Guys I'm really sorry this took so long, I feel terrible but I haven't had time to write, school has been driving me crazy. :s
Someone said that my description of Jace sounded like Tate from American Horror Story, which made me smile because he did kind of inspire my version of Jace, just a little. c:
That night Clary slept better than she had in a while. She turned over and smiled when she found a folded piece of paper on her bedside table. She snatched it up and read the note:
You're beautiful when you sleep. I hope the morning finds you well rested. I'll pick you up today at 3:00, I'm not taking no for an answer. See you then Red. -Jace
His writing was beautiful, the letters elegant yet masculine and Clary couldn't help but love that he called her Red. She glanced at the clock and with a groan decided it was time to get up. She went downstairs and found her brother on the couch watching cartoons. She poured herself a bowl of cereal and leaned against the counter with her breakfast. She could hear her mother moving around in her studio and quickly scribbled a note about her plans that afternoon so she wouldn't interrupt her mom. She sank down on the couch next to her brother and after a couple of hours of mind numbing entertainment she went upstairs to shower.
After her shower, Clary pulled her hair back into a French braid, a few loose strands curling around her face. She pulled on a pair of jeans, a collared t-shirt and a wool sweater, hoping she didn't look too casual. She applied a small amount of mascara and blush and shoved her favorite mint lip balm in her purse. She pulled on a pair of black leather boots and brushed her teeth, then headed downstairs to wait for Jace.
Just as he'd promised, he was there at 3:00 looking painfully handsome in blue jeans and a tan wool sweater. She closed the door behind her, her brother still a zombie on the couch. She smiled at the golden boy in front of her and reached up to brush her lips against his. He took her hand and led her to the car. They drove silently to the same park they had sat in a few nights before and started walking. Clary turned to Jace and asked, "So you haven't told me much about your family, I want to know more about you."
Jace looked uncomfortable and shrugged the question off, making his way towards a bench. He sat down and Clary couldn't help but think she had done something to upset him. She joined him on the bench and sat quietly, her hands curled up in her lap and her head down.
"My mom died when I was fourteen."
Clary was startled by his blunt answer and looked up at him, her eyes wide.
"She was diagnosed with Leukemia when I was nine and I watched her slowly sink lower and lower, her health deteriorating to the point where my dad had to hire someone to come take care of her full time. He wanted to do it himself but he had to work to support us and he didn't know the first thing about medicine. It hurt so much to see my mom dying and my dad becoming more depressed. He loved her so much. When she died it changed him. He stays in the house a lot of the time, distracting himself with work. He's distant and I miss the man he used to be."
Jace took a shuddering breath and met Clary's eyes. The pain on his face was so obvious that it broke her heart. She felt as if there was something he was still hiding but she knew better than to push. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair, smoothing the unruly waves away from his face. Clary's breath caught when she realized there were tears silently rolling down his cheeks. She placed soft kisses along his jaw and eyelids and murmured sweet nothings to him until he calmed down. He wrapped his arms around her and gathered her to him, her face settling in the crook of his neck. They stayed like that, Jace comforted by Clary's warm breath against his neck, a steady rhythm that let him know he wasn't alone.
I know it isn't much, but it was super important that Jace tell Clary about his past. I'm still working out where this story will go but I promise I will keep it going. Thanks for reading. x