Alec was quite certain the headmistress knew about the tunnel to the Blackthorn manor but never did anything because she knew the students at the Academy would just find some place else to party.

That's how he justified sneaking out, after hours, along with most of the school.

Jace and Alec left together, entering the tunnel through the door in the basement of the boy's dorm. Torches had been lit along the path but Alec carried a witch light in his back pocket.

"This is such a long walk," Jace complained.

"Then let's run," Alec proposed. Jace grinned wildly and they came to a stop.

"On your mark. Get set. Go!"

The boys took off down the tunnel, head to head most of the way, not slowing their sprint for any reason.

The five minute walk turned into a minute of running.

Seconds before they reached the open door to the Blackthorn's basement, Jace dove in a slid and crossed into the concrete basement first.

"No fair," Alec said as he gasped for air.

Jace rolled back to his feet.

"Not fair but still legal," Jace said, catching his breath much faster.

A couple people were milling around the basement but music was shaking the house upstairs.

They climbed the wooden stairs that were in desperate need of repair if they were to survive the school year.

"Now what?" Jace asked softly. The first floor was covered in people in all rooms. Witchlights lit the rooms and popular mundane music played in the background.

"Now we socialize, Jace," Alec said. "In case you've forgotten what that is."

"The Tokyo Institute saw many demons," Jace said. "But not many Shadowhunters."

"We're not going to talk politics either," Alec said. He grabbed Jace by the wrist and dragged him towards a circle of Year 6.

Someone immediately struck up conversation with Jace and he got distracted from the atmosphere of the party.

Eventually there was a tap on his shoulder and he turned around.

"Baz," Jace said, almost relieved.

"Have you seen Clary?" he asked, yelling over the music.

"No," Jace said, shaking his head.

"Well, thanks," Baz said. He got a dazed look in his eyes before walking off.

The next person to catch Jace's eyes was Isabelle.

"Jace!" she shouted, running towards him. "Let's dance."

"I don't--"

"Jonathan Herondale, you will dance with me on a completely platonic level or I will scream and ruin this night for all of us," she threatened. Jace nodded and let her pull him through the crowd to the dance floor.

He had no idea what he was doing as she twisted and turned around him.

It was an awkward sort of tango as he tried to move with her.

After a couple of songs, Isabelle was pulled away by someone else, leaving Jace alone on the dance floor.

He escaped the madness and climbed the grand staircase, looking for some sense of quiet.

It was beginning to be too much for him.

He pushed open a door to a room and was immediately relieved by the silence.

Calm washed over him as he closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

"Did Sebastian send you after me?"

His eyes flew open. Clary was standing by a window, looking up at the paintings on the wall that Jace hadn't noticed.

"No," Jace said, stepping into the room. "I mean, he's looking for you but I'm not- I wasn't looking or actively seeking."

The words got tangled on his tongue and he cursed himself.

He closed his eyes to quiet the panic in him.

"It's been a long day," she sighed. "I mean Combat 6 was--"

"--intense," Jace finished for her. They had done an intensive day of fencing.

He walked towards her and sat on the wide windowsill with his back to the window. He watched her stare at the paintings.

"Some of these have been lost to the mundane world for years," Clary said. "It's a shame that they're just sitting in this old house rotting."

"You like art?"

"I love art," Clary corrected.

"Even this old stuff?" Jace asked. He saw the beauty in it but not the fascination.

"Even the old stuff," she sighed.

He moved towards the wall and she sat beside him.

Jace was hyper-aware of the lack of space between them.

"Clary," he whispered, just loud enough to get her attention. She turned towards him and he kissed her, as slowly as he possibly could, savoring every millisecond in case it didn't last or never happened again.

She jumped a little in surprise but moved closer to him, a tiny hand on his cheek.

It was quick, just enough to declare feelings and ruin everything.