"The Shadowhunter Chronicles "Belong to Cassandra Clare , as do their rights ."Fangirl " Belongs to Rainbow Rowell , as do their rights ."Fall Out Boy "own all their rights .
Warning - Swear Words and possible sexual references
Chapter Five - The Magic and the Missing
Magnus sat up in his silk covered bed .To stare across the small space between his bed and the other one in the room – to suddenly know something was wrong .It was not often Magnus Bane had the prickly on edge feeling you might get after misplacing an important object , losing something you ought not to have .Or being simply unable to recall what was missing .
Magnus didn't seem to have that problem .He knew something was wrong immediately .
Throwing himself from his haven of sheets , feet slamming against the cold floor .Magnus stalked across the room ,crossing from his beautifully decorated side to the other more muted , modest one .He stood dazed for a moment , his outrageous behavior last night (most of which he couldn't remember , Ragnors parties did that to a person ) didn't stop him from suddenly feeling very much awake .Magnus Bane doesn't do hangovers .
The dark black curls atop of Alec Lightwoods head where nowhere to be seen , the other boys bed looked untouched .Much like it had yesterday .Posters stared down at him , the weight of Harry Potters heaving gaze caught him from where the poster was tucked away .
Don't panic , Magnus .Maybe he got up early .Maybe he doesn't want to talk to you after you dragged him to the lunch hall .Maybe he really does hate you after all .Magnus's mind was racing , he pulled the red velvet dressing gown , to tie it tightly around his waist as he paced .He felt a lot like Sherlock Holmes ,if Sherlock Holmes somehow managed to lose John Watson that is .
We barely knew each other. Magnus spoke in his head staring at the missing figure that should be filling the other bed , so why was he so alarmed ?Because Alexander was new , young , innocent to college life , these traits rarely found in Magnus's life – those sapphire eyes and hole bitten jumpers , soft voice and shocked gaze .He had to find Alexander .
Alec was almost always sleeping when he left in the mornings. As though the other boy had trained himself to sleep through could have been an awkward encounter .Almost two weeks and the routine hadn't changed – apart from last night's outing to dinner .But that was only because I felt bad for him right ?
Magnus smoothed his bed-covers, the rainbow of sheets once more pristine, the array of pillows in all different sizes stacked neatly .He might desperately need to find Alec , but that was no reason for a fashion atrocity .Magnus Bane turned to his wardrobe with a grin , amber eyes quickly flashing over the makeup table .
A few, well maybe more than a few, minutes later, Magnus was finishing the spikes in his glittering hair , dressed in his favorite ripped leather jeans . A top that hung so low it flashed more than one of his bronzy abs in an alarming shade of pink to match his combats .Pulling his phone from his pocket to check the time , Magnus realized he could have just phoned Alec to find out where he was .
Flicking through his contacts , Magnus sighed with annoyance when he also noticed he didn't have Alec's phone number .And Im normally good at getting a guys phone number ! Magnus knew Alec was gone , there was no way the boy would have left without him waking up – Magnus had crawled into bed after getting back from Ragnors and the Party that took place there , but Alec had said he was going home hadn't he ?Maybe he just hadn't noticed ?There might have been a not ?
Once more Magnus scanned the room , before walking closer to the door spilling glitter with every footfall . He could just leave it .Alec would be home soon – Freshman always go back to their dorms, they don't have anywhere else to go .Magnus thought of those siblings Alec talked about, he could go to the campus office to find their dorms and ask if they had seen Alec .But if he really cared about Alec, he should go find him right?
The door slammed behind Magnus, as he headed in the direction of the campus office building .Don't worry Darling – I'll find you.
Alec awoke , yet refused to open his eyes – feeling the soft ,familiar scene around him .He would surely be awoken any minute by Izzy charging into his bedroom anyway – what was another five minutes of rest ?Breathing in the heady scent of popcorn , the air was filled for some reason with the tangy taste of copper .
The back of his throat and mouth were parched, Alec rolled around in the covers until he found himself caught up in a cocoon .All he could taste on his tongue with the sugary powder of candy , the tight pressing feeling in his stomach told him he must be coming of a sugar high .There where footsteps , he really didn't want Izzy to drag him from his bed .Alec had his eyes pressed tightly shut when a pillow hit him square in the face .
" Ouch ...What the hell " Alec shot up rubbing his noise , yet they seemed to want to glue themselves shut again, in no mood to adjust to the light around him ."You where drooling on the couch !" Jace shouted , the slightly blurred imagine of his golden haired step brother played across his vision , as Jace waved his arms at the couch .So ,this isn't my house at all then .
Alec turned to the couch's arm , he wiped his dry lips he didn't see any drool ." Jace " Alec snapped , as he shook of a piece of popcorn from his day old grey t-shirt ."Dude , I told you Simon was out .That you could have his room for the night .How is it my fault you chose to sleep – to drool , on my couch " Jace didn't seem angry , he was smirking at Alec . With his stupid perfect teeth .
It all came back to him of course, through a thumping development of a headache - walking home from the dining hall ,Jace putting on a series of Netflix shows that collided together ,popcorn and sugar , Jaces beer stalked fridge .Jace dosing of on his shoulder, only to wake up when Alec wrapped a blanket around him .He said "Clary " in his sleep .And finally the offer of Simon's nerd shrine of a bedroom , but Alec really didn't want to sleep under Princess Leia covers .Though young Obi-wan maybe .Wait , what ! Shut up .
"I didn't even drool on the couch " Alec complained , looking around Jaces living room , cream colored walls , dark wooden furniture and clean lines .The accessories gave away who else was in residence – posters of the Avengers framed in black on the walls . A bookcase filled with special editions movies and pop vinyl's , nerdy accessories from many different fandom's .All of Simon's stuff meticulously placed and perfected by Jace , the neat freak .
"You've got popcorn in your eyebrow "Jace said sliding onto the couch, looking down at the crumbs with perplexed expression. Alec started to furiously rub his eyebrow , only to make Jace sigh ."Look "He said turning to face Alec on the couch moving steadily closer to his face "I'll get it ". Jace swiped the pad of his thumb over Alec's eyebrow, the golden eyed boys features titled in concentration before Alec – they were so, so close.
"See "Jace whispered knocking a tiny crumb onto the couch , his mouth forming the words but all Alec say where his lips , and how close their faces where "I've got it ".Jaces hand had only touched his hand for a fraction of a second , yet Alec jumped back .A nervous sweat spread across his forehead , Jace didn't seem to notice as he moved back . Shit. Oh Shit.
"Dude , when have you got to go "Jace started to tick his finger against his thigh like a hand of a clock "Because I really need to clean this place up " .Maybe that's why they where such good roommates , there apartment was Simon's sister Rebecca's – she was the one renting it out to them , and Jaces quite obsessive cleaning kept it need .Though , as people they might not have been the best of roommates – Alec could sometimes swear he could hear them fighting from his side of campus .
"Soon maybe " Alec said ,flicking at pieces of popcorn "I've got a class this afternoon .Might do some studying or writing .Why ,is Clary coming over this morning ?"Jace looked as if all the cockiness had been slapped out of him in one big swoop, he even looked slightly sheepish "Em..yeah ...like maybe..She said she might ...I don't know ".
"Okay " Alec said , he blinked once more – the world was truly back to normal around him .He looked again at the mess of the couch , moving to dust of his jumper .Oh Shit .He looked down to see his torso was clad in a soft woolly blue thing ,knitted with thin soft wool , jewels adorning its fake white collar .
"What the hell are you warring ? "Jace said in alarm , as though he had only just noticed the development .Alec wished to all the gods that he would dissolve in a puff of smoke , melt into a puddle of embarrassment , maybe even go up in flames .
"Its ...It's my roommates "Alec refused utterly and completely to look into Jaces eyes "He thought it might get cold outside .I was just borrowing it " .Jace didn't say anything , Alec expected him to snort and make fun of the pretty , feminine jumper .But Jace didn't say anything for a moment , he rolled his eyes and fluffed his hair " That must be one hell of a roommate " .You wouldn't believe .
"What time is it " Alec tried to change the topic of conversation , looking threw his pockets for his phone , around the room for a clock ."Like , half eight or something "Jace yawned , Alec shot up ."Oh god .I have class ...I have places to be ...I ...I " Alec couldn't explain that he needed to meet up with Sebastian before his next class .Not when he had a feeling that Jace for some reason wouldn't like Sebastian , and his flirty smile .I feel like Im forgetting something .
"Are you really going to leave in the same ...interesting outfit as yesterday .What would the neighbors think . I can't believe I didn't notice that "Jace stretched his arms and arched his back .Alec shifted from foot to foot just next to the coffee table "Well it was dark , and you did smell like tequila ...I didn't bring anything to change into "."I'll find you something to change into "Jace grinned as always , running a hand throw his hair before disappearing of into one of the bedrooms .
Alec must have looked stricken - color rising in his cheeks , brow creased , his gaze wavering .He really didn't think anyone would notice his cloths .It wasn't as if anyone noticed him, in the first place .A red blush burned up his neck .Gosh , he hated Jaces suggestive comments .
Jace returned moments later looking triumphant , he stood in the doorway to the living room with a folded black tee in hand .He threw it at Alec , who had to jump sideways to catch it .Upon unfolding it , it was revealed to be one of Jaces old band t-shirts .This one baring the vintage yellow symbol for Fall Out Boy .
"Thanks " Alec blurted out , heading straight past Jace to the apartments main bathroom .Inside he striped of Magnus's woolly blue jumper , the smell of sandalwood clinging to his skin .Washing in the sink , before using a spare cheap hotel toothbrush he found in the cupboard to brush his teeth .Alec tried to look like less of a mess .He pulled on Jaces t-shirt , the fabric tight on his skin , smelling of Jace and fabric softener .
Alec looked in the mirror above the sink , seeing his own blue eyes reflected back –shadowed from the late night ,hair an uncombed wild tangle ,t-shirt far too tight looking , revealing far too much of him .He splashed his face , getting his hair damp in the process .Rubbing at his head and face with a towel until he felt less sloppy .
There where sounds outside , Alec thought he heard the shuffling of feet .He collected up his yesterday cloths , before opening the bathroom door to call for "Jace ?"He turned the corner to find he had walked into the center of a heated staring contest.
"Magnus ?"He yelped , seeing the glitter coated elder leaning against the door-frame , as beautifully dressed and alluring as always .Yet Magnus seemed more concentrated on giving Jace a dangerous stare , as Jace seemed to back up closer to Alec .Oh my God .By the Angel .Shit .
"Alexander " Magnus seemed to snap out of his terrifying showdown mode at the sight of the baffled Alec , standing before him with a sleepy face and damp curls ."What are you doing here ?"Alec questioned .Has Ragnor did something to the dorm .Are you here to tell me something bad has happened .What on earth is going on ?
"You weren't in your dorm, our dorm " Magnus didn't seem embarrassed , he stood still leaning back against the door-frame slightly , his words slicing throw the air " I thought you said you were going back to the dorm .I...thought something might have happened to you " .
"Oh...I...went to Jaces. I didn't think you'd be back to notice – with you going to Ragnors and all .How did you find us anyway?"Alec looked between Magnus and Jace , he couldn't imagine a worst first meeting .Not that he cared if Jace came to hate Magnus .Why would I ?I don't right ?
"Old ladies seem to love me .Especially the one at the office " Magnus smirked , pulling out a small shiny piece of candy in a golden wrapper to match his eyes " Fancy a sweet ?She gave me rather a lot " .Alec shook his head in disbelief .
"Well that's just great " Jace said thick with sarcasm , moving steadily closer to Magnus " My address getting handed out so that Alec's stalkers , and god knows who else are going to be turning up on my doorstep .Great "They had been in the same room for little more than two minutes - but the dislike between the two , was clear .
Magnus didn't waver, his face shifted to stone "I don't think we've been introduced .Im Magnus Bane, you must be Jace " .Jace growled slightly , like a cough in the back of his throat .The noise was clearly meant to be menacing , Magnus only grinned ."I can see Alec must have told you how wonderful I am .All I know of you, is that you're his crazy roommate ".
If Alec had a blade, he could have cut the tension in the room. "I didn't call you crazy "Alec felt sweat on his brow, he tried to reason "I didn't tell him anything about you , .He must have figured that one out for himself "."Why else would he be in your dorm room , Alec "The blonde yawned , sarcasm dripping off him .
Jace said tossing his hair , his model like features frosted .Suddenly his eyes grew wide as if something else had came to mind , another reason why Magnus might be in Alec's room ."Oh" He pouted, lip twitching with humor.
Magnus quirked his brow and looked at Alec's flushed face , the blue eyed boy making sputtering coughing noises under which there was a whisper of " I don't know what you're talking about .Shut up , Jace " .Magnus gave Alec one last confused look , before turning on his heels to the door "Well , I've got to go .Charmed Im sure Jace " .
Jace retorted with something under his breath that didn't seem like a complement .Just as Magnus stepped out the threshold , he turned "Aren't you coming back to the dorm Alec ?Don't you have a class soon ? "And there was a moment of terrible limbo , Alec felt like a rope stretched too thin in a game of "tug-of-war " , about to snap to one side .
He shifted slightly to the door , looking into Jaces bronzed eyes " Jace , I've got to go .Thanks for letting me stay over .Text me I guess .I'll bring back your t-shirt " .Jace didn't look pleased that he wasn't being chosen " Yeah , sure .I'll text you " .
"Um well ,okay then " Alec said , making sure he had all of his things ( which was really just Magnus's jumper and his phone in his pocket ).Walking swiftly Alec came to stand with Magnus in the corridor , looking back once more at Jace – who seemed to be trying to figure out something throw his angered gaze ."Bye "He said quietly, Jace swung the door closed "Bye ".
"So "Magnus said as they walked out of the Apartment complex, and into the early day sun. Jace and Simon's apartment was a short distance from campus, on the furthest side from Alec's dorm(though luckily for Simon it was close to Izzys ).It stood a modestly tall building in the fraternity neighborhood , on last night's hazy walk Alec had passed numerous frat parties and drunken teens .
"So "Alec said walking calmly down the pavement with Magnus at his side, he had to walk slightly faster to match Magnus's lengthily stride "You were worried?"Only after it was out of his mouth Alec thought it maybe implied that Magnus had to care if Alec disappeared, that Magnus should have been bothered and worried .Which he shouldn't have been, we're only roommate's .Im being ridiculous.
"I..I , well I "Magnus looked into Alec's eyes for a moment , his mouth parted as he thought of the words , Alec lost all attention when he was met with Magnus's golden gaze " I thought you might have been kidnapped by one of the frats .They always seem to be tormenting freshman .Couldn't have you strung up on a flagpole somewhere, now could I " .
Magnus gestured with his hands as he talked, at one of the many houses on the street – an all American style house with a large front porch and a neatly trimmed lawn .The sign above its door read "Omega " but the rest of the letters couldn't be made out .But the crushed beer cans , tightly drawn blinds and bathtub sitting in the middle of the lawn told Alec all he needed to know – this was a frat house .
"Believe me , I wouldn't be getting involved with those Hooligans "Alec realized he sounded like an old man angrily rocking on a chair , shouting at kids to get away from his porch only after Magnus's brow shot up ."You seem to have acquired an English accent , for a moment there , Alexander "Magnus said , strolling down the path .
"Oh "Alec blushed , he was sure after so long his accent had disappeared , it came out be accident sometimes .Alec hated the stares he sometimes got from people at the sound of his voice , he had learned to match with those around him – to not stand out .
"My mother and Father lived in England for most of their lives " Alec walked with Magnus , feeling exposed by his to tight shirt and the bright lights around him , but he continued to talk as Magnus seemed interested "But my father got a job in New York , so we moved to America when I was around ten .My father didn't really miss England , he was originally Spanish and had moved there anyway .But my mum loved England , we spend most of our holidays there " .
"That's quite a few nationalities "Magnus said cheerfully , they turned down a few more matching rows of houses before they both say the familiar signs of campus , blossoming trees and lecture halls , filled with roaming students ."What about you ?"After he spoke Alec wanted to hit himself .What a stupid question !He's American , just because he has beautiful skin .That was rude , and personal .Im such an idiot .
Magnus halted in his tracks .Alec stopped abruptly behind him, nearly falling over him."My mother was from Indonesia , my father from England .I lived in England for a bit , we traveled .I live in Brooklyn now " .Alec felt Magnus didn't talking about his family , and where he was from .He knew what it was like to want to forget parts of your life , yourself .He didn't press for information .Alec also didn't miss that he was talking about his mother in the past tense .
And in an instant he was back to bubbly Magnus, lurching forward down the path in his glittering combats and ripped leather jeans – Alec had to run to catch up."London was beautiful "Magnus said with a smile "All the people and the rushing .Impossible to feel calm when you can hear millions of hearts beating fast with yours. That's where I met Ragnor, I went to High-school there for a while ".
London! The imagine of Victorian gentleman Magnus appeared in his mind, remind him of the threats he still needed to tie together in his latest chapter .He really lived in London .Spookily fitting much."Im from the Isle of Wight " Alec said quietly , his face hot from such fast walking .
They were crossing into the Campus , on one of the many graveled paths overhung by cherry blossom trees , when Magnus tipped his heat in the direction of Izzys dining hall – the large glass building in which he ate most often .And said " Fancy some breakfast, Alexander ?Im guessing Jace didn't get you any ".
"Um , yeah .Sure " Alec said looking over Magnus's shoulder at the dining-hall , all the people inside it calmly eating their meals .Il be fine , Im with Magnus .Good thing I have my card though .
It wasn't quite like nursing a hangover , not that Alec would know .The feeling in his stomach of an unfurling beast , the dryness in the back of his throat , the tired and exhaustedness of it all ,and of course his headache .I don't know how Izzy and Jace deal with this .I suppose they've became immune .
Last night was a blur – maybe not in a good way .No wonder Jace hadn't noticed his jumper until that morning , as Alec could barely remember arriving at Jaces apartment .Jace had offered Alec one of the mildest beers in his fridge , and Alec thought the right thing to do was to take it .
Because Im meant to like this sort of thing right .He had drank little less than a quarter before he decided he would rather just eat the pizza they ordered and watch Netflix .Late nights and a sugar high ( and a possible hangover from little to no alcohol ) , weren't boding well with Alec's system .
Alec sat leaning over his plate of scrambled eggs and other odd looking breakfast foods ( there with some strange thing that looked like it might have once been a fish ) .Magnus had a bowl of cornflakes and even more colourful fruits , he played with the spoon tossing it through the bowl as he spoke .
"She's the one I was telling you about – with the wolf tail "Alec looked up from his food to see a pretty girl walking into the canteen, her hair in wild dark curls around her head, skin dark and gorgeous , warring a faded t-shirt and a "don't mess with me " grin .She say someone staring at her and made a retort that looked more like a snarl , as she picked up her tray and joined the line .
Alec say the accessory Magnus spoke of when she turned around, hanging on the back of her jeans was a pellet of grey and white fur, that could have only been from a wolf .Magnus seemed to be admiring it , the wheels in his mind clearly saying " I wonder if I could pull of warring a tail " and then " Yes , I totally could " .
Just as Alec was about to stop looking at the girl , a boy with dark blonde sandy hair and a fresh white shirt darted up to the wolf girl from behind and hugged her , his head resting on her shoulder .And for a moment it was as if the girl was about to through the stranger across the room ,through a window pane and snarl at him, until she looked up into his face and kissed his cheek .
Alec watched the whole display before realizing he was intruding on a private moment and turned back to Magnus .Only to see they where no longer sitting alone .Ragnor sat at the seat closest to Magnus ( and far from Alec ) , a bottle with questionable contents in one hand , the other madly waving about as they talked .Oh .Great .
Ragnors green eyes met Alec's blue ones , Alec was the first to look away ."Hello " Ragnor said as distastefully as he could , running one hand throw his chalk white hair "I say you to dining and thought you needed the company " .No , not really .
Waving a hand the other end of the hall, where Alec had first say Magnus that very first day he was on campus , Ragnor said " Camille was getting dreadfully boring " .Alec say the beautiful blonde in the midst of the "popular " crowd hair shiny and lips ruby red .And knew he had been correct when he had written her as a vampire and Lady .A Queen at her court .Why on earth did I make Magnus hers ?
"I was just saying to Alec about Wolf-tail girl " Magnus said , hearing Ragnor snort ."Oh I know her "Ragnors eyes gleamed in the direction of the girl and her boyfriend still standing in line , her tail also visible .
"What a dreadful way to make a fashion statement .Most of this lot are fashion disasters "Ragnor said surveying the room with a sigh , fixing his own stiff collar and bowtie ."Not you of course Alec "Ragnor said in a way as he that sounded as if he very much meant Alec .Though he did seem caught of guard , by the not so shady band shirt .
"No , of course not "Alec whispered to himself , chewing a mouthful of food .Ragnor the launched into a conversation with Magnus that he couldn't quite follow , about parties and friends , people Alec had never heard of , names he couldn't hope to know .Ragnor sat with Magnus at one side of the table , talking fast to keep his attention – Alec miserably eating at the other .I might as well be eating alone .
Magnus kept giving him desperate looks that said "Im so sorry " and " He's always like this ", hanging unspoken in the air .Alec smiled slightly and shrugged , as if it didn't bother him at all .Because it shouldn't .Magnus kept adding in ways to get Alec to talk , but Alec found he could only say things like "Yes " , "sure" , and " I don't know " .
He ate his breakfast , head spinning from a night sugar and TV had him forgetting .Listening to Magnus and Ragnor talk about things he didn't understand , feeling as if he might have been better off staying at Jaces after all .That he shouldn't be following Magnus like a helpless puppy .Im so stupid .
As he stared of into the distance, he didn't feel Magnus studying him .That as Ragnor went on and on, the only thing Magnus was really paying attention to was Alec. Maybe he didn't want me to find him after all .