"How many siblings do you have?" Alec asked abruptly. He and Magnus walked across the stone bridge that stretched over the width of the small pond. Magnus paused and looked up at Alec with an arched brow.
"That was quite random," he noted.
Alec shrugged, "I just realised that we've been kissing and stuff for a while but we barely even know each other."
Magnus chuckled, "We know each other, Alec. I've been teaching you for months."
"But it's just recently that we've started making things between us more than platonic so I don't know much about your private life. I mean, of course I know the basic stuff. I know that your last name's Bane and you are a shadowhunter and-"
"I'm a warlock,actually" Magnus corrected, laughing a bit.
"My point exactly," Alec smiled. He stopped in the middle of the bridge and leaned against the thick railing that ran along the length of the span. Magnus did the same and stood next to him, elbows propped up on the rail.
"I don't have siblings," Magnus said.
"Huh?"
"You asked me how many siblings I have . . . and I don't have siblings." he explained dryly.
"Your parents are separated?" Alec wondered.
"I have no idea.. My mother died after she got me"
"I'm sorry" Alec said,
"It's alright. How many siblings do you have?" Magnus asked,
"I have one sister called Isabelle but she's in uni right now so I don't speak to her as often as I'd like to and one brother called Max but he passed away"
"Oh.. I'm sorry. Were you ever close to your dad? You never mentioned him before," Magnus wondered.
Alec bit his lip, "Not really. He left when I was two and I haven't seen him since."
"Shame," Magnus said, carding his fingers through Alec's hair slowly so his fingertips brushed over Alec's sensitive scalp. "He's lucky to have a son as wonderful as you," he continued.
"I'm not that wonderful," Alec scoffed, "look at me." He motioned to his body with a quick nod of the head. Magnus frowned.
"As I've said a million times before, my dear Alec, you're the most beautiful creature I've ever seen and don't you dare think otherwise. I feel like a sap but I'm just being honest," Magnus hummed. He pressed a quick kiss to the inside of Alec's neck and looked up at his student with bright, shiny eyes.
Alec couldn't help but notice how pretty Magnus looked in the moonlight. His amber eyes glimmered softly in the darkness behind his black frames and his skin looked like liquid rich caramel. Magnus' jawline appeared to be so smooth and Alec found himself subconsciously tracing the indents and rises of Magnus' face with his fingers lightly.
"What are you doing, you weirdo," Magnus chuckled.
Alec shrugged, "Don't know, you're just pretty, that's all."
"Pretty?" Magnus scoffed, "I'm not a woman, Alec. I'm a man, I swear, I have a willy and everything."
Alec found himself in a laughing fit, giggling so much that his sides began to hurt and his insides twisted. Magnus just shook his head with a smug smile across his face as he watched Alec laugh and smile, his dimples poking through his full and adorable cheeks.
"I like it when you smile," Magnus noted.
Alec snaked his arms around Magnus' slim waist, peering down lovingly at the older boy, "I like the fact that I'm taller than you . . . it's cute," he said with a smirk.
"But I'm still older than you," Magnus huffed.
"Yeah, yeah, no need to remind me. I know you're older considering you're my teacher and all."
"Is it weird that I forgot that? It's like, when I'm with you and we're not doing school work and stuff, I completely forget the fact that I'm your teacher," Magnus mused.
"That is weird, but you're weird in general so whatever," Alec shrugged teasingly.
Magnus smacked Alec's arm playfully and laughed, "C'mon, let's enjoy the rest of our evening."
They continued to walk down the bridge holding hands and laughing about nonsense. That was one of the things they loved about each other- they could always make one another laugh. They had the same sense of humor and it was comforting. Magnus managed to turn everything into a joke and Alec was always being maboyroit and awkward but Magnus found it bloody hilarious.
The two boys walked down the path enjoying the fact that they had the entire park to themselves this late at night. As they walked across a patch of grass Alec managed to trip over nothing and fall face-first into the dirt. Magnus laughed and watched Alec sit up right and wipe the thin layer of mud off his face. "You're so clumsy it's funny," Magnus said.
"I didn't use to be this clumsy," Alec breathed, standing up and brushing off his knees, "it's just, like, ever since the curse my eyesight is all out of whack."
Magnus suddenly felt kind of bad. He never considered that possibility.
"Oh, um, sorry," Magnus said biting his lip.
" It's alright. It's not like it's your fault. It's all Jace's fault," Alec gritted through clenched teeth.
Magnus frowned, "Have you spoken to him recently?"
"No, not in a few months actually . . . why?"
"Just thought maybe I could meet him? Talk to him or something," Magnus shrugged.
"I already tried to get him to change me back but he said I have to find love," Alec murmured.
"So get someone to fall in love with you?" Magnus said softly. Alec nodded and Magnus blushed slightly, pink rising to the peaks of his cheeks.
"Is there anyway I can help? Convince him that you've changed?" Magnus pondered.
"He said the curse is irreversible but . . . it's worth a shot, I suppose," Alec said thoughtfully.
"Do you know where he lives?" Magnus asked.
"Mhm."
Magnus smiled and gripped Alec's hand, twisting their fingers together warmly. Magnus relished the feeling of their hands pressed together in a silly cute way. He felt like a twelve year old girl with a dumb crush, but that was the effect Alec had on him and it was absolutely mind boggling.
"Are you sure you're okay with leaving? I mean, we're kind of on a date after all," Alec said.
"Yeah, it's fine. I don't mind. I'm tired anyway, my legs are sore from walking."
"In that case, we can drive to Jace's house and take my car," Alec laughed. Magnus nodded feverishly in agreement.
They reached Jace's old and creepy house eventually. Magnus' eyes widened at the frightful gargoyles sitting in stone outside of the front steps. The house looked ancient.
Alec sucked in a deep breath before knocking lightly on the door. When nobody answered, he knocked louder. Still nobody answered, so he groaned and opened up the door himself- it was unlocked.
"We can't just walk in," Magnus hissed, grabbing Alec's wrist firmly.
Alec scoffed, "After what he did to me, I sure as hell can."
Magnus just sighed as Alec tugged him along with him inside the house. They closed the door behind them and the two blokes looked around the interior and frowned when nobody was in sight.
"Maybe nobody's home," Magnus said quietly.
"I think I know where he is," Alec said. He gestured for Magnus to follow him. Reluctantly, Magnus trailed behind Alec as he walked down the long intimidating hallway and stepped inside a dark, small room. The lights were off.
Sure enough, Jace was there. He was bending over a bubbling cauldron which contained an odd smelling slimy orange liquid that oozed from the sides of the metal pot. Jace stirred the mixture with a large wooden spoon and was oblivious to the fact that he had company.
"Hey," Alec finally said and Jace jumped. He spun around on his heel with a shocked face.
"Oh, hi Alec," Jace smiled, his face softening. "I didn't hear you come in."
"Yeah, I just came in because you didn't answer-"
"It's okay, I don't mind company," Jace said cheerfully. As a wizard in training, Jace didn't have much time for friends. He was lonely.
"Oh, um, okay . . . can we, like, talk?" Alec stuttered.
"Of course! How about we talk in the living room, yeah? It's a bit smelly in here and I apologise. It is a lair after all," Jace laughed.
Alec shot Magnus an uncertain glance. Happy-go-lucky Jace lead them in the direction of the living room.
"Here, have some tea, I promise I haven't poisoned it," Jace laughed slightly, handing each boy a cuppa. They both took them and cautiously took a sip. Alec was relieved when the warm substance slid warmly down his rough and dry throat.
"So Alec, who's your friend?" Jace asked, leaning back in his chair.
"Right . . . this is Magnus, my teacher and . . . friend," Alec said.
Jace raised an eyebrow, "Just friends? I could've sworn you two were holding hands earlier," he smirked, causing both of them to freeze.
Magnus blushed, "It's . . . complicated."
"I see," Jace hummed.
There was a small fraction of awkward silence, filled only with gulping sounds and the ticking of a nearby clock.
"Um . . . so, Jace, the reason we came here is because I wanted to ask if there's anyway you could change Alec back," Magnus asked eagerly. His feet tapped nervously against the wooden dusty floor as he waited patiently for Jace's reply.
"I've already told Alec that it's impossible. I can't change him back. Well, I could, but I won't. It would take a lot of potions and spells that I can't waste."
"Why the hell not?" Magnus snapped, his voice suddenly becoming cold.
"Magnus," Alec scolded, "calm down."
"Sorry . . . I just think it's selfish. Jace, you ruined Alec's life, why won't you change him back?" Magnus asked.
"Because he needs to learn his lesson," Jace answered. Magnus scrunched his eyebrows and his face reddened in anger.
"He's learned his lesson! He's not the selfish person that he once was. Take it from me, his teacher. He's a nice boy," Magnus promised.
"I'm sorry, Magnus, but that's not the purpose of this curse. He needs to find love," Jace said plainly.
Magnus voice cracked, "That's so unfair! You only gave him a year-"
"Magnus, babe, stop yelling," Alec hushed, brushing his hand over the fabric of Magnus' shirt soothingly.
"No! It's not fair. He ruined your life, Alec. You're miserable like this, you said so yourself. I just want you to be happy," Magnus pouted.
Alec sighed, "But Mag-"
"I'm trying to help you! Fuck it, I'm leaving," Magnus growled. He stood up and stormed out of the house angrily in a split second and slammed the door loudly behind him. It sent a bang of frustration through the air of the silent and eerie house.
Alec froze, "I'm sorry, Jace, he's never acted like this before I'll . . . I'll go talk to him."
"Wait Alec, stay for a second," Jace said gently, placing his hand on Alec's knee. Alec arched a brow. "Do you care about him?" Jace asked.
Alec smiled, "Of course."
"Are you two dating, then?"
"No . . . I mean . . . I don't know. As Magnus said, it's complicated. He's my teacher," Alec said, drawling out the last word.
"So? Do you like him?" Jace pressed on. Damn, he had a lot of questions.
"Yeah, I do, I really do," Alec confirmed and he couldn't stop the faint smile creeping on his lips as he thought about his adorable teacher.
"Can you imagine yourself loving him?" Jace asked.
Alec gulped, "I . . . I don't know. I've never been in love before. And why does it matter? You said I just have to find love. Find someone to love me, right?"
Jace laughed, "You must have misunderstood me, Alec. You have to love someone as well. It's not just a one way street, y'know? Have you ever read Beauty and the Beast?" he chuckled.
Alec's stomach twisted in knots. "What?" he gasped.
Jace moistened his lips, reclining back into his seat, "Will that be a problem?" he asked.
Alec paused. He had never been in love before. It's not that the idea of falling in love with Magnus was absolutely repulsing, because he liked Magnus a lot. It was just that Alec didn't know how to love. He didn't know what love was, really. He never felt it before and it made him nervous. What if he was incapable of feeling love? What if he was unable to love? He didn't know how and it was scary.
"No . . . it won't be a problem," Alec lied.
"Good," Jace smiled, "now why don't you go check on Magnus. He's probably waiting for you."
Alec breathed in deeply and stood up from the chair.
Without saying goodbye, he walked outside Jace's front door to find Magnus sitting on the steps, head hung low. The sight broke his heart. Alec sighed and sat down next to him, wrapping his arm around his shoulder comfortingly.
However, Alec was a bit distracted and Jace's words kept running through his head. He was terrified about falling in love. Absolutely terrified. To be honest, he didn't even know if love existed. He had once thought that his mum and dad were in love, but after they split he didn't believe in it anymore.
"You okay Magnus?" Alec asked, pushing previous thoughts to the back of his mind.
Magnus scotched in closer to Alec's touch, leaning against his shoulder, "I'm fine. I just wish there was something I could do to help you. I'm your teacher, I'm supposed to help you but there's nothing I can do and it's so frustrating."
"Hey," Alec whispered. He lifted up Magnus' chin and gazed into his eyes, "you've done enough. You're amazing, love. You're perfect. My problems are my problems, not yours. Don't feel like you have to do anything."
Magnus sniffled, "But-"
"No but's, you've done so much for me. Seriously," Alec said, rubbing his thumb over Magnus' cheek. Magnus cracked a small smile that made Alec's heart flutter.
"Can I stay at your house tonight?" Magnus suddenly asked. "Woolsey's still giving me the cold shoulder."
"Of course you can," Alec smiled gently and pecked Magnus' lips, grinning at the way Magnus carded his fingers through his hair whilst they kissed. When they pulled away, Magnus kept his face close, snuggling into the crook of Alec's neck.
All Alec could think about was how scared he was. He couldn't even concentrate on the amazing and beautiful boy in front of him. Alec feared love, as awful as that sounded, so he wondered if he'd ever change back to his old self again. Maybe he'd be stuck in his beastly form forever.
"You seem off, you alright?" Magnus asked, looking up at Alec questionably.
"Of course," Alec lied, "c'mon, it's late. We should go."