The Talk

Alec sighed and listened to the echo bounce across the walls of his stony, cold room. He walked back to his dresser and starred into the drawer. Hm... the grey sweater or the black sweater? He scooped them both up and walked over to his bed where he shoved the clothes into his duffel bag.

He couldn't believe it. Everyone had only returned from Alicante a few days ago. Max was still fresh in the ground. He was leaving the NYC Institute to tour around the world with his boyfriend. Just thinking the word made Alec's heart rate pick up.

He zipped up his bag and sat on the bed. He started tapping his foot. He had been hesitant to go on the trip with Magnus but had eventually agreed. Why not? He was young, he should travel. Plus, after his rather spontaneous "coming out" before the huge battle, his sexuality wasn't exactly a secret anymore. Amazingly, his parents had said yes to the trip without blinking twice. Of course, he had been amazed at the way they had handled...well him being gay. He wasn't sure if the shock of Max's death had anything to do with it but he knew he was glad of their acceptance.

He was nervous though. He and Magnus had barely passed second base. He figured that the warlock and him would be sharing a room which made the anticipation for the trip insanely hard to control. Was the warlock expecting him to...well... Alec didn't know if he was ready to lose his virginity. He had thought about it, but he still had no idea. The very thought of having sex with Magnus made a crimson blush color his cheeks.

He supposed he could discuss it with Jace but his Parabatai was preoccupied with Clary. Besides, he wasn't entirely sure that Jace was mature enough to handle it. His way of encouraging Alec would probably be to drag him to a gay strip club and Alec would not do that. He would die from embarassment.

Just then he heard a knock on the door. He stood up quickly, his black hair falling into his eyes.

"Come in."

His sister, Isabelle, waltzed in. "Alec."

"Isabelle," Alec replied, warily. His sister was using that sing-song voiced she reserved especially for embarassing him. He took in a deep breath. "What is it?"

Isabelle sat next to her brother on the bed. "So. You and Magnus. Going on a trip together. You have to take pictures!"

Alec nodded, but he knew this wasn't Izzy's purpose for visiting.

"So, this is awkward, but um...have you slept together yet?"

Alec couldn't believe she had just said that aloud. He felt his cheeks flame, surely projecting the brightest shade of red known to man. He turned to face her after trying to compose herself. "You are my little sister. I am not discussing this with you."

"Alec,I know it's embarassing. But Mom wanted to come up here with dad. I saved you from that. But they made me swear on the Angel that I would...talk to you." Even Isabelle seemed embarassed.

"Well, I appreciate that Izzy but I'm not 12. You can tell Mom and Dad that I know how to be safe."

Isabelle breathed a sigh of relief. "I kinda thought you knew but they wanted to be sure." She turned suddenly and in a demanding tone said, "Wait...have you two done IT before?"

Alec wanted to die. Hell, even fighting a Greater Demon would be preferable to this. "Isabelle, we have not slept together. And when we do, it'll still be none of your business."

Just then, Jace opened up the door and strolled in. Isabelle greeted him, "Jace."

Jace replied, the smirk on his face telling Alec that he knew the topic of the conversation between him and Izzy, "Giving my Parabatai the 'talk'?"

Alec bolted up. There was no way in hell this conversation would continue. "Both of you. Out."

Jace grinned, "Sure big bro. Go get 'em. And remember," he said in a mocking tone, "you don't have to do anything you dont want to do. Not that that would be a problem." He chuckled as he walked out of the room.

Izzy stood up. "Wait here. I'll be right back." She dashed into the hallway. A few moments later she came back, panting. She was holding a plastic drug store bag. She held it out. "Well, you might as well look."

Alec opened the bag. He starred in disbelief. His sister, no, his baby sister had gotten him... condoms and lube? He wanted to just disappear. He hissed through clenched teeth, "ISABELLE. WHEN I NEED...THESE, I'LL LET YOU KNOW." He shoved the bag back into her hands.

She shrugged. "Fine. But if he gives you demon pox, don't come crying to me."

"What about demon pox?" A glittering, spiky haired, lanky figure stepped into the room.

"NOTHING!" Alec managed to grab the bag before Magnus could see it and shoved it behind the pillow.

Isabelle looked between her muddled brother and his boyfriend and broke out into hysterical laughter. She said hello to Magnus and skipped out of the room.

Alec kissed his boyfriend on the cheek. "I'm ready when you are."

Magnus eyed the duffel bag. "That's all you're bringing?"

Teasing, Alec replied, "Some of us don't need leather pants in every color to live."

"Ah darling. Someday I will give you a makeover. And then I will not spare any glitter, sequins, or brightly colered leather."

Alec gulped. Remembering that the bag full of... protection was still under his pillow he determined the shouldn't linger. With a fluid motion he scooped up his duffel bag and grabbed Magnus' arm with his other hand. "Ready?" he asked as he lightly swung the warlock's arm.

"Ready," the warlock grinned at him.

And with that, Mangus conjured a portal leading to some exotic location. With a few steps, Alec and his boyfriend disappeared.