Magnus leaned against the door of his room, his mind racing. Dinner had rushed by, Alec bidding him goodnight with a soft smile and the promise of taking Magnus into town the next day. Rushing over to grab his phone, Magnus tried (and failed) to calm his beating heart. Punching in Camille's number with a practiced ease, Magnus tapped his fingers on his thighs waiting for her to pick up.
"Cam." He said, the second the ringing stopped. "We have a date. Well sort of a date I don't know."
"Excuse me?" Camille practically screamed in his ear, causing him to move the phone a few inches away from his face. "You have a what?"
He sighed, "You heard me Cam, I have a date with an adorable country boy and it's not really a date because he's still shy and pretending to be extremely straight, but he's taking me into town. Him and me." Magnus paused, "All fucking day."
There was a small silence, "You lucky bastard."
Magnus laughed, "I know. But he still doesn't see it as a date." He pouted, even though she couldn't see him. They really needed to organize a skype of some sort, he missed her face considerably. Ignoring how stupid he knew he sounded, Magnus picked a bit of dirt out of his finger nails and turned all his thoughts back to Camille's reaction.
"It doesn't matter how he sees it Mag," He grimaced at the nickname but let her continue, "Alec needs to spend time with you, get to know you. Once he does that he'll have to fall madly in love with you. It's law."
Snorting Magnus raised an eyebrow his friend could definitely not see, "I'm raising an eyebrow darling. And anyways, we had some pretty flirty talk time today in the library. I know you're not into books and that kind of thing, but this library was fucking amazing."
"Don't tell Tessa, she might cry." Camille sighed dramatically, then quickly changed gears, "Flirty talk time? Spill."
Knowing she wouldn't give up, Magnus bit his lip and launched into a quick explanation, "Him, me, library bursting with books. He comes up, cute comments about me taking pictures, he thinks he's stupid, I tell him he's not. He finds me fashion section of amazing library, we hold hands on the way to said section, he offers to take me into town." Magnus did it all with one breath, making it quick, short and simple. Their friends joked about the two of them never ceasing with their endless chatter, but when it came down to it, Magnus and Camille were not ones for the endless blather. They wanted quick and to the point, when telling stories that is. If Magnus was going to profess his love for Alec from the rooftops, it was going to be so wonderfully poetic that Shakespeare would have been impressed.
"Hmmm." Camille hummed softly, probably biting her lip and maybe painting her nails, she made a lot of noise when she was thinking or concentrating, so for all Magnus knew she could be multitasking. "Will is going to give you hell for this." She said simply, "He really doesn't want you to get in too deep Magnus."
She used his real name, Magnus noted that this meant she was pretty serious. Usually she would shorten it or call him some swear word or some dopy nickname. "I know he will." Magnus sighed, "But the honest truth is Cam," He bit his lip now, an action he wasn't prone to, "He's perfect. He's funny and cute and smart and caring." Magus ran and hand through his hair and groaned, "My dream guy walked out of my mind and into my life and all anyone wants me to do is take it slow."
Camille laughed slightly, "I know it sucks sweetie, but you don't want to psych out cutie dream man. He might spook easily."
"My dream man does not spook." Magnus protested.
"Yeah." She sighed, "But Alec might." He nodded, knowing she was right and letting his silence speak for him, "You just need to calm down, talk to him and enjoy his dreamy goodness. Then when the time is right, have your dreamy dream man relationship. But don't rush in and crap on the party."
"Crap on the party?"
"Yes." Camille said matter-of-factly, "Do you remember that time Jessamine went to that party that Nate was going to be at even though she'd drunk a ton of vodka that afternoon?"
Magnus winced, they'd thought it was a good idea to get hammered in the afternoon, on vodka of all things. So, it had been a particularly bad night to go partying and Jessamine got pissed if anyone mentioned it because-
"-She got the shits." Camille answered for him. "She literally crapped all over the party and ruined the whole thing. Jess could have waited. She could have simply gone to the party that Nate was going to the next night. Honestly that man is a party animal and a half. But you get the point."
"I shouldn't go to a party when I have the shits?" There was a bang on the other side of the line and Magnus laughed, "Did you slam your face into the table again?"
"Hell yes. You go enjoy your dream man, don't get the shits, don't rush in and leave me to my beauty sleep."
Nodding, Magnus went to hang up, "I'll call with the full scoop after the date. We can skype or something. Get the whole group together and call me." She made a noise he took as a yes and hung up.
Magnus laid out some clothes for the next day, nothing crazy. He went for a simple shorts and a tank top, going for a grey one that said 'Bad decisions make good stories.' Camille had bought it for his birthday and Magnus adored it. Tucking some casual shoes on the floor next to his simple ensemble, Magnus changed into some boxers, washed off his makeup and collapsed into his plush bed.
His blaring alarm woke him up the next day and he groaned. But the knowledge of what was going to happen that day hit Magnus full force after approximately twelve seconds and he bolted out of bed. Magnus put on his clothes and began to carefully do his hair, trying to make it look like he'd just got out of bed in that sexy, not overdone way. Making a dissatisfied noise, Magnus decided it was close enough and grabbed his camera.
Alec was already downstairs, listening to Max jabber on about some comic and nodding in what Magnus hoped was all the right places. He gave Magnus a stunning smile and gestured to the seat next to him. Maryse was in the kitchen again, humming slightly and winked at Magnus when she handed him a plate of waffles.
"Waffles?" He laughed, "You are a miracle worker."
She gave him a beaming smile, "The perfect thing for a Friday morning I think. Are you looking forward to finally seeing the town? Alec mentioned he was going to show you around this afternoon."
Magnus nodded, "I've got the camera and everything. I'm all set." He waved the camera around, making Maryse laugh. Turning to the boys, he adjusted the lens and called for their attention, "Smile!" They both grinned, the signature smile which seemed to run in the Lightwood family.
Nodding at the way the picture turned out and shoving some waffle in his mouth, Magnus listened to Max explain some big fight scene to Alec while he finished his breakfast. Maryse hung up her apron and washed her hands, kissing the top Max's head before heading up the stairs.
"-And then, the Crusader-"
"The one with no parents?"
"Yeah, yeah that one. He turns to the other guy and pulls out this giant sword." Max almost threw his fork in the air, flinging syrup around as he waved his arms talking about the comic. Magnus had no idea what they were talking about but found it amusing to watch Alec try and keep up with the insane story Max was trying to tell.
Somewhere after the Crusader saved the day, Alec noticed that Magnus was done his food and picked up his plate. Stacking both their dishes in the sink and stopping his brother's story, Alec grabbed his keys off the wall.
"Sorry bud," He said, hugging Max from behind with one arm, "I'm going to take Magnus into town. You'll have to finish the story later." Max nodded, looking a bit disappointed but not making a fuss.
"Sorry Max." Magnus said, feeling a seed of guilt for stealing his brother away in the middle of his story, "Maybe if you're good we'll bring you back a treasure from our adventures." Max gave him a happy smile and Magnus winked at him. "Why don't you head up and find Jace. I'm sure he'll be happy to have some waffles."
Max raced up the stairs, thumping the whole way up and making a ridiculous amount of noise. Alec and Magnus headed out the front door, Alec unlocking the truck and the two of them getting inside.
"So," Alec said, backing out of the drive with ease, "You ready to see the town? I'll introduce you to everyone, we can get lunch at this awesome little diner and then, when you get tired of the nostalgia tour, we'll head home." Magnus smiled, Alec's plans for lunch showed he'd put a bit of thought into their day together and that notion made his head spin.
"Sounds good!" He turned on the radio, Magnus singing along obnoxiously to a country song where he only knew half the words and Alec laughing as he drove. Magnus made sure to get pictures of Alec driving, noting the way his arms looked when he tapped his fingers on the wheel.
There were twenty minutes of this, going from companionable silence to the two of them goofing around with the radio. Being with Alec was easier than he could have imagined and more fun than Magnus would have thought.
Alec broke the silence as they approached the town, "Are you ready to see what the small town life is like?" He glanced over at Magnus, "I'm sure it'll be totally different from what you're used to."
"We have to drive twenty minutes to get to town. I walk out my door and I'm in town." Magnus admitted with a breathless laugh. Alec nodded, pulling into a parking spot outside what looked like a school and jumping out of the car. He opened Magnus' door and offered the other boy his hand. Magnus took it, trying not to blush and Alec helped him out of the truck.
He looked around, noting the small groups of people talking and laughing, the few cars (almost all of which were trucks of some sort) and the smattering of shops.
"This is it."
He raised his eyebrows, "This is everything. You get everything here." Magnus couldn't fully believe that they managed to buy everything in this tiny little town.
Alec shrugged his shoulders, "There is a town about an hour and a half away, but there's usually not much point in going there, it's basically the same." Magnus looked at him horrified for a moment and Alec laughed, "What's the matter?"
"Where do you shop?"
This made Alec laugh harder, "There's a couple clothing shops here and a nicknack shop that sells scarves and stuff." Magnus looked at Alec, his eyes wide and he was looking like he couldn't honestly process what Alec had just tried to tell him.
"There is no way Isabelle can live like this." Magnus stated, knowing that of all people, Alec's sister must shop somewhere else. He got a fashion vibe from her, not to mention her abandoned dream of being a fashion designer. A girl like that couldn't survive on a few shops.
Alec shook his head, "No, she orders tons of stuff online. She gets a massive package every month or so. Izzy has enough clothes for a dozen people." Magnus nodded, though he was still rather horrified.
He gasped suddenly, looking at Alec suspiciously, "Do you get your clothes online?"
"Sometimes. Isabelle mostly sorts out my clothes. I used to wear a lot of black when I was younger and she took it upon herself to make sure that didn't happen as much." Magnus nodded again. Isabelle was right, with eyes like Alec's there were so many more flattering options than black. It was a fact. Alec smiled the adorable smile that made his face light up and his eyes crinkle.
Magnus took a picture, causing Alec to roll his eyes and grab his hand. "C'mon. Enough clothes talking and picture taking, there's exploring to do."
He led Magnus down the street and into the first shop they saw. It smelled musty and stuffy, making Magnus crinkle his nose. Alec laughed at the look on his face. "This is Luke's bookshop. We do all of our book shopping here." Magnus wondered how a small town could possibly have so many books. There were shelves and shelves of books, small stacks littering the floor and Magnus was scared he would knock them over if he so much as breathed on them.
"How can you possibly find this many books?" Magnus said, waving his arms and almost knocking over a massive stack of books. They teetered for a moment before and girl rushing in from the back.
"Whoa there." She said, steadying the stack and laughing a little, "Careful city boy, you're going to cause a book-valanche." Magnus took the girl in, admiring the way she wore her curled hair in a delicate bun.
He was intending to make a snarky comment about stacking the books so precariously but instead all he blurted was, "How'd you know I was from the city?"
The girl laughed again, her brown eyes lighting up. She looked at Alec, "He's a piece of work, huh? Hey, Alec." She hugged Alec, making Magnus more jealous than he'd admit. "I'm Maia Roberts." Maia stuck out a tanned hand, which Magnus shook after a brief moment.
"Uh," He said, "Magnus. Magnus Bane." Magnus held up his camera and snapped a few pictures of the old bookshelves and the counter and cashier tucked into the corner. Maia watched him and smiled.
"I take it you're the city boy who's staying with the Lightwoods then? Sorry if Jace gives you some hassle. He can be a right ass that brother of yours." She spoke warmly, fixing the books and tsking when she talked about Jace.
Alec snorted, "Don't I know it." The two of them laughed and Alec leaned against the counter as Maia sorted through some receipts. Magnus snagged a picture of her there, head down with a few curls falling into her face. "This is Maia, she's in the same year as Jace and Isabelle. She works for Luke, dated Simon and is honestly one of the most kickass soccer players I know. Not to mention she destroys on video game night."
"Video game night?" Magnus asked, raising an eyebrow.
Maia grinned at him, flashing stark white teeth, "Yeah, the Lightwoods invite over 'bunch of teenagers and hold a massive video game showdown. It's hilarious." She was going to say more, when the door to the bookstore opened and the small bell by the door rung.
It was a man, who Magnus thought looked rather scruffy but didn't say anything. The man laughed and clapped Alec on the shoulder, "Graced with your presence are we? How's the family?"
Alec laughed with him, "Pretty good, no disasters unless you count our houseguest over here." He pointed to Magnus teasingly, making the other boy blush. The man's attention turned to him, Magnus noticed that he had blue eyes like Alec though they were lighter.
"Luke." The man said, making Magnus nod, this man was clearly the owner of the bookshop. He stuck out a hand which Magnus shook, trying to make his hand shake firm and not wimpy like Luke would have been expecting. Being around all these country-folk made Magnus feel pretty scrawny, something he wasn't overly fond of. "Jocelyn wanted me to invite you to the wedding formally, seeing as all the Lightwoods will be there."
Magnus' eyes widened and he looked at Alec helplessly, was he really supposed to go to this stranger's wedding? Who the hell was Jocelyn? Alec just laughed and nodded, "No sweat Luke, he'll be there. Mum wouldn't stand to leave him behind whether you liked it or not."
"She's a good woman your mother." Luke said, winking at the two of them and heading deeper into the bookstore, "I'll see you boys around, I gotta go grab the truck and then grab Amatis from the airport."
Alec saw Magnus' look of confusion and leaned in to whisper, "His sister."
"She comin' in for the wedding?" Maia called to Luke, causing him to whirl around and nod. "I thought you two weren't close? You don't talk 'bout her a lot."
"Yeah," Luke said, looking rather uncomfortable and running his hands through his brown hair, "We're not but Jocelyn wants to catch up with her and says it would be ridiculous not to invite my family to our weddin'."
Making a noise of understanding, Alec chimed in, "She moved into the city pretty young didn't she?"
Luke sighed, "Yeah, she was always complaining about livin' in 'the middle of nowhere' as she called it. I think I'd miss the peace and quiet if I'm honest."
"I hear ya." Alec laughed, "We should head out, I'm givin' Magnus the tour. We've got some more to see before lunch."
"I'll catch you boys later." Luke called, waving to them as he wandered into what looked like a back office. He was muttering something about 'damn keys' and it made Magnus smile.
Alec raised a hand in farewell to Luke and jumped up on the counter to kiss Maia on the cheek. Magnus watched as his dream boy planted one on the tanned girl's cheek, got one in return and then she whispered something in his ear. Blushing from ear to ear, Alec made his way over to the door, Magnus following wordlessly. Maia laughed and waggled her fingers at them, "Toodles fellas." Alec waved back and the two of them stepped back out into the sun.
"Is she your girlfriend?" Magnus blurted as soon as the door closed and Alec started.
He looked from the store to Magnus, "What? No, why do you ask?" Magnus blushed and looked down at his feet.
He shrugged, looking off down the street and avoiding Alec's curious stare, "The two of you seemed pretty cozy, not to mention the looks she kept giving you."
When Magnus turned back to him, Alec was blushing fiercely. "Uh, no she's got a boyfriend, Jordan. Besides she's uh," He bit his lip, "She's not really my type. I mean she's nice and everything." Alec said, starting to walk down the street. "Just not really. Uh, yeah. Me and her. No. Definitely not a couple."
Magnus bit back a laugh as Alec ran a nervous hand through his hair. Magnus had a feeling that Alec's type was a bit more male than Maia, but he wasn't going to scare him off by saying that outloud. He decided to change the subject as the two of them walked, Alec kicking a stone in front of him and Magnus grabbing some photos of the streets and storefronts. They skipped over the less exciting stores, like the grocer and the florist.
Alec waved at some old ladies, them all calling his name and waving back. "You get more country around them." Magnus said with a laugh, having noticed that when talking with Luke and Maia, Alec's country accent had become far stronger.
Clearly Alec had yet to notice this, "I do?" He said, sounding a bit more normal. Magnus noticed immediately that the country was fading and nodded.
"You really do. You sound like you've walked right out of a TV show about raising show horses, the Texan twang and all." He gave Alec a teasing grin and imitated his accent horribly, sounding more like a cartoon cowboy than anyone actually from Texas. Alec laughed loudly, giving Magnus an incredulous look.
Alec shook his head, "You're crazy. Anyways," he said, "This good sir is the first of many nicknack shops." Magnus snapped a picture of the front and Alec held the door open as he walked in.
Giggling at some of the things on the shelves, Magnus took more pictures and spun to look at Alec for a second, "So, Luke. How'd you know him."
"Well he lives here." Alec said, earning a glare from Magnus, "He's engaged to Jocelyn who's Clary's mum. The two of them have been dating for ages. They were friends as kids, with my mum too, and then Jocelyn moved away to the city. She met this guy there who was Clary's dad but apparently he was awful. She divorced him and returned home with baby Clary who is now around sixteen. Her best friend is Simon and Jace has a massive crush on her but pretends like it's nothing."
Magnus raised an eyebrow, "That's some serious drama for such a sleepy little town." Alec laughed, shrugging slightly and adjusting one of the small wooden birds on the shelves. Magnus took a picture of his there, light coming in from behind him, smile on his face and his hand reaching out to move the figurine.
"You take so many pictures."
Alec was shaking his head, still smiling at Mangus but looking at him with what was almost wonder. Magnus wondered if time could stop, right there with Alec looking at him and making him feel like the only thing in the universe. But Alec cleared his throat and the moment was gone, just as quickly as it had come.
"So," Alec said, giving him a small smile, "Do you want to see one of our few clothing stores?"
Magnus nodded, "Show me the way."
The two of them went to leave the store, Alec noticing on their way out that a woman had arrived at the counter. "Ms Highsmith!" He called out, giving her a cheerful wave. Magnus was startled when the woman paled, giving Alec a tense wave and an uncomfortable smile.
Alec seemed to notice it too and he led Magnus out of the store. They walked down the street, Magnus following Alec's lead. His curiosity about the woman grew.
"So," He said, breaking the brief silence, "That was a little weird."
"The store?"
Magnus shook his head, "No, her reaction to you saying 'hi' to her. She doesn't really fit the whole welcoming country town vibe you guys have got going on here."
"Oh," Alec shrugged, "She used to be really nice, But then around the time Max was born she got really awkward and cold towards us. My mum especially. It was super weird." His eyebrows furrowed, like there was some piece of the story he didn't know and he didn't like to dwell on it too much.
Making a mental note to ask Isabelle to see if she knew more, Magnus opened the door for Alec this time, the two of them going into the clothing store. Magnus grinned, he was going to get Alec to try something on and buy it if it killed him.
"How about this one?" He said, holding up what must have been the hundredth top. Magnus had underestimated how stubborn Alec would be about trying things on. This shirt was dark blue plaid and would make Alec's eyes pop.
Those same eyes rolled, "Magnus I don't need any clothes." He insisted, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Why don't you pick something out. You said you loved shopping."
"I do, but you have a greater need for clothes than I do and I could never pull off plaid."
Alec groaned, finally taking the offending article from Magnus and wandering over to the change rooms. A woman with sharp cheekbones and startling silver hair came over, looking rather haughty.
"Did he actually convince you to try something on?" Her voice was quiet but warm, a clear contrast to her appearance, "Not even Isabelle has managed that." She smiled at Magnus making her hazel eyes less cold, "You should see the way she drags him into here, him bellyaching the whole way and her demanding that he try things on." She laughed, "Maryse sure has her hands full."
Alec laughed too, wandering into the change rooms and leaving Magnus alone with the woman. He put out a hand, "Magnus Bane. I'm staying with the Lightwoods for the summer."
She nodded, "Madeleine Bellefleur, but just call me Maddie." Maddie smiled at him, "Everyone does."
Alec came out of the changerooms looking rather put out, but wearing the shirt nonetheless. Magnus clapped his hands, it was perfect. It made Alec look like every girl's fantasy and Magnus gave himself a mental pat on the back. Maddie grinned as well, the smile making her a bit softer on the eyes, though Magnus wasn't sure she could be considered pretty, she was almost too harsh and angular for the shallow word.
"You have to get it."
He looked up at Magnus' words, giving him a stare and then looking at himself in the mirror, "I don't see what the big deal is." Alec said, fiddling with the hem of the shirt.
Maddie clicked her tongue, "Don't be silly dear, it looks very good. You should get it. I can charge it to your mother's account." She didn't give him time to say much else before she started to punch in the codes to the cash register. Maddie looked up when Alec went to go back into the changeroom, "You should wear it out." She said, Magnus nodding his agreement.
"It does look really good Alec." Magnus said, admiring the way his words made Alec blush almost instantaneously. But Alec still nodded, grabbed the shirt he was wearing earlier and the two of them left the store, Maddie assuring them that she'd charged it and there was nothing to worry about.
Alec squinted in the sun, "Do you want to head back to the truck so I can put this shirt away and then we'll grab lunch?" Magnus nodded and they headed off again.
"So," Magnus said, "Any small town gossip about Maddie?"
Shrugged, Alec unlocked the truck and tossed his shirt on the passenger seat, "Not really, she was friends with Jocelyn back before she left the country and she helped Jocelyn come back after she was desperate to leave her husband."
Letting out a low whistle, Magnus shuffled his feet along, "There's a lot of crazy going on with that family." Alec laughed and nodded.
"Nicest people you'll ever meet though." He pointed to a diner on the corner, the fading sign reading 'Taki's' Diner, "That is where we are headed, the best hamburger in Texas if you'll believe it." Alec gave Magnus a grin, "We can catch you up on the town gossip there."
They walked in and sure enough, it was full of people eating hamburgers, though there were a few sandwiches and salads in the mix. There was a girl standing behind the counter, hand on her chin and a lazy smile on her face. She brightened up and ran from behind the counter when they walked in.
"Alexander Lightwood." She cried, giving him a massive hug and planting a kiss on his cheek, "Bought time you came to visit!" She laughed and noticed Magnus, "And who might this be?" Her eyebrow raised at Alec who blushed, she stuck out a hand.
Magnus grasped it, giving her a bright smile, "Magnus Bane."
Her eyes widened, "Oh, this is the big city boy! I'm Aline Penhallow, my mama and I run this fine establishment and I've know Mr Alexander here since he was in diapers." She poked Alec in the shoulder as she said this and Magnus laughed. Aline had black hair that was pulled up into a bun and secured with pencils, dark brown eyes that shone when she smiled and a black waitress apron wrapped around her waist. Magnus, though he feared she was a threat to his happy ending with Alec, took a liking to her immediately. "You two sit on down at the counter where we can chat it up." She pushed them over to the bright red barstools.
Aline suddenly rushed off to grab an order and Alec laughed, "Aline's awesome, never shuts up but undoubtedly awesome." He grabbed a seat at one of the stools and grinned at a woman coming out from the kitchen. "Afternoon Jia."
Jia smiled back and Magnus realized she must be Aline's mother, going from the striking resemblance. "This must be Magnus, our resident big city visitor. I'd shake your hand but I'm afraid mine are covered in cookie dough." She laughed and held up her filthy hands, "Makin' the cookies for the diner is fun, but it ain't the cleanest job."
Magnus nodded, "What should we order then?"
"Why, our famous hamburger of course!" Jia smiled, "You can't not try the hamburger. Unless you're one of them vegetarians. Then you don't have to try it I guess." Her smile faded slightly, "Are you a vegetarian?"
Grinning broadly and shaking his head, Magnus said, "Nope, I will happily try one of your hamburgers."
Jia cheered, "You may be a big city boy but at least you're not one of those crazies." She went back into the kitchen, yelling out for, "One classic hamburger and Alec's usual."
Magnus raised an eyebrow at Alec, "You have a usual?"
Alec shrugged, "I come here all the time to visit Aline, Isabelle and I practically live here sometimes." Aline winked at them from behind the counter where she was serving up milkshakes. She popped a chocolate one in front of each of them and smiled.
"So then big city boy," Aline leaned against the counter, "How's our small town life treatin' you?"
Giving her a smile and taking a sip of his milkshake Magnus bit back a groan, "Holy shit." He said, making Aline and Alec laugh, "That is the most amazing thing I've ever tasted."
Alec took a sip of his own milkshake and nodded, "Wait until your burger comes, you won't even know what hit you." He suddenly looked around, "Where's Helen? I thought she usually comes by to pick you up after your shift. Which should end in like ten minutes."
Aline nodded and Magnus just looked between the two of them, trying to figure out who Helen was. "She said she was going to be late today so I've got some extra time with you two gentlemen." Alec nodded and she turned her attention back to Magnus.
"Has Jace given you a lot of trouble yet?"
Magnus shook his head, "Don't see him around often. He's always out when I'm there and when he is home he holes up in his room a lot."
She nodded, biting her lip, "I still can't believe I had a crush on that ass."
Almost spitting his drink over the table, Magnus looked at her in surprise, "Why does everyone think Jace is such an ass? He seems alright to me." Admittedly his interactions with Jace hadn't exactly been friendly, but the teenagers seemed to think Jace was hell-incarnate or something.
"He's got no filter," Alec shrugged, "He's a pretty big douche but we all put up with him and love him anyways." He fiddled with one of the napkins on the counter, folding and unfolding it repeatedly.
Aline snorted, "You do, I don't put up with any of Jace's crap. Not anymore at least."
"Aline was head over heals for Jace back in elementary school." Alec explained, "It was both cute and just a little bit pathetic." Magnus nodded and laughed at the sour look on Aline's face. Clearly not everyone was over how obsessed she'd been and Magnus wondered if there was a bit more to that story.
Suddenly the door to the diner opened and Aline's face soared. Alec turned around and waved to the newcomer, causing Magnus to look over to see who it was. The girl was paler than anyone in the town Magnus had seen so far, with blonde ringlets and strange green blue eyes. She smiled at Helen and wandered over, Magnus noticing she was petite and looked even smaller next to Alec.
"Hey Helen," Alec said warmly, Magnus finally putting the pieces together.
The girl smiled and hoisted herself onto the barstool next to Alec, "Alec. Big city boy." She winked at Magnus and laughed when he looked surprised.
"How does everyone know I'm from the city?" Magnus laughed, throwing his hands in the air in fake exasperation. Alec laughed and shrugged, looking to the girls to answer.
"I haven't seen you before," Helen said, "Not to mention the fact you're wearing guyliner." She winked at him and he laughed and winked back. Alec just rolled his eyes and took another sip of his milkshake.
He leaned on the counter and smiled at Helen, making Magnus more jealous than he'd like to imagine. Magnus had a pretty strong feeling Alec was gay by now, it was pretty obvious. But he couldn't help but wonder if these girls who had known him longer had the advantage. "How's life at the zoo you call a house?"
Helen laughed, running a hand through her ringlets and throwing a look at Alec, "You're one to talk mister. The Lightwoods, four kids and counting." She gave Magnus an almost blinding grin.
"Four kids is nothing compared to eight."
Magnus very nearly did a spit take, causing the others to look at him and laugh, "Eight kids? Are you kidding?" He turned his wide eyes to her and she nodded.
"You heard him," Helen sighed, "I'm the second oldest and I'm getting awful tired of pulling things out of siblings mouths."
Alec snorted, "Been there, done that. Isabelle used to try and swallow everything not to mention Jace's habit of trying to eat insects." The girls laughed and Magnus grinned, Alec wasn't even that much older than his siblings. He wondered if Alec had just been born worrying about their wellbeing.
"And the youngest?" Helen asked, "Max isn't causin' you any grief?"
"Nah," Alec said, stirring his drink with the straw, "Max is an angel. All he likes is sleeping and comic books."
"That boy is just like you." Aline said, wiping the counter with a grungy washcloth, "Don't give me that look, you had a comicbooks faze and lord knows the two of you could sleep anywhere." She looked at Magnus, "The Lightwoods are like cats. They fall asleep all over the place."
Magnus laughed, "Even Jace?"
"God no." Alec said, "I guess Jace would fall asleep anywhere but only if he cleaned it first." Magnus raised his eyebrows and Alec nodded, "Jace is the biggest neat freak in the whole universe."
"What are you saying about me?" Jace walked up, leaning on his brother's back and grabbing his milkshake. "Urgh, chocolate." He took one sip and then handed it back, Alec taking it with a resigned sigh.
"We were talking about how you're a neat freak," Alec said, spinning on his barstool to grin at his brother. "You can't even deny it."
Jace shrugged, "I can be proud of that, at least I'm not living in a pigsty like Izzy."
Almost as soon as he'd given it back, Jace tried to take another sip of Alec's milkshake. The brothers had a resulting squabble which Magnus found amusing. Helen and Aline just rolled their eyes, like this was something that happened a lot. Though, knowing the Lightwood siblings, banter and arguments were most certainly the norm.
"You don't even like this flavour."
"Yeah, but it tastes better when it's yours."
"You suck."
"I would if you would give me the damn milkshake."
"Just order one."
"But that's no fun. I like stealing from you."
"You're satan."
"Yes we covered that after the mustard incident last year."
Magnus laughed as Jace reached for the milkshake and Alec continued to push him away. Then Jia came out from the back carrying a to-go tray of milkshakes and rolling her eyes.
"Here's your order darlin'," She said, handing the tray to Jace who'd stopped bugging Alec. Alec was staring at Jace, his mouth open.
"You're kidding right." Alec said, staring at his brother, on the brink of laughing with his mouth still open. Aline snorted, Helen giggled and Magnus resisted the urge to burst out laughing.
Jace grinned, "Nope. Mum drove me down and I'm headin' over to see Clary, but I will be home for dinner." He laughed at the look on Alec's face. "C'mon now Alec, we both know you shouldn't have expected anything different from me."
Alec opened his mouth, paused for a moment and then nodded, "True." He shrugged and took another sip of his milkshake. "Tell Clary I say hi."
Nodding, Jace shifted his grip on the to-go tray, wrapped Alec in a one armed hug, waved to the rest of them and left. On his way out he almost bumped into one of the waitresses, a tall skinny girl with blonde hair who gave Jace a flirtatious look that he seemed to ignore.
As soon as he was gone, Aline checked the clock, grinning. "Thank god." She said, "My shift is finally over." Untying her apron, she called back to Jia, "Mama I'm headin' out now, Helen and I are going to wander 'round town for a bit."
"Sure thing honey," Jia said, "Make sure to be back for dinner, your cousin is coming into town tonight and we want you to be here."
Alec raised an eyebrow at Aline, "Cousin?"
She nodded, "Some guy named Sebastian," Aline groaned, "I've never met him and now supposedly he's just going to stay with us? Who does that?" Magnus raised his hand with a laugh and Aline blushed, "Oops, I didn't really mean it like that."
"Wasn't really my choice anyways, I thought it was pretty crazy too." They all looked at Magnus, somewhat surprised and he snorted, "You thought I wanted to come here for the summer to live with a family I'd never met?"
Helen opened her mouth, then closed it again, "He does have a point. But still, did your parents just chuck you on a plane?"
"Pretty much."
Alec didn't say anything, he just watched Magnus, his face the picture of sympathy. His watchful blue eyes stayed trained on Magnus as he took another sip of his milkshake and plastered on a cocky smile. But Alec could see, the slight look in his eyes that gave away what even Magnus didn't realize he was feeling.
Magnus was hurt.
"Well, gentlemen." Aline said, sighing loudly and stretching her arms above her head, "I'm going to take this lovely lady's arm here and we are going to head out."
Alec waved, "See you around then?"
Helen nodded, "Of course!" She slid off the barstool and walked over to where Aline was coming from around the counter. And to Magnus' surprise, Helen leaned in and kissed Aline full on the mouth. There was an admirable courage about it, Magnus noted the way some people watched them with disgust or disappointment. Jia saw them, pursed her lips and pointedly looked away.
The two girls waved at Alec and an impressed Magnus, who returned the wave and turned back to the counter where Jia had placed two burgers.
"There you are darlings." She said, though her voice was sort of strained and she was watching her daughter through the window. Magnus glanced over his shoulder, getting a brief glimpse of the two girls walking away from the diner, hand in hand, with Helen's hair glowing in the light and the two of them laughing.
He turned back to see Jia frowned, rubbing a hand over her face and sighing. "That's never going to last, she's going to realize at some point that it's just a phase. It's sort of disgusting it is, how she thinks that's real." She looked at Alec and smiled, "I wish Aline would be more like you. Responsible, sensible." She muttered something else under her breath. Magnus heard it and so did Alec, judging by the way that that Alec's hands tightened into fists under the table.
"I'm bisexual." Magnus said shamelessly, making some people turn their heads and Jia looked at him surprised and confused, like she hadn't heard him properly.
"What was that darlin'?" She said, her voice rather high.
"I'm bisexual." He repeated, getting a little bit of sick pleasure from the stunned expression on her face. "And I think it's pretty great that Aline's found someone who makes her happy. Even if she isn't as 'normal' as you'd like." Alec's hands loosened and he was looking at Magnus with a rather adoring look in his eyes. Magnus glanced at Alec but kept his attention on Jia.
She blushed and looked away, dashing back into the kitchen without another word. Magnus smirked, feeling good about telling the woman off, because she shouldn't say things like that about her daughter to anyone, let alone complete strangers. He looked over to see Alec still watching him, a small smile on his face.
"What?" Magnus asked, smiling back slightly, trying not to blush.
Alec shook his head, picking at his fries and laughing slightly, "You, Magnus Bane are something else." Magnus blushed and picked up his own burger.
"Despite the rather alarming homophobia I just witnessed," He said lightly, "Is this burger all it's been chalked up to be?" Magnus looked at it from all angles before quickly putting it down and taking a picture. Alec laughed and nodded.
"Here." He said, taking the camera from Magnus and holding it up, "Smile." Magnus grinned, holding the enormous burger next to his face and making Alec laugh. There was a click and Alec pulled back from the camera, looking at the small screen and nodding in approval.
Magnus took a bite out of the burger and practically moaned. "Oh my god." Alec laughed adding some ketchup to his own burger before biting in. "That's amazing. I can't even - there has never been a burger this amazing." Magnus said, staring at it before taking another bite. "I don't think I will ever be able to eat again, unless it's this burger." He said with his mouth full, causing Alec to laugh and almost choke on his own burger.
"I'm glad you like it." Alec said, a bright smile on his face.
They ate in mostly companionable silence, Magnus raving about his burger occasionally and the two of them having an argument over whether or not it was a crime that Magnus had never seen an X-Men movie.
"How have you not seen one?" Alec said after he'd paid, the two of them heading back into the streets. Squinting, Magnus shrugged.
"I'd rather watch something else, like America's Next Top Model or Project Runway."
Alec threw his hands in the air, "Well, sure. I watch Doctor Who and Supernatural, TV Shows are great. But it's X-Men." He stressed the last word, staring at Magnus in what was either horror or disbelief, Magnus couldn't tell.
Magnus laughed, "You're a class A nerd aren't you." There was a teasing smile on his face and he hoped it came across that way. Alec's face fell for a moment, but his smile returned full force when he caught sight of Magnus'.
"And proud of it too." He said, suddenly biting his lip and looking at his watch, "We still have a lot of time before Mum expects us back at the house, anything else you want to see?" Magnus shrugged.
"How about another nicknack store? I need to get something cheesy that has the word Texas written on it somewhere."
Alec laughed, "Sure thing, how about that one." He pointed across the road at a small store that looked to be filled with touristy junk. Magnus nodded and the two of them crossed the road, Alec waving to more cheery townspeople and Magnus trying for his part to not alarm them by not looking particularly outlandish. The more he talked to people, the more he got the idea that the older generation weren't very accepting of anyone who strayed from their idea of normal.
The two of them wandered into the shop, the small bell that ever store seemed to have hanging just above the door cheerfully announcing their arrival. Magnus smiled and took some more pictures of the nicknacks.
He turned to Alec, "I suddenly remembered, I was meaning to ask," Magnus said, "Who was that waitress with Jace, the one who openly lusted after him? What's the story behind that one?" When Alec gave him a confused look, Magnus shrugged, "I have to get up to date on the town gossip."
Laughing, Alec nodded, "Okay, which girl? What'd she look like, I wasn't really paying that much attention."
"Uh, tall, pretty skinny, blonde hair, blue eyes."
"Oh." Alec said, "That's Kaelie. She's been obsessed with Jace forever and then he made it worse by hooking up with her at a party about a year ago." He picked up a plastic figurine off the shelf, looking at it with a general disinterest, "Then he started going out with Clary, though she still hopes there's going to be something between them."
Magnus nodded, snapping a picture of Alec and then the dorky cat plate on the shelf next to him. "How are you this up to date on the happenings of the town? Gossip didn't really seem like your region. But you seem to be a lot more knowledgeable than I'd expected."
"Mm," Alec hummed, watching Magnus take pictures and muck around with the stuff in the store with a smile, "Mostly Isabelle venting to me about one thing or the next."
"Sisters." Magnus said with a grin.
Alec furrowed his eyebrows, "I thought you didn't have any siblings?" And Magnus nodded.
"I don't," Magnus said, "But I have a bunch of crazy friends who are basically family. So by that count, I have three crazy sisters and three insane brothers." He looked over at Alec who was watching him with interest.
"Tell me about them."
Magnus was a bit taken back, "Who? My friends?" Alec nodded and Magnus shrugged. "Well, first there's Camille who's sort of like my partner in crime. We tried dating once, before I realized I was a flaming homosexual." Alec snorted and an unfamiliar voice chimed in.
"Who's a flaming homosexual?" The voice sounded vaguely curious. Magnus looked over to find it came from the girl behind the counter, an asian girl with startling blue hair. She would have looked more at home with Magnus' usual crowd rather than the small town.
Alec gave her a small smile, "Hey Lily. This is Magnus."
Walking over to shake her hand, Magnus noticed the magazine in her hand. "Oh my goodness, is that about Kim and Kanye?" Lily's eyes lit up and she nodded, the two of them proceeding to gossip for several minutes about the stars. She was funny, though a bit mysterious.
"Magnus?" Magnus heard his name and spun around, not expecting who he saw.
"Raphael?" The surprise in his voice was genuine, because he knew Raphael from some crazy parties. Magnus was certain that Raphael was also part of a motorcycle gang, the kind of thing he was sure to stay away from. But regardless, they were at that awkward level of popularity where you had to like the people you hated, simply because of status. Not to mention the fact Magnus helped save his life once.
Raphael shook his head, Magnus noticing that he was looking rather saintly, with a white v-neck, jeans and even a small cross around his neck. "I can't believe you're here. I feel like I'm dreaming."
Magnus laughed, "Do I regularly star in your dreams? I've been told that I'm a big feature in Ragnor's gay dreams." He dropped a wink, already feeling himself falling into that jerk-persona that he put on for the teenagers at school.
"Everyone's a big feature in Ragnor's gay dreams." Raphael snorted, "What are you doing down here?" He tucked his hands in his pockets, pulling out a pack of gum and offering Magnus a piece. Magnus shook his head slightly and Raphael turned the offer to Lily and Alec, both of whom accepted.
Magnus leaned against the counter, "My mum sent me down, figured that I was getting too crazy on the party scene." Raphael laughed darkly, "Why're you down here?"
"Relatives." Raphael said darkly, "I used to live down here before we moved into the city and we come back in the summers. My mum thinks it's good for my little brothers. I hate it." He smiled slightly, "The only upside is seeing Lily and the others. Hey Alec."
Alec nodded at Raphael, looking a bit distant but pleased to see him all the same. Magnus was well aware that while Raphael played the 'guy in a gang that's dark and moody and dangerous' he was in reality, a pretty smart kid. He was only fifteen but had skipped a few grades and ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time. And Magnus was there the night he got attacked. They'd never talked about it, because Magnus had showed up pretty late to the game and Ragnor was the one who did most of the saving. It was awkward, but Magnus felt bad for Raphael. He'd joined the gangs as a method of self defense, a guy with not much money and a lot of little brothers needed a hobby after all.
"I find the small town life charming." Magnus said with a grin, "Not much of this neighbourly knowing everyone's name back home is there?" Raphael shook his head.
"None whatsoever."
Lily frowned, "Don't you miss it sometimes?" She was clearly talking to Raphael, so Magnus took that moment to take a picture of the two of them talking, something relaxed about it. He also looked around to see where Alec had wandered off too. He was standing by one of the counters, smiling slightly and walked over when he noticed Magnus watching him.
"Do you want to head out?" He asked, his voice low. Alec's breath smelled like the peppermint gum that Raphael had given him and the notion that he'd probably taste like mints if Magnus leaned in and kissed him was driving him mad.
He nodded, not totally trusting his voice with all the thoughts that were floating around in his head. Magnus wandered over and bid goodbye to Raphael, the two of them talking briefly about missing New York and promising to get together at a party that Raphael seemed excited about.
"It was nice meeting you Lily." Magnus called over his shoulder as they left, Alec raising a hand but not saying anything. The sight of Raphael clearly meant something to Alec that Magnus didn't know about. He frowned at Alec's obvious silence and tried to pretend like it didn't bother him.
"Lily seemed nice, and I wasn't expecting to see Raphael here." Magnus said, trying to sound casual. He wasn't sure what it was about them that had put off Alec so much. "Is there something bugging you?" Deciding to throw subtlety out the window was surprisingly easier than Magnus had thought it would be. Alec looked surprised at his bluntness, but shrugged. Wishing that Alec would just come out (no pun intended) and say what was bugging him, Magnus let out a frustrated sigh. "Okay, obviously there is something wrong. I was going to ignore it but now it's getting on my nerves."
"I just-" Alec sighed too, "You're different around him." He said slowly, kicking a rock in front of him, something he did a lot Magnus noticed. "You say I'm more country around the people in town, well you're more douchey around Raphael."
"I know."
Alec opened his mouth, before closing it and looking at Magnus in surprise. "You know? So are you just pretending to be nice to me? Are you really a douche?" There was a hint of hurt in his voice, like he honestly thought that Magnus was pretending to like him the entire time.
"I'm not pretending with you." Magnus said, feeling rather vulnerable with Alec's blue eyes staring at him, "I'm pretending with him. He expects a certain side of me and I don't know how to act otherwise. I prefer being around you, I don't like the way I get around him."
"He's not usually like that either." Alec said, going back to kicking his rock. Magnus was following him blindly down the street, not sure where he was going but following him anyways.
He let out a long sigh at Alec's words, "Everyone pretends Alexander. For someone, somewhere, you feel that you have to be someone else. All that anyone wants is to find the person who you don't have to pretend with." Magnus stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking up at the store where they'd stopped and raising a perfectly shaped eyebrow. "'Madame Dorothea, Seeress and Prophetess'." He read, "You're kidding right?"
"Nope." Alec said, a much happier grin on his face, having lost the moody, sullen look from earlier, "Fancy getting your fortune told?" The sign on the door advertised palm readings and other things, saying that Madame Dorothea was a psychic. Magnus took a photo, just for proof that Alec had made him visit such a ridiculous place.
Alec opened the door for Magnus, followed by the customary bell and an overwhelming musty smell. He gave Magnus a grin, following him into the dark room. There were curtains on the windows, blocking out natural light and giving the whole place an ominous feel. There were shelves covered in crazy bottles, but they were all against the wall, allowing for an otherwise empty store. The store wasn't nearly as big as it looked from the outside so Magnus figured there was a back room some place. Alec didn't look fazed by any or the weird jars, taking very little notice of them in the first place.
He wandered over to talk to the person at the counter, calling out a cheerful, "Hi Madame Dorothea!" Magnus followed him over, taking pictures of the shelves and curtains. The woman behind the counter was, to put it kindly, pretty crazy looking. She was wearing a brightly coloured turban which matched her neon orange silk dress. Madame Dorothea gave off the aura of being the crazy fortune teller in a body-swap movie. There were chains on her neck and wrists that rattled whenever she so much as breathed and Magnus wondered if she had ever attempted to sneak up on someone. Perhaps she had before and they'd forced her to wear the chains like some sort of deranged cat-bell.
Her eye catching Magnus', she stuck a wrinkled hand over the counter and her bracelets jangled like a chorus of heavenly bells. "I'm Madame Dorothea, welcome to my shop. I don't believe we've met Magnus Bane."
"How'd you know my name?" Magnus asked taking the woman's hand with a feeling of uncertainty.
The old woman grinned at him, showing a row of yellow teeth, "Sign on the door says psychic for a reason sweetheart." Magnus' face must have said it all because she laughed, "Don't worry dear, I'm not going to give you any death warnings or try and sell you something crazy."
Relaxing a little bit, Magnus nodded, "But I can get a fortune telling?"
"Of course," Madame Dorothea smiled, "Follow me into the back room. Alexander won't mind waiting, will he?"
"Uh, no." Alec said, shaking his head and biting his lip, "I actually needed to buy something for Isabelle, I'll be back in a couple minutes." Before he left, Alec glanced at Magnus for confirmation, "That okay Magnus?"
"Yeah sure." Magnus gave Alec an easy smile and followed Madame Dorothea into the back room, hearing the bell chime as Alec left the store.
The back room consisted of two plush purple armchairs with a large coffee table in between and a random door, which she told Magnus was a portal to the spirit world (he'd been rather hoping it was a bathroom). She and Magnus both took one of the chairs. Madame Dorothea picked up a pack of Tarot cards, beginning to lay them out on the table. Magnus watched her do it, the way she did it with such confidence made Magnus think she'd been doing it for a while.
"How'd you learn the art of fortune telling?" He asked, leaning forward in the armchair and admiring the cards. They appeared to be handpainted and were beautiful.
Madame Dorothea looked pleased and Magnus assumed that very few people called it an art. "Some people are born with it dear, I was one." Figuring he'd get a response like that, Magnus nodded, "My mother was also one," She continued, "And she taught me the true skills."
She began to flip over cards, telling Magnus all sorts of wonderful things. "You, my dear are going to be extremely happy. You've also gotten the card for love, so you'll find your soulmate." Madame Dorothea frowned, "But you'll also lose someone very dear to you, it will be a painful goodbye." She went on to say superficial things, but then offered to read his future and past in a crystal ball.
Figuring he had very little to lose but a bit of the outrageous amount of spending money his parents gave him, Magnus said yes. Madame Dorothea smiled and pulled out the crystal ball.
"So," She said, rubbing her hands over the smooth surface, "Let's start with the past shall we?" Madame Dorothea closed her eyes, nodding after a moment, "I see you being born dear, to a loving though sometimes emotionless mother and a distant father. You telling a blonde girl the two of you cannot be together, you and the blonde girl laughing. There's another image, I see a boy, he's very badly injured, he's lying on the ground, a knife in his side." Magnus blanched, there was no way she could know about his parents, Camille or Raphael's injuries the night he got attacked, it wasn't possible. "Now there's a woman, she's telling you something and you're getting mad. You're packing bags, because you have to go to Texas. You're sitting in a diner with the blonde girl and some other people. I see them upset that you're leaving but laughing because even when you're not feeling your best you try to keep their spirits high." She paused, "I see Alec as well, you opening the door and the two of you talking. You eating dinner and watching a movie with the Lightwoods. You like drawing, you draw often and dream of working in fashion." Madame Dorothea took her hands off the crystal ball, meeting Magnus' wide eyes and smiling. "Are you ready to see your future?"
"Uh," Magnus said, not totally sure how she could have done that. He was certain that magic and reading minds and being psychic were all fake, but how did she know? "Sure." He said, figuring that there might be some truth to her words and he would lose nothing from hering them.
She closed her eyes again, Magnus' stomach churning as they waited in silence.
Then she spoke, "You will work in fashion like you've dreamed. You will marry the man you love and though I can see who I cannot tell you." She opened her eyes to smile at him, "There are some things that have to stay secret. But you will say goodbye to someone who you will love and you won't know what to say. You will feel as though you are falling and flying all at once. You will work with a dear friend, helping her make the career she's always wanted."
He gaped at her, causing her to laugh. "How'd you know all that? I mean that was just-"
"-amazing." Magnus told Alec breathlessly, "I have no idea how she did it. It doesn't make any sense how she'd know those things."
Alec laughed, "I know. Kind of messes with your head. She's pretty crazy but somehow she knows things she shouldn't." He shrugged, "Must be magic. Don't let it mess you up too much though, she is just guessing."
"Pretty specific for guessing." Magnus mumbled, continuing in a louder voice, "But I won't. I don't want to be like Macbeth and let someone's predictions define my actions."
"Thane of Cawdor? Until birnam wood come to dunsinane?" Alec said.
Magnus grinned, "A cute boy who knows his Shakespeare? I'm living the dream." Alec laughed but blushed, taking the compliment like Magnus hoped he would. "Where are we headed next?"
"Well," Alec said, "We only have a little bit of time left, so I figured we could just hang out by the playground." He shrugged and Magnus nodded, following him past the car and over to what must have been the school. It was relatively small, slightly smaller than Magnus' school. "It's kindergarten all the way through to grade twelve," Alec explained, "But there aren't many kids per grade, so it's not huge. We have some kids come from hours away because their towns don't have schools. We're pretty lucky in that sense."
"My school's not huge." Magnus said, "But it's about the same size as this one and it's only four grades." Alec let out a low whistle. "I don't know everyone in the grade, but I hang out with some pretty popular people so a bunch of people I don't know, know me."
They walked through the playground, deciding to sit on the swings. Alec pushed himself back and forth slightly, his feet digging wells in the wood chips.
"So," Alec said, "You never finished telling me about your friends."
Magnus launched into a story. It was filled with people that Alec didn't know, places that Alec had never been and was mostly centered around a party where too much alcohol was consumed. Yet Alec listened attentively, laughed in all the right places, gasped when it was appropriate to gasp and reacted so honestly that Magnus never once thought Alec wasn't paying attention.
"Then," Magnus said, grinning already, knowing the punchline was coming, "She fell right into the pool."
"No way." Alec said, his mouth wide and his eyes sparkling. "That could not have happened. No way, no way."
Magnus laughed, "Yes way." He gripped the cold chains, his swing swaying in the wind slightly. "The craziest things happen at those parties. And yet, being here for only a few days has been so much more of an experience."
Alec smiled, "Hearing Raphael talk about you partying and knowing that you wanted to get something with Texas printed on it, I bought you something." Magnus raised an eyebrow and Alec produced a small bag. "I wasn't actually buying anything for Isabelle, I just wanted it to be a surprise."
"You didn't have to."
He shrugged, smiling and handing the bag to Magnus, "I wanted to."
Opening the bag carefully, Magnus reached inside and pulled out the gift. It was a shot glass, the word Texas sprawled obnoxiously across with a picture of the state on it. Magnus smiled, knowing he'd probably end up treasuring the shot glass more than Alec would know.
"Do you like it?"
Alec's nervous voice jolted Magnus out of his thoughts and he nodded, "I really, really do." He insisted, looking from the glass in his hand to the boy on the swing.
"I just wanted something for you to remember me by." Alec said, laughing quietly but still sounding pretty serious. "When you're out partying, you can take it with you and remember all of us here in the middle of nowhere."
Magnus shook his head, "I don't think I'll be able to forget you Alec." he said honestly, there were so many other things he wanted to blurt out in that moment, but fear of scaring Alec away kept them from coming out. Magnus looked up and met Alec's eyes.
There was a moment of silence, the two of them just sitting on the swings. There was a souvenir shot glass in Magnus' hand and Alec's eyes darted down to his lips without thinking about it. Magnus wasn't sure how it happened, but they both started to lean in until he could feel the warmth coming off Alec's skin and smell the peppermint gum on his breath. Just before their lips could touch, Alec backed away.
He jumped off the swing and Magnus got off his own, somewhat alarmed. "Alec are you okay?" Magnus was trying not to be hurt, trying to remind himself that Alec wasn't comfortable with his sexuality. But they hadn't even kissed, Magnus wasn't going fast, he was trying to go as slow as he could. It just didn't help him that Alec was so bloody irresistible.
"No." Alec said, his voice was raw and Magnus reached out to touch his shoulder. "Please don't." Magnus' hand dropped and the two of them just stood there, Alec's back to Magnus for a few moments. He inhaled sharply, "We should go home."
Alec started to walk back towards the truck, not even turning to look at Magnus and leaving him standing in the middle of the playground still holding the souvenir in his hand. Running a hand through his hair and watching Alec go, Magnus couldn't help but wonder what he'd done to deserve falling in love with a boy who may never love him back.
