You are bravest person I know
Clary Fairchild’s laughter echoed through the Institute’s training room as she darted around Simon Lewis, fingers poised and wiggling threateningly “Come on, Simon! You can’t hide forever!” she taunted, her playful grin wide.
Simon, already giggling nervously, tried to fend her off. "Clary, please don’t!" he begged, but his voice was already shaky with anticipatory laughter.
Jace and Alec paused their sparring to watch the scene unfold, smirking. Isabelle Lightwood, leaning casually against a pillar, raised an eyebrow but kept her amused gaze on Simon.
"Time's up, Simon!" Clary lunged forward, her fingers finding Simon's sides. His reaction was immediate and explosive. He shrieked and squirmed, collapsing to the ground in a fit of uncontrollable giggles. Clary, relentless, continued her tickling assault, as she had done many times since their childhood.
Simon spasmed and laughed, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Clary, stop! I can't—" he managed between gasps.
Eventually, Clary took pity on him and ceased her attack, letting him catch his breath. Simon lay on the ground, chest heaving, but his laughter was still bubbling up.
Simon sat up, trying to regain his composure, but the embarrassment was settling in. His eyes darted to Isabelle, who was smiling but shaking her head slightly.
The reality of how he must have looked—a writhing, giggling mess—hit him hard. He felt his face burn with shame. Without another word, Simon got to his feet, glared at Clary, and uncharacteristically stormed out of the room.
Clary’s smile faded. “Simon, wait!” she called after him, but he was already gone.
It took Clary a while to find Simon, but she eventually spotted him in a quiet corner of the library, slumped over a table. She approached cautiously, her heart heavy with guilt.
"Simon," she said softly, taking a seat next to him.
He glanced up, his expression a mixture of frustration and sorrow. "Clary, why did you do that?” he asked, his voice tinged with hurt.
"I'm sorry, Simon. I didn't think, you’ve never minded before..." Clary began, but Simon cut her off.
"I know and I don’t, not really but did you have to do it in front of…… everyone?” he said, his voice cracking. "It's just—"
"Is it because of Izzy?" Clary asked gently, already knowing the answer.
Simon nodded, sighing deeply. "These past few weeks have been hard. Izzy’s seen me freak out over being a vampire, cry over my mom and now this. I feel like such an idiot in front of her. She grew up with Jace and Alec—two of the bravest, toughest guys around. How can I compare to that? She must think I'm so... weak and silly."
Clary reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. "Simon, you don't need to compare yourself to anyone. Izzy likes you for who you are."
Simon shook his head, still unconvinced, but before he could say anything else, a soft voice interrupted them.
Both Clary and Simon turned to see Isabelle standing behind them, having heard everything. She stepped closer, her gaze fixed on Simon.
"Can we talk?" she asked, her tone gentle but firm.
Simon looked like he was about to bolt or die of embarrassment. Clary squeezed Simon's arm reassuringly before standing up. "I'll leave you two alone," she said, giving Izzy a small nod before walking away.
Isabelle took a seat next to Simon, her expression serious yet tender. Simon had buried his head in his hands, unable to make eye contact. “Simon, I heard what you said, and I need you to know something: You are the toughest, bravest man I know."
Simon looked up, startled. "But Izzy—"
She held up a hand to stop him. "Let me finish. You've nearly been killed multiple times and yet you keep coming back, you faced Raphael and other vampires to protect those you care about, and you have saved your friends on more than one occasion without any thought for yourself. The fact that you happen to be sensitive and sweet and fun too... is icing on the cake. I'm falling hard for you, Simon. Not despite those things, but because of them."
Simon's eyes widened, his heart pounding. Before he could fully process her words, Isabelle leaned in and kissed him, her lips warm and soft against his. He felt a surge of joy and relief wash over him.
After a few blissful seconds, Isabelle pulled back slightly, a mischievous smile on her lips. She gently placed her hands on his sides, her touch light. Simon, still giddy from the kiss, burst into laughter again, his body convulsing as Isabelle tickled him lightly. After a few seconds, his knees buckled and he collapsed to the ground, bringing her with him. Their laughter filled the library, echoing off the walls.
As they lay there, Isabelle's fingers continued to dance across Simon's sides and stomach, finding every ticklish spot. Simon shrieked and writhed, his laughter uncontrollable. His face turned red as he tried to beg for mercy between giggles. "Izzy, please! I can't— please…. stop, I'm too ticklish!"
Isabelle's smile widened. "Too ticklish, huh? that’s adorable." She showed no mercy and increased the intensity, her fingers moving to his ribs and underarms. Simon's laughter turned into high-pitched squeals, his nervous system exploding and brain melting with each touch.
He twisted and turned, trying to escape her relentless fingers, but Isabelle was unyielding. "I never knew it was possible to be this ticklish” Izzy teased.
Simon's legs kicked out involuntarily, his arms flailing as he tried to protect himself. Tears of laughter streamed down his face. "Izzy! You're …. killing….. me!" he gasped, his voice breaking with laughter.
Finally, Isabelle relented, her hands stilling as she looked down at Simon, who lay panting and giggling softly on the floor. "You really are wonderful, Simon."
As they lay there, catching their breath, Simon grinned up at her. "So, this is how you get a beautiful woman on top of you, huh? It was even worth getting tickled for” he quipped, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Feeling more like his old playful self again.
Isabelle laughed, giving him a playful swat. "Cheeky," she said, but her eyes sparkled with affection. She leaned down to kiss him once more, their connection deepening.
This time, Simon kissed her back without hesitation, his heart light and full of hope. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them.
In a moment of playful revenge, Simon's fingers found Isabelle's sides, testing her reaction. To his delight, she squealed and squirmed under his touch. "Simon! No fair!" she cried out, laughter bubbling up.
Simon grinned mischievously. "Well, well, well, what have we here? Fair?” He said quizzically. “After how much you just tortured me, I think this is more than fair!” he teased, continuing to tickle her as she tried to squirm away.
Their laughter filled the room again, each touch and tickle bringing them closer. Eventually, they collapsed together, breathless and happy, knowing that there would be many more playful moments together to come.