Chapter 5 – Cue Cards
After their kiss, neither Alec nor Magnus really knew what to do. They had had hot chocolate with Carmen and Quinn – both were eager to share embarrassing stories about Magnus, which only made Alec fonder of him. They did not tell either of Magnus' relations about what they had done and what it meant for them because they were not sure themselves. So they acted as if nothing had happened, but when Magnus walked Alec to his car they kissed and promised to talk about it later on.
That had been Friday night and now it was Sunday morning, Alec was laid on Aline Penhallow's red duvet which was on her water bed. The owner of said bed was laid next to him and they were trying to watch Mulan when Aline paused the movie.
"You looooove him." Aline sang it like a young child and prodded him in the rib
"I don't!" He exclaimed and blushed.
"You do, you're not concentrating on Mulan's perils of being 'different'." Aline shook her head, "She's having trouble accepting she's a girl, she wants to be a man so she can be with Shan and you don't even care."
"I just like him a lot. The kiss was so perfect too, but I don't know where it leaves us." Alec confessed, "And, there's the whole matter of being 'out' – I can't do that. Not yet."
Aline was the only one, apart from his sister, (but she was practically a sister to him) that knew Alec was gay. He had trusted her because Aline was in the same situation. They had spent hours talking to each other about it, they supported each other and comforted each other. Alec was the one who had encouraged Aline to ask her crush out and now, she and Helen were in a very happy relationship.
"No one has said anything to either me or Helen and you know if they did say anything to you I'd beat them up, martials-arts style." Aline promised, she faked some martial-arts moves – though she did actually know martial-arts, her mother and father had made her take classes for it to embrace her Chinese heritage, seeing as she was half-American and half-Chinese.
"I know you would." Alec sighed, "And, I'll do the same for you."
"I know." Aline rolled onto her side so she was facing Alec, she kissed his cheek in a platonic way, "No one will say anything, especially not with your parents influence-"
"My parents are part of the problem. I don't want them to take it badly." Alec sighed, "You know what they're like with their 'traditions' and their black-and-white view about what is and what is not right."
"I know." Aline said supportively, "My parents took it really well and I'm positive Maryse will, you're her baby and she'll always love you…"
"It's just dad." Alec finished.
"And, Jace." Aline shot him a pointed look "You have to tell Jace."
Alec paled visibly, "Aline…" Alec had had a crush on Jace for years, but his infatuation had dwindled into brotherly affection over the years. Still the thought of telling Jace made Alec feel queasy.
"Alec…" She mimicked his whiny tone, then she smiled softly, "I know you don't want to, but you need to. Jace will be completely fine with you, and knowing that arrogant goofball, the only thing he's going to be pissed off about is that you didn't tell him sooner."
Alec nodded but did not look convinced. Aline sighed, she knew Jace had worked out Alec's sexuality and was waiting for his adoptive brother to confess, she knew it did not bother Jace and that he did not think any differently of Alec. Jace still admired and looked-up to Alec, maybe the blonde idolised Alec a little bit morebecause of his sexuality. Alec never knew or saw it, but whenever Jace talked about or to him, the blonde's golden eyes filled with respect and affection, and though Jace acted like he did not want it, he always needed and valued Alec's opinion, support and acceptance.
"And if you and Magnus start seeing each other more and more, it'll get suspicious and he'll twig." Aline carried on, "Then he'll be mad you didn't tell him."
"You think?" Alec turned his head to look at her, his blue eyes were full of worry.
"I know." Aline told him.
A slow smiled spread across his face, "What would I do without you?"
"Lock yourself in your room and cry." Aline replied. "I'm awesome, I know. Though I do appreciate the reassurance."
"So I talk to Magnus first and tell him I don't want to be out? Because I'm not quite comfortable yet." Alec asked.
"If that's what you think is best." Aline said. "You also need to take into account his side, but if he tries to force you to tell people, leave. He's not worth that."
"He won't do that." Alec replied confidently. "Then I work on telling Jace, then my parents."
"Yes." She agreed, "Maybe you could tell Maryse first and talk to her and then tell Robert?"
"That's a good idea." Alec agreed. "And, what about Magnus' aunt and cousin?"
"Do you want them to know?" Aline asked.
"I think they know already, we didn't tell them yesterday but I think…" He bit his bottom lip to try to keep the smile off his face, "I think, he's talked about me and I think they know he likes me and I think they know I like him."
"You've both got it bad!" Aline grinned, "It's the exact same thing with Helen and I."
"I guess we do, don't we." Alec smiled.
"I'm happy for you." Aline told him.
"I'm happy for you and Helen too, how are things with you two?" Alec asked.
"We're grand." Aline beamed, "We went on a date the other week to the cinema and it was such good fun. It was nice to see her relax because you know she has all her siblings to look after since her dad died and Mark has been away at university, well it stresses her out. But, away from the kids she was funny and cool and beautiful – I mean, she's these things anyway but she was more so and I really, really like her."
"I'm glad. You both deserve some happiness."
Aline just smiled, "Come on, let's finish watching Mulan pretend to be a dude and then kick some ass as a woman."
"Shan spends way too much time topless." Alec sighed dreamily.
"He's so into guys." Aline replied.
"Just like me." Alec responded, Aline snorted and unpaused the film.
Magnus was sat on his bed that evening staring at the phone in his hand. He had Alec's contact information up – not that he needed it, he had Alec's number memorised – he was debating whether to ring it or not when the phone started playing his ringtone:
'Sexy hair, gorgeous smile.
He's the most perfect guy I've come across, in a while'
His smile was involuntary, he had changed his ringtone for Alec as soon as he had left on Friday – because the song fit so well and he loved it.
'Sensitive, real sweet
He even watches Desperate Housewives, with me'
Magnus swiped his finger across the screen to accept the call.
"Hello, you have reached The Magnificent Magnus Bane, how may I help you?" Magnus asked.
"It's me… A-Alec… c-can we talk?" Alec asked nervously.
"We seem to be doing that." Magnus laughed, trying to ignore the way his question made his stomach twist, "And, Alec, I knew it was you, there's this wonderful thing called Caller ID."
"Of course, s-sorry." Alec replied, Magnus could practically feel him blushing.
"Alec, just use the cue cards." A muffled voice spoke from Alec's side of the phone, he thought it was a girl speaking. Magnus heard some shuffling of paper.
"Can I just say I told you so?" A second girl's voice asked.
"No." The first girl answered.
"Can we meet up to talk about our…. Whatever this is?" Alec spoke.
"Was that on the cue card?" Magnus asked.
"By the Angel, you heard that?" Alec exclaimed.
"He heard that?" The second girl's voice asked.
"To answer both of your questions, yes I can hear you." Magnus replied, he laid back on his bed and stared at the ceiling.
"This boy's got ears like an elephant." The first girl remarked.
"Aline, he can hear you." Alec said to the girl.
"Oh, so that's who that one is." Magnus commented, "I had my money on Isabelle."
"No, it's just me and Helen." Aline called. "Hey Magnus."
"Hi Aline." Magnus replied, "Hi Helen."
"Hi Magnus!" Helen yelled from farther away from before.
"Can we meet up somewhere? Without Aline and Helen's help?" Alec asked.
"What, right now?" Magnus asked, he checked the time on his phone, "It's eight o'clock."
"Yes, if that's okay." Alec asked. "I'm at Aline's so I'll be driving past in a few minutes, we could go to a café?"
"At eight?"
"I know a place that'll be open."
Magnus thought for a moment, "Sure."
"Really?" Alec asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes."
"Oh my Gods, he said yes." Helen exclaimed in the background.
"It's like a gay RomCom." Aline laughed.
"Yes, I'm sure." Magnus smiled. "See you in a few?"
"Y-yeah." Alec said, "I'm on my way."
"Bye."
"Bye."
"Next they'll do the 'no, you hang up' 'awh, no you hang up' thing." Helen observed.
"I swear, I'll hit them if they do." Aline muttered.
"I might be a bit longer than a few minutes, it depends on how long it takes me to hide their bodies." Alec said, "But, I will be there."
"I'll be waiting." Magnus laughed.
And with that he hung up. He held his phone to his chest and sighed dreamily. He vaguely heard hurried footsteps, before a fifteen year old girl flung herself on him, Quinn looked at him expectantly.
"You're sneaking out to see Alec, right?" She bit her lip, excitement in her eyes.
"Yes. Will you keep Aunt C distracted?" Magnus asked, "I'll text when I'm on the way home?"
"Of course." Quinn said. They heard footsteps on the stairs and Quinn's eyes took on a devious gleam and she asked loudly, "Are you feeling okay, Magnus?"
"No." Magnus groaned, acting ill. Carmen walked past his door. "I feel hot and cold and sick and ill. I feel contagious."
"Ewh, I'll go tell Mum." Quinn smiled, she got up off the bed, she went to the door and then stopped, turned and whispered, "Have fun on your date."
"Oh I will." Magnus smiled and said quietly, "I don't doubt that."
Quinn smiled as she walked away, leaving Magnus alone with the perfect opportunity to sneak out to see his potential boyfriend.
W/M: I like the idea of Alec and Aline being best friends because they really understand each other and what the other is going through and I think it's really sweet, so they're best friends in this. I also like the idea of Magnus having a little sister because I think he'd be such a great big brother - and come on, he's awesome with hair and makeup, who wouldn't want him as a big brother? Hence why I made up a cousin to substitute.
Anyway, what did you think?