CCHS
Chapter 53: Get This Party Started

"Are you OK?" Alec asked, nudging Magnus's arm as they walked. Magnus had been quiet for at least the last block, which was a very long time for Magnus. Alec was concerned.

"I'm great," Magnus replied, offering Alec a small smile. But Alec frowned, not sure if it was genuine. Something must be bothering him.

"You're so quiet."

"Are you complaining?"

"It's kind of freaking me out."

Magnus laughed. That sounded more genuine. He lifted his arm and interlinked his wth Alec's, hooked at the elbows as they walked.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm weirded out too. I've just never heard my mom talk to anyone like that."

"Like what?"

"Softly."

Alec snickered, but looking over at Magnus's face, he went serious again.

"I was surprised too."

"It's a good thing, though. It's really cute that she likes you and she doesn't even know you."

"But it's probably not fair, either. You're her son and she's always yelling at you," Alec reasoned, wondering if that was the source of Magnus's discontent.

"I'm used to it."

"But you shouldn't have to get used to it. Have you ever asked her why she feels the need to yell at you like that?"

"No. That would just invite more yelling."

"I'm sorry, Magnus."

"Psh. Don't be sorry." Magnus leaned in and kissed Alec's cheek quickly, not breaking their stride. "I'm glad my mom loves you. That makes two of us."

Alec almost tripped over his own feet. It took a lot of control to find his step again, and fall back into stride with Magnus's longer legs. But Magnus just smiled, as if he hadn't just dropped a huge bomb right there on the street. The L word.

"If you break up with me and start seeing my mom, though, I will disown you at school. We will be epic enemies. Plus, I'll probably have to move out and since I can't afford to do that right now, I'll have to find a bridge to shack up under and then my hair will look like shit, and all sorts of awful things, so, just don't think about it, OK?"

Alec looked up at Magnus in confusion. Clearly, he was rambling. Alec wondered if it was because, despite his calm expression, he was starting to get nervous, realizing what he'd just said. Alec felt uncomfortable too, but for Magnus's sake, he tried to play along.

"I swear that will never happen. No matter how sweet she is on me."

Magnus chuckled, pressing Alec's arm. The smile he gave Alec was grateful, and Alec was quick to return it. He'd almost forgotten Magnus was unwillingly leading him towards his moment of doom: his eighteenth birthday party. In fact, it was the only birthday party he'd had in years.

Alec groaned, wishing he'd put the brakes on two blocks ago.

"Now you're being too quiet," Magnus said, glancing down at him. "What's up?"

"The same. I really don't want to go."

"Tough titty, sugar. It's my job to ensure you make it, safe and sound."

Alec shot him a glare. "What are you going to do if I jerk out of your arm and start running in the opposite direction?"

"I'll have to run after you. At least for a block, which is probably as far as I'd get before I got tired. But then I'd give Paul a ring, and we'd have to round up a posse."

Alec rolled his eyes.

"Besides, you don't know this neighborhood. You wouldn't go far."

"Then what if I knocked you out and hailed a cab?"

Magnus laughed outright. "Would you, really? That's harsh."

"Well, I don't have any cash on me, so I guess not," Alec considered, grimacing.

"Then you're all out of options. I guess you're just going to have to take it."

"Who's going to be there? Please say he just invited a few people," Alec asked hopefully, deciding that he could probably tolerate a small group of close friends. But not a full house.

"Can't help you there, honey. I don't know your friends, so I didn't ask."

"You're supposed to be on my team."

"But I am, Alec! And I promise if anyone tries to bother you tonight, anyone you wish hadn't been invited, I'll start talking about genital warts and scare them away."

"Ugh. Maybe not that."

"All right. What about the awesome stretching power of the sphi--"

"No, I can already see where that's going!" Alec interrupted, eyes wide. "Nothing dirty."

"Fine." Magnus pouted. He released Alec's arm as they descended the steps to the subway, although Alec could hear Magnus's throaty chuckle following him.

"What?"

"I'm just excited."

"Well, don't rub it in. I'm being held captive."

"Whatever, darling. You could have kneed me in the crotch and outrun me any day. Paul can't be torn from World of Warcrack for anything."

Alec grinned, glancing back over his shoulder. But he continued walking, not about to attempt an escape.

- - - - -

"You're late," Isabelle announced, grabbing Clary's arm and tugging her quickly down the hallway.

"I'm sorry! Traffic," she quickly explained, shooting a glance over her shoulder. Jace was at the end of the hall, offering her a wave and a snicker. It looked like he was mouthing the words 'good luck'.

Jace had described Isabelle's dress as tissue paper, but Clary could see it wasn't all that bad. There were thin straps, and the rest of it was covered in lace. The bodice was form-fitting, but not terribly low-cut and the skirt came at least to mid-thigh and it was tiered, which made it look more conservative. It was a rather pretty dress, she had to admit. Not that she could ever wear anything like that - again, due to lack of hips, breasts, and short legs.

"It's fine." Isabelle pulled her along into her room, shutting it and locking the door after Clary was inside. "Get undressed."

"Here?" Clary squeaked.

"I'm a girl, you're a girl, and I don't swing that way," Isabelle simply explained. Clary could see two dresses were already stretched across the length of Isabelle's bed. She assumed they were options being offered to her. One was white on top, with black and white plaid in the skirt, tied with a blue bow in the middle, and the other a butterfly print of blue and black on white, with blue halter straps. Both looked too short to be dresses, and Clary couldn't see herself wearing either one.

"Clary. I'd like you to meet Lara and Meg."

Clary blinked, looking around the room.

When Clary didn't say anything, Isabelle placed one moody hand on her hip, then took a step towards the bed. "This is Meg." She tapped the first dress, the plaid one. "And this is Lara."

"Ohhh," Clary replied, eyes widening a little. Then she glanced back up at Isabelle shyly. "You name your clothes?" OK, so that was kind of weird.

"They're Abercrombie and Fitch," she sniffed.

"So...you only name the expensive ones?"

Isabelle growled. "No, idiot, they came with the names. I thought you deserved an introduction before you tried them on."

Clary flushed. She'd never been called an idiot by another girl. Maybe by Simon in play, but it hadn't packed quite that much venom. She looked down at her feet, wanting to back up against the wall.

"Never mind. I know it's stupid. Just take off your clothes and let's try the fit."

"I'm pretty sure I can't wear anything that fits you."

"Are you calling me fat?" Isabelle asked, eyes narrowing.

"God, no! I meant that...you're incredibly skinny and you have breasts. You're perfect. And I'm..." She trailed off, with another unhappily embarrassed blush.

"You have breasts. You just don't have the right bra. And I realize you are vertically challenged, but that's why I picked these dresses. You won't even have to wear leggings to make them look decent."

"But you do?"

"If I hope to bend over, yes."

Clary smiled tentatively. "Is this really OK with you? Me borrowing your clothes?"

"It's fine." Isabelle shrugged dismissively. "They're last season, anyway. So if you spill tonight, I won't have to kill you."

"Umm. Thanks."

"So are you going to strip or do I have to get a pair of scissors?"

"I can do it," Clary quickly replied, shrugging out of her hoodie. Once the shirt came off as well and she'd managed to toss it over her head, she glanced up to find Isabelle smiling.

"This is going to be fun."

- - - - -

"Where's Clary?" Jace demanded, as soon as Isabelle came down the hall. Alone.

"Trying on shoes. Why, did you want to watch?"

"I just wanted to make sure she was still alive. I haven't heard anything in a while."

"That's because I knocked her out initially. Makes the whole process easier," Isabelle replied with a straight face.

Jace smirked. "You're such a bitch. I love it."

"You're such a dick. And I don't."

Jace laughed as Isabelle walked off, going to get the door.

He heard her turn the lock and open the front door.

"Hi. Am I too early?"

"No, you're good. Who are you?" Isabelle asked.

"I'm Simon Lewis. Are you Isabelle?"

"I am."

"Well, you invited me."

"I did? But who are you?"

"I'm Clary's friend?"

"Oh, right. I wanted her to have at least one. She mentioned your name. Come in, Simon Lewis. You can leave the glasses with your coat, if you want."

"But then I won't be able to see the wall before I walk into it."

"Pity. I guess I'll just take your coat, then."

Jace heard the shuffling of material. The coat closet opened and closed with a click, then Isabelle's heels led the way back toward the sitting room. "Jace. This is Simon Lewis. Clary's friend."

"I heard," he gruffly replied, not extending a friendly hand to the tall, dark-haired kid. He obviously didn't go to their school. Probably didn't even live in Manhattan. Jace knew people, and this kid was not on his radar.

"I've heard about you too," Simon replied, although he didn't look altogether happy when he said it either.

"Great. Then you've got a lot to talk about. I'm going to go check on Clary. Jace, will you get the door if someone else comes?"

"Sure."

"What's wrong with Clary?" Simon asked immediately, concerned.

"Nothing is wrong her. Isabelle is just playing dress-up."

"Oh."

"She's really good at that game."

"Then, I can't wait to see the result."

"Not before I do," Jace said with a sneer, then he was forced to get up by the doorbell.

"Don't touch anything," he warned Simon, before heading down the hall.

Magnus and Alec were on the other side of the door. Alec looked relieved to see Jace, and the fact that the house seemed quiet.

"Happy Birthday," Jace offered, with a speculative glance in Magnus's direction. They were closer to eye-level, and they gave each other the same stare for a moment before Jace smiled, and slid aside, giving them enough room to squeeze in.

"Thanks," Alec answered, heading inside.

"You shouldn't have," Magnus drawled. "I have a key."

"Really? How often do you expect to come over and 'study' ?"

"As often as Alec wants," he replied, tossing Jace a look over his shoulder before joining the others.

Alec and Simon were exchanging formal hand shakes. Simon looked overeager to meet someone who seemed moderately friendly. But then he caught sight of Magnus and looked uncomfortable all over again. The taller boy was wearing an overabundance of glitter. This wasn't a costume party, was it? He hadn't read anything about that on the invitation.

"Hi," Simon said tentatively, extended a wary hand, like he was worried the spiky-haired boy was going to bite it off.

Magnus grinned, clasping Simon's hand. Simon jumped when Magnus's other hand clasped his as well, holding him there for a moment. "So, who are you?"

"I'm Simon."

"Yes, but you're not a friend of Alec's, are you? And you don't look like someone who would hang with Jace."

"I...don't really know either one of them," Simon admitted, going for a political response, although he was already pretty sure he didn't like Jace. He was rude. And he looked like a ponce.

"Well, good for you, coming over. I had to drag Alec here against his will."

"But it's his party, isn't it?" Simon asked in a whisper.

"Exactly," Magnus answered, releasing his hands.

"All right, boys." Isabelle cleared her throat, standing in the center of the hallway, framing both walls with her hands. She was blocking the view for the moment. "I give you the new Clarissa Fray, wearing last season's Abercrombie and Finch. I was her stylist and makeup artist for the night."

Magnus looked eager for the unveiling, sitting down on the arm of the couch. Alec seemed relieved the attention was being drawn to someone else. Simon straightened his glasses, wanting to make sure he could see this perfectly. And Jace leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest with a lazy smile.

Isabelle stepped aside and a significantly shorter Clary stepped into view, wearing the butterfly dress with the dark blue halter straps drawn around her neck. Even though the dress fell nearly to her knees, Isabelle had decided last minute that her legs were just too blindingly white to go bare, and so she'd let her borrow a pair of black leggings, rolled up of course, and finished off with silver heels. They were too big, but Clary was being a good sport about it, her face warming up when she realized it wasn't just Jace in the room anymore.

"Wow, Fray. You look like a girl," Simon spoke up first, with a goofy grin.

"I am a girl, asshole." She felt more empowered with her retort, comfortable teasing with Simon. It was just their way. She even went so far as to pop out her hip like Isabelle did and place a hand on it, although she knew it would look a lot less impressive.

"You look pretty, Clary," Alec complimented, although his glance flickered in Jace's direction.

"Blue is definitely your color," Magnus decided, winking.

"Thanks, Isabelle," Jace said, pushing off the wall and approaching Clary. When he stepped up to her, Clary craned her neck back, no longer able to see anyone else behind him.

"You look beautiful," he said softly. Even from his lofty height, Clary could feel the heat of his breath against her face and she shivered.

"Thank you," she softly replied, taking more from his compliment than any of the others. It was insane how three words could affect her so much, but the tingles ran all the way down her bare arms and she was pretty sure her smile was lopsided. It also felt tight, from the lipstick Isabelle had insisted she wear.

"Want something to drink?"

"Just water," she answered, voice all breath.

He swooped down to kiss her cheek, feather-lightly. Then he said "be right back" and walked off towards the kitchen.

"You don't have a refreshment table?" Magnus inquired, brows raised.

"Jace thought it would be easier to self serve."

"That's just tacky. Here, let me help you throw one together before anyone else gets here."

Isabelle agreed, although they argued about which table would be appropriate for serving refreshments on. Nothing in the living room. Mom would be pissed.

"I didn't know you were coming," Clary explained, heading over to Simon.

"I thought it'd be a nice surprise."

"It is!"

"Yeah? I wasn't sure when I realized he'd be here too."

"Who, Jace?"

"Yeah."

"He's throwing the party."

"But Alec's sister sent out the invitations?"

"That's more her style. But it was Jace's idea."

"Oh. I follow you."

"But I'm glad you came," she insisted, touching his arm.

"Yeah. Me too," he said, though it sounded disappointed.

"We need some music too!" Magnus was insisting from the kitchen.

Jace vetoed that idea. Not to be dissuaded, Magnus dipped his head out, calling for Alec. "Wouldn't you like some music?"

"I guess?" Alec answered, humoring him. "But not too loud."

"Awesome." Then back inside the kitchen. "Overruled."

"You're really getting on my nerves."

"Oh? I'm flattered."

"I'm serious."

"So am I," Magnus purred.

"Isabelle!"

"What?" she called, grabbing some ice from the back freezer.

"I'm going to need a beer."

"So get a beer."

"Well, since you insist," Jace opened the fridge, helping himself.

"You're really going to serve alcohol?" Alec asked, looking alarmed.

"Well, we'd agreed not to," Isabelle replied. "But if he finishes it up before anyone else gets here, no harm done."

"I don't like it," Alec said.

"Too bad," Jace replied, tossing it back.

Magnus look revolted by the smell of the beer, and he headed back into the sitting room with the others.


italiachick13: Haha. Blame a friend of mine. It was actually her idea.

LA-EL-AS: I know. She's fun to write.

Pawfoot: I appreciate the reviews, even if they don't come regularly! And thank you for the cyber cupcakes! I love cupcakes! I tried to give you a little more Isabelle. I know, it's still not enough. Hang in there. And so true about Mrs. Weasely. I can see it!

Sungoddess64: Thank you!

BoulderGirl1059: Thank you. I do try to humor the J/C camp a little bit. Even though this isn't their story.

LOLhaily: No offense taken. To each his own.

Sillysac: I'm glad! She doesn't get much of a starring role, but she refuses to be ignored.

jinnabun: Egad, not cute! Haha. OK, fine. I guess it's OK if one fic is cute.

rachelalexandra: This better? Party is here.

bookworm0492: Thank you! Another point for Magnus's mom. She could totally win a reality show, just on popularity alone.

Midnight Hacker: Thank you! Love your pen name, by the way. Sounds devious.

Isabel Chase: Thank you!

Romantic-Faerie: No problem. But are you sure you'd want to take her home? Do you have thin walls?

burning..: There you go. Some more J/C. Yeah, I don't think anyone would really want her for their mom.

ireadtoomanybooks: Holy doolie? Wow, that's old school! Thank you for the review.

immortalmessanger: There you go. Party time, indeed.

Nenalata: Thank you! Love the cackle.

Hikoru Aniki: Thank you for the review! Happy Holidays to you as well.

xocanoodle: I don't usually reply to anons. Who are you really, and why don't you have an FF account already??

Why So Sirius: I'm glad. I loved that you REVIEWED. A rare pleasure.

Awesomesauce123: Epic, indeed. Thanks for lending me that word, once upon a time.

Echo1317: I'm sure she could work it.

icaughtkira: I thought it was time to change it up. For Alec.

Katara-alchemist: She amuses me too.

~*~HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!~*~

I will probably review before Christmas actually arrives, but just in case. I keep getting seasons greetings, so here, I'm sending them out too. With a flourish!