#parababros

Jace opens the window and mutters: -Knew I'd find you there,- beforethrowing a leg over the windowsill.

Alec glances at him, barely turning his head against the wall: -Don'tfall,- he says, sardonic.

Jace huffs and rolls his eyes, lands gracefully on the solidbalustrade and then hops into the balcony: -As if.

Alec smiles before turning his head again and closing his eyes. Asmall, unconscious smile is playing on his lips as he sighs.

Jace sits next to him, on the same uncomfortable block of stone thatprobably had an ornamental purpose at some point and rests his headagainst the wall; he turns to look at Alec: -Are you going to tell mewhat's making you so happy?

Alec's smile turns more self-aware: -Nope,- he says, popping the pbetween his lips.

-Oh, come on,-Jace protests, almost offended, -I'm your parabatai, I have to makesure you're not on drugs.

Alec raises a sceptical eyebrow athim.

Jace raises both his eyebrows toconvey his impatience.

Alec rolls his eyes and closes themagain, adjusting his back against the wall: -You're ridiculous.

Jace honest-to-God starts pokinghim, and Alec has to bat his hand away.

-You know I'll just go ask Izzy,right? She'll tell me.

Alec huffs: -She wouldn't. But,- heglances at Jace, -alright, I'll tell you.

Jace turns towards him, sittingcross-legged.

Alec shakes his head and closes hiseyes again, his head against the wall. -I told Magnus that I lovehim.

Warmth blossoms in the middle of hischest if he thinks about it.

-What, in the middle of thatmess?-Jace asks, his voice suggesting he's frowning.

Alec reaches out blindly to punchhim: -No. After. WhenI found him.

-Nice,-Jace says, a grin in his voice, -And he loves you back, obviously.

Alec glances briefly at him beforesaying: -Obviously,- quiet, a small smile on his lips.

-Can't think of anyone who'd deservethis happiness more than you,- Jace says, and he sounds so seriousand honest that Alec opens his eyes and turns his head to look athim. -You'll be okay too,- he says, unsure.

Jace waves his hand: -That's not thepoint I'm trying to make. What I wanted to say is – - he looks athim, stern, -I know you weren't happy for a long time. And I'm sorrythat I couldn't help you – that I was too distracted to. But at thesame time I'm happy that I didn't because you allowed Magnus to do itinstead.

Alec blinks.

Jace says: -And now I'll leave,because I feel like someone might cry.