Simon's Sacrifice

It was a cold October morning and the scarf around Simon's neck flew back in the wind as he walked down the streets of Manhattan. Manhattan was the center of all things shadowhunter, after all that's where the institute was, but Simon couldn't help but miss Brooklyn; he was hardly home anymore. Although he didn't mind as much now that the tension between him and Isabelle had subsided. Since he'd been told five months ago that all the stories were true and that he had a chance to become part of the story he couldn't stop smiling. He remembered always feeling left out, constantly being on the outskirts of everything Izzy and Clary did; but now that he was ascending all that would change.

Simon crossed the street at a jog, the muscles in his legs ached instantly but he had grown to love the feeling. He rounded the corner of 12th street, turning on to Broadway and jogged the rest of the way down to the Strand. The Strand was the only book store in Manhattan where you could still find copies of The Grapes of Wrath.

Simon ducked his head inside and shook off the chill of the air that seemed to linger on him. After he had become mortal again he'd grown a good two inches so that he no longer had to lift his chin when looking Jace in the eye. Which he'd been doing a lot of, considering Jace was his trainer. The Strand was a small space crammed with books and were known for having an extremely attractive staff. Simon saw that the rumors were true when he made his way to the counter and was greeted by a young girl with long, spindly blue hair and bright blue eyes. She was frail and stood up straight, the smile on her face seemed to make her eyes glow. He also noticed the way her ears curved upward and into a point. She smirked at him when she noticed his eyes lingering on the tips of her ears and let out an exasperated sigh. "It's a birth defect" she said, her voice extremely monotone, like she'd recited this a thousand times "I don't know how or why my ears look like this, no I can not change them, do I like them? not particularly but I'm used to them so if you would like to continue you're gawking please stand elsewhere; I have customers." Simon opened his mouth to speak but her eyes silenced him. A moment ago they were angry the light in them going out, flashing to a deep blue, but now when he looked at her they were bright again. Her face had softened and her eyes gleamed with tears. "I- I'm sorry" he stammered out "I didn't mean to stare or- or hurt your feelings" he murmured, looking down at his shoes. The girl studied him, raked her eyes over his face and took him in. Eventually she rolled her eyes and gave another sigh "I forgive you" her voice was surprisingly soft, it made Simon's stomach tingle. "I'm Florence by the way" she said quietly, suddenly shy "but you can call me Fae, everyone does" she shrugged her shoulder and stuck out her hand. Simon took it in his and gasped, her hand was extremely cold, like below freezing cold. He was still shocked when he felt hot or cold, when he began to sweat, or his muscles ached, he had almost forgotten what it was like to be human. "So" Fae said in a small voice "do you have a name or?" she let the words hang in the air but looked up at him beneath her gold, almost white, eyelashes. "Simon" he said, snapping out of his reverie "Simon Lewis." Florence smiled and it was like watching the sun peak through the clouds "Well it's nice to meet you Simon" her cheeks flushed when she spoke his name. He watched as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her curved ear and continued to blush. "This is probably a stupid question but, do you have a-" just then the bell above the door jingled and the man who had come in slammed it shut with such force that a crack appeared in the glass. Florence had gone stock still and her jaw was set in a familiar line. "Not again" she whispered to herself as the man began to make his way toward them. "Simon" Florence gripped his bare arm in her hand, causing goosebumps to rise, "Simon you have to leave" her voice was frantic, a hurried whisper. "He gets violent when he's drunk" she said, almost to herself.

Fae plastered on a fake smile, but instead of it lighting up her face like before, this smile made her skin look too tight and it seemed to enhance how skinny she was. "Simon go" she hissed through grit teeth, before walking towards the stumbling man who was now leaning against a book case. As she walked away Simon ducked behind the closest book shelf and listened carefully, wishing he had already ascended so he could draw a hearing rune on his arm. "Hi daddy" Fae chimed as she stood in front of the man, her father. "Shut up, whore" he said in a gravelly, slurred voice. Simon saw Florence flinch out of the corner of his eye. "Didn't I tell you to quit this stupid job?" he said, leaning toward her, his breath stirring her hair. "Yes, sir but," her voice hitched and cut off as her father smacked her hard across the face. Before Simon could think he darted across the store and grabbed Fae by her shoulders, pulling her body into his. She shuddered in his arms, shaking violently. Simon wanted to soothe her, to run his hand over her hair and whisper funny things to make her laugh. But her father was there and he was fuming. Simon didn't care. He released Fae and pushed her body behind his so that he was standing between her and her father. Simon was ready to fight, he looked at Fae's father with eyes that said 'I dare you'. Something flashed in the man's eyes, recognition, fear maybe, but just as soon it disappeared and the man fled.