A quiet date [Clary]

Central Park was the only place Jonathan could stand in New York. He adjusted the dark cloak he was wearing, his lips pressing into a thin line He knew he didn’t hate New York as much as he pretended too; in fact he was quite enjoying his time here. There was a certain —undertone— that he appreciated. A darkness that permeated everything, visible only to those who knew where to look for it. But he wasn’t searching for the occult, not this time around; this time he was following his siblings.

He’d been waiting for a moment to meet up with them, but they never left the institute without their little entourage of followers, the lightwoods, other unnamed shadowhunters, and occasionally, Jocelyn Fairchild and that monstrosity Lucian Graymark. But this time he’d managed to catch them out alone, and he’d followed them ever since. He hadn’t stayed close enough to hear them, so he hadn’t had to suffer through their ridiculous romantic exchanges, until now.

“Jace it’s beautiful!” Came Clary’s shrill voice. He hated the way she talked to Jace, he much preferred the almost growling angry tone that she seemed to reserve for him. His fists clenched when she kissed Jace before taking off into the meadow. His eyes followed her, and he was dimly aware of Jace doing this same thing in front of him.

“I had some help,” Jace said, and Sebastian’s eyes glanced toward him involuntarily. He seemed almost happy, but he was watching Clary with the same insecurity he always did, like he wasn’t quite sure she was real, that she was really here. He’d seen that expression the first time He’d met Jace and every time since. That was what he hated the most about him, the way his vulnerability; his weakness seemed to permeate around him so that everyone could feel it. And now the feeling was almost stifling.

And Clary, she looked almost like a faerie, the way she was staring around at the clearing as though it were the most beautiful scene in the world. It was, Sebastian realized, probably a touching scene. The perfect date. Two beautiful people, surrounded by a beautiful clearing, the sun streaming in enough to cast a warm glow across the soft grass. A sanctuary. Secluded form the rest of the world, a chance to be free of everything that plagued them. A chance to be free of him, or so they thought.

A wicked grin snaked across his features, his dark eyes like fire as he darted quickly and silently to the side, lucky for him Clary was still too caught up in this meadow too notice her distance from Jace. A distant that was great enough that he could nab Clary before he could reach her. He moved until he could see her profile. She looked good, with the sun catching her pale skin, and her hair… in the sun it looked like fire. He darted forward, reaching her in a second, his arm reaching out to snake around her waist and drag her toward him.