Hey guys, sorry this chapters a week late. I had a lot going on last weekend and I didn't manage to get around to writing this chapter.
Here it is, even with the delay, Alec and Magnus' date. Or part of it.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of Cassandra Clare's characters or works. Neither do I own any of the chain restaurants mentioned.
This is Magnus's POV, no warnings except that MAX IS ALIVE. There is also a little Robert in this chapter, not too much though. There will be more of the date next time, so stay tuned for more.
Big huge thanks to everyone who reviewed, I send you all internet hugs :).
Enjoy!
"Yes."
Never in his wildest of dreams had he thought such a small, three lettered word could bring him so much damned joy. To Magnus, the narrow, dimly lit alley seemed to grow infinitely lighter after Alec's reply.
His characteristic grin spread across his face. Magnus straightened, taking full advantage of his height over Alexander.
"See? That wasn't too hard now was it?" Magnus pulled out his phone - he wasn't letting the blue-eyed beauty escape him without a phone number this time. "Your phone please,"
Alec flushed. "I don't- It sort of-"
Magnus raised a brow. "The stutter is truly endearing Alexander, but what is it you'd like to say?"
Alec's eyes dropped, and he kicked at the ground. "It broke."
"It broke?" Magnus repeated.
"I threw it at a wall and it broke."
Magnus was silent for a moment, digesting this new piece of information.
He paused a beat before saying, "Is the wall alright?"
Alec laughed, and Magnus was rewarded by his efforts with the wonderous sight. He joined in with Alec's scratchy laughter. Alexander has the kind of laugh that sounded unused and ragged, it hinted at a sound that had once been used regularly - oh once upon a time. Magnus wanted to ease the rough sound out of that laugh, to hear it more often than not.
Magnus tilted his head, watching Alec through narrowed eyes. He had never felt like this with someone he'd only known a few hours, someone he hadn't slept with.
Alec glanced up at him, a quizzical look in place on his features. "What is it?"
"Is it alright if I kiss you?" Magnus said, the words leaping from his mouth before he could stop them.
"What?!" Alec's face had turned a crimson colour, his expression one of pure disbelief. "What did you say?"
Magnus almost, almost, reconsidered his offer. He almost wanted to change the topic. He almost laughed and told Alec that he'd been joking. But for whatever reason he simply leaned his arm on the cold brick wall, his head bending down closer to Alec's.
"Can I kiss you?"
"We-Well- I-I-" Alec stuttered.
Magnus' gaze flicked down to Alexander's lips. His own mouth twitched up at the corner. "Let me rephrase that; Do you want me to kiss you?"
Alexander went quiet, his alabaster complexion remarkably still flushed a pleasant pink. Magnus watched, a silent observer, as Alec's mind raced over his words.
"I don't know," He said, eyes downcast. "I've never done any of this with a man." Alec admitted.
Magnus smiled. "Would you like to?"
Alexander nibbled on his bottom lip, but didn't respond.
Magnus sighed through his nose, his fingers reached out to dance along the curve of Alec's jaw. Once they reached his chin Magnus tilted Alec's face upwards to his own. Bright blue eyes stared up at him, guiless and as innocent as a child's.
"Alexander, I don't want to pressure you into this. Are you absolutely certain you're gay?" He hadn't actually asked Alec that question, he'd simply been going on intuition.
Alec flushed a hot red. "I am," He said. "I'm out of the closet, if that's what you're thinking. I just haven't, you know." His gaze skittered away from Magnus' focusing on something else. "I know I'm not that experienced, I hope that's alright. I don't want to-"
Magnus kissed him.
There was a moment of stillness, of shock, before Alec's lips parted underneath his own like flower petals. A soft, content sigh passed Alexander's lips and Magnus smiled. Alec kissed with all the sincerity and honesty of a virgin, he kissed as if he had he had his heart stapled to his sleeve.
Magnus pulled back, and watched as Alec regained his composure. They're bodies were flush with each other. Magnus, being slightly taller than Alec, had the advantage of being able to press himself as close as possible to the muscled figure.
"It's more than alright darling," Magnus breathed, he licked his lips. "If you always kiss like that there will be absolutely no problems." Then a soft chuckle rumbled through him. "Perhaps there will be one or two; I don't think I'll be able to contain myself knowing how you taste now." He ran the pad of his thumb over Alec's bottom lip, grinning as the man blushed a deeper shade of crimson.
"Is Saturday night fine with you?" Alec asked.
Magnus raised a brow at the sudden topic change. "Should I pick you up from your house? I do assume you're staying at the Lightwood mansion, are you not?"
"Yes... What are we going to do?" Alec inquired, his hands had snaked up and were resting on the back of Magnus' neck. He was all too aware of the way Alec's fingers were carefully playing with the ends of his hair.
Magnus shrugged, "A fancy dinner date, if that's alright with you. Oh don't give me that look," Magnus said as Alec visibly deflated. "I need to leave some room to improve. I can't be bringing all my cards out on the first date, now can I?"
"Well," Alec relented. "I suppose not, but you've already got me interested. It's just up to you to keep me interested." Alec's eyes glinted with something like amusement.
Magnus chuckled. "And how would I do that Alexander?"
Alec pursed his lips, but his mouth visibly twitched up at the corner. "I wouldn't worry if I were you, you're doing a good enough job as it is."
"Am I now?" Magnus arched a brow.
"Yes."
There was that word again, this time Alec leaned forward and yanked Magnus down for a kiss. The kiss was clumsy, a clash of Magnus' skilled lips moving against Alec's desperate, but when he pulled back Magnus found himself short of breath.
Alec smiled slyly. "I'll let you know when you need improvement."
"You will?"
"It's a promise."
Magnus was about to lean in for another kiss when the door they had exited through suddenly slammed open.
"Alec? Alec?!" A voice drawled, and Magnus cringed. He recognised that voice all too well. "Alec there you- Ah fuck me sideways."
Magnus turned away from his blushing Alec, a stern frown in place on his features. "An unfortunate choice of words," He muttered, with a sigh he disengaged himself from a blushing Alec. "Jace Lightwood, fancy meeting you here." He drawled.
Even in the dark Magnus could make out Jace's gold eyes narrowing into slits. "Sparkles."
Magnus felt a familiar swelling of disgust in the out of his stomach. He and Jace had never seen quite eye to eye. He couldn't honestly believed that someone as sweet and as honest as Alec could ever be friends with someone so arrogant, so cocky, so-
"You're not stealing my brothers innocence are you Sparkles?"
Awful. Magnus' lips turned down into a deeper frown as Alec spluttered beside him.
"Jace!" Alec said, and as Magnus glanced sideways he could make out the outline of Alec's red face. "Magnus was not stealing my innocence," He glanced over at Magnus, a almost sultry look on his face. "It would the other way around anyways." Without another word, Alexander moved on past both of them and back into the club.
Magnus' frown disappeared in an instant and almost immediately a sly smirk spread its way on his face. He glanced at Jace, who was still staring at the place Alec had once been, and didn't notice as Magnus approached.
Magnus paused by the entrance, his smirk still in place as he stared down at the annoying idiotic actor. "I don't know if you know, but that was my new boyfriend."
"This isn't too flashy is it?" Magnus asked, as he turned to the side. A critical frown on his face as he observed himself in the long mirror. He turned around, brushing on the lapels of his detailed golden embroidered vest, and extended his arms out to either side. "Well? What do you think?"
Chairman Meow, his cat and his fashion adviser, did nothing but blink lazily. Magnus turned back around, eyeing his outfit. He'd chosen to wear one of his own creations, it was only fitting after all. Black dress pants, black collared long-sleeved shirt, a golden tie with his black vest detailed with golden spirals and designs all hand-made.
From head to toe the outfit was perfect; even his makeup matched.
"You're quite right Chairman, I'm over thinking it." Magnus glanced back at his tiny white kitten. "Should I have put my hair up? I didn't want to look too gaudy..."
Magnus shot a glance at the clock on his nightstand; it was a little after 6 o'clock, he was due to pick Alexander up at 6:30.
"This will have to do," Magnus concluded. He'd spent the good portion of the day trying to decide what outfit would be the best to wear to the restaurant; something not too flashy - he was certain Alec didn't relish in attention the way he did - but something that still screamed 'Magnus Bane'.
Magnus sauntered over to the bed, extending his hand to scratch Chairman behind the ears. The white tuff of fur latched on to his hand instead, claws scraping and teeth bared. Magnus entertained the fluff ball for a moment or two, before yeilding that he did have to leave.
He sighed, nervous butterflies flapping in his stomach.
"Wish me luck," He muttered as he snatched his coat up and off of the coat hanger.
Fall had finally set in, and the biting weather had finally allowed for him to start wearing his fall collection.
The day was chilly enough for him to wear his long sweeping coat, and as he slid into his car a smile crept into his features. He had left his bouquet of white lilies in the side seat of his car; for Alexander.
The drive over to the Lightwood mansion was nerve-wracking, more so than Magnus had originally thought. His painted nails drummed idly on the steering wheel as he turned into the Lightwood's large and very swanky driveway.
Stepping from the car he scooped up the bouquet of flowers and headed towards the house. The steps up to the house were long and tedious, and the butterflies swelled in his stomach again.
Magnus berated himself for being nervous; he'd been on countless dates he'd been on before. He was Magnus Bane for God's sake! He would not be anxious about a date with a boy. As he came to the tall double doors Magnus didn't hesitate to push the doorbell. Only after he hesitated, staring at the large bouquets of flowers in his hand.
Perhaps they were too much for a first date?
On a whim Magnus pulled three lilies from the bouquet, and tossed the rest in the lovely bush near the entrance. Almost immediately after he'd done it the door opened, revealing a tall, lanky, black-haired, copy of Alexander with glasses.
Magnus smiled as the boy stared at him wearily. Now that he looked closer, he could see the boy had large brown eyes, not Alec's stunning blue.
Magnus waved, "Hello there, is Alexander home?"
The teen sighed and leaned against the door frame.
"You mean Alec? Alec's here..." He left the door open as he wandered inside. "Alec! There's someone at the door for you!" The boy adjusted his glasses before glancing back towards Magnus. "You can come in. It takes him a while to actually come down the stairs."
Magnus nodded and stepped through the doors of the mansion. Closing it behind him, he took a moment to admire the decorated walls. He noticed the lack of family pictures and baby photos - he had hoped to catch a glimpse at one of Alec's - but he did see the stairs leading upstairs a little further down the hall.
"So," The kid said. His skinny arms were crossed over his chest. "You're Alec's date."
Magnus raised a brow. "You must be Alexander's younger brother." He couldn't quite remember what Alec had said his name was...
"Max," He said as he extended one hand towards Magnus.
Magnus took it, and shook it lightly. "Magnus Bane - though I have a feeling you already knew that." Magnus smiled.
He couldn't remember how old Max was either, but from eyeballing the skinny teenager, Magnus could assume he was in highschool. Maybe even younger.
Magnus glanced at his watch out of habit, he was worried that they would possible be late for the reservations he'd made at the restaurant. Although he was quite certain they'd hold the table for him even if he was an hour late, it was always better to be early than late.
Max was silent in his observation, Magnus noted as much. He wasn't sure what Max was looking for, but he certainly hoped that the youngest Lightwood found it.
"I don't if Izzy or Jace have already given you the talk but-"
"Magnus! I'm sorry, it took me awhile to get ready."
Magnus glanced up at the sound of Alexander's voice, almost immediately a smile appeared on his lips. "Alexander," he purred, all thoughts of Max fleeing his mind. "You look wonderfully delicious."
He did. Whoever had dressed Alec - for even Magnus didn't have much confidence in Alexander's fashion choices - had done a splendid job.
It wasn't anything special; just a simple white dress shirt with a sapphire coloured tie that made his eyes pop in the best of ways. His hair was the best part. Although Magnus did love the classic messy hair he'd seen on Alec yesterday, his hair had been messed in a way that screamed 'just-fucked' and 'totally-adorable'.
Striding forward Magnus extended the lilies toward his date. "For you," he purred.
Magnus was rewarded with a Alec flushing darkly and glancing towards his younger brother who was still watching them silently.
Alexander stuttered out a thank you before asking Max to put them in a vase for him.
Max pulled a face, "Fine, just remember that when Jace or Izzy asks where they came from, I'm not going to lie."
"I don't expect you to," Alec said.
"It was nice meeting you Max." He called after the retreating figure. There was a sort of non-committal grunt in return, but it was enough for Magnus to concur he hadn't been ruled out as good date material.
Magnus glanced down at Alec. "Ready for our date darling?"
Alexander seemed to be in a kind of daze. Magnus had noticed that his date hadn't managed to stop looking at him for more than a second or two. He prayed it was for a good reason.
"Sweet pea, is there something on my face?" He asked.
"What? No! Wait- Sweet pea?" Alec said.
"Well, you've been staring at me for the good part of five minutes now. I was simply curious." Magnus explained. He could let sweet pea slide, there were plenty of other pet names for Alexander.
Alec tilted his head, and reached out to touch Magnus' hair. "Sorry, it was just that you let your hair down."
Magnus tried to ignore the tingling sensation running through his scalp as Alexander's fingers caressed his hair.
"I did, do you not like it?"
"No," Alec muttered. "I think I like it better like this, to tell you the truth."
"Wonderful," Magnus said. "Ready to go then? We have reservations for seven."
"Yes, just let me grab my coat."
The drive over to the restaurant was relatively pleasant, filled with chatter and jokes of all kind. There was kissing too - much to Magnus' surprise - he hadn't expected to get a kiss so early in the date. It was their first date after all.
Magnus found himself smiling more than he had on a date in a long time. As they pulled up to the fancy restaurant, Magnus made sure to hold the door open for Alec as they entered.
"I hope you don't mind the venue choice, I wasn't quite sure what your preferences were food-wise."
Alec smiled and shook his head. "It's fine, you picked it so the food must be good."
Magnus gave his name to the hostess, she smiled and gathered their menus.
"Follow me please,"
Alec went first, with Magnus drifting in his wake. More than once Magnus found his eyes drifting southwards, watching Alec's perfect behind move back and forth as he walked. Magnus was perhaps, a little too focused when Alec suddenly came to an abrupt halt.
Magnus bumped into him, and placed both hands on Alec's broad shoulders to steady himself.
"Sorry darling, I was a little distracted by-" Magnus broke off as he noticed the pale condition of Alec's complexion - far paler than usual - and how his lips were pressed into a thin disapproving line.
"Alexander? What's wrong?"
Alec shook his head, his have focused on something in the distance. Magnus followed his gaze and found that Alec was staring at a man and women.
Magnus frowned, uncomprehending. The man looked familiar, and Magnus had the urging sensation that he knew the man from somewhere. He appeared to be in his late forties, with grey just beginning to touch at his temples of his dark hair.
Magnus glanced down at Alec for an explanation.
A muscle in Alec's jaw jumped - Magnus would reflect later on how sexy it was, but he was distracted by Alec's discomfort on the situation.
"It's my father and his whore."
Ah.
Realization dawned across Magnus' expression. There had been a scandal in the papers awhile back; Robert Lightwood had cheated on his wife or something of the sort. A big divorce. Magnus could also guess there was larger reason for Alex reacting the way he did when he saw his father.
Magnus hesitated before asking, "Would you like to leave?"
Alec head shot up and towards him.
"If you don't want to speak with him we can always go somewhere else." He continued.
Alec glanced back towards his father, who was in deep conversation with the lady across from him. Countless emotions flitted across Alec's expression, most of them moved too quickly for Magnus to decipher.
Alec nodded.
Magnus grabbed his hand and began tugging his date back towards the entrance. He heard the waitress call his name, but he pressed on, not stopping until they came back out into the cold street.
Alec's hand was rough in his own, but warm. He turned, casting a glance over his shoulder at his companion.
Alec sighed, his breath rising in a white cloud in front of him. "Sorry about that," He said, eyes downcast. "I just-" his mouth tightened. "My father and I didn't leave off on the best foot last time."
Magnus rubbed small circles into the palm of Alec's hand.
"Don't worry about it, that restaurant was a little too fancy for my tastes anyways."
Alec gave him a disbelieving look.
"What?" Magnus said. "I was always a McDonald's supporter."