As school started again, Magnus's mind was ever mulling over the time he'd spent at his boyfriend's mansion over the holidays. Showing his aunt around the place had been like showing her a museum. It had reminded Magnus of when he worked as a tour guide over the summer. This last Christmas had been by far the best Christmas Magnus could remember having in a very long time, though he knew that was more because he'd been with Alec and Aleida, than because of the fancy accommodations. It had after all been his first Christmas with Alexander, and it just wasn't Christmas without his aunt. He'd missed Clary, but he knew Biscuit had had a great holiday season back home with her parents and Jace. But there was one conversation in particular that Magnus just couldn't get out of his head. It had been toward the end of the holidays when things were winding down, and he'd found himself alone with Aleida.
"So what do you think?" Magnus had asked her. "Glad you came?"
"Very much so," Aleida replied. "Because I got to see you with Alec."
"Oh?" Magnus inquired. "And why was that so important?"
"He is different than the others Magnus," Aleida had explained. "I've seen you get your heart broken so many times. I remember you crying in my arms just last Christmas because you were scared to try and love again, scared to open yourself up to heartbreak again." She'd paused, thoughtfully before continuing. "I have been watching Alec very closely since I arrived, and watching you as well. I see the way he looks at you, Mags. Rich or poor that man loves you."
"I know," Magnus smiled, leaning back.
"I understand why his world is strange to you," Aleida continued. "I have to confess, I wouldn't know how to live in a house like this. I barely know how to visit it, but I don't think that should matter."
"It shouldn't," Magnus said. "But somehow it does. I know that if I let him do everything, let him pay for everything, and buy my time like its nothing, then it will becoming nothing. I will be a dead weight. People will say I am with him for his money, and I will be dependent on him for the rest of my life."
"It's a scary thought isn't it," Aleida laughed lightly, though without much humour. "To be decorative."
"What was it you always said when I was slacking off," Magnus had said. "Make yourself useful instead of merely ornamental."
"Do I say that?" she'd chuckled in mock surprise.
"Yes," Magnus had chuckled. "All the time."
"Well considering your current lot in life, maybe that is bad advice," Aleida had said.
"You never give bad advice, Auntie," Magnus had replied.
"Oh I don't know about that," she laughed. "I am only human you know."
"Definitely not," Magnus had replied smiling. "Super-human at the very least."
"We really do need to crush these childish illusions of yours, Mags," Aleida smirked.
"Stop using my baby name and maybe we can," Magnus had grumbled at her. He'd known she was teasing him about the illusions. Magnus had a very good adult to adult friendship with his aunt, apart from her using his baby name that is. He knew lots of kids never developed such relationships with their parents, either the parents were never able to see the children they raised as an actual adult, or they drift apart slowly without realizing. Magnus felt very lucky to have the relationship with her that he did.
"All I'm saying," Aleida had finished with. "Is find a happy medium. Don't accept things so large that you feel small, but don't turn everything down either."
"Ah yes balance," Magnus had sighed. "A skill I do not possess."
"And never have," Aleida had chuckled. "But I think doing things for you makes Alec happy, and not letting him do anything isn't the answer."
"See, I told you that you can't give bad advice," Magnus had replied with a smile. "I let him buy me lunch a lot."
"That's a start," Aleida had laughed. "Though a small one. Non-crazy rich people buy lunch for their friends too."
"Quit making sense," Magnus had grumbled. "It's annoying."
"Cents?" Aleida had smirked. "No, I make dollars."
"Not bad," Magnus had replied thoughtfully. "But I've heard it before."
"Mags, this was the balance," Aleida said, serious once again. "Letting Alec host Christmas, and buy our plane tickets. This was your start."
Magnus's mind was pulled back to the present when his teacher asked him a question. Of course, having been spacing out for the last ten minutes, Magnus had no idea what the question was, let alone the answer.
"Umm…" he began, knowing he looked just about as clueless as he was.
"The Mongols, Bane," his profession sighed. "And please, if you aren't going to listen, don't show up to class." Magnus nodded sheepishly, seriously considering skipping this guys next class. The notes were online, and he knew which days the quizzes were, so what did it matter anyway? All Magnus could think about was the fact that Alec had a surprise planned for their anniversary, and that surprise started in an hour. Magnus wanted to celebrate their year together, but he was weary of exactly what Alec had planned. Since he'd finally broken the wall with their holiday trip, Magnus suspected Alec would keep with that theme, and plan something over the top. He knew Alec meant well, but if it was too extravagant, Magnus was sure to feel uncomfortable.
Class finally ended and Magnus went home, fretting about how the rest of his night would play out. He was also thinking about his wardrobe. As he walked, Magnus went through his clothing options in his mind. Could he wear the smart deep green dress shirt with plain black pants, or was that too underdressed. What was Alec going to show up wearing? Walking through his front door, Magnus dropped his school stuff on the floor without a second thought and went straight for his closet. He had no idea what he was in for tonight, so how was he supposed to know what to wear? Deciding this was beyond silly, Magnus got out his phone and hit two on his speed dial.
"Alexander," Magnus spoke as soon as the line picked up. "You have to tell me where we are going."
"Ah let me think… no," Alec replied clearly amused.
"But I don't know what to wear," Magnus grumbled.
"I am walking up your street now," Alec told him.
"Shit," Magnus exclaimed, but Alec just laughed. Magnus hung up the phone and started pulling clothes out of his closet like a madman. By the time he heard a knock at the door, Magnus had at least three outfits picked out, depending on what Alexander arrived wearing. The fact that Magnus was still wearing the casual attire he'd worn to class today was totally Alec's fault.
Magnus opened his front door, and felt his jaw drop. His shopping-phobic boyfriend was wearing the most glorious tux Magnus had ever seen. He was sure someone else had dressed Alec, since no man who was content to wear baggy sweaters on a daily basis could have picked out these clothes. Magnus tried not to think about how much this dark, charcoal black suit, with a perfectly white crisp undershirt, had cost as he enjoyed the view. Alec's tie was a light blue that not only brought out his eyes brilliantly, but also contrasted boldly with the black of his tux and his hair. That whole effect was making Magnus want to lock his front door, and get Alec out of those clothes stat.
"That's the look I was going for," Alec grinned. "Thank goodness I have a sister who knows about shopping."
"I will forgive that woman anything if it means seeing you like this, Alexander," Magnus whispered, moving closer and wrapping his arms around his boyfriend.
"You don't look so bad yourself," Alec whispered back, but Magnus scoffed.
"I would be dressed to impress, but someone wouldn't tell me where we were going," Magnus reminded him. Alec leaned into kiss him, grinning with joy at his ridiculous surprise. As their lips touched, Magnus found he didn't care about clothes anymore. He opened his mouth and pulled Alec closer, getting his hand under Alec's stunning jacket so only the thin fabric of his shirt was between their skin. Magnus pressed himself right up against Alec so there was no space between them. Magnus had his one leg wedged in between Alec's when his boyfriend pulled away.
"I should wear this suit more often," Alec gasped, disentangling himself from Magnus's grip before adding more calmly. "But we have reservations."
"I have reservations with your outfit," Magnus argued, moving closer again. "Or rather with getting you out of it."
"Later," Alec whispered, kissing Magnus's cheek but keep the rest of him a firm few inches away.
"I will hold you to that Alexander," Magnus replied.
"You better," Alec smiled back. If they were indeed leaving, it was time Magnus got change. He knew just which of his outfits to go with now that he'd seen what Alec was wearing.
"Wait there," Magnus told him. Smiling, Alexander did as he was bid. Running back to his room Magnus selected what he'd been least expecting to wear together from the pile. It was really the only expensive item of clothing he owned, and he'd worn it only once before. It was a suit, but not a standard suit. It had a purple hue to it, and an almost velvet texture. The jacket did up in the front at a diagonal, and the buttons were ornate. Magnus thought one of the reasons he'd bought it was because of how much it had reminded him of a victorian twist on a hotel valets jacket. The history nerd in him had been quite happy about this at the time, which is probably why his frugal ways had left him purchase the suit in the first place. Now finally dressed to impress, Magnus returned to see Alec standing exactly where he'd left him.
"And I thought you were beautiful before," Alec sighed, obviously roaming over Magnus's outfit with his eyes. "Where have you been hiding this?"
"I rarely wear it," Magnus replied. "One of those silly purchases where you probably shouldn't have bought it, but can't bring yourself to return it."
"Well you look magnificent in it," Alec smiled, extending his arm. "Shall we go?"
"Where are we going?" Magnus tried again, but he wasn't surprised to receive no answer. He wound his arm with Alec's, and together they left the apartment. Magnus had to admit, he wasn't surprised to see a limo waiting for them at the curb.
Magnus didn't speak as they drove in the back of the limo. It was so private with the darkened windows that it felt like they were the only two people in the world. Alec opened some sort of panel in the wall, and suddenly they were sipping champagne.
"The limo that took us from the airport to your house definitely didn't have alcohol," Magnus commented.
"Not that you saw," Alec replied grinning.
"If I wake up on a plane to Rome, I am going to classify this as a kidnapping, Alexander," Magnus warned his boyfriend. At this point, he was half worried they were headed to the airport despite his teasing tone. When Alec didn't reply, Magnus groaned, thinking about how he hadn't packed, and there was no one who knew to feed his cats.
"Relax," Alec chuckled. "I promise. It's a in town date." And sure enough, moments later the limo stopped. Reacting quickly, Magnus made sure to open his door before the driver could do it for him.
It was dark, but the restaurant before his eyes was lit up with many ground and wall lights. The trees around the entrance, though covered in a light dusting of snow, were also adorned with little twinkling lights. Together they walked inside, and Magnus tried to take in all the glamour with just his two eyes. This being an impossible task, he settled for watching Alexander, who was telling the hostess his name.
"Follow me Mr. Lightwood," the hostess said. She was a tall thin woman, in a tight black shirt, and long, very straight hair. Magnus was sure she straightened it. They followed her past many tables, both occupied and empty, down another hall, and finally through a door.
"The server will be with you shortly," the hostess said with a smile before she closed the door behind them.
The room itself had a table set romantically for two. There was candlelight, or what seemed like candlelight. Magnus soon realized it was just lights made to flicker like candlelight. All the atmosphere with none of the smoke or fire hazard downsides. Turning to take in the rest of the room, Magnus saw a old style loveseat in the corner with very little in the way of back support, but elegant armrests on either side. It actually looked more like a small bed than a couch, but the part about the room that was most extravagant was the privacy. They couldn't hear a single sound from the rest of the restaurant once that door closed behind the hostess.
"Do I want to know how much this room cost to have all to ourselves?" Magnus asked.
"No," Alec chuckled. Magnus decided that was wise, and went to sit down on the inviting red fabric of the love seat.
"Do you like it?" Alec asked, sitting beside him, and gesturing to the room.
"How can I not," Magnus gapped trying to overcome his automatic reluctance at extravagance.
"What is it about me spending money on us that bothers you?" Alec asked softly. It was funny, but Magnus couldn't ever remember Alec asking this so directly. Last summer he had been awkward, and more nervous about the whole thing, almost like he'd been scared. "Do you feel indebted like Jace thinks, or is it something else?"
"Is this another one of those 'I think I can fix it if I just know what the problem is' things?" Magnus asked grinning.
"Maybe," Alec smirked. Then he continued more seriously, "I just want to understand."
"It's a little about feeling indebted," Magnus tried to explain. "A little uneven, but it's also that I have this voice in the back of my head that is constantly telling me I don't really need that and it's been there as long as I can remember. When I go to buy something, it is there to stop me, unless I'm paying some sort of bill. So all this kinda goes against the grain, I guess."
"There's more though," Alec prompted, reading the hesitation on his boyfriend's face.
"Well, it felt a little demeaning when you tried to buy my time last summer," Magnus confessed, awkwardly.
"Noted," Alec grinned. "See, I'm learning."
"You are," Magnus smiled back, holding back a chuckle. He reached out and gently cupped Alec's cheek. Then he leaned in and kissed Alec sweetly.
"Our one year anniversary is a special occasion," Alec said when they broke apart. "I promise you a very low-key Valentine's."
"After this, I sense I am going to need it," Magnus laughed.
So all the people who did answer my question said they don't mind fast updates… and since no one else bothered to string two words together and share their opinion with me the reviewers get to decide.
So yes I am updating again less than 12 hours since my last update because reviews are what matter most to me and I want to reward the people who review. If people who don't review want chapters slower that is their problem and they should review if they care.
I just hate having finished chapters sitting unpublished on my computer. It's that simple. Tuesday's binge writing fest is officially all online now.
Guest Review:
You are not overwhelming us. Maybe it's just me though, i mean for my age i read at a college level, so i read pretty fast. I think you won't update as fast once you start your job though. Congrats to your beta :) Give them my thanks for making sure this story is perfect. on to Clace, I feel like he is getting tired with the pattern of life, and he's afraid about messing up the relationship so he's sorta pulling away from Clary. Correct me if I am wrong. He also seems to be getting scared because he doesn't want to mess it up, and it's the longest relationship he has had. but seriously if i am making this up, tell me. my imagination wanders a bit. *sheepish smile* Thank you and please update soon.(and yes i do mean that ;) )
My Reply:
First of all it would be a lot easier and faster to 'tell you' if you'd log in so I could PM you back. I would have replied right away that way, but if you review as a guest I am reduced to replying in the author's notes of my next chapter which isn't instant. Just a thought, but anyway…
Yay, for not overwhelmed readers! I guess I was more worried about people not checking for a while then coming back and being like how have I missed 5 chapters? That's overwhelming right?
Also I doubt work will slow me down much. I wrote like a spaz when I was employed too... Though the job will definitely slow down my tv binging. (I mean really how am I on season 8 of Supernatural already?) Just a couple hours every evening to write and I can keep a fairly good writing speed going. Which is why when I get an entire day over ten hours to write I have all the chapters done ahead and have to patiently wait to update them all slowly. So lame.
And I told my beta. She said "Awwwws! I'm flattered." But you could tell her too if you like. Her username is in the summary (Allieanna) so you could PM her. I text her, but he are friends separate from editing even if we met on fanfic.
And yes, you are imagining that. Now, sure where you go that from. That last chapter was partly inspired by people saying they wanted to see more of Jace's life when he isn't around Clary. His next plotline is more about him and less about his relationship. Then the one after that is going to be about Clace again. Malec has a major plotline coming and Jaia and Sizzy. I have to work Tessa in somehow. Sigh so complicated and I have no one to blame but myself.
Sneak Peek Chapter 75
Alec returned to bed and settled himself against his boyfriend's bare chest. For a moment he just lay there, listening to Magnus's heart beat.
"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live together?" Alec asked. "To wake up next to each other every day."
"Sometimes," Magnus shrugged. "Though we almost do that now. Your sister did have a point about the rent." Magnus chuckled. "Maybe you should split it with Clary since she's rarely home anyway." He was still laughing, the vibrations in his chest transferring to Alec's skin. It was comforting, like a cat's purr, but Alec knew Magnus was joking. He hadn't thought about how them living together would work financially. Though Alec almost prefered this reaction to his mother's strictly financial thoughts on the subject over the holidays. Alec's mind drifted as he listened to his lover's heart beat.
"Magnus seems lovely," Maryse had told him, only a few days after they'd arrived at the Lightwood manor.
"He's amazing," Alec had replied, smiling. He could still remember the warm feeling in his chest from his mother's acceptance of Magnus as he'd said these words.
"He's graduating soon right?" Maryse had asked to which Alec had replied with just a nod. "Does he know where we is headed after graduation?"
Fun fact: "Make yourself useful instead of merely ornamental" is something my godmother has said to me on a regular basis for as long as I can remember. And that voice in the back of Magnus's head that tells him he doesn't need to buy that... yeah that is my voice in my head.
