The Morning Star (TMI City of Lost Souls AU)

Chapter 4 - London

The three of them appeared in an alleyway in downtown London, a cool breeze whipping the scarf around Sebastian's neck. He looked around and feigned a smile at Clary and Jace, slightly annoyed that they were still holding hands, though he didn't let it show. He made his way through the crowded streets with the two of them trailing behind him, turning at each corner. He thought he had transported them closer and silently cursed himself for being wrong until Jace appeared by his side.

"Hey, where are we headed?" Jace searched his face for any kind of emotion, but he would never let himself be that unguarded to let him know he was kind of lost.

"I figured we could get something to drink."

"Um, it's not even dinner time yet." Jace raised his eyebrow quizzically.

"I don't mean that kind of drink, but I wouldn't turn one of those down either. Plus, I need you to pay a visit to a certain someone in Leicester Square." He rolled his eyes and fell back in line with Clary leaving Sebastian to lead the way again.

Sebastian was walking in front of Clary, taking twists and turns around all the streets yet she had no idea where they were going. Jace was walking beside him talking and then he dropped back beside Clary.

"Well, I have established that he may be an alcoholic." Jace was now walking beside her again, speaking quietly into her ear as if to not let Sebastian hear.

"So, you're saying you failed at your one job of finding out where we're going?" Clary smirked at his feigned hurt expression.

"I never said that, I merely got some intel." He raised his chin with a smug expression but an obvious smile played on his lips and she couldn't help but giggle to herself. He always knew how to make her smile, whether it was by something he said or even by things he had no idea he was doing.

"Alright, we're here. This place has some of the best tea I've ever had, and I have traveled all around the world." Sebastian had stopped in a square of the city surrounding a stone fountain that was interlaced with string lights that sparkled despite the fact that the sun was still high overhead. The fountain was surrounded by trees and greenspace as well. There were small bronze tables surrounding the fountain and a little kiosk that emanated the smell of apples and cinnamon along with floral aromas. Sebastian leaned over and whispered something into Jace's ear and with a nod Jace headed off toward one of the storefronts around the square.

"Where is Jace going?" She looked to Sebastian with a slight flicker of disappointment that Jace was leaving.

"Well, it would be a lie to say we were here only for pleasure and not for business. But Jace will take care of it, how about some tea?" He gestured his hand to the kiosk at the side of the fountain and put the other hand behind Clary's back as he led her forward. With a little hesitation she started moving forward, almost unaware of her body making the movement.

Clary was sitting at one of the tables while Sebastian made his way back over with two cups of steaming tea. He set one down in front of her and took a seat across from her, grasping the cup in his hands tightly and sipping it silently. He looked content sitting there observing his surroundings, but Clary couldn't help but break the silence, almost startling him.

"So, you say you've been all around the world. What's your favorite place?" She didn't know why she was interested in the answer or getting to know him, and he seemed almost surprised as well but a genuine smile spread across his face as he leaned forward and began recounting stories of different places he had been. And despite the fact that he was only about 18 or 19, he had been to plenty of places.

"-Clary? Clary did you hear me?" He was laughing at her blank expression, she had gotten lost in her thoughts again, and he repeated his question, "I asked if you have been anywhere that you found extraordinarily beautiful?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry. I- I honestly haven't traveled that many places. I have been a couple places, but honestly Idris took my breath away. It was so unique and," she was blushing and cut herself off when he looked down at the reference to Idris. That is where he had posed as Sebastian Verlac, and strangely enough they still called him Sebastian. He had killed Max and tried to kill Isabelle and Jace. It was the exact place that he had done all the things she hated him for and he seemed almost sad to be reminded of it, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up." She felt a sense of hatred for a split second before it vanished.

"No, you don't need to apologize. You have every right to hate me for those things. I honestly haven't forgiven myself for it yet and I don't know if I ever will." He looked so helpless as he looked down into his tea, and opened his mouth to continue, but thought better of it as if trying to figure out what to say next. "Do you- do you think you could ever, I don't know, do you think forgiveness is possible? You know, for someone like me?" She had never heard him sound so inarticulate; Sebastian was someone who always spoke with tact and a sense of confidence and pride. She didn't know how to respond, she felt the overwhelming urge to comfort him. He was her brother after all, her blood. She felt like she wanted him to be happy which startled her because she had never felt that way before. She never cared about his happiness, she had hated him for everything he had done. Maybe it was because she had never seen him as a human, not really at least. She was broken out of her reverie when he put his hand out across the table and over hers. "Clary, I see you trying to think too much. It's alright, not everyone deserves forgiveness. I understand that." His eyes looked so understanding and pained as he said the words and Clary felt immediately guilty.

"I- I just need more time. You're my brother. Forgiveness is always possible as long as you're deserving of it." She saw his face light up in a guarded sense and he nodded. Just then Jace came striding back over and stopped at the table, leaning to whisper something to Sebastian. With a nod, Sebastian removed his hand from Clary's and stood up.

"Alright, it's time to head back. The sun will be setting soon, I'll make dinner back at home." They all walked out of the square until Sebastian transported them back to the apartment.