Chapter 9 – The Best Of Both Worlds

Jace knew the best time to corner Isabelle is in the middle of the night, when she was sleeping. This was because of two reasons, the first, sleep still fogged her senses and the second, her love for more sleep won over most things. It was a month after Alec has stayed out late, and in the four weeks Alec had been uncharacteristically happy, he smiled and hummed, he was suddenly more concerned about his looks and his hair, it was unnerving.

So that was why Jace had woken her up at midnight. He had jumped on her to wake her up and then had moved so they sat side by side. Izzy glaring at him whilst he pulled a blanket to cover his legs.

"What do you want?" she asked, her eyes narrowed and suspicious though still with the bewildered sleepiness that occurred for being woken.

"Did someone put a pea under your hundreds of mattresses?" Jace remarked.

"You just woke me up at midnight and made a Princess and the Pea reference," Izzy yawned, "What do you want?"

"What makes you assume I want anything?" Jace asked.

"Stop being difficult, you always wake me when you want something." She rubbed her eyes and glared.

Jace stared for a moment before relenting, "Damn, I need to change that tactic, but yes, I do want something."

"Which is what?"

"Who is the imposter pretending to be Alec?" Jace asked.

"What?"

"I think our moody older brother has been replaced with this happier version."

"Is that not a good thing?" Izzy asked suspiciously, she could not tell Jace Alec's secret even though she wanted to, it was not hers to tell after all.

"Of course it's good, it's great even, but it's strange. I mean, he's normally so grouchy and quiet, but he's been humming and he seems happier, then there are the clothes and hair – which he's started taking more care with. He also seems more comfortable in his skin, it's not that noticeable to everyone, but he seems to stand taller and he laughs more. It's good and I'm pleased he's happy, but it's odd. You've noticed right?"

Izzy was faced with a choice here. Tell Jace and lose Alec's trust and love or deny what she knew to protect Alec, but hurt Jace in the process. She pressed her lips together as she thought. She could pretend she had not noticed, but Jace would still be mad when Alec told him the truth (she was certain Alec would tell him the truth someday, he just needed a kick up the ass to do it before the time Max was thirty). She tried to level it out in her head and she concluded since Jace was a Lightwood by law, he did not have the Lightwood gene of holding grudges and thus, she would rather race Jace's wrath than Alec's because he would get over it a lot quicker than Alec would.

"I guess, I haven't really noticed." Izzy yawned, "But then again I can't think, it's too early."

Jace narrowed his eyes, "I know you know more than that, Iz."

Izzy stared. Jace stared back. They were locked in a staring war. Izzy gave up eventually when she had to yawn, she also heard something move outside her room.

"Fine. There is something with Alec…" Izzy started, she eyed the door suspiciously, but it was pulled to so she could not see out of it.

"I knew it!" Jace hollered, he looked ready to start dancing and so Izzy slapped a hand over his mouth.

"But, I can't tell you it." Izzy continued, speaking a little loudly.

"Ouar?" Jace asked, his answer muffled by her hand.

"I can't tell you."

"Whaa?"

"I can't and I won't." Izzy replied defiantly, "He's trusted me with this, I'm not blowing it now. If I take my hand off my mouth, you can't start shouting, got it?"

Jace nodded and Izzy removed her hand, he rubbed his mouth and then spoke, "Why don't I know?"

"He's working on telling you."

"Really?"

"Yes." Izzy nodded, she heard another shuffle outside her room.

"Why hasn't he already?"

"Because he's terrified of how you'll react, he thinks you'll disown him or something equally unrealistic."

"But, why?" Jace asked, "The only reason I would disown him is for trying it on with Clary."

Izzy smiled, that was the perfect answer. Then her half-asleep brain started comparing short and freckled Clary with her fiery hair and tall, elegant Magnus with his caramel skin and contact lenses. Clary's worn jeans, converse and t-shirts with jokes that Izzy was lucky to get half of them and then Magnus with his beautiful handmade garments and his perfect makeup. The two of them could not be more opposite if they tried. The conclusion made her laugh more than it should have and Jace sent her a funny look as she tried to contain her cackles, "No! I can assure you they aren't getting it on, somehow I don't think she's his type."

Jace, still frowning, replied, "Okay…"

"I promise it's nothing bad, but you know Alec, he over thinks and worries about every possible outcome." Izzy reassured him.

"Do you think I should talk to him about it?"

"No, it would freak him out and he would clam up." Izzy said after a moment of thought, then she added a little loudly, "Let him tell you."

"Alright." Jace smiled at her, "Thanks Iz."

"It's okay," Izzy replied, "Now get out of my bed, I want to sleep."

She heard some shuffling away from the door and she jerked her leg, slamming her foot into Jace's thigh and effectively kicking off her bed, he let out a yelp of pain and glared at her.

"Iz!"

"You can show yourself out." She told him with a glare and then rolled over to face the opposite direction and promptly fell asleep.

Jace glared and muttered curses under his breath and as he stalked out of the room, though it had been worth the injury to find out something about Alec's sudden happiness. He was too caught up in his new revelation to see the shadow step back into the corridor as he passed.

From: The Adorable and Sexy Alexander Gideon Lightwood

I'm going to tell him.

Alec x

From: The Adorable and Sexy Alexander Gideon Lightwood

And by 'him', I mean Jace.

Alec x

From: Magnus The Bane Of My Existence

Do you want me there?

For like, emotional support… or proof?

Magnus x

From: The Adorable and Sexy Alexander Gideon Lightwood

Please?

Alec x

From: Magnus The Bane Of My Existence

Of course, sweetpea.

You didn't have to ask ;)

Magnus x

From: The Adorable and Sexy Alexander Gideon Lightwood

Sweetpea, really?

Do you want to get some lunch first?

Alec x

From: Magnus The Bane Of My Existence

Sweetpea is a no then, what about Honeybuns?

Hell yes.

Magnus x

"Izzy?" Alec asked as he walked into the library, she looked up from her sketchpad to see Magnus in tow looking as fabulous as normal in bright yellow skinny jeans, a bright electric blue top and matching boots. She moved her eyes from Magnus perfect makeup and looked at her brother's face, he looked nervous and like he was about to be sick.

"Yeah?" Izzy said, she had been in the middle of designing a new skirt she was going to ask Magnus to teach her how to make.

"I'm going to tell him." Alec said suddenly, "I… uh, heard what you and he said the other night and it got me thinking."

Izzy smiled, "I heard you in the hall. And, I'm pleased that you're finally telling him."

"He's really not going to disown me?"

"Honeybun…" Magnus murmured quietly, he squeezed Alec's hand with his own supportively. Alec shot him a thankful look.

"He won't you heard what he said, and I'm certain you and Clary are never going to be a thing."

"No!" Alec exclaimed, his eyes widening.

"Not if I can help it." Magnus smiled as he kissed Alec on the cheek.

"Well, anyway, I wish you the best on your endeavour." Izzy smiled, she put her sketchbook on the table, stood up and walked over to Alec.

"Will you come with me?" Alec asked, his blue eyes wide.

"Of course, I will, doof-brain." Izzy grinned, she hugged him tightly, "I'm so pleased!"

Alec hugged back equally as tight, they stood for a moment and then Magnus joined in, his arms wrapping around both of the Lightwood siblings. Izzy started laughing and Alec was smiling, Magnus hummed, he had his head against Alec's shoulder, his eyes closed and his lips quirked up.

"I wanted to join the hug-fest." Magnus told them, his hold still tight.

"I think we got that." Izzy laughed. It was a few minutes later when Izzy spoke again, "Alright hug-fest over, let's go."

"Where is Jace?" Alec asked as they pulled apart.

"Upstairs." Izzy said with a chuckle, "He went there because my rendition of High School musical was apparently 'worse than boybands' and made his 'ears bleed'. He was annoying me and I wanted to sketch." She used air quotes around 'worse than boybands' and 'ears bleed'.

"Izzy…" Alec sighed.

"Wow. I'd try that with Quinn or Aunt C, but they'd just join in." Magnus laughed.

"Can I live with you Magnus? No one here understands my Zac Efron needs, well Alec does, but only when Jace isn't around."

"Izzy!" Alec yelped, his face turning scarlet. Magnus laughed.

"It's okay, we're on the way to remedy this." Izzy smiled and Alec went an ashen colour, "Then we can talk about our Zac Efron needs all we want!"

"Yay." Alec said unenthusiastically.

"Alright, let's go." Magnus gave him an encouraging smile, they were half way out of the door when Magnus, "And, for the record, sweetheart, everyone has Zac Efron needs, it's nothing to be ashamed of."

Alec spluttered and Izzy laughed as they left the library and climbed the stairs.

The three of them were stood outside of Jace's bedroom when they heard it.

"Oh yeah, come on." Jace said from the other side of the door, they paused and then Jace started to sing, "You get the limo out front, ooooh, hottest styles, every shoe, every colour."

"Is that?" Izzy whispered.

"Yeah, when you're famous it can be kinda fun…" Jace sang.

"It's really you but no one ever discovers."

"Isabelle, get your phone." Magnus whispered as he grabbed his and set up the voice recording. Izzy turned her the phone on her camera to video and put it around the side of the door sneakily.

"In some ways you're just like all your friends, but on stage you're a star. You get the best of both worlds, chill it out, take it slow then you rock out the show. You get the best of both worlds, mix it all together and you know that it's the best of both worlds."

Izzy was recording in one hand and trying not to laugh by biting her finger on the other hand. Alec had buried his head in Magnus shoulder so he did not burst out laughing.

"You go to movie premiers," Jace sang and then said, "Is that Orlando Bloom?"

"He's got a hairbrush and everything." Izzy wheezed.

Jace sang, blissfully unaware, "Hear your songs on the radio, livin' two lives is a little weird, but school's cool cause nobody knows, yeah you get to be a small town girl, but big time when you play your guitar."

"I'm going to die." Magnus rasped

"You get the best of both worlds, chill it out, take it slow then you rock out the show. You get the best of both world, mix it all together and you know that it's the best of both, you know the best of both worlds."

"He's climbing on his bed." Izzy gasped

"Pictures and autographs, you get your face in all the magazines, the best part is that you get to be whoever you wanna be!" There was a thud as if Jace had jumped off his bed. "Best! Best! Yeah, the best of both! Best! Best! You got the best of both! Best! Best! Come on, the best of both!

"Who would of thought that a girl like me would double as a superstar! Whoooo! You get the best of both worlds, chill it out, take it slow then you rock out the show. You get the best of both worlds, mix it all together and you know that it's the best of both worlds, you get the best of both worlds, without the shades and the hair,"

"He's got sunglasses on." Izzy told them.

"You can go anywhere, you get the best of both girls! Mix it all together! Oh, yeah! It's so much better 'cause you know you've got the best of both worlds!" Jace finished. There was silence for a beat before Magnus, Izzy and Alec lost their composure and burst out laughing.

"Oh, my Gods!" Magnus gasped, holding his side as he laughed.

There was the sound of heavy stomps as Jace marched to the door and then it was jerked back and he was stood with a glare on his face that did not seem as effective with the hairbrush in his hand and the sudden pinkness of his cheeks.

Izzy slid down the doorframe to the floor where she wrapped her arms around herself as she guffawed, Alec leaned heavily against the wall as he wiped tears from his eyes and Magnus hit his head against the doorframe, his eyes crinkled in laughter and arms trying to keep him upright.

Jace was just stood, his lips pressed together and his face looking strained.

"And I thought you said High School Musical was bad." Izzy said, though she was still roaring with laughter so it came out as garbled nonsense.

"Hairbrushes are actually one of the deadliest weapons." Jace told them.

"I'm know what I'm buying you for your birthday." Alec grinned.

"A Hannah Montana wig?" Magnus hooted.

"And I was acting, in case I ever have to act like a teenage popstar."

"And using a hairbrush to hit rabid fans?" Alec asked.

"Precisely." Jace nodded.

"Best video ever." Izzy exclaimed, mostly recovered as she saved the video.

"Send it to me? I can add it to my pile of good blackmail material." Magnus laughed.

"Already done." Izzy replied locking her phone.

"Iz…." Jace groaned.

"We… we actually had a reason to see you." Magnus cut off whatever Jace was about to say.

"Oh and that is?" Jace raised an eyebrow, trying to look nonchalant with a hairbrush in his hand.

Magnus shot Alec a supportive look and Izzy did the same from her spot on the floor.

"I-um…" Alec stuttered at the sudden shift in attention. "Can we discuss this in your room?"

"Sure." Jace replied, he turned and entered his room. Izzy followed after getting up with Alec and Magnus behind her.

Jace sat on his desk chair and gestured for the other three to sit on his bed. Izzy sat on side of Alec and Magnus sat the other, both ready to hold his hands if he needed them.

"So, the reason I've been so happy lately is b-because…" Alec broke off.

"Alec…" Magnus murmured, he offered him his hand, Alec took it.

"ThereasonivebeensohappylatelyisbecauseimgayandistarteddatingMagnuswhichisreallyreallygreat." Alec blurted, his face going red.

Jace's brow furrowed as he tried to work out Alec's rush of words, Magnus and Izzy doing the same regardless of what they knew he had said.

"Slower please Alec." Jace replied.

"I'm gay, Jace and I started dating Magnus which is really great and he makes me so happy because he's so…" Alec trailed off, his blue eyes trained on Magnus' face. Magnus' eyes flickered up to meet Alec's and he smiled.

"I'm happy for you Alec, but if you start making out on my bed, I'm going to kick you out."

"I-I wouldn't." Alec blushed.

"Though I'm mad you didn't tell me sooner." Jace added, "Because I had kind of figured it out, but I was waiting for you to tell me."

"I-I'm sorry." Alec said, "I thought you'd disown me."

"Alec, I'd never do that. You're my family and we need all the family we can get." Jace replied, his expression soft as he looked at his adoptive brother.

"Thank you." Alec smiled, he stood up then as did Jace, who pulled Alec into a hug. He and Alec had pulled back from the hug and silently vowed to only do it again in dire situations.

"Alright, Alec if you'd like to leave the room, I think Izzy and I have the 'break our big brother's heart and we break your face' talk with Magnus." Jace smiled.

Izzy cracked her knuckles, "I love this talk, I still remember Clary's terrified look when Alec and I visited her."

"I bet it wasn't as great as Simon." Alec then laughed.

"He actually looked like he was going to cry." Jace grinned.

"Simon and I aren't even dating." Izzy frowned.

"That's exactly why." Jace replied.

"I could handle Simon myself." Izzy huffed.

"I could let you terrify my boyfriend or you could invite Simon and Clary over and we could have a group movie night." Alec suggested.

Izzy laughed, "And I can show Clary my new favourite video."

"I could see Clary." Jace added.

"I vote for whatever option I don't have to deal with two threatening Lightwoods."

"Movie night it is." Alec smiled, he pulled Magnus up by grabbing his hand, "Let's get the popcorn on."

Magnus just smiled, pressing a kiss to Alec's cheek – his siblings made vomit noises, but grabbed their phones to text the other two – Alec lead Magnus to the kitchen where they started the popcorn and then proceeded to let it burn when they got distracted by their make-out session. They then went to watch movies with the others once Clary and Simon arrived.

They spent the rest of the night cuddled in each other's arms, wearing stupid grins as they threw popcorn for the other to catch in their mouths. Jace made a number of vomiting noises and Clary threw just as many pillows at him, Jace and Alec sent Simon lots of death glares when he tried to put his arm around Isabelle and she glared double that amount every time she saw them. And of, course, they showed the Jace/Hannah Montana video countless times. They all laughed until their sides hurt watching. The words wrapping around them, making them appreciate the moment even more, you've got the best of both worlds.

W/M: Sorry for the lack of updates. Revision has started so I till June updates will be a bit weird. Anyway, this chapter is what happens when I listen to old Disney music whilst writing. So, sorry for that.

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