Circa City of Ashes

When the bell rang, Elaine opened the door.

"Hey, Mrs. Lewis," Alec said with an easy smile on his face.

"Alec Fray, is that you? Thank goodness, we've been worried sick since Clary called last night. Come in, come in!"

She held the door open for him and called Simon, who tackled him with an unexpected hug the second he got downstairs.

Alec nearly dropped his duffel bag.

"Simon," Mrs. Lewis chided, "stop throttling the poor boy and set him up in Rebecca's bedroom."

"Thank you, but that really won't be necessary, Mrs. Lewis, I can take the couch. I'm just going to stay the night. I don't want to be a bother, and I'm already looking for an apartment near NYU so I don't have to travel too far to get to my classes." He smiled his humble smile at her.

"Oh, you boys." She reached out and gave Alec a warm hug. "Terrible business, what happened to your mother. And to throw you out for something like being gay, I can't believe what kind of friends of the family they must be. I do wish Clary had come with you. I can't imagine her staying in such a toxic place."

Alec shot a questioning look at Simon, who mouthed, 'I'll explain later,' at him.

"It'll work out in the end, Mrs. Lewis." Alec said.

"Well, I certainly hope it does. But I insist. Ever since Rebecca went off to college, that room's been empty. There is absolutely no need for you to sleep on the couch. You settle in and stay as long as you want."

Simon was sitting on his bed and observing Alec with cautious eyes while Alec's fingers drummed over the keyboard.

"What?" Alec asked finally, swinging the chair around.

"You know, you don't have to start looking for a place right away." Simon said. "My mom meant what she said. Stay as long as you want. It might be better, you know. Go back to classes and rehearsals, catch up on your homework, figure out the mess that your academic life has become and THEN find a new place."

Alec sighed. "Simon, I appreciate - "

"Just listen to me, would you?" Simon interrupted. "You're the closest thing I have to a brother. You've saved my life. And okay, maybe you and Clary aren't blood related. Neither are we. But that doesn't change a god damn thing. Clary's got a new adopted brother, you've got a new sister, but you know what? You'll always have me. The mundie guy who's always been a part of your life and always will be. We grew up together. We discovered anime and manga together, we got lost in central park together, we walked to school together, we played together, we saw the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy in theatres together. And yeah, I know it hurts that Clary isn't your sister anymore. But I'll always be your brother. Because I'm still Simon Lewis and you're still Alec Fray."

"Damn it, Si, my allergies are acting up." Alec mumbled thickly.

Simon snorted. "You don't have allergies, you have Angel blood. But still, hug?"

"No homo?" Alec asked teasingly.

"No homo. I'm disgustingly straight, remember?"

Alec laughed as they hugged.

"Bros to the end."

"Bros who shoot arrows together," Simon said.

Alec raised an eyebrow. "I thought this was a no-homo thing?"

Simon blinked as he let go. "Huh? Oh - jeez, Alec, do you need to see phallic symbolism in everything?"

"Kidding, Si. But I am a double major in English Literature and Theatre. It comes with the territory."

"Oh my GOD. I can't BELIEVE you managed to get us a gig HERE." Simon was clearly freaking out.

"I offered to blow the owner." Alec said casually.

"You WHAT?"

Clary snorted. "Ignore him, Simon. He just hasn't gotten over his Queer As Folk stage yet."

"Didn't he start watching that three years ago?"

"I did, yes, thank you for speaking about me as if I wasn't here, Simon."

"Sorry, Alec," Simon said apologetically. "But you just said - what you said. I can't even look at you, much less talk to you without my mind going to places I really don't want it to go."

"Looks like someone's got a dirty mind," Alec teased.

"Stop it, Alec." Clary said. "You're bullying my best friend again."