Disclaimer: I do now own The Mortal Instruments or any of its characters.
Alec blinked again, as if he wasn't sure the man standing in front of him was real or a hallucination.
"Magnus? What are you doing here?"
"I was just going for a walk and wound up here somehow," Magnus joked.
"You walked here all the way from Brook- ok you were probably joking."
Magnus smiled, "Indeed I was. I'm actually out here to see someone."
Alec looked crestfallen, "Oh, well I think I was the last one in there so I think whoever you are looking for isn't here."
"No, I think he's here. In fact, I'm looking at him right now."
Alec looked behind him as if to make sure Magnus wasn't talking about someone else before he turned back and blushed, no longer looked dejected.
"Oh, you mean me."
Magnus's smile grew and he stepped closer towards Alec, "Smart and pretty."
Alec just blushed even more and looked to his feet.
"I actually came here for a specific reason." Alec looked up at this, and Magnus paused for just a moment, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I came to see why you hadn't called."
Alec blinked, "You came all the way here, just to ask why I hadn't called."
Magnus looked sheepish. He never looked sheepish, hell he never felt sheepish!
"I know a bit strange isn't it?"
Alec shook his head, a vague smile on his face.
"No it's," Alec thought of Dylan. How he refused to go to any of his games as if being seen within 100 yards of Alec would out him. He thought of the shame it made him feel to have someone be so ashamed of him, "nice."
"Nice?" Magnus asked with a question vaguely reminiscent of their night together.
Alec smiled, remembering it as well, "Nice."
"So can we talk?" Magnus asked hopefully.
Alec glanced around, as if to check to see if anyone could see them. Magnus did his best not to feel offended, after all what was the harm in just being seen with him? He wasn't going to ravish the boy in the middle of the soccer field, as tempting as it was. Then again, he was wearing a lot of glitter and when he thought about it his sexuality was rather obvious. It wasn't a problem for Ragnor though, they hung out all the time and no one questioned his sexuality. That they knew of at least.
Alec turned back to face him with a half-smile on his face. The look was so adorable Magnus quickly got over whatever ping of annoyance he had felt.
"Yeah, I'd like that. I actually know a place, if that's okay with you."
Magnus smiled and followed, Alec leading the way.
.
.
.
Magnus continued to follow in silence as Alec led him behind the soccer field, coming to a stop at the edge of some woods in front of a tree with a low hanging branch.
Alec reached over a lifted the branch upwards, gesturing for Magnus to walk under it.
Magnus smirked and obliged, "Such a gentleman."
Alec blushed and laughed, following Magnus and letting the branch fall back behind them as he let go of it.
"Only a few people ever go back here, most people think there are bears or something. The guys on the team usually take their girlfriends here when they want to be alone with them," Alec explained, back in front of Magnus as he led them down the dark trail.
"So does this make us boyfriends then?" Magnus teased, and even in the dark and from behind him, he knew the boy was blushing.
"What? I uh no I was just saying," Alec sputtered, ducking and signaling for Magnus to do the same as they encountered another low hanging branch.
Magnus chuckled, "I was just joking darling."
"You do that a lot," Alec noted, a clearing in the distance and the trail was now wide enough for them to walk side by side.
Alec turned to look at Magnus as Magnus came to stand beside him.
"I have a playful personality," Magnus explained with a shrug.
Alec seemed to consider this for just a moment for he began to walk again.
"Forgive me for being cynical, but where are we going exactly? Because I have seen movies that start out like this and let me tell you it does not end well for me."
At this, Alec felt himself chuckle.
"We're almost there and no, I'm not planning on killing you."
Magnus smiled in appreciation.
"At least I don't think I am," Alec added in jest.
Magnus snorted at this, as Alec lifted one more branch, again allowing Magnus ahead of him as they entered the clearing.
The area in front of them was nothing special really. It was a clearing surrounded by trees and there was a lot of dirt and rocks. In the center of the area was what appeared to be a makeshift fireplace, with many sticks and a circle of rocks around it. Surrounding the fireplace were many large rocks and logs, where people sat around the fire, Magnus figured.
Magnus chuckled with some amusement as he caught sight of a black t-shirt caught in the limbs of a nearby tree. Alec crinkled his brow, confused as to what Magnus found so funny, when he followed Magnus's gaze to the cause of his laughter.
Alec also snorted at this, "Hey, I think that's my brother's!"
This caused Magnus to laugh even more as Alec walked over to the tree, and stretching on his tiptoes, grabbed Jace's t-shirt. As Alec stood on his tiptoes his shirt (one of the closest to form fitting shirts he owned) rode up, revealing rather adorable back dimples. Magnus ceased laughing and took the time to fan himself.
Alec was now flat on his feet again, folding the shirt over him arm and murmuring to himself as he walked back towards Magnus. He looked up at him and smiled, "Sorry, it's just sometimes I think Jace wants to get expelled or something."
"Jace is the blonde guy from the party, right?" Magnus asked, though he knew the answer he couldn't make it obvious he had more or less stalked the boy.
"Yeah, he's my adoptive brother."
"I figured as much, you two don't look much alike."
Alec just nodded, "Yeah, but he may as well be my real brother. He's lived with us since he was two."
Alec smiled fondly at this and it made Magnus's heart flutter. There were times he wished he had siblings of his own, hell there were times he wished he had an actually family of his own. But Magnus knew of all people wanting something bad enough didn't make it true.
"So do you have any other siblings?" Magnus asked, as they both took seats on logs next to each other. He also knew this as well, but continued to play dumb.
Alec nodded, "Yeah I have a young sister, Izzy, and she's Jace's age, which is seventeen. And I have another younger brother, Max, he's nine. We're all pretty close."
"That's nice," Magnus replied, still feeling that ping of jealousy. "I'm an only child, no cousins either."
"Oh, did you ever get lonely?" Alec asked his voice soft.
Yes, Magnus wanted to say.
"Not really, I've always made friends pretty easily."
Alec smiled, "I can imagine."
"Oh? What does that mean?" Magnus teased.
Alec just shrugged, "You're just very," Alec paused for a moment, "friendly."
"I'd like to think so, after all if I wasn't so friendly we probably never would have met."
Alec blushed, "Probably not. But I would have wanted to. Meet you, that is."
Magnus smiled as Alec stared down at his feet and grabbed a stick that was at his feet, tracing patterns in the loose dirt. Alec was mentally kicking himself for being so forward, even if he was just speaking the truth.
"I don't know what I'd do without my siblings," Alec said in a quick change of subject, "they're my best friends. Well, Izzy and Jace are, Max is a bit too young for us to hang out that much."
"That's really sweet," Magnus said, and it was. The way Alec's voice softened when he spoke about them and the unconscious smile on his lips made Magnus heart go a flutter.
Alec cleared his throat, "So, can I ask why you're here exactly? I mean, I thought last week was a one-time thing . . . not that I mind, I mean . . . yeah."
Magnus just smiled.
"Did you want it to be a one-time thing?"
Alec opened his mouth to answer, but then closed it again.
He had the answer, and the answer was no, he certainly did not want it to be a onetime thing. Alec had thought of Magnus every day and every night since the party and had sworn he had seen the man at various times throughout the week: at his away game, if a tall honey skinned guy walked past him in the hall way, he had once even confused Magnus for Jordan Kyle's girlfriend Maia.
Which was why when had seen Magnus during the game (leading to a ball to the face and a bruise forming on his right cheek) he had easily convinced himself it was just imagination. Hence his surprise when he saw that Magnus actually was there for once.
Alec answered with a shrug, not wanting his vulnerability to show.
"I was just surprised is all; I had thought I'd seen you during the game though."
"Was that when you made out with the soccer ball?"
"No," Alec replied indignantly. "Well, yes but I didn't make out with it. It hit me on the side of the face."
Alec turned his cheek as if to prove a point and Magnus leaned in closer to see. Magnus could just barely see the swelling and yellowing of a barely formed bruise in the dark light but gave an "Hmm" in response nonetheless.
Alec turned back to face him, their noses close together as Magnus hadn't moved backwards. Alec's eyes flickered unconsciously to Magnus's soft lips.
"Do you want me to kiss it better?"
Alec's eyes snapped back up to Magnus's and Magnus smirked.
"What?" Alec squeaked.
Magnus snickered, they'd already had sex and the boy was flustered over by a simple kiss on the cheek?
"Did the hit affect your hearing?" Magnus teased and Alec blushed, pulling away.
"Sorry, you're just so forward. I'm not really used to it."
"You should be. You're gorgeous darling."
Alec looked surprised.
"So is that why you're here? You think I'm," Alec paused, "gorgeous?"
Magnus smiled, "I don't think you're gorgeous Alec, I know it. But it's not the only reason I'm here. You're smart, sweet, humble, an incredibly talented soccer player, and most of all you are the most captivating person I have ever met."
"Captivating?" Alec asked, feeling breathless and lightheaded. No one had ever talked about him like that, especially someone who looked like Magnus Bane.
Magnus just smirked, "Yes captivating, do you know what that means or will I have to cross smart off your list of endearing characteristics?"
"No, I know what it means. I just never- I never thought of myself that way is all," Alec explained.
Magnus frowned at this, thinking back to their night together and how pained Alec looked when he talked about his ex and to now and how Alec had never been called either gorgeous or captivating.
What kind of boyfriend, no person, never let their significant other know they were gorgeous or something equally pleasant?
"Well, you are. Take my word for it Alexander; otherwise I wouldn't be here, alright?"
Alec just stared for a moment.
"Alright," he replied quietly.
"You're pretty captivating too." Alec added, partially because when someone complimented him he felt obliged to compliment them back but mostly because he really, truly meant it. As if Magnus didn't know this already, though. "I mean, I've thought about you a lot since that night."
And then, because Alec felt especially vulnerable and stupid, tacked on "Not in an obsessive way or anything, but you have been on my mind. Not like in a creepy way at all."
"Alec, I'm the one who travelled all the way here after we just spent one night together with a week of no talking or anything."
Alec picked at the bottom his jersey, "I'm sorry I never called. I planned on it, I really did, but every time I'd dial your number or I was about to text, I'd chicken out. I wasn't sure if you were serious or not."
"Well I guess not taking me seriously is understandable, but I will let you know that I was being one hundred percent serious when I asked you to call me and I'm also being one hundred percent serious now. I would really like to see you again Alec, after tonight that is."
Alec swallowed nervously and bit his lip.
"I'd like that too," Alec responded with some apprehension.
Magnus quirked an eyebrow, "Do you really? Or are you just doing the nice guy thing and saying what you think I want to hear? Because while I would love to see you again, I don't want to force you into anything, you are far too sweet for that."
"I meant it, I'd really like to see you again Magnus. I wouldn't lie about that."
Magnus smiled and mentally added 'honest' to Alec's list of endearing qualities. He then slowly reached over and put his hand on top of Alec's, which was resting beside his thigh.
"One more question."
Alec swallowed thickly and nodded for Magnus to continue.
"Would it be alright if I kissed you right now?"
Alec just nodded in response, and Magnus smiled again leaning in further and closing the distance between their lips. Unlike their kisses the night of the party, which were hot, steamy and hungry, this was soft, sweet and slow. Of course everything Alec Lightwood seemed to have a dose of sweet to it in Magnus's opinion.
Magnus gently ran his tongue across Alec's bottom lip, silently asking for access. Alec obliged, opening his mouth and he brought his hands up and latched them behind Magnus's neck, bringing him closer. Alec hummed into the kiss as Magnus used his tongue to explore Alec's mouth.
Unable to help himself, Alec titled himself backwards, falling off the log and into the dirt on his back, taking Magnus with him. Magnus's eyes, which had fluttered shut with the kiss, snapped open as he found himself on top of Alec. He pulled back suddenly. Alec's eyes shot open as well and he looked slightly ashamed.
"I'm sorry I don't know what came over me," Alec explained rapidly.
Magnus pressed his lips to Alec's, cutting off his torrent of words. It was a short kiss, probably lasting only five seconds before Magnus pulled away, bringing his hand to Alec's cheek, and tracing his cheekbone absently with his thumb, leaving a streak of dirt across it as Magnus's hand were dirty from their landing.
Alec's breathing slowed, "I'm gonna have to take another shower now."
Magnus snorted, staring at the boy below him, his hair fanned out in the dirt below them and his cheek dirty now as well.
"Well worth it I'd like to think," Magnus replied teasingly, giving Alec another kiss.
"I am sorry; I really don't know what came over me."
"There is nothing to be sorry for Alexander; I just don't want to take it that far tonight. Not that the other night wasn't plenty fun, but I'd prefer to take this," and Magnus lifted himself, motioning between them, "a bit slowly. I find it to be a more efficient way to get to know somebody."
Alec sighed as Magnus brought himself back down, and his twisted his fingers in Magnus' velvet like hair.
"That would be nice," Alec replied absently, still running his hands through Magnus's hair.
"Nice is good," Magnus said with a smirk.
Alec nodded, blue eyes locking with golden green eyes.
"Nice is very good."
And with that, Magnus leaned back down and pressed their lips together.
.
.
.
They stayed that way for a while, Magnus on top of Alec, slowly kissing, caressing and just holding each other. Soon, though their kissed turned languid and Magnus rolled off of Alec, and lay beside him. After that they just talked about simple, nonsensical things.
They learned each other's favorite colors, Alec's was green and Magnus' was blue (which was totally cliché but still utterly romantic). Magnus learned that Alec had played soccer since he was four and while he loved the sport when he went off to school he wanted to do something with journalism. Alec learned that Magnus had been on his own since he was sixteen, but a few years ago he had received a rather large inheritance from a relative he had never met and was set for life (though Magnus joked that with his spending habits it might not actually last that long). In return, Alec explained that his parents were extremely wealthy and while he loved them dearly, he truthfully wasn't very close with them and hardly ever saw them as they usually just travelled a lot for business purposes.
Magnus talked to Alec about Ragnor and Tessa, his two greatest friends in the entire world. Alec talked more about Jace and Izzy, who were also his greatest friends, as he was also theirs. Magnus talked about his hamster sized cat (though he would never say that in front of him) Chairman Meow and Alec in turn, discussed his cat Church who was spoiled beyond belief by all of them, especially Isabelle.
Their conversation was simple, fun, and surprisingly to both of them, very easy to maintain. While it wasn't as surprising to Magnus, who could converse with a brick wall if necessary, as it was to Alec, both of them did find themselves in awe of how easy it was to open to the other.
Soon, however it was time for them to depart, and they slowly made their way out of the wooded area (Alec still being the perfect gentleman and holding up branches for Magnus to duck under) and they were back where they started, outside the locker room.
"So, I'll see you Saturday?" Magnus asked hopefully, running his hands up and down Alec's arms.
Alec smiled and nodded, "Saturday."
With that, Magnus gave Alec one simple, small kiss and backed away, Alec watching him disappear into the darkness that surrounded them.
Alec smiled and turned to go back to his dorm, running his finger across his kiss swollen bottom lip. His room was dark when he got back and the hallway was quiet, Alec glanced at the alarm clock beside his bed and saw it was nearly three in the morning. He laughed inwardly, thinking for once he was probably the last of his siblings in bed on a weekend (apart from the party of course). Thinking of Jace, Alec put the now dirty (it wasn't exactly clean in the first place but having it fall into the dirt when he made out with Magnus didn't help matters) shirt onto his dresser where he would remember to give it to him tomorrow before his date with Magnus.
He quickly took a shower, almost sadly washing the loose dirt from his hair and face as it was a memory of his time with Magnus. Then he smiled, because they would be together tomorrow at Magnus' place he just had to worry about what he would tell Jace, but he would figure that out tomorrow. For now he just face planted onto this bed, blindly grabbing for his phone from his bedside table when it vibrated.
Isabelle: i xpect all deets 2moro bb bro ;)
Alec just snorted, not bothering to ask how she knew he was with Magnus (it was Isabelle) or remind her that she was his baby sister and put his phone down. His eyelids grew heavy and Alec fell asleep with a smile.
I end these with Alec falling asleep an awful lot, don't I? Well I promise the next chapter will not end with him falling asleep!
Once again, and because I can't say this enough thank you all so much for all of the reviews, alerts and favorites.
I will also be adding Tessa to the story because like Alec has Izzy and Jace, I think Magnus needs both a male and female perspective for issues (good and bad) that are to come for both Magnus and Alec. So CP gave me all sorts of confusion and I have no idea if Tessa should be with Jem, Will, or single in this. Her relationship won't be a huge part of the story but it will influence her advice to Magnus of course. So do any of you have suggestions?
And because I have numerous tests this week, it may take a while for me to update (I wrote this b/c I was in need of a serious study break).
"Here's your shirt," Alec said, tossing the freshly laundered t-shirt to his brother which he caught with ease.
"Hey! I've been looking for this, where did you find it?"
"Really" Isabelle snorted, "because it looks like nearly every other too tight t-shirt of yours."
Jace ignored her and stared at Alec, waiting for an explanation.
"I found it out in the woods. Really Jace you ought to be more careful. If Burt were to go out there and find this shirt and then see you running shirtless, even he would be smart enough to put two and two together."
Jace just shrugged, brushing off Alec's scolding as he normally did.
"Wait. What were you doing out there anyway?"
Alec froze.