nysalogs | ( CLOSED )

They will.

[ undoubtedly, but anything else she had to say on the matter is interrupted by the sound of the drawer slamming. her eyebrow arches momentarily, a little surprised and quietly chastising; inconspicuous, indeed. ]

Not unless you want information on the local flora and fauna.

[ the dryness of her tone expects otherwise, but it's an attempt at nervous humor to overshadow some of the disappointment and exasperation that bleeds through. ]

There's nothing here.

[Bellamy sighs, rubbing a hand over his face.]

Not really. We can check the other offices.

[Although from the tone of his voice it's clear he thinks that might be a wild goose chase.]

If we come back at another time.

[ they're in agreement there. it feels like a waste of time to search other offices, admittedly, when she isn't so certain the infection is only flu-like, but she doesn't have any desire to admit how terrifying that prospect is. she stands instead, slow to lift to keep her head from swimming too much. ]

I don't know how long I can keep my runes activated like this without it backfiring on me.

[ like running herself into the ground, as bellamy had worded it, but minimizing the drama of it is apparently the name of her game. ]

[It's instinctive for Bellamy to move closer, and just as natural for him to rest a hand between her shoulder blades, ready to steady her if she needs it.]

Backfire on you how?

[ the pressure between her shoulder blades is a steadying comfort, a touch she leans back into for just a moment while she rights herself. she might even find time to consider the gesture endearing if not for how weary she feels, but her focus is on pushing off of the edge of the desk, one hand still wrapped around the edge of it to stay completely balanced. ]

It's more draining than it usually is, honestly. I don't know what's wrong.

[ speaking of other understatements. ]

[Yeah, right. He shakes his head, his voice low.]

You know exactly what's wrong.

[Doing this while she's sick with god knows what is a terrible idea.]

Let's get out of here.

[ unlike bellamy, she has more self-discipline when it comes to rolling her eyes. the hit to his chest has no force or violence driving it, more of an obvious reprimand than anything else. ]

You know that's not what I meant.

[ how and why it might be affecting her runes is a little more of a mystery, though he isn't wrong with the general gist of it. overexerting herself hadn't been wise, no, but it had felt necessary, and she still doesn't regret it even knowing there's nothing they have to show for it. ]

I'm not going back to the Sanctuary.

[ she throws that over her shoulder to remind him of that stubborn refusal before she does move (and ignores clumsily slamming her knee into the desk in the process of said moving) to make a beeline toward the door. that obstinance might be as terrible an idea, but never let it be said that she isn't unyielding when she feels the need to be. ]

[That lack of discipline is apparent again when Bellamy lets out an almost long-suffering sigh. It's the only real reaction to the hit she gets. Sometimes it's mind blowing how stubborn she is.]

Then don't.

[He follows, of course, fingers going for the pendant again.]

Go back home and get some rest.

[ well, at least his concession is earned easily. she blows out a breath she'd been holding, as if she'd been anticipating an argument. ]

I live alone. [ said — or whispered, more aptly — while she slowly peels open the door, poking her head around the corner before stepping out. the coast is clear — for the moment — and so she only keeps her fingers wrapped around her stele, ready to activate her rune if necessary. ] I'm surprised you don't think I'm going to run off after a few hours of staying there.

[ she's absolutely tempted to, for the record. ]

I'm not going to babysit you, Clary.

[That's only going to drive both of them nuts, but more than anything, he knows she can handle herself, even if he's a chronic worrier. He leads the way down the hallway and back towards the lobby, moving carefully but casually.]

I can stay with you if you want.

Thank god.

[ in the case of not blurting out what she's thinking, her self-discipline is a little less. still, her agreement is blatantly clear. babysitting her would result in one or both of them being strangled. ]

If you want to. [ that's softer, more sincere. it's an invitation, but she isn't going to make it a chore. ] It might actually stop me from going insane.

[He smiles a little at that.]

If it gets you to sit down for a minute.

[Getting her to rest is another matter entirely, but he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it.]

[ wryly, ] If you're lucky, I might even sit down for more than a minute.

[ making jokes at her own expense tends to be her expertise. walking generally is, too, but she has to pause — if only for a moment — in the hallway to regain her composure. after a handful of seconds, she starts up again, moving back into the lobby. ]

Maybe even five.

[ possibly an achievement to unlock. ]

[It's tempting to reach out for her again and make sure she's alright, but he holds back, just waiting patiently instead. When they set off again, he matches her pace.]

Lucky me. We can figure out a plan once we get back.

Define "plan".

[ she waits until they've exited, granting some illusion of privacy before she suggests any scheming. her steps are still a little slow, a little too measured to be normal or natural, but it's a start. ]

Hopefully it doesn't involve you doing something stupid.

[ because bellamy is evidently the foolhardy party here... clearly. (not). he might not be on par with her, but she still has reason to worry that his own concern will be his downfall. ]

Sounds like you don't trust me, Clary.

[Of course it probably involves him doing something stupid, like it always does.]

I trust you.

[ and the look she's giving him hints that she might think he's stupid for even suggesting as much. fortunately, she isn't reaching out to smack him in the chest again. her fingers only loop around his wrist, as if to emphasize the point and draw his complete attention. ]

But I also already have you figured out.

[ as in: someone she trusts who might get up to stupid, reckless things. ]

[It works—he slows down, looking down at her as he does. That statement throws him off a bit.]

Figured out how?

You followed me here even knowing what you were getting into.

[ see also: her own impulsive shenanigans and the stubbornness attached to it. it's telling that bellamy didn't question or object to it more than a time or two, even when it might have been simpler to leave her to her own devices. ]

And you haven't left my side since. I don't know about you, but I'd call that pretty persistent. [ which isn't a critique in the least, according to the tone she takes. ] Maybe I run myself into the ground, but being that concerned might run you in the ground.

[Persistent is one of the more polite ways he's been described, so he'll take it. He can't help but smile a little.]

Trust me, you've got nothing on Clarke and Octavia.

[He hasn't been stabbed or beaten half to death trying to keep Clary from being hurt, so she's pretty far ahead.]

[ her smile is slow to spread, but the deviousness of it is glaringly obvious. ]

Careful. That sounds like a challenge.

[ yet being the keyword in 'hasn't been stabbed or beaten for her'. for now, he's only subjected to her leading him along the street to get to that apartment she should be relaxing in. ]

I don't think you've mentioned an Octavia before.

[ it's a gentle, curious statement, to keep from prying. ]

[He hasn't, has he? Bellamy has brought up Octavia to almost everyone else, but somehow, she hasn't come up with Clary. He chooses to ignore her threat for now.]

My little sister. She's still in stasis.

A terrifying little sister, I take it.

[ from that description, at least, but she says it fondly. hearing anyone speak of their close family ties still stings and opens wounds, but knowing others have what she can't — it's more warming than it is hurtful.]

Sounds like you're going to have your hands full when she gets up. Three women driving you insane might be a lot to cope with.

[Bellamy smiles again, but this time, there's something almost proud about it.]

Octavia's one of the strongest people I know.

[So yeah, terrifying is a decent descriptor.]

You haven't driven me insane yet.

[ it only takes one look at his expression to understand he's proud of octavia, and that compliment to her strength confirms that fondness. it's charming, even with the realization that any similar feeling will always be something missing, all courtesy of a father that couldn't stop himself from trying to corrupt every child he'd had.
her smile widens even without realizing she's wearing one at all. ]

Good. I can't wait to meet her.

[ in stasis or otherwise, clary is confident that it will happen. someone has to stay optimistic in that regard, after all. ]

I haven't driven you insane yet. That's the most important word in that sentence.

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