A Very Awkward, Unexpected, Flustered, Engagement Party Conversation

An Unexpected, Very Flustered, Awkward Engagement Party Conversation:

"So you see, we are just meant for each other and we— well, I, actually, I don't know about Clary and what she thinks about this entire thing. you know what, this may have been a bad idea from the start..." Jace rambled on and on until Simon just couldn't take it anymore and just tuned out.

Not for the first time since this rather one-sided conversation began (the only thing Simon had been able to say before Jace started ranting was, "Hi, do you want some coffee, or something?"), Simon wondered why he was even there. Like, seriously. Jace didn't even like him. He still called Simon, "the mundane" like it was some sort of disease that he could catch. Now, out of the blue, (well, actually the gray, it was rather stormy and depressing outside,) Jace was asking Simon for help.

"Simon, are you even listening to me?" Jace's annoyed voice cut through Simon's rather worried and confused thoughts.

Simon shook his head as if he was a dog. "Yeah- uh, um, I mean- totally. I, uh, yeah, um... really! Yes, uh, really support your cause and how you are actually making your own choices. This means that you are finally an adult, and you have grown out of adolescent hood! I don't think that is a word. We should make it one." Simon ended with his left pointer finger in the air and his other hand splayed out in front of him.

Jace smirked sarcastically, "I was asking you if it would be alright to—," here he stopped, his face turning red and a seemingly large lump stuck in his throat was preventing his from speaking.

Simon leaned forward, intrigued. It wasn't everyday that Jace asked Simon of all people whether or not it was okay to do something. According to Jace, Simon was just a talking statue that walked around draped in a loincloth and was practically good for nothing except video games, anad what kind of Shadowhunter plays video games? "Alright to do what exactly? Izzy and I's engagement party is coming up TOMORROW so it better not be anything even related to that. scratch that, it can't even be remotely related to anything in New York because I don't trust you. Not that it will come as a surprise that I don't trust you, I think I made myself pretty clear on that one during that past few years."

Jace leaned forward. he seemed as if he was trying to get the words out but he just couldn't. "You promise that you won't laugh or scream or try to kill me or anything?"

Simon reluctantly nodded. "But, just so we are clear, the not killing thing is only for today."

Jace glared at him. "I wanted to ask Clary to— uh, to—," this flustered Jace was nothing like the Jace that Simon normally knew. The next words came out in a rush, "Iwanthertomarryme." Jace sighed with absolute relief and delight. 'Glad I got that out!"

Simon gasped. "You are going to ask Clary to— oh God, this can't possibly be happening! I always thought that Malec would happen first, but I guess in a way, it did. — Wait." Simon put up a hand as he stopped his monologue abruptly. "We need to go get coffee. That is the only way that this is going to ever work."

Jace smiled in agreement. "This is the only time I will ever agree with you Lewis,"

Simon thrust a fist in the air. "All hail to the power of caffeine!"

They briskly walked to the nearby coffee shop, with Simon nearly sprinting to keep up with Jace's regular walking pace. After buying their drinks (Jace offered to pay because he was in a strangely good mood, and Simon was not going to pass that offer up), they hopped on a subway to Central Park, walked around (in Simon's case, sprinted in every direction to keep up with Jace) and finally sat down on a bench.

Simon leaned forward. "So, um, when are you planning to drop the question?"

Jace winced. "I haven't actually bought a ring yet."

Simon threw up his hands. "Jace your proposal has to seem like something that you have been wanting for a really long time, yet you spontaneously, which means on the spot if you didn't know that, so that they are overwhelmed by the sincerity of your question. Duh!"

Jace sat up suddenly. "I know the perfect time to ask her!"

Simon winced, ready for a really bad idea.

"Your engagement party!"

He was not disappointed. "I told you, and I am quoting myself, "can't even be remotely related to anything in New York because I don't trust you" so you answer is, no."

Jace looked at Simon. "Come on man! I'll take her to a private room so no one can hear us." At this he received many curious stares from passerby.

Simon sighed at Jace's absolutely pathetic expression. He also liked to hold the power in this conversation. having Jace beg him for something, Simon was just exploding with happiness. Feigning boredom, he looked at his nails, blew on his coffee and sighed. "Well, I guess so."

Jace's face lit up. "Thank you! I will never forget this!"

Simon growled. "But hear me out: you hurt Clary, you have to listen to almost half of the Shadowhunters and Downworlders in New York."

Jace smiled. "I was going to ask her even if you said no."

Simon frowned.

Simon looked around. The engagement party seemed to be going well. He turned so that he could check if someone was spiking the punch.

"Hey man." Jace slid neatly through the crowd of people to a place next to Simon. "I am so pumped."

Simon hit him on the shoulder. "Go get 'em thing, because I am not calling you tiger."

Jace smiled at Simon. "Thanks." He then walked over to Clary and pulled her into a separate room.

Simon smiled so wide, he felt that his cheeks would tear.

"Hey fiancee of mine." Isabelle sidled up next to Simon. "Where did Jace go?"

Simon pointed at the room where Clary and Jace were in. "Don't disturb them."

Isabelle grinned mischievously. "I wouldn't dream of it."