"I'm going home," Magnus sighed. "Tessa's upset about losing Will. At least at home I can be of some use to her."

Magnus didn't look back at his friend; he didn't even button up his jacket. He just walked slowly, but surely away. The cafeteria had a very open concept, with at least three exits. The main one being a large opening about the size of three doorways that was located near the row of benches. These were the only benches, everywhere else there were just hard metal chairs and tables. This way being his closest escape, Magnus moved quickly through the room and past the empty benches. Usually Magnus liked this school. The brick walls were cold, but also somehow made you feel safe. Magnus knew all the shortcuts through the hardly used hallways, as well as the best quiet corners to study. The buildings that Magnus had some degree of affection for before today now simply held empty benches, the perfect metaphor for his life.

Today had started great. Clary texted asking if he wanted to meet for breakfast and he had planned on doing homework with Alec later. It was a rather standard Saturday really, but that was all ruined now. It wasn't even noon and Magnus just wanted today to be over.

Not even for Alec could Magnus do it all again. Alexander was beautiful, kind, generous and funny. Alec had been the one to put more of him back together these last two months than even Clary. But, Magnus knew where this road always ended. He had a block; a failsafe in his heart that stopped him from getting pulled in again, keeping him from getting emotionally involved. If you didn't build something, then there was nothing to destroy. This block was of his own making and Magnus knew if he really wanted to, it was within his power to remove it, but the idea terrified him. Being crushed again under the heel of someone you loved was no small pain.

Magnus's thoughts had carried him out of the school and toward his apartment. The ground was hard and the grass covered in a layer of frost. Magnus was cold, but still he didn't do up his jacket. It seemed such a pointless thing, and was only causing him to shiver, but at least Magnus had control over it. Magnus watched the hard frozen ground as he headed home, taking note of the way the ice crystals had formed over the earth. Magnus's mind was oddly blank as he put one foot in front of the other. It felt almost like a mercy to be so numb.

His apathetic mood persisted as Magnus entered his apartment. Tessa was seated in the big armchair at an angle to the TV, but the screen was dark. Tessa didn't like to show how much losing Will hurt her, but Magnus knew her well. He knew there was less joy in her smile, less spring in her step. Usually Tessa would be reading while sitting in her favourite chair, but not today. Magnus guessed it was only himself and Jem who noticed a difference in her at all since Tessa put so much energy into keeping up appearances. Magnus knew she was doing it for Jem's benefit, even though it only worried Jem.

"Have you talked to Will?" Magnus asked as she greeted him with a half-hearted smile.

"He's still avoiding me. Jem feels horrible," Tessa said sadly. "Which, makes me feel bad since I miss the man I was cheating on Jem with! But, Jem of course doesn't see it the same way. He just wants me to be happy, stupid, selfless idiot!" Tessa's voice slowly rose with anger.

"Sounds like an endless cycle of pain," Magnus said miserably.

"And you sound like a ray of sunshine," Tessa remarked, sarcasm etched in every syllable. Then she really looked at him, and Magnus tried to keep his emotions off his face without success. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Magnus said, but Tessa gave him a look and Magnus knew he wouldn't be able to get away with keeping his problems to himself. "Alec doesn't want to be my friend anymore."

"Oh I'm sorry," Tessa said. "Bit extreme though. What friendship ends like that?"

"I think he likes me," Magnus said trying to just explain without letting his misery at the new information show through.

"That's great" Tessa said, but quickly added. "But wait… why do you look like someone killed your puppy?" So much for keeping his emotions off his face and Magnus had never owned a dog in his life.

"I don't want to date Alec," Magnus almost yelled. "I don't want to date anyone."

"When you first saw him," Tessa started but Magnus cut her off.

"Sure he's hot," Magnus said. "But once I met him, I enjoyed his company too much to risk..."

"What, dating him?" Tessa asked incredulous. "That's ridiculous, Magnus."

Magnus stood up, suddenly angry. Why did no one understand? Every time he'd let someone in, every time he'd opened his heart to someone that someone had left him bleeding and broken. Magnus's first love, Etta, had been beautiful and loving. They met in high school when she transferred into his class and Magnus had been enamored with her right away. Her grace and casual caresses lit up his life, but no sooner did Magnus fall head over heels for her then she broke up with him. She started dating a boy from another school soon after and to this day Magnus still wasn't sure if she'd been seeing him while they were still together.

Magnus had picked up the pieces of his heart the best he could and thankfully met Axel not long after. Magnus hadn't known before Axel that he also enjoyed the company of men. Axel had looked a bit like Alec, with the same black hair and blue eyes, though Magnus preferred the richness of Alec's eyes. Magnus had tried this time to make sure he was loved in return before he jumped heart first into a new romance. For a while everything was wonderful. After their high school graduation Magnus and Axel were going to take a year off and travel together, but at the last minute, Axel backed out. He chose his future career plans and a fancy college over Magnus; he left without even a goodbye. Magnus had canceled his travel plans, too miserable to want to go on the trip alone. He'd worked the year to save for school instead. Sure he had less debt, but it hadn't been worth it.

With his heart already twice scarred, Imasu entered Magnus's life. He was a musician, and a great one at that. Imasu brought joy into Magnus's life again after his previous heartbreak and Magnus had been sure this time he'd found the one person who he could be with for life. But, Imasu's family hadn't approved of Magnus for their oh so gifted son. They convinced Imasu that Magnus wasn't right for him. They made Imasu choose his music over Magnus. This time, Magnus had at least gotten a goodbye, but he would have preferred avoiding that too. Imasu's goodbye had been him telling Magnus cruelly that Magnus wasn't the marrying kind.

Magnus had thrown himself into working until he left for university. With no hope of happiness, he started classes. It hadn't taken long for Camille to smile at him and melt away just enough of his pain to make him believe in love again. Little had Magnus known that Ralf had also caught her eye.

Magnus's miserable thoughts crippled his anger. He sank back down into the couch, his face in his hands. Why did no one understand?

"You are too young to give up on love," Tessa told him gently. "Are you just going to be alone for the rest of your life?"

"I don't know," Magnus whimpered.

"If Alec likes you and you like Alec, then you should be with him," Tessa said. "You are creating problems that aren't really there."

"He thinks he sorta likes me now," Magnus said. "But what does that mean really? It doesn't guarantee it will last. It doesn't promise happiness." After all the rest of them had liked him too - had even loved him - but they'd still fractured his heart into a million pieces.

"If I ever get my hands on that woman," Tessa said angry. "I am going to ring her neck." Magnus knew she was talking about Camille, and he wished she wouldn't. No matter how hurt Magnus was or how mad, he couldn't hate her. Besides, she was just the most recent to wound him. If not for his previous scars, Magnus suspected Camille's betrayal alone wouldn't have made him completely lose faith in love.

"Please don't," Magnus said softly.

"You forget," Tessa said sternly. "The first time I met Alec, I thought you were already dating. The way he talked about you Magnus!"

"Please don't remind me of how big a fool I was not to see it," Magnus whined. But even if he had noticed sooner what could he have done? Stopped Alec's crush in its tracks? Unlikely.

"Then can I remind you how big a fool you are now?" Tessa asked.

"No," Magnus said. "I came here to try and comfort you."

"Well, I am in better shape than you," Tessa said. "Despite the fact that one of the men I love isn't returning my calls or texts."

"One of," Magnus said shaking his head. He had never loved two people at the same time and in quite the same way Tessa loved Will and Jem; he had no idea what that was like. Since he could be of no use to Tessa he decided he would rather be alone. Magnus excused himself and went to collapse face first on his bed. There is nothing like your own bed to make you feel like the world is just a little less horrible. Magnus wrapped himself in his blankets, hugging his pillow. He was going to miss Alec's carefree laugh and the way Alec could pull his mind back from Camille whenever grief threatened him. Those eyes as well. Magnus had more than once lost himself in those clear blue pools.

Why was the world so obsessed with romantic relationships anyway? There was way more to life. How Magnus wished Alec had actually been straight. Then this whole mess would have been avoided and he'd still have his friend.

Chairman Meow jumped up onto his bed. Magnus stroked the cat absently. Cats always come to see you when you are upset. They snuggle up close when you're cold and purr until the world isn't so cruel. Why couldn't romantic entanglements be more like cats? Magnus stayed perfectly still and Chairman got comfortable, kneading Magnus's leg. Soon the small warm creature was nestled against his side. Eventually the Great Catsby joined them on the bed, and Magnus started to feel better surrounded by his kitties.

Magnus didn't get his homework done, but rather waited until tomorrow to worry about it. He decided he got one day to sulk before he had to get up and function again. His cats were the most comforting presence he could imagine. Magnus binge watched Netflix, ignored the world outside his bedroom and generally wasted a whole Saturday.

When Magnus woke the next day, he was done feeling sorry for himself. He got up and picked out his most self-esteem boosting outfit. Selecting his red suede shoes, Magnus paired them with his favourite black suit jacket that had iridescent pinstripes woven in. Black pants and a casual shirt to match his shoes completed the look. Magnus felt better already, but rather than face his problems, Magnus decided to try and solve Tessa's.

"Can you give me Will's phone number?" Magnus asked as he left his bedroom and saw Tessa in the kitchen.

"I guess," Tessa said, not looking up from her cooking. "But I don't see how that will help. He's dodging my calls."

"I was thinking," Magnus said. "Maybe he won't dodge my calls." Tessa looked up skeptically at him and finally noticed his outfit.

"Going somewhere?" Tessa asked eyebrows raise and Magnus could just tell she hoped he'd made a date plan with Alec.

"Can't a guy just want to look nice to make himself feel better?" Magnus asked rhetorically.

"I still say going out with Alec would be a better solution than clothes," Tessa mumbled.

"That's because you don't care about fashion," Magnus said, then he added before she could reply. "Will's phone number?" She sighed but moved away from the counter to get her phone.

"I still don't think he will answer you," Tessa said as Magnus received Tessa's text containing Will's number. He added it to his contacts before quickly texting Will.

'Hey Will. How are you?' Magnus texted.

Magnus thanked Tessa then went to his desk and sat down in his fabulous outfit to do some homework while Tessa continued to nag him that such an outfit was wasted on staying home. It was several hours later when Will replied.

'Who is this?' Will texted back. Magnus answered, explaining who he was, but he never received a reply. So much for that idea.

Unfortunately, Magnus's homework was finished quickly and thus he was out of distractions. His masochistic mind wandered to thoughts of Alexander. If Alec didn't care enough to be Magnus's friend, then Magnus was even more sure risking his heart again was out of the question. After all, if Alec had stayed Magnus's friend, maybe eventually he would have grown to feel safe enough to trust Alec enough that he could consider… but Alec hadn't given him the option. Alec had just severed all ties.

It wasn't until a week later that Magnus suddenly realized he'd never given Alec even the slightly indication that he liked Alec, or was indeed even interested in men at all. For all Alec knew, Magnus was straight, though that almost kiss had probably told Alec differently. Either way, how could Magnus blame Alec for pulling away to protect himself just as Magnus was doing.

Maybe he should text Alec, explain that he might feel the same way, but he wasn't really looking for a relationship right now. Or was that cruel? Was it better that Alec thought Magnus didn't return his feelings?

Magnus stared at his phone, still trying to decide whether he should text Alec or not, when the doorbell rang. Magnus's first thought was that it had to be Alec. His second thought was why would Alec come to this door, especially since Magnus hadn't texted him. This third thought was that it probably wasn't Alec and why had Magnus jumped to that conclusion? It could have been any number of Magnus's or Tessa's friends. Jem, in particular had been over often during the last week.

Finally, Magnus realized that he'd been standing theorizing for long enough and that the person on the other side of the door may think no one was home and leave. Snapping out of his thoughts Magnus went to get the door.


Beta ready by Holly0114


So who's at the door? Any guesses? hehe


This author's note comes to you in three parts:

Part one: The name of this story!
Thanks so much to those who left suggestions! They were great! I have two potential names for this story that I like and I want you guys to tell me which one you like more please if you don't mind. :) Then I'll change the story name to that and we can dispense with the lame working title.

Title option 1) "Roommates & Soulmates" suggested by LeftyGirl on Archive your own (ao3)

Title option 2)" University of Tangled Romances" which is a mixed of two suggestions. The 'University of' part was suggested again by LeftyGirl on ao3 and Tangled Romances was suggested by White Moon Howler here on fanfic.

Part two: The rating of this story!
So as you may have noticed this story is rated M for the single sex scene in the first chapter... I had thought there would be more but the plot hasn't called for them and the one time it did (Jace and Trinity) the sex part of the scene wasn't important and I didn't feel like writing it so I glossed over most of it. Do you guys think I should keep the rating in case the mood strikes me in later chapters and I eventually write a lemon or should I re-write the first chapter, re-upload it and chapter the rating to T? My last story "Innocence Corrupts" was my first attempt at writing lemons. I have kinda been there and done that now and am perfectly happy to turn this into a T rated story if that's what people want. If I change it there will never be a lemon in this story but if I don't they might be... eventually. I keep getting more ideas for future plots so this story might get rather long... and with long stories there is always the possibility of future smut. lol

Part Three: The timeline of this story!
I have been told by a few people that the flow of time in this story is a little confusing. Up until now I have been lazy and never made a timeline. I sorta knew how long things were taking in my head but didn't write it down and keep track properly to make sure it made sense. I have plotted out the timeline now and it all works but it might not be super clear in the chapters I have already published. I could go back and add maybe the month/day in bold at the top of the chapters to clear things up. Would that help? Or I could do what I did for my last story and just upload the timeline at the very end as a separate chapter. Not sure how long this story will be though so you might be waiting a while for the timeline.


In conclusion your review should say what you think the story's name should be, what you want the rating to be and if I need to add more of a timeline to previous chapters! :D I promise I really do appreciate your feedback. I want to write a story you enjoy and the best way to do that is by knowing what my audience wants. :) I have already added a jealous plot line in because of a commenter on Archive your own. See I listen! In fact the only reason I upload on ao3 at all is because of a reviewer here on fanfic asked me to once.


Sneak peek chapter 16:

Wouldn't you love it if I added one of these! But that would totally give away the cliffhanger since you would know who's POV is next! Just gonna have to wait my friends.

Oh alright how about this? If you answer all three of my above questions (name, rating, timeline) then I'll send you the sneak peek in a PM message. ^_^ See I can be nice. :)