He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
-Sun Tzu

***

"Stop that." Carter said, when Simon clicked the pocket knife closed again, only to take it back out and continue twirling it. He sighed, slumping back inside the car. "Sorry, I'm just nervous." he admitted and Carter huffed, leaning back in the drivers chair, sunglasses perched on his nose, even though it was nighttime. "And it's making me nervous. So stop, before I throw you out of the car." the agent said with a stern tone and Simon threw up his hands, disposing the pocket knife to the backseat. "I mean, how long does it take to come and kill someone? I would've thought that Valentine had eyes on Victor the moment he knew what was up. He must know he had been looking for him." Simon said and Carter sighed dramatically. He was beginning to think Carter didn't like him. Okay, so he knew the guy didn't like him. Still, what was he supposed to do, sit in silence? That's impossible for someone like Simon.

"Do you ever shut up? I don't know, okay? We just sit tight and wait. That's what a stake-out means. It could be hours, days even." Carter said and Simon groaned, perching his legs on the dashboard. "Legs off the dashboard." Carter said and Simon wondered if he had his eyes closed or open under those glasses. He removed them and with a painful stab in his chest realized, it had reminded him of home. Of Magnus, and how he always asked them to get their legs off the coffee table. He missed him and Alec. He missed Isabelle, mom, Rebecca and Luke and Jocelyn and their life back then. He missed Clary.

Another jolt went through him as he thought about his best friend. He couldn't wait for all of this to be over. Clary needed saving and Simon just hoped he'd be there in time. Carter reached over and took the water bottle from in between them, when Jace's voice filled his ears. "Hey, handsome. How's it going?" the blonde said through the earpiece and Simon chuckled. He saw Carter turn his head towards him a little and Simon motioned to the earpiece. "Is that you best pickup line? It was so lame, not even Alec would say that." he responded and saw Carter just slump back in his chair, staring out the window towards Aldertree's house, the lights still on in the kitchen at 11 p.m. "Yes he would, Alec is terrible at flirting." Jace replied swiftly and Simon rolled his eyes, a smile plastered ion his face. Jace hadn't been around his family for long, but he already knew a lot about them.  

"How's it looking?" Jace repeated and Simon sighed. "Nothing." he replied and heard Jace hum. "You tired? We can switch." he said and Simon bit his lip. "No, I'm fine." he said with some restraint and then there was silence, in which Simon smiled and waited. "You were gonna make a sex joke, weren't you?" Jace asked then and Simon let our a laugh. "Maybe." he smiled and heard Jace laugh. It calmed him to extent. "You're an idiot, Simon Lewis." Jace just said, but his voice sounded amused. Simon stretched out his legs, after being banned from the dashboard. "Just out of curiosity, what was the joke?" Jace asked and Simon smirked. "I was gonna say 'it's okay, babe, I don't mind being top.'" the brunette replied and while Jace roared out a laugh, Carter groaned next to him. "Stop. My ears are bleeding." he said and Simon clicked his tongue. "No one asked you to eavesdrop, Carter. Maybe, you just have a kink." he said helpfully and Carter's head turned to him in what Simon could only guess was a scowl.

"Careful, he might murder you, if you don't stop." Jace said and Simon shrugged, a smile on his lips. "I doubt that. He loves me too much." he replied, nudging Carter, who smacked hi shoulder pretty damn hard. "Ow." Simon pouted and he heard Jace laugh. "Is my pain amusing to you?" Simon asked and Jace snorted. Then, Simon saw something. The kitchen light flickered once, twice. Jace was still talking but Simon was paying no attention to it. He tapped at Carter's shoulder, who took off his glasses and glared at him, about to say something, but stopped when Simon nodded towards the house. "Isn't that the signal?" Simon asked, feeling the adrenaline kick in. "Simon?" Jace asked and Carter nodded, going to open the door. "They're here. We are moving now." Simon said quickly, grabbing the handle. "Be careful. We'll be there in 5." was all Jace said and then there was silence. Simon reached for his pocket knife, stashing it inside his combat boots and tucked the weapon inside the holster around his waist.

Carter was already waiting for him and together, they crouched towards the house. "They should be here any minute." Carter said, indicating Jace and Adam, but then there was a crash inside the kitchen. "There's no time." Simon said and, unceremoniously, kicked in the back door that led to the kitchen. Aldertree was pinned to the wall by a guy that looked like he could be into MMA fighting. Another guy was standing at the doorway opposite to them, gun raised. "Take cover!" Carter yelled and they both dived behind the couch, when the guy concealed himself behind the wall of the doorway. Simon peeked out and shot at the guy, just as he shot at them. He pulled back, glimpsing at Aldertree. The big guy had him in a vice-like grip and Simon could see Victor's face draining of color, quickly. Simon nodded to Carter, who looked towards the living room.

He nodded and started to sneak over there, while Simon distracted the shooter. The living room and kitchen were joined by both sides, in a circular fashion, so Carter could sneak up on the man while Simon pulled attention towards himself. The minute he heard the guy shout as Carter tackled him, he jumped out from behind the couch and raised his gun towards the guy. Only, the guy was no longer holding Victor. He must've heard the shot and let him slump down, because just as Simon raised his gun, the guy punched him so hard, he stumbled backwards and fell over the coffee table. Ouch, that's gonna sting, Simon thought as he touched his jaw. His gun was nowhere near in sight, knocked from his hand and the guy was hovering above him, one hadn coming down and pulling him up like he was a rag doll. Damn, this guy was huge. He also growled and Simon was pretty sure that's how he communicated generally. "Hey, let's talk about this-" Simon started and the guy threw him against a wall, where he crumbled to the floor. 

He glanced at Aldertree, who seemed to be passed out. He could hear gunshots and Carter shouting. He scrambled up and pt his fists up as the guy charged towards him. He punched him, square in the face. It didn't do a lot of good, though, only made the guy angry and his nose slightly bleeding. "Uh oh." Simon said, just before the guy kicked him in the stomach. He doubled over, finding it hard to breathe and the guy got his head into his grip and hit him with his knee. The pain was incredible. Being shot was painful and all, but at least he had passed out. This time, he didn't, so he could feel his nose cracking, his eye watering, the blood gushing out and his stomach was on fire. He looked up and saw the guy coming towards him, lips curled into a smile. He was already reading his last prayers when someone, no other than his boyfriend, tackled the guy. Well, more or less tried to, considering he just put his arms around the guy's neck from behind and strangled him.

Simon crumpled to the ground, barely seeing through the blood and tears. Jace was facing the guy now, his jaw turning purple, but he had his fists up as the guy screamed and went for him. Simon didn't really want to see his boyfriend in the same state as he was, but he couldn't exactly do anything about it. To his astonishment, though, Jace was much better trained than he was.

When the guy swung, Jace ducked and hit his chest, right in the spot that made you gasping for ear. He swung again, hitting him twice to the jaw and then dance behind him, hitting his kneecaps and the guy screamed in pain, going to his knees. When Jace held his head and kicked him in the face with his knee, the guy grunted and grabbed Jace by the legs, making hi fall over. The bug guy got on top of Jace and hit him, once, twice to the face, blood splattering. Simon felt the hard metal of his knife in his pocket, and he took it out, heaving himself on his feet. Practically blind, he got behind the guy just as he raised a fist.

"Do it, I dare you." he hissed, spitting blood, holding the knife to the guy's throat. The guy stilled, hand in a fist in the air and Simon saw Jace on the floor, spitting blood as well. He didn't look that bad though. He'd looked worse. Simon was pretty sure he was worse. He felt very dizzy, but his knife was steady. The guy held up his hands and Jace scrambled out from under him, producing handcuffs. "Hey, are you- holy hell, you look like crap." Adam said, coming in and holding the other man by his hands, cuffed behind his back. Carter was holding onto his arm, pressing a cloth against it and it was turning red, fast. "Yeah, and where were you? Beauty salon?" Jace spat and Adam rolled his eyes. "Check him." Jace then said, nodding to Aldertree. Carter went towards the passed out man, while Jace pulled up the big guy.

"Stay, big boy." he said, taking out his gun and wiggling it at him. The guy grumbled and Simon was more than convince he never learned how to speak. He let his knife clatter to the ground and Jace looked at him, alarmed. "Si?" he asked and then, he fell to his knees, feeling his vision blur. "I think I might be passing out." Simon said, drowsily and the last thing he remembered, was Jace's arms closing in around him.

***

He blinked. The light were obnoxiously bright and he tried his best to ignore them, trying to go back to sleep. The pillows were so soft-

"Where in the fuck-" he started and then he felt someone's hand on his. "Jace?" he asked, not opening his eyes, lest he get blinded again. "Sorry to disappoint, but no. I'm Amy." came a female voice and then, Simon could hear the bleeping of...

"I'm in a hospital? Again?" Simon asked and he heard the nurse tamper with the machines. "I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but yes, you're in a hospital. I'm your nurse. You've been out for about 2 hours." she continued and Simon, finally, opened his eyes. The curtains were half drawn and he could see the glass doors that led to the rest of the hospital from his room. He felt light and super drowsy. "You're not my Jace." he said, staring at the young woman checking the various tubes. Some of them were in his nose. They tickled. "No, but I'm sure he'll be here as soon as I've told him you're awake." Amy said, chuckling a little. She had blonde hair, like Jace's, but there were light pink striped in them and they were in a long ponytail, like Isabelle loved to wear. Her soft, green eyes were staring at him. Worriedly, she leaned in. "Hey, I have a boyfriend, you can't kiss me." Simon announced, trying to lift his hands, but they wouldn't budge.

"I'm just checking your injuries." Amy laughed, and her face swam before him. "What are you giving me and can I have more? I feel like I'm cotton candy." Simon drawled and the nurse laughed. "Yeah, I definitely have to reduce the morphine." she said and her fingers went over Simon's jaw. He could barely feel it. "Hold on, I'll page the doctor." Amy said and went away from his view. Simon stared at the ceiling. It started swimming before his eyes, like lines twisting and turning and he shut them quickly. Woah, trippy. There was a commotion and 'Lady, I'm his boyfriend-' and then someone's hand was on his. "Hey, I told you, I have a boyfriend. He'll be mad if you touch me." Simon said, trying to turn his head. 

"Simon? Babe, are you okay?" Jace asked and Simon blinked at him. He looked slightly worse than before, his jaw and cheek swollen and lip split, but his beautiful mismatched eyes were staring at him with worry. "Oh, hey angel. Is this the part where you take me to heaven?" Simon asked, in all seriousness and Jace stared at him in utter confusion. "Morphine." the nurse said and Simon laughed. "Yupppp- I'm feeling super duper." he said and Jace raised an eyebrow. "Super duper? Wow, you're high." the blonde laughed. Simon tried to pout, but his lip hurt. "Ow, that the fuck?" he said and his tongue darted out, trying to go over his lip ring. It wasn't there. "Oh yeah, they had to take that out. Your face is not looking very good." Jace explained and Simon pouted again.

"Excuse me, aren't you my boyfriend?" he asked and Jace shot him an incredulous look, nodding. "Well, then. Aren't you supposed to say I look hot no matter what?" he accused and saw Jace smirk. "Stop smirking, you little shit. Apologize." he said sternly and saw Jace bite his lip as to not laugh. "Okay, I'm sorry, baby. I think you're cute and adorable and perfect and I'm so glad you're alright." he said and Simon nodded. "That's better. Boy, you almost got yourself dumped there." he mused and stared at the ceiling again. It started spinning. "Jace?" he said, before it all went black again.

***

When Simon woke up again, Jace was sleeping next to him in an armchair. It had only been an hour, but he was exhausted, and after letting the nurses patch him up, he went straight to Simon. Now, he was just waiting for hi boyfriend to get down from his morphine trip. "Jace?" there was a groggy voice calling out and Jace stirred immediately, eyes searching the hospital bed where Simon was laying. He got up, ignoring the pain in his jaw and leg. His leg wound had started to hurt again, but he didn't have time to take the meds.

"Hey, baby. I'm here." Jace said, when he got to the edge of Simon's bed. He took his hand, brushing his thumb over his knuckles. Simon blinked up at him groggily, groaning. "I feel like I got run over by a bus." he announced, his voice hoarse and he coughed. Jace chuckled, taking the water glass from the nightstand and helping him drink it in small sips. Simon leaned his head back once he was done. His face looked - well, it looked terrible. He had a broken nose and it was all bandaged up, both of his cheeks were red and one of them was swollen, his lips were swollen and there was a cut in the place of the lip ring, probably why it had split in the first place - when the guy punched him, the lip ring cut into his lower lip. One of his eyes was swollen almost shut - even Jace's black-eye wasn't that bad.

Jace also knew that Simon's ribs were bruised and he had bandages around his stomach also. Seeing him like this made his blood boil and he had half the mind to go into the interrogations room where the culprit was being held and pull the trigger. He didn't, of course, mainly because they needed the information and also because he might go to jail for it. He also didn't want to leave Simon's side, not until he could walk out by himself. Simon tried sitting up, but winced in pain. "Easy, there. You're pretty banged up." Jace said, helping his boyfriend into a sitting position. The sheet fell off him, exposing his chest and stomach a little, showing the bandages. Simon touched them and winced again. "Wow, I'm guessing I look charming as ever." he announced and Jace laughed, leaning in and kissed his forehead, brushing away the brunette strand in the process.

"You're always gorgeous to me." Jace said and Simon smiled, but Jace could see he was in pain. "Do you want me to get the nurse? I'm sure they can up the morphine intake again just a little..." he trailed but Simon shook his head slightly. "No thanks, that was not a nice trip. I prefer weed anytime." he joked and Jace shook his own head, then, his hands going to Simon's sides, brushing them a little. He didn't dare touch him, in case he'd hurt Simon. The brown eyes were searching his and Jace looked up. "Did they at least get the guy? I mean, did you?" he asked and Jace nodded. "Yeah, he's in custody and they are giving him hell, right now. Carter got grazed by a bullet, but they patched him up and his running around the place. Aldertree is fine, bruises on his neck and has to wear a cast, but otherwise, just a little bit shaken. The other guy was tackled by Adam, after Carter shot him in the leg." Jace recapped and Simon nodded, eyes going around the room.

"What time is it?" he asked and Jace looked at the clock. It had been around 11-12 p.m. when Simon had told him that Aldertree had given the signal, that he was being attacked. Simon had been out for a total of 5 hours and it was nearing 7.30 a.m. now. "It's half past 7." Jace said and Simon's face fell a little. "I've been out all this time? Damn." he said and Jace shook his head. "What?" the brunette asked and Jace let out a breath. "I should've been there, earlier. It should've been me-" he said but then, he felt Simon's hand on his, gently squeezing. "Did you see that guy? He was like a fucking mountain on steroids. Not even Alec could've toppled that guy. And you did great, you got there just in time, didn't you?" he consoled and Jace felt his heart painfully constrict at the thought of not getting there in time. "I know, I know. It's just, you got up and pulled the knife on him, and for a second I thought you'll be alright, but then you fell down and blacked out..." Jace trailed off, feeling the lump in his throat and the tears in his eyes. He almost never cried, but he had cried more in the last month than he had in the whole spectrum of his lifetime.

"Hey, angel, come on. I'm fine. I mean, I look like Frankenstein, probably but you're not exactly better now, are you?" Simon said and this made Jace blurt out a laugh and Simon smiled. "See, I knew I could make you laugh again." he said proudly and Jace squeezed his fingers. "You're an ass." he said and Simon winked - well, tried to. It doesn't really work when one of the eyes is swollen shut anyways. That's just blinking, isn't it?

"I'm going to see if I can get you something to eat, some soup or something." Jace said, getting up, but the grip on his hand didn't loosen. "No, stay here, please. I'm not hungry anyways." Simon said and Jace sat down, sighing. "Simon..." he started, but the brunette let out a frustrated noise. "Fine, fine, I am, but just a few minutes, okay? I promise, I won't starve in the few minutes you'd take to cuddle with your boyfriend." Simon said. Jace shook his head, when Simon pointed to the bed. "Simon, you're in pain, your ribs are bruised. I'm not going to-" he started but Simon rolled his eyes - well, his eyes. "Jace, I'm asking you to just hold me. I know you'll be careful. Please?" Simon asked and the look on his face was just so - sad. Jace bit his lip, wincing a little since he forgot it hurt, and moved the blanket. He lay down, very gently, watching Simon's every move. "I'm not made of glass." Simon glumly said, when Jace's arms stayed to his sides. "I know. You're so much more stronger." Jace said gently, moving to his side and sliding his hand over Simon's stomach. 

"Is that okay?" Jace asked and Simon nodded. "Perfect." he said and closed his eyes. Jace let his head rest on the pillow, just next to Simon's and he could feel the heat radiating off him. "I smell, don't I?" Simon cringed and Jace laughed, pressing a kiss onto his shoulder. "Yeah, it's terrible, I might be sick." he said and Simon elbowed him. "Hey!" he protested and Simon snorted. "You deserved it." he said and Jace hummed, moving closer and letting his other hand move under Simon, so he could wrap him in an embrace. Simon winced and Jace immediately stilled. "I'm fine, babe, stop worrying." Simon said snappily and Jace couldn't fight the smile. "So bossy." he said, gently drawing circles on the bandages covering Simon's stomach and chest all around.

A few minutes passed and Simon was quiet. Then, he shifted a little and turned to his back and Jace looked down on him. The brown eyes were glistening with tears. "Simon?" Jace asked and leaned down to kiss his cheek. Simon too a shuddering breath and the laughed. "Sorry, I was just thinking." he said and Jace scrunched an eyebrow. "Tell me about it." he pleaded and Simon swallowed. "I just miss everyone. Back home. I didn't want to say this to you after our last talk, but it's the truth." he said and Jace's heart sank a little. Simon was afraid to tell him how he was feeling, just because he was constantly thinking that Simon might leave him? "Simon, I never want you to think you can't talk to me. Our last talk... It's still true, everything we said, but that doesn't mean you should be scared of telling me how you feel." he said, gently wiping at the tears on Simon's injured face.

"I know. And it doesn't mean that I lied, either. I still mean it, I want to be with you and I want to be here - it's just that I miss them, that's all." Simon said and Jace nodded leaning back, too. They stared at the ceiling and then Simon snorted. "Remember when Becky was over and we watched a movie? You two started a popcorn war." he said and Jace nodded, smiling at that. "Yeah, because we were watching star wars and it was more interesting to throw popcorn." he said and Simon hit his arm. "That's one of my favorites." he said and Jace laughed. "I know that. That's why it was funny." he said. Simon made a disapproving noise. "I also know that you're favorite color is black. And that you sometime like painting your nails that color. And that your favorite food is pie, but you have no clue how to bake one. And you always put too much salt into your food, but you say you like it. You don't like very spicy things, but sometimes, you order it anyway, just see if maybe, this time, you do like it." Jace said, words flowing out quietly.

Simon was still, staring up at him, but Jace's eyes were on the beeping machines. "You also want to get a tattoo on your arm that says 'May the force be with you', but Rebecca talks you out of it every time. You also love to have movie night with your friends, because even though they all mock your taste in movies, they always end up watching what you want to watch. You like to wear colorful and quirky socks when you're indoors, but never wear them outside. You like the sound of rain on the window pane. You always have toast for breakfast, and if you don't, you're grumpy all day. You've had your guitar for more than 12 years and it was your dads." Jace said and Simon's hand went up to his cheek, making him look at his boyfriend. Jace blinked, smiling and saw that Simon was wearing the most adorable smile, injuries or not.

"I can't believe you know all that." Simon said, voice quivering a little. "Of course I do. You're my boyfriend, but you're also the love of my life. I don't care what others may say, but you're endgame for me, Simon. I'm never letting you go again." Jace said and Simon chuckled, making a strangled noise. "Did you just make an avengers reference?" he asked and Jace leaned in, pressing a kiss on the tip of his nose. "And what if I did?" he asked and Simon sighed happily, his hands in Jace's hair. "I love you so fucking much." he just said and Jace smiled. He went to peck Simon's lips softly, but Simon pulled him closer, kissing him thoroughly. Jace forgot about the injuries for a split second, melting into it, welcoming the feeling with which Simon kissed him.

Then, the brunette made a pained noise and Jace's eyes snapped open, pulling back instantly. "Simon, are you alright?" he asked immediately. "I'm fine, get back here." Simon said, pouting. Jace chuckled. "No, baby. No kissing until you're better." he said, wagging his finger and Simon made a protesting noise. "No buts." Jace added, and got up. Simon crossed his hands, glaring at him. "I'm getting that soup for you." Jace said then, kissing his forehead and slipped out of the comfort of the bed and Simon.

"You're so mean. I'm sick, you should be nice to me." Simon said, insulted and Jace laughed, putting on his shoes. "I am! I'm taking care of you, I don't need you to get hurt because I couldn't stop kissing you." he said brightly. Simon made a noise and exhaled. "I'm in hell." he said and Jace snorted. "You have sinned enough to be there, that's true." he joked. On his way out, he ducked the pillow that was being thrown his way, laughter still bubbling in his chest.

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A/N: Sorry this was shorter than the last ones, but it's sort of a filler one. Thanks for reading and still sticking with me, I promise it'll get even more interesting and more action-based soon!! xx