Thanks to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited! You guys are the best
These characters aren't mine
"Can I get candy?" Max asked.
Alec walked alongside the nine year old, who insisted upon pushing the shopping cart, and considered the question. "What kind of candy?"
"Just one Twix, that's all!"
"Alright, we can grab it when we're in line."
Max fist bumped the air.
"So what do you want for dinner?" Alec asked. "We're out of frozen pizzas."
Max turned the cart into the bread isle and Alec plucked a loaf off the shelf.
"Can we get tortellini?"
"Sure," Alec said. "Alright, push the cart to the deli, Jace wants roast beef."
Max padded obediently to the little deli station in the back of the store. There were only two other people in line: one mom with two kids clinging to the carriage and a tall man behind them. The man glanced up and his eyes went wide at the sight of Alec. Alec caught his gaze and grinned.
Oh, he'd recognize those eyes anywhere.
They were unique. Green, but such a fine green that they'd sometimes look gold. They reminded Alec of Louis E Allen III's eyes. Except better.
"Bane," Alec greeted. Max's eyes widened; he remembered Alec saying the name of the cop last night.
The mom completed her purchase and left.
Magnus looked torn between buying his food and pulling a gun on Alec. Alec was a little worried. If he was alone, he wouldn't mind Magnus trying to arrest him. But he had Max with him. He and his family tried to keep Max as far away from the drug business as they could, but this was crossing that line.
Magnus cleared his throat. "Hello, Lex."
Alec saw Max wrinkle his nose at the unfamiliar name. But he was a smart kid, and he didn't say anything.
Alec smiled, keeping his eyes locked on Magnus. "How do you know that I'm Lex? I don't remember introducing myself."
A flash of uncertainty in the cop's eyes. He didn't.
But then it was gone. "Even if you're not, last night made you my business."
Alec leaned forward and smiled. "I don't remember showing you anything unlawful last night. In fact, who are you?" He exaggerated a hopeless shrug.
Max giggled.
The woman at the counter cleared her throat.
Magnus looked reluctant to turn his back to Alec, but he did so anyway. "Can I have a pound of swiss cheese?"
"Ew," Max mumbled.
Magnus turned and raised an eyebrow, making Max burst into laughter. Alec's heart did a little flutter when Magnus smiled. "Brat," Magnus muttered, but his crooked smile was still there.
Max stuck out his tongue.
"Hey, Max," Alec said, "why don't you go grab the tortellini?"
Max nodded and walked away with small, careful steps. Alec kept his eyes glued to his little brother and felt a stab of anxiety when he disappeared from view.
But Max would be fine. He had a handsome cop to worry about.
Alec propped his elbow on the counter and sent a dashing smile Magnus' way. "Hi, handsome."
Magnus looked skyward, like he was not only unimpressed, but also thinking of ways to get rid of Alec. Rude.
The meat lady put the swiss cheese on the counter and Alec smiled at her. "A pound of roast beef as well, please."
She nodded dutifully and the look Magnus sent him was an angry cross between exasperated, disbelieving, and pissed.
"Funny seeing you here," Alec said. "Figures, you just can't stay away from me."
Magnus rolled his eyes. "Now I know why you sent your little brother away."
Alec shrugged. "We really did need tortellini."
"Does your brother know you're a famous drug dealer?" Magnus asked. He looked kind of angry.
The deli lady gave them a weird as hell look.
"Yeah," Alec said. "He doesn't mind."
"Why does he shave his head?" Magnus asked. He had that look people always get; the one where they had an answer in their head, but wanted it to be wrong.
"Beep, you're out of personal questions. Come back tomorrow to ask another one."
Magnus rolled his eyes.
The lady placed the roast beef on the counter and looked at Alec. "You're a drug dealer?"
Alec scoffed. "No, of course not. I have morals, geez. Unless-why? Do you want to buy some?"
"Unreal," Magnus scoffed. He was doing that exasperated thing where he looked at the ceiling. It was actually adorable.
"You're cute when you're mad," Alec blurted. He hadn't meant to, not like all his other flirty statements. He tried to suppress his blush.
Magnus stared at him.
"I got tortellini!"
Alec had never been so relieved to see Max. "Great! Put it in the carriage so we can leave."
"That will be $14.98, sir." The lady looked impatiently at Magnus, apparently over the fact that she was serving a criminal.
Magnus glared at Alec and forked over the money. Alec took his roast beef and gave Magnus a charming smile, to make up for the money Magnus spent on him.
Judging by the dry look on Magnus' face, it didn't come even close to making up for it.
"And, no, I'm not interested in buying your drugs," the lady added for safe measure.
Alec pouted.
"Aw, why not?" Max chimed it. "Our cocaine is top notch! We import it from Colombia."
The lady looked about ready to have an aneurysm.
"Keep it down, little bro," Alec muttered. At Magnus' horrified look, Alec rolled his eyes. "And no, Max doesn't deal anything. Max, stop making it seem like you're part of the business. You're nine, you freak."
Max stuck out his tongue and started pushing the cart to the checkout line. Alec followed by his side and Magnus was hot on their heels.
"So you admit to being a drug dealer?" Magnus whispered.
"I didn't say that, Max did. And he's a little kid. They'll say anything."
"Oops," Max mumbled.
"This is insane," Magnus groaned. "His nine year old brother is involved. This is absolutely crazy."
"You okay there?"
"No."
Max started putting items on the conveyer belt, unconcerned with Magnus' mental struggle. He made sure to put his Twix on there too. Alec pulled out his wallet and paid for his items.
"Oh, now he has money," Magnus muttered.
Alec tried not to laugh.
The cashier finished checking out his items and Alec felt that familiar pump of energy. Now he could escape. He couldn't let Magnus follow him home.
"Max, grab some bags." He kept his voice level.
Max grabbed the bag with the tortellini, roast beef and Twix, while Alec grabbed the one with the bread. Ditching the cart, the two walked out of the store.
The second they were out in the day, they broke into a run. Alec grabbed the bags and hung them on the handlebars of his motorcycle as Max threw his helmet on. Alec followed his little brother's example and within seconds, they were gone.
Magnus walked out of the store a minute later, hoping to catch sight of Alec and Max's vehicle for later, but it was like the two had never come to the store in the first place.