A/N: I know this is a super quick update but it's also the shortest chapter I've written. Hopefully I have more up later this week. I really appreciate all the reviews and hope to read some more :). And I love that everyone loves the "Bootylicious" sweats! Alec doesn't know what they say, so I'll definitely be bringing them back :).

A/N2: As people mentioned before, Magnus has spare bedrooms, which I fixed in the previous chapter :).

Disclaimer: The characters and universe belongs to Cassandra Clare.

Warnings: There be foul language and violence in this chapter. Overall, this story deals with very sensitive subject matters, including sexual abuse of a minor (not explicitly described), internalized homophobia, self-destructive behavior, language and adult sexual content.

Learning to Be

Chapter 6: Running

Alec heard the incessant beeping of his phone alarm but was trying hard to ignore it. He tried to bury himself deeper into the soft blankets. He hadn't slept so peacefully in ages.

When he finally opened his eyes, unable to ignore the annoying sound any longer, he crinkled his brow in confusion. Where was he? Instantly, all sleepiness vanished and he shot up into a seated position, his eyes assessing his surroundings.

He was in an unfamiliar bedroom. The soft colors and playful art lining the walls would never be found at the Institute. Slowly, the memories from last night chased away the confusion and he blushed. He was at Magnus's place.

He scrambled out of bed and checked his phone. It was 6am. Since they had gone hunting last night, his siblings wouldn't be up for a few more hours but he knew he should send a text to Jace in case he got up early and decided to check on him.

His fingers flew over the keypad quickly before he placed the phone on the nightstand. He pulled at the sweats riding low on his hips, frowning. Why wouldn't they stay up. He looked around for his own clothes but couldn't find them. He must have left them in the living room. He wondered if Magnus would be up. He didn't want to wake up the warlock.

Maybe he should just slip out before he woke up. He didn't want to overstay his welcome. No, that would be rude. Magnus had been unbelievably kind to him, letting him stay here and not asking too many questions. Alec didn't know what he would have done otherwise.

His heart clenched at the thought, remembering that he would soon be returning to the same situation that he fled from the night before. But at least it would be daytime. The daytime was never as terrifying as what night always promised.

When he stepped out of the bedroom, the smell of frying eggs and bacon met his nostrils and his stomach growled, a reminder that he hadn't eaten anything the day before. As he moved away from the bedroom door he was greeted by the sight of the warlock by the stove, his back turned away from the shadowhunter.

He was wearing nothing but a pair of boxers and his hair pooled at his shoulders in straight strands. Alec bit his bottom lip, unable to tear his eyes away. He was long and lean, subtle muscles defining his back and arms. Alec had a sudden desire to run his hand down the man's caramel skin, feeling the definition of his back.

The warlock turned around and smiled at the teenager. "Good morning dear Alec. I hope you like eggs and bacon." He smiled brightly and Alec's heart skipped a beat. He was stunning.

Alec curled his fingers, feeling nauseous and hating himself for his thoughts. He willed his eyes closed and sucked in some air. When he opened his eyes, Magnus was looking at him with concern, his upper body now covered with a t-shirt. Alec felt inexplicably disappointed but shoved the feeling aside and smiled tentatively.

"Good morning. Eggs and bacon sounds great," he said softly.

xxxxxx

Jace got up to the sound of his phone sending him an alert. He looked over at his clock. 6:03 am. Who the hell was texting him at this hour?

He grabbed his phone and flipped it open.

Just in case you get up early and can't find me, I went for a run. I'll see you when I get back. -Alec

Jace sighed, running his fingers through his hair, hoping Alec had been able to get at least some sleep last night.

Knowing that he wouldn't get anymore sleep himself, Jace quickly threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and grabbed his stele.

He hadn't slept very well and his minds was racing with angry thoughts that he couldn't seem to get under control.

Anger at Maryse and Robert for never reporting the bastard and letting him stay here. Fuck the Clave and their mandates.

Anger at the bastard that destroyed his best friend's childhood and left a barely functioning teenager in his wake.

But most of all, anger at himself. Anger at himself for not knowing what was going on with his adoptive brother. He was practically screaming for help by staying silent for almost a year and Jace hadn't tried hard enough to figure out what was going on.

He clenched his fist as he made his way towards the west wing. He wanted to punch a hole through the wall. Instead he pressed his stele into his skin and drew a hearing-enhancing rune.

He walked slowly down the dark corridors, his ears picking up every noise from the creaking of the floorboards to the ticking of a nearby grandfather clock in full clarity.

Finally he heard the sound he was looking for and stopped. He turned to the door, listening to the snoring and breathing from within, the sounds hitting his ears ten times louder than normal. He waited a few minutes for the effects of the rune to fade away before attempting the doorknob.

It was locked. He took out his stele again and drew an unlocking rune into the door. Soon he heard a click and he quickly opened the door.

The room was small and plain. In the center, on the twin bed, a man slept. He was lying on his back with the sheets kicked to one side.

Jace scowled. Pure hatred and disgust brewed dangerously in the pit of his stomach. He stepped into the room and slammed the door as forcefully as he could, the sound resonating through the room loudly.

He stood in the center of the room and watched as the man jerked up, his eyes blinking rapidly in confusion. Finally, the man seemed to collect himself and swung his legs off the bed, standing up.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he growled. He stood in a pair of boxers. While he was taller than Jace, he was probably shorter than Alec. But he was definitely wider and heavier than both teenagers. Jace's anger only grew, remembering how small Alec was five years ago.

"What? You don't like it when people come into your room unwelcome?" Jace's voice was dangerously calm.

Ben narrowed his eyes. "You should leave."

"Or what? You'll try to rape me?" Jace didn't care how callous he was being. Images of the grown man towering over Alec danced in his vision. He moved swiftly, shoving the man against the wall so quickly, the older man did not have time to react. Jace had him pinned between the wall and his arm, which was pressed against his upper chest.

"But you're not interested in me, are you? You like young, scared, defenseless little boys, right?"

Ben smirked, not knowing the buttons he was pushing. "He enjoyed it as much as I did. Fuck, I get hard just thinking about it."

Jace saw red. It flashed behind his eyes, an uncontrollable rage exploding like thunder erupting just behind his ears.

Any common sense flew from his mind and his fist landed squarely in the man's jaw. His head went flying to the side but Jace did not stop. The older shadowhunter tried to push the teenager away and hit him but Jace was faster and stronger, holding the man while he rained punches down like the man's body was a punching bag.

Finally, Jace stopped. He blinked, staring at the man, who was barely holding himself up, Jace's arm the only thing keeping him from sliding to the floor. His face and chest were littered with bruises and blood where Jace had managed to break skin.

Jace stepped back, his heart racing. The man slid to the ground, groaning loudly but not passing out. Jace picked up the man's steele that sat on the nightstand.

"You so much as glance at my brother, I will fuck you up so bad, even an iratze will be useless."

He threw the steele at the man's feet and turned around, quickly leaving the room and finding the nearest bathroom.

He leaned his hands against the sink and stared at himself in the mirror. He looked almost crazed.

He looked down at his left hand. His knuckles were torn and bloody. Slowly he turned on the faucet and waited for the water to heat up before he ran his hand under the water, watching the water in the sink turn pink as it swirled down the drain.

Fuck.

He closed his eyes. He needed to get it together.

A/N: So, I know this was a super short chapter but it did not make sense to write the next scene in this chapter, as these two scenes were linked by Alec's text. I hope the timeline isn't moving too slowly for people, considering only two nights have passed since chapter 1. I have the main events figured out but weaving them together with the character and emotion pieces is harder to navigate. This story is more about the character development and growth than anything else, though.

We'll learn more about Alec's headspace when it comes to his distorted feelings about his sexuality. As for Jace, even though he wasn't subjected to the same horrors as Alec, he was traumatized by what he saw as a child, so he has some stuff to deal with too.

Please let me know what you think!