A Clace Classic

12

Jace POV

It had been a couple days since the recent innocent. I had spent many long nights carefully watching Clary as she slept. For the most part, she was herself, my Clary. But there were other times that she would wake herself from the pain she was experiencing. I was afraid one night she'd wake up and be a completely different person.

During the time I wasn't watching Clary, I was going over surveillance for any sign of Johnathan or looking through old books and teachings for the message that prophesied my daughter being taken away from us.

One night when I was so deep in reading that I was on the edge of exhaustion, barely comprehending a thing, I noticed movement from outside the library doors. I stood instantly and placed the book silently on the table.

I peaked my head into the hallway, looking in the direction of the blur that had walked by. I saw long red curls disappear past the corner of the hallway. She was heading to the stairs. I feared what had gotten into her. Was she alright? Did she know what she was doing or was this the beginning of the rune on her stomach? Did I lose her to this new rune? Did I lose my Clary?

I ran through the hallway horrified, following each of her steps. She was still quite a way in front of me. When I reached the stairs, she was on the roof. In attempt to increase my speed, I started taking the steps two at a time. I finally reached the door to the roof. I opened it, immediately. I was terrified at what I saw. Clary was sitting on the edge of the roof looking out.

"Clary!" I yelled hearing the horror in my voice. She simply turned as I ran to her. Her expression was blank until she spotted me. I hoped I'd reach her in time.

Once I got to her, I instantly wrapped my hands tightly around her, not allowing her to escape my grasp. I pulled her onto the concrete with me and away from the edge. She stood on her own with no struggle. She turned to face me with her curls swirling around.

"Jace?" She questioned as I placed my hands on her face, trying to connect back with her. I was looking into her eyes, to see where my Clary could have gone. I saw a confused soft smile appear on her face. "Is everything okay?"

"I thought...." I trailed off about to explain myself, "I thought the rune had taking ahold of you again." I muttered, still calming myself down. She laughed softly as my hands dropped down in relief.

"Oh no." She sighed softly. She raised her arms and wrapped them around my neck. My heart was still racing, but my panic and fear was gone. She was still Clary, my Clary. "I'm right here." She whispered into my ear before laying her head on my shoulder.

I was tranquil. I wrapped my arms around her back and pulled her closer. There was no space between us, and her body rested against mine. I felt her soft lips press against my neck. I wanted to ask why she was up here, but she beat me.

"Why are you still awake?" Her whisper was calm with a bit of uneasiness.

"I was worried about you." I simply said kissing the top of her head. She lifted her head after I had done so, so she could see me. Her eyes looked at me with suspicion, her right eyebrow slightly raised.

"Is that all?" She asked.

"I can't worry about you?" I say wanting to kiss her. She was so entirely perfect, and, in the moonlight, she sparkled in my eyes.

"I saw you in the library. I've seen you in there or the training room every night this week." She sighed discontent, "You're exhausted." I felt one of her hands comb through my hair. Her touch felt so soothing, I closed my eyes in enjoyment.

"I'm okay. It's you I'm worried about. Why did you come up here?" I asked. Her eyebrow raised in response to my change in subject, but then it rested. She looked down and then up into my eyes before responding.

"I just needed to think." She sighed with anguish.

"Do you have a lot to think about?" I jokily questioned her, knowing both our heads have been spinning since the day Johnathan killed Jackson. I felt a smirk spread across my face as her laughter escaped her mouth.

"Just a little." She joked back with more laughter, scrunching her nose in her adorably cute way.

Her smile, scrunched nose, and bright eyes became irresistible. I couldn't help myself as I leaned in kissing her. She leaned into the kiss and I felt a connection with her that I hadn't felt since she had gotten the wound.

"Come on. Let's go to bed." She said just after stepping away. Her hands held both of mine. I followed her as she walked backwards towards the door to the stairs.

"You need to stay in the infirmary." I protested only wanting the best for her. She shook her head and smiled lovingly.

"No. What I need is you." She said turning around as we walked into the building and to our bedroom. I did not resist. Once we were in the room, we departed briefly and got ready for bed. I laid in the bed after taking off my shirt and putting on comfortable shorts, waiting for Clary to finish. She exited the bathroom wearing one of my t-shirts and showing a joyful smile.

I laid on my side.  Fatigue was fighting for me to sleep, but I couldn't take my eyes off Clary. Clary laid her body against mine with her head tucked beneath my chin, comfortably resting against my chest. I embraced her. My eyes relaxed, closing with content and joy. Her body against mine made me feel like I found a part of myself that was missing for too long.

I hadn't realized not seeing Clary by my side throughout these days had been tearing me apart. Her being here and now healed me.

"Yeah. This is exactly what I needed." Clary said soothing me to sleep.