Chapter Text
There was a sudden knock at his door, loud enough to be heard over the soft hum of music he was listening to.
“What mum?” Magnus yelled.
“Not your mother,” Maia said appearing from behind his door.
“Oh, hey, what are you doing here?”
“We are going out, and you are coming with us.”
Magnus frowned. He really didn’t like going out especially on a school night. Some people may call him boring, but he calls it being responsible. Especially because he needs to keep his grades up if wants any chance at that scholarship to Columbia in two years’ time.
“No, no, no, I know that look,” Maia started towards him reaching for his laptop and moving it out of his way. “You’re about to say no, but I’m not letting you say no.” She couldn’t force him if he didn’t want to go. And he really didn’t want to go.
“C’ mon we are all going. Alec, Izzy, Si, Helen, Aline, Clary, and Jace, come on it’s been so long since it been all of us together.” Maia pleaded her eyes growing wide like a puppy.
“What are all of you doing anyway?” He asked curious, it still wasn’t yes though.
“Just some drinks between friends, nothing major.” She persisted. “C’ mon get up, homework can wait one more day.” He begged to differ.
A familiar voice yelled from downstairs telling them to hurry up. Followed by Alec appearing in his room not long after asking what was going on, they needed to go. Magnus caught himself instantly smiling and stopped himself.
Maia always told him whenever he’s around Alec he lights up, that’s not true, he’s just his friend, he’s allowed to smile at his friend.
“Magnus, you are coming?” Alec asked.
Maybe he could go, he could just leave early and get back and finish the essay that was due next week.
“Yeah, of course, let me just put on a change of clothes.” As he stood up, he caught the knowing look in Maia’s eyes like this was her plan all along.
“Awesome,” Alec beamed. “See you downstairs.” Alec left and Maia followed but not before she said, “Works every time.” Magnus poked his tongue at her on her way out.
It was no secret Magnus had a gigantic crush on Alec. They’d been best friends since Magnus moved to Alicante High two years ago. In fact, Alec was his first friend, well he classes him as his first friend.
On his first day, he had stupidly forgotten to remember a pen, or he just couldn’t find it. Feeling flustered he was about to ask the teacher for one and risk embarrassment on his first day but a knight and shining armour came to his rescue.
Alec with his soft welcoming smile leaned over and placed one on his desk, Magnus had said he’d give it back after class but Alec told him to keep it.
The whole way through his first-class he wanted to eagerly ask him what his name was but was feeling too shy. Just as he was exiting the room Alec slipped up beside him and said, “I’m Alec by the way,”
“Magnus,”
“Nice to meet you, see you around yeah?”
Magnus could only manage a nod back being completely taken by his beauty. The boy’s eyes being in a league of their own. Their own galaxy of colours. Hazels, honey, and specks of amber among some of them. He was gone from that day onwards and continued to fall for him every day afterwards.
Speaking of falling, he was falling now, not into Alec’s arms sadly but onto the floor. It seemed daydreaming about his first meeting with his stunning best friend didn’t work so well, especially when trying to put on pants causing him to trip. To make things worse he knocked a bunch of stuff off his shelf as tried to steady himself, but it was a lost cause and eventually, he gave up letting the floor consume him.
Magnus lay there contemplating his life. At least there was no one to relish in his clumsiness. Catching his breath after being winded he went to pull himself up but froze.
“Are you okay?” That soft voice he knew so well sounded in his room. “Magnus?” It came again. “We heard a loud bang, you’re not dead, are you?” No, but he wished it right now. “Oh?” Alec came in to view stopping when he saw him on the ground his pants tangled at his feet. He could tell Alec was trying to suppress his laughter.
“Yes, yes I know so funny,”
Alec looked back at him with a tongue-in-cheek smile that curses him looked so adorable. He wasn’t allowed to look adorable while he was a mess on the floor.
He stepped closer, “Need a hand?”
Reluctantly, Magnus took it and quickly pulled his pants up. God this was embarrassing.
“May I ask, how did you even manage that?” Alec asked amused. It was nice to see he took so much pleasure from his suffering.
Playing with his wrist that hurt a little, he replied. “Just clumsy I guess.”
“I’m just glad you are okay, it was quite the loud bang,” sadly it was the only kind of banging that would happen in this room.
Alec frowned. “You are okay, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, just a wounded ego,”
Alec stepped closer brushing a piece of hair that’d fallen across his eyes. “Well, now that I know you’re not dead, I’ll leave you to it,” he paused with a smirk in his eye. “Unless you think you might break your arm putting on your jacket.”
Rolling his eyes Magnus shoved him lightly, “Very funny. Get lost idiot.”
“Be safe,” Alec winked before turning and leaving his room. A wide blush spreading a long Magnus’ puffed cheeks in his absence.
........
Magnus could hear the bass as they made their way up Jace’s driveway and that’s when it dawned on him this wasn’t just a friend’s thing, this was a party. Feeling betrayed he turned to Maia with an unimpressed scowl. Judging by her guilty smile she knew what this was about.
Sheepishly she said. “You wouldn’t have come if I told you what it really was,”
“Yeah because you know I hate parties,” More than that he hated the overcrowded stuffy rooms and overbearing loud music, it was easy for it all to overwhelm him with his social anxiety.
Alec stepped up beside him throwing one arm around him in a friendly grasp. “Do you want to leave?” If he went now, he knew he would be disappointing all his friends. He hated being the disappointment.
“I’m sorry,” Maia apologised, she looked genuine. “I just wanted to spend time with you.”
Exasperated, Magnus sighed. “I’ll stay, but not for long.”
Maia beamed running up and kissing him on the cheek. “Thank you, I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I won’t leave your side,” Alec whispered at his side. He had to admit that made him feel somewhat better.
They continued up the pathway to Jace’s and he greeted them at the door swinging it open already looking drunk. Dear God, could he really do this?
Alec paused before walking in after everyone and looked at him seriously. “If you want to leave just tell me at any time, okay, I don’t want you to feel forced to stay.” Why did he have to say things like this? It just made him want to kiss him senseless. Instead of doing that he nodded back.
“Let’s have some fun, yeah?”
Surprisingly, he did have fun and Alec didn’t leave his side the whole night, he could have if he wanted to and Magnus told him so many times, but Alec always told him he was fine, saying “I want to spend time with you, idiot.” So, Magnus didn’t dispute it any further.
There were games of beer pong but instead of beer they used punch, and as the games continued the games got longer as their aim started to suffer from the amount of alcohol they had consumed.
Eventually deciding they’d had enough and had lost one too many times, they turned to karaoke, Alec surprising him by knowing all the high school musical songs and singing them as if his life depended on it. Magnus hadn’t laughed that much in months.
Exhausted from the night he sunk into the nearest couch melting into the soft cushions, he could fall asleep at any moment if he wanted to. Alec fell beside him not a minute later tilting his head on Magnus’ shoulder.
“Tonight, was fun,” Alec mumbled shuffling closer to Magnus making him suddenly very aware.
“It was, you definitely surprised me.” Magnus mused.
“In good ways, I hope.”
Magnus bit his lip, if only he knew it was always in a good way.
“Wakey, wakey, sleepy heads we are all playing spin the bottle,” Helen yelled as their group came and settled down around the coffee table.
That definitely woke him up.
“So,” Helen started. “The rules are, land on someone once the kiss has to last for 3 seconds. Land on someone twice it ups to 10 seconds.” This could get out of hand quickly. “You all in?” Alec gave a thumbs-up as did everyone else and Magnus followed.
“Okay, I’ll go first.” Helen spun the bottle, and everyone smirked when it landed on Aline. Everyone knew they liked each other they were all just waiting for them to admit it. They both blushed profusely when the time was up.
Next was Clary and it landed on Jace, and the face she made sent Magnus into hysterics. “Can I get a redo?” Clary pleaded.
“Sorry, just push through it,” Helen replied apologetically.
“Why are you all acting like I’m a terrible kisser?” Jace complained. Alec turned his face inward towards Magnus’ arm hiding his laugh, but Magnus wasn’t complaining.
“Because you are,” Maia stated unapologetically.
“You haven’t kissed me how would you know?”
“No, thank god for that. But I’ve seen you kiss countless other girls and it looks like you’re eating half their face.”
“I do not eat half their face! This is bullying.”
Izzy patted Jace’s shoulder in sympathy, “It’s okay there are still some years for improvement.” Jace folded his arms. “I don’t like this game anymore.”
“Does that mean I don’t have to kiss him?” Clary piped up from her spot on the floor. They all shook their heads and she sighed in defeat. “You all want to see me suffer.”
Jace sulked “Just get it over with.”
The whole time Magnus and Alec were both fighting the urge to cringe and laugh at the same time. Thank god it was over in 3 seconds.
Next was Maia, and she landed on Izzy and neither of them complained as they kissed each other.
Now it was Magnus’ turn, and suddenly he didn’t really want to kiss any of them. He spun the bottle nonetheless and tried to gauge where he thought it would stop. First, he thought it would be Jace, thank god it kept going. Past Clary, past Maia, it started to slow as it reached him but kept going until it stopped on Alec, and he felt his stomach drop. He wasn’t drunk enough for this.
It was just a game, he didn’t need to make this awkward. But he had forgotten how to breathe. Could the couch possibly swallow him up?
Alec was looking at him as calm as anything, his eyes hazed over with alcohol. He didn’t care so why should he. Shaking off his stupidity he went for it. He was kissing him.
Well, more like just a press of the lips for 3 seconds but that didn’t mean his heart wasn’t running a mile a minute. As soon as he reached 3 in his head he pulled back instantly. Maybe a little too swiftly judging by Alec’s startled expression.
“Damn Magnus, its not that bad kissing me is it?”
Panic overtook him then. He didn’t want to offend him. “No, what no. Not at all, you’re a great kisser. Not that I know really, but I’m sure you are. You just seem like that type.” What the fuck was that?
Alec laughed. “Whoa, chill, I was just kidding, but thank you I guess?”
Magnus wanted the ground to swallow him whole for the second time that day. He didn’t miss the way the rest of the group was trying not to laugh.
It was Alec’s turn now so at least he could breathe a sigh of relief.
Or not. The universe must be fucking with him right now. He wanted to cry it landed on him.
It’s not that he didn’t want to kiss Alec, he just didn’t want to kiss him like this. No one else knew what it meant to him.
“10 seconds.” Helen grinned too proud of herself.
“What?” Magnus blurted.
“That’s the rule,” She shrugged.
“You said if you land on someone twice.” Magnus fought.
“Yeah, and you and Alec both landed on each other so that’s twice, chop-chop.” He could barely make it 3 seconds god knows how he would do it for 10.
Alec bit his lip anxiously. “If you don’t want to do it, it’s okay, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
Fuck it, he thought. “No, it’s okay,” Magnus tried to come across sure minded.
Alec smiled at him then, but this time felt different from his other smiles, more intimate. Alec cupped his face brushing his thumb faintly along his cheek and then he was kissing him. Actually, kissing him. Not just sitting there for 10 seconds but kissing him, and fuck, Magnus was kissing him back.
Reaching his hand back he found Alec’s hair running his fingers through it as he moved his lips effortlessly with Alec’s.
All he was thinking now was wow
He heard Alec gasp against his lips, and he wanted to savour that sound forever if he could.
He’d never imagined Alec’s lips to feel this good, there was just the right amount of pressure to keep it soft but intoxicating, and suddenly he was drunk on Alec and not alcohol.
He would have kept kissing him all night if someone in the room didn’t yell at them startling them apart. “Jesus, you two, I called time like 20 seconds ago.”
Magnus flushed a deep red, suddenly feeling very exposed. Alec didn’t look much better. Oh god, he had to get out of here, he couldn’t deal with this right now.
Bolting to the door before anyone could follow him, he put his jacket back on and went for the door, but someone grabbed his arm in an effort to stop him.
Alec, eyes wide with worry said. “You’re leaving?”
Magnus steadied his breath “Yeah, I just uh have to get um home, yeah home.”
“I can come with you?” His eyes pleading.
“No.” Okay, maybe that was too blunt, judging by the way Alec flinched. “Stay, enjoy yourself, I’ll get an uber.”
He was almost out the door when
“Magnus,” Magnus stopped, closing his eyes composing himself he turned back around looking at Alec expectantly.
“We’re okay?”
Forcing a smile, he said. “We are.” He lied. He left and didn’t turn back to see the sad frown left on Alec’s face.
Friday
8:30 am - Alexander: How are you this morning?
4 pm – Alexander: You weren’t at school today, you okay?
4:30 pm – Alexander: I came around to see if you were okay, but your mum said you weren’t in any state to see anyone, can you just text me to tell me you are okay.
6 pm – Alexander: Guess not then.
Saturday
11 am – Maia: Feeling any better today?
12 pm – Alexander: If you’re feeling better today, we are all going to Maia’s mum’s diner for lunch. If you want to come, I can pick you up.
1 pm – Maia: I thought you were just ignoring Alec but you’re ignoring me too, classy.
2 pm – Alexander: Did I do something to you? Why aren’t you replying?
5 pm – Izzy: Hey, everything okay?
6 pm – Simon: Missed you today dude.
Sunday
2 am – Alexander: Is this about the other night? That’s why you’re ghosting me?
3 am – Alexander: I’m really sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, that was never what I wanted.
4:30 am – Alexander: If you’re at school tomorrow, can we talk?
4:32 am – Alexander: I really miss you.
11 am – Maia: Listen here buddy, text me back we are talking about what this is all about
11:05 am – Magnus
Fine, I’m here
11:06 am – Maia:
Oh, thank god because I wasn’t sure if you were actually okay, anyway. What is this all about? I thought it was just an ignoring Alec thing but it’s literally all of us.
11:07 am – Magnus:
I’m just embarrassed okay. I made out with my best friend in front of everyone and I didn’t even ask if it was okay with Alec. It just happened. You obviously know how I feel about him.
11:10 am – Maia:
I do, I’m pretty sure we all do. But you know there isn’t anything to be embarrassed about. We all kissed everyone that night. And I mean from an outsider’s point of view it looked like Alec was enjoying that kiss just as much as you.
11:12 am – Magnus
How am I meant to face him again without it being awkward? I don’t want to ruin our friendship.
11:15 am – Maia:
Yeah, but you can’t go on pining for the rest of high school either.
You never know maybe he likes you back.
11:20 am – Magnus
Even if he did, I don’t know if I’d want to go there. What if it doesn’t work and then I’ve lost my best friend?
11:22 am – Maia
I understand that, but will you ever be happy, or will you always be like what if?
11:25 am – Magnus
I really don’t know. My mind is such a mess, all I can think about is that kiss.
11:30 am – Maia
Don’t blame you, it looked like quite the kiss, my friend.
Question, was that your first kiss?
11:35 am – Magnus
Yeah, he’s a fucking good kisser. Too good.
How upset is he with me?
11:40 am – Maia
I don’t think he’s upset with you, rather more upset with himself. He thinks he did something or pushed you too far. You need to talk to him. He’s pretending he’s fine, but I can see it’s getting to him. You’re his best friend too you know.
11:45 am – Magnus
I know, I just don’t where to start or even what I want
11:50 am – Maia
When the time comes, you’ll know.
11:52 am – Magnus
Sorry I ignored you
11:55 am – Maia
Don’t do it again! You had everyone worried
11:57 am – Magnus
Promise
12 pm – Maia
And talk to Alec.
12:01 pm – Magnus
I will.
Magnus continued his day completing his essay and some other assignments that were due tomorrow before he couldn’t take it any longer and texted Alec.
3 pm – Magnus
You didn’t do anything. It was all me, please don’t worry. We will talk tomorrow.
3:15 pm – Alexander
Hi
I can pick you up a little early and we can talk then?
3:17 pm – Magnus
Sounds good, see you then
And Alec,
3:18 pm – Alexander
Awesome.
Yeah?
3:20 pm – Magnus
I miss you too.
Magnus was ready 30 minutes ago. He couldn’t sleep much last night his mind constantly thinking about what he was going to say or how Alec was going to react. He thought getting up early and getting ready would distract him from his thoughts, which it did, but now he was just sitting here stewing over how he got himself in this situation.
His mother had already left long ago, for her shift at the hospital, it was just him and his cat Fluffy, sue him he named her when he was 10. Fluffy was currently purring at his feet nudging him slightly to get him to refill her food bowl. “I’ve already fed you this morning, your tricks won’t work on me.” He lied. Her tricks always worked and now he was walking over and scooping more cat biscuits in her bowl. As long as his mother didn’t find out it was fine.
Leaving Fluffy to finish her second helping Magnus heard his phone buzz on the couch.
It was Alec telling him he was outside. Grabbing his backpack, he said goodbye to Fluffy who couldn’t care less and locked the door behind him.
Inhaling deeply through his nose he made his way down the steps and across the road to where Alec’s car sat idling.
Opening the passenger side door to Alec’s Range Rover he sunk into the seat placing his bag on the floor in front of him before turning to Alec “Hey,” He said quietly.
He didn’t miss the way Alec’s eyes looked weary with exhaustion, he had really lost sleep over this.
“Hey,” Quiet himself. “How have you been?”
Magnus swallowed. “I’ve been better.”
“Look,” They both said at the same time making the tension in the room palpable
Magnus wanted to go first. “About the other night,” He scratched at the back of his head. “I’m sorry for taking it too far, I don’t know what happened. You’re my best friend and the last thing I want to do is ruin that, I was just embarrassed, and I didn’t know how to face you.” He paused briefly. “Can you forgive me?”
Alec was looking back his gaze unwavering. “No,”
Magnus sat back his face heating up. Had he fucked up that bad Alec didn’t want to be his friend anymore? “No?” He replied. “Why?”
“If you’re apologising for kissing me the other night then I should be apologising too,”
“No, no, Alec it was me I took it too far.”
Alec shook his head amusement on his lips and in his eyes. “If you took it too far, then I did too. I don’t know if you remember but I was kissing you back just as much.” He paused and for the first time in Magnus’ life he saw Alec being nervous. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What?” He was lost as to where this was going.
Alec cast his gaze down to his fumbling hands. “I know we’ve been best friends for ages, and by all means you mean a lot to me. It’s just, for a long time I’ve been wanting something else.”
Panic rose in Magnus’ chest. “Alexander, you’re scaring me.”
Alec laughed but it wasn’t at Magnus, it was at himself. “Well, this isn’t going to plan. Magnus, I don’t mean to scare you, god,” He sighed. His head falling into his hands. “Why do I suck at this?”
Magnus bit his lip nervously as he waited.
Composing himself, Alec tried again. “I’m sick of playing it safe. And I don’t know if I was reading into things the other night but the way you kissed me tells me maybe you feel the same, and if I’m wrong then this will be embarrassing.” He paused reaching his hand out for Magnus to hold. He did. “I can’t stop thinking about you and that kiss.” Magnus’ heart leapt out of his chest. “I can’t stop thinking about you, period. But that kiss only made me want you more.”
Was this really happening? “You-“ But Magnus couldn’t finish the sentence.
“I like you, maybe even more than like you but I don’t want to scare you off. Magnus, I adore you, I’ve liked you for so long I just never knew if you felt the same and after the other night, I thought maybe just maybe but then you ran away and were ignoring me, and I thought I’d done something wrong.” Alec rambled, he’d never seen him ramble before and he thought it utterly adorable.
Magnus waited for Alec to stop talking but he just kept going and Magnus couldn’t get a word in. He stopped him the only way he knew how or maybe it was the only way he wanted to. He kissed him, making Alec jump back in surprise but soon enough he melted into the kiss. Both losing themselves in each other’s arms.
After what was only a few seconds but felt like minutes they pulled back both completely breathless. “Does that answer your question?” Magnus said pulling at his bottom lip still being able to taste the cherry lip balm from Alec’s lips.
Alec looked back smiling like he was still trying to comprehend what happened. “Yeah,” he said voice deep with a rasp. “How long have you-“
“Liked you?” Magnus finished for him, to which Alec nodded. “Try two years and counting.”
Alec fell back against his seat groaning but laughing at the same time. “We really wasted two years pining over each other.”
Magnus moved closer tucking his head just below Alec’s ear pecking him all the way up to his cheek. “Guess we shouldn’t waste any more time.” Alec quirked an eyebrow intriguingly.
Magnus fell back laughing. “I don’t know what you were thinking, but I was thinking about a breakfast date.”
Alec blushed, “Oh, right yeah me too.” He cleared his throat adjusting his position and pulling his seat belt on. Magnus followed.
“Where do you want to go?” Alec asked.
“Surprise me,”
Alec took the handbrake off and pulled out onto the road. After a couple of minutes, he placed his free hand between both seats, his palm facing upward. Magnus took it as an invitation to hold his hand interlocking their fingers. He couldn’t wait for many more mornings like this.