@hellsxdescent liked for a starter
His hand moved robotically over the screen, passing over files of information from past expeditions. His brain barely seemed to connect to the information or to the buzzing of people nearby in the ops center. The Institute felt larger, busier than normal.
When he finally lifted his eyes, he was relieved to see his parabatai coming into focus. With the chaos they had just been through, and would continue to go through, seeing familiar and anchoring forces settled something in Alec’s soul.
Jace thrived on the chaos of the ops center. It was where he belonged, where he could be in absolute control in the middle of startling confusion. It thrilled him almost as much as the missions he went on, the adrenaline during those operations singing in his ears. A weapon in his hand. A plan to win. Yes. He loved it all.
But he loved Alec more than the heat of battle or the chaos in the institute. And today….he felt himself drawn to his parabatai by the cord of their bond. A strong tug to that string that existed through the mark on his collarbone. “Hey.” Jace said, coming up beside him, a bottle of cold water in his hand. He offered it to Alec. “You look spaced out. You okay?”
Graciously, but slowly, Alec took the water and nodded. “Distracted. Tired.” Even after the war, it didn’t seem like the chaos would die down at all. And there was still the mess with the Clave and Faerie. It wasn’t going to turn out good for anyone. Mentally, Alec was fatigued. “How’re you doing?” He needed the solacce of his brother, his parabatai. After nearly losing each other so many times in the past few weeks, Alec needed that stability and the knowledge that everything was all right.
Jace was willing to bet that Alec was a sight more than distracted and tired. After all, he was trying to bring in a new world order while the clave was attempting to destroy all the progress they had made. “I’m alright,” worried about Alec and the Blackthorns, but alright. “Any word from Helen and Aline?”
“They sent me a fire message I’ve yet to read. I’ve been here all night trying to figure out how to get them unbanned.” Alec drank his water and set it on the tabletop. “How’re you doing?”
Maybe he should take a break and read it, Jace mused. He’d not say such. Not now. “At least they’re still allowed to write us. Can’t imagine Jia would tolerate not being able to hear from them. Especially not with the wedding coming up.” How was he? “I’m not on fire.”
