A Ranger's Lullaby

An outfit

'We're in here!' I shout and not long after Ben's head pops up from behind the door. 'Ah there you are.' He walks in with a satisfied smirk, followed by Alex. He's holding a few bags and has the same expression. I put my book on the table. 'Oh god...' I sit up and chuckle. Jace hasn't even looked up from his book yet. 'So how's your little book club going?' Alex asks as he ruffles Jace's hair. 'Bugger off will ya?' Jace replies while slapping away his hand, still keeping his eyes on his book. 'Jace lent me one of his books since I didn't have anything with me.' Ben sits down next to me on the couch as I sit up. 'Offering drinks, lending out his baby's... Is our Jacey getting soft?' He grins towards Jace, receiving a glare from the other boy. 'Anyway Clary,' Ben now turns to me. 'We got you some things! We hope you like them! It wasn't easy, because we don't really know you or your style yet, but we tried our best.' He nods at Alex, who hands over the bags. 'Oh no it's more than enough really! I'm already grateful.' I peek inside on of them. 'Go try them on already!' Ben pushes me gently off the couch, making me laugh. 'Alright, alright. Wait here, I'll be right back.' I head over to my room and place the clothes on my bed. I scan the pieces and I'm actually excited to try them on. The boys did a great job so far! I quickly change into a pair of red cargo pants and a black see-through longsleeve with a black top. The pants match really well with my hair and the overall look with the industrial boots I already owned. I look at myself through the mirror and smile. I gotta say, I look good. I wanna show the boys how much I like it. I hurry back into the living room and strike a pose, placing on foot on the coffee table. 'So? How do I look?' I say with a smug face. Ben's face lights up and Alex raises his brows with a smile. Their reactions make me laugh softly. 'Damn girl! Ben says as he loosely covers his mouth. Alex chuckles. 'Okay, okay, I'll admit, Ben does have great taste. Looking good Red.' He says as he winks at me. I smile as I stand up straight. 'Thanks guys, I really love the clothes! You did a great job picking them out.' I walk over to Ben and give him a hug. Afterwards I hug Alex as well and then Jace scoffs. I turn around with my eyebrow raised sarcastically. He gives me a judgemental look and then looks back down to his book. I squeeze my eyes. Then I smirk at him as I slowly walk over to him. 'Ah is our Jacey jealous? Does he want a hug too?' I reach out my arms. He frowns at me and then realises my plan. 'Don't you dare...' I lower my pace, before I jump on him, hugging him from behind. 'What the-' He struggles, but I tighten my grip. I got the upper hand in this position. 'Just let it happen. It'll be over quicker.' I chuckle in his ear. He grunts. 'You suck.' I then release my grip and pat him on the head. 'Good boy.' I quickly back away, predicting his slap. Alex and Ben are now laughing as well. 'Nice feint.' Alex says as he flops down onto the couch next to Ben. 'Learnt from the best.' I say as I return the wink from before. We all start laughing again. Well, minus Jace, who sulks angrily behind his book. This actually makes us laugh even harder. Then Damon walks into the room. 'What's so funny?' Alex chuckles. 'Clary hugged Jace.' Damon's surprised expression was priceless. He looks over at, the still grumpy, Jace. 'Ah shit, I wish I could've seen that.' Jace gives him a death glare. 'Awh, why so grumpy? It couldn't have been that bad. Or did you miss your best buddy's hugs?' Damon says as he walks over to Jace. He wants to hug him, but this time he was somewhat prepared. He drops his book and now holds Damon in a headlock. 'If you wanted a hug this badly, you could've just asked babe.' Damon says overly sweet. Jace immediately drops him on the ground, grabs his book and walks away. 'I'm going to the roof.' He says shortly. Damon looks up from the ground. 'Oh come on man. We're only teasing, don't be mad.' Jace flips him off as he walks out of the room. Alex slowly gets up and sighs softly. 'I'll go see if he's okay.' He gives me a small smile before leaving, telling me not to worry about it. Damon gets off the floor and sits down in the chair. 'I hope I didn't overstep my boundaries...' I say as I scratch the back of my neck and sit down next to Ben. He pats me on the head with a warm smile. 'Nah, he's just easily annoyed, don't take offense.' Damon nods and adds, 'Yeah, and if that's not enough for you, I'm the one tipping him over.' He smiles at me reassuringly. 'It's fine really. By the way you look great! Where did you get that outfit?' I smile as I look down at my clothes. 'You think? It's all on Ben and Alex, they were the ones who went shopping for me!' He nods slowly, narrowing his eyes. 'Ben I get, but Alex too? Really?' He looks at Ben, who snickers in return. 'Just let him believe it.' We all chuckle at this.

Meanwhile on the roof, Jace has lit a cigarette. He leans over the edge of the rooftop, looking out over the streets. It has already turned nightfall, lighting the streets with the shimmering lights of lanterns. Alex joins him, lighting his own cigarette. He takes his first puff of smoke and asks, 'You okay?' as he stares onto streets as well. He then glances sideways at Jace, noticing he clenches his jaw slightly. 'Yeah, why wouldn't I be...' He says, not trying to sound convincing at all. 'She's not Isobel, you know?' Jace flinches slightly after hearing that name. 'Excuse me?' He now turns to look at Alex, glaring at him in disbelief. 'I know you're still not over what happened with Jamie, I get that, but she is not Isobel. I really believe she is different.' Jace frowns. 'How? How is it different?! One of us brings home a random girl to protect her, she gains our trust and then-' He clenches his fist and looks away again. 'Well you, of all people, know what happens next...' He takes another puff and somewhat aggressively flicks the ash from his almost burned up cigarette. 'I won't risk repeating my mistakes.' Alex looks at his friend with slight pity and sighs. 'Look, you don't have to trust her immediately. I mean, I don't trust her completely yet either. But at least give her an honest chance.' Jace avoids eye contact as he clenches his jaw again. 'Because there might be a chance she is who she says she is. And if so, she doesn't deserve being mistreated. Not because of something that doesn't involve her.' Alex puts out his cigarette and places his hand on Jace's shoulder. 'I know you wouldn't want to hurt an innocent person.' Afterwards he walks away, leaving Jace alone on the roof. 'Tsk' Jace drops his head, crushing his burned out cigarette in his clutched fist.