Gun To My Head ➳ Shadowhunters [Rewriting]

0.9 || First Time for Everything

Paige made her way through the corridors. She was becoming used to the Institute and was finding it easier to find her way around.

Isis had come to talk her earlier, and said Henry insisted upon training her. She blocked her mind from reading too much into it. He was in charge of the Institute while Isabella's parents were gone, and he could've just been the best Shadowhunter there.

Her hands shook a little. Training was a big deal, according to Isis. Even the best Shadowhunters trained with every spare second. Paige figured that'd be how she was spending her freetime from now on.

Paige heard the sound of metal clanking together and ran towards it. She found herself standing in a large room with dummies, targets, and weapons. She found Isabella and a shirtless Henry with long swords battling each other.

"Not too bad with my weapon, my parabatai, but you could use a little work." Henry grinned at his cousin. Blood sister and brother, Paige's mind told her and she hit herself in the head with her palm.

"Whatever. If I were using a chokutō, you'd be down in three seconds." Isabella replied and put the long sword she'd used against the weapons' wall.

"I still think Paige doesn't want to train with me-" Henry began. Paige cleared her throat, so they'd be aware of her presence.

"I think you're wrong about me not wanting to train. Although, I don't disagree with the part about it being with you." She said, unconsciously staring at Henry.

Isabella whispered, "Don't stare for too long," and left them alone. Paige shook her head and walked over to Henry.

"Sorry," He said slipping his black shirt back on, "It can get really hot in here."

"It's alright." She mumbled and then said, "What are we working on?"

"First? Balance." Henry said and gestured to a balancing beam.

"Great." Paige walked over to the beam. Henry placed his hands on her waist to steady her. At first it sent a surprised shock through her body, but she quickly recovered.

"Can I let go?" He asked.

No, the back her mind said, but she buried the thought deep inside her brain. Paige nodded and he released. Henry crossed the room and picked up a wooden beam, "This will sting the first time it hits you, but after that it feels like nothing."

"Okay."

He swung the beam at her gently at first. She dodged it the first time, but before she could recover the beam collided with her arm. He was definitely right about the stinging part. The third time she was ready, and ducked out of the way.

They spent the next hour and a half training in balancing. Paige had gotten hit the first couple of times and once after, when her mind didn't want to focus. When they were finally done and she stepped off the beam, she slipped. Thankfully, Henry moved quickly and caught her before she fell.

The hairs surrounding her face, that had come loose from their pins, clung to her forehead with sweat. She laughed to herself thinking of how ridiculous she must've looked.

Paige went to leave, but he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Wait," He said.

"I'm waiting." said Paige without turning to face him.

"Can I show you something tonight?"

She rolled her eyes at him, still without turning.

"No! Not like that." He laughed and, even though her back was to him, she felt him smirk.

"Fine, but when exactly is 'tonight'?"

"Sunset."

"I'll be in my room." She walked awaywith the odd, comforting feeling of her hair thumping her back.

-

Paige had gone to her room and showered after training. There was relief in finally being able to leave the infirmary, and shower for the first time in days.

After her shower, she unpacked the duffel bag she had brought from home. She didn't have very many clothes due to the ichor from the Ravener, but Isis said she'd be able to get more. She placed her leather-bound journal on the nightstand.

Paige shoved her flute under her bed, along with another pair of combat boots and sneakers. She piled socks and shorts into the dresser. A small closet was attached to her room, where she hung her shirts.

There was a bathroom connected to her room separated by only a door. It reminded Paige of the hotels she'd lived in, and her heart ached to take the past days back. On one side of the bathroom there was a sink and cabinets beneath it, and across from it a shower.

Paige put away her hair ties, elastic headbands, her toothbrush, and toothpaste. Lastly, she took out her mother's parasol and a black cross anklet her dad had given her. She had never used the parasol before, and always had a slight fear a moth would fly out when it was opened.

There was a soft knock at her door, and she raced from the bathroom to the door. Paige flung the door open to Henry. He had his classic idiotic smirk on his face.

"I might have to smack you again." Paige said.

"I can see you aren't very good at greetings." Henry replied. He dragged her out of her room and closed the door.

"Where are we going?"

"To the top." He said guiding her along the halls. "You're lucky you haven't joined us for any meals yet." He mumbled.

"I didn't even know you all ate food together. I was never told."

"Like I said, you're lucky you haven't."

"Oh." Paige whispered.

They walked to the top of the Institute. It was a room with windows on every wall. Paige was nearly blown off her feet by the view. Henry steadied her as they walked. He opened one of the windows, and to Paige's surprise it was already dark out. She hadn't seen so many stars since Dearborn, and her heart did a flip.

Her body ached to run home as they sat down in front of the open window. Or did it ache for Henry to hold her closer?

"Henry." Paige was unaware she had said his name, until he turned to face her. She looked into his green eyes as if she would fall into them.

"Paige?" Her name in his mouth was like lemonade in summer, needed.

As if on cew, a shooting star raced across the sky winking as it passed. It was beautiful. There was no other word for it. Just beautiful.

"What did you wish for?" He whispered into her ear, causing her to shiver.

"I- there wasn't enough time."

"There was for me. Want to know what I wished for?" He teased her.

"What?" Paige whispered back. Now their faces were inches apart.

"You." Henry said. With that he left her, up on the top of the Institute, with her heart in her head.