Hello to all! So here is my latest excuse: I read a few books in this Mafia series and my brain got super fixated on it and came up with basically a TMI crossover fanfiction. So I had to get it out of my head and write it down but I was super frustrated by it because Idk if its anything I will actually publish on here. And i wanted to focus on my other stories! Like i really want to just freaking update another chapter of Style dammit! And I am really looking forward to some later chapters of Not My Step-Sibling. But there are some romantic fluffy happy chapters i need to get us all through first, you know before I crush and break our hearts before sitching it back together one last time. OH the drama! YOU DONT EVEN KNOW WHATS COMING! Its going to be so freaking good i can't wait. Until, then please enjoy this cute chapter:) And as always let me know what you think!

"I'm sorry little guy, I don't have any bread for you. I must say, though, your feathers look very dapper." Clary cooed to the fluffy little creature splashing about.

"Don't talk to it like that. Talk to it like the demon that it is." Jace grumbled behind her.

Clary gave him an odd look. "It's just a duck."

Jace glared at the duck as it paddled away in the fountain. "Yeah. Whatever." He turned back to the screen of his phone. Clary stepped up closer, peeking over his arm to see.

"What are you watching?"

"Game." Jace answered in a grunt, eyes focused on his phone. Yet, he opened an arm to tuck Clary's head under it and put her in a soft chokehold.

"Jace." She warned, struggling futilely in his hold. Her small arms did nothing to break the firm hold of his bicep.

"Shush. This is as friendly as PDA could be."

With a sigh, she pouted. "Must you touch me in public, at all?" And Jace replied with a curt, "Yes. Now stop pouting or I'll be forced to kiss you, too. And you know I'll do it." He threatened.

Clary relaxed in his grip, staring a few yards away at Jocelyn and Stephan. The couple sat on a bench, trying out different poses while the professional photographer snapped away. "This is so embarrassing. How are you not embarrassed?" Clary quietly grumbled. Family engagement photos, really? Jocelyn had dragged them all to Central Park, to finally have official engagement photos taken in the fall scenery. Two photographers accompanied them, capturing poses, as well as candids. Clary was certain, any candid pictures would be of her scowling.

Clary and Jace had both voiced their distaste, arguing that engagement photos were for the couple actually engaged. However, her mother insisted that their marriage was about all of them becoming family and that they needed to be included in some of the pictures. Clary had tried to get away with wearing black, as if in mourning. But Jocelyn demanded they all wear matching earth tones. That is how she ended up matching Jace's heathered Henley with her own long, forest green top. As she said, embarrassing.

One of the photographers waved them back over. And Clary patted Jace's forearm to get his attention. He finally released her, tucking away his phone as he followed leisurely behind.

"Alright, can we get you two on this bench, resting back to back? Smiles forward and we will have Mom and Dad standing behind there. And let's have each of you just rest a hand on their shoulder." The lead photographer instructed.

Jace rested comfortably on the bench arms stretched back and legs in a wide man spread. "I'd prefer not to have to touch her. It's just too revolting." He spouted.

Jocelyn's eyes drooped and her mouth fell open, as if personally offended. "Jace." She chided softly.

"Fine, if you insist." He said, jerking Clary by the wrist so that she fell into his lap. He slapped a possessive hand on her thigh.

"Jace!" Stephan's sharp scolding cut through at his son's antagonizing behavior.

Jace shot his hands up in surrender, accompanied with a heavy eyeroll. "Make up your mind, people!"

The young assistant photographer, giggled at his annoying humor. Her eyes batted his way. Clary glared at her and scrambled out of Jace's lap. "Can we just be done?" She complained to Jocelyn.

"Yeah, we have somewhere we need to be, anyway." Jace chimed in.

"We do?"

"We do."

"I just thought..." Jocelyn started.

"Thought what mom?!" Clary spat, her agitation boiling over. She stormed off, tightening her jean jacket around her. She could hear the clack of Jocelyn's shoes marching after her. "Just because you choose to marry Stephan does not mean that I choose Jace as my step-brother. It's, unfortunately, out of my hands."

Jocelyn spun her around to face her. "Do you hear yourself? You sound like a selfish brat. Jace is a good kid and you two get along most of the time. Stephan and I have taken things so slowly for both of your sake. So, that you could get comfortable with the idea. But now it's time—"

"Just our sake? Because taking time to date a guy before you get married is a novel idea?"

Jocelyn ignored Clary's interruption, though her voice grew more furious. "Continuing to throw a fit about this every damn time someone suggest we act like a family is just immature, Clary. Is smiling for a photo really so hard? I mean, God forbid."

"Jace and I take pictures together all the time, that's not the problem!"

"Then what? You just hate me and have to ruin everything, hmm, young lady?"

Tears welled up in Clary's eyes and guilt dropped in her stomach. She didn't hate her mother. But she did resent her, for more reasons than one but, prominently because she stood in the way of her and Jace actually being together. Clary wanted to walk through Central Park with Jace and hold hands, kiss him in the school hallway whenever she wanted to, go on an actual date and be in an actual happy relationship. But they couldn't because they were expected to be siblings instead. Most of the time it was easy to ignore, when they were alone. But when her mother shoved it down her fucking throat, Clary couldn't bare the way it made her flesh crawl.

What hurt the most is that she wanted to tell her mother. Tell her everything she felt for Jace, wanted to pour it all out in words that existed outside her heart. Tell her that Jace has made her happier than she's ever been while, simultaneously giving her an ulcer. But she couldn't... And so, the gap between them just grew wider.

"That's not it, Mom... You got pictures with us by the trees and fountain. Is that not enough?"

Jocelyn pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. However, she resigned. "Fine. Where are you going?"

It was Jace who replied, walking up to cut in before Clary could tell her mom off any further. "Promised some friends we would meet up with them close by. We'll be home by curfew." He said, tugging Clary by the elbow. Clary walked away with him without another word.

They took a cab back home, but Jace then instructed her to get in his truck. When they got on the highway, Clary finally asked him what so-called "plans" they had.

"There is this skating rink in New Jersey. I used to go there for hockey tournaments when I was a kid. More importantly, no one there will know us." He replied.

"So, you are taking me on an actual date." Clary declared shyly. Jace took her hand, lacing their fingers, and kissed the back of it. "That I am."

Clary grinned. Scooting closer on the bench seat, she closed the space between them and peppered his neck in wet kisses.

"Down, Tiger, or I will be forced to pull over and have my way with you." Jace laughed. But Clary cuddled happily into his side and he draped his arm over her shoulders. Reluctantly, she had to admit that Jace had some weird sense for always knowing what she needed.

They arrived at the indoor skating rink, holding hands. Just inside, they casually waited in line for skate rental. Jace slid his hands into the back pockets of her jeans and rested his chin atop her head. Being affectionate was so easy for him, as if keeping his hands off her the majority of the time was the hard part. Clary basked in the relief that there were no judgmental eyes on them.

Jace collected their skates, ice skates for Clary and hockey skates for him. They found a bench to sit on and he immediately knelt down in front of her and began to lace up her skates. With a smirk, Clary watched him patiently, letting him play the gentleman.

"It's a good thing I have you or else I would have never been able to get my laces tied." She drawled, sarcastically.

Jace smirked, pulling the strings tight. "Just want to make sure these are secure. It will make it easier for you to balance. Have you done much skating?" Clary shrugged and tried not to laugh.

Jace led her out to the skate rink and took her hands, before skating out onto the ice backward. He tugged her along gently and for a while they smoothly glided together. "Not too bad." Jace approved.

Then, he released her hands, skating off ahead. Clary rested at the side board, watching him maneuver skillfully around other skaters. His skates crossed, switched, and slid gracefully. Effortlessly. It was no secret that Jace preferred football of all the sports he played, and as an athlete he was all around excellent. However, Clary thought hockey was where he excelled the most.

Jace soared back up to her, cutting his blades to a sudden stop that sprayed her with shredded ice. He winked at her with that stupid grin he saved just for her. When he stroked back his hair, Clary licked her lips, overwhelmed by his good looks, as usual. The thing was, Jace knew that he was sinfully handsome. Yet, for him, it was all effortless. Every freaking perfection that made women drool. He didn't do it just to soak panties. No, he did it all naturally and just so happened to notice that it got him laid left and right. It drove Clary mad mostly because she was just as weak for it.

She pushed away from the boards and pressed her hands into is chest. Jace leaned down and kissed her reaching lips. With another gentle shove, her skates slid backward. But then, she kept gliding, picking up speed as she spread her arms and circled around. Pushing off the ground, she leapt up twisting into a full spin and landed on one skate.

Jace regarded her in disbelief as she skated a wide arch around him and came to a smooth stop. "Why didn't you tell me that you could skate?" He questioned.

Clary laughed. "You just assumed I couldn't for some reason? I was a little ice princess for about five years when I was little. Not too bad actually. My parents were quite disappointed in me for quitting. I, apparently, still got it though."

"You're so freaking smug, huh?" He backed her into the boards for another kiss. "God, you just got even sexier." He growled. While Clary giggled, Jace grasped her hand, whipping her along with him. Now that he was very confident that she could keep up.

They skated laps together, racing or showing each other tricks. Jace even attempted to lift her over his head, which ended with them collapsing in a painful heap full of laughter.

When the Zamboni came out to sweep the ice, the two of them took a needed break. They put on their shoes and went to the food court. Clary disappeared to the restroom while Jace ordered them a couple hotdogs. Minutes later, he thanked the kid behind the counter and looked around for her. He spotted her still standing by the bathrooms. However, three young teen boys had corralled her. By the looks, they could not have been more than fourteen.

Jace could remember being their age, when his friends were too shy to hit on a girl without a group of wingmen. By the patient smile on Clary's face, she apparently had the same sympathy for them. Jace, himself, had never been intimidated by girls. That fear of rejection was not something he experienced. Not that rejection even happened but if it had, he probably could have cared less. Which made Clary all the more special to him. The way he had so carelessly thrown all his eggs into her basket, with barely a second thought.

Jace sauntered up to her side, cutting into whatever conversation. One he could only assume consisted of them bragging about their new Learner's Permits. The kids all looked at him with matching 'Oh, shit.' expressions.

"She's taken gentlemen." Jace declared, almost apologetically. "Not a single hole to spare." He looked over Clary wistfully. "Even her ears. That's how freaky shit gets. What do you think this other hotdog is for?"

Clary didn't wait for another word, she jerked Jace away by the arm. "You are so embarrassing." She muttered, as they fell in step together. Although, her tone was amused.

Jace smirked. "Hotdog?" He offered, holding one of them out to her. He took a large bite of his own and spoke around his mouth full of food. "I like this dating thing." He confessed.

She rolled her eyes at him, chewing her hotdog. "You've been on dates, Jace."

"Yeah, but that was just because I wanted to get laid. But with you I know I'm getting laid, so I can just have a good time." They found an empty table, the picnic style kind with benches, and sat on the same side, facing each other. Both straddled on the seat.

Clary snorted, thinking that Jace's words made her sound like an escort. "You have to pay me at the end of the night, too." She jested with a straight face.

"How about I eat you out for an extra twenty minutes and we call it even?" Jace offered. He then leaned in to kiss the corner of mouth and when his tongue flicked out, she realized he was cleaning up a smear of ketchup there.

Clary watched him with hooded eyes as he licked his lips and went back to eating. That small act both did and did not surprise her. Jace had this way of pulverizing every boundary between them. Better yet, it was more like he didn't see any boundaries to begin with. He rarely asked permission for anything. As if he had no need to because she belonged with him. But not to him. With him. Like she was a mere extension of himself. And honestly, when they were fucking, it sure as hell felt that way. She supposed it was rude, borderline problematic. Well, definitely problematic. Although, situation aside, not once had she ever considered herself to be the girl attracted to alpha type. She should feel indignant at his arrogant entitlement because 'Down with the Patriarchy!' But, God... she just couldn't. She liked it way too damn much. And maybe that's what made it okay? Because he knew it too.

"We both know I would get that extra twenty minutes anyway. By simply saying 'Don't stop.'" Clary retorted.

Jace grinned. "Are you calling me a Pussy Pleaser?"

"Not necessarily. I could probably say how much I love it when you stick hotdogs in my ear and you would start carrying hotdogs in your back pocket."

Jace scooped up her thighs and draped them over his. "What exactly are you insinuating?" He continued.

"You find me irresistible." She revealed.

"And Leo could have fit on the door."

Clary cocked her head, utterly confused. "What?"

Jace shrugged. "I thought we were just stating the obvious, now." He told her innocently. Clary gave him a side smile, realizing that he made a Titanic reference. She slid further into his lap and Jace wrapped his hands around her back, welcoming her as their lips pressed together. She kissed him slow, her parted lips and lingering just against his. So that her tongue could teasingly run over his bottom lip. Jace pressed her harder into him, lazily molding their mouths together. His long exhale blended into her breath.

It was a heavy inappropriate public display of affection. Try explaining to the kids around why those two young people over there looked like they were trying to slowly melt into each other. But for the first time, even just for that night, Jace and Clary were both resigned to not care what anyone thought.

Feeling reluctant to go home just yet, Clary peeled herself away from him so that they could get back to ice skating. They did several more rounds in the rink but as it got later, more patrons filed in.

Jace came to stop in front of Clary along the boards, lightly catching his breath. "Time to head out?" He questioned.

Clary's eyes scanned over all the other skaters. "Yeah, I just—" She froze, spotting two familiar faces. Without thinking she slammed herself into Jace's upper body and both of them flipped backward over the siding.

"What the fuck, Clary?" Jace groused, trying to stand up.

Clary clung to his forearm. "Stay down!" She urged him fiercely.

Jace sat next her. He looked around the small shadowed corner they were in, full of dust. "Here?" He asked, dubiously. Undoing his belt buckle, he shrugged. "Fine, but let's reserve judgement it's not exactly warm in here."

Clary slapped him in the chest. "We are not having sex right here!" She hissed. "I just saw Will and Tessa!"

Quickly doing up his pants, Jace joined Clary as they ever so discreetly peeked over the side board. Sure enough, Tessa and Will rounded the far side of the rink. Tessa looked wobbly and timid on her skates but Will dutifully skated beside her, clutching her hand.

As the couple skated closer, they quickly ducked down out of view. "What are they doing all the way out here?" Clary whispered.

Jace shrugged. "I actually think he has some relatives in Jersey. Maybe it's around here." He put together. They popped back up to continue spying.

Clary admired the beaming smile on Tessa's face, and how pretty her friend looked in her lilac sweater and skater skirt combo. Will was looking at Tessa with just as much admiration. "They are so cute together." She swooned. Of all the people, she thought, Will and Tessa would probably care the least about her and Jace being together. But, that's how secrets got out. The less people who knew, the better.

Clary looked down and Jace was already removing his skates. "We should get out of here before any of the staff find us and draw attention." He warned. He set his skates aside and removed hers next. They picked them up, and crouching below the side boards, snuck out of sight. When they finally made it back to the truck, Clary released a sigh of relief.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of disappointed that we did not sneak in a quickie right there. It would have been one for the bucket list." Jace joked through the tension. Clary blinked at his smirk, before losing the battle and falling into a fit of laughter.

The house was quiet when they arrived home, their parents already turned in for the night. They crept up the stairs and went to their respective rooms, slipping into sleep wear. Jace emerged in nothing put his fleece pajama bottoms as usual. They went to the bathroom, brushing their teeth together in the routine of an old married couple.

However, Jace finished first and in the mirror, Clary watched him step behind her and gaze over her backside, that she knew was spilling out of her old, tiny shorts. Dark lust bled over his face so suddenly that Clary almost forgot how to brush her teeth. Wordlessly, his arm reached out and locked the bathroom door beside them. Clary went about rinsing her mouth, playing oblivious. Even when he parted her curls and left a soft kiss at the top of her spine that made her shiver.

Then, his thumbs hooked into her shorts and dropped the fabric to her ankles, right before he did the same to his own. Jace's erection pressed into her behind teasingly and Clary's toothbrush went limp in her mouth. Wordlessly, he met her eyes in the mirror and kissed her cheek. At the same time, his foot kicked hers apart so he could press right against her slit. Her eyes slipped closed. His mix of tender and rough would be the death of her.

Jace stroked his erection back and forth, coaxing her arousal. She felt his hand palm her breast. His thumb stroking her hard nipple. As her lower lips became increasingly moist, his shaft slid right inside of her. Clary's eyes flew open. In the reflection, she could see Jace lick his lips with closed eyes as he let his fall back. Watching him bask in the pleasure she gave him was her favorite part. Jace's next thrust was deep and forceful, just as each that followed. Hitting her deep in her core. He grunted with each thrust and his large hand iron gripped her hip. His other hand shot out flat against the mirror for stability as his conquering hips had her bent over the sink.

Clary fell to pieces over and over again with each relentless pounding. Jace slammed into her going rigid with a strangled moan, as he poured everything into her. As their pants slow Jace pulled out, giving her one last shudder. Swiftly, she picked up her toothbrush lying in the sink and put it away.

When she turned to finally look at Jace. He was staring at her longingly with a quiet smile. Clary cupped the back of his neck, pulling him in for a long kiss. Foreheads pressed together, Clary whispered, "I have to tell you something."

Jace drew back, face serious and eyes searching. An excited curiosity swirled in the depth of his irises of molded bronze and gold. "What?" He uttered.

Clary's mouth felt dry all of sudden. "I like this dating thing, too." She whispered and pecked him. "Thank you."

Despite his smile, Clary couldn't help but catch the glimpse of disappoint in his eyes. He didn't say anything besides wink at her. Then, he drew up his pants and kissed the top of her head on his way out. Clary sighed, following suit.

Jace stretched out in his bed and opened and arm when Clary came scurrying in after him. She bundled into his side and threw a leg over him. "You can sleep in here if you want, Babe. It will be fine." He affirmed, knowingly. Clary grumbled because that was exactly what she wanted. To wake up in his arms. But no, it would not be fine. The rule was no sleeping together when they're parents were home. Following the rules was the only way they would be able to keep things going.

"It's too risky. Jocelyn or Stephan could come up here for any reason... Not a good idea." She muttered, reluctantly.

Jace hummed thoughtfully before finally sighing. "The shit I do for you." He muttered, sounding displeased by it. He got to feet and headed to her room. Clary got up, confused, to see Jace throw her comforter and pillow on the floor of her doorway. He came back grabbing his own stuff. Getting the hint, Clary laid down in doorway, snuggling into her comforter. Jace turned off all the lights and proceeded to do the same.

He turned on his side to stare at her. "Satisfied, Gorgeous?"

"This shall suffice." She allowed. The corner of his mouth twitched. Then he let his eyes close, resigning to let sleep take him. Clary laid there gazing at him for a long while. Her fingernail traced the grooves and chips in the old hardwood floor, until, her eyes grew heavy. Yet, all the while, foreign words danced on the tip of her tongue.

More on the goodness to come: Is there anyone still reading that started when I first published this like five years ago lol? Obviously, we are all on the same page that I need to update more often. But does anyone actually appreciate how drawn out this story is? Or just me? Because personally when I read a book i just love seeing a relationship progress. And the little cute moments. And am always sad when the book is over and there is no more romance to fawn over. So this story has basically been me packing as much in there to enjoy as I can because why not?

Also, I dont have anything in my bio. But sometimes i think of things i want to share or someone comments something that I want to acknowledge to everyone but i dont want to make just an Author's Note update. What if I added updates in my bio, by date or something. Is that a thing that people do? Or just not necessary, nobody cares kind of thing? Should I add ANYTHING to my bio? Id consider if people were actually curious. Otherwise we can keep this strict CLACE SAGA only lol with random notes from me whenever I update.