City of Secrets

Chapter 18

Hi guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter. There was a syncing issue when I checked this on my phone. Let me know if any of the chapter is cut off. This chapter ends with a Malec date. Hopefully it was just a connection issue :)

Simon was lying in bed trying to calm himself down, but he was still very upset that Jace had used his past trauma against him. It had taken a lot of courage for Simon to open up to Jace and tell him what happened. Given the way shadowhunters treated him generally it was hard for Simon to trust them. 

But as Simon got to know Jace, Izzy, Magnus, Clary and more recently Alec, he discovered that not all shadowhunters are racist.  Now Jace had violated Simon's trust by using his secret against him. Simon's thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on the door. 

"Simon can I come in?"

Simon sighed in frustration, "I don't want to see you right now". 

"I'm so sorry, I know that I hurt you. I messed up-"

"Jace you are one of the only two people I trusted to tell about Raj raping me. I tried telling Raphael what happened, but he wouldn't believe me. He refused to believe me when I tried to explain Raj had made it look like I was cheating, Raphael was so certain I cheated just because I'm bisexual. Because of that I felt I couldn't tell anyone what happened. But I trusted you! And now you hurt me too". 

Jace closed his eyes in pain, he felt even worse for what he did. "I can't imagine the pain you went through because of Raj and Raphael. I wish I could go back in time and take back what I said, but I can't. I can only apologize and try to make things right with you. I really am sorry Simon. I understand if you can't forgive me or if you never want to see me again. I'll um go to the institute and take Jason there like you suggested". 

Simon quickly got up and opened the door before Jace could leave, "What you said really hurt, but I don't want to lose you. I'll need some time to forgive you, but your friendship means so much to me that I want to forgive you".

Jace smiled in relief, "I understand that, I meant it when I said I want to make things right with you. I'll do what it takes to earn your trust back". 

Simon hugged Jace, "Thank you that means a lot to me". 

Jace hugged Simon back, he was so happy that he was able to still hug Simon. He was afraid Simon would want nothing to do with him anymore and Jace wouldn't blame him if he did. Jace kept messing up and hurting Simon, what did he do deserve an amazing friend like Simon? Jace felt a strange flutter in his stomach at the thought. Could it be that Simon had feelings for him? 

It would make sense as to why Simon kept putting up with him. Jace thought back to when he said he was glad he didn't remember Alec with Jason because Simon had erased his memories. Jace hadn't noticed at the time, but he realized now that Simon had looked really upset. Jace wanted to ask Simon if he had feelings for him, but he had already messed up so badly and he didn't want to hurt Simon again. 

Jace didn't want to admit it, but part of him was scared he was right. Jace had been in love with Alec for so long that he didn't think about being in a relationship with someone else. He had considered the possibility of liking Simon before but he hadn't considered a relationship. However, Alec was falling for Magnus, Jace could see it in his eyes and that had broken his heart. But Simon was here, he was always there for him. But before Jace could ask Simon about this, he needed to get over Alec. He didn't want to treat Simon like a consolation prize. He would never forgive himself for that. 

"I'll take Jason to the institute but I promise I'll come back later. I know you can take care of yourself I should never have questioned that".

"Thank you for saying that Jace, it means a lot to me. Please be careful, we don't know who we can trust at the institute. Alec said there are traitors". 

Jace felt the flutter again and he realized it was butterflies, but the good kind. Simon was always so caring for him. "I'll be careful, call me if you need me". Jace said and after grabbing Jason he left to go to the institute. 

Meanwhile Izzy had told Alec and Magnus that she had tried to sacrifice herself to Raj to save Alec from having to marry him, and that it didn't work. Alec was upset that his sister had tried to do this, he didn't want her to have to marry Raj. But at the same time he loved her even more for trying to save him. 

Alec hugged Izzy tightly, "It means so much to me that you were willing to sacrifice yourself to try and save me. But please don't do that again". 

Izzy smiled fondly, "You would do the same for me in a heartbeat and you know it big brother". 

"Does Biscuit know about this?" Magnus said worriedly. 

"I told her about what I was doing, but I haven't told her the plan didn't work. I hurt her so much I don't know if I can face Clary right now". 

Magnus put a comforting hand on Izzy's shoulder, "I'm sure she'll forgive you. She knows how much Alec means to you". 

"I hope you're right", Izzy sighed, "Clary deserves to know the plan didn't work, I can't bear the thought of her thinking I'm going to marry Raj. I'm just scared to tell her, what if she hates me? If the plan had worked I would have abandoned her to marry Raj". 

"Clary could never hate you Izzy, it is impossible to hate you. Even when we had our worst sibling fights, I never hated you", Alec said reassuringly. 

Izzy felt a bit better about telling Clary now thanks to Magnus and Alec. She was still nervous but she couldn't leave Clary hanging, she had to do this. "I'm going to go talk to Clary. I'm sorry Raj didn't want to marry me, I was really hoping I could save you Hermano". 

"It's okay Izzy, I don't blame you. It's our parents' and Raj's fault that this is happening, not yours". 

After Izzy hugged Alec and Magnus, she left to go find Clary leaving Alec and Magnus alone. Alec had tried to put on a brave face for Izzy, but inside he was terrified. Alec was still adjusting to the knowledge that he was a shadowhunter, and now this on top of everything else was overwhelming Alec. 

"Alexander I swear I won't rest until I find a way to save you", Magnus said as he put his hand gently on the small of Alec's back.

The touch helped Alec to calm down a bit and he took Magnus' free hand, "If anyone can find a way I know it's you". 

Magnus smiled as he felt a surge of pride go through him, "I know you have a lot on your mind. But I would still like us to have our first date, if it's okay with you? I understand if you don't feel up to it". 

"I would love to go on a date with you, I remember you mentioning a suprise", Alec said with a grin to lighten the mood. 

Magnus winked at Alec, "I certainly do have a suprise for you. Come with me". Magnus had made sure no one would go in the room he had reserved for his date with Alec, as with so many interruptions he wasn't sure when he would be able to go on this date. 

Still holding hands, Magnus led Alec to the room he had prepared for their date. Alec was mesmerized when he saw the room. This was usually a training room, but Magnus had transformed it into a beautiful restaurant. 

"Wow Magnus this is amazing. How did you do this?" 

"It was a mix of my own décor skills and magic from my warlock friends. I wish I had magic", Magnus said sighing wistfully. 

"Me too", Alec said, as he imagined all the things he could do if he had magic. "You didn't have to go through so much trouble for me", Alec said shyly. 

Magnus cupped Alec's face, "I know but I wanted to, you more than deserve it Alexander".  

Magnus led Alec to the table and pulled his chair back for him. Alec felt his heart warm at the gesture, Magnus was such a gentleman. The food was already at the table, magic was keeping it hot and fresh. Magnus served them both the food and sat down opposite Alec. 

With everything that was happening Alec was so grateful Magnus had done this for him. It helped him almost forget the danger he was in. Alec made a mental note to plan a romantic date for Magnus. Alec had a wonderful time with Magnus and they ended up talking late into the night. And both of them couldn't wait for their next date.