{"id":1835,"date":"2017-12-26T16:43:55","date_gmt":"2017-12-26T14:43:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/?p=1835"},"modified":"2017-12-26T16:43:55","modified_gmt":"2017-12-26T14:43:55","slug":"once-upon-a-honeymoon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/once-upon-a-honeymoon\/","title":{"rendered":"Once Upon a Honeymoon"},"content":{"rendered":"
This entry is in the series Shadowhunter AUs<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Author's Note<\/strong>: Just a fluffy pinch hit for the Jalec Secret Santa. Hope you like it, Nanda! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Inspired by your wish for a friends-to-lovers and fake boyfriend au, as well as this prompt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe you almost got married!\u201d Jace wasn\u2019t surprised at all to find Alec up on the roof of the Lightwood\u2019s apartment building. That\u2019s where both of them came to hide out, so when his oldest friend disappeared in the wake of his disastrous almost-wedding Jace knew exactly where to find him. He was sitting on the ledge, long legs dangling over the street below, and Jace sat down next to him. He pulled him a little further back, just for his peace of mind, and elbowed him gently. \u201cYou could have said something before, like when I asked you last night, you know that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec was wearing his wedding suit and a sheepish expression, and he was avoiding Jace\u2019s eyes, preferring to stare at his hands as if he could see the ring that had almost graced his ring finger forever. Finally he replied in a subdued tone, \u201cYeah, I know. I\u2019m not sure how it all go so out of hand. Lydia deserved better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s<\/em> what you\u2019re thinking of - Lydia, not your big coming out? By the way, are you and Magnus a thing now?\u201d Despite his best efforts Jace\u2019s voice betrayed the annoyance that welled up in him whenever he thought of the urbane lawyer who had pursued Alec so single-mindedly from the moment they met. He couldn\u2019t help it, though, as far as he was concerned Alec had been fine, they<\/em> had been fine until Magnus Bane came into their life. <\/p>\n

Jace firmly squashed the small voice in the back of his head that whispered that Alec had in fact been far from fine, hiding a part of himself for fear of what his parents and people in general would say. Alec had always borne the brunt of the expectations that came with being a Lightwood, heir to one of the oldest political families in New York.<\/p>\n

Jace suppressed a snort of ill-timed laughter, remembering the look on Maryse and Robert\u2019s faces when their son chose his wedding, a big society event Izzy had carefully planned for her brother in spite of her obvious misgivings, to burst out of the closet in a big show. Alec never did things by half once he\u2019d put his mind to them, and kissing Magnus Bane in front of everyone certainly qualified. This reminded Jace that Alec still hadn\u2019t answered his question, lost in his own head, and he impulsively pulled him into a one-armed embrace. After a second\u2019s hesitation Alec sacked against his side, at least some of that pent-up tension leaving him in a big sigh. <\/p>\n

\u201cI.. don\u2019t know. I mean, I barely know him.\u201d Alec\u2019s cheek were burning red, and he wasn\u2019t meeting Jace\u2019s eyes, but at least he was talking, and Jace gave him an encouraging squeeze. \u201cIt all just came together... I was standing there at the altar, next to Lydia looking so beautiful and happy in her wedding gown, and when you handed me the ring I knew was that I\u2019d made a horrible mistake. Only I had no idea how to get out of it, and then the church door opened and he<\/em> came in, like something out of a movie, and suddenly I knew what I had to do. Even if it means that mom and dad will disown me now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, no,\u201d Jace interjected quickly. \u201cThey were shocked, yes, but they\u2019re not bigots, they won\u2019t hate you for being gay.\u201d <\/p>\n

Alec laughed joylessly. \u201cOh, no, not the gay thing, it\u2019s the scandal they won\u2019t forgive me for. I embarrassed them in front of all those important people, some of whom doubtlessly took pictures that they will happily leak to the press.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was a fair assumption, Jace knew, but nevertheless he replied reassuringly, \u201cIt\u2019s just today\u2019s headline, they\u2019ll get excited over something else tomorrow. Just\u2026 lie low for a bit, and it\u2019ll pass, you\u2019ll see.\u201d Alec was looking so dejected, Jace desperately cast around for something to lighten his mood. \u201cI know - you should go on your honeymoon! You\u2019ve already booked the cruise, it\u2019d be a pity to let it go to waste.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on a honeymoon cruise by myself, are you serious?\u201d Alec gave him a pointed look, the one reserved for Jace\u2019s more outlandish plans.<\/p>\n

But Jace was getting excited and waved him off airily. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to go by yourself. Actually, it\u2019d be better if you take someone, no one will suspect that you were supposed to take another person, and it\u2019d throw off any nosy journalists.\u201d He paused, wondering for the first time since he could remember if he was crossing a line but quickly shrugged it off. This was Alec, whose parents had basically raised him, and Jace only had his best interests at heart, so he added, \u201cIt can\u2019t be Magnus, though, he\u2019s too\u2026 obvious<\/em>, especially once the tabloids post those pictures of your kiss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tilting his head, Alec looked at him consideringly, and Jace felt strangely as if he\u2019d been caught doing something illicit, before his friend huffed a small laugh. \u201cJust admit it, Jace - you<\/em> just want to go on my honeymoon with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Which was how Jace ended up on a plane to Florida the next day, a disgruntled Alec in tow. After grabbing some clothes Alec had spent the night at Jace\u2019s, hiding from his family as well as the paparazzi, which turned out to have been a good idea because the cover photo of the local scandal rag was a close-up of Alec kissing the living daylights out of Magnus Bane. <\/p>\n

\u201cAt least it\u2019s below the fold - and I must say, it looks hot!\u201d Sprawled in his first-class seat Jace couldn\u2019t stop looking at the image, although he knew it was driving Alec crazy. Jace had been there when it happened, but he\u2019d been too shocked to properly appreciate the sight of his best friend hauling Magnus Bane close and planting one on him. The image caught it all - the contrast of Alec in his white wedding jacket, Magnus darker-skinned and dressed in shimmery black, the curl of Alec\u2019s finger in Magnus\u2019 collar, the way his mouth slanted perfectly over the shorter man\u2019s lips, both their eyes closed as if they were alone in the moment. Tilting his head consideringly, Jace wondered out loud, \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever seen you kiss anyone, like, ever<\/em>. But you sure look like you know what you\u2019re doing\u2026 Have you been holding out on me?\u201d<\/p>\n

The moment the words left his mouth, he cringed, and the look Alec gave him was suitably unimpressed. \u201cNot everyone enjoys casual sex, Jace.\u201d Alec\u2019s eyes slid away from him, face darkening although he kept his voice carefully even. \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t exactly have a nice boy to bring home to mom and dad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, and I\u2019m sorry.\u201d Impulsively, Jace covered Alec\u2019s hand on the armrest between them with his own. \u201cI\u2019ll stop bringing it up. I just feel so horrible because you didn\u2019t feel that you could come to me with this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec was still staring sightlessly out the window at the sun-drenched clouds below them, and his hand twitched as if he was about to pull away, but Jace didn\u2019t let him, tightening his hold. Finally, Alec sighed and turned his palm up, interlacing their fingers and squeezing lightly. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t your fault, Jace. It was just\u2026 not something I was comfortable talking about. With anyone. Although Izzy knew.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jace felt as if a burden had lifted, and he chuckled, \u201cWell yeah, but she\u2019s Izzy<\/em>.\u201d Sobering, he squeezed Alec\u2019s hand and added, \u201cNo more secrets from now on, though, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec\u2019s face was unreadable, and for a moment Jace wondered what he was thinking, but then he narrowed his eyes and gave him a small smile, nodding. \u201cAlright. But only if you stop mentioning the wedding, the kiss and Magnus.\u201d<\/p>\n

They looked at each other, hands still interlocked, and for some reason Jace felt his skin beginning to tingle as he found himself unable to look away from Alec\u2019s eyes, which seemed more green than normal in the sunlight streaming in from the window. Before either one of them found any words to break the strange tension, they were interrupted by the flight attendant, a middle-aged woman with a bright smile. \u201cWould you like some champagne?\u201d <\/p>\n

They both jumped, and she apologized, \u201cOh, I\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t mean to interrupt.\u201d Lowering her voice she added conspiratorially, \u201cMy son and his husband are the same. We like to tease that they wouldn\u2019t notice fireworks going off next to them. Are you going on vacation?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec opened his mouth, probably to protest the woman\u2019s assumption, but Jace was faster, giving Alec a sugary smile that made his friend visibly grind his teeth. \u201cHoneymoon, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

The flight attendant almost melted, gushing over them like a well-meaning aunt, and Jace struggled to keep from bursting into laughter, while Alec was glowering at them both, although he did manage a barely polite smile in response to the congratulations. A part of Jace was beginning to feel just a tiny bit guilty, but not enough to relinquish his hold on Alec\u2019s hand, which doubtlessly had been what led the woman to jump to her mistaken conclusion.<\/p>\n

The moment she turned away, however, Alec reclaimed his hand decisively, hissing, \u201cWhat the hell, Jace?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw, c\u2019mon, I\u2019m just practising,\u201d Jace protested guilelessly, almost reaching out to pat Alec\u2019s cheek but checking himself at the last minute. Alec seemed genuinely upset, which confused Jace, because Alec usually quite enjoyed playing the straight man to Jace\u2019s outrageousness.<\/p>\n

Then Alec seemed to catch himself, raising his eyebrow with his familiar expression of fond exasperation. \u201cYou were actually serious about pretending to be husbands to throw people off the scent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yeah.\u201d Jace shrugged, donning his best bullshitting smile because suddenly he wasn\u2019t 100% sure of his reasoning anymore. \u201cTwo friends on a honeymoon, people would get curious. So consider this my not-wedding present to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, if you say so\u2026\u201d Alec didn\u2019t look completely convinced, but appeared willing to go along with it for the time being if his half-smirk was any indication. \u201cBut you\u2019re the one who gets to sleep on the couch.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

They reached the luxury cruise liner that would take them around the Caribbean without further incidents, if you didn\u2019t count the flush of warmth that unaccountably spread through Jace when the stewart addressed him embarrassedly, \u201cMr.<\/em> Lightwood, please accept our sincere apologies, we were under the impression that\u2026 well, that you were a woman.\u201d <\/p>\n

Out of the corner of his eye Jace could see Alec hold back a laugh and a million snarky comebacks sprang to his mind, but the stewart was so apologetic, in the end Jace settled on a polite smile and accepted the man\u2019s assurance that they would of course change all documentation from \u2018Mrs.\u2019 to \u2018Mr.\u2019 immediately. \u201cPlease, believe me when I say that Star Cruises couldn\u2019t be happier you chose us for your honeymoon. Our company follows strict equal rights policies, and no discrimination of any kind will be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n

The stewart was so busy bending over backwards to make up for an error that he was entirely innocent of, Alec barely managed to usher him out of their room. They\u2019d been upgraded as an apology, and the moment the door closed, Jace began rummaging around the luxurious stateroom like an excited kid, while Alec quickly and efficiently unpacked both their bags. \u201cI\u2019ll put your stuff with mine, so the cleaning staff won\u2019t be suspicious,\u201d he explained, obviously resigned to their subterfuge now. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to remember to put the couch back every morning. After all of this, it simply wouldn\u2019t do for them to find out the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jace\u2019s laughter brought him into the bathroom, where Jace showed him the discrete gift basket he\u2019d found there. At the sight of various sizes of condoms, flavored lubes, gag handcuffs and even a chic stainless steel vibrator, Alec flushed so bright, it made Jace wonder how far down it went. He immediately checked himself, blaming his reaction squarely on the sex paraphernalia in his hand. Putting the stuff down, he cleared his throat and teased, \u201cAww, it\u2019s so nice of them to provide us with everything we might need in our wedding night! But seriously, from your reaction one would think you\u2019d never had sex\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Still blushing, Alec\u2019s eyes darkened in a sudden burst of such pained anger Jace involuntarily took a step back. Was it possible\u2026 He asked in a small voice, \u201cShit, Alec, did I just put my foot in it again? Have you had\u2026 I mean, at least with a woman?\u201d<\/p>\n

Somewhat placated by Jace\u2019s obvious dismay, Alec avoided his eyes as he bitterly repeated his statement from the other day, \u201cNot everyone is interested in casual sex, Jace.\u201d His voice softened, but Jace could see the way he clenched his fists, nails probably digging painfully into his palms. \u201cI just never\u2026 and certainly not a girl. Lydia understood, I think, and she was okay with it, although we would have been expected to have children at some point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh.<\/em> For the second time in 24 hours Jace felt as if he didn\u2019t know his best friend at all. What else had Alec felt the need to hide? Impulsively he reached out and pulled Alec into a hug. At first the taller man remained stiff, unresponsive, but then he practically melted against Jace, and they just stood there for a long moment, neither one of them feeling the need to talk or slap each other\u2019s backs in a manly fashion. It felt\u2026 good, right<\/em>, and Jace was almost disappointed when Alec stepped back. Still, he managed a smile and said lightly, \u201cWell, whatever makes you happy. And now, let\u2019s go up, the ship\u2019s about to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

The rest of the evening passed in a more relaxed fashion. They watched Miami harbor retreat into the distance from one of the upper decks, followed by an excellent dinner in one of the many restaurants, chatting companionably about the itinerary and the activities they could try. The ship even had an archery range, which made Alec\u2019s eyes shine with excitement and Jace tease him fondly about that time when they were kids, when Alec hadn\u2019t wanted to play anything except Hawkeye and the Avengers for three months straight.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if I remember correctly you and Izzy had plenty of fun pretending to be Captain America and Black Widow,\u201d Alec responded, grinning widely. \u201cI\u2019ll never forget all the windows you broke trying to get that frisbee to return to you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean I tried? I succeeded at least half of the time!\u201d Jace pretended to be offended, then added with a smile, \u201cReally, though, with me being Steve, you should have been Bucky, my faithful sidekick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSidekick?\u201d Alec protested. \u201cI\u2019m not your sidekick, thank you very much! And I\u2019ll take a bow over a sniper rifle any day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee, Bucky always said he wasn\u2019t a sidekick either,\u201d Jace laughed, only to wince when Alec kicked him under the table. He kicked back, and soon they were both laughing hysterically, their surroundings forgotten.<\/p>\n

\u201cChildhood sweethearts?\u201d A friendly voice brought them back to earth, and they faced the older couple at the next table. The woman with friendly gray-blue eyes was smiling maternally at them, and Jace remembered with a sudden start that they were supposed to be on their honeymoon.<\/p>\n

Schooling his face into what he hoped was a suitably sappy expression and took Alec\u2019s hand. \u201cYes, we grew up together. Best friends through thick and thin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo when did you fall in love, if you don\u2019t mind my asking?\u201d the woman asked curiously, and Jace and Alec exchanged a quick glance. They really should have made up a suitable backstory, Jace thought, only to be surprised by Alec turning his palm upwards and entangling their fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, for me it was early. I can barely remember a time when I wasn\u2019t<\/em> in love with him,\u201d Alec declared simply. His hazel eyes rested on Jace with such emotion, Jace wasn\u2019t surprised at all that the couple seemed to melt. Jace himself felt rather warm under the collar, and he had to remind himself that it was just an act. <\/p>\n

Clearing his throat, he managed to say, \u201cIt took me a bit longer.\u201d Once he\u2019d started, however, the words seemed to tumble out of his mouth easily. \u201cI\u2019d been raised to consider love weakness, you see, so I had problems letting myself see how much Alec really means to me. And then he started seeing someone else, probably tired of waiting for me to get a clue, and I simply knew.\u201d <\/p>\n

Pausing, Jace met Alec\u2019s eyes, which were wide with surprise, obviously not having expected Jace to go into quite so much detail. Still, Jace couldn\u2019t stop himself from adding, \u201cI knew I couldn\u2019t lose him, that he means everything<\/em> to me.. Plus, just look at him!\u201d <\/p>\n

His smirk felt strangely forced, which luckily no one else seemed to notice. The couple was practically cooing, and Alec had dropped his gaze to the table, ears red. He\u2019d never been able to take a compliment, something that never failed to boggle Jace\u2019s mind, considering how hot Alec was. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just so wonderful to see young love,\u201d the smiling woman interrupted the weirdly charged atmosphere. \u201cMy husband, Jem, and I also knew each other when we were young, but we took some detours along the way before finding each other again. I\u2019m Tessa, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since Alec appeared lost in thought, Jace made the appropriate small talk responses, trying not to notice that Alec had snatched his hand back. The rest of the dinner most of his attention was taken up listening to the rather fascinating tale of Tessa and Jem\u2019s disrupted courtship and eventual marriage, and Jace found himself feeling almost wistful in light of their obvious love and devotion to one another. <\/p>\n

He\u2019d never even considered marriage for himself, unable to see himself sharing his life with anyone in that manner. Shooting Alec a quick glance, he realized that all he knew for certain when he imagined his old age was that Alec, and the rest of the Lightwoods, would still be in his life.<\/p>\n

Right then Alec made a small sound, and for a startled second Jace wondered whether he\u2019d read his mind, only to realize that it was a reaction to Jace apparently having absentmindedly agreed for them to accompany Tessa and Jem in the ballroom. Catching Alec\u2019s eye, Jace mouthed, \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec shrugged with a quirk of his mouth, letting Jace know that he was forgiven. Still, when they got up, he rested his hand on the small of Jace\u2019s back, using their proximity to whisper, \u201cDancing, Jace, really? You are aware that they\u2019ll insist we dance together, and neither one of us knows how to follow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking up at Alec with a laugh, Jace patted his cheek patronisingly. \u201cThat\u2019s what you\u2019re worried about? Just\u2026 lead and I\u2019ll do the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes that mean you\u2019re the woman in this relationship?\u201d Alec teased, his hand still lying warmly right above the curve of Jace\u2019s butt as they followed their new friends.<\/p>\n

Jace elbowed Alec in mock-outrage. \u201cAlec Lightwood, hand in your gay card immediately! We don't conform to heteronormative standards around here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww, are you feeling threatened in your masculinity, Mr. Lightwood<\/em>?\u201d Alec rolled his eyes at him, and they bickered companionably back and forth until they reached the ballroom. It was almost like always, except that Jace kept leaning into Alec, ostensibly so no one could hear, but mostly because he couldn\u2019t help but enjoy Alec\u2019s nearness. <\/p>\n

He always had, from the first time he\u2019d let a 12-year-old Alec Lightwood stroke his back when he woke from another nightmare of the man he\u2019d thought was his father dying. Being held by Alec meant comfort, meant home, and Jace didn\u2019t hesitate to follow Tessa and Jem onto the dancefloor, resting one arm on Alec\u2019s shoulder and using his free hand to move Alec\u2019s arm around his waist.<\/p>\n

After a moment\u2019s hesitation Alec complied, wrapping Jace in his arms. His face was dark, however, and Jace poked him gently, inquiring, \u201cYou okay? We don\u2019t have to do this, we can always tell them we\u2019d rather go back to our cabin.\u201d He waggled his eyebrows exaggeratedly. \u201cThey do think we\u2019re on our honeymoon, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec shook his head mutely, and instead of taking Jace up on the offered out, he actually tightened his hold on Jace. Shrugging, Jace went along with it, his head fitting perfectly into the crook of Alec\u2019s neck as they began to sway to the slow song that was playing. He\u2019d never felt this comfortable dancing so intimately with anyone before, and he wondered whether this was what girls felt when he held them, only to discard the idea. It wasn\u2019t the position, it was that it was Alec, who he\u2019d always felt more comfortable with than with anyone, girl or boy. Next to them Jem, dancing with his wife as if they were on their honeymoon as well, was smiling at them fondly, and Jace smiled back before closing his eyes. <\/p>\n

When the song transitioned into a faster one, Alec stopped moving, and Jace opened his eyes again reluctantly, feeling as if he waking from a lovely dream. Alec was regarding him with an inscrutable look in his eyes, and under its weight the relaxation Jace had felt disappeared, even before Alec asked in a low, conflicted voice, \u201cJace, what are we doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Jace asked, but Alec tightened his jaw and he knew that he wouldn\u2019t let him dissemble. Sighing, he decided on raw honesty, although it came out sounding almost timid: \u201cHonestly, I don\u2019t know. But it feels right, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked up at Alec hopefully, unsure what reaction exactly he was hoping for, only knowing that Alec still hadn\u2019t let go of him - and that he didn\u2019t want him to. They were so close together, he could feel Alec taking a steadying breath before replying hoarsely, \u201cIt does.\u201d Obviously seeing the relief that flashed through Jace, he shook his head quickly. \u201cBut I can\u2019t do this, Jace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Jace asked, carding his fingers through the hair at the back of Alec\u2019s neck. \u201cYou can\u2019t think that it\u2019d ruin our friendship. We\u2019re too strong for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec\u2019s eyes were wide, vulnerable, and his body was tense like a bowstring. \u201cOf course we\u2019d always be friends, but I can\u2019t be a notch on your bedpost. I\u2026 I couldn\u2019t bear it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh.<\/em> Jace realized he was staring, mouth open. Then, without thinking, he pushed himself up and let his lips collide with Alec\u2019s. A huff of surprise escaped the taller man, before he began to respond, kissing Jace with such urgency, Jace\u2019s knees buckled under the onslaught. He clung to Alec and gave back as good as he got, feeling passion surge through him, his skin tingling at every point their bodies touched.<\/p>\n

The next moment Alec tore himself away, looking at Jace with such betrayal it felt like an icy shower. \u201cWhy -- why would you do that? I told you, I can\u2019t<\/em>\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

With that he whirled around and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Jace standing there, feeling cold and small and wondering what the hell had just happened. A tap on the shoulder made him flinch, and he barely managed to school his features as he faced Tessa\u2019s worried curiosity.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo after him,\u201d she urged him, eyes disconcertingly acute. \u201cHe\u2019s like Jem, he has trouble believing that he\u2019s worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Worth it?<\/em> Jace shook off his stupor, flashing the well-meaning woman a quick smile before running off. Of course Alec was worth it. <\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Propelled by a sense of urgency, Jace practically raced to their cabin, only to deflate when he found it empty. The ship was huge, he wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d ever be able to find Alec if he didn\u2019t want to be found. Still, he couldn\u2019t give up, and he followed his gut feeling up to the top deck, figuring it was the next best thing to their rooftop hideout back in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

His instincts were rewarded by the sight of Alec leaning over the railing. For a heart-stopping second Jace was convinced Alec was about to jump, only to realize he was being overly melodramatic. Still, he didn\u2019t want to startle Alec, so he approached him on soft feet, only clearing his throat when he was almost next to him and softly saying is name.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want, Jace?\u201d Alec asked, sounding tired. Stepping up to the railing, Jace nudged him gently with his shoulder until he turned his head to face him. Above them an almost full moon shone brightly, and thousands of stars glittered, allowing Jace to see the sadness creasing Alec\u2019s handsome features.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought that was rather obvious.\u201d Reaching out, Jace covered Alec\u2019s hand with his own. \u201cI want you<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I<\/em> told you that I\u2019m not going to be another hook-up. I didn\u2019t even know you weren\u2019t straight,\u201d Alec said, annoyance creeping into his voice. \u201cIf you think I want my first time to be your gay experiment, you obviously don\u2019t know me at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flushing guiltily without quite knowing why, Jace averted his eyes, staring at the vast expanse of the ocean surrounding them, waves cresting white in the ship\u2019s wake. Despite his earlier conviction that he knew what Alec needed to hear, now the words were stuck in Jace\u2019s throat. He was suddenly afraid; afraid that he\u2019d horribly misread the situation, his own feelings, that he\u2019d wake up and feel the way he always did after his hook-ups. He couldn\u2019t bear the thought of hurting Alec like this.<\/p>\n

Beside him, Alec obviously took his silence for an answer, stiffening before moving to take his hand away. This stirred Jace into action, and he tightened his grip on Alec\u2019s hand, although he still couldn\u2019t make himself look at him as he half-whispered, \u201cYou could never be an experiment, Alec. I\u2026 You know better than anyone how fucked up I am.\u201d Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to meet Alec\u2019s eyes and quickly continued, \u201cSo, I can\u2019t give you any guarantees, and I will probably mess up horribly at least a few times, but I\u2019d like to give this, us<\/em>, a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n

At some point during his little speech Alec\u2019s face softened into a smile of such tenderness, it made a spot under Jace\u2019s ribcage contract painfully. If this was what love felt like, no wonder his foster-father had warned him about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou love me?\u201d Alec asked, laying two fingers under Jace\u2019s chin and forcing him to meet his awed gaze.<\/p>\n

Jace flushed, realizing he must have spoken aloud. Still, there was no use backing away now, so he squared his shoulders and said defiantly, \u201cYes, of course. I\u2019ve always loved you, I just didn\u2019t know how<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec\u2019s soft laugh felt like a caress, as did the slide of his fingertips along Jace\u2019s jaw, until Alec was cradling Jace\u2019s head with his hand. Then their lips met, Alec\u2019s tongue slipping deeply inside Jace\u2019s mouth as he explored him with great care, as if Jace was made of glass and Alec was afraid to shatter him. Sighing into the kiss, Jace slid his arms around Alec\u2019s back and held him tightly. When they broke apart to draw breath, Jace saw his own happiness reflected on Alec\u2019s face, dispelling the last of his fears.<\/p>\n

\u201dI assume this means that you love me, too?\u201d he teased, backing Alec against the railing.<\/p>\n

Alec cuffed him gently on the ear with a grin, but his eyes were warm and serious as he replied, \u201cThe story I told Tessa and Jem at dinner, about how I fell in love with you? That was completely true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you know what?\u201d Jace laughed giddily, stretching to catch Alec in another kiss. \u201cSo was mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

They kissed for another long moment, slow and sweet and without urgency, simply savoring each other because they could. In the end it was Alec who drew away to ask with a smirk, \u201cHow about you show me what to do with all those honeymoon supplies in our cabin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Heat curled deep in Jace\u2019s stomach, and he licked his lips. \u201cI haven\u2019t exactly done this either. So, how about we find out together?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds good.\u201d Alec held his gaze, eyes burning, and Jace shivered in anticipation. This honeymoon was shaping up to be better than he could have imagined.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This entry is in the series Shadowhunter AUs<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Tilting his head, Alec looked at him consideringly, and Jace felt strangely as if he\u2019d been caught doing something illicit, before his friend huffed a small laugh. \u201cJust admit it, Jace – you<\/em> just want to go on my honeymoon with me.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[228,197],"tags":[295,299,307],"series":[325],"class_list":["post-1835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alec-lightwoodjace-wayland","category-shadowhunters","tag-audience-teen","tag-genre-slash","tag-warning-au","series-shadowhunter-aus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1835"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1836,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1835\/revisions\/1836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1835"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1835"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1835"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=1835"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}