an hour chattering away about all kinds of non-sense.

"I should go" Clary said.

"Oh, okay" Sebastian replied, slightly disappointed. He gave her the basket and one side of Clary's loose t-shirt fell off, revealing her bare shoulder. She tried to pull it back on while holding the backet but failed miserably.

"Here, I'll get that." Sebastian straightened her t-shirt, careful to scrape his fingertips lightly and slowly over her skin. Clary thought she was just imagining things.

"Thanks." she smiled and went into the room where Jace was still sleeping like a baby and went on with her house chores.

Isabelle woke up to find the place next to her empty. She wondered where Simon could have gone. He never really left the room without her anymore. They had become quite inseparable. The others had begun mocking them about it, but she didn't mind. She loved having Simon around at all times. He made her feel beautiful , smart , funny , and loved. Even though she didn't know if he actually loved her, since they had known each other for only two months, he still made her feel like he did.

After she went to the bathroom and made the bed she heard the door crack open and saw Simon coming in with a big bouquet of roses. She sat on the edge of the bed and eyed him curiously. She could feel panic and fear start to creep up on her.

"What did you do ?" she asked, irritation obvious in her voice.

Simon stopped in his tracks, surprised."What?" he inquired with wide-eyes.

"You have flowers. You must have done something wrong."

Simon gave her a puzzled look ,but said nothing.

"Oh. my. God. You cheated on me, didn't you ? Who is she ?"

"WHAT?!" Simon yelled.

"WHO IS SHE ?!" she shrieked and grabbed a vase from their nightstand, ready to throw it at his head.

"NO-ONE ! I didn't do anything ! I JUST BROUGHT YOU FLOWERS! By the Angel !" Simon roared.

Isabelle fell silent and gave him a scrutinizing look."You just.. brought my flowers..? For no reason? You didn't do anything and you don't want anything ?"she whispered, staring at him with big eyes. Simon could see they were becoming more and more glassy.

"Yes."he breathed out.

"Oh, Simon.." her voice shook."I'm so sorry , I ..um.. I.." she stammered."Nobody's ever got my flowers for no reason.." tears started streaming down her face and she tried to wipe them away hastily.

Simon placed the flowers on the bed and sat next to her.

"Don't cry, please,please don't cry" he begged, wrapping her in his arms and caressing her back soothingly as she sobbed in the crook of his neck."I didn't mean to hurt you, please ,Isabelle, stop crying, you're killing me.."

"You didn't hurt me.."she whispered, looking at his face."These are happy tears.."

"But.." Simon started, confused.

"Look ,Simon.." she grabbed his hand and looked him in the eyes. Seeing her tear-streaked face made Simon's heart break. He would do anything to make it better.

She continued "All my life boys have seen me as an object. They would call me "hot", "sexy", "fuckable" , but never beautiful. You call me beautiful, you respect me, you... you treat me like I never imagined someone could be treated. You treat me like a princess. You bring me flowers.."during her explanation,tears started falling down her cheeks again."You are more than I could have ever asked for . You are better than anyone I've ever met. And I.. I don't deserve you, Simon, you are too good to me.."

Simon cupped her face and pressed his lips firmly to hers."Don't you ever say that you don't deserve me. Everyday I try to make you feel special because you are special to me , and I'm the one who feels like I don't deserve you.."

"Simon, you do deserve me .. I know we were forced into this marriage but I am really glad I met you. I've gotten to a point where I can't even remember what my life without you looked like. I don't want to know what my life without you looks like anymore. "

"Me neither ..." he whispered and kissed her with so much passion and pressure he feared he would break her.

"Simon.. don't ever leave me.."

"I won't . And I promise I'll always bring you flowers for no reason." he smiled.

"Thank you.." she whispered against his already swollen lips.

Penny for your thoughts ?