It was Saturday afternoon, Jace and Alec had controllers in their hands as they stared at the television screen. The sounds of gun shots and explosions in the room as they played video games. Magnus sat between the boys after they almost broke their coffee table from wrestling, their last match seeming unfair to one another as they lunged for each other. Jace hadn't seen Clary last night, but he was glad she got the chance to call him before she went to bed - alone. A small touch of joy knowing that her and Sebastian hadn't begun spending nights together.
It was midday when Clary burst through the front door, startling the three on the couch as Jace hit pause quickly.
"I got it!" Clary yelled, she held a piece of paper in her hand as she waved it around herself. Her eyes were wild and sparkled with excitement and her hair was windblown and frizzy.
Alec cocked his head, "Got in...?" He was confused as to what she meant, Jace was too.
She huffed, "I'm going to D.C!" She shut the door quickly and came over to the boys handing Jace the paper to read. It was a letter, Aline's signature elegantly scribbled at the bottom.
"Dear Ms. Fray, You have been accepted to attend the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. Young artists from across the world will be showing their pieces as a new exhibits called, "The New Generation". Based on the pieces of work you have submited, your work will be displayed for buyers and visitors in the exhibit. Clary this is amazing!" Jace jumped up and captured Clary in his arms. He twirled her around as she squealed with joy, Alec and Magnus smiling up at the glowing new artist. Once Jace set her down, Alec and Magnus hugged her in congratulations.
"I can't believe I'm actually going, oh my God." Clary's eyes were teary and her cheeks burned with glee.
"Oh, c'mon dear, you know you were getting it." Magnus waved his hand at her.
She blushed darker.
"When are you going?" Alec asked her. She grabbed the paper and her eyes scanned the letter.
"In two weeks I leave. I'll only be gone for three days but..." Her eyes continued to scan the page, "The hotel is paid for and I could take a plane, but honestly, D.C. is only like, a five hour drive."
"Is it just you?" Magnus questioned.
She shook her head, "No, Aline will be there but she'll have her own room." Then Clary turned to Jace and put her hand on his wrist, "Oh my God, Jace, will you come with me?" She asked him.
Jace was taken back for a second, surprised that she'd want him to instead of Sebastian. But knowing that she was asking Jace first gave his ego a boost.
"Why me?" He didn't want to say yes right away, in case she did end up thinking about her own boyfriend.
"Well, I'd aske Sebastian, but I know that that's when he's leaving to see his family for the holidays. And you helped me meet Aline and pushed me to do this, it really would mean the world to me." She begged, her green eyes sparkled as the joy overcame her entire being.
He smiled and took her hands, "Of course I'll come with you." Clary squealed and hopped up and down.
"I'm going to D.C. People are going to want my art! Oh my God, I could cry." She danced and the boys laughed at her.
"You know once you tell Izzy, she'll want to go out and celebrate." Alec laughed.
Clary stopped dancing but the smile stayed glued to her face, a small dimple appearing her right cheek.
"I'll buy the first round tonight, I'm a hundred percent down to celebrate. God, I'm so happy." she cheered, "I have to go tell Izzy, but I'll see you guys tonight!" She kissed each of their cheeks before she skipped out the door, her singing fading down out the door.
"To Clary!" Everyone cheered, their glasses clinking together before they all knocked their heads back as the shots were taken. Everyone making a disgusted face from the strong taste of rubbing alcohol.
The music was loud at Pandemonium and people seemed to also be celebrating as it was a busy night for the club. Izzy pulled Simon out to dance and soon Magnus and Alec joined them. Sebastians hands were touching Clary's waist the whole night, it was like he had sewn himself to her side as he glared at Jace occasionally. Jace smiled at her as she finished her actual drink before pulling Sebastian to the floor. Jace stayed at their table, seeing Clary's wild red hair blaze like sunshine through the crowd of people. He watched, noticing her speak to Sebastian while they danced.
The dirty looks shot by Sebastian had been going on for a long while, and it wasn't Jace's fault that him and Clary hadn't hung out for awhile. Granted, he was apart of the reason, but he hadn't seen Clary that much either. It was a good week to choose as work and art had taken up most of her time anyways, and then with Izzy wanting to go shopping all the time, Jace took up the last tiny bit of free time she had. Jace knew that once someone asked to make plans, Clary would stick with them. Jace felt bad though, when Clary and Sebastian had gotten in a fight, he didn't like seeing Clary upset, but the guy was being a jerk. She didn't notice that Jace had walked in earlier than she thought, he could hear some of the things he had been saying through the receiver. Jace had backed off a bit now, not wanting to hurt Clary truthfully. Especially know that he could sense Sebastian was starting to think that Clary and Jace were hooking up behind his back, he didn't think it was going to end well if they decided to break up.
Jace made his way to the bar, ordering another drink for himself. He was very lucky that they had gotten to know the owners and workers at the club, getting their drinks quicker and cheaper than everyone else. He smiled at Jordan, one of the bartenders as he made Jace's drink as soon as he asked and giving him a head nod as he did so. The kid was nice, Jace made note to get to know the guy better.
Sipping on his drink, the alcohol feeling cold down his throat but ultimately warming and buzzing his body, he leaned against one of the columns in the club. He caught quick sight of Magnus's rainbow and sparkling hair as he held Alec close. Magnus's eyes were darkened with liner and shadow but Jace could see the unsettling look on his face. Magnus seemed distracted and was staring at something other than Alec, which was unusual. Soon, Magnus caught Jace's stare, the unnerving look on his face staying as he nodded his head toward the direction he was looking.
Jace tilted his head but followed the trail.
Clary's fiery red hair finally caught trail, and he could see the frustrated look on her face. Sebastian towering over her as anger masked his face. They were fighting. Jace's shoulders tightened as he watched, Clary's arms being thrown in the air as she spoke angerily. He tried to read her lips, but the movement from the people on the dance floor that would block his sight every few seconds made it impossible. Soon, Sebastians was laughing at her, but Clary stayed made. He wasn't laughing at a joke she'd said, he was laughing at her. His mouth moving fast as he pointed a hard finger in her direction. Jace wanted to go to her, his eyes shifting to Magnus as he shook his head. Jace looked at Magnus defeated, but Magnust mouthed "Wait" at him as they both looked back at the couple. Clary's mouth hung open in awe as he Sebastian continued to talk down at her. The drink in Jace's hand shook angrily as he noticed the tears start to form in Clary's eyes. She wasn't angry anymore, she was hurt. He watched as she began to look flustered as she tried to explain herself, her hands shaking as she waved them around and her eyes darting everywhere like they did when she was nervous and caught off guard.
Sebastian did not look like he cared what Clary had to say as he looked over her head. She grabbed his face and pulled it so that he would look at her. He pushed her hands away forcefully and that was it for Jace. He nearly dropped his drink as he put it on the counter and started making his way to them.
Jace's blood boiled and his hands shook when he fisted them. He watched as Sebastian swore at her and disappeared, leaving Clary with her mouth hanging open and tears now spilling over her face.
Sebastian was gone but Clary was still in the sea of people. Her pastelle pink dress that hung on her loosely made her looke like a delicate doll as she looked out to nothing in particular.
Jace's hands held her face, her tears touching his fingers as he tilted her head to look up at him.
"Clary, Clary are you alright?" Jace asked, all signs of fury were gone as only gentleness touched her.
Her green eyes were dark and skin actually felt cold.
She didn't say anything as another tear escaped and Jace grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the crowd and pulled her towards the exit door. He made eye contact with Jordan at the bar as Jordan caught site of Clary, nodding his head in the direction of the back door.
The cold air envelopped them but it seemed to snap Clary out of her trance. She blinked at Jace as his hands stayed on her shoulders.
"He broke up with me." She said quietly. At first Jace didn't quite hear her, the music from inside the club was still loud even outside.
"What?" Jace was speechless.
She wiped at her tears that fell as she looked down. Her lashes were long and her eyelids matched her light pink dress.
"I-I told him about going to D.C. and he asked if I was going alone and I said that I asked you to come and he didn't... like that very much." She spoke fast and her breath was shakey.
Jace wiped her tears from her face, her lashes touching the tips of his fingers.
"He-He said that he wasn't surprised that I asked you because it wasn't like I'd been choosing you over him..." She continued, her tears falling faster.
Jace knew how much Clary hated when people thought she was hooking up with Jace, and for her boyfriend to act the same way killed her.
"I haven't been much help to his accusations, I'll admit." Jace was honest, and he didn't like that he'd make them break up.
Clary shook her head, her curls tickling his hands, "No, you haven't done anything. I kept telling him that I've been busy with work and this art thing and he just keeps thinking that I'm not doing any of that. He... He said..." She stuttered, afraid to continue.
Jace pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her as her hands gripped the back of his shirt, her nails scratching his skin through the cotton.
He kissed her hair, she smelled of alcohol and candy, "You don't have to tell me, Clary. I'm sorry he did that." He spoke in her hair. He felt her hands grip his shirt tighter as her shoulders shook as she tried to steady her breath.
"He told me to have a good time fucking you..." The tears made the front of his shirt wet. As furious he was that Sebastian would say something so horrible to her, he couldn't help but hold her tenderly. He stroked her hair as her arms tightened around his waist. Sebastian could have blamed Jace all he wanted, but for him to put Clary into play was too much. Clary hadn't done anything wrong at all, and she was half right about being busy with work and the art project, Jace hadn't seen much of her either.
She pulled back and wiped at her eyes, stopping her makeup from smudging. Jace helped her, wiping at some smudged mascara at the corner of her eye. She forced a laugh.
"C'mon, I'll take you home." Jace offered, but Clary shook her head.
"No, I don't want to leave. Sebastians a jerk and we're celebrating. I just need... a really strong drink..." Clary smoothed her hair.
"Or eight." Jace lightened her mood, it helped as she smiled. "Are you sure?" He asked once more.
Clary took a deep breath, "Yes. I'll just feel worse if I lock myself in my room."
Jace looked at her sad face, clear that she was still very much heartbroken. It broke Jace's own heart seeing her as torn up as she was. He pulled her back in for one more tight hug. She gripped his shirt again, holding him tightly as he didn't want to let go. He wanted to protect her from anything else that threatened to hurt her. He shouldn't have let Clary go on that first coffee date, it was stupid. But Jace had known how much Clary wanted to meet someone and he thought maybe she should meet some people.
Clary finally pulled away and gave him one more tight smile as she turned on her heels and went back in, her hand grabbing Jaces tightly. She looked back as she pushed the door open and looked him in the eyes.
"Stay with me?" She asked.
Jace smiled at her softly, "Of course, Bear." Clary smiled and blushed, pulling him back into the dancing crowd. They passed by Izzy who gave Clary a worried look, Clary shook her head as she passed by them towards the bar. Jace pulled her close to him, her body pressing against his as she squished between him and everyone else asking for drinks. Jordan smiled at Clary and looked at Jace.
"Three shots or whatever." Jace called to him, he nodded and pulled out small shot glasses.
The back of Clary pressed tightly against Jace made him suddenly very aware of her. Jordan had said somethings to Clary and she responded, but it was too loud for him to hear. It wasn't until now that Jace had really looked at her outfit.
Another dangerously short dress that was pastel pink, it was low cut and exposed her chest forming tight around her torso with elastic. The bottom half of her dress was loose, not quite hugging her like the top half, but had slits on the side which made Clary's legs go on for miles. Her straps were thin and the zipper on her back was gold and matched her golden earrings and watch. She looked stunning, mature and sexy. Jace had always ogled Clary before, but she really looked classy in the dress. Sure it was revealing, but it was revealing in just the right ways. His heart was thumping in his chest faster than the beat of the music. Something odd twisted in his stomach.
Jordan handed them the shots and Clary took two of them quickly, her body rocking against Jace's. His heart thumped.
He took his, hoping the twist in his stomach would subside, and then asked for two more shots and two drinks. Jordan eyed the two of them but did as he was asked.
Jace could hear Clary explain that she was just trying to get drunk. Jordan laughed and handed them their extra drinks.
Jace and Clary took the shots and thanked Jordan before Clary took Jace's hand and pulled him towards the dance floor.
He laughed at her as she made a face at the people who bumped into her, her sassiness was rising quickly as she soon sarted to chug his drink.
"Better slow down, fiery fox." He teased her. She squinted her eyes at him as she finished her drink. Clary put her hand at his drink and put it to his lips, she tipped it for him as he drank it quickly, a smile on his face. He finished his now, and he laughed at her when she gave him a smile. She was trying to get drunk, and also trying to get Jace drunk. Jace took her glass and handed it to a passing waitress.
Clary giggled, her cheeks turning red from the alcohol digesting in her system.
She pulled at Jace and started moving her hips to the music. She laughed as Jace rolled his eyes at her, linking her fingers through his and moving his arms around her. Jace felt bad that she had been dumped tonight, and he didn't stop her from trying to distract herself from the sadness she felt. He let her guide him to the music until her back was to him and her hips swayed against his. She pulled on his hands, he circled around her as their bodies rocked.
Again, Jace was very aware of how close Clary was, how there was no space between them as they fit together like pieces of a puzzle. People closed in around him so even if she tried to step away, she couldn't. Jace gulped, a fluttering feeling in his lower stomach and his heart hitting against his ribs hard. He was confused, but blamed it on the alcohol as he felt the tips of his ears tingle and his cheeks feel hot. Clary's body felt heavy as he practically held her weight up and against him.
He hadn't realized how late it had gotten until the DJ had called out that he was playing a few more songs before the night ended.
At that point, Clary was drunk, she stumbled in her movements and Jace helped her.
His lips were at her ear, her skin hot and her hair tickling his neck.
"I should get you home, you're drunk." He said.
Clary turned and linked her arms around Jace's neck and giggled. Her eyes were glossy and her cheeks were pink.
"Jace Wayland," Clary lip her bit and Jace's stomach pinched, "Are you going to take advantage of me?" She giggled. Clary laughed more as he rolled his eyes.
He tucked his arm around her waist as she leaned into him, helping her outside. He caught sight of Alec and pointed at Clary letting him know that he was getting her home. Alec nodded.
The uber ride was quick as they left the club before everyone else did.
Jace basically carried Clary up the steps but he didn't mind. He felt tipsy, but was much more in control of himself than Clary was as she laughed with Jace and stumbled in her heels.
Finally in her apartment, Clary kicked off her shoes at the door, one flying to the couch and just missing a lamp.
Jace looked at her with wide eyes but couldn't hold back his laughter as she held a goofy grin.
She twirled to her room, "Jacey, Jacey, Jacey." Clary sang. Jace laughed and hung their coats up and followed her.
She was in her room, her back trying to reach for her zipper but was struggling.
She looked at him with puppy dog eyes as she nearly fell onto her bed, "Help." She whined. Jace chuckled and turned her around.
Her back was to him, and Jace pushed her hair over her shoulder and she sighed. Stomach pinching again as Jace grabbed her zipper, pulling the accessorie downward to reveal a light blue strapless corset bra. It was lacy and fit her form well. Jace gulped. He wondered why he was having such a hard time looking at Clary, it wasn't as if he'd never seen her in her underwear. Once the zipper was all the way down, Clary's straps fell off her shoulders as she shimmied her dress off. Jace's throat tightened. Clary wore a white pair of cheeky panties with a silk bow tied on the front.
Clary sighed as she fell onto her bed.
Jace's hands were sweaty.
"Come sleep." Clary cooed at Jace.
"Put some clothes on, you know you hate sleeping cold." Jace's voice cracked and he cleared it as Clary giggled.
Clary huffed, "You'll keep me warm." She sat up, steadying herself as she grabbed his button up and pulled on him. Jace losing his balance as he fell to the bed, Clary laughing at him and Jace chuckling shakily.
"You're wild." Jace poked at Clary's ribs and she laughed. Her hair was even wilder from the night, creating a fiery halo around her face.
"And you're still in your clothes. You smell like booze and cigarettes." Clary pulled on his belt and Jace's heart nearly lurched from his ribs.
He stopped her hands, his fingers tingling when he touched her. I'll change, just lay down." He kissed her hair and rolled out of bed. He quickly went to her closet and dug through the drawer where she kept his clothes, finding a pair of basket ball shorts and a T-shirt for her. He threw it at her and she laughed as she slipped in on. Unbuttoning his shirt and quickly changing into the shorts, he heard Clary giggle.
He looked at her as he fell into her bed, her hands on his chest as he pulled her in.
"What's got you so giggly?" He spoke in her hair as she nuzzled close to him.
"Sebastians mean and you're hot." Another hard heartbeat. Jace chuckled and stroked her hair.
"Sebastians mean and you're cute." He kissed her hair.
Clary giggled and her lips touched his chest. Beat.
Soon, Clary's breathing had slowed and deepened as she fell asleep. Jace's mind wandered, his skin burning where she touched him, which was nearly all of him. His heart was racing and he was restless even with the alcohol making him sleepy. He felt hot and sick, but not sick from the amount of drinks he'd had tonight. He sighed and focused on Clary's breathing. In and out. In and out. In and out. The regular pace of her sleeping calmed his wired nerves as he closed his eyes and put his face close to her hair while the waves of sleep washed over him and took him under.
Jesus, Jace. Calm down you horn dog. How rude of Sebastian, they're friends, not friends with benefits. It's still early in the storyyyy, so you'll have to see what's going to happen next. Just bear with me, things will develop.