"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."

~ Kahlil Gibran


Sophie Collins looked around Will Herondale's room, scrubbing brush and bucket in hand. It was a complete mess, but she didn't expect anything less from him. Clothes were strewn haphazardly over the bed, teacups stacked precariously on a nightstand and bureau, specks of mud all over the floor. And of course books in every nook and cranny, piled up on top of each other. He thinks he's oh-so-clever just because he reads these silly books.

Sophie rolled her eyes. She did not want to deal with this, not today. Sometimes, it felt like Will's very purpose in life was tormenting her. Every single day since Sophie arrived at the institute, he had vowed to make his room as filthy as possible. None of the others had trouble cleaning up after themselves, she thought.

As she scrubbed at the floor with her brush, Sophie contemplated how Will reminded her of her old employer's son. Teddy had disfigured her face in an act of raging, furious possessiveness. Both of them were lovely to look at, beautiful on the outside, but that much rotten on the inside. They walked around sullenly, never offering a kind word to anyone- Except Jem. In Sophie's rationalization of Will's character, his behaviour towards Jem was an anomaly, and she did not understand why.

The knife on her face had left her with a scar that was more than skin-deep. It had changed the way people looked at her, some with horror and most with pity. Sophie was uneasy and untrusting in the presence of men ever since. But Gideon Lightwood- he was something else, something different. Grey-green eyes, dark blond hair and a smile that was as dangerous a weapon as the daggers he taught her to use. He made her feel strong, invincible, safe. But she remembered one particular training incident vividly. They were sparring, she knocked the sword out of his hand easily, pointed her sword at his throat and said, really Mr. Lightwood, you must be terrible at this indeed. I've bested you already. He smiled at her slowly and said, you're very distracting, Miss Collins. Suddenly and embarrassingly, Sophie had felt weak in the knees. He should not be able to affect her so. He should not be able to knock down walls that she spent years building so effortlessly. Gideon Lightwood was like a beautiful dream.

But she could not have him.

It was an easy route to heartbreak, falling for a rich shadowhunter. And now that he was staying at the institute, he would see her as she really was. A mundane servant. No more walking around Hyde park in Miss Jessamine's old dresses. He would see her in her uniform and white cap, lifting heavy laundry, or carrying food-laden dishes to the dinner table — and he would not want her anymore. Sophie suddenly felt like Cinderella, and then laughed sadly because she never liked that fairytale. Now she could not muster up the energy to scrub at the floor and dust the furniture.

Sophie sat down at the foot of the bed, lost in remembrance. Gideon had approached her a few minutes ago, looking so nervous her heart wrenched— Miss Collins, please let us go talk somewhere. I fear I may have done something to offend you. You must know that I am sorry for whatever it is and I... I miss you. She had shaken her head sadly, gestured to the bucket in her hand and said that he had not done anything wrong, she simply did not have time. A few moments later Mrs. Branwell called her into the study (possibly having overheard the exchange between herself and Gideon) and explained how the oldest Lightwood son might have changed his allegiance now, but it was still not advisable to consort with him, he was still his father's son. Charlotte had said this with a look of half-worry and half-disappointment. And Sophie, who adored both Charlotte and Gideon, was now sitting on Will's bed, sobbing into her hands.

"Ah, Sophie m'dear. My floor might be covered with icky demon innards today, I'm afraid. Stabbed that Ravener bastard right in the eye last night—"

Will broke off abruptly, quite possibly on noticing her reddened eyes. Both of them stared at each other in horror. Sophie had not displayed such naked emotion in front of anyone in years, much less Will Herondale. On the other hand, he looked prepared to jump out the window, rather than deal with a crying girl who was not his greatest admirer (to say the least).

"It's all the dust," Sophie gestured around the room desperately. "Some got in my eye-"

"Y-yes, of course-" he began, but a loud sob escaped her. Sophie buried her face in her hands, trying to stop crying. But embarrassingly enough, she started talking about Gideon. To him, of all people. She only managed to get a few sentences out, but Will seemed to understand the rest. He did not know how to comfort her though, and settled for patting her awkwardly on the head at last. This uncharacteristic effort made her laugh suddenly through the tears.

Will sat down on the bed next to her and looked straight ahead for quite some time. After she took a few calming deep breaths, he spoke quietly. "That man loves you, Sophie. Anyone who's seen the two of you together can attest to this fact. His face lights up like a seraph blade when you enter a room." He looked at her and said with a smile, "Quite disturbing for the rest of us, really. But he would marry you one day, if you let him."

Sophie was shocked. Was this Will, saying all these wonderful things? "Do you really think so?" she asked.

"I do. And don't fret about Charlotte. She's protective, and she's worried about you is all. After what happened with Jessie she hasn't been herself." Sophie hadn't even mentioned Charlotte but he'd understood anyway. Perhaps he really was clever. "Tessa was concerned too, but I could tell that the poor sod was genuine. And you're too sensible to trust a man without reason."

"I -um- thank you, Master Will," she whispered. Then she stood up and backed out of the room, bewildered. This was a side of Will she hadn't seen before. This was someone else, someone whose blue eyes were filled with appreciation and kindness, not scorn and mockery. Someone with a gentle smile and soft words. Someone who was beautiful on the inside as well.

The next morning when Sophie went down to finally clean Will's room, bracing herself for ridicule and embarrassment, she saw something that would change her opinion of him forever.

Will Herondale's room was spotless.


Author's note: *sighs* aren't Sophie and Gideon the cutest? Tell me your thoughts on this chapter! Or leave me a message even if you just want to talk :)