Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I bought Magnus' hair on ebay, but still got the rest of the body to come (that sounded way creepier than I meant it to :/…..oh well)

Learning to Walk Again

"I'm learning to walk again. I believe I've waited long enough." - Foo Fighters

Magnus stared down at the limp pieces of bread and the ham that was shoved between them, trying to work up the effort to eat it. This however proved to be harder than it seemed, as the sandwich didn't exactly look appetizing and Magnus was so used to skipping lunch. Alec had insisted-that very morning- that Magnus make a sandwich to bring to school as he was "far too skinny" and "needed to gain weight".

Magnus sighed, Alec was doing so much for him, surely he could eat a tiny -although disgusting- sandwich for him. Pinching his nose he took a small bite of the sandwich, before instantly spitting it back out. The bread was soggy, the ham fatty and the butter had lumps. It was depressing really, that Magnus' cooking was so bad he couldn't even make a decent sandwich. Sighing he chucked his pathetic lunch into a nearby bin and sat back.

Although they'd only been apart for about two hours, Magnus was beginning to wonder what Alec was doing. He knew the boy was in literature (which was also where Magnus was meant to be) but he wanted to know, what Alec was doing, what he was thinking, who he was talking to. This kind of obsessive infatuation with Alexander had become increasingly common in the last few weeks. He thought about Alec all the time and missed him when they were apart. Magnus had long ago accepted that his feelings towards the eldest Lightwood were not merely lustful desires but something deeper. Something warm and safe.

Pulling out his phone he opened up a message and typed: Missing me? xxx

To his surprise (and joy) Alec replied quickly: Maybe…but it's your fault….you should have come to class with me :(

Magnus frowned, running a hand through his heavy spikes. He didn't know why the idea of seeing his peers (apart from Alec) made him feel anxious and slightly ill, but it did. It was probably due to the fact he vehemently hated how all of his classmates would whisper and shot him nervous glances whenever he was near. Even though he was the kind of guy that craved attention (especially from hot blue eyed Lightwoods), he didn't like the way that people looked at him. It was as if he was inhuman, some weird exotic creature that had infiltrated their ranks. Sure he could be admired, watched or hated…..but he wasn't one of them.

But instead of saying all this to Alec Magnus stuck with: But then I would have distracted you from learning with my staring and drooling.

….drooling?

Yer, at your hot bod ;)

This isn't mean girls Magnus

Shut up, I love that film and that;s not the point.

What is the point?

Magnus frowned, he wasn't entirely sure: Errrr….the point is that, you should be working not texting me

Hypocrite, how are you spending your time?! :(

Thinking of you ;)

Magnus smirked after saying this, he could vividly imagine Alec furiously trying to hide his blush. Sure enough the boy replied with:

idiot, everyone's staring at me now…..but thanks anyway :)

Tell them to back off, and anytime gorgeous.

gtg now, Mrs Branwell is giving me the evils. Cya later, in the car park?

Sure thing darling, I'll be the one in white ;)

Shut up

Magnus grinned before doing what Alec asked and switching off his phone. He had been afraid that morning, when he'd woken up and remembered the events of the previous night, that his relationship with Alec would have changed. That Alec would become distant and freaked out by evidence of Magnus' mental instability. But he hadn't.

Alec had just been his usual, sweet self. Cooking them both breakfast, and trying to cheer Magnus up with anecdotes about his sister Isabelle. He hadn't once mentioned the nightmare, and Magnus was grateful. He couldn't even remember what it was about, only the rippling waves of horror, fear and grief the it evoked.

looking back to the last few weeks, Magnus was struck suddenly by just how strong an effect Alec was having on him. Recently he'd been to more lessons than before in that year, he'd avoided getting into trouble with teachers and students alike (he had in particular put a lot of effort into avoiding Jonathan Morgenstern) and he hadn't gone to Taki's for a week. It was as if he was slowly learning how to walk again after a terrible accident and Alec was his doctor, gently guiding him back to health.

His thoughts were interrupted abruptly by the shrill bell. It was impressive that even from his hideaway position on the deserted 7th floor, he could still hear it's shriek. Looking down at his phone he saw that it was 12:35, which meant Alec would be starting his lunch break. He smiled, imagining Alec sitting in the sun with his friends, laughing and eating his lunch (which was probably not as soggy and poorly constructed as Magnus' had been).

Magnus felt a sudden yearning grow in his chest. He wanted to be there with Alec. To sit with him on the grass and make jokes with his friends. To be the carefree, happy person he used to be….the person he was with Alec.

Then without hesitation he clambered to his feet and headed for the door. He was tired of hiding.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Alec lay back and let the sun caress his eyelids. He was feeling absolutely exhausted and it was all he could do, not to fall asleep. Although he would never say it, Magnus' nightmare episode had prevented him from getting any sleep the previous night. All he could think about was the pure terror in those emerald eyes and the tremors that had shook Magnus' body. Alec also felt guilty as his whole "you don't need medicine, you have to face your fears" crap, was partially to blame.

The whole morning after Alec had tried his best to be supportive - cracking jokes and cooking them both breakfast- but all the while he had been dying to ask why Magnus' had become a trembling mess, however he held his tongue, not wanting to bring up such a depressing subject.

He sighed and opened his eyes to see his five companions staring at him. He blinked, confused, causing Tessa to roll her eyes. "Alec," she said, "are you even listening."

"Erm….I…...was…...not" he said slowly, unsure whether being honest was a good idea or not.

Tess sighed, but the corners of her lips twitched slightly. "Well I said this weekend we're going to go camp in the woods, behind Jems house if you wanted to come." They all looked at him intently, Clary and Jace excited, Jem and Tessa smiling and Simon's eyes desperate.

A warm feeling spread through Alec's chest, he didn't think he would ever get used to having such good friends. He opened his mouth to say that of course he could come, when he remembered something important. In three days it would be the anniversary of Magnus' mother's death, and he wanted to be there for him. He bit his lip, trying to think of an excuse not to go, as he doubted Magnus would appreciate Alec telling everyone, but before he had a chance Tessa gasped softly.

"Hey," a familiar smooth voice said from behind Alec, "can I sit?" Intrigued by the stunned expressions of his friends, Alec twisted his body round to see who it was. To his surprise, Magnus stood there, his normally proud shoulders hunched ever so slightly and his hands fiddling with the hem of his shirt. Alec was speechless, unsure of what to say. He wasn't expecting Magnus to on the school field, surrounded by the rest of the school and ask to sit with them. "Of course," Clary spluttered, hastily moving over so Magnus could sit between her and Alec.

Magnus shot her a grateful look and sat down quickly. Alec didn't think he'd ever seen the man look more nervous. Magnus had always been so confident with his outlandish outfits and "I don't give a shit" attitude. But now, he appeared more vulnerable and shy.

The only person who didn't seem shocked by Magnus' presence was Jace, who simply scowled at the glittery boy. "So sparkles," he quipped, leaning forward, "what convinced you to leave your kingdom of solitude and mix with us mere mortals?" Almost instantly Alec saw Magnus' protective walls snap back into place and his usual confident smirk painted his soft lips. "Certainly not you blondie, you're not my type, I'm here to talk people such as lovely Clarissa, charming Teresa, gentle James, delectable Alec," he shot the blushing boy a wink," and…...nerd boy…...who I'm sure is equally good company." Simon looked a little disgruntled by this description, but didn't complain.

Jace opened his mouth to argue back, but Clary shot him a sharp look to shut him up. "So Magnus….." Tessa said, staring at the boy, "how have you been?"

"Wonderful Tessa dear, apart from the whole rebellious loner thing I've been absolutely buzzing. Although I have, of course, missed you guys...and Ragnor. Where is the miserable bastard."

"Ragnor decided that we were all boring without you," Jem grinned, falling into a familiar pattern with his old friend, "so he left us and is instead attempting to seduce Catrina Loss, a hopeless endeavour that will only make him feel blue (A/N hehehehe)"

Alec noticed that Magnus had begin to relax and his hand was slowly unclenching from his maroon shirt. When the group had started to discuss whether or not Catrina was out of Ragnor's league, Magnus turned to face Alec and whispered, "hey beautiful, pleased to see me?"

Alec smiled widely, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the sun, "yer….I am actually. I missed you. How come you're here?"

Magnus dropped his gaze and Alec thought he glimpsed a slight red tinge to the other boy's cheek. "I-I just realized that it was stupid to just hideaway alone in my own pathetic pity party, plus…..I missed you too."

Alec's eyes drifted down Magnus' face, lingering on his full lips. He wanted to kiss him so badly, but his fear of being publicly outed stopped him. By this point everyone in his friendship group knew about his sexual orientation…..but sat out here on the field, surrounded by the entire school, all his old insecurities came rushing back. He leaned back from Magnus, clearing his throat awkwardly. He thought he saw a flash of hurt in the jade eyes, but it was covered quickly.

He turned his attention back to the group to notice Simon saying, "Yeah, I know. I was shocked when I heard. I mean they just seemed so in love."

"who's this?" Alec asked puzzled.

"Oh haven't you heard? Jordan caught Mai cheating on him with some random bloke in the year below. They broke up yesterday."

Alec didn't quite know what to say. Mai and Jordan had always been inseparable, childhood sweethearts they had gone everywhere together, shared everything and Alec had even heard that Jordan was planning to propose. The fact that a couple so strong could fall apart, scared Alec. How did he know that Magnus wouldn't break his heart just as easily.

He looked over at the tall boy, to see him staring back. They looked deep into each other's eyes, each trying to figure out what they wanted and what to do. Then slowly Magnus lent down and kissed Alec softly.

At that moment all of Alec's fears, doubts and insecurities vanished until it was just him and Magnus.

"Awww," a voice sighed, breaking them apart, "you guys are such a cute couple." The two broke apart to see Tessa gazing at them wistfully.

Alec then registered her words: "a cute couple". Were he and Magnus a couple? Did he want that? Was he ready? He shot Magnus a nervous glance, but he just smiled reassuringly and took Alec's hand.

"Yeah," he said, his eyes sparkling as much as his hair, "we are."

A/N

Hey guys. I should apologize for both the late update and the shortness of this chapter. I've finished school now (yay) and I'm spending a lot of time with my friends, going out to party's and just having fun (I'm such a kool kid :P). But yes this chapter is a bit of a filler, but there were things I wanted to cover such as the Malec relationship status and Magnus' progress.

I have big plans however for the next chapter and I realized that I just hit some milestones (over 100 reviews and more folllows than my previous fic) so I'll make it good. In fact everyone who reviews on this chapter will be sent a tiny snippet of next chapter...so review!

Reviews:

Putty Tat Lion- YOU are beautiful!

Kokosz- I'm glad you liked the chapter and I highly appresiate the dkjfbjkdfb frtwsfgb reaction ;). I looked up "people of Isocleft" but I couldn't find anything, but I'm sure that it's a good thing. I liked the last chapter to, it was filled with memories and I have been wanting to put in the dream scene for ages.

ashesofmusic- Aww, you're too sweet. and btw I checked out a bit of your fic and your writing is pretty good yourself :)

Phantom of the Claw- THEY ARE OFFICIAL!

MagnusBane800- good to see you back XD Magnus is alright while he has Alec…

- I know, the last chap was sad, but this one is more fluffy.

AngelWithASeraphBlade- Magnus needs those pills alright, although I feel that Alec will still try to ween him off them. About your guesses….well I can't really comment on them as spoliers, but you're not quite right. Keep reading...xxx

ChocolateWriter- Glad you like the backstory, I can't confirm any of your guesses, but know that I try to keep events SIMILAR to the books.

RedCoral- Glad you liked the park scene, little hyperactive Magnus is soooo adorable. Magnus does seem to be opening up and as this chap shows, he's making progress.

Intoxic- Unfortunately they did not talk of the nightmare, as Maggie doesn't remember, but I feel the subject of the dream will be revealed very soon (possibly next chapter). Magnus' mum's death anniversary is very close.

RangerofFiction- Glad you like it, I'm so happy that so many people are actually reading this :) I live doc Martens too, I have three pairs and one are like red and velvety and I live for them!

Thanks for reading lovilies and remember, if you want a sneaky snippet then REVIEW!

Lots of virtual love

Amy

xxx