A/N- I am so, so sorry I've taken so long to update! BUT- on a positive note, this is the longest chapter I've written so far. Thank you so much to everyone who has read this, I hope you've been enjoying my story.
Disclaimer: Cassandra Clare owns the characters.
Will turned to glare at Jace as the car door softly clicked shut behind the golden haired boy. "We're gonna be late you know."
"Fashionably so dear William, fashionably so", Jace replied with a smirk. "Why does it matter anyway?" At this he paused to take in the tight navy blue button up shirt and ripped skinny jeans that Will had put on. "Why have you put so much effort in...?" A knowing grin lit up his face as he continued to interrogate the blue eyed boy.
"Okay, who is it?"
Why is he so perceptive, Will thought to himself. "I have no idea what you're talking about 'dear Jonathan'", his tone of voice mocking his friend's earlier words.
"You know what I'm talking about. Those particular jeans only come out when you're trying to get someone. So I'll ask again. Who. Is. It?" With these last few words, Jace slid as close to him as his seat belt would allow.
I wonder if I can hit him before he moves, Will thought.
"If I tell you, will you sit back properly so we can leave?" With these words, Jace settled himself back into his seat, body language clearly indicating that he expected an answer. Will inwardly groaned to himself as he rested his head on the steering wheel, careful not to ruin his perfectly styled hair. "Okay", he said sitting up again and getting the car in gear, "it's the new guy, Magnus. I don't know what it is, whether it's his eyes, or his personality, or whatever, but there's something about him that keeps drawing me to him."
Will could see Jace thinking out of the corner of his eye and silently hoped he would drop the whole subject. He had no such luck.
"Magnus? Whose Mag..OH." With this his eyes went wide and he sent an amused glance towards Will. "You mean the guy with the glitter you can literally see from three corridors down? That guy?"
"Don't be a jerk Jace, but yes, he wears glitter. I think it adds to his charm", he added with a small smile.
"Not being a jerk. I haven't spoken to the guy to get his name." Settling into his seat once again, there was a slight period of silence before a smirk graced his features. "So, do you need a wingman?"
Resisting the temptation to smack his face into the steering wheel, Will desperately began to think of a way to change the conversation. "No, thank you"; came his irritated reply. Before Jace could continue the conversation any further he added a hasty, "You couldn't convince Alec to come then?"
Jace sent him a look which made it clear that he knew what Will was up to but he did, thankfully, let it go. "No, he said he wanted to finish this book he started yesterday." With this, a calculating look came to his face, and Will knew exactly what conversation they were about to have. "Look, do you think we could do something to get him to know some people? Just invite two or three round for a movie night, and see if he'll talk to them or something?"
Will let out a small sigh as he turned into a side road. They've had this conversation many times over the last three years or so, and each attempt had ended in exactly the same way; with a very annoyed Alec telling them to mind their own business and stay out of his life.
"You know what'll happen Jace", he replied sadly. "He will sit there all evening because he doesn't want to be rude, but he'll hate it and then he'll yell at us and shut himself away even more. Perhaps we should just let him do things at his own pace."
At this, Jace slumped a little, face falling as flashes of guilt and sadness showed in his golden eyes before he turned to look out of the window. "I know. I just don't like him being alone so often. He has so much to offer, I don't understand. It's like he's stopping himself from being happy".
It hit Will, in that moment, that he could not remember the last time he had seen Alec genuinely happy. Sure, he had laughed and smiled, told jokes when it was just the three of them, but the traces of sadness never really left his eyes. Will didn't know when it started or why, but that wouldn't stop Will from trying to get rid of it.
"Why don't the three of us go to that archery club he likes?" Turning to Jace he added, "Unless, of course, you don't want to be completely embarrassed again".
"What are you talking about Will; he beat you just as badly!"
"Yes, but I didn't come last."
"It was one point. You beat me by one point. And that was just luck; you're no better than I am."
"The scores say otherwise."
Jace had just opened his mouth to reply when Will brought the car to a stop outside a house with flashing lights and music blasting through the walls. "Well, they went all out on this one, didn't they? Whose is it this time?"
"Some guy from the rugby team", Will retorted, locking his car and making his way to the front door. Ringing the door bell, it took five attempts before someone heard it over the music, the door being thrown open to reveal the chaos.
"Jace! Will!" exclaimed a high pitched voice before a strong body engulfed them both into a hug. Once they had stepped into the house and shut the door, Will finally had a chance to look at who had greeted them.
Appraising the mid length wine red dress, dangerously high heels and well styled jet black hair, he only needed to glance at her eyes to recognise a girl he hadn't seen in years.
"Kaelie, I didn't know you were back in town." A quick glance towards an equally shocked Jace suggested he didn't either.
"I just moved back this weekend". With a roll of her eyes she added; "you know how last minute my mum can be."
"That I do", Will replied chuckling, remembering the time she decided to go on holiday three hours before the train actually left.
"But enough about me, you're looking rather handsome tonight", glancing quickly at Jace she winked as the two shared a knowing smile. "Who's the lucky person?"
Why am I friends with these people, Will thought. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You have the jeans on".
I'm buying a new wardrobe. "And what jeans would these be?"
"The, you-know-you-want-me jeans", she replied.
"Which apparently do 'great things for your ass'", Jace added, quoting Will's words the first time he wore them.
"Have I ever told you two how much I hate you", Will groaned, watching as his two friends laughed at his expense, sharing a high-five. "But seriously, I wonder if he's here yet".
At this, Kaelie sobered up immediately. "Ohhhh, a he? Maybe if you described him I could tell you", she replied, looking innocently at Will.
The three of them had moved towards the drinks table by this point, grabbing a couple of sealed beers and a plate of food as they searched for somewhere to sit. Once they had found a spare sofa in the corner of the living room (at least Will assumed it to be a living room), he turned to glare at her as he started on his food.
"Don't look at me like that; I know exactly what you're up to. But if you must know, he's tall, hot, probably in glitter and brightly coloured clothes and wears make up." He paused, looking at the grin that had plastered itself on Kaelie's face. "Is that thorough enough for you?"
"Yep", she drawled. "Can't say I've seen him though".
"See, looks like you didn't have to worry about being late after all", the blonde interjected as he opened his second beer.
"Shut up Jace".
The three continued to chat, catching up on what had happened in the two years since Kaelie moved away. Every now and then, people would come up to them to say hi, but Will constantly kept one eye on the door.
An hour passed and the friends had already finished their third beer when Will finally caught sight of him. His breath caught in his throat. Damn, he's beautiful, he thought as he choked on the beer he was drinking. If Will thought his trousers were tight, they were no match for the leather trousers that Magnus was sporting. Matched with a dark purple button up shirt and platform knee high boots, his makeup was far more extravagant than this morning. His hair was spiked and coated in purple and silver glitter, his eye shadow continued the purple and silver theme, and Will lost track of how many necklaces the other boy was wearing. He was just about to get up to greet him, when Magnus suddenly met his eyes, smiling in greeting as he made his way over to them, stopping to grab himself a couple of drinks.
"Okay, wow he is HOT", Kaelie remarked, turning to look at Will with her eyebrows raised.
"Told you", Will commented, just before Magnus finally joined them.
Stopping a couple of steps away from the group, Will watched as Magnus ran his eyes over him, an approving smirk shaping his mouth before their eyes met.
Clearing his throat a little Will stood up, addressing Magnus. "Wanted to make an entrance did you?"
The other boy chuckled a little, "You can't rush this, Will", he exclaimed while gesturing animatedly to himself. "And who are your friends?" he added, while looking at the other two remaining on the sofa.
"Oh. This is Jace", Will replied as Jace and Magnus shook hands, "my cousin, though we've been best friends all our lives. And this", indicating towards the dark-haired girl, "is Kaelie, we've been friends since we started high school but she only just moved back into the area".
"It's nice to meet you both", Magnus replied. Will watched as Magnus finished his drink, blushing a little as Magnus added, "I forgot to mention, you look hot in those trousers".
"Thanks", he replied. "You look great yourself"; though this was easily drowned out by the roars of laughter coming from the two friends on the sofa. Why am I friends with them, Will thought, glaring at them while Magnus looked around confused, finally deciding to address his question to Will.
"What have I missed?"
"Absolutely nothing. Care to dance?" Will grabbed his arm, practically pulling him onto the dance floor before Magnus had a chance to reply, shooting his friends one last glare as they continued to laugh on the sofa.
"Sorry about them, sometimes they don't know how to behave themselves".
Magnus chuckled at this, and Will had to admit that the sound made him feel things he hadn't felt since he dated Jessamine. Don't go there Will, he thought, now is not the time.
"Are you sure there's not something you don't want them to tell me, Will", he replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Nope, not at all", Will retorted perhaps a little too hastily since Magnus still looked amused. "You just look like a guy who comes to a party to do more than sit around", he added with a flirtatious wink that caused Magnus to let out a proper laugh for the first time since they met.
Even his laugh is gorgeous, Will thought.
"And what do you mean by that? I hope you plan to behave yourself Will or I'll have to send you back to your friends".
Will grinned in response. "I'll be on my best behaviour".
"You best be", Magnus chuckled as he started to dance, swaying his hips from side to side, smirking a little as he saw the blue eyed boy fixing his gaze on them. "See something you like?"
Deciding to toy with him a little, Will replied; "Yeah, your trousers. It's my friend's birthday soon and I was thinking he might like a pair".
"Is that so", Magnus breathed, leaning closer as if he was about to kiss Will, "then I guess you won't mind if I go and grab a couple more drinks, see a few other people?" With this he turned around, taking a step away as if he really meant to leave.
Shit, Will thought, this guy is good. "When you haven't even given me a dance yet? I think not." With this he gently, but firmly, grabbed Magnus' arm, pulling him a little to get him to turn back around. Deciding to ignore the smirk that Magnus was wearing he wrapped his arms around Magnus' neck as he felt Magnus' go around his waist, drawing them both into the dancing that was going on around them.
Will lost track of how long they were dancing for. Song merged into song as they continued to drink, dance and laugh, flirting a little and getting to know something about each other. Will found out that Magnus had just moved from London, was single (thankfully), and was also bisexual. Will found himself picturing the small smile Magnus sported when he replied that he too was bisexual, chuckling to himself as he recalls Magnus' indignant shock at the fact that he had lived in the small town all his life.
"But, it's so quiet!"
"Maybe for you city boy, but this is all I have ever known. I wouldn't change it for the world".
A small cough jerked Will back into the present, and he found himself gazing into the other's yellowish-green eyes, which were definitely, closer than they had been a few minutes ago.
"You didn't hear a word I said did you?" The amusement in Magnus' voice suggested he wasn't offended, the laughter causing his eyes to light up beautifully.
Now or never, Will.
"I had my mind on other things".
A raised eyebrow. "Oh yeah, What?"
Blue eyes meeting green, Will took an almost imperceptible step forwards until the two were stood toe to toe, the proximity forcing Will to gaze up slightly to meet Magnus' eyes.
"You".
With this he finally leant forwards, his lips meeting Magnus' soft ones, his hands entwining in Magnus' surprisingly soft hair. He pressed himself closer, allowing himself to revel at the sensations, the fact that Magnus had wrapped his arms around him, the smell of sandalwood that clung to him, the feel of Magnus kissing him back and the taste of cherry lip gloss mixed with cider. He was just about to deepen the kiss when Magnus suddenly pulled away, remaining close but taking a noticeable step back, guilt clear in his gorgeous eyes. Guilt which cut Will to the core, the boy suddenly wishing that he was anywhere but right there.
Why, Will thought to himself miserably, does no one want to be with me. He had just turned to leave when Magnus' urgent voice cut him off.
"Shit, I'm sorry Will I shouldn't have let that happen. Will you look at me? Please?" Reluctantly the blue eyed boy turned around, refusing to meet the green eyes, which just moments ago had been one of the most gorgeous things Will had ever laid eyes on.
"As cheesy as this is going to sound, it's not you it's me." Will watched sadly, as the other visibly struggled to find the words, silently wishing he would hurry up so he could go home and try to pretend it never happened.
Magnus suddenly met his eyes, taking an urgent step towards him as he took hold of Will's hands, eyes begging for Will to listen to him.
"You are gorgeous, you know that? It's why I've been flirting with you all night, black hair and blue eyes has always been my favourite combination. But I made a promise Will, that I would be different, and if I kissed you like this nothing would have changed. I would be the same guy who goes to all the parties and ends up making out with someone. I don't want this to be like that, I want to be different." At this he paused, searching Will's eyes for any sign of understanding. Will doesn't know what Magnus saw there, but the glittery boy carries on anyway.
"I don't know you Will, but I do know I find you attractive. Could we start as friends? Take this slower and see, once we actually get to know each other a little better, whether we do genuinely like each other, or whether it's the alcohol guiding us?"
He sounds so hopeful at this point, his eyes still searching for understanding, that Will believes he is telling the truth. But part of him still has doubts, still believes that Magnus just doesn't want to be with him, that he is just trying to find a polite way to turn him down. He cannot stop the doubt that gnaws at him, the creeping feeling that he is just not enough which has seeped into his heart and nested there.
Pushing down the doubt and insecurity, Will plasters a fake smile onto his face, letting out a small "okay" as he turns to leave. Had he been facing Magnus, the dejected boy would have noticed the flash of hurt and worry that crossed the cat-like eyes as Will started to depart.
"Going so soon?"
Will turned back around at the playful sound of the question, his signature smirk settling onto his features once more.
"It would be rude to deprive my friends of my presence any longer".
Magnus let out a small chuckle at this. "Then I suppose I'll see you around?"
Will just gives him one last playful wink as he turns back around again, calling over his shoulder: "Of course, you can't get rid of me that easily".
As he walks away he scans the crowd for a glimpse of Jace or Kaelie. Unable to find them, he glances at his phone and sees that it is already 1:00am. Heart no longer in the party and unable to bury the humiliation and disappointment he feels, he gets his phone out and dials a number, trying to get his way back home.
As he pushes his way through the crowd and to the front door, he passes Magnus who is chatting to a girl with unruly red hair. Reaching the door and stepping outside, he feels his phone vibrate in his pocket. Retrieving it from his pocket he smiles a little at what is written.
I meant what I said.
Gazing at the stars while he waits for his lift; Will can't help but believe that there may be hope after all.
A/N- I hope you liked it, please let me know what you thought.
