Jace's soft snores filled my ears as I silently read next to him, laying on my stomach, the both of us covered in sheets.

I glanced at him every now and then, scanning his figure and soft expression as he slept.

I would be sleeping in his arms right now if I hadn't rudely been awaken by the sharp pain of my arm being cut into, being greeted with a message Jonathan had carved into my skin early this morning.

I miss you.

I glanced at the skin the words once were carved in, as they only remained apparent for a few long moment was before I quickly Iratze'd them.

I swallowed hard and refocused my gaze on the page I was just on, escaping into another world once more.

That was until I heard Jace's snores halt for a moment, and then him shifting in the bed.

His hand reached and pushed some hair behind my ear, his raspy, deep voice laced with sleep sounding. "Are you crazy?"

"It depends." I looked at him. "Why are you accusing me of being crazy?"

"It's so early- and you're reading." Jace pointed out the obvious. "Come- let's go back to sleep-"

I reply. "I just got to the good part."

"Pfft-" Jace waved his hand and reached, bookmarking my page, then rid the book from my hands and set it by his side and out of my reach. "Me time-"

"Well, since you've deprived me of anything that holds my interest." I began, earning a glare from Jace, making me softly laugh and scoot into his side, nuzzling my face into the crook of his neck.

"Hey-" I heard him mumble as he wrapped his arms around me, burying his face into my face. "I was thinking today, maybe- we could do something to celebrate your homecoming."

"Can we lay in bed all day?" I requested. "I can read to you- I'll start the book over- or maybe we can get a new book and read it together-"

I could feel Jace weakly smile into my hair. "I was thinking something more— exciting."

"Reading isn't exciting to you?" I drawled and he snorted into my hair. "Fine, what did you have in mind?"

Jace pressed his lips to my head. "How about we keep it a surprise, huh?"

-

"When you said exciting, I didn't think you meant a bookstore." I walked behind Jace down the street, hugging a book to my chest with one arm and holding a milkshake in the other.

"That was purely for your entertainment." Jace had a hand on my back, leading me down the sidewalk. "Your face lit up like a kid getting candy-"

"Where are we going now, then?" I sipped the last of my milkshake and then tossed it in the nearest trash can as he walked me up to a building, that was very clearly closed. My eyes scanned the sign and gathered that it was an ice rink.

Regardless, Jace took out his stele and drew an Unlock rune on the door, prying it open as my eyes widened a bit. "Jace!"

"Shhh- come on-" Jace grabbed my hand and pulled me in with him, leading me through the halls and then into a locker room.

"I knew this was coming- breaking and entering." I teased him. "How romantic."

Jace let go of my hand and rounded the counter that had all the skates behind it. "This way we'll be on our own."

I set my book down. "Since when do you know how to ice skate, Jace?"

"Well, I don't- yet." Jace admitted. "I mean, I was kinda hoping you could show me how it's done."

"I'm a little rusty, but I'll see what I can do." I scanned him. "This is what you call exciting? I've got to say, I'm shocked- I was full on expecting a pack of demons emerging from a corner- what gave you this idea?"

"Oh- uhm," Jace stammered a bit and then looked down at his palms as they rested flat on the counter. "Your favorite book. The one that sits on your nightstand- the one you've read so many times- I still can't remember the name of it, but I remembered you telling me once that there was this chapter where they went to an ice rink and you thought it was the cutest scene. You told me that you'd kill for a love like that- for someone to court you- and take you out on dates. I wanted to recreate it for you- especially since our one on one time consists of killing demons or working most of the time-"

"You pay attention when I ramble about what happens in the books I've read?" My heart swelled at his words. God, I love you. I love you. I love you.

"Every word." Jace admittedly sheepishly. "Even when it doesn't make sense half the time."

"Well, maybe the next step should be actually reading the books I talk to you about." I couldn't help the wide smile on my lips.

"That's a step too big-" Jace reached over and ruffled my hair playfully. "Alright, what's your size?"

-

"Jace, stop stomping!" I held his hands tightly to try and prevent him from falling. "Just walk! Walk, and then gradually glide once you're comfortable-"

"I don't know why you're giving me all these instructions." Jace's words did not match how tight he held onto my hands as I tried to help him learn, skating backwards myself.

I looked at him. "Oh?"

"Yeah, I'm clearly a natural." Jace almost fell but caught himself. "See? Graceful."

"Oh, yeah? Alright, Herondale-" I began to loosen my grip on his hands. "Have at it-"

"No!-" Jace bursted, tightening his grip on my hands. "Don't let go yet-"

"Oh, but- I thought you were a natural." I teased him. "For the record, you're doing better than I expected. You haven't fallen yet- I'd say you're ahead of the curve."

"Ahead of the- I was born ahead of the curve, Zee!" Jace shot back at me quickly. "I'm just, trying not to show off 'cause I know this is your thing, so-"

"Alright, alright-" I forcefully let go of his hands and skid back farther from him. "By all means, don't hold back."

Jace swallowed a bit hard, then went to take a step, only for him to collapse within seconds, falling right onto his back with a grunt.

"Wow." I skated over to him and came to a stop. "Amazing performance. I must say, I am thoroughly impressed-"

My teasing was caught off when he grabbed my leg and knocked me off my feet, a shriek leaving my lips as he pulled me right on him to break my fall.

I kneeled on either side of him. "Bastard."

"Yeah, yeah-" Jace wrapped an arm around my neck and used it as an opportunity to pull me down, his face meeting mine, our lips connecting.

I softly smiled into the kiss, holding a hold of his face delicately as he rested a hand on my thigh.

He made everything feel okay.

"It's not me, by the way." Jace began when we parted. "It's the skates."

"Oh, definitely." I nodded in agreement.

"I'm pretty sure they're too big- I'll go get a new pair." Jace sat up as I moved off him and onto the couch. "You'll see- it's gonna be completely different."

"Whatever you say." I watched him get up to his feet. "You need help getting there or are you alright on your own?"

"I've got it!" Jace assured me, somehow making his way over and off the rink, disappearing into the locker room.

I softly laughed to myself and got up, pushing off and skating around the rink, a permanent smile on my lips.

Despite being connected to Jonathan.

Despite not being able to feel my parabatai.

I felt okay.

And it was because of Jace.

It felt like a complete relief.

"Zee, bad news." Jace's voice sounded the rink, catching my attention. "The, uh, owner's coming back. I think we should beat it."

"Aw-" I playfully pouted and skated over to him. "But- you were getting so good."

"Don't worry- there's somewhere else I want to take you today." Jace reached for my hand. "Our day's not over."

-

"You're not going to tell me where we're going?" I questioned, swinging my hand with his. "All this secrecy is putting me on edge-"

"You'll like it." Jace held my hands tighter as we walked. "I promise."

"Actually, there's something I've been meaning to tell you." I scanned his side profile. "Can we stop for a minute?"

"Yeah, sure." He stopped and looked down at me. "Anything."

"The reason why I was up so early this morning was because- Jonathan sent me a message- through our rune." I came clean. "He carved "I miss you" into my arm.

Jace didn't react. "Are you okay?"

"I'm- fine." I scanned his face, getting an odd vibe. "I healed it- but, I don't know- I didn't want to keep it from you."

Jace's words caught me off guard. "Well, I can't really blame him for being crazy about you."

"What?" I stammer. "Jace, the guy kidnapped me and held me hostage. He gave me an elixir that disconnected Isabelle and I-"

Jace stared. "But- he did it out of love."

Something wasn't right.

"I'm sorry." Jace suddenly said when he caught the expression on my face. "You're right- that must've been very traumatic- why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because we've been having such a great day, I didn't want you to get angry." I scanned his face. "You're not angry with me, are you?"

"Not at all- I just wanna make sure you're safe." Jace shook his head. "You activated your anti-tracking rune, right?"

"Yeah." I nod. "Double-checked it this morning."

"Good- then no one can hurt you." Jace wrapped his arm around me. "And if they try, I'll be here to protect you. "

-

"Jace, what're you doing?" I watched as he reached, snatching one of the roses from the cart when the owner wasn't looking. He then came back over and handed it to me. "Thank you, but- you can't just take those-"

Jace looks at me and scanned my face. "There was no one there to stop me."

I stare. "You some kind of outlaw now?"

"You're right. I'm sorry." Jace chuckled but barely. "I think I just forget myself around you."

I didn't say anything and just scanned his face.

Something was wrong.

Jace then abruptly moved from his stance and pressed his lips into mine, placing his hands on my waist.

This felt wrong.

Something was very wrong.

I barely kissed back and pulled away as quickly as I could, my heart beat starting to race.

Jace looked at me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing- I just- I'm lightheaded." I lied, putting a hand to my temple. "I can feel a headache coming on- I must be dehydrated."

"Oh, I'm so stupid." Jace put a hand to his mouth. "It's me. I've been running you ragged all over the city."

"Maybe you can get us something to drink." I suggested, gesturing my head to the truck.

"Of course." Jace points. "Stay right there."

I gave him a fake smile as he walked away from me and over to the truck. I looked at the rose in my hand and slowly, hesitating before I pricked my thumb on it, looking back at Jace quickly.

Jace looked at his hand, shaking it off a bit before bringing his thumb to his mouth.

Jonathan.

I immediately turned my back to him and grabbed out my phone, dialing Isabelle's number in which she picked up rather quickly. "Zee?-"

"Iz, I'm on the Promenade with Jonathan." I quietly told her. "He's glamoured himself to look like Jace."

Isabelle questioned. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay." I assure her. "He doesn't know I know, but- Jace might be hurt- we were at an ice rink in Chelsea. Jonathan must have ambushed him there."

"Just sit tight. I'll find Jace." Isabelle told me. "Then I'm coming for you."

I was in agreement, letting out a breath. "I'll deactivate my anti-tracking rune."

"Good idea." Isabelle said. "Once we find you, you can use your Somnus rune."

I remind her. "That'll only sedate him for a minute-"

"That's enough time to take him into custody." Isabelle assured me, but my heart stopped at the sound of footsteps approaching me from behind.

"Who's that?" Jonathan, glamoured as Jace sounded from behind me, making me hang up immediately.

"Uh, Alec!" I chirped and stood up quickly. "Uh, he's checking on a report, but- I told him about your surprise, and he said to take the rest of the day off."

"I guess I owe him one." Jonathan handed me the water slowly. "Let's go-"

-

"Jace, for the last time-" I was trying my best to stall Jonathan. "Where are we going? Why all the secrecy?"

"If you really want me to, I'll ruin the surprise." Jonathan walked quickly. "There's a gallery I've read about full of artists I think you'll like, it's right up here-"

"Oh-" I tugged on his arm and forced him to stop. "I'm not- that- into art anymore. I read a lot more than I do draw- I don't know if it'd hold my interest very long-"

Jonathan stared at me for a few moments, scanning my face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm perfect." I lie. "Why?"

He points out. "You seem a little on edge."

"Let's just say." I trailed off slowly, staring at him. "My spidey senses are tingly."

He looked confused. "What?"

"Mundane reference." I inquired.

Then, I heard fast footsteps, my head snapping up to see Jace, Isabelle and another two Shadowhunters rounding the corner.

I immediately grabbed out my stele and knocked Jonathan to the ground, who deglamoured within seconds. "I thought we were enjoying our time together-"

I held my stele ready to draw the rune, but froze up when my eyes locked with Jonathan's.

I knew I needed to sedate him.

I knew I needed to take him to custody.

I knew this was my only chance.

"Zee, now!" I heard Isabelle's shout.

A signal.

This was our only shot.

But for some reason, I didn't act.

I remained frozen, as Jonathan, for a moment, couldn't help but smile at the sight of this.

Then he escaped right from underneath me, making me immediately stumble to my feet when I realized what had just happened.

"Are you okay?" Jace skid to a stop in front of me, out of breath. "You had him, Zee."

I was at a loss of words. "I know."

"What happened?" Isabelle questioned.

I looked at them. "I don't know."

-

"Alec's on his way back with an update about the Morning Star sword." Jace quietly told me when we walked into my room later that night, slowly shutting the door.

"Hopefully it's something useful." I didn't look up from my hands. "I can't believe I let him go."

"Well, try not to beat yourself up." Jace slowly came over to me and sat down next to me, nudging my shoulder with his lightly. "I couldn't kill Valentine, remember?"

"That's different, Jace." I mumbled. "And it's not even like I had to kill Jonathan, I just had to draw a rune- I had to sedate him so we could take him into custody and I blew it. I completely blew it-"

Then there was a deep silence between us for several minutes.

Jace was the one to break it. "When Jonathan was disguised as me, did he do anything to you?"

"He kissed me." I grimaced at the memory. "It felt so wrong- god, I should've figured it out sooner-"

Jace slowly grabbed my hand and held it tightly in his. "I'm so sorry- I should've fought him off-"

"It's not your fault." I felt tears start to burn in my eyes. "And you know, I don't even think I'm upset about it- I'm upset because he managed to interfere."

"I was so happy today." I wanted to burst into tears. "I mean- we were happy. You took my mind off everything- I felt- okay, really okay- for the first time since I got back. It was such a relief- and the only thought on my mind was how much- I loved you-"

"And then he showed up, took your face and ruined it." The tears in my eyes fell and my voice broke. "He ruined it all. He ruined my happiness-"

"We're gonna make this right, Zee." Jace's voice was low. "I swear on the Angel. I swear on us."

I looked at him, sniffling. "Why us?"

"Because there isn't anything I believe in more." Jace put a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I promise you, I will make it all go away one day. I promise, one day- he will not take your happiness again-"

I couldn't help but quietly sob, feeling him pull me into his side and hold me tightly as I hugged his middle and cried into his chest.

This felt right.

authors note:

their entire chapter— i loved it SO much.

i missed writing zace, they're so cute— and the moments they had in this chapter- sksksk

but, thank you so much for 54k !!

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