Magnus hadn't heard from any of the jobs he'd applied for. It was the middle of April and he was starting to worry. He'd been living half on student loans, and half on fumes since he'd decided to attend University, and he just couldn't justify continuing to live like that after graduation. If he didn't find a job, he'd have to go back home and live with his aunt. Magnus had nothing against his aunt, but moving back home meant leaving Alec, and Magnus didn't want to do that. He needed to find a job, and he needed to find one now.

"Magnus," his professor called as Magnus's favourite class ended. Students all around him were standing, packing up their books and getting the heck out of there.

"Yes, Mr. P," Magnus asked. His full name was Mr. Pereira, but so few people knew how to pronounce it, that he let the students simply call him Mr. P.

"Something has come to my attention that might interest you," Mr. P said. "I know you are graduating soon, and looking for ways to spruce up your resume."

"I sure am," Magnus replied, grinning. Maybe his luck was changing.

"There is a program at the local museum," Mr. P continued. "That takes in new grads. I believe you work for them over the summers as a tour guide?"

"Yes, that's right," Magnus said.

"So you'd be perfect for this," Mr. P continued. "The job is helping to receive the new shipment from France, and get it ready for display. The artifacts are on loan at the museum as of the beginning of next month, and have to be returned to France at the end of the year."

"That sounds awesome," Magnus exclaimed. His problems were solved! A local job in his field!

"Before you get too excited, I just want you to know that it's unpaid, but as I said, it looks great on a resume, and it is short term and there's no interview needed. They usually recruit through the history grads here."

Magnus's heart sunk. This was not helpful at all. Was it even still legal to get people to work for nothing? This was probably why they only hired over eager grads from the history department. Only history dorks would over look not getting paid in favour of being able to deal with real artifacts. No matter how he looked at it, what Mr. P was talking about was just volunteer work.

"Sorry, but I don't think I can do unpaid right now," Magnus replied, with a heavy heart. Unfortunately, he was a history dork and this sucked.

"Just think about it," Mr. P suggested.

"Sure," Magnus replied, but there was nothing to think about. He couldn't take the job. No matter how interesting it was, or how great it would look on a resume later, Magnus couldn't afford to work for nothing; that was the reality. Reality sucked.

Slowly Magnus made his way out of the classroom trying not to think about what he couldn't have. It had always been his philosophy in life to focus on what he had rather than what he hadn't. Magnus had wonderful friends, adorable cats, a roof over his head, a wonderful aunt, and above all, Alexander, his gorgeous, loving boyfriend. It wasn't like Magnus was losing something by being unable to take the job, not really. Everything was just the same. Nothing had changed. Magnus took a deep breath, and let it go.

He was meeting up with Izzy for another strange shopping excursion. Today Magnus would probably just end up helping her browse again, but that was fine by him. He didn't really need anything, and now wasn't the time to rack up any extra credit card debt anyway.

"What do you think of this?" Izzy asked as she walked out of the changing room wearing a rather elegant tight black dress with silver detailing around the hem.

"Depends, where you are wearing it?" Magnus replied. "It's a nice third date dress." Izzy grinned at him, then her face fell. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Izzy replied, a smile plastered on her face again. There was something different about Izzy lately, but Magnus couldn't quite put his finger on what. He was starting to think it was his own perception of her that changed more than anything.

"Did Alec say he'd come, or has he chickened out again?" Izzy asked.

"Alec had homework," Magnus laughed. "Which is code for I'd rather be hit repeatedly over the head with a text book than shop for clothes."

"His loss," Izzy said, tossing her head dramatically as she turned back into the change room. Magnus could hear the zipper of her dress as she changed into the next outfit, but he wasn't really listening. He was staring off into space at the wall. He couldn't help but wonder why Izzy had looked sad when he'd mentioned third dates, and he was also wondering what Alexander was doing right now. Magnus was trying not to think about how much fun it would be cataloging French artifacts in a real museum display.

"How about this one?" Izzy asked as she reappeared in a grey skirt, heels, and a white blouse.

"Do you have a job interview?" Magnus asked her.

"You're right," Izzy said. "It's too professional."

"Hey, not if you're doing to an interview," Magnus argued. "It looks good, Izzy."

"How is your job hunt going, anyway?" Izzy asked as she turned back into the stall.

"Shitty," Magnus replied. "Unless I want to work for nothing."

"That depends on what your doing for nothing," Izzy replied, through the door.

"It really doesn't," Magnus sighed.

"You should go on holiday with Alec," Izzy said. "I know it would make him happy."

"Says the girl trying on a single outfit worth more than my whole wardrobe," Magnus quipped.

"Oh please," Izzy scoffed as she exited the change room in a stunning below the knee dress with a twirl skirt. "This outfit can't possibly be worth that. Don't exaggerate."

"Fine," Magnus surrendered. "I didn't do the math. It was a hyperbole."

"Money is awesome," Izzy told him through the door. "Live a little."

"Money is a pain in the ass," Magnus replied with a sigh. "Stupid necessary nuisance that makes the world go round, and I live plenty."

"We have a very different version of living, Magnus Bane," Izzy laughed as spun around to show off her dress. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful on you, Izzy," Magnus told her.

"I know," she said, then the grin on her face vanished again.

"Are you okay?" Magnus asked her.

"I'm shopping," Izzy replied. "It's my natural habitat." And just like that, her grin returned.

"You know, sometimes you remind me of Jace," Magnus said absently. "Before Clary that is."

"Ha!" Izzy scoffed, jutting her hip out in the twirling dress she was in. "I am nothing like Jace. You should have seen him back in high school."

"Oh, I can imagine," Magnus replied. "Jace is friends with Alec, and dating my best friend. Trust me, I know quite a lot about the guy."

"Then you know he isn't like me," Izzy huffed.

"I don't know," Magnus replied. "You two both seem to have a similar approach to love, again, before he met Clary." He paused then added. "I think Alec is hoping you will find your Clary. Like your person or- well- you get what I mean."

"Not likely," Izzy replied cooly. There was something there in her tone that Magnus couldn't quite identify. He'd noticed it before now, but had never been able to figure it out. Was there something self deprecating about the way Izzy spoke about herself, or was he imagining it? Surely, of all people, Isabelle Lightwood would be the least likely to have a low opinion of herself.

"The last guy I met up with more than once dumped me over text message," Izzy explained. "So no, I don't think there is a Prince Charming out there for me." She said Prince Charming with disdain as she turned back into the changing room.

To Magnus's surprise, Izzy was in her normal clothes when she reappeared, and they left the store together without buying anything.

"You didn't even want that third date dress?" Magnus asked. "I thought that one was rather nice."

"I'm hungry," Izzy said. "Let's get lunch."

Without asking where they were going, Magnus followed Isabelle into a restaurant. On their last shopping trip, Izzy had done something similar, and Magnus knew there was no point arguing with her. It was one of the fanciest restaurant he'd ever entered. Not that he'd entered many fancy restaurants, or had any idea what passed for fancy in Izzy's book, though he suspected that to Izzy, this one was fairly average.

"So if you aren't going to work for nothing," Izzy began after the waiter took their order. Magnus had searched for the cheapest thing on the menu, and ordered that. "What are you going to do after grad?"

Magnus sighed. He'd been trying to avoid this, but exams were nearly upon them, and it was looking like he didn't have a choice. "I will have to get a job out of my field, like my labour job that I worked at over the summer, or something in the food industry. It's either that, or move back in with my aunt to avoid rent."

"Or, let Alec be you sugar daddy," Izzy laughed.

"Ha ha," Magnus replied sarcastically, and then he changed the topic back to her. The way she'd phrase that made him feel just a little cheap, and he didn't want to talk about it. So instead, they talked about her clothes, and the shoes she'd tried on at the other store. Magnus was pretty sure Izzy would go back and get that third date dress by the time they were done talking.

"So as long as I'm spending money on me, it doesn't bother you?" Izzy said.

"I guess, yeah," Magnus replied not sure where she was getting at.

"Then why not live with Alec, and pretend all the living costs are him spending money on himself," Izzy suggested.

"Because people who live together usually share expenses," Magnus said. "And I live with Clary."

"And Alec," Izzy giggled. "How many times have I gone to your house to visit him!"

"Yeah yeah, okay," Magnus sighed. "Eat your sandwich." Izzy laughed.

"It's not a sandwich," Izzy replied as she ate it.

"Looks like one to me," Magnus replied. "Bread, stuff, bread. Standard formula really."

"But this has blue cheese," Izzy corrected.

"You could get the same thing at that food truck on 10th," Magnus explained. "For less." Izzy just shrugged.

"I bet the food truck doesn't have blue cheese," she said.

"No, it probably doesn't," Magnus sighed. Izzy was smiling again. They both finished eating lunch, talking a little of their shopping trip as they did so. Then the bill came.

"People are going to think we're on a date," Magnus said when she'd reached to pay the bill. He knew he couldn't afford to pay it, but watching her buy lunch still felt wrong. He could have bought just his own lunch if she'd agreed to split the bill.

"No silly," Izzy replied, easily. "If we were on a date you'd pay." The waiter handed her the debit machine, and she paid him with what looked to Magnus like a silver credit card.

She didn't take a copy of her receipt, and the two of them left, walking down the street. Magnus suggested they take a bus back, but Izzy hailed a cab. They'd met up at the shoe store, which Magnus had bused to, but he was pretty sure that Izzy had taken a cab both ways. The way these Lightwoods spent money astounded him.

As the cab pulled up in front of Magnus's house, Izzy paid the driver, then got out of the car as well. Magnus hadn't technically invited her, but he couldn't say he was surprised either. Isabelle was going to be a part of his life, and he was making an effort to learn her strange ways, for Alec's sake.

"Oh brother," Izzy called as she entered the house.

"Alec isn't here," came Alexander's voice from around the corner. "Please leave a message after the beep."

"Brat," Izzy chuckled as she sprinted ahead and around the corner, vanishing from Magnus's view. So Alec was here, even though Magnus had been out. Maybe Izzy had a point about Alec basically living here already.

"Did you have fun shopping?" Alec's voice could be heard, though Magnus hadn't rounded the corner into his dining room yet.

"I almost found a new pair of black heels," Izzy said. "And Magnus liked one of the dresses I tried. Then we got lunch."

"If you told me about the food, I would have joined you for that," Alec laughed.

"It was after shopping lunch," Izzy told him. "Only post-shoppers allowed." Magnus heard Alec's laughters as he rounded the corner. And there was his Alexander, gazing affectionately at his little sister. They continued to talk, but Magnus wasn't listening. He was watching Alec. Magnus knew how desperately he loved this man. He knew how different his love for Alec was compared to all the others. Magnus couldn't go back to his aunt's. He couldn't be away from Alec. No, Magnus was going to stay, even if it meant selling french fries for a living.

"Is it true Magnus?" Alec asked. Magnus snapped his attention back, totally confused by Alec's question since he hadn't been listening.

"Is what true?" Magnus replied.

"That you found a job you want," Alec said. Magnus looked to Izzy who was feigning innocence, but he knew she'd told.

"It doesn't count as a job," Magnus replied with a wave of his hand. "It isn't paid."

"So?" Alec asked. Magnus let out a slow breath. Then with a smile on his face, he moved a few steps closer and kissed Alec. Alec's arms went up to hold him as his boyfriend deepened the kiss.

"If you want the job, take it," Alec said when they broke apart.

"It isn't practical," Magnus explained, his hand still on Alec's cheek. "I'd be more in debt after the job than before."

"You have debt?" Alec asked, confused.

"All students have debt," Magnus replied. "How do you think I pay for school?"

"You worked all summer," Alec reminded him.

"Yes, to pay rent and buy food," Magnus explained. "I couldn't make enough in a summer to pay tuition."

"That's ridiculous," Alec stated.

"Yes, I know," Magnus replied. "But that's life."

"Screw life," Alec exclaimed. "Will this job make you happy?"

"No, because I would be eating nothing but egg noodles, and living in a cardboard box," Magnus explained.

"Like we'd let you live in a cardboard box," Izzy piped in. They both turned to her as one.

"You two forgot I was here didn't you," Izzy sighed. Neither of them spoke. "Put a pin in the fight would you? I don't wanna go home yet."

"Why not?" Alec asked, turning to look at her. They were all in the dining room. Alec was sitting at the table with his laptop open, and a textbook to one side. Izzy sat down on Alec's left, and Magnus took a chair to his right.

"Maia has been kinda odd lately," Izzy replied. "She comes back from those study dates all starry eyed, but when I tell her, she denies it."

"Isn't Simon's roommate the guy Maia's studying with?" Magnus asked. "You could ask Simon what's going on?"

"Yeah no," Izzy said. "Not going near that with a ten foot pole, thank you."

"I thought you two were friends?" Alec asked her.

"We were," Izzy said. "As in past tense."

"Way to burn that bridge, Iz," Alec said.

"I didn't burn it, he did," Izzy scoffed.

"You like him?" Alec exclaimed, standing up suddenly smiling.

"You don't know what you are talking about," Izzy replied coolly. "On second thought, I think I will leave you two to your row and go home." And just like that, Izzy stood up and headed for the door.

"Oh come on Iz!" Alec called after her, but she was gone in a flash.

"She totally likes Simon!" Alec said grinning from ear to ear once the front door closed behind Izzy.

"Or she's just annoyed he dumped her before she could dump him," Magnus suggested.

"Ah no," Alec said. "That wasn't an annoyed look, that was a 'push my feelings down till I don't have any' look. She is way too good at that."

"Okay, now I feel bad for her," Magnus sighed.

Without saying a word, Alec stood up and reached out his hands to hold Magnus's. Together they moved over to the couch.

"Would this job make you happy?" Alec asked slowly, one of his hands on Magnus's cheek.

"Didn't I already explain about the cardboard box?" Magnus chuckled.

"If money didn't matter," Alec asked. "If it wasn't part of your decision, would you want to accept this job?"

"Money always matters," Magnus replied, with a sigh.

"Not when you have me, it doesn't," Alec stated firmly.

"Urg!" Magnus yelled, standing up and turning to face Alec where he sat on the couch. "Stop making this so much harder! Stop trying to make me take advantage of you!"

"Stop being so damn proud, you won't accept help!" Alec yelled back. Magnus was quite surprised. Alexander almost never exploded like this. He never stood his ground when this topic came up. Never, until now.

"It's too much!" Magnus hollered back. "You are talking about covering all my living costs, while I work at a job that's basically a glorified hobby!"

"Yes, I am," Alec stated firmly, holding his ground. "And I could help you pay off your debts too."

"That's insane Alec!" Magnus replied. "I can't ask that of you."

"You aren't asking," Alec said. "I am offering." Alec stood up as well, moving closer, he took Magnus's face in his hands before speaking again. Magnus almost shook him off, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Magnus," Alec spoke softly. "It seems to me like everyone in my life benefits from what I have to offer except you, and that feels so wrong. I want to protect you, provide for you. Please let me."

"You know what people will say," Magnus replied, softly. "They will say that I am with you for your money. That I'm a gold digger, a burden, a dead weight swinging from your ankles, holding you down."

"Why do you care so much what other people think?" Alec argued. "We know the truth. That's what matters."

"That isn't all that matters, Alec," Magnus exclaimed, taking a step back, having totally and completely lost his cool by now. "What about being a kept man for the rest of my life, huh? What about not wanting to be a dependent mooch, who doesn't know how to take care of himself?! I don't want to spend my entire life dependent on my boyfriend. Can't you at least try and understand that, even a little?"

Silence. Total and complete silence. The only sound in the room was Magnus's heavy breathing. It looked as if Alec had stopped breathing all together. Magnus had finally said the words. He'd finally told Alec what he was really afraid of, and he felt relieved, almost lighter, but Alec's silence was unnerving.

Alec looked like he'd seen a ghost as he finally whispered, "Did you just say 'rest of my life.'"

Alexander was looking at Magnus now with wide eyes, and an expression of awe on his face. Magnus had no clue what the heck Alec was so surprised about, but he wasn't getting out of his argument. It was time they really hashed this out, no matter how little either of them wanted to.

My beta said she could understand both sides of the augment and I hope you can to. Also the conclusion to this has been basically written for AGES. As I said I have been planning this since at least chapter 57. Though basically written still means 'not ready to update yet.'

The problem is that I haven't written anything in almost a week! I know its so unlike me! And probably has something to do with the fact that I have been planning this for SO long! It almost feels like I can't write more until you guys read this chapter. I am pretty sure reading the reactions to this will get me writing again. (in the mean time I am on season 4 of Offspring like an addict who didn't go to bed until 5am last night. lol. Good thing I have three days off work huh?)

Sneak peek Chapter 86

"Sorry I never seem to stay the right thing," Magnus chuckled. "I don't have your way with words. Maybe you should major in English like Tessa." Alec couldn't help but laugh as well.

"Ah no and I don't have a way with words," Alec replied easily. "I suck at them actually."

"I beg to differ," Magnus scoffed. "What about all those things you just said to me."

"That's different," Alec said.

"How?" Magnus asked.

"Naked truth is easy to articulate," Alec replied.