cribellate | Declan Lynch | The Raven Cycle

Ass.

[ Put she does as asked, shifting her seat closer to his and rolling her eyes. ] Well, it's got to be something. You fight more than I do and that's saying something.

[ Because she's always been feisty, maybe that's why they get along. ]

What was it about this time?

[Her hand is tiny and warm in his. He's pleased to see her thumb isn't broken - good form, Clary - but he rocks his fingers over her knuckles. They're probably sore. Worse is her wrist, and her bends her wrist gently.]

You have to keep your wrist straight if you're going to punch someone, or you'll hurt yourself.

[He tightens his hand over her wrist, creating a vise.]

Like this.

[He brushes a thumb over her knuckles again, but this time without a real reason. Just to touch her.]

Who the fuck even knows, with Ronan.

[ When she sucks in a breath she tells herself it's because of the pain, and not how careful he is when touching her. Clary watches as he moves her hand, a little furrow between her brows, hair falling in front of her face. ]

You think I'm going to make it a regular occurrence?

[ She probably is. She has a temper, like her father. ]

Straight wrist, okay.

[ And yet they're still not pulling away. She lifts her gaze to his face, almost amused. ] So you didn't instigate it?

I don't know. You fight as much as Ronan does.

[He curls his hand into a loose fist, to keep his hand warm, not realizing it's from the warmth of her hand.]

With Ronan? It's almost always Ronan who throws the first punch.

[He leans back into the chair, his legs spreading a bit to accommodate. He looks almost more like Ronan than usual.]

If you're going to make it a habit come by the gym at four on Thursdays, that's when I box.

Do not.

[ She does. ]

You want to teach me how to box?

[ Her eyebrows have almost reached her hairline, amusement curling up the corners of her lips. Her hand isn't bothering her as much now. ]

What if I beat you?

[He snorts. Does too. He smiles a bit, though, the charm starting at the edges of his mouth, easy.]

Yeah. I kind of do.

[And then a shrug.]

If you manage to land a punch, you can brag about it all over town.

Like anyone would believe me.

[ But still, this is maybe the first time the two of them have thought to socialise outside of school. Part of her is strangely thrilled, even if she's not sure what her mom will say about it. ]

Won't Jennifer throw a fit though? She glares at me every time I talk to you in the hallway. I don't get what her problem is.

[ It's Clary.

Clary's her problem. ]

[He shrugs. He knows what Jennifer's problem is (Clary) and he does not give a single shit. She needs to deal with it. It's not his to solve, not anymore.

Maybe it never was.]

If she throws a fit, that's not my problem anymore.

We broke up.

[Well.

He dumped her, it's slightly different.]

She'll probably still glare at you, though.

Oh, I'm sorry.

[ Except, she isn't really and she doesn't know what to make of that fact. Part of her wants to believe it's just because Jennifer was bad for Declan, but a small, quiet voice in her head whispers that maybe there's more to it. ]

She isn't worth the drama, honestly.

[ She lifts her uninjured hand and knocks it against his shoulder. ]

And you'll find someone much better.

Don't be. She's a pain in the ass.

[He says it casually, and shrugs.]

If she gives you shit, let me know, though.

[Declan is no Adam Parrish, but he's full of his own twisted and clever ways to make people shut up. Mostly they involve the trade of secrets.]

If she gives me shit then I'll deal with it.

[ She lifts her bruised hand again, pointedly, before grinning. ] I can take care of myself, remember?

[ It might say something that Clary wouldn't let him do the same she did for Simon. But she's always been a little too fierce and her best friend isn't. Thinking of Declan rushing to her defence makes her cranky though. ]

So, does that mean you're going to the dance stag? Because I'm thinking we should get badges made. Lonely losers club. [ She doesn't know that Simon plans to ask her. ]

[He just tilts his head.]

She doesn't fight with her fists, you know.

[But he doesn't push that any further. Let them hash it out. Let them figure out why they dislike each other so much. No skin off Declan's back.]

Simon's going to ask you.

[Now she knows.]

Oh.

[ She thinks it's like always, like the two of them without any other option. ] Well, you'll tag along, right?

[ She lifts her foot to knock her dirty sneaker against his shiny shoe, grinning wickedly as she does so. ] Maybe we could ask Maia and Maureen too. Though that means you'll have to hang with the geeks. I know that makes you itchy.

[He stares at her.]

You want me to tag along with you and Simon on a date?

I'm pretty sure Simon hates me.

[He just tips his head a little, and there's a smile on the corner of his mouth.]

Why don't you just go with me?

It's not a date.

[ But that smile is very, very distracting. Clary pauses for a moment, staring at him before she scrunches up her nose. ]

And how is a not date with Simon going to be any different than a not date with you?

Sometimes I wonder how you're so smart and so dumb all at once.

I'm.

Asking you.

On a date.

[His grin is going wacky charming and lopsided.]

Oh.

[ Oh, that smile. Clary thinks she can feel her ears burning. She opens her mouth, closes it, a stammering response rising before she can swallow it down. ]

Okay.

I mean, yes? We could go on a date.

[ WHAT DOES IT MEAN? ]

[He laughs a little.]

Yes? All right.

Do you want a corsage?

I don't even know what dress I'm wearing yet.

[ She isn't exactly one of those girls who gets weird about a school dance. But now she almost wishes she were.

For no reason at all. ]

No corsage.

Okay. No corsage.

[He takes her hand, almost, but then doesn't. Best not rush this one.]

We'll have a good time. You'll see.

[ There's a thrill of something coursing through her, something strange and eager and excited. Clary can't name it, because she hasn't felt it. ]

I promise not to trip over my own feet and embarrass you.

[ Except she feels it, ears burning red under her hair. ]

Though Luke's probably going to glare at you if you pick me up in your fancy car. [ Her teeth flash as she grins. ] It'll be fun.

Luke is a pushover.

[This is not true, but Declan lies and makes it so. It's just easier that way.]

We'll have a great time.

He's a cop. I don't think they're allowed to be pushovers.

[ But, she's still smiling. ]

Cool. Okay.

[ Her wounded hand forgotten, Clary swings back on her chair legs and laughs. ]

Declan Lynch | The Raven Cycle

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