First Fanfiction! I hope you enjoy it! (No copyright intended, all characters belong to Cassandra Clare)

CASTLES MADE OF SAND, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Act Naturally

"We'll make the scene about a man that's sad and lonely And beggin down upon
his bended knee, I'll play the part but I won't need rehearsin'
All I have to do is act naturally."

The wind tousled Alec's hair around his face, catching on his eyelashes, creating a nuisance of itself -as he was subjected to continue brushing it away. The reasonable and or logical thing to do, would have been for Alec to close the tinted glass window of Magnus' car -but seeing as, Alec was increasingly nervous and anxious about going to the lake, alone with Magnus, cool fresh air was just what he needed to calm the heat that bubbled inside him. Not to mention the fact he was clad in a long sleeved black shirt, which attracted the suns deadly hot rays, immensely. Alec was a bit apprehensive about going to a lake, alone with Magnus, but in all honesty who wouldn't be? Magnus was intimidating -sometimes in a good way, and other times disastrously overwhelming. But he was also excited, he couldn't wait to see what the day might hold for them.

They had been driving for almost an hour, through forest littered, concealed dirt roadways -making some small talk as they went. Nothing too significant; Magnus seemed to be very concentrated on getting to their destination -his dark eyebrows knit together in a type of silent determination. However, in retrospect, Magnus did appear to be tense and timorous -Alec didn't truly understand how he noticed the almost non-existent worry lines around Magnus' lush lips and forehead -but he did, and seeing Magnus even look the tiniest bit nervous, sent Alec sprawling over the edge. Maybe he deemed to notice the little shifts and changes in Magnus expressions, because of the amount of lingering glances he bestowed upon Magnus. Alec tried to be sly about it, but it would be too precarious if Magnus hadn't noticed what-so-ever.

"Not too far now," Magnus said, turning off onto a very shallow dirt road, surrounded by towering evergreen trees. This situation resembled the times when Alec and Jace had gone, off road treading through the woods, which laid on the outskirts of Oble. The terrain was rough, and swayed Magnus car unevenly as they drove along a winding trail through the woods. It was immaculate how Magnus' car even dared to fit in the small space, without brushing against the tips of jagged tree branches. Alec nodded his head, catching those intoxicating yellow-green orbs, for a split second, before Magnus turned his head away. Magnus was being dismissive, and not at all his glorious innuendo filled self -and Alec desperately wanted to know why.

"How do you know of this lake?" Alec asked out of curiosity. Magnus didn't necessarily seem like the type of person who would choose a lake as his destination of escape. But then again, he didn't appear to be a person interested in literature -but low and behold, he was.

"My mother use to bring me here when I was younger. I've loved it ever since, and I can't seem to stay away." Magnus said wearily, but not in a dis-concerning manner. It was obvious enough that Magnus was uncomfortable talking about his mother, to Alec; and really Alec wouldn't push those boundaries Magnus held in front of himself, unless he wanted him to. The right moment would come, where they could be open, to one another, with the deep and dark secrets of their pasts; no matter how hard it would be for the both of them to share. And quite possibly the opposite could happen, where they subjected themselves to hiding from one another, working around the trials of their lives -But Alec was determined to make the latter, happen. It was as if, their friendship was built around perceptions -Magnus would only do certain things, in response to Alec's actions, and vice-versa.

"And we're spending the whole day there?" Alec asked eagerly. He actually liked the idea of getting away from his family, home, and school just to relax at a lake with Magnus, for awhile. Biology would've been boring without Magnus present, but then again maybe he could concentrate on the lessons in class more... And definitely he needed a break from home and Jace's rambling on and on, about Clary. It was still weird to think that Jace had found a girl, that his mind seemed to be constantly thinking about. Only time would tell if this newest fascination of Jace's would be short lived or not.

"Maybe even overnight," Magnus smirked, the corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly. Alec gulped back his uncertainty -rather loudly -and began to finger the hem of his long sleeved shirt. Magnus' tone of voice again held a defiant challenge -like it did back at the school. And Alec slowly began to realize that Magnus was almost indirectly waiting for Alec to back out, and rethink his decision to go to the lake with Magnus. But for what reason? Did he think Alec wasn't up to being alone with him?

"I don't care if we stay here all week, even." Alec remarked with a dauntless smile on his face. He watched as Magnus' Adams apple bobbed uncomfortably. But he didn't show any other resistance to what Alec had suggested -so that was a good thing. And of course, Alec was only joking -they both couldn't escape from Alicante for that long, without questions being raised. Overnight, however, was a very good idea in Alec's mind. That would give him plenty of time to slightly figure out the pieces which made up Magnus.

They continued to drive for possibly ten more minutes, before they drove right out in the open to a sand covered lakeside beach. Alec could see from one bank to the other -even if it the area of the lake water was fairly big. It had this secluded atmosphere to it; being surrounded on all sides by tall pine and evergreen trees, and mossy patches of ground. Quite possibly the only entrance to this lake was the one Magnus and Alec had just come through -which was also the only bank with sand covered ground.

Magnus parked just shy of the entrance they came out of, and Alec stepped out onto soft golden buttery grains of sand. The light of the sun amplified the color of everything around them -so it seemed -and sent dazzling flecks of sun clusters across the expanse of the sea foam green colored water. Off to the far right edge of the sandy beach, three perfectly laid apple trees, stood attentively in a crescent half moon shape. Apple trees -what a strange site that was to see, at a lake. It provided an area of shade, Alec noted, and the ground around its base appeared more compact. All around the edges of the space, there were grassy patches, with uneven green bristles sticking out in random spots.

This lake felt so warm hearted, and cut off from everything else, that Alec could see why this place would capture even Magnus' attention. "Do you, and your friends, come out here a lot?" Alec asked, his eyes still feverishly moving across all the angles of the lake. It was a little bit weird referring to the people Alec had hung out with just the day before, as Magnus' friends -although they were -they were also Alec's friends now too. But he didn't exactly know how to voice that in the right context. Alec turned his head towards Magnus. Magnus, who bared his tawny smooth, lightly muscled, bruised arms, as if it didn't affect him at all. Magnus, who had just the perfect height and slenderness to his body; making him look like a dangerously blemish free sculpture. Magnus who's hair was turned up to one side, sweeping across his forehead in the most unadulterated of ways; thick black shiny waves flowing in the essence of wind.

Magnus -who Alec couldn't seem to take his eyes off of. Let alone his mind.

"Mmm, nope. You're the only one -besides my mother, who has seen this place, lovely." Magnus regarded the direction of the water in front of them with a subtly tilt of his chin. He stuck his thumbs into the front belt loops of his grey rolled up cut offs, and rolled his shoulders back, so there was a definite rounded curve in his back.

"Seriously?" Alec looked to Magnus incredulously. He wasn't sure if Magnus was lying or not.

"Yes Alexander. And it's quite the honor that I've brought you here. Be grateful and bask in the glory of my heaven," Magnus unlatched his hands from his belt loops, and raised his hands, palm up, skyward -as if he were soaking in the sun through the tips of his fingers.

"-Which heaven to gaudy day denies," Alec remarked; the word heaven triggering his love for his favorite poem. It was just too hard to resist.

"-One shade the more, one ray the less," Magnus added in a whisper, gazing out at the water -now, with his arms folded over his chest. Magnus cut his eyes sideways at Alec, and smiled. If there was one thing they could connect on so easily it was literature.

"Where are we going to sleep?" Alec asked nonchalantly, after a few short minutes, stepping out of his Levi's. The lake water was calling his name -begging for Alec to take a dip in its fresh inviting water. Magnus turned fully to him, his eyebrows raised high on his tan blemish free forehead, and his lush lips haphazardly laid open.

"You actually want to stay the night?" Magnus' face was plagued with astonishment. "With me, lovely?"

"Why not?" Alec asked deviously, reaching behind his back over his shoulder, to pull up the hem of his shirt. In one swift movement, he removed his long sleeve shirt from his body and tossed it to the sand littered ground, along with his shoes. Upon doing so he rumpled his charcoal hair even more, but he didn't mind. Alec didn't understand where this sudden rush of confidence came from -but he liked it. And he definitely liked the affect it was having on Magnus. Alec watched as his all yellow and green cat eyes dilated so that they were simple blazing black orbs floating in the abis of white. Almost no color in sight. "The waters good right?" Magnus nodded his head deliberately, suddenly at a lose for words. Alec, then, started to unzip the front of his jeans. Slowly, as to add emphasis -

Emphasis to what? Alec thought as he finished with his jeans, and kicked them off -luckily he was wearing black boxers instead of briefs. Alec again studied Magnus, and how he seemed to be avoiding looking at Alec, in the slightest bit. His chest and back went rigid. It was as if Alec and Magnus had switched places right at the present moment -but who was he to be the judge of that? And what was he meaning to gain out of this? Magnus seemed less than comfortable with the circumstances at hand, and that was a warning sign Alec should have noticed from the beginning.

In the silence that stretched between them, Alec delicately folded his clothes and placed them in the backseat of Magnus' car. Avoiding looking at him; Alec felt embarrassed now, at the way he was acting. It really wasn't a norm for him to be so submissive with his actions. When he turned back to Magnus, Magnus had miraculously stripped down to his bright purple sparkly boxers, within the short amount of time. The full body view was even more intoxicating, than it was when Magnus was fully clothed; Alec would never dare to admit something like that, but it was definitely there at the back of his mind. And now this image was imprinted into his head as well: Buttery tawny skin, which looked absolutely smooth and hairless -except for his legs, which had dark hair coating it. He wasn't skinny, but he wasn't all muscle like Alec was either; just small coils and ripples of muscle lined his arms and abdomen -not to mention his thigh muscles were pretty nice. And lord have mercy on Alec's hormones; Magnus had a very defined 'v' which travelled down from his hip bones, to a place which made Alec blush fervently.

"I rather like you in those boxers. It's a good look for you, lovely." Magnus eyes trailed over him steadily and sultry slow. Somehow in the course of two short minutes, Magnus seemed to redeem himself as well. The mysterious glint in his eyes had returned, and likewise the fox grin which laced his lips. Now it was Alec's turn to gulp and become tense and rigid. "Now come on," Magnus waved his hand in the direction of the lake. "Show me what those soccer muscles can do," Magnus added slyly, as an after thought, "in the water, that is."

"How did you know I played soccer?" Alec closed the door to Magnus' car gently and went to stand beside the bronze, lightly muscled, god.

"I was standing in the doorway yesterday for longer than you know." Magnus smiled and shrugged. They headed out to the water -which was surprisingly cold, given the heat and pure light the sun was casting upon it. All around them, it was quiet -the subtle rustling of leaves, and birds singing were the only things to be heard.

"I wish I could just stay here all day, ever day." Alec sprawled out in the water on his back, floating along with the ripples of the water. As Magnus did the same.

"Don't I know it." Magnus said more so to himself, a little bit of sadness crept its way into his voice. In a not-so-conscious decision Alec bolted from his lying down position, to tread the water briefly, and tugged on Magnus arm -gently, he didn't want to risk hurting him -but purposefully while pressing down on the top of Magnus' head, bringing them both under.

They both came up after a few seconds, and for a moment Alec thought Magnus was truly pissed off, just by the look on his face -but after a beat too long, Magnus burst out laughing and sent water into Alec's face. They continued on like that, horsing around in the water, racing each other to a designated destination, seeing who could outlast the other underwater -it was as if they were innocent kids again, leaving life behind just to be in the now, having fun. Both of them were cracked up on laughing so hard, that it took all of their will power to begin to breath normally again.

Magnus was growing on Alec -had been growing on him probably from the first time they met, if he was to be honest. Whether his feelings towards Magnus were simply platonic of something more -he didn't know. All he knew was that he cherished the time he had, had with Magnus so far. Even if it wasn't much to account for.
Sooner than later, they had made their way out of the water and onto the golden lakeside beach. Both sitting cross legged, campfire style across from one another. Sand coated their arms, legs, and feet where they hadn't dried themselves off.

"Thank you," Magnus said out of the blue. His eyes closed and his face arched upwards to the sky; where the sun shun down on his tan face breathtakingly. Highlighting ever subtle curve and outline of his exotic features. The curve of his long nose, the shape of his almond eyes. "I really needed this," He sighed, his chest rising than falling rhythmically and slowly.

Alec gazed at him, mapping out every distinct feature that made Magnus -Magnus. As his eyes travelled down his face, Alec's eyes instantly stopped at the purple marks along his jaw line; where faint traces of makeup still lingered. Hesitantly Alec raised his fingers to Magnus' jaw, and brushed the tips of his fingers along the purple bruised skin.

Magnus flinched at his touch, and opened his eyes sharply -a fox grin stretched the length of his face when he realized what Alec was doing. "Lovely, I know I'm irresistible, but you've got to ask permission before you touch."

"I'm sorry," Alec breathed out, his hand still lingering on the edge of Magnus face.

"For what, Alexander? I was only kidding. You can touch me any time you want," Magnus said low, his voice husky and suggestive. Alec's spine prickled -even in this heat -and silent shocks sparked throughout his body, coursing through his heated blood.

But that was not what he was sorry for.

"No Magnus. I-I know you don't want me to pity you. But I... I'm sorry I didn't do anything to help you -"

"It would have only made matters worse," Magnus attempted to reassure Alec, and he was thankful for that. "Forget it Alexander, I don't want you to think this is your fault." Alec sheepishly smiled, and nodded his head in compliance, biting the edge of his bottom lip. Magnus smirked, and let his eyelids fall shut for a second. Then Alec picked his knees up to his chest, and folded his arms over his knee caps, to gaze out at the lake, and the patterns of the sun, that was cast down upon it.

For awhile that is all they did, watch the lake and the sky -all of the ever changing patterns found there. And then restlessly they began to talk about random things, about one another. What type of food was their favorite, what shows they loved, the worst dates they had ever had, and definitely they discussed all of their preferences in literature.

It was easy, after awhile Alec discovered, talking to Magnus one on one. That is, if you looked past the slight teasing and substantial suggestiveness Magnus liked to through in there. It was like a breath of fresh air with a sudden spicy kick to it once in awhile -that was how Alec would describe their conversations. And that was all Alec could have hoped and asked for. There were a few moments were Alec damned his ivory skin tone; for how easy it was for Magnus to see the sailors blush on his cheeks. There were also moments when Alec would stutter, just gazing at the image of Magnus beside him -it was maddening. But alas it made everything, that much more natural.

He couldn't quite wrap his mind around everything he felt, in the presence of Magnus. It was there, at the edge of his mind, whispering faintly enough that he couldn't decipher what his mind was trying to tell him. Every tremor -shiver -spark -added to his growing suspicions... What was this feeling that he got in the pit of his stomach whenever he was around Magnus? What did the silent glances they gave each other mean?

Night had fallen on them way too quickly, casting the sun away, but that was usually what happened around September time: shorter days, but even longer nights.

"I've got a surprise for you," Magnus said, rather cheerily.

"Really? How? You didn't even know I was coming -"

"Well, it isn't technically something I planned. But its still enough to count as a surprise."

"It better not be some sappy cliche surprise -like from those chick flicks, where the guy gives his love something, like a flower, and the person feels all special, but than the guy does something that makes his love feel used, and yeah. Not that, that applies to, uhh, us, or anything." Alec stopped himself, because he had begun to ramble on and on, about something non-significant. Magnus regarded him, however, with watchful and tentative eyes -searching Alec's face, in the darkness and moonlight. Magnus' long thick eyelashes shadowed his eyes, making them much more mysterious and tempting -challenging and defying.

"I would never use you," Magnus whispered, and Alec just about melted at the sound of Magnus voice -so raw and vulnerable...

Was it just Alec, or was Magnus leaning, hesitantly, covertly, towards him? Inching closer and closer to Alec's face, over the short distance between them... Better yet, was Alec leaning as well? Magnus eyes dilated again to their almost full black state, their faces mere centimetres away from each other; and really Alec didn't know what was happening right now -but that it just was. They were so close now, that Alec could taste the sweet spearmint of Magnus' breath lacing the air between them. His eyelids felt heavy, ushering him to close them, and Alec watched as Magnus' eyes seemed to be having the same affect on him.

Suddenly specks of bright glittery light burst at the corners of Alec's eyes, pulling him away from the moment to regard the scene around them. It was frightening at first, but as his eyes adjusted to his surroundings, everything became magnificent and dazzling. Tiny lights -fire flies -were drifting out of the bits of uneven grass on the beach -thousands of them littering the air. They hovered up and up, multiplying in size by the second, Everything around them was illuminated now -it reminded Alec of dozens of Chinese lanterns being lifted into the sky. Breathtaking. Beautiful. The image they left across the water was almost magical; almost as if the stars from the night sky dropped down to hover just shy of the waters glistening surface.

Alec returned his eyes to Magnus briefly to find that, Magnus eyes were pained, with a deep sadness, for a reason unknown to Alec -but he knew Magnus was trying to conceal his emotions. Alec could tell, because in that moment Magnus looked more closed off than he had been the whole entire day.

"Surprise." Magnus smirked.

A/N: Don't kill me! I know, they should have kissed, but I just... It didn't feel right at this moment. It will happen, soon -I won't leave you guys anticipating that point for too long. (I'm not that mean). So yeah, I guess to sum this chapter up: Alec's perspective, of himself attempting to be more confident in front of Magnus, in which there are points where he is, and isn't. But that's Alec for ya. I wrote this at like 2 am in the morning by the way... So if there are spelling mistakes tell me! I really do try to strive for these to be the best they can be, and I'll be honest; I do have a hard time writing and editing them on my own... But you guys make me want to continue on and shoot for the stars!
Don't stop reviewing, because really reviews do inspire me to keep going. Without them, I don't know where this would be at the moment.
Want another snippet? Review with either 'A' or 'B'. Both are good options, I must say so myself, but it all depends on what you guys vote for!

Let's get it to 190! (I wouldn't mind 200 either [;)

Amber,