Mix-Up

Noble

Jem looked as though someone had punched him, and when he spoke his voice was weak.
"Will? Tessa? What's going on?"
"We can explain-" Tessa began.
"How long?"
"What?"
"How long has this been going on?"
"I don't know what you mean."
Jem raked his hand through his hair. "How long have you two been- cavorting around behind my back?"
Now it was Will's turn to look as though he'd been punched.
"You think this is an ongoing affair? That we've been having secret trysts all over Brooklyn?" Will laughed without humour.
Jem scowled.  It was an odd expression to see on his angelic features.
"Considering you date a cheater, it wouldn't be surprising to anyone if you became one yourself."
"Boys, please-" Tessa was cut off by Will snapping back at Jem.
"Do you really have that low of a opinion of me?"
"Considering what I know, I'm surprised you think I'd have a high one."
"You bastard, James Carstairs-"
"ENOUGH!" Tessa yelled, her voice cracking.
"You have one minute to explain to me why I shouldn't punch your lights out and end my relationship, Herondale." Jem growled.
Will opened his mouth to utter a retort, but made the mistake of looking at Tessa first.
She was paler than paper, her opal eyes glistening with unshed tears, and Will could have sworn she was shaking.
And he couldn't do it.
He could never tell Jem the truth, for Tessa's sake as much as his.
Will sighed. "It's my fault, James."
"What?"
Tessa's head snapped towards him. "What? No, it's not-"
Will ignored her and carried on. "At the party, I'd had a little bit too much to drink, and- I made advances, towards Tessa. She was very polite when she turned me down. I did not remember doing it. When I learned of it, I was horrified. And then- just now, in the elevator- I was not thinking straight. I do not know what possessed me. What you saw was me kissing Tessa- and Tessa trying to push me away. I am sorry, James. It won't happen again."
Jem's eyes narrowed. "Tessa? Is this true?"
Tessa stared at the floor.
Will looked at the side of her head, mutely trying to convey why he was doing it.
'Tess, please. Go along with this. I'm trying to save you. Throw me under the bus, I don't care, just please say it's true.'
"Yes." Tessa whispered. "Yes, it's true."
Jem's gaze softened as he looked at her. "Oh, Tessa. Why didn't you say?"
Tessa said nothing.
"Is this why you've been so quiet?"
Tessa sneaked a glance at Will from under tear stained lashes.
He nodded discretely.
"Yes." Tessa finally looked up.
Jem stepped forward and hugged her.
Will looked away.
Jem let go of Tessa and stepped closer to Will.
"Lay a finger on her again, William, and I will have no compunction about beating the shit out of you."
Will snorted. "I'd like to see you try."
Jem raised his fist, but was pulled away by Tessa.
"Jem. Come on, we need to go."
Will watched them leave, knowing full well he'd never get either of them back.
Not after that.
Still, Tessa was happy and that was what mattered.
"You noble bastard."
Will jumped. "Holy shit, Magnus. Don't do that."
Magnus said nothing.
"How much of that did you hear?"
"Enough to know that you just took the fall for Tessa."
"I had no choice."
"Oh? Did you have to ruin your and Jem's friendship?"
"What was the other option?!" Will yelled. "Allow Tessa to be brokenhearted because I told Jem the truth? I think not."
"Which is what?"
Will glared at him. "Don't you dare make me say it, Bane. You know I can't."
"I won't, Will." Magnus sighed.
"Also, quit stalking me."
Magnus snorted. "Don't flatter yourself."
Will laughed.
"Will?"
"Hm?"
"Why do you talk like you're from Victorian London?"
Will grinned, raising an eyebrow. "How do you know I'm not?"
"That's the point; I don't. You have a British accent."
Will looked affronted. "I'm Welsh."
"The dragon on your ass attests to that."
"How did- how did you know?"
Magnus grinned. "Jace is notoriously bad at keeping secrets."
"If he knew who I was, I'd totally kick his ass."
"We don't know that he doesn't."
Will sighed. "I just know. I feel like there's no hope."
"I gather you haven't said that to Clary."
"Even if I did, I don't think it would make a difference."
Magnus smiled sadly. "She loves him too much to give up on him."
Will turned away.
"She reminds me of you, and how you were with Annabelle-"
"Don't say her name!" Will roared. "Don't you- don't you dare talk about her."
"Will-"
"You know nothing, Bane." Will turned on his heel and walked away.
*******
A/N: I forget I'd written this and I thought I had already posted it. Oops. This will be the last update for a while as my exams are starting soon. Much love and thanks for reading!