Three Blossoms (TMI)

Chapter 1

        Clary sat on the bed, rubbing her eyes as the drum of rain on the roof pounded into her head. A headache slowly began to form in her head, all thanks to the constant sound of the precipitation. Lying in bed beside her was Jace, sleeping peacefully. He looks so much more at peace when he's asleep, Clary thought dreamily. Reaching over, she gently swept back a strand of stray golden hair, tucking it behind his ear.

        "Good morning," Jace said immediately, turning over, his bright golden eyes with flecks of greens shining. He took Clary's hand gently, holding it tightly in his own. "It's morning already...?" he asked sluggishly.

        "No," Clary giggled, tucking a lock of fiery red hair behind her ear. "It's..." she paused, looking over at the digital clock on the couple's nightstand. "It's 2:00 AM," she announced in a soft whisper, looking back over at Jace.

        "My, you wake up early," Jace yawned, rolling over. He'd released Clary's hand, and was already looking forward to going back to sleep. "Mmm, nothing's wrong, right?" he asked, staring up at the ceiling.

        "I don't usually wake up early," she admitted, lightly biting her lip. "I don't know why I keep waking up at this time of night. It's probably nightmares. Bad dreams are common for the Nephilim, aren't they?"

        "Not at all," Jace replied, waving his hand dismissively. "I've never met a Shadowhunter without any. Never. I don't think you're an exception, either, especially since... you know. Sebastian, Lilith, and whatnot," he yawned. "I sometimes have the bad dreams too. Being under Lilith's control was, to be fair, kind of frightening. I knew I was hurting you but a part of me didn't care and wanted to watch you suffer. It was awful."

        "Hmm," Clary hummed, slipping back under the covers. "I see." She turned, facing Jace. He shuffled over to look her in the eyes as well, his own bright golden eyes gleaming. "Well," she whispered, "I have a headache. D'you mind getting me a glass of water and an Ibuprofen or something...?" she asked, her lips curving into a small smile. Jace rolled his eyes, shoving the covers off his body. He wore simple black sweatpants and no shirt, revealing all his Runes and marks, including the ugly Mark of Lilith right over his heart. Clary nearly grimaced at the sight of it, and all the bad memories that followed from that single Mark. Her heart fluttered, though, at the sight of his shirtless body.

        "Fine," Jace yawned once more. "You owe me, Clarissa Fray. It's 2:00 AM and you're making me get out of bed for a headache remedy," he joked, pacing over to the couple's bedroom door. He held it a crack open, smiling in the faint glow of light emitting from the kitchen. "I'm not a fan of getting up super early," he chuckled warmly.

        "Yes, Mr. Herondale," she saluted, snuggling into the bed. She craved the warmness of Jace, who was now slipping to the kitchen for the medicine and the glass of water. Blinking in the darkness of the room, Clary shuffled over into his spot, which was still warm. She sighed, breathing in the clean smell of the soap Jace used. She had begun to associate his scent with safety in the beginning of their relationship, and still did.

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        Jace entered the room slowly, balancing a bottle of Ibuprofen in one hand and a glass of water in the other. Clary was lying down in his side of the bed, but she was not sleeping, he observed. Her chest rose quickly, a good sign she was awake. "Clary," he whispered, setting the glass of water and the medicine on the nearby dresser. Her eyes fluttered open at her name, and she quickly sat up, rubbing her emerald-green eyes.

        "Sorry," she apologized sheepishly. "I like your spot better. It was warm and smelled like you," she admitted, crossing the room delicately, like a bird, to the dresser. She inclined her head upwards and gave Jace's neck a small kiss before removing the water and the bottle of pills, taking the recommended dose quickly.

        "That's not creepy at all," Jace replied sarcastically. However, no matter how sarcastic he could be, he smiled down at her and watched her slip under the bed's covers.

        "Oh, hush," Clary laughed, smacking his arm lightly as he slipped in with her.

        "Ow," he winced. "Your training definitely paid off. You're stronger than you look," he joked, wrapping his arms around her waist as they lie in bed. "I must've been a good trainer," he teased, gently brushing his lips against Clary's.

        "You were," she responded breathlessly, craning her head up to meet Jace's with a stronger kiss. The two remained the way they were, wrapped around each other, lying in bed. Jace's hands found her hair, tangling his fingers into the locks of red. Clary herself ran her hands up Jace's back, giving a playful scratch here and there.

        "Ha," Jace mumbled against Clary's mouth. "You're a feisty one. I'm glad I picked you, out of all the women I've known," he whispered. Her eyelashes fluttered against his cheekbones, a playful smile etched across her face.

        "I know. I'm glad I picked you." She whispered back as Jace's hands travelled over her body. For a minute, his grip was strong over her hip, and she let out a surprised gasp. Jace's quiet laugh was all she heard. "Wait," she paused, tucking her wild strands of curly red hair behind her ear.

        "What is it now, Clary?" Jace sighed softly, surveying his partner's delicate face carefully. His golden halo of hair was disheveled and he looked rough - just what Clary liked, to be frank.

        "Do you have..." she paused, her cheeks flushing with embarassment. "Do you have protection?" she asked in a quiet whisper, looking Jace in the eyes.

        "No," Jace said after a moment's hesitation. "That's okay, though," he murmured, leaning his forehead againt Clary's. "It's okay," he repeated. "You'll be fine, I promise," he swore, tilting his head to kiss Clary. She kissed him back, believing she would, indeed, be okay.

        "That's okay. I can always take the pill, anyways," she whispered, her hands taking their turn and traveling up and down his body.

        "Mhm," Jace whispered, smiling into Clary's mouth. "You're right as usual," he joked softly.

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        "I love you," Clary said simply, lying beside Jace in their bed. She was fulfilled and content with her and Jace's relationship; the two had always had a closer bond than most partners, and both gave the other life and joy.

        "I love you too," Jace replied immediately, brushing away a lock of Clary's hair. "Forever," he added sincerely. Clary could only nod along to his last words before she fell asleep in Jace's arms, happily floating away. She remained asleep the rest of the night and awoke with no headaches.