Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Of course not.

Nope.
Never.

The pansexual best friend
never gets the boy in the end.
Not in real life.

He knew.

He truly did.

Yet he fell.
Hard.

For his best friend's boyfriend.

Not his fault.
The lad was hot.

Jace was sea, and Simon
was desperate to drown.

Chapter Text

A grin.
It's all it took.

A grin and two mismatched eyes.

Call him cliché, call him weak. 

He probably is.

Does he regret it?

Not at all...?
Not yet.
Not truly.

A grin, two mismatched eyes
and a glance in his way. He was hooked.

Too late.

It barely lasted, really.

 A split second at the utmost.

It's all it took.
Simon was hooked.

Chapter Text

And he jumped.
He jumped in the sea.

Not willing to dive in, no.
He was already underneath.

But willing to drown.
So deep, so low that
he could no longer be found.

He had already lost himself anyway.
Lost himself to him, in him.

In his eyes, in his smile, in his...
His pants? Nah. Never.

But Simon could dream.

Chapter Text

Why and when did he agree
on going to cinema with them again?

They were, that itself hurt.

But they also were, sickeningly cute.

Kudos, he supposed, were in order.

Pop Corn, an underrated savior, really.
Mid-movie, there was no longer any.
So he kindly proposed to go and get some.

Never came back.

Not that night.
Not with them.
Sorry Maureen.

Chapter Text

Magnus is... Quite magical.

Really.

A beautiful soul.

Send on earth to grace them all with his flawlessness and and generosity.

Alec was... There.
It's a package deal.

Like Simon and Clary used to be.

But even Alec got dismissed when Simon uttered the word personal.

Chapter Text

Clary had cornered him about the movie incident.

Very long line to get some popcorn and an impromptu stop by the bathroom had been his explanation.

"And what ? You found Narnia in there ?"
"Funny, Fray."

He tried to chuckle.
A pained grimace was all she got.

After a few seconds of examining him,
she patted his shoulder, reminding him that he could tell her anything.

Anything except, except that he'd want her boyfriend to kiss himfor so long that they'd both need to grow gills.

"My mom's just struggling to pay the bills."

He choked out, ashamed.
Helen was more than perfectly
capable of taking care of her children.

Clary seemed to buy it though.
Proof that they had never been so distant...

But like the stubborn teenagers they were, they both nodded and decided to ignore the elephant in the room.

He walked away.

Chapter Text

Simon didn't want to be there.
Or he didn't want to admit it to himself.
How come he learnt just now that Jace was in the football team though?

Alec too, of course.

Alexander was the reason they were here.

Simon smiled fondly at his friend who had his eyes glued on his boyfriend.
And allowed himself to daydream.

Until....

Until he didn't knew if he was...

Had Jace just waved at him.

That smile.
Was it, for him?

He looked around.

Nope.

No one else.
Only he and Magnus.

So it must've been.
Simon awkwardly waved back,
with a blinding smile.

Too late.

Jace was no longer watching him.
He had his helmet on and was running around the field.

Still, it happened.

Chapter Text

"I dig the shirt."
Simon choked on a mouthful of soda.

Jace had talked to him.
Jace had noticed his shirt.

What shirt again?
He looked down and read :

'No Sexual InQUEERy here.'
'Pantastic.'

Simon grinned, proudly.
His eyes met Jace's.

The grin faltered.

He stood up from his chair and left
the cafeteria as the other sat down.

Fear not, pretty boy won't eat alone.
Usually, pretty girl, comes and join.

This time, was no exception.

Chapter Text

Magnus is a life saver.
Maureen was a friend.

Simon felt like an asshole.

Friendzone is a bitch.

Unrequited love is her favorite weapon.

Simon knew all too well.
He hadn't even made it into
the acquaintance-zone though.

He'd need to actually
be able to talk to Jace for that.

Anyway, Sheamus and the magician
made their way outside of school.

Magnus had a thing with his name.
Simon had a thing with Magnus'
incredible abilities and knowledge.

They both had their things.

Never truly infatuated with the other though.

Not enough.

Chapter Text

Isabelle is a black widow.

She walks on men's heart with her stilletos.
Simon never craved for a hole in his chest.

But tonight he was feeling bold.
Maybe it was the sight of goldilock and his best friend being obnoxiously adorable.

Maybe it was the alcohol.

Maybe it was a taste for self-destruction.

Anyway, there he was.
Kissing her, senseless.

No biggie.
No meaning.

Except...

Except Alec wasn't having it.
He pulled Simon by the ear.

Not that his sister needed to protected.
God no.

Simon's heart did.
His ribs a little as well.

So Alec cared?

Chapter Text

Of course he cared.
Alec also knew.

"You don't do one night stands."
"You don't do pep talks."

A huff, from both parts,
alone on the balcony of Magnus' flat.

Not another single word.
Alec was just observing him.

That's when Simon understood
that Alec was just the silent type.

And must've noticed so much
more than he let people know.

They starred at each other.

There was a hint of amusement, a lot of
understanding  and alcohol-induced lust dancing in their eyes.

No one acted upon it.
They both loved Magnus.

Not each other.
Not yet.

Not like that.

Hopefully, never like that.

Chapter Text

"You like my brother !" Jace declared when Simon stepped back in. "Makes so much more sense now ! That's why you're a stuttering mess around me !" He chuckled.

Simon raised both of his eyebrows, lost. "Who now?"

"Alec. My brother."

"I do?"

"I saw you two outside." Jace said, cheeks reddening a little. "I wasn't spying on you ! I swear ! I just saw..."

Simon chuckled, dryly. "I don't care." He shrugged. "No. I do not like Alec. I love Magnus and want him happy." He declared and motioned to move away.

Jace followed him. "That is literally the most you ever said to me." He grinned. "Are we getting somewhere Lewis ?"

Simon turned around. He tried. He really tried to glare at Jace. But it turned fond. He shook his head, choosing to remain silent.

"So there's something I wanted to say... You're... Well, I don't know you yet. You never gave me the opportunity to get to know you. But obviously Clary cares a lot about you so you must be pretty awesome. Like me." He chuckled. "And since you're her best friend, I supposed it would be better if we weren't avoiding each other 24/7..." He shrugged. "Truce?"

Simon took the hand offered to him, shaking it with a firm grip. "Truce." And then... Then Jace grinned and he forgot to let go.

He should've.

Definitely.

Because a second later, they were crashed together as someone tried to make their way past them.

His face... His face was even more flawless from up close... Simon's eyes trailed to the blond's bottom lip before quickly looking back up; noticing how painfully close they were physically standing but knowing all too well how mentally far they actually were.

No one leant it. No sparkle in Jace's eyes, no magical but confusing kiss. None of that shit. Just Simon storming off before the blonde could say anything.

"So much for truce..."

Chapter Text

Clary was happy, so Simon was happy.
That's how things were supposed to go.

But yeah, no.

 
And when she invited him to watch
Mean Girls on wednesday October Third,
wearing pink; he barely noticed.

What he noticed was Jace.

The blonde did not bother
to try to talk to him anymore.

Was it a relief?

Certainly should've been.
Truly wasn't.

Silent movie.

Except for a snort and a 'she doesn't even go here.' yelled too loud by a certain blonde.

Simon was shooketh.
Clary just chuckled and
ran a hand in his blond mane.

Of course, he was a nerd.

Perfection among the perfect ones.
Simon wanted to puke.

Not really.
Sadly.

The dopey grin was killing his angry vibe.

Chapter Text

School was cool.
School was huge.

It was easy to avoid people at school.
Simon liked school.

He also liked Jace, a lot more now
that he knew the other was a nerd as well.

Shoot.

Jace was also walking toward him.
Simon turned around and walked away.

It was a thing of his lately.
We all have our things...

Chapter Text

"Raphael !" Simon yelled.

He was met with a raise of an eyebrow
and a sigh. "What do you want?"

"No... Nothing mate." Simon patted
hid friend's shoulder, twice and walked away.

Avoiding Clary was hard.

But Sheamus couldn't avoid his magical
friend or his very determined boyfriend.
He sighed and let himself be dragged around.

A very long talk he did not want to have ensued.

Chapter Text

"Raphael !" Simon called out.

The other did not bother to turn around.
"Do not use me. Just walk away."

Simon chuckled.

"You, me, saturday, we'll eat chinese.
With Jace and Clary. Thanks Lad."

Simon did not walk, no, he ran away.

Still heard Raphael growl.
So he chuckled, again.

Chapter Text

"Oh hey Simon, you... Brought someone..."

"Oh hey Clary, you... Are trying to play matchmaker again..."

Raphael snorted.
Jace chuckled.

The girl chuckled.
The girl was Maia.
The girl was pretty cool.

The girl was also seriously onto a girl,
hint, redhead. But the girl was also seriously onto comics.

Clary was an awful matchmaker,
but hey, Simon had won a friend.

Aaaaaaaaand Jace stained Raphael's jacket.

Jace also tried to fix things
with water and paper tissues.

Jace wouldn't shut his mouth all the while.

Simon sighed and smacked Jace's hands away.

And off they were, he and Raphael of course.

Night over.

Chapter Text

A huff.
A groan.

Two eyebrows shot up.
Talking about supportive friends.

They all seemed clearly
unimpressed by Simon's antics.

"Avoiding is sulking. Sulking is moping.
Beware Sandy McBroody,
or when you'll explode,
because you will, it won't be pretty."

Simon rolled his eyes at Magnus' words
and just stabbed his steak for the twelfth time.

"Dios Mio, leave that poor dead cow alone.
Why did you even take meat, it's not kosher..."

Simon growled and stabbed his steak once again, it was satisfying, so what?

He glared at Alec, daring him to utter a word, the other just shrugged.

Chapter Text

Light my heart up baby
like a matchstick ♫

Oh he did.

He did and it hurt now.

Moping sounded about
the right thing to do.

Maia did not agree.
Neither did Magnus or Alec.

Yeah, Alec would give his opinion now.
Simon liked him a lot more like that.

Movie night at his house
was somewhat settled.

Most of his friends showed up.

Except for Clary...
That hurt too.

Chapter Text

Clary was standing in front of
his locker the following day.

She knew.
He could tell.
Or he thought so.

But she just hugged him.
Tears rolling down her cheeks.

It was over.
Apparently.

Simon swallowed the lump in his throat
and just wrapped his arms around her.
Because he loved Clary
ten times more than he could ever love Jace.

Chapter Text

"WAYLAND ! WHAT THE WACKADOODLEDOO ??"

That's what Jace was met with when he walked out of history.

A tired sigh moved his chest,
"Stop right there. She broke up with me."

"What ? No. She would never. She loves you, and you hurt her ! So I... I have to hurt you..? Maybe..?"

Jace scoffed and walked away.
Simon ran after him.
Unconsciously playing with his feelings was one thing, playing with Clary's was another.
"No."
Jace frowned and turned around. "No..?"
"No." Simon repeated.
"No..?" The blonde raised an eyebrow.
"No. You don't get to do this. I know I didn't give you the shovel talk, cause I thought we were way past that. But that doesn't give you the right to hurt my best friend."

Jace tilted his head to the side, his eyes turning fond but bittersweet. "We weren't good for each other. Clary was just courageous enough to end things while I was fine with letting them rot."

"Oh." Simon furrowed his brows. "Answer me this though, what is there not to love about Clarissa Adele Fairchild ?"

Nothing." Jace answered truthfully. "I would know, I did." He shrugged. "We just craved for something different. Untold feelings and hidden secrets didn't help either."

Simon chuckled and patted Jace's shoulder.
"Listen very carefully. A wise and beautiful philosophe once said :
"If you love someone, you tell them. Even if you're scared that it's not the right thing. Even if you're scared that it'll cause problems. Even if you're scared that it will burn your life to the ground, you say it, and you say it loud and you go from there."
He smiled a little, trying to not choke on his tied tongue, mouth full of untold feelings. "So if you think you can fix things with Clary, just talk with her, okay ? She'll understand."

Jace smiled back, small but genuine. "I'll think about it." He said before walking away.

"Oh. Hey Jace !" Simon called, making the other turn around. "I think this is the longest conversation we ever had." He smiled, proud of himself before walking away too, leaving the other one a bit bewildered.

Chapter Text

Movie Night at Simon's house was scheduled, again.

This time, his best friend would attend. 

Clary and Simon would say every word along with the movie.

Maia would throw popcorn at them.

"Ewwww. You two are sappy."

Simon and Clary glanced at each other, grinned proudly and let out, in sync : "Why thank you."

She threw yet another popcorn at them. 

Simon caught it in his mouth.

Magnus clapped.

"There's nothing great about that." Raphael had said.

"I love you too." Came Simon's answer.

And Raphael smiled.

A real smile.

Maia took a picture.

"I hate you all." 

"We love you too." Everybody instinctively answered, Alec included.

Magnus blinked a few times before kissing his boyfriend's cheek who hadn't even realized.

Soon, movie was over.

They decided to play a game.

Pictionary.

Now, a neophyte might believe being in a team with Clary meant winning because she was an artist.

But it truly meant watching the perfectionist in her try to make one single good drawing within the minute they had.

Clary's team lost.

Maia and Simon didn't mind much.

They celebrated it even.

Chapter Text

It took a little while for Jace to figure who was this wise and beautiful philosophe Simon had been talking about.  Days even. But he, that he knew that quote. And so, one day, he's sitting at his brother's table for lunch when Simon appears. "Shonda !" Magnus had blurted out, gesturing at Simon to come sit with them.
And it fucking clicked.

Shonda... Rhimes. Grey's Anatomy. Mark Sloan. Definitely wise. Definitely beautiful.
Simon had awkwardly waved before walking away. Yes, he ditched them. To go sit with... Clary. 

Jace sighed. 

Why was Jace sighing ?

Apparently Magnus and Alec were wondering as well.

Chapter Text

"Jace, don't get me wrong, I love it, but, why am I doing your nails ?" Isabelle asked, painting yet another of her brother's toes in vermillon. 

Jace squinted his eyes at his sister and looked down at his feet. "Of course you are." He grumbled under his breath. 

"Well, you came into my room while I was doing my nails, sat on my bed and said nothing. You just kept sighing so I..." She dismissively gestured at the nails. 

Jace chuckled. "Fair." She shrugged, a satisfied smile on her lips as her eyes felt shut. Nose scrunched like that, she looked adorable, in that guilty unapologetic child sort of way. Sometimes, sometimes Jace had glimpses of what others saw of Izzy, the outer alluring side, and then he remembered she dumped his protein shake mix in their kitchen's sink out of spite for not driving her to yet another neuroscience conference and it was gone. He knew, of course, that his sister was beautiful. So was Alec. And, if he indulged, so was he. Different though. While they looked beautiful in an ethereal, flawless way, very soft and subtle, Jace was all edges and sharpness and unnatural. He always viewed himself as a sham, a poster boy good for magazines but not even nearly half as deep as his siblings. 

Izzy was not only beautiful, she was super smart and sociable. Alec was, a born leader, capable of bringing hope in the heart of the most broken man, and inspire respect instead of fear, not sociable but observant and lovable despite a thick outer shell. He was also ridiculously good at archery and so tall. Useful. While Jace, well, he was there. The one who's role was to 'look pretty' and 'be good at sports to secure a scholarship' like Robert had told him countless of times. 

Izzy reached for his hand and she shook his head. "Oh no, definitely not with that color." He spoke, withdrawing his hand.

"But we'd be matching!" She spoke, before pouting. He closed his eyes, nose scrunching up as he tried to ignore the pleas of his sister. "Please... please... please..." She repeated softly. 

He groaned, throwing his head back before reopening his eyes. "Only the right pinky or I swear Iz I..." She rolled her eyes, taking ahold of his hand. Threatening someone who had one more black belt than you probably was silly. 

"So, what is it ? What is your inner turmoil today, big brother ?" She asked, eyes slightly squinted as she examined his hand, trying to decide whether or not she wanted to give him an actual manicure. 

"I don't know. It's..." He furrowed his brows. "Someone got me thinking about what I wanted in a relationship." 

"Is this about Clary ?"

"No. Maybe. I..." He sighed. "I don't know..."

"You liked her that much, huh?"

Jace chuckled humorlessly. "I don't think so... And that's the problem. I've never...." He swallowed, unable to finish. "I don't know how to do it. Like like, someone..."

Izzy giggled. "That's so cute! You said 'like, like' and you blushed!" A glare and she grew serious. "For real though, you don't choose who you like and you can't force yourself to like someone. It just... Happens. Or not." She offered a half smile. 

"What if it never does ? What if I'm just... Not worthy ? Clary is... She's beautiful, kind, passionate, talented, and there's literally nothing wrong with her. So it has to be me right ? I'm..." He shrugged. "Wrong. Somehow."

Isabelle frowned. "No. You're not. You're great. You're beautiful, kind, passionate and talented too Jace. The music your write is..." She smiled. "It's beautiful and I think you should show it to people. I think you should play the piano as often as you want. I think you should slow down on football and pursue your love for literature and philosophy. You were doing good in AP Lit. And in AP Biology. Dropping to have 'more time to train' was silly." Jace bit his upper lip, knowing she wasn't mad at him but more so at their father. He gave her hand a light squeeze. Izzy breathed out. "Right. Seriously though, I maintain it, there is nothing wrong with you. There never was and if anyone dares to tell you otherwise tell them that your sister will kick their ass straight to St. Upid Town."

Jace chuckled. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She grinned. "Riddle me this though, if it's not Clary who got you thinking about whether or not you were made for love, who was it ?" 

Jace grinned. "You'd like to know wouldn't you?" He kissed her head and stood up, ignoring her as she called his name on his way out of her room. There was so much personal information he was willing to share on a single day. And whatever the hell he was feeling or not about Si-someone, was not one of them. He didn't know that someone so well.

Chapter Text

Simon loved his friends. 

He truly loved them all equally. 

But, when Jace trailed behind Magnus and Alec, with a wide grin and beautiful, hopeful, heterochromic eyes, Simon felt like he'd never hated anyone more than the two of them. 

Alec especially. 

Because he was smiling. 

That corner of the lips thing he does when he's very satisfied with the outcome of something. 

It's a split second kinda deal. But anyone who knows Alec well enough can catch it. 

So he knew?

Simon shook his head, forced a smile, and squeezed a little closer to Raphael so that a certain blond could take a seat. 

Sulk first, questions later.

Chapter Text

Maia had kissed Clary.

Then Clary had kissed back.

Simon had been mind blown. 

So had Raphael. 

Magnus had  just knowingly smirked. Alec had just diverted his gaze.

And Jace, well Jace was there. 

Yes, because now Jace was an addition to their group.

Simon shot him a glance, blushing. He found the blond looking at him.

Raphael leant in, smirking to whisper something in Simon's ear. 

"This might just be your time to shine." 

Simon furiously blushed and looked away. His friends truly sucked.

Except not. 

Simon was just stupid sometimes. 

Like ridiculously dense.

Chapter Text

Turns out, Maia and Clary weren't dating. They were testing the waters. 

Clary was a bicurious on the straight side of the spectrum. She told him that. Maia told him that too.

Because for some reason, the both of them believed he was the right person to confide in?

Simon had never dated anyone in his life. He knew jack about relationships.

So he went to take advices from Magnus.

"You should just tell him 

so we can all move on." 

And no. Really not. No. 

Too much shame to deal with then.

"This conversation isn't even about me!"

"Right."

Magnus indulged him with that conversation where you pretend to be talking about someone else to discuss your own troubles.

"Clary and Maia will sort it out. 

They don't need you to do it for them.

But get your shit together, Simon.

For yourself."

Chapter Text

Simon truly believed he had prepared himself enough for that night. 

But to be fair, in his head, he had expected at least one of his friends to stay by his side.

Sadly, they all magically disappeared. Magnus might have been involved. 

Even Raphael for christ's sake, went to dance. With none other than Isabelle on top of that. She had, somehow, wormed her way inside their friend group. 

So of course, the couples formed were gone. That left two boys in tuxes on their own.

"How come you don't have a date to the ball?" 

They both asked at the same time.

They both chuckled. 

Simon looked away, cheeks heated.

And failed to notice that the blond

looked the exact same. 

The night was bound to be long.

Chapter Text

"Wanna get out of here?" Jace proposed, bringing a flask of water to his lips. Sometimes he just wanted to look cool. He didn't need to be an idiot for that. Besides, the glee he'd felt when a chaperon took it and brought it to their nose to check made up for any loss of points in his street cred. Jace Lightwood didn't break any laws, he just tried to make it look like he did. But knew better than to break the mold and disappoint his father.

Simon rose an eyebrow. "To go where?" He asked, trying to conceal his nervousness the best he could. For some reason, he doubted Jace could pick up on the slight shake in his voice but was certain his rabbit heart was giving him away. 

Jace's lips curled up in a confident grin, edging very much to a sly grin. "Do you trust me?"

'Well, not really, we don't know each other that much. I'm not even sure we're actually friends.' That's what Simon would have said. Had he not been so ridiculously smitten with the male sitting next to him. What Simon did, was silently nodding a few times before letting out a passionate "Yes!"

Jace chuckled and stood up, holding a hand out for Simon to take. "Easier to navigate the crowd like that Lewis, I don't want to loose you." Simon blinked, looking down at the offered hand. "Come on Simon, it'd be really sad if I lost you before we made it to the door of the gymnasium." Simon chuckled, eyes anchoring themselves in Jace's heterochromic ones and took ahold of the hand offered to him, laughing a little as he was hauled up. 

With long strides but an unhurried pace, Jace led the two of them out, sticking his tongue at his sister when he caught her inquisitive gaze on him. Izzy fondly rolled her eyes and went back to focusing on making Raphael feel as awkward as possible. So far he'd been so good at keeping his composure that it was frustrating. Simon didn't catch any of that, instead he was grinning like an idiot, glancing at their joint hands every few seconds to make sure it was real. As soon as they made it inside the school's corridor, Jace paused. The blond seem to weight in his options. "Okay, we have a two choices here." He spoke, turning to face a wide eyed Simon, lips slightly parted. The Lightwood paused, taking in the sight for a second before he shook his head. "We could truly get out of here and go to a small bar I know. But where's the fun in that? A much more interesting option would be to sneak in the labs and let me offer you really cool mocktails."

Simon laughed. "And he's good at sciences. Is there anything you can't do?" 

Jace sighed softly, gaze remaining fond despite his fading smile. "Too many, I'm afraid. But don't tell anyone, I have a reputation to uphold."

Simon grinned, revealing his teeth for a second before he gently bit his bottom lip. Either way he was bound to observe Jace in his element, which, he was trying to convince himself wasn't a creepy way to phrase things. He narrowed his eyes. "Does your bar have a piano?" Jace blinked a few times at the unexpected question before slowly nodding. "Great." Simon said. "Then I think we're really getting out of here." He added, before tugging on Jace's hand and leading the way out before the blond could protect. Turns out he didn't even try to relent.

They made it took quick for either of them's liking. Silence had made the conversation on a way, something pleasant, something light, something neither of them felt the need to fill as they held hands and lazily marched through quasi empty streets. Jace had tugged on his tie, letting it go loose and Simon had removed his faux bow tie, carefully pocketing it. They realized they were still holding hands when Jace stopped in front of the small bar. "We're here." He spoke, brows slightly furrowing as he let go Simon's hand. 

The brunet nodded, eyes narrowed as he studied the blond, more bothered by the change in Jace's demeanor than the loss of contact. He said nothing though and forced a smile back on his features, looking up to read the name of said place. "Hunter's Moon." He read, chuckling when he saw that Jace was holding the door for him. He stepped in and paused. This definitely wasn't what he'd expected. The place was rather warm, with touches of red and yellow drowning in brown leather and mahogany. But what caught Simon off guard was the people. They all seemed to have more personality than him, and a whole story written on their skin. 

"Jace!" A pretty girl with blond hair, genuine elf ears and a vine tattoo crawling along her face called, waving to the blond from behind the bar. 

Jace chuckled, bringing a hand to Simon's back. "Be careful with Kaelie, she probably could gouge out your eyeballs with her perfectly manicured nails." He warned, as he led Simon toward the bar. Simon swallowed thickly, not particularly bothered by the words but more so by the proximity. Jace had leant toward him to conspiratorially whisper in his ear, lips almost grazing Simon's skin. And Simon was certain this was a lot more closer than strictly necessary. He glanced at Jace when the male stood straighter, grinning as he looked ahead, tie almost fashionably askew and styled hair messed up by the wind. Boy did he look beautiful. Simon bit his bottom, pouting a bit as he realized just how bad he still had it for his best friend's ex. After a soft sigh, he sat next to Jace, struggling just a little with the leather stool. Jace's small laugh almost made his embarrassment worth it. "Kaelie, let me introduce you to Simon, master guitarist but for some odd reason, aspiring accountant. Simon, this is Kaelie, your local seelie, intern tattoo artist and extremely sexy barmaid."

"Cut the crap Wayland, I don't walk down the same battered pavement twice." Kaelie replied before focusing on Simon, or more so on the hands he was fiddling with on the counter. "What did he tell you about me to make you so nervous?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Simon grinned. "Nothing I struggle to believe. But if that makes you feel better, I'm always nervous around pretty strangers." 

Kaelie chuckled. "I like him. He's clever." She told Jace. "Next time you stop around, stop by without Jace and I'll give you a discount." She told Simon and winked. "Anyway, what can I get you?" She asked. 

"Two beers." Jace replied.

"Two non alcoholic beers coming right up. Nice try though." She replied before turning away.

Simon chuckled when he saw the faint blush reaching the tip of Jace's ears. Shaking his head before he focused on the blond too long for it to be normal, he forced himself to look away. Slightly furrowing his brows, the male started to seek for the piano Jace had said would be there, struggling to see how one could fit in such a decor. But it did. It did and stood majestically at the end of the room. A "Steinway D grand piano." Simon said softly, awe seeping through the tone of his voice.

Jace smiled with a genuine warmth. "You play?" He asked.

"Never such an instrument." Simon replied. "Just synthesizer. Cheaper."

Jace's eyes widened for a second before he blinked the surprise away. "That. Is a crime." He stood up. "Come on Simon. It's time for me to pop one of your musical cherry."

Kaelie scoffed as she put the beers on the counters. Simon glanced toward her, his gaze asking for permission. "Awww, you're adorable." She told Simon. "Anyone can use Denise as long as they're very gentle and respectful with her." 

"Denise?" Jace inquired. "I thought that was a he. Robust. Loyal. Soulful. Daring. A he." 

Kaelie rolled her eyes. "A she." She replied before walking toward a customer who'd gestured for her. 

"Once you've got your hands on Denise, I bet you'll forget all about your synth." Jace declared, smirking a bit before he moved toward the end of the room. Simon followed, a little dazed and absolutely appreciative of the piece of art in front of him. And for the first time in the night, he wouldn't be referring to Jace's ass in a fitting tux. With as much confidence as he did everything else, Jace sat on the piano bench and played with the blues scale for a couple of seconds. 

Simon chuckled. "Is that the Monk theme song?"

"No." Jace replied with little conviction.

"It so is, you just played the whole thing in C minor." Simon slid on the bench next to Jace, starting in C for the few beginning notes and continuing in F minor as expected. "It's the theme for Monk." He repeated, facing Jace with a certain proud on his features. "Were you trying to pass it as improv? Were you trying to impress me?" He asked, grinning a little as Jace's confidence faded for a bit.

"You've got a good ear Lewis, and serious coordination but can you do that?" Jace inquired before launching itself in Chopin's Etude op 10, number 4 in c minor. The particularly complex solo piece seemed almost instinctive to the blond, his fingers grazing and glazing along the cues, anticipating the next note but always pressing at the right moment. Jace's features lost all cockiness to wear a mask of concentration, lips slightly parted, gaze lowered but eyes not closed, focused instead as his head discreetly accompanied the movement of his fingers. Simon knew he was a bother standing so close, restricting Jace's movements. But the other seemed to have such an unbreakable as the notes flew out for all to hear. So dexterous. So fast. So short. 

"I..." Simon mouth remained opened but his lips curled up as he heard the claps that surrounded them. "No. I definitely cannot do that." He told Jace, leaning a little closer to make sure the blond could hear him. "You're an artist."

Jace grinned. "Well so are you." The Lightwood's eyes flickered to Simon's lips for a second before he wet his own, focusing back on the darker gaze on him. "Pursue it Simon. You'd make a terrible accountant."

The brunet smile, a faint blush creeping on his cheeks. "Thank you." He replied softly before standing a lot straighter when someone in their vicinity loudly cleared their throat. It wasn't even at them. But Simon had felt as if he'd been caught doing something wrong. Or was about to, he was fairly certain. Kissing someone without their consent probably was a bad idea. "Well," he cleared his throat. "I think I could use a sip of that non alcoholic beer right now. You?" 

Jace sighed softly. "You barely played. We barely played."

Simon chuckled. He'd got what he wanted : To see Jace play. And he definitely was as good as Izzy had claimed. "Don't worry. I'm totally in love with Denise already and I will make sure to come back. Maybe with Maureen. She's into music too, I bet you'd love her." He told Jace, his voice gaining the fondness it always had when Simon spoke about someone he held dear. 

Jace silently nodded, pressing his lips together for a second before he stood up. "Let's... Get those beers."

Chapter Text

Jace met Maureen. Eventually.
She was pretty. And funny.

And she understood all of Simon's references.

Jace wanted to hate her a little.
But she really tried to include him.
In the conversation, in the jokes.

Oh.

Oh.

She was flirting with Jace.

Simon noticed before the blond.
Simon didn't say anything.

Jace slipped into his persona.

The male flirted back shamelessly,
booted Simon out of the conversation.

Simon didn't stay to watch.
Jace tried really hard to pretend
he didn't notice Simon leaving.

Maureen was pretty.
But, it was too late anyway.
Jace was hooked.

Chapter Text

"I could smell the eau du jackass
coming from miles away."

Jace blinked at Maia's words when
he sat at their lunch table. Brows
furrowed, he glanced at Clary who
was sporting an irritated expression
too. The blond huffed, searching
Simon with his gaze, hoping he'd
decipher the girls' mood for him.

Simon wasn't there.
Simon didn't show.

Neither did Rafael or Magnus.
Alec was oddly silent about the whole thing.

Except for one sentence :
"You're an idiot."

And truly, by now, Jace knew it.
But why this time?

Chapter Text

Clary wasn't stupid. On the contrary, Clary saw. She'd seen from the very beginning. Probably before either of them did. The redhead knew Simon had a crush on Jace. It was always easy to tell with Simon, he wore his heart on his sleeve and allowed his eyes to scream words his mouth could never utter. To be entirely honest, the redhead had half expected Simon to crush on Jace. Because Simon liked people in general, in ways that made him believe anyone could be loved. So he loved, in a manner that would originally be unclear but grew more defined over time. The jewish boy went through crushes like one goes through pair of socks, really. None mattering too much. At least, not until Jace.

Clary had seen her best friend grow more withdrawn and discrete in a shallow hope to hide his feelings from her. And she hadn't said a word about it, because what was there to be said, really? She couldn't do much and had no intention to hand over her boyfriend to make Simon happier. It wasn't how any of this worked. So Clary had looked away, shifting her focus entirely on Jace. And when she did, she noticed something there too. Noticed the way his eyes trailed after Simon, both curious and fond, expectant but patient. How he'd fallen was a mystery, seen as the two barely said a word to another. But that made her realize something : Past making out every now and then and picking fights with one another, their relationship wasn't that deep. Whilst Jace grew more and more curious about the ever elusive Simon, Clary asked herself what she truly was looking for in a relationship. And it turns out that no matter how pleasant her thing with Jace was, she'd have to seek love elsewhere. And so, the female broke up with the blond.

Another very instructive moment.

No matter how strained her friendship with Simon was, when she searched for a shoulder to cry on, he offered the both of his own and held her tight. That was Simon. His dedication to the people he loved, knew no bound. Clary wondered, if not for a fleeting moment, what it would be like to be entirely loved by Simon. She knew he'd treat whomever he chose right, putting their happiness above his own and loving them with every piece of his heart. Because she couldn't reciprocate, Clary chose not to toy with Simon's feelings in an attempt to figure out her own. The two easily fell back into a routine. Best friends, family, confidents. And Clary was beyond glad to have her best friend back.

Maia was a surprise. A good one. But an entirely unexpected surprise. She made the redhead giggle and blush, and was entirely unapologetic about it. And it left Clary wondering, wondering if love could be found in someone unexpected but wholly welcomed. When Maia kissed her, it felt like the culmination of something, and the beginning of something bigger, greater. Something that would be entirely her own and yet was beyond her control. Maia was patient, didn't ask any inane questions and was too great to be jealous. Clary loved liked her for that. But Maia was also particularly observant, and she shared what she noticed. That made Clary see it too.

And Clary saw. She saw the way the two male were drawn to one another. As if silence was their melody and shared glances private lyrics to a song only them could hear. The funny thing was, Jace was the one being pulled in. Because evidently, Simon had accepted his crush by now. And a few stutters aside, he was genuinely trying his best to be friend with Jace. But Jace? Oh, he was a disaster. Alternating between bouts of confidence and utter fondness like a lunatic. A single glance at Simon and his eyes would gain that wistful glint. But he'd smile through, and laugh, and soak in Simon's presence like he was cataloguing moments for later on. It was so odd to watch him gather love kernels from someone who would have given him everything if he asked. No, not odd, sad. Yes, sad. Because Simon would blink every now and then, and glance towards Clary, his smile fading for a second before he'd nod and compose himself. He was artificially creating some distance between him and Jace for the redhead's sake.

Bros' before hoes.

Simon's loyalty both frustrated the redhead and made her love him ten times more at the same time. Maybe she'd talk to him. Tell him she didn't love Jace like he did, tell him he could love Jace better than she ever did. But not today though. Not yet. Because quite frankly, the realization still hurt a little.

Maia slipped her hands in Clary's linking their fingers. And it was like someone had found a way to dull the ache. The redhead's lips curled up, gaze fond despite the worry that grew in her heart. Did she truly love Maia or was she looking for someone to love her right? "Love." Clary whispered softly, eyes widening. She loved Maia. That, that had never crossed her mind when being with Jace. He was great obviously. But being with him was easy as breathing, comfortable, immutable, there. Maia was different. She was curious, and opinionated and loud, and she wasn't trying to perfectly fit with Clary. Maia cared about Clary's needs but had her own. She wanted things to. Jace always seemed to mold his priorities around Clary. The both of them trying so hard to fit together.

Maybe this was it then. The fundamental difference between someone you can live with and someone you can't live without, in spite of everything that might push you apart.

"Love." Clary repeated louder, like it wasn't an epiphany but just a nickname that made sense to give to Maia. And the female smiled, slowly leaning in to press her lips against the redhead's.

Clary's insecurities didn't just disappear. But for some reason, she knew this was okay. This was right. And she would make things right for Simon too. She'd talk to him. As soon as possible. For now though, she'd just enjoy the moment, trying to remember every second of that kiss to reminisce later.

Huh. Maybe she wasn't that different from Jace after all. Maybe she did, truly love too.