Title: The New York City Angels
Summary: They'd always thought Idris was home. Every Shadowhunter did. Only as they watched their home destroyed in front of them did they realize that they'd been home all along. T for language mostly.
Notes: Heh, heh heh. So this is a bit of a filler, and the next one will probably be too. I know it's really short, but I'm trying to work out the plot of this, and I'm hitting a bit of an abyss. If anyone would be willing to help me work through it? I'd really appreciate it. I hope you like it, darlings!
Disclaimer: As much as I'd love to, I do not own the Mortal Instruments series. Last time I checked, I was not Cassandra Clare, but I did roleplay Magnus Bane. Does that allow me ownership? ;)
As he made his way down Eric's street, Simon's nerves were bunching up in his stomach. He was going to band practice – it was pretty convenient to have to go to, especially when the Shadowhunters were in work mode.
They'd retreat into their 'No Downworlders Allowed' tree house, not willing to let anyone help without the Angel's blood.
Simon conceded that he wouldn't be much help himself. He was only seventeen after all, despite the fact that he was a vampire. He would be of no use to them, and all he could think of when he was around them was getting away. He saw past their initial politeness that masked many of the Shadowhunters that had been at the warehouse. They were cold to him; not exactly mean, but not exactly kind either. He knew the contempt they had for his kind, and had gotten used to being part of that group.
Even though he'd turned down an escort, he still felt a bit nervous. He was a freakishly awesome vampire, but the fear that what happened to Magnus could happen to him kept his pace brisk.
But opening the door and entering Eric's house like it was his own, like he always did, eased his worries a little.
Before going downstairs, though, he locked the front door.
He knew it wouldn't keep Jonathan Morgenstern at bay, but it still gave him a sense of comfort.
"C'mon man, you've got to eat."
"I don't exactly feel hungry, Jace."
"But I picked up Chinese food, just for you."
"I told you I'm not hungry. I shouldn't have to say it again."
"You need to eat anyway."
"You can't make me."
"I can try."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Then eat it yourself."
"Fine."
"What is this?"
"I don't know. It was on when I turned on the TV. Probably some reality show."
"I'm going to see if Psych is on."
"Whatever."
"Yes! Did you see that, Alec? I knew. I'm just skilled that way."
"Please. You have the schedule pretty much memorized."
"It's easy. It's only on one night of the week."
"Why do you bother keeping up with it?"
"To make sense of the underlying plot."
"What plot? Each one seems like it stands by itself."
"Some of them have plot. And besides, all of them have Maggie Lawson."
"Who?"
"The chick that plays Juliet."
"You would know that."
"Yes, I would. It's only the beginning of the vast stores in my mind."
"Most of which must be empty."
"Now, just because you're jealous is no reason to hate. There should only be love in this room. Or maybe it was the bedroom?"
A hollow laugh. "Wow, Jace."
"Don't pretend. We all know."
"God, Jace, just shut up about it."
"It's fine, Alec. We don't care. In fact, I'm doing well myself."
"Ugh, I did not need that mental image."
"Perv. Get your mind out of the gutter. Hanging around Magnus has made him rub off on you."
"Like you're not worse than I am."
"I never said that."
"That's really hypocritical, you know that?"
"Nonsense. It's just part of my natural charm. It draws people towards me."
A pillow is thrown. "You are so full of yourself."
"As opposed to being full of what?"
"Not to mention good at backing yourself into corners. You're full of it, Jace."
"I've never claimed anything less."
A pause, watching the television.
Laughter.
"What's so funny, Jace?"
"How can you not laugh at that, Alec? 'Don't be exactly half of an eleven pound black forest ham.' It doesn't get better than that."
"It does."
"Eh, I've heard it both ways."
"I'm out of here."
"Whoa, man, what's wrong?"
"Jeez, Jace, I'm just getting more to drink. Way to freak out."
"I think I have a right to lately."
In a whisper, "Don't."
Clary and Isabelle came home shortly after Jace left with Alec, planning on taking him back to Magnus's apartment and giving him some company.
Of course, Jace hadn't figured that out himself, but it was still a nice thing to do.
Since the girls weren't considered adults in the Clave yet, the other Shadowhunters didn't have much use for the two of them. They were exhausted; everything that was going on lately was just too much for them. But when Clary rolled over to her other side yet again, she saw Isabelle's black eyes, open and alert, just as unable to fall asleep as she was.
They decided to ditch the idea of sleep when it was so far out of reach. Instead they grabbed several of the takeout containers that were stacked in Luke's refrigerator and ate the contents while watching a random movie. It was one of Clary's favorites, and she got Isabelle to like it as well – the Princess Bride.
By the time Luke and Jocelyn got home, though, the girls had fallen asleep with the television still on in the background, unable to rouse them.
The next morning, Clary woke up entangled with a blanket on the floor of the living room. She rubbed her eyes and yawned, progressing into a stretch of her arms above her head. She registered the TV on, and the presence of her friend, but simply groaned and flopped back to the floor in just-woken exhaustion.
Her head was right next to Isabelle's shoes: tennis shoes this time, instead of her usual heels or boots, and she had on skinny jeans and a simple white t-shirt. It accentuated the jet black hair that hung down almost to her waist. But that hair that was usually so well groomed and always looking perfect, it was tangled and still wet from the shower, a few sections drying with the tangles, and Isabelle did nothing about it. She just watched the television with a detached sort of interest, and when she turned to look at Clary, her face held the same expression. "Morning, Clary." She reached for a mug on the table at the end of the couch. "There's coffee."
"Thanks, Izzy," she replied, resigning to getting up and walking to the kitchen if caffeine was involved. She looked at the clock. 10:28 in the morning. She allowed herself a small smile – lately she hadn't gotten much of an opportunity to sleep in.
She grabbed a mug and filled it up from the pot that sat on the counter, still hot, and returned to the living room, sitting by her friend.
They sat there for some time, watching the TV but not paying any attention to the show, sipping their coffee and enjoying the silence and the presence of each other.
The silence was broken after an hour or so when a knock on the door sounded. Clary started, realizing that she hadn't changed out of her pj's or fixed her hair or done much of anything of that sort since she'd woken up.
Isabelle didn't make any move to get up, though, so Clary pulled on a sweatshirt and answered the door.
She was greeted by the sight of golden hair tumbling over eyes the exact color of honey. She sighed, "Jace."
He smiled at her and wrapped her in a hug. Then she didn't care about how she looked: not the terrible state her hair must have been in, or the fact that she was still in her rumpled pajamas from last night. She just held on to him and he held her and she breathed in his scent.
As they pulled apart, Clary led him back into the living room where Isabelle finally looked up. "Where's Alec?" was the first thing she said. She'd furrowed her brow, in worry, Clary assumed.
"He's at the apartment. Why?"
Izzy jumped up from the couch, striding over to Jace quickly. "Why, in the hell, did you just leave him there?"
Jace shrugged. "He's an adult, Izzy. He can take care of himself. He seemed fine."
"He's not fine! He's nowhere near fine!" She spat at him. "He's lost his home and his boyfriend in a matter of a few days – one of which was the anniversary of his little brother's death! Would you be fine in his situation?"
Jace seemed to be at a loss for words, mumbling, "Well, it wouldn't happen to me, 'cause I'm straight, but-"
Isabelle pushed him back, snapping at him, "Is this all a joke to you? He's probably sitting there, alone, wallowing in misery while you're here having a laugh."
Maybe it was a little dramatic, Clary thought, but it got the point across.
Jace paused before he responded, suggesting that they go keep him company. Izzy nodded and Clary went to change.
Later, they arrived at the warlock's flat in Brooklyn. Jace pulled out his stele and put an Unlocking rune on the door, not bothering with the buzzer. The trio walked up the rickety stairs and arrived at the door, pausing only a moment before going in.
At first, Alec was nowhere to be seen. He wasn't in the front room or in the open room adjacent to it. They went to the bedroom door that was slightly ajar, wondering why they hadn't checked there first.
He was there, curled up on the small mattress clutching the canary yellow comforter to himself, asleep. Even unconscious, he was frowning, looking as if he'd slept terribly. There were tear tracks evident on his face and his hair was more messed than Clary had ever seen it. A soft purring sound came from the feline stretched out on the pillow Alec lay beside. Magnus's, Clary figured.
Slowly and quietly, they left the room, easing the door shut behind them. Clary felt as though she'd intruded on a private moment, even though he was asleep.
Words she'd heard before came to her instantly as she dwelled on Alec, something Jace had told her: That to love is to destroy, and to be loved is to be destroyed.
Fly Away Dreams - I'm sorry that I made you sad. And after seeing Tangled, and before babysitting - you need lots of happiness and tolerance then. But things seem to work out. It does seem that we're all torturing our boys lately, aren't we? I'm just glad for Misery Loves Glamour - it's fluff we all need.
Bookworm24601 - Wow, I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. Cancer sucks. And I can't promise nothing will happen to Magnus - things are always happening, and things are going to happen. I just don't know if they're good or bad yet.
LiLi-GirlwithALOTofIdeas - I'm impressed! You reviewed all the chapters instead of just the last one. I'm glad I made you laugh, and that you liked the battle scene. I'm glad you like it, and I hope you like this chapter!
AverageDreamer - I honestly have no idea what Alec's gonna do. He's kind of just... there right now. I'm having a few plot issues, but I hope you like it!
DisturbingEmily - You'll have to keep reading to find out. Thanks for the review!
HidingDani - I'm glad that I'm keeping you interested. This is one of the first stories I've ever written that left the reader with cliffhangers at the end of the chapters, so I'm glad they're working out!
LevithanLover - Your screen name = my eternal love. David Levithan rules! I love Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Thanks for the review!
Ok, so I've got to tell you something.
I'm not updating until next year.
WHICH, INCIDENTALLY, is in a few hours XD And btw, Misery Loves Glamour was just updated - I got the notification in the middle of writing this, so go show Brooke some love.
But seriously - I need someone who is willing to help me out with my plot. I'm seriously standing at the edge of an ocean of possibilities but I can't find any that seem good to me. I know a few things that I want to happen, but the big picture is so blurry I can't see it. So please review, and PM me if you can help out with the plot! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!