A/N: Short little filler chapter. Next chapter will be a date and a little extra drama. Nothing life threatening I promise. :)

Five

"Why do you keep friend zoning my brother?" Isabelle asked.

Magnus blinked and paused as he took off his coat. "How how are you? Great, I'm great too thanks for asking," he answered. "What do you mean friendzoning your brother."

"I mean, I purposely canceled on him and made him ask you to go shopping with him so you two could get closer and make dinner plans but you told him it'd be great to go as friends. What gives Bane."

"Okay, first of all, I'm not friend zoning Alec," Magnus said as he sat down. "If anything I want to be more than friends I just don't want him to rush into anything."

"That's actually, rather gentlemanly of you," Isabelle replied.

Magnus tried not to roll his eyes. "Believe it or not, I do not just jump into bed with those willy-nilly. Alec's already been hurt before, I don't wish to add to that if he's not ready."

"I'm pretty sure Alec would like to be with you as much as you'd like to be with him," Isabelle replied. "Just, ask him out on a date, and see what happens. Talk to each other."

"I suppose a simple date couldn't hurt," Magnus nodded a little. "You're rather persuasive aren't you?"

"No, I just know what the two of you want, but you're both to stubborn to actually do anything without a nice kick," she answered.

"Always such a gentle touch," Magnus chuckled.

"So you're going to call Alec?" She asked.

He nodded. "I'll call him as soon as we're done here. Promise."

"Good," she smiled. "I'd hate to have to resort to more unsavory methods. Be a shame if some of your clothes were to go missing."

"My couture is innocent in all of this missy," Magnus told her.

"Then it's good we didn't have to go there," she replied. "Now, I'm starved. And I saw the cutest pair of shoes at that little boutique in Manhattan that are calling my name."

"Magnus...Did Isabelle leave something at your place?" Alec asked. He looked a little confused to see Magnus standing in the doorway of the Institute.

"No, actually, I'm here to see you, if that's okay?" Magnus answered.

"Yeah...sure," Alec nodded and stepped out of the way to let Magnus in.

"What's the matter?" Magnus frowned. "Your eyes are all red sweetpea."

"It's nothing...hormones," Alec brushed it off. "We can talk in my room."

Magnus nodded and followed him down the hall to his room. They passed by the library and Magnus saw Jace and Clary curled up on one of the couches talking to each other in hushed tones before sharing a kiss.

Alec sat on his bed and hugged a pillow to his chest while Magnus remained standing.

"You wanted to talk?" Alec asked.

"Right, yes," Magnus answered. "May I?"

He sat on the bed after a small nod from Alec.

"It has come to my knowledge that when you were asking about dinner you meant it as a date," Magnus told him.

"Did Izzy put you up to this?" Alec sighed. He looked a little guilty. "I didn't think she was actually going to go through with it."

Magnus smiled. "While she did have some hand in it, she didn't need to twist my arm in the matter, Alexander. I happen to like you. A lot if you must know."

"If you like me...why did you say we should go as friends?" Alec frowned. "Is it because…"

"No, no," Magnus assured him quickly. He sighed. "You've had your heart broken Alec, and I didn't want to put anything forward until you were ready to put yourself out there. Had I know your feelings are mutual, I would've acted sooner, I just didn't want to be there because you were hurt and needed someone."

"You didn't want to feel like a rebound?" Alec asked carefully.

"I didn't want you to suddenly realize that maybe you weren't ready for a relationship and feel that you had to stay because you said yes Alec. I've been rebounds before, I would've bounced back," Magnus told him. "But I know you take things seriously. It's in your nature and I find it rather endearing."

Alec blushed a little and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "You...you're right, I might possibly realize I'm not ready to jump into a relationship, I've never really even been a proper one, but, I know I like you and I'm willing to try if you are…"

"I'm willing to try but, we go at a steady pace, like starting with a few dates before anything becomes official," Magnus said.

"A date sounds nice," Alec replied with a smile. "Any place in particular?"

"I know quite a few places we could go to. Tomorrow night, say 8?" Magnus told him. "And dress comfortably. I promise it won't be anywhere fancy."

"Tomorrow night at 8," Alec nodded as Magnus stood.

He reached out and grabbed his sleeve and tugged him back before he leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"Slow and steady right?" Alec asked when he pulled away.

Magnus blushed a little and nodded. "Yes. Slow and steady."

Alec let him go and Magnus left his room. He laid back on the bed and dropped his hands to his abdomen.

"I feel good about this," he said. "I hope you do too…"

He moved his hands when he heard footsteps and saw up as Jace appeared in the doorway.

"Why was Magnus here?" he asked.

"Why do you care?" Alec asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Just figured it's weird seeing as we don't need currently need his help," Jace answered with a shrug.

Alec shook his head. "It's none of your business, but Magnus was here to see me since you're not stepping up for your actions."

"What?" Jace frowned.

"Magnus is helping with our baby you dense asshole," Alec told him.

"Magnus? Why would he help?" Jace asked.

"Because unlike you, Magnus isn't afraid of responsibility and hiding behind the idea that everything will be fine if no one else finds out," Alec answered. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to bed."

Alec shut his door and turned the lock for extra measure and leaned against it. He waited for Jace's footsteps to recede before he crawled back into bed and tried to focus on his date with Magnus.