"I will never get used to that." Emma mumbled as she rubbed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. The couple stepped though the portal to New York at 7:00 AM. The sun was high in the New York sky and shinning bright despite the cold wind. Italy had been much warmer when they left this morning.

Julian let out a huff of laughter as he gathered for their luggage. They had started this trip out light…Well Julian had. Emma's bags had been heavy from the start. Every city or town they had traveled to Emma had collected gifts for almost everyone they knew. A Murano glass jewelry dish for Helen. A vintage French horror film poster for Drusilla. Earrings for Cristina. A dagger necklace for Diana. A new witch light for Ty. A collection of various postcards for Mark. No friend or family member was forgotten.

"I hope we missed the meetings" Emma sighed, taking one of the smaller bags from Julian's grasp. She was just as strong as Julian and could've carried more, but why bother if she didn't have to?

Emma doubted they had missed the exiled clave meeting considering the fact that it had only started an hour ago (but a girl can dream right?). Nothing seemed to resolve very quickly these days. Even Consul Alec Lightwood-Bane could not prevent the unrest that had taken form after the stunt Zara and her hateful cohort had started.

The couple walked up the steps of the grand New York Institute. The old gothic cathedral a harsh contrast to the modern Los Angeles Institute. Although Julian's uncle and father had decorated the institute with various art works from classic mythology, there was no hiding the modern architecture and design of the building. The New York Institute had an ancient aroura like the cathedrals they had visited in Europe.

Quietly, Julian pushed through the large doors of the Institute. Emma and Julian walked down the aisle to the elevator that would take them to the main foyer of the institute.

Emma let out a low whistle and leaned against the elevator door. "Fancy." She said wiggling her eyebrows.

"More sophisticated than home?" Julian smiled as he reached around Emma to press the button.

"Oh never!" Emma laughed, stepping away from the door to wait beside with Julian.

After the brief elevator ride, the doors opened to reveal a foyer full of Shadowhunters from all around the world. Shadowhunters in saris and all sorts of gear. Emma sighed and briefly rested her forehead on Julian's bicep.

They hadn't missed the meetings, not by a longshot.

Most of the Shadowhunters that had been displaced from Alicante were staying in the New York Institute. Important Clave members that had been at the fateful council meeting had stayed in New York while they worked with Counsel Lightwood-Bane. Clary had told Emma just as much over the phone. The representatives were expected to return to their conclaves by the end of the week, but the Institute would likely remain crowded with the displaced Shadowhunter from Alicante, Idris.

Julian's eyes scanned the room looking for the familiar faces of their friends. Emma turned to him in the loud and crowded foyer.

"We should have—"

Emma didn't get to finish her sentence as a small flash of red curls barreled into her chest.

"Em!" Clary exclaimed, wrapping her arms tightly around her friend.

Julian laughed at the sight. Clary's tiny frame rocked Emma despite the fact that the blonde was 4 inches taller. Emma gripped the small redhead tightly.

"It's so good to see you! How was Venice?" Clary asked, pulling back from their embrace.

"Hey Em" Jace smiled coming up behind Clary. Emma smiled, embracing Jace.

"Thank the angel you don't have that beard anymore."

Jace laughed and ruffled Emma's hair.

"Careful Herondale" Julian said a ghost of a smile on his lips as be clapped Jace on the back.

"Sorry for the chaos" Clary frowned at the packed room. Jace placed a hand on her lower back, tracing small circles on her back. "It's just been so crazy hosting the clave and conclave meetings. Simon and Izzy are watching Max and Rafe right now, but Magnus and Alec are here somewhere!"

Clary turned her head to scan the room as if to call the men over

"We were thinking of getting take out and going to Simon and Izzy's place tonight? Does 19:00 work for you guys?"

Emma smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

"Great! Your rooms are on the second floor across from the—"

"Ms. Fairchild? Mr. Herondale?" An older Shadowhunter cleared his throat. "A moment?"

Clary quickly whirled around to face the elderly gentleman.

'The training room' Jace mouthed, winking before turning and wrapping his arm around Clary again.

Emma turned towards the staircase taking them two steps at a time. She could not wait to get into bed. Emma smiled to herself at the location of their room.

All her favorite things not even 10 feet apart. Endless supply of weapons, a comfy bed and Julian.

Emma threw open the door and flopped face first onto the bed. She inhaled the fresh scent of clean linen and listened to the sound of the door quietly clicking shut. Julian's footsteps approached the bed.

The bed groaned slightly as Julian carefully climbed onto the bed. Emma turned her face towards him and smiled. He leaned down and placed soft open-mouthed kisses on Emma's head and cheeks. She giggled under him.

"Are you as absurdly tired as I am right now?" He asked placing a chaste kiss on Emma's lips.

"Absolutely," she whispered against his lips "nap time?"

Julian placed a kiss on her brow. "Nap time." He murmured back in agreement.

Emma patted the space beside her. Julian laid down on his back one arm tucked behind his head as he snaked the other around Emma pulling her into his chest.

She smiled and nestled into his side, resting her head on his bicep. Julian's fingers mindlessly tracing shapes on her lower back. His eyelids becoming heavy-lidded with sleep and his movements lethargic.

"Julian?" Emma tracked her fingers over the runes peeking out from his collar. Accuracy. Surefooted. Guidance.

"Hmm?"

"I think this creaky bed is going to be a problem."

His rumbled laughter shook her.

"It just might be."

Emma placed a kiss on the underside of his jaw. Earning a soft growl from Julian. He tightened his grip around her pulling her in closer.

"Sleep Em."

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Julian groaned, throwing out his arm from behind his head to shut off the alarm. Emma's phone was blaring an incessant alarm.

"Jules?" Emma asked groggily, snuggling into his side closer. "What time is it?"

"17:30" He yawned "we've got a little over an hour"

"Great," Emma smiled, eyes still closed. "Ten more minutes."

"Alright" He smiled as he placed a kiss on top of her blonde head. "I'm going to jump in the shower."

Emma groaned in protest as she swung her leg between Julian's. Wrapping her thigh over his and tucking her leg under his calf.

"No no no" she squeezed him "stay in bed"

Julian chuckled as he attempted to scoot off the bed, prying her hands off him. Emma let out a humph. As she watched him make his way to the bathroom. She grabbed her phone off the nightstand, resetting the alarm for another 20 minutes.

"Emma" Julian's hand was light on her face brushing her hair back occasionally as he caressed her face. "Em you got to get dressed Clary will be here in 30 minutes"

Fuck. She had slept in way longer than she intended.

"I hope it's okay I let you sleep. You just looked so exhausted."

Emma smiled appreciatively and placed a quick kiss on his lips.

"Much appreciated. Give me 15 minutes"

Emma scurried out of bed and into the bathroom. She quickly scrubbed her face with a wash cloth and grabbed for her tooth brush as she stripped down to her panties.

Julian knocked.

Emma shouted a muffled 'come in' though the toothpaste and flimsy brush she was currently holding between her teeth as she shimmed her way out of her jeans.

Julian peaked his head in and smiled.

"Just need to brush my teeth" He nodded towards the counter.

"Go for it" Emma said gurgled out, removing the tooth brush from her mouth and stepping out of the crumpled heap of her jeans. She gathered her hair with one hand as she spit into the sink.

Emma quickly checked her makeup in the mirror. She kept it simple. A little mascara, light eyeliner and some lip gloss. Julian caught her eye in the mirror as she applied her lip gloss. Emma waggled her eye brows at him and received a wink and chuckle in response.

Emma walked out of the bathroom in her underwear. She made a show of swaying her hips knowing Julian was watching her. She laughed hearing him mutter a curse under his breath.

Emma slipped on a thin oversized red sweater and ripped black jeans before shoving her socked feet into her black training boots. Always best to be practical. She quickly threw her long blonde hair into a single French braid before shoving her stele into her pocket.

"Ready?" Julian's breath brushed against her neck, his arms around her waist. Emma felt her stomach do a summersault. The sensation of Julian's breath on her bare skin always made her shiver with delight.

"Ready" She confirmed grabbing her phone off the bedside table.

Julian moved to open their door. The couple stepped out just in time to see Clary and Jace approaching from down the hall. The four met up halfway to the staircase.

"Subway okay?"

The next morning

Emma's head was pounding as she squinted into the sunlight room. She sighed turning on her side to the view of a sweaty Julian toeing off his boots at their door.

"Good afternoon sunshine"

Emma frowned and threw a pillow towards the door. Julian let out a huff of laughter dodging the fluffy assault.

"I am never allowing Magnus and Izzy convince me to go to club ever again."

"I'm surprised you are even up already. Clary and Magnus are still knocked out and I don't think we will see Izzy until dinner."

Emma laughed and rolled out of bed peeling off her clothes as she made her way to the shower. She had dressed for a night in with friends but when they decided to go to the local downworlder club…the raid on Izzy's closet had begun. The dress Isabelle had lent her for the evening was draped over the desk chair. Emma, not having unpacked yet, couldn't find her pajamas in her drunken haze and had opted for a pair of Julian's boxers and one of his painting shirts.

Emma reached a hand behind the shower curtain, fiddling with the faucet until hot water was splashing the tiles.

"Last chance to jump in while there's still hot water!"

Julian let out a barking laugh.

A week in NY

The art room was full of light and color. Clary had painted the walls a stark white to hang her paintings and drawings on. The wall with the door was painted as a bright yellow accent wall. Clary's art style was much more cartoonish and abstract than Julian's.

The red head was currently bent over her drafting table as the sketched out some scenes in charcoal for a graphic novel project. Clary and Simon had been writing a graphic novel together before their mundane lives were turned upside down and recently decided to pick it back up with a few tweaks.

Julian was sitting in front of the easel his grey t-shirt and jeans already covered in splotches of paint. Julian's style was more classical than Clary's. His rendering of the Parisian skyline staring back at him.

Clary and Julian had spent every morning in Clary's studio. Painting, drawing and catching up. Emma was much closer to Clary than Julian was, but it was nice to get to know her like his paraba—no girlfriend does.

While Clary and Julian opted for peaceful mornings in the studio with multiple cups of coffee…Jace and Emma filled the quiet mornings with their favorite sounds. The clash of seraph blades. The satisfying thunk of an arrow hitting its target.

Emma was dripping with sweat. She could feel every droplet and savored the strain in her muscles as she swung the broadsword towards Jace. He blocked her blow with a short-sword. The twin blades gleaming in the early morning sun that shown through the windows of the training room.

The two golden haired warriors had been at it since sunrise. Jace's golden hair curled at his temples from the sweat. Both had sweat through their training gear to the point that it looked as if they'd been walking in the rain.

"Alright Carstairs" Jace laughed "I think we've done enough today"

His short swords clamored lightly as he set them on the side table and stretched.

"Getting too old Herondale?" Emma shot back with smirk.

Jace smiled wickedly, throwing off his soaked through shirt.

"You wish" He laughed taking off into a sprint around the track.

"I will so outrun you, old man"

One month in NY

"pleeeaassee?" Emma wrapped her arms around Julian.

"Alright alright" Julian conceded bowing his head.

"Yes!" Emma cheered flinging herself backwards on the bed "you love it! admit it" she poked his back with fuzzy sock clad foot.

Julian rolled his eyes and turned to grip her ankle.

"Do I?" Julian pulled Emma closer, placing her legs on either side of him. Emma laughed as he did so.

"I love sweating my ass off?" Julian kissed Emma's forehead. "Not at all" Julian kissed her on the mouth "Do I love you?" Julian felt Emma's smile against his lips. He kissed her again, deeply. "More than anything"

Emma shifted her hips on Julian's "Well Jules if you love me so much, you're just going to have to prove it."

Julian nestled his head in the crook of her neck inhaling her scent.

"Mhmm" He wrapped his arm that wasn't supporting his weight around her body pulling her closer to him.

Emma let out a small moan at the contact and smiled to herself. One minute they were kissing heatedly, and the next Emma had them flipped. Julian pinned underneath her.

Emma bent down her lips hovering over Julian's "This is exactly why…" she whispered as she ran her hands up his arms hold his wrists above his head "you have to get your ass to the training room"

Julian frowned as he watched Emma get up and grab his folded gear from his bag. She plopped the stack of gear on Julian's stomach and placed a kiss on his cheek "Love you"

Julian grumbled his love back as he got dressed. Emma was already at the door braiding her hair back in a single plait.

"Come on grump" Emma said waving her arms frantically "I want to show you a move Jace taught me" She slid out the door before Julian began to change.

XxX

Julian walked into the training room moments later where Emma was showing a young shadowhunter a better form for throwing daggers. Julian smiled to himself at the sight.

"Come on Blackthorn" Julian turned to the sound of Jace's voice "Come show Alec what the LA institute is made of"

Julian laughed walking towards the parabatai. Jace was wrapping Alec's hands for a fist fight.

"Old Counsel here is a little rusty"

Alec rolled his eyes. Taking the wrap from Jace and returning the favors to his parabatai.

"After I kick your ass Jace then I'll go against Julian. Let the poor kid warm up"

Jace let out a snort and Julian a bark of unexpected laughter. The parabatai stepped into the chalk ring on the ground, both getting into a fighting stance. Julian walked over to the weapons table when he noticed a shadowhunter a bit older than himself watching Emma. Julian felt his blood heat. Emma was typically the more territorial one in their relationship. But he could feel heat rising to his skin.

He watched as the young man made his way over to where Emma was instructing the kid.

"Great throw!" Emma smiled at the young girl. "Next time really focus on following through with your arm"

The male shadowhunter had appeared at Emma's side.

"Are you sisters?"

Emma ripped her gaze from the young girl and turned to the tall, dark haired shadowhunter. He looked around 23 with tanned skin. His lilting accent not familiar at first.

"Oh no" Emma shook her head "no just assisting"

He nodded. "she looks like a natural now"

Emma turned her gaze back to the girl.

"She does" a confident smile began to form on her face.

Emma pulled some daggers from her belt and moved back towards her target. The dark hair boy followed.

"So, you're the famous Emma Carstairs?"

"In the flesh"

"I heard some pretty crazy things about you"

Emma gave a disinterested nod. "Mhm" She released her first dagger in perfect form. The knife making a satisfying thump sound as it hit its mark.

"Is it true that you were in love with your parabatai? You turned into giants I saw that much."

Emma ignored the question. Everyone knew the answer to that. Emma and Julian were the new Clary and Jace. Their love forbidden and had survived through the trials of war. None of this was new information.

Her second dagger hit a little off. Emma frowned looking down at her feet and began to readjust her stance.

"I would say it's not—Oh". Emma froze in place as she felt the young man's hands rest on her hips.

"If you just shift your hips a bit like this"

Emma felt his hands slide from her hips to cup her ass.

Julian saw red. He knew Emma could handle this on her own. He'll be could see how angry she was right now. She was seconds away from telling the boy she wasn't interest, but Julian couldn't help himself. Before Emma could so much as take a breath, Julian was there.

In a split-second Julian had flipped the guy on the ground using a technique Jace had taught him earlier this week. People were staring wide eyed at the two men in the center of the training room. The tension in the air alone was enough to tell the other people present that this wasn't just a training exercise.

Julian slowly stood. The shadowhunter was still on his back, catching his breath.

"Julian Blackthorn" He extended his hand "LA institute"

He looked up at Julian his face full of recognition and knowing. He ignored Julian's extended hand and scrambled to his feet.

"I was just—"

"Touching Emma without her permission?"

"I... well I—"

"I am going to suggest you save your breath. I have no doubt my girlfriend could kick your ass if she wanted to. But I am going to have to ask you to apologize"

He turned to Emma; his former swagger barely intact.

"I'm sorry"

Emma nodded her appreciation. "For future reference, don't grab a girl's ass to get her attention."

"A simple 'hello' or cheesy pickup line would suffice."

She turned abruptly walking Julian over to a chalk outlined fighting ring. Right next to Alec and Jace's.

"Nice form man" Jace shot Julian a smile. Emma shucked off her weapons belt and began wrapping her hands.

"This is why I can't take him anywhere" Emma sighed dramatically, and Alec shared a knowing look. "Show off"

"Me?"

Emma nodded and tried to hide her smile as she replied "Oh shut up Jules. Come wrap my left hand and I'll show you just how prepared I am to defend your honor."

Two Months in NY

"By the angel"

Julian stopped in the threshold of their room. Rose petals were scattered in the doorway, the only light in the room were from the tiny witch light stones around the room. Julian stepped into the room shutting the door and setting his bag down.

Julian had been in and out of meetings all day with Alec, Clary and Jace. The heads of the New York Institute and the newly appointed Consul wanted Julian's input. It was exhausting work but rewarding. It was also nice to know that his input was valued and appreciated.

"Emma?"

The room remained silent. Aside from the rose petals leading towards the bed and the witchlights, the room was unchanged. Julian sighed and shrugged off his gear jacket when there was a knock at the door.

"Be right there" he called hanging his coast on the peg by the closet as he made his way to the door. Julian threw the door open expecting to find Jace or Alec with another stack of paperwork to go through.

"Hey guys how about—"

"Hey there handsome"

There she was. The most beautiful woman Julian had ever laid eyes on. Her brown eyes had a mischievous glint, her golden blonde hair cascading down her back. Her tan legs in black high heels. And that's when he noticed she wasn't wearing anything except for that oversized coat. His coat.

"I hope you'll forgive me. I know this is typically done with a trench coat." Emma said in a sultry voice as she walked towards him, her hands tracing over the front of his shirt. "I had to make do"

She kicked the door shut behind her. Julian felt the fire in his veins and the desire that was pooling in his pants. Emma placed a kiss on his neck, the underside of his jaw before pulling away.

Slowly. So goddamn slowly. She began to unzip the coat. By the angel it barely covered her. The coat fell into a heap at her feet.

Emma walked towards him her hips swaying.

"Sit"

She pushed his knees apart and straddled Julian's hips. Softly, Emma grinded her bare pussy against Julian, grazing his pants, not giving him enough. Her smile turned wicked as she leaned in to lick up his neck. Her hands moved under the hem of his shirt, fingers roving over the planes of his stomach and chest. She tugged out his shirt in a fluid motion. Emma leaned in again, throwing her hair over her shoulder, leaning her head towards the crook of Julian's neck. Her tongue traced the shell of his ear, her hot breath on his ear made his cock twitch in his pants. Taking his earlobe between her teeth, Emma tugged lightly.

Julian could feel Emma's wetness, staining the front of his jeans. He couldn't hold back anymore. His hands gripped Emma's hips, his fingers pressing her onto him. She let out a soft whimper. He was pulsing beneath her; she could feel his thick erection and she was about to lose control.

"Hands on the bed" She breathed "No touching cheater" The words lacked the swagger she was going for. Feeling how hard he was for her would be her undoing, Julian knew that.

"A little greedy tonight Jules"

"You're just so beautiful"

Emma placed a chaste kiss on his lips. "I know I am" He let out a hoarse laugh.

Emma rocked her hips forward, her body undulating. Each of her movements skimming Julian's skin, every movement a tease. Her hands moved to his belt slowly unbuckling and unbuttoning…She stopped. Emma slipped off his lap. Now squatting between his legs Emma began to lick a straight line from his navel up to his chest her hands moving up his jean clad thighs.

"I can't believe you know how to give a lap dance"

Emma shrugged and tucked her fingers in the waistband of his pants.

"Just winging it" she winked and kissed his navel "all for you baby".

She began to pull his pants down; Julian lifted his hips so she could remove them. His member springing free. Her mouth watered. He groaned, finally free of the restricting confines of his pants. Emma licked up the underside of his cock. She felt him shiver her hands braced on his thighs. Emma pushed herself up into a standing position and gently pushed Julian's shoulder until he was laying on the bed. She straddled his legs again. Only this time her wet heat met his cock. Emma couldn't help the moan that escaped her at the contact. She began to grind her slick folds against the underside of his member. The tip of his cock gently nudging her clit.

"Gods Emma" he didn't dare break eye contact "I need you"

She rose on her knees reaching a hand down to position him at her entrance. Julian's hands were soft and caring as he caressed her skin.

"Julian" She moaned; he rested his hands firmly on her hips. Together they began to move at fist slow and sensual. But once Julian shifted Emma under him their love making became a fire that consumed them both.

"Emma" Julian murmured against her neck, pausing from his licking and biting, his marking, to call out her name. Emma's hand on his lower back pushed him in, urging him to go deeper, harder -

"Faster" Emma breathed. Julian lifter her left leg and placed it on his shoulder, allowing him to go deeper. Julian leaned down and kissed her deeply. He moved as if to go back to kissing her neck, but she pulled on his bottom lip with her teeth. Julian growled in response. Emma kissed him again her tongue sweeping against his lips, begging for entrance. His mouth opened and their tongues danced as Julian pounded into her at a relentless pace.

"By the angel Emma I—" Emma nodded, acknowledging him her own words failing her. Emma threw her head back on the pillow exposing her neck as pleasure began to consume her. Julian kissed her exposed neck and buried his face in the crook between her neck and her shoulder, breathing her in as he chanted her name like a prayer. Emma cried out one final time.

Julian made to move but Emma's legs tightened around his waist, keeping him buried inside her.

Last week in NY

Julian was lying on their bed in a pair black sweat pants and a pink hoodie Emma had bought him last year. He was reading a book on demonic languages when Emma walked in. She flopped down on the bed beside Julian.

"Whatcha reading?"

"New demonic language" He closed the book tossing it onto the nightstand. "How was your day love?"

"Lots of wedding planning" She turned onto her back and looked up at him "Clary wants vintage artsy…Isabelle wants glam but classy y'know?"

Julian nodded and offered a hum of understanding as he took her hand in his own, interlocking their fingers.

"Izzy is thinking golds and red…Clary is a bit conflicted because you know shadowhunter tradition vs mundane" She stared at their interlaced fingers. "Just a bit complicated"

"Sounds like it"

Julian and Emma had both grown up as shadowhunters. Both of their parents were shadowhunters and they had had no real ties to mundane traditions. Clary and Simon being from the mundane world had different outlooks. Isabelle and Jace wanted kids soon because that's what shadowhunters did. They lived dangerous lives and often died young. They married young and had children young as a result. Alec and Magnus adopted Max when Alec was 20. The only reason they had delayed their marriage was so that they could be married in the eyes of the clave. Clary and Simon wanted to hold off because most mundanes marry in their late 20s and have children.

"but it's exciting" Julian bought their joined hands to his lips and kissed the back of her hand.

"Soon enough it'll be us" The words fell from his mouth before he even knew that he was talking out loud. For the first time in the past few months Julian was uncertain.

As much as they talked about the other couples' engagements and marriages…Emma and Julian hadn't spoken about marriage yet. Well directly, he had told Emma many times that she was his one for him, and she had returned the sentiment. Plus, they are 18… Emma's parents had married when her mother was 18 and her father was 19. They'd had Emma only a year later. Julian's father was 20 and his mother 19 when they had gotten married and had him. They weren't sure how old their dad was when he fathered Helen and Mark in faerie since time ran different there.

Emma's shifting beside him pulled him out of his thoughts. He cleared his throat.

"I didn't mean to assume anything I just thought that..." He trailed off, shaking his head "I'm sorry Emma"

Emma sat up at that. She was kneeling on the bed, standing over him as she cupped his face with her hands.

"Julian" She said softy meeting his eyes. "I love you. Only you" She shook her head and brought her face closer to his, her hands sliding down his face, his neck to rest on his shoulders.

"Don't ever apologize" She placed a kiss on his brow. "I would be honored to be your wife"

Julian closed his eyes, resting his brow on her chest. Breathing in her scent.

"The honor would be all mine Emma Cordelia"

Her coffee brown eyes were lined with silver as she looked into his beautiful Blackthorn eyes.

"I love you"

He brushed a single tear from her cheek.

"I love you too Julian Atticus" Emma brought her lips to his. The kiss soft and slow, full of love and promises.

The End