Jace could only stare at Alec for a moment, his heart racing because he'd lost him again somehow. It hadn't been long enough for anyone else to even register time passing, but Jace had lost him. He'd lost Alec.

Before he can even process what was happening he reached out and pulled Alec into a crushing hug.

"Please don't leave me, Alec."

It didn't make sense. It didn't have to make sense. He couldn't shake the terrible feeling he'd had when he'd woken up in the hospital. It followed him. Even in his dreams. Even now.

It was stupid, running away like that. Teasing or not. He shouldn't have done it. He shouldn't have left Alec.