Blood In The Water

Chapter 3 ~ Clary

We reached the church, and he held the door open, something he had never done before. I blush as I walk in the room, the butterflies almost running out, the impending guilt tarnishing my previously angry mood.

I look around, walking over to the kitchen and pulling out a simple meal. Mac and cheese, something we can agree upon. I throw on some water, and the soft pattering of his feet fills the air as he cleans. Our usual laughter and remarks are silent tonight.

I didn't realize how much I loved them until now.

Eventually, i get tired of waiting for it to boil and walk over to him. I tap him on his shoulder from behind. He spins and hits me in shock, sending me to the floor before he recovers and catches me. We just stayed there for a moment, and I laid back in his arms, mine around his neck, inches apart.

His shocked eyes were blue as ever, raven hair sweeping over his forehead. Mouth slightly open for breath as we stay their, staring into one another's eyes.

It felt like forever that we stood like that, holding one another, until eventually he blushed and dropped me, walking over to his room and drawing the curtain.

I sit in shock on the floor, wondering what the hell just happened before realizing that the water was overflowing and hopping up to put in the noodles.

I stand and mix while processing the events of the day.

The trick, the hike, his words, the fall...

My hand slides up to my neck, wincing at the burning feeling I get as it runs over the raw, bruising, blistering skin. He couldn't find me beautiful like this. He couldn't find me beautiful at all.

And who would?

I finish mixing the pasta and toss most of the water, keeping some and adding cheese, mustard, and seasonings to the food.

"Jade, dinners ready."

My voice rings through the almost silent church. I hear the curtain slowly open as his steps track down the hall.

I don't look, as much as I want to, as he walks over. He goes to the sink to wash his hands before grabbing a towel and wetting it.

Odd.

I dish both of our portions as he does so, walking over to set them on the table before going to turn off the stove and put the lid on the pasta.

"Clary"

His voice rings through the air straight to the butterflies in my stomach. A perfect bass with the slightest bit of worry phasing through his confidence.

I look up to him, and he gently grabs my chin, holding it up so he can inspect my neck and forehead. He rarely ever touches me this gently if he touches me in general.

I watch as he inspects me, creases of worry and confusion tracing his face as he looks at the burns. "The new demons, there in the woods," I answer the silent question, and he nods slowly, then tilts my head down the inspection of my cut. "And I got a little off balance,"

A deep chuckle resonates through the room, moving its way straight to the butterflies in my stomach and the red on my face.

The towel travels to my head, and he gently wipes off the dried blood before moving to the cut. I hiss slightly, and he removes it.

Next this I know he's picked me up bridal style, carrying me to his bed. I squirm slightly, laughing, though he just smiles and chuckles back. Once he sits down, he faces me, twords him, straddling his lap.

I just keep blushing and looking away as he slowly starts cleaning my cut again. He holds me still by the hips as he cleans my cut. Once finished there, he moves to inspect my neck.