𝑶𝑭 𝑩𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑩𝑬𝑻𝑹𝑨𝒀𝑨𝑳

Ꮨ ᎠᏘRK RᏋFLᏋᏨTIᎧᏁ

Alyssa's Apartment

Jace woke up from his sleep to sunlight pouring into the room. He grumbled and turned over to face the other side to try and go back to sleep. He paused when he heard a chuckle from behind him. Turning slightly with narrowed eyes due to the sun, he saw the form of Alyssa standing by the bed.

"Time to get up, darling." She said, sitting down on the bed. Jace groaned and turned over fully to face her. He couldn't help but smile at her, at the sight of her with the sun shining behind her. "Morning, handsome." Alyssa asked with a smile, leaning down, with her forearms on his chest.

"Morning, gorgeous. Did you sleep well?"

"Mmm, yes, very well. I'd say it's the best sleep I've had in a long while." She said, grinning down at him.

"Really? Can't imagine why." Jace said, a smirk on his lips.

"Oh, I think you can." Alyssa said with a smile, leaning down to place a kiss on his lips. Jace returned the kiss, wrapping his arm around her waist and placing one at the back of her neck, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. They pulled apart when the need for air became great. "We have to get ready and get to the Institute. Alec called thirty minutes ago."

She went to get up but let out a yelp of surprise when Jace rolled them over, trapping her underneath him.

"I think Alec and the institute can wait a little while longer." Jace said with a smirk.

Seeing the look in his eyes, Alyssa smirked back and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Yeah, yeah, they can." She said, pulling him down to her.

Suffice to say, they didn't arrive at the institute until much, much later.

The Institute - Alec's Office

Alec and Alyssa were in their office, waiting for Max. Alec eyed his pseudo-sister as she sat in front of him with a tablet in hand, humming softly as she scrolled through some of the latest reports.

"Well, someone seems to be in a really good mood. You're practically glowing." Alec commented, drawing a smile from the dark-skinned woman in front of him. "Does it have anything to do with why you and Jace arrived here an hour and a half after I called you?" He asked with a sly smile.

"Maybe, but I don't kiss and tell, big brother."

"And I'm glad you don't. The last thing I would want to know is what you and Jace get up to in that apartment of yours." Alec said, just as the door opened and Max stepped inside.

"Hey Alec, hey Lyssa." Max said. The two adults stood up as he walked into the room. Max did a double take of Alyssa's appearance. "Whoa, Lyssa. You look amazing." Alyssa smiled at him.

"Aww, thank you, Max." She said, then turned to Alec with a playful glare. "See, that's what you were supposed to say when you saw me instead of asking what I was wearing. Max has more manners and is clearly more of a gentleman than you." Alec rolled his eyes at her playfully..

"So, Alec, you wanted to see me?" Max said. Alec turned to him, remembering why he had called for Max.

"Yes. The Clave is very impressed with your progress. They think you're ready for your first mission." Alec said to his little brother.

"Bet Izzy will love that." Alyssa muttered sarcastically. Alec rolled his eyes, but he knew she was right. Izzy wouldn't be happy when she found out.

"What do you think, Max?" He asked his little brother.

"I've been ready since the day I got here." Max said confidently. Alyssa chuckled at his eagerness to go into the field.

"Well, then you better get your butt over to training. You know how much our sister hates tardiness." Alec said.