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

CASTLES MADE OF SAND, CHAPTER THIRTY

Any Time at All

"Don't you be sad, just call me tonight. Any time at all, any time at all, any time at all. All, you've gotta do
is call and I'll be there. If the sun has faded away, I'll try to make it shine, there is
nothing I won't do, If you need a shoulder to cry on
I hope it will be mine. Call me tonight,
and I'll come to you."

Alec lay there on top of canary yellow sheets—Magnus' favorite color he remembered—and a soft white comforter which was scrunched up around them; his chin rested easily upon Magnus' bare tawny chest as they continued to gaze at one another. His hair was finally dry, and consequently, curled and waved all around his head in random unruly patterns. Magnus had his left arm propped around and under Alec's bare back—placing his large hand on the subtle dip of Alec's hip bone; while the other hand made rounds of threading lightly throughout Alec's dark hair and swiping over the strip of skin just above Alec's left eyebrow—a calming gesture that Alec continued to get substantially familiar with.

Magnus was whispering sweet nothings—or in Alec's opinion sweet everythings—to him; the house was otherwise blankly silent. Alec couldn't even begin to understand how he felt so comfortable around someone that he had only known for a little while; and definitely, considering Alec never pictured himself to be held by another person, it was all that much more a thrilling surreal moment for him. For all intents and purposes, both Magnus and Alec were still clad in their pants laying on top of the covers of Magnus' large bed—which was slightly damp and soaked through by the water from their pants—locked in a tightly knit embrace of legs and arms. They had gone just a slight bit further than what happened on the boat the day previous; everything was essentially the same situation, except this time the front button on Magnus' pants were undone, as well the zipper was pulled halfway down. That's when Alec froze in their passionate heated moment—he wasn't ready for that quite yet.

Alec could taste the sweet spearmint of Magnus' breath in the small space between them as he spoke. He fantasized about the fact that he could kiss Magnus anytime he wanted to, there, without hesitation of any kind. He felt as if Magnus' kisses were his to steal, whenever he so desired to. He had never felt that way about anyone else before; being with Magnus was different and Alec was beginning to enjoy different. Alec starred at Magnus in adoration as he began to recite a line from a work of fiction he had read recently. He seemed to always knit his dark eyebrows tightly together in concentration whenever he was attempting to remember something; his lips would turn up into a ghost of a smile; his yellow-green eyes blazed with color.

"You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel—" Alec cut him off suddenly by pressing his lips hard to Magnus', stealing away his breath. It was just a simple kiss that didn't last any longer than a dozen heartbeats; but nevertheless it captured both of them. Alec pulled back and smiled faintly to himself. "What was that for?" Magnus asked, partially taken aback with a sweet grin on his face. "Didn't want to hear me speak anymore I take it?"

"No—I just... Felt like kissing you." Alec's face flushed softly with mild heat.

"Well," Magnus gazed down at him pointedly. "Do you feel like kissing me right now? Because, lord knows, I don't mind you doing that again." Magnus smirked deviously, the left corner of his lush lips turning up; his voice low and husky. Alec smiled brightly, while he bit his bottom lip nodding his head in compliance. Magnus shifted them slightly so he could hover over top of Alec, cupping Alec's jaw between his cold smooth hands. Magnus ducked his head down slowly and brushed his lips softly against the tip of Alec's nose, moving gently over to his cheek, and then finally his lips. Magnus settled more of his weight on top of Alec, his knees propped on either side of him so that Alec's body was positioned in between; while their chests were still pressed together; very bare. The heat of their skin blended together.

Everything was slow and collected—not like before when they took to ravishing each other. But yet, Alec's heart beat erratically against his rib cage, matching the feverish pace of Magnus' heart. Alec knew then, that no matter the circumstances, Magnus would always set his emotions on fire—a frenzy of emotions waving throughout him on uneven intervals. Alec settled his hands on Magnus' lower back, bringing his body even closer to Alec's, since the need of friction was increasing at a staggering rate. Without hesitation, Magnus slipped his tongue through the parting of Alec's lips and tangled it around Alec's tongue—tasting every inch of his mouth. God, Alec thought, I've really been missing out.

Alec raised his hips up from the bed on impulse and rolled them seductively once, then twice against Magnus. He knew he wasn't ready at all for them to take it any further, so at the moment, dry humping—for a lack of better words—was definitely better than nothing. Magnus met Alec's motions with his own hips, but instead he grounded them down into Alec at the same moment Alec rolled up. Through the kissing Alec started to pant wildly, breathing erratically; barely being able to hold any form of composure against the heat between Magnus' and him. He felt a low groan bubble in the back of his throat, but just as the groan was threatening to spill over, Magnus pulled up sharply from Alec and smiled crookedly down at him—the groan turning into a growl of frustration.

"I'm going to go take a shower, lovely. Wait up for me." Magnus swung his leg from around Alec's body and made to get off of the bed; but as he did so Alec grabbed hastily onto his arm; keeping him semi-pinned to the bed.

"What?" Alec's breath was laboured. "You can't just leave me here so soon... Like this..." Alec blushed and pursed his lips tightly together.

"Like what Alexander?" The look on Magnus' face confirmed to Alec that Magnus knew exactly what Alec was talking about, but was defiantly attempting to get Alec to admit it out loud.

"Aroused!"

"Blunt much?" Magnus laughed and leaned his head down, quickly stealing a chaste kiss from Alec, in which Alec wanted it to be so much longer. Magnus stepped onto the hardwood floor of his bedroom, and stood there beside his high bed gazing down at Alec with bright livid eyes. Alec propped himself up on his elbows and took in Magnus' appearance for the thousandth time that day. His skin; smooth, tawny and oh so run-your-fingers-over-me looking. The deep 'V' connecting with his hips trailed down predominantly to Magnus' grey ashy pants which rested low on his hips, the button popped open. Alec could tell that Magnus felt just as strained as he had felt in that moment, by the slight bulge in the front of his pants. Alec hastily looked back up at Magnus' face, embarrassed, and found Magnus to be smirking widely.

"See something you like?" Magnus teased with a daunting tone of voice.

"Go have your shower." Alec muttered, flipping himself over on top of Magnus' bed, shoving his face into the soft plush pillows. Magnus laughed a throaty laugh and came over, closer to the side of the bed, to dance his finger tips lightly along the curve of Alec's back. The sensation was that of feathers being brushed lightly over top of his skin, causing him to shiver.

"I know you wouldn't want to take it further Alexander, and right now I need a way to relieve myself before it's too late." Magnus lightly chuckled again, and the hand that was trailing over Alec's back, stilled. "Unless... You're still hungry..."

"Go have your shower, Magnus." Alec said into the pillow. His voice muffled and strained. He felt every part of his body heat up at the implication; his heart puttering in his chest in irregular speeds.

"Will do lovely." Magnus bent down and kissed the space in between Alec's shoulder blades. Alec listened to Magnus' foot steps retreat across the room, and he heard the faint click of the french doors leading into his supposedly en-suite bathroom, open then close. Alec flipped over once more to stare up at Magnus' roof. The ceiling of his room was ominously vaulted, and crafted out of the same dark cherry wood panelling as the rest of the manor was. But somehow Magnus' room had a lighter, airier, feeling to it—not as dominating and threatening as the dark halls and turns of the rest of the manor was. To the far left of the room, Alec could see a electric teal colored vanity table with random pots of what he assumed to be make-up and glitter strewn across the surface; and a bright red chair pushed up beside it.

There was also a few articles of bright and waxy clothing scattered across the floor and hanging from the different pieces of furniture around Magnus' room, such as his dresser, the back of the red chair, and the door knob connecting to the french doors of his bathroom. Fresh puffs of steam began to scuttle underneath the doors of the bathroom, bathing the room in a fruity pungent scent. Alec breathed it in, relishing in the smell of Magnus, letting his eyes slip shut.

Suddenly without any sort of warning, Alec heard the strong click of a door opening and sat up to regard the bathroom. Except, it wasn't the bathroom door that had been opened; it was rather the door leading out into the hall from Magnus' bedroom. And to Alec's dismay—considering how foolish it would've been to think that Magnus would be standing there after a quick three minute shower—Sarah, the maid he had met when his family had went over for a sort of dinner party, was standing in the doorway regarding Alec with watchful brown eyes.

He looked down at himself, realizing again—although he didn't know how he could forget—that his shirt was off, his hair was strangely dishevelled, and the sheets around him were rumpled. "Uhh, H—Hi." Alec stuttered, his face setting instantly on fire. For a second she just watched him, as if she were in deep thought, muddling over things passing through her mind.

"Alec Lightwood!" Her expression changed, her voice chipper and light. "What a surprise seeing you 'ere." She smiled warmly, and stepped further into the room, carrying a few bags within her pudgy hands. Her voice was sweet, a slight southern ring to it. "Magnus' in there hey?" She tilted her head to the right, regarding the bathroom doors.

"Y—Yes, he, uhm, needed to take a shower, and I... I, was just waiting for him." Alec had a hard time making himself coherent, because really he didn't know what Sarah could be thinking at the moment, but he expected the worst. Her eyes trailed around the room, inspecting the shoes and shirts Magnus and Alec had taken off near the door to his room in their heated faze of making out—but of course she didn't know that—and then her deep brown eyes rested on Alec again, taking in his appearance slowly, but not jugful.

"I hope you two will clean up the sheets after whatever happened 'ere."

"WHAT?" Alec shouted, his mouth dropping open. "Nothing... Nothing happened. I promise," Alec added in a sigh, ducking his head down. "Oh my god." He said wistfully to himself as he took in a strong breath.

"You don't 'ave to lie to me boy. Just make sure to tell Magnus that I am not washing his sheets if they're... Like that. You teenagers can clean up after yourselves." Sarah shrugged and offered a small closed lipped smile.

"But it isn't like that! I don't know what you think happened here, ma'am, but really, it—it isn't like that—"

"Lovely, do you want to join me?" Magnus called from inside the bathroom, the water still beating down. And in that moment, Alec definitely wanted to join Magnus, so he could strangle him, or punch him in the face. Whichever one would suffice his utter embarrassment would be fine with him.

"So now, do you want to go on and tell me that it isn't like that, boy?" Sarah smiled this time baring her pearly teeth. Alec sighed and dropped back down onto Magnus' bed. "Also, I would greatly appreciate it if when you come over that you two would keep it down, while you're up here. Deal?"

"I won't be coming over anymore. That's for sure." Alec muttered to himself, sighing once more. This was not happening. It was bad enough that Isabelle had known about them, but now Sarah knew—an adult who would undoubtedly inform Gerald, Magnus' father, of the matter. That sparked a worried surge within Alec and he hastily got up off of the bed to stand in front of Sarah. "Can you do me a favour, if I, er, promise that we won't, er, be loud?" Sarah nodded her head complying to him.

"Please don't tell anyone, about... Us."

"Son, I wouldn't go blabbing to anyone about this without the two of yous consent." She raised her hand to his cheek sweetly and gazed into his eyes with a sincere understanding look. The door to the bathroom opened suddenly, and Magnus stood there with a bright purple towel wrapped haphazardly around his waist—it looked as if it were about to slip off of his body any second—and his skin was still caked in a light sheen of fresh water; his hair damp and hanging in his eyes.

"Oh hello Sarah. I didn't think you'd be home so soon." Magnus said nonchalantly to Alec's surprise.

"I got you some more burn cream for your arms down at Basil's this time instead. I just came up to give it to you when I walked in on Alec 'ere..."

"Yes..." Magnus quirked his left eyebrow slightly.

"And I was just telling him that whenever I'm home, I would like for the two of yous to keep it down up 'ere." Magnus burst out laughing, clutching at both his stomach and the towel wrapped around his waist; much to Alec's disliking. Alec bore his eyes into Magnus, showing him his utter frustration with the situation.

"Oh, Alexander," Magnus smiled and grabbed his chin between his hands and kissed him, all in a quick rush of movements, in front of Sarah without any sign of holding back. "Lighten up a little." Alec rolled his eyes and knew his face was flushed again. They were both starring into each others eyes, and for a second Alec faintly forgot about Sarah standing there, until she let out a short curt giggle and or squeal. They both turned their heads to regard her, both looking upon her with wonder. Magnus still held Alec's face between his large hands and didn't make any motion to let go.

"I knew that you liked him, since the first day of school when you came home and told me about him. I just can't believe I was actually right." Sarah beamed and Alec laughed to himself.

"You told her about me on the first day?" His mood was lifted by that.

"Mhm, you seemed to be the only thing on my mind that day..." Magnus trailed off, as if he were deep in thought about something. There was a worry line that made its way between Magnus' eyebrows—so faint, that it surprised Alec himself that he had noticed it. The color in Magnus' eyes toned down a little, like a candle flickering to nothing at night. A slight vibration rocked against the hardwood floor, and as they all turned to regard the source, Alec realized it was his phone. He quickly shuffled around the room looking for his phone, that he still thought was somehow in the pocket of his jeans, but was laying next to the bed on the ground.

"Hello?" He picked up his phone hastily without checking who had called.

"Hey, Alec," Isabelle replied. "Mom and Dad just got in, and they're wondering where you are..."

"I'll be home soon. Just tell them I had something to do at school," Alec let his phone rest between his ear and his shoulder as he began to pull on his shoes.

"Sure thing. See you soon." She hung up and Alec returned his phone to the front pocket of his jeans. Alec raised his head to Magnus as he picked up his dark blue-green shirt from the floor.

"I have to go." He indicated to the door.

"Do you need a ride, lovely?" Magnus asked, making his way over to his dresser to reveal a crisp deep indigo, slightly glitter-littered shirt, and dark black conforming jeans.

"Yes, if," Alec pulled his shirt over his head, rumpling his hair, "you don't mind." Magnus returned to his bathroom and quickly changed into the clothes he had pulled out of his dresser. Sarah placed the burn cream she had mentioned on top of his electric teal vanity, shaking her head briefly at the mess of make-up pots strewn over the top; then left the room with a sweet simple goodbye to Alec. Within a few more minutes Magnus reappeared from the bathroom, dressed and partially ready to go. His hair wasn't done up, as well he didn't put any make-up on, but that was mainly for the reason that Alec had to be home.

It took a mere five minutes for Magnus to drive to Alec's house on the hill tops, and he made sure to park over at the edge of the driveway where they were hidden by the lush trees overhead. Rather quickly they said their goodbyes to one another, taking a rather long lingering kiss, before Alec bounded out of the car and down his driveway, cutting across the grass part way, to the front door. The sky was still a hazy dreadful grey, but luckily by now it ceased to rain. He rushed inside, his cheeks flustered with heat and nearly ran into Maryse, his mother, who was carrying a pitcher full of orange juice.

"Alec honey, watch where you're going." His mother had a sort of unfamiliar glow to her; her tone of voice happy and light. "Will you go into the kitchen and help Isabelle with the dishes? We're going to eat in the dining room tonight." He was surprised that she didn't rattled him with questions about where he had been.

"Oh... Okay." Alec said, and made his way over to the kitchen. Isabelle was standing on the tips of her toes, reaching for a serving dish high on one of the top shelves inside a cabinet over by the sink. Alec came up behind her, and with ease brought the dish down.

"You were at Magnus', weren't you?" Isabelle sauntered her way around the island counter in the middle of the kitchen, and leaned her elbows on the top, regarding Alec with watchful eyes. Of course, knowing Isabelle, Alec was now left to retrieve all of the dishes by himself.

"Yeah... So?" Alec asked, giving her a quizzical look as he sifted through another cabinet.

"Did you guys have sex?" Isabelle asked bluntly a sly smirk playing at her lips as she fiddled with her nails.

"IZ!" Alec shouted and nearly dropped a stack of plates that he pulled out of a different cupboard overhead.

"What? Is that a yes?" She raised her eyebrows as her smirk continued to grow.

"NO!" Alec shouted loudly, giving her an exasperated look.

"You guys were getting pretty hot and heavy in the hallway yenno. I have a right to assume that behind closed doors it gets even better." She winked at him. Her long, thick, dark eyelashes sputtering out across her pale cheekbones.

"Well stop assuming—because we didn't have sex." Alec said through gritted teeth.

"But you want to." She wiggled her perfectly arched eyebrows suggestively.

"Iz, I am not talking to you about this. Go away." Alec stretched his arm out to the side and pointed to the archway attached to the kitchen which lead out into the front hallway.

"Aweeh c'mon." Isabelle playfully whined taking a step closer around the side of the island towards him. "Is he a good kisser at least—?"

"Yeah..." Alec replied dubiously.

"—Down there...?"

"IZZY! Stop it!"

"Woah what's with the screaming in here?" Jace's voice flooded through the room from the doorway behind Alec. Isabelle glanced around Alec's body, tilting her head to the side—her long wavy black tresses of hair slipping over her shoulder—giving Jace a passive lithe grin.

"Oh nothing, just teasing Alec here." She glanced up from under her thick dark eyelashes, returning her gaze to Alec. "And he's having a hard time staying collected." She shrugged and placed her glossed hands defiantly on the swells of her hips. "Another reason why I think I know exactly what went on with you and—"

"—Wait—" Jace cut in seconds before Alec could muster a retort of his own to her accusations. "Is this about that girl you were out with yesterday?" Jace walked further into the room, dressed in a simple baggy black tank top and blue jeans cuffed at the end. Again, like any other day, Jace was all gold and angels; the coils of muscle in his arms: strong and predominant; the large expanse and curve of his shoulders and back gave the appearance that angel wings could sprout out any second. Likewise his skin was sun kissed, as well as his hair. But somehow, the image of Jace didn't spark Alec's interests anymore. There may have been a small buzz in the back of his mind, but otherwise it was unnoticeable now. "Did Alec finally get a piece?"

"What made you think I was a virgin before?" Alec threw him an exasperated look, growling lightly under his breath.

"Well you were... Weren't you?" Jace shrugged.

"That's not the point." Isabelle hoisted herself up onto the cool marble island counter top with ease. Her long dancer legs hanging wistfully over the edge. "The point is, dear Alec here is being rather persistent in hiding the truth."

"Isabelle, I'm not kidding. Pl—" Alec chocked briefly on his words. "Please, drop it." Alec gave her a shameful pointed look. He was hoping he conveyed the message to her, as to not speak about this in front of Jace. Seeing as Jace had no idea that Alec was with Magnus, let alone the fact that he wasn't aware that Alec was gay in the least. Isabelle got the hint, thankfully, noticing the look in her brothers eyes and shrugged herself off the counter top. She picked up the large serving dish that Alec had originally helped her retrieve and left the room to join their parents in the formal dining space. Alec watched her leave, wondering to himself, why Isabelle was defiantly trying to hint to Jace that something was going on. Had he not asked her mere days ago to keep things to herself? To help him keep everything a secret from others?

"C'mon, I want to get in there before dad eats all the lasagna." Jace nudged Alec in the arm lightly and turned to leave, thinking Alec would be hot on his trails. When Alec made no motion to move—being overly consumed with his thoughts; clenching and unclenching his hands wistfully—Jace faced him and squared his expression. "Hey... Are you... Are you okay?" Jace wasn't teasing, like he usually was, but rather he gazed upon Alec with a mixture of concern and questioning. Alec hadn't realized it yet, but in those moments that he was clenching his hands together he accidentally dug into the fragile skin of his palms; small trickles of blood dotting out of small half crescent moons.

"Yeah, no I'm fine. Go on, I'll be there in a second." Alec turned his back on Jace, hoping—rather praying—to god that Jace wouldn't see it fit to press Alec at all. Despite Alec's usual bad luck, Jace reluctantly left the room, and Alec let the breath he had bottled up, out in a long sigh. Could he trust anyone with the information and or idea of him and Magnus being together? Could he truly rely on anyone to help him? Isabelle, his own sister, seemed unwilling in keeping his wishes. How was he supposed to go on day to day and do this alone? How could he get through all of this by himself, worrying about confiding in those who he should have been able to thrust his full undivided trust upon? Because truthfully, Alec needed someone there for him—despite how adveresed he was in sharing the truth of him and Magnus being together. Magnus. Magnus. Magnus.

Alec looked down at his hands which were now readily shaking from his thoughts. It was a trembling he couldn't seem to break no matter how hard he concentrated his mind on doing so. How could he forget that he had Magnus there to share in his worries along the way?

A/N: I felt too bad if I didn't include a bit of what went on, on that bed. You might have missed out on the lead up to them relaxing on the bed afterwards, but I hope what I included in this satisfies you! Gosh, wouldn't you feel embarrassed/angry that people kept finding out about your supposedly secret relationship? I know I would! Especially given the circumstances. But don't worry, Magnus and Alec will learn to be a lot more careful for sure. Sarah's awesome though and c'mon she basically gave them a free pass to have sex in the house. Isabelle... Well, I don't have much to say there. You will find out her reasoning behind the things she is doing later on—I know she may seem horrible for putting Alec in a difficult position with Jace, seeing as she knows one thing and he thinks another, but just keep in mind that she does things for a reason to protect her brother in a way. (I shouldn't be divulging this much to you guys... lol). Alec had his moment of weakness at the end and man oh man, it kind of gave me chills while writing how his hands were shaking. (I don't know why). By the way, the quote Magnus recited was from the book Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma!

Review pretty please! Let's get it to 470 (:?

Amber,