A/N: Sorry, I felt slow, I did half the typing at work and then went on weekend without emailing it to myself! So I couldn't go on without the first half. But I've put some of the coffee meeting in this chapter! Or at least, pre-coffee date.

Disclaimer: They aren't mine... yet... DUM DUM DUMMMMM! (I'm kidding CassClare- I won't fight you for em)

Alec saw the bright neon sign first, like a beacon shining in the dead of night: Jesse's. He slowed his pace to catch his breathe and take another look at his watch. It was 12:45 now. He'd rushed over here as fast as he could, short of breaking into a full-on sprint, and he was still impossibly late.

There was no way Magnus would still be here. Alec felt horrible. On the way over he had finally convinced himself that spending some time with the eccentric warlock would be a welcome distraction from the drama unfolding back at the Institute. He was even a bit excited, feeling knots curling in his stomach as he considered the inevitable flirtatious banter that he was sure would ensue if he spent the evening with Magnus.

Alec leaned in to the shop window, placing his hands flat on the glass as his heart rate slowed. As he searched the cramped café for any sign of the warlock and saw that he wasn't there, he knew that any chance of a playful diversion from reality was lost. Not just tonight, but any night- there was no way Magnus would want to see him again after being stood up like this. Alec slowly turned his back to the café, shoulders sagging in defeat, completely unaware of the sharp catlike eyes that had been watching his every move since his abrupt arrival.

"Leaving so soon?" Alec felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention at the sound of Magnus' voice. Alec looked up to see the warlock standing not 3 feet away from him, watching him intently. How long had he been there?

"I thought you'd left already." Alec found it hard to find his voice; he realized that it had been hours since he had spoken out loud. He cleared his throat as he took in Magnus appearance, the glitter was back, framing his eyes and dusted evenly across his face, causing flashes of red to flicker across his skin as each fleck reflected the bright light of the sign glaring above them.

"I did leave. Actually, I was just crossing the street to try and catch a cab when I saw you flying down the sidewalk towards the café." Magnus was trying very, very hard to keep his cool and seem unfazed. He had left the café feeling confused and dejected. Seeing Alec rush by as though his life depended on it had lifted his spirits more than he was willing to admit, even to himself. He had taken longer than necessary to make his presence known to the boy as he watched Alec's obvious disappointment when he hadn't spotted Magnus inside. Only, minutes ago, Magnus' ego was shot to hell, but now… now it was back full force.

He leaned his back against the wall and crossed his arms, turning his head to the side to watch Alec. The boy was fidgeting in place; Magnus was tempted to remain silent, just to get the chance to watch him get increasingly uncomfortable.

"I didn't know Shadowhunters ran unless they had a horde of demons to chase after." Magnus threw the words at the boy like a sly insult. Oh yes, he certainly had his confidence back.

Alec was still trying to compose himself. Magnus was here, just as he had wanted. But now the warlock was digging away at his last nerve.

"I wasn't running." Alec replied coolly.

"No?" Magnus found the answer amusing.

"I was walking… quickly. I don't like being late. It's inconsiderate." As Magnus grinned at his feeble excuse, Alec was trying to remember why he was so anxious to meet with the man.

"Surprise, surprise." Magnus responded. Alec noticed how Magnus' grin caused his already narrow eyes to tighten on the outside corners.

"What do you mean by that?" Alec shot back. He decided that he despised the grin the warlock tended to use around him. It made him look as though he knew something about Alec that even Alec didn't know. The suggestion of intimacy, familiarity with someone he had just met made Alec uneasy.

Magnus could see the boy recoiling. Alec had his hands deep in his pockets, fists clenched. It looked as though he would turn around and run away at any moment. Clearly Alexander Lightwood didn't take playful taunts very well. Magnus filed that away for future reference. For now, he had to help the boy loosen up so that they could relax around each other and see where things went from there. Before Magnus could figure out whether to move forward… or backward… or not at all with the boy, he needed to get to know him better.

"Let's go inside and I'll tell you what I mean. I'm afraid the place won't be open much longer, though. Maybe we can sit down and order some tea." Magnus made the suggestion calmly, trying to tamp down the hint of mischief that tainted most of his comments.

Alec looked surprised by the shift in conversation, "Tea?"

"Do you not like tea? It's a bit late for coffee don't you think?" Magnus replied, trying to accommodate the boy.

" No, tea is fine… I just…" Alec couldn't suppress a mocking smile, "I just didn't really see you as the type to be drinking tea in a small café on a Saturday night." Especially considering, the warlock was dressed in skin tight dark purple velvet pants and an equally fitted black tee, both more suited for a night out at Pandemonium than a late night stop at a local coffee shop. Alec stopped himself when he realized how apparent it was that he was studying Magnus frame.

" Well-, " Magnus flashed his glaringly white teeth in a full smile as he held the door open for Alec, purposefully leaving very little space so that the boy would have to brush past him to get by, "I'm sure that there's a lot we don't know about each other."

Alec paused and frowned at the warlock as he tried to sort through the stream of thoughts rushing through his mind. Is Magnus 'flirting' again? Does he do this with everyone? Do I really want to "get to know" him?

Magnus quirked his eyebrow, quietly watching Alec's inner battle. The boy clearly wanted to come in, but he seemed unsure of himself.

Alec took a deep breath and allowed his expression to loosen. He'd come this far, there was no point in turning back now. He slid in through the door, carefully avoiding the warlock's touch. Anything is better than being at the Institute right now.

A/N: Next up: some of the coffee date, and their respective reactions. They'll both be feeling more sure about things by the end of it.