"Well, how are you gonna get back in the institute?" Jace asked worried that they would get caught. "We'll go in the back. They won't bother us if it's just us two." Alec assured but Jace didn't seem so sure. "Okay, good. Go." He sighed reluctantly because while he was worried they'd get caught he was also hoping they would get their Alec and Arya dynamic back while they were together alone.

"Hey, I understand what we need to do. And I trust you parabatai but don't ever doubt me. No matter what I said. Not about this and seriously—you can't talk to me about girls." He grumbled lowly and with a smirk at the end.

"It's already forgotten." Jace grinned and they did a little hand thing. "I'll see you at dawn," Jace assured.

"At dawn." Alec guaranteed before the pair left for the institute—leaving just Clary and Jace.

✧

Arya and Alec quickly slipped through the institute back door. Alec scanned his hand but neither bothered to share any words as they made their way over to the weapons depot. Alec grabbed his bow and arrows while Arya grabbed her naginata. They silently walked over to the table and Arya hopped on top of it while Alec leant against it.

He picked up one of the Arrows and started to rune it with his stele. Arya watched as he did it with an intense focus on what he was doing. His fingers working slowly to run it up and down the arrow. Arya was momentarily entranced until she decided to help.

She picked up one of the arrows and began to do the same thing as Alec. He looked up at her without raising his head "What are you doing?" He asked her gently. "What do you think?" She mumbled, continuing, leaving a trail of amber up the arrow. He nodded and then continued.

"Alec. Arya." They heard the voice of Hodge say making them both jump. Arya put the arrow down and hopped off the table, standing beside Alec. "Didn't know you two were here," Hs said suspiciously, taking a sip from his mug of coffee.

"Oh, yeah...we—uh—" Alec tried and failed to come up with an excuse.

"Don't tell me. I don't want to have to report you." Hodge glowered at them and Arya felt uncomfortable as it was. "It's just that, Clary...you know—" Alec explained.

"That girl. Is valentines—" He tried to say but they could both see and hear the circle rune on his neck searing his skin while he let out a groan in pain. "The monsters daughter." He corrected so he didn't get burned again. "There must be some reason why the roaches are coming out of the woodwork again, right? He sighed. "I'll leave you to it."

"Hodge?" Alec called before he had a chance to fully walk away. "Thank you," Alec said with a smile and the man nodded and weakly smiled back. "You remind me of me, Alec." The man said vaguely. "A loyal friend standing in the shadow of the chosen one." He said and Alec scoffed while Arya frowned at what he was implying. "Hey..." Hodge grumbled, slapping his hand on Alec's shoulder. "Don't make the same mistakes I did. Look where it got me." Hs warned.

Arya noticed the look on Alec's face once he turned back to the arrows. "Alec..." Arya muttered, using her hand to gently cup and turn Alec's face towards her. "That's not true you know." She told him honestly. "At least I don't think so if that means anything at all to you." She added but had no idea the effect she was having on the shadow hunter. If they hadn't been in the institute he could have and wanted to kiss her right there and then.

"It does. It means something." He assured. Holding her hand against his hand against her cheek before lifting it off and kissing the back of it before they both turned back to the runes, trying to conceal the smiles on their lips.

✧

So, this is the first half of chapter 3 because so much happens in that episode I've had to split it into two. I'm pretty busy tomorrow so I won't be posting but I definitely will the day after.

I hope you liked this chapter. I'm still trying to come up with a ship name for them but I'm struggling so comment some if you think of one!

They had quite a few moments in this episode and we got to find out more about what Arya's been up to with a certain vampire 😉

Anywho, vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and have a great evening and day <3

Xoxo-LCC

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