CHAPTER ONE - DAY ONE
"Do you think about the number of books we would sale if we actually wrote all the things that happened here?" Jace propped his feet up on the side of his desk, with a keyboard on his lap; typing fast and with propose.
He shared a four-person cube with the other three members of the IT staff, Will and James were just as loud and outspoken as him; when they weren't on the floor with the general users. His brother Alec was in a small soft walled office adjacent to them with a large IT storeroom with all their equipment and workstations. They currently short one staff member which meant for extended hours for the rest of them. The company they worked was really classified as a small business, but there was still over 300 users to support. Their user pool ranged from clueless to have just enough IT knowledge to make them dangerous; which was the kind of user Jace hated most. The user would mess with their system just enough to make their IT lives hell with the amount of time they would need to spend with the user. He loved his job and he loved that he was able to work with his brother but some days he wasn't sure it was worth it. There was nothing else he could do with his life; he only knew computers.
"Jace put your feet down." The command came from his brother who just rounded the corner. "Izzy's been calling you all morning. Answer your phone."
Will and Jem turned back to their respective computers; the brothers always had a lot to say to each whenever they got into it.
"I left my cell at home." Jace finally lowered his feet, "What's up?"
Alec sighed, "I'm working late. I've got a meeting with management about the replacement for Verlac and someone needs to pick up Max from school." Max was their little brother who lived with Izzy, Jace, and him since their parents left for Europe for work and left their children. The four siblings stayed behind in their parents five bedrooms home. Robert and Maryse sent home a monthly allowance which covered the mortgage some other household needs, but the rest was up to them. They made sure Max had everything he needed from their parents and took care of themselves with their jobs. Their house wasn't small, but it wasn't large either. They each had their living space but a decked out basement in whatever technology he or Jace brought home next. Izzy moved into their parent's room since her clothes addiction kept her closet fully stocked at all times, she worked for a small retail shop cratering to young adult fashion. Alec always thought she spent more money on clothes then she made at the shop, but she kept herself going, he didn't ask any questions after that.
The only person dating was Jace, he had been with his girlfriend, Clary Fray, for over a year and she primarily lived with them. Izzy went back and forth between the single life and dating Clary's best friend, Simon Lewis. Alec was the only one single; all the time. He kept a tight hold on maintaining working and personal separate even with his brother in the same office. Alec was gay and only his siblings, Clary, and Simon knew and he liked it that way. He wasn't in the closet, but he wasn't out either.
"I'm supposed to be here for after hours." Jace would have done it in a heartbeat, but he already traded his spot with Will because Will and Jem had plans.
"Leave and bring him back here. He can do his homework while I'm in my meeting then I'll take him home." Alec spoke as if it was the most apparent answer with slight annoyance at Jace for not thinking of it. Jace was smart, but he was closed unless it involved computers or Clary. He was great with Max at the moment, but he was less of the parental type, more of the brother. That fell to Alec more often than not, he was the oldest and he allowed each of his younger siblings their freedom while he guided and protected them. That had been their dynamic their entire lives with or without their parents.
"Okay." Jace looked over to Will and Jem, "You guys okay with staying a little over." He would have to leave by 3 and would return around 330, but that was when Will and Jem were supposed to end their day. The help desk had a rotating late night which each member took a week and came in a little later to stay a little later. Alec usually worked the early morning and late evenings. He never stopped and Jace was always worried about him. Alec never missed a Max bedtime story or making him breakfast before school and somehow still worked 12, 15 hour days.
"Of course." Will spoke up first with Jem nodding behind him. Alec started working with them almost five years ago, his smarts quickly got him promoted, but they still respected him. The small group was like family which meant Will and Jem had no issues with a few minutes lateness due to Max. They all enjoyed having the little guy around, he was only nine and had such energy. Alec would only bring him in if there was no other choice and tonight was one of those nights.
Alec turned away without further response. Sometimes he wished Jace would think more like he did but then Alec had to remind himself 'he wouldn't be Jace' if that happened. They each had their role in their small family and it worked; Alec just felt himself beginning to fade into exhaustion. He never took nights off; he never did anything for himself. He ran wild keeping everyone else's schedules straight which was nonstop since he was 15 years old when their parents started their work in Europe. Sure they would come home in the beginning, but it only took three years when Alec turned 18 for them to give up on that and stayed there for work, just sending money home. It was a few years after their exit that he started at his current company; working his way up the latter. He kept himself professional and perfect for each project assigned so he would rise in the ranks to better provide for his siblings. Izzy and Jace were like him and started working early it seemed they all had a common goal in keeping Max safe and beyond provided for which sometimes came at the expense of his social life as Jace and Izzy always left Alec in charge. Their dynamic had never bothered him before but the last three months on the help desk when he was short staffed and had to pick up the slack for his team was when the burn out was settling in. He had his home life the same but his work life was extreme on the stress and his exhaustion was hitting an all-time high. He was told to take a vacation by his boss, but he just looked at her with rolled eyes and talked about his team which was short staffed, she promised as soon as the vacancy was filled she would allow him to take all the vacation time he wanted that his paid time off would allow. Alec nodded but knew that wouldn't happen, they were beginning a roll out on their new blackboard software soon and they would need all hands on deck for this project. It wouldn't be like his vacation would be a vacation anyway, it would be him sitting at home while Max was at school and he would prefer to be at work if that was the case.
Will and Jem waited for Alec to leave before rolling close to Jace, "How do you put up with that a work and home?" Will was referring to Alec's cold demeanor. His attitude was like an ice box, always about the job and they never understood it.
"He's not like that at home." Jace lied, Alec was just like that at home; always calm and in control. Alec had been that way since he moved in with the Lightwoods when he was 8-years-old. He was always the protector and the one in charge besides the fact he was older than everyone else. After Max was born, the Lightwoods started their work in Europe, and that left Alec to take care of the rest of the Lightwood children; he had to be in control at all times.
"I don't believe you." Jem rolled back to his desk.
"He needs to get laid or something." Will whispered since Alec's office was on the other side of Jace's cube and he didn't want to be heard.
Jace looked at the doorway Alec had left through, they had no idea how true that was. Alec did most of the sacrificing to make sure they had the best which meant never taking time to himself. He knew his brother just gave up finding a guy to be in his life after the last one that ended poorly. Which Jace couldn't complain about because if Clary ever pulled the same excuse, she would be gone too.
Alec came out of his office a little after 3, his meeting was set to begin shortly and he wanted to double check with the guys before going up. "Will, Jem, you guys good?"
They both looked up to him. Will nodded and Jem replied, "Yep. Jace should be back any minute then we will be heading out."
"Do me a favor and pull that stand alone for Max, I doubt he'll do his homework here." When Jem nodded, Alec left their small office; he chose a school for Max based on his work location so he would be able to get him to and from school with ease but he also knew as soon as Max got to their office he would never want to do his homework, that would be an after-dinner struggle. Max was a good kid and very smart but hated homework and every night was a fight for usually Alec to have with the small child.
Alec made it to his boss' office, three floors up, with five minutes to spare; a user had stopped him with a mouse problem right after his walk out of the elevator. Tessa's door was wide open and he heard a small laugh before actually reaching the door, Alec knew it wasn't hers. The laugh appeared to be coming from the guy in front of her desk.
"Alec?" She looked up at him with a smile and waved him in. "Shut the door, please."
Alec turned to shut the door, but when he faced her again, his breath left his lungs in a whoosh; like Jace had just kicked him in the stomach. The man in front of Tessa was beautiful. He had spiky black hair in a short but thick mohawk, the tips of his spikes appeared to be a pink or light red color. His eyes were a gold-green mix and the brightest color Alec had ever seen. He couldn't see his entire outfit, but the leather jacket he was wearing had extra hooks on it and fit him perfectly. Alec could tell his skin had a natural tan. Alec couldn't tell if the man was wearing eyeliner or just naturally dark eyelashes; he would have to ask Izzy about that combination. He was awestruck and suddenly wanted to see more of the man.
"Alec is Jace downstairs."
"Huh?" Alec had heard her voice but couldn't place her words; he finally looked at her with a confused look.
She smirked at him, "Is Jace downstairs. It's his week, right?"
"Yes, it is his week, but he needed to pick of Max from school. Jem and Will are here until Jace gets back. Which will be any minute." Alec stepped forward and took a seat next to his new team member, trying to only stare ahead at his boss.
She smiled at him, "Bringing Max here?" She allowed it by overlooking it, her team was fantastic and she never had to worry which was good because she was more management than IT and she relayed on Alec to be proficient at his job and keep her informed.
"Just until I'm done here then I'll take him home."
"This is Magnus Bane." She relaxed further in her seat, using her hand to show up the man they had forgotten about for a moment. "He is your new tech. He starts tomorrow morning, so I want you to take him downstairs and show him around for a moment, so he knows where to report in the morning."
"Hello." Alec switched his notebook to his other hand to better reach over and shake Magnus' hand. He felt a slight jolt from contact with him, his hands were smooth and seemed delicate.
"Hello, Alec." Magnus finally spoke; he was internal glad he didn't have to speak before then. His breathing was thick with the shock of those blue eyes staring back at him. He heard their exchange and just sat back watching Alec, his black hair, blue eyes and form-fitting pants. Magnus was pretty sure he shouldn't be eyeing his new boss with such an intense need but those blue eyes locked on him and he was snuck.
Magnus moved to Michigan after a horrible break up with the hopes of a fresh start. He applied for the position online, interview via Skype, and accepted his position while in line at Starbucks. He didn't care that he had to move 1000 miles away; the more space between him and his ex the better. He knew no one in this state and that was the most significant appeal, now, however, he was beginning to see a new reason to like this snowy state.
Alec removed his hand from Magnus with what felt like regret but he couldn't place why he would feel that of all things. "Hello."
"Alright, I will leave you two to it." That was Tessa speak for 'get out of my office,' and Alec knew it.
Alec stood up and smiled at his boss. He adored her, she took a chance on a 20-year-old kid with little to no experience and guided him to where he was now, "Thanks, Tess." Alec nodded at Magnus, "Ready to find your cube?" He had his usually 'user is always right' smile, which didn't ever meet his eyes but the user's liked it, so he didn't change.
Magnus wanted to frown into those baby blues, but he couldn't tell why. Something about his smile wasn't right, but he didn't know his new boss well enough yet to question anything. He looked to Tessa with a nod; as a thank you, then stood up to follow his new boss out the door.
"Oh Tess," Alec stopped sharply and held his hand on the jam of the door he had just opened to look back at her. He had his notebook back in his right hand and pointed at her. "Did you want the project meeting moved tomorrow? The email chain sort of stopped and no one said yes or no."
Magnus had to stop quickly, or he would have crashed into Alec with his full force, he did stop but not without coming within a hairs breath from him. If Alec had stood up straight and not been holding onto the door jam, they would have been sharing the same airspace. Magnus quickly took a step back to allow his boss' to speak.
She looked up at him with a sideways glance, "Which project again? Win 10 or Visio"
"Win 10."
"Yeah, better move that one. Make it early next week, higher-ups still thinking it over."
Alec's eye roll matched Tessa's. It had been an on-going issue for the last two months. IT had been trying to get their final plans approved to match the Visio roll out so they would only have to do half the work on user's machines instead of doing two projects at different times. No one was listening to them which was causing most of the stress on him and Tessa at the current moment. "Tess."
"Yeah, I know." She waved her hand at them with a smile on her face with that knowing look her and Alec shared when they both knew non-IT people were getting in their way. "Bye."
Alec left then, looking back to make sure Magnus had followed him; which he had. Luckily, Tessa's office was almost a straight shot to the elevator and he didn't have to do much explaining to Magnus. He didn't mind talking; it just felt odd for a moment being alone with him.
"They don't want Windows 10?" Magnus asked the question as the elevator doors shut behind him and Alec hit 'B' for the basement.
"For most small companies, IT is an expense that budget folks can never find a reason to spend so when we need complete overhauls on new systems they are always wary of spending the money because they don't think they can recoup that cost. We have to spend more time justifying why we need the upgrade then actually buying it and rolling it out." Alec explained on the fast elevator ride down to the basement, "It doesn't matter that our systems are running an outdated version of an operating system that will soon lose all security updates from Microsoft."
"Win 10 has been out for two years already." Magnus made the soft statement while trying to remember the way Alec was taking him.
Alec looked up at him when Magnus didn't speak up louder and realized the boy was lost. "I'm sorry. I didn't explain where I was taking you. When we walk out today, I'll show you more." At Magnus' weak nod, Alec smiled. "I'll also give you my cell so you can call when you come in the morning and need help finding the help desk."
"Cellphones work down here?" Magnus added with a smile, basement, and cell phones never mixed well at his old job.
"We have a booster." Alec held open a glass door with the words, "Wayland, Inc. Information Technology Help Desk".
Magnus began taking it all in. There was a small hallway with a door straight ahead and one off to the right side, both were closed.
Alec pointed ahead, "That is my office. I have an open-door policy if I'm here and you need something just let me know. The door to the right is the equipment and workstations are. It's lock when we aren't here, along with the glass doors we just came in."
"Alec!" Max heard his brother's voice and came running around the corner of the cube walls at full speed.
"Max." Alec stooped down and picked him up easily as a piece of paper. Max was small for his age, but Alec also worked out as a stress relief since vacation was never going to help. "How was school?"
"Boring," Max answered, but his eyes never left the man next to his brother.
"Max, it's rude to stare." Alec put him down as Jace rounded the corner, cellphone in his ear. He waved his hand and then pointed up while nodding into the phone. That meant it was a user and he was heading upstairs, Alec nodded and turned his attention back to Max. "This is the new tech, Magnus."
"I like your hair."
"Thank you." Magnus smiled at the small child, who ran away before he could get his sentence out. Magnus creased his eyes at him.
"Don't mind him, nine-year-olds have no manners no matter how hard I try." Alec shook his head and pointed ahead, the notebook still in hand. "This way is where you will be." He led him around the corner with his usual 'user' friendly smile.
Magnus could tell now what bugged him about Alec's smile; it was so fake. He saw the real deal when Max came around the corner; his eyes shined brighter than at the sight of the child.
Alec points to the desk to the left, "This is where Will sits and Jem next to him." Pointing to the left seat closer to him. Then to the right. "This is Jace's seat, and yours will be where Max is currently set up."
Max had a pair of oversized Beats headphones plugged into a computer with some child show running, Magnus didn't know the title of.
"Sorry, he's in your way."
"No, it's okay. He here every day? We might have to find him a workstation." Magnus smiled at Alec hoping he understood his joke. Alec did smile, not quite to his eyes but close. Magnus felt a small sense of pride with that response.
"No, rarely, just a mix up with his normal ride home." Alec used his notebook to tap Max on the back of the head; he waited for his brother to look up at him before speaking, "Pack up, let's go." Alec made sure Max was doing as he was told before turning back to Magnus. "Tomorrow I'll go over some policy and let you shadow of the techs to get your familiar with the layout. I have seen your resume and so I don't think you will need any training from us."
Magnus nodded, "Yeah, I've been working on computers since I was 10." He laughed at the memory. "But professional its been 7 years or so."
"Great. Let me pack up my stuff and I will be right back." Alec noticed his brother had stopped moving again to look up at him. "What?"
"Jace isn't back yet. I wanna stay with him."
"Well, you can't. Jace is working late and you have homework, dinner, and it's bath night." When he didn't move Alec knelt down with him. "Come on, kid. Izzy promised pizza for dinner." That got Max's attention. Pizza was his favorite and the only thing Izzy knew how to do with food. Alec preferred to cook dinner every night, but Izzy couldn't cook unless you wanted to go to an early grave which meant Max got more pizza than a normal nine-year-old since Izzy was usually his after-school pickup since Alec worked so many hours. Alec took that as a good sign and moved out of the cube to get his things from his office.
Magnus looked at Max, "Is Izzy your mom?" He didn't know why he found himself asking this question; it was just the first one that came out.
"Nah, she's my sister." Max unplugged his headphones and stuffed them into the drawer at Jace's desk. "My mom's in Europe."
Magnus nodded, he was trying to do the math in his head but no matter the way he moved the numbers around he couldn't see how Alec would be old enough to have a nine-year-old. He looked about 26 and that would have made Alec a teenage father and now he knew Max's mother was in Europe what did that mean for Alec. He couldn't place his finger on it, but his instant attraction to Alec screamed at him that he was gay, but now it wasn't adding up. His insides weren't matching his head and he was confused.
Alec came around the corner then with his backpack and the light leather jacket in his arms. He placed a quick sticky note on Jace's desk and bent to help Max with his own coat and backpack. "Ready, buddy?"
"My legs hurt." He whined looking up at Alec.
Alec laughed, "Of course they are." He brought Max up in his arms, tucking the boy into his side. He still had his jacket in his arms, but he knew it wasn't cold enough for one, not now, it was the first week of May and the weather was finally in the 60s; it had been a long winter. He was still going to make Max always wear his jacket.
"You don't need your coat?" Magnus questions, following Alec and Max out of doors.
Alec turned to input the code to lock the doors and shook his head, " It's nice outside without one. You get used to the strange weather after a while. It's really only two turns from here to the elevators, left then right."
Magnus had to refocus on his words since Alec's sentences seemed to blend together.
"I'll get you the code tomorrow for all the doors as well as going over after-hours rotation. We spilled it all even down here because no one likes to always be the one working late." Alec wasn't surprised when Max's head dropped to his shoulder; he was a kid who could sleep anywhere and sleep through anything.
They silently made their way to the parking lot after the elevators dinged for the lobby. Alec turned to Magnus for a moment. "I never gave you my number."
"Oh right." Magnus took out his phone and created a new contact for his boss before handing the phone over for him to enter his number.
Alec handing the phone back while still juggling his jacket and an apparently sleeping Max. "Have a good night." Alec turned then and went out the lobby doors.
Magnus stood still for a moment. He was stuck in awe of the man that just left him behind. He was definitely a good father and Magnus didn't know how to take that with all of his father issues. His new boss was going to be a tough person not to stay attracted to.
Magnus flipped down on his couch with his phone plastered to his ear; boxes all over the small apartment living room. This space was a 6-month lease while he decided if he liked the job then he would look for somewhere permanent.
"So, what's his name?"
"Why do you think it's a 'him'?
"Magnus," Ragnor sighed into the phone. "What's his name?"
"Alexander, that's what HR said, but he goes by Alec." Magnus had to close his eyes. Ragnor was his only friend who knew where he moved to, and he wanted to keep it that way. He was the only friend in the breakup that was his, the rest were couple friends, and he was glad to leave them behind. He had known Ragnor since middle school, and their friendship would endure all, even moving many miles and states away.
"You've been in that state for two days, two days, Magnus, and you already have your sights set on your boss?"
"It's not like that." Magnus really regretted calling him sometimes. "He's my boss, and he had his kid at work today; little nine-year-old Max plus a sister, Izzy at home."
The laughing started then, "Goodbye."
Then the phone went dead.
Magnus didn't bother looking at the phone, he just threw it to the ground and sighed. He would have to figure the unpacking part out now since the only thing he did yesterday was unpack his clothes and wash them. He groaned with the internal need for someone to talk to, but he was part of his beautiful plan; move to somewhere knew you or your stupid dating choices.
Magnus sighed.
It was only Tuesday.