When I came back downstairs Jace and Simon had turned up and were slipping flowered bands onto the girls' wrists. Isabelle beamed, Clary blushed and my Mother was taking about a million photos of them all.

I was stricken by the idea that this was actually all a big deal. The whole time it had felt like Izzy had exaggerated the importance of one school dance but... Maybe I was missing out on something.

They all looked really happy. This was a night they'd always remember. Someday Jace was going to tell his kids a story about how hard he worked to convince that girl to go with him, Izzy would recall every detail of her night in perfect clarity. My story was a lie; one we'd already invented.

They all dragged me into some of their group shots and that was as close as I'd ever get to being a part of their experience.

Magnus had said 'you're only a kid if you act like a kid'. So what was I if I didn't? What was I when I was on the side lines? I wasn't a parent like Mother or Robert (who had eventually been let inside), watching my children reach a rite of passage.

It was weird that around Magnus I felt like I had some serious growing up to do but when I was around my family I felt like I'd aged too fast.

It was almost time to go; I checked the directions on my phone again. Even though I could probably recite them by heart at this point.

"Wait!" Izzy yelped at the threshold. "I have to record something."

We all groaned as she shot into the living room and grabbed the remote. Even on the most anticipated date she had on her calendar Izzy would remember the dumb things like TV shows that wouldn't matter a week away.

"Don't give me that." She chided. "There are designs being showcased tonight!"

"Designs you can't afford." I grumbled.

"Alec, I spent an hour getting my nails pretty today. Don't make me slap you."

The restaurant I'd been directed to was unlike anything I thought existed in the real world. Before I had been worried I was overdressed but I got inside to find it was full of people dressed up like they were attending a giant, fancy wedding. I thought maybe I was in the wrong place; Magnus spent his free time in the run down coffee shop I worked at and adding bright streaks to his hair. It didn't seem like anywhere he'd go.

When a waiter very politely directed me to 'Mr Bane's usual table' I realised I needed to rethink my impression of what kind of places were Magnus' kind of places.

Magnus wasn't there yet but the waiter sat me down anyway. He seemed to be watching me too closely but, you know, they were probably paid a lot to be super-attentive. He kept asking me if there was anything I wanted but I got the feeling I'd end up charged my salary for tap water or something so I had to keep saying no.

Magnus arrived right after I managed to get rid of the guy and brought him right back again. My annoyance was overshadowed by how happy I was that Magnus had finally showed up. Not having him there was making me nervous.

"You look wonderful Alexander." He smiled at me. It was a new smile. One that didn't have an amused undercurrent to it. I liked it.

Even better, before he took his seat he handed me his phone. It felt much too light, I realised that was because the battery had been taken out.

"That's for you to keep hold of. I might need you yell at me at some point so I don't get withdrawal."

I laughed and pocketed the phone. "What would I yell at you for?"

"Work stuff. Skipping tonight's showcase." Magnus waved a hand dismissively.

I remembered Isabelle right before we had left the house; running into our living room to record a show like her life depended on it. Was it the same showcase? Was it big? It must have been big to be televised. But was it huge? Guilt started to take hold.

"Don't they have press photographers at these things?" I asked as I tried to avoid screwing an elaborately folded napkin up in my hands.

"Well, yes, but they'd want me there when my designs go on." Magnus explained.

Yup. I was officially a horrible human being who was keeping him from realising his dreams.

Nice one, me. "You have designs this thing? Magnus! Go to work!"

"Ah. It's like I never turned the phone off." Magnus sighed happily. "Look, Darling, if I had to be there I would be. But I'd rather celebrate with you than a bunch of people I don't even like."

From across the table Magnus took my hand in his. It was bigger than mine but not board, and warm. He ran his thumb over my fingers and I started to feel more relaxed.

Really, I was beyond lucky to have him in my life. Who else cared as much as he did?

"I love you." I blurted.

For the first time since I'd met him I saw Magnus shocked into stopping. For just a second, his eyes flashed like he was terrified, and his jaw went slightly slack. I wanted to take it back.

No I didn't.

Yes I did.

He was taking so long to reply. I wanted him to say something. Anything at all. Even if he flat out told me I was stupid for saying I loved him.

Instead the waiter came back and Magnus next words were his order. He ordered for me too, which was strange, and opened up wine without anybody checking that I had ID or anything. I was quite prepared for the worst when he downed a glass before he looked back at me.

"Well I can't say I didn't see that coming." He said.

"You seemed surprised enough." My voice came out strained and Magnus put on a look of concern for a moment. He went to take my hand again but I shifted it back.

"I didn't say I saw when it was coming." He added. "Sweetpea, you know I love you too."

I snapped my head up to meet his gaze, searching for a trace of lie. What I saw there made me melt the same way I always did. I believed it. I would believe whatever he said if he said it looking at me like that.

The awkwardness dissipated after that. The food came (it tasted amazing) and we had a great time talking together. Magnus told me all about the clothes being used that night.

"I'd show you pictures, but they're on my phone."

"Nice try."

Despite how much I was enjoying myself, after a while I started to notice that it wasn't just the waiter who was looking at me oddly. There were people dotted around everywhere who kept glancing at our table. It was a curious look; like I was a different smile on the Mona Lisa and would prove the painting was a forgery if they stared long enough.

"Ignore them." Magnus instructed, pouring wine into a glass in front of me and lifting it to my lips. I raised an eyebrow and he returned with an expression that said 'I can wait here all night', so I went ahead and sipped. Honestly; I didn't really get what my parents liked so much about it. Maybe that's what the whole 'acquired taste' thing was.

After I finished the first glass I didn't care about the people watching anymore, so there was that. A couple more later and when Magnus took my hand and pulled me outside I was far to happy to care where we were going.

The cold outside hit and refreshed me, I saw that we were out on a terrace. It was fenced in and lined with plant life and faerie lights to disguise the fact that beyond it lay the dull bricks of the other city buildings. It was a much better illusion than throwing some balloons into the school gym was going to be. They'd all be listening to badly-mixed pop, too. Here there was something smooth and classical wafting through the air. I didn't find that as boring as most kids would; it was the kind of thing my parents always played in the house. It was nice, relaxing.

I didn't mind when Magnus had me dancing with him, even though he took the lead and that made it a little emasculating. It would have felt weird any other way, though. What with him being taller and, let's face it, more mature. I wouldn't have known how to lead anyway.

I was so caught up in it. The starlight, the motion, the feeling of Magnus pressed against me. Nothing else mattered. Not until he kissed me anyway.

I didn't know it until it happened but that kiss was everything I'd been waiting for. Soft and firm and attentive and selfish and all-around perfect. It had been worth it to wait for the first time I kissed Magnus. It would have happened anywhere and been magic but I still knew it was better there than it would have been leant over a JJ's booth as my family walked in or up in my bedroom right after I'd snapped at him.

I closed my eyes and when Magnus pulled back, I laughed a little. "This is probably the most cliché thing..."

"No, the cliché thing would have been an awkward kiss on your front porch." Magnus smiled and I noticed that his one of his hands was laced into my hair. The other was holding my waist to him. Still perfect.

You were warned. Thanks for reading as always everybody; and an extra thank you to people who have been reviewing. I always try to reply but if I don't please don't think I'm being rude, I probably just don't know how to form a response without blurting out the rest of the plot. I talk/type too much.

Next chapter shall be "The Morning After".