Chapter Text
“Can two men get married?”
Magnus turns his head to look at the pair of curious eyes staring at him. He chuckles at the sight, always fond of his neighbor’s eldest son that he has grown attached to since they moved in a few years ago.
“They can if they love each other.” He says softly.
“Really? They can get married?” The little boy, Alec, gasps happily at the new information.
“Of course they can. I’ve seen weddings between two men or two women before.” He laughs and pats the boy’s head lightly. “Why do you think they can’t?”
“Because mommy and daddy are not two men.” Alec answers innocently.
“They are not, but two men and two women can get married too. They can have the same way of marriage and the same wedding.”
Alec smiles brightly, looking so happy to hear the words. Magnus smiles back at the little boy, only to have his face falter once he hears the next words coming out of that small mouth.
“Then marry me, Magnus.”
Okay, he totally didn’t expect that. He darts his wide eyes to the side and presses his lips into a thin line, not knowing how to respond to that. He doesn’t know how to explain to Maryse if she hears what her son is saying right now. She might strangle him to death. Alec has always been a curious little boy and there have been times where the boy blurted out the most absurd words, but this one wins the title of the most absurd one .
When he looks at Alec again, that pair of hazel eyes are staring at him in anticipation, and he doesn’t know how to respond. Maybe he should come up with another topic to distract the boy from this.
“Magnus, you are still here!”
He whips his head to see a little girl running up to him. He smiles brightly and lifts her up to sit her on the couch with her brother. “Hello, my little pie, Isabelle.”
“I thought you wouldn’t be here. You’re usually not around after I wake up from my nap. Mommy said that you have been busy.” Izzy giggles and climbs to sit on Magnus’ lap.
“Well, I have more free time today, and I have promised your mom to watch you two until she comes home.”
“Can you play house with me today, then?” Izzy asks with bright, hopeful eyes. She always loves playing house with Magnus because unlike her older brother, Magnus doesn’t mind playing with dolls.
“You should have stayed asleep if you’re going to be this annoying.” Alec huffs, his brows furrowed and his lips puckered.
“You’re the one who’s annoying!” Izzy retorts.
“Alright, alright, no fighting here.” Magnus moves his hands in a placating manner to stop the siblings.
Children can be exhausting to take care of, but Alexander Lightwood and Isabelle Lightwood are something else. They’re little angels who caught his heart from the moment he saw them four years ago when the Lightwood family moved into the house across the street. The two families grew closer quickly and knowing that Maryse is a single-mother who’s struggling between her job and her kids, Magnus helped her to babysit the kids.
Years of babysitting led them to become closer and now, Magnus can say that Alec and Izzy are like his own little siblings. Being the only child has some downsides, such as feeling lonely for not having siblings to share his days with, so he has grown attached to these two siblings too. Thinking about moving out of the city and leaving them behind breaks his heart a little. He wonders how these kids will react if they know he has to move out soon.
“I’m home!”
Magnus perks up and sees Maryse entering the house after a long day at work. Izzy immediately hops down and runs to her mother with Alec following from behind. Maryse hugs her kids and kisses their cheeks before making her way into the living room.
“Welcome home, Maryse.” Magnus smiles at the woman.
“Magnus, thank you so much for taking care of them.” Maryse sighs and walks over to hug him.
“You’re welcome. It’s always my pleasure to spend time with your little angels.”
“Stay for dinner, will you? I bought something for you too.” Maryse gives a light squeeze on his arm.
They eat dinner together with smiles and laughter afterwards. Magnus spends another few hours with the kids before Maryse eventually puts them to bed. He stands by the door and watches Maryse kissing Alec on the forehead for a good night kiss. These two kids are very lucky to have Maryse, a mother who loves them with her whole heart. He hopes that when they grow up, they will remember all the things Maryse had done for them.
He stands in the hallway and waits for Maryse to close the door of Alec’s bedroom. When the woman turns around to look at him, he drops his gaze and smiles bitterly as if he knows what Maryse is thinking.
“Did you tell them?” Maryse asks softly.
“No.” He shakes his head, still keeping his gaze on the floor. “I really wanted to tell them, but seeing the look on their faces… I couldn’t bring myself to.”
“When are you leaving? At the end of this week?”
“Yeah, my mom can’t stand looking at her son who likes men.” He forces a chuckle, trying to pretend that his mother’s rejection never hurts.
“Oh, Magnus.” Maryse sighs and pulls him into a hug. “You are always welcome here, you know. Alec and Izzy love you a lot and I love you like my own son.”
“Thank you, Maryse. Thank you so much.” He hugs the woman back before pulling away. “But I really need to leave. My college will start in two months and there are a lot of things I need to take care of.”
“I understand. I wish you the best of luck and if there’s anything you need help with, feel free to reach out to me.” Maryse smiles. “Don’t worry about Alec and Izzy. I will tell them if you can’t bring yourself to.”
“I hope they won’t hate me for this.”
“Hate you? Impossible. They will be sad, but they will understand, especially after they grow up.”
“By the time they grow up, I think they won’t remember me anymore.” Magnus chuckles lightly.
“Of course they will.” Maryse laughs and pats his back. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”
“I only live across the street, Maryse, no need for the trouble.”
“Hush, boy.”
===
“I’m leaving now, Mom.”
Magnus pokes his head into the room where his mother is sitting behind her dressing table, dolling herself up for a date she’s having with a man this afternoon. She doesn’t seem to care about the fact that her son is moving to New York for college and might not return home again.
“Alright.” The woman hums, not even turning her head to look at him.
His mother has never been the warmest person, but he still thinks of her as a mom, the only family he has. His mother used to care about him at first, until she saw him kissing a guy when he was in middle school, and she no longer wants to have anything to do with him now. It seems that she’s going to celebrate tonight after getting rid of her son.
“Take care, Mom.” He mutters softly before dragging his luggage down the hallway. Since he doesn’t plan on coming back here or spending dreadful holidays with his mother, he packed a lot of things with him, the things he doesn’t want his mother to throw away yet.
Maryse did tell him a lot of times that he can come to their house anytime during holiday season, but he really doesn’t want to trouble the single-mother with his own personal problem. He’s turning nineteen soon, he’s an adult who should be taking care of himself.
Besides, Alec and Izzy are going to be teenagers in a few years and he isn’t sure if Maryse will be comfortable having him around her kids. Maryse has never showed any resentment towards homosexuals and their communities, but he isn’t sure if it stays the same when it comes to her own family and he doesn’t want to risk that.
He drags his luggage out of the house and looks around. Ragnor told him yesterday that he’s going to pick him up at this house so they can go to the airport and depart to New York together. Even though he’s moving to a new city, he knows he won’t be lonely with his grumpy best friend joining him.
“Magnus!”
He looks up and sees Alec running out of the house, followed by Maryse who is trying to chase after him. It’s Saturday and Maryse said that she’s taking the kids to an amusement park today so that they don’t have to witness his leave, but it seems that the plan doesn’t go smoothly.
“Where are you going?? Why are you bringing luggage with you??” Alec throws himself to hug his waist, refusing to let go.
“Magnus, I’m so sorry. I was behind schedule and… Alec saw you…” Maryse says apologetically.
He looks at Maryse before crouching down in front of Alec. The boy has tears in his eyes and the sight breaks his heart. Alec has never been the type of kid who cries a lot, even when he comes home with bleeding knees or bleeding nose.
“Alexander…” He whispers softly, putting a smile on his face. “I need to go to college.”
“There’s college around here too. Why do you need to leave?” Alec rubs his eyes with his small hands.
“It’s a better college and it can help me to achieve my dream. I want to be a great fashion designer, Alexander, so I can make nice clothes for you too.”
“Where are you going? Is it far away?” Alec sniffles.
“I’m going to New York.”
Hearing that, Alec starts crying. “It’s so far… I won’t be able to see you again…”
“Shhh, Alexander. We will see each other again. Study well in school and one day, you can visit me there or I can come to visit wherever you are.” He hugs the crying boy and rubs his back.
“I don’t want you to leave. I want you to stay.” Alec whines like the child he is.
“I’m sorry, Alexander. I need to chase my dream.” He whispers softly.
A black sedan pulls over a moment later. When the window rolls down, Magnus can see Ragnor sitting on the back seat, ready to pick him up. Maryse glances at the car and then tries to grab Alec to pull her son away, knowing that Magnus has to leave now.
“No! Magnus!” Alec cries and flails his arms as his mother pulls him away.
“Alec, Magnus has to go now.” Maryse tries to calm her son down.
“Then let’s get married before you leave!” Alec yells with tears dribbling down his cheeks.
Magnus freezes and flicks his eyes to Maryse who looks just as shocked as he does. His face blanches in panic, worried how the woman is going to react after hearing what Alec said. He loves Maryse as a mother figure and he will never do anything to her children, but he understands how this might affect Maryse’s view upon him.
He flicks his eyes to Ragnor who is still sitting inside his car, but his friend doesn’t seem interested in joining the talk or helping him.
“Let’s get married, Magnus.” Alec says. There are tears on his cheeks, but his eyes are determined.
“Alec, what are you saying?” Maryse asks, but there’s no malice in her tone.
“Two men can get married, right? I want to get married to Magnus.” Alec says with a nod.
“A-Alexander, listen…” Magnus tries to interfere.
“You don’t want to?” Alec looks at him, his tears threatening to fall again.
Magnus opens and closes his mouth like a fish on a dry land. He looks at Maryse, prepared for a glare or a look of resentment, but Maryse only smiles softly at him. Knowing that Maryse doesn’t hate him makes his heart feel a little lighter.
“You don’t want to get married to me?” Alec puckers his lips.
“No, it’s not like that.” Magnus hushes him with a smile. “I want to get married to you, but not now.”
“Then when?” Alec stomps the ground with his foot.
Still smiling, Magnus reaches over to squeeze Alec’s small hands with his own. “When you’re much older. When you’ve finished your studies, graduated with flying colors, found a job you like and figured out what you want to do with life… maybe we can talk about it again.”
He’s expecting Alec to throw another tantrum or whine about it, but surprisingly, the little boy reacts calmly, as if he completely understands what he’s talking about. At that moment, Magnus thinks that Alec will grow up and become mature really fast, perhaps faster than other kids.
“You promise?” Alec asks with a small voice.
“I promise.” Magnus smiles reassuringly.
“Then once I grow up, we will get married.”
“We’ll talk about it when it comes to that.” He says to Alec and then looks up to Maryse who has been watching them with soft eyes.
“I’m sorry to ruin the moment, but we need to leave now. We’re going to miss the flight at this rate.” Ragnor says from his car.
Magnus rolls his eyes at his best friend before getting up to his feet. He walks up to Maryse and gives her a goodbye hug while whispering. “I’m sure Alec will forget about what he said just now once he enters middle school or something.”
Maryse huffs out a small laugh and pulls away. “Let’s see if he will really forget.”
“Thank you for everything, Maryse. I’ll stay in touch.”
“Good luck, Magnus. Feel free to reach out to me for anything.”
He gives the woman another smile before making his way to the car. Just as he’s placing his luggage inside the trunk, Alec rushes over to hug him again. He shuts the trunk and then crouches down again to give the little boy a last hug.
“See you again, Alexander.” He whispers softly.
Alec doesn’t reply with anything other than his weak sniffle. Magnus feels his heart breaking a little when he lets go, but he has to do this. He knows that in a few years, he will be nothing but a babysitter from across the house in Alec’s memories. When he decided to leave his city and start a new life in New York, he really meant it.
He sits next to Ragnor on the backseat and waves his hand from the window as the chauffeur drives away. He can see Alec trying to chase after the car until Maryse runs over to catch him. Alec disappears from his sight once the car makes a turn and he finally tears his gaze away from the window.
“…Are you crying?” Ragnor stares at him with furrowed brows.
“Shut up. I’m attached to the kids already.” Magnus sniffles.
“I understand, but New York is waiting for you, my friend.” Ragnor pats his shoulder comfortingly.
The words don’t really make Magnus feel better for leaving Alec crying like that, but perhaps he will feel better after a while. Just like Alec who’s going to get over it and forget about him after he grows up, perhaps it will be the same for him.
===
Twelve years can be a long or a short time, depending on what you’re talking about. For Magnus, it’s quite a long time, but it seems to pass by so quickly whenever he thinks about it.
He studied in his dream college, graduated after years of sleep deprivation and gallons of coffee, and got a decent job in the fashion industry to start up with. It took years of hard work and dedication, but he managed to climb up and here he is, one of the young successful designers in the country.
Of course, he’s nothing compared to the other designers whose names have been heard internationally across the world, but he thinks he’s doing good enough, considering how his mother contacted him out of nowhere and started acting like an actual caring mother just so she could get some money out of him. Nuh-uh, not happening.
Anyway, he’s pretty happy with how far he has come. He’s living in a nice apartment in Brooklyn, is financially stable, loves his job, and goes to parties every weekend. He’s happy and he’s enjoying his life.
“Yet no lover at all.” Ragnor hums.
Magnus groans and looks at his friend who is sipping on his glass of whisky. He regrets inviting Ragnor to his place, seeing how sarcastic his best friend is acting tonight. It’s raining heavily outside and he doesn’t like to go out in this weather, so he invited Ragnor to his apartment for some drinks instead. He hates drinking alone, after all.
“I’ve had lovers before, I just prefer to be single right now.”
“Because Camille broke your heart three years ago?”
“I’m really tempted to kick you out right now, Ragnor.” Magnus deadpans.
“After you invited me here to cure your loneliness? Heartless.” Ragnor clicks his tongue and puts his glass down. “Tell me about it.”
“About what?” Magnus raises a brow.
“Love interest? A man or a woman, perhaps?” Ragnor shrugs lightly. “We both have been pretty busy this year and I haven’t gotten the chance to hear about your personal relationships.”
“There’s nothing special or serious, just some flings here and there. I’m not really looking for anything serious, to be honest.”
“Why not?”
“Why do I have to?” He throws the question back at Ragnor.
“I’m not saying you have to, but… you’ve always been a somewhat hopeless romantic person and I actually thought you would actually get married and settle down before you’re thirty, so seeing you like this is just… something I’m not used to yet.” Ragnor gestures his hand before taking a sip of his drink again.
Magnus huffs out a chuckle and takes another sip of his own. “I did think that way when I was with Camille, but she turned out to be someone like my mother. You know, very cynical and treats her lovers like playthings.”
“She’s not a bad friend, but she’s a really nasty lover. Now you know why I was kinda against it when you started dating her, right?”
“I should have seen the signs.” He sighs heavily and chugs the rest of the whisky in his glass.
“No use crying over spilled milk. At least now you know.” Ragnor hums and puts his glass down. “How’s your mother? Is she still bothering you?”
“Thankfully no. She’s a stubborn woman, but she still holds her own pride, which is good so she won’t bother her son who has basically disowned his own mother.”
“What about the woman across the street? Your neighbor with two kids? Do you still keep in touch with her?”
His face falters slightly when he remembers about Maryse and her children. They did keep in touch during the first few years after he moved to New York, but with his busy college days and Maryse’s personal life, they didn’t talk much anymore. They still send each other holiday greetings sometimes, but that’s all it is.
It’s been twelve years and he hasn’t returned to his hometown. Last time he heard from Maryse that they’re also moving away after she found another job, so there’s nothing much left. For sure, Alec and Izzy must have grown up and they most probably don’t remember him. He hasn’t forgotten about those two little angels, but for them, he’s probably nothing more than the babysitter from across the street.
“We fell out of touch a few years after I moved here. I haven’t really heard from her again.” Magnus hums thoughtfully. “Now that you mention it, maybe I should hit her up just to see how she’s doing.”
“You do that. I remember how much you adored her two kids.”
“Yeah, I kinda miss them. The boy must have graduated by now and the girl must be in college – if they went to one.” He chuckles lightly. He has no idea how they’re doing now, but he hopes they’re happy wherever they are, and that they never forget about how much Maryse loves them.
“Reach out to her. Maybe she’ll let you see her kids.”
“They won’t even remember me. What’s the point? It will be nothing but awkward.”
“Maybe you are right. Surely they will feel awkward to see a random uncle suddenly joining their family for dinner or something.” Ragnor shrugs his shoulders.
“Hey, I am not an uncle.” Magnus gives his best friend a look.
“With our age, I think both of us are considered uncles for youngsters like them.”
Knowing that he can’t really argue with that, he decides to stay quiet and pour himself another glass of whisky.
“Thinking about those two kids reminds me of old days, when we were around their age.” He smiles to himself, feeling nostalgic and somewhat melancholic.
He used to be so young and foolish. He used to be naïve enough to think that he would be able to find true love, which was stupid considering that his own mother changed lovers like she changed her clothes. He fell in love and got his heart broken a couple of times, but his biggest heartbreak was caused by Camille Belcourt – the beautiful supermodel who’s as dangerous as a snake.
Still, he thinks he has to thank that ex-girlfriend of his because thanks to her, he realized that his dream was more important than his hopelessly romantic imagination. His heartbreak drove him to work harder so that he could bury all the pain away and eventually, he succeeded. In the end, everything happens for a reason.
“By the way, are you going to that little party in Pandemonium tomorrow night?” Ragnor asks, snapping him out of his trance.
“Of course, I’ll go. I’m one of the share-holders for that club. I have to show myself.”
“Of course you will go.”
Magnus raises a brow at his best friend’s response. “You’re not going?”
“I have an appointment with Catarina tomorrow evening.”
“Aw, that’s nice. You’re making me feel lonely now.” He coos teasingly. It’s obvious that there’s something going on between his two best friends, but no one says anything until now, so he will keep on watching and teasing them.
Ragnor looks at him before putting his empty glass down, his face suddenly becoming serious. “Someday, someone will come and let you open your heart again, Magnus.”
He stares at his friend for a few seconds before chuckling lightly. “Here I am getting scolded by you again.”
“I’m not scolding you, I’m giving you a piece of advice.” Ragnor hums and then stands up from his seat. “I’ve finished my drink and it’s getting late, I shall go back now.”
“Thanks for keeping me company, Ragnor. Close the door behind you when you leave.” Magnus waves his hand as he watches his friend making his way to the door.
“Thanks for the drink. Good night, Magnus.” Ragnor flashes him a small smile before walking out of the door.
Magnus keeps a smile on his face the whole time and then drops it once the door is closed. He turns to the balcony window, seeing the glimmering lights of New York city outside. This city is alive all night, yet he always feels lonely whenever he’s alone in his apartment. It’s the reason why he prefers to spend the night in the club, or bury himself with work, or drag his friends to his place to keep him company.
With a heavy sigh, he drinks the rest of his whisky and figures that he has drunk enough for tonight.
===
No matter how many clubs he has stepped his foot in, he still thinks that Pandemonium is one of the best. He’s proud of this place and happy to see how much it has grown since they opened it five years ago. He enjoys the atmosphere, the music, the drinks, and the people.
“Congratulations on the fifth year anniversary.”
“Thank you, Dorothea.” Magnus smiles at his old friend and one of the loyal customers of this club.
“Where’s Lucian and Jocelyn? Are they not coming?” Dorothea looks around while taking a sip of her margarita.
“They’ll come. They’re the owners of this club too.” Magnus waves his hand lightly. “Just held back by traffic, I guess.”
“I haven’t seen them in a while, but I haven’t seen you even longer. Where have you been these past few months?” Dorothea nudges him with her elbow.
“Fashion shows, celebrity galas, rich people looking for new dresses; you know, the usual.”
“Better enjoy yourself tonight then.” The black-haired woman quirks her brow and flicks her eyes to the dance floor. “I see a lot of youngsters tonight, some pretty ladies and handsome dudes.”
He takes a sip of his cocktail and looks towards the dance floor too, scanning over the people. His eyes stop once they land on a certain figure of a man. Unlike the others who are busy dancing and grinding against each other, that man seems… out of place. He stands there like a log, sometimes shifting the weight between his legs and looking around like a lost puppy.
When the guy turns his head though, Magnus finally gets a glimpse of his face. He seems young, but he’s undoubtedly handsome.
“Who’s that guy?” He asks Dorothea.
“Who? The one with black leather jacket?”
“Yeah, that one. Is he a regular?”
“I don’t really remember. Maybe a new guy.” Dorothea shrugs. “He doesn’t seem like he’s enjoying himself though. I bet he got dragged by his friends.”
“Well, I’ll give him my warmest welcome then.” He puts his drink aside and waltzes towards the dance floor, leaving Dorothea giggling behind him.
When he gets closer, he notices that the other guy is slightly taller than him, with long legs and broad shoulders; just what he likes. He walks up until he’s close enough before starting a conversation.
“Not enjoying the music?”
The other guy turns around and Magnus’ breath hitches for a second. This young man surely looks even better up-close. Black hair with soft curls tousled messily, sharp jawline, perfect facial features, and those eyes – they must be one of the most beautiful pairs of eyes he has ever seen.
For a few seconds, they just stare at each other like that. The longer Magnus stares into those hazel eyes, the more he feels this odd sense of familiarity. He’s pretty sure he has never seen this lad before, but why does it feel like he has? Maybe they often bump into each other in public places?
The other guy stares back at him with the same amount of intensity. He seems confused at first, but then his eyes widen in realization.
“Magnus…?” The man asks carefully, like he’s afraid he gets the wrong person.
Magnus doesn’t seem surprised at all. He’s considered a famous fashion designer, so his name and his face must be on the internet. It’s not rare for strangers to know his name and recognize his face, and maybe this man is one of them.
“Magnus Bane. The one and only.” Magnus smiles and gestures his hands to introduce himself.
Hearing the answer, the other man smiles and his eyes light up. “It’s me. Do you remember me?”
Magnus furrows his brows, feeling awkward and a little guilty for not remembering who this guy is. He meets a lot of people in his life and his brain doesn’t have enough capacity to remember them all. Still, this man feels awfully familiar.
“Are you a model…?” He takes a wild guess. With his face and his height, he won’t be surprised if this man in front of him is one of the runway models he had met before.
“No, no, I’m not.” The young man shakes his head, but the smile remains on his face. “It’s me. Alec. Do you remember?”
Magnus slowly drops his mouth open. “...Alexander?”
“Yes, it’s me.” Alec’s smile grows a little bigger when he hears his name.
“What a surprise.” Magnus smiles and looks at the younger from head to toe. “You’re so big now. It’s hard to believe. You were so small the last time I saw you.”
“I was nine years old back then. Of course I was small.” Alec’s face falters into a deadpanned look.
“Oh, still have the sass and the attitude, I see.” Magnus puts on an impressed face.
“I don’t have an attitude.” Alec looks at him from head to toe and then smiles again. “It’s really nice to see you again. It’s been… a long while.”
“Indeed it has. Twelve years.” He nods with a smile.
“Yeah, and… you never came back. My mom said that you’re busy with college and everything, but you never came home, not even on holidays.”
“Well, it wasn’t my home anymore.” He mutters under his breath. Of course Alec doesn’t know about his strained relationship with his mom and it’s understandable if Maryse never told him anything.
“Excuse me?” Alec furrows his brows lightly, not catching the words over the music.
“Nothing. I just got really busy through the years and the last time I heard from Maryse, you have moved out of the town too.” He puts on another smile, something he always does to fool people.
“Yeah, mom got a new job when I was in middle school and we moved, but… I thought you and mom still talked. I thought that you might visit our new home during the holidays or something.”
He thought Maryse and the kids had forgotten about him already, but it seems that he’s wrong. It makes him feel guilty thinking that Alec was hoping to see him again, yet he never showed up for twelve years.
“I’m sorry, Alexander.” He says apologetically.
The younger man seems taken aback by the apology though. “No, no, there’s no need to apologize.”
“Alec!”
Magnus turns his head to see a man and woman walking up to them. They look the same age as Alec and it doesn’t take long for him to figure out that they must be the friends who dragged Alec here.
“Oh! You’re that fashion designer, right?” The woman with red hair beams at him.
“You know me?” He smiles back, feeling flattered.
“Of course I know you!” The woman smiles giddily before turning to Alec. “You never told me you are friends with Magnus Bane!”
“He’s not my friend.” Alec says bluntly, but fixes it immediately before things get awkward. “I mean… we used to be pretty close, but not really friends, like…”
“I was his neighbor when he was still living in California and I used to babysit him and Isabelle when their mother was busy.” He explains to the couple.
“Ah, I see. The world is indeed a small place.” The woman smiles and offers her hand. “I’m Clary, Alec’s friend.”
“Nice to meet you, Clary.” He shakes her hand and looks at the blonde man next to her.
“I’m Jace.” The man lifts a hand to shake his own.
“They’re my friends in college, and they’re lovers too.” Alec adds.
“Well, it’s nice meeting you all. I hope you’ll enjoy the night. It’s our fifth anniversary.” Magnus gestures his hand around the dance floor as if he’s showing a view.
“Oh my God, you own this club too?” Clary beams in awe.
“Well, not solely. This is shared between some close friends of mine.”
They talk for a while, mostly Clary asking about him and beaming in awe, which is really adorable. Jace, on the other hand, doesn’t talk really much, but he seems like a good guy who gets along well with Alec. The couple eventually excuses themselves to get more drinks from the bar, leaving him with Alec again.
“They’re like a typhoon.” Alec comments after the couple walks away.
“Why? I like them. Clary is a really sweet girl.”
“They’re nice people and they’re really suitable for each other, but when they’re together… God, they give me a headache.”
Magnus laughs at the words and pats the younger man on his back. “Maybe you should find a girlfriend too so you can annoy them back.”
Alec’s face stiffens and his eyes widen visibly, like he got caught up lying about something he’s not supposed to. Magnus picks up on it. He slowly puts his hand down and stares closely at the other’s face.
“Alexander?”
“Can we keep in touch from now on?” Alec turns his head suddenly and their faces seem to get so much closer than before.
Magnus’ breath hitches once again when he looks into Alec’s eyes. They’re so close and so beautiful, he wasn’t prepared for that. He immediately takes a step back and flicks his eyes away while huffing a soft laugh. “Of course. Now that we’ve met each other again, it’s only acceptable if we keep in touch.”
“Can I have your number?” Alec pulls his phone out.
“Only if I get yours.” He pulls out his own phone.
While he inputs Alec’s contact info in his phone after getting the number, he can feel the younger’s eyes on him, so he perks up to see those eyes still stuck on him.
“What’s wrong?” He chuckles.
“Nothing, just… you’re a little different… compared to when you were in high school.” Alec gestures a hand at his appearance.
A little is definitely an understatement. He looks so completely different from his high school self that he’s actually surprised Alec could recognize him immediately. When he was in high school, his hair didn’t have red streaks of highlights, his nails weren’t painted, he didn’t wear any accessories on his fingers or his ears, he didn’t wear eyeliner and glittery eyeshadow, and he had not fully embraced his sexuality yet.
He doesn’t care about what people think of him, but with Alec, he starts to wonder if the younger is put off by the way he presents himself now. He doesn’t see any look of malice or disgust from those hazel eyes though, so he’s going to assume that Alec doesn’t mind.
“Well, we all grow up, and you look really different compared to twelve years ago.”
Alec gives him a deadpanned look in return and takes a sip of the drink in his hand, only to wince a moment later after gulping it.
“…You hate it.” He says as a matter of fact.
“No, no, it’s good, just a little strong.” Alec nods vigorously.
“Alright then.” He nods in return.
There’s a beat of silence between them, just standing next to each other and watching people dancing under the colorful lights of the dance floor. When he walked up to the dance floor, he was hoping to dance with this handsome young man, but as soon as he found out that he’s Alec, he dropped the idea.
It’s a surprise to see what a fine man Alec has grown into, but he can’t get the image of the little boy he used to babysit out of his head, nor the image of Maryse’s face in his head. Maryse had helped him during one of the toughest moments in his life and making a move on her son is not acceptable.
“Do you remember the day you left for New York?” Alec asks suddenly, breaking the silence.
“I do.” He smiles bitterly at the memories. “I’m sorry to leave you like that without saying anything beforehand.”
“I’m not gonna lie, I was angry that time, but later I understood. Mom said it was hard for you to break the news to us and you were actually planning to sneak out without me or Izzy finding out.”
“I didn’t want to see you cry, and I know I’d cry too.” He blows out a long sigh.
“It’s fine. You did what you had to do for yourself at that time.” Alec smiles softly and looks at him. “I still remember our promise though.”
Magnus freezes on the spot. He swallows thickly and darts his gaze away. “Our… promise…?”
Alec furrows his brows at the reaction. “Yeah, that we’re going to get married when I’m older.”
“Oh, dear God.” Magnus blurts out before he can stop himself. “You know, I’d love to talk more with you, but there are some guests I need to keep company. It’s our anniversary party, after all, so everybody’s here.”
“What? Wait, Magnus–“
“I’m sorry, I really need to go. We can talk another time. You have my number, yeah?” He blurts out in one breath and gives Alec a pat on the shoulder.
“Yeah, I have, but–“
“See you, Alexander. Enjoy the night. Don’t drink too much.” He puts on his best smile before whirling around and scurrying away from the dance floor.
Oh God, Maryse is going to strangle him for sure.