A/N- Okay, so this is a story I have co-written with bring bee a lollipop. She is such a fantastic writer and she came up with the idea, and this first chapter. I applaud you, Bee. :D Without her there wouldn't be a sequel at all *dodges tomatoes* Well excuse me...
Disclaimer- The Mortal Instruments series belongs to Cassandra Clare. Bee and I are simply websties that like to write together.
(Magnus POV)
"Your report should be no less than four pages and needs to have at least three sources. Due a week from today. Make sure to submit your online journal by Thursday so I can grade your work. Do not make me repeat how many entries you should have. That's what your syllabus is for. Class dismissed."
I slung my rainbow messenger bag over my shoulder with a yawn. Ugh, college. How long have I been here? Four years? Let's try a measly three months.
It's not that I don't like college. I actually enjoy it a lot more than I thought I would. Idris is a great place to get your education and start all over. It's been nice to get away from my home town. Where my parents live. Lived. Lay in the ground stone cold dead.
I shudder as the cool November breeze caresses my face, though admittedly it's not from the cold. I hate thinking about my parents. I lost my mother a few years ago and my father died recently in a horrible car accident. I don't want to relinquish my intense hold on them, but the pain…it's too much for me to bear.
I guess it's really weighing down on me more this month more than others. Thanksgiving was always a great time in my house. My mother and I would get up at the crack of dawn and start preparing for the big feast. A faint smile passes my lips.
"Magnus, your father has once again placed the flour on the ridiculously high shelf in the cabinet. Seeing as you were blessed with his ungodly tallness, would you mind getting it?"
I laughed at the sour look plastered on my mother's face. "Sure thing Mom." I reached over her head to get the flour that she had no hopes of reaching even on her tip toes. I had just grasped the edge of the bag with my fingertips as a fluff ball of white lightning shot across the kitchen and under my feet.
"Chairman!" I yelled frantically, trying not to step on the small kitten. Sure enough, I lost my footing and the bag of flour went flying. Just before my ass hit the hard tile, I saw the bag land on my mother's head, showering her in white. It was all I could do not to piss myself.
Chairman Meow jumped onto the counter then and proceeded to lick the powdery substance from my mom's face, meowing in dislike at the taste. Mom stood there for a moment, stuck in a stupor as I laughed hard enough to shatter my ribs. "Y-Yooou sh-should see…oh God!"
At that moment Mom snapped back into reality and looked right at me, mischief twinkling in her green eyes. I swallowed hard.
"I won't have to, my love, because I'll get to see you!" She took the bag and poured the remaining flour all over me, completely ruining my outfit. I fought the urge to shriek and run into the bathroom and shower as my mom assaulted me with the vile flour. I stood up quickly and ran to the sink, turning on the water and spraying her with the nozzle.
"Magnus!" she squealed, trying to fight me for the nozzle. Five minutes of this resulted in a destroyed kitchen and two very flour clad Bane's.
I had never looked so good in white.
"Quad vente two and a half pump caramel macchiato?"
I jerked my head in the direction the voice came from. "Uhm, yeah…" I trailed off. How had I ended up at the coffee shop outside the school's main café? Well, this is where I always went after English to get my fix and work on homework until Alec got out of class.
Alec Lightwood. The center of my universe. The only light illuminating my life. If he were to extinguish-
"Here you go, Maggie Moo. How was Dr. Stiles today?"
I smiled at the nickname that has finally begun to stick. "Not entirely awful, Annie. In fact…she was in a very good mood at the beginning of class, and her make-up looked rushed."
"Was her hair straightened?"
Come to think of it, no. Dr. Stiles always wore her hair the same way- straight as a board. I don't blame her; once when it rained she came into class looking like Chairman Meow's fur in a picture Max sent me after Maryse had tried to give him a bath. That woman letting her hair go natural- major no no.
"No, her hair was really frizzy, and it didn't rain today…"
Annie's eyes got wide, reflecting my own. "That hoe IS getting it on with the Dean. I knew it!"
"You called it," I said, paying and tipping my favorite barista and biology lab partner. She liked poking at dead things. I didn't. I didn't have too much trouble remembering terminology. She did. It was a wonderful relationship. "Thanks for the coffee."
"Thanks for the tip. See you tomorrow to dissect some pig." Even she made a face at that. I threw up in my mouth a little. "Don't remind me." She giggled and waved goodbye. As I made to leave I caught a glimpse of her hand. I really ought to take her out for a mani/pedi.
I strolled away with my treat, pulling out my cell phone to check the time. 1:15. Alec would be ten minutes into his English class. I sat down at my usual table, pulling out my laptop to get started on that report when my phone buzzed to life.
Alec- Did Dr. Stiles just romp the Dean in his office? I didn't think it had rained this morning…
I snickered.
Magnus- That seems to be the consensus.
My laptop hummed its greeting, signaling it was on. I pulled up the internet, logged into my student account on the Idris University website and refreshed my mind over the assignment. It then occurred to me that I still had one of those damn journal entries to write. What are we, preteen girls? I liked English, but this journal stuff was crap. I don't need my feelings related to whatever topic we were supposed to write about displayed on the internet for the world to see. I knew I was a demented freak. Alec knows I'm still getting over my parents, and that's all he needs to know. No one else needs to know anything.
The tense set of my jaw relaxes a little when I get another text from Alec.
Alec- Shoot me in the faaaace!
Magnus- Your face is much to pretty to be scared and I'm kind of attached to it. Just like I wouldn't shoot you in that glorious ass of yours.
I waited a minute.
Two minutes.
Five minutes.
Alec- You don't need this text. You know damn well I'm blushing.
I laughed, getting a grin from Annie across the room. "Hi Alec!" she called.
Magnus- Annie says hi.
Alec- Tell her I said hello but I am not speaking to you.
Magnus- Awww =( Why not?
Alec- You know why. I'll see you when I get out of this hell hole….I love you. Jerk.
The grin on my face was irreversible and I set my phone back on the table. "Alec says hi, Annie May." I was rewarded with a dazzling smile.
Sipping from my little cup of heaven, I turned my attention to my computer. Heaven quickly turned bitter in my mouth. This damned journal question. What does death teach us?
I saw red. What does death teach us? It teaches me that life is a cruel and utter bitch that takes away everything you love and cherish in the world. That it sneaks up on you at the least opportune moment, and you don't get that final chance to tell your coma ridden dad that you loved him and appreciated his utmost dedication to me after my mom died. You don't get to run to your mom and dad's room anymore and cuddle with them so the nightmares go away. I don't get to see the joy on my mom's face as she watches my dad come home from a long day of work. The way he embraced her as soon as he closed the front door.
They would turn the lights down in the living room and turn the stereo on after they had a huge fight and dance. I will never get to see that kind of love between two people ever again.
Tears blurred my eyes. I pressed the submit button and then shut my laptop angrily. My macchiato had gone cold. I shoved my laptop into my bag, stood from the table and narrowly avoided knocking the chair over. Annie shot me a concerned glance, but I was too upset to care. I had to get to my dorm before I broke down crying.
I made it there in record time, slamming the door shut and flinging myself on my bed. I hate to be away from Alec for long periods of time, but in this moment, I was glad for the solitude. I could let the tears fall without fear. I didn't want to be a burden to him any more than I already was.
"Magnus?" came a strangled voice. I knew that voice better than I did my makeup routine. I looked at my cell phone. Almost 2:30. I must have been at the coffee shop longer than I thought. I sat up and quickly wiped the tears from my eyes. "Magnus!"
I sprang up from my bed. "Alec, baby what's wrong? And…where the hell are you?"
"Bathroom! Come quick!"
Oh God, if he's like some guys wanting to show off the size of the dump they just took…I don't think he's like that, but hey, we all have our little fetishes. I entered the bathroom and saw him standing on the toilet, so that mustn't be the case. Thank GaGa.
"Baby, what ever are you doing?" I stared at him and was instantly more in tune with the situation. Alec looked scared to death, which could only mean one thing.
"Spider?"
He nodded reverently. "In the corner of the bath rub. Hurry Magnus, before he can escape and get his friends and plot to lay their eggs in my brain tonight!"
I loved the boy with all my heart, but this arachnophobia is really getting to be a pain in my ass. "How would he even get in your brain, Alexander?" I ask as I wadded up some toilet paper.
"Through my ears", came Alec's strangled whisper. I sighed. I guess we all have our own irrational fears. Like the world running out of glitter and Alec suddenly dropping off the face of the earth. Something tells me I could live without the first as long as the latter never happened.
"Okay baby, I'm going to guard the spider while you make a run for it. Shut the door behind you, alright?"
I swear he sniffled. "O-Okay".
I squatted down beside the tub, motioning for Alec to come down from his porcelain fortress. "Go ahead Alec, I've got this."
Alec wasted no time bolting out the door and slamming it as he went. I rolled my eyes, all the while a smile tugging at my lips. I stood up and went to the sink. I grabbed the cup I use to rinse my mouth out after I brush my teeth and then carefully positioned myself for the spider's capture. I turned the cup over and trapped him inside. Then I scooted it and the cup along the edge of the bathroom, using the wad of toilet paper to cover the cups mouth.
"Magnus! Is it safe?"
"Just a sec, baby! This one's fast! But never fear, I've almost got him!"
That seemed to calm him down. Luckily I knew he wouldn't come in to check. I opened the window adjacent to the sink and set the spider out on the ledge. "Go on little fella", I whispered. "There's been too much death in my life and I can't bear to be the cause of it. Oh, and just between you and me, I don't think you're disgusting. Just misunderstood." Like me.
The spider crawled onto the outer wall of the dorms, freeing him into the outside world. I closed the window, flushed the toilet paper, and rinsed out my cup before joining my beloved who sat curled up in the covers on my bed.
"Did you get it?"
I landed next to him with a flop, sending him airborne for a second. "Yep, he's off to a better place."
He just nodded and curled up against my side. His eyes were rimmed in red, so he must have been crying before I got here. "Alec, honey, it's okay. The big bad spider is gone." I rubbed his back soothingly, forgetting about my own troubles for the moment.
"My knight in shining armor" he said with a sniffle as he met my eyes.
I looked back into those ferocious blue eyes that I have come to love so much. "Glittering armor", I corrected him. He chuckled and nodded his agreement. I ran my fingers through his hair, wondering what had traumatized him so badly to be this afraid of spiders.
"I'm sorry I get so freaked out about spiders", Alec said a few moments later as if he were reading my mind. "When I was six my parents took Izzy and me to Disney World, and they had this Pirate Adventure Theatre where everything was 3-D and special effects. At first I was so enthralled because when Scratchy Beard the Pirate and his dastardly crew had to go through all the obstacles to get to the treasure, the special affects would come on. There was a misty swamp, and the theatre filled with fog. They had to go through a cave and water drops fell on your head and mechanical bats flew around the theatre. But then…they were attacked by monstrous spiders, like from Harry Potter. They popped out at me in 3-D. Something from under the chairs came up and started tickling my arms and legs, like a spiders legs would. I couldn't move. And then a gigantic one leaped right out at me and I screamed. I was too afraid to move. My Dad carried me out of the theatre and Izzy teased me the rest of the trip."
Alec buried his face in my shoulder in what I took as embarrassment. "Hey," I cooed, taking his face in my hands. "None of that. I can understand why you'd be so scared. That's one hell of a traumatic episode for a six year old."
He nodded and snuggled closer to me. I wrapped my arms tightly around him. "Don't worry, my darling. No spiders are going to hurt you as long as I'm around to protect you."
Alec smiled. "Thank you Magnus." His face faltered slightly. "I just wish I could protect you from your fears too."
I blinked in confusion. "What do you mean? You do protect me, Alec."
He stared at me hard with sad eyes. "I saw the mascara stains on your pillow. They were still wet when I touched them."
Damn. Now he's probably going to want to start checking my wrists for new scars again.
He held me as tight as he could. "Magnus, I don't know what's wrong, but I have a pretty good idea."
Here it comes, I'm going to be forced to talk about the one thing I was trying to forget. Well, two things. I opened my mouth to respond, but Alec pulled away and pressed a finger to my glossed lips. "Sweetheart, I'm not asking you to talk about it. I know you don't like talking about those feelings. I just wanted to say that if you ever want to, I hope you know I'm here for you in every way possible. I love you, more than anyone in the world. I want to take care of you for…well, the rest of my life." And with that, he ended with a blush.
I watched him in astonishment. I barely heard him whisper my name after a minute or two of silence. "I think that's the first time you've ever called me 'sweetheart'. I like it."
He snorted. "From that whole speech 'sweetheart' is all you caught from it?"
"Oh no, I heard it all." I rolled over and pinned him beneath me, emitting a gasp from the beautiful boy beneath. "And I rather loved the sound of it."
He blushed even redder. "I love you."
"As I love you, Alec. For the rest of my life."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
We sealed it with a kiss.
(Alec POV)
Kissing Magnus was by far my favorite pass time. It was as if his lips were designed specifically to mold to mine. Magnus usually wears some sort of flavored gloss, so I never know what he'll taste like. Today it was bubble gum and his specialty drink he orders from the school café.
His hands worked their magic under my shirt, making me shiver from the contact. No matter how many times Magnus touched me, I still reacted as if it were the first time. I could go on like this forever. I'm sure Magnus would agree to stay in this bed and forever ravish me if I wouldn't allow the outside world to get in the way.
I'm drawn away from my day dream as Magnus rakes his nails across my nipples, emitting a rather embarrassing moan from me.
"That's what I like to hear," he whispers in my ear while nibbling on the lobe. I sigh my contentment as he kisses his way down my neck. I'm completely submerged in the delicious things he does to my body as well as my mind.
Much too soon for my liking, Magnus pulls away. I whine in disappointment, working my fingers through his hair as he lays his head on my chest. "Why'd you stop?"
He looks up at me with those engaging green eyes of his. "I didn't want to give you too much of a good thing, baby."
I smiled. "You gave me too much of a good thing when you asked me to be your boyfriend." I kissed his hair and he giggled. Yes, Magnus giggles. And I find it absolutely adorable.
Suddenly his face became serious. "I try to be good to you, Alec. I really do. I know I'm kind of a downer since my dad died."
I think it surprised the both of us when he said "dad". He'd usually let the statement drop and leave me to fill in the blanks when we discussed his parents' deaths. "You have every right to be a downer at times, Magnus. I'd be worried more than I am if you weren't."
He snuggled into my chest. I found my arms constricting even tighter around his slight body. I truly was worried about Magnus. He was already slender, but due to all the stress in his life he'd lost a substantial amount of weight. I knew he was eating, though. He may or may not have done his happy dance when he found out Idris had a vegetarian friendly portion of the cafeteria.
"You shouldn't have to worry." Magnus' voice stirred me. I heard the slightest sniffle come from the beautiful body atop mine. I tilted his head up with my finger and found a river of mascara cascading down his golden face. "I try so hard not to be a burden to you!"
I was honestly stunned. Magnus Bane? A burden to me? And hadn't he been giggling a moment ago? What brought on the tears?
I sat up and scooped him into my lap, rubbing soothing circles into his back. "Magnus Bane, you listen and listen well." I knew I had his attention by the way his body tensed.
I momentarily stopped my massaging to take his face into my hands. I wiped away the fresh tears with the pads of my thumbs. "You are in no way a burden to me. You are the most wonderful thing in my life, and I fully intend on it staying that way. Don't you know by now how much I love you? How in love with you I am?" I kissed him chastely. Once. Twice. Three times. "You are beautiful, Magnus. The best part of me. I wouldn't be here, sitting comfortably in my own skin if not for you. You will never be a burden to me, no matter what life throws our way. I promise I will never leave you."
Magnus sniffled, but it came with the slightest hint of a smile. "Getting tips from wedding vows on line?" he asked in a shaky voice. I feigned being put off by his statement, but I faltered almost immediately. I slipped my hand into his, squeezing lightly.
"Now why would I be on a site for help with wedding vows?"
Magnus rested his cheek against the dip in my neck, rubbing his thumb against the back of my hand. "A boy can dream, can't he?"
Inevitably, I blushed. Magnus and I hadn't even been dating for a year and here he was talking about us getting married! But yet… "Magnus?"
"Yes, the most amazing boyfriend in the universe?"
I rolled my eyes, getting a swat on the arm in response. "You are!" he exclaimed like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"If you say so, sweetheart."
"Oh, I know so, doll face." I laughed as he smiled. We seemed to be back on track now. "Here," he said, "let me try again. Yes Alec?"
I swallowed hard. "Do…do you really see us…" I didn't know what I was asking really. The idea of marriage seemed bizarre to me, what with just coming out of the closet a few months ago. He was probably just kidding, anyway.
"Do I see us being married one day?" Or maybe he wasn't. I nodded.
He nuzzled his cheek into my neck, settling in while he thought. I lazily wrapped both arms around him, resuming rubbing his back. "Well, not any time soon anyway. I mean, I wouldn't force you into it or anything like that. I know you just came out to the world practically yesterday and are still getting used to people knowing. Just because I've been out and proud since I was like, five, doesn't mean I expect you to adjust to the fabulous world of glitter and rainbows."
I snorted. "Uh, I don't think I will ever make it to the glitter and rainbows stage of being gay."
"Honestly, I'd be floored if you did. And slightly worried. And maybe freaked out. Anyway, all I know about us for the moment is this: even though I'm dealing with all this…death bull shit, I have never been as happy as I am when I'm with you. You make everything okay again. You're pretty great at putting me back together when I fall apart, obviously."
I kissed his temple.
"Alec, you've been and always will be my everything and….oh God, do you realize how much we've sounded like teenage girls in the past half hour?"
"You normally do", I replied.
He scoffed, grabbed a pillow, and proceeded to beat me to death. Except that he was more beating the pillow, considering stuffing was falling out of it. "See?" I asked with a laugh, trying to fend him off.
He set the pillow aside, flipped his bangs out of his face, and pouted. "Jerk. You sexy, sexy jerk."
I tried to distracting him from seeing my blush with, "Oh, you love me." I lay down and pulled him with me. He beamed his response.
I kissed his hair and rested my chin on top of his deflated and finger mused spikes. It struck me harder then than it ever had just how much Magnus meant to me. It brought tears to my own eyes whenever I thought about losing the most precious person in the world, so I was damned determined not to dwell on it.
Within minutes, I felt Magnus' body release all the tension it held. His steady breathing alerted me he had fallen asleep. I slowly turned us on our sides. I pulled up his hot pink zebra print comforter over his peaceful form, leaning in for a light kiss. "I love you", I whispered.
I laid beside him for what could have been hours or merely minutes watching him sleep. I hoped that his mind was quiet, letting him get the sleep he so desperately needed. Even with his perfected morning make up routine Magnus couldn't hide the pale purple circles under those gorgeous eyes. I sighed. His nightmares were intensifying with each night that passed.
At first he hadn't really had many at all. I think he'd been too numb from the shock to really allow himself to feel much of anything, dreaming or in reality. Then I'd wake up and hear him crying, pleading for his mom and dad to stay. I tried in vain to sooth him, allowing him to sob it out on my shoulder when I had finally roused him from the pain in his dreams only to force him into the pains of reality.
The nightmares dulled in intensity, going from waking up sobbing or screaming to waking up to calm his labored breathing, snuggle deeper into my arms, and fall back asleep. This had become the norm for us. Even now that we had two beds, Magnus and I would sleep in his usually.
Ever since we moved in it seemed his night terrors were coming back full force. Magnus had tried to convince me to sleep in my own bed at least twice a week so he wouldn't wake me with his thrashing, but of course I refused. I'd hold him as I am now, making sure he fell asleep before I did so I would be there to sooth him in his tortured state.
A strange feeling pulled me back into the present. It took me a second to recognize my phone buzzing in my pocket. As quickly as I could without waking Magnus, I moved to worm my phone from my jeans. I glanced at the screen as I gently made my way out of Magnus' bed and slipped into the hall. It was my mother.
"Hi Mom," I answered.
"Oh, Alec, I thought you might not answer. The phone rang for a while."
I closed the door softly behind me. "Sorry, Magnus was asleep and I was trying not to wake him."
"The poor dear, is he still not sleeping well?"
I shook my head. Oh, wait, duh. "No, he's not. He's getting fewer hours at night and taking random naps."
"Hmm, well, should I make him an appointment during the break? We could see if he is eligible for some sleeping pills."
"I don't know, Mom. You know how weird he gets when we try to help him."
She sighed. "I know, but since his father died, I feel partly responsible for him. Even if he is an adult. It doesn't seem right, my babies being in college already. It seems just like yesterday I was picking you up from kindergarten that day you accidentally-"
"Okaaaaay Mom! How about we talk about something else."
I could hear the smile in her voice. "I was just making sure you two were still coming home for Thanksgiving."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes. She called me every week since school started to ask me that. "Yes, we are. Can't wait."
"Me too, honey me too." She got quiet all a sudden. "Okay, okay here!" she laughed. A moment later I heard a new voice. "Alec?"
I grinned. "Hey Maxie, how are you?"
"I'm good. I miss my big brother."
"I'm sure Jace misses you too, kiddo."
Max had a massive giggle fit. "No, silly! I meant you! Jace comes home so Mom can do his laundry."
Why did that not surprise me? "I know, I miss you too. But I'll be home next week."
"I know! I am so excited! You missed a lot since you've been gone, Alec! I grew two inches and I got my hair cut and my tooth finally grew back in, but then I lost another one when I was eating an apple, a granny smith apple to be exact, and I climbed a tree with Chairman Meow cause he got stuck and got scared so I had to go and get him and Mom and Dad don't read "Spider Man" as good as you and Magnus do!"
Yep, this kid still talks a mile a minute. "I promise Magnus and I will read "Spider Man" or whatever else you want to you every night we're home when we visit, okay?"
"Okay! Oh, Mom wants the phone now. I love you Alec! Tell Magnus I said hi and that Chairman Meow is doing great!"
"Will do, buddy. Love you too."
I heard his laugh fade away in the background as my mom started to speak again. "He misses you so much, Alec. We all do."
Embarrassingly enough, I had to swallow the tears in my throat. "I miss you all too. I'll be home soon."
"Alright, well", my mom sniffed, "I need to start on dinner. Isabel is bringing Simon over in about thirty minutes. I love you, Alexander."
"Love you too, Mom. Tell Izzy and Simon hi for me."
"Will do. Bye honey."
With that she hung up. I took a moment to compose myself. It seemed like forever since I had seen my parents. If I felt this way after three months, I couldn't begin to fathom how Magnus must be feeling. He wouldn't see his mom and dad next week.
I slipped back into our dorm. Magnus was right where I left him, snoring lightly. I leaned over him, planting a kiss to his forehead. His breathing hitched momentarily, then he was stone cold out again.
A light knock sounded behind the door, and a head with vibrant red hair peeked through the door. "Anyone home?"
I grinned and waved Annie in. "Have fun at the café?"
She sat in the light purple egg chair Magnus had brought from his old room, crossing her legs under her. "No worse than any other day I guess." She glanced at Magnus. "Is he okay? He seemed really upset this morning."
This was news to me. "Really?"
Annie nodded, still watching Magnus. "He was cheerful when he got his coffee, but when he pulled out his laptop he seemed…really off. Like he was super sonically pissed."
"He didn't mention anything to me when he came in…but he did break down crying later on after we made out."
"Thanks for that image", she replied with a smirk. "You cramming your tongue down Maggie Moo's throat is just the mental image I needed."
Red swam up my neck into my cheeks. "Try the other way around."
Annie giggled softly, rummaging in her messenger bag for something. "Anyway, there's this contest for students who are into art, and the winner gets some super prize that won't be revealed until the actual art show. I know Magnus likes to paint, so I thought it might be a good way for him to vent out whatever is beefing him."
I took the flier from her. Of course it would be hot pink. Magnus was majoring in the Arts so maybe this would be a good thing. I looked at my beloved, sleeping soundly. Maybe this would be a good thing for him. Anything to bring the light back to his emerald eyes.
"You really love him."
I glanced at Annie, her own green eyes watching me intently. She'd become our best friend on campus, practically living in our room after she got off work. "More than life."
She climbed into bed with Magnus and curled up next to him. "Wake up, Maggie I think I got something to say to yooou." I suppressed my smile.
Magnus stirred slightly but was quite obviously still asleep. I climbed into bed on his other side, resting my chin on his shoulder. "It's late September and I really should be back at schooool."
"It's November. If you're not in school already your kind of screwed for this semester." Magnus cracked a glittered eye open.
"Hey Annie. Hey baby" He turned his head to kiss me.
"Maggie, you should read this!" Annie shoved the flier in his face and practically flung herself into his lap, earning a strangled "oomph" in response. I wasn't jealous. It had been stated earlier in the semester that Annie was Magnus' "straight girlfriend" while he was her "gay boyfriend."
"Careful Annie May, my boy toy here might get jealous." He slipped his hand into mine, kissed my knuckles, and proceeded to read the flyer. Annie looked at me hopefully as I worried my lip between my teeth. I prayed this would be a beautiful distraction to him.
Sure enough, Magnus' eyes lit up. "Is it too late to hit up Hobby Lobby for some art supplies?"
Annie and I hugged Magnus around his neck. "No, honey. Let's go hit it up!"
Magnus squealed, flipped out of bed, and danced around the room. Annie and I secretly high-fived. Maybe with her help, I could get my Magnus back to his glittery, confident self.
Magnus grabbed me by the hand and pulled me into his dance mix of what looked like the mamba mixed with something Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé might think up. I caught Annie grinning out of the corner of my eye. Yes, I thought as Magnus spun me around, joining me in laughter. This is a great start. He dipped me then, pulling me back up to meet me with a passionate kiss.
Scratch that. This was an amazing start.
A/N- So what do you think? I think Bee did a great job! Be sure to review! Cuz if you don't then we will cry our eyes out and eat a gallon of Chunky Monkey ice cream... well, it will probably be mint chocolate chip but you get my point.
-Ella & Bee
