First Fanfiction! I hope you enjoy it! (No copyright intended, all characters belong to Cassandra Clare)

CASTLES MADE OF SAND, CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Young Blood

"I took one look and I was captured, I tried to walk but I was lame, I tried to talk but I just stuttered
What's your name? What's your name? What's your name?
What's your name?"

"How nice of you to ditch the house, and not tell us where you were going." Jace remarked instantly as Alec slipped through the front door into their foyer. He was attempting to sneak into the house silently to escape the clutches of his siblings, but alas he was cursed with an oppresing case of bad luck, ever since he was young. Jace's tone was laced with a slight twinge of disappointment but more so it was condescending—accusing. He stood in front of Alec with a hard scowl stretched over his mouth; his hands clenched at his sides momentarily, before he relaxed them. "Mom called quite a few times by the way—I told her you were out for a run though." Jace added hastily, "So you're welcome." He gave Alec a sadistic curl of his lip. So that's why he was mad; over something so trivial as him having to cover up for Alec.

"Thanks... Uhm, I was just out—with a friend," Alec began to scratch the back of his neck in an anxious manner, gazing down at his feet while he shuffled in his step.

"Is that a hickey?" Jace raised his hand and pointed at a patch of skin along Alec's neck, that he had left on display absently, not even considering that after Magnus' go of his neck, that there was a possibility of a hickey left behind.

"WHAT?" Alec shouted and darted over to the old golden antique mirror hung up on the far right wall of the foyer and further inspected his skin. There was a definite small purpling bruise right between the area where his neck and shoulder met. Just looking at the mark—that Magnus undoubtedly made—caused Alec to blush feverishly as shivers crawled up his back.

"Who gave you that?" Jace touched his fingers briefly to the patch of skin, before Alec jerked away in response. "Is that where you were? Out with some girl, disrupting her virtue Alec?" Jace teased, rustling the top of Alec's head, swaying his hair around, in a sort of proud gesture. Alec swatted at his hand, and playfully shoved him in the chest to create a sort of barrier or distance between them. Of course Jace would be more than proud that Alec had come home with a hickey on his neck; knowing that his brother, who for a lack of better words was fairly prude, had actually gotten a bit of action.

"I—I... Okay," Alec sighed. "I was kissing someone." Alec added quickly before Jace could respond, "and no, I will not tell you their name."

"You're no fun," Jace pouted and slinked his arms over his chest. He was clad in a fresh black button down shirt, which was cuffed at the sleeves and rolled up to his elbows, paired with pressed blue jeans. Definitely not an outfit made for someone who was to stay in all night—rather for someone who was expecting to go out.

"What's with the outfit? And where's Iz?" Alec enquired cocking his left eyebrow high on his forehead in question.

"Oh yeah—I was just about to mention that... Clary wanted us to come over tonight, just to hang out. I assumed you would be back at some point, so I told her we would both be there. And Iz is out with that asshole." Jace semi-hissed the last part, mock rolling his eyes.

"William?"

"Absolutely."

"And you let her walk out of that door... Why?" Alec narrowed his eyes at Jace, who was now rocking back and forth on the balls of his toes. Jace shrugged his shoulders up and pursed his lush lips.

"What was I supposed to do? She would have snuck out anyways—like you," Jace added with a haughty smirk pulling at his lips. "Sometimes I feel as if I am the level grounded sibling in this family. The lot of you take to lying and sneaking out now of days. Must be something about this town." Jace once again shrugged, and began to walk towards the archway that led into the hallway attached the bedroom section of the house. Alec fallowed hastily after him, taking long strides down the wide hall in the direction of Jace's bedroom, which was located in the middle of Alec's and Isabelle's.

"Hey that's not fair. I'm always trying to look out for you guys and be the level headed one," Alec protested, as Jace swung the door open to his room, and Alec immediately went for his high perfectly made bed, and slumped down on his back, as Jace began to rummage through his closet.

"You've been doing an awfully shitty job." Jace suggested.

"Jace... You know I do try my hardest. I'm sorry I've been sneaking around. I—I've been trying so damn hard to protect Iz, and be there for you ever since—ever since," Alec's throat closed up, rendering him unable to speak. His head began to spin, and the world tilted out a slight focus. The memories... The horrible memories were something Alec would never get over, and he had accepted that a long time ago. But that didn't help the fact, that it would still overwhelm him, send him into a dark abyss of regretful thoughts and a depression he couldn't explain.

"Alec—" Jace paused what he was doing inside of his closet, and turned his head to the side, to gaze at Alec who was laid out over his bed. "I didn't mean it like that." His eyebrows were lowly knit together on his forehead; undoubtedly Jace was trying to think of a way to redirect the mood of their conversation else where. Usually the Lightwood siblings would attempt to skirt around the delegations of the past, not wanting to bring up a rather touchy subject between themselves. It was better in some sense, but in a different way it was also extremely taxing—all of them had these built up emotions, threatening to pour over, that they dared not to speak of to one another—and that was never a good thing.

"I know," Alec sat up, and trailed his fingers throughout his hair slowly. "Sorry, it's just... I don't know. Can I tell you something, without you asking a reason as to why?" Alec raised his head to regard Jace, who had slipped out of his black button down shirt, throwing it haphazardly across the room. Alec quickly adverted his eyes when they fell on the sight of his defined golden chest and abdomen.

"Of course, sweet cheeks." Jace offered Alec a sly grin, and then proceeded to slip on a dark green button down in place of the black one. Alec rolled his eyes, shrugging himself off of the bed to stand against the wall adjacent to Jace's closet. He snaked his arms over top of his chest, and leaned back against the wall, so that the tops of his shoulder blades were held against it.

"I feel... Happy. Well, I mean, happier than I have been in awhile. But for some reason, it makes me feel selfish—as if I shouldn't be happy, after what... Yenno, happened." Alec shrugged, and bit the inside of his cheek hard. He didn't necessarily want to show Jace the weakness that was inside of him—the weakness that had slowly been ripping away at his already fragile being for the past few years.

"You should feel happy Alec. Honestly, you do so much—"

"I thought you just said, not to long ago, that I've been doing a shitty job at not doing enough?" Alec teased, raising his eyebrow high in defiance.

"Let me finish." Jace shook his golden locks briefly. "Alec, everyone knows you are like the piece that keeps this family together. You should feel happy about that obviously, and whatever else is making you happy right now. I bet it's that girl that gave you that hickey isn't it?" Jace shoved at Alec's shoulder, rendering him slightly unstable for a moment, before he regained his balance and shoved Jace back.

"Shut up." Alec felt a small flush creep up his neck, to rest high on his cheek bones. He turned away, attempting to hide his embarrassment, and walked out of Jace's room. In any other situation it would have been fine to discuss this kind of thing with Jace—his best friend and brother—but seeing as Jace would never understand that the person who had given Alec the hickey was none other than Magnus, he didn't see it fit to say anything at all. Just the simple thought of Magnus caused Alec to come undone. He wanted to be back on that boat, running his hands all over the bare expanse of Magnus' skin and feel him nip strongly on his neck. What made it a bit... Testy in Alec's mind, was the fact that he had wanted much more clothes off.

He shook his head at the thought. There must have been something wrong with him—to feel such a strong lustful attraction towards Magnus. Definitely it was a feeling Alec had never had before—the feeling that it literally hurt him physically not to be touching a piece of Magnus' skin, whether it was his hand, lips or back—Alec felt this burning need to dance his fingers over top of it. On the other hand it was rather amazing getting to know little things here and there about Magnus; very endearing—creating this hope to stir within Alec that some time soon, Magnus might find it fit enough to let him fully in. With Magnus he wanted so much—need so much. But he didn't know what they were... Two people who were at odds when they first met each other, but somehow learnt to become slightly comfortable around one another, and then finally became two people who loved to brush their lips against one another.

"Fine. I'll stop pestering you about it, if you tell me who it was." Jace caught up to Alec in the hallway, rounding off in front of him, to impede Alec in his steps towards the front foyer.

"No. Jace, leave it alone. I thought we were supposed to go to Clary's house, hmm?" Alec gazed at Jace pointedly.

"Jesus, you are honestly being no fun at all today." Jace sighed a bit too dramatically, slinking his shoulders down. "Well then, lets get going. I don't want to keep her waiting all night," Jace smiled lightly to himself, thinking of Clary undoubtedly. Alec gazed at him curiously—there was a sort of airiness to himself lately, if one could look past the arrogance, over confidence, and terrible wit, that is.

"What is it with you and Clary anyways?" Alec asked, as they began to slip into their shoes at the front door.

"What do you mean?" Jace enquired, grabbing the keys to their Jeep, heading out the door.

"Have you not noticed the way you are as of late? I swear she must be slipping something into your drinks to make you so... So, affectionate." Alec drawled out the word affectionate. They had now made their way across the dull slab of grey driveway, coming up to the Jeep.

"Piss off." Jace remarked with a smirk as he slipped into the drivers seat. "She's just different from anyone else. I can't explain it. Alec, sometimes I feel as if I don't deserve someone like her. She's so beautiful, and persistent, and confident."

"I've never heard you speak of someone like that," Alec whispered, mostly to himself. Searching through his thoughts for a similar time, but finding none.

"Well that tells you just how much I like her I guess."

"Yeah it does. I'm going to have to tell her all of your embarrassing stories aren't I? Do you remember last summer when—"

"I swear Alexander Gideon, if you so as mention anything, I mean it, anything, even remotely embarrassing—"

"Hmm, I just won't say anything to her when you aren't around then." Alec briefly laughed, and smirked at the contempt look plastered across Jace's features. Jace reached over with his right hand, and harshly punched Alec in the stomach; causing Alec to jerk forward in his seat and gasp loudly at the sudden impact. "Okay, okay," Alec coughed. "Easy there." Alec shifted over in his seat a bit, inching closer to the passenger sides' door, in attempt to create some space between him and Jace. After that, Jace stayed silent—keeping his focus on the road ahead which was a blessing for Alec. Because now, in the small allotted time he was given before they would arrive at Clary's estate, Alec could think of Magnus.

His strong hands at the subtle curve of Alec's hips—his lips sucking feverishly on the fragile skin at his neck—the way Magnus' chest shifted over top of his—the friction they were creating on their lower halves. Alec longed to be back in that situation, even if he thought it was a bit ridiculous the way he was acting. To Alec, when they were on old man Penhallow's boat, he was entirely himself and at the same time a more cunning version of himself—who wasn't scared to initiate anything; who wasn't scared that Magnus wouldn't reciprocate what he was feeling. Alec still couldn't wrap his head around the whole situation; he definitely didn't think that moving to Alicante would introduce him to this whole new slightly frightening situation. But he was glad, nevertheless.

When he had mentioned to Jace earlier that he was strangely happy for once, it was true. And that happiness stemmed from being with Magnus consequentially—because here was a person that didn't know his past just yet, but wanted to know. Here was a person who was quite possibly the exact opposite—being overly sure of himself—and somehow brought out the confidence in Alec. Here was a person who Alec desired greatly on exponential levels, who he wanted desperately to be close to, and luckily Magnus felt the same way about Alec. Alec raised his fingers to his lips absent minded; he could almost feel the hard brush of Magnus' lips against his own in that moment.

Tomorrow would be a new day where Alec could get to know more and more about Magnus—a new day for sultry glances, heated touches, and breathless kisses. And Alec wanted it all, which was very different for him. Usually when he was submerged into a relationship, he liked to die it down a bit, and not show a substantial amount of affection. But this was different, and everything was changing for Alec; and he was equally excited and scared at the same time. He couldn't predict what could—would happen in the days to come, he just hoped for the best, because in the pit of his stomach he knew this journey with Magnus would be a good thing.

"Who ever you were making out with, must have left a pretty good impression on you." Jace grinned, giving Alec a small look, before turning his gaze back to the road ahead.

"What?" Alec somewhat squeaked—being ripped away from his thoughts.

"C'mon Alec, the look on your face and the way your touching your lips." Jace raised his eyebrow in question, while a sly grin laced his face. "You're thinking about it."

"And if I am?" Alec enquired a bit too hoarsely.

"I was just saying. No need to get your knickers in a bunch." Jace shrugged as he turned off to the right, coming up a hooded long, wide, gravel driveway which was surrounded by eclipsing weeping willow trees. The partial light of the moon peaked through the leaves and branches of the willow's, creating a sort of fantastical intricate design of white swatches along the ground of the driveway. In the distance Alec could faintly make out the shape of a house, that resembled the shape of Magnus' house, but instead this one was a stark red brick color.

"Knickers Jace?"

"Yes, knickers. To be honest, I've been watching Skins way to much." Jace laughed, eliciting a small smile from Alec. "Holy shit, look at that house." Jace tilted his head up, gesturing at the humongous estate in front of them. Alec gaped a bit, his mouth falling partially open—they both had the same stunned expression on their faces, as they had when they had first went to the Bane estate. This manor house was quite readily the same size, but had much more intricate detailing along every square surface. The house was made up of the same red brick material, and dark rustic gold trimming around the large rounded windows and front door. It reminded Alec of the old colonial houses he saw down south when he was younger, when Robert loved to take him and Jace to see the different designs of houses.

In comparison to their house, this one might have been about double the size, but then again Alec always liked smaller houses; they felt much more cozy, and warm—a place to be together with loved ones closely. "Are we just going to stay lurking outside?" Alec laughed and unbuckled his seat belt; then proceeded to bound out of the car, and walk around the front to Jace's side. "How long are we staying?"

"Not too long. Maybe an hour or two." Jace shrugged, and shoved the keys to the Jeep into his front pocket. They walked up to the large golden brown wood front door, and wrung the doorbell twice before they were greeted by a woman with her fiery locks pulled into a messy bun, a grey smock, and different colored paints splattered along her arms.

"Hello," she flicked a stray piece of red hair out of her emerald eyes, and gazed at both Jace and Alec a bit skeptically. "Sorry, I'm not too sure who you guys are..." she trailed off and gasped, raising her small hand to her mouth. She reached out for Jace's face abruptly and held his jaw in between her fingers—twisting his face from side to side. "I would recognize that jaw line from anywhere." She smiled warmly. "Stephen Herondale—he was your father. I went to school with him." Her face fell a bit, her eyes becoming more somber and focused. "I am sorry for your loss. He was a good man and so was your mother."

"Thank you," Jace sheepishly smiled. It wasn't customary that anyone brought up Jace's birth parents around him. It had been many years from the fatal accident that took his parents lives, and he wasn't one that liked to rehash things from the past. Of course his parents memory would always be there in his mind forever, but now he was grateful that he still had a family. A mother who loved him dearly, a father who treasured the time he was able to spend with him, a brother who was also his best friend, and a sister who idolized him greatly.

The woman turned her gaze to Alec then, and clapped her hands together with a gleeful smile on her face. "Of course you, are a Lightwood. You look so much like your mother and father."

"Yeah, I've been told that before." Alec gingerly said.

"I'm Mrs. Morgenstern by the way, if you two didn't clue in," she stepped back from the doorway. "Come in, come in. Are you guys here for Johnathan... Or Clary?" She asked as they stepped into the front foyer which was just as grand as the Bane estate, decked out with a beautiful strikingly large chandelier in the middle of the ceiling, cascading down—giving of the appearance of rain water falling. The inside of their house was more so normal, as compared to the harsh darkness of the Bane manor-with light grey walls, and plenty of hung paintings lining every inch of the walls.

"Hey!" Clary bounded down the stairs off to the left, taking two at a time. She was wearing a simple baggy light pink sheer tank top with a white ban-doo underneath, and high rise cut-offs. Her hair was pulled into two thick braids. "Mom this is Jace," she smiled up at him, her emerald eyes sparkling. Jace leaned over and lightly brushed his lips against her temple.

"Oh—Oh! This is the Jace. Clary has said a lot about you lately." Mrs. Morgenstern winked at Clary, causing Clary to roll her eyes.

"And this is Alec," Clary nodded her head in his direction. "Now, mom, if you don't mind we'll jus—t"

"Jocelyn, can you tell me what the hell this is?" A sharp voice came from around a hidden corner. Jocelyn turned her head to the direction of the voice, and sighed for a brief second, before a man walked into the foyer. He was clad in a sharp light grey suit, with a blood red tie. His hair was the same color as Johnathan's: white blonde and immaculately cut above his ears, and a hard face with equally as hard lines. His eyes were a steely dark brown color, so dark that they were almost the color of black water. The man was staggeringly tall, possibly the exact same height as Alec, and his shoulders were square and bulky. He looked strong—almost too strong and structurally sound, then anyone should be. He was holding a small stack of papers in his large hands, ominously looking over them-not realizing Jace and Alec were standing there. "I didn't give you an okay to go and blow money like this," he hissed.

And then he peared up from the papers, catching wind of Alec and Jace. "Valentine, this is—"

"Jocelyn, please, I am not that dim-witted. You think I wouldn't recognize who these two are? They're the sons of Stephen and Robert." Valentine offered a partial daunting smile and tucked the papers under his left armpit, before he made his way over to stand in front of Jace and Alec, offering his hand. "You have a very strong grip there," Valentine commented after he released Jace's hand. He shook Alec's hand afterwards, and then glanced over at Clary. "Clarissa, you can go run along now. Your mother and I have things to discuss." And with that, Valentine latched his large hand around Jocelyn's tiny pale wrist, and lead her to a separate hallway.

Alec hadn't realized it yet, but he had been holding his breath since Valentine had walked into the foyer. He gave off a sort of air to him, that told you he wasn't one who liked defiance. Valentine reminded Alec of Gerald a bit too much, but then again he didn't readily know each one personally. Just from first perceptions, Valentine seemed like the type of person that didn't mind how he got his way, while Gerald got his way through a manipulative, kind, gesture. Again he was thankful for his mother, even if she was a bit overbearing at times and also rather custom with her ways, and for his father who was the epitimy of who he wanted to be one day.

Clary lead them up the staircase she had bounded down mere minutes ago, into a sort of bonus room with a large home theatre room set up. Johnathan was already up there, lounging on one of the black leather recliner chairs, stuffing his face full of popcorn. He greeted Jace a bit cynically as they walked in, and greeted Alec much more friendly. There was definitely a sort of malicious nature Johnathan had towards Jace, and in Alec's mind it was over Clary. He began to wonder if him and Johnathan could connect in some way over trying to protect their baby sisters. Alec not being too fond of William, and Johnathan likewise with Jace.

They all sat there in their recliner chairs watching a bunch of re-runs of the fourth doctor, and at some point they moved on to watching Lord's of Dog town. It was well past midnight when they had finally made their way home, and instantly when Alec walked into the room he slumped over onto his bed, pulled the covers up high, and fell asleep to the image of bright yellow-green cat eyes.

A/N: I promised you guys I would update today, so here it is! I took me a stangely long time to write this, I have no idea why... Oh yeah, keep in mind that Alec and Magnus were together on the boat until about seven-ish. I kind of wanted this chapter to show you a bit more of the interaction between Jace and Alec, also to show a bit of what is going on in Jace's head regarding Clary. The story about the accident will be introduced in the coming chapters, and yes it is very tramatic, in my opinion. Oh yeah, and here's Valentine! Very much like Gerald, but he doesn't neccassarily care about putting on the act of seeming civilized in the presence of others. I have the next chapter almost complete, so it won't be a long wait like it was for this one. Again I am terribly sorry about that!

Review please! And tell me some of your speculations on: what the accident was, what happened to Palmer Bane, why is William a little prat to Alec, where was Robert for seemingly a year. I want to know what you guys are thinking (:

Amber,