Disclaimer: Still not mine believe it or not.

A/N: So heres the next one. Sorry for the late updates again guys. I love you all and your reviews mean the world. I hope this makes up for the pain of the last chapter…

Alec spent the next three days perfecting his performance. He sung until his throat burned and played the guitar until his fingers bled. He pushed away any distractions. Spending every waking minute on what had to the performance of a lifetime. He didn't know how much he wanted to win until he really focussed. He wanted it bad. And he wanted to win it for Magnus.

...

Magnus didn't show up to class on Tuesday. So Wills group sat in the room and messed around for a while. As Will walked in, Jem looked up and they shared an indecipherable look. Will froze in the doorway before walking out again and he heard a slight commotion from inside as he walked away.

"Will!" He heard Jem cry and he turned around with a smile that hopefully wasn't too forced

"James. How are you?"

Jem nodded. "Ok. You?"

Will snorted. "Spectacular, my good sir."

But Jem just stared at him with a raised eyebrow. "Really Will? I've known you long enough to know when there's something wrong."

Will sighed. "I know why Mr Bane isn't in."

Jem just looked at him and Will sighed, knowing he must elaborate.

"He had a fight with his boyfriend and now he's all sad and angry and they're on a break. And its all my fault as per usual."

Jem caught up Will, who had begun to storm off.

"What happened?"

Will debated lying. But this was Jem. And always knew when Will was lying.

"I must swear you to secrecy first. Full disclosure. Not a word to anyone."

Jem nodded with wide eyes as Will proceeded.

"I know Mr Banes boyfriend. So do you. You remember my almost cousin Alec right?"

Jems eyes widened. "Magnus and Alec? But wasn't Magnus Alecs teacher?"

Will grinned and Jem nodded but his cheeks flared with red, a blush to rival Alecs.

"Yes. And Magnus told Alec that i was back in the states and Alec hung up on him and ran to see me. We went to Taki's and Magnus saw us. And long story short, a few misinterpretations were made."

Jems eyebrows rose. "Oh. So Bane thought that you and Alec were... Together? That's awkward given your history. I mean, you're like brothers. And besides, you're about the furthest from gay that a guy can get."

Jem added with a laugh, though his heart didnt quite seem to be in it. He averted his gaze and Will laughed humourlessly.

"Well, anyway... I managed to ruin yet another relationship. I wonder whose glorious partnership ill break next?"

And with that, Will turned his back on Jem and walked away, his heart yearning for the silver boy.

...

Magnus moped around his house for the next few days. He didn't go to work. He just sat there, wallowing in self-pity. And it was pathetic.

By the time Thursday night came around, he was restless and angry. But at himself. For not fighting, for not getting on with life and making this all worth it. He was sure that Alec would be working himself to the bone, giving everything he had to his performance. And Magnus had to man up and do the same.

Grabbing his coat, he shoved through his door and out onto the streets. The snow had cleared for now, that's how long he had wasted inside alone. But he now moved with purpose, though not knowing which direction to take.

Though soon enough, he found himself somewhere he never expected to be. The steps of the Institute.

He stared at the door for a second before knocking hard several times. They opened to reveal a kind looking woman who smelled like cookies.

"I'm looking for... Will Herondale."

She smiled and waved him on through to the grand ornate doors of the library. Walking cautiously through the aisles, he called out.

"William? You in here?"

There was a rustle of paper and the sound of acknowledgement as Magnus rounded a corner. And sat there, staring at him with those deep blue eyes, was Will.

"Magnus. I didn't expect to see you here."

Magnus sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Me either. I guess you know what's happened?"

Will nodded and gestured to the seat beside him on the soft couch. Magnus slipped his coat off and dropped into the seat ungracefully.

"I messed up." He moaned as Will nodded.

"Yeah. But its not entirely your fault. Alec does have a tendency to overthink and get hurt easily. I blame his past. It fucked him up."

Magnus nodded and sighed. "I love him so much. I just wish he wasn't under so much stress and in so much pain. But between me, his absent parents, school and everything else, he just cant handle it when its so full on."

Will sighed. "Yeah. The poor kids been to hell and back. But he loves you. He told me. And i could see it in his eyes."

They sat in silence for a minute, staring at each other before Magnus whispered.

"Its not your fault either William."

Will laughed softly. "Yes it is. I have a knack for ruining people. Its my curse."

Magnus sighed and took Wills hand. "You're not cursed Will. You're a good kid, one of the best i know, though you are my boyfriends family so forgive me if I'm prejudiced."

They laughed together and their eyes met in the dim light. They froze as the atmosphere changed. Will wound his fingers with Magnus' and sat up straighter. Magnus licked his lips subconsciously. Will breathed hard and leaned in. Magnus moved closer, their eye contact never wavering. There was less an inch between them. They could feel each other's breath and the heat of their bodies. Their foreheads touched and Will tipped his chin up, his nose brushing against Magnus' as the space almost disappeared.

But Magnus hastily pulled back, snapping out of whatever spell they had fallen under. Will shook his head and moved away, looking anywhere but at Magnus.

There was an awkward silence for way too long before Will said, "Well, that was awkward."

Magnus snorted and ran his hands through his hair.

"Um, yeah. Sorry. My pulling away wasn't an insult to your hotness. More the fact that i love Alec. And you love Jem. That wouldn't have been a smart move."

"Agreed. Sorry."

They sat there for a minute before Magnus sighed.

"What am i gonna do? I cant lose Alec. I cant."

Will sighed and put a hand on Magnus' shoulder.

"Listen up, Bane. I'm gonna teach you a lesson. Its called Alec Lightwood 101. First thing you need to know is that he never says what he means. He may come off as straightforward most the time but when it comes to emotions and what he truly wants, he wont say. He doesn't see himself the way others see him. You see him as angel or something right? Well, he doesn't see it. Johnathan destroyed all his confidence and self-esteem. You see, you cant assume that he knows how you feel and you cant go along with everything he says all the time."

Magnus listened hard, trying to make sense of it all.

"So, when he told me that he wants a break...?"

Will smiled. "It means that he needs you."

Magnus bit his lip. "And when he said i shouldn't go to his show tomorrow...?"

Will grinned. "It means he wants you there. He needs you there. Hell, he's probably doing it for you. To make you proud of him."

Magnus sighed with a smile and bit his lip.

"Excuse me, William, but i have a phone call to make."

Will smiled and stood up with him, handing him his jacket.

"Good luck Magnus. And remember what i told you about him. Remember that and you'll be set with him for the rest of your life."

Magnus beamed. "I hope so."

Will extended his hand they shook hands firmly, smiling. As Magnus whipped out of the library, he caught Wills jaunty wink and even laughed a little.

When he spilled out into the midnight street, he pulled out his phone. It rang three times before his dear friend answered.

"Ragnor. I know its late and know i owe you a lot already... But i have one last favour to ask. Can you get me a ticket for the show tomorrow at the Seraph centre?"

Ragnor cursed him for waking him up but promised him a ticket regardless. And Magnus went home with a smile on his face.

Operation: Win back blue eyes was go.