Alec sat on his bed, following Jace's pacing with his eyes. Jace was in a state of constant movement, all the while looking down at the ground.
"Hey," Alec said in way of greeting. Jace stopped pacing and turned abruptly to face Alec.
"Jacketcomfclarytalkingwhyifshe," Jace said all in one breath.
"Didn't quite catch that buddy," Alec replied.
"She's wearing my jacket," Jace said more coherently.
"Who?" Alec asked.
"Clary!" Jace yelled throwing his hands in the air.
"Why?" Alec inquired.
"She said it was comfy," Jace answered. Alec had never seen Jace look so confused before.
"Then what happened?"
"She ran away," Jace said. He suddenly stopped pacing and turned to face Alec. "What the hell does that mean?"
"No clue," Alec said, though he had a pretty good idea: stupid promise to stupid boyfriend.
"Argh!" Jace exclaimed as he collapsed on his bed. Alec brought out the ice cream and spent the remainder of his evening watching whatever show Jace selected on Netflix. Alec had no interest in the show, however, and ended up texting Magnus the whole time.
'Please can I tell him!' Alec texted his boyfriend.
'Clary would be mad at me,' Magnus replied.
'How mad?' Alec texted back as his laptop showed some kind of explosion. What show had Jace picked anyway?
'Not sure,' Magnus said. 'I have never betrayed her secrets before.'
'Jace is a wreck,' Alec said. 'Please can we chance it!'
'Can't we let those two figure out their own problems,' Magnus texted back. Alec sighed.
"How can you sigh at such an epic scene?" Jace asked incredulous. Alec lifted his head to see the stereotypical 'protagonist walking away from the explosion in slow motion' scene. Alec just laughed lightly and passed Jace the ice cream to change the topic.
The next day Jace seemed to be a bit better and Alec dared to hope Clary wouldn't continue this strange behaviour. His hope was in vain, however, since the day after, when Alec returned to his dorm room, he was met once again with a pacing Jace.
"What happened this time," Alec said with a sigh. He sat down on his bed, resigned to spending the hours required to ease the anxiety on Jace's face.
"She said hello," Jace started. "Which was weird enough, but then she explained why she hadn't talked to me yesterday and I didn't know what to make of that. But worst of all, she moved a fraction closer to me and I SO wanted to kiss her, but then she ran away again." The hurt and confusion on Jace's face tore at Alec's heart.
"I don't know what's going on?" Jace whined.
"I'll go get the ice cream," Alec muttered as he got up and headed to his mini fridge.
"Thanks," Jace grumbled. "This sucks."
"Maybe she is confused," Alec told Jace as they both dug into the frozen dessert. "You should just ask her outright what she wants."
"Oh no!" Jace replied quickly. "She is finally talking to me. I don't want to ruin that!" Alec sighed.
"But her talking to you is making you miserable," Alec argued.
"But I get to see her," Jace said with a smile. Alec was so frustrated! Why couldn't he just tell Jace Clary didn't love Simon? If Clary liked Jace as Alec suspected, but didn't love Simon, what the hell was the problem! How mad at Magnus would Clary really be? And would Clary being mad at Magnus mean Magnus got mad at Alec? And why was life so damn complicated!
"She is going to be at game night," Alec said, suddenly hoping that forcing them to spend more than five seconds together would help improve their communication. "Do you want to come?"
Jace shook his head. "Too weird."
Alec tried to convince Jace to join him for the next half hour, but in the end he failed. After a little more sympathy ice cream with Jace, Alec left for game night. His boyfriend's apartment was quickly becoming Alec's second place of residence and with his dorm room now always containing a hurt and confused Jace Alec often used Magnus's place as an escape. He wasn't trying to avoid Jace per se, but there was only so much ice cream one guy could eat. Due to his frequent visits, Alec had become well acquainted with Tessa, Jem and Will. Though he still found their arrangement a little strange he tried not to judge.
When Alec arrived, he walked in without knocking. This was now established normal behavior as Alec was here so often. Alec looked around and quickly spotted Jem and Tessa sitting on the couch, watching something on the tv together that looked like it was set in the eighteen hundreds.
"Alec!" Magnus called as he came over and pulled Alec into his arms. Alec wrapped his arms around his boyfriend as Magnus kissed him. Alec, as usual, forgot everything else as his mouth moved with Magnus's. They stood just a foot in front of Magnus's closed front door wrapped in each other's arms until they heard laughter. Magnus released him and turned to his giggling roommate.
"What?" Magnus asked Tessa.
"I can't hear Sherlock over your lip smacking," Tessa giggled.
"We are so not that loud," Magnus shot back at her. Tessa turned to Jem and took his face in her hands before she kissed him. Jem's hands went up to hold her, but their touching kiss in no way drowned out the voices coming from the TV. They separated and Tessa gave Magnus a smug look.
"Whatever," Magnus grumbled. He turned back to Alec, wrapping an arm around Alec's waist he pulled Alec with him away from his smug roommate. "Where were we?" Magnus purred as he now had Alec all to himself in the kitchen. Alec grinned and threw his arms around Magnus again as their lips met.
By the time the doorbell interrupted their kiss, Alec's lips were swollen and he had a hickey on his lower shoulder, near his collarbone. Alec loved the possessive way Magnus marked him but he drew the line at hickeys everyone else could see. Magnus knew he could kiss Alec anywhere he liked, so long as the marks weren't visible afterward. Magnus pulled away and took in Alec's rumpled appearance post-make out session. Alec knew his hair was a mess, but so was Magnus's, which made him smile.
"Coming!" Magnus called as he dashed off to the door. Alec slowly made his way into the living room as he heard Magnus open the door. Alec followed quickly behind just in time to see his cousin staring at his boyfriend's hair. She had a dubious look on her face until she saw Alec; then she burst out laughing.
"Aline!" Alec groaned, but he knew what she was laughing about. Magnus and Alec both looked disheveled and Alec's guilty blush was definitely not helping the situation.
"Sorry to interrupt the make out session," Aline spoke through her giggles.
"Well, you should be," Magnus said, somehow adding a humph with just his tone.
"No I shouldn't," Aline disagreed. "Because we are here to play Catan." She held up the game in her arms. "Not make out."
"Oh I'm setting up the board!" Magnus called changing topics quickly as he snatched the game from Aline and dashed off. Aline stared after Magnus while Alec rolled his eyes.
"Make yourself at home," Alec told his cousin before going into the bathroom to get his hair to lay flat again. When he was satisfied his hair no longer resembled a bird's nest, Alec brought the comb to Magnus.
"Here," he said handing it over. Magnus kissed him once lightly on the lips then took the comb and fixed his hair. Somehow, despite the fact they had each used the same comb and Alec had had a mirror, Magnus's hair looked far better than Alec's. This didn't surprise Alec in the least since Magnus' appearance always seemed effortless and perfect. Aline had claimed a chair and was watching Sherlock with Tessa and Jem while Alec stood beside his boyfriend as Magnus continued to plan the game board, kissing him lightly on the cheek every so often.
"Can you get that!" Magnus called to Tessa as the doorbell rang again. Alec didn't leave Magnus's side to see who had arrived, though he guessed it was Clary as all the other guests were already here. He did, however, notice Aline get up to greet Clary.
"The board is ready!" Magnus called finally. "Not a single resource of the same type is touching."
"You know that isn't a requirement right?" Alec told his boyfriend sweetly. "It's just Aline's silly system. Lots of the board layouts in the rules don't care about that."
"Oh, but it's fun sweet pea!" Magnus giggled. Alec blushed and gave Magnus an annoyed look.
"Don't call me sweet pea," Alec grumbled. It hadn't taken Magnus more than a few days to start trying out nicknames on Alec and so far he had shot down every single one of them.
"Pumpkin?" Magnus tired. Alec shook his head. "My darling, Alexander, why do you hate my adorable nicknames so?" Magnus made a dramatic fainting gesture that made Alec roll his eyes. This was not the first time Magnus had asked him this. Alec wished Magnus would either find a nickname Alec didn't hate on principle or just give up already!
"If you guys were any cuter I might throw up," Aline groaned. Magnus laughed and twirled around like a fool. Alec couldn't help but be in awe of his good luck as he gazed at Magnus. Despite the nicknames, Magnus was rather perfect and more importantly Magnus was his. Alec loved the feeling of knowing that Magnus's annoying cheerfulness was because of him.
They all sat down to start the game, all but Tessa and Jem who continued to watch their TV marathon since Catan was only a four person game unless you had the expansion packs.
"Sorry," Aline said to Jem and Tessa with a guilty expression.
"Please don't apologise," Tessa said kindly. "If anything I should thank you for the excellent excuse to stay here on the couch with Jem." She kissed Jem lightly before settling down with him on the couch again. "Besides, we still have Sherlock to watch."
"That is not Sherlock," Aline glancing at the television. She wasn't sitting at the table yet like Alec, Magnus and Clary. "Sherlock has Benedict Cumberbatch."
"I don't like the modern day aspects of that Sherlock," Tessa explained. "Sherlock was a man meant to be above such things as cell phones."
"I think they adapted it to modern day really well," Aline argued.
"Ladies," Magnus said as Tessa was about to open her mouth to disagree. "Can we save the debate for after the game?" Aline sighed, but she was smiling as she quickly found her place at the table.
"Happy to see the enthusiasm," Aline grinned at Magnus.
"I didn't set up the board so perfectly just so you could ignore the game," Magnus told her. Alec couldn't help but laugh. Aline and Magnus had even gotten along when Magnus thought she was his girlfriend so it was no surprised Magnus and his cousin were fast friends. The first time they'd had a game night it had been Aline's idea. She had failed to get Jace to understand the brilliance of the game so she had moved on to her next target: Magnus, who had been a much more willing student.
When they were about half way through the game, Clary received a text. After reading it she looked up at them and asked if her friend could join the game.
"Sure," Magnus replied. "The more the merrier. Though she will have to be on someone's team."
"She just finished her essay," Clary explained. "And might just want to watch." Everyone agreed and Clary texted her friend with the address. The game continued, with Aline and Magnus in the lead, until the doorbell rang. Clary got up to answer it at once. Alec knew Clary wasn't a guest here, having been Magnus's closest friend his entire life, so he wasn't surprised when she answered the door.
"And with that!" Aline said flipping over her last development card. "I now have the largest army. Two victory points to me!" She was grinning at Magnus who looked rather annoyed to be back in second place, then suddenly Aline froze, her gaze fixed at a point behind Alec. Alec turned and noticed the woman standing beside Clary. Even Alec, who knew little about appreciating feminine beauty, could tell the woman standing beside Clary was gorgeous. She was petite and her skin was very pale. She had hair the colour of white-gold that rung in ringlets to just below her shoulders.
"Everyone, this is my roommate Helen," Clary introduced her friend. "Helen, this is everyone."
"Hi," Helen said. "Hope you don't mind me crashing your game."
"Not at all," Magnus said. "Any friend of Clary's is a friend of mine. Do you want to team up with her?" Helen agreed and Clary pulled up a chair for her. Aline still hadn't spoken, in fact her mouth was slightly open as she stared at Helen.
"Aline," Alec said quickly grabbing her arm to pull her out of her daze. "Come help me with something."
"What?" Aline asked preoccupied, but she let herself be led out of the room.
"That's Helen from the party back in September isn't it?" Alec asked her the moment they were alone. Aline nodded. "And you are still hung up on her even now?" His cousin nodded again. "Okay then, I am going to help you." Aline looked at him confused and slightly nervous, but Alec didn't elaborate. He guided her back into the dining room. It seemed Alec could do nothing to help Clary and Jace sort their shit out, but he was determined to help Aline with her lack of a Helen if at all possible.
"Sorry about that," Alec said as he sat back down. "It's nice to meet you, Helen."
"Thanks," Helen replied.
"I think I've seen you before," Alec said pretending to be deep in thought. "Did you go to that orientation party at the beginning of the year?"
"Yeah I did," Helen said. "But it was a bit of a disappointment."
"Agreed," Magnus chimed in. "Biscuit, it's your turn."
While Clary rolled the dice Alec spoke. "Have you and Clary been friends long?"
"When you live together, sometimes becoming friends is inevitable," Helen said with a slight laugh.
"Don't I know it," Alec smiled back.
"Alec's roommates with Jace," Clary explained to Helen.
"Ah yes, Jace," Helen said, wisely. "Calendar material." Clary and Helen giggled at some inside joke Alec was sure he didn't want to know about.
"Have you met Tessa and Jem?" Alec asked. Helen replied that Clary had introduced her to them as they passed the living room into the dining area. Alec was at a loss for how to phrase the question he really wanted to ask without making it sound rude or offending Helen.
"So, Helen," Magnus began. "Sadly, you are in couple country here and I must ask, are there any important guys in your life? We could triple date." He laughed casually, but Alec could have kissed him! His boyfriend had the easiest way with words.
"Sadly no," Helen said. "No special girls either."
Beside him Aline sat up a little straighter.
"So how does this game work?" Helen asked switching her attention to the table. Magnus and Clary started explaining the rules to her while Alec turned to his cousin.
"Go," he mouthed. Aline shook her head.
"Out of my league," Aline half whispered back at him.
"Nonsense," Alec whispered back, but his cousin was still shaking her head.
"Helen," Alec said suddenly at full volume turning to face the new comer. "My cousin Aline saw you at that party in September and would like to have coffee sometime."
Aline hit Alec very hard on the shoulder, blushed scarlet, then stared wide eyed at Helen who was smiling.
"That is quite a compliment," Helen said her attention now fixed on Aline. "Remembering me for so long." Aline mumbled something not even Alec could decipher.
"I have coffee in my kitchen," Magnus chuckled. Helen stood up and walked around the table; Aline's eyes followed her as she went.
"Join me," Helen smiled, holding out her hand to Aline. Aline took the offered hand and let herself be led off.
"I guess I should show them how the coffee pot works," Magnus mused. "Though I doubt they would care."
Alec was feeling rather triumphant. Without his interference he knew Aline would have just let the opportunity go by. The look on his cousin's face had made it so very worth it.
Chairman Meow made his appearance suddenly by jumping on the table. The Great Catsby was in Magnus's lap a moment later. Both felines were meowing and purring, while Magnus tried to keep them off the board pieces.
"This is a sign," Magnus said, dramatically. "It can mean only one thing. Their food dish is empty." He chuckled, ruining his own serious joke as he picked up the cat that was about to scatter the board pieces and excused himself. Chairman Meow purred in Magnus's arms as The Great Catsby followed quickly behind on the ground, eager for dinner.
"Had your cousin really been looking of Helen since September?" Clary asked Alec when it was suddenly just the two of them at the table.
"Yep," Alec said.
"That's crazy," Clary smiled. "Listen, Alec, can I talk to you about something?"
"Sure," Alec replied, curious. What in the world could Clary want to talk to him about?
"You and Magnus," Clary began. "Well, Magnus, as you know has been hurt many times and I don't want him to get hurt again."
And suddenly, Alec's curiosity was gone.
"Are you inferring what I think you are!" Alec almost laughed. "Because questioning someone's intentions is rich coming from you."
"What do you mean by that!" Clary argued.
"Do you even have the faintest idea what you are doing to Jace?" Alec asked. Clary didn't reply so he plunged on. He had wanted to say this for so long! He had promised not to tell Jace, but he had made no such promise in regards to Clary. "Every time you talk to him I have to listen to Jace analyze everything you said as he tries to figure out what the hell you meant by it! So maybe I should ask you what your intentions are with him?"
"I-" Clary started. "I just like saying 'hi' to him okay. What's the big deal?"
"The big deal!" Alec shot back. "The big deal is that you wear his jacket every day. You almost kiss him, then run back to your boyfriend. He thinks of nothing but you. So stop focusing on someone else's non-existent problems and figure out what the hell you want! Stop and think what your indecision is doing to Jace."
"My indecision?" Clary scoffed.
"I know you don't love Simon," Alec told her bluntly. "So either you are cruel, or you like Jace and won't admit it."
"Magnus is wrong," Clary replied. "I do love Simon."
"Alright, fine," Alec changed tactics. "Let's say you love Simon, but you're not hot for Simon are you? You aren't attracted to him like you are to Jace."
"Just because you are dating my best friend doesn't mean you know me!" Clary yelled angrily, standing up. They had caught the attention of Tessa and Jem now.
"But I know Jace," Alec told her trying not to yell. "I went to highschool with Jace, and trust me, I could never have been friends with a version of him who didn't love you."
Clary gasped, tears welling up in her eyes as she grabbed her purse and fled the room. Alec suddenly felt like the worse person ever, but what else should he have done? After all, she had intended to give him a lecture about not breaking Magnus's heart when she was breaking Jace's heart every day.
Worried this whole thing would backfire horribly, Alec got out his phone.
'Jace!' Alec texted. 'I may have yelled at Clary. Maybe you should talk to her.'
'What the hell did you do!' was Jace's instant reply.
'She tried to lecture me about not hurting Magnus,' Alec defended himself. 'I may have told her she's been hurting you lately.'
'You didn't!' Jace answered.
'I did,' Alec replied. 'Sorry! Just go find her and talk to her okay.'
Jace didn't reply, and Alec hoped that meant he was looking for Clary.
Alec looked up from his phone to find the whole room staring at him. Jem and Tessa were ignoring the TV while Helen and Aline stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining room. Alec noticed they were holding hands, which lifted his spirits. At least he'd been a good friend to someone today.
"Little fuzzy diva," Magnus muttered as he reappeared, this time without any cats at his heels. "You'd think they were starving to death or something." He looked up and suddenly sensed the tension in the air. "What did I miss?"
Hi guys! So do you think Alec was too mean or justified in what he said to Clary? Also OMG FINALLY HELINE! That has been like 70,000 in the making! o_O I had planned for them to show up sooner... but it just never worked! I mean why would Clary's roommate and Alec's cousin have a reason to be in the same room together that didn't feel totally forced!? Game night was my solution... hope you liked it! I don't plan to give either Aline or Helen POV but that doesn't mean they won't be around! There is a new POV being added soon though! Any guesses who it is going to be?
Thank you to reppinda5o3 for making me add more to the Jace and Alec scene at the beginning. I had that part as a very short summary type scene but then I read your review and thought I could totally add to it! I like it much more now! SEE! Reviews matter guys! On that note PLEASE REVIEW!
Wow that was super long sorry! But it didn't feel like it should be broken up.
So about the sneak peek... this next chapter is the 'intense' scene I mentioned before. *is nervous*
Sneak Peek Chapter 27
"Jace," she called out but when he turned those weren't the golden eyes she'd wanted to see. Green hateful eyes started back at her.
"Wrong," Sebastian's voice cut through the night air. He turned to face her, moving closer. She could tell he was drunk, from his slurred speech and manner of walking.
"Well if it isn't Jace's little obsession," Sebastian sneered. "The redhead wench."
Clary avoided eye contact with him as she tried to move past him but suddenly Sebastian's arm was there to stop her.
"You're nothing particularly remarkable," Sebastian said his voice full of cruelty. "And yet Jace can't seem to be rid of you." Sebastian moved closer and Clary backed up until her back hit a wall. Turning she realized her back was up against the dorm building.
