"Pass the eggrolls," Paige's voice called from across the table. Before Magnus could react, his husband had already accomplished the task.
Magnus wasn't sure when his dining room had last been this full, but with Clary moving back in he was gonna have to get used to an over-crowded living space. Though that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. When you lived with many people you never wanted for company no matter the situation.
"Where did you order this from?" Jon asked, eating as if every bite were his personal privilege to consume. "I've never had Chinese food this good before."
Magnus chuckled. "Alec wanted to play with his new car some more so we drove to the other side of town," Magnus explained. "This place always had good reviews, but it was never worth the trip, and they don't deliver."
"Who doesn't love my car now?" Alec grinned. There was a general consensus of agreement while everyone continued eating.
Even Magnus had to admit it was really good food. Magnus had learned to drive on his aunt's old clunker car back in high school, but despite getting his license Magnus had never owned a car of his own. He remembered complaining to his aunt as a teenager, wondering why he was bothering to get the license if he'd never be able to afford the car. She mentioned something about reduced car insurance rates after ten years which he hadn't understood at the time.
"Thanks again for dinner," Jon said as they all finished eating.
"Thanks for helping me move in," Clary smiled back.
"If it includes dinner count me in the next time you move too," Jon chuckled, which prompted Clary to swing at him but he dodged.
"Enjoy the room with walls," Paige told Clary with a wink as she made to leave, pulling Jon along by the hand.
"But what about thirds?" Jon whined as he was dragged away. Clary chuckled, but Paige just rolled her eyes as she kept moving him along.
"Aren't those two just adorable," Clary said as the door closed behind them. She seemed happy, Magnus thought, but there was an underlying sadness in her voice.
"Yeah they are," Magnus told his friend, moving closer to wrap one arm around her shoulders from the side.
"When I set them up I never dreamed they'd get along that well," Clary continued.
"Life is funny like that," Alec smiled, but his smile turned into a huge yawn.
"It isn't that late yet," Magnus teased his husband.
In the end they decided to watch a little tv before bed. Alec turned in first; his yawns becoming almost comical as the night went on. Finally, he kissed Magnus goodnight and continued down the hall.
"You tired too, Magnus?" Clary asked. It seemed like an innocent enough question, but Magnus had a sense that she didn't want to be alone and wasn't yet ready for sleep.
"I'm fine," Magnus replied.
Clary curled up beside him on the couch and they played another movie.
Having Clary back felt to Magnus like the world was determined to have everything move backwards. It would have really been full circle if Tessa had been moving back, but this was an event Magnus knew would never happen. He was in semi-regular contact with his old friend though, but with her busy life, it was mostly confined to texting.
"That was a pretty great movie, wasn't it?" Clary said as the credits rolled. "I didn't suspect the maid was the spy even once before the end."
"Yeah it's not a bad movie," Magnus said easily, turning on the couch to face her. "Are you alright, Clary?"
"Yeah," Clary began. "It's just moving all my stuff out of that apartment, it's so final. Like- it really is over."
And then she was crying. Tears rolled down her cheeks; she didn't even try to wipe them away. "The worst part is that even though he broke up with me, it's all my fault."
"Shhh Biscuit," Magnus tried to sooth her, his hand gently stroking her hair. "If you need to cry, cry. I'm right here."
And with that Clary's quiet tears turned into sobbing. Magnus wrapped his arms around her, holding tight to help calm her.
When the tears finally stopped, Clary spoke. "I took him for granted Magnus," Clary choked out. "I just went off and enjoyed the world all the while arrogantly assuming he'd be right there waiting for me when I got back."
"Have you told Jace how you feel?" Magnus asked softly, but Clary was shaking her head.
"I can't," she cried. "He's already moved on. No one's told me specifically, but we still share so many friends in common, how could I not find out?" She paused for breath, then added in a slightly louder tone. "My brother is living with him."
"I know it's a strange situation," Magnus comforted. "But Clary it will get better." Even as he spoke, she was shaking her head.
"No," Clary said. "I finally understand why you didn't want to be with Alec at the start, didn't want to try and love again." She looked up at thim through her tear stained face. "It hurts, Magnus."
"I know, darling," Magnus said softly. "I know." He pulled her in for a tighter hug, unsure what else he could do for the friend he loved like a little sister.
Magnus just held her, held her until her shoulders stopped shaking. Then he got some ice cream out of the freezer and sat her down for another romance-free action movie.
Only about a quarter of an hour into the explosions and car chases, Clary fell asleep on his shoulder. Gently, so as not to wake her, Magnus picked up the little red head and carried her off to bed. Magnus tucked the blankets up to her chin, kissed her forehead, and left the room turning the light off before he shut the door.
With all his experience of love and heartbreak combined with everything he'd observed in both of them Magnus was completely sure of one thing: Jace and Clary were still madly in love with each other.
Magnus wasn't sure exactly what this observation really meant practically, but he hoped those two would work it out one day. He hated to see his little Biscuit cry.
As Magnus made his way to bed, he was followed by two needy cats. Chairman Meow jumped up on the bed with ease, but Catsby waited for Magnus to lift him up. He had arthritis in his joints and couldn't move like he used to.
Magnus curled into bed with a cat purring at his feet, and one snoring beside his head. His sleeping husband rolled over without waking up and put an arm around Magnus before settling down again. It had been so long since Magnus had slept alone, and if he had his way he'd never sleep alone again for the rest of his life.
Of course, sometimes he did wake up alone, though usually only on Sundays like today when he didn't work or volunteer. Every other day of the week he had to wake up well before Alec, but when he was lucky some Sundays' Alec beat him to the punch.
Magnus followed his nose into the kitchen to find his darling husband making pancakes.
"I hope you guys aren't all still full from dinner," Alec grinned. "Because there is even maple syrup."
Magnus turned to see that Alec was also addressing Clary who was setting the table.
"Maple syrup sounds great," Clary agreed, then went to fetch it when Alec told her which cupboard it was in.
"Did you feed the cats yet, darling?" Magnus asked as he made himself comfortable at the table.
"I had no choice," Alec chuckled, before flipping a pancake on the stove.
"They are used to me feeding them early," Magnus chuckled. "Sundays still throw them off every time."
"You'd think they were starving the way they act," Alec scoffed. "I mean really! Sure Catsby could put on weight but Chairmen can't claim to be starving. All that pudge ain't fur!"
"It's probably time for even higher calorie food for Catsby or maybe feeding him more often," Magnus agreed then added with a chuckle. "And a half rations for Chairmen."
"I swear the only explanation is that Chairmen eats his food, but like I feed them at opposite sides of the room and watch the whole time," Alec whined. "So how is that possible?"
"Chairmen is food motivated," Magnus shrugged. "He finds a way. Besides I'm sure Catsby's food tastes way better."
"Don't they know we are doing this for their own good?" Alec groaned. "They make it such work."
"You sound like a dad," Clary laughed at him.
"Just call me 'Cat Dad,'" Alec said as if naming a superhero. Magnus couldn't help but laugh a little especially when Clary started chuckling.
"And on that note," Alec added, plating the last pancake. "Breakfast is served."
"I wonder when Paige will be home?" Clary asked once they all started eating.
Magnus couldn't help but snigger. "I don't think we'll be seeing alot of Paige for the next little while."
"So gross," Clary groaned. "Picturing my brother with a girl almost puts me off my pancakes."
"May I remind you that it's all your fault they met?" Magnus chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah," Clary sighed. "I'll work on not thinking about it." She stopped eating to look up and smile. "They do seem really happy though, don't they?"
"The happiest I've ever seen them," Magnus agreed. "Paige at least I'm sure is happier than she was with Jordan."
"And I know from Jace that Jon was a huge sulky 'eating-his-feelings' mess before he met Paige," Alec laughed.
Clary barely seemed to notice the mention of her ex's name, though Magnus could see her flinch slightly.
"I don't know about eating his feelings," Magnus commented. "Seems to me that he just eats a lot, like in general."
"You wouldn't know looking at him," Alec chuckled. "Kid must have a hollow leg."
"That 'kid' is older than you," Magnus reminded his husband, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Still, who has third helpings?" Alec countered.
"My brother," Clary laughed. "He's always been like that. You should have seen mom and dad's grocery bills when he hit puberty. Talk about eating us out of house and home."
Everyone laughed at that and then returned to the task of consuming pancakes. When that was done and the dishes stacked by the sink, Magnus asked the group at large what they had planned for today.
"I'm going over to see John," Alec said, grinning. "He's showing me more stuff about this company today."
"But it's Sunday," Magnus whined. "It's our day."
"I know," Alec smiled. "But today was the only day that worked for him. I'll make it up to you, I promise." He moved closer to wrap his arms around Magnus and kiss him passionately before turning to leave the kitchen.
Magnus had a horrible feeling in his stomach, a tightness that wouldn't go away. Father or no, he didn't trust John. He just wished there was something he could do to stop Alec from spending time with him, but he knew it was hopeless. Alec would do what Alec would do, but Magnus would be there waiting to see how bad it was when the penny dropped.
"What are you doing today Magnus?" Clary asked while Alec was off getting dressed.
Magnus just shrugged. "It's my day off for the week," he said. "So probably relax, maybe do the dishes." Definitely worry, he added but only to himself.
"How about hang out with your friend Clary?" she added, with an eager smile.
"Sounds like a great addition to my day," Magnus smiled back at her.
"Perfect!" Clary said with a clap of her hands. "Now onto the planning of activities!"
Magnus laughed. "You make it sound so official."
"I blame Izzy," Clary replied seriously. "She's starting to rub off on me."
"Been spending a lot of time with my sister-in-law, huh?" Magnus chuckled.
"Yeah," Clary said. "I mean I had intended to spend a lot of time with Simon, but somehow I ended up spending it all with her." She paused then added, "I still don't know why she always disliked me so much, but now we get along great."
"Really Clary?" Magnus said, giving her a sceptical look. "You have no idea why she didn't like you?"
"Really!" Clary confirmed. "I mean I never did anything to her."
"You dated her boyfriend," Magnus reminded her.
"Oh right," Clary said awkwardly. "But like we weren't really- I mean at least on my side it wasn't like all that romantic or anything."
"Even so," Magnus said, trying not to chuckle. "That is why she didn't used to like you."
"So what changed?" Clary asked. "I mean I'll always be Simon's ex."
"I think it has something to do with security," Magnus observed. "She doesn't feel threatened by you anymore."
Clary's dumbfounded look told Magnus that never once had his friend even considered the possibility that Izzy would be threatened by someone like her.
"But Isabelle is so much more beautiful than me," Clary objected. "So much more confident in herself and what she wants. So much richer! How on earth could she be threatened by me?!"
Magnus gave his friend a condescending pat on the head. "I'll tell you when you're older," he said, and promptly ducked to avoid her rebuttal.
Once again updating without proper editing, sorry! What did you think? Please leave me a review!
Also I've only recently noticed the silly thing I did when I named Magnus's father 'John'. I was going for a common name, but forgot that Clary's brother goes by Jon. At least they are spelt differently right? *Awkward emoji here*
(UPDATE: Back edited by Connie Brown)
(UPDATE: Back edited by CoffeeandLiterature)
Sneak Peek Chapter 169
"What do you feel are your greatest strengths?" the intimidating lady sitting across from her said.
"Strengths right," Clary began nervously. "Well I'm punctual and hard working. I have a pretty wide open schedule since I've only got three classes this coming semester and it's my last semester."
"What's all very well and good," the lady replied. "But what do you feel that you as an individual can contribute to this business?"
Clary thought about that for a moment. If she was being honest there wasn't a single thing she could contribute, but job interviews were about finding someone positive to say even if you felt like dirt. "As I'm sure you read on my resume, I majored in design," Clary began. "All kinds from computer graphics to textiles." She paused hoping this would sound as good out loud as it had in her head. "There is a design and art to everything, even the displays in a clothing store. The human eye is simple. It follows certain patterns like clockwork. I have a few ideas for the displays that might draw in a few extra customers."
The lady smiled at her. "It is usually the manager who arranges the displays," she said. "But I like the initiative."
Clary just smiled, hoping that was a good thing rather than her being arrogant and trying to be a manager before she was even hired.