Magnus looked down at his phone and sighed. He couldn't say he was surprised. Jace wasn't exactly ugly. In fact, next to Alexander, he was the hottest guy around, but rather than text Magnus about it, Clary should really be telling Jace about her insecurities.
Unsure how to answer, Mangus put his phone down and tried to focus on his history textbook. Exams. His least favourite time of year and they were back again. Last exam season was a blur of misery and denial. Magnus hardly even remember what study methods he'd used.
At the moment, Magnus's brain so did not want to study. It turned out misery was a much better friend to his education than happiness. Magnus loved Alec. He really loved Alexander, and this was quite the revelation to him. Magnus smiled just thinking about it. With Alec, the love felt different though he couldn't explain - even to himself - in what way it was different. Magnus had known so many heartbreaks, that he sometimes wondered maybe the difference between Alec and the others, was only knowing love without the memory of heartbreak mixed in. He tried not to think like this though.
Right, he should be studying for his history exam. Magnus made a frustrated cry to no one as he was alone in his apartment at the moment, and laid his head down on his desk in exasperation. Couldn't these stupid things just be over already? Using more willpower than he cared to admit, Magnus lifted his head from the desk and checked the time. Alec had said he'd be an hour… about 56 minutes ago, but Magnus wasn't counting.
Since their first conversation about money, Alec had been very open with talking about his life, answering all Magnus nosy questions and finally, Magnus didn't feel so cut off. Understanding where Alec came from seemed to be the answer to their problems. Alec may have no idea what it's like to have either enough money to buy milk or go to the movies, but Magnus had no idea what it was like in Alec's world. Alexander Lightwood, heir to his father's business empire. It was a lot to wrap his head around. Though technically, heir was the wrong word. This wasn't the middle ages after all, though from the way Alec spoke, it seemed his father did expect Alec to come work for him one day.
Apart from his boyfriend and his studies, Magnus was a little worried about his roommate. Tessa seemed a little off lately, and Magnus wasn't sure why. When he'd asked, she simply replied that she was fine. When Magnus had texted Will to ask him if he knew what was going on with Tessa, Will had just confirmed that she was fine. Magnus wasn't convinced though, and decided to keep an eye on her. He would have texted Jem, but he didn't have Jem's number.
59 minutes… but again Magnus wasn't counting.
He heard a soft meow as The Great Catsby jumped into his lap. Magnus stroked the cat absently, wondering how long it would be until Chairmen Meow got jealous and came seeking attention.
It turned out, not very long as when Alec walked into the apartment four minutes later, Magnus had two cats 'helping' him study, one sleeping on his textbook while the over was rubbing his face.
"Entertaining I see?" Alec said smiling as he came to stand beside Magnus.
"Against my will," Magnus laughed as he picked up the cat currently in his face and placed him down on the ground so he could properly greet his boyfriend. Alec leaned down to kiss him sweetly before sitting in the chair beside Magnus and pulling his laptop out of his bag.
Magnus had just managed to actually absorb some history facts when his phone went off again. Automatically checking it, he groaned.
"What is it?" Alec asked.
"It's Clary," Magnus sighed. "Women are hitting on Jace in bars, and she's upset Simon isn't returning next year, and generally seemed to have no one else to ask for advice. I don't know what to tell her."
"Well I can't help with the Simon thing," Alec replied. "But I know Jace pretty well. What did Clary say?"
"Here," Magnus sighed, handing his phone to Alec. "See for yourself." There was silence for a moment while Alec read.
"She has nothing to worry about," Alec said a moment later. "Jace hasn't so much as looked at another woman since he met her. Just tell Clary to chill."
"But she says he has," Magnus whined.
"There is a difference between noticing someone is hot and actually caring," Alec replied. "Hell I noticed Jace was hot back in high school. You don't see me hitting on him."
"From the tone of her texts, I don't think Clary would agree with you," Magnus argued.
"Then tell her to ask Jace directly," Alec sighed. "He can be kinda dense sometimes. He probably has no clue she's upset." This made sense, so Magnus spent a moment texting Alec's advice to Clary.
"Heck, if she doesn't want to, I'll lecture him," Alec laughed. "She is worrying for nothing."
"There sent," Magnus said placing his phone back down next to his textbook, then adding in a whiny voice. "Oh but now I have no excuse to put off studying."
"I've got one," Alec said, turning away from his books to look at Magnus. "We haven't talked about what we are going to do this summer."
"I have to work," Magnus whined. He always worked over the summers.
"Oh," Alec said. "I was kinda hoping you'd come meet my parents."
"I'd love to Alexander, but if I don't make some money this summer, I won't be coming back in September."
"Well how much do you need to make?" Alec asked. "Maybe I can help."
Magnus wasn't really sure how to respond to this. He knew Alec was just trying to be nice, but a part of him was deeply offended. Did Alec want to pay Magnus to stay with him in his big fancy mansion during summer break? Magnus felt cheap just considering it.
"Oh wait! I didn't mean!" Alec said suddenly, his hands going to his hair like he always did when he was stressed out. "I just- never mind." Blushing deeply Alec turned away and buried himself in his notes, though Magnus had a feeling his boyfriend wasn't actually seeing them.
With a deep sigh, Magnus turned to Alec, placing a hand under Alec's chin. "It's okay," Magnus whispered. "I know you didn't mean it the way it came out."
"I just want to spend my summer with you," Alec mumbled, his cheeks still red.
"I know," Magnus replied softly. "Let's just focus on surviving our exams first." Alec nodded and they actually got down to studying after that.
By the time exams ended, they still hadn't spoken about what they were going to do. Magnus had to admit, he was avoiding the topic. Magnus focused instead on his resume. He applied for as many summer jobs as he could find. He got a few interviews, the one at the museum went particularly well. Museums loved hiring history major's as tour guides; Magnus just wished the job was full time. As it was, if he got the museum job, he'd have to get another one as well.
Magnus had often thought about working during the school year as well, but that would mean taking less classes, and graduating later. Magnus preferred to spend a solid four months working his butt off, then get the rest of the year to focus on his school work, rather than trying to do both at once.
He was trying very hard not to think about Alec leaving for the holidays, because it sucked. It would have been so easy to accept Alec's almost offer of funds, and just go enjoy his vacation with Alec's parents, but Magnus couldn't do that. It felt wrong and gross. Magnus didn't want to feel indebted to his boyfriend when it came to money.
He remember his days in the dorms well enough to know that Alec had to be moved out by Friday at the latest, and it was Wednesday. Magnus wondered if Alec had booked his flights yet, while he worried that their relationship was still too new to survive long distance. He mentioned none of this to Alec, however, as they spent much of their last days on campus together.
"I have to be out of the dorms by Friday," Alec said, speaking the very words Magnus had been thinking for days, and broaching the very topic Magnus had been trying to avoid. "And I've been thinking… I don't have to go home for the summer."
"But you have nowhere to live," Magnus argued despite the fact that his heart had fluttered at Alec's words.
"I was wondering," Alec began. "I mean, I'm there a lot anyway and- only for the summer- Though there could be other places- I mean-."
"What are you trying to say Alec," Magnus asked, turning to smile at his stuttering boyfriend.
"Could I stay with you?" Alec asked. "It would only have to be for the summer, so it could be kinda like a test run. Jace wants to get a place off campus together next year."
"Are you sure?" Magnus asked. "I'll be working all the time. You might be bored all alone."
"I'm sure I want to spend my summer with you," Alec replied. "If you can't come home with me, then I want to stay with you. If that's okay?"
"Of course you can stay with me," Magnus laughed as he pulled Alec in for a hug. Alec's arms held him tight, as his boyfriend buried his face into Magnus's shoulder.
"Besides," Magnus said when they broke apart. "Tessa is hardly home these days."
"Yeah I noticed," Alec said taking Magnus's hand as they continued walking around the school, both of them feeling as if a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. "What's that about?"
"No idea," Magnus laughed. "But I don't think it's bad somehow." As they passed the dorms, Alec tugged on Magnus's hand and asked if Magnus would help him pack. Magnus gladly agreed, and soon found himself boxing up the little things Alec had in his dorm.
"Dorm living isn't really living," Magnus commented as he looked at the tiny pile of boxes. "Seriously this is it?"
"Yep," Alec said. "It's such a small space, I really only brought essentials."
"Have you told your parents you aren't going home for the summer?" Magnus asked, realizing he hadn't thought of this before.
"Not yet," Alec said. "I wanted to ask you first."
"Maybe you should call them," Magnus suggested.
"Sure, though I know they won't mind," Alec smiled. "There's no rush. Let's get these back to your place first." He indicated towards the boxes, and together they carried Alec's things across campus, and down the street into Magnus's apartment.
Alec already had a few items of clothing in Magnus's dresser and a toothbrush in the bathroom, so moving in the rest of his things didn't take long. Alec's laptop was permanently set up in the dining room, while more clothes and toiletries were added to the existing ones.
"So are you going to call your parents now?" Magnus asked Alec as they finished unpacking his clothes.
"I can do that later," Alec said while turning away from the dresser to face Magnus. "When you are busy, right now I have you all to myself."
"Do you now?" Magnus chuckled, taking a step closer to Alec. "What ever gave you that idea?"
"Well I happen to know my boyfriend's roommate is currently out," Alec replied cheekily as he moved closer still.
"Ah but your boyfriend has a new roommate," Magnus grinned at Alec, playing along. "And he might arrive at any moment."
"No time to waste then," Alec whispered as he took Magnus in his arms and kissed him. Magnus felt Alec's hands under his shirt as the kiss deepened and Magnus melted into it, his own hands wrapped around Alec in turn.
"I love you," Alec whispered in Magnus's ear before kissing Magnus's neck.
"Alexander," Magnus moans as he tilted his head back.
"Say it," Alec whispered against his skin. Magnus was breath hard now as Alec pulled his shirt up over his head. The two of them fell onto Magnus's bed together, Alec pulling his own shirt off in the process.
"I love you too," Magnus gasped as Alec began kissing his chest. "So much." Hands pulled at belts as the rest of the clothes were cast aside. Alec's lips and hands trailed over his skin, and Magnus reveled in every moment of it. Never had Magnus experienced love quite like this before, though that meant he'd never experienced losing a love like this before which scared Magnus. But Alec loved him. Loved him enough to stay here for the summer. Magnus wasn't going to lose his love this time. He wasn't going to lose Alexander.
Kinda a short short chapter this time (usually my chapters are at least 200 more words than this one) but I couldn't think what to add to it and even my beta said it didn't feel like it needed more.
And yay! Next chapter is finally chapter 50! I only need 6 more chapters then this will be my story with the most chapters out of all of them! I still need another 20,000 words to beat my story with the highest word count, but yay progress! I am not sure why I am so determined for Roommates and Soulmate to be my most everything story stats wise, but there you go.
Sneak Peek Chapter 50. :)
"It's so good to have you home!" his mother cried as she pulled him in for another hug. "The house is so empty with you kids gone."
"Mom," Simon sighed rolling his eyes.
"And I'm so glad you aren't leaving me again!" Elaine exclaimed.
The next day his mother bribed him with a delicious breakfast of crepes, bacon and fresh strawberries to get him to look into new school options. It turned out one year of university with an undeclared major wasn't a lot as far as transferring went.
"I won't say I told you so," Elaine said. "But I told you so."
"Really not helpful mom," Simon sighed. She was referring to his decision to follow Clary to school. His mother having been one of the ones to warn him endlessly that it was a bad idea before he'd done it.
