A Ranger's Lullaby

A waffle

I wake up quite well rested, despite the short night. I get out of bed and make my way to Damon's closet. I find myself an oversized shirt that fits me like a dress. It's better than my dirty clothes and rather comfy at that. It's black with a red rose in the middle, which complements my red hair quite well. It also reminds me of my mothers' nickname for me. My dear rose... One of the last things she said to me. I feel my eyes tearing up again so I quickly make my way out of the room. Enough being sad, I hate it. I find myself in the hallway again and remember I still don't know where to go. I hear voices from the door at the end, so I take my guess and open the door. I step into what seems like the kitchen and dining area, I finally found it. When I look around I see Alex casually reading a book at the table, Jace drinking coffee at the counter and Ben cooking something in the kitchen. The smell is not familiar to me. There's also some soft tunes playing in the background, over all a peaceful sight. I close the door behind me and they all look up. 'Good morning!' Ben says lively. 'Morning' Alex nods warmly as he turns back to his book. Jace mutters something close to a good morning. He looks annoyed, or tired, or both. I don't know, I can't read him all that well. 'Morning!' I reply with a smile. 'Have you slept well?' Ben asks as he refocuses on his cooking. 'Could be better,' I see Jace glance at me. 'but I'm fine really. Definitely better than sleeping in a cave, that's for sure.' Ben chuckles. 'Something smells really good in here! What are you making?' Ben turns his head excitedly. 'I'm making waffles! Do you want some?' Ben shows me a plate with some kind of windowshaped dough. 'I've actually never had waffles before... So sure!' Ben almost drops the plate, his eyes wide and mouth open. I look at Jace for support, not knowing what is going on, but he looks as unbothered as before. I look back at Ben, who places the plate back on the counter. 'Excuse me, I must've misheard you. Did you just say you've never had waffles?!' Still not knowing how to react I just say, 'Uh, yes...?' He looks offended. 'Jace did you hear that?' Ben points at me as he turns to Jace. Jace still looks as uninterested as before. 'So?' Ben flails his arms in the air dramatically. 'So everything!' He turns back to me. 'Girl, you just sit down, I'll be with you in a sec with the best dish you'll ever taste.' He turns back to his waffles as he mumbles to himself. 'Never had waffles before, could you imagine...' I chuckle and walk over to the table and sit down opposite to Alex. He shoots me a knowing grin. Not long after Ben returns with four plates. 'Jace come join us.' He says as he places a plate in front of me. Jace slowly makes his way to the table, sitting down at the end of the table to my right. I'm getting the feeling that isn't quite the morning person... Completely opposite is Ben, who whistles as he hands out the plates to the rest of them. He sits down next to Alex as he puts away his book. Ben stares at me with excitement, like a puppy. I chuckle as I look at my waffles drizzled with chocolate. I take a bite, extremely aware of three guys staring at me while I do so. 'My god this is indeed delicious!' I say as I wipe some chocolate from my mouth. 'See, I told you. Welcome to your new, improved life.' Ben says proudly and they starts eating as well. 'By the way, where is Damon?' I ask as I take another bite. 'He had some business to attend to, he'll be back later. You said you didn't sleep well, how come?' Ben poured me some tea as well, which I gladly accept before answering Alex' question. 'Oh that, well, despite being exhausted I had a lot on my mind. I actually looked for this place last night, but since I went straight to bed I hadn't had the chance to ask where I could find the kitchen.' Ben looks up from his plate. 'Oh fuck, that's right isn't it? I'm sorry. Why were you looking for the kitchen?' I snicker. 'I just wanted a drink. And it's fine really, I got my drink anyways.' They frown at me. 'Jace offered me one in the living room after we bumped into each other there. Since that was the only place I did remember I went there for some distraction.' Alex and Ben both turn to look at Jace with a shocked face. 'Jace... offered you a drink?' Alex asked with a raised brow. Jace looks up, already annoyed. 'So what?' Alex now looks at Ben and they share an amused look. 'Well, just didn't expect that after your reaction yesterday.' Ben says somewhat cautiously. Jace glares at them both. 'I got a drink, offered her one while I was at it. What's the big deal about that?' he grunts. Alex rolls his eyes. 'Chill man, it's just a question.' He scoffs and continues eating. Yeah, really not a morning person.

'Anyway,' Alex starts as he turns back to me. 'why didn't you just look for the kitchen?' I wipe the last drip of chocolate from my plate and answer him. 'Well, there were a lot of doors and I didn't wanna wake anyone in the process. It was quite late after all.' 'Sounds fair. Although I don't think anyone would've mind. It wasn't your fault we didn't show you around first after all.' He smiles at me as he drinks his tea. 'Not that it matters anymore. Let's make sure it won't happen again!' Ben says brightly. 'By the way, is that Damon's shirt you're wearing?' I look down and nod. 'Yeah, I kinda only brought one pair of clothing with me in a rush...' He looks at me with compassion. 'How about this.' he then says as his eyes light up. 'Alex will show you around and afterwards I will take you shopping?' Alex glances at Ben. 'Hey, why can't I come shopping?' Ben pats him on the head. 'Because your taste in fashion sucks.' He looks offended. 'What is wrong with my outfit?' Ben smirks. 'Nothing. Because I picked that out for you and I, for a fact, have great taste.' He whips his non existing ponytail and Alex ruffles his hair in protest. Ben pushes his head down in return. It's nice to see them get along so well, even with Jace. It makes me feel comfortable being in there presence. 'Sounds great, although there is one problem. I don't have any money.' Ben fixes his hair as he brightly responds. 'That's okay, I'll pay!' I raise my hands in protest. 'Oh no, that's okay really, you don't have to. You already let me stay here for free, I couldn't accept that-' He jumps up, beaming. 'Nonsense. That's on Damon, this one's on me! I insist.' Alex now whispers to me from across the table. 'I wouldn't reject an insisting Ben again. It's no use really. If he sets his mind on something he will get his way.' Ben suddenly stands right behind Alex. 'Did you say something?' He flinches. 'Nope. Wouldn't dare.' He says as he winks to me. I chuckle and look up at Ben. 'If you insist...' Ben's face lights up. 'Alright, then it's settled!' Suddenly Jace' deep voice fills the room. 'Have you all forgotten the fact that she's still a fugitive?' We all look at him in surprise. He just continues to eat unbothered. Ben grunts. 'Oh shit, that's right, you can't go outside.' His face drops immediately. But as quickly as it dropped it lights up again. 'What if I went shopping for you? That way you will get new clothes, but won't risk being caught! Would you be okay with that? I promise I'll pick out something good.' He looks at me with his big, brown puppy eyes. I could never say no to that face so I give in. His smile widens, he's adorable. He grabs Alex' arm. 'Alex join me.' He looks confused. 'What? Just a second ago you didn't want me to go!' 'Well, a second ago I didn't have to go alone.' He pulls Alex out of his chair. 'But I'm supposed to show Clary around. Can't Jace come?' Once again we all look at Jace. When he notices, he stops eating. 'What?' Alex looks at Ben and then asks, 'Go shopping with Ben for Clary?' He stares at each of us for a moment. 'Fuck no.' He eventually says and continues to eat. Ben sighs. 'Could you at least show her around then?' Jace grunts loudly. 'Fine.' Ben pulls Alex away from the table. 'Let's go Alex!' Alex look back at the table. 'Try not to kill-' Jace cuts him off. 'God, I won't.' '-him.' Alex continues as he looks at me. 'I know he can be a pain in the ass, but he means well. Sometimes.' He gives Jace a peck on the cheek and quickly runs out, dragging Ben with him. Jace swings around aggressively, but Alex is already gone. 'Bye!' They shout from the hallway, followed by the slamming of a door. Now it's just me and Jace alone, again.