A new chapter finally! It took me a while to do this, but it's not my fault. Jace and Alec just did not act the way I wanted. Boys, tzzz. So blame them *g*

There's not much action here, but enjoy.

Gravity pulled his spirit down towards earth, back into reality. The first thing he felt was the pain of his wound cutting through his chest and theintense burning of a working healing rune, the price a Shadowhunter has to pay for a quick healing.

"I hate reality, it's way too painful. Somehow being dead was more comfortable." he murmured, not yet fully aware of his surroundings. When his words were commended by a low laugher, Alec glanced up in surprise and saw Jace sitting in the chair next to the bed. It sent a warm feeling into his stomach. It couldn't possibly be a bad sign, that it was his beloved blonde parabatai he saw first after his rebirth. He could not help but smile widely at Jace, who was staring at him in bewilderment. A split second later he embraced Alec so hard it hurt and whispered into his ear.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, but I'm so glad ..." he had to stop because his voice broke. "...I don't know what I would do without you." Alec could not think of any response, not with his and Jace's body pressed together so tightly. But only too soon Jace pulled back, so that he could look into Alec's eyes, his hands still resting on the dark haired boy's shoulders. With their faces that close Alec could not help but look directly into Jace's beautiful golden eyes, something he had avoided since he recognized the nature of his feelings for his brother, because he knew Jace would be able to read their expression, what was a positive thing for parabatai in a fight, but quite a problem when you wanted to hide secret love. Nevertheless he could not break eye contact, mesmerized by Jace's angel-like gold and amber eyes that were, for a change, not filled with sarcasm, but showed a chaos of different emotions he was not able to read. He wondered what Jace might be seeing in his eyes.

When Jace looked down in Alec's sapphire eyes beneath him, he involuntary tightened the grip at his parabatai's shoulders, feeling as he could drown in the ocean blue depths. It was as if he could see all the way down to Alec's soul, where he saw that Isabelle had been right. Alec's eyes told him he loved him, had loved him, would forever love him. The strength of his parabatai's emotion made him shiver and deep inside him he felt himself react. Like fireworks lightening up a dark sky a warm feeling filled his heart, passionate and gentle at the same time. His thoughts were racing, but he could not think clearly and he was only too aware that Alec could see all of it. Jace turned his head to break eye contact, but suddenly Alec's hands were behind his neck, pulling him down to him slowly.

When Alec put his hands on the skin of Jace's neck, he could feel the tension of the muscles, but Jace did not fight when Alec pulled him down. He smiled at Jace's face, his confusion could not have been any more obvious. He himself was surprised that he had the courage to actually kiss Jace, but when their lips met, all those thoughts disappeared. At first it felt like he was kissing a statue, beautiful but unmoving.
Then Jace reacted, kissing him back, his lips moving with experience, although he could still see the shock in Jace's eyes. He didn't want to push him too much, so he pulled back, but he did not get far. Jace's arms did not let him get away, closing the space between them, so that Alec could feel the heat of Jace's body through his T-shirt again.

Alec had to wonder: Maybe he was dead and had gone straight to paradise? Well, maybe not straight. But then, his chest was still aching from his wounds and from the way Jace hold him tight. Not that he would complain...

Suddenly the doorbell rang, breaking the spell and Jace broke their kiss as if he was just now realising what he was doing, whom he was kissing. Alec watched while he backed away from him, his cheeks lightly flushed, his blonde hair tousled. „I have to go, the door..." he left the room, almost running, without looking at him again.

Alec stayed behind, a cold feeling in his stomach. He knew he had just crossed the unwritten boundaries between them, the boundaries that made their friendship work despite Alec's feelings. No lingering looks, no touches and definitely no kissing. But one moment of weakness couldn't destroy their friendship, could it?

His feet felt a bit clumsy but he managed to get up. The door opened and a sleepy Izzy stumbled into the room, her face lightning up at the sight of Alec awake and well and she embraced him.

"Ouch! Izzy! Not so hard!" She loosened her grip, but took his hands in hers, eyes shimmering with tears. She wanted to say something when the door opened again. It was Magnus.

Some asked if Izzy and Jace did nothing to help Alec in the last chapter. - 1. The runes did not work, so what should they do? 2. It wasn't important for the story. 3. Ok, maybe I just forgot ... xD

I think I skip the scene with Magnus, what exactly they said and did (NOT what you think...) is uninteresting. Anyone here who disagrees? *Looking around* No, can't see anyone. *g*