𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 | 𝗔. 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱

𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻, 𝗜𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀

....

Hope had taken some time to herself as she came to terms with what had happened, she had finally started talking to Alec again after coming to terms which made him so much more relieved. Hope and Simon were currently pressing Alaric for some answers about Luke and where he could be since they wanted to know if he was okay.

"So, that's it? You're giving up on Luke?" Simon asked the werewolf

"We looked everywhere and his trail's gone cold," Alaric explained to the girls

"But he's your friend, your pack leader," Hope reminded with an eye roll

"Yeah, well, if you find him, you can remind him of all that, lately, Luke's been far more concerned with Shadowhunters than his own pack," Alaric remarked to the blonde

"Wow, you did not strike me as the jealous type," Hope remarked crossing her arms

"Maybe I'm just getting tired of you leaving your stink around here," Alarlic scolded her

"Alaric, come on, what if Luke's in real trouble?" Simon questioned the man

"He's a wolf, I'd be far more worried for whoever crosses his path," Alaric stated with a sigh

"And you have no faith in him," Hope scolded the older man

"I would back up if I was you," Alaric warned making her stand up more

"Try it," Hope challenged the werewolf

Hope smirked before heading to Magnus' since he planned a date for them, Hope had gotten dressed nicely since she wanted to make the date count after a terrible week. Hope was waiting in the living room alone since Magnus wanted to give them thier time alone when Alec came walking in into the apartment.

"I'm sorry about the emergency call but it was the only way to get your attention," Hope admitted looking at him

"Well, since you're okay, I should probably get back," Alec spoke before she came closer

"I'm not okay because you're not okay, Alec you've been to hell and back and you haven't stopped for a second, take a moment for yourself," Hope explained with a soft smile

"Hope, we're in the middle of a war," Alec reminded looking at her

"There will always be a war, a mission, and a problem to solve, I speak from experience, if you don't grant time for the things you care about, you'll forget why you're even fighting at all," Hope added while cupping his face

"What do you have in mind?" Alec questioned making her smile

"I was thinking we could do something that you want to do then we can do something I like so we're learning new things and having fun while we're together," Hope explained making him nod

Hope and Alec started playing pool since she had never played before and he thought it would be fun to teach her, she was losing massively. She scoffed at him hitting another ball into the hole, he looked back at her with a smirk on his face.

"You see that? It's just like archery. It's all about the aim, Hope," Alec added making her nod

"Who knew there were so many similarities?" Hope asked while watching him

"Can't win 'em all," Alec spoke before going to get a drink

"That we can't," Hope agreed with a chuckle

"Wait, did you do your thing?" Alec asked turning back around

"Haven't you heard the saying? If you can't find the one being hustled in the pool hall, then it's probably you." Hope remarked when she won a score

"Let's just play and see how this ends," Alec joked around with a chuckle

"Yeah, let's," Hope challenged with a smirk

"I thought you said that you didn't know how to play?" Alec questioned making her sigh

"Luke taught me and Hayden when we were thirteen because we begged him to, I suppose we both have a healthy dose of the competitive spirit," Hope said making him nod

"I grew up with Jace, I didn't have much of a choice," Alec remarked making her chuckle

"Some people can't be around that energy I, in turn, find it invigorating, as I'm sure your exes did as well," Hope admitted as they sat down

"Lydia never complained," Alec stated making her pause

"I thought you knew Lydia for a millisecond before your arranged marriage so wait, Lydia, is she your only ex?" Hope asked with a scoff

"I just haven't had, you know, time for a real relationship," Alec spoke in a rush

"Just so I'm clear have you ever been in a relationship?" Hope questioned with a chuckle

"You're weirded out," Alec stated as she shook her head

"Mmm, who says I'm weirded out?" Hope asked looking at him

"You wanna know why I haven't been in a relationship? Because of this, I didn't wanna feel like there was something wrong with me because I grew up in the Institute, because I always knew I couldn't have what I wanted until you came along," Alec added with a soft smile

"Nothing's wrong with you, far from it," Hope added with a smile

"In some ways, but I don't want you to treat me any different," Alec admitted in a soft tone

"But you are different and it's a good thing," Hope spoke grabbing his hand

"What about you? I mean, you must have had plenty of exes," Alec added making her shake her head

"Just you and Simon," Hope admitted making him look at her

"The vampire?" Alec exclaimed softly

"Do not judge me, I was young and naive and this was soon before he found out about his feelings for Clary," Hope remarked slapping his shoulder playfully

"So, let's just try to make the best of it," Alec added taking her hand in his

Hope and Alec continued to play some pool before heading back to the institute, they had agreed that it was a successful date for them and that they enjoyed it. Luke had come back, thankfully to Simon so she was heading back to the house to stay. Hope had walked inside and instantly hugged Luke once she saw him.

....