No matter what time he went to bed, years of training had Alec's internal clock wake him promptly at 6:30am. He yawned and for a few moments the events of the prior night were forgotten. As he stretched out of bed, he noticed Magnus's shirt and it all came flooding back to him. He had actually gone out on a date with Magnus Bane and had not made a total fool of himself. At least he hoped he hadn't. He remembered rolling around on the couch in Magnus's arms and felt his whole body burning. He enjoyed the feeling for awhile deciding if he should enjoy it further or take a cold shower. The shower won out.
Grabbing his phone on the way to the bathroom, he checked for messages. "Yea like Magnus gets up this early," he sighed. He considered texting but restrained himself. He needed to gain control of this. No texting or calling, he will wait for Magnus to make the next move. Alec refused to let his anxiety ruin things so he quickly showered, got dressed and slipped his phone into his pocket just in case. "Please text, please call," he whispered to the phone.
Alec skipped down the stairs and tried to slip into the kitchen unnoticed. Izzy was busy at the stove cooking something that smelled like burning rubber. She turned to look at him. "Ok ...oatmeal or eggs? Or both?" she asked as she swung a ladle around flicking what looked suspiciously like brown glue.
Usually Alec would have run from her cooking but his mind was hopelessly distracted by thoughts of Magnus. "Eggs sound good, thanks." He slid on a stool at the counter where Jace and Clary were both sitting and seemed to be purposely ignoring each other. Maybe they were arguing again. Alec needed to talk to Jace about Valentine and his issues with Clary but Jace being Jace would probably just shut down and want to train more. It had always been his way of dealing with difficult things. Exercise until he dropped and then exercise some more. Clary glanced at Alec as he sat down.
"Good morning Alec."
"Hey," Alec looked at her and blushed as he remembered his weird behavior last night. It didn't seem like she had mentioned it to anyone. Izzy was now dealing with a minor grease fire and Jace barely grunted an acknowledgement that he had come in. Alec gave Clary a shy smile which she returned. He was happy she seemed to be making an effort to be friends.
The kitchen started to fill with smoke but no one moved. Even Clary was now used to smoke when Izzy was cooking. While everyone was distracted, he slipped his phone out and looked at the screen. No messages. He turned the vibrate on and put it back. "Please text, please call," he thought.
"Oatmeal !" Izzy cheerfully announced as she put a steaming bowl in front of Clary.
"Thanks Izzy, it uh looks good". Izzy beamed and turned back to the stove. Alec and Jace watched Clary grimace as she tried to pull the spoon out of the bowl of goop.
"Where are we patrolling tonight?" Jace suddenly asked Alec. Since Hodge left and his parents were still in Alicante, Alec being the oldest was technically in charge.
"A warehouse in the meat packing district. It was reported as a single sighting so we should be in and out quick," Alec answered distractedly. He was continuing his silent 'please text, please call' mantra willing the phone in his pocket to do something.
"Thank God!" Izzy squealed. "I have plans later since we finally have some time to ourselves for some actual fun. I have been sooooo bored!" Jace glared at her. "Well I mean when we weren't almost dying and getting the cup and all that stuff. Other than that it has been completely boring around here," Izzy said as she tried to scrape a fried egg off the pan. "Jace what did you decide? Eggs or oatmeal?"
"You're kidding right?" Jace winced at Izzy's murderous look. "Thanks Iz but I think I will just take some coffee. Gotta stay light and fit." He patted his stomach as he went to the pot and poured a thick, brown syrup into a mug. "Ugh..ewww...I mean yummmmm. Iz you know I just loooooove your coffee." He waited until she turned her back before pouring it in the nearest plant. He smirked at Clary and she giggled, then they both seemed to remember they were ignoring each other. Jace sat back down and she went back to trying her hardest to stir her oatmeal.
Alec suddenly felt something vibrate on his leg and nearly fell off his stool. He yanked out his phone, hiding it under the counter. It was a text from Magnus.
"Hello there handsome"
Alec flushed and quickly looked around the kitchen. Only Clary seemed to notice what he was doing. The phone vibrated again and he glanced back down.
"What are you up to today?"
Alec felt his stomach flip. He looked up again. Clary had determinately shifted her focus back on her bowl. She had tasted the contents and looked like she wished she hadn't but she still gave Izzy a thumbs up when asked how it tasted. Alec hoped the concoction hadn't permanently glued her mouth shut.
"Hi. Not much. Just the usual training and patrols," Alec quickly typed.
"Ah. The glamorous life of the Nephilim. What is a day without the smell of sweat and Ichor...otherwise known as the Shadowhunter cologne :) "
Alec stifled a laugh. Jace looked over at him for a moment.
"Gesundheit," he said before going back to sulking and spinning a fork around his fingers.
Alec mumbled a thanks.
"Yes that is us in a nutshell. What are you doing today? I never thought Warlocks woke up this early." Alec sent the text and then worried he might have insulted Magnus.
"I mean that you work a lot at night. Late nights I mean so I figured you kinda slept late. That's all" Alec typed fast.
"Relax. I knew what you meant Alexander. And yes I am rarely up at this ungodly hour. I usually need at least 8 hours of beauty rest. I just had to do something early today. And on that thought, darling can you take a call now?"
Alec gulped and looked up. Clary was studying him again curiously. He jumped up. "Ah... I will, I will be right back...back in a sex... I mean sec...back in a sec, " he stammered as he dashed out into the hall.
"Alec wait! Your breakfast is almost ready" Izzy cried after him.
"That is probably why he ran," Jace laughed. Izzy flicked some egg yolk at his head. "Hey not my hair!"
Alec ran down the hall looking for someplace private. He dashed into the music room and closed the door.
"OK sure. Should I call you or you call me?" He typed with shaking fingers. Why was he so nervous?
The phone buzzed and Alec almost dropped it. "Hi," he said breathlessly.
Magnus laughed. "So where are you hiding out?"
"Excuse me?" Alec thought Magnus's voice had gotten even sexier since last night. It made his heart flutter.
"Well you ran to hide some place so you could take a call from the notorious letch that is trying to corrupt you...no?"
"No...I mean yes...I was at breakfast with...well..it wasn't private...couldn't really concentrate," Alec stuttered trying to put together a coherent thought while Magnus waited patiently. "Yea I had to go somewhere. I am in the music room because people rarely come in here. I just didn't want to have to explain..."
"I understand Alexander. I was just teasing. I know this thing needs to be private for now which is not a problem for me."
"Oh ok," Alec sighed. "Thanks. And thanks for last night too. I had a really great time. I hope you did too."
"Well I am calling you less than 24 hours after you left my presence so you can I assume I did," Magnus practically purred.
"I'm glad" Alec felt like an electrical current had just run down his spine.
"Anyway, back to why I called you, I am up early because I am going to visit the girl from last night."
"Marcy? Is she ok?" Alec asked.
Magnus seemed touched Alec had not only remembered the girl's name but also seemed genuinely concerned about her. "Yes, she is just fine. I whipped her up a little something that will help her avoid another situation like last night."
"Wow that's good." Alec had no clue what Magnus was talking about but it sounded like he had it under control. Lycan containment potions were not something the Clave was aware of since they only lasted 20 minutes and very few Warlocks in the world knew how to concoct them.
"Anyway, I wanted to talk to you because that delivery will take me rather close to the Institute."
Alec's stomach dropped. Was Magnus asking him out again? Today? Or maybe he just needed something from the institute. Alec was officially in charge so it might just be business related. Alec felt his heart rate rise as his mind whirled through the possibilities.
"Alexander?" Magnus said.
Alec did not reply.
"Alexander?" Magnus repeated.
"Yes?" Alec gulped.
"Breathe...Yes... I am asking you out today." He chuckled.
Alec took a deep breath. "Yes ok. I thought maybe... well...I mean...ok...that is good. Yes."
"Is that a yes you are free? Or are you just acknowledging I asked you out?"
Alec could feel his blush all the way down his neck. He did a quick mental check of his schedule.
"It's a yes. I mean a yes you asked and a yes I can go. I mean not for long but I can get away around one for lunch or something. I mean if that's ok. If not I understand."
"One o'clock will be fabulous Alexander. There is a little coffee shop not too far away from you called Le Cafe Noir. Do you know it? I can meet you there."
Alec knew the place but had never gone inside. It was totally Mundane and what Izzy would call super trendy. "Ok. I can be there. One o'clock."
"Alec! Alec!" He could hear Izzy screeching down the hall in his direction. "Your eggs are ready! Aleeeeeeec!"
"Ah. I kinda have to go now," Alec lowered his voice and watched the door.
"Duty calls. Perfectly fine, sexy. It was nice to hear your voice."
"Yours too." Alec sighed. "really nice."
"OK my little Shadowhunter go hit something or kick something or hang from something or whatever it is that you do that gives you those delicious abs," Magus whispered seductively as Alec melted.
"I will, I will make sure to hit something just for you. See you soon!"
"One o'clock at Le Cafe Noir. I can't wait." Magnus hung up before he could reply. Alec stared down at the phone. Magnus Bane has asked him out again. Magnus had a good time last night. Magnus called him handsome and sexy and said he had delicious abs! And most importantly Magnus said he could not wait to see him. Alec felt like he was floating on a cloud.
"Allllllleeeeeeeccccccccccccc, where are you!" Izzy screamed.
"Coming," Alec shouted crashing back to earth as he put his phone away and bolted down the hall. He sat down as Izzy slammed a plate of runny brown eggs and black bacon in front of him. He cheerfully picked up a fork and dove in. Jace, Clary and even Izzy gaped at him as he gulped down the food, barely chewing, until his plate was clean. He jumped up, kissed Izzy on the cheek, grinned at Clary and ruffled Jace's hair.
"Come on guys. Last one to the training room is a rotten egg," Alec said as he dashed out of the room whistling. The three stunned kitchen occupants just stared after him.
Jace finally got up smirking at Izzy's apron covered with yellow yokes. "Rotten egg ...he said it not me."
"What's gotten into him?" Izzy said while smacking Jace in the head with her spatula. Jace defended himself with his fork.
"Don't know," Clary said covering up a knowing smile. She got up and left the kitchen just as Izzy started chasing Jace around the kitchen with her frying pan.