“Do you even have to ask?” Alec continued a slow trail along Jace’s neck. If he could mark him he would, but then he knew that Jace wouldn’t really like having to cover up those spots. He supposed Jace could say he was with someone else, but then Alec wouldn’t like hearing that, so that would get them nowhere. “You locked the door, right?” He asked as he parted enough to look at him. Jace’s hands on his thighs had him itching to get closer to him, but he wanted to make sure that the chance of being caught together was slim. If anyone came by, they would likely think Jace wasn’t there or asleep. “Because we might do something indecent and I doubt anyone would want to walk in on this.”

Jace smiled and leaned up to kiss Alec. “I don’t have to, but I will anyway.” he answered. He always wanted to make sure it was what Alec wanted, something that eased the usual self doubt he hid from everyone but his parabatai. “Of course I locked the door, just in case you wanted to stay tonight. The last few days have been rough.” he explained, giving a grin. “How do you want me, baby?” he asked, one hand dipping between Alec’s legs to brush his fingers along his length.

Alone Time | inkfated

inkfated

“Really? Is it something that I’m allowed to know?” Clary was curious about the Silent Brothers. It also seemed like no one really knew much about them except for themselves. They were like a secret society within the Shadow world. “Thank you.” She smiled up at him, pleased that he was willing to try at being honest. She nodded in understanding. “If they get too bad, I’ll be there for you. Even if it’s for something as simple as holding your hand.” She chucked at the image of that in her head. “Both of you would have refused. It sounds like the three of you had a good time together either way.” They were a family unit that she could easily admire. “I’m okay,” Clary insisted. “Simon got me to Magnus in time. I healed. I’m all better now. You don’t have to worry about that. It wasn’t you.”

“Alec would probably tell you otherwise, but okay.” She stood and leaned into this touch, this time she moved her own hand up his arm and rested her hand against his. “I love you too. You have no idea how glad we found our way back to each other again.” Then she leaned in and kissed him so softly that had she not known they were supposed to be going to bed, she would have tried to deepen it. She did step back though and curled her fingers around his as she guided him toward her bedroom. “We have a lot of cuddle time to make up for,” she told him with a small grin. And maybe more than that if Jace would ever be up for it, but she knew that he wanted to take things slow so she wouldn’t pressure him into much more. Once they were in her bedroom, Clary let go of her hand and shut the door behind them. “I’m sorry my little art area is a little messy. With all of the missions we’ve been going on, I haven’t had much time to clean up.”

Jace gave her a small smile. “It was Jem. Turns out he and my ancestor Will were parabatai.” he explained. “But it’s important that not a lot of people know. He’s been Brother Zacariah for a long time now, so I promised him that his secret was safe.” he explained. “I know you will be. It means a lot, and I promise I tell you if it happens.” His lips curled up and he leaned to kiss her forehead. “We did. Alec and Izzy were my first real friends…probably my only real friends, honestly.” HE shrugged before his eyes flickered gold for a second, hating the thought that he’d been forced into almost killing her. “Doesn’t change the fact that it was my body that hurt you.” That’s where he was having trouble; removing the blame from himself. It was a slow process, and deep down he knew he hadn’t been in control, bu it bothered him regardless.

He rolled his eyes at the comment, shaking his head. “He doesn’t finish all of his all the time, either. Even if he wants to.” he assured. Her words made him smile and he kissed back gently, holding her hand as he listened to her. “We do. Cuddles and maybe more in time.” HE wasn’t sure how far he could go with his torture still so close to his mind. Walking in behind her, he shook his head. “It doesn’t have to be spotless. You’re an artist, Clary. Sometimes it’s messy, and that’s part of who you are.” He explained as he moved to close the door and undress. “As long as I an hold you, the room is fine. I promise.”

Loving Pets | inkfated

Clary hummed as she leaned back against him. His fingers in her hair feltso good and she never wanted him to stop. “I wash it every day,” she commented. “Well, almost every day. Sometimes we’re so busy that I can’t wash it. And the conditioner helps with the softening. If I didn’t use it, it’d probably be all frizzy and not at all easy for you to run your fingers through.” She wondered if she could ask him to do this more often, so she did. “You should do that more often. It feels nice. Nicer than a head massage. Well, almost nicer than that. I should give you a head massage after this.” Clary didn’t realize that she was rambling, but she was tired and sometimes she rambled when she was tired. Speaking of tired, Clary let out a yawn and snuggled more against him. “If I fall asleep, I’m sorry, but it’s been a long day and your hands in my hair is doing things to me.”

Jace gave a soft smile as he listened to Clary ramble on. He laughed softly and leaned over to kiss her. “I don’t mind if you fall asleep. I can adjust you so we can sleep.” he assured. “We had a long day, and honestly, I think all of us have earned at least a few days of vacation.” He mused, thinking about all the hell they’d gone through with Simon losing his memories and finally killing Jonathan. “So we can totally sleep in a day or two. It won’t kill us.”

@inkfated

Drink by Drink | bowstrung

bowstrung

Alec had a feeling that there was no talking him out of his sadness. At least not right now. He didn’t expect him to open up about his family either and Alec’s face softened. “I am so sorry that you’ve had to go through that. If you need a friend and I know that we don’t really know each other, know that I’m here for you okay?” He hoped that wasn’t weird, but Alec did want to make sure that he was okay. It was just who he was to take care of people and to see that Jace was going through so much made him want to keep him safe from the rest of the world.

When Alec did return from finishing out some drinks and orders, he spotted where Jace had landed on the menu and said, “The chili cheese fries and nachos, huh? They’re some of our best selling items. I can get you one of each if you can’t decide.” He knew that he was probably being a bit much, but he was trying to help in whatever way he could. Once Jace gave him his order, Alec filled out a slip and said, “I’ll be right back.” And with that, he sent the order to the kitchen before returning with everything. Everyone else was entertained with their drinks and friends and food and he’d only had to stop once on the way there for make a refill. “Here you are. One of our most popular items too, I hope that you enjoy them.” And maybe the food would cheer him up, at least a little bit anyway. Eating ones feelings wasn’t good like drinking either, but Alec could admit that he’d done that himself before he he wasn’t going to complain to anyone.

Jace looked up at the words, watching the dark haired man. He’d noticed Alec a few times – always a sucker for blue or green eyes – but he hadn’t offered much in terms of communication or flirting because of his relationship. But even as he admired the other’s beauty, he noted the actual tone to Alec’s words. “Y’know, lotta people say that, but most of ‘em don’ really mean it.” He slurred. “A friend would be good. Haven’t really had a lot of them.” He admitted.

One of each? This guy had to be too good to be true. “Sure, one of each is fine.” He replied, sipping what little was left of his drink. He waited patiently until Alec returned, watching him work, even if it seemed Alec was paying particular attention to him. Jace was happy to have someone looking out for him, even if he didn’t say it. He smiled as he took a bite of the fries, humming softly as he ate, enjoying the flavors as he people watched. When Alec returned he nodded. “Thanks, by the way.” he mused. “You’re more than a pretty face around here. It’s good to know.”

Aftermath | onceuponxstory

onceuponxstory

“You promise?” she asked, lifting her eyes to look at his face. “I wish I knew how to do that. Because right now, it’s all I can do to not think about them.”

“…I know it doesn’t seem like it, right now. But I promise, Clary, it will get better. I just takes time. Believe me, I know.” he said, his voice quiet as he lifted a hand to run it through red waves. “When they wake you up, if you aren’t with me, come find me. Focus on the fact that we’re alive, and we’re together. It might help.”

bowstrung

“You’re quite a bit better at it than me most times. I guess that makes us a good match too.” Alec’s eyes briefly closed as he felt Jace’a lips along his jaw, he resisted the urge to moan as this was more of an important moment than that. At least they were willing to fight for each other, he thought. If they weren’t then this would have never worked out and they’d made it this far, hasn’t they? Sometimes he bought that Isabelle knew what they were doing, but she didn’t scold them nor had she told anyone and if he trusted anyone with this, it would be her. “Okay,” Alec agreed with a nod. “We’ll be alright.” They had to be, for both of their sake. A moan did escape him then and he curled closer to Jace. “Mmm, me to…love you,” he breathed against his mouth. His hand trailed up Jace’s stomach as he felt the muscles there beneath his shirt. Today was one of those days that he couldn’t believe Jace was his. Unable to resist, Alec moved to straddle Jace as he deepened the kiss. If Jace wanted him to stop, he was always welcome to tell him to do so. “Mine,” he murmured as he trailed his mouth along Jace’s neck.

Jace gave a little smile. “Have to seem confident in front of others somehow, right?” he mused, content to just lay, but he loved the feel of Alec’s body against him, too. Hearing the moan, he grinned and pulled Alec closer, head canting to one side so Alec had better access to his neck. “Only yours.” he swore, hands ghosting along Alec’s thighs. “Gonna stay the night?” he asked. “It’s been a while.” He really was glad their rooms were close enough that they could stay in each other’s rooms, and it seemed like it was something they both needed.

Wake Me Up | remembcr

Jace had mostly shut down after Clary had gone missing. He blamed himself, hated how he’d been Wales enough to be controlled. And then in the wake of it all, came Simon. Who deapite thwir constant bickering, knew how important Jace had been to Clary. Who blamed himself just as much as Jace did. Somehow, a ceiendship grew on the weeka after, and when it finally became too long to ever hope they could find where Lilith, Clary and Jonathan had gone…Jace let himself break alone. No one needed to see him this beaten, not even his parabatai.

He was laying across the couch in his room, fingers brushing over a drawing Clary had made, when he heard the door open. “Go away,” he said with little emotion, dual colored eyes staring up through the small skylight above him.

@remembcr

Drink by Drink | bowstrung

Alec

“If she wasn’t interested in you from the beginning then she should have said so,” Alec said. “It doesn’t matter that they were friends, it wasn’t right of her to cheat on you.” He felt very strongly about this subject because a few months ago he’d found out that his dad had been cheating on his mom. It had felt like a slap in the face, though he couldn’t imagine what his mom was feeling. “Sure, I guess.” He shrugged a little. Alec shook his head and said, “No, not at all. I just know that you’ll regret drinking that much tomorrow. I know it all hurts, but you can’t hurt yourself like that.”

“I’m not, but I’m glad that you’re not far from here. If you’d like, I can drive you home once my shift is finished.” He probably shouldn’t do that, but he felt protective of the blonde. He understood the taking care of himself thing. “You can let other people take care of you, you know. It’s not so bad. Trust me. It took ages for my sister to open me up again once I’d moved out. Now most of my family is back in my life and I’m glad that she did. You’ll get there eventually.” Alec hoped that he had given him some sort of comfort, but could tell that he was still sad. “Listen, I’ve got to make a couple of more drinks for some guys over there. Though how about you look at the menu again and get yourself something to eat, on the house. I’ll take care of it.” He pushed the full menu toward Jace and hoped that he’d take him up on his offer. “And then I’ll take you home in an hour if you want to leave. Though you don’t have to, I’ll stay here and chat with you all night if you’d like.”

Jace shrugged. “I mean, she was for a while? I thought we were great.” He mumbled, looking at his hands. He chuckled drunkenly, looking up at the other and tilting his head. “I’d rather hurt from this,” he lifted his half empty glass. “Than from my heart.” he replied, finishing the drink and setting it down, staring at the glass for a long minute. He was never, ever going to let himself get close enough to love someone ever again. Fuck love.

Two toned eyes looked up and he tilted his head the other way. “Sure, a ride home won’t be so bad.” he agreed with a shrug. “I don’t really have anyone to take care of me, pal.” he said bitterly. “My parents were killed when I was little. My grandmother took me in, but after losing my dad, she kind of became a workaholic.” He opened his mouth to say he was fine, but he decided free food would be worth it, so he looked over the menu quietly, trying to find something that sounded appealing. He usually loved pizza, but it would only trigger more memories of his ex, so he debated between chili cheese fries and nachos for a long moment while he waited for Alec to return.

Alone Time | inkfated

Clary

Clary had been and still was rather worried about him. It was a miracle that the Silent Brothers had been able to help him so much. Magnus too. Though she’d given him a stern talking to when that potion had made him sleep for days. Magnus had assured her that it was his body’s way of catching up on sleep combined with the potion and once he was up, she had seen that it had worked well. “Good. The less people who know the better. You’ve already had a tough enough time dealing with how people treated you before. You don’t need to go through that again. And I’m glad that you’re feeling better. You’ll tell me if you’re not okay from now on, right?” She hoped that they would be honest with each other more often.

A chuckle escaped her mouth and she said, “You know, I’m surprised she’d not had you learn how to do your nails and hair too.” She wondered what it would have eben like to grow up with brothers around like Izzy had, but then she’d had Simon for awhile and that was an enough of an understanding for her. “Of course you’re right. The massage is perfect. Thank you. I didn’t expect to get this special treatment today.” At the mention of sleep, Clary sighed and said, “I suppose I could do with some sleep. Alec can’t get too upset with me for not completely finishing these papers since he’d been at Magnus’s a lot lately.” The two were practically living together at this point since Alec’s recovery. “Maybe I can attempt to give you a massage? And do you think you’d like to stay in my room with me tonight?”

Jace listened to her and nodded. “Yeah. It helps that Brother Zacariah knew my ancestor,” he replied. “I found out his name today. Like…his name before he became a Silent Brother.” He mused, leaning to kiss her head. “I will, Clary, I promise.” he swore. He’d already lost so much time with her as it was, he didn’t want to lie to her anymore. “The majority of it is controlling the nightmares, but it’s getting easier.” He ran a hand through fiery locks, glad that she was relaxing.

He shrugged. “She tried once. Alec’s hair never liked to cooperate, and I refused after the time she gave me a bad haircut.” he laughed softly. “Luckily, we never had to deal with the nail part.” He shrugged. “I’m not the only one dealing with the aftermath of all this, Clary. And after…after the Owl tried to kill you…” He went quiet for a moment before he looked at the papers and shook his head. “No one finished their full load of paperwork in one night, Clary. That’s just normal.” he replied, reaching to take her hand. “I think a night together would do us both some good. It would be nice to hold you all night.” he smiled at her, moving to pull her up into his arms, one hand cupping her cheek. “I love you.”

Aftermath | onceuponxstory

Clary

“I know the feeling,” she sighed, running a hand through her hair. She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Yeah. I wish I knew how to make them stop.”

Jace wrapped an arm around her and kissed her head. “It’s going to take time, but eventually they won’t be as numerous.” he answered honestly. “We just have to do our best to get through until they don’t happen as often.” His voice was quiet, resigned, having gone through this as a child, too, though for different reasons.”