Thanks again for supporting my first story, it means a lot to me that anyone out there is interested in something I've created.

Same disclaimer as last time – except I take back what I said about the Herondale's – Cassie can totally keep Stephen… what a dick-wad.

On with the story…

Chapter 2

The next day...

To Clary's surprise, things with Sebastian that morning didn't go as bad as she expected. Although, if she's being perfectly honest, she may have not been clear enough about the whole break-up thing. Yeah, looking back she's pretty sure Sebastian thinks they are still together. Crap. Where did I go wrong in the conversation? She wondered.

Clary thought back to that morning...

Clary had surprised Seb with his favorite brunch at his apartment that morning. She knew Jon would be at the office already, but Thursdays Seb works from home in the morning. She figured, what better opportunity to air things out with no distractions and a finite timeline with Seb's 11am Thursday Zoom meeting lingering.

When Clary got there, Sebastian was clearly surprised and incredibly happy to see her. She realized with her work on her graduation pieces and Seb still recovering from tax season at work they hadn't seen each other in almost two weeks. As soon as he opened the door his dark brown eyes went wide as he grabbed Clary and kissed her with so much passion, she almost dropped their food. Once she recovered from the surprise embrace, they sat and enjoyed their favorite meal together with their usual light hearted banter, until Seb broke the ice first.

"So, I'm guessing you didn't just bring me my favorite meal for the hell of it..." he let out a deep breath and continued tentatively "Helen says your mom is adding an art studio to the book store?"

Clary looked down and nodded.

Sebastian lifted her chin so that her eyes were on him as he asked "Are you moving back, Clare?"

Clary nodded once again and let out a small breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Yeah, I'm going to be managing the Art studio, selling my pieces, and teaching classes... it's basically my dream opportunity" she said softly.

Seb nodded and said "I kinda figured that's why you've been distant lately. You were probably wracked with guilt trying to figure out how to break the news to me?"

Clary nodded as he continued, "Look, Clare. I know this is an amazing opportunity and I would never ask you to pass that up or make you feel guilty. I know you miss your friends and family in Idris, and no matter how much you love me I can't ask you to give that up for me."

Clary pulled him into a hug and said "Thanks, Seb. You know I'd never take a decision like this lightly. You've become my best friend here, and it'll be so hard without you."

Sebastian looked at her sadly, "Well, I'm going to miss the hell out of you, but it's not like we can't visit and Skype until we figure something else out."

Clary was so relieved at how well he was taking the news that she didn't realize what he was implying until she went to leave and Sebastian kissed her passionately, again, and looked her in the eyes and said with complete and unwavering conviction "I love you, Clary. We will get through this."

Yep, pretty sure he thinks we are still together. Fuck.

Later that evening...

"Hey, Jon!" Clary said as she answered the phone.

"Clary, why does my roommate think you guys are still together? I thought you were breaking the news today!?" Jon said as he bypassed a proper greeting.

Clary groaned into the phone. "I thought I did, but I realize now I probably could have been clearer."

"Probably? He just went on for 10 minutes about how long of a plane ride it is and if Dad will give him extra time off since it's for his 'little girl's happiness'. And all I could do was sit there and nod like a jackass. C'mon Clary, you need to tell him…" Jon paused, "unless you decided to make it work?"

"No, no... I dunno… Maybe it's just easier to let him realize how hard the distance is and break it off with me instead?" Clary said only half-jokingly.

"Ugh, Clare... don't be a bitch. Man up - or woman up or what the hell ever... just tell him... soon."

"Did you just call me a bitch?" Clary asked incredulously.

"Well, when you string along my best friend slash roommate slash co-worker... then yeah... that's a bitchy move, sis."

Clary pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed deeply. "Okay, okay. I'll do it... soon."

"You better." Jon said before hanging up.

Clary flopped down on her bed with a sigh. Okay, breakup with best boyfriend ever - who you should want to be with but instead are chasing an elusive dream of passion and fireworks all thanks to one ridiculous, albeit hot, kiss four fucking years ago - round two. Fuck.

Clary knew it was totally ridiculous. It had been four years since she kissed the hot guy with the Golden eyes in the club the night of her high school graduation, but she still couldn't get it out of her mind.

When she first moved to Alicante she did her fair share of dating... Magnus would have said she was "sowing her royal oats" or whatever... but, honestly she was just looking for someone or something to give her the same spark that she had felt that night. That's part of the reason that she had avoided Sebastian's advances for the first couple of years. Sure, he was sexy with his black hair, deep brown eyes and toned body, thanks to his years playing soccer. He was also smart, funny, and her dad and brother both approved... but, Clary couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. Then, one drunken night she gave in and agreed to a date. Seb had been perfect and that only continued as their relationship progressed. Even without that spark, the sex had been great, and their relationship had thrived. Seb was the perfect gentleman and had even begun working for her father's company, Forsaken Corp. as an accountant, once he graduated. He was also completely head over heels for Clary. While she did love him, she just couldn't muster the same passion that he held for her. Thoughts like this made Clary wonder what was wrong with her.

I have the perfect man, she thought, so why am I running across the country to get away from him?

With a deep sigh, Clary buried her head into her pillows and thought tomorrow... I'll tell him tomorrow.

Two weeks later...

Clary still hadn't told him. Excuse after excuse had stopped her, but she knew today was definitely the day.

She was at her graduation art exhibit with her whole family. Her mom and Luke had flown in last night and the two of them, plus her dad, brother, and Seb were all arguing about which of Clary's pieces were their favorite and she couldn't help but feel proud. She had two pieces up for auction and she knew her parents weren't going to let anyone else walk out with them without a fight.

Two hours later they were all laughing as they walked into their favorite Alicante restaurant, Daylighter Cafe. Sebastian and Valentine had gotten into a bidding war over one of Clary's pieces and the look on her dad's face when he realized he had paid the very person who had been trying to best him was priceless. Let's just say he was not acting like the "Proper Swiss Gentleman" that Valentine vehemently claimed to be in that moment. Finally, with Valentine making some not-so-discreet threats towards Sebastian's job, Seb finally conceded. Clary was grateful considering she still had yet to break up with him and she would certainly feel guilty if he had spent a fortune and angered his boss on her behalf.

After a dinner full of laughter and love, Clary couldn't help but be grateful for her life. How blessed was she to have such a supportive family and network of friends?

Once they got back to her dad's house, she asked Seb to come up to her room with her. She began pulling him by the hand to her room. "Keep the door open, you two!" Valentine shouted up the stairs. Her dad may have been old fashioned, but he certainly wasn't naive.

Clary couldn't help but roll her eyes, "okay, Dad!"

Once they got to her room, Seb turned to her and grabbed her face gently looking into her eyes and said with conviction, "I am so proud of you, Clary. Your work was incredible. You are incredible."

"Thank you, babe. I really hope you still feel that way after what I need to tell you." Clary looked him in the eyes and said with an unwavering voice. The time for being scared was over, it was time to "woman up" as Jon said, and tell Sebastian the truth. "Seb, I don't want to do a long-distance relationship."

"Neither do I babe." Sebastian said as he pulled Clary to him and buried his face in her hair. "But we will somehow make it work and come out even stronger."

Clary pulled back to look him in those dark, beautiful eyes as she shook her head gently and said "No, Seb. I love you, but we need to take a break. We can't be together during this transition. At least, we can't only be together. I don't want you to wait for me and I can't promise to wait for you."

Sebastian looked stunned as he looked into her eyes looking for confirmation that her words matched what was in her heart. When he found nothing but truth, he couldn't help but say "How can you mean that Clary? You would really throw away what we have because of a little distance? I don't understand. I thought we wanted the same things."

Clary put her hands on his face and looked into his eyes, "Seb, this isn't a little distance, this is across the country. And I was never sure if you were the one for me. I know you've always believed it, but I believe there is someone else out there for you. You are an amazing man, and you deserve someone with absolutely no doubts about that. You deserve more than what I can give you." she said as she let her hands drop to her sides.

Seb lowered his head and shook it gently. When he looked back up there were tears in his eyes. "You will regret letting us go, Clary. There is no one out there better for me than you, and vice versa. But, if you want a break then I have to love you enough to let you go... for now."

"Thank you, Seb. I love you, too. I knew you would respect my decision and that's one of the reasons I love you so much. You truly are amazing." Clary whispered as she leaned on her tippy toes to kiss him on the cheek gently, as a few tears slipped from her own eyes. "Thank you for being one of my best friends."

Sebastian pulled Clary into a hug and they stayed like that for a long time until Jon found them to come downstairs and continue the Graduation celebration, though neither of them particularly felt like celebrating in that moment.

Well, they broke up… although, something tells me he's not quite done fighting for Clary. Only time shall tell…

Also, I feel like I should throw this out there: In this story Sebastian is nice, Jonathan is nice, Valentine is nice… everyone is just super fucking nice.

Thanks for reading :)