* GIRL / WOLF ;

[wtchlght]

CELINE:

Don’t be. Shadowhunters never uttered such words, more often then not. Which meant… Hope. Laying eyes on the young women made a smile reach Celine’s lips. She liked Hope, she was blunt but terribly kind and amazingly good despite the circumstances, from being a werewolf surrounded by cruel Shadowhunters, to being a young girl all alone. When Celine was her age she hadn’t been so kind. She’d been angry, rude, and arguably out of control. 

She watched curiously as the brunette picked up the guitar and brought it into her own lap. Did she know how to play? Just the idea of it made a smile etch to her lips, she would love to hear Hope play. Learn from her even, she was positive she would be an amazing gutiarest. The girl was too sharp not to be. 

As Hope began to play, Celine listened and then–when she realized Hope was playing the song she herself had been playing. It made her truly smile. Happiness turfed upon her face, disbelief that the girl could pick it up so easily. There were some mistakes, but nonetheless it sounded beautiful. So much so Celine couldn’t help the happiness springing on her face. Then, she began to sing. 

It had been a long time since Hope had played, so she was bound to hit a few bum notes. They made her screw her face up. It wasn’t THAT noticeable, but her hearing was slightly better than that of a mundane, so each time it happened, she heard it. She found she missed it though. The sound, the playing. Even having a motherly figure next to her while she did. 

They were ALL good things. 

“Sorry,” she mouthed, and then raised her voice just a little so she could speak quietly while the blonde sang. “I know it’s not as good with me not knowing the song but..” she trailed off, watching the other woman’s lips move and smiling to herself at the sound of it before she lowered and turned her gaze back to her hands. The longer she played along, the easier it got. Her hands became less shaky, she stumbled less over the strings, and soon.. it actually sounded the way Hope wanted it to. The way she thought Celine deserved it to sound, with a voice like hers.  

[wtchlght]

JACE:

HOPE WAS NOT RUINING ANYTHING. She would not scare him off or make him run - especially not with a simple noise. Things like that could happen and any tension that it caused was not a result of discomfort. Not at all. ‘ You are always cold. ‘ The Nephilim reminded her, even though it probably wasn’t necessary to do that. ‘ I don’t mind. It… ‘ He trailed off for a second, trying to find the right words to finish his sentence, without making her uncomfortable. ‘ Feels nice. ‘ Her temperature almost seemed to mingle with his own, lowering his and heightening hers until they reached a perfectly normal one. That was nothing that required an apology. Not now and not ever.

AND YET, IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT HE WALKED AWAY. Not because of her - because of him. Her touch and her gaze were making it hard for him to focus and he could not allow himself to get too distracted. Not until he took care of her and made sure that her leg was going to be okay.

JACE’S EYES FLICKERED TO HER FACE WHEN SHE SQUEEZED HIS SHOULDER. He tried to give her an encouraging smile, but he ended up making a face when she thanked him. ‘ You really need to stop doing that. ‘ It was half a tease. ‘ You would do the same thing for me. It’s no big deal. ‘ But he was glad that she let him do it. It would probably drive him crazy if someone else looked after the wound. After her. Hope’s frown confused him, but her words distracted him from asking any questions about it. Was she serious?! ‘ You’re not training tomorrow. ‘ The Shadowhunter announced, sounding final about it. ‘ The leg looks bad enough as it is. I’m not going to risk making it worse. ‘ Of course he knew that he could not force her to do anything. If Hope refused to listen to him he would have to live with that, but he would be damned if he did not make it obvious that he wanted her to rest and heal. His features softened the slightest bit once she said that she was cold and his lips twitched, although they did not split into a full smile. ‘ It’s a good thing you have my blanket. It should keep you toasty. ‘ His eyes fell for a moment, following her slipping hand before he glanced at Hope’s features. ‘ I’m not cold so that’s something. ‘ He teased. ‘ I’ll be okay. I am okay. ‘ Jace was not the one that got hurt and it seemed wrong to focus on his frustration. All that mattered was that she was going to be okay.

‘Feels nice.’ 

That was something she thought about for a while whilst he was gone. Even when he was back, and she was quiet, and he was gently dressing her wound. She’d thought on that. The way it sounded, what it meant, if that meant he liked the sound or if it was just her cold skin. Hope didn’t THINK so, but she couldn’t read his mind, so she couldn’t be sure. 

A furrowed brow followed his words before she ended up smiling an amused smile at him. “What? Thanking you? D’you not like being thanked, or something?” she teased back, her hand now starting to fall down his shoulder. The girl laughed out loud at the face he pulled and actually started to grin. The pain in her leg was still there, but she was no longer thinking about it. Not with him stood there making that face. “Ouch..” Hope said, crossing her ankles. gaze falling to her feet before she grinned up at him, an obvious tease again. That ouch.. definitely wasn’t for her leg. “Honestly, I’ve had my leg ragged about tonight but you saying that? That REALLY HURT..” she said in a serious voice, though the grin remained firmly set upon her lips. “Does my leg really look that bad?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at him and then lifting her leg -- somewhat painfully -- from the ground to look at her mangled foot for herself. She scrunched her nose up at the smell of blood and mingled antiseptic coming from it. “Okay, don’t answer that..”

Hope had to bite her lip to stop herself from smiling at him. To say she wasn’t one for maintaining eye contact, she found it tremendously difficult to look away from him sometimes. She let go of her lip, letting her smile freely widen into a grin. “Not actually sure if you lent me that blanket to keep me warm or because you enjoy laughing at me wrapped up in it looking like some kind of winter... huntress thing..” she teased, falling back on her bed again as she looked up at him before twisting slightly so she could run both hands under her partially made covers and yank the blanket out from underneath it. It wouldn’t give.She lifted herself up slightly, only to grumble in frustration and roll over onto her belly in order to finally free it. Letting out a sigh of contentment, she dropped back onto her bum and wrapped the fluffy, snow-coloured blanket around her; makeshift-hood and all, and looked up for him with a softened expression on her face. Her blue eyes looked lighter again. More like shimmering crystals or the icy blue of a winter sky than a darkened lake or the grey-blue of a thunderstorm. “I’m glad you’re okay.” she said, and this time there was no trace -- whatsoever -- of her usual sarcasm or teasing. “Are you tired though?”

[wtchlght]

VICTORIA:

Victoria heard a voice and the young vampire looked up before noticing someone was staring at her. “I-It’s not what it looks like, I swear.” She told them, and the fear was evident in her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt him. Please, help me.”

It was a slow approach. She could smell the blood from a block away, but the scene itself; she hadn’t expected. “Hurt him?” she asked, frowning “Hurt who--?” She followed the other’s fearful eyes to where a body lay, unmoving. Hope didn’t know if he was dead or NOT, but the other girl looked absolutely terrified. She raised her hands, showing her she was unarmed. “I’m not gonna hurt you.” she said, voice lowering as she edged closer. 

[wtchlght]

JACE:

‘ ——— IT’S NOT NOTHING, HOPE.‘ Who cared if the wound would heal in next to no time? Who cared if they used teeth or claws? It wasn’t right that they treated her like that and he could not just swallow the anger that he felt in this instant. The fact that a part of her - no matter how small - was a wolf too only made it worse. ‘ It would have been worth it. ‘ The Nephilim argued bitterly, but none of it was directed toward her. It was not her fault that they attacked her and he understood why she tried to keep him from leaving back there ; He would not have been able to stay rational if he managed to track them down.

IT WAS A MOAN THAT PULLED HIM OUT OF HIS THOUGHTS. The noise was so soft, so quiet and so unexpected that he narrowed his eyes, suddenly starting to question whether he really heard it or not - but Hope whispered the word sorry and the Shadowhunter set his jaw while he kept her body against his own. ‘ What are you apologizing for? ‘ He murmured after he turned her around and walked her until she sat down. ‘ Don’t be sorry. ‘ For any of this. Hope did the right things tonight, even if he would try not to say it out loud.

THERE WAS SOMETHING IN HER EYES HE COULD NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND. Jace only clenched his jaw a little tighter when her gaze began to wander and she finally told him where to find the things that they needed. The sooner they took care of the injury, the better - so he gave her a serious look, ignoring the fact that his own eyes dropped to her lips, before he walked toward her bathroom to gather the mundie stuff. It did not take long for him to find it and he stayed silent after he returned, at least until he got everything ready and squatted down in front of her again. ‘ This is going to sting. You know that, right? ‘ His fingertips gave her leg a light caress, almost as if to make up for the unpleasant sensation that would follow, but it had to be cleaned. The Nephilim sighed and he started to press the warm, wet cloth against her leg, trying to be as gentle as possible before he reached for the balm that he found. His eyes moved to her face, momentarily searching her gaze until he lowered it again. ‘ Almost done. ‘ The only thing that was left to do was bandaging it and that only took a few seconds. ‘ There you go. ‘ He mumbled and he lifted himself onto his feet. ‘ Let’s hope that’s going to work. You can’t go out on a mission like that. ‘ Or train, which would probably end up being a really frustrating experience for her, but he would play her personal guard if that was what it took to stop her until she recovered. ‘ How are you feeling? ‘ He added reluctantly, fearing that his concern for her became a little too obvious. Too much.

She hadn’t MEANT to moan. She hadn’t even thought about it. There was no secret reasoning, no agenda.. Just.. he’d felt so good, and warm, and he was so gentle with her. Not to mention he’d taken her by surprise and pulled her up against his hard, toned body and she’d practically fallen to her knees with the suddenness of it. The closeness. Of him, though. She wouldn’t have been bothered, she didn’t think, if it had been someone else at the Institute. That’s what made it so CONFUSING. That’s what made her apologise. She didn’t want to RUIN anything. To scare him off, or make him run. Like she so often did. “Just...” her eyes rested on his lips for a moment, up until she blinked and opened them again on his; fighting tooth and claw nail to keep herself under control. To not spoil what he’d done for her tonight. Carrying her up here. Agreeing to come back with her instead of going after the wolves. “I must’ve been cold. Against you.” she muttered back, knowing her darkened eyes probably gave her away. 

If all of it hadn’t been enough.. The heat of him, his gruff-sounding voice, his gentle touch.. If all that hadn’t been enough, he’d backed her up and sat her down and now, God, NOW he was looking at her lips, too. Hope’s hand slowly slid down his arm, only grazing his side before it dropped away to join the other hand curled tight around her mattress. She nodded at him as he went to walk away and immediately flopped down on her back the second she was alone; her feet still on the floor, twiddling. 

He hadn’t been gone long. Must’ve found the supplies easier than even Hope would’ve. She made a face at that. Hearing him return, the Nephilim took a steadying breath and raised her head again to look at him, unable to help her smile when she saw him there  moving to kneel by her feet. She rolled her eyes at his words and pulled herself to sit up again properly. She gave him a nod and scrunched up the bedding in her hands, her eyes closing at the sting against the wound. If anything, though, it wasn’t the worst pain she’d ever felt. Not by a long shot. A hand raised to Jace’s shoulder as he continued, hesitant, but gentler, too, when she squeezed him instead of the covers. The gesture itself was almost thankful, and that was confirmed only a moment later when a murmur of ‘thanks’ left her. She frowned at him as he stood up, and her hand dropped over one side of his chest, falling inside his jacket as he rose to his full height. “It’s fine, Jace. I’ll be fine. We have training tomorrow. Need to get on top of it.” Her gaze had fallen to her hand and she smiled slightly when he spoke again, asking her how she was. Of course he was. “Okay.” she told him, though she shivered a second later and rolled her eyes again, knowing she wouldn’t be able to hide THAT from him. “Cold. But that’ll be a little better when I get into bed.” she said, still watching as her hand slipped a fraction lower. She looked up at him suddenly. “Are you?”

[maziekeen]

#that look

[lilpieceofmyworld]

“Some eyes touch you more than hands ever could.”

—

[wtchlght]

@angelbloodedwarrior

[wtchlght]

@fracturcdshine​

The request startled her, she was used to many things-many people requesting different things from her but never… never this. A look came abroad her face, tears welling in her eyes, happy tears. Hope’s kindness never failed to astound her. Never. “Always.” She spoke, and took her guitar in hand. “I don’t know many songs but… I think you’ll like this one.”

“When the night has come And the land is dark And the moon is the only light we’ll see No I won’t be afraid, no I won’t be afraid Just as long as you stand, stand by me.”

Ice-blue eyes fluttered closed as the first few notes of Celine’s song hit her. A small smile graced her lips and she slowly slid down one of the walls of the woman’s room to sit down, her legs being pulled up to her chest. She listened quietly, nodding her head slightly and tapping her fingers along to the rhythm as the blonde took care of her request; singing and playing for her like her own mother used to do. 

As the song grew quieter, and Celine found her own rhythm, the younger woman’s eyes finally opened again, finding the blonde, whom she smiled softly at. “My mom used to sing that for me.” she said, remembering those nights fondly as she let her eyes wander down to the fingers gently strumming the guitar strings.

[wtchlght]

JACE:

THE NEPHILIM LAUGHED UNDER HIS BREATH WHEN HE HEARD THE NICKNAME. ’ Please, tell me you’re not going to try to call me that all of the time now. ‘ It would put him in the very unfortunate position of being forced to tickle the hell out of her. Or at least until she stopped using the word angel. ‘ One of these days I’m going to find a way to warm you up. ‘ Jace announced, his tone sounding amused and determined at the same time. There had to be something to keep her comfortable, even when she wasn’t hiding under his fluffy blanket. ‘ If nothing works I’ll just get you warmer clothes. ‘ He concluded with a grin.

HOPE’S QUESTION CAUSED HIM TO MAKE A FACE AT HER. Yes, he’d seen her naked before, but that had been an entirely different situation. She shifted back into a human form, rather than undressing in front of him. It was not like he had a problem with it either way, he was just trying to be polite and make sure not to stare at her. ‘ I do know that. ‘ The Shadowhunter finally answered out loud, though he was at a loss for more words.

HER RESPONSE TO HIS QUESTION WAS A WELCOME DISTRACTION - even if it made him frown. ‘ Did you just say that one of the wolves got your leg? ‘ Jace heard her, loud and clear, but he did not want to believe that she said that. She asked him not to go after them. Hope practically begged him to stay with her and now she let him know the full story? He swallowed, hoping to ease the frustration that he felt, though he failed. ‘ And you didn’t think you should tell me? ‘ Soon enough for him to be able to go after them?!

IT WAS HARD TO HANDLE HIS OWN EMOTIONS IN THAT INSTANT. The urge to make the werewolves pay for their actions increased, but he did not try to fight her when she held onto his jacket to stop him from leaving the room. He even let her get up, but he rolled his eyes when Hope started to try to hop across the room. ‘ What do you think you’re doing? ‘ It only took one big step for him to catch up with her and he wrapped one arm around her waist, giving her a gentle tug to pull her against his body. ‘ Don’t do that. ‘ Jace murmured in her ear before he spun her around so she faced him. ‘ Just tell me where you keep the mundie stuff. I’ll go get it. ‘ He said before he moved, walking her backward until her legs were against the edge of her bed so she would sit down again. ‘ Tell me. ‘

“It’s nothing, I don’t even know if it was teeth or claws. But it’s fine. I’m fine.” Her brow furrowed with him as she watched his face, trying to understand what was going on in his head. What he was thinking, what he was feeling. She wasn’t good at it, though. Her frown deepened. “Jace.. I didn’t.. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to get in trouble going after them. If you broke Clave rules, if you broke the Accords.. It’s not worth it. The wound, it’ll be gone soon, anyway, and they’re.. The wolves.. they’re part of me, too, I..”

The Nephilim was about to turn her head to look at him, confused, when she felt a strong arm wrapping around her middle, pulling her back. In no time at all, she was enveloped IN WARMTH. The arm around her bringing her into and against his chest caused goosebumps to rise up her arms and legs. A soft noise left her at the feel of the hard planes of his chest, at the warmth of his embrace; and the soft, quiet murmur of his voice in her ear. It was a sound that could only be described as a soft, little moan of pleasure. One that made her cheeks feel hot and made her reach up to quickly cover her mouth. “Sorry.” she mumbled, her hand muffling the word somewhat, but she nodded slowly to his request, still able to hear his voice in her ear. She raised a hand to curl it around his arm, gently gripping at it in an attempt to keep herself steady. Suddenly it wasn’t just one leg that felt weak. BOTH OF THEM felt like they could give way at any time, and when he turned her around to face him and she saw his concerned eyes on her? 

That feeling only seemed to get worse. 

She allowed herself to be walked back, right up until the backs of her legs hit the edge of her bed and she fell. As she started to sit down; she felt the STRONGEST URGE to pull him down with her. To lay back with him, close, like this, with him on top of her. With her bringing him down on top of her.. Hope swallowed, her eyes flickering to Jace’s lips before she nodded once, hands falling away from him to curl around the edge of her bed instead. “Uhh --” Another swallow, and a breath in. “Right, yeah. Bathroom. Cupboard above the sink. There’s bandages and wipes and all that stuff. Whatever we need.” 

[wtchlght]

JACE:

OH, HE KNEW. He knew just how stubborn Hope could be and it was exactly why he refused to let her walk. What good would that do? If she wanted to show him how brave she was, there was no need to do that - Jace was already aware of that as well. She was a fighter. Just like him. ‘ Those are lame excuses and you know it. ‘ He teased her in an attempt to distract her from the pain. ‘ The fur coat is one thing, but the missing amount of angel blood? Doesn’t make you cold. ‘ As a matter of fact, the mere thought brought a grin to his lips. It was just so ridiculous. ‘ And you know you have access to my closet… but maybe it’s time for me to kidnap you on a shopping spree so we can get you warm clothes that fit. ‘ The thought of being stuck in stores for a couple of hours was not the most appealing, but he’d do it. At least until Isabelle found the time to take the job in the future.

THE NEPHILIM CLENCHED HIS TEETH WHEN SHE SHIVERED. He still did not like the fact that they offered her this room, but he knew that they would not change their minds just because he continued to bother them about it. Maybe it was only a matter of time. Maybe they would learn to accept and treat her better - and until then she could always stay in his room, if the cold became unbearable.

HOPE’S FROWN CONFUSED HIM. Did she really think that he would just disappear, without looking after her and making sure that she would be okay? He really thought that she knew him better than that, but he tried to focus on the fact that she was not trying to make him leave. His eyes stayed on her leg as she tried to roll up her jeans to expose the cut, but he averted his gaze for a moment, trying to give her some privacy when she began to wiggle out of her pants. That was unexpected. Okay, maybe it wasn’t - given the injured body part - but somehow he wasn’t prepared for it.

‘ ——— HOW DID YOU SAY THAT HAPPENED? ‘ Jace questioned after he finally looked back at her leg and he examined the cut before his eyes wandered up to her face. ‘ We need to take care of that. ‘ Letting it heal like that seemed a little risky, he didn’t want it to get infected. ‘ I’ll be right back. Okay? ‘ He murmured, trying not to get too frustrated about the fact that he could not just iratze her.

It had been worth it. Seeing the grin on his face had been worth everything. “Well, I guess you’d know, Angel..” She grinned back and rolled her eyes at him, enjoying teasing him and seeing him smile more than anything else she’d done that night. “Really don’t care about the clothes fitting. These ones fit. Still cold.” she returned, giving him a playful nudge with her good foot. 

She just didn’t get how he could be ALWAYS BE SO WARM. Even in her attic room, which felt so cold to her all of the time. There wasn’t a time she could think of so far that he hadn’t been able to warm her up. A small curl formed upon her lips as she looked at him looking away from her. “You know you’ve seen me naked before, right?” she asked him, trying her hardest not to smile, despite the memory. It didn’t bother her, really. She was quite comfortable, she’d lived for a long time WITHOUT clothes, after all. 

“Some wolves,” she started, “they attacked while I was out on mission. Just coming back, actually. A few loose shax demons. Anyway, when I was on my way back, a bunch of them started following me from a distance, so I picked up my pace and they started to run. I ran, too. Saw a dead end in the alleyway and decided to climb.. or, well, vault.. a fence. ‘Couple of the wolves had turned by this point so one went to catch me at the fence and got my leg.”

 Hope shook her head. “Hold on,” she said, grabbing a hold of his jacket sleeve to hold him back. “Sit.” she instructed, and she gave his arm a gentle tug while she made to get out of bed herself. “I have a bunch of mundane stuff in the bathroom.” she told him, testing her leg in an attempt to stand on it. Not too bad. She started to make her way away from him, gingerly stepping on her foot until it got too much and she began to hop instead.

[wtchlght]

SEBASTIAN:

He was lacking control — he should put more focus on that. There was clawing in his chest, sharp and hurting, screaming and growling inside his mind, the craving for sweet taste and smell of blood, to get his hands nice wet with it, to paint the Institute with it, leaving bodies all around — he wanted, he longed, he needed it now now now.

Biting hard on the inside of his cheek, Sebastian closed his eyes, fingers clenching on the edge of the table. No; this wasn’t smart, not in this situation. Maybe he could… later, somewhere, some unimportant mundane. 

But not here - you don’t make a mass in place you live in. 

Blonde tilted his head a little while hearing steps, swallowing the ichor and taking a deep breath before mask slipped on his face again. Sebastian turned, smiling friendly to the other person. “Hello there,” he said, voice warm and purr. “Can I help you with something?”

He seemed almost RIGID, the way he was holding himself. Like he wasn’t even really there. Like he was somewhere else. She supposed she understood that, All at once, he moved, his head tilting to the side slightly. He’d heard her moving, she realised. She shrugged to herself and continued towards the door of the room he was in. 

“Was gonna ask you the same question,” Hope answered, eyeing the male’s face as he turned to face her. She nodded towards him, stopping a few steps shy of where he was, her eyes wandering to his clenched hand. “Something bothering you?” she asked curiously, trying to be nice, knowing full well she would probably be the LAST person to speak to if there was something wrong. 

Especially here. 

The girl returned his smile and went instead to stand by one of the many bookcases, her fingers trailing across the books’ bindings as she awaited his reply. 

[wtchlght]

JACE:

                          HE WAS NOT EVEN MAD AT HER ; Jace was mad at himself. He was mad because he seemed to be incapable of leaving her behind, even for a short period of time, and that went against everything that Valentine his father taught him to do. It should have been simple. The Shadowhunter was supposed to do his job - follow the werewolves and hold them accountable for their attack, but he was still here. Ready to carry her back to the Institute, willing to give into her pleas for now.

                      ‘ ——— WE WILL SEE ABOUT THAT. ‘ The response came through teeth that remained gritted, but his expression softened the slightest bit when he heard the annoyance in Hope’s voice. It was something he understood, something he could relate to. Jace never enjoyed accepting help either, but she could struggle as much as she wanted to ; He wouldn’t set her back down until they reached her room. Not because he was trying to be an asshole, he would let go of her if the reasons for her protest went deeper than sheer stubbornness, he just wanted to do the one thing she did not seem to be used to. Take care of her. The Nephilim glanced down at her and his lips twitched into a very faint smile when he heard her grumble. ‘ I don’t know. How are you always cold? ‘ He questioned in a gentler, more playful voice than he used before.

                         JACE BROUGHT HER A LITTLE CLOSER - Almost as if he wanted to help shielding her from view once they reached the Institute. He nodded in the direction of a few familiar faces, silently greeting and telling them that they did not need any help. Not yet… ‘ Ow? ‘ He repeated and he instantly moved a little faster, though he made sure to keep his arms steady so she would not even notice. Fortunately, they reached her room soon enough and he let her down, gently placing her on the bed while he squatted down in front of her. ‘ Can I take a look? ‘

Sheer stubbornness was an expression that fit Hope down to a tee. The boy HAD TO KNOW THAT by now. He just had to. Surely he’d spent enough time with her now to know that. She smiled slightly, remembering a time where he’d actually told her EXACTLY that. That she might even be more stubborn than HE was. She huffed at him, but this time, the sound held a happier, more teasing edge to it. There was a smile on her lips as she answered. “Oh, I don’t know. Lack of fur coat, missing amount of Angel blood, don’t have the warm clothes that you do. Take your pick..”

Finding herself back in her attic bedroom finally, Hope shivered as the coolness of it hit her, as usual, whenever she entered. She swallowed as she was lowered down, her arms around him tightening for a fraction of a second -- as if she didn’t want to let go -- before she finally allowed them to slip from around his neck. 

Apparently a part of her expected that he’d just go now. But he didn’t. He was still here, now squatting beside her bed, waiting. Hope frowned at him for a moment, searching his face for something, until he spoke. She looked back at him for a moment, her gaze meeting his before she shifted carefully on her bed where he’d laid her and reached to start rolling up her jeans. It was difficult; they were tight and sticky with blood and her leg was swollen. Frowning, she lay back again and instead went to unbutton her pants, wriggling herself out of them and yanking them off over her feet where she winced again as the material dragged over the cut. Now that she was sitting up, Hope rolled down her sock and reached up to tuck some of her hair behind her ear, eyes wandering over to him instead. 

[wtchlght]

JACE:

THE ANSWER ALMOST MADE HIM MAD. How could she use that against him? It made him clench his jaw while he allowed her to shift his focus back to her face - but in her defense, she had given him exactly what he asked for ; a reason not to leave her side. It was not Hope’s fault that her asking him not to go meant something everything to him. «Fine. I’m not going after them.» He spoke through gritted teeth and he meant it. For the time being, anyway. Jace could not make any promises that he would not change his mind once she returned to the safety of the Institute. 

HE NOTICED THE WAY SHE SQUIRMED IN HIS ARMS - the way she frowned and pushed at his chest, silently protesting against the fact that he picked her up. In any other moment he would have respected it ; he would have set her back down on her own two feet, but now he was ignoring her attempts to change his mind with a slight glare. It was not aimed at her, not directly. Jace was just so frustrated, so worried about her and he made a face when he heard her words. «Yes. I saw you run and I saw you flinch. I’m not letting you walk.» She finally agreed with him and he pulled his gaze from hers as he began to carry her into the direction of the Institute. It was easier not to look at her now - there was so much going through his head and he tried his hardest not to think. The only thing that mattered right now was getting her back to her room and take a look at her leg. As soon as possible.

Making Jace MAD had never been her intention. He’d asked for a reason, and she’d given one. Maybe it had been a bit TOO honest, though, for his liking. A little too open, and vulnerable, especially for her. It was true though, she wasn’t just asking him not to go after them, she was asking him to STAY WITH HER. Pleading with him, really. 

It wasn’t out of discomfort. It wasn’t because she didn’t WANT to be in his arms. She did. It was just.. It all came down to how damn STUBBORN she was. She could walk alone. She could run. She wasn’t used to THIS. To being carried and held and taken care of. “It’s probably just a sprain..” she muttered, annoyed, though not at Jace. If anything, again, it was just the situation. It was the fact that maybe she actually did need this. Her arms tightened slightly around him as he walked, keeping herself close. Was it his warmth that always seemed to make him this comfortable? Even with the discomfort that she felt? “How are you always warm?” she grumbled, relaxing slightly despite herself. 

After a while as he made his way into the main hallway of the Institute, Hope gently lay her head against his shoulder, her face turned into him slightly -- both to avoid prying eyes and to actually allow herself to rest comfortably. A jolt of pain ran up her leg and she clenched her teeth and her fingers at her left hand tightened reflexively around his nape, fingers curling into his hair. “Ow.” Hope mumbled, and she quickly peeked out from where she’d buried her face in his neck to look how far they had to go. 

[wtchlght]

JACE:

«THOSE ARE VERY INTERESTING TRAITS.» The Shadowhunter teased her right back and, damn it, he could not keep his lips from twitching in amusement all over again. «But you can have both, I don’t mind you being selfish. Does that mean you’re staying here tonight?» Maybe he shouldn’t have asked, but the bigger part of Jace did not see any harm. They had ‘ sleepovers ‘ before, even if they mostly happened in her wolf form, so it was no big deal - was it? He narrowed his eyes to himself and he quickly decided to add something else to make sure that things wouldn’t get awkward. «Because if you’re not, you’re definitely taking the blanket with you. I can’t let you freeze into a real icicle.»

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT JACE COULD HAVE DONE TOO ; Fall asleep like this. He always felt weirdly comfortable around her, from the very first second that they met. The Nephilim did not fear her when she guarded him after he got injured. He did not worry about the consequences of freeing her after she hurt her legs. Sure, it took him a couple of moments to process the fact that Hope was not an actual wolf, but even then he never felt like he needed to have his guards up around her.

HE TRUSTED HER - and maybe that was the reason why it so easy for him to let her close to him ; on both, an emotional and a physical level. The Shadowhunter was known to dodge hugs at any given opportunity, but he never seemed to have an issue when it was Hope who touched him. «Good.» He hummed in response to the words that she spoke while her nose brushed against his jaw, making him smile against her skin. «Because I don’t think I could change.» People could make adjustments to their behavior, but certain things always stayed the same - whether they wanted it, or not.

HOPE WAS SHIFTING ONTO HER KNEES NOW AND HE CLOSED HIS EYES WHEN SHE LEANED HER HEAD AGAINST HIS. His contentment and comfort only lasted for a second and he frowned once his gaze found her face again. She was looking away from him and Jace set his jaw while he moved the hand on her cheek to curl under her chin, gently lifting it up. It was not enough to make her look at him - he didn’t want to force her to, anyway - but it was a gentle encouragement. A silent plea. «How could you be?» His tone was full of determination and it didn’t matter if she believed him or not ; He knew how strong she was. «You didn’t know this could happen to you. Nobody taught you how to control yourself - and even the most experienced Werewolves and Shadowhunters struggle sometimes. We all make mistakes. We all do things we didn’t want to do. You still did it.»

«IT DOESN’T CHANGE ANYTHING.» Jace told her in an instant. «You will learn how to control yourself.» Just like she would learn how to fight whenever she was in her mundane form. «And it will be your decision.» Even more so than it currently was. His mismatched eyes stayed right on hers when she started to caress his face and he licked his lips before he nodded. «I know. Just don’t forget that I’ll be here too. I’m here for you. Whatever you need.»

It was hard not to get distracted by her own thoughts, in how ridiculous she probably sounded for having given herself two opposite traits that Hope almost missed what Jace was saying. ALMOST. Because Jace’s lips were twitching like he wanted to smile at her. Or laugh at her. And that was distracting enough in itself. “A real icicle?” Hope repeated, her voice raising at the end with her confusion because she was now COMPLETELY distracted by his previous words. “Stay here? With you?” Her lips quirked, too, at the idea of her actually turning into an icicle without him his blanket. She scrunched her nose at him playfully and her teeth came down to catch her lower lip between them. “Are you sure you’re okay with that?” She paused, swallowing. “With me staying. I’m not exactly as warm as I was with my coat. Wouldn’t wanna make YOU an icicle.”

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she rested with him, reminiscing. She let out a soft hum of content and nodded her head so that she could nuzzle at his neck a little. The fear that SHE had felt when she’d been hurt had been instinctual. Animal instinct. It hadn’t actually been her. She knew that when she’d awoken and found that there was absolutely NONE OF IT left over when she was human again. No fear of him. None at all. It had all been because she’d been sure she was about to die. 

Hope knew that Jace’s personality -- his ego -- was often thrown into question. But even that, she didn’t want to change that. She WOULDN’T change that either. It was well-deserved. He’d earned it. Whether it was false bravado or not. Whether it was a part of keeping people at a distance, she didn’t care. She didn’t want that part of him gone either. He’d never tried to really use it around her anyway, and hell, even if he had.. It hadn’t exactly worked. “Good,” she repeated, smiling with him now. Right into his skin. Just as he was. 

His touch wasn’t harsh enough to MAKE Hope look at him, but she did it anyway. Her eyes lifted following his beyond gentle touch and, though she was hesitant about it, she met his gaze. “I didn’t even know,” she whispered back, frowning. “My mom, she didn’t know it could happen either.” Hope frowned, and her gaze lowered again, just for a moment, before she forced herself to look at him again. “I don’t know why it happened. If it hadn’t..” Maybe she’d have made it here to the New York Institute earlier. 

Or maybe she’d never have made it here. 

And did she really want that? Hope’s eyes flitted between each of his. At the depth in them. At the mix of colours that made them up. 

No, she didn’t want that. 

“Guess we’re here for each other, huh?” she asked him, her fingertips trailing down his cheek, close to his lips that he’d just wet with his tongue. Her gaze had followed, too. Had lowered WITH her wandering hand, and her light touch. “How can you be so sure about this?” she questioned. “About me? How can you be so sure.. that I won’t hurt you. Or that I’ll control it. I’m not.. I’m not even human, Jace. I’m not a werewolf. or an angel.. a Shadowhunter. I’m just.. a.. a..” She couldn’t say it. Didn’t WANT to say it. Not to him. She didn’t want to admit it. Knew what Jace would say to her. Knew what he thought. But she thought it; a monster. It was the only word she knew to use, really. She’d been called many a thing. By.. many people, since they’d found out what she was -- or what she wasn’t -- but that one currently hit the hardest. 

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ISABELLE:

Although Izzy was in a bad mood, a smile slowly crept across her lips. “Did you, now?” she mused, her tone teasing. The brunette let out a sigh, dropping her jacket, rolling her eyes when slime flicked against the wall. “Oh, you know, the usual– shax demons being a pain my culo.”

Hope didn’t speak, only grinned her answer, guilt written all over her mischievous face. She followed the brunette’s movments with her eyes, laughing as demon ichor and slime were flicked against the wall by Izzy and her -- as usual -- stylish jacket. “You ever thought of getting that stuff insured?” she asked, voice a little more teasing. 

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CELINE:

“Little red riding hood I’d like to hold you if I could But you might think I’m a big bad wolf so I won’t

What a big heart I have The better to love you with Little red riding hood Even bad wolves can be good 

I try to keep satisfied Just to walk close by your—”

Celine froze the moment she noticed another within the room. Her heart beat fast, she instantly stopped strumming the guitar and laid to the ground beside her. “I-I…” She struggled to find the right words. “It was a song… a song I used to know so I… I mean I haven’t played in a while so…” She felt embarrassed. A breath escaped her lips. “Sorry to bother you.” She finished lamely. 

She’d not known, of course. How beautiful a voice Celine had. But when she’d heard the singing from along the corridor, the girl had had to follow it. Right up until she’d found herself outside Jace’s mom’s room. As soon as the woman stopped her playing, as soon as her voice had died away, she felt bad. Guilty. For intruding on this moment. She bit her lip and shook her head at the blonde, letting her know she had nothing to apologise for. If anybody did, in fact, it was Hope.

“Don’t be,” she said, her feet continuing to drag her forward and into Celine’s room. Instead of stopping just inside, she walked towards the other woman, even going so far as to pick up the guitar from beside her. She smiled slightly, shyly, and moved to sit beside her, bringing the guitar into her own lap. 

Hope didn’t know the song. She didn’t know the words, but she could remember enough of the instrument -- and had seen enough of Celine playing -- to be able to emulate the melody. Her gaze was set on her hands, a frown evident on her face. She wasn’t used to this anymore; and she knew she was making mistakes, but still, she played. She played, and eventually, she found that she was able to lift her gaze back to her, offering her what she hoped was an encouraging smile and nodding her head, as if trying to get the woman to join in. To sing again. 

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JACE:

«OF COURSE YOU’RE NOT AFRAID.» And of course she did not want to shop when she could be out on a mission. It forced him to suppress a laugh, but his lips twitched into a faint version of a smile and he gave her a small nod while he lowered his gaze again. Truth be told, Jace believed her. Hope was brave enough to face them, without a doubt, but that was not the point ; Her braveness did not change the fact that it could be dangerous - and all he wanted was for her to be safe.

«IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE ORDER.» The Nephilim could not possibly argue with her words, after all. He never listened to Clave Orders and it would have been a lie if he claimed that he was just trying to follow them this time. He took a deep breath and he allowed their eyes to meet again, but he stayed silent for a moment or two before he went on. «It’s about you. I know you’re safe here. If I take you with me I put you at risk. I don’t want that.»

It surprised her. That he took her word for it. That he believed her. That actually, Hope wasn’t afraid and that given the chance, she could DO this. It made his insistence for her to stay put even more confusing to her. She didn’t understand at first. Not until he’d explained it to her further, because if it wasn’t just about the order; what was it? She continued to watch him, frowning, her nose and one side of her face still close by his hand and her hand still holding his. “I don’t need protecting, Jace. Not from around you.” She didn’t believe that. “I want to go with you. I don’t want you to go to them alone.” She understood that he had to go. She even understood that maybe HE didn’t want anyone to go with him. That he didn’t want them anywhere near danger, but what Hope wanted.. What Hope wanted was to make sure that he was safe, as well. “I’m safe with YOU.” she insisted. “We’re safest together.”

Lowering their hands from close to her face, she looked at him, and her voice continued on, serious. “You don’t have to do this by yourself. I can wait outside.. The Silent Brothers.. they might not let me in, anyway. But at least I’d be there.. At least I’d know you were okay, too.” She wasn’t completely aware of how much that actually meant to her, or maybe it was simply that she didn’t understand that either. 

[cfmusings-blog]

         did you find it hard to breathe??     did you cry so much you could barely see??