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Chapter 3: Brothers in arms

Clary brushed paint over the canvas in front of her, splattering it with gold and silver streaks. One of her tutors came up behind her shoulder and tilted her head at the painting. "Loving the action painting, Miss Fray. What was your inspiration for this piece?" Clary looked at the painting. She wasn't sure where the idea had come from. Usually her art just poured from her and she didn't have to think why, or where?

"I'm not sure really. I like to think that the tower in the background symbolises a separation from society." She pointed at the top of the canvas. "The gold and silver feathers above symbolise a chance of freedom, but they are too high for the top of the tower to touch it. The black symbols across the bottom are used as an expression of identity. Usually, black is used as a dark colour, but the symbols show that black can be used lightly, as an art of healing and self-expression."

The tutor nodded as she went to walk away. She did a double-take and pointed to near the bottom of the canvas. "And what of the golden boy who is sleeping at the bottom of the tower?" Clary tilted her head slightly as she traced her thumb over the dry paint. "He's stuck in a nightmare that he can't wake up from."

***

Alec raced down the corridor with his coat still on. His bag was slung over his shoulder. He burst into Jace's room and woke him from a restless sleep. "Jace! Get up! Why didn't you tell me!?" Jace sat up, hunched and defeated. "It was your wedding day Alec. And then you've been portalling all over the place on your honey moon. I couldn't ruin it, I wouldn't do that to you." Alec hugged Jace tightly as he shook. "Jace I am so sorry. I couldn't believe it when I heard. You should have told me." Jace shook his head and rubbed at his eyes. "I don't even know what to tell you Alec. I went looking for her, so many times, but I couldn't find her. She isn't at her old apartment." Jace paused, looking at the numb expression on Alec's face. "How's Magnus doing?" Alec sighed as he set his bag down. "He said that he's not accepting it. He's ringing every High Warlock around to see if they can do anything." Jace shook his head.

"I don't know if there's anything we can do Alec. We just have to wait until the angels give her back to us." Alec nodded at Jace's optimism. If denial was Jace's way of coping, then he would never try to discourage him. "You just got back? Is Magnus here?" Alec nodded.

"He's downstairs in the ops centre. I just need a minute. I don't like seeing him upset Jace." Jace got up and hugged Alec gently. "Stay here, I'll be right back."

***

Jace pattered into the ops room. He only realised when his feet felt cold on the tiled floor, that he'd forgotten to put shoes on. Magnus was facing away from him, flicking through one of the screens. There was no one else around and it was probably the middle of the night.

"Magnus..." Magnus dropped one of the books he was holding and rushed to hug Jace. His face was streaked with tears.

"Jace, I am so sorry. I don't know what to do. I've tried the Warlocks already, but I'm making calls and maybe-" He stopped talking as he felt Jace sobbing against his shoulder. Jace had kept himself restrained around everyone else but something about Magnus' warm comfort and probably hopeless optimism, broke down his defences.

Tears rolled down Jace's face as he hugged his brother-in-law. "I'm sorry too Magnus. You helped Jocelyn to raise her. I mean-" Magnus hugged him tighter.

"I know Jace, but losing someone you love like that... It's just...I couldn't even bear to imagine losing Alec. My heart is braking for you Jace."

The two men broke apart and Magnus pulled a chair out for Jace to sit down as he wiped his face. "Magnus...I just wanted to thank you."

"For what? Being here with you? That's what family does Jace. They look out for one another."

"No. With everything that has happened, I never thanked you for giving up your magic to help me. I was so caught up in trying to separate Clary from her brother that I didn't think clearly. You sacrificed everything to help us, you always do Magnus because that's the kind of person that you are, but you need to know how much we love and appreciate you. I know you're going to pretend that you're fine, even now that Clary's gone, and be here for everyone else, but you need to grieve too, okay? You need to talk with those who care about you and let others put you as a priority."

Magnus nodded. "Izzy said that she told Luke and Maryse the day after our wedding. Your Mom's taking care of him, but he doesn't want to go out anywhere. I'll go visit tomorrow." They both stood up and Jace hugged him again. "Thank you for everything Magnus. Alec is in my room and he looks pretty tired, I think everyone needs to get some sleep and maybe if we're all thinking more clearly tomorrow, we can come up with a plan or something."

Magnus nodded as he followed Jace down the corridor. "I'll let you guys talk and I'll be back later." Jace set off down the corridor so Alec and Magnus could speak for a bit. He mumbled as he strolled off, his bare feet echoing in the long corridor. "I can't sleep properly without her here anyway."

Magnus opened the door to Jace's room. Alec was sitting back on Jace's bed, with his head against the headboard. He held out his hand to Magnus and put it against his cheek as Magnus leaned next to him. He spoke sleepily as his eyes were half shut. "Hey honey...you speak to Jace?" Magnus nodded as he sat next to Alec, putting his arm around his husband's shoulder. He bumped their heads together and kissed the side of Alec's face. "Yes, I did. I don't honestly know what to do about all this. Jace said we should all sleep for tonight and come up with a plan tomorrow-" He let the sound of Alec's gentle breathing wash over him. "...Let's just sit here for a minute and then I'll portal us home, okay?"

Jace returned to his room a little while later. He opened the draw at the bottom of the wardrobe and pulled out two blankets and a pillow. He set the pillow and one of the blankets down on the chair that was next to the door. He walked over to his bed where Alec and Magnus were both sleeping while they sat up. They had their arms wrapped around one another and held onto one other peacefully while they slept. Everyone needed a source of comfort to get through this difficult time and Jace was glad that his brother and Magnus had each other. While Jace had lost his faith in the angels for the time being, he still thanked someone daily that Magnus and Alec had come into each other's lives. Jace smiled slightly as he put the other blanket over them and shut the door behind himself.