"I thought my house was that way?" Alec asked in confusion.

"Oh it is," Magnus said. "We are taking the long way around."

"For ice cream?"

"Yes," Magnus grinned. "Cause you said you didn't have to go home yet."

"You just didn't want me talking to Ragnor."

"Sometimes," Magnus began. "Vulgar friends are not the best way to learn things."

"Will you tell me then?"

"Depends... what do you want to know?"

"What about Camille was horrible?" Alec asked.

"I knew Ragnor kept talking!" Magnus exclaimed.

"It's okay," Alec said. "I am just curious."

"She wasn't horrible," Magnus said, trying to be diplomatic. "She just wasn't nice."

"That doesn't really answer my question."

"Can we please talk about something else?" Magnus didn't want to think about Camille. He became more acutely aware of the tear in his heart when he did.

"Alright," Alec said. "I didn't mean to be nosy."

"You're not nosy," Magnus said taking a deep breath. "I just don't like that topic is all."

"Is there a specific ice cream place you are taking me to?" Alec asked as they turned a corner in the opposite direction of Alec's house.

"It's a neat little place," Magnus said. "They have great gelato."

"I thought you said ice cream."

"Gelato is basically ice cream," Magnus said. "It has less air in it or something but it's still frozen sweetened dairy. I think it's Italian. Italian ice cream. Either way it's delicious." Magnus turned to look at Alec and grinned. "Are you blushing? What did I say?"

"Delicious," Alec mumbled.

"Oh I promise you darling," Magnus said. "You are far more delicious than gelato." Alec's blush deepened. "Especially when you blush like that."

"Can't help it," Alec said. "I would if I could."

"Don't ever try!" Magnus exclaimed. "I do not want to be denied the joy of making you blush." Alec mumbled something that Magnus couldn't hear. They turned another corner and Magnus saw the shop come into sight.

"There it is," Magnus said.

"Magic Scoops?" Alec said dubiously.

"Okay the name is lame I will grant you that," Magnus said. "But the ice cream is good."

"Don't you mean Gelato?" Alec corrected.

"Well said." As they entered the brightly light bubbly building Magnus saw Alec tense up. He doubted with Alec's dark taste in clothes that Alec frequented many shops as pink as this one.

"Hello darling," Magnus said to the women with brown hair standing behind the counter. He knew her name was Mitra even without checking her name tag. Being a regular here Magnus already knew all the names of the staff. "The usual for me thanks."

"Coming right up," Mitra said. "And for your friend?"

"Ah... vanilla?" Alec said. Magnus rolled his eyes. Alec seemed a little over-whelmed by the number of choices.

"He will need to taste test a few I think," Magnus said. "Umm… how about that one first."

"Excellent choice," Mitra said, collecting a tasting spoon, filling it, and handing it to Alec.

"Yep I like this one," Alec said.

"You have to try more than one silly," Magnus said. "Mitra you pick the next one."

"How about cookies and cream," Mitra said as she prepare the next sample. Alec tried it.

"This one is good too," Alec said.

"But which is better?" Magnus asked.

"Equally good," Alec said hesitantly.

"You're hopeless!" Magnus exclaimed with delight. "Mitra darling, would you pick one for him."

"Sure thing," Mitra said trying not to laugh as she scooped out their orders.

"Mitra has great taste in Gelato," Magnus said. "She never fails."

"Come now Magnus," Mitra said, in a slightly teasing tone. "You always order the same thing."

"Once in awhile I ask you to surprise me," Magnus said.

"Not often," Mitra said. "All the staff here have your order ready when you walk in."

"I know!" Magnus exclaimed. "It's like magic."

"It's called customer service actually," Mitra corrected as she handed them their gelato.

"Thank you. And I was referring to the name of your shop," Magnus said a little deflated no one got his joke. Magnus saw Alec dig around in his pockets as they approached the till.

"Just put it on my tab, Mitra" Magnus said with a wink.

"No problem," Mitra said as she closed the cash register. Magnus put a tip in her jar as Alec stared at him.

"You have a tab here?" Alec asked, open mouthed.

"Yep," Magnus said. "It's so close to my place. In summer I come here to work sometimes. They have excellent wifi!"

"What is gelato without wifi," Mitra said laughing. "See you later Magnus."

"Chow," Magnus called to her as he and Alec walked out with their frozen treat.

"You know her pretty well huh?" Alec said.

"I guess," Magnus said. "But I call everyone darling remember?"

"Yeah," Alec said. "But did you guys ever… date?"

"Oh no!" Magnus said, laughing. "That would ruin our beautiful gelato relationship. Besides, I think she is seventeen."

"I'm seventeen," Alec said. Magnus froze. He had completely forgotten.

"Alec," Magnus said turning to face him. "I didn't mean… I just…" Alec stared at him, eyes full of questions. "Why do you think I was so wary before? So careful?"

"I thought you didn't like me," Alec said. "Didn't want me."

"You beautiful blue eyed wonder," Magnus said. "If that were even slightly true why did I write my number on your arm?"

"I don't know," Alec said. Magnus leaned in and gently kissed Alec. With one hand holding his gelato, Magnus used his other hand to pull Alec closer. Alec seemed to forget they were standing in a public street and one of his hands was occupied. Magnus felt the cold on his back and shivered.

"You should eat that instead of staining my shirt with it," he said chuckling as he pulled out of the kiss.

"Oh!" Alec said. "Sorry!"

Magnus watched the blush colour Alec's skin and had a sudden impulse. He brought his gelato forward and got some of it on tip of Alec's nose.

"There now we are even," Magnus grinned.

"That's cold!" Alec complained.

"Do you want me to lick it off?" Magnus asked.

"No!" Alec said going redder and quickly cleaning his nose with his sleeve.

"Too bad," Magnus chuckled. "I bet it would taste even better off you then with a spoon." Magnus knew this wasn't strictly true but he had only said it to make Alec blush which had worked brilliantly. Magnus trailed his finger down the side of Alec's face watching Alec's lovely reactions. His eyes closed and his breathing quickened.

"So do you always bring dates here for gelato?" Alec asked a little breathlessly.

"No," Magnus said, pensively. He let his hand drop as his mind worked. He had never brought a date here before now he came to think of it.

"How about your flatmates?"

"Oh all the time," Magnus said. "Somehow they end up putting it all on my tab." He chuckled. "Doesn't really surprise me though."

"Isn't that unfair?" Alec asked.

"Nah," Magnus said. "I make more money than they do and I'm not in school like they are. It all works out in the end."

"That's really nice of you," Alec said. "To help your friends out like that."

"I guess," Magnus said. "I owe them more than money can buy." He hadn't meant to say it really. He didn't want Alec to inquire further.

"Then it's nice that you try and make it up to them," Alec said and that was all he said. Magnus took a deep breath. He was so grateful not to be questioned.

The rest of their detour back to Alec's place passed in idle conversation and laughter. It was rather late by the time they arrived at their destination. They stood now on the spot just around the corner from Alec's house, where Magnus had to turn back or be seen.

"Whenever you want," Magnus said. "Feel free to come over, okay?" He couldn't help by say this. He had spent almost twenty four hours with Alec and yet he didn't want to say goodbye. It didn't make any sense to him and he was giving Alec all the power but he couldn't help it.

"Okay," Alec said. "Thanks." Magnus leaned in and kissed Alec good night. His tongue down Alec's throat and his hands on Alec's hips Magnus tried to savor the moment. As Magnus pulled away he stroked his finger along Alec's jaw line and was very pleased to see Alec shiver a little.

"I will miss you blue eyes," Magnus said and he turned and walked away.

Magnus tried to remember the feel of Alexander's lips as he walked home. The night was quiet and the weather wasn't interesting enough to hold his focus. His mind was swimming with Alec. Had it really only been a day ago that he'd been frustrated and worried? Somehow the air was sweeter now. But there was something new to replace the frustration and worry.

Magnus took a deep, contented breath as he headed back into his apartment. He leaned against the inside of his door and beamed up at the ceiling.

"I take it Alec's gone home now?"

Magnus turned. Catarina was smiling at him from the sofa with a book in her lap.

"Yeah," Magnus said with a sigh. He went to sit next to her.

"You seem better," she said, but without the horrible tone Ragnor had used.

"I feel like I could fly," Magnus said. "Oh Catarina. This is terrifying."

"Why?" Catarina said laughing.

"Oh I think I am falling in love with him," Magnus said. "And it's only been a few weeks. If I fall this fast I will never be able to get back up again."

"Maybe you won't have to," Catarina said.

"He won't tell his parents he's gay," Magnus said. "Or dating me. His friend Jace thought I was a girl."

"Give him time," Catarina said.

"I miss him," Magnus said. "And I saw him less than an hour ago. What is happening to me?" He put his hand in his hands.

"Do you remember when you told me you were in love with Camille?" Catarina asked gently, putting a hand on Magnus's back to comfort him. Magnus nodded into his hands. "And you told me she was the one." Magnus nodded again refusing to look up. "You told me you would never love another. You had fallen and you were never getting up no matter what."

"And then she broke you," Catarina continued mercilessly. She knew he hated this topic. "You stopped going on dates and starting picking up people at bars. I know you were miserable. Don't deny it."

"I was," Magnus said. "But at least I was the one in control. Now I'm helpless."

"That's okay," Catarina told him. "If it's the right person."

"How do I know who the right person is?"

"The right person is someone who loves you back just as much as you love them," Catarina said. "I think Alec cares quite a bit about you."

"He did invite me to his grad," Magnus said. "But it is nerve racking knowing that one word from him could shatter me."

"Just enjoy the good stuff for now," Catarina said. "And have faith. Stop fretting."

"To love is to destroy. To be loved is to be the one destroyed," Magnus whispered softly.

"You don't believe that, and you know it!" Catarina yelled. "That is just what you came up with after Camille."

"It applied then," Magnus argued.

"It doesn't apply now."

"Oh what do you know!" Magnus said. "You're married to medicine."

"I may not have much experience with relationship," Catarina said patiently. "But I know people. And I know you. Now stop sulking and text Alec."

"Why do I have to text him?" Magnus said. "I just saw him."

"Because you obviously can't go more than an hour without talking to him," Catarina said. "If you are already making generalized depressing statements like that!"

"If I text him he is going to think I am terribly clingy!" Magnus said.

"So what?" Catarina said. "It is time you put your heart on your sleeve, my friend." Magnus grumbled something not so pleasant under his breath at his friend but pulled out his phone.

"He has texted me!" Magnus said shocked.

"There you see!" Catarina said. Magnus totally ignoring his flatmate in favour of reading Alec's message.

'Magnus help! Izzy is interrogating me.'

Magnus, suddenly feeling light as a feather, laughed as he replied.

'Your sister is quite the schemer it seems. How can I help?'

'She is going to text you,' Alec replied. 'Do not give her anything she can use against me but don't tell her nothing or she will know I told you not to.'

'That is quite the task you ask of me,' Magnus texted.

'Sorry!'

'It's alright,' Magnus texted back. 'I will find a way.'

'Thanks!' Alec's replied and then at the same time Magnus received a text from Izzy.

'Magnus. My brother is being difficult. He has a new scarf he won't take off and was gone almost a whole day! Mom doesn't seem to have noticed Alec has NEVER stayed over at 'Jace's' place for so long before but I know better.'

Magnus wasn't sure if there was a question in that text. It seemed more a statement of fact. Before Magnus had composed a reply Izzy sent another text.

'So Magnus since we are so tight I have decided you need to tell me how the date went.'

'It went well. If it hadn't I am sure Alexander would have come home sooner.'

'How well?'

'Very well,' Magnus replied.

'He told you not to tell me anything didn't he?'

'Why would he do that?'

'Cause he is being difficult. Weren't you listening?' Izzy answered.

'I was reading actually,' Magnus replied grinning at his phone.

'Very funny.'

'I thought so,' Magnus texted.

'I mean it wasn't funny,' Izzy answered.

'Oh really,' Magnus typed sniggering. 'Silly me.'

'You are very good at distractions,' Izzy replied.

'Oh no you have found me out,' Magnus texted. He was now sitting alone on the couch glued to his phone. Catarina had left to study at her desk.

'Did you deflower him?' Izzy texted back. 'Cause I think you did. ^_^ And he needed it!'

'Is that all you want to know?' Magnus replied. 'Surely Alec can tell you that.'

'He just yells, turns red and hides in his room.'

'Then maybe he doesn't want me to tell you.'

'But that scarf is cause he has a hickey right?'

'Do you have some experience in the area of hiding hickeys?' Magnus replied.

'Mabye.'

'I think you do,' Magnus texted.

'And that's why I know what the blue scarf is for. Great choice by the way.'

'Thanks. From what I hear you and I have fashion in common. Alec is rather hopeless at that.'

'So hopeless! All his sweaters have holes.'

'I do recall seeing such a sweater the day I met him.'

'And you didn't run for the hills. Crazy man.'

'Indeed.'

'OMG you did it again!'

'Did what?'

'Changed the topic!'

'Oh that! Yes I did that.'

'How?'

'Practice,' Magnus replied.

'You are quite the mystery, Magnus,' Izzy texted him.

'And so is my date with Alec.'

'Darn!' Izzy replied.

'We are doing the double date thing,' Magnus texted. 'Did Alec tell you?'

'No.'

'Bowling and pizza Friday night is the plan.'

'Great,' Izzy texted. 'I can't wait.'

Magnus was just about to text Izzy back when he received a text from Alec.

'Izzy is looking very happy,' Alec texted. 'What did you tell her?!'

Magnus imagined the beautiful blush that would be on Alec's skin as he pictured what his sister could be hearing. Magnus's touch would only make the blush deepened, making Alec's skin warm. Magnus would run his finger ever so slightly down the side of Alec's face, then his neck. Watching Alec's breathing become more erratic as Alec turned his head to the side invited Magnus's to continue. Magnus would lean in and press his lips to Alec's neck.

Magnus was pulled back to reality but his phone, which received another text.

'Magnus!' Alec exclaimed.

'Yes darling?' Magnus replied quite forgetting what they had been talking about.

'What did you tell Izzy?'

'Oh! I told her about bowling and pizza plans on Friday.'

'Is that all?' Alec replied.

'Pretty much,' Magnus texted.

'Thanks Magnus,' Alec replied.

Mitra is rosycat! So she not only beta read this chapter like all the rest but also served Malec Gelato. :D