Big thankyou to my reviewers!
***
Clary and Jace ended up lying side by side on the bed. Clary's head was resting on Jace's shoulder, with his arm around her and his cheek pressed into her hair. Neither of them had spoken for a long while. They didn't sleep, or close their eyes, staring sightlessly at the ceiling.
Jace was the first to break the peaceful silence. "What are we going to do, Clary?" he whispered.
Clary nestled into his shoulder, breathing in his smell. Soap and limes. "I suppose we do what we've been trying to do all this time," she replied softly.
Jace paused. "Do you think it's going to be easier now?" he asked. "Now that it's out in the open?"
Clary was sure of the answer. "No," she said firmly. "It definitely won't." Because despite the wordless understanding they'd come to, despite her knowing that it was wrong to desire him, lying with him on the bed was still not enough. She wanted to move closer, to wrap her arms around him and close the space between them. It wasn't a want, it was a need, a need that pressed insistently against her skin, driving her forwards.
Jace stroked her cheek gently. Against her will, her eyelids began to close, revelling at the sensation. Forcing them open, he turned to look at her. He still had the same adoring expression on his face, the same loving devotion in his eyes. Clary couldn't seem to look away. She had never seen him like this, never seen him so completely and utterly himself. He wasn't sarcastic, he wasn't menacing. For once, he was just letting himself feel what he felt, and she loved him for it. Gently, she caught his hand and pressed it against her face, letting her eyes slide shut.
He slid his fingers from her grip, running them softly down the side of her face and stroking her neck. Unconsciously, she tipped her head back in pleasure, a sigh escaping her lips. When she realized what they were doing, she opened her eyes in shock, recoiling from his touch.
"You should go," she murmured.
Gently, Jace removed his arm and slid off the bed. Clary turned and saw him hesitate.
"Do you mind if I stay for a while?" he asked, gesturing towards the armchair beside her bed. "I won't bother you."
She smiled at him. "Whatever you like, Jace." She said softly. Curling up and closing her eyes, she heard him seat himself in the armchair. His presence was comforting to her. She drifted to sleep, knowing that she was safe with him beside her, watching over her.
***
Please review! I love reviews. And the button is green, which is my favourite colour!