**The characters names of The Mortal Instruments are owned by Cassandra Clare. The original content of this story are owned by Ms sweets, 2020. Please do not copy or reproduce my story without written permission.**
A/N I originally wanted to keep this Author's Note short, but I'm kind of losing faith in this story, I still have so many things I wanted to do with this it but my last couple of posts haven't done so well. I am grateful to those that do take the time out to read these chapters and I really mean it. I enjoy writing these chapters, I enjoy hearing your responses to each one of them. I'm just losing my momentum lol.
Anyway let's move on from my sob fest. I loved writing this chapter, possibly my favourite thus far. I wanted to see how much tension and fun I could have in it, like some of the games I've played at University.
REPLY: To answer a question that was asked by Jling - He hasn't seen an older Clary, only Clary as a Child and the one he knows now.
Chapter 9 – Truth be told, or dares commence
"Here's your coffee sir."
"Why thank you, pip." The man said as Clary retreated from the table and back behind the counter, she saw there weren't any napkins and went to the stockroom to retrieve some. Looking around in there she couldn't see them, they were usually in a brown paper wrapping but she couldn't see it. Which was odd, because the stockroom was only small, like box sized, enough for two or three people to fit in there max.
Giving up, she rested her head against the shelves, thinking about tonight. Jace was coming or at least he said he was, and everyone was going to meet him, including Simon and Sebastian – who she still hadn't told Jace about. In all fairness she hadn't told him about Maia or Jordan or Magnus. Everything was going to be fine; she was going to pick up the stuff she said she would, set up and have a good night, with her friends and boyfriend and have some good-ole fun.
"Lordy Lard is here." She jumped at the sudden voice that was now in the room with her, she slowly turned and saw it was Jill, more belly than person at this point; her due date was getting nearer. Clary had wondered not for the first time why she was still at work.
"You scared me."
"Sorry." she said apologetically, "What are you doing in here?"
"I was looking for napkins, but I can't see them."
"Clary." She said slightly tickled, her had resting on her bump.
"Yeah?" Clary was not sure was funny about her situation.
"They're right in front of you." She reached over to grab the napkins that were all of a sudden in front of Clary, to much of her surprise and handed them to her.
"Where's your head at?" Facing the spot Jill had just got the napkins from, she saw them, in the brown paper bag clear as day.
"In bed. Didn't get much sleep." Putting an arm over her shoulders she pulled Clary closer to her, guiding Clary out of the stockroom and onto the floor "C'mon sleepy, not long left now."
Bringing her focus back to the shop and everything that was going on, she remembered Jill had said something to her in the stockroom, that she hadn't caught. "Who'd you say was here again?" She asked placing the napkins in the holder in front of the till and beneath it.
"Lordy Lard."
"I haven't seen him in ages, where is he?"
"Right by the toilets, why anyone seats there is beyond me." She spotted him right by where Jill had said, he was slimmer and older, she already knew his was an older man but like he had aged quite a bit but despite that, his hair was neater, shorter. He was by himself as always, but he wasn't being obnoxious at all. Just reading his paper and drinking his coffee.
"He's usual here for Christmas. Eating those brandy schnapps." Clary said.
"I know I was shocked as well. We had so many of those leftover last Christmas, cause he didn't come and the clotted cream." Every year since Clary had been there this man had come frequently in the store during the festive season, and relentlessly demolished the Christmas treats they gave out with each purchase.
"Well, I was thankful for the biscuits." She peered over to him again, "I wonder why he didn't come."
On her first Christmas there some of the older staff had made her serve him, goading her to the till whilst they hung back and watched. It left her confused, but nonetheless she went to serve him, completely unaware of how the interaction was going to be. She went to speak to him how she had been taught to, introducing herself, then asking what they would like, going to introduce herself he cut her off "You're new, look I don't really care for your name or any other formalities, I will have coffee, black. And a slice of carrot cake, try not to be too shabby when cutting it, I will resend if the cut is butchered or too thin. I'm not paying with my good money for shoddy food."
Clary was taken aback by his bluntness, and how he addressed her, did he speak to everyone like this? Looking at the other staff behind her she saw them giggle and "Are you listening?" She turned back to see the man with a disapproving look.
"Yes sir." She kept her voice strong and calm, trying to remain professional.
"Then what did I just ask for?" He didn't believe her, she wasn't about to succumb to his attitude or horrible behaviour, standing tall as she possible could, she answered him.
"You asked for a coffee black, a carrot cake, a generous and not too shabby slice and butter. Oh, and sugar, which you can get from the self-service area, that provides more than one sugar to your liking, so you have a variety to criticise about over there."
He was shocked by her response, Clary questioned if she was the first person in the shop to not cower down from him, "You can't speak to me –"
It was her turn to cut him off, "That'll be £6.95, are you paying by cash or card?" he continued to stare at her in disbelief whilst reaching for his wallet and getting the money and handing it to her. She was doing so well not faltering and remaining professional, those girls had thrown her into deep end with this guy, but she knew how to swim.
Gathering up his change she spoke again, "Now here's your number sir, if you would take it and find a seat myself or someone else will bring over your order when its ready. If you're capable, please face the number towards the counter, so we can find you easier and you can get your food much faster." She smiled at him, knowing it would piss him off.
She hadn't given him the receipt and change yet, dragging it out. She looked for his hand readying to give him it, when she saw he had a gold ring, that was clearly old on his wedding finger, how could someone marry that? Continuing to smile sweetly at him she gave him everything whilst speaking, "I'm Clary by the way and yes, I am new."
After finishing with the guy, she walked to where the girls stood handing one of them the order sheet and said they had an order to make. The girls looked at her with shock and Clary continued past them, getting herself a drink from the staffroom.
..
It was coming up to Clary's shift ending and she noticed the man was still there, he was still sitting by the toilets, not having budged once and not being his usual self. She wasn't complaining about that, she was just curious as to why. Had life finally found a way to humble him? Whatever it was, she was thankful he was being… decent.
Suddenly Jill was in her eyeline, "Clary, I think this will be the last day I see you."
"Why?"
She pointed to her bump and it clicked, "Oh yeah! I'm gonna miss seeing you." Clary hugged her, if she had known this was going to be their last shift together, she would've brought a gift for her and the baby.
"So am I, but I'm so ready to put up my feet." She said over her shoulder and then pulled back to look at Clary, she huffed, "I'm gonna be someone's mother soon." Her eyes opened wider, gazing past Clary, as though her words had finally made her realise it was really happening.
"They'll be lucky to have you. You'll be great."
Her eyes found Clary's again, "Oh, I'll be giving my all. I'm still young, only 25, I'm gonna be a cool mom."
"Yes, you, are." She laughed "Come in and visit." She hugged her again.
"Of course I will. I'll send pics, when they're born."
..
After climbing all the stairs with the bags, she finally reached her room pushing the door open. She fiddled with the wall searching for the light switch, finding it, she switched it on and made her way to her desk, tripping over some of Sebastian things, he had left his clothes on the floor and she didn't have time that morning to 1) Tell him to pick it up and 2), Try and neaten them up herself.
Placing the bags on her desk she stripped off her clothes and lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling she contemplated how the evening was going to go, she was looking forward to it, but this would be the first time Jace would be around other people than her. What excuse would she use to say who he was? A friend from school? She couldn't say that Simon would know that's a lie. A friend from her course? Sebastian would know that's not true, he had walked and waited many a times for her lectures. How in the hell was she meant to introduce him?
Frustrated, she picked up her pillow and covered her face, screaming until she couldn't.
..
"Baby, is everything ok? You seem anxious." He pulled her fingers from her mouth and steadying her shaking leg. They were both half laying down on the sofa, Clary on top of him watching the tv, or at least she had been trying to.
Lifting her head up she answered, "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"
He looked down at her incredulously, love in his voice, "Do you not feel your legs?"
"I feel your hand on it." He tilted his head at her, "That's because I stopped it and, I pulled your finger away from your onslaught on it."
She looked down at her finger and saw her fingernail was shorter than it was then when she had come into the kitchen, she was still really nervous, and she still hadn't thought of a reason to how she knew him. Turning in his lap she faced him, holding his face and tried to reassure him "I'm fine, it's just I'm not prepared for how drunk we are all gonna be. It's been awhile." She knew she was lying to him, but she couldn't exactly say it's because her time travelling friend may or may not be coming to their little gathering, so she went with that.
"Well, I'll be here. I've got you." She smiled at him and tilted her head a little more round to kiss him, meaning for it to be a light one but he deepened it, and she didn't feel like cutting it off. Returning the same energy, she turned her body completely around, so she was straddling him, her hands trailed up his hair and pulled eliciting a groan from him, he slid further into the sofa bring Clary down with him. She needed a distraction and Sebastian's lips were just the thing. Kissing her hard enough to make her feel good, she broke it, moving to his neck, showering kisses along his jaw, he bucked, and she felt his erection through his jeans.
She wanted more and she was faintly aware of where she was but not caring, feeling his arms snake round her and down to her ass, he grabbed it, making her groan a bit. She returned to his lips, kissing him with the same passion and grinding her hips slowly on him, Sebastian moved one of his hands from her ass and slid it under her top, first skimming her spine before he found what he was looking for and unclasping it, his hands found their way to the front, cusping her boob.
Removing her hands from his hair she tried to find his zip, when he put his head under her top and she felt his mouth around her breast, she stopped, as she really fought back a moan as he began his assault on her breasts, she needed this, she wanted him and she really didn't care where they were. Going to hem of her top to pull it she heard a noise making her jump back from Seb, just in time for the lights to flick on, "If there were any doubt you two hadn't had sex, there isn't now." She gathered up her hair that had curtained around her face and flicked it back over. Seeing Magnus standing by the table, going through the bags she had got from the shop, "You know, you room is literally just down the hall."
She straightened up herself, trying to make herself somewhat presentable, "Hi Magnus." Her breathing uneven.
"Hey biscuit, hi Sebastian." He was amused, clearly by what he had walked in on.
Sebastian poked his hand out from the sofa and waved, "To be caught in the act." Magnus smirked.
"You caught nothing." Clary sighed, glancing down at Sebastian who seemed uncomfortable, not involving himself in the conversation. How lucky he was just to be laying out of sight, she really wished they had switched around.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, just a heated kissing session." She knew he would never buy it, but it didn't hurt to try.
"Oh, is that what you're going with. Ok. So, explain to me the misplaced bra in your top? And what I assuming is a very quiet Sebastian is doing?"
Clary gave up trying to weasel her way out of the situation and just laughed, Magnus continued to smile at her, "Come over here, let me fix you up." Getting off Sebastian she went over to where Magnus was by the table. He helped fix her bra and her hair giving her some advice along the way, "If you're gonna get lost in the sauce, make sure the door is closed next time. It gives you more of chance." She laughed, nodding lightly at his words.
"Now you look like you were just watching a film." She rolled her eyes at that, knowing what he said was funny.
"Thanks Magnus." She turned back to face him.
"No problem, biscuit." He winked at her, "Now tell me why you brought something similar to lemonheads in your bag?"
"Erm, their lemons sherbets. I just picked them up. Impulsive buy." She had gotten them to put in her room for Jace, so whenever he came, he would have something lemon in reach. Diving her hand into the shopping bags she pulled somethings out, "I did, however, get some really good vodka, Jägermeister, VK and some other alcopops."
"We can have the alcopops for starters."
"I'm sorry, are we having a four course?"
"No, but we do need icebreakers, something the taste nice but still has alcohol in it. Something that gets the blood pumping." He picked up the VK "This'll do." Looking back over to the sofa, where Sebastian had remained silent, he directed his next sentence to him, "Now Sebastian help me move this table."
..
It was 12am and the party was in full action, Simon was smiling and dancing to the music with his friend Eric, who'd he brought from his classes. She had heard about him from their conversations, so she wasn't shocked to see him, no one else had brought a friend beside her and Simon and at this point, it looked like his friend would be the only extra guest.
She hadn't heard from Jace and she didn't want to bother him, as much as she would've liked for him to have come, but she had accepted he wasn't coming and instead decided to enjoy the party. Downing a couple shots, she moved to the middle of the kitchen, dancing with Sebastian swaying her hips and moving against him. It had been so long since she had had a few drinks and enjoyed herself with her friends.
Everyone was dancing, singing along to the songs, Maia and Jordan were even dancing really close together at one point, which Clary noted but didn't pay too much attention on. Continuing her fun with Seb she felt his hands trail down her thigh, and she giggled resting her head against him, swaying to the music. Then she heard his voice by her ear, "Clary."
"Yes baby." She didn't turn around but continue to rock against him.
"Your phone is vibrating. I think someone is calling you."
"Uhmm…" She was only a little bit tipsy, but she was enjoying not caring who called, she was spending time with her friends and boyfriend without having to fork out a bunch of money at a club.
"Clary, your phone." He said again, and she listened properly taking in his words, snapping out of her little trance, she removed herself from and the room, closing back the door as she did. She pressed on her notification and the selected the called back feature and waited for them to answer, finally they picked up, "Hi Clary, sorry I know it's late, but the time escaped me today." Clary snorted, pulling back her phone and saw it was 1:30am, then brought it back to her ear she heard Jace "Hi Jace." Cutting him off "The party is still going on, if you want to come or not. Up to you."
"If that's alright with you."
"Well I did invite you." The line went silent and she saw a shadow outside of the main door, pushing herself off the wall, she walked over and opened it to see Jace leaning on the wall. He was dressed in all black as usual, "You got dressed quick." She said, ending the call.
"I brought Coke." She looked and noticed the bottle he was holding she hadn't told him to bring anything "My apologies for being late."
"Mhmm." She walked over to him, closing the gap a bit, "I guess late is better than never. Come on before they start wondering where I've gone."
Using her key card, she opened the door, Jace right behind her, she stopped at the kitchen and took a deep breath, it was finally time to introduce him to the others.
"Are you alright? He asked her, slightly turning her head to him she answered, "Yeah, I'm fine, why?"
"No reason." Pushing against the kitchen door they entered, and all eyes fell on Jace, it was finally happening, other people than herself were meeting Jace, her friends. The music started quietening down and Clary remained in the doorway of the kitchen, Jace beside her, when Simon nudged past her to get in, pushing her into Jace slightly, she felt his hand on her lower back guiding the impact of the motion. Glancing up at him quickly, she then moved her eyes across the room and found Seb, sitting on the back of the sofa watching them, with a glint of something in his eyes that she couldn't place, but she knew whatever it was, it wasn't good.
Turning back to Jace she thanked him and created space between them, "This is my friend Jace. Jace this is, Simon – the one we are currently holding this lovely get together for, Maia, Jordan, Magnus, I believe that's Simon's friend Eric and Sebastian… my boyfriend.
"Why is the name ringing a bell? Sounds familiar." Simon said holding his beer in his hands.
"My name is fairly common; you may have heard it in passing."
"That's not it, I swear I've heard it…" He trailed off, finding a seat next to Eric on the sofa and taking a swing of his drink.
It was Magnus next to talk, "Well aren't you a posh lad." Taking the bottle of Coke from him and putting it on the table.
"Hmm, that's subjective." Jace responded
"No sweetie, that's factual."
Sebastian hadn't said anything other than hi to him as part of the collective hi's. Grabbing Jace a drink, she left him to mingle with the rest of her flatmates, perching herself in front of Sebastian "What's with the long face?"
"My face isn't long." Something was off with him, but she didn't want to ruin the party by asking a bunch of questions, however she did want to make sure he was ok, without seeming too serious. "It is right now." She tugged at his jaw trying to be playful.
He rolled his eyes at her, not being serious, "You never mentioned you invited anyone." She knew that was coming, "I didn't think he was coming. So I never brought it up. Don't be mad."
He jerked his head and gazed up at her, "I'm not mad. I just didn't know you invited someone, when did you do that?" Clary had seen him mad before, and knew he wasn't, but she was still getting a vibe from him, she'd probably have to sort that out another time.
She went to answer his question when Magnus glided over to the speaker and turned down the volume, turning he faced everyone in the room, "So it's time for games. We are, playing… drum roll please." pointing at Jordan, he drummed against the table.
"Truth never I have I dared."
She turned, calling from her spot in-between Sebastian's legs, "What is that? And, how long did it take you to come up with it?"
"Not too long, I have a way with stringing words together." He winked at her, "So as I was saying, Maia and I, brought some cards, one set t&d and the other never have I ever and mixed both sets together to have more fun."
"That's sounds like more trouble." Sebastian said, wrapping his arms around Clary waist.
"Exactly." Maia added a little too gleefully, finding her way over to Magnus.
"I'm game for that." Jordan said a little too enthusiastically.
"Yeah me too." Eric said, rubbing his hands in anticipation.
"I we, hope so." Simon said clearly intoxicated.
"But with some additional rules. Fail to do the dare or answer the question, you take a shot." Maia added, picking up a bottle of Sourz "Fail to do a dare that involves another, two shots."
"Dun dun dunnn." Magnus provided dramatic sound effects.
"You're so dramatic." Clary stated.
"Yes. Yes, we are. Let the games begin!" Clary didn't like the Cheshire cat grins on Maia or Magnus' face, knowing what it led to… mischief. Looking over at Jace, she noticed the amusement on his face, he turned, as though he had sensed her staring, facing Clary he smiled. She smiled back, except her smile wasn't genuine, it more so out of anxiousness, she didn't know what games they had picked and now she wishing she had in advance. What had she gotten herself into?
..
They had all gathered around the table after having to move it back into the centre of the room and grabbing extra chairs from their rooms to accommodate for the additional bodies, she was sat next to Seb who was on her right and Maia on her left but directly across from Jace. He sat next to Magnus, who was on his right and Simon, on his left. Leaving Eric and Jordan sitting at opposite table ends, Jordan on Maia's end then Eric on Simon's.
The music had been left at a lower volume so everyone could hear the questions, Magnus had also kept one of the empty bottles, so people could be randomly selected for dares, he was not here for any favouritism or selective choices saying, "Let the gods of the bottledom, guide them." Clary shook her head at that. Each of them sat we a shot glass in front of them, ready for the bulked at any things said, their selection of drinks was in the middle of the table with the cards.
"Seeing as we have two additional faces here today, one of you can go first." Magnus said, Jace glanced up at Clary quickly and she caught his eyes before he looked at Eric, "Eric, seeing as you came at the appropriate time, I think it's only right you take the lead."
"Ok." He shrugged and stretched for the deck of cards, picking a card and reading it out, "Never have I ever shoplifted."
Eric drank to his statement, along with Maia, Magnus, Jordan, Seb and Jace "Wow, you mean to tell me, that me and Simon are the only ones who haven't." Clary couldn't believe it.
"It's not even a big deal, do you know much fun it is?" Maia quipped, putting her shot glass back on the table.
"No." She laughed
Simon looked at her, "We should cry it Clary." In Simon's inebriated state he said the wrong, but she didn't bother mention it to him. instead, she leaned over to Simon and shook her head and responded, "No, we shouldn't Si." Returning to her original position, it was Sebastian's turn, "It's a truth or dare one."
Just before he could flip it over to read Maia shouted, stilling Sebastian's movements, "Oh oh, I forgot to mention this but, when you get that card the person to your right or left should read it out. That way, you can't pick the less embarrassing one."
"Ok, can I have my hand back now?" She smiled and dropped it. Sebastian turned to Clary handing her the card, she read, "Truth or Dare?"
"Dare, baby."
Clary giggled, "Give a lap dance to the same sex for a minute."
He smirked at Clary, pushing his chair out and pointed at Magnus, "Magnus, I'm coming for you, play something good."
"Don't have to tell me twice." His face lit up and music started playing, Sebastian had brought Magnus' chair out, so he had more room to move and then he went for it, giving his all. Clary was thoroughly surprised and kind of turned on by his movements, his gyrating, hip thrusts and little bum shake, she would definitely have to get him to do that for her.
Alarm went off and the time was up, Magnus was smitten as a kitten, "I hoped you enjoyed the show."
"I would definitely come again." Everyone laughed at how flustered Magnus was, it was so strange to see him like that, "Clary I can see why you can't keep your hands off of him." Now it was her time to blush, bowing her head she tried to hide it, then she felt Sebastian by her ear, "Don't worry baby, you're the only person I'll make come… again." This didn't help her, and he knew, she smacked his leg and he laughed at what he had done, giving up trying to hide her blush and she lifted her head and saw Jace smiling at her.
"It's you turn Clary." Maia pulling her away Jace, she picked up a card, "Never have I ever snuck in somewhere." She drunk to this, along with everyone else.
"Where was it?" Jordan asked
"Some concert, I can't even remember the name of it, they were giving out free alcohol. We were underage at the time, 15 I think, but that didn't stop us." She laughed, "And it didn't stop our parents from getting mad at us too."
The next couple of questions were mild until it reached Jace, "Truth or Dare?" Magnus read to him "Truth."
"What sexual position do you like the most?"
He smirked, taking a shot of his drink, "Ok, onto the next person. Simon."
"I never said I wouldn't answer."
"Well honey, you didn't say anything. You drank."
"I was thirsty." He rested his arms on the table and leaned in, still facing Magnus.
"I don't particularly have one, just depends on what position allows all of me." He didn't say it boasting way, but he knew he had alluded to his size and wasn't shy about it. It caught Clary's and Maia's attention though, Clary drank her chaser, knowing it would obscure her face and Sebastian couldn't look at her.
"Well on that note, Simon?"
"Right." He picked up a card, "Never have I ever slept with more than one person in one night."
Magnus, Jordan, Sebastian and surprisingly Eric did, she tried to reserve her judgement, but she failed "How do you guys even have the stamina? I've seen you come up the stairs."
Jace chuckled into his glass, "Gym helps." Jordan said and Seb nodded, earning a look form Clary.
"Baby, it was my first year here and I was just having fun."
"A little too much." He laughed and tried to kiss her, but she squirmed playfully, until he had a firm grip on the back of her neck and brought her lips to his, pulling back he spoke, "I'm yours now." Rolling her eyes, she pushed him away softly.
"Ok… Well Magnus doesn't go gym." Maia said turning her attention to Magnus, "That's correct but I do have other ways to keep up. No not drugs, before you say or ask" He pointed his finger at everyone, "but I do prefer to keep my secrets to myself."
He took a sip of his drink and then proceeded, "Anyways, we can't keep talking in between each revelation, we'll be playing this game forever if we do."
For the next couple of people, no long conversations were had, a few gasps and 'no ways' but the shots keep going. Simon had resorted to only doing truth or dares and drinking water to help sober him up a bit, so he could continue to play, which Magnus had kindly agreed to.
It was Jordan's turn "Never have I ever performed oral sex."
"Never?!" Maia asked shocked, leaving her drink untouched and staring at Jordan as though he was talking in tongues.
Sitting forward he looked her dead in the eyes, "Never." And sat back in his chair, remaining unbothered by her outburst.
"Wow Jordan, a lot of girls will get upset at that."
He shrugged, "Not my thing. Don't mind it though."
"Of course you do." Maia mumbled.
"Can everyone who has to drink, drink now?" Magnus questioned, staring mainly at Maia and Jordan, holding her hands in surrender he carried on "Great, so if you've given head, drink up."
Clary didn't touch her drink, in all the time her and Seb had been together she hadn't done it. She wasn't scared of doing it, it was just before she had a chance they were always onto another part, parts that made her squirm in pleasure. Maia, Seb, Eric, Simon and Magnus did though, watching as they did, Clary noticed Jace hadn't touched his drink and called him out, "Why aren't you drinking?" She pointed at him.
He smirked, giving her his attention, "What makes you think I have engaged in such things?" He was challenging her, "Were you not the one that implied you mouth wasn't always "polite"." She counteracted.
"That doesn't imply, I was talking about sex. I could have simply been talking about foul language." His smirk continued to grow.
And a smile started to spread on Clary's as she played his game, "Cut the shit Jace, you and I both know you were talking about sex."
Jace leaned forward, getting closer to her, "And what is it to you if I don't?"
"Nothing, I'll just know you're all talk." She leaned across the table too, not as much as Jace, "I thought you were a man who only spoke truths."
"I would love to know what gave you that impression." He looked her up and down and grabbed his glass taking a shot and sat back. Clary sat back as well, "Don't forget to take another one, for implying I was making it up. Come on Jace, drink up."
He laughed lightly, shaking his head a little, as Clary poured the brown liquor in his shot glass, "Two for blunder." Holding up two fingers and wiggling them, he drank the shot feeling it more than the last one. Pulling at his top to fan himself, he exposed his torso and her eyes lingered on it before looking away, she had then realised the room had gone quiet apart from the music in the background. Peering at the others she asked, "What?"
"Are you two done?" Magnus clearly amused by whatever he had just witnessed, she had realised how it could have looked to others and more importantly Sebastian, not chancing a glance at him she diverted, "We weren't doing anything," She replied scratching the back of her neck, "Magnus your go."
"Oh, I know." He said sweetly "Ask another player a question of your choice." Magnus Cheshire grin had reappeared, and Clary was feeling fearful, "I'll ask Seb, rate everyone in the room out of ten."
Clary looked at Seb for the first time and saw his expression, he looked kind of annoyed a bit, he eyes kept flicking to Jace, probably wondering who he was and how she knew him. She hadn't answered his question earlier and now she was kind of glad she hadn't.
"You want me to rate you all?"
"Yep, and don't hold back. Be as brutal as you want." Magnus added, Clary wondered why he had asked that question and why he said be brutal, she didn't think this would lead to anywhere good.
"Fine." He shuffled in his chair, "Clary a 9.5, Maia 9, Jordan 9, Magnus 9, Simon 8.5, Eric 6, I don't really know you." He had left Jace out or had he left him until last on purpose, Clary didn't like this at all. Sebastian finally looked at Jace and Clary peaked at Seb, he looked annoyed, correction his was pissed, he was in some sense trying to hide it but in another, he wasn't.
"It was Jace right?"
"Indeed it was." Clary looked at Jace and saw he had a neutral expression on his face not giving anything away.
"2." He smiled tightly at him and slouched back in the chair, there was an awkward tension in the room for a second, Clary needed to diffuse it, not liking what had just happened, "Erm, Jace it's your turn." Jace was drinking his drink, raising his eyebrows for a split second before placing it back on the table. Magnus picked up the card for him, "Truth or Dare?"
"Dare."
Magnus looked up from the card and peered at Clary, which confused her, just as quickly as he looked at her, he went back to the card. "Very affectionately kiss another player in the room." So that's why he looked her, she had pieced that together. But why did she think it would have something to do with her? Maia was also there and so were the boys.
Magnus handed him the bottle and he spun it on the table, Clary was hoping it would land on Maia, watching it continue to spin it started to slow down just as it made its way back to her side. the bottle had drastically slowed down when it had got to her and she was hoping it could just make it little more to land on Maia, when it stopped.
"I'll drink." Jace said, going for the shot.
"Why?" It was Sebastian who spoke, he was poking at the situation. Goading at Jace, Clary could feel her heart beating faster, as she watched the scene unfold.
"Because I think it would be best." Jace answered, remaining unfazed by Sebastian attitude.
"It's just a game. Doesn't mean anything." He said snarkily.
"Your expression would tell me something otherwise. So I'll drink." He took the shot and told Simon it was his go, Seb continued to watch Jace and Clary watched him, seeing Seb swallow hard, making his Adam's apple bob, this game was going from bad to worse.
"Never have I ever had an "accident" in public?" Simon read, Clary drank and so did Simon and Jordan, changing the atmosphere of the room, making it light-hearted again as everyone asked questions on how, where, when and what age. Clary welcomed the shift in the room and the following cards that came, they carried the theme on and then it was her turn, "Truth or Dare?" Maia asked
"Truth."
"Did you have an imaginary friend growing up?" Maia asked her, Clary eyed Jace giving him a knowing look, he looked right at her slyly smiling then sipping his drink.
"No."
Simon spun his head in her direction, "That's not true, I could've sworn you had one." He said in an accusing tone. She had told him about her imaginary friend – Jace, when they were younger, when they had been telling one another of their secrets. But he was drunk-ish and she knew it was easier to confuse him in that state.
"No I never." She answered, denying it.
"Yes, you did, I just can't remember," His voice was getting higher each time he spoke.
"I think your drunk mate." Eric said patting him on the shoulders, Simon nodded his head to that and took another drink of his concoction.
Clary drank too, glancing at Jace again, he caught her eyes and then continued his conversation with Magnus. They had decided to end the game on a good note, not trying to push their luck, Eric had said he was staying the night in Simon's room and soon they had left, Maia and Jordan followed suit saying they were too tired and drunk to clean, that they would do it in the morning.
Leaving Magnus, herself and Jace cleaning, Sebastian had been the first to leave, asking her if he could borrow her card to get his things, she had got up to go with him but before she had reached her door he was coming back out, he handed her back her things. Kissing her cheek and leaving, he was supposed to have been staying over, she stood there for a bit taking it in that he had left angry, she wanted to go after him and talk, but running down the stairs in her condition wasn't wise. Ridding herself of the sadness she felt of him leaving, she went back into the kitchen.
"Thanks for staying to clean. You didn't have to." She said putting the rubbish in the bin, he opened the lid for her "It's only right, I am a guest." After depositing the rubbish in the bin, she looked up at him.
"My point exactly."
"Children," They both looked at Magnus, watching as he took his gloves off and put them in the cupboard "I'm giving up and calling it a night, I need my beauty sleep." And he left, leaving Jace and Clary alone.
Sweeping a little more, she looked around the rest of the kitchen and huffed, "I think I'm gonna give up too. It's nearly…" She looked at her phone screen and yawned "4am."
"With a yawn like that, how could you deny it."
She yawned bigger holding onto the broom for support, "Definitely time for bed."
"I'll walk you out." Placing the broom on the wall they walked to the main door, "You gonna be ok to…" she closed her eyes, yawning again.
He smiled at her sweetly, like she was a child "I'll be fine to, you know…" He mimicked, clearly playing.
She bit the inside of her mouth trying to suppress her smile, "Good." Jace reached for the handle pulling the door open, he went to leave stopping to say something, "Before go, could I see you tomorrow."
"Don't you mean today?" She was doing what he had done to her last time, he chuckled at this and she slowly perched herself against the wall, her eyes fighting to stay awake. "Yes." She sighed.
"Goodnight Clary." And he was gone, disappearing before her the eyes whilst door slowly shut, letting out the phantom of a man.
..
Clary was waiting in the staircase staring out the window waiting, she had agreed to meet Jace for 1pm suggesting they should go to the park in central London, it was beautiful day and the weather was halfway decent, it would be a nice thing to do on Sunday. She needed an escape from everything that had happened last night. It didn't help Sebastian wasn't picking up the phone to her, she called and texted him multiple times, but she got no reply, she needed – no, she wanted to talk to him.
Lost in thought she hadn't noticed Jace appear, finally noticing him she made her way down the stairs and greeted him, making their way to the underground station. She showed Jace the different lines, it was funny seeing him confused. As she showed Jace the different lines she decided not to go central, but to stay in the south, grabbing his arm she walked them to overground instead and taught Jace how to buy a ticket, (not that he would have any use for it) then hoped on the next train.
They didn't really talk as they sat on the train and Clary didn't mind the silence, in fact she welcomed it. With Sebastian ignoring her she didn't mind not talking for a bit, the silence didn't feel weird at all, it never did with Jace, in a way it felt calming, like being in each other's company was enough.
Reaching their stop in Hampstead Heath they got off and made their way to the park, Clary taking lead as she knew the way, they had come to one of the many entrances to the park and walked down the path
"Where is this?"
"South Hill Park, it's a beautiful place." She had been there plenty of times, sometimes with her mom, but not often it was kind of out of the way for them to go there, so it had been a while since her last trip there, "Come on I haven't even showed you the best part." She grabbed his hand, intwining their fingers together as she led the way to the spot.
She stopped, letting go of Jace's hand, "This is the Maze." She peered up at him, "It's not a massive maze, so you can see over the bush walls." She glanced back at it,"But it's still lovely."
"That it is. We should walk through it."
She nodded, and the two of them made their way through the maze slowly, "About last night, you weren't lying, it was definitely an… experience." He stifled his smile, continuing to take in the scenery
Clary sighed, "It was awkward."
"Some of the most memorable parties are. But if you think it was so unbearable, you can make it up to me." He answered, pushing his fingers in his coat pocket.
"Oh, oh ok. How so?" She questioned, in a sarcastic tone.
He bit back his smile, a playful spark in his eyes, "With part two of course." Clary stopped dead in her tracks, feeling the force of the wind, closing her eyes she felt her hair blow about all around her, clinging tighter to her jacket she waited for the gust of wind to die down so she grab her hair and tuck it in her hood. Jace must've noticed her struggle and lifted her hood whilst bunching her hair in his other hand, her eyes remained closed trying to avoid any bits that could fly into her eyes – short people problems. Clary only felt him tuck her hair in her hood and placing it on top of her head.
The wind had finally died down and he continued, "Maybe you'd wish to scratch this from the books and have a do over."
"You said it was memorable, so that doesn't take away what happened, argh – its, just… hmm. It was just awkward."
"Why? Because you withheld information that could've prohibited such things." There was only softness to his question, slash statement, no underlying malice to it, no judgment. He was just pointing out something she had done.
She looked at him knowing, what his was saying was true. She could've told him that night they went on walk she had a boyfriend, but by doing that it could've resulted in him saying no to coming, she knew it was kinda misleading but she didn't think it would be a big deal.
Clary wasn't ashamed to say Sebastian was her boyfriend by any means, not in the slightest. Even now. Sebastian was one of the best things to happen to her since coming to Uni, he spurred her on, been her muse a couple times, but most of all she loved him, and he made her happy. Her and Jace were friends and she wasn't obligated to tell him everything, it also didn't help that whenever he was around, she kinda tuned everyone else out, it wasn't intentional, her focus was on the small time she got to have with him.
"You're on about Sebastian, aren't you?" She asked soberly.
"Not entirely." He smiled tightly; she opened her mouth to say something, but he continued, "Why did you think you couldn't tell me? Did you wish not to talk about your intimate life?"
"It's not that." She sighed, frustration running through her, she walked a little faster leaving Jace to catch up. Her short legs didn't get her that far, she wasn't trying to anyway. She just needed time to think, Was she afraid talk to about those things with Jace? No, no she wasn't.
It didn't take Jace long to catch up, his strides were bigger than hers and he closed the distance easily, "Then what is it? Be honest with me."
She took a deep breath, slowing down her steps, "I didn't think you would come if you knew. So I didn't mention it." Her voice was small, but loud enough for Jace to hear.
"I erm..." She took another deep breath and exhaled, he waited patiently for her not rushing her to speak, his eyes soft and caring, "I know it's silly, but I just really wanted you to be there and my thought process was like, don't mention you have boyfriend, he won't come, which is really dumb. I know it's dumb." She could feel herself getting flustered and over something so stupid as well, she hated it.
"I'm sorry I make you feel like that, that was never my intention." He replied, sadness etched in his voice, she looked up at him and he looked at her, "It's not on you. It's really not. It's all on me."
Adjusting his tone, he spoke again, "Well I hope… moving forward you will feel more comfortable with me, to share." She played with her lip, "You never bring me discomfort Jace."
A smiled pulled in the corner of his mouth, a shift in his demeanour, "Would you like to talk about anything now?"
"Like what?" She pressed
"Anything, that's the beauty in talking."
"Erm." Her mind had gone blank, she couldn't think of anything to speak about, now that he had put her on the spot.
"How's work? You are still working at the coffee shop?"
"Yeah I do, and its good, you get some characters come in but that happens all the time." She chuckled "Like Lordy Lard, he came in yesterday."
He was intrigued by this, "You have someone named Lordy Lard come into your shop."
She laughed again "His name isn't actually Lordy Lard, his name is – I actually don't know his name, but it's a nickname we gave him."
Clary could see Jace was really amused by her story, "Why give him such a name?"
"Erm, he eats a lot. He's quite stuck up and he erm… he always has butter. Not matter what he buys, he always asks for butter, which is strange."
"That's where the lard part comes from." She nodded
"If he doesn't use it then and there, he takes it home."
"Interesting character."
"You have no idea." She smiled at the many memories she had of Lordy Lard. Sobering down she asked Jace something, "What about you?"
"What of me?"
"What intimate details do I get of you?"
"You haven't shared anything intimate of yourself.
She knew he was right, that she hadn't really said anything personal, that she had tiptoed around it only speaking of trivial things, but he said anything. Besides, she considered Jace apart of her intimate life, that no one really knew of, she wasn't sure she even knew. So she deflected, "It works both ways Jace. Kinda like tit for tat."
"Jace is a nickname." She was shocked by this; she couldn't imagine another name for him, it had suited him so much. "My name is Jonathan."
"I never would've guessed that. You know funny enough, my mum always said if I had been a boy, my name would've been Jonathan. She really likes that name."
"What are the odds?" He huffed
"So where do you get Jace from?"
"My initials, J.C, I was not particularly fond of my name. So I went with that, J C, then it turned into Jace and stuck, more so when I was at school." She thought what the c could stand for, knowing he wouldn't tell her.
"I'm gonna guess your middle name." She said matter of factly, taking her hood off her head. The wind had long gone and she was starting to feel warm all wrapped up in her coat.
"Oh really?" He said jokingly
"Yeah, I am."
"Who's to say I'll tell you when you're right?"
"I want to believe the honest man in you, will." He chuckled and they began to walk away from the maze.
She thought about what he had said and how she didn't really share anything intimate with him, "My full name is Clarissa; I think it's dated. So I go by Clary."
"It's a beautiful name."
"When I'm elderly, yeah." She quipped back.
"Regardless of age." He paused, "I may just start calling you that." A small smile pulled at his lips, "Clarissa."
She narrowed her eyes slightly and challenged him, "Then I'll call you Jonathan."
This time his smile spread filling his face, the one she liked so much. "No you won't."
She smiled back at him, knowing he was right again, she wouldn't call him Jonathan she had grown too attached to Jace, it had been a name that her mind had clung for dear life, she wouldn't change it now, she preferred Jace, Jace was hers.
They had gotten to the end of the maze when an idea struck Clary, "I think we should create time marks."
Jace looked at her confused, "Create what?"
"Marks throughout the year. So you'll have a timeline, of where I will be, that way you won't have to guess." She saw him processing her words "I'm mean, you've been doing a spectacular job so far, not going back so far into the future." She thought about what she said and whether it sounded right, and determined it didn't, she rephrased "I mean the past, no, that's not right. Ok, my future, your past. I think this will be… a lot easier."
He had a big grin on his face and probably laughing at Clary's fumbling with her words, "What?"
"I knew what you meant." She rolled her eyes; he had been messing with her, "So you're giving me guide."
"Yeah, I know how much you like them. And every time you come back; I'll add to it, if something comes up."
He nodded, "Here's your first one, I finish Uni for the year on June 16th and I won't be back till the 21st of September."
"I'll make a mental note of it." He tapped his temple, making her chuckle slightly, "You better."
..
Clary had gotten back home, she had left Jace at the station, he had told her he needed to do something and thanked her for spending the day with him. She had enjoyed her day out with Jace, he told her his birthname, she hadn't imagined he would do that, she still couldn't believe that.
Opening the flat door, she heard noises coming from the kitchen and saw everyone where there including one person she wasn't expecting "Sebastian?"
They all looked at her and their conversations died, "Seb, I've been trying to call you all day."
Sebastian was sitting on the coach and was now facing her; a sombre look adorned his face, "I know. But I needed, erm, I needed time to think."
She was confused, "When did you get here?" Clay knew everyone in the kitchen was listening intently on their conversation, but she didn't care, Sebastian was here, in her kitchen sitting. Like he hadn't been avoiding her, talking to her friends.
"About a couple hours ago."
"And you didn't call?
"I wasn't gonna coming, then I bumped into Jordan." Clary looked at Jordan, he cowered away from her gaze, turning his back to her, she looked back at Seb "So I came up here and just chilled."
Clary held back her annoyance, "Do you want to come to my room?"
He breathed heavily, "Yeah." Gathering his jacket in his hands he got up from the sofa and followed Clary to her room.
He found his way to her chair and she shrugged off her jacket hanging it up in the closet, moving to her desk she pulled the draw out and took some pyjama bottoms and went to the bathroom. Stripping off her jeans and putting them on, she came back out and saw Sebastian looking puzzled at her, "Why'd you get change in the bathroom?"
Holding her jeans to her chest she replied, "I didn't think it was the best time to strip in front of you. So, I just went… in the bathroom."
He nodded, accepting what she had said, she through her jeans in the clothes basket before sitting on her bed, fidgeting a bit she broke the silence between them, "Why the silent treatment?"
"I got a little pissed off last night. I needed time to calm down."
"I should've told you I invited someone." Messing with her hands, she peered at him.
"Clary, I don't care you didn't tell me someone was coming." He got up from the sit and started pacing, he wasn't mad though, he was calm, "What I care about, is how you know him."
"Last year, before I met you, I fainted at work and he was one of the customers who helped him. He came up back another day and we started talking, that's it."
He stopped pacing a looked at her, something clicking in his head, "It wasn't your mom on Friday, was it?"
She took a deep breath and answered, "No, it was him."
"Why didn't you just tell me? Why did you lie to me?" His voice was still calm, no anger directed at her, just an eagerness to know.
She couldn't tell him the complete the truth, so she weaved it about to suit herself, "Because, he's a private person and I just didn't want a bunch of questions asked, like now. I wasn't being secretive on purpose. I wasn't trying to lie to you."
"So you're telling me you're just friends?"
"I swear, Sebastian. We never done anything, never even crossed my mind."
"But has it crossed his?" He questioned
"No." Clary answered sternly
"How can you be sure?" He countered
She thought about what he had said, Jace was just her friend, he had met her when she was a child, that would be weird. But how could she tell Sebastian that, she couldn't and she didn't know how to word it otherwise. "He doesn't think of me like that, I promise."
"Every guy thinks like that. A one point or another, I saw how he looked at you."
"We were just messing about. Like I would be with Simon."
"Simon doesn't look at you like that." He walked over until his knees hit the edge of the bed, he was in Clary's direct eyeline, wanting to be on his level she stood on her knees giving herself some height.
"Baby, trust me, he doesn't feel that way." Weaving her hands through his hair she tried to comfort him, to reassure him.
Leaning into her hands he spoke, "I got jealous last night, I didn't like how it made feel, and mix that with the drinks… maybe I probably wasn't seeing things right. I'm not trying to read into things Clary. So if you tell me nothing ever happened and nothing's going on, I believe you."
"I love you Clary, and I'm sorry I didn't answer you calls or any of your texts, I just needed to think. I wanted to make sure when we did speak, it didn't come out bad." He pecked her lips "I don't care you if have guy friends, just be honest with me." She couldn't argue with that, he hadn't raised his voice once with her, she should have been honest with him, just as she should have been with Jace, they were both right. She caused the unnecessary tension, so she only had herself to blame.
"I promise. I love you too. I sorry I upset you, I should've just told you the truth." She kissed him passionately, taking in his affection, she didn't think of nothing else but Sebastian's arms around her and the softness of his lips. She really meant what she said to him, she really did love him, and she shouldn't have lied but it was complicated and lying was inevitable.