Chapter 9

"Oh for Lillith's sake, Magnus!" Exclaimed a startled Ragnor, watching as Magnus stepped out of a swirling portal and into his living room.

"I've told you before," scolded Magnus, smoothing a hand down the sides of his perfectly spiked glitter covered hair. "Don't ever mention that name in my presence."

"I know she and your father have their... issues, but, she is still our mother." If Magnus had mastered the ability to kill someone with just a look, Ragnor would've been dead with not even his ashes left to show that he had ever existed. The older warlock quickly corrected himself, saying, "Mother of all demons. That's what I meant to say. She's the mother of all demons." He then grumbled that she was therefore technically their grandmother under his breath as Magnus made his way towards the couch.

"You know," said Magnus, sitting down on the plush chestnut colored leather couch, ever so elegantly crossing one leg over the other. "For a centuries old warlock, you are way too jumpy. I mean, how many people are even able to portal in through your wards?"

"Just a handful," Ragnor admitted, sauntering over towards him, retaking his previous position in a cream colored arm chair, where he'd sat reading quietly before Magnus' sudden interruption. "But that's not the point. Everyone I know usually calls before they visit."

"But I don't," countered Magnus. "Which is why you should've known it was me. By the way," he turned his head, his eyes searching the room. "Where is the lovely Caterina? I have yet to exchange more than a passing greeting with her since my arrival." Though he and Caterina weren't as close as him and Ragnor... or Raphael for that matter, Magnus had always considered them to be friends. It was unfortunate that since he's arrived in New York, they've only managed to exchange a few basic pleasantries.

Ragnor frowned. "Where do you think?"

"Oh." Magnus was well aware that Caterina had been spending most of her time at the hospital where she worked. This was her way of dealing with, or rather avoiding their problems. "So, how have things been going between the two of you?" He asked.

"Magnus," Ragnor began, his tone slightly defensive. "I'm sure you had a reason for barging into my home unannounced, and it wasn't to ask me about my relationship problems."

"Well yes, of course I have a reason," Magnus chided, rolling his eyes. "And it's a very exciting reason. But that doesn't keep me from wanting to know how my friend is doing. Does it?"

"I'm fine," said Ragnor. "Alright?" He really didn't feel like talking about his problems. At least not right now. He didn't want to talk about the fact that his mate had been trying to convince him to have a child with someone else even though he's told her countless times that he didn't need a child, that he was alright with it just being them, that she was enough for him. "We can talk about me later. Right now I want to know what's got you so excited. What's going on?"

"Well first," Magnus stood, deciding not to prod his friend... for now. "We'll be needing this." With a florish, Magnus snapped his fingers causing a bottle of one of his favorite champagne to appear in a silver bucket filled with ice on Ragnor's coffee table, and two flutes filled to the brim in both his and his friend's hand.

Ragnor startled a little, but held the materialized glass of champagne gingerly. "And what may I ask are we celebrating?"

Magnus held out his glass of champagne to Ragnor. Ragnor copied his friend's gesture, tapping his glass gently against Magnus', making a soft clinking sound.

They both then sat back down, Magnus taking a sip of his drink, watching as Ragnor took one as well, soon emptying his glass. Finally, after a few beats of enjoying his friend dying of curiosity, he said, "I've found my mate."

Ragnor's breath caught in his throat and he let out a strangled coughed, choking on what must have been his tongue or saliva, considering he had since finished his drink. Magnus wasn't sure which one. He couldn't help but to chuckle at his friend's shocked reaction.

Having gotten his coughing some what under control, Ragnor opened and closed his mouth several times, much to Magnus' amusement. Finally, "When did this happen?" He asked, is face flushed red and his eyes tearing up, having just almost choked to death without his so called bestfriend so much as lifting a finger to help him. "I just saw you lastnight."

"That was lastnight," said Magnus, wearing the biggest smirk ever on his face. "You of all people should know that a lot can happen between the rising and the setting of the sun."

"Yes but... but this..." Ragnor started, baffled. "I thought you were to go after the young omega?" His brain was still yet to put everything together. "When I left you, you seemed a man with a mission. Who could this mate of yours be?"

Magnus was having the time of his life watching as the wheels began to turn in his friend's mind as he slowly started putting the pieces of the puzzle together. As realization shook Ragnor, slapping him across the face, his eyes widening to comical proportions, "Yes," said Magnus. His voice booming and his tone one of pure bliss.

"No," Ragnor drawled. "Not possible." He stood from his seat and began pacing in front of a now gloating Magnus. "How...how did you?" He asked, gaping pointedly at Magnus.

"I am just returning from the Institute now," Magnus confirmed. He couldn't hold in his happiness, his excitment. It was painted permanently on his face. "I don't even know... he asked me Ragnor. Can you believe it? I wanted to court him first, which were're going to do, but," Magnus paused, still grappling with believing what had happened himself. "He asked me..." The warlock placed his hand to his chest, "...to be his alpha. And I, of course, said yes."

Magnus could see the million and one questions in his friend's eyes and he was ready to answer each and everyone of them. Just not now. "I know what you're thinking, but don't worry about it. I know what I'm doing."

"Do you?" Ragnor's brows raised in question and worry.

"Yes," Magnus confirmed. "He's the one, Rags." Ragnor groaned at the nickname, but said nothing. Now was not the time to admonish Magnus about it. "We talked for over an hour... it was the best hour of my life."

"Oh Magnus," Ragnor sighed, his shoulders dropping. His friend was looking like a love sick teenager. "At least get to know him before you go handing him your heart."

"Oh relax," Magnus scoffed. "I'm just happy. I haven't handed him my heart... at least not yet...I don't think." He pondered for a moment, then scoffed again saying, "Whatever, the point is, I'm happy. And as my bestfriend, I expect you to be happy for me."

"And I am," said Ragnor. "I just want you to be careful, take things slow." He knew Magnus had a tendency to just rush into things head, or rather heart first without thinking things through fully. And this was a shadowhunter they were talking about... an omega shadowhunter. "This isn't going to be a walk in the park, you know."

"I know," Magnus agreed. "And I'm ready. Believe me. I'm sure about this, old friend."

~ooOoo~

Alec had decided to have dinner alone in his room. It had been an emotional day and all he wanted now was to be alone. He had a lot to think about. He'd eaten his dinner while watching the sunset, the sky lighting up in beautiful colors that slowly faded when the sun went to sleep and the moon took it's place.

After talking with his friends, he'd went to his parent's office, hoping to have a calm, and amicable conversation with them in regards to his courtship with Magnus. But, just as he had expected, he was met with nothing but unwavering resistance. At least where is mother was concerned. His father still hadn't said much, but he'd gotten the impression that he agreed with his mother.

She had even tried to use the fact that she was an alpha against him. Commanding him. Something she hadn't done since he was a boy, since before he had officially presented at fifteen. Thank the Angel those commands no longer affected him and he could now resist them. Though he wasn't really sure how or when this change, imunity maybe, had happened. Especially since alphas didn't just go around commanding people against their will. Well, at least not the ones that he knew. Plus a lot of people, or rather betas, have learnt how to resist them.

As he layed on his bed, hands folded behind his head, thoughts of a certain warlock playing in his mind, wondering if Magnus was powerful enough that his alpha commands couldn't be resisted, there was a sharp knock on his door.

Not bothering to get up, "Come in," Alec called.

"Hey." He heard his father's voice as he turned to meet his gaze. "Can we talk?" Robert asked, his head peeking in through the small opening made in the door.

"I don't know," said Alec, turning his head back to the ceiling, counting the cracks. "It depends."

"On what?" Asked Robert, already stepping into the room, closing the door behind him.

"If you're here to actually talk or to give commands." Alec was in no mood for any kind of alpha postering, head of the Institute... or any other kind of postering.

Robert took a deep breath, letting it out as he walked over to his son's bed. He gently pushed Alec's feet over to the corner of the bed, making room, and sat down on the edge next to him. "I just want us to talk," he assured. "Besides, you don't seem to have any problem ignoring commands."

Alec didn't know how to respond to that so he just nodded, telling his father to talk, that he was listening. He was still feeling defensive from the earlier conversations he had with him and his mother and he wasn't about to let his guard down.

"Ok," Robert started, "I don't really know where to begin... I suppose...I'm just confused son. I don't understand what's going on with you but I want to. For the first time I feel like I don't know what's going on in my own family. Like everyone's hiding something from me."

When Alec said nothing, just kept his gaze fixed on the ceiling, Robert sighed and spoke again. "What is going on between you and Magnus Bane?" He asked pointedly. "You've only just met him a day ago and now you want to court him. Is this some kind of rebellion like your mother suggested? Is this you punishing us for the restrictions that have been place on you?"

Alec turned his head, fuming with anger, to face his father. But, when he saw the care and genuine concern on his father's face, his anger waned.

"Talk to me son," Robert pleaded. "Help me understand."

Alec wanted so badly to just tell his father that Magnus was his mate. That Magnus was the one he'd chosen to spend his life with... to have children with. But he couldn't. At least not yet. His father wouldn't understand... he wasn't ready to understand, and maybe he never would be. Plus, he and Magnus had agreed to wait. And breaking their very first agreement was no way to start their relationship. So, Alec lied... well, he told half the truth.

"I feel a connection between me and Magnus," he said. "I've never felt like this before, not with all the alphas that have tried to get my attention. I just want to spend some time with him and get to know him... figure out what that connection is. Who knows, it might be nothing. I just want a chance to do something that I want, for once. Just this once."

Robert could see his son begging him with his eyes... begging him for his support and it made him sad. It broke his heart that he wasn't going to give it, that he couldn't give it.

"Alec, you have to know that a shadowhunter cannot simply wake up one day and begin to court a downworlder." Robert's face was pained as he spoke. His son was looking at him with the eyes of someone betrayed, but still, he continued. "It's just not done... and your, your an omega, the only omega. I'm sorry son. I know that this is the first person you've taken any interest in, but I connot allow it." He shook his head affirming his words. "I just can't. I'm sorry."

Alec sat up abruptly, catching his father off guard. "I am not asking for your permission," he said, his brows furrowed in determination. "I know my rights. And besides, it's not like I need your permission anyways, the consul have already given her's. So there is nothing you or mom can say or do to stop me. I will see Magnus."

"Alec, please listen to me..." Robert started, but Alec cut him off.

"I'm tired. It's been a long day and I need my rest." With that Alec layed back down, turning on his side, giving Robert his back.

"Alec..." Robert called, but Alec ignored him. He sat there for a while watching his son's back as it moved each time he breathed in and out, trying to figure out how to pacify him without giving in to his crazy demands.

Finally after a few minutes, he sighed, standing up. "I love you son, and I only want what's best for you. Don't forget that, alright."

Alec didn't respond. He layed quietly listening as his father spoke his mind, only turning around once he heard the door closed, his father leaving.

~ooOoo~

It was already midnight but Magnus was far too excited and jittery to sleep. Though it had only been a few hours since he'd seen Alexander, his Alexander, he was already missing the shadowhunter dearly. He couldn't stop thinking about him; his eyes, his intoxicating scent... and that smile. That smile was everything. He wondered how he'd managed to live all these years without it and if he could ever go back to living without it.

As images of hypnotic blue eyes and heart stopping smiles ran through his mind, he coudn't help but wonder if Alexander too was still awake. And if he was, was he thinking of him as well. Oh how he wished he could see him, smell his beautiful scent.

Suddenly he thought of something. He snapped his fingers, summoning a pen and a small note book. He tore out a page, quickly writing something, and then snapped his finger again, watching as the paper caught fire and disappered. If he couldn't see or smell his Alexander, then he would settle for hearing his voice.

Alec was seated on his windowsil, watching the city lights and listening to it's songs like he did so many nights when he had trouble falling asleep. He was pulled from his reverie when blue flames sparkled before his eyes, and a fire message appeared. Alec quickly plucked the piece of paper from the air, blowing away the flames.

He smiled as he read what was written; 'forgot to give you this today, please call me.'

Alec quickly moved away from the window, almost tripping over his own feet. So much for shadowhunter balance, he thought, grabbing his phone off the bed side table then plopping down on his bed.

He moved gingerly, propping himself up comfortably with his pillows, leaning against the head board. Taking a few nervous breaths, though why he was so nervous was a mistery beyond him, he unlocked his phone, tapping the neccassary icons on the screen. After he dialed the number that was on the fire message, he took another deep breath, his heart thumping loudly, before he presssed the call icon.

Magnus answered after only one ring. "Why hello Alexander, still awake I see."

"Y-yeah," Alec stuttered. He couldn't help the blush that attacked his cheeks or the shiver that raced up and down his spine when he heard the warlock's voice and the way he said his name. He had to say that he was very happy that Magnus was continuing to call him by his full name despite him having told the warlock that everyone called him Alec, so he could as well. He wondered if Magnus would always have this effect on him, or if as time passed, it would fade. By the Angel he hoped not.

"Why still up so late?" Magnus asked.

Alec shrugged despite Magnus not being able to see him. "I've just had a lot on my mind, I guess. What about you, why are you still awake?"

"Well," Magnus began, his tone playful. "Much like you darling, I have a lot on my mind... well, one thing really."

Alec snickered. Though he'd never really flirted before, he'd seen people do it enough times to know where Magnus was going with this. So, he responded saying, "I suppose I should ask what that thing is?"

"No," said Magnus. "No need to ask what I will freely tell you." Alec waited, then after a few beats, "You" Magnus confirmed. "You're all I've been able to think about, Alexander. I'm already missing you."

"You know this is silly, right?" Alec was now hugging his pillow tightly to his chest and smiling like an idiot. He felt so embarrassed even though he was alone in his room and no one could see him.

"What's so silly about two people not being able to sleep because they like each other so much that they can't stop thinking about each other?"

"Who said that you're what I was thinking about?" Alec scoffed at the insinuation, feigning indignation.

Magnus chuckled at his silliness and Alec's heart rate increased at how sexy the warlock's laugh was.

"Oh come on Alexander, who were you thinking about if not me."

"I will not answer that," said Alec, knowing damn well the warlock had invaded his every thought.

"Alright, fair enough," said Magnus. "Answer me this then. This person, who isn't me, what were you thinking about them?"

Ok... I can play this game, Alec thought, shuffling around a bit. Time to take things to the next level. "I was thinking about how attractive this person is and how delicious their lips looked and how much I wanted to taste them," said Alec, then stuffed his face in his pillows, red with embarrassment .

Sure Alec was a blunt person and had no problem speaking his mind, but this was... this was just so... it wasn't him. But he had to admit, he was enjoying himself. And as much as he wouldn't want Magnus to see him right now, he would've loved to see Magnus' reaction to what he'd just said.

Magnus was quiet for a few beats. Alexander had just basically told him that he wanted to kiss him.

How he wished he was there in bed with his shadowhunter right now. Would it be too much if he just said screw it and portalled into Alec's room. He certainly could... No, he couldn't do that... At least not yet...Right?

Releasing a heavy breath, "Well," said Magnus. "Next time you see this person you should definately kiss them. Infact, I'm sure they're equally thinking about how delicious those lips of your must taste as well."

"I shall certainly take that into consideration," Alec chuckled, slowly feeling himself becoming more and more comfortable with Magnus. Not that he wasn't before... It's just that this was all very new for him. And even though he obviously had very strong feelings for Magnus and had chosen him as his mate, they were still technically strangers, only just getting to know each other.

"So, what are you wearing?" Asked Magnus, his smirking coming through in his voice, bringing Alec from his thoughts.

"Nothing," said Alec in a breathy tone, laughing when he heard Magnus gasp. Magnus was really bringing out his playful side.

"Don't play with me like that, Alexander," Magnus scolded. "How will I ever be able to sleep now with those images in my mind?"

"You started it," Alec retorted, not able to contain his laughter.