Everyone was growing tired of Simon and Raphael dancing around each other. All of their friends could see they liked each other. It was painfully obvious for everyone but the two of them.

They met a few years back when they had started college. Raphael was Magnus's roommate while Simon was rooming with Jordan Kyle, and they met by mutual friends. And from there it all started. Half of the time they pretended to hate each other, the other half it was spent flirting with one another. It was so obvious they liked each other, nobody could understand how they were not dating yet.

Bets have been going around for over a year of when the two of them would finally get together. Some said after they graduated from college. Others said it would be on New Year's Day. Some people said they were already dating but kept is as a secret from everyone else. However, as more time passed and neither of them gave any signs of being together, their closes friends decided they needed to make something.

So an intervention was planned. And intervention without either Simon or Raphael realising what was happening. So Clary, Isabelle, Maia, Jordan, Jace, Lily, Alec, and Magnus got together to plan what would be done about the lovebirds.

"I don't think this is a good idea" Alec commented, crossing his arms.

"Alexander, darling" Magnus sighed "If we don't do anything, neither will they"

"It's their relationship" Alec pointed out "It's none of our business"

"They made it our business by being so disgusting together" Izzy pointed out.

Everyone agreed and continued planning what they would do. They divided into two groups. Those who were closer to Raphael would try talking to him. Those who were closer to Simon would try talking to him as well. They would throw hints, ask a few coy questions and hope that they would realise their true feelings.

"So...we're all betting yeah?" Clary asked.

"$50 each" Magnus nodded seriously. "Whoever gets them together, gets all the money"

"Deal!"

"Raphael" Isabelle grinned slyly, sliding into the place in front of him where he was studying in the library.

"Isabelle" Raphael responded, not looking up from his book.

"A little bird told you don't have a date for Magnus's Christmas Party" Isabelle said.

"A little bird told me neither did you" Raphael pointed out, looking up.

"Oh I'll find a date in the party" Izzy waved her hand in dismiss "I also heard Simon is going alone"

Raphael raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed, but didn't comment. Instead he just returned his attention back to the book he was reading. Isabelle sighed deeply, but continued trying to get a reaction out of the other man.

"Isabelle" Raphael finally said coldly, snapping the book close. "I have no idea where this conversation is going, and I seriously don't care"

"I just thought it would be a good idea for you to find a date to the party" Izzy insisted.

"Well, I think it is a good idea for you to start worrying about your own business instead of mine"

And with that, Raphael stood up and walked off.

"So Simon" Maia spoke from her place behind the counter. She worked at a coffee shop and Simon often visited her. They were close friends, even though they had a failed relationship in their past.

"So Maia" Simon grinned, adjusting his glasses over the bridge of his nose.

"I feel as if we haven't spoken in so long" Maia said, preparing Simon's usual order.

"Yeah?" Simon asked "I suppose we haven't..."

"So tell me" Maia wiggled her eyebrows "Any special someone?"

"What?!" Simon exclaimed, blushing "N-No...you would know if there was someone"

"Right" Maia raised an eyebrow "So there isn't anyone you're planning to ask for the Christmas party?"

"N-Not really" Simon shook his head, then he noticed the time in the clock. "Oh shit! I'll be late!"

Before Maia could ask any more questions, Simon took his cup of coffee and rushed out of the shop.

Magnus and Raphael were hanging out at Magnus's place, as they usually did. It was tradition, for a very long time now. Whenever either of them needed to talk about something, they would hang out together at Magnus's place for drinks and just talk. Magnus and Raphael had been friends for a very long time, since they were kids. They basically grew up together and were like brothers to each other.

"So start talking Bane" Raphael said, sipping the cocktail Magnus had prepared for him.

"Actually, my dear friend" Magnus grinned taking a seat in the armchair "I called you here for you to talk"

"For me to talk?" Raphael raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"You need to get over this denial" Magnus tisked, taking a sip of his own drink.

"Bane, stop talking in riddles and go to the point" Raphael snapped, setting his drink down.

"You need to stop denying your feelings towards Sidney" Magnus said seriously "Do us all a favor and just ask the guy out"

"Dios. I don't have feelings..." Raphael trailed off "And his name is Simon!"

"Riiiiiight" Magnus said, winking at him overly dramatic.

Raphael just sighed, rolling his eyes and changed the subject.

"Simon" Clary said, pausing the video game they were playing. "I need to ask you something"

"Ask away Fray" Simon said, putting the game controler down and turning to look at his best friend.

"So...let's say, hypothetically" Clary started "Let's say you liked someone. But you are too shy to talk to that person, even though you've been friends for a very long time"

"Is this some sort of asking advice for you without saying it is for you?" Simon frowned "I thought your relationship with Jace was going fine!"

"Yes, we are" Clary said quickly "It's not about me. It's about you...hypothetically"

"okaaaay" Simon said unsure "So...I, hypothetically, like someone but am too shy to tell them?"

"Yes! And you're very close to this someone" Clary continued "So you don't want to talk about your feelings because you're afraid of ruining the friendship you have with them"

"Clary..." Simon started to say, but was ignored by his best friend.

"But you would be perfect together! He obviously likes you and you already act like a couple." Clary said.

"Clary" Simon said, louder so Clary would stop her rambling. "Is this about Raphael?"

"ha!" Clary exclaimed "So you admit you have feelings for Raphael?"

"N-No...that's not what I said!" Simon shook his head.

"Come on. You know you can tell me" Clary insisted.

"Even if I did" Simon sighed "It would not work"

"Why not?" Clary asked "All you have to do is ask him out. Admit your feelings, because we know he's not going to"

"No Clary" Simon shook his head, taking back the game control "Now please, let's not talk about this again"

The night of Magnus's party, Raphael showed up by himself. Simon had arrived a minutes before him, having gotten there with Clary and Jace. Everyone had been disappointed that nobody had been able to get them together. At least, if nobody had been successful then nobody owed money to anyone. Everyone kept giving Simon and Raphael looks, though. After some teasing comments and some nudges in the shoulder, both of them had been fed up with everyone.

So once the party continued on and everyone was starting to get drunker and drunker, Raphael and Simon managed to escape for a moment. They found themselves in the balcony of Magnus's home. The air was cold against their faces, making their cheeks and noses go red. But it was good to have some fresh air and to get away from the loud noises.

"They're so annoying" Raphael rolled his eyes.

"Yeah" Simon nodded, but didn't comment further.

He couldn't understand why everyone kept teasing them and trying to get them together. Simon didn't believe that what everyone was saying was true. Raphael could not have feelings for him, there was no way. Simon saw himself as someone unworthy of Raphael's affection. The fact that they were friends was enough for him. Simon had to admit that he was head over heels for Raphael. The other man was just everything that Simon could hope for in a partner. He was kind, smart, thoughtful and completed him. He was everything that Simon was not. He made him laugh, and made him feel safe. Raphael had showed him what it meant to be comfortable with who he really was, to stop apologizing for acting the way he did because that was just how Simon acted. Raphael had taught so many things to Simon it sometimes left him breathless...But there was no way that Raphael could feel the same way.

"What are you thinking?" Raphael asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I donnow" Simon shrugged "I just wished they stopped"

"Are they teasing you as well?" Raphael asked with a frown "What are they telling you?"

"Just...I donnow" Simon took a deep breath and decided it was time to just let it all go "They believe I should ask you out"

"W-What?" Raphael asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah...crazy right?" Simon faked a laugh "Like that would ever happen...I mean, you don't like me that way and that's fine. We can be friends. Friends is good, friends is perfect. We don't have to be together, but they believe you like me. Like...really like me. Which I think is crazy because you would never feel that way about me-"

"Simon, shut up" Raphael interrupted Simon's rambling. "They...They've been telling me the same"

"What?" Simon asked confused.

"They seem to believe that we would be good together" Raphael explained "That...that you like me, and that I like you"

"And...is it...do you?" Simon whispered, barely able to say the words.

"Since the first day I met you" Raphael confessed.

Without another thought, Simon threw his arms around Raphael's neck and hugged him tightly. Raphael wrapped his own arms around Simon's hips, hugging him just as tight. They stayed in their embrace for a long moment before Simon pulled back slightly and smiled shyly at Raphael.

"I like you too" Simon whispered, blushing.

"I'm glad" Raphael grinned. "Now...I believe we have to talk about this. But everyone will start to wonder what is going on if we don't go inside soon"

"Yeah" Simon nodded, pulling back "We can talk tomorrow"

Raphael nodded, smiling once more to Simon before starting to lead the way back inside. As Raphael opened the door, he and Simon stopped there when he found Jace and Lily standing on the other side. Their arms crossed and smirking at both of them.

"Oh...what do we have here?" Jace asked, obviously a bit tipsy.

"Seems to be that Raphael and Simon are together" Lily said.

"Guys" Simon sighed "Not you too"

"What? That's not us" Lily shook his head.

"Then what the hell?" Raphael asked with a frown.

"Look up" Jace nodded at the doorframe.

Both Simon and Raphael looked up and found mistletoe hanging over their heads. Simon blushed furiously while Raphael turned to glare at Lily and Jace.

"You know the tradition" Lily grinned.

"Guys...come on" Simon pleaded, but still he stepped closer to Raphael.

"you know what you have to do" Jace shrugged.

Both Simon and Raphael turned to look at each other. Simon still blushing and even Raphael looked nervous. But they knew there was no way of getting out of this. So, deciding to ignore the other two, they stepped closer. Raphael's arms returned to Simon's hips while Simon placed his hands in Raphael's arms and shoulders. A little shyly, they leaned in and their lips met in a soft kiss. But as soon as their lips met, it was as if they both breathed in the air they had been missing. So what was supposed to be just a small peck on the lips turned into a much harder press of lips. They tightened their hold on each other much more and started to take the kiss deeper.

Lily and Jace both took out their phone and took photos, sending them out to the group chat and asking for their price in the bet.