Alec was running. He couldn't remember ever running so fast. How late was he? Would Magnus have given up on him by now?
Why had Jace wanted to train today of all days? And why did Alec have to be such a lousy liar that he couldn't come up with a way out of it?
Alec ran up Magnus's steps and hit the buzzer. The door opened, and Alec run up to Magnus's apartment.
He was sweating. He probably looked horrible too. The small attempts he had made to improve his appearance didn't seem to matter when he saw Magnus. Magnus looked fabulous, as always. His posture casual and unconcerned. Maybe Magnus had changed his mind and was going to send Alec home?
Magnus was holding his cat. He sat gracefully on the sofa like he didn't have a care in the world.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Alec panted. "Jace wanted to do some weapons training, and I didn't know how to get away—I mean, I couldn't tell him—"
"Oh, Jace, that's it," said Magnus. Alec blinked.
"What?" Alec said. Had Magnus been expecting Jace?
"I briefly forgot the blonde one's name," Magnus explained, with a dismissive flick of his fingers.
Alec couldn't understand what Magnus could mean. If Magnus had forgotten Jace, JACE, of all people then what hope did Alec have at being memorable to the warlock?
"Oh. I'm—I'm Alec." Magnus' hand paused halfway through his dismissive flick when Alec spoke.
Magnus was looking at Alec. He seemed to be taking in Alec's sad attempts to dress for a date. Alec was wearing cologne which he had never before worn. He had stolen it from Jace, but he wasn't about to tell Magnus that. Alec had picked out one of his two nice blue shirts and put on a pair of jeans that didn't have holes in them. It turned out he only owned one pair of jeans without holes. This, compared to Magnus in all his glory, seemed like very little indeed.
"Yes," Magnus said slowly. "Your name I remember." Alec was relieved, and a little stunned. Magnus had forgotten Jace, but remembered him? "Don't worry about it. Have a drink."
Magnus then pushed his own drink into Alec's hands. Alec hadn't been prepared for this. He had been so busy worrying about being late, worrying Magnus would call the whole thing off as a bad plan, worrying about so many things, everything except actually being on a date. He hadn't had time to worry about being on a date, a date with Magnus Bane of all people! He was suddenly so nervous he was shaking all over and spilled the red drink all over himself and Magnus's floor.
He was a Shadowhunter! He had good reflexes. What was wrong with him? Alec was so embarrassed, he didn't say a word. He wished the ground would come up and swallow him whole.
"Wow," said Magnus dryly. "You people are really overselling your elite Nephilim reflexes."
"Oh, by the Angel. I am so—I am so sorry." And he was. He couldn't remember, at his very moment, ever being more sorry about anything in his life. Although, he thought that might have been his nerves talking.
Magnus shook his head and gestured, leaving a trail of blue sparks in the air, and the puddle of crimson liquid and broken glass vanished.
"Don't be sorry," he said. "I'm a warlock. There's no mess I can't clean up. Why do you think I throw so many parties? Let me tell you, I wouldn't do it if I had to scrub toilets myself. Have you ever seen a vampire throw up? Nasty."
"I don't really, uh, know any vampires socially," Alec said. Alec didn't know what to say. He couldn't help picturing Vampires throwing up blood, and it horrified him. How was he supposed to come up with things to say to Magnus if he didn't know anything about Magnus' world. Maybe this had been a terrible idea. Maybe Magnus was just taking pity on him by going out with him at all.
"I'll get you a new shirt," Magnus said breaking the silence.
"You don't have to do that," Alec said weakly. "I'll just-" But the warlock had already left the living room into what was probably his bedroom.
Alec stood covered in red liquid in Magnus's living room. He didn't like just standing there, and the drink was starting to feel sticky against his skin. He took the shirt off and stood even more awkwardly-if that was possible-holding his stained shirt in Magnus's living room.
Magnus returned a moment later holding a shirt that looked suspiciously to Alec like it had sequins on it.
Magnus stopped dead staring at Alec. Alec couldn't figure out why. He almost spoke but realized he didn't know what to say. Why was Magnus staring at him like that?
Magnus offered Alec the shirt suddenly coming out of his daze.
"I'm—sorry about being a lousy date," Alec muttered. He was sure now that he was a lousy date. I mean really he showed up late, he spilled a drink and he didn't even know what to say.
"What are you talking about?" Magnus asked. "You're a fantastic date. You've only been here ten minutes, and I already got half of your clothes off."
This made Alec realize why Magnus had been staring at him, which made Alec suddenly more embarrassed. He wasn't used to being stared at for that reason. Jace was always the one people liked.
"Come on," said Magnus. "We're going to dinner." Magnus led the way out of his apartment and Alec followed. Alec didn't say anything. He was racking his brains trying to think of something to say but no words formed.
Being visible around mundanes was making Alec uncomfortable, which wasn't helping Alec's ability to speak either. Magnus had led him to a crowded subway. Crowds made Alec jumpy. And on top of that, he was wearing a shirt that had sequins on it! He wanted nothing more than he use a glamour rune and hide.
"Can't I use a glamour rune?" Alec asked Magnus, as they boarded the F train.
"No," Magnus said. "I'm not looking like I'm alone on a Friday night just because you don't want mundanes staring at you."
Sitting on the subway didn't improve Alec's mood. There were too many people around him who could see him. He had seraph blades on him, his stele and his Witchlight of course. He never left the institute without them. They were well hidden in his clothes but still he felt them there more than usual in the crowd.
Alec still had no idea what to say which wasn't making him feel better about being a good date.
There were purple and blue posters staring down at them, showing elderly couples looking sadly at one another. The posters bore the words 'With the passing years comes impotence'.
Alec couldn't help but look at the posters. Time meant something different to Magnus than it did to him. Magnus would never get weak and old. He could never age. Just one more thing Alec didn't know how to relate to. How was he supposed to have a conversation with Magnus? Anything he said would surely seem stupid and childish.
Two guys came onto the train at the next stop and cleared a space right in front of Magnus and Alec.
It wasn't until one of them began to swing himself dramatically around a pole that Alec really took notice of them. The other sat cross-legged and started beating time on a drum.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen and whatever else you got!" the dude with the drum called out. "We're gonna perform now for your entertainment. I hope you'll enjoy it. We call it . . . the Butt Song."
Alec suppressed a laugh. Anything called the Butt Song couldn't be good. Together they began to rap and Alec had been right. It was a ridiculous song.
Alec had never heard anything quite like that song before. And he could probably go his whole life never hearing it again just fine. Magnus seemed to have enjoyed it though so Alec was still doing his best not to laugh. He wasn't very good at this however and was worried his face was giving him away.
If he had been with Jace and Izzy, they would have been glamoured and laughing together in private at the song. Alec felt like an exposed nerve.
Alec did see Magnus put some money in the performer's pocket which just confirmed his suspicion that Magnus had enjoyed the music. If they didn't even like the same music, how was he supposed to find a conversation topic? All he could come up with was the weather which would have gone something like 'Nice day we're having huh?' 'Yes it is.' The end.
Why did he have to like someone he didn't know how to talk to?
They were off the train and waiting on the platform when Alec suddenly saw someone approaching Magnus. Alec reacted on reflex. The guy's body language had screamed ill intent, and Alec had moved instantly. All that Nephilim training. There was a howl and a scream and Alec had the attacker by the arm and flung him into the air. Alec's boot was at the attacker's throat when he landed.
Then Alec realized the attacker was just a kid. Just a mundane. A skinny freckled redhead mundane with braces.
"Dude!" The mundane said flapping his hands about. "I'm sorry! Seriously! I didn't know you were a ninja!"
Alec removed his boot from the mundanes throat, feeling stupid. How many people had seen him? Again he wished he was wearing a glamour rune.
"I'm not a ninja," Alec muttered. He wasn't even sure what a ninja was, but he was sure he wasn't one.
"You were amazing." Alec turned. It was a girl who spoke. "You have the reflexes of a striking snake. You should be a stuntman. Really, with your cheekbones, you should be an actor. A lot of people are looking for someone as pretty as you who'd do his own stunts."
Oh god! Alec thought. What was this? The mundane world made no sense. He looked at Magnus, every emotion plain on his face, he knew. Magnus put a hand on the small of Alec's back and leaned closer to him. Magnus seemed to communicate something to the girl with a look because she backed off.
"No offense," said the girl, digging in her bag. "Let me give you my card. I work in a talent agency. You could be a star."
"He's foreign," Magnus told the girl. "He doesn't have a social security number. You can't hire him."
The girl was looking at Alec in a strange way. Like Alec was a really great bow and arrow that she was sad to lose. Or her favorite Witchlight stone had been broken before she could use it.
"That's a shame," the girl said. "He could be huge. Those eyes!"
"I realize he's a knockout," Magnus said. "But I am afraid I have to whisk him away. He is wanted by Interpol."
"Interpol?" Alec said. Magnus just shrugged. What the hell was an Interpol? Wait what else had Magnus said.
"Knockout?" Alec said. Magnus thought he was a knockout! This floored Alec for a moment.
"You had to know I thought so. Why else would I agree to go on a date with you?"
Oh, lots of reasons Alec thought like pity! But this was a much better reason. Magus thought he was hot. Alec grinned.
"I thought maybe—you know you said you weren't unsympathetic—" Alec said. Alec's pathetic thinking about why Magnus was here just spilled from his mouth. Why couldn't he just keep his mouth shut?
"I don't do charity," said Magnus. "In any area of my life." Alec felt better. He was glad he had asked the question. Magnus wanted to be here at least at the start. Then Alec remembered that if he messed this up, he would only have himself to blame.
"I'll give the wallet back," piped up the mundane Alec had attacked. He wanted a glamour rune!
The mundane dropped Magnus' wallet when he tried to hand it back.
"That wallet bit me!"
"This just isn't your lucky night, is it?" Magnus said to the boy.
"Your wallet bites people?" Alec asked. Why would Magnus need a wallet that bit people? Did he often have his wallet stolen?
"This one bites people," said Magnus, pocketing it. "The John Varvatos wallet bursts into flames."
"Who?" said Alec. Magnus gave him a sad look, and Alec realized again this was something he didn't have in common with Magnus.
"Totally cool designer," said the girl. "You know, they give you designer stuff free when you're a movie star."
"I can always flog a Varvatos wallet," said the mundane mugger. "Not that I'd steal and sell anything belonging to anyone on this platform. Specially, not you guys."
He was giving Alec a weird look. The kind of look Alec only usually saw on Max's face when he looked at Jace.
"I didn't know gay dudes could fight like that. Like, no offense," the mundane said. "It was badass."
Alec blinked. The boy had said gay like it wasn't a curse. He had said it like a description. The mundane world it seemed was more forgiving to people like Alec than the Shadowhunter world.
"You have been taught two important lessons about tolerance and honesty," Magnus informed him severely. "And you still have all your fingers after trying to mug me on a first date, so this was the best outcome you could expect."
Alec was really truly uncomfortable now. He didn't like being in the spotlight. Magnus seemed to be good at it, though. Another thing they didn't have in common.
"Aw, man, I'm really sorry," said the mugger. "I wouldn't want to mess up anybody's first date with a ninja."
Alec wasn't sure what a ninja was, but he was going to find out. And would everyone please please stop staring at him. He didn't think he had ever had so many mundane eyes staring at him before in his life!
"WE ARE LEAVING NOW," said Magnus, in his best High Warlock voice.
Thank the Angel Alec thought.
"Have fun on your date, boys," said the girl. Alec jumped and fought the instinct to turn and hold the girl's arms behind her back. Alec felt her put her hand into his pocket. "Call me if you change your mind about wanting fame and fortune!"
"Sorry again!" said the mundane. Too many people! He felt again the desire for the earth to swallow him whole. He wanted to be almost anywhere else but surrounded by strangers who wished him well on his date.
They finally got the restaurant and Alec tried to relax. The subway was behind him. He needed to focus on not screwing up what was left of his date.
There was a large graffitied dinosaur obscuring the sign above the restaurant door. Alec squinted at it. Why wouldn't they have cleared it off? He followed Magnus inside.
Alec heard the door close behind him. Alec saw many tables with guests eating and talking but before he registered more than that silence fell over the whole room.
Alec saw some guests hide under their tables. Shadowhunters were obviously not common guests here but still Alec thought this was a little extreme. Alec was hardly going to start just killing people randomly during his date.
"Magnus Bane!" hissed a man who had just scurried over. "You brought a Shadowhunter here! Is this a raid? Magnus, I thought we were friends! You could, at least, have given me a heads-up!"
"We're here socially," said Magnus. He held his hands up, palms out. "I swear. Just to talk and eat."
The man who Alec noticed was a werewolf shook his head. "For you, Magnus. But if he makes any moves toward my other customers . . ." He gestured at Alec.
"I won't," Alec said. Unless they start killing people of course but then I'd have to call the Institute anyway, so why are you so freaked out? "I'm . . . off-duty," was all he could think to say.
"Shadowhunters are never off-duty," said the werewolf darkly but he led them to a table in the remotest part of the restaurant. They were right next to the swinging doors that led to the kitchen.
The waiter appeared at their table. Alec noticed he was a werewolf as well.
"Hello, my name is Erik and I will be your server this eve— Oh my God, you're a Shadowhunter!" Erik's voice had sounded bored until he had seen Alec. Alec had never thought about what Downworlders thought of Nephilim much before now. He hadn't realized they were all so scared of him.
Alec looked at Magnus, who had a pained expression on his face.
"We can leave," Magnus said. "This may have been a mistake."
Alec refused to think of this as a mistake. So it wasn't going perfect, but then again Alec was totally new to this. Maybe all dates were this bad? He was staying. He was staying with Magnus and finishing this date even if he sucked at being on a date.
"No, that's fine," Alec said. "This seems . . . fine."
"You're making me feel very threatened," said Erik the waiter. And again Alec thought why? I am just sitting here? Is everyone that afraid of us?
"He's not doing anything," Magnus snapped. Alec was happily surprised for a moment. Magnus had defended him to a fellow Downworlder. Magnus had defended him in public to a room of people who hated him on site.
"It's not about what he's doing, it's about how he's making me feel," sniffed Erik. He slammed down the menus on their table. "I get stress ulcers."
"The myth that ulcers are caused by stress was debunked years ago," said Magnus. "It's actually some kind of bacteria."
"Um, what are the specials?" Alec asked. He was determined just to be on a date and forget about the politics and prejudices in the room.
"I can't remember them while my emotions are under this kind of strain," said Erik. "A Shadowhunter killed my uncle."
"I've never killed anyone's uncle," said Alec. And he knew it was true. In fact, he hadn't killed that many demons either. He was usually defense while Izzy and Jace took offense.
"How would you know?" demanded Erik. "When you're about to kill someone, do you stop and ask them if they have nephews?"
"I kill demons," Alec said deciding not to add that he barely does that. "Demons don't have nephews."
"Maybe I should just order for both of us," Magnus said, clearing his throat loudly. "And we can share?"
"Sure," said Alec, throwing his menu down. That would make everything simpler.
"Do you want a drink?" the waiter asked Alec pointedly. "Or do you want to stab someone? If you absolutely have to, maybe you could stab the guy in the corner wearing the red shirt. He tips terribly."
Alec didn't know how to respond to that. He thought of explaining how he didn't stab people. And if this werewolf ever encountered a demon he would be happy to have a Shadowhunter along. He thought of saying some less polite things as well but didn't.
"Is this a trick question?" was all he said.
"Please go," said Magnus to Erik.
Alec was now sitting alone with Magnus and at a lost for what to say. What had he learned about Magnus so far? He took the subway and Alec didn't. He liked strange music, and Alec didn't. He understood Downworld and mundane society and Alec didn't. What could he say?
When the food did arrive, he saw Magnus had ordered kitfo raw. There were also luscious tibs, doro wat, a spicy red onion stew dish, mashed lentils and collards, and all of it laid out atop the thick spongy Ethiopian bread known as injera. There was also penne.
Alec then realized how hungry he was and since talking seemed to be beyond him eating was the next best thing.
"This is the best Ethiopian I've ever had," Alec said and he meant it. He would have to tell Jace about this place. Though they probably wouldn't want Jace here. If they thought Alec was scary, Jace walking in would have started a riot.
"Do you know a lot about food?" Alec asked and then realized that was the stupidest thing anyone had ever said. Magnus had been eating for hundreds of years before Alec was born. Magnus had probably eaten foods from faraway lands Alec didn't know enough to dream about. "I mean, obviously you do. Never mind. That was a dumb thing to say."
"No, it wasn't," Magnus said, frowning. And for a second Alec hoped they might actually talk about something, even if it was just food. Then Alec took a bite of the penne and suddenly his mouth was on fire. He was coughing and tears were streaming from his eyes.
"Alexander!" said Magnus.
"I'm fine!" Alec gasped. He didn't want to appear weak in from of Magnus who was the least weak person Alec knew.
Alec snatched for his napkin to dab at his eyes, but once he got the napkin close to his face, he realized it was bread. He dropped the bread feeling stupider and grabbed the napkin for real this time. He hid his scarlet face and streaming eyes from Magnus behind the napkin. He was so embarrassed again. Why Magnus hadn't ditched him yet was a mystery to Alec.
"You are obviously not fine!" Magnus said. Alec could see between the folds of the napkin Mangus try the penne.
Alec coughed into the napkin again when he heard Mangus speak. "This penne is much too Arrabiata, and you did it on purpose."
"Werewolf rights," Erik grumped. "Crush the vile oppressors."
"Nobody has ever won a revolution with pasta, Erik," said Magnus. "Now go get a fresh dish, or I'll tell Luigi on you."
"I—" Erik began defiantly, but trailed off. Alec still had his face in the napkin. "Of course. My apologies," Erik said and left.
"What a pill," Magnus remarked loudly.
"Yeah," said Alec, putting the napkin down and tearing off a new strip of bread. "What have the Shadowhunters ever done to him?"
Magnus lifted an eyebrow. "Well, he did mention a dead uncle."
"Oh," said Alec. "Right." He was looking at the tablecloth. He felt stupid.
"He's still a total pill, though," Magnus said.
Alec mumbled opened his mouth made a few noncommittal noises and closed it again. He stared at the table cloth. He couldn't tell how Magnus felt about this date. Was Magnus even having an okay time?
"Quick warning," Magnus said urgently, and Alec looked up. "The guy who just walked in is an ex. Well. Barely an ex. It was very casual. And we parted very amicably."
Alec looked around, and sure enough, a man was headed toward them.
"You are scum!" The man hissed, and then picked up Magnus's glass of wine and dashed it in his face.
"Get out while you can," the man said to Alec. "Never trust a warlock. They'll enchant the years from your life and the love from your heart!"
"Years?" Magnus spluttered. "It was barely twenty minutes!"
"Time means different things to those who are of faerie," said Magnus's ex. "You wasted the best twenty minutes of my life!"
Alec was out of his league, and he knew it. If this guy was this upset about twenty minutes! How long had this date been now? Maybe thirty-five minutes? Forty? Alec had no idea.
Magnus started dabbing at his face with a napkin while Alec wondered again why Magnus was here with him?
"All right," Magnus said. "It's possible I was mistaken about the amicable parting." He smiled. "Ah well. You know exes."
Alec studied the tablecloth. It really was a nice tablecloth. Good thread count.
"Not really," Alec said he couldn't help but tell the truth even if he knew it just made them more uneven. "You're my first ever date." Another thing he didn't have in common with Magnus. Alec thought he would have to start writing these down soon, or he'd lose track there were so many.
Magnus looked down, and Alec returned to gazing at the table cloth. The tablecloth, Alec couldn't help note, had a hole in it off to the left. It looked like it had been burned in because the hole was in the shape of a perfect circle. Alec wondered what story there was behind that. Had a warlock burned the whole there? Or a faerie? They had fire, right? A werewolf claw could have done that too he guessed. He could probably rule out a vampire making the hole unless the vampire had used his fangs. But why would a vampire bite a tablecloth?
Magnus phone rang, and it snapped Alec to attention. Magnus answered it.
"An emergency, Catarina?" Magnus asked. "That's terrible! What's happened?"
Alec's heart sunk. Isabelle had told him about this once. A trick for getting out of lousy dates. Have a friend call you away on an emergency so you could leave without hurting the other person's feeling. At least, this meant that Magnus didn't want to hurt his feelings? But it also meant Magnus didn't want to be here with Alec. Magnus was having a horrible time just as Alec had feared.
"That's so awful, Catarina. I mean, I'm really busy, but I suppose if there are lives at stake I can't say n—"
Alec could only hear Magnus's side of the conversation.
"Catarina, I don't think you fully understand the point of what you're meant to do here."
"The only alcohol that has passed my lips is the wine that was thrown in my face," said Magnus. "And I was totally blameless in that matter as well."
What was going on Alec thought? Why would his friend have asked if Magnus had been drinking? How would this get Magnus out of his agreement to go on a date with Alec?
"Richard," Magnus said almost as if answering a question.
"Fluid," said Magnus. "What kind of fluid?"
Alec started at Magnus. What kind of escape plan was this? Alec didn't need this detailed an excuse to know that Magnus just wanted to leave.
"I'll waste your time another time, darling," said Magnus and he hung up the phone. Magnus was staring at Alec like he was trying to decipher him. Alec already felt like an open book, but Magnus's look made him feel like an open book with lots of pictures and a how to manual.
"I'm so sorry about this," Magnus said. "It's an emergency."
"Um," Alec said. Yep. Alec Lightwood sucks at dating. It's official. "It's okay. I understand."
"There's an out-of-control werewolf in a bar near here."
"Oh," said Alec. That was a fairly real sounding excuse.
"I have to go and try to get her under control. Will you come and help me?"
"Oh, this is a real emergency?" Alec exclaimed. Magnus wasn't ditching him. A werewolf was no problem at all. He felt lighter. Maybe Magnus wasn't having a lousy time after all.
"I figured it was one of those things where you arranged to have a friend call you so that you could get out of a sucky date."
"Ha ha," said Magnus. "I didn't know people did that."
"Uh-huh," Alec said standing and putting his jacket on in one movement. "Let's go, Magnus." This he knew how to do. This was his job. Dating, he sucked at but fighting he could do.
Magnus was looking at him then, and Alec let himself believe that Magnus was happy Alec wanted to come.
Magnus threw money down on the table which made Alec feel awkward again. He had brought some money but in his haste to leave and worry about being late he probably didn't have enough, and now Magnus was paying without even asking if they should split the bill.
"Please," Magnus said. He seemed to understand the incomprehensible noises Alec was making at the sight of the money on the table. "You have no idea how much I overcharge Nephilim for my services. This is only fair. Let's go."
As they left, Alec heard their waiter yell "Werewolf rights!" Alec was definitely not going to tell Jace about this place, even if the food was fantastic.
They reached The Beauty Bar quickly. It was just around the corner from the restaurant.
There were people spilling out of the door in a slightly more urgent way than you would usually find. The crowd, in fact, had the air of those desperate to escape. They were in the right place.
A girl clutched Magnus's sleeve and spoke to him.
"Don't go in," she whispered. "There's a monster in there."
"I don't believe you," was all Magnus said. He left her there and walked in, Alec right behind him.
There were a few people still inside the Beauty Bar when they went in, but it was very dark. Alec thought of maybe applying a night vision rune but wasn't sure if pulling out his stele here was a good idea. He could see well enough.
He usually did this with Jace and Isabelle. He didn't dare call them because he would have to explain why Magnus was here. He had never done this without Jace and Izzy.
"You all right?" Magnus asked.
"I always do this with Isabelle and Jace," said Alec. "And they're not here. And I can't call them."
"Why not?" Magnus asked. Alec felt his face go red but didn't explain himself.
"You'll do great without them," Magnus after a moment's pause. "I can help you." Alec wasn't sure about that. How did a warlock and Shadowhunter work together on something like this? Their skill sets were so different. But Magnus seemed to know what he was doing, so Alec nodded and moved forward.
Alec wouldn't let Magnus go first even though Magnus kept trying. Alec kept his protective stance in front of Magnus despite all the warlock's attempts to get ahead of him.
Alec noted that the people who were still in the bar were huddled flat against the walls. He noted this only so as to avoid the mundanes while fighting.
Alec heard the low rattling growl of the wolf and started creeping toward the sound. Alec was hunting now all his senses sharp. Where was the wolf?
Alec was aware of a figure coming at him from the side and almost shifted his focus before he saw Magnus stop the girl out of the corner of his eye.
"Don't let him hurt her!" the girl scream as Magnus said something too quietly for Alec to hear over the girl's scream.
Alec had to stop listening to Magnus and the girl. He was focused on the wolf. Alec did notice Magnus heal the girl though. He saw the blue light in his peripheral vision.
Alec lunged at the wolf. He made sure to avoid her claws and fangs while still being enough of a threat to keep her focus on him. Alec was in constant motion rolling, ducking, jumping coming back again and again.
"Alexander," Magnus called, and Alec automatically looked over to him. Big mistake. Alec turned his focus back to the werewolf again and had to back up right away. The wolf had taken a vicious swipe at him. He tucked and rolled landing right where he meant to in front of Magnus.
"You have to stay back," he told Magnus, breathlessly.
The werewolf sprang at Alec but before he could react Magnus threw a ball of blue fire at the wolf and she fell back.
"You have to remember I'm a warlock," Magnus said.
"I know," Alec said, looking around for the wolf again. "I just want—" Alec was so bad with words. Why couldn't he just say I want to protect you? It's what Alec did. It was how he knew to show he cared. He protected Izzy and Jace. If Magnus was who he was fighting with he would protect Magnus as well.
Alec heard a deep angry growl and turned to look where it came from. The wolf had recovered from Magnus's magic and was not happy. "I think," Alec said, "I think you made her mad."
"Those are some excellent observational skills you have there, Alexander."
Alec ignored the obvious jibe and tried to push Magnus back again. Magnus grabbed Alec's shirt and pulled him back instead.
Magnus pulled Alec all the way back into the bar which was thankfully empty now. Alec didn't need to distract the wolf from the mundanes anymore. He could focus on ending this. Alec lunged at the wolf again. He had to calm her down and contain her somehow. He knew he had rope in his weapons belt that might work. He hadn't used his seraph blades of course but it sure would have make things easier if he was fighting a demon. Killing was easier than containing.
Alec must have been thinking for too long because his lunge didn't exactly go as he had planned. The wolf's swipe caught him full in the chest and for a moment he was winded and flying through the air toward the mirrored wall.
Alec did know how to solve the situation though. He turned his body so his feet hit the wall and kicked off hard. He caught the chandelier and dropped down right back in the fight.
"Alec!" Magnus called. Alec didn't look up this time. He just listened, his gaze never leaving the wolf. Sudden blue flames appeared around him.
"Alexander. Let's do this together," Alec heard Magnus call to him.
Blue lines appeared all around Alec and he noticed they seemed to be making the wolf nervous. They weren't flames this time but something else Alec couldn't identify.
This is what Magnus meant by working together Alec realize. And he liked this plan. Magnus was well back and away from danger but still helping. Alec liked this plan a lot.
He wove almost effortlessly through Magnus's magic; trusting Magnus's magic when it was there to protect him from the wolf. Alec could tell Magnus was moving the light around him in such a way as to help him distract and contain the wolf.
Everywhere the wolf went Alec was there and there. The wolf was starting to get confused. She whined. The blinding light everywhere was distracting her. Alec saw his opportunity and went for it.
He had his knee pressed into the wolf's flank. Alec drew out the rope and started to tie the rope around the wolf's neck as he pinned her to the down with all the weight of his body. She was fighting him but with no real power now. Magnus's magic light vanished. Alec noticed Magnus was doing something else now. He was speaking quickly under his breath.
"Come on, Marcy," Magnus said clearly. "Come on!"
That must be the werewolf's name Alec thought. The girl must have told Magnus while Alec had been fighting.
The werewolf started to change back into a woman under him. And in a moment Alec was pinning a naked woman to the ground instead of a wolf. He jumped back immediately. That was not his area. He had been more comfortable with the wolf.
Magnus gave the girl his coat and knelt to wrap her in it. Alec watched him and wondered, why did so many shadowhunters hate Downworlders? They were really just people.
"Thank you so much," said Marcy, looking up at Magnus.
"Did I . . . please, did I hurt anybody?"
"No," said Alec, confidently. "No, you didn't hurt anyone at all." This wasn't technically true, but she hadn't done any real damage, and she looked so scared of what she'd done Alec didn't have the heart to tell her anything else.
"There was someone with me . . ." Marcy began.
"She was scratched," Magnus said. "She's fine. I healed her."
"But I hurt her," Marcy said. The poor girl looked totally horrified. Alec couldn't help it. He reached out and touched Marcy's back rubbing it gently as he would have done for Izzy or Max if they were upset.
"She's fine," Alec said. "You didn't—I know you didn't want to hurt her, that you didn't want to hurt anyone. You can't help being what you are. You're going to figure it all out."
If he couldn't help being gay she certainly couldn't help being a werewolf.
"She forgives you," Magnus said but Marcy hadn't taken her eyes off Alec.
"Oh my God, you're a Shadowhunter," she whispered with real fear in her voice.
"What are you going to do to me?" Marcy shut her eyes. "No. I'm sorry. You stopped me. If you hadn't been here—whatever you do to me, I deserve it."
"I'm not going to do anything to you," said Alec. Everyone he met today seemed to see Shadowhunters as something to fear. Alec thought he could at least show her some Shadowhunters weren't killers.
"I meant what I said. I'm not going to tell anyone. I promise." Alec felt sympathy for this poor girl. She meant what she said before. She thought she deserved to be punished for accidentally losing control. Alec had lost control in the subway on a mundane mugger, and no one had been sent to kill him. She just had to learn to control it was all. She just needed help. And that's why Shadowhunters existed right?
Marcy sat up, gathering the coat around her. She looked better, Alec thought. The self-disgust seemed to be gone from her expression.
"Thank you," she said calmly. "Thank you both."
"Marcy?" said her friend's voice from the door.
Marcy looked up. "Adrienne!"
The two woman flung themselves on each other and Alec looked away. That was so not any of his business. He had been right; a moment later they were kissing.
People were returning to the bar again.
"You're pretty snappily dressed for a dogcatcher," a man to said Magnus. He was, of course, right. Magnus still managed to look gorgeous even after their fight with the wolf.
Magnus inclined his head. "Thank you very much."
More people came in, now wanting drinks and talking about the stray dog. Alec wanted to roll his eyes. Mundanes were so clueless.
"That was nice, what you said to her," said Magnus. They were a bit lost in the crowd now and had some form of privacy.
"Uh . . . it was nothing," said Alec. He shifted his feet not sure why he was so embarrassed this time.
"I mean, that's what we're here for, aren't we?" Alec said. "Shadowhunters, I mean. We have to help anyone who needs help. We have to protect people."
"I don't think we're going to get a drink in here; there's much too long a line," said Magnus slowly. "Let's have a nightcap back at my place." Alec nodded. Privacy was welcome at this point.
Alec was relieved to find Magnus didn't want to take the subway back. They walked. It was a long walk but the weather was nice.
"I'm really glad your friend called you to help that girl," Alec said finally having something to say. "I'm really glad you asked me along. I was—I was surprised you did, after how things were going before."
"I was worried you were having a terrible time," Magnus said.
"No," said Alec, going red again. "No, that's not it at all. Did I seem— I'm sorry." Had he given that impression? He hadn't had a miserable time at all. He had had an interesting time, it was true, but he had spent so much time worrying that Magnus was having a horrible time he hadn't really thought about himself at all.
"Don't be sorry," Magnus told him softly.
"It was my fault," Alec said and words started pouring out of him. All the silences of this date where he hadn't been able to say a word now had whole sentences. "I got everything wrong even before I showed up, and you knew how to order at the restaurant and I had to stop myself laughing at that song on the subway. I have no idea what I'm doing and you're, um, glamorous."
"What?" Magnus said.
Alec just looked at Magnus. He didn't know what his little confession would do. Make things worse or make no sense. He was so bad at this dating thing.
"I thought that terrible song was hilarious," Magnus said and he laughed. Relief overcame Alec and he was laughing too.
When they reached Magnus's home, Magnus laid a hand on the front door and it swung open.
"I lost my keys maybe fifteen years ago," Magnus explained.
Alec just stared. Magnus had lost his keys when Alec was two years old. Alec tried not to think about this.
Alec's thoughts jumped immediately to the fact that the date was coming to a close, and they were alone.
Magnus glanced at Alec then and Alec's breathing picked up. He noticed he was biting his lip again. Magnus stopped. They were just outside Magnus's door.
Alec only hesitated for a moment. He remembered how good it had felt last time. How every nerve in his body had been light up and he had suddenly understood why people liked kissing in the first place. He wanted that feeling again. He wanted Magnus. Alec's hand reached out and caught Magnus's arms by the elbow.
"Magnus," Alec said in a low voice. Magnus's breath caught in his throat and that was enough for Alec. Alec leaned in and kissed Magnus for the second time. Magnus had his eyes closed and Alec closed his eyes as well. He felt Magnus pull his body closer the same way he had before, by the loops on his jeans.
Alec pressed Magnus up against the banister and Magnus's hands were in his shirt. Okay, well, Magnus hands were in Magnus's shirt but Alec was the one wearing it.
It was a while before Alec remembered they were standing right by Magnus door. Alec started to move towards it without breaking the now very heated kiss. Magnus blew the door open with magic and they went in, still locked together.
Magnus must have closed the door behind them but Alec wasn't really aware of much besides Magnus pressed up against him. Alec broke away then to kiss a line down Magnus's neck. He felt Magnus's shiver as his lips moved over the sensitive skin and thrilled at it. Maybe he was good at this.
Magnus pulled Alec down to the sofa and Alec collapsed on top of him. Magnus lips were now at Alec's neck and Alec felt like he was melting. Then were was a sudden pain but it wasn't a bad pain. More like the kiss of a gentle stele. Alec leaned into the contact and realized Magnus was biting his neck. Alec was surprised to find he liked it. Magnus's hands were exploring every part of Alec's chest, shoulders and back. It was intoxicating.
Alec wanted more. He started on the buttons of Magnus's waistcoat. His hands exposing Magnus's torso. He felt the abnormal smoothness of Magnus's stomach. He had no belly button. Alec was shocked for a moment. His hands were shaking slightly but that wasn't about to stop him.
Alec felt Magnus's hand leave his body and gently caress his cheek. Alec turned his face to the curve of Magnus's hand and kissed it.
"Alexander," Magnus murmured. "Maybe we should wait a second."
Alec felt Magnus push him back just slightly and instantly jumped back. He had been so lost in sensations. Had he messed it up?
"Did I do something wrong?" Alec asked.
"No," Magnus said. "Far from it."
"Are you sending me home?" Alec didn't want to leave. He wanted to be touching Magnus again. He was still too intoxicated to think straight. There was an electric charge that seemed to be pulling him back to Magnus. Magnus's next words brought him back to to earth, at least a little.
"I have no interest in telling you what to do, Alexander. I don't want to persuade you to do anything or convince you not to do anything. I'm just saying that you might want to stop and think for a moment. And then you can decide—whatever you want to decide."
Alec ran his hands through his hair which was very messy. Alec paced while his heart rate slowed down. He tried to clear his head.
Alec knew he should probably go home before people wondered where he was. But the pull to stay was like a physical force. He paced more and more fighting with himself.
"I should probably go home," Alec said.
"Probably," Magnus said.
"I don't want to," Alec said.
"I don't want you to," said Magnus. "But if you don't . . ."
Alec nodded. If I don't, people will think you kidnapped me. He was still seventeen, which was technically a child by Shadowhunter laws. He couldn't really come and go as he pleased yet.
"Good-bye, then," Alec said. He couldn't do anything to resist leaning down for one more quick kiss.
Alec found himself wrapped around Magnus on the floor. He was clinging to the warlock and his breathing was coming in strange gasps. Alec was kissing Magnus with all he had. He tasted blood which didn't bother him until Magnus spoke.
"Oh, God," Magnus said and Alec was back up on his feet holding on to the door frame for support. Had he hurt Magnus?
Alec looked at Magnus and saw nothing there to make him think he had hurt Magnus. Magnus looked different though. Less guarded somehow.
"Can I see you again?" Alec said quickly. The look on Magnus's face had made Alec ask but he still wasn't sure what the answer would be.
"Yes," said Magnus, still lying on the floor. "I'd like that."
"Um," said Alec, "so—next Friday night?"
"Well . . ." Magnus started. Alec stood frozen worried Magnus was going to take the whole thing back and say he never wanted to see Alec again.
"Friday night would be fine," Magnus said. Alec smiled. He felt like his whole face was lite up, but that might just be the flush on his cheeks and his rabid pulse.
Alec backed out of the apartment backward so he could look at Magnus while he went. He would hold that image in his mind for a week. One week he thought would go by fast. And if he was still this excited by then… well, he would just have to wait and see what happened.
Alec was too lost in his thoughts to notice the stairs. He stepped backward onto them and fell down them none too gracefully. He was grateful Magnus had already closed the door. He didn't want Magnus to see that.
Alec noticed as he walked home that he was whistling. His hair was a mess, every nerve in his body was alight. He couldn't wait till Friday!
This is Alec's point of view for their first date. Magnus' point of view for this is in the Bane Chronicles.
Beta read by Sabiduria
