Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments series.
Also sorry I haven't updated in awhile, as a consolation, I will be updating tomorrow as well.
"Magnus" Alec called for what felt like the billionth time that day as he paced quickly after Magnus through the halls, rushing through the strings of people hurrying off opposite direction to him to their classes, it was half empty now when Alec reached Magnus and held his wrist in his own.
Magnus stopped abruptly at the sudden contact and turned around casting an eye down at Alec's hand on his wrist before looking back at him, "What, Alexander?"
"Magnus I-" Alec started but he stumbled over his words as he thought of what he might say. He hadn't planned anything to say to him, he just saw Magnus in the hall and knew he needed to speak to him.
He doesn't like that things are rocky between them and he doesn't like the way they left things off last night and although he was determined to give Magnus a few days for himself to cool off, he just couldn't.
And Magnus would be lying if he said he wasn't eager to talk to Alec again, there was something about Alec that he just couldn't imagine going through the day without seeing, without talking to him. But what was there to say? He had said everything he needed to say last night and they both knew nothing has changed since then.
They both knew it, they both knew that as long as Alec wasn't ready to share what they had with anyone, there was no future, no hope for the two. Their eyes connected as Magnus searched through Alec's hoping for a sign of something, anything, anything other than the flabbergasted look he was giving him. Magnus knew how to read Alec, he was conflicted now and sad and it pulled at his heart.
Magnus' eyes reflected the sadness in Alec's eyes, his expression softening slightly, he so wished their situation wasn't like this. But he couldn't be with someone who didn't want him truly and openly, it wasn't fair to him or Alec, their relationship. Alec knew that too, which is why the only words he could muster were "Magnus, I- I don't know where we stand.. and it terrifies me".
Magnus took in a deep breath, as he slowly pulled his wrist out of Alec's hand, whom knew not to protest even if he wanted to, he cast his gaze away as he said with a heavy sigh "Me too, Alexander".
Maia was walking home as usual while she texted Jordan, she always walks home because she leaves her car there, her parents would freak if they knew how and where she got that car from. Her phone beeped again with another message and she pulled it out of her jean jacket, smiling slightly when she saw the message was from Jordan.
Jordan- Are you free tonight?
She smiled as she turned another corner, her house is just one block from here now. She and Jordan had been texting and calling a lot lately. Not a day would pass that they wouldn't talk to each other. It was so weird for Maia, to think that someone who she hadn't known a few weeks ago has taken a part in her daily routine.
She wasn't the type of person who opened up easily and definitely not to strangers, but with Jordan she didn't feel scared of opening up, it didn't feel uncomfortable like it would have been with anyone else, it felt oddly right.
Maia- I might be persuaded to clear my schedule.
She was so invested in her conversation with Jordan, her eyes focused on her phone that she crashed into someone walking down the street, she looked at the old lady and apologized quickly. She heard her mutter something about 'Teenagers' and 'Those damn technologies' as she continued her path but she couldn't be bothered with whoever she was, her eyes returning to her screen, smiling when it beeped instantly.
Jordan- Persuasion? I'm good at that.
Maia turned the final corner as she texted How good though? I am not easily impressed you know.
Jordan- Pretty good. Look up.
Maia jumped back from her phone, her eyes widening in shock, she turned her gaze from her phone to the street and she found Jordan leaning on his jeep right across from her house, wearing a dark T-shirt that had a gaming logo she recognized and jeans, in his hand he held a picnic basket. He opened the passenger door for her and asked "Persuaded yet?"
"Getting there" Maia teased with a smile as she walked over to him, standing just a foot away from him as he put his arm over the car door and leaned forward slightly so that their faces were even more close.
"You know I was thinking that the sunset from this great place I know is the second most beautiful thing I've ever seen" Jordan said with a sort of teasing grin. Maia found her heart accelerating with every look he gave her.
"And what's the first?" Maia asked, sounding breathless, almost sure she knew what it was.
"You" Jordan answered back immediately and carefree as if it was the most obvious answer, Maia rolled her eyes at his cheesiness but couldn't help but blush slightly.
"Well" Maia said as if she was thinking it over, "At least I am intrigued".
"Intrigued enough to join me?" Jordan asked hopeful.
"And to ask where did all this come from? What's the occasion?" Maia asked hesitant.
"I don't need occasions" Jordan said.
Maia licked her lips as she got in the passenger seat, "Persuasion succeeded".
Jordan smiled wildly as he closed the door behind her and went over to his side, buckling and headed off.
Isabelle opened the door to her front home, walking inside with a sort of distracted expression, her eyes focused on the phone in her hand as she texted Clary a funny meme. She had this feeling that something was wrong with her and Jace, with him disappearing midday and her being a little bit in her own world all day long. She didn't want to pry and ask her bluntly but she would be lying if she said she wasn't curious and concerned.
Her heeled ankle boots hit something and she looked down immediately seeing a big red suitcase. Her eyes widened and she suspiciously looked back out to see indeed to her fears worth, her mother's car was in the doorway.
"Shit" she muttered under her breath sending an immediate text to Alec Why didn't you tell me mom was coming home?
She didn't keep in contact much with her mom when she was out of town on business but her mother always stayed in contact with Alec and would certainly have told him when she would be back.
She looked over the empty living room, maybe she still has a chance, if she walks back out very quietly she would never know she was there in the first place.
"Alec is that you, honey?"
"Shit, shit, shit" Isabelle whispered to herself as she heard the voice from upstairs followed by footsteps, she went to walk out the door and had it almost closed, almost out with only a foot stuck inside when she heard the distinctive voice, close enough that she knew was coming from the base of the stairs.
"Shit" She whispered to herself again as her hand stopped her movement on the door, she opened it wide and saw her mother's expression turn straighter, colder.
"Oh Isabelle, I thought you were-"
"Alec" Izzy said dryly with a tight lipped smile, it was fake of course and they both knew it.
Maryse eyes raked over her daughter's form with a horrified expression, "What in the Angel's name are you wearing? Or should I say not wearing".
Izzy looked down at her mid-thigh length black dress that showed off her long legs curtsy of her six inch heeled ankle boots, that had cut off at both sides of her waist showing off her skin, which she hid in school with a black leather jacket when she passed a few teachers.
"A dress" Izzy replied with a short cut off expression, her tone revealing her annoyance and a hint of teasing.
"Where is the rest of it?" Maryse asked exasperated.
Izzy almost wanted to answer back Crumbled on the floor of some guy's room, just to piss her mother off but she held back and answered simply "There is no rest to it".
"Why am I even surprised?" Maryse rolled her eyes as she turned around.
Izzy cupped her hands up in a choking position looking with narrowed eyes, aiming them at her mother's neck as she walked away. "We're going out tonight to a fancy restaurant. Wear something pretty".
The underline of her tone was very clear to Isabelle. Don't wear something flashy and revealing.
What she was actually going to do was very clear to her too. She will be wearing something flashy and revealing.
Her phone beeped with a text from Alec, a simple Sorry, must have forgot.
Izzy narrowed her eyes at the text and just as she suspected, Alec sent her the devil emoji and she groaned as she realized there was no mistake and it was all intentional. She sent back quickly Bastard.
"Red, left hand, no left, left, left" Clary screeched.
The three people came tumbling down over each other as Luke made the wrong move in Twister, sending the three of them, himself, Clary and Miranda to the floor with a loud thud and Clary groaned in annoyance, "You call that left?"
"Yes" Luke answered, a clear bold faced lie that made them all chuckle as they detangled from one another, pulling back to their original places.
Miranda stood up and sat on the couch, her hand reached for her glass of wine on the table, taking a few sips as she watched Clary and Luke argue over their loss. "You know you are the only one who can make Luke play games, Clary?"
Clary resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her mother, refraining from shouting the truth that in fact Luke was only playing the game for her mother's sake and not her own. That would have been awkward to shout out loud, right?
"I'm sick of team games, I want to win. Let's play a game where it's every man for himself" Clary said, "Or woman".
"Or child" Miranda added teasingly.
Clary narrowed her eyes at her mom as she argued back "I am not a child, I am a woman".
"In what universe?" Miranda joked.
"You know what? Fine. I am a child" Clary said, "Now when I win, you can feel the shame of a child beating down and embarrassing you two adults. And that shame will haunt you for the rest of your lives".
"Can't wait for that" Luke muttered with a chuckled as he and Miranda shared a look, and from his position, sitting on the ground took his own wine glass and took a large gulp, emptying the glass in one take.
"Let me get you another one" Miranda said.
"No let me" Luke said as he went to get up.
"No let me" Clary joked.
The two looked at her seriously and Miranda, who was half standing up by now, sat back down and said "If you insist, Clary".
Clary's eyes rounded as she stuttered "I was actually-"
"Thanks kiddo" Luke said, handing her the glass and sitting back down as he and Miranda started talking, opening a new conversation.
Clary looked down at the glass of wine with horror in her eyes, she was only joking, mocking their sudden chivalry towards one another, she wasn't seriously offering. She licked her lips and got up nonetheless, hearing two people snickering in hushed tones behind her back, making her roll her eyes.
She poured the wine slowly with a sort of tired gaze. Even though she cancelled her training session with Luke and it was still only eight, she was unbelievably tired. Today's events with Jace obviously taking a toll on her mood. But this was exactly what she needed after today. A distraction and if game night with her mom and Luke was what it took to distract her thoughts from Jace, she'd take it. She had to focus on something else, her unwillingness to lose in anything for instance.
Even a silly game.
She had to admit though, the fact that the two were willing to put off training for a game night for her was really touching.
True she had both blackmailed them and guilt tripped them into it, but it was all the same for her.
When she came back to the room, handing Luke his glass of wine, she saw them opening up a game of monopoly Luke had brought with. "You guys just screwed up, I'm great at real estate" she said.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, kid" Luke said as he started handing out money, "I have spent many long monopoly nights with my sister".
"Just because you do something a lot, doesn't mean you are good at it" Clary argued.
"For example: Your single life" Miranda muttered under her breath. Luke made an 'oh' sound as he stepped back.
Clary narrowed her eyes, "I'm sorry and your last date was before or after the great storm?"
Her mother smirked as she leaned back, tipping her glass forward towards Clary as if to say 'Well played'.
"Won't Jace and Izzy be joining us?" Alec asked as he sat down in his chair, next to his father on the round table at the restaurant, tucking in his tie as he buttoned the jacket of his suit.
"Isabelle said she will be late, as usual" His mother said, muttering the last part under her breath in obvious distaste, "Jace won't be showing up. Imogen is in town".
"Oh? He didn't say anything" Alec said, in an almost hurt, definitely confused tone. Jace would usually spend the time his grandmother was in town with her, most nights sleeping in her house where he had a room. Alec knew Jace also had a key for her house and he was welcome to stay there whenever he liked, as Imogen had pointed out many times, but Alec also knew that despite his tough talk, Jace didn't want to live alone in an empty house.
"Does he ever?" Robert commented with a chuckle.
"How has he been lately?" Maryse asked as she looked over the menu.
"Sarcastic, stubborn and obnoxious" Alec answered easily and lightheartedly.
"Like always. He is a lot like his father" Robert said chuckling slightly. A sudden sad expression crossed his face as he remembered his old friend.
"Also a vacuous asshat" Max said, his voice rising from behind the menu that covered his face, "Can I have a hamburger?"
The whole table fell into an immediate silence as all three pairs of wide shocked eyes turned to the little boy, they all shared a look then turned back to Max. Maryse was the first to speak, as she lowered Max's menu, making him face them all "Max, who taught you those words?"
Max's expression turned to panicked as he thought over a quick answer, he didn't want to betray his friend Clary, "TV". He was suddenly saved as Isabelle walked over, with a strut to her walk and a click of her heels, grabbing everyone's attention in the restaurant with her charisma.
"Sorry I was late" she interrupted as she removed the fur coat from her body, unveiling her red tight fitted dress like an artist unveiling his latest painting, which was by all means flashy and revealing. Her red dress had long sleeves attached to the bust of the dress hanging just low enough to show off her bare shoulders and neckline and just a hint of her cleavage, cascading down to pool on the floor, dragging behind her a bit as she walked, slitting on both sides of her legs from her mid-thigh to the end of it, showing off her long toned legs.
"Isabelle Sophia Lightwood" her mother almost screeched with a hand over her heart as if she might have a heart attack when she saw her daughter, who put her coat down on an empty chair on the table and sat down with an elegance only she could pull off, an elegance reserved for Isabelle Lightwood.
"Hey honey" Robert said clueless, or maybe he just didn't care.
"Robert" Maryse hissed.
"Maryse?" he answered back with a sort of teasing tone.
"Your daughter-"
"Is beautiful" Robert cut her off with a smile, he took his menu back and cleared his throat as he asked "What do you guys think of-"
"Sea food" They all finished his sentence in unison and a roll of their eyes. It's what he always suggests.
"And honestly Alec, when are you going to get a girlfriend? Because if you are not currently dating, my friend has a lovely daughter who would be perfect for you" Maryse said.
I highly doubt that. Alec thought to himself as he formed a tight lipped smile, gathering his wallet and phone, they had finished dinner and were heading out of the restaurant and Alec thought maybe if he just stayed quiet, his mom would just take the hint herself. He didn't want to ruin the evening when it was so close to being over.
"Oh look who it is" Isabelle said with a smile as they stepped out of the restaurant catching sight of the walking figure, Alec recognized him immediately.
"Magnus?" He said in shock.
Magnus turned his head towards them when he heard his name, his walking had stopped and he fixed them with a perplexed look, obviously not have expected to run into him like this. Isabelle waved Magnus over, and like a deer caught in a car's headlights, he stared not knowing what to do.
He seemed to have finally made a decision as he approached them cautiously, Alec noticed Magnus was wearing dark clothes and a glittering jacket that shined brighter as his muscles moved under the dim street light and he almost smiled at that. He always looks good.
Alec heard the restaurant door open and close and he realized his parents were now standing outside with him. A sort of panic set inside Alec as he looked over from Magnus to his parents who were busy in their own conversation or what Alec thought was a quiet argument. When he looked back at Magnus he caught the hurt look in his eyes and he realized Magnus caught up on his panic.
Alec's heart contracted in pain, guilt raking over him as he saw that look in Magnus' eyes. No, he didn't mean it. He didn't mean to hurt him.
"Alexander, Isabelle. It's nice to see you both" Magnus said courtly, cautiously as he made sure to keep a few steps away from him. "I didn't expect to run into you".
"Small town" Isabelle said with a smile, as she caught sight of the bag in his hand, probably shopping for necessities and what not. "It's great seeing you again".
"Yeah you too, but if you would excuse me, I don't mean to be rude but I need to be on my way" Magnus said with an apologetic smile. His gaze turned to Alec for a moment and Alec forgot how to breathe in that moment.
"See you in school" Isabelle waved as the two got back to their parents and Alec heard the last bits of their argument.
"Maryse you haven't stopped nagging the kids since you sat down" Robert sighed.
"Robert I just think we should tell him-"
"We agreed we would give him time-"
"And eighteen years isn't enough time for-"
"You can't spring this on him like-"
"What are you two talking about?" Alec interrupted, his eyebrows forming a tight knot as he glared between the two, not appreciating he was being treated like he wasn't there or as if he was a little boy, talking about him like he was too young to understand.
The two looked between each other before looking back at him in a moment of awkward silence. It was Maryse who spoke first, "You remember Lydia Branwell? My friend's daughter, you two used to play together when you were young?"
Alec racked his brain for a connection before he finally remembered why the name sounded familiar. "Isn't she getting into college early this year or something?" Everyone in their school was talking about her for awhile, some sort of genius, graduated a year early and was off to college in some other country.
"Yeah well, when you two were born, your father and I promised-"
"You promised" Robert interrupted Maryse, correcting her.
"We promised that if fate be kind you two would one day get married" Maryse explained.
Alec's eyes widened as he took a step back instantly, "You promised me off?"
"If both you and Lydia would agree" Robert interrupted, "We wouldn't exactly force you-"
"Think of it as a highly recommended plan for the future, Lydia is beautiful and smart, just like you. You two would have wonderful children-"
"Children?" Alec screeched in horror, shaking his head. He felt heat under his skin, overwhelmed with all these expectations, was all his life just planned out in front of him? Did he not have a say in this? He was only 18 and he didn't like Lydia, not like that, he was falling for someone else. He could never be happy with Lydia nor she with him. And his mother was suddenly talking about children?
It was all too much. He couldn't handle a life where everything was decided for him. He couldn't handle that.
It can't be like this. The image of Magnus clouded his vision suddenly, and a different kind of warmth filled inside of him. Magnus. He shook his head taking another panicked step away from his parents as they talked more about the arrangement they had to marry him off but it all went over his head.
The image of Magnus was all he could see now, his voice all he can hear, he tried to imagine a life without Magnus and he couldn't, he didn't want that. So he did the only thing he could think of.
"Magnus" his yell echoed loudly in the almost empty street, bouncing off the walls of the buildings back and forth that he could swear he heard his voice call him a million times. Alec looked back over to the way Magnus was going and his eyes caught him. He was looking back at him in complete shock. He probably wondered what he was doing. He didn't know either.
All he knew was that he needed Magnus.
His eyes narrowed determined on Magnus as he walked towards him fast pacing, he heard his parents call after him but he didn't care, he kept walking. He assumed by their cut off words that Isabelle has stepped in, stopping them.
With each step he took towards Magnus he felt his heart beat louder and faster, until he was just in front of him. He stopped for a moment, just hovering in front of him. His eyes scattered over his features, memorizing each one, the look of complete wonder in his eyes, the parted lips that uttered a barely audible sigh. How did they expect him to give this up?
And in one movement, he pulled Magnus to him by the jacket for a kiss. He pulled Magnus to him with everything he had, like he was as important as breathing to him, like he was dying and Magnus was the thing giving him life. The effect was instant, and as soon as their lips touched, something sparked back to life inside Alec.
Magnus' lips moved against his own in a desperate need, the feeling was foreign to him and yet felt so familiar like they had been kissing for years. Each stroke of their lips moving together in perfect sync was like throwing gas on the fire between them, making it burn hotter and brighter with each passing second. A kiss of bruising and need, a kiss of revelation, epiphany. His soul felt like it was leaving the cold dark cage it had spent years in, finally free.
He forgot all the people watching, he forgot his parents calling for him. He couldn't feel them there, all he could feel was the feel of their lips. Magnus' hands found Alec's waist pulling him towards him in a rigorous need, kissing Alec felt right. The most right thing he had ever done.
Magnus found his lips chasing contact with Alec's, he was his lifeline and he couldn't let go for the life of him, he didn't want to.
Isabelle smiled from her place in front of her parents stopping them from going towards Alec. She was so happy her brother was happy and finally honest with himself.
"What is the meaning of this? Robert this is what you allow while I am away?" her mother reprimanded.
"I had no idea" Robert argued.
"Of course you wouldn't, why would you pay attention to what is happening in your son's life?" Maryse accused.
"Oh and you are more informant on this, I assume?" Robert asked.
"Of course I wasn't, I would never approve of-"
"Well, it isn't for you to approve" Isabelle said as she fixed her mother with a cold glare, crossing her arms over chest as she tried to make herself seem more threatening.
"Isabelle, stay out of this" Maryse warned.
"No" she argued back, "Alec didn't ask for your approval and he doesn't need it and before you say something incredibly offensive about my brother, I suggest you go home now".
Maryse narrowed her eyes, "Don't speak to me like that, Isabelle. I am still your mother".
"So you say" Isabelle shrugged, "But you will not ruin Alec's night".
"This bad behavior is not acceptable-"
"I said" Isabelle interrupted with a pointed look, making it clear she won't back off this case "Go home".
Maryse scuffed, "You are just happy because you think if we are busy dealing with your brother's bad behavior than you would be free to parade around in skimpy dresses" she said in disdain as she gave Isabelle a look over from head to toe, "With as many boys as you'd like".
Isabelle narrowed her eyes, "Actually" she argued back, "I don't need anyone to distract you from what I am doing because I don't care what you think, and I don't care whether you know about it or not. I never asked for you approval and I am glad Alec is seeing the light as well".
"Isabelle" her father said, addressing her for the first time.
"I think you should go home, Alec can find his way back home, should he want to come home that is" Isabelle said with narrowed eyes, as she stepped forward, making her way between the two, "And I wouldn't hold my breath on me coming home either". She walked off, not caring as they called her name.
She had somewhere else she wanted to be at.
Sebastian had always been one to have your back for better or for worse, if you wanted to do the right thing or if you wanted to fuck shit up.
And Jace was in fact fucking shit up.
And by shit he meant his liver.
That poor organ must be drowning in its own blood by now, Jace was well enough half a barrel beyond being completely wasted and Sebastian's usual 'Everyone is free to make up their own minds' mentality flew out the window the moment he realized would probably drink himself to death, if let be.
"No" Jace whined a Sebastian took the shot from his hand, explaining to him that he will kill himself if he goes on, to which Jace responded with a frantic shake of his head, "I'm too pretty to die".
Sebastian groaned, even his weight in alcohol couldn't bust this guy's ego. "Jace, enough alcohol, mate".
"More" Jace said in a whining tone, his eyes shifting between half closed gazing at something far away and crazy wide eyes as his head tilted from side to side.
"By the Angel, man, how much did you drink? I don't believe I've ever seen you this drunk before" Sebastian cursed under his breath. "You won three battles today".
"I did" Jace nodded slowly and shakily, he then stopped, his eyes widening in a sort of wonder before he spoke, sounding fascinated "My mind is raking inside of my head. I can hear it".
"What's left of it, that is" Sebastian muttered under his breath. "Why did you come here, Jace?"
"Because of the lovely drinks those free ladies keep sending me" Jace said, as he waved a hand, Sebastian following it with his gaze to see a few ladies sitting at a booth, they giggled and smiled, waving back when Jace paid them little attention.
Sebastian shook his head, not just because of the faulty crap spewing out of Jace's mouth but also because of course girls are throwing themselves at Jace. Who by looking at them, Sebastian realized were definitely in their mid twenties.
"I think I... I think I should.. thank them" Jace said as he groggily stood up, swaying on both sides as he pulled himself to his length. Sebastian shooting up straight to hold Jace, keeping him from falling flat on his face.
"No you shouldn't" Sebastian said, looking back at the ladies who were ruffling their hair and looking excitedly in Jace's direction, he pointed at Jace as he spoke loudly for them to hear over the slight base of the music, "Under 18".
Sebastian could see the girls deflating, looking disappointed. Sebastian rolled his eyes annoyed before turning back to Jace, "Come on buddy".
"Buddy" Jace said with a goofy smile, raising his hand to rest it on Sebastian's shoulder as he looked at him seriously, pointing at him with his index on his other hand, but ended up pointing at the air behind him, due to the inability to see, speak or think correctly "Hey man, I love you, man".
Sebastian's eyes widened, "By the Angel, you are way too drunk".
"I'm not even drunk, buddy" Jace said as Sebastian helped him, putting on of his arms over his shoulders and grabbing his waist to help him up, Jace leaned his head close to Sebastian's ears as he whispered, "You know who else I love?"
"Thanks Raziel for the call" Sebastian nodded at the owner as he turned back to Jace, pulling him forward towards the parking lot, "Who Jace?"
"Sebastian" Jace said dazed.
He really is gone.
"Alec" Jace started as they reached the car. That must be it, he must think I'm Alec, thought Sebastian. "Alec, I am tired, I don't want to walk".
"I can't carry you, fathead" Sebastian answered immediately, "Just a few more steps till we reach the car".
"No car" Jace said, "Can't drive".
"Well at least you still have some sense in you, however barely noticeable it is" Sebastian joked, "I'm driving".
"Good, good" Jace said, "Where are we going?"
"Home"
"Noooooo" Jace whined as he leaned his whole weight on Sebastian, who's busy fumbling through Jace's pockets for his keys, was distracted and almost tripped.
"Jeez how much do you weight?" Sebastian grumbled as he held him up and leaned him on the car momentarily as he looked through his pockets.
"181 pounds of awesome" Jace said with a sort of dreamy expression in his eyes and a lopsided half grin.
"I have no doubt" Sebastian said dryly with a roll of his eyes, "Where are your damn keys? Did you leave them at the bar?"
Jace chuckled like a mad man, "Maybe" he said in a teasing voice.
Sebastian sighed, ruffling a hand through his dark hair, Jace is determined to drive him crazy, he was sure. "By the Angel, one day I will literally murder you" he warned, then scratched his jaw as he thought over.
"I thought I was too heavy to carry" Jace argued, "How are you going to get rid of the body if you can't carry me?"
"I'll get help. You underestimate the amount of people you drive crazy" Sebastian said. He shook his head as he turned back to Jace with a smile and cooed "Jace dear-"
"Yes, honey?"
"Can I trust you to stay here while I get your keys? You won't try to run off or talk to strangers?" Sebastian said in his baby tone.
Jace opened his arms wide as he grinned, "Come on, have you met me?"
"That's why I'm so worried" Sebastian narrowed his eyes.
Jace frowned "Why are you so grumpy, Alec?"
"By the Angel" Sebastian sighed loudly and short tempered, as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Praying for the Angel to give him strength, "Just, Jace, stay!"
"Woof" Jace snickered as Sebastian went back to the bar to get the keys, there was no way he would drag Jace's limp boy back and forth the parking lot when he was that drunk and that heavy. He was surprised that Jace was like this, he usually can have a pretty good handle on his drinking, he didn't usually get this wasted. He figured something must have happened to put him in such a bad shape.
It wasn't his parents' death anniversary, he knew that.
It's definitely not his grades or games.
It probably wasn't a problem at home or Alec and Is would have said something.
Maybe it had to do with Maryse coming home. Although from what he understood, Isabelle was mostly the one with the problem with her mother, she had texted him earlier that they were having family dinner or something.
Come to think about it, Sebastian noticed Clary had a grim expression today at school. Maybe that's somehow related. The Angel knows those two's sexual tension can't be cut with a freaking chainsaw.
"Raz, you know if Jace left his keys here?" Sebastian asked and Raziel just shrugged. Sebastian looked around the floor but couldn't find anything. He preferred to have drove Jace home in his car and come back for his own in the morning, he would feel better making his sober choice in leaving his car behind than letting drunk Jace leave it there.
He sighed when he was sure he couldn't see it and went back outside to Jace who was leaning on the car, looking at his phone. Sebastian begged the Angel he wasn't calling or texting anyone he shouldn't drunk call or text.
He took the phone abruptly from his hand, though he knew that sober Jace could have faster reflexes and he wouldn't have gotten a hold of it if he was. Sebastian looked at the phone and noticed it showed Clary's contact or at least who he assumed 'Cute Angry Smurf' is.
"No, no drunk calling Clary, man" Sebastian shook his head. "Now let me take you home".
Jace flinched back "Buy me dinner first, I don't go home with just anybody".
Sebastian rolled his eyes, "I've known you for over five years. Yes, yes you would".
"Am I cheap?" Jace asked gesturing to himself as his eyes rounded, the moonlight reflected in his golden orbs, glimmering almost like he was on the edge of tears now.
"No, no" Sebastian shook his head as he cooed as if talking to a toddler, dragging out his vowels excessively in a disbelieving tone. "Not cheap, just slutty".
"Hey" Jace protested loudly.
"Relax mate, I'm kidding" Sebastian chuckled, "Now let me take you back home before an adult realizes you are out here the way that you are".
Jace's eyes widened horrified, "Imogen would kill me".
"Imogen is back?" Sebastian asked, his eyes widening matching Jace's horrified look. He shook his head, "Home, now, fast". Sebastian knew Imogen was one scary grandma when she was angry. Especially if what she was angry about involved Jace in trouble, her only living relative. She was a very cold person, or at least that was the exterior she put on in front of strangers and in business but she always had a place in her heart for Jace.
Granted, Sebastian never saw that place but he has heard of it, among their group they call it the Loch Ness Monster. Rightfully so. Some people believe in it, some swear they've seen it, but no one can prove anything.
"I'll get you tomorrow morning, drive you here for your car and with your spare keys, you'll take it home" Sebastian said as he dragged Jace to his own car.
"Did I tell you that I won three battles tonight?" Jace asked.
He did. "That's wonderful, Jace" Sebastian said instead with a smile as he pulled Jace into the passenger seat. Sebastian got in the car quickly and eagerly and headed for The Lightwood's house. He had asked Jace softly if he wanted to talk about what got him to the point of drinking past awareness and Jace replied tiredly 'No', followed by a simple 'Bad day', which Sebastian had understood would be the only thing he said about the subject.
Which was fine by him, so they stayed in silence as Jace flipped from one position to the other on his passenger seat. "Mate it is only a five minute ride, please sit still" Sebastian had finally said.
"Alec your car seat is different" Jace sighed, explaining his fidgeting and Sebastian was tempted to drive off the street for that.
"By the Angel, Jace, sit still" Sebastian said firmly which made Jace stop in his place momentarily, to look up at Sebastian through narrowed eyes, which Sebastian couldn't tell if it was a glare or just a drunken look he had, and Jace made sure to move his lower half over the seat, squishing the leather that made various sounds, in an attempt at rebellion.
"That's it I'm driving off the cliff now" Sebastian said but Jace only responded with uncontrollable laughter. "The Lightwood's house can't appear any faster" Sebastian groaned.
"No" Jace shook his with a sort of daze in his eyes, "No home".
"Jace you need to go home, it's way past midnight" Sebastian tried to reason.
"No home" Jace groaned, "Clary's".
"No Clary's"
"Clary's" Jace repeated with an almost childish shout.
"Clary is probably asleep now, besides you can't show up pissed off drunk to her door" Sebastian tried to reason.
"I can't believe I let you show up pissed off drunk to her door" Sebastian said in a half whisper half shout, shaking his head disappointed in both Jace and himself, he just didn't know who he was disappointed with more.
No, he knew. It was himself.
"Not fucking drunk" Jace said.
Sebastian shook his head knowing Jace was going to forget this in the morning. Sebastian had finally managed to convince Jace to call Clary before knocking on the door because her mother might literally kill them both.
If he couldn't stop his best friend from embarrassing himself, the least he could do is stop him from going straight towards his own death.
Or at least he hoped he could manage.
A/N: Hey guys thanks to everyone who followed, favorited or reviewed, it means a lot to me. Hope you guys liked this chapter and I'll see ya in the next one.
