Chapter 17
Unsaid
Songs:
Not Alone-Darren Criss (A Very Potter Musical) (Listen to the version from the Trevor Project for the meaning in this chapter.) (Magnus to Alec)
On Your Side-Thriving Ivory
Everything'll Be Alright-Joshua Radin (Magnus to Alec-Final Scene)
"Jesus Christ! You live here? You didn't tell me you were rich!"
Alec laughed softly. "It never came up."
The taxi pulled up in front of the Lightwood residence as Alec watched Magnus marvel out the window at his house. Alec had never thought much of the fact his family was rich since he had never really cared for or seen much of the money anyway. Jace, Isabelle, and himself had never really been given anything for free. Maryse had always made them work for it and Alec was considerably grateful for it. In high school, half the kids hadn't worked a single day in their lives and would probably have an epic hissy fit if you even asked them to work. Alec was extremely grateful he hadn't been raised to be one of those children. Isabelle might look like she had a silver spoon in her mouth sometimes, but she really was never given anything from Robert or Maryse.
Alec had never brought up the fact he was rich to Magnus because he found it was pointless information that had a way of interfering with things. Alec didn't feel that money should matter for any reason and he didn't want it. He got into Idris on scholarship and his parents had offered to pay for Alec's rent but he had declined the majority of the offer. He planned on getting a job the next year and was using this year to settle in and build his routine. He wanted to start making a living for himself.
Alec paid the taxi driver before getting out of the car. He circled around to grab their bags from the back of the trunk. He slung his bag over his shoulder easily before moving to grab Magnus' bag. He struggled with getting it out of the trunk.
"Here, let me help you." Magnus came in to grab the bag, lifting it effortlessly onto the ground.
"What the hell did you pack in there?" Alec asked as he massaged what now felt like a pulled muscle. Either he was completely out of shape-which he knew he wasn't-or that bag was just unusually heavy.
"The essentials."
Alec laughed. "Sure, if you consider bricks essentials." Alec shut the trunk as the cab drove away.
"Honey, just because you consider jeans and a hideous sweater the essentials, does not mean we all do."
"My sweater is not hideous." Alec looked down at his worn black sweater. What was wrong with black? Oh yeah, it wasn't, quote: 'glittered or colourful'. Alec had declined the shopping trip offer so far but he wasn't really sure how long he'd be able to stop Magnus from 'spicing up' his wardrobe.
"Yes darling, it is." Magnus smiled. "One day you will learn the art of dressing for perfection."
"Alright, I'm coming out. Let me know when it's safe to open my eyes."
Alec and Magnus' attention turned to Isabelle who was standing on the porch steps, eyes covered with her hands.
"It's safe Izzy," Alec said. He and Magnus were standing nearly five feet apart. They had spoken about what would happen until Alec told his parents. They would remain as far apart as possible, Magnus would refrain from his pet names, and they would act as friends. Alec knew it would be hard and he felt terrible asking it of Magnus, but Magnus said it was okay and he understood. Alec knew he was hurting him and he just hoped he wouldn't end up hurting him for too long.
Isabelle's hands slipped away as she bounded down the steps, throwing her arms around Alec's neck. Alec fell backwards slightly as he wrapped his arms around his sister, revelling in the beautiful feeling he always got at being home. "It's nice to see you too Iz."
Isabelle pulled away, smiling up at Alec before turning to look at Magnus. "So, you must be Magnus." Alec watched her eyes trace him up and down and he couldn't help but roll his eyes at his sister's clear indifference to the concept of being discreet. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Magnus smiled, taking Isabelle's hand in his. "The pleasure's all mine." He kissed it softly eliciting a small squeal from Isabelle's lips.
"Yep, he's a keeper. I'm in love already." Isabelle smiled, slipping her arm in Magnus' while taking his bag effortlessly in the other. "Now come on, I'll show you to your room." The two set off, followed by Alec.
"Am I the only the one who can't lift that bag?" Alec asked, frustrated.
Magnus and Isabelle looked from Alec to each other and Alec caught the small transfer of communication that passed between them.
"Rookie." Isabelle smirked, leading Magnus inside.
Alec groaned. Great, my sister's already stolen my boyfriend, he thought. Not that he was surprised. If there was any guy you wanted to bring home that your sister would like, Magnus was that guy. He liked to shop and he knew clothing and make-up better than most women twice his age. Alec was grateful Magnus and Isabelle would get along perfectly, it made it easier for Alec with having Isabelle know about them. If he knew Isabelle liked Magnus, it made it easier for him to think she was okay with him being gay. She had said she was and had made no action to dissuade Alec otherwise, but still he was nervous.
They entered the guest room Magnus would be taking for the week and Alec watched as Isabelle dropped Magnus' bag on the floor. Alec hated the idea of not being able to share a room with Magnus since the idea had become normal to him over the last few months, but it was completely understandable. Magnus was just Alec's friend and their house had four guest rooms, so why should the guest share a room with Alec? And besides, even if his parents did know they were dating he knew they would not allow them to share a room together.
"Great. Just when my day was getting good I have to see your ugly face."
Alec smiled, turning around to see Jace standing in the doorway, Clary just behind him. "Nice to see you too Jace. How are you doing? I'm great, thanks for asking." Alec said sarcastically.
"I didn't. Jesus, and people say I'm the conceited one in the family."
"You are," Clary piped up from behind him. Damn, Alec was really starting to like this girl. And that was why Jace had described her as different from his usual. She actually had a brain she used and she had no problem with offending Jace and telling him off.
"Thanks for the input Clary." Jace glared at her but in his eyes was an emotion Alec had never seen in his eyes before. It was almost unintelligible at first but it was there and Alec thought it may have been the first few sparks of love. Love, wow, he didn't think Jace was even capable of feeling that. Jace's gaze shifted from Clary to where Magnus stood. Alec watched him take in Magnus' appearance and he couldn't quite judge Jace's reaction to him. Magnus hadn't toned it down and looked completely as he always did; colourful, glittery and beautiful. Alec was worried about how Jace and Magnus would get along. They had similar egos, which could easily compete for more space in the room. The only difference between their egos was that Jace's annoyed the crap out of anyone within a mile radius while Magnus' was endearing and sexy. At least, that was Alec's opinion, Jace and Clary might think differently.
"So, you must be Magnus."
Alec watched the two take each other in. Yeah, this was going to be interesting.
"And you must be Jace." Nothing else was said and a small tension built in the room that was beginning to drive Alec crazy.
"Alright…now that introductions are out of the way, where's Mom and Dad?" Alec asked, turning his attention mainly to Isabelle.
"Work. They had some last minute meetings and stuff to do before Christmas. They should be home soon. Max is at his friend's so you're saved from comic book reading for the time being." Isabelle turned to Magnus. "Hope you like comic books. Max loves finding new victims to read with him and you're fresh meat. Clary and Simon were easy since they're already complete nerds."
"We are not complete nerds," Clary defended from the doorway.
Isabelle looked at Clary. "Okay, maybe you not so much, but Simon is the King of Nerdtopia and you can't deny that."
Isabelle smiled as the doorbell rang, vibrating through the house. She jumped excitedly. "Speaking of Simon." Isabelle moved past everyone and out of the room, her hair falling in waves behind her.
Alec looked at Jace questioningly. "Who's Simon?"
"Isabelle's new boy toy."
"Simon is not Isabelle's new boy toy. Simon is a friend," said Clary.
"A friend who drools over my sister and worships her every step. Not only does she have him whipped but he's also madly in love with her."
"Who's madly in love with who?" A boy stopped in the doorway, who Alec took to be Simon. He had unruly brown hair, glasses that hung lopsided on his nose, and an overly worn band t-shirt that Alec couldn't even distinguish the band from. Isabelle came up behind him and looking at the two was like looking at two ends of a spectrum. Isabelle was perfectly manicured while Simon had that 'my-day-started-ten-minutes-ago' look. Isabelle was poised and confident, while Simon slouched and oozed nerd. Boy toy huh? Alec was having a hard time believing that one and with Isabelle, he had heard some crazy things.
"Jace is madly in love with himself," said Isabelle, her timing almost impeccable, cutting off Jace's planned snarky comment.
"True, but I can't help it if I'm amazing."
"You keep believing in fairytales Jace." Isabelle turned to look at Alec and Magnus. "Magnus, Alec, this is Simon. Simon, this is my brother Alec and his friend Magnus."
Friend. That word cut through Alec. He didn't realize how much it would hurt to hear Magnus called his friend. He knew it was his own fault that word hurt and he knew it was hurting Magnus too. Magnus wasn't the type to hide who he was or anything about him and so Alec knew it was hard for him to hide Alec. But Alec was the type who hid and this secret was something he had learned to hide very well. It just killed him to think about what he was doing to Magnus and he hoped he would gain the courage to tell his parents so he wouldn't have to hurt Magnus anymore.
"Nice to meet you two."
"Anyway, you two weren't supposed to show until tonight so we made plans to go for lunch. You guys can come though if you'd like, unless you want to stay here." Isabelle looked at Alec, enforcing what she meant by 'unless you want to stay here.'
Alec looked at Magnus and between them passed their answer. They had time to be alone, they were going to take it.
"We ate on the train in so we'll just stay here. Maybe next time."
"Alright, have fun." Alec knew Isabelle understood the real reason why and it made the excuse easier when one party saw through it and could help enforce it. "We'll see you guys later." Isabelle winked at Alec before smiling and leaving.
Everyone left, leaving Alec and Magnus alone. Alec looked at Magnus who crossed the room to close the distance between them. "So, I don't think Jace really likes me."
"That's Jace. He doesn't like anyone when he first meets them. He'll get used to you once you get to know each other. "
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to that. I think I'm in love with your sister though."
"You barely know each other," said Alec.
"Yes, but we share a very close connection," Magnus stated. "It's sort of like we're kindred spirits and we were lost and now we've found each other."
Alec rolled his eyes. "Kindred spirits, huh? Just don't go running off with her and forget me because of your new found love."
Magnus grinned. "Now why would I do that when I have you all to myself already?" Magnus leaned down to kiss Alec's lips, barely sating the need that had been in Alec for hours. They were alone and it would probably be the only time they were going to be alone all week. And it was going to be the only time they could get away with kissing until Alec told his parents about them, and even then he didn't know if they could get away with it.
Magnus pulled away from Alec's lips and Alec fought the need to pull him back down. "Show me your room."
The thoughts that those four words ignited in him were uncalled for and yet completely embraced. When you combined alone, bedroom, and the hormones that were rushing through Alec his mind went straight to sexual acts. Goddamn it Alec, Magnus is the one with the perverted mind, not you. Alec shook the thoughts from his mind as he took Magnus' hand, focusing instead on the simple joy of being with Magnus than the other emotions flooding through him.
Alec left the room, guiding Magnus down the hallway. His parents had conveniently chosen the farthest guest room from Alec's room possible, placing Magnus on the complete opposite end of the house from him. Alec opened his door, moving out of the way to let Magnus in, following shortly behind. He threw his bag down on the floor as he looked at Magnus who was silently examining his room. He suddenly felt nervous. Alec hadn't typically liked to have people in his room since he preferred the solitude of having the room all to himself. He also felt like it was one of those things where your room represented you, and Alec's did. It was simple, not colourful as Isabelle had tried to make it. He had given in to allow her to buy him a blue comforter, along with other accents, but he had only done that to get her off of his back. Otherwise, his walls were a simple off-white and one of the walls was covered in bookshelves. He had a computer desk across the room from the bookshelves and, at the far end of the room, was a couch and a television, which he rarely ever used. Two doors led to a closet and his bathroom, while another set led out onto the balcony.
He watched Magnus trace his fingers leisurely over the spines of the books.
"Shakespeare. Homer. Doyle. Hugo. Tolstoy." Magnus stopped, fingering War and Peace absentmindedly. "'Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced.'"
"You know Tolstoy?" Alec asked, astounded. Magnus didn't strike him as the type to have read or to have ever considered reading Tolstoy, let alone know him or something he had said.
"No, don't even know who he is really. It was just something my mother always used to say. She loved to read. She always tried to get me to, but I had no interest in it. I preferred her to read to me. Most of what she read I never understood, but I loved just sitting and listening." Magnus looked back at the book, before tracing his eyes over the rest of the overflowing bookcase. "Haven't you ever heard of Harry Potter, or as much as I hate to say it, Twilight? You know, books from this decade, ones that aren't 300 years old?"
"Are you insulting my book choices?" Alec crossed his arms, leaving one shoulder up against the bookshelf as he questioned Magnus.
"Not insulting, simply criticizing nicely."
"Thanks, I appreciate it. And yes, I have read Harry Potter. I'll admit that it wasn't bad. Isabelle forced Twilight on me but I couldn't get past how unrealistic it is. First off they meet 22 pages in and are already in love by page 300. Oh, and the vampires glittered. I mean please, since when do vampires glitter?"
Magnus scoffed. "What, you got something against glitter?"
Alec blushed slightly when he realized how that would come off to Magnus, considering he glittered like Edward in the middle of the desert. "No…I…I love glitter."
Magnus grinned. "Good." He turned to Alec, raising an eyebrow. "Come here."
Alec looked at him curiously, but Magnus' eyebrow just remained raised, his face continuing to tell Alec to come hither. Now if only Magnus knew what that eyebrow did to him. It was enticing; that look alone beckoning him forward. Magnus had used it the day they had met, and thousands of times after that. It was one simple movement but it elicited such a fiery response from Alec that he almost couldn't control it.
Alec closed the distance between them, stopping in front of Magnus and almost melting into him as Magnus wrapped his arms around Alec's waist.
"So how long do we have until your parents come home?"
"I don't know. They could be at the office for a few hours or we could only have ten minutes. Why?"
Magnus grinned and a mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. "I just wanted to know how long I'd have to work you overbefore I had to play nice and refrain from kissing you every moment of the day."
Magnus' words elicited a blush from Alec. He knew he should be used to hearing Magnus talk like that, but it still caught Alec off guard. He had heard many sexual things escape Jace and Isabelle's lips but with Magnus, it was different. With Magnus, those words fired a burn inside of Alec that made him want to do exactly what Magnus was talking about. But they couldn't do anything. They couldn't take the chance that his parents would come home or even Isabelle, Jace, Clary, Simon, or an unsuspecting Max. Now there would be some explaining to do if they got caught.
"We have to be careful Magnus."
Magnus' face fell slightly. "I know Alec. But don't worry, I've done it before. And for you, it's worth it."
I've done it before. Something suddenly clicked inside of Alec and the words spilled from his mouth before he even thought about them. "You hid it with William didn't you?"
Magnus' face went cold but as always, Alec could see it all in his eyes. "Let's not talk about that Alec, it's the past."
"I just want to know. Did you?" Alec looked up at Magnus innocently.
Magnus sighed. "Yes. He was scared to admit he was gay to the world and I helped him through it. But he was different, Alec. We're different." Magnus pulled Alec closer to him. "I don't want you to think about him, okay? He means nothing to me and he never will."
Alec looked down. "I know. I'm sorry."
Magnus placed his fingers to Alec's chin, lifting it to meet his gaze. "You have nothing to apologize for. You asked a question and I have nothing to hide from you." Magnus looked up suddenly when they heard the front door open and close as two people came inside.
Alec's heart hitched in his chest as nerves suddenly flooded through him. It was his parents, home earlier than Alec had hoped for. He had wanted more time with Magnus alone and he also wanted more time to gather himself together before he had to face them with Magnus. He just had to say, 'Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend Magnus.' That was it and then they'd know.
He could do it…
He could do it…
Could he?
Could he really?
He wanted to do it so bad, but whenever he tried to form the words, they just got stuck and glued themselves to the top of his mouth. Having Magnus there as comfort made the idea seem so much easier and yet, he still didn't feel like he could do it. This was the accumulation of everything his life had been for the last six years. This was what it had all been building up to. This moment. The moment he told them and they finally knew what he was. But with the coming of this moment was the culmination of all the fears that he had buried his whole life. They all came rushing at him, taking him over as he tried to struggle against them and rebury them. But he couldn't do it, and so they became his constant companion.
"They're home Alec. What are you going to do?"
Alec looked up at Magnus, letting himself get lost in hiseyes. It was so easy in Magnus' arms. Nothing mattered there, nothing but what they felt for each other.
"I don't know." Alec could hear the fear in his voice. He knew Magnus was waiting and expecting him to do it. He couldn't figure out if he was more scared of telling his parents or of not telling them and letting Magnus down. "I just…"
"Just do it when you're ready Alec."
Alec sighed, taking in what he'd wanted to be a reassuring breath to his body, but what was instead a shaky and misguided breath. He looked up at Magnus, biting his lip. Alec still couldn't believe that in his arms he had such an amazing, perfect man. He had never intended to find someone; he hadn't even been looking. But Magnus was one of those things where life just smacks you in the face and it's the most beautiful thing ever. Here he had a man who understood him and cared for him in ways he had never expected. Here he had a man who had survived so much in his life that could have made him a terrible person, but he was anything but terrible. He was perfect. He was everything and Alec couldn't have asked for anything better. At that point, Alec just couldn't imagine his life without Magnus in it.
"You won't be mad if I can't do it yet?" His voice was shaky.
"No."
One word. Magnus didn't need to elaborate, that said it all.
"Thank you." Alec leaned up, kissing Magnus softly. He moved away but was pulled back in by Magnus' hands on his back.
"Don't think you're getting away that easily. I see a closed door and so long as I hear noises from downstairs I am taking full advantage of these few minutes we have together."
That sounded like a perfect idea to Alec. He didn't respond, but instead let Magnus pull him into the kiss, their lips coming together as perfectly as they always did. Alec let his hands trail through the spikes of Magnus' hair as they found their customary spot. He pulled Magnus down deeper, savouring this moment and this kiss.
Magnus' tongue slid through Alec's lips, searching and finding each spot that made Alec crazy. His hands slid to Alec's hips, grazing the top of his ass as he pulled their hips closer together, rolling his slowly as he did.
Alec moaned, his cock jerking at the instant fiery connection. Goddamn it, if Magnus kept that up Alec was going to find an excuse to stay behind that closed door for more than a few minutes. This was supposed to be a kiss, not a sexual tease.
Yet, Alec didn't really care. He just liked being there, melding perfectly to Magnus' body. He knew he had to go see his parents but in Magnus' arms, they could have been in the middle of a fire and Alec wouldn't have cared to go. It was because in Magnus' arms Alec had everything and when he left them, he felt like he had nothing. Magnus was the missing part in his life, and he knew that sounded cliché but it was true. It wasn't like he believed in soul mates or anything, but with Magnus, well, there was reason to change his mind.
Magnus' tongue slipped out of Alec's mouth as his lips moved to kiss the spot just below his jaw-line, his tongue tickling the sensitive skin. Alec's skin felt like it was on fire and suddenly the room was becoming way too hot for him. Maybe Magnus was right and he should lose the sweaters. That way he wouldn't be so damn hot when Magnus was purposely trying to arouse him.
Magnus continued across Alec's collarbone slightly before moving back to Alec's lips, capturing them slightly, before pulling away. Alec felt the sudden need for more but thankfully, Magnus had the mind at that moment to know that their three minutes were up. Alec could have stayed there forever and not have cared at all that they had other obligations.
"All right, let's go."
Alec groaned. "You are such a tease, you know that?"
"Got to do something to keep you coming back for more." Magnus smirked. "But don't for a second think that you are innocent of teasing either Alexander."
Alec's eyebrows shot up in surprise. It didn't ever really help that the way his name rolled off Magnus' tongue sent a fire right down to his cock. Talk about a goddamn tease. Magnus knew how to arouse Alec in just the right ways and Alec only hoped that one day maybe he could make Magnus feel the same way. "I do not tease."
"You tease me by just standing there." Magnus pushed Alec against the wall, pressing his body firm against Alec's. Magnus lowered his head to kiss the soft spot behind Alec's ear, his teeth nipping his skin softly, sending a wave of need through Alec. God, the things that mouth did to him. "You tease me so much, I could just fuck you right here." Alec stiffened automatically as Magnus' soft whisper tickled his skin and penetrated any sense of self control he had. Those words were almost enough to do it for him, so low and sexy. To use Magnus' words, he was tempted to throw Magnus down and work him over. Alec didn't know how Magnus did it, but somehow the man made Alec forget himself with just a few simple words. Alec forgot his fears, his inhibitions, even how to form a complete sentence, and pinned there against the wall, his body flush against Magnus, he had lost himself. Alec came back to Earth when Magnus placed a soft, quick kiss to his lips. "But not now, I've got parents to meet."
Alec's heart dropped. "Tease."
"Yes, but an awesome and sexy tease nonetheless. Now come on."
Alec sighed as he pulled away from Magnus, detangling himself from his arms. The loss of contact flashed a coldness through him and Alec suddenly felt the nerves and fears even more.
Magnus smiled, as he followed Alec out of his bedroom. Alec walked down the hallway, wanting so badly to take Magnus' hand with his. He descended the stairs as he headed for the library. He knew his parents didn't expect any of the children to be home and so they would have gone there to relax after work. Alec stopped in front of the library, staring at his parents through the cracked door. They both sat on opposite couches, his father reading the New York Times and his mother on her laptop, no doubt doing work.
Alec took one more quick breath before looking at Magnus, who gave him a reassuring smile. Alec let out a breath before knocking on the door softly to inform his parents they were there. He opened the door fully as he and Magnus entered the library.
His parents looked up and Alec caught a small smile cross his mother's face. "Alec, you're home early." Both of his parents were quick to set aside their things to look at their son.
"We got on an earlier train." His voice sounded small to him, echoing through the vast room.
"How lucky." She smiled but then it faded slowly as Alec caught her take in Magnus. Alec's heart beat faster as her facial expression hardened to the one Jace and Isabelle had easily mastered but he had never been able to adopt. He hated when she got that face, he could never read her and he hated not being able to read his mother since it typically never boded well. Alec watched his father who didn't appear to have any reaction, which was typical Robert. But his attention didn't stay on Magnus as he had expected. Robert's reaction to Magnus had been as any reaction would be if your son brought a friend over. Alec wasn't sure if Robert's unexpected reaction or his mother's clear mood shift worried him more.
"So, you must be Magnus." Her voice was cool and calm, not giving away a single thing. Alec would have gotten more emotion from a rock than his mother.
"Yes, I am. It's a real pleasure to meet you Mrs. Lightwood. And you too Mr. Lightwood. Thank you for having me here for the break. I greatly appreciate it."
"It's no problem son. And please, just call me Robert, and wife here is Maryse. So, how was your ride here?"
"Good. Terrible train food, but good," Magnus replied.
"Good, good. Now I do have to ask, if you don't mind my curiosity, why aren't you with your own family for Christmas son?"
Alec noticed the small shift in Magnus' face but to his parents it would have been nothing. Alec just noticed it because it had become common in Magnus to get that look when his family came up. "My mother's dead and my father and I are estranged."
"Oh, I see. I'm sorry about your mother."
"Thank you, but it was a long time ago. Now I must say, your home is very beautiful."
Alec smiled inwardly. If there was any way to make a good impression with his mother it was to compliment the house. She took great pride in it always looking its best and Alec caught Magnus' words bringing a small smile to Maryse's lined lips. Didn't cause any harm either that it was a good way to divert the conversation away from his family.
"Well thank you Magnus. It's nice to see a young man who can appreciate the art of home décor." Slowly the smile disappeared and Maryse was back to her emotionless self. Maryse loved compliments but she never milked them for more than their worth. "So, why aren't you two out for lunch with Isabelle and Jace and their friends?"
"Oh, we ate on the train so we stayed behind to settle in," said Alec. Tell them Alec. Do it. Tell them. It just didn't seem like the right moment. But then again, what really was the right moment?
"That's…" Maryse trailed off as she crossed to the table where her cell phone was going off. "Sorry boys, but I must take this. It was nice meeting you Magnus." Maryse clicked the phone off as she left the room, leaving Robert, Magnus, and Alec alone.
"She does that a lot. The woman forgets to leave work at work. I keep telling her she needs to take a break, but she won't listen to me. After twenty-five years I still don't understand the way she works. Women." Robert rolled his eyes.
"Agreed," said Magnus.
"You got yourself a girlfriend?" Robert asked. His face was animated and Alec could see him warming towards Magnus and it lightened Alec's heart. But that question cut through Alec. What was Magnus going to say?
"Not right now, too much of a handful."
"Good boy." Robert laughed. "So, what are you boys planning on doing?" He looked from Alec to Magnus curiously.
Alec looked at Magnus. "I don't know but I was eyeing that movie collection I saw on the way in. I'm thinking of convincing Alec to watch something with me."
"Well I'd join you boys but I'm sure you wouldn't want me around. And besides, I've got some things get done. So you go and watch whatever you want. The theatre room's open until Jace comes home and kidnaps it to play Rock Hero or something, so get your use out of it now."
"We will, thanks Dad."
"It's good to have you home kid. And it's been great meeting you Magnus. Hopefully we can discuss our favourite movies some other time when we're not busy."
"I look forward to it."
Robert smiled, nodding at the boys before walking away to head for his office. As the door closed behind him, Alec let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. With that breath, his heart fell with the realization of what he had planned to happen, not happening. He turned to Magnus feeling completely depressed. "I didn't do it." The words choked out from his lips.
"I didn't expect you to." Magnus placed his hands on Alec's arms, running his hands up and down to comfort him.
"Don't lie to me."
"I'm not. That wasn't the right moment Alec. You'll have your chance soon, but now wasn't it. You'll know when it's right. Now come on, let's forget about that for a few hours and just go have fun. The theatre room is empty until Jace gets home and since both your parents are occupied, I plan on utilizing this time as best as I can." A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes.
It wasn't the right moment. Maybe Magnus was right. It didn't feel like the right moment so Alec shouldn't feel so disappointed about not doing anything. And after seeing the way Magnus interacted with them and how they appeared to like him, especially his father, it made the idea of telling them easier. If they liked him maybe they wouldn't have a problem with Alec dating him.
Alec walked down the hallway, a bowl of popcorn, a bag of M&M's, and a bag of Doritos in one hand and two Cokes balanced in the other. They were a quarter way through Pretty Woman-Magnus' choice-and they had become hungry. When Alec said they had eaten on the train, he really meant that they had shared a very stale bag of peanuts. And to add to it, Alec hated peanuts so he had proceeded to go scrounge up a bunch of junk for them to eat.
Magnus had been right about the movie. Alec had completely forgotten about his parents and the elephant in the room. He had just sat there, cuddled up to Magnus' side, watching Pretty Woman. They had shared a few kisses throughout but they were just soft, nothing too passionate. They really just enjoyed spending the time together and Alec was completely at ease.
Alec stopped as he passed his father's office, his parent's voices reaching his ears.
"I don't know about him Robert."
"Magnus or Alec?"
"Both."
Alec's heart started racing again and he swore if it kept it up he would either die of exhaustion or it would pound straight from his chest. She knew. She had to know. Alec's fears suddenly swallowed him. What was she going to do?
"What's wrong with them? Alec seems fine and Magnus appears to be a nice boy."
Maryse sighed. "He does, but you saw him. He's different Robert." Different slipped past her lips almost forcefully.
"There's nothing wrong with being different Maryse. So the boy likes to express himself, didn't we always tell the children to do that?"
"Yes, but it's not the fact that he looks like he rolled around on a floor of glitter that bothers me. He's gay Robert, I just know he is."
There was a silence that passed between them after Maryse's comment and if Alec thought his heart was beating fast before, it was nothing compared to now. He swore it could break the sound barrier if it beat any faster. He knew his parents would realize Magnus was gay, Magnus wasn't exactly the kind to come off as walking the straight and narrow path. But Magnus flaunted and was proud of that part of him the same way he was with every other aspect of himself. And that was something Alec loved about him. Magnus wasn't scared of who he was or what people would think of him because of it, even though he'd faced his whole life, what Alec was so scared of facing.
It was Magnus' life story that finally made it all click for Alec. If Magnus could survive all that he had and make it out as the amazing person he was, Alec could tell his parents he was gay. He was still scared but it was different now. Alec wasn't thinking 'Oh, I'll tell them next time' and he wasn't procrastinating just so he didn't have to do it. Now he knew he was going to do it. Being gay was a part of him and he shouldn't run from that. Robert had worded it perfectly when he said they had always taught them to be themselves. So this was Alec. He was going to finally be himself. He didn't want to hide anymore and Magnus had taught him how to do that and had shown him the door he'd been searching for for so long. He was going to tell them. Despite how scared he was at how they'd react, he needed to do it. He wanted to do it for Magnus but most of all, he realized he needed to do it for himself.
"And what difference does that make Maryse?"
Alec suddenly felt a shot of joy rush through him. That statement said so much to Alec. Maybe his father wouldn't think it made a difference with Alec. If he didn't care about Magnus, maybe he wouldn't care about Alec. He was never really sure if he was more scared of his father's or his mother's reaction. His father had always been the more carefree parent but he had always been quiet when it came to important issues or voicing his opinion. Alec had no idea what his father thought of a lot of things because he tended to keep it to himself and so he was afraid of what his father would say when the time came to tell him the truth.
His mother didn't answer for a while and that flooded away the joy in Alec's heart from his father's comment. He waited patiently, the drinks in his hand starting to freeze his skin and the popcorn bowl starting to slip from his arm. He shifted a little to make his hold tighter.
"I don't know Robert." She sighed. "I just…I think there's something going on with Alec."
"Maryse, he's young and out there in the world on his own for the first time. The kid's discovering himself."
If only you knew how I was discovering myself Dad.
"I'm just worried, that's all. Call it motherly instinct but I know my son, and something's different. He was weird last time he was down and whenever I call him he says he has to say something but never says it. I need to find out what it is Robert."
"Maryse." Robert's voice was tense. "Say there is something wrong. Now you may be his mother but at that age, kids don't tell us anything. He'll go to Isabelle or Jace before he comes to us. He'll figure out whatever it is. Alec's smart and he's not a little kid anymore. You can't go butting in where you're not wanted."
Maryse sighed, giving in to her husband as she normally did. If there was anyone in the world who could change Maryse's mind it was Robert, otherwise she wouldn't move from her opinion or action. "What if he needs me?"
"Then he'll come to you."
"I hope so."
Alec had heard enough and it was all he needed. He tiptoed down the hallway, speeding up as he turned the corner. Hearing that had made him see the whole situation in a different light. His mother may be strict and cold but underneath it all, she cared. So maybe she'd care enough to accept him for who he was. She wanted him to come to him and so he would. He'd tell her what it was and he had a feeling that Maryse was already cluing in. His mother wasn't stupid, she was a Harvard law graduate and naturally perceptive. But Alec was naturally good at hiding, it had become a skill after 6 years and he wasn't as readable to his mother as she would have liked. But she knew something was up. She knew something and soon she'd know all of it.
Alec turned into the theatre room, stopping in his tracks as he saw what was playing on the screen. He was instantly mortified and could feel himself blushing. Magnus had found the home videos.
Magnus paused the video as he looked up at Alec from his seat in the front, a big smile painted on his face. "I can't figure out if you blushed more as a kid or now."
"Shut up." And with that, Alec blushed an even deeper crimson as he slowly descended the stairs to where Magnus was. He placed the condiments on the table in front of them, taking his spot on the couch next to Magnus.
"Why? You were adorable," Magnus teased.
"I was awkward and I had a gap in my teeth bigger than the Grand Canyon. That is not adorable."
"Oh come on, it wasn't that big. Only like half the size of the Grand Canyon." Magnus smirked as Alec hit him playfully. "Okay, fine, only a quarter size."
"Oh, shut up." Alec rolled his eyes. "Now how the hell did you find our home videos? They were buried."
"Not when I found them. They were sitting on top of that table over there labelled, 'Very funny. Watch.' I was bored since you'd been taking a millennium to get back and how could I turn that down?"
Alec knew exactly who had written that label on the videos and he was going to kill his sister for it. "Yeah, how could you? You know Magnus, sometimes curiosity is not always a virtue."
"It was today." Magnus pressed the play button, a smirk painted across his face.
"Uh uh. No. We are not watching this." Alec leaned across Magnus, trying to grab the remote from his hands. Magnus registered Alec's motions, stretching out his arm to the side so that the remote was completely out of Alec's reach.
"I don't think so."
"Magnus, give it to me."
"Um, no." Magnus said matter-of-factly. Alec lunged for it once more as he couldn't stand one more second of mortification from his home videos. As he went after it, his arm that had been balancing his body on the couch gave and he fell right into Magnus' lap, his face centimetres from Magnus' leather clad crotch. He blushed even worse than before, feeling his whole entire body fill with a sudden exotic need for Magnus. It wasn't like the idea of that part of Magnus' body was new to him, but the physical aspect of it sure was. Alec suddenly thought back to that night when Magnus had pleasured him in ways he didn't even think imaginable. He had had thoughts of doing the same thing to Magnus for days. The need was inside of him, and after that night, his bubble had been popped. He wanted to give Magnus the same thing Magnus had given him. He didn't know how and he'd probably fail epically, but he liked to stick to the idea that relationships worked both ways.
Slowly he pushed himself up away from Magnus, trying to shake away his thoughts of Magnus' dick and what he suddenly felt like doing to it. He looked up at Magnus who had an amused look on his face, his eyebrow raised as he met Alec's gaze. That eyebrow worked wonders over Alec's hormones and his jeans were suddenly tighter than they were five minutes ago.
"Alec, baby, if you wanted to suck my dick, all you had to do was ask. I mean, I like that you're being forward about it, but is this really the place?"
Alec felt more mortified in that moment than he had in his entire life. First the home videos and then this. "No…I…" And to add it to it, he was stuttering. Real eloquent Alec. Now you look like a stammering idiot. But Magnus did that to him. He said things like that and any brain Alec had went out the window. Right out the window and out into the ocean attached to an anchor.
Magnus grinned. "Another time. Now come here." Magnus paused the video to Alec's relief as he held out his arm so Alec could take up the spot next to him.
Alec obeyed, moving so that his body moulded into Magnus' side, his head resting lightly on his chest. He listened to the soft beating of Magnus' heart, letting the movement wash away the horror of the last few minutes. He let the feel of Magnus' arm around him engulf him, soothing away all of his outside thoughts.
"So, what took you so long?"
Alec looked up at Magnus. He knew this was going to come up. "I was listening to my parents talking."
"Eavesdropping? And here I thought you hadn't a rule breaking bone in your body. So, what did they say?" Magnus' hand trailed sub-consciously through Alec's hair, twirling a strand of his hair between his fingers as he looked at Alec.
Alec took a deep breath. "They were talking about you and me."
"Good stuff about you and me, or bad?"
"Depends on your interpretation."
"And what was yours?" Magnus asked.
Alec thought about it for a second. "I don't know. But my mother got the impression you were gay."
"Yeah, that is a common theory people adapt about me. I don't know why. I think it's the glitter," Magnus said playfully. "So what did she say next?"
"She went on to say that she thought something was wrong with me."
"Oh, if only she knew."
"Hey!" Alec hit Magnus' chest.
"Sorry princess, didn't mean to offend you. Go on."
Alec rolled his eyes as he took a deep breath and continued. "She said she's worried and she wants to know what's wrong but my father told her to lay off and that I'd come to her when I was ready. She said she hoped so and then I left."
Magnus nodded. "I see. Sounds like it was good stuff to me."
"How was it good?"
"Well, if your mother said she had a feeling something was going on with you then she would already have gone through many possible situations and, given the fact she mentioned that I was gay, then I would bet money that the true situation passed through her brain at least once. But what's good is that she wants you to come to her Alec. She wants to know and given that, she had to have had the idea you might be gay. She said what she said knowing full well that her specualtions could possibly be the truth."
"So what you do mean?"
"I mean that maybe you don't have so much of a reason to be afraid. It doesn't sound like telling your mother you're gay will necessarily be bad. Maybe not great, but I think we can rule out the worst of your fears."
"You think?" Alec asked. Could his worst fears really be assuaged? It was so much easier to say something than to do it. His mother might say she was ready to hear it and be there for him, but would she really want to when the time came to do it?
"Yeah, I do." Magnus smiled. "It's going to be alright Alec, I know it is."
"How do you know?"
"Because I'm all-knowing and awesome, that's how. Haven't I told you that already?"
"Many times."
"Good. Now don't forget it." Magnus placed a soft kiss to Alec's forehead before grabbing the remote and resuming the home videos.
Alec groaned, burying his face into Magnus' chest. He had the urge to fight him again on it but knew it was a lost cause. When Magnus Bane wanted something, he normally got it.
Alec inhaled the familiar scent of Magnus. It was a mix of cinnamon, vanilla, and some foreign, intoxicating scent that Alec couldn't put his finger on but cherished anyway. He let the feel and scent of Magnus fall over him. It's going to be alright. That was what Magnus had said and for once in Alec's life, he believed it. Alec had told himself those same words a thousand times over but they had never done anything for him because he never truly believed them. But hearing them from Magnus was different. From Magnus' lips, those words held so much more meaning because with Magnus, Alec saw a future where everything was alright. He'd tell his parents and they'd be okay with it and then he'd go back to Idris with Magnus and everything would be alright.
Alec smiled. For once he wasn't scared of the future, but anticipating it. It was a future with Magnus, a future where Alec wasn't hiding anymore. It was beautiful and Alec almost couldn't wait. He honestly owed it all to Magnus. If it hadn't been for him supporting him and opening his eyes, Alec wouldn't have even thought about actually truly telling his parents. If it weren't for Magnus, Alec would still be alone, scared, and hopeless.
Alec wrapped his arm around Magnus' chest, pulling himself closer to him. He knew he was pretty much plastered against him, but he didn't care. It felt good and that was all that mattered to him.
Magnus was all that mattered to him.
There you go. I hoped everyone liked it. So now that Magnus had met the parents what do you think's going to happen? Will Alec tell his parents or chicken out? Will they accept him if he does? And what about Jace? What happens when he finds out? I will answer those questions for you guys soon but feel free to speculate for the time being. I love hearing what you guys think'll happen. But for now I'm going to go try and work on the next chapter and i'll see you all in a week. Love you guys and thanks for everything!
Be the change,
Amber