Pandemonium: Chapter 14
These beloved characters of ours belong to the one and only Cassandra Clare, to whom we are incredibly indebted. It must also be noted that there are other characters included herein that belong to other creators from across the spans of literature, film, television, and music; it is to them that I am deeply indebted, for I have yet to thank them individually. Finally, it ought to be mentioned that not all characters are indebted to other individuals; some of them are "daggers of the mind, false creations, proceeding from the heat oppressed brain," that is to say they are from mine own imagination. Concurrently with that reminder, I implore you to remember that this is entirely a work of fiction, and any resemblance to events past, present, or future is entirely coincidental.

Un poco AN: Other than a few select people, I still feel as if I haven't really connected to you, dear readers. When not burying myself in work I worry that I disappoint you by failing to do things for you. Thus at the end of this chapter, I will include a questionnaire for you to answer. Please take the time to respond; it will help me move forward. Now the story for you:

Alec awoke to shouting in his antechamber. He remembered the previous night, falling asleep in Magnus' arms, being enveloped in his warmth, and enjoying the sonorous beauty of his slight snore.

Magnus was no longer in his bed.

Then, Alec heard his voice, "I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HIM!"

To Alec's utmost surprise, the voice that responded was Jace's.

"Wait" Alec thought, "JACE!? Oh no. This means he knows. He must have seen something."

His thoughts were interrupted by Jace's response to Magnus, "HE WOULD NEVER CLIMB IN TO BED WILLINGLY WITH THE LIKES OF YOU!"

Magnus responded with a resounding "Hmph." Alec imagined him with his ruffled clothes, somewhat set down hair, and his arms crossed across his chest, looking down on Jace with the air of superiority and disgust. Alec chuckled at the thought of Magnus looking like that. It was both hilarious and oddly appealing at the same time.

Realizing that it was best to intervene at some point, Alec walked out of his room, completely devoid of a plan.

Jace immediately ran over to him and started shaking him, shouting, "WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU? DID HE TOUCH YOU? WELL OBVIOUSLY HE TOUCHED YOU, BUT I MEAN IN THAT WAY? I'M GOING TO KILL HIM. I'M GOING TO KILL HIM. HE'S DEAD. FIRST CLARY, NOW YOU!? WHAT DID HE DO!?"

Alec was a bit surprised. He hadn't expected such a reaction from Jace. His face was distraught, his eyes bewildered, his golden composure suddenly looking a bit less 24 karat. It was a bit much for Alec. For some reason, he wanted to go over to Jace and just embrace him, hold him in his arms, but he couldn't do something like that in front of Magnus; he was Magnus' now, right?

Magnus must have noticed that Alec was staring, because he raised one single eyebrow in a look of consternation that said some combination of "Are you going to say something or let me die? and Are you really ogling the one who spends his time kissing your would-be wife after spending the night snuggling with me?"

Alec looked down, and whispered "Jace, I-uh-have something to tell you. You might want to-uh-sit down for this."

Jace's eyes exploded out of his head, as he shouted "BY THE ANGEL HE DID SOMETHING TO YOU DIDN'T HE!? I SAW HIM WITH HIS ARMS WRAPPED AROUND YOU. WHAT DID HE DO!? I'M SUPPOSED TO PROTECT YOU. WHY DIDN'T YOU SCREAM FOR HELP?!"

Alec, still looking down said, "Please Jace, just sit down. I'll explain everything in a moment. Magnus, please leave us and find Izzy. I could use her help right now."

Magnus gave Alec a soft, knowing smile, then left the room, but not before giving Jace a cold stare that chilled him to the bone.

With his mouth agape, Jace reluctantly sat down.

Alec started, "Jace, I-uh-I don't really know how to-uh-say this. I-hmm. I guess I should start by saying that Magnus didn't do anything." Jace looked at him with a frown of disapproval. "Uh, well, he didn't do anything that he-uh-wasn't given express permission to, I guess that's what I'm saying."

Jace stared at him and asked, "So you let him in to your bed like that? But, why?"

Alec stared at the floor for a minute. His throat was caught up. He didn't know how to say it. For once, he really did wish Izzy was next to him-and Magnus too. He always felt more comfortable around those two.

Luckily for him, his wish came true and Izzy walked into the room with Magnus. They both immediately walked to the couch he was sitting on and plopped.

Izzy whispered to Alec, "It's okay. You can do it. You're strong enough and ready."

Alec took a deep breath, then he began:

"Jace, I-I'm not like you in some ways. You obviously like Clary a lot, but I could never like her in that way. And it's-uh-not because of who she is. It's-uh-because she's not really my type because my type is-."

Alec could barely breathe. His head refused to come up, and his voice refused to leave his throat.

Magnus reached for his hand, and Alec took it. Through that hand he felt strength and warmth pouring through; through that hand he felt faith and desire pouring through; through that hand he felt love, yes love, pouring through.

Alec cleared his throat for the last time and said it:

"Jace, Clary's not my type because my type is boys; it's men. Magnus was in my bed because I wanted him there, because I like him in that way, and-"

Jace cut him off by saying, "Oh thank goodness."

Finally, Alec picked up his head. Everyone noticed that his eyes seemed a little red, as if he was on the verge of tears. His voice rose a little as he said, "What?"

Jace smiled broadly and said, "I was worried that he drugged you or something. If that's the way you are, then that's the way you are. I guess I'm happy you found someone, right?"

Alec's jaw dropped. He had expected some form of verbal abuse; he had expected rage; he had expected prejudice; he had expected the end of his life as he knew it, but instead he got that which he craved the most: acceptance.

"So," Jace said, "who else knows?"

Realizing that her brother was no longer in much of a state to speak, Izzy responded "Nobody else outside of this room, though I guess Clary has an idea since she saw the two of them in the middle of their first kiss. That's why she was all confused and what not, Magnus may have scared her a bit. He's oh so protective of this one (pointing to Alec)."

"Oh," Jace replied, "I-uh-guess I-uh-owe you an uh-apology", speaking to Magnus.

Magnus simply raised an eyebrow and put on a smirk that said, "Well Goldie Locks, I'm waiting."

Jace looked at Magnus and said, "I-I'm sorry about yelling at you. And pulling a knife on you. And threatening to kill you."

Magnus simply rolled his eyes. Then, Alec gave him a squeeze on the arm.

Chuckling, Magnus said, "It would seem that my-uh-boyfriend? paramour?-would like for me to accept your apology. So I guess I will."

Alec looked up with his jaw on the floor again. "Boyfriend?" He whispered.

"Oh," Magnus said "In-uh-our community, that's-uh-what you would call us. I was just-uh-using paramour for your sake."

Alec smiled softly, and huskily said "Boyfriend," looking at Magnus seductively.

Magnus responded by returning the seductive look, and purring, "Say that again, boyfriend."

Alec opened his mouth acquiescing to Magnus' request, but didn't get the chance; Magnus decided that it was the perfect opportunity to kiss him, fully on the lips, as if Jace and Izzy weren't right there.

They hungrily began kissing, exploring each other's mouths with their respective tongues. Each started to moan and growl deep within their throats. This time it was Alec's hand that slowly began to reach for the hem of Magnus' shirt.

"Ahem," Izzy interrupted. "While I'm sure you would love to continue that all day, you both do have other things to attend to."

Magnus broke off the kiss, and gave Izzy a playful scowl. He immediately got up, and started to leave the room, making sure to walk extremely seductively, just to torture Alec with the sight of his ass swaying as he walked. Right before leaving the room, Magnus winked at Alec and blew him a little kiss.

Jace groaned. "Are you two going to be that type of couple?" he asked.

"I for one," interjected Izzy, "think that it's absolutely adorable!"

Jace rolled his eyes. He got up and said, "Well I think it's time I go. Alec, you might want to-uh-wash up a bit. You smell a lot like sandalwood, and you're glistening from all that glitter."

Alec turned bright red in the face.

Before Jace could leave, Izzy interrupted him, "Wait Jace! I have an amazing idea! Bring Clary over for dinner tonight with Alec and Magnus!"

"So like a double date?" Jace asked.

Izzy smirked. "More like a triple date. I'm bringing someone too."

At those words, Alec's face turned around. "Who are you bringing? What's his name?" he demanded of Izzy.

Rather petulantly, she responded "It's a surprise."

Jace chortled, and exited the room.

"Now, big brother," Izzy said, "I really think you should wash up. Your face is still flushed from all your kissing; you reek of sandalwood, and the two of you have tracked that glitter all around the place; it's like the world is sparkling."

Alec just sighed. For once in his life, things had actually gone somewhat according to plan. As soon as this stupid triple date was over, he could go back to everything else. Until then he needed to wash up, and more importantly, wear something nice for Magnus.

-That Evening-

Alec was in a furious mood. Every single outfit that he had picked out had been rejected by Izzy. Apparently, it was all too plain and boring. Nothing was nearly as exciting as it ought to be, according to her.

In the end he settled for some uncomfortably tight pants that she somehow obtained from somewhere, and a dark blue navy shirt that he thought exposed a little too much collarbone.

As soon as he was dressed to her satisfaction, which included her tugging incredulously at his mop of hair for 30 minutes to "style" it, she ran off to her own chambers, where she prepared for her evening and her mysterious date.

Whilst waiting for his guests, Alec paced nervously across the room, his thoughts turning to his sisters enigmatic guest, and Clary, whom he didn't completely trust.

Luckily, his thoughts were prevented from going any further than there when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it up to find Clary and Jace together. They seemed a little heated (perhaps they had kissed earlier?). Clary looked ravishing in a pair of black semi-tight slacks and a rather slim, but still adept at covering, green chemise with sleeves. Alec of course paid her no attention what so ever. He was too busy staring at Jace, who seemed to clean up rather nicely. Despite being dressed in denim trousers and a demure red shirt, he still lit up the room like a golden flame.

Clary cleared her throat a little, indicating that he had been staring a little too long. Then she asked somewhat stiffly, "When do you think Magnus will arrive? Also Izzy and her date?"

Alec turned a little pink, bringing some much needed color to his porcelain face. He meekly responded, "Soon I hope."

Soon turned out to be within a few seconds. There wasn't even a knock on the door, as Izzy simply entered the room in extremely tight pants and an even tighter bodice that was laced up in the back. All of it was naturally black.

At first, Alec just stared, horrified at the outfit his sister was wearing. Then, his look of horror was replaced by pure, unadulterated rage. As he stood up, about to make her go change, her enigmatic date appeared.

It was none other than Lewis, though his sister seemed to introduce him as Simon.

Clary and Jace greeted them nicely enough, but Alec had gone pale.

His sister. His crazy little sister was dating him? The quiet, meek, somewhat clumsy and awkward advisor of his? He was not her type.

After an intense glare from Izzy, Alec warmed up just enough to shake Simon's hand, though he made sure that it was extremely firm and came with an intense cold stare and plastered smile.

They all sat down together and engaged in some chit chat. Most of it revolved around crazy palace life, especially the oddness of the Queen. It turned out that Clary had her fair share of odd accents from the old batty woman as well, though Clary's were apparently from some place called Russia that Alec, Izzy, and Jace had never heard of. Simon, pointed out that it was a ways east of Idris, and not an entirely pleasant place, considering his family had left there not too many generations ago.

After a moment or two of awkward silence, Simon said, "Well not to be rude, but I'm famished. When is the food going to start?"

Alec looked downcast. Izzy mentioned that they were still waiting on Magnus, but stopped when Alec miserably whispered, "I don't think he's going to come. We should start eating anyway."

They all moved to the table, leaving an empty seat next to Alec for Magnus, should he arrive. They began to eat their meal, talking about various aspects of their day. Jace noticed that Alec seemed to not eat much or say much. In his blunt manner he asked, "Why aren't you eating?" In response to his question, he received a glare from Clary who said, "He's missing Magnus of course!"

Simon, who wasn't entirely aware of what was going on asked, "Why would you be missing Magnus?"

It was then that Alec realized that Izzy hadn't told Simon anything. Alec looked down at his full plate, took a deep breath, looked into Simon's eyes, and said, "Magnus is my boyfriend."

Never missing the cue for an entrance, Magnus burst through the door exclaiming, "I most certainly am, and I would never miss a chance to have dinner with my boyfriend! I even brought a nice old vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon."

Alec's face lit up, and not at the mention of the wine (though Izzy's certainly did). Even though Magnus looked rushed, he seemed more beautiful than ever. He wore a pair of tight pants that left little to Alec's imagination, though for once he didn't mind that since his imagination liked to go a little wild; he had on a tight deep purple shirt that not only clearly defined all of his muscles, but it also matched his caramel skin tone perfectly, bringing out the green in his cat-eyes.

Magnus lithely sat down next to Alec and kissed him on the cheek. Then, he seductively whispered, "I've been thinking about you all day, and I must say you look just enchanting in that outfit blue-eyes. The shirt brings out those gorgeous sapphires of yours."

Alec turned a delightful shade of pink, and quickly shoveled food into his mouth to prevent him from saying anything stupid.

After making the necessary excuses, Magnus began pouring the wine rather freely. Soon everyone was laughing a bit lightly. Alec hadn't drank anything, because that was his nature. Izzy-surprisingly to Alec-was holding herself together rather well despite the three glasses. So much could not be said of Clary who was almost always giggling, nearly always trying to kiss Jace, or just loudly and obnoxiously laughing at something rather not funny that someone said.

Jace sighed with exhaustion; his drunk girlfriend was a bit much to take care of. He tried to hush her, so that she wouldn't say anything, but she continued to speak.

Whilst slurring her words, she said, rather loudly with some giggles interjected, "aaandd myy faaather wanted me to ssssspppy on allll of you!"

Question Time! (Number 1, Mr. Speaker.)

Sorry that's an awkward reference to something that I always just throw in there because I'm just a bit wacky. Anyway, after that long chapter, here are those promised questions that I absolutely hope you will take the time to answer:

1. What's your opinion of the Framing Device? Is it too much? Too little? Entirely unnecessary? Confusing?
2. Do I spend too much time in dialogue and action? Has the setting not been developed well enough? If that is the case, do you think I should go to earlier chapters and fix that? What, if any, chapters do you specifically think could use more description?
3. Are there any parts that are just confusing? Is it the language, the characterization, the setting? Should I be more clear and concise? Is there ambiguity when it comes to motives and actions?
4. Are the lemons too much? Too little? What type of lemons are you looking for? How quickly do you want things to get more zesty? Do you want just Malec lemons or other lemons too?
5. Is there anything you would like for me to add? Any characters you think deserve mentioning (I'm considering throwing Tessa in here for later chapters)?
6. Any references to literature, film, movies, television, or music you want explained?

If there's anything else you would like to add that's not included in these questions, please feel free to do so. Remember: Comment is Free.