"Alec!" shouted Isabelle across the bar. "Alec! Over here!"
Alec turned round and immediately saw his sister; she was hard to miss. She was tall, dark haired, and beautiful. Guys usually wanted into her, and girls wanted to be her. Despite all this attention however, she was the kindest person Alec knew.
Isabelle was sitting with Chris; Jace was nowhere to be seen.
"Hi Izzy," Alec began. "Do you guys want a drink?"
Izzy and Chris stared at him.
"You want to drink with us tonight?" Izzy said shocked, her smile widening as she realised her brother was going to be hanging around with them.
"Just a couple," Alec grinned. He couldn't help it; he loved his sister, and loved to make her happy.
Alec sat with the two of them for around an hour. In that time he had 2 drinks, and 3 shots; this was a lot of alcohol for him. He wondered if he would be sick tomorrow. Izzy beamed at him.
After the third shot, he gave Izzy a hug and headed out. She didn't ask him where he was going; she assumed he was going to bed. As Alec slid out the bar, he could feel his fear coming back. Could he do this?
"Do what?" he thought. "Have a drink with someone?" It wasn't as if he was moving in with this guy.
As Alec approached apartment 204, he was internally debating with himself what he was going to do. He had changed him mind at least twenty times in the short five minute walk to Magnus' door. He stopped outside the door and chapped quietly before he could change his mind again.
The door opened abruptly. Two golden eyes stared back at him.
"Hello Alexander," Magnus said, his eyes twinkling. "Would you like to come in?"
Magnus stepped back, allowing Alec to see into his apartment. It was slightly smaller than the one he shared with his sister and friends, but much tidier looking.
Alec stood there for a long time. Magnus didn't ask him again, he just waited patiently. Eventually, Alec walked over the threshold saying hello as he went.
Magnus walked over to the refrigerator. "Wine?" he asked, holding up a bottle of white wine.
Alec nodded. He couldn't trust his voice. He could feel his heart beating loudly in his chest; he hoped he didn't look as nervous as he felt, although he was sure that he probably looked more nervous than he felt. If that were possible.
He took the glass from Magnus' hand, and followed him out onto the balcony. He froze at the threshold. What if someone seen him up here? What would they think? What if Chris seen? He would never hear the end of it. Magnus must have seen the look on his face, as he came back into the living area without a word and sat on the sofa. He gestured for Alec to join him.
"So," Magnus began. "Are you having a nice holiday?"
Alec relaxed a little. He could do this, it was a conversation. Just concentrate on forming words, nothing else. He nodded, and when Magnus looked at him more, he explained that he loved the island; Alec and Izzy had been coming here most years since they were kids.
"Izzy,' said Magnus. "That's your sister?"
"Yeah," Alec replied. "We are here with her boyfriend Chris, and our childhood friend Jace. Who are you here with?"
"Just myself," Magnus replied. He did not seem upset about this. "I come here a lot too. I grew up all over the place, and have a few favourite places I like to return to often."
Alec learned that Magnus's mother was from New York, and his father from the far east. He had an apartment in New York; that's where he called home. Alec felt himself relaxing, or perhaps the wine was helping his nerves, and as Magnus got up to pour them another glass, he felt himself following him to the kitchen.
As Magnus turned back around from the refrigerator, he came face to face with Alec. Before he could say anything, Alec was kissing him. Magnus fell back into the fridge, and could hear bottles falling inside.
Alec's head was spinning. He was kissing someone, kissing a guy, and it felt so good. He pulled Magnus' shirt towards him so that their chests were touching, just as Magnus opened his mouth a little and slipped his tongue into Alec's. Alec couldn't help himself; he groaned, and as he did, Magnus pulled his hips towards the older man.
Just at that moment, Alec's phone rang throughout the air.
"Shit," Alec gasped. They pulled back, and immediately Alec's face went red. He looked down at his feet, and mumbled something as he grabbed his phone from his pocket. He looked at the name calling and shook his head.
"Yes?" he said in an irritated voice. "I'm out. I won't be long. Just out ok? Yes. Ok Izzy… Enough, ok? Bye."
Magnus raised an eyebrow at him. "Everything ok?"
"Just my sister being incredibly annoying," Alec answered, clearly angry. "Sorry," he said sheepishly.
Magnus walked towards him. "No worries Alexander," he practically purred as he slid his hands around Alec's waist, but it was too late; Alec had lost his nerve.
"I, uh, I need to go," Alex stammered. "Sorry for leading you on there, I uh, I can't do this". He began to walk towards the front door.
"Alexander," Magnus called out. "Don't ever apologise for not wanting to kiss someone."
Alec stared at him. He felt his eyes being drawn to Magnus's lips. They were slightly swollen from the kissing.. pink, and inviting.. "I, uh, I," Alec began. "I, uh.."
Magnus walked over. "I don't expect anything,' he began. "If you ever want to stop, we stop, no questions asked. I won't ever assume anything, you can call all the shots. Just be honest to yourself."
Alec stood for what seemed like a long time.
"Goodnight Magnus," he said in a quiet voice, and he left the apartment.