Chapter Text
Pandemonium, it was a quiet little club that got its fair share of bar hopping college students on the weekends. Magnus always worked the weekends and they were always the best and worst nights of his life. He looked at the lights that were turned low and the music that hummed in the air. The things Jem could do with a turntable were spectacular. There was always a bit of magic in the air when you walked into Pandemonium and you couldn’t help but become completely absorbed in the magic of the night.
This night was no different than any other College kids from around the city where out dancing and Magnus the expert behind the bar was pouring the drinks. He liked to think of himself as the magician because everyone always raved about his drinks. Raphael told him time and time again that he had that perfect touch. Magnus was just a good judge of character and knew when they needed a little more vodka or little more sweetness.
“Can I get a Bloody Mary and make it a double please.” Said a familiar voice he didn’t look up to see who it was it had been a rather busy night and he only thought about getting the customer their drink.
He went to gather the few ingredients that he needed and set to work mixing the drink. It was only when he placed the glass on the napkin in front of the customer did he look up and see who it was. Not that he was surprised a Bloody Mary was quite fitting for her. She did leave a trail of blood wherever she went after all.
Camille Belcourt was beautiful of course. He had been drawn to her immediately, although he knew that he should have stayed away. Everyone told him to stay away. It hadn’t been that he thought that he thought they were wrong about her. He could see it in her eye’s there was something very different about her.
They had never promised to be anything to one another. They just seemed to like spending time together and they had cared for one another but in the end, it hadn’t been enough. His heart had been trampled on when he found out that she was having an affair with another man. He had expected it all along but still, it hurt when he had realized how stupid he had been to give her his heart.
“Camille,” Magnus breathed out softly.
“Magnus Bane, what a pleasant surprise.” She said with a smile
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Magnus said softly and somewhat surprised she had said anything back. He needed to get back to his regular program of pretending the bitch didn’t exist.
“Well it is the quaint little place, never took it as your type of place, not enough men here I would say.”
Ah yes, how could he ever forget the way she couldn’t see past his sexuality. He was bisexual and so that meant that he wanted to bang every man in the city according to her logic. When in all honesty he hadn’t met a man in a long time that sparked his interest. She had never been able to wrap her head around it.
The thought that Magnus could be monogamous to one person had truly scared Camille. No matter how many times he told her it wasn’t the sex that drew him in it was the soul. It was what made that person truly shine when there so much darkness that pulled him in. Camille just couldn’t see that and eventually Magnus had just given up trying to explain it to her.
That had been the underlying cause of what had driven them away. Not the fact that she cheated on him multiple times. Not the way that she treated him like he was nothing but dirt under her shoe. What had truly driven her away from him was the fact that she was so afraid he would up and leave her for some handsome man. That he would need that part of him fulfilled that desired to be with a man just as much as it desired to be with a woman.
“Well, enjoy your night Camille,” Magnus said as he turned to help a customer on the other end of the bar.
“Magnus,” Tessa came up to him holding a tray as he placed a drink in front of the customer. “Please, I beg of you talk to Will. He at least listens to you!”
“And what my dear,” Magnus said with a smirk “would I be talking about to our dear William?”
“He’s being absolutely ridiculous as usual.” Tessa groaned leaning her head against the bar.
“What exactly did our Mr. Herondale do this time may I ask?” Magnus asked concerned.
He loved his friends Tess, Will, and Jem but they just had a lot they needed to figure out and so Magnus tried to keep his distance and hoped they would eventually figure it out. Although, Magnus was not opposed to giving Tessa a good word of encouragement from time to time. Really it was the least he could do without meddling in their business.
“He wants to break up, he keeps saying that there’s no way that he could love me the way I deserve to be love.” Tessa groaned again. “What kind of shit is that Magnus?”
“Tessa, I did not realize that I was paying you to stand around and chit-chat,” Raphael said coming around the corner.
“Sorry, Mr. Santiago,” Tessa said as she looked up at both Magnus and Raphael. “It won’t happen again.” And then she walked away.
“You know you don’t have to be so mean to her.” Magnus said cleaning up his area” She’s just going through a rough patch…It would not kill you to be nice once in a while.”
“Nice is overrated,” Raphael mumbled
“You should try it sometime, You might find that you actually like it,” Magnus said with a smirk.
Magnus had met Raphael years ago when he first came to New York for school. Raphael had been quick to show him the ropes of bartending and it had been the perfect fit. However, now he was entering his last year of school before earning his bachelor’s degree and he knew that his time here would come to a stop as he entered the working world.
“So have you heard anything yet?” Raphael asked a moment or two later.
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Magnus said trying to ignore the question.
“Don’t be like that Magnus. You know exactly what I am talking about. Now as for your boss I demand that you tell me.”
“Or what?” Magnus teased
“Well, I might have to let you go and find a new bartender.” Raphael threatened.
“You wish, Raphael Santiago. You know I’m the best bartender in the city.” Magnus said with a wicked grin.
“Please, I taught you everything you know. If it weren’t for me you would still be …well you wouldn’t be a bartender that’s for sure.” Raphael shot back quickly
“Keep telling yourself Ralph,” Magnus snorted as he walked away without another word. If Raphael started mumbling some cuss words in Spanish under his breath Magnus certainly paid no mind to them.
***
The restaurant was incredibly boring and stuffy. Alec felt like at any moment he could absolutely suffocate. Why his mother insisted on these weekly dinners he had no idea. However, week after week it was the same thing. The tasteless food and some fancy restaurant that she found to be profoundly exquisite. Alec only went along with it because it was more trouble to argue with her than it really was worth. Even when he did try and get out of going to dinner mother would harass him until he eventually gave in.
His father was usually there too of course but this week he was out of town for some convention in Denver. He wished he was out of town right about now. If it weren’t for the fact that New York was his home and everyone he loved and cared for was only minutes away.
His mother’s voice dragged on and he tried zoning it out, but it was seemingly impossible. Once she got going there was really no stopping her. She would go on and on forever sometimes. She expected perfection from both her children they were Lightwoods after all they had a reputation to uphold.
“I hear that Meliorn is making partner this year. Tell him I said congratulations. He is so young, but he certainly has worked hard to get where he is.” Maryse said her voice drowning out the dullness of the restaurant.
“Of course, mother,” Izzy said simply looking over at Alec with a quiet smile.
“And Alexander, how is work read anything interesting?” Maryse said turning her attention him.
This had been the night from hell. Maryse Lightwood hand nearly demanded that both Izzy and Alec show up as they had important things to discuss. He still was not sure what was so important about asking Izzy when she was going to finally settle down and find a proper and decent man to marry. Although he didn’t quite understand how proper translated into mega-rich and powerful. Meliorn seemed nice enough but he knew that Izzy would never truly care for him.
“Mother, how many times do I have to tell you I hate when you call me that,” Alec said biting back the vile that was threatening to come up.
He took a sip of the wine in hopes of calming his nerves. It didn’t help much, but it did give him a little bit of a buzz so maybe things were looking up. He just wanted this to be over, so he could get home and go to sleep. Though he didn’t have much hope as it was Friday night and their mother insisted on knowing every detail of their lives.
“I am just trying to make conversation Alec,” Maryse said rolling her eyes. “Seriously what’s with you tonight?
“Mom, leave Alec alone would you.” Izzy said taking a sip of her own wine. “it’s been a hectic week, Imogen has been on the warpath this week.”
“Fine Isabelle, at least tell me, Alec, how are things with Lydia?” Maryse said glaring at Alec “I know you said that you were taking a break, but seriously. What is the holdup?”
Alec rolled his eyes, it was no use trying to explain it to his mother any longer. She refused to accept the fact that he was gay. Although she did seem to not outright disown him which was a good sign perhaps there was hope for her yet. He wondered if there would ever be the day that his mother would not try and set him up with some woman and would allow him to just live his life however he saw fit.
It had been six months since he had told Lydia his girlfriend at the time that he was gay. She had told him that she was almost certain, but she had never said anything because she wanted him to come to terms with it on his own choosing, not by her asking questions. She had been great about the whole thing and ever since then she had supported him in any way that she could. She even offered to go with him to pride. Alec just didn’t know if he was ready for that.
“Why can’t you just accept this part of me, mother? Is it so horrible that I never marry a woman? Is it that you and father want me to have children to pass on our precious name?” Alec said tapping his finger on the stem of the wine glass “no matter how much you push and prod it’s just not going to happen.”
“Alec..” Maryse began to say softly “You-“
“No, don’t talk to me, mother. I’ve had enough” Alec said as he sat his glass down. “I’ll see you soon Izzy” and with that turned around walked out of the restaurant.
It was the middle of October and the first cold spell had really hit. He had his jacket buttoned all the way up his hands were in his pockets and he was walking aimlessly down the street. He looked at the people around him and he thought for a short moment they were all like ants just going about their business like nothing else mattered. He wished for just one minute he could push it all away, make everything disappear. Unfortunately, he didn’t have that option at least not right now.
“Alec…Alec… wait” Alec turned around to see his sister chasing after him in five-inch heels. The sight certainly brought a smile to his face.
“Izzy, what are you doing,” Alec said letting out a frustrated breath. “Besides…where’s your jacket it's freezing out here?
“Oh, I guess I forgot it. Forget about mother, she’s an idiot. You know that Jace and I support you no matter what.” She said with a smile as they walked down the street.
Alec took off his jacket. He was not about to let his sister freeze to death. “Yeah, I know. It just sucks sometimes. I don’t even think that she knows what she’s saying sometimes. That’s what makes it so much worse.”
“I have an idea, why don’t we go get grab some drinks and maybe we can even find you a cute guy to dance with?” Izzy said with a wink.
“No, that’s okay. I think I’m just going to call it a night. I have an early morning.” Alec said simply. It was true after all he and Jace had plans to meet up in the morning.
“Alec it’s only nine, it’s not even late. I’m sure that you can afford to grab a drink or two and then you can go on your merry way. I’ll text Jace and Clary.”
“Fine one drink, that’s it, Izzy,” Alec said sternly.
***
Magnus couldn’t believe the time. It wasn’t even midnight yet. He had lost track of time long ago but now looking up at the clock he was absolutely shocked to find that it was not even midnight. Damn that clock. Apparently, tonight everyone and their family decided that it would be great to visit pandemonium.
It was incredibly crowded, even for a Friday night and there were bodies pressing upon every inch of the bar. It was hot, and Magnus was sure that the little makeup and eyeliner that he was wearing most likely had worn off long ago even though they were both waterproof. He had learned long ago nothing was ever truly waterproof.
The lights were dim, and Magnus looked up from time to time to see bodies pressed up against each other in sway to the music of the music. He loved the rush but of being surrounded by people. Yet there were those moments where he just wished that he could escape it all.
“Magnus! Hey!”
Magnus turned around to see Clary the bright cheery redhead that he worked with at Downworlder Café’ where they both served Brooklyn some of the best coffee there was to offer. Starbucks had nothing on them and Clary had some of the best foam art he had ever seen, even though he certainly gave her a run for her money.
“Biscuit!” Magnus said enthusiastically. “What are you doing here? Don’t you work in the morning?” he asked concerned.
“Yeah, boyfriend friends…wanted a nightcap so I just said what the hell. I could say the same about you though. You work in the morning too”
“Unfortunately, that is not a lie.” Magnus said “Now what can I get for you and your friends? First round on the house.”
“Two beers and two margaritas. That is if Raphael doesn’t kill you first.” Clary laughed.
“Oh please, I can handle Raphael. He just requires a certain touch. Though I am glad to see your face. Camille showed up earlier.” Magnus said thinking back to that awkward conversation. “So that was fun.”
“I bet,” Clary said with an understanding look. “It looks like it’s fairly busy though so how about I let you get to it and well catch up tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Magnus said with a smile.
Clary walked away, and Magnus got to work making drinks and hollered over to Tess. “Take these to the table with the perky redhead, you can’t miss her. She’s most likely with a brooding muscular blond who has a way too much self-confidence.” Magnus said with a slight chuckle
“So basically, a blond Will then?” Tessa asked with a snicker.
Magnus smiled at the thought “precisely.”
The rest of the night seemed to drag on and Magnus completely forgot that he had intended on going over to Clary’s table and try and say hi to her and her friends. By the time that he had a moment to spare it was almost time to start shutting down and he noticed that Clary, as well as her friends, seemed to be long gone. Well he knew that he would see her in the morning, so he didn’t think about it.
It was just past three in the morning and Magnus was putting the last of the liquor bottles away in their proper places. Raphael was a stickler for where everything went and that it had to be perfectly organized each night before they left. He insisted that it made opening up in the afternoon the next day so much easier and there was less to do.
“So have you heard anything back yet?” Jem said a moment latter walking up behind him packing cables in his bag.
“Why does everyone keep asking me that. It’s only been a few weeks. It wasn’t even that good. I’m sure it’s already been tossed in the garbage.” Magnus said rolling his eyes dramatically
“Will I’m serious if you don’t…” Magnus’s attention was then diverted to the conversation that was unfolding in front of him between will and Tessa.
Jem’s eyes followed Magnus’s gaze. This had been going on for months. He had tried his best to stay out of matters that didn’t concern him, and this really didn’t concern him. He just hated seeing his friends lose themselves so easily to one another. He could see how much they all cared for one another, but he could see that they were hurting one another more than they were helping each other. He knew eventually something had to give.
“Then what Tess! What exactly are you going to do? This isn’t…you know it’s just a matter of time” Will shouted back.
Oh dear, this really didn’t look good. He did wish there was something he could do. However, before he was able to think or even say anything for that matter Tessa had grabbed her apron and threw it down on the table and was walking out of the room.
“I should….I should go and make sure that she’s okay…as a friend.” Jem said quietly. Magnus had almost forgotten that he was even standing there. “Just as a friend,” Jem said walking away with his bag slung over his shoulder.
Magnus wanted to tell Jem that it was okay to want what he wanted. It was a complicated situation they were all in. He could see the way that they all felt for one another it really wasn’t this perverted thing. They absolutely all cared for one another and the sexual tension that was electrified between the three of them was evident to everyone but them of course.
However, Magnus was quite content to let them figure that out for themselves. Though if the situation arose he would nudge them in the right direction. After all, that was what any good friend would do wasn’t it? He only wanted his friends to find happiness and if all the bickering would stop then that was just a happy coincidence.
***
Alec walked through the front door of his small apartment much later than he would have wished. It was funny how one drink had somehow turned into three. Though he couldn’t say that he minded especially getting to spend time with his sister and Jace. They were his family and Clary although she was incredibly annoying she was good for Jace. She seemed to tame his ego a bit.
However now it was much too late, and he needed to get some sleep before his early morning. Imogen really had been on the warpath all week and had demanded that he come in on Saturday when he would much rather be sleeping and go through some of the manuscripts that had come in over the past few weeks as he was apparently much behind on his quota.
He walked back into his bedroom and kicked off his shoes a through himself onto his small bed. He stared up at the white ceiling as he contemplated everything that was his life. How had his life turned out to be so mundane, so predictable? He really should do something about it, however, he knew that there was no room for his personal life at the moment.
This had always been his dream job. He was a Jr. editor for Idris publishing. It had been such a great opportunity when he got the job he couldn’t have been more ecstatic. This had been something he has always wanted to do. He was not all that great with words and his own writing didn’t amount to much. However, he had always been great at improving upon what had already been written.
He remembered back in the days of high school when Jace would practically beg him for help because his paper was lame, and Alec would help him go through it line by line until it was a rock-solid A paper. That had been when he first realized that this was something he wanted to do full time for the rest of his life. He had graduated from NYU with honors even and then landed this job with almost no sweat. Everything should be going great.
Part of his main jobs was to read through the manuscripts that were sent in by hopeful authors. He had at one-time loved reading the manuscripts and he had the best record for getting authors published. He loved all of it he loved the late nights and working one on one with the author the fine tune some of the rough parts of their stories that were so dear to their hearts.
He loved the public sizing, organizing the promotions of the book especially when it was a first-time author. It was such a blast, and honestly, he almost got this rush seeing that author get their first copy of their book that was now in bookstores all across the world. It was absolutely fascinating, and he knew that that would never get old.
The difficulty that he was currently facing, however, was that everything he read was the same old story that had been published more times than he could count. It was all boring and tedious and he felt like most of these people sending in manuscripts should really go back to the fifth grade and learn how to write and quit being so absolutely cliché’. We get it girl meets boy, falls madly in love and they save the world from impending doom. Read it twice and saw the move. Now time for something new.
It was at these moments that he felt terribly guilty for being so critical. These people were sending in their manuscripts in hopes that someone would read it and fall madly in love with the story that they had poured their soul into. A story that they had thought about for months years even before actually writing it down and then deciding that would take the chance and hope there was a place out there that would decide that their story was worth taking a chance on.
Perhaps it was this whole love thing. He just didn’t understand the concept of love. Not that he didn’t try and put himself out their like that. He thought about the past few relationships he had been in. It had been fun while it lasted but there had never been that spark. Was he crazy for thinking…for hoping for more than to just enjoy having a pair of lips pressed against his own? He wanted something that would take his breath away and, yet he didn’t really have time for the whole relationship thing either between his work and his family life was insane, and yet he still hoped that he might meet someone.
***
It was well past three in the morning when he got home, and he had to be at work in just a few hours. It was the beginning of the fall semester and he had assignments that needed to be done and hell he knew that if he tried to get any sleep now there would be no getting him up in the few short hours when he needed to be up.
He opened the textbook and looked at the page over and over again. His fingers ached to reach for the keyboard, but he knew that he needed to try and get some homework done this weekend even if it was in the wee hours of the morning when most of the city was silently sleeping.
He eventually went into the kitchen and got some coffee, it was too cold outside to do anything without coffee anyway. He put way too much cream and sugar in his coffee. He was every barista’s worst nightmare. Though taking a sip of the coffee, he immediately felt alive and perhaps he could get some work done. Hopefully, without his mind traveling across universes to a world far away, that would have to wait until December once he graduated.
Somehow as if by magic one would think Magnus’s hands seemed to type for hours and hours. He looked at what he had typed and although most of it was complete bull his professor would love it and it would at least get him a B, which at this point in his life was good enough to get him across the stage. How had his priorities changed so drastically in the past year? When had he become the type of student that instead of desperately working for that A he accepted the B just because he didn’t have time to put in the work for an A.
He looked at the clock when it was time for him to change and head out the door. Ragnor insisted on all the employees wearing a black shirt and black pants. That didn’t really suit Magnus, so he improvised. He always had streaks in his hair anyway, but he tried to match them with the polish on his nails and the eyeshadow he was wearing. It at least made the black Ragnor insisted on not so incredibly dull.
Although Ragnor was a grouchy old man, he trusted Magnus enough with the key and to open up early on the weekends. Clary was waiting outside for him in the frosty air when he arrived. He smiled as he worked to quickly open the door up and once inside they quickly warmed up and first things first made a pot of coffee.
“So how was date night with the boyfriend?” Magnus said about fifteen minutes before they were officially open for business.
“Jace is good,” Clary said with a grin. “Though he half the time I still think he’s more in love with himself than anyone especially me. Then…there are these moments and they absolutely just take my breath away.”
“Well he is a young man, he is still has a lot of growing up to do. I have no doubt being with you is helping him well on his way.”
“I would hardly say that Magnus, I’m just Clary Fray after all I’m nobody. I’m just a girl that loves to draw,” Clary said walking over to the espresso machine. “besides, you're young too Magnus and you’ve never been half as full of yourself as Jace is on a good day.” She said rolling her eyes dramatically.
“Well, I had to grow up a fast biscuit. I like to say that I’m a four hundred-year-old man stuck in the body of a 25-year-old. Speaking of how is school?” Magnus asked a few minutes later after he was finished with the task he was working on.
“Expensive, but I love it. I still can’t believe that I actually got in.” Clary said with a smile’
“But your drawings are fabulous. Of course, you got in. I would know anyway. I am an expert at fabulous.” Magnus said walking over to the door to unlock it.
It was still incredibly early, and they probably wouldn’t have many customers for a few hours at least. Of course, there would be the usual customers who Magnus knew their order by heart. So, in the meantime, Magnus and Clary would work on perfecting their foam art.
A few hours later there were a few customers that had come in but Magnus knew that the morning rush would pick up at any moment. Costumers demanding their nonfat latte’s annoyed Magnus to no end. However, he was always nice, and he was always professional. Ragnor would have his neck if he was anything else but.
Just then a very tall man with dark hair and blue eyes walked in. He was dressed in black, nothing but black, how unfortunate Magnus thought that someone with such creamy skin would choose to dress in only black. I mean sure he looked handsome and his height alone dominated the room. Still, a splash of color never hurt anyone.
“Welcome to Downworlders Café’ can I take your order?” Magnus asked with a smooth voice.
“Um, sure. I’ll just take a black coffee” The tall man said gruffly.
“Great can I get your name?” Magnus asked gently.
“Alex,” The man said as he held out his card to Magnus and Magnus took it and processed the transaction.
“Would you like your receipt,”
“No, that’s okay,” Alex said walking away as Magnus handed back his card.
Magnus was well known for his ability to read people but for some reason he was not able to really read this man standing in front of him. He was perplexed, to say the least. He seemed very closed off to everything around him. Only answering when absolutely necessary. Yet with all that Magnus couldn’t help the fact he for some reason wanted to know more about this man standing in front of him.
It really didn’t take long to pour a cup of black coffee. It was a simple task really, but Magnus at this moment decided to take some pride in the small task. He popped the lid on top of the cup and wrote his name, Alexander. Underneath it, he wrote have a nice day, come back to see us. Magnus may or may not also drew a winking face underneath that.
“Here you go Alex,” Magnus said placing the cup on the bar.
The man rolled his eyes at him. “It’s Alec… not Alex.” He said as he walked off.
Magnus just stared not sure what to say after that. He just watched as Alec take a sip of the coffee and walk out the glass door when the writing on the cup must have grabbed his attention. Alec looked back at him a glared at him. He seriously glared at Magnus and then he tossed the cup in the garbage and walked away.