Project Revenge

Chapter Eight

When you look at me like that, my darling, what did you expect? I'd probably still adore you with your hands around my neck. (Or I did the last time I checked.)

- Arctic Monkeys

(Unedited. Sigh.)
{Clary's POV}

I let the warm water flow over me, warming every one of my muscles and close my eyes remembering last night.

We didn't have sex, we didn't even take any clothes off. It wasn't a moment like that.

Instead we lay in bed, my head on his chest, his hand gently stroking my hair. We lay like that for hours occasionally saying something but too comfortable to feel the need to have to make up conversation.

We heard Jon come in, his heavy footsteps outside the door and the familiar squeak of his door as it closed.
I pulled the cover around us and assured Jace that he would have no reason to come into my room so late.

He was worried Jonathan would flip out, he's never particularly liked Jace. Jon knew I was hurting, he always knew and he knew it was usually due to the Herondale boys. But what was he going to do?

Beat up Isabelle's brother?
He's not that stupid.
There's also the fact that Jace has a good chance of winning any fight my brother initiated with him.

"I wouldn't blame him." he'd said to me as we lay cuddling in the dark "If he did try to kill me I'd probably let him." He sealed the topic with a kiss to the top of my head. I lay there for hours, even after he whispered into my ear, just before he fell asleep that he loved me I just lay there because I honestly couldn't believe this was my life. That all this time I thought he didn't care about me, that that night meant nothing to him he was also suffering in a silence he had created for himself.

He was an idiot sometimes, sure.
He was also petrified when it came to love, to feeling something like that.
I understood it and I didn't at the same time.

But now, Jace Herondale was my idiot.
That's all I had ever wanted him to be.

I rinse the conditioner from my hair smiling like an idiot knowing he was in my bed wrapped up in the sheets waiting for me. It was a wonderful thought.

I flick the switch to turn the shower off and step out wrapping one of moms new fluffy towels around me. I even drew a little cliche heart in the condensation on the bathroom mirror.
As I step into the hallway Jonathan darts from his room behind me into the bathroom nearly knocking me off my feet in the process.

He throws a "Girls." Behind him before he shuts the door and I wonder how long I've actually been in there. With no means to tell the time I rush back to my room holding my towel around me with one hand and find Jace sitting fully dressed on the edge of my bed.

"Morning." He nods, grinning at me. My cheeks hurt from smiling.
"Morning." I repeat back to him and head over to my drawers to check the time on my iPod.

8:00am

We had some time.

With my free hand I look for a pair of clean underwear and actually worry for the first time ever if they match.
"Hey Jace," I say, holding up a pair of white pants but I don't even get to ask him my question because he gently turns me to face him, one hand on my hip and kisses me.
It's slow and gentle, one that speaks to you, the type of kiss you hope never ends.

I wrap an arm around his neck, feel his soft curls brush against my skin. It nearly sends a shiver down me.

Even when he's breaks the kiss he holds me there, our foreheads pressed together, our eyes closed and for a few seconds we just listen to each other breathe in and out, revel in the silence in the room, in the house that contrasts with our screaming hearts.