Love from The Start

by Yaoilover2873

Alec Lightwood never thought of himself as anything special. He was just the protective older brother and that guy who loved photography maybe a little too much. His life would be soon changed when he gets into one of the biggest art schools in the world. There he meets Magnus Bane who shows him just how special he can be.

1. It Started at Art School

Love from The Start: Chapter One- It Started in Art School.

Alec Pov

"How do I look," A smooth male voice asked from behind me. I was leaning on a desk looking over some photos of said male, that were going in Vanity Fair. They were doing a spread about his new fashion line and I was making sure the photos were perfect.

"Yeah, you look great Magnus," I answered, not looking up from the photos.

I could practically feel the force of him pouting at me. "You didn't even look at me Alexander."

A smile crept its way onto my face. "You always look amazing Magnus."

Sighing, he wrapped his arms around my waist and laid his chin on my shoulder, looking down at the photos as well. "You have been staring at the same three pictures for the past hour now. They are all going in the article, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, but one of these are going on the cover of the Magazine. The cover Magnus! It needs to be absolutely perfect."

Again, I could practically feel him rolling his eyes. "You're the most sought out photographer in Hollywood. I'm pretty sure that means all of your pictures are perfect."

"Shh, your opinion is biased," I chuckled shoving my hand in his face. He laughed moving his face away from my hand before kissing my cheek.

"Are you forgetting what today is love?"

The question finally made me look away from the photos and over at him. Was there something going on today? Another interview? A birthday? No, it's no ones birthday this month. There aren't any weddings for us to go to either.

"Wow… you really forgot, didn't you," Magnus laughed, making me blush.

"I've been busy!"

"So have I, yet here I am remembering the super important day that the great Alec Lightwood forgot."

"Just tell me what it is dork," I chided, laughing as I finally picked up a photo of Magnus in a crimson red suit and slicked back hair.

"It's our five-year anniversary Alec," he whined, faking hurt.

I raised an eyebrow at that. "We have only been dating for two years."

He rolled his eyes again. Something tells me that's becoming a habit he needs to break away from. "Yes, but we met each other five years ago today. I think that deserves celebrating."

I smirked at that. "Though I am touched that you hold the day we met at such high regard, you look for any excuse to celebrate. You wanted to celebrate after I opened a jar of pickles last weekend."

"Hey! That jar was impossible to open!"

"Yet I opened it in a matter of seconds," I teased, making Magnus shove me playfully.

"Anyway, we met five-years ago today and I want to go out and celebrate."

I smiled shaking my head at him. "We have three photoshoots and Vanity Fair's editor is coming over to interview you about your line. Celebrating will have to wait."

He pouted at me again, only this time I could see it plain as day. Magnus was adorable when he pouted, but I wasn't going to let him use it against me.

"Alexander," he whined.

"Don't you 'Alexander' me. You're the one who chose to become a famous fashion designer. That means interviews and photoshoots. I'm sorry that they get in the way of your plans, but they are important for your career."

He sighed crossing his arms. "Fine, we will do the interview tonight. At least let me take you out to dinner when everything is done."

I nodded smiling. "That sounds reasonable."

He perked right back up at that. "Great then let's go get these photoshoots done. Oh, and make sure Vanity Fair knows that I refuse to have any of their photographers work on the article."

I chuckled at that. "I'm pretty sure the whole world knows that i'm the only photographer you use."

"Of course baby. You're the only one who knows how to get my good side."

I shook my head smiling at him. "Speaking of which, I have to deliver another batch of your photos to our agency. I'll meet you at the shoot in a half an hour, alright?"

He sighed grabbing his designer bag and kissing me briefly on the lips. "If you insist, but you owe me one. You know I hate driving alone."

"You'll live," I said kissing his cheek before grabbing a folder and heading out the building.

I quickly made my way outside and caught a taxi before he could convince me to go with him. I love Magnus to death, but he needs to learn to do things on his own. He's become very dependent on me since we've been together.

Though i'm just as guilty as him since I like being needed by him. Guess we both have things to work on.

I got inside the taxi, telling the cabbie where to go before sighing and looking out the window. It really has been five years since I met Magnus Bane. It feels like it was just yesterday I spotted him during my freshman year of college. We were both students at the most well-known art schools in America. It's not just for drawing and painting. It was a school for every form of art you could think of. Traditional art, photography, videography, and fashion. If it was considered art, it was there.

My major was photography and I was a freshmen while Magnus was a senior majoring in fashion. You would think those two courses would go hand and hand, but the fact of the matter is, the chances of us meeting in class was slim. The fashion building was all the way on the other side of the campus from the photography building. We also didn't have any normal classes together, so it really is a miracle that we met at all.

Smiling to myself, I laid my head against the window and closed my eyes, letting my mind wander back to the day that would change my life forever.

Five Years Ago

"Are you sure you can handle living so far away without me there with you? You're going to die," my best friend and adoptive brother Jace once again questioned over the phone. The two of us have been inseparable for most of our lives, but now that I graduated high school I decided it would be good to get away from home and leave my comfort zones.

I was born in a small town in Ohio that no one has ever even heard of. Idris University of the Arts was the biggest art school in the country and by some Miracle, I got in. Well, I wasn't the only one from my high school to get in. My two best friends who weren't Jace followed me as well.

They were twin brothers named Jonathan and Sebastian Morgenstern. Jonathan came to the school for painting, while Sebastian was striving to become an actor. With their platinum blonde hair and gorgeous eyes, they could both easily pull off the actor thing.

"Jonathan and Sebastian are with me. I'm not alone," was all I said in response to Jace's worry.

"Yeah that makes me feel so much better. How can I sleep at night knowing Sebastian Morgenstern followed you to college? He is going to talk you into doing something dangerous and illegal. Don't join a gang Alec. Don't let New York turn you into a thug!"

"How did this conversation go from Sebastian being a bad influence to New York turning me into a gangster in a matter of seconds?"

"Just be careful please," Jace sighed.

I put my hand on my hip in amusement. "Aren't I usually the one who has to tell you to be careful? What an interesting turn of events."

He groaned, not liking that I was right. "Well you aren't here now, so I have to be the big brother figure for Max. Can't be going around being a bad influence on the kid."

I couldn't help but smile at that. "Well i'm glad you're taking your job as a big brother seriously. Look, I have to find my dorm room, so i'm going to let you go for now. I promise to call you this weekend, so please don't bombard my phone with calls and texts."

"I make no promises" was all he said before hanging up.

I rolled my eyes at him before shoving my phone in my pocket.

"Trouble in Jalec paradise," a teasing familiar voice asked from behind me.

I looked over my shoulder seeing one of the before mentioned twins. This one was Sebastian Morgenstern. Like his brother he was blonde, but unlike Jonathan his eyes were so brown they were almost black.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling us Jalec? I don't have a crush on Jace anymore."

He smirked at that. "Anymore being the key word there."

I rolled my eyes again before looking around. "Where's Jonathan? It's rare to see you two a foot apart from each other."

Sebastian was one of those guys who seemed like a huge dick if you didn't personally know him. I mean, yeah, he is a dick. His personality is downright awful, but I have grown accustomed to it over the years and it doesn't phase me much anymore. I've gotten the chance to see the human underneath it all. It only comes out when he is protecting his twin.

Jonathan was the complete opposite of Sebastian. Where Sebastian tormented people for his own amusement, Jonathan saw the good in everyone and everything. He tends to go out of his way to help people and he has a little sister complex. He adores his little sister Clary and dotes on her every chance he gets. He cried when he decided to move so far away from her.

"Jonathan is still at registration. Guess that's where you find out your dorm number," he finally answered.

I frowned slightly, looking down at my registration papers. There wasn't a room number on any of them. "Did I forget one of them?"

"Alec!" An excited voice called for me from across the courtyard, making both Sebastian and I look up to see Jonathan running up with the biggest smile on his face. He was always smiling. It was rare to get Jonathan upset or mad, and you really didn't want to do either.

If you get Jonathan mad, you know you fucked up. He will personally make your life a living hell. As for upsetting him, well, Sebastian is the one you have to deal with if that happens. You really don't want to deal with him when he's pissed off.

The brothers have always been known in our small town as the typical type of twins you see on tv. One is nice, smart, and a little weak, while the other is stronger, edgier, but not as bright. Complete opposites that complement each other somehow when they are together.

Jonathan stopped in front of us, practically hopping on the balls of his feet. "Guess what? You and I are roommates Alec!"

"Really," I gasped, taking the paper he was holding out for me and looking it over. Like he said, our names were put down for dorm room 107. I smiled, high fiving him. "I was hoping we would be roommates."

Jonathan has been my best friend for almost forever. Not as long as Jace and I of course, but almost. We met in the fourth grade when Sebastian glued a popsicle stick to the back of my head and Jonathan sat through recess with me to try and get it out.

I ended up with a bald spot and a new friend that day.

Eventually, I learned that Jonathan was a package deal. Sebastian was very protective when it came to both his siblings. If you mess with them, you were as good as dead. Anyway, Sebastian didn't trust me with his brother, so he stalked us everywhere we went until we finally ended up becoming friends as well.

Still not really sure how that happened.

Sebastian took the paper looking it over with an angry scowl. "You were supposed to be roomed with me. Now i'm going to be with someone lame as hell. Hmm, maybe I can scare my roommate into changing rooms and I can have my own!"

"If anyone can do that i'm sure you can," I agreed, taking the paper back from him.

We started to walk to the dorms and Sebastian smiled stretching his arms over his head. "God, college is going to be so much fun. Parties, girls, drinking, girls!"

I rolled my eyes at that. "Yeah, i'm looking forward to the girls," I sarcastically snarked, making Jonathan laugh.

"Don't lie Alec, you're the biggest womanizer here."

That statement made all three of us laugh. There was no way I could ever be a womanizer. One, i'm too nice of a guy, and two, I have no interest in women whats so ever.

"Nah, Alec is going to get himself a man in college," Sebastian teased.

I rolled my eyes at that. "Please, all i'm going to do is focus on not failing any of my classes and learning to better my photography skills. There will be no 'getting myself a man'."

Jonathan frowned at that. "Why not Alec? This isn't Ohio. New York has so many open minded people. I'm sure there is at least one guy you could date here."

"What would be the point? You've both seen me flirt. I stumble on my words and completely freak out. Are we forgetting about the time I tried to ask Jordan Kyle out and literally fainted at his feet before I even got the chance?'

Jonathan cringed at the memory and Sebastian busted out laughing. "No, no, that doesn't even come close to the time Jem Carstairs talked to you, thinking you were Will Herondale and you got so overwhelmed that you threw up on his shoes. I wish I had a camera. That would have won me some big money on AFV."

Jonathan elbowed his brother in the side before smiling sheepishly at me. "It wasn't that bad Alec."

I looked at him exasperated. "Those shoes were imported from London, Jon. London!"

"Anyone who wears fancy imported London shoes to school deserves to get punked on," he tried to reason but there was nothing he could say to make me feel better about the situation. That was hands down the most embarrassing day of my life. Jem was cool about it, but that didn't stop the rest of the school from teasing me about it for months.

We made our way into the dormitory and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice the lounge area was. There was a nice rounded leather couch that looked like it could sit about twelve people, a huge flat screen tv hanging on the wall, and a small community kitchen complete with a fridge, microwave, and dishwasher.

I saw a coffee machine sitting on one of the counters and immediately felt relief. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't make coffee in the mornings. I'll still probably buy my own to keep in our room, but for now this one will have to do.

We stopped at door 107 and Jonathan looked over at his brother asking, "what room number are you in?"

He looked over his paper scowling. "309. That's all the way on the third floor."

I smiled, a little happy that he wouldn't be staying so close to us. Though knowing him, he will be practically living in our room anyway. "At least there is an elevator so you won't have to climb the stairs."

"Yes, that makes everything grand, now doesn't it," he mocked before grabbing the handle of his wheeled suitcase and pulling it with him down the hall. Jonathan and I waited for him to get on the elevator before glancing at each other.

"I'm freeeeee" he whispered, making me laugh.

"You're crazy," I countered, taking one of the room keys from him and unlocking our door. The room itself was pretty spacious. A decent sized living room was made up of a small couch, a normal sized flat screen tv, and a joint kitchen that only had a counter, fridge and a microwave.

Passed the living room were three doors. One leading to a small bathroom and the others leading to our rooms. Both rooms seemed to be the same size so thankfully we didn't have to argue on who gets the biggest one. Knowing Jonathan and I, the argument would be us trying to give the room to one another instead of wanting it ourselves. Most if not all our fights start that way.

"I'll take the room on the left," Jonathan said pulling his suitcase into the room. I didn't object, going in the room on the right and setting my bag on the bed. Normally people pack up all their belongings from home and bring them to college, but I only packed the small assentals. The assentals being my sweaters and my camera.

I opened my bag before gently pulling my camera out, as if it was the most precious thing I owned… which it was. My camera was like my child. There was nothing I loved more than seeing the world through a lens. It lets you show the world in ways others couldn't even begin to understand.

"Let me guess," Jonathan cut through the silence, making me jump and almost drop the camera. I quickly got a better hold of it before glaring at him over my shoulder. He just smiled, pretending that he didn't just almost kill my baby.

"You want to go out and take photos around campus right?"

I bit my lip, looking down at the camera before looking back up at him with big puppy dog eyes. He shook his head at me smirking. "What am I going to do with you? Give me five minutes to unpack a little," he said walking out of the room.

Ten minutes later we were sitting on a stone bench in the college square where all the students came to hang out and relax. People were sitting on blankets and playing music, while others sat by trees and studied. There was a big fountain in the middle of the courtyard and I was just dying to get some photos of it.

Jonathan sat next to me, waving his hand in front of his face. "How is it still so hot outside? It's supposed to be September."

"Oh please. You'll be complaining next week about how it's too cold, so I don't want to hear anything out of you. Why didn't you bring your art supplies? I'm sure there's lots of stuff for you to paint out here."

He shrugged, taking a sip of his energy drink and looking around. "We just got here. I don't want to start working yet."

"It's not work if you love it," I pointed out, standing up and holding my camera in front of my eyes. I zoomed in to the fountain, wanting to get a closer shot of it without actually getting any closer. The sun was starting to go down, so it sparkled against the water flowing out of the fountain. It looked so beautiful.

Smiling, I took a few pictures of it before turning my body to get pictures at a better angle.. As I prepared to take more photos, something else caught my attention through my viewfinder. It was a blur until I focused the camera, making the most beautiful human being appear.

He was absolutely stunning with tan brown skin, black hair with a hint of glitter that also shined in the sunset, and a fashionable crimson red shirt, black skinny jeans, and a green military jacket with silver chains hanging off the shoulders.

Before I knew what I was doing my finger pushed down on the button on my camera, taking a picture of the handsome stranger. Blushing, I pulled back and looked over the photo. It showed him sitting next to the fountain with a book in hand and an apple in another.

The sound of a whistle made me jump out of my trance and look back, seeing Jonathan looking over my shoulder at the picture. "He's a looker. It's not like you to take pictures of people without their permission."

"Yeah I know. I didn't mean to take his picture… it just kind of happened."

Jonathan glanced at me before a smirk spread across his face. If there was one annoying trait he and his twin shared, it would be that stupid smirk. "Alec Lightwood, do you like this guy?"

"What?! No! I don't even know him!"

"You secretly took his picture," he said pulling my camera out of my hands and looking the photo over. "It's a pretty impressive photo too. The sun is hitting him just right, and with that book and apple in hand he looks so cliche. Do you think he's reading poetry? I bet it's Poetry."

I snatched my camera back glaring at him. "Knock it off. I just accidently took the picture. He was in my shot."

That made the blonde snort. "Sure he was. There's no such thing as an accidental picture when it comes to you."

I shrugged looking back at his photo, feeling my face flush. He really was a handsome guy. There's definitely not anyone like him in Ohio.

Jonathan looked over at him thinking before smiling and grabbing my arm, pulling me in his direction. Panicking, I dug my heels into the dirt to stop him. "What do you think you are doing?"

He looked at me over his shoulder. "We're going to go talk to that guy. You're obviously interested in him. Besides, that's a great photo and you should put it in your portfolio. You need his permission for that."

"You don't give a damn about my portfolio. You're just trying to get me to talk to the guy."

He gasped putting his hand over his mouth in fake shock. "Alec Lightwood, such language. I do too care about your portfolio. I care even more about your love life, or should I say lack of love life. You are in New York now. Spread your wings and fly out of your nest."

"I like my nest. My nest is comfortable," I mumbled, trying to turn around but he grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me back toward him.

"Well too bad because mama bird is about to kick you out, so get flapping!"

With that he literally kicked me in the ass, making me stumble forward. I glared back at him shaking my head no. "I'm not doing it!"

He rolled his eyes before grabbing my arm and dragging me across the courtyard. No matter how hard I dug my heels into the dirt, nothing was stopping us from moving forward. Before I knew it, we were at the fountain, standing in front of the beautiful stranger.

His yellowish green eyes moved up from his book, looking at Jonathan and I. He glanced over Jonathan for a moment before his eyes landed on me, skimming me up and down. My face flushed at that and I glanced away shyly.

"Um… hello," his velvety voice came out like a question as if he was confused by our presence. It sent a shiver up my spine. Wow, even his voice was beautiful.

"What'cha reading," Jonathan asked, making me look at him like he was an idiot.

The guy looked back at his book before looking at us again. "Just some poetry."

"Poetry you say," the annoying blonde asked, giving me a shit eating grin. I was not amused by his being right about the book.

The stranger nodded, looking confused. "Can I help you?"

Jonathan nodded, trying to take my camera from my hands but I had a deathgrip on it. He glared at me as he tried to yank it free from my hold but I shook my head no, not wanting him to see the photo. He's going to think i'm a freak secretly taking pictures of him.

Finally Jonathan managed to snatch the camera out of my hand and smile at the stranger who was watching us with a raised eyebrow. "My friend here is majoring in photography and he was taking a picture of this fountain here and you so happened to be in the shot. It's a great photo and he was hoping to put it in his class portfolio with your permission of course."

The stranger looked at Jonathan before looking back at me smiling slightly. "A photography major huh? What year are you in?"

I bit my lip wanting to answer him but I couldn't even form the words. Jonathan nudged his head at me, as if telling me to go for it, but I just couldn't. There was no way someone like me could talk to someone as cool as this.

Jonathan rolled his eyes before smiling back at the stranger. "We're both freshmen. This is actually our first day here."

The guy stood up holding his hand out for the camera. "Ah, I should have known. You both still have that bright look in your eyes. That will be beat out of you by junior year, trust me. Anyway, can I see the photo. All pictures of me need to meet my seal of approval and i'm sorry to say that i'm quite picky about it."

I nodded before looking down at my feet. Jonathan handed him the camera and I glanced up at him passed my hair as he looked over the photo. The strangers eyes widened and I inwardly groaned, wondering if it was really that bad.

He looked over at me, his eyes still wide in shock. "Did you really take this?"

I nodded rubbing my arm nervously. He smiled looking it over again. "I've never seen such an amazing photo of me. I'm a senior majoring in fashion and my photos always seem to have something off about them. This is absolutely perfect."

My face burned as a flush took it over. I've been told I was good at what I do, but i've never been complimented like that before. Saying things like perfect. No one's ever called my work perfect before.

"What's your name," the cute boy asked smiling at me. His smile was incredibly bright, it was almost blinding. Jonathan must have agreed because he squinted a bit.

"His name is Alec and he is totally available."

I glared daggers at him but he completely ignored me, smirking at the stranger. He was so dead when we got back to the dorm room. Sleep with one eye open you traitor! You're getting a face full of pillow tonight!

The cute boy smiled. "Alec, like Alexander?"

I nodded taking my camera back from him. Our fingers brushed and for a moment I swear I felt sparks. That had to be my imagination though. That kind of thing only happens in books and movies.

"My name is Magnus Bane. It's very nice to meet you Alexander."

The way he said my name made chills run up my back. I don't think my name has ever sounded so good coming out of someones mouth.

An alarm went off on Magnus's phone and he pulled it out of his pocket, turning it off. "I have to get to class, but I hope we can talk again soon. I'd love to use your photos in my next project."

My eyes widened in shock as he waved goodbye and walked away from us. I waited for him to be completely out of sight before whipping around and punching Jonathan three times in the arm. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Ow! Stop it! He was totally into you and he loved your pictures. You should be thanking me, not hitting me."

"Oh, believe me, i'm going to do a lot more than hit you," I seethed, making him back away from me.

"Just be grateful that it wasn't Sebastian that did it. He would have been a lot more crude about it."

He was right about that. Sebastian would have said something like 'this is Alec and he wants you to fuck him in the ass'. I really would have died right there on the spot if that happened.

"Not being as bad as your brother doesn't excuse your bad behavior," I grumbled, looking over the photo on my camera again.

He shook his head, putting his arm over my shoulder. "Don't be mad at me. You can't just focus on school. There's a whole new world for you to experience here. College is for experimenting and living a fun full life."

"Yeah, I rather focus on school and survive my freshmen year. My parents are paying a lot of money for me to be here. I can't let it go to waste."

He rolled his eyes at that. "Oh please, your parents are richer than mine. You have some leanway to have fun."

I frowned looking down at the boy in the picture again. "Let's get real here Jon. There is no way someone as cool as that will be into someone like me. He was just oozing with confidence when I couldn't even open my mouth to say a word to him. I'm so pathetic."

He frowned in return, putting his arm around me again. "That's not true at all Alec. You were just a little nervous and shy. I think he thought it was cute. You have a lot to offer and any guy would be crazy not to be with you. Sebastian and I wouldn't be your friends if we didn't think you were worth the time."

That's true. Jonathan and Sebastian are incredibly picky when it comes to who they befriend. Girls want them and guys want to be them. It's hard to know who genuinely likes them or not. If we hadn't met in elementary school i'm sure they wouldn't have trusted me enough to be friends with either. The two were very guarded.

"I'm still not ever talking to him again," I mumbled starting to head back to the dorm room. He followed me smiling. "Well to be fair, you didn't really talk to him at all."

"Yeah, and i'm not going to start. You can play your mind games all you want Morgenstern, but it's not going to work on me. I am at school to learn, not make out with hot guys."

He shrugged. "Why can't you do both?"

We walked in our dorm room and I whipped around, glaring at him. "Okay Mr. Know it all. What are you going to do when your brother comes in here and tries to drag you to a frat party?"

Jonathan cringed at that the thought, shaking his head no. "Um, no. I don't do parties. Too many people and I hate close spaces."

I frowned slightly, feeling bad for making him think about it. When they were little Jonathan and Sebastian both suffered physical and mental abuse from their father. Sebastian got more of the physical side of it since he would mouth off and Valentines mental tricks wouldn't work on him.

That wasn't true for Jon though. His father used to fill his head with lies about being weak and useless before he would lock him in a closet for hours on end.

Their mother wasn't aware of the abuse until one day Clary opened the closet door and found Jonathan all bruised and crying his eyes out. Thankfully she immediately demanded for a divorce and valentine was arrested for child abuse.

If Sebastian got traumatized by the experience you would never know it. Jonathan on the other hand, has many physical and mental scars. If we are in a room with no windows he has panic attacks. If we are surrounded by big groups of people he gets tense since he can't move around freely.

"You know he is going to drag you to a party at some point. What are you going to do then? We are college kids Jon, we need to experiment and have fun," I mocked making him poute at me.

"Stop using my words against me!"

I smirked at him. "Well, I think I proved my point. The day you go to a party is the day I talk to Magnus again."

Saying the handsome strangers name made me feel like a giddy little girl. It was such a beautiful name to go with such a beautiful man!

"We will see about that," Jonathan scoffed before turning away and going to his room. I watched him go before taking my camera to my room, going to lay in bed and just admire the most gorgeous photo I have ever taken.