After his conversation with Clary, Alec was concerned that his friend was too dense to function, but he didn't get a chance to talk to Jace for the rest of the day. Clary wanted her place to herself that night, so for a change Magnus came over to Alec's apartment. It was a simple quiet night in, but Alec loved it all the same because he spent the evening in his boyfriend's arms.
Alec had recently come to feel like it was rather silly that Clary was living with Magnus while Jace lived with him. They so often switched apartments, he was starting to wonder if they shouldn't have started the year off living as couples instead. Though Alec knew that if he suggested it, he and Magnus would have to talk about money again, and he didn't want to do that. The summer was over, and in theory, they could go a whole year without having that argument again. So instead, Alec stayed over at Magnus's as often as he could, and though it was nice to have Magnus here for a change, Alec still prefered his boyfriend's apartment to his own. He suspected part of the reason for this is because of how attached Alec had become to his boyfriend's cats. Chairmen Meow in particular loved to jump up on Alec's lap when he was on the couch. Alec couldn't count how many times he'd woken up to the adorable cat sleeping on either his chest or by his head. Sometimes The Great Catsby slept by his legs, but not nearly as often. The oldest of Magnus's two cats hadn't warmed up to Alec as much as Chairmen.
"I miss the fluffs," Magnus complained as they woke up that morning in Alec's bed, and therefore without any purring cats.
"Me too," Alec agreed, kissing his boyfriend good morning. Magnus pulled him closer and deepened the kiss before they both got out of bed and headed to the kitchen.
"That has to be the most laid back Halloween I've had in years," Magnus commented while they were making breakfast.
"We handed out candy," Alec defended their possibly boring Halloween.
"Yes, but without getting drunk," Magnus chuckled. "And we were in bed before midnight."
"We weren't asleep at midnight though," Alec reminded his boyfriend with a smirk.
"Still," Magnus replied calmly. "A rather chill evening."
"Did you want to go out?" Alec asked. "I wouldn't have minded." Magnus hadn't mentioned anything about wanting to do something more for Halloween, however, now Alec was worried he'd missed some kind of subtle hint.
"That isn't what I meant Alexander," Magnus spoke softly, his tone relaxing Alec again. When Magnus turned to face Alec, he was smiling. Magnus kissed him gently then looked Alec in the eyes as he spoke. "I liked our quiet night in. I was just commenting."
"Good," Alec smiled, leaning forward and kissing his boyfriend before they sat down to breakfast. "Because I'd hate to think I kept you from where you wanted to be."
"What if where I want to be is wherever you are?" Magnus replied with a grin. When Magnus said things like this, Alec felt so happy, but he tried not to overthink it. There was a potential teasing nature to Magnus's words.
"Then I think we did quite well for ourselves in terms of Halloween plans," Alec smiled back, kissing Magnus lightly before standing up and clearing their plates away.
"Must you always do the tidying up," Magnus grumbled. "It makes me feel so useless."
"You snooze, you lose," Alec laughed as he stacked the dirty dishes by the sink.
"Or in this case I snooze, I win," Magnus replied standing up to join Alec in the kitchen.
"I'm a spoiled rich kid who's never worked a day in his life remember," Alec reminded his boyfriend with a laugh. "Stacking dishes won't kill me."
"True," Magnus replied. It was moments like this that made Alec think Jace might have a point about the money thing. If not helping with the dishes put that slight look of guilt on his boyfriend's face, then Alec had to assume accepting money from Alec would make him feel worse. Alec wished there was a way to just make it okay. In this moment he wished for something that made it socially acceptable to share his wealth with his partner. The answer that came to him was surprisingly simple, while also not being something he'd do just because of money. Even if Alec knew Magnus was his forever, it didn't mean Magnus was thinking the same thing.
"I am worried about Clary," Magnus commented a while later when they were both, trying and failing, to get some homework done.
"She and Jace just need to have an actual conversation," Alec tried to comfort Magnus. "I am sure everything will be fine."
"Yes, but knowing those two, they will die of old age before that happens," Magnus sighed.
"How about this," Alec began. "When Jace gets home today I will lecture him for you."
"Thanks," Magnus smiled. "That might help."
"When are your plans with Tessa?" Alec asked. Magnus checked his phone to check the time, then sighed.
"Two hours," he answered.
"What do you say we ditch homework and watch Sense8?" Alec suggested.
"Deal!" Magnus said with a grin as he snapped his textbook closed and bolted for the couch. Magnus had Netflix open before Alec even sat down.
"Even if the show wasn't brilliant," Magnus began. "I'd watch it just because the title is a pun."
"It is?" Alec asked.
"There is eight of them," Magnus continued. "And they are called sensates. All eight of them share senses. Sense8."
"Wow," Alec whispered feeling like a fool. "How did I miss that?"
"Because darling, you don't think of life in terms of puns," Magnus replied knowingly as they settled down on the couch together.
"I think you pun enough for the two of us," Alec observed.
"You could always get a brain transplant, and changed your mind," Magnus said grinning. Alec recognized this tone of voice, and groaned inwardly knowing he was in for many more puns before he got to watch any television. "I'm reading this book about anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down. Don't spell part backwards. It's a trap. Oh oh!" Magnus jumped up a little, clearly excited about what he had next. "What's the worst thing about throwing a party in space?"
"I don't know," Alec spoke in monotone.
"You have to plan it. Get it, because planet," Magnus giggled then added before Alec could interrupt. "I am on a seafood diet. Every time I see food, I eat it." Alec tried to contain his groan and/or laugh as his boyfriend's puns continued. "I'd tell you a chemistry joke, but I know I wouldn't get a reaction. How can you spot the blind guy at the nudist colony? It's not hard."
"And that's when I killed him your honour," Alec said as if speaking to a judge.
"Attempted murder is no joke," Magnus replied in a somewhat serious voice, but Alec knew better. "It's just a couple crows." Magnus was grinning like a fool as she added, "Because a group of crows is called a murder."
Alec decided there was only one way to stop the flow of puns. He throw himself at his boyfriend and seized Magnus's lips with his own. Magnus seemed quite happy with this solution as his hands came up to hold Alec's waist. It was a deep kiss but also a lazy, happy one. Alec supported his weight with his arms on either side of Magnus's face as their lips danced. Releasing his boyfriend's lips, Alec trailed his kisses down his lover's neck, and Magnus's hands found their way under Alec's shirt. But then Alec remembered something Jace had said and pulled back.
"What's wrong?" Magnus asked sitting up as well.
"Nothing," Alec replied. "I just remembered what Jace said he and Clary did on this couch-" But before Alec could finish, Magnus stuck his fingers in his ears and started saying 'la la la' before doing to sit somewhere else. Laughing, Alec joined Magnus in the chair opposite and they watched Sense8 until Magnus had to leave.
Tessa was in her third trimester, and Alec knew Magnus was eager to see how she was settling into her new place. When their show ended and Magnus left, Alec got back to his neglected homework with a heavy heart. He tried to keep his thoughts on Statistics, but they often drifted to thoughts of Magnus. Even though Alec pretended to find Magnus's puns annoying, they were such a fundamental part of Magnus that Alec couldn't help but love them. Puns from anyone else wouldn't be nearly so easy to tolerate. Hours into his homework, and Alec was still having trouble keeping himself on task. He was saved from having to keep trying by the arrival of his roommate.
"Hey," Jace said as he walked in and dumped his school bag.
"You need to talk to Clary," Alec ordered mercilessly.
"Why hello to you too," his roommate replied.
"I am serious Jace," Alec continued.
"I just came from Clary's," Jace argued, clearly confused. "So I've been talking to her basically all day."
"Okay but you need to talk to her," Alec repeated, emphasising the word talk.
"You lost me," Jace stared, nonplussed. "What's the difference?"
"Let me spell it out for you," Alec said slowly so Jace couldn't misunderstand. "You need to talk to Clary about serious relationship stuff. You need to tell her you love her."
"Pfft, she knows that already," Jace dismissed him. "Heck, you figured that out last year before I did."
"But I am not dating you," Alec sighed, covering his face with his hand and muttering 'thank god' under his breath. Even if Jace were gay, Alec would not go near that mess if his life depended on it. "Just because I can see it from the outside, doesn't mean she knows it."
"I'll tell her then," Jace replied easily. "Why is this such a big deal?" How Jace could be this dense, Alec had no idea. Sure, the guy had never been in a relationship before Clary, but come on! Alec had to suppress the urge to hit his friend over the head with his hated textbook. The idea was extra appealing when he realized it would finally give the stupid book a purpose aside from being decorative. Why did they make students buy textbooks when they weren't needed Alec had no idea.
"Remember when you were super scared Clary would dump you?" Alec asked, trying to approach this from an angle Jace might understand. After Jace nodded, Alec continued. "Well that was never going to happen. She believes you are more likely to dump her."
"That's crazy," Jace dismissed.
"And," Alec continued. "Please please tell me you don't actually check out other women in front of her!"
"What am I supposed to do just pretend they aren't there?" Jace asked. He demonstrated his point by tilting his head all the way back then all the way to each side, in an exaggerated way, like he was avoiding looking right in front of him.
"Yes," Alec exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air. "That is exactly what you are supposed to do." Jace seemed to actually think about this.
"How does that work?" Jace asked. "Do I just close my eyes? Clary gets checked out too you know."
"How does it make you feel when other guys check her out?" Alec asked, once again trying to get through to Jace.
"She's hot," Jace replied simply with a shrug. "Of course she's getting checked out."
"You are a shit boyfriend," Alec sighed, his hand over his face in exasperation.
"What?" Jace asked, far more confused than Alec felt was strictly necessary. "But you said I was a clingy boyfriend?"
"You're that too," Alec replied. After another deep breath he added in a stern voice. "Listen to me very very carefully." Alec stared his friend down, trying to make sure the words sunk in. "You. Need. To. Talk. To. Clary."
"But she never wants to talk," Jace explained. "Actually, lately all she wants to do is have sex. She's been buying lingerie."
"And that didn't clue you in that there is a problem," Alec sighed, all the volume out of his voice now. Jace at least looked a little more thoughtful than he had before, and Alec decided he was done. If his friend was this dense he'd have to rely on Clary initiating the conversation, because Jace was clearly useless. Alec decided he would butt out from now on, and escaped to his room where he threw himself into his still unfinished homework, for once glad to have the task as an escape from Clace drama. Though his homework might be less tedious if he knew what he was actually going to major in. Alec still hadn't declared one, and he knew he needed to do so soon, but he just had no idea what he wanted to study.
Once Alec had properly distanced himself from his frustration, he texted Magnus to explain that he'd given Jace the lecture, and was claiming to be Switzerland from here on out.
'Sounds to me like those two can sort it out,' Magnus's texted. Alec had neglected to explain to his boyfriend exactly what Jace had said about Clary just wanting sex lately. He knew Magnus thought of Clary like a little sister and really didn't want to hear that.
'I hope so,' Alec replied and he meant it. Clary was growing on him, and Alec knew how much she cared for Magnus which endured her to him. The only real reason he'd disliked her to start was because she'd been giving Jace such mixed signals. Now that they were an actual couple, it was their job to sort out their problems, even if Alec wished they could hurry up already.
Let's do some math!
My last chapter got 7 reviews and 3 of them are friends of mine. (I am cutting out my friends review from the math because if they didn't review I could just text them and nag them till I got their opinions out of them. They also tend to get spoilers, extra sneak peeks and my ideas for plot lines in WAY future chapters via text as I write.) Two are guests though one is a regular reviewer using guest reviews. And two are less common reviews. Of the 222 people who read my last chapter within the first day of its going online I got only FOUR reviews.
Let's do the math on that: 4/222 = 0.0180 Which means that 0.018% of you leave a review.
And if you think this percentage sucks it gets worse... because I did the math again on Tuesday night when I was getting ready to update this chapter. Now 366 people have read the last chapter with only one additional review...
So the numbers look like this: 5/366 = 0.0136 or only 0.014% reviewed.
Now I know that I got 2 follows with that last chapter… and that's awesome. (I will definitely update a bonus chapter when I get to 300 follows) BUT what I want most is REVIEWS, to hear what you think. It's the best way I can grow and learn as a writer. Honestly feedback is like writer gold. I want constructive criticism. I want to know what I suck at so I can get better at it.
These percentages, plus the fact that I am way ahead writing for this story (I have the next chapter finished and big chunks all written up to chapter 66) have made me decide to do something a little different.
MY PLAN:
Reviews = bonus chapters
Meaning that if I get enough reviews on this chapter I will update again before Wednesday. Not bonus filler, but actually the next planned out chapter.
It feel like I used to get more comments and reviews on a chapter than I do now and I really miss them. And I know most creative works don't get direct feedback from readers or viewer, but on ff writing a review is so easy. Its not like you have to track down some famous persons twitter or send fan mail. It's literally just typing a sentence, hitting send and like magic you have a direct line with the writer. If you don't want to leave a public review PM me. :) I promise I am nice. ^_^
Honestly I just really want to know what you who currently reading this thinks about the chapter. What made sense to you? What felt forced? What do you want to see more of? What do you want to see less of? What part made you laugh? What part confused you? What did you think in general? What writing skill do I lack? Is my description hard to imagine? Is my dialogue boring? Do I have plot holes? Have I missed up the continuity from previous chapters? It doesn't have to be long, but please say something.
Even if you don't review I will still update again Wednesday, but if you want another chapter between now and then... its up to you. And remember I don't include my friends reviews so don't start counting reviews to see if you need to leave one, just leave one.
Sneak Peek Chapter 62 (Going online Wednesday July 26 or maybe soon)
He went to sleep that night with the strangest feeling in his stomach. Something was off, and it had been off for a while, but to such a degree Jace hadn't realized a thing until now. He woke feeling unrested and headed to class, hoping it'd be over quickly so he could talk to Clary, but no such luck. His morning class felt so very drawn out, and Jace was sure he didn't take in a word. Alec's lecture played in his head, as Jace tried to decipher the difference between talking to Clary, and talking to Clary.
All throughout wrestling practice Jace was distracted. His sparring partner got the better of him more than once, and Jace found himself flat on the ground so many times before practice ended that he was sure he'd have a bruise. Dragging his sore sorry self home, Jace collapsed on Alec's couch. He supposed it was his couch too, though like most of the furniture in their place, he'd played no role in purchases it. Sometimes Jace felt like he was staying at Alec's apartment rather than living with Alec. It felt a little strange, but couldn't bring himself to care too much. It was just the way Alec was, or maybe he just had't been helpful during the move; Jace wasn't totally sure.
He must of fallen asleep because the next thing Jace knew, he was awoken by the door bell. His semi conscious brain slowly remembered why he'd been so worried all day and who would be at the door. Jace got up dragging his sore muscles, and had the door open before the bell went off again.
"Listen Clary," Jace began.
