Chapter VI
FALLEN FROM THE GRACE
Magnus was sitting in front of his vanity table in his bedroom, looking into his reflection in the mirror. His golden cat-eyes were staring back at the smirk playing on his lips. Magnus bit down on his lower lip as the memory of Alexander played in his mind.
"Pretty boy, get your team ready!" Magnus called out to the blue-eyed beauty. As expected, the one who reacted to that was the blonde egocentric parabatai of his. However, Bane quickly put him back into his place and looked at Alec, with a knowing look. "I meant you, Alexander."
The view that graced him next second was beyond marvelous. Alexander's pale cheeks were painted crimson, turning him into the eighth world's miracle. Lilith, if only he wasn't a shadowhunter, Magnus would consider having something more with him. There was no possibility that a shadowhunter would be interested in a downworlder, even if the downworlder was the wealthiest and the most powerful Alpha in the New York.
Yet, Alexander Lightwood was giving him mixed signals. He kept glancing at him, all the time last night, during the summoning or when he talked with Isabelle again. But, when caught on it, he tried to look all innocent and turned his eyes to his blonde friend and the redhead. Maybe Alec Lightwood had hots for little miss Fray, while she made cow eyes at his best buddy? But, on the other hand, Magnus felt some spark from him at the party.
Make no mistake, Magnus lived dangerously, but he stopped hitting on not interested people. However, Miss Lightwood confirmed what he had felt the moment his eyes laid on Alec at the party.
"Is your darling brother more of a flower or a cologne man?"
"Definitely the second one," she whispered back, sending a soft smile in the direction of the young man.
Magnus couldn't smile wider when Alec looked at him and Isabelle as they chuckled.
Later, it only had gotten better, for a while at least.
When they were summoning the memory demon, Magnus and Alec had held hands. The moment, Alec placed his hand into Magnus's ringed one, the magic happened. A wave of hotness ran through his body, sending shivers down his spine. Warmth spread through his heart when he locked his cat eyes with the blue eyes of Alec.
'What are you doing to me, Alexander Lightwood?' he kept asking himself after the failed summoning.
In fact, Magnus didn't expect it to go well. How could he? These four shadowhunters had no experience in summoning a demon, especially a greater demon that Valak is. Truth to be told, Magnus expected that Clary will make some mistake, seeing as she was an untrained shadowhunter, yet, it was Alec who failed. But Magnus couldn't blame him.
The boy seemed to be very closeted and full of secrets, even in front of his closest family. No wonder, he tried to break off, when the face of his parabatai popped in, as the payment for Valak.
Magnus later observed Alec very accurately as the young man was speaking to Jace. His whole posture was stiff. Hell, Magnus could even smell the change in his scent. It wasn't the faint sweetness mixed with his cologne. The warlock could smell fear in him, matching the fear in his blue eyes. As he was looking at the young man, Magnus felt the strange need to get close to them and stand between Alec and Jace to protect Lightwood. It was crazy! Magnus, as the Alpha, should never have such feelings towards a beta. Yet, here he was, yearning to console and protect the beta in his living room.
"Your little love quarrel gives me a headache." He spoke to them, stopping their exchange of words. As expected, Alec Lightwood started to deny the love part, forcing Magnus to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing
Magnus then caught Alec admiring his books in the library. He looked so peaceful, yet the vibe showing off of him was telling he was doing something almost illegal.
"Do you like books?" Magnus asked him, offering a stir-dry martini. The young man took the drink with a small nod. "You read a lot?"
"I don't have much time for that now." Dear father in hell, his voice was so melodic, so deep, giving Magnus shivers in all right places. "But I used to love it when I was younger."
"You were a cute kid." It slipped the warlock's lips. Ok. It wasn't the best thing to say in front of a hot, young man you wanted to ask out. However, despite the little word fiasco, Alec Lightwood laughed genuinely, causing Magnus to laugh as well. "It suits you."
"What?"
"Smile. You look beautiful." He said honestly to the shadowhunter, watching his reaction. It seemed that no one before him complemented the man, or he blushed at everything. Magnus loved both scenarios. "You should smile more, be more like that. Free, like now."
"You don't know the first thing about me, Magnus." There it was. The sudden change in the demeanor. The inner Magnus just waved goodbye to the cute Alexander and welcomed the tough beta-but-poses-for-an-alpha Alec Lightwood. "You don't know the shit about my life."
"I know you're hiding." At that Alec's eyes widened in a shock and fear. He turned on his heel quickly and walked towards the door. Magnus jumped in front of him and stopped him with his arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to attack you like that. I sincerely apologize." Alec just gave him a curt nod. "You said I don't know a thing about you and I'd like to change it. You're something else, Alec Lightwood and I'd like to get to know you better."
"Why?"
"Like I said, you're something else." Alec was piercing Magnus with his blue eyes and it looked so sexy if you asked Bane. He didn't know if Alec knew how to do so, but apparently, he had it in himself. "Go out with me. Just this once. We can get to know each other."
Alec was silent for a moment, clearly debating the proposition.
"Don't answer now. You have my phone number. If you decide, give me a call." Alec was truly a man of a few words. He graced Magnus with another curt nod and looked into his cat eyes.
Magnus felt it, and Alec had to, too. The strange, powerful pulling towards one another. Bane couldn't even properly describe it. He never felt like this before. It was like some sort of special magic, keeping them in a bubble, while they gazed into each other's eyes. Without a much thought, Magnus moved his hand from the doorframe and lowered it to Alec's level, so their pinky fingers were touching. Again, the electricity between them burst, pleasingly burning the warlock from the inside.
Magnus had no idea how long they were looking into each other's eyes. For him, it for sure felt like an eternity and he didn't want to end it. However, the fate always was against him. Their little bubble was broken by the irritating voice of the blonde oaf.
"Alec, we have to go back to the Institute."
Just like that, the magic between them disappeared and everything went back to normal. Before Alec left the room with his parabatai, Magnus grabbed his hand into his own.
"Just give me a call. Let me show you, how good is to be free."
Magnus was truly shocked when he received a call from Alec Lightwood this morning saying simply.
"Ok. Let's go out."
Bane invited him first to his own place, so they could walk together to the destination of their first date. How bizarre it sounded! Magnus hadn't been on a first date for years. And if he guessed good, Alec didn't have one before as well. He needed to surprise the boy somehow, to make a lasting impression, though he was doing it just fine so far. So far, yes, however, now Magnus was having an inner battle with his mind, about where to take Alec Lightwood for the first date.
Some extra romantic place? Some fancy dinner? Sounds good, but the boy may feel overwhelmed by that. Besides, it's not like they were dating. This 'going out' is to get to know each other. On the other hand, Magnus would like to show Alexander some good time. It was hard to decide.
Magnus huffed loudly and reached for his phone. It was a time for some help. He quickly picked the number of his best friend.
"Do you have some urgent problems? Like are you on the verge of death?" He was greeted by the ever-enthusiastic voice of Ragnor Fell. "Or maybe you are hunted by the angry pack of the werewolves? Or maybe there's a horde of demons on your tail right now?"
"No."
"Then why on God are you calling me during a class?!" He replied angrily. Magnus could easily project him scrunting his brows at Magnus. Typical Ragnor. His ears must have gotten greener by now from the rage. "I told you multiple times to call me by evenings unless you need really my help. Like, save your pesky ass help, Magnus."
"But I do need your help!" Magnus tried to reason with him.
"Are you in troubles? I can portal in a minute. Are you in your loft? What is going on?"
"Where should I take a guy for a first date?" For a moment there was silence on the other side. Magnus would have thought Ragnor hung up on him if it wasn't for a quiet laugh in the background; possibly one of Ragnor's students. "Ragnor?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Where shall I take a young man in his twenties for a first date. And bear in mind, that I may or may not be his first date ever." Again a long pause on the line. Magnus looked down at his perfectly painted in black nails with small gold dots. He needs a new color, preferably matching his date outfit if he'll figure out where to take Alec. "Hello? Ragnor? My little green cabbage? Come on, Ragnor. Help me out."
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
He hung up on me?! Magnus thought to himself. How dare he?!
A moment later, Magnus received a rather angry message from his best friend.
'Call me once there's a life or death situation. Or I'll curse your arse!'- Emerald Prince.
So much for best friends, when they can't help you in need. Magnus picked the number of his second best friend, however, Catarina was out of reach. Probably on a shift in the hospital. Magnus debated himself if he shall call Tessa, but as far as he remembered, the female warlock was still in the Spiral Labyrinth. Which friends has he left? He could call Raphael, but he'd never hear the end of it. He was sure that Raphael would comment that he asked out a shadowhunter for at least the half of the century. No, he didn't want that.
He needed a drink if he was to figure it out.
Magnus stood up and walked towards his bar and poured himself a glass of scotch. The amber colored drink pleasingly warmed his throat, when an idea formed in his mind. In vino veritas. He needs to take Alec out for a drink. Something casual yet good for a first date to taste the waters, especially with a closeted shadowhunter.
Perfect!
Alec was twenty minutes late for their date. For a brief moment, Magnus thought that the young man had stood him up. Though it would be the first time for the warlock. Maybe something happened? He kept wondering, as he was sipping his second martini. He was all ready for the date. He decided to wear a black sequined jacket and cobalt dress-shirt with sequined collar and simple black jeans. A light, silver highlights in his shortened black hair matched his silver eyeshadow and nails. Lilith, he looked like million dollars and Alec wasn't even here to witness it.
A doorbell broke his dull thinking. Magnus put back the empty glass and went to open the door. And the dear father in hell, what a great view was waiting for him outside.
Alec Lightwood was standing with arms crossed behind his back. He was avoiding looking ahead of him, instead focused his gaze on his black combat shoes. Magnus raked his eyes over the young man. Alec Lightwood looked like a man from the magazine. He wore black jeans, not too tight but tight enough to show off his firm thighs. A half transparent black shirt had two top buttons opened, showing off the tasty looking deflect rune. Magnus wondered how would it feel like to lick it…
Wait. What?!
Magnus just wanted to get to know the boy, not to drag him into his bed. Or maybe he did want that? After all, Alec Lightwood was a very beautiful young man, fitting his type in hundred percent. Black hair and blue eyes. If only he wasn't a shadowhunter…
"I'm sorry, I'm late, Magnus. There was a demon attack in Bronx and Jace foolishly took Clary with us, so I had not just one idiot to watch over but two." He mumbled, scratching the back of his neck nervously. He looked adorable. "And of course, once we killed the demon, another showed up and we had to take care of it too. I ended up being all covered in the demon ichor so I went quickly back to the Institute to take a shower and change. Plus my phone died so I couldn't call to tell that I'll be late."
"You're so adorable when you're all flustered." Alec was shocked by his words, he opened his eyes widely and looked at the warlock. "No need to apologize, darling. It seems that you had a hard day and I know a trick to help you loosen up a bit. Come on."
Magnus grabbed his hand in his own and quickly dragged him through a portal he conjured a second ago. They stepped out of the portal in the nearby alley. Magnus knew the place like his own club, so he was sure no one would see him portaling in here. Alec heaved behind him and asked for a second.
"You ok, Pretty boy?" Alec nodded to the question. "Not used to portals?"
"The one in the Institute is only used for official travels, mostly by my parents or visitors from Idris," Alec replied and stood up, looking around. "Where are we?"
"Still in New York, Alexander. Even still on Brooklyn, if you'd like to know specifics." Magnus shocked the man again. He walked ahead of him, thinking best to not grab his hand. Alec didn't seem to be a touchy guy, at least not on the first date. Maybe later.
Again, Magnus surprised himself in thinking of the possible future encounters with Alec Lightwood. What is happening to him?
"Hunter's Moon?" Magnus heard Alec's confused voice behind his back, as the warlock reached for the doorknob. "Is this some kind of a place for werewolves?"
"It's a bar, owned by a friend of mine, who indeed is a werewolf." Magnus answered and turned to look at Alec's face. "But you don't have to be afraid, Alec. No one will judge you here, plus Maia makes mean drinks. Come on, we'll have some drink and have some fun. You need it after your awful day. I promise that if you won't like it, I'll open a portal and we'll ditch this place. Trust me in this."
Magnus would give everything to know what was happening now in Alec's head, as the man was piercing the warlock with his blue eyes. For Magnus, it seemed forever, before Alec graced him with an answer.
"Ok. I trust you."
Hunter's Moon was a bit crowded tonight, but Magnus didn't mind. The more people were here, the less was a chance that anyone would pay them attention. Magnus spotted a few familiar faces and he nodded in their directions. Bane led Alec towards the bar and waited patiently for his cue. With the corner of his eye, he saw how Alec was looking around. Magnus wondered how a shadowhunter would find this place.
Hunter's Moon was a typical bar. Most of the decor was kept in wood, to make it bearable for most of the races, who stumbles in here. Upon a polished bar were hanging small, white lights, casting its' glowing on the customers. In the corner of the bar stood an old jukebox, that reminded Magnus of better times. In the other room of the bar stood a large pool table, now occupied by two female Seelies and a male vampire.
"So, what's your poison?" Magnus asked, offering Alec a charming smile.
"My poison?" Alec moved his head to the side in confusion.
"Alcohol. What would you like to drink?" The lips of the shadowhunter formed into a perfect "o" and his cheeks become rosy in a second.
"I don't know, a beer, I guess." Magnus agreed to that, even though he wasn't much of a beer drinker. But if Alec Lightwood liked beer, he shall give the man the best one they had here.
"Clarie!" Magnus spotted the red-haired werewolf bartender. "It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too, Mr. Bane." Magnus gave the girl a pointed look. He was Mr. Bane just in business, not after hours. "What can I get for you tonight?"
"Dry martini for me and the best beer you have for my friend." the bartender quickly moved to prepare their drinks and before he knew, she placed them in front of him. Magnus left her twenty dollars on the counter and took the drinks. He offered the beer to Alec and waited for his reaction, while he slowly was sipping his martini. The shadowhunter's face was unreadable for the warlock. "Do you like it?"
"Am…"
"You hate it. I'm sorry, I'm not much of a beer drinker so I trusted the word of Clarie."
"I'm not much of a drinker altogether so...but it's fine…" Ok. Magnus decided to trust Alec's words and led him towards one of the tables in the corner of the room, far away from others. They sat in front of each other, close enough to touch each other's with their knees underneath the table.
"Tell me something about yourself, Alexander." Magnus inquired first, gazing into Alec's beautiful eyes. They were truly marvelous.
"Well, am...I'm twenty-three, but you could easily count that seeing as you met me before." Magnus smiled genuinely at those words. "You met two of my siblings already, Jace and Izzy. I have one more little brother, Max, he's nine. I'm an archer."
"And you used to love books and plush dogs." Magnus winked at Alec, and the man laughed at his response. "Tell me what kind of music you like, maybe a favorite movie?"
"Don't have time for such things."
"Then what do you do in your free time? When there's no horde of demons to kill."
"I train." Well, Magnus couldn't argue with it.
Alec's pass time paid off really well. The warlock was able to make out a line of the man's muscles when Alec decided to take off his leather jacket. Suddenly his lips were drier than the martini he was drinking. Alec must look like Adonis underneath it all.
"And you?" Alec asked, finishing his beer. A fast drinker. "Tell me something about yourself. How old are you?"
"A little over eight hundred. Give or take a few."
"A few years or decades?" Alec joked, making Magnus laugh as well.
"You're funny. Age is just a number, darling. I still feel young and beautiful."
"You definitely are." It was spoken by Alec so quietly, that for a moment Magnus thought he imagined it. However, Alec's cheeks burned and he bit down on his lower lip. He cleared his throat awkwardly and began speaking again. "Am...So...I'm not good at this...whatever it is."
"It can be whatever we want it to be. For now, we're getting to know each other." Alec agreed with this with a simple nod. "So tell me about this demon attack you stumbled upon today."
Alec began to speak lively about how they were alarmed about the attack. He described it very detailed and was so passionate about the way he and his siblings were fighting. His face was finally showing some emotion, going from a smile to even anger only to turn into a pure laugh when Clary was covered in ichor after Alec shut the demon with an arrow. It was fascinating to observe him like that. He showed so many sides of him in one simple talk. Magnus couldn't stop smiling. Alec looked really beautiful and again while watching him Magnus's heart was swelling with joy.
Before they knew, their talking went for two hours. Magnus ordered another set of drinks, this time a fruity colorful drink for Alec so he could actually enjoy.
"Tell me something about being High Warlock of Brooklyn. It must be amazing to have all this magic."
"It certainly has its perks." Magnus offered him a Cheshire cat's smile. "I don't know, it's good to be the High Warlock, I get to be respected among the downworlders."
Alec hummed to that.
"Why did you pick Jace as your parabatai?" Alec rose his eyebrow at that question. "I've met a few pairs of parabatai through my lifetime and the magic between the two has always fascinated me."
"He chose me. I still don't know why."
"But I do. You're very passionate about what you're doing." Magnus explained with a soft smile. "And you're the protector. It beams off of you. I know you are a beta, so it's in your nature to follow orders of an alpha, but...you're something else. I don't know what, but I think I like it."
"Do you always speak so enigmatic?"
"I tend to. My friends always say that I'm a mystery."
"Oh." Alec's tone was surprised.
"You didn't believe I have friends? I let you know, mister, that I have a bunch of friends." Magnus clicked his tongue and Alec laughed loudly. It was such a beautiful sound and so contagious. Magnus couldn't stop himself from laughing too.
They spend in the Hunter's Moon an hour more, before they were rudely interrupted by the call from Isabelle. Alec excused himself and talked quickly with his sister. When he came back to the table his facial expression showed that the date has to be cut short.
"I must go. Jace and Clary went out and have some troubles with the local vampire clan."
"Do you need my help?" Alec shook his head to this proposition. "Ok. I guess I'll see you around?"
"Yes!" Alec answered eagerly, smiling nervously. "I mean...yes."
"Alright. Give me a call, when you're free. We can have some dinner? Perhaps at my place or some restaurant around the world?" Alec just nodded to that and scratched his neck. He opened and closed his mouth for a few times as if he tried to say something but no words escaped it. Magnus stood up grabbed his hand in his own and gave it a little squeeze.
They walked out of the bar and stopped for a moment in front of the entrance. Magnus wondered if Alec would kill him if he tried to kiss him. But if the warlock read the signs well, when the shadowhunter was glancing at his lips, Alec expected him to do something. Maybe Lightwood was too shy to intend something on his own, but he must have wanted this as well. Magnus wasn't stupid, he saw how Alec was ogling him the whole evening and how he kept watching his lips as the warlock was talking and drinking. And so he decided to test his theory.
He took a step closer to Alec, keeping his eyes on the lips of the man. He gave him a plenty time to say no or push him back. However, Alec still stood in his place, waiting for Magnus. Bane put a single strand of hair behind Alec's left ear. Slowly, he moved his fingers on the man's jawline, brushing it gently. He leaned down cautiously, checking to see if Alec won't back out from this. He didn't.
Magnus never expected this to be so amazing when their lips touched for the first time. Alec's lips were soft, just as he imagined them to be. His hot breath was caressing the warlock's lips. The kiss was slow, gentle as if Magnus was leaving the decision to Alec if he wanted something more. At first, Alec was unresponding, as if he didn't know what to do. However, a moment later his lips started to move on their own accord, matching the movements of Magnus. He parted Alec's lips with such an ease and slipped his tongue inside. When their tongues touched, Magnus felt himself being all mushy inside. His hands found their way to Alec's hips, where they stroked the bare fragments of the pale skin. Alec, on the other hand, placed his hands upon Magnus's biceps and squeezed them lightly. The kiss turned out to be even better then. It sent shivers down Magnus's spine, making his knees weak.
When Magnus pulled away from Alec, after what seemed like forever, they both were in a similar state. Both flushed and panting like crazy.
"Wow…" it slipped out of Alec's mouth.
"Indeed, wow," Magnus licked his lips seductively. "Though my kissing skills are usually described better as wow, but you're so cute that I'll take this wow."
"I really have to go." This time, Alec's tone turned to slightly sad. Magnus couldn't blame him. He didn't want this night to end as well. Yet, the real world didn't give a fuck about their good time. "I had a great time tonight. Thank you, Magnus."
"No, thank you, Alexander. " Magnus replied softly, licking his lips. "I had a wonderful time as well and I truly hope we'll see each other again."
"Yeah."
On his way back home, Magnus recalled the whole date in his mind. It turned out better than he imagined, very surprising and interesting on so many levels. Alec Lightwood was extraordinary and most definitely desirable. He easily slipped into Magnus's mind and refused to leave. There was something in him that was drawing Bane like a moth to a flame. And frankly, despite the whole shadowhunter thing, Magnus liked it.
"What are you doing to me, Alec Lightwood?" Magnus asked himself, looking into the mirror in his home, as he replayed the fantastic kiss in his mind. It was electrifying. When Magnus closed his eyes and touched his lips he could still feel the taste of Alexander. The sweet, a bit spicy taste of him. Wonderful taste if you'd ask Bane.
The boy was definitely something else. And he confirmed it on every step of his way, like in that very moment at evening, before Magnus went to bed. He received a simple text from Alexander.
'Will you go out with me again?'- Alec Lightwood.
A/N: Did you like it?
Did you like their first date?
It was hard for me to write it so casually, you know? I'm used to writing extra romantic dates, so it was quite difficult to do it in such way.
The next one on Wednesday ;)
Review if you feel like to,
Intoxic and Daime
