Chapter 6.5
So another half chapter with the other character's point of views, it goes back to the last Friday when they went to Pandemonium. I am really sorry that I haven't updated in while. School and softball are kicking my butt, but luckily for all of you spring break has started and that means I will be free to write many chapters! Anyways, hope you enjoy this little filler chapter.
Alec
Alec hated dancing. The only reason he had come was because his sister had made him. Well, that and the fact that Magnus was going to be to be at Pandemonium as well. Alec didn't completely know why, but he was drawn to Magnus, like a moth to a flame, which seemed a very fitting metaphor seeing as Magnus was always covered in glitter and bright clothing while Alec was more comfortable in old sweaters.
He blushed a little as Magnus pulled him closer. Magnus had literally dragged him onto the dance floor after the others had started to make their way to join the swaying bodies, for being as slim as he was Magnus was surprisingly strong. Alec shivered as Magnus's hands skimmed across his back and down to his butt, causing him to blush even more. Magnus was so sure of himself, but not in a cocky way like Jace, that it startled Alec a little. The flamboyant boy was also pretty strait forward in everything he did and said to Alec, so much so that it sometimes took him off guard.
Even knowing all of this he still wasn't ready for when Magnus suddenly pulled Alec so close that every part of their bodies were touching the other's, or when Magnus suddenly brought his lips down on Alec's. At first Alec had frozen, but then he loosened up and kissed Magnus back. Alec fisted his hands into the fabric of Magnus's tight shirt as the kiss deepened. When they finally separated from each other Alec was sure if it had been seconds or hours that they had been kissing, and he was almost surprised to notice that they were both breathing hard. Heat made its way into his cheeks and Alec looked down, not being able to look Magnus in the eyes for some reason.
"Alec." Magnus said and Alec couldn't help but look up into the boy's yellow-green eyes. The eyes held a mischievous look within them but there was also happiness and this made Alec feel a little better. "I'm sorry if I was too forward."
Alec burst into laughter at the thought. "Really, you, too forward!" Alec managed to get out between laughs.
"What-" Alec pressed his lips to Magnus's quickly before Magnus could finish and looked at the surprised boy.
"Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, I think it does." Magnus smiled. They didn't talk anymore after that, they merely just danced. What was amazing, even more so than the fact that Magnus had kissed Alec and Alec had kissed him back, was the fact that Alec was actually enjoying himself.
He was enjoying himself so much in fact that when Magnus furrowed his brows and said he would be right back that Alec was slightly disappointed but agreed. About three songs later, which involved Alec dancing awkwardly by himself, Magnus returned with Clary in tow. Alec was surprised to see his red headed friend follow behind the sparkly boy. Clary danced with them for a while before she slipped away and made her way back towards the tables. Alec was secretly glad for this, another thing that surprised him, because this meant he wouldn't have to share Magnus's attention.
The danced the rest of the night until Izzy found them and told them they were getting ready to leave. Thankfully they were going back home, Alec didn't know if he could handle this new development with Magnus in public, especially considering he wasn't exactly out of the closet when it came to his sexuality. When they got back to the Lightwoods house Magnus and Alec sat on the floor of the television room and whispered amongst themselves instead of watching the movie until they fell asleep.
Much to Alec's pleasure, Magnus even made a presence in his dreams.
Magnus
Magnus smiled as he drove to the Lightwoods, thinking back to the club.
He knew he was going out on a limb, but Magnus didn't care. Alec was quiet compared to his other siblings and he had no fashion sense, but he was still extremely attractive in his own way. His blue eyes were enough to undue Magnus and cause him to lose his train of thought. So when Alec's only response to his forwardness on the dance floor was his cheeks reddening Magnus felt relieved. But that wasn't what he the limb he would either stay securely on or plummet off of. With an almost nervous deep breath Magnus leaned down and met Alec's lips with his own. At first Alec's lips didn't respond and Magnus was getting ready to pull away when suddenly Alec started to kiss him back.
Magnus didn't think he had ever felt more relieved in his life. The kiss deepened and Magnus reveled at how it sent tingles down his spine and through the rest of his body. When they pulled away they were both breathing heavy and Alec was blushing. Magnus was too happy to keep the smile off his face. But when Alec refused to look him in the eye, Magnus started to get a little concerned. It took three tries for him to say Alec's name loud enough for Alec to hear him. When he did, he looked up at Magnus, face still red. Magnus felt a little better but not much.
"I'm sorry if I was too forward." Magnus apologized. To Magnus's surprise Alec burst into laughter.
"Really, you, too forward." Magnus could barely hear the words between Alec's laughing and the loud music.
Magnus started to question Alec but was quickly shut up with a quick peck on the lips, causing his worry to immediately dissipate.
"Does that answer your question?" Alec smiled at him.
"Yes, I think it does." Magnus replies and they start dancing again.
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he sees a streak of fiery red hair storm off and disappear. Magnus had spotted Jace leading Clary on the dance floor earlier and he couldn't help but wonder what the idiot had said to upset Clary this time. For some reason the blond boy had this act to ask the wrong questions at the wrong time. Worried, Magnus told Alec he would be right back and made his way to where Clary had vanished.
Magnus frowned a little as he thought back to how Clary's anger and gave way to an almost numb sadness, if that was even possible. It had taken a while to convince Clary to come back inside and dance with him, but eventually Magnus had been able to and led her inside. Magnus felt a little bad that Clary was having a bad night, which was all she seemed to have no matter how many times she plastered a smile on to her face. All he wanted was for his friend to have a good time, but that seemed to be easier wished than accomplished. But even though Magnus was worried he had been quickly distracted by Alec and his dancing skills once Clary left to join Simon.
As Magnus pulled behind the Alec in the driveway to his house he looked in the rear view mirror to see that Clary had fallen asleep. Magnus sighed. After getting out of his car he told Simon to go on inside and reached into the back seat and gently picked Clary up in his arms once she was unbuckled. Carrying her inside he couldn't help but notice how light she was, yes she has a small build but she still seemed to be very light. Magnus shrugged it off as he put Clary down on a couch and covered her up with a blanket that Isabelle had provided.
Turning around to find a place by Alec, Magnus saw Jace staring at Clary and Magnus made a mental note to have a talk to him. Ever since the accident three years ago Magnus had taken it upon himself to be a sort of big brother to Clary and protect her, Simon had as well but Magnus took the role a little more seriously. Not that Simon didn't, it was just that Simon was always quick to appease Clary and make sure he didn't upset her, while Magnus wasn't afraid to make Clary mad if needed because he knew she would forgive him once she had had the chance to cool off. Magnus was about to decide that he probably shouldn't wait to talk to Jace when Alec grabbed his hand and settled down on the floor in front of the television. Which was where he stayed until both him and Alec fell asleep.
Magnus could vaguely hear someone calling his name and shaking him, but he ignored it, not wanting to wake up from the dream he was having of him and Alec walking through Central Park.
"Magnus, wake up now." A familiar voice said, still shaking him.
"Five more minutes." Magnus said a little irritated. Why wouldn't they just go away? The voice didn't say anything and the shaking stopped. Finally, Magnus thought, relieved.
"Magnus." The voice said again after a while. Magnus promptly ignored the voice.
"Fine." The voice grumbled and suddenly ice cold water was pouring down on him.
"What the-" Magnus said as he bolted up into a sitting position, away from the warm of Alec. Looking around for the culprit Magnus's eyes focused on Clary with an empty cup in her hand. "What was that for?"
"Magnus, you have to take me home." Clary said, not the least bit affected by the glare he was giving her. Magnus started to lay back down, he really just wanted to go back to sleep.
"It's seven in the morning, Magnus. Seven!" Clary exclaimed before he had hardly leaned back at all. Something about the urgency in her voice caused Magnus to stay sitting up and suddenly it hit him. There was sunshine coming in through the windows. It was seven, Clary was supposed to be home by three.
Suddenly Magnus's heart stuttered and he cursed under his breath as he jumped up. It was seven and Clary was supposed to have been home four hours ago. Sure it wasn't too bad, but Valentine was strict and he was a cop.
"Come on," Magnus said as he found his keys and headed towards the front door, not caring in the least that he was barefoot and shirtless.
Magnus was pretty sure he was going at least twenty over the speed limit the entire time he was driving Clary back to her house. It was still cool and he had tossed his hoody at her to put on over her bare arms. He had barely put the care in park when Clary opened the door and jumped out of the car and ran to her front door. Magnus waited until she was inside before pulling away. Once the door shut behind her he backed out of her drive and headed back to the Lightwood's, an almost sick feeling forming in his stomach as he wondered how much trouble she would get in.
When he got back to the house he lay back down by Alec and went back to sleep, just to be woken up by Isabelle a couple hours later demanding to know where Clary was and having to explain that he had taken her home. The rest of the weekend he spent worrying about Clary. Magnus had seen Valentine mad before and it wasn't pretty, in fact it was pretty scary. Clary's father had such a demanding presence and was so well built that when he raised his voice and you knew he meant business you couldn't help but feel a little afraid of him, even if he was only a little irritated.
So when he got to school Monday he couldn't wait to talk to Clary to see how she was doing. He was relieved when he found her at her locker and walked with her to their next classes that she didn't seem to be upset about anything and was even trying to relieve him about not taking her home before going to the Lightwood's house. Lunch, however caused doubt to settle into Magnus's mind when he found a trace of blood on his hoody, blood he knew hadn't been there before. Clary's response didn't comfort him any either, but he eventually pushed it out of his mind once he realized Clary wasn't in the mood to talk about it just yet.
Magnus knew that Clary would talk about it when she was ready, that's just the way she was. But even with that knowledge, something about this situation didn't seem right to Magnus.
Jace
Jace didn't know why but seeing that dark headed guy from school talking to Clary made Jace's blood boil, or why when Clary put her hand over the boy's and smiled at him he wanted to tear the other boy's head off. Not caring to stop and pounder over his irrational rage, he walked over to the table and stopped in front of it. The dark headed guy looked as if he was about to say something, but Jace didn't give him the chance as he cleared his throat and made his presence known.
Both Clary and the boy turned to look at Jace. Clary looked almost surprised and curious at the same time. Focusing his glare on the dark head, Jace saw that the boy sat back and removed his hand from Clary's. He seemed almost amused and that made Jace even angrier.
"Guess that's my cue to leave. Good seeing you Clary." The boy said with a smirk as he smiled at Clary and stood up. He had barely taken a step when he stopped. "Jace." He said before continuing on his way. It bothered Jace a little that he didn't know the boy's name but said person knew his.
"What do you want?" Clary asked, drawing Jace's attention back to the redhead.
"Who was that?"
"Sebastian. He's and old… friend." She replied, pausing as she got to the end of her answer. Jace didn't know how to decipher that answer so he just let it go for what it was.
"Oh. Well I just came over to ask if you wanted to dance." Jace said with a slight smile. Clary just looked at him with surprise. "I promise I don't bite." Jace said when she didn't reply and extended his hand to her. Clary looked at him for a moment more.
"Fine." She sighed and Jace felt relief course through him as he realized he had thought she was about to say no. Clary placed her hand in his and he had to fight to not gasp as her touch sent electricity through his veins. With a smile he led her into the mob of clubbers and eventually stopped where the music wasn't so loud they couldn't hear each other if they wanted to say something to the other.
For the longest time they just danced. Jace didn't know if it had only been a few minutes or if it had been hours. All he did know was that he was captivated by Clary, even if he wasn't willing to admit it to himself. Not being able to help himself, Jace became more daring and placed his hands on Clary's slim hips as a slightly slower song came on. His skin started to tingle a little, he ignored it. Jace smirked as Clary tensed for a fraction of a second before looking up at him with a challenge in her eyes. Jace had to force himself to keep the arrogant expression on his face. Then suddenly Clary threw her arm around his neck and pulled herself a little closer to his body and Jace had to fight even harder to not respond to the heat that spread through him from where her skin touched his.
Once Jace thought he was in control and could ignore the enticing tingling feeling her touch cause, he took a deep breath and got the nerve to ask Clary what had been on his mind for the past week.
"Clary," Jace tried to cover up his nervousness with curiosity. "Why did Magnus say 'this time' when he asked about your burn?"
For a second Jace didn't think Clary was going to answer him, but then she said, "I'm kind of a klutz sometimes. They're use to me getting hurt." She shrugged as she said this, her voice calm.
Jace thought about her response for a bit before saying anything. He had seen Clary in gym, she wasn't a klutz, not in the least. In fact, he didn't think it was even possible for her to be a klutz, if you ignored the fact she didn't always pay attention to where she was going. Jace voiced his thoughts, all but the last of them. Clary seemed almost ruffled by his response but she was quick to respond.
"It's more that I sometimes don't pay attention to what I'm doing than I'm klutzy. I don't know how many times I've run into the counter tops or a door at home or wasn't paying attention and tripped over something." Clary's voice was still calm, but now Jace could hear something beneath the calm, something he couldn't name.
Jace thought about her response for a while. It did seem pretty true. Whenever Clary's head was in the clouds, which was frequent, she really wasn't aware of her surroundings. None of this explained why her friends had seemed too disgruntled upon learning of her injury, but Jace wasn't going to fight Clary on it. With a shrug of his shoulders he could almost she Clary visible relax a little and he had to force himself to remember what he had just decided, about not fighting Clary on it. But after dancing for a while more Jace just couldn't take it and he grabbed her and dragged her behind him as he fought his way through the throng of bodies to a space less crowded and loud.
"Jace." Clary said, but Jace silenced her with the raise of his hand as he just continued to stare at her, gaining his courage to forge onward.
"What did you mean when you said your dad was having a good week?" Jace had suspicion in his head or at least a bunch of tiny pieces that somehow fit together. Jace just wasn't sure how they fit together yet and for some reason he wanted nothing more than to figure out the puzzle that was Clary Morgenstern.
"I just meant that work hadn't been much trouble." Clary responded quickly, a little too quickly. Jace furrowed his eyes at the little red head.
"So he has bad weeks?"
"I suppose. Yes." Clary seemed flustered. Jace didn't know why, but he wanted to.
"What are his bad weeks like?" Jace pressed.
"He… They're… Why are you asking?" Clary had trouble getting her words out, as if she wasn't sure how to respond. She shifted a little uncomfortably on her feet.
"Curious. You just make it seem like he usually has a lot of bad days, whatever that means, and since I haven't known you as long as the others I'm just wasn't to know."
Clary suddenly yanked her arm from Jace's grasp; he hadn't even noticed that he was still holding her. "Well it's none of your business." She said, anger seeping into her voice a little.
"Why don't you ever talk about your mom? I've never even heard Simon or Magnus mention anyone but your dad and even then that's rare." Jace didn't know why he had asked this, but it was out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
"Because they don't want to upset me." Clary responded. Her voice was a little hard now, but that didn't stop him.
"Why would talking about you family upset you? Did your mom leave or something? Do you have any siblings? Because you don't act like an only child." He didn't know where the questions were even coming from or why he couldn't seem to stop his mouth from spouting them off before he could even think about what he was doing.
"Would you just drop it?" Clary asked, her voice was a little strained but Jace barely noticed.
"Drop what? I'm just curious."
"Because I don't see how my life is any of your business. You don't see me asking Isabelle or Alec why you look nothing like them. Heck, I haven't asked you why you look nothing like them. It's as if you were adopted or something!"
Clary's words hit him like a wall and suddenly, for no reason what so ever, Jace felt anger start to fester inside of him. . "Well big deal! You know, most people who don't want people to know something are just hiding something."
"Really? Maybe you should listen to you own words!"
"Why are you so touchy? All I did was ask a few questions! What's there to get upset about?" Jace was aware that his voice was starting to rise but he didn't care.
"Oh yeah because an arrogant jerk nosing into my business wouldn't make me mad, sorry to disappoint!"
"What is your problem? What did mommy leave or something? Daddy too strict to let his perfect little angel sin? Have a sibling that ran off or turned off bad so now you have no life? Guess what, not my problem! I was just asking! I couldn't care less!" Jace yelled. Not caring in the least that he had just contradicted what he had just said a moment ago. He was too angry to care. For a second Jace was satisfied as he saw Clary pale at his words, until he felt his cheek sting as she slapped him across the face.
"Screw you." Clary spit out before she turned on her heals and walked away. Jace suddenly felt sick. He hadn't meant to get mad at Clary, she had just struck a nerve and he let his anger get the best of him. Again.
Jace started to call out her name to apologize but Clary had already disappeared into the cloud. He didn't see her again until he was dancing with some blond when Isabelle found him and told him they were leaving. Following her back to the table, he saw that Clary was sitting with Simon at the table they had been sitting at earlier. He quickly averted his eyes. Jace knew he should apologize, but he didn't want to do it in front of the others. Magnus was already giving him a weird look.
Jace tuned out Isabelle as she berated Alec with a bunch of questioned involving Magnus. The second the car was parked in the driveway Jace got out of the car and went inside. He was just entering the living room again as he saw Magnus carrying a sleeping Clary and lay her down on one of the couches. For some unexplainable reason Jace felt a pang of jealousy. Which was ridiculous. There was no reason to be jealous because Magnus wasn't interested in Clary like that. Jace stopped in his tracts as the fact that he was jealous and Clary was the cause of said emotion sunk in. What was wrong with him?
The next morning Jace was woken up by Isabelle questioning Magnus.
"What do you mean you took Clary home?"
"For the fourth time, Isabelle, exactly what I said." Magnus said sounding a little exasperated.
"Magnus." Isabelle said a little shrilly.
"She needed to go home. She was supposed to be home at three and she woke me up at seven. You do the math."
Jace sat up at the sound in Magnus's voice. He sounded a little tense and worked up.
"So?"
Magnus gave Simon a look and the strange feeling that something was going on with Clary came slinking back.
"Izzy, just give it a rest." Alec said with a yawn. "Clary's dad is a cop right? She'll probably be in big trouble for being out after curfew."
Isabelle looked like she was about to say something but the three boys all gave her a hard look and she dropped the subject. Jace's stomach tightened a little.
Once again I am so incredible sorry this took so long to post. I had it almost all typed out last week and I just never had the chance to finish the last little bit. I promise more will be coming soon!