#gooooosh

Alec sits on the stationary bicycle, barely moving the pedals. He’s more just here to check in than to actually work out, since the training room in Idris has far better equipment anyway. He looks over at Jace, smiling. He shows up to Jace’s gym every once in awhile, just to make sure he’s doing okay. And just as always, his former parabatai is thriving. 

“Do you ever regret it?” Alec asks, his brows wrinkling. His stomach sinks unpleasantly as he waits. 

After the Angels took Clary’s memories, Jace made a decision. At the time it hurt like hell, but Alec was there to hold his hand as they removed rune after rune, he was there when Magnus gave him an account with his name on it, a new ID and everything else he would need to live as a mundane. Alec was the last one to hug Jace goodbye, both of them with tears in their eyes. 

Every single day he misses his parabatai, feeling his absence like a missing limb. But everyday it gets better. Grows to be manageable. He’s felt Jace die twice now, and by the Angel, he’s not looking forward to when it happens a third time. 

“I don’t. Not even a little,” Jace answers with a wide smile. “Our life is so good. She makes me happy every single day. Even when she’s being the annoying little shit you remember.”

Alec snort, shaking his head. “Sounds about right.”

“And it’s not like I never get to see you. Sometimes I miss the others. Like Simon and Raphael. But I’m happy.”

“Good. I’m happy, too.”

“Do you?” Jace asks, tilting his head towards Alec. “Regret it?”

Alec looks away from Jace’s eyes towards the mirror in front of them. Now that he really looks he can see the way Jace’s hair is thinning, wrinkles forming at his eyes and lips that Alec doesn’t have. Jace is getting older while Alec is staying the same. 

“No,” he answers. “He’s my one. Just like Clary is yours.”

Jace nods in understanding. They continue to work out in silence, comfortable just to be. 

“Big plans for tonight,” Alec finally asks. 

“Mhmm,” Jace hums. “Kids are all coming home to celebrate my birthday. It’s not everyday you turn the big five oh.”

Alec nods along as Jace tells him story after story about the kids and how they’re all doing. Alec’s chest aches for his friends, misses him more than ever, misses being a part of his life. But at the same time, he’s overcome with joy. Jace is living life to the fullest, surrounded by love. It’s all he could ever want for his parabatai.