A/N: Hello TMI's world best fans! I'm trying to figure out new ways to greet whoever read this. :)

Thanks to my loyal reviewers, Wrongaboutme and manibarilo for giving me your thoughts and I just realized that a guest left a review as well. Thank you whoever you might be. :)

And to answer my last author's note, I think I'm going to take things slow and in pace so that you(readers) can enjoy it even more, I hope! So carry on reading and don't forget to review!

Chapter 10

Part I: Puzzle Pieces Surfaces

On Monday, the day that plainly most students hate and most teachers loath could not be any more challenging than it already was for a certain young man. Not only was it a Monday and the fact that it was raining nonstop which added to the annoyance of that certain soul, but also it was a fated day for him to break a devastating news.

It wasn't easy; he'd been through many other things before which didn't even compete to that particular crisis but he was still a human. A human with a heart and feelings that augmented the burden that he felt. But he wasn't alone. Another soul was walking beside him, guiding him through every step that he took not only on that day but many more that they would share.

Sadly, the days were counting. The times were passing like day and night and it wasn't long until the past revealed itself.

Alec sighed gratefully and looked at Jace. The other guy was looking at him as well with a small smile tucked at the corner of his lips, the smile that started to make Alec felt a little bit at ease. He beamed back at the blonde and unexpectedly gained himself a wink from Jace.

"You did well." Jace patted his shoulder. "There was no better way to tell them than how you did."

Alec curled his lips even more. He'd done it. He'd told his whole team and dismissed them for the very last time.

There were frowns and scowls but they knew it wasn't the end of the world so they took a step forward, moving on. Jace had been a great help, for even if he was only a member for a short while, the other students had managed to secure a strong bond with the new guy. He'd guided Alec and the rest of the group listened well. Some may not get over it very well yet, but only time could heal wounds.

Scars remained though. As a reminder so that it would never be forgotten.

As Alec went to see the principal, Jace waited for him. He sat outside the office and he never once thought of leaving. He didn't know why he was feeling obliged to Alec, as if he should do everything in his power to keep the dark haired safe and no harm would even dare to befall on him; excluding the fact that he was currently skipping classes.

He'd never felt that way for Simon, he eventually but ashamedly thought. Jace had known the brown haired longer than he knew Alec and he thought that the connection they had for fencing was what that had brought them closer. But now when that option was unusable, Jace felt even more drawn to the blue eyed. And he couldn't get any happier with the fact that he was able to help Alec even if it wasn't much.

The blonde's head shot up when he heard the door opened and he grinned slyly when he locked eyes with Alec. The other boy looked a lot calmer and relieved, that was until he saw the blonde.

"Jace!" Alec was visibly shocked. "I told you to go back to class. What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for you of course." Jace replied with an innocent look on his face. Without wasting a moment, Alec grabbed him tightly yet gentle by the arm and hauled him out from the administrative building and towards their classrooms hall.

"You need to focus Jace." Alec said with a stern voice. "If you really want to graduate this year, you need to start paying extra attention and not missing even one lesson." He continued as he dragged the shorter guy across the building and towards the hall.

"I thought you were going to help me?" Jace asked with a ridicule look on his face. Alec rolled his eyes at that statement.

"Obviously." He muttered instead. "Now go. Before you miss the whole class." Alec made a shooing motion with his hands. They had stopped walking and were standing in front of Alec's locker. The ebony haired took out a few books and gaped when he saw the blonde still standing next to him. Before he could say anything, Jace spoke first.

"You know, if I had a brother, I would imagine him exactly like you." Jace faked a shudder. "Only a little more sassy like me." Jace missed something that crossed Alec's face when he spoke but as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

"Then you better get going or I'll make your wish comes true." Alec said, shutting his locker close and not looking at Jace.

"Alright, alright." The blonde held up his hands as if he were surrendering.

"I'll see you after school, Alec." He shouted further as he stormed towards his classroom.

Alec didn't bother to shout back, he'd be in trouble if he did. Instead, he let his eyes droop a little and walked soundlessly to his class.

Brother. Why does it hurt when it's not supposed to?

Magnus tried very hard not to whack the spoon he was holding on the table. It was lunch time and seated on their regular table in the centre of the cafeteria was him, Clary and Simon. Izzy was still lining up for her food and Camille was nowhere to be seen. Magnus concluded that she must be having lunch with the cheer team now that they weren't a thing anymore.

What made Magnus almost making a scene was when he'd asked the other two occupants on the table about Alec and Jace. The question was pretty simple; he'd said "Where are Alec and Jace?" towards the two. However, the answer from the brown-haired was what that had made him promptly lost his composure.

"They're still having their final fencing team meeting. Didn't Alec tell you?" Simon asked, unknowingly sparked an annoyance in Magnus.

"Final meeting? What's that supposed to mean?" Magnus inquired back, attempting to hide his anger. Clary raised her eyebrow at him.

"They're cancelling the club, Magnus. The whole school knows about it like yesterday." Clary friendly answered him with a smile but that didn't make Magnus felt any better. He was about to say something more when Izzy came and settled down her tray of food on the table.

"Hey." She greeted the group. She noticed that Magnus was frowning and the other two was somewhat looking unsure and guilty. Her smile quickly dropped from her face when she asked them,

"What's wrong?" At that, Magnus sharply turned at her with a look that portrayed betray and unjust. He spoke to her,

"Is it true? The fencing team is disbanding?" Izzy tilted her head to the side and widened her eyes.

"You mean Alec didn't tell you that day?" Izzy asked back.

"He told me nothing." Magnus muttered under his breath.

He could barely contain his emotion at that moment so he got up quickly which almost made Izzy stumbled backwards if she hadn't grabbed the chair. The tall guy stormed away from the table, leaving his lunch and friends behind until a small hand grabbed him by the arm before he made to the door.

"Magnus!" Izzy called him and he turned to see his friend's sister holding him in place. "Where are you going?" She asked, her face frowned with concern.

"I'm going to see Alec." He was about to move again but Izzy kept her hold on Magnus's arm and tugged him towards her.

"Right now?" Asked Izzy. "They're having their final meeting Magnus and you don't want to interrupt them." Izzy persuaded. Magnus looked like he was pondering about something. He stared at Izzy and asked,

"That was the reason why you were crying that day." Magnus wasn't asking, he was stating. Izzy nodded, not trusting herself to lie to her brother's friend. It was partly true. The other half of it was because of the drug and she was crying out of relief when Magnus saw them that day.

Magnus was clearly still unsatisfied with the fact that Alec didn't told him about it. Izzy chose her words carefully before she spoke again to the Asian-looking guy.

"Look Magnus, I really don't know why Alec didn't tell you about it but I know that you know better and Alec must've had his reasons." She looked at him with a little tint of sympathy. She could see that Magnus was holding back and if she was in his position, she would be as irritated as he was.

She gulped and continued,

"I don't know what's going on between you and my brother but I know that you care for him." The last part of her sentence was in whisper. She stared at the floor and muttered loud enough for him to hear,

"You know him best Magnus and I hope it stays that way." And with that, she released her hand from Magnus's arm and walked back to her peers at the table.

Izzy didn't need to turn her head to know that Magnus was staring at her. The dark haired guy was even more confused at her words and she wasn't surprised when she felt a hand grabbed her shoulder and spun her around so that she was facing the owner's hand.

What got her really stunned was the look in Magnus's eyes as he said,

"Please, Izzy. No more riddles. God…I don't even think I know him anymore." He sighed exasperatedly and rubbed his face very un-Magnus like. Izzy held his hands again, this time giving it a slight squeeze and an understanding smile.

"I'll tell you everything when school ends, alright. Right now I just want you to calm down and eat lunch with me, okay?" He weakly nodded and they walked back to their table, both ignoring Clary's and Simon's gaze. Magnus closed his eyes tightly before revealing his yellowish-green orbs and the look from before were gone. Untraceable.

The last period for that day was Literature. Our main protagonists; Alec, Magnus and Jace were siting not too far away from each other. Magnus was in the middle while Alec was on his right and Jace was on his left. When the bell rings, Magnus got up abruptly yet nimbly and was ready to approach the other dark haired. He stood directly facing his housemate and calmly said,

"I need to have a word with you, Alexander." The pair of cerulean eyes shot up and Magnus couldn't help but to stare back. None of their gaze wavered, at least until Jace broke their trance.

"Hey Alec, I'll wait you by the car." The blonde wave the pair goodbye and walked out of the classroom, leaving them completely alone as other students and the teacher had long left the space.

Magnus quirked an eyebrow at the shorter male. It was a demand; a sign of urgency for answer to the unspoken question.

Alec licked his lips before he carefully said,

"I'm going to Jace's to help him with his study. Don't wait for me." Alec hadn't meant anything to cross or to even upset Magnus with his reply. But the last four words were exactly what it needed to add to Magnus's already wounded feelings.

Alec made a motion to walk away and when Magnus didn't react, Alec hesitated for one second. But then he made up his mind and quickly strolled out from the classroom. He was too caught up with his musing he didn't hear the sound of another footstep catching up to him in the hall. The next thing he knew, he was clasped flushed against another body as he was whirled around and Magnus had his arms wrapped on Alec's torso.

They fit perfectly that way, with Alec's chin just right on Magnus's shoulder and the other guy's chin right on top of Alec's head. To say Alec was shocked was an understatement. He could felt both of their heartbeats pounding together although he ashamedly acknowledged that his was a lot quicker.

"I'm sorry about what happened to the fencing team." Magnus whispered in his ear which made him shivered a little bit. Alec could only managed himself to nod and when Magnus pulled away, the heat was lost between them and Alec tried so hard to keep his face from showing disappointment.

"I'll wait for you to come home Alec." Magnus kindly said before he winked and walked the opposite way. Alec turned and walked his own direction and couldn't help the small curl on his lips when he reminisce Magnus's word. Home.

Part II: When Things Seem To Fit

Alec's legs were folded underneath him as he was sitting on the floor of Jace's bedroom. The said owner of the room was however, standing with his back hunched as he rummaged desperately through his bag looking for that one particular book; algebra. He sighed exasperatedly when he couldn't find it and dropped his bag down on the floor unceremoniously.

"When was the last time you saw it?" Alec asked again, for who knew how many times. He wasn't trying to agitate the blonde, it was far from that. The ambience had gotten to stress up for both of them so Alec thought that it was only right for him to break through the heavy tense.

"That's the thing." Jace flung his hands above his head. "I didn't bring it today, remember?" Alec recalled when Miss Lind had asked for Jace's homework and the blonde replied that he'd left them at home. Alec cautiously got on his feet and walked over to Jace's table. Jace meanwhile had flopped on his bed and mumbled,

"I give up." He was lying on his back. He squint an eye at Alec and spoke again,

"I think I'm going through food coma state." Alec couldn't help but chuckled at that statement. Jace was true with his words when he said that he was going to cook for Alec. They both had eaten before going up to Jace's room and Alec sincerely thought that Jace could even become Izzy's cooking tutor.

He looked around the table, searching through the stacks of books and other random things on it before his eyes caught something. He looked skeptically at it and turned to Jace before his hands reflexively reached out to grab it.

"Aha!" He exclaimed. "Here it is. Our precious Algebra." Alec said with a grin on his face. Jace didn't respond. His right forearm was covering his eyes and Alec thought that he'd fell asleep.

The bed dipped a little when Alec sat on it and copied Jace's pose.

"I really think we should cut down on the food next time." The taller one said in a suggestive tone. Jace's head turned facing Alec's side. "We might end up not studying at all." Alec joked.

A snort sounded from Jace. "You didn't eat much, Alec."

"And I'm not the one who needs to study." Alec retorted back. He intentionally smirked. Jace saw it and gave a light punch on Alec's arm. He closed his eyes again and they settled in silence, only their constant breathing sounded through the room.

"Alec?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think what our coach did was right? Giving Nathan the drug?"

Jace turned his head so that he could look at Alec. The dark haired eyes were closed and his arm was covering his face so Jace didn't discern Alec's facial hardened for a moment.

He didn't answer him straight away. Jace kept his gaze on the other guy even though he couldn't see him. After a long pause, Alec said,

"It was wrong." And silence took over again but not for long as Jace asked quietly,

"He made you take it too, didn't he?" Alec's blue orbs were wide opened before Jace had even finished his sentence. The rate of his heartbeat increased dramatically yet Alec managed to disguise it.

"You don't have to tell me anything, Alec." Jace carried on. "I kind of put the things together." Alec's silence only made it seemed to be true. He stared at the ceiling when he spoke,

"What gave me away?" Alec's voice croaked a little bit at the end but Jace didn't appear to notice. They were talking in a very low tone that made the mood sounded serious yet no less casual.

"The first couple of months you trained me. I thought I was being delusional because not even Izzy or Magnus saw it but then I knew something was wrong." All of the sudden, a clear laughter rang throughout Jace's room. Alec's figure shook with the remnants of his laugh.

"You always surprise me, Jace." The blonde couldn't help but chuckled as well.

"I wish I could see through my studies so that I'd understand them better." Jace said, adding a false mournful tone in his speech. A sort of warmth crept up Alec's chest when he heard what Jace had uttered. He finally grasped what it meant to let someone in. All the time since Max's death, he'd built a wall around him so that nobody could get any closer than just to know his name. Even with Magnus and his sister, Alec had always been cautious and careful not to let them see through him.

But you see, things were different when Jace came storming in, literally the first time Alec saw him on the first day. The blonde held nothing but a mystery, so much like him but Jace wasn't careful, he wasn't prudent for he had immediately let Alec in. What the dark haired found was something he'd never thought would be possible.

Even for Jace, he felt almost complete whenever he was with Alec. The presence of the male sitting next to him gave a sort of secureness, as to what Jace had yet to figure out but he knew one thing for sure; he'd owned himself the other half of him.

"Alec, say something." Jace coaxed. The dark haired had gotten up and was sitting straight with his feet dangling off the bed.

"Are you going to tell on me?" asked Alec. The bed squeaked a little as Jace brusquely sat up and faced Alec.

"Why would you think that?" Jace asked back, his voice filled with disapproval. Alec wasn't looking at him which made Jace grabbed him by his shoulders and turned Alec's upper body so that the blonde could look at him clearly.

"I won't say anything about it even if you don't make me promise to keep it as a secret." A small smile graced Jace's lips as if to make a point. He added on, "I told you, you're like my brother from another mother."

A glint of hurt passed Alec's azure gaze and it quickly vanished. Again, Jace mentioned the word that made Alec unknowingly cringed inwardly. His chest made a sickening sensation as if it was pricked with a needle and it was hard to breath for a moment.

He got up curtly and said,

"I think we should start on our homework first." Jace merely nodded as he observed Alec's manner. They both got out their books and let the time passed as they were engulfed with their studies.

A few hours passed before Alec noticed that it was almost night time. The sun had yet to dawn but he didn't want to overstay his visit so he told Jace that he needed to leave before making sure that Jace finally understood the last question in his book-which took an impressive amount of time considering the few ones before were much longer.

As they both walked down and towards the front door, no words were exchanged but it didn't feel wrong. Knowing Alec, Jace had long learned that Alec wasn't much of a talker. When they passed the living room, Alec saw Jace's mother siting on the couch reading a book.

"Mother!" Jace greeted his mom. "When did you come home?" Cecily's head shot up when she heard her son's voice and gave him a loving smile that only a mother could give.

"I've been home for over an hour. I was wondering why you were so quiet up there." She said, giving him a knowing look. She looked past Jace and saw Alec.

"Hello, Mrs. Herondale." Alec politely spoke.

"Mother, this is Alec." Jace made a motion towards his friend.

"Just call me Cecily, dear. It's nice to meet you." A look of recognition was shown on Cecily's face when she stood up and walked closer towards the dark haired.

"Have we met before, Alec?" She asked in her motherly tone. Alec shook his head and look at Jace before answering Cecily,

"I don't think so." Cecily nodded her head slowly before saying,

"I guess it must be my memories playing trick with me." She smiled again. "Would you like to stay for dinner? I'm making steak for tonight." Alec thought for a while about how Jace had gained his cooking skill and deduced that it must've been from his mother. He cut his thinking short and answered yet again in a respectful tone,

"Thank you, err… Cecily. But I have to decline." And as if asking for rescue from his friend, Alec shot a glance at Jace who caught it and smirked playfully back at him.

"Well, I guess it is rather late but we can make sure that he'd stay next time, don't you think so mother?" Jace teasingly look at Cecily and from behind, he wrapped his arms around her shoulder, giving her a hug. Cecily flashed that smile of hers to her son and nodded, agreeing.

"You can't say no next time, buddy." Jace winked and stuck out his tongue. Alec didn't know how to respond to that so he simply gave a thumb up at them and gestured them goodbye as he walked to Magnus's apartment.

He'd said no when Jace offered to drive him back to Magnus's place in excuse that he was going somewhere else before heading there. Alec needed the time alone; his head was so messed up due to the overstrained caused by the infliction of repeating the same thing several times to Jace. He'd almost gotten himself confused when he realized that his explanation was all jumbled up. He sigh just thinking about it.

The other reason was because he was on his way to Magnus. He couldn't keep avoiding him, not when they were living together and Magnus's action when they last met had left him wordless yet blissed. With a made up mind and a resolute heart, Alec counted his steps as he travelled back home.

The lights were off but the television screen was on. There were remains of Chinese take-away containers and a few soda cans littering on the floor. The couch however was empty, void of its usual manner beholding an occupant or two.

Alec used the small amount of rays from the tv to manoeuvre his movements. He reached over to the outlet and flicked the kitchen switch on. His pupil dilated for a moment before they adjusted to the new lightings. His eyes roamed around the room, looking for that certain someone.

His search however was negative in result as the living room was vacant. Absentmindedly, he quirked his left eyebrow. The time could still be considered early for a school night so Alec pushed away the thought that both Magnus and Izzy were asleep.

He quietly strolled over to Izzy's room; the second door after the kitchen. When he opened them, he was surprised to see it empty with the lights on. That got him even more curious. If they were out, why would there be take-aways on the floor?

Just then he heard a small murmur coming from the room next to Izzy's. He walked slowly, trying to make his footsteps as light as feather but when Alec caught a mixture of chuckles sounding from his room, he rushed towards it and pushed the door opened with a little too much force. But who could blame him?

"What are you two doing?!" Alec said in disbelieved. Lying on his king sized bed on their stomach was no other than Izzy and Magnus. They were still in their fit of giggles and facing them was Izzy's laptop. The monitor was on, illuminating the faces of the two beings on the bed who were still entranced to the screen.

"Why are you watching in the dark?" Alec was about to flick the switch on when Izzy said,

"Don't!" She got up and pulled Alec towards them, not forgetting to shut the door behind her. She peeled off Alec's bag from his hand and motion for him to get on the bed as well. Magnus was lying on his side, his elbow propped up and his hand supporting his head. He had this grin that Alec had never seen before and he was grateful the lights were off; he would've not admit that he was colouring a little on his cheek.

"What is this?" He asked again, trying to control his slightly wavered tone. Izzy made a gesture to shove her brother on the bed but Alec remained standing by the side. She crooked her neck so that she could see Magnus as Alec was standing in front her.

"A little help here?" Magnus smiled at Izzy and moved forward, his hand reaching out and pulled Alec who fell flat on the bed. The other guy scrambled to his feet but before he could even regained his sense; Izzy was already lying on the bed as well.

"Moved a side, please." She said to Alec in her 'Izzy' tone. Alec scooted a little before he realized just how close he was to Magnus. He moved his focus towards the laptop.

"What have you two been doing?" Alec asked again, although this time it was less resign. The three figures on the bed were now lying like tunas on their stomach with Alec in the middle. Izzy pressed something on her laptop and a video was playing.

"I was showing Magnus our old videos. The one that mom made when we were just little kids."

Izzy put her chin on her folded arms and looked at the screen. Alec could do nothing but watched along, pretending not to steal a glance towards the guy next to him.

Magnus voice suddenly broke their attention on the screen, well mostly Alec's attention.

"I never knew you were as cute as you are right now since you were three." He practically purred the words at Alec who looked like he'd just swallowed something and it got stuck in his throat.

"Shut up." Was all his response as he rolled his eyes. Magnus laughed even more at that. After a few other videos and four hours later, Magnus started to yawn. Izzy had long fall asleep and was curled beside Alec. He'd covered her with his blanket and pushed away a few strands of hair on her face.

"Do you want to stop?" Alec whispered to Magnus. The taller one didn't reply; Alec turned his head and noticed that Magnus had his eyes closed and his breathing was smooth signifying that he too had fallen asleep.

Alec pulled the laptop shut and put it away as far as he could in his position. He lied back down on his side facing Izzy and wrapped his arms protectively around her shoulder. She snuggled even more into his embrace.

"Alec?" A voice said from behind him.

Alec froze a moment before turning his head slowly towards Magnus.

"What is it?" He asked. Magnus seemed a lot more vulnerable in that state, his hair sprawling widely across the bed and his face lack in the certainty that he always held.

"Nothing." Magnus looked drowsy. His eyes were half lidded but Alec could still see the glow in his eyes. His lips parted when he continued,

"I've always wanted to say that to you." And then he smiled lopsidedly. If Alec didn't know better he'd thought that Magnus was being delirious. Maybe he was?

"Go to sleep, Magnus." Alec softly said.

"Good night, Alexander." Alec said nothing. He kept his quiet and watched as Magnus relaxed and fell into a deep slumber.

"Magnus?" He didn't move. Alec leaned his head forward a little bit and whispered,

"I'm sorry."

Please accept the last line from me. I know I'm a day behind but this chapter was a little bit longer. I've been reading a few Malec stories out there so don't blame me for the last part. My adrenaline brought it. XD

Look forward to the next one. *wink wink

Don't forget to leave your review on this chapter! :)