Disclaimer- I do not own any of these wonderful characters. Except for Derek.

Chapter Three Clary

Alec woke up in the early morning from a slight creek outside his bedroom door. Being a shadow hunter he was taught to be alert at all times. And living with his siblings he learned- the hard way- to keep one ear open as he sleeps.

He quickly got out of bed and grabbed a seraph blade. 'By the Angel if this is Jace trying to dye my hair again…' he trailed off. No mercy this time Alec decided, remembering when he was blonde.

Alec heard the floor creek again and lifted his arm to strike when he heard a couple of curses and a whisper yell "By the Angel Alec I know you're awake. Let me in!"

Alec dropped his weapon, immediately recognizing the voice. The sleepy blue eyed shadow hunter opened the door to reveal a surprisingly awake and irritated, red-headed, pixie like girl.

"Clary what-"he was interrupted as she pushed passed him into the room. He tried again. "For Angel's sake Clary its 5 in the morning-!" he was cut off yet again when she cupped his jaw and brought his face down to hers. She stopped when his chin was about an inch away from her eyes. She examined his chin like a painting: squinting her eyes and tilting his face from side to side, to look at it a different angle.

Finally she released his face. She rummaged in her completely messy and never ending bag for a while before producing a small tubular object. "Err," Alec said smartly as he stared dumbfounded at the object, not knowing what it was and thinking the worst.

The tiny shadow hunter rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Its not you've never seen make - up before. I mean you do live with Izzy after all." That got him more confused. Why would he need-

"You're bruising. I saw the little incident that happened last night and your skin is turning a little purple." Oh. Alec lifted his hand to his face. This was bad. He hoped nobody noticed. Derek usually would only bruise him at the spots that were easy to hide. Clary seemed to read his thoughts because she quickly assured him. "Don't worry you can hardly see it. This is just in case it gets worse."

Alec breathed a sigh of relief and allowed Clary to paint his face. Over the last couple of months Clary and Alec had gotten closer; partly because of Jace and partly because she was the only one he can trust with his secret. She often tried to convince him to break up with Derek but she always understands when he'd say he can't. She understood him and she took care of him.

Flashback

They were alone in the institute, while everyone else was at Pandemonium to have some 'alone time.'

Alec sobbed into his hands as he felt Derek's powerful hits and kicks. It was the fourth time he did this to him and Alec was sure he'd feel guilty for it later. Like he always does.

He whimpered as Derek caught his hair and started whispering things to him. Hurtful things like calling him a 'faggot' and 'a pathetic slut.' Derek told him a long time ago that he didn't mean the things he said, that it was only because he was angry. And Alec believed it. Because what choice did he have?

Alec could feel the whips of his belt and the cuts his ringed fist were making. He sat there and cried taking all the beating he thought he deserved. He scolded himself for annoying his boyfriend and told himself that this is what he gets for it. At least that's what his boyfriend told him.

Finally after who knows how long Derek spat at Alec's cowering figure and left smashing the door shut behind him. He didn't even say 'I'm sorry' this time. Before the broken shadowhunter could even get up, his bedroom door flew open. Alec's heart almost stopped as he saw a small red headed girl at his doorway.

Alec was ready to sputter out excuses and lies but he didn't need to. Clary immediate ran to his side and examined the bruises on his face and bare torso. "You need to wash these cuts," she said automatically. Her voice was uncharacteristically cold and her mouth was set in a tight line.

She dragged him to the bathroom and mended his injuries. She washed all the cuts and lashes on his body, then iratzed them away- back when he was allowed to heal himself. He begged her not to tell anyone and with slight reluctance she agreed.

After they got him cleaned up he was exhausted: mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. He felt as if he just took down a hoard of demons and got his heart smashed along the way.

Clary managed to get him to his jammies and his bed. "Thank you," he whispered "Why –Why would you – how-how did you know-"

She cut him off, "You're not the only one who has dealt with these things." She stature might have been brusque and cold but there was a fire in her eyes- what is anger? Fear? He didn't knew what it was at the time but it made him welcome her.

A/N Yaye end of Chapter 2. Little longer than I would do for this story. Thank you guys for the reviews and the follows and the faves. Like literally I leave the house with like one follow and about two reviews and I come home to this! By the Angel you guys are amazing! Review please!

~abookbabe