Chapter 16
"Tessa will be here around ten or so tonight. So do your best to not hit on the woman. She has a fiancé," Magnus joked.
Ragnor rolled his eyes. He'd met Tessa once or twice and never hit on her at all. She was far too serious and bookish for him.
"So how long is Miss Gray going to be here? And is she going to be kicked out when Wonder Boy decides to stop by?"
Magnus glared.
"Stop calling him that and no the honor of being kicked out is specifically reserved for mouthy roommates. Besides, Alexander is not my life and I am going to inform him that I will be having company these next few days."
"So no Wonder- I mean no Alexander for the rest of the week? How will you survive? I mean not seeing him the rest of the week and not seeing him on the weekend. It might kill you both."
Magnus smirked. "That's not at all what I said. I just said I'd inform him of my other company. I actually would love if he came over; I think he and Tessa would get along quite well. He loves to read."
Ragnor snorted and rolled his eyes. "And there is her thing for black hair and blue eyes."
Magnus smiled. "A preference we both share."
Ragnor couldn't help but laugh at that. "So is the fiancé joining her as well? Maybe you can take your eerily similar looking boy toys out on a double date."
"Alexander is not my boy toy he is my boyfriend, stop testing my patience. Besides, Alec is much . . . prettier than Will, much more innocent and sweet as well."
"You didn't answer my question though, is William joining Tessa? I have to be informed ahead of time; prepare myself for the torture of hearing him speak."
"No, Will is not with her. He's actually visiting his friend James this weekend and what do you have against William?"
"I have nothing against the man; he's just constantly insulting me, saying I look like a duck. It's ridiculous."
Magnus shook his head, absently checking his phone and frowning when he didn't have any new messages. He'd texted Alec a few hours ago and had yet to hear anything back.
"That's just William, he doesn't mean anything by it," Magnus said, not noticing the change in Ragnor's facial expression.
When Ragnor didn't respond (and he always responded), Magnus looked up at him.
"What?" He asked.
"You look upset," Ragnor replied simply.
"I'm not, Alec hasn't texted me today. It's just odd, but I'm not upset by it."
Ragnor gave him a disbelieving look, but Magnus was being completely honest. He was a little hurt, and mildly bothered by it sure, but not upset. He knew Alec probably had good reason for texting him, like forgetting to charge his phone or something.
"I'm not," Magnus insisted with a sigh. "I honestly didn't even think about it until just now with getting things ready for Tessa's visit. I'm positive he has a reason for not texting, like soccer or his ridiculous siblings."
Ragnor nodded. "Alright, whatever you say Magnus."
Though he knew Ragnor wasn't fully convinced Magnus gladly let the topic go. He wasn't privy to discussing emotions out loud; it made him feel too vulnerable. Except with Alec of course, the boy exuded too much innocence and kindness for Magnus to ever feel threatened. It's what made being around Alec so intoxicating, that unguarded feeling Magnus had around him, like he could say anything in the world and Alec wouldn't judge or leave him. It was exhilarating.
It was nearly an hour later, around nine that night, when Magnus finally received a text from Alec.
Alec: Sorry I haven't texted all day. I forgot to charge my phone.
Magnus breathed a sigh of relief. Not that he had been worried or anything, no not at all.
Magnus: it's ok sweets. Tho there's something ive been needing 2 tell u
Alec: Alright. Is everything okay?
Magnus found Alec's constant concern for him and their relationship quite endearing. He also found it sweet that the boy actually spelled out everything in his texts.
Magnus: everythings gr8 ;) I just wanted to tell you I'll be having a friend over this week
It was a few minutes before Alec texted back.
Alec: Okay. So I guess I'll just see you sometime next week. If Jace can sneak me out.
Magnus could feel the boy's hurt through his text and was quick to fix it.
Magnus: Not what I meant at all darling I was actually wanting you to meet her. The bf meeting the bff is an important step they say
Alec texted back a lot quicker this time.
Alec: Really?
Magnus smiled as he texted back.
Magnus: Rly
Alec: I'll have to talk to my brother
Magnus: I hope to see you soon
Alec: Me too.
Before Magnus could say anything back he received another text.
Alec: I miss you
Magnus: I miss you too babe
Alec: good
Magnus: did u thnk I didn't? If so we're going 2 hav a serious tlk nxt time I c u
Alec: I didn't mean it like that
Magnus: I was teasing baby. I know what you meant
Alec: okay
Magnus: Is everything alright?
It was a few minutes before Alec texted again and Magnus felt a ping of worry again.
Alec: Yeah everything's fine
Magnus didn't believe him, but he chose not to pursue it. If there was something wrong he'd prefer not to deal with it over text message.
Magnus: alright then but you know if anything is wrong you can talk to me though right?
Alec: I know I have to go. Team meeting.
Magnus: you can't text during those?
Alec: No phones allowed sorry. I'll text you tomorrow. Good night Magnus
Magnus: Good night Alec
Magnus couldn't help but feel a little sad after that, the relief he was feeling earlier quickly dissipated into even more anxiety. Why was Alec acting so strange? Not one to be alone with his thoughts, Magnus was extremely happy when he heard the buzzing and knew Tessa had arrived.
He wasted no time in buzzing her up and thrust his door open, eagerly anticipating her arrival. Ragnor was watching him with thinly veiled amusement.
"Hope Wonder Boy doesn't know how excited you are about seeing someone else. He may get jealous."
Magnus laughed and shook his head. "I think when he found out said someone else didn't have a dick he would be just fine."
"Hmm, wonder how he feels about you living with such an attractive man such as myself."
Magnus laughed harder at that. "I don't think Alec is the least bit worried about that. Though he did seem a little bit intimidated by Woolsey, it was sort of cute."
"He's intimidated by Woolsey and not me? I'm insulted."
"He was not intimidated. He was just a smidgen jealous, and I found it endearing."
Ragnor rolled his eyes. "The way you talk about him you'd think he was an angel or something."
"Haven't ruled it out," Magnus quickly retorted before turning his attention to the stairway as he heard footsteps nearing.
Magnus wasted no time in taking Tessa's bags from her and engulfing her in a huge hug as she reached the doorway.
"Tessa!" He exclaimed as she laughed into his shoulder. While she was quite taller than most girls, Magnus just happened to tower over everyone. Except for Alec that is, he was only an inch taller than his boyfriend, which he quite liked.
"It's good to see you too Magnus," Tessa said with a smile as he let her go.
"Well hurry up and come on in. Why are you so wet? Was it raining?" Magnus complained as he led her towards the living room.
She laughed, running a hand through her wet hair. "It just started; I only got a little bit of it."
"I'm still upset you didn't let me pick you up at the airport."
Tessa turned to him with a kind smile.
"You know how I like to do these things alone."
It was the truth. Tessa Gray was one of the most independent people Magnus knew. She was also quite the romantic and enjoyed rainy days such as this one. New York being her childhood home probably only added to the fact.
Magnus returned the smile. "I know, still makes me feel like a bit of an ungracious host though."
Tessa chuckled. "I think anything is gracious compared to the first time we met."
Magnus shrugged, "I was having an off week."
Ragnor snorted and Tessa turned her attention to him. "You've dealt with Magnus' off weeks as well?"
"More like an off couple years even set the guy up with his new boyfriend and he's still an ingrate."
"You showed me a newspaper article; don't go getting a job at eHarmony just yet."
Ragnor threw up a hand in accusation. "See what I mean?"
Tessa laughed and shook her head.
"I'm glad to see some things haven't changed."
"Well I'm hoping to hear some things have. Is your boyfriend still insane?" Ragnor asked, sounding exasperated by just talking about Will.
"He's my fiancé and yes, he's still as crazy as ever. He's even refused to go to the park with me because of the ducks." Tessa's smile widened as she talked about Will and Magnus felt his heart warm at the sight.
"Only William," Magnus said, tossing his head back with a laugh.
"Well, he is one of a kind but speaking of, who is this new boyfriend?" Tessa asked no amount of teasing in her voice. She genuinely wanted to know because Magnus' happiness was as important to her as her own. He was her first friend when she came to London, scared and alone after the death of her Aunt and he helped her out in more ways than even he knew.
She watched as Magnus' whole demeanor changed. Sure she'd always seen Magnus as happy go lucky, even a bit strange, but she knew there was a sadder side to him. A withdrawn look in his eyes when he wasn't aware people were watching him. There was no trace of sad Magnus when he spoke of this Alec.
"So I take it this thing with the footballer went well?"
Magnus rolled his eyes. "I thought you were once a New Yorker Tessa, it's soccer here."
Tessa rolled her eyes. "And you were once a Londoner. How time changes things, including your cynical nature. I've never seen you smile like that about anyone."
Magnus shrugged, as if it was no big deal.
"I've never been this happy about anyone before."
At that, Tessa knew Magnus was well beyond smitten and if she didn't know any better, Tessa might have thought Magnus Bane was in love.
/
Ehh, not my favorite chapter as it was more of a filler and Magnus is still hard for me to write. This will be a primarly Malec fanfic (they'll both be in the next chapter) but I want them to have friends/lives outside of each other because I think that's important. Hope it was okay though and I'll try to be faster about my updates.