InsaneJournal

Who: Jace, Jesus, Simon, Izzy
What: Double Date Dinner
When: Recently
Where: The Institute
Rating/Warnings: low end of medium
Status: Complete when posted



Jace was trying to hide it but he was nervous about tonight. This was the first time in a while he’d introduced his family to somebody that he was dating. And he was worried that some way, somehow it was going to get messed up. Not the dinner but his...relationship with Jesus. Because there was no way around it - they were in a relationship. He wasn’t going to try and deny it to himself anymore. Even if he wasn’t going to say it outloud yet. That was another talk he’d have to have with Jesus. Just not tonight. He poked his head into the kitchen to make sure that Izzy didn’t need a hand with anything. “Can I help or do you want me to keep watching the clock to make sure I’m outside to help him get in the place?” He said, trying to sound calmer than he felt.

***

A soft chuckle met his words, but she nodded her head yes, “come stir the cheese for the nachos while I get the pig in the blankets out of the oven, than you can wistfully stare at the clock till he gets here,” She moved from the stove, making room for him to comes stir the cheese, “do it lightly,” she instructed, “just to keep it from burning.” Stepping to the oven, she opened it, and with a pair of oven mitts, she got the pan and pulled it out. “I added cheese in some, so let them cool before you steal one, don’t want to burn your mouth.” She put them on the counter and sighed as she pulled the mits off, when back to the oven, to change the degree and slid in some brownies, “Nervous?” she asked him as she shut the oven door and moved over to him to take over the stirring.

***

Simon was looking forward to meeting Jesus. Things were obviously working out well for him and Jace, otherwise Jace woudn’t want to introduce him to his friends and family so badly. Sure, Jace had brought Jesus to Pandemonium on New Year’s Eve, but Simon and Izzy hadn’t paid too much attention to anyone but each other that night and Jace and Jesus hadn’t exactly been dating at that time so this was different.

Simon had just gotten home from band practice and overheard Izzy and Jace in the kitchen as he moved through the main floor of the Institute, “Hey, what’s going on?” He knew dinner was going to be simple; no crazy, elaborate dinner and Simon was once again grateful that he could eat regular food again without getting sick.

***

“I am not wistfully staring at anything,” Jace argued back to his cousin as he moved to start stirring, following her instructions to keep it light. He grinned at Izzy’s instructions to let the pigs in a blanket cool before stealing one. She definitely knew what he was like when he hung out in the kitchen while she cooked. Before he could answer her question he heard Simon join them, and he turned his head to nod at his friend before answering him. “Your girlfriend is teasing me and putting me to work.”

***

“I’m not teasing,” she said with a snort, “I did put him to work,” she admitted as she pushed him lightly and took back the job of stirring the cheese. “How was band practice?” she asked with a smile toward Simon, “I have the food almost ready if one of you want to start setting the table, I figured we’d keep it very simple and light,” she looked at them both, “Also Jace was about to tell me how nervous he was.”

***

“Well, I would hope that she’s putting you to work. This is all for your boyfriend.” Simon wasn’t really sure if that was what Jace and Jesus were calling themselves, but he went with it anyway. Walking further into the kitchen, he smirked at Jace then turned to Izzy and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, “So what exactly is the plan for tonight?” He asked as he moved around to get plates and whatever else they would need for dinner.

Jesus wasn’t exactly nervous, per say, but he did want to make a good impression on Jace’s family. He had very briefly met Jace’s cousin Alec in New Year’s Eve, but hadn’t gotten the chance to meet his other cousin, Isabelle or her boyfriend so he was looking forward to tonight.

Reaching the place Jace told him come to, Jesus parked his car then glanced around at the empty lot before pulling out his phone to let Jace know he was there.

***

Jace leaned against the cabinets as Izzy took the stirring back over, looking away from the two of them. “Putting it mildly - we all know I don’t have the best track record with relationships. The last one...that put me through it at the end. Things with Jesus...started out a little odd and I don’t want to mess it up with him. I like him a lot.” He said, looking back over at them. He wasn’t going to correct Simon about calling Jesus his boyfriend - that was probably the best label for what they were. Even if he was going a lot more cautiously this go around. Taking things slower.

He heard his phone go off and pulled it out of his jeans pocket, smiling when he saw it was a message from Jesus. “I’m going to go let him in since he can’t see the place without one of us. It’s going to be a good night right?” He headed towards the front without waiting for a response, sliding his phone back in his pocket as he opened the door and stepped outside. He just stood watching Jesus for a moment before heading towards his car stele ready as he crossed the barrier that would make him visible.

***

Izzy watched him go and turned to Simon, “The plan is keep it relaxed,” she told him, “We are just hanging out, nothing too serious, Jace is nervous, but you saw that smile.” She smiled, “I just want him to be happy and he is, so I want to get to know who is making him that way, but if I get in Izzy mode and start asking too many questions, please stop me.” she told Simon as she moved to get a bowl to pour the cheese in. She knew she could be a little intense at times and she didn’t want to.

She paused to properly kiss Simon this time once she sat the bowl down, “let just make it a nice night for all of us,” she murmured against his lips.


***

Simon smiled at Izzy once again and returned the kiss she gave him once Jace left, “So, does that mean we can’t tell Jesus embarrassing stories about Jace? Not that Jace does too many things that one would consider embarrassing, but I’m sure you have some from when you guys were younger.” It was a little annoying at times that Jace almost always appeared to be perfect while all the embarrassing things happened to him, Simon. “And I will be sure to stop you if you start prying too much,”

Jesus was dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt with boots and a jacket on top, his shoulder length hair was down and straight today and he moved a few strands out of his face as he took another look around, trying to figure out if he was at the right place.

***

Jace had stood there watching him for a moment before using his stele to take off his glamour, appearing as if out of thin air standing beside the dark haired man. “Hey. You look a little lost. Can I give you directions?” He teased as he smiled at him.

***

Hearing Jace’s voice suddenly, Jesus whipped his head around to see the blond was standing beside him, “How did you do that?” Knew that Jace’s various Runes did things like conceal the sound of his footsteps and gave him heightened abilities, but he hadn’t been aware that he could become invisible, “Also, it’s not nice to creepily watch people when they can’t see you.” He smirked and quirked a brow at Jace.

***

Jace couldn’t help but laugh a little at the surprised response from Jesus. “I used a glamour. I don’t do it very often but it seemed like a fun idea today.” He said, shrugging. “What can I do to make it up to you since it wasn’t very nice?” He raised one brow as he looked at him, invitation wide open.

***

“A glamour, huh? How come you’ve never mentioned that before? I better not find out that you’ve used those to spy on me before,” He teased, smirking. He had no doubt that Jace wouldn’t do something like that maliciously, but he couldn’t pass up a chance to tease him. As Jace asked what he could do to make up for it, Jesus pretended to have to think for a moment before crossing his arms over his chest, “Well for starters, you could kiss me.” He smirked.

***

“On you? Never.” Jace teased back. “I don’t use it very often. Comes in handy though when it gets crazy and I need to get some information before charging into a fight. Would have come in a lot handier if I’d known about them during the zombies last time they were around.” He shrugged. “I’ve used it a few times when I’m trying to get out of work without dealing with an annoying student. Or an annoying parent. Or worse their spouse.” Probably better for him to leave some of those to Jesus to deal with anyway.

Jace grinned at his boyfriend as he stepped in to kiss him, fingers tangling into his hair for a few seconds.

***

“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that part about using it at work,” Jesus smirked as Jace came closer, his arms wrapping around Jace’s waist as he returned the kiss, simply enjoying the feeling of his boyfriend’s body against his as well as his fingers in his hair. The sounds of the street around them finally caused Jesus to remember that they were in fact still outside and he rested his forehead against Jace’s as he ended the kiss, “We should probably go inside. Your cousin might think we decided to skip tonight.”

Back inside, Simon was now perched on top of one of the counters as he watched Isabelle, “So what do you think is taking them so long?” He asked, brows rising slightly over his glasses, “Think they decided to skip tonight and run away together?” He was only joking of course, but he knew that Jace was nervous about tonight and that the thought that probably crossed the Shadowhunter’s mind at least once.

She looked over at him, “No, this was Jace's idea and it’s a cheat day,” she told Simon, “He wouldn’t skip this,” her hand showcased her cooking, even if it was a lot of junk food. “Plus, if he skips and doesn't send me a text, he knows the wrath he’ll face when I see him next.” She chuckled as she got the brownies out and placed them on the cooling rack. She turned to Simon, her hands on his legs as she leaned up and kissed him, “They probably just wanted some time to themselves before facing us.”

***

Jace smirked a little at that reminder. “We could always just get in your car and bail.” He joked before stealing a quick kiss and then stepping back. “You ready to go in? Izzy didn’t make anything fancy for dinner, casual foods so that we can all just relax and get to know one another.” He said reaching for Jesus’ hand. “I’ll give you a tour of the Institute after dinner if you want.” He added as he started to lead him towards what to anybody else would be an empty lot. “This place has a lot more space than the three of us would ever need but it’s home.”

***

Jesus laughed and took Jace’s hand when the blond reached for it, “From what you’ve told me, I think your cousin might kill you if we took off.” He was looking forward to properly meeting Jace’s cousin and her boyfriend and getting to know them, “And casual foods sound perfect. Let’s go.” As they stepped into the empty lot Jesus was amazed as The Institute suddenly appeared in front of them, “Holy shit, this place is huge.” Jace had told him about the Institute before, but hearing about it and seeing it were two completely different things.

Simon grinned into the kiss as he leaned forward to kiss Isabelle back, his arms coming up to cup her face, “Well, if they’re taking some time for themselves then I thank them cause it gives us some time to ourselves.” He leaned in and kissed Izzy again. Not for the first time, Simon thanked whoever was listening that Izzy had decided to come back to California and that she’d still had feelings for him.

***

Her arms slid around his waist, kissing him back, enjoying the moment they were having together. She was also glad to be back with Simon again, though it was a year apart it felt longer. Humming she pulled back, “I need to get the brownie plated,” she told him softly, but she kissed him once more, “to be continued,” Izzy promised him.

***

As they entered the Institute Jesus was immediately reminded of a church or mausoleum, “Are you fucking kidding me? This is where you live? It’s like a castle or something,” Sure Jace had told him about the Institute before, but hearing about it and seeing it were two completely different things. “My bind is completely blown.”

“I would be upset if it weren’t for the fact that your brownies are so good,” Simon smirked and slid off the counter as Izzy moved to plate the brownies, “I’ll get some plates and stuff out,” He moved to the cabinets to gets plates and glasses and set them out on the island.

***

Jace had almost had the same reaction when he’d first seen the Institute here. It definitely didn’t look like the homiest place in the world down here. “Not kidding you. This is where I live now. Welcome to the Institute. I’d offer you the tour now but Izzy might kill me if we’re late to dinner so that is going to have to wait.” Which honestly might be for the best. He wasn’t all that sure he’d actually want to leave his room once they got up there.

“We’re coming in so quit making out or I get to tease both of you.” He called as he led Jesus towards the kitchen.

***

“I have you know, we already stopped, I needed to get the brownies plated and no touching them till later!” she called back as she stood at the counter, working the brownies out of the pan on a plate. Her head turned to look toward the door as she wiped her hands on the apron and took it off, folding it up to sit it on the other counter.

***

Jesus laughed as they headed towards the kitchen, “You can give me the grand tour later. I’m guessing we’ll need a few hours for it.” Jesus could only imagine what sorts of things were in The Institute. It seemed like the kind of place that held many secrets.

“Yeah, we’re perfectly innocent in here.” Simon responded as he finished putting the glasses and plates in the counter and moved to get some utensils and wine.

***

Jace gave Izzy a grin as he entered the kitchen, nodding his head sideways toward Simon as he asked her “Perfectly innocent? Think he’s forgotten I know both of you?” He teased as he let go of Jesus’ hand. “Izzy, Simon - this is Jesus. Or Paul. Whichever you’re more comfortable with. Jesus this is my cousin Izzy and her boyfriend Simon. Who is practically family by now.” He turned his attention back to Izzy. “What do you want me to take out there?”

***

“Clearly I’m the innocent one,” she countered back with an amused voice, “Simon had been such a bad influence on me.” Her eyes turned to Jesus offering a friendly smile, “it’s nice to meet you. Which name would you prefer we called you?” Her head shook at Jace, “Just grab your plates, everything is nearly set out. I’m going to give the cheese a refresh with the heat and then dinner shall be served.”

***

Simon mock gasped and placed a hand on his chest, “I have not been a bad influence. I am just as innocent as you.” He smirked at Izzy then turned his attention back to Jace and Jesus, “It’s nice to finally meet you too. Jace has told us a lot about you.” Simon had never really gotten to know Nine while he and Jace were dating so this time Simon was looking forward to getting to know Jesus.

“It’s nice to meet the both of you,” Jesus said, smiling at Jace’s cousin and her boyfriend, “And honestly, either is fine. It mostly depends on which you feel more comfortable with. I know not everyone wants to call a white guy Jesus.” When his friends had started calling him Jesus, he hadn’t really thought it would stick the way it had, but here they were, over ten years later and he still used the nickname. “Is there anything I can help with, Isabelle?”

***

Jace couldn’t help but laugh at Simon and Izzy, shaking his head as he leaned beside the fridge, relaxing. This was good. Everybody was getting along so far. “Which means that clearly out of the three of us - I’m the most innocent.” He teased them. Telling them a lot about Jesus was definitely the truth, if not a bit of an understatement. He hadn’t stuff when he’d been dating Nine but he was more open this time around. One of the things he was determined to change from his last attempt at a relationship.

“And by everyone he means Alec.” Jace joked, nothing he wouldn’t have said to his cousin’s face actually. “I was thinking after dinner and everything I’d give Jesus a tour of the place. Since he’s had to hear me talk about it so much.”

***

“Jace the ole so not inconcent one calls you Jeues, then I shall as well,” she offered with a chuckle and a kind smile to him, “Call me Izzy and no, I have it all under control, but thanks.” She moved to the stove, putting the pot back on and then motioned with her hand for them to get out so she could finish up, “Go on, I’ll be right in, there’s tons of food out there. I’ve cooked basically for an army!”


***

Simon couldn’t help but laugh at Jace claiming to be the innocent one amongst them, “Jace. Innocent. I’m sorry, but that’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.” When Simon thought of innocent and Jace at the same time, they definitely did not go together, “I honestly don’t know which of us is the least innocent, but it’s not you, Jace.” He smirked at his friend then nodded as Izzy made to shoo them out of the kitchen.

Jesus smiled as he watched the three of them interact, clearly they had been around each other a long time and knew each other well, Jace and Izzy especially since they were cousins. “Thanks for doing this, by the way. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble, but Jace tells me you like to cook so I appreciate it.” He had a feeling it was going to be a fun night.

***

“Compared to the two of you? I’m on the way to being a saint.” Jace said, trying to keep a straight face but failing as he grinned. “Izzy is an amazing cook. Which Simon and I take advantage of regularly at dinner. We can put away a lot more than we should be able to.” He reached for Jesus’ hand as they got to the dining room, taking his seat once Simon had everything in place.

He winked at Jesus. “I promise not to eat all the nacho cheese.”