Isabelle and Simon had an awkward conversation. How could she put everything they've experienced together in the back of her mind while he was slowly relearning them? She wanted to be able to run her fingers through his curly hair because she wanted, not have to find an excuse to touch him. At least he had agreed to letting her help him prepare to Ascend. Maybe old feelings would pop up in his memory and they could get back to "Facebook official," whatever that meant.
She missed this funny, awkward guy these past few weeks. At least he remembered that he had feelings for her. At least the two of them were surrounded by Alec and Magnus and Clary and Jace, both ridiculously close couples, so they had to linger together to survive the awkwardness of PDA and third-wheeling.
They were walking through the quiet forest, with Magnus and Alec a good pace behind them. Isabelle kept her arms and hands to herself, but as she walked beside Simon, their shoulders would brush every so often, sending a shot of adrenaline and heat up her arm to her core. She fought off the shiver and butterflies that accompanied that heat because she couldn't get her hopes up. She couldn't afford that pain right now.
"Simon, do you remember anything from being in the demon realm?" She knew she shouldn't ask this question because of the answer she would receive, but with exhaustion creeping up on her, she lost control of the filter from her mind to mouth.
Simon paused and looked ahead for a second before turning to face her, "I remember what I did for Magnus, but I remember it like I was an onlooker."
"I just want you to know, how brave and selfless you are. You deserve to be a Shadowhunter. You deserve it more than anyone else."
Simon looked over at Isabelle and smiled before taking her hand in his. It was innocent and nothing to build hopes out of, but Isabelle's blood pumped a little faster and could feel the heat moving to her cheeks. She mentally scolded herself for letting her blood pressure get carried away with itself because then that would make Simon uncomfortable. But that was when he was a vampire and now he was a mundane. She smiled to herself; so much had changed in such a short time.
"What's with the smile, Isabelle?" He asked as he looked down at her. The glasses were something new Isabelle would have to get used to.
"Just remembering things," She added and tried to play off her grin.
"What kind of things? Maybe I'll remember them." Simon's mouth was close to her ear and tickling the soft skin of her neck. He may not have remembered how she had an effect on him, but his body remembered and reacted as if they had been dating for months.
"I was just thinking about your vampire life. We would always talk so carefree about it." Isabelle looked down, nostalgic creeping up in the pit of her stomach.
"I could talk about it with you because I was comfortable around you. I'm still comfortable around you." He nodded toward their interlocked hands, "Who knew I could so easily grab your hand and pull you closer to me? Even after I'm not supposed to remember you."
Isabelle couldn't do anything but smile up at him. Simon held her gaze and then moved it to look ahead of them. The stars were a sharp contrast to the dark sky and the grey clouds that overlapped in some areas. Time was lost on them. She had no idea what time it was or what everyone else from the wedding party were doing right now. Well, she a had an idea about Jocelyn and Luke and with the way Clary was looking at Jace, she could piece together their scenario. But were the other partygoers asleep or just heading off the dance floor? She didn't give it much thought as Simon led her into the farmhouse and kissed her cheek outside of the room her and Clary were sharing.
It was safe to assume that Clary wouldn't be returning to their room anytime soon. Isabelle wasn't about to admit that she still had nightmares of the demon realm, but she asked, "Simon, can you sleep with me tonight?" He looked at her, caught off guard, until she added, "Not like that. i'll be on my best behavior, promise."
"Of course, Izzy." He smiled at her as he spoke and shut the door after them. She curled up on the bed in his gangly arms, but they still felt strong. He used her nickname for the first time since his memory was wiped clean. That feeling of hope came on her radar. Everything was starting to feel familiar and new all at the same time. The feeling of Simon's embrace and the hope for the future put comfort in Isabelle's worried head before she drifted to sleep.