Chapter 25
Alec pulled away from Magnus instinctively as his sister burst through the door, suddenly back to his shy self when they were no longer in the comfort of their privacy. Magnus looked from Izzy then back to Alec, and chuckled at the variety of polar opposite personalities in the Lightwood family. Shaking his head, he reached one arm out, wrapped it around his boyfriend who seemed to want to shrink into a pea, and turned around to face Isabelle and Jace, who lingered awkwardly behind the door.
"What brings a pretty lady like yourself to my home?" Magnus inquired warmly.
Izzy looked from her brother to Magnus. They must have sorted out their problems. Good for them.
"I was looking for these two." Izzy said, pointing at the two shadowhunters that stood quite still where they were. As she talked, Magnus was already moving, clearing out some rubbish with a flick of his fingers and inviting his guests to the couch. The disturbance and noise seemed to wake Chairman Meow, who bolted from underneath the couch and jumped onto a nearby cushion with a growl to resume his nap.
Izzy made her way over, throwing her leather coat on a chair as she rolled her sleeves up. Alec followed Magnus and sat himself in the corner of the sofa, which just happened to be bright fluoro green today.
As Jace invited himself into the apartment, he couldn't help but wonder aloud "If Magnus can clean the rubbish with a snap of his fingers, why is this place still filthy?" He retorted, frowning at the spilt cat food and stains in the carpet. "Or have warlocks become so lazy to even do that?"
Alec glanced nervously at Magnus, like he was about to snap and send Jace to another dimension, but he didn't seem to be bothered by his boldness. He chuckled and spoke lightly, "Hmm, and I was just starting to like him", addressing his statement more so at Alec than Jace.
Jace paused where he was. "Wait, hold on a minute. You mean you didn't like me before?" He made a face. "No one can resist my charms, isn't that right Alec?"
Alec started blushing, but since he was still recovering from his previous embarrassing moment, it didn't really matter. Instead he burst out into hysterical laughter, feeling his foul mood dissipate fast into the merry atmosphere. Magnus smiled as he conjured up some snacks on the coffee table and sat himself down next to Alec.
"Oh I see how it is!" Jace remarked sarcastically in horror as he joined Izzy on the smaller sofa. "Turning against your own parabatai are we? Fine, you were never a good wingman anyways."
His comment only made Alec laugh harder and soon enough, the whole room was filled with laughter, and Alec hasn't felt happier since the whole business with the fey folk started.
As they chatted, giving each other their version of the story, they munched on sandwiches, biscuits, olives and cheese. Everyone helped themselves to a cup of warm hot chocolate while Jace sat with his bottle of cold water, a small reward from the generous host for his little display of humour. After Jace revealed his date with Clary, theatrically, Izzy explained how she and Simon had followed Tyson and knocked him out. Just as she finished her story and her drink, the buzzer rang in the apartment, making everyone except for Magnus jump.
Izzy was the first to jump up from her seat. "That will be Simon and Clary."
As if the name itself triggered something inside Jace, he bounced up from his seat and almost bounded to the door behind Izzy. When the door opened to reveal just who Izzy had predicted, there was a moment of silence before Clary burst into tears and bolted forwards, burying herself in Jace's arms, who was gently stroking her fiery hair – which left Simon standing awkwardly in the hallway, grimacing at how his best friend just practically jumped into Jace's arms.
However it didn't take long for Izzy to spot him and literally 'carry' him to the couch where Magnus seemed busy canoodling with Alec. As they sat down, Izzy planted a small peck on his cheek, and offered him some food as they waited for the other lovey dovey pair to finish up.
Finally, and it was finally, when Jace and Clary took their seats, that the group filled Simon and Clary on the stories. Magnus had conjured up one more cup of hot chocolate for Clary, and out of respect he offered Simon some fresh blood, which he kindly rejected, much to everyone's relief.
By the time the stories came to a conclusion, the three couples snuggled comfortably on Magnus' couch as the clock ticked its way into the night. There was silence as everyone took a moment to absorb all the information. The night was accompanied by the chirping of crickets and the distant meow of a cat as the group sat in a comfortable silence which no one was willing to break. And so it dragged on, until Jace declared he had to pay the bathroom a visit.
When he returned, a plan was already formulating about how to combat the tricky business they were involved in.
"We need to talk to all of them" Alec was saying as Izzy tossed the last olive up in the air and caught it skilfully with her mouth.
"So where are we going to do this? And how are we going to get them to be in the same place at the same time?" Simon said, pushing his glasses up out of habit. "Surely they don't want to be in the same place all at the same time."
"I can get that Sebastian anywhere you want tomorrow," He smirked, but he paused to look at Alec. "That is if our head shadowhunter agrees."
Alec made a face and punched Magnus on the shoulder playfully. "It's approved."
"Excellent" Magnus said as Jace muttered something about Alec being the leader in the background.
"I suppose I can give that bastard one last chance to apologise." Izzy said cooly, flicking her hair off her shoulders. "Just decide on a place and he'll be there."
"I guess I can talk to Nancy then." Simon volunteered. "She's the girl in the nerdy glasses right?"
"That's if you consider your own glasses nerdy." Jace jutted in unnecessarily, which only earned him a defensive hiss from Izzy.
"Glasses are hot Jace." Izzy scoffed. "I guess you have a right to be jealous."
Jace mimicked Izzy and replied with "If I had glasses, who would be left to take on the big guy?"
"Alec here is a well-bodied shadowhunter. Rick won't be a problem." Magnus offered, while Izzy laughed.
"But I think we'll give him the big guy this time." Alec said, shrugging casually. "I'll take care of his cronies."
"Good, now we just need a place to gather them all." Jace announced after his small victory.
Clary, who had stayed quiet spoke up. "I've got a place. At lunchtimes, some of the art students can book studios to work on their projects. If I book one for tomorrow, you can bring them there, as long as you don't ruin the art."
Everyone nodded at the idea and there was a silent agreement. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Magnus was the first one to stand up to stretch his long limbs. "I don't know about you guys, but it's late and we've all got some work to do tomorrow. You're all welcome to stay tonight, but I wouldn't mind at all if Jace wished to sleep outside."
Jace ignored the comment and only held Clary closer.
"We'll take the couch then," Izzy offered, and Simon agreed.
"Alright then." Magnus rubbed his eye. "Clary darling, make yourself at home in the guest room."
After all the arrangements had been made, and Magnus' role as host was fulfilled, he guided Alec back into his own room, where they finally had the privacy and closeness he had sorely missed while Alec was away. As he still hadn't changed out of his pyjamas, all he had to do to get ready was slip off his bottoms, and as he did, Alec had his back turned, taking his time to undress no doubt blushing already. Magnus sat on the edge of his bed and stared at Alec's beautifully toned body. Every muscle in his body was craving for the company of this boy, and he licked his lips hungrily as his mind wandered to what surprises the night had installed for him.
Okay, okay. Before anyone jumps on me and tries to beat me to death with a bat, I know I've left off at an extremely...hmm... steamy moment, and I will be mauled alive when everyone finds out that the next chapter does not continue from here directly. HOWEVER. If you guys are lucky, I'm going to include an exclusive "side story" after the main plot comes to an end (yes it will continue off where we left off here), as a present for all you hungry Malec fans. (I mean, the story is Malec based, I'm starting to feel guilty from the lack of behind-the-door moments. SO with that being said, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks again to everyone that reviewed and especially to those who are still reading. *virtual hugs all round*