Taki's hadn't changed at all since the last time Alec had been there. Jace liked going there sometimes. The place was full to burst with Downworlders. Alec recognised a few of the Werewolves from a job he and Jace had been on, and he remembered the faerie waitress, Kaelie, from all the times Jace had flirted with her. Magnus recognised some people too; a Warlock with pink skin, a faerie with leaf green hair, and a rather large group of Vampires. Luckily, there weren't any Shadowhunters there.

Kaelie, who was serving them, could barely fit them in, but eventually she found them a little two-table at the back. Alec had smiled uneasily, and Magnus had gone as far as to clap her shoulder as he asked why she hadn't been at his party last night. It took a while, but Kaelie finally left, promising to come back soon with Alec's black coffee and Magnus' latte. He said that he found the Downworlder menu coarse and unrefined. Alec couldn't help feeling relieved that Magnus wouldn't order some grotesque meal from the Downworlder menu. Alec wouldn't have been able to concentrate.

"So," Magnus said, "How long do I get to enjoy your company, Alexander?" Magnus asked, smiling charmingly, "What time are you expected back at the Institute?" Magnus was looking straight at Alec, right into his blue, blue eyes. Alec thought about how uncommon it was to talk to someone who was so focused on him, not on their mobile phone, or Jace or Izzy. It was nice, but it still brought a blush to his cheeks.

Alec felt a bit childish; as if he had a curfew. "I'm not sure," Alec admitted, "Usually, I'm just there…" This was the first time in a long time that Alec had been out without Jace and Izzy, and it was the longest time he could remember being away from the Institute. He was always there. Alec almost envied Magnus for the freedom that must come from living alone in an Apartment. Magnus didn't have any expectations; he wouldn't spend all his life living in one place, working one job.

Magnus nodded, "Good," He said shortly, "That means I can monopolise you. All day."

Alec's eyes widened, "All day?"

Magnus' grin widened into a smirk, "All day." He said again.

Alec's eyes were zoomed in on Magnus' lips, and he didn't know how to look away. His brain was telling him to just look away. He must look so stupid. Just staring at the guy like that. Alec swallowed.

Alec sent up a silent thank you to the Angel, because Kaelie returned at just the right moment to make Alec and Magnus look at her. Alec was blushing all the way to his ears, and he refused to look back at Magnus until his skin stopped boiling. Magnus couldn't bear to look away, because blushing Alec was even cuter than normal Alec. And normal Alec was pretty damn cute, anyway.

"Here you go, guys," Kaelie said, although she only had the young Shadowhunter's attention. "One black coffee for the Shadowhunter," She said as she placed the coffee down in front of Alec. Alec nodded at the beverage gratefully. "And one latte for the High Warlock." Magnus shook his head at the formalities, and he looked at Kaelie just long enough to say thank you, before he looked back at Alec.

He looked back just in time to see Alec take his first sip. And how dramatic that first sip was. Alec brought the orange mug up to his lips, and his eyes closed as if he were going in for a kiss. And then the coffee touched his lips tongue, and he jumped. He seemed so startled by the temperature that he actually dropped the mug.

There was no time to stop what was unfolding before Magnus' eyes.

The mug hit the table, and by some miracle, it didn't crack or break. But that wasn't the end, because it fell and as it fell, it poured it's entire contents into Alec's lap. Alec's blue eyes went wide and round as he jumped up. Magnus could hear the Shadowhunter cursing and swearing and he held Magnus' wet t-shirt away from his skin. He picked it up to check his injury, and Magnus could barely stop himself from drooling as Alec revealed to him the hard, chiseled skin and muscle of his torso. Magnus grinned. Shadowhunters had the best bodies.

Then his grin dropped. Alec's stomach was bright red from a burn that looked, to Magnus, pretty serious. Alec sighed loudly, grimacing. Magnus reached across the table and pressed cool fingers against Alec's burning stomach. They both winced, and Magnus heard Alec's sharp intake of breath.

"I'll put a iratze on," Alec said, "I'll be fine." He still looked really pained though, and Magnus grimaced. They had attracted some attention, but Alec hadn't noticed that yet, and Magnus didn't think Alec would be particularly happy to find out. Alec took his stele from the back pocket of his jeans. Still holding up the t-shirt, Alec draw the iratze with careful precision. Alec was a perfectionist when it came to runes.

Alec let the t-shirt drop back when he was done with the Mark, wincing when the material fell against his still-scorched skin. "It'll just take a minute." Alec mumbled, standing there awkwardly. "I'm sorry about your top," Alec said, grimacing, "I'll wash it at the Institute and give it back to you." Alec promised.

Magnus considered telling Alec that it was fine, and that he could easily remove the stain from the dark coffee with magic, but he thought it'd be pretty cute to have Alec getting all domestic over his t-shirt. So he just nodded and smiled, "Are you okay?" Magnus asked.

Alec smiled back at the Warlock, "I'll be fine," He repeated his earlier statement. "I just need to wait a couple of minutes."

"Well, you can't go on a date with me in a wet, stained top." Magnus said pointedly, ignoring how Alec's face went red, "We'll hit the shops. I'll buy you something new." Alec felt a little uncomfortable at that. "No arguments. You're wounded, so I get to treat you." Alec laughed at that, and Magnus was glad to have relieved the tension.

Alec was half expecting Magnus to portal them to some boutique in Paris, but the were still in New York, and they were walking to the nearest high street. Magnus had informed Alec that he got final say, because he was going to be the one paying. Alec had nodded, not wanting to offend Magnus, but he still found the Warlock's fashion taste questionable.

Topman was the first shop that loomed ahead of them. Magnus went round the entire shop, picking up shirts and waistcoats and blazers and vests, and even a pair of jeans and a winter coat. Alec admitted that it was getting cold lately, but he would not let Magnus buy him a new wardrobe. Unfortunately, Magnus was having so much fun, Alec couldn't bear to tell him no.

In the changing rooms, Alec had to force Magnus not to play seventies music every time he came out of the changing room. Magnus was turning this fiasco into a montage.

And Alec was not at all happy about that.

Alec was wearing black jeans and a plaid, red and green shirt, and Magnus had to stop himself from laughing. Alec was pouting, adorably, too. "I told you." Alec said, "Plaid and me do not go together." He sighed, "Izzy has tried this before."

Magnus chuckled, "Okay, fine. You were right this time. But I love the jeans. Lift up the shirt." Alec did, even though he was confused. "I like the waistline on them." Magnus commented, nodding. "Try on the blue t-shirt." Magnus instructed.

Alec pulled the curtain so he was hidden again, and took off the plaid shirt. He carefully put it back on the hanger before he took the blue t-shirt off it's hanger and pulled it on over his head. Alec looked at his reflection curiously. The top was nice. It was made from a really soft cotton fabric, and the top was just plain blue. Magnus had thrown it onto the pile Alec was carrying, and he had told Alec that it matched his eyes.

Weirdly, it did.

Alec turned around and opened the curtain.

Magnus grinned as soon as he saw it. He nodded and actually clapped, which only made Alec blush embarrassedly. "Bravo," Magnus said, still grinning. "Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner." He stood from the little blue stool he was sitting on and stood close to Alec. He touched the top, "Hey, it's soft too!" Magnus looked happy with himself. He looked up into Alec's eyes.

"You were right," Alec acknowledged, "It does match my eyes." For some reason, his mouth felt really dry.

Magnus saw the nervous movement in Alec's adams-apple and smiled softly, "No, it accentuates your eyes. It brings them out." He reached up and mussed Alec's dark hair. It was so black, it made his fair skin was a perfect ivory, and his eyes pure azure. Magnus swallowed, too, and said, "Try the coat." He pulled away while he still had the self-possession to do so.

Alec nodded, only partly disappointed. He didn't bother pulling the curtain in front of him. He took the thick black coat off it's hanger and shrugged it on. It was really, really warm. Alec didn't look in the mirror at first, because he was just embracing the warmth of such a nice winter coat. He already had a winter coat, he reminded himself, but he had owned it for several winters now. And it was threadbare. And it had a bit of a stain on the front. And it wasn't even close to being this warm.

Alec smiled at Magnus, who was grinning again. And then Alec turned around. The coat looked almost as good as it felt. And it felt like the best thing since Raziel delivered the Mortal Instruments.

So maybe that was a bit of an overreaction.

But it was a really nice coat.

And so warm.

Magnus payed for the jeans and the t-shirt and the coat, even after Alec had protested that he should buy them himself, especially since it had been his fault that he spilt coffee down Magnus' t-shirt in the first place. Magnus had payed, though- "My treat," He had smirked- and then he had dragged Alec to a public bathroom. Both men had been irritated at having to go into the public toilets, but they did. Alec got changed into his new clothes, and Magnus used his magic to send Alec's clothes and his ruined t-shirt back to his Apartment.

"Where next?" Magnus asked as he straightened Alec's new coat.

Alec grimaced, having no idea of what they could do. "Is this really a date?" He asked finally, unable to stop his curiosity.

Magnus actually blushed at that, much to Alec's amazement and awe. "Yes." Magnus said, "I mean, if you want it to be."

Alec bit his bottom lip, "Then it is a date." Alec concluded, and Magnus grinned at that logic. "So what do people usually do on dates? Other than shop." Alec was done shopping. He couldn't do anymore of it, not today. It was surprisingly tiring.

Magnus smiled, "I have an idea."

HI GUYS! NEW CHAPTER, EH! Sorry if it isn't good… Next chapter will be the PROPER date section. Me and my Malec-shipper-buddy are brainstorming fun things they could do on this date! Yay! Okay, bye, Kate xxx

And I would really like it if you left a review? Thanks :)