Life with Magnus
By Shin Sankai
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Author's Notes: So, I couldn't think of a title and figured this would do. Also, word of warning, this is totally not in the Shadowhunter world, I wouldn't be able to do any of that justice at all. I did finish off the books and I was left feeling... I don't know, a little sad that there wasn't more 'Malec' in them. That's pretty selfish I know, but Magnus was my fave so...biased much? In any case, this is completely AU, no magic involved, unless you count the sparks between Alec and Magnus that is...at least I hope so anyway... I'm just borrowing their characters and warping them to my delights... I've enjoyed writing this, so if anyone enjoys: Cool!
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Chapter One
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An elder gentleman had been standing next the side of the bar, eyes coolly watching his bartender at work. Something was off about him lately. There was usually a certain 'bounce' about him, all smiles and doting on loyal customers, but today...today there wasn't any of it. His shoulders seemed slightly hunched and his smile, which was generally faked most days, and was all business with the customers, but still it pleased them, was nowhere in sight.
"You look bored Magnus." Eyes that glowed gold and were like a pair of cat eyes turned to the older man who'd appeared from the back office, startling him slightly as he quickly straightened up, never being one for slacking off at his night time job. Magnus grabbed a cloth and began to wipe down the counter.
"Ragnor... Sorry I..." Ragnor placed up his hand, not at all angry at catching Magnus slacking off for two minutes. It rarely happened.
Magnus had been Ragnor's bartender for many years now, but he'd known him since he were a boy, he being an old acquaintance of his fathers. He'd instantly hired Magnus for his knowledge of alcohol and mixing a vast majority of drinks with precision and speed. Then there was his talent to create new drinks too.
"And what is with those contact lenses? You'll freak out my customers." The man huffed, even though he wasn't truly exasperated or mad at the younger man. After all, he knew how eccentric Magnus could be.
"I highly doubt anyone is paying that much attention to me." On the contrary, many of Ragnor's patrons at his bar paid Magnus a lot of attention, each vying for a small amount of chatting time.
Magnus was quite the sight to behold with his beautiful and flawless golden brown skin, a gift from his mother. He had dark brown hypnotic eyes, with tiny flecks of amber gold in them, just like his fathers, but maybe that was why he hid them behind various coloured contact lenses. Anything that resembled his father, Magnus was quick to hide, though he would definitely not tell him how much he looked like his father when his father was his age. Magnus would surely go into hiding then. And then there was just how good looking Magnus was too. He was tall and slender, but not sickly skinny as he knew he worked out. And with a friendly personality that even the most unlike-able person would fall for, it was no wonder Magnus seemed to have a following here. After all, Ragnor's establishment was a gay bar and Magnus never hid his own sexuality from anyone, being bisexual and all, not that his father was too pleased when he'd found out about that. Perhaps that was why Magnus was just a little bit more flamboyant, especially when it came to some of his clothing and his jewellery (when off duty) as though shoving it back in his fathers face. As you could probably tell, the two of them were estranged, not that Magnus gave his own father much thought, at least that is what Ragnor believed. And although men, young and old, tried ever so hard to get Magnus' attention, he was pretty good at taking it all in his stride, never taking any of them up on their offer of trying to woo him, being invited to hotel rooms or strangers homes on a regular basis, and although he did like to banter and sometimes flirt back, tonight he wasn't having any of it and just mechanically served drinks.
"Something is wrong." Magnus turned his 'cat eyes' to the owner once more whilst also pouring six beers for a group of young men who'd just walked in. It was a bachelor party for two of them as they were tying the knot next weekend. Ragnor was very skilled in observing everything around him and watched a wistful look pass across Magnus' face before he seemed to catch himself, head shaking. Even Magnus' usual appearance was a bit off. He'd scrunched up his black hair, but it wasn't as smoothly styled and spiked as per usual. He'd also dabble in placing different colours through it, also with hair glitter and then he usually had wild eye make-up, but not this evening. He had some eye-liner and black nail polish, but bizarrely, that was it.
Ragnor was also aware that Magnus never truly had a long standing partner these days either. Perhaps, looking at those two young men who were committing themselves to each other for the rest of their lives, soured his odd mood a little more. Maybe constantly being on his own was wearing him down. Was that what he desired too? A life partner? Once the group of men were gone, Ragnor moved closer. "Is something wrong with the Centre?" Even if Magnus could have whoever he wanted, he wasn't someone who fell easily for another. Ragnor thought it best not to bring up taboo topics like love with Magnus, for he had commented once before about it when a very pretty and slightly older woman had dumped him after three years together and pretty much smashed his heart to smithereens, and Magnus hadn't talked to him for over a month after that. Ragnor couldn't bare to loose his bartender, and friend, as that is what they were to each other. Dear friends, regardless of their age gap.
Magnus shot Ragnor an odd look, probably wondering what he was still doing out the front considering he was useless at serving customers and mixing drinks. He was better off out the back, making sure to place orders when required by Magnus and ensuring all the bills were paid accordingly and raining in the profits to ensure his business always remained in the black.
"It''s fine." Magnus was about to turn away and get one of the bottles of vodka off the shelf when Ragnor tapped him under the chin, startling him slightly at the gesture.
"How long have I known you sweet boy? If there is something wrong, tell me so I can help."
Magnus gazed up at Ragnor who was a little taller then him and over three decades older too. It had been quite sometime since Ragnor had last called him that. "I may have to cut back some hours." Ragnor tilted his head. "Its possible I'm picking up two new clients tomorrow."
"That's good news, your business is growing."
"Well..." Magnus could not comment any further as out of the corner of his eye he noticed someone entered Ragnor's Bar. He parted his lips, ready to welcome the newest customer when he felt his breath hitch and his eyes widen. Even Ragnor saw the way Magnus faulted and turned his gaze to look upon a man he'd never seen in his establishment before.
The said man was dressed all in black, very simple attire but it suited his tall muscular form well. As he removed his black jacket and plain grey scarf, he didn't even realise he was gaining the attention of various patrons who had stopped to stare at him also. He was wearing a long sleeved button down shirt, loosely tucked into pressed black trousers with a plain silver buckled belt snugly at his hips. The collar of his shirt gaped open as two, possible even three buttons were undone, allowing glimpses of pale skin and what appeared to be a striking black tattoo that crept up the side of his neck on his left side. His jet black hair was slightly damp, one hand lifting to rake through his locks, spiking it messily up as he tried to brush the wetness of the downpour happening outside from it. Almost seeming a little on edge, the new patron made his way directly to a vacant stool at the bar, flopping ungracefully down. It wasn't just Magnus who jolted on the spot now, but Ragnor as well, when the unknown man finally lifted his head.
He had startling blue eyes that could practically pierce through anything!
# To be Continued #
