"So, is there anything you need? Anything you want to do?" Alec asked awkwardly as he watched Sebastian glance around the library.
On closer inspection Alec could see that the newcomer was not in the best shape. He was too thin, his bones showing through the loose shirt he was wearing, and there were cuts and bruises littering his skin. His fingernails were dirty and broken, as if he'd used them to claw out of somewhere, and his sunken eyes made him look exhausted. And of course there was also the cut, which was still healing even though Alec could see the healing runes drawn crudely over it, appearing as if Sebastian had drawn them on himself. All of his injuries made Sebastian look vulnerable, and much younger than Alec, although the older boy supposed he was around seventeen. The fear in his eyes was starting to fade, and the boy's face looked as if it was used to wearing a grin, rather than the skeptical frown that was currently etched across his features. Sebastian had an interesting looking face, with quirky features that shouldn't have worked together, and wouldn't have on anybody else's face, but on Sebastian they gave an interesting and attractive appeal, that made people want to know more about him. It also gave him an air of mysterious charm that made him come across as someone who would be the life of a party.
After receiving no response Alec decided to give Sebastian a basic tour of the place, and motioned for him to follow as Alec stepped out of the library and into the main foyer.
"You've got the kitchen, dining room, living room, and all that through there," Alec said gesturing to his left, "and upstairs there's the training room, and all the bedrooms. Obviously you'll stay in one of the guest rooms, there's a few to choose from; we don't really have any visitors anymore."
Sebastian nodded, his first attempt at communication, and then walked away from Alec, and towards the kitchen. Alec followed curiously, not wanting to be overbearing, but not yet trusting Sebastian.
"I'd offer to make you something but nobody in this house can cook, aside from my mother, but don't be expecting a visit from her any time soon, not that you would be, because you don't know her…"
Sebastian's silence was making Alec uneasy, which meant he was starting to blabber on about nothing. Sebastian seemed to ignore him, and moved to the fridge, starting to assemble some ingredients for what Alec presumed was an omelet. Alec took a seat and watched Sebastian start to cook, relieved that he appeared to be able to look after himself, as Alec really didn't want to become a babysitter. It's not like you have anything else to do, he thought to himself bitterly.
Alec had been fighting off his hangover all morning, however at the smell of cooking food his stomach did a back flip, and he covered his mouth with his hands as his body threatened to empty the contents of his stomach.
"I've always thought my cooking was quite good, and definitely not gag worthy," Sebastian said as he sat down with his now finished omelet.
Alec looked at him in confusion, both because of his joke, and because he had finally heard him speak. His voice was laced with a strong French accent, due to living in the Paris Institute for the majority of his life. It also had sing-song softness to it, that reminded Alec of a lullaby, that he could listen to for hours.
"Don't worry, your cooking has nothing do with it," Alec replied, lowering his hand and ignoring his body's reaction to the night before.
Alec expected some sort of response, but it seemed that Sebastian was done with talking, and he once again returned to remaining silent. Alec had always the quiet one, surrounded by his loud siblings, so it was strange for him to around someone as quite as himself. It left him with the itch to try and make conversation.
"Why not stay in Alicante? The Clave didn't tell us anything about you, but if you need to heal then wouldn't the capital be better? Or a visit to the Silent Brothers? And wouldn't it make more sense for you to stay with the Penhallows?"
For a moment it looked as if Sebastian wasn't going to answer, but eventually he did.
"I'm not a priority. I know nothing about Jonathan Morgenstern, so I can't help the Clave. They've sent me here to get me out of the way."
"Oh," was all Alec could think to say, and he let Sebastian finish his meal in silence.
It had been nice to have a momentary distraction, but now Alec's mind started to wonder again, and as always, his focus returned to Magnus. He called the warlock repetitively after the break up, until one day instead of reaching Magnus' voicemail, where he could leave another apology message, he was answered by an automated voice telling him the number was no longer in service. This had driven Alec to finally pay Magnus a visit, as he still hadn't even collected his stuff. Instead of a glittery apartment Alec found the place completely abandoned with nothing left but a cardboard box containing all of the stuff Alec had left at Magnus' loft over the time they had been together. Alec had sat in the empty space for a while, but had eventually returned to the Institute feeling even more depressed than before, as he now had absolutely no way of getting in contact with Magnus, which was a constant reminder that the warlock was gone.
"You said I could choose a room."
Alec was brought back to reality by Sebastian's voice, and he looked up to see he had already finished eating and cleaned up after himself.
"Yeah, follow me," Alec said as he stood and walked up to one of the many guest rooms.
"Will this one do?" He asked Sebastian, who simply nodded, not looking as if he particularly cared where he slept. "Do you need anything?"
"I don't need a babysitter, if that's what you're asking. I can take care of myself."
Alec noticed the bitterness in Sebastian's voice and decided to leave the newcomer in peace.
"Okay, well I'm going out. I'm not sure when my siblings are getting back, or if I'll be back first, so just make yourself at home, and try not to get into any trouble."
Sebastian turned away from Alec, his slumped shoulders only making him look more fragile. Alec left quickly after that, heading out of the Institute, content to let his feet take him anywhere they wanted, without think about it. Half an hour later Alec finally figured out where he was; a rather familiar street in Brooklyn. Alec kicked the curb aggressively as he realised that he'd ended up at Magnus' old apartment again. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't push the warlock out is his head. He still consumed the majority of his thoughts, and invaded every aspect of his life.
When Alec returned he found his siblings were gearing up for a hunt, and without even asking he could tell that he was not invited. Jace and Izzy were both annoyed at his cold behaviour, and they were meeting up with Clary and Simon, in what appeared to be some strange demon slaying double date, of sorts. Also, as they told Alec, somebody had to stay with the 'special project', who had been awoken by the ruckus created as Izzy and Jace got ready to leave. Alec would have given his usual 'be safe' speech, but he didn't really feel very inspired, and it wasn't like Jace and Izzy would listen to him anyway. As soon as they had disappeared Alec turned around to find Sebastian standing in the doorway of the living room, where Alec had settled himself.
"You're not going hunting," Sebastian observed, rather than asked. "I told you I don't need a babysitter."
"That's not what the Clave seems to think, and anyway, I'm not welcome with them at the moment."
"Why not?" Sebastian asked as he walked into the room and sat down, albeit on the seat farthest away from Alec as possible.
"I'm being punished for having a bad attitude," Alec said with a hint of harshness.
"So I'm now the household punishment? Just what I always wanted."
Alec quirked a brow at the lighter and less timid tone Sebastian had adopted.
"So, why the bad attitude then?" Sebastian asked after a moment, his confidence growing as his curiosity increased.
Alec felt reserved about revealing the truth, but he didn't want to shut Sebastian down just after he'd started talking normally, and the intensely pure fascination on Sebastian's face reminded Alec a little of Max.
"My boyfriend dumped me," he finally said.
Sebastian gave him an odd look, and Alec then realised that if the other shadow hunter had been absent during the scene he'd made in the Accords Hall then he would have no idea Alec was gay, a fact that often didn't sit well with other Nephilim.
"So you're the Lightwood who was dating a warlock, I take it?" Sebastian said, but instead of the disgust Alec expected Sebastian's tone remained the same.
"Uh, yeah, how did you know?" Alec asked, trying to force himself to relax.
"Some of the Nephilim were talking about you, when I was with the Clave."
"I created quite the scandal," Alec said bitterly.
"The Clave are socially behind all other communities in the shadow world, just ignore them," Sebastian said, once again surprising Alec.
He really had to stop assuming the worst about people's judgments.
"You don't sound very fond of the Clave."
"My Aunt always told me that they were a cold, selfish lot, but I didn't believe them until I turned up in Alicante on the verge of death, and they discarded me the second they could. I haven't had much to do with shadow hunters, but so far, I don't like many of them."
"Thanks," Alec said sarcastically.
"I did not say I dislike all of them, however I too have noticed your 'bad attitude', and I am not one to brought down by others," Sebastian replied playfully.
"You really are making yourself at home," Alec said having noticed that boy's self-confidence and talkativeness had blossomed in full force.
"Sorry about being so…nervous before. After my encounter with Jonathan I've been trying to be more cautious around strangers."
"What happened with him? Last I heard he left you for dead."
"He did…I do not want to talk about it," Sebastian said dismissively.
"Okay, sure," Alec said, understanding the desire to keep feelings hidden. "So, what's the Paris Institute like?" Alec asked instead, redirecting the conversation.
Having found a topic that suited both young Nephilim the two talked for a while, the words between them passing more easily than either of them thought they would, providing a perfect distraction for both boys as they tried to forget the recent events that were still plaguing them.