Shadowhunters || Jimonael || Light of Their (After)Life || Jimonael || Shadowhunters
Title: Light of Their (After)Life – How Jace Accidentally Got Two Sugar Daddies
Fandom: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments
Disclaimer: All rights to the Shadowhunters show reserved to Ed Decter, the books the show is based off and its characters belong to Cassandra Clare. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: polyamory (m/m/m), alpha/beta/omega dynamics, wingfic, hurt/comfort, courting, fluff, BDSM, kneeling, spanking, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, knotting, sex toys, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Raphael/Simon/Jace
Side Pairings: Magnus/Alec, Lydia/Izzy, Luke/Catarina
Shadowhunters Characters: Jace Herondale, Simon Lewis, Raphael Santiago, Lily Chen, Magnus Bane, Alec Lightwood, Max Lightwood, Isabelle Lightwood, Lydia Branwell, Clary Fray, Luke Garroway, Madzie Loss, Catarina Loss, Imogen Herondale, Rebecca Lewis, Elaine Lewis
Original Characters: Hal Armstrong, Tim Jeong, Grace Oriol, Salvador Salazar, Phoebe Nightingale
Summary: In the aftermath of the war, the New York Institute wants to strengthen its bonds to the local Downworlders by assigning permanent liaisons to each fraction. Jace becomes the liaison to the vampire clan and thus starts spending much more time with the mated Alpha clan-leader pair, Raphael and Simon. At the same time, he's come to the decision to start embracing his omega nature and get off the suppressants he'd been on his entire life.
Light of Their (After)Life
How Jace Accidentally Got Two Sugar Daddies
Chapter 6: The Scent
The fact that angry Simon was incredibly hot was not news to Jace. He had a track-record of deliberately provoking Simon until the vampire would pin him against the nearest wall for exactly this reason. Well, maybe also a little bit the angle of being manhandled by the vampire too, having Simon use his vampire-strength to push Jace and pin Jace.
It was Simon being angry on Jace's behalf, instead of being angry at Jace, that was new. And Jace was trying to deal with that. He'd been 'dealing' with that three times in the shower this morning. This shouldn't be as much of a turn-on as it was. And then there Raphael too. It was a lot, and it was something that Jace could absolutely not show in front of the two vampires at all. Which was why he'd headed for the bathroom, again, after tossing and turning in bed for an hour.
Sleeping during the day didn't come all that natural to Jace still, he usually just skipped sleep whenever he had a mission that brought him to Hotel Dumort. But with this weekend getaway, and sharing a hotel suite with the two vampires, he felt obliged to adjust to their sleep schedule. And when sleep had failed him, images of Raphael and Simon had come to haunt him.
Simon's anger came in bursts, suddenly and with barely held back threats of violence. Jace had known that. But Raphael's anger was very low and restrained. It was that control that got to Jace, in Raphael's case. Not for the first time either. There was something about seeing Raphael act as the leader of the clan, leading and also giving orders, that had been affecting Jace for a while now.
Jerking off in his bedroom seemed like a bad idea on account of being too close to Raphael and Simon's bedroom, so he'd gone to the bathroom, hoping the running water would both cover noises and also wash the scent away before it could spread into the suite. There was just no going around it, he needed to get this out of his system before it'd show when he was in the same room as them.
Turning the shower onto ice-cold, he tried to calm himself and clear his head.
/break\
Simon rolled over to bury his face in the pillow to scream into it. The scent of omega-arousal was so heavy in the air, it made him feel dizzy. He wasn't new to the scent in general, he'd been with Clary, but this was Jace. This was new. He'd never smelt it before. It heightened the strawberry aspect of Jace's scent, making him smell like the ripest strawberries, just ready to be ravished. Simon swallowed hard and rolled back over to stare at the ceiling, licking his lips.
"How does this not affect you. I am. Drowning in his scent."
Raphael chuckled amused and reached out to caress Simon's hair in a soothing manner. "I have to admit, it does… It intrigues me. I enjoy it, I think I could get used to it."
"And the noises," Simon groaned and buried his face in Raphael's chest now.
"Now, those, I would very much like to hear more of," Raphael hummed in agreement, a small smile on his lips. "I could imagine you causing him to make these noises, maybe even drawing all the more noises from him… I think that would be quite the enjoyable show."
Simon groaned and hit Raphael lightly. "You are a cruel, cruel man, Raphael Santiago."
Raphael was aware that he was just being mean right now. His mate was suffering, but in the most adorable ways. The effect their chosen omega had on Simon was so delightful to watch for Raphael. Though Raphael also meant every word. He thought that he would love to sit and watch Simon and Jace together, they were so gorgeous, they would be breathtaking together.
"Wait," Simon peeked up at Raphael with wondrous eyes. "Are you serious?"
It made Raphael laugh a little, that his words only now properly sank in. It seemed the delicious scent of their omega was clouding Simon's mind a lot. Raphael's fingers scratched Simon's scalp more firmly, causing Simon's eyelids to flutter shut in bliss.
"I am serious," Raphael confirmed after another moment. "You know I enjoy watching and instructing you when you masturbate, on occasion. I do think that there is a lot of appeal in doing the same for the both of you."
"Right, I just…" Simon cleared his throat and sat up some. "I don't know. You and me, we've been having a sexless relationship for so long, I didn't… uh…"
Blinking a couple of times, Raphael couldn't help but laugh more loudly at that, leaning down to press a kiss to Simon's forehead. "Don't tell me it hadn't crossed your mind yet that if we did court Jace into our relationship, the two of you would be having sex?"
A distressed little noise escaped Simon as he shrugged. "Like I said, I kinda got used to what we have. And you actually being interested in Jace has been such an overwhelmingly exciting new development that I was too busy thinking about getting to kiss and cuddle Jace and yeah, my mind might not have gotten to the part where Jace is very interested in having sex and that getting together with Jace might mean that I'd get to have sex with him."
"You are too endearing," Raphael whispered against Simon's skin, kissing him again.
"So—o…" Simon snuggled up to him, tilting his head to stare at his boyfriend. "That'd be something you would… like, just, not participate-participate, but, you know…"
Raphael shook his head at the awkward rambling. "Yes, I know what you mean. And yes. To whatever extend you two would be comfortable with, of course. This is all a relative situation, after all. We have not courted him yet, and we don't know how he would feel about being watched."
"Right, right, yeah, of course. His consent is also super important," Simon nodded quickly. "But, just, from your side, you would like to be a part of it too. Because I don't know, it just… thinking about it, it would feel a little… weird to me, if there was this big aspect of our relationship that I'd only share with Jace. I know you have no interest in physically touching and being involved in that way, but I do think it'd feel… it'd be nice, to have you involved to any kind of extend that you would be comfortable with. Because I do enjoy when we do the thing where I jerk off and you tell me how to, it's really hot, and it just… makes me feel connected to you, in an intimate way, even though you're not the one touching me to get me off, you know?"
Simon looked so flustered as he stared at Raphael. A soft smile spread over Raphael's lips at that. Communication was so important, especially about these things. It'd be a lie if Raphael claimed to not have been nervous, the first time he told Simon that he was asexual. For too many, no sex was a deal breaker when it came to a relationship. And it had been an adjustment phase for them, to find something that worked. Because at first, Simon had interpreted it to mean no sex at all – not even alone with himself. Apparently, Simon had felt awkward and unsure about that, felt guilty about sexualizing Raphael even in his own mind, since Raphael wasn't interested in participating in sex acts. Raphael had to reassure Simon that whatever happened in Simon's fantasies was completely fine with Raphael. What mattered to Raphael was that he didn't physically participate. He did find it flattering that Simon was sexually attracted to him, even if he didn't understand that attraction.
After that, it took them a little longer to figure out together that there was a mutual appeal in Raphael watching Simon pleasure himself, and later on also give… instructions. Tell Simon where to touch, when to touch, when to come – and when not to come. It pleased Raphael's inner alpha, to be in charge like that, to have his mate obey him like that, and he found it aesthetically pleasing to see Simon come apart. And Simon seemed to just generally enjoy Raphael's involvement.
"I think it would be… mesmerizing to watch," Raphael's voice dropped. "Him, naked and spread out on our bed, his stunning wings spread out on either side. Arching beneath your touch. I'd tell you where to touch him, to kiss him, make him wait until these beautiful sounds will come from him. I'd make the both of you wait for it, work for it, beg for it."
Simon gasped out, a little whimper following. "You're evil, so evil."
Smiling at him, Raphael kissed Simon's temple. "And you love it, amor."
/break\
It was shortly before sunset that Jace got up and got ready. Dressing in the beautiful suite, proudly putting the brooch onto it, straightening his hair. Trying to reflect on the aftermath of the last meeting one last time. He'd come to terms with it a little more. Being protected wasn't exactly something new for him, it was what him and Alec had always done. Protect each other. During a fight was different though. Fighting was what they were trained for, as Shadowhunters. Protecting one's… honor, in lack of a better word, that was different.
They were friends. Simon and Raphael both used to be mundies before becoming vampires. Standing up for each other like that was normal, for them. It was just in his head, that this freaked him out so much, because he wasn't used to it.
When he exited his bedroom, he found Raphael already sitting on the couch, legs crossed, not a hair out of place. How this man always managed to look so perfect and so composed was beyond Jace. And on the other end of the spectrum was his mess of a mate, Simon came rushing out of his and Raphael's bedroom, hair unruly and clothes not fully straightened yet.
"I'm here, I'm here," Simon paused and tried to smooth down his shirt.
"Okay. Let's get this over with," Jace heaved a sigh and paused one last time at the door, causing the two vampires behind him to also stop. "Stay away from McKay. Both of you. Just… keep your distance. I don't want a repeat of yesterday, and I don't want it to escalate. Please. For me."
Neither of his vampires looked pleased by that, but they nodded their agreement relucantly. Raphael reached out to rest a hand on Jace's arms to gain his attention before he could open the door.
"If he, or anyone else, behaves inappropriately toward you, I can not guarantee you that," Raphael looked at him earnestly. "You are here as a representative of our clan and it would be a failure on our end if we would allow that kind of behavior toward any member of our clan."
Jace heaved a sigh at that, finding it hard to argue with that. They were clan-leaders. Jace would expect them to stand up for any of their clan-members being mistreated. The thing that wasn't computing for Jace was that he was being considered one of theirs.
"Fine," Jace sighed again. "Let's get this over with, hopefully without any incidents."
/break\
Diplomatic Jace was mesmerizing to Raphael. He had heard about it from Simon, how smooth and suave Jace had been in the Seelie Realm and how much awe Simon had been in about it. Seeing it for himself was something different though. All that snark and the overly exaggerated annoyance – rolled eyes, smirks, defiant behavior – melted away for charming smiles, politeness and sweet words. It was beautiful. And Raphael could see he wasn't the only one to think so.
The more Jace explained Alec's plans, what the Downworlder cabinet and the liaisons could do for the vampires, the more clan-leaders in the room swayed his way. Having the chance at getting a vote in, getting informed about what was going on, what Shadowhunters were doing. This was unprecedented. Vampires had always lived outside that bubble, living at the whims of Shadowhunters and more often than not getting harassed by them, not helped. Most were still skeptical about receiving actual help from Shadowhunters, but even without that, this was promising more insight than they ever had before.
"This was promising. I do think we will reconsider."
One of the clan-leaders, standing close to Jace and smiling at him. Raphael was not the only one drawn in by Jace during this meeting. Not just one of the alpha clan-leaders were being decidedly too chummy with Jace now. Too many smiles and too many sweet words and definitely too many casual touches. Raphael Santiago was a very possessive man. He did not like others touching what was his. His fingers dug tightly into the fabric of his suit to keep from interfering. Just because his instincts screamed that Jace was his didn't make it so. Defending Jace from someone being inappropriate and interfering when someone was flirting with Jace were two different things.
"Relax, Raph," Simon's voice was the lowest of whispers.
His touch on Raphael's hand was gentle, easing his fingers off the suit. Raphael took a deep, slow breath and felt himself relaxing a little. Letting go of his suit, he instead slipped his hand into Simon's. This was new for him. To want someone while already having someone. To share that want. While Simon had known of his own polyamorous feelings for years, this was not something Raphael had ever experienced before. Then again, in his decades as a vampire – and the time before that – he had very rarely taken a lover at all. He'd always kept his feelings close to his chest, guarded his heart. Simon was not just a partner he took, Simon had become his mate, that meant everything. His heart was with someone who cherished it and who had coaxed it into falling in love with another too. Pulling Simon closer, Raphael kissed his temple.
/break\
The meeting ended. The weekend ended. After a quick text, Magnus opened them a portal and the three stepped through it into Hotel Dumort. There was a pang in Jace's chest, a weird ache for no longer living with them like this. Having them just next door, sharing meals with them, seeing them more often than just once a week. So he lingered, for just a moment.
"Jace! Oh, you look stunning. That suit is. Mh. That's Marco's handiwork, isn't it?"
Jace startled when one of the clan-members came running up to him, smoothing down the suit's jacket in appreciation. Her name was Grace Oriol, he'd met her a couple of times already. Both here and also at Pandemonium, where she frequently went with her friends and had, on more than one occasion, invited Jace to join them when she would spot him there. She was an omega, petite and blonde, her fashion-sense stuck somewhat in the 1930s but she made it work.
"It… is," Jace confirmed after a beat. "Raphael… bought it for me, for this meeting."
"Mh," Grace's hand paused at the brooch. "Now that is a breathtaking piece."
Jace cleared his throat, feeling strangely self-conscious about this. "Right. I should probably give that back to you guys, huh. That… does not look cheap."
He reached for it to take it off his suit, hating the way that made him feel. A hand rested on his, stopping him, and when he looked up, he locked eyes with Simon.
"Raph and I think you should keep it," Simon smiled at him in that way that made Jace feel all cozy on the inside. "You are representing our clan. Keep it."
Jace was so busy staring into Simon's eyes, he didn't catch the meaningful and judgmental look that Grace was giving Raphael. Raphael cleared his throat, trying not to look at her. She had one of the best eyes for fashion and value, she probably knew exactly how much money he had spent on Jace there, with the suit and the brooch. And it didn't take much to conclude that that was too much for a work-associate. Grace raised her eyebrows at him, but there was amusement in her eyes.
"Well," she patted Jace's chest once before fully letting go of the other omega. "Now that you're back, I think you should go out with me next weekend."
"Sounds great," Jace cleared his throat. "I… think it's time I get home. This weekend really messed with my inner clock. I'll see you guys around."
He waved at the three vampires and then left to head back to the institute.
/break\
Jace knocked briefly on the head of the institute's office door before entering. A surprised noise came from Isabelle as she quickly slipped off Lydia's lap and straightened her hair, her cheeks flushed and her dress a little ruffled. Jace raised both eyebrows and grinned at his sister.
"Ah, Jace," Lydia cleared her throat. "We were just… debriefing on Isabelle's last mission."
"Ri—ight," Jace nodded slowly. "So, am I gonna sit on your lap too for our debriefing?"
The next moment, an eraser hit him on his head, Isabelle glaring at him and blushing harder. Not his fault if her mate decided to lie really badly instead of just admitting that they were using the office for on the clock make-out-sessions. At least Alec and Magnus had the decency to own up to it.
"I'll see you later," Izzy sighed as she leaned in to steal a last kiss from her mate.
She also cuffed Jace one last time in passing, making him smirk. Teasing his siblings was his right and privilege. Once she had left the room, Jace came to sit opposite Lydia to debrief her on how the weekend had gone. Part of him was really glad that Alec wasn't in the office right now, he'd just give Jace the sad, concerned parabatai-eyes about this weekend, knowing of Jace's feelings for Simon. Not about his feelings for Raphael yet. These were still too new to Jace to share. For now, he preferred a purely professional setting, without dissecting his feelings about all of this.
/break\
When Jace went to bed that evening, he kept tossing and turning in frustration. The hotel suite had smelt like Raphael and Simon. An enclosed space like that, with three people in it, it had quickly taken on their scents and even in his bedroom, he had been able to smell Raphael and Simon.
Simon smelt like citrus and dark chocolate. Jace was familiar with this scent, had smelt Simon often enough during the war to grow attached to it. But Raphael? Three months ago, he wouldn't have been able to tell what Raphael smelt like if asked. Now, laying in his bed, closing his eyes, he could remember that scent of licorice and cherries and he wanted it back.
Getting up, Jace walked over to the chest at the foot of his bed, where he kept his unwashed clothes until they piled up enough to do a load of laundry. Opening it, he removed the suit from it. His fingers gently ran down the soft material before folding it once and lifting it up against his face. His nose pressed into it and he inhaled deeply. The scent of dark chocolate and cherries was the most prominent notes from either of their scents, but they were there. He'd been close enough to them during this weekend, he'd worn this the majority of the weekend.
Something inside him unwound as the scent hit him. Like a knot in his chest loosening up. His muscles relaxed some and he started purring ever so slightly. With the suit in his hands, he headed back to his bed and laid down once more. He wrapped the jacket around himself like a blanket, pulling it close to his face so the scent would stay with him.
Part of him was terrified by how attached he'd grown to them both. How much he wanted them. He'd never wanted someone this much before and that was a terrifying thought. Because love hurt. Love meant pain. Love destroyed. And his therapist, his parabatai, his friends, they could all tell him that Valentine had manipulated him, had lied to him, that he was wrong. They were wrong.
Jace had loved Horus. Horus was the first being outside of his father that he had loved. And Valentine had snapped the falcon's neck, killed Horus, in front of Jace's eyes, as a punishment just because Jace loved that bird. Jace loved his parabatai, and Alec had nearly died trying to find him when Valentine had abducted Jace, Alec had nearly died at the hands of the Owl too. Imogen had nearly died at the hands of the Owl too. Valentine had slit Simon's throat, when Simon and Clary were still dating, to punish her, to take away someone his daughter loved.
They could claim Valentine had lied all they wanted, he'd seen it often enough himself.
Author's note: Next chapter, we're going to focus a bit more on Jace's wings ;)