The training room was quiet, the usual clash of blades and scuffed footsteps replaced by the flickering glow of witchlight. You sat cross-legged on the floor, a stele cool in your fingers, while Jace knelt in front of you, shirt discarded, his bare back facing you.

"Try not to mess up," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "I’d rather not walk around with a lopsided agility rune for the rest of the day." You rolled your eyes, adjusting your grip on the stele. "Maybe if you sat still, I wouldn’t have to worry about that." Jace huffed a laugh but obeyed, his shoulders relaxing slightly under your touch.

You exhaled, pressing the tip of the stele against his skin, tracing the first line of the rune along his shoulder blade. His muscles twitched under your fingers, but he didn’t move. His body was warm under your fingertips, his breath steady as you worked. You could feel the power humming beneath the surface, the way runes always seemed to come alive when drawn onto a Shadowhunter’s skin.

When you finished the rune on his back, you sat back on your heels. "Alright, turn around."

Jace did as you asked, shifting so he faced you now, his golden eyes watching you with quiet intensity. The soft glow of the witchlight cast shadows across his sharp features, making him look almost unreal.

You swallowed, pressing the stele to his chest. His skin was warmer here, the rise and fall of his breath beneath your touch making it suddenly very hard to focus. You shook your head, forcing yourself to concentrate. You traced the rune carefully over his heart, watching as the dark lines settled into his skin, the power sinking into him.
When you finally finished, you let out a slow breath, fingers lingering for just a second longer than necessary. Jace glanced down at your work, then back up at you. "Not bad," he said, tilting his head. "Might even request you next time."

You rolled your eyes. "You say that like I’d agree."

His smirk widened. "Oh, you’d agree."