revenant|c.g.|

xvi

As fresh air entered her lungs, Clary let out a deep, frustrated breath until a slight chuckle stopped her. "Guessing it went well?" She shook her head as her gaze met Carl's familiar one. A small smile was on his lips as he saw the girl he had been waiting for. "What, coming back from the dead doesn't immediately get him on your side?" Clary let out a laugh, shaking her head once again. "Sadly, no, but hopefully he stands with us."

The two began to walk through the paths within the Kingdom, silence filling the air until Carl's voice broke it. "How close were you to the Kingdom and the King?" Carl questioned, causing the girl to smile softly with memories. "Very. Leon had still been Commander when we formed the alliance and he sent me here for a couple months." Her smile on grew at the thoughts. "It was fun, a lot of hard work and training, but it was worth it."

Clary couldn't help but smile softly at the memories that came up, shaking them away only when Carl looked at her expectantly to continue. "Leon said he was sending me here to keep the bond strong, but I think it was because he was preparing me to lead. Although, he probably didn't think it would happen so soon." Carl watched as her eyes softened "It was a few months after I had returned that he stepped down because of the Saviors." Carl's own gaze softened before his hand grazed hers, surprise filling him as she allowed him to hold hers. "They're good people, and Ezekiel is a good man, but he's scared. I believe that may lead him to think by day and not to the future."

Before Carl could add his own thoughts to her words, footsteps approaching them cut them off. "Reese?" Clary's eyebrows scrunched at the familiar voice before she turned, letting go of Carl's hand to see the boy standing behind them.

He was a tall figure, his dark hair floppy and disheveled. He wore the armor that all the fighters within the Kingdom wore, a hatchet hanging off of his belt. Clary's eyes widened seeing the familiar face, a smiling rising. "Alec?" The boy let out a laugh of disbelief before making his way to the girl, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly. "Oh god, you have no idea how good it is to— we didn't know if you were dead or alive and—" Clary pulled away, a smile on her face as she held onto his arms. "I'm okay, Alec. It— it's great to see you." She noticed the boy try to move closer, to which she stepped away, the shock on his face appearing then disappearing as quick as it came when he noticed the boy that had been with her.

Clary turned back to Carl, seeing his usually kind face stone cold. "Carl, this is Alexander Warren, he's Richard's stepson and Ezekiel's apprentice." Before Clary could say anything else, Alec chuckled. "You've been gone a long time Reese, I'm no longer an apprentice. I'm a full Knight." Clary smiled, proud of her friend before looking to Carl to see his jaw clenched. "Congratulations, Alec! It's a well deserved promotion."

The two looked at eachother with gazes that spoke of history, Carl noted. A thought he couldn't hold onto as Clary's continued with a soft smile. "Then, Knight Alexander, this is Carl Grimes, my... friend. He's Rick Grimes' son." Alec held out a hand, to which Carl shook it, keeping his eye on the boy. "You must be the one that took care of her, huh?" Clary clenched her jaw as she heard Carl let out a sharp breath. "She can take care of herself." Clary had to hold back the small smile that had made its way to her face, both surprised at the answer and the jealousy stemming from the boy. "Of course. I should know, she has both saved and put me on my ass more times than I can count."

With the tension in the air, the boy looked away from Carl and back to her before smiling again. "I should get going, I have a patrol soon." Clary nodded softly. "Of course, be safe out there." As Alexander took a step away, the boy nodded. "I will. It was great seeing you, Reese, truly." Clary nodded in agreement before the boy departed.

As Clary watched him go, she turned to see Carl already turning away and walking. "Carl?" When the boy didn't answer her, she let out an exasperated sigh before following. When she had caught up to him, she called out to him again, and when he hadn't responded she grabbed his hand. "Hey, what's wrong?" Clary questioned, to which Carl stopped. "Is that all I am? Just your friend?" Clary looked confusedly at him before she remembered her introduction of him. "Carl I— I didn't think it would be that big of a deal—" Carl shook his head, "It's not just— just forget it. Maybe you should go see if Alec needs some help on the patrol."