ISpy

Chapter 27

Alec:

Alec made his way into the Institute kitchen, bumping into some agents along the way. He ignored them all, not so much as looking in their direction. Once he entered the kitchen,he poured himself a bowl of cereal and sat down, eating quietly. He was late for training again today, just as he had been these last few days. Lately, he would wake up and have to fight for the willpower to even get out of bed. And by the time he could get himself ready, it was hours after his normal training time. And he would've been worried, but he felt so numb towards everything, like he was just existing, and not really living.

Alec saw someone come in out of the corner of his eye, but he didn't bother to look and see who it was. It was not until the person sat down beside him that he realized it was Jace.

"Alec, I've been looking for you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm worried about you, Alec. You used to hardly leave the Institute apart from missions, and then you were out almost every night. And you used to walk around so bitter, and then you'd walk around with the biggest smile on your face. And now, it seems you've sunken into some kind of deep depression. I just...I don't know what's going on with you, Alec."

Alec knew he had to tell Jace. He had hidden it long enough. He contemplated how to say it, then decided to just let it out. "Jace...I've been seeing a warlock."

"Alexander Lightwood, heir to the mighty throne, dating a warlock? Say it isn't so."

Alec rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well it's true. At least, it was...," Jace looked at him intently, "but we broke up a couple days ago. It's just, if Dad found out I was dating a Downworlder..., since I was a kid, I knew how my life was going to go. I would grow up in the Institute and marry a Shadowhunter girl from a reputable family, and become head agent. But, then I met Magnus. And, I saw that plan for my life begin to change. I began to picture myself marrying Magnus, and running our separate agencies together, as a couple. But, I know that's never going to happen. So, breaking up with him was the right thing to do."

"Wait, are you talking about the warlock that hosted that party?"

"Yes."

"Oh, shit, Alec. That makes so much sense now. At the warlock agency, when you ran off, you were looking for him."

Alec looked down. "Yeah."

"Aww, Alec, that's so sweet."

"Shut the fuck up, Jace."

"Right, right, sorry. Too soon."

Jace looks at Alec for a moment, thinking on something. "Do you know why I'm with Clary?"

"To make my life just that more intolerable?"

Jace smiled and shook his head. "I know you may believe that, but no."

"Then enlighten me."

"Does Magnus make you happy?"

"Yes."

Does he make you feel like a different person?"

"Yeah."

"Do you miss him when you're not around him?"

Alec looked down. "All the time."

"Those are all the reasons I am dating Clary, the reasons why I love her. If Magnus makes you feel that way, you deserve to give him a chance."

"But, Jace, I-"

"I understand that you feel like you shouldn't be with him. And I understand your reason behind it. But, you shouldn't rob yourself of your own happiness for someone else, even if that someone else is our father."

"Jace-"

"Look, just think on it, okay? I'm not telling you what you should and shouldn't do, that's all up to you." Jace got up and patted Alec on the shoulder. "When you're done, I'll be in the training room. You're making up for lost time with an ass whooping." Jace then leaves Alec with nothing but his slightly soggy cereal and his thoughts.