Chapter 10

Alec wasn't freaking out. Why would he be? Sure he was nervous, but what was there for him to freak out about? Oh, who was he kidding, he was a nervous wreck. Magnus would be coming to pick him up in an hour for their date... their first date... his first date, and he was fairly sure that he was about to have a heart attack.

Just as he'd thought, breakfast had been annoying, even more so than usual. As soon as he arrived in the caferteria, he wished he'd chosen instead to have his breakfast in his room. It wasn't the looks from the other shadowhunters or their whispers that had gotten to him, that he was used to. This time however, the whispers weren't just about him, they were also about Magnus. More specifically him and Magnus.

Apparently news of their courtship had spread throughout the Institute overnight like wild fire and everyone had formed their opinions. He could only guess that this was the work of the two shadowhunters who had been present at the time he'd made the announcement to his parents.

However like he had always done, even before Magnus, he'd gone about his day ignoring the whispers and looks that came his way.

He couldn't care less what anyone thought.

As for his fast approaching date with Magnus, he had only told his friends about it. Izzy had squealed so loud that he was sure everyone at their table now had permanent ear damage. Of course her excitment had calmed down greatly when she remembered that said date was with Magnus. Alec understood her reluctance, the need she felt to protect him as he felt the same need to protect her as well, but he wasn't too worried about it. From the little time he had already spent with Magnus, he could already tell that he was a wonderful, kind and loving person. He felt it in his bones and he would trust that feeling. He was certain that over time once Izzy, along with everyone else got to know him, they too would come to the same conclusion.

Where his parents were concerned, it wasn't that he was afraid to tell them, but he didn't want to give them a chance to plan or do anything that might be an impediment to his own plans. He wouldn't put it pass them to try something. No, it was best if they found out about his and Magnus' plans as they were happening, and not a minute before.

After breakfast, the day had continued on as per usual. He went for a few hours of training with his friends followed by lunch, which they'd chosen to have in the training room despite it being against the Institutes rules. It was during this time that he saw the missed text message from Magnus wishing him a goodmorning, and telling him to enjoy his day and how much he was looking forward to seeing him later. He was definately going to have to pay closer attention to his phone from now on, Alec had thought, now that he acutually had use for it.

He had quickly texted the warlock back a reply. Letting him know that he too was equally in high antcipation of their date and how the hours could not pass fast enough.

Well, now those hours had past and Alec was about having an anxiety attack. He was having a problem that he would never in his whole life thought he'd ever have.

What in Angel's name was he going to wear?

He could now say that he fully understood Izzy's usual wardrobe freakouts. He would definately never again mock or laugh at what he had thought to be nothing but utter ridiculousness at the time.

And then there was the topic of what they would talk about. Sure so far he had managed to hold his own when conversing with the warlock, their two hour long late night phone call for example, but this was different. This some how just felt more... official or something. Like if he messed up it would be on some kind of record surely to be held against him later.

He knew he was just being silly, yet some how he couldn't help it. He couldn't help but feel like he was going to make a total fool of himself and Magnus would find out something about him that he didn't like and just call the whole thing off. After all, it's not like they'd made any formal anouncements.

Sighing in frustration, what did people even wear on dates, Alec wondered, going back to his more current problems. He supposed it depended on where said date was. But Magnus hadn't told him where they were going, as per their agreement for it to be a suprise. As he stood in front of a closet filled with black clothing, he was starting to regret that decision. He didn't even like suprises.

He was pulled from his panicked state by a knock at his door.

"Go away!" He shouted, annoyance clear in his voice.

"Well, you're certainly grumpy for someone with a hot date," said Jace, quirking an eye brow as he made his way into the room, Izzy, Clary and Simon on his heels.

"What are you guys doing here?" Alec asked, eyeing the group confused, forgetting that he was dressed in only a pair of black boxers and a fluffy white towel thrown over his shoulder.

"Well isn't it obvious? We're here to help you prepare for your date, silly," Izzy announced. "Did you really think I wouldn't be here to see off on your first date."

"And we're just here to make sure the girls don't give you any bad advice," said Jace, refering to himself and Simon, who quickly agreed.

Alec simply rolled his eyes. "Fine," he sighed plopping down on his bed, running a hand through his still slightly damped hair. "You guys might as well help me figure out what to wear because I have no clue."

Izzy squealed, clapping her hands together, her and Clary making their way over to his closet. She had been thinking about her brother all day, and despite her reservations with him choosing a warlock to be his mate, Angel forbid she wasn't there for him when he would be needing her the most. No, she was going to be there for her brother and support him as best she could. Of course, she would still be giving said warlock a very stern warning, Prince of Edom or not. She didn't care if he was the Angel Raziel himself, her eyes would be on him and he better not hurt her brother.

"Where are you guys going anyway?" Asked Clary, throwing the clothes Izzy was handing her on the bed.

"I don't know," said Alec. "It's a surprise."

"Well then, there's your main problem. If you don't know where you're going, how will you know the appropriate clothes to wear. Why don't you just text Magnus and ask him what the dress code is?" Clary suggested. "That way we can make a good choice. You don't wanna show up in jeans and a T shirt for dinner at some fancy resturant believe me." When they all looked at her, then at Jace, "long story," she added dismissively.

Alec felt so silly that he hadn't even thought of that, grabbing his phone off the bedside table to send Magnus text.

"You know, I don't think Magnus would really mind you wearing what you have on now," said Simon, winking at Alec in his nearly naked state.

"I'm going to have to agree with Simon on this one," Jace chirped, laughing as Alec pulled the towel from his shoulder, wrapping it around his body as best he could, blushing and frowning all at once.

"Ladies, will you control your men please," Alec chided, the group laughing as his phone chimed, signaling that he'd received a message. Alec quickly tapped the correct icons, seeing that it was from Magnus, telling him to just dress comfortably casual.

That he could definately do.

~ooOoo~

Magnus couldn't wait to see his sweet omega, his Alexander. He had spent majority of his day doing his job as the new High Warlock of Brooklyn, tending to the needs of the downworlders of New York. The job itself, he found was no different than his usual day to day life back in Edom. The downworlders came to him with whatever problems they had and he did his best to solve them.

People were even addressing him as they did in Edom. Calling him your greatness, despite him having told them that here in the mundane world he prefered not to be seen as a prince, but simply as a high warlock and that they should kindly address him by his name.

Some complied, but others were too afraid that they would some how be punished. Which was silly really. Even though he's had his moments in the past, moments that he wasn't particulry proud of, he would never intentionally hurt anyone. At least not anyone who didn't deserve it. And while he couldn't exactly vouch whole heartedly for his father, Asmodeus had always taken his feelings into consideration; not wanting to look too bad in the eyes of his son, despite his demonic nature.

It was late afternoon when he had finished tending to the needs of his people and was finally free to make the necessary arrangements needed for his and Alexander's date. He just hoped that his mate would like what he had planned for them.

After a long scalding shower, Magnus went about his usual routine in getting ready. It was during this time that he had received a text message from his young shadowhunter, asking him what the dress code was for the evening. Magnus couldn't help but chuckle to himself. His sweet omgea was probably a bit flustered not knowing what their plans for the evening was.

Even though he was only just getting to know his mate, he had already gotten the impression that Alexander wasn't one for surprises, despite him having asked for their date to be a surprise.

He had quickly responded, telling Alexander to simply dress casual and comfortable, setting the phone down on his vanity as he continued from where he'd left off, choosing his makeup for the evening.

Taking his own advice, Magnus decided to dress casual and comfortable as well, at least for him, as there was no need for overly fancy outfits where they were going. Infact, the simpler the better. The usual skin tight leather pants that he loved to wear just wouldn't be practical. So instead, he opted for a nice pair of navy blue dress pants that may or may not have been a little too tight, perfectly hugging all of his best assets.

Continuing his theme of keeping things simple, he paired the pants with a purple silk shirt, accented by a sequined collar and cuffs, leaving most of the top buttons undone. He had also decided to wear less jewelry, only wearing three of everything; three rings on each hand, three braclets, earrings and necklaces .

He even kept the glitter to a minimun, only adding it to his perfectly spiked hair and eye makeup.

Fully satisfied with his appearance, Magnus checked the time, realizing that he had finished getting ready a lot faster than he thought he would have, which was a first for him. Despite being able to simply snap himself ready, he's usually never this decisive, having to put on an entire fashion show before selecting the prefect outfit.

He had agreed with Alexander to be at the Institute at five but he still had almost thirty minutes to go. The last thing he wanted to do was to show up too early. Even if he was eager to see his omega, the prospect of having to endure an institute of annoying shadowhunters or Alec's parents longer than necassary, was not at all appealing and would only serve to spoil his good mood.

So, snapping his fingers, he conjured himself a drink to aid him in calming his nerves while he waited in his living room, counting down the minutes.

~ooOoo~

"So how're planning on handling mom and dad?" Asked Izzy, moving away from the floor length mirror that stood next to Alec's closet, where she had been checking herself out to join him on his bed. "Are you just going to try and leave without telling them? Or..."

Alec was now fully dressed, wearing a pair of black fitted jeans, a dark blue buttoned up shirt with the sleaves rolled up - one of the few pieces of color in his closet, Izzy had gotten it for him - and a pair of black combat boots. His hair had that 'just had sex look', which was in style now. At least according to Izzy, as she was the one who had styled it for him.

"I don't know," he shrugged. "Maybe."

"I think you should tell them," Izzy suggested. "I know they're not your favorite people right now, but it wouldn't be right to leave the Institute without telling them... they're just worried about you... Plus you kinda gotta get pass the guards."

"Yeah," Clary agreed "Best not to cause a scene."

"I know," Alec shrugged. "Though I am almost tempted to just have Magnus portal me out. Can you imagine their reactions?" He snickered to himself, wondering where this deviousness was coming from.

"They would send out a search party," Jace said laughing.

Checking his phone, Alec saw that it was only fifteen minutes before five. "Magnus will be here soon, guys," he announced, getting to his feet. "I'm gonna go talk to mom and dad... Izzy could you wait for Magnus at the front door for me just in case? I don't want him to have any trouble... you know how the guards can be sometimes."

"Good idea," Izzy agreed. "Especialy with that asshat Raj working at the front door today."

After hugging his friends, Alec made his way to his parents' office.

Turned out his mom had left for Idris a few hours earlier for some kind of emergency meeting, so he only had his father to deal with. Which was good news for him; his mom being the more difficult of the two. Alec knew he probably should have gone about things differently, and maybe he was being a bit childish doing things this way, but he just didn't want to leave any room for any sort of obstruction. This was going to happen, and it was going to happen now. It was time for him to take control of his life.

~ooOoo~

Magnus stepped out of a portal directly in front of the New York Institute.

Making his way up the steps, he felt a little bit awkward when one of the two guards asked him the nature of his visit. He wasn't sure whether he should tell them that he was there to see Alexander or not. Luckily he was saved from having to deal with the overly zealous shadowhunters when a girl, looking eerily similar to his Alexander, appeared at the door asking him to come, and letting the guards know that they were expecting him.

"Just shut up, Raj," she said annoyed, when one of the guards tried to object, saying that they recieved no memos from the head of the institute to expect any downworlders there today. Magnus couldn't help but smile as he walked with her to where he assumed his omega would be waiting.

"I'm Isabelle by they way," she said as they walked along together. "Alec's sister." She turned to him, extending her hand in greeting, which Magnus gladly accepted with a smile. "Alec is a bit held up with our father."

"Lovely to meet you," Magnus replied. "I've heard a lot about you." He had talked with Alexander extensively about his friends and family the previous night.

"And it's all true," Izzy said with a wink and a smile. "I will kill you if any harm comes to my brother."

"And you would be right to do so," Magnus agreed, deciding immediately that he was going to like her.

Just as they turned the corner of a long hall way which Magnus recognized led to the small sitting room where he had met Alec the day before, one of the doors opened to reveal Alexander and his father.

The instant Alec's eyes met Magnus', all of his anxiety and the doubts he'd been having throughout the day vanished, the warlock's presence instantly calming his nerves. Alec couldn't help the blush that crept up his cheeks as he fully took in his chosen mate's appearance; his stylish outfit, the necklaces that adorned his bare chest, accentuating the beautiful caramel skin on display. It was the sound of his father's voice that brought him out from his daze, Magnus giving him a playful wink, while Izzy eyed him knowingly, a smirk playing at her lips.

"Mr. Bane," said Robert as the four of them stood gazing at each other, the air rigid with tension. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you to bring my son home in the condition in which you've found him."

"Dad," Alec admonished, glaring at his father. "I'll be fine. Let's go." He turned to Magnus and reached for the warlock's hand, practically dragging him out of the Institute as a few shadowhunters looked on confused. He wasn't going to wait around to have his father threaten his mate in some weird 'over protective father threatens to shoot the boyfriend with a really big gun' scene.

Yes. Unfortunately Simon had also talked him into watching those silly teenage romantic mundane movies as well. He even liked a few of them if he were being honest... not that he would ever admit it. Jace would never let him hear the end of it.

~ooOoo~

The evening was warm and the earthy early autumn air tickled Alec's nose as he took a few deep breaths. He hadn't stepped his feet outside the Institute in two years. His heart thundered in his chest as he walked around the overgrown lawn, taking in the familar scene. He felt excited and scared all at the same time. As much as he had been dying to leave the Institute, it was home, the only place he'd ever truely felt safe.

Alec's smile suddenly fell. He felt like someone was holding his lungs tight in their hand, squeezing it. He couldn't breathe and his vision was starting to blur. What was happening to him?

"Alexander?" Realizing that his mate was in distress, about to have some kind of a panic attack, Magnus acted quickly, pulling Alexander to him in a loving embrace. He gently brought the shadowhunter's head to rest on his shoulder. He nestled Alec's face in the curve of his neck as he allowed his scent to calm his mate... his omega.

"Just breathe," Magnus soothe. "Your ok... your safe..."

Alec allowed himself to be engulfed in the warlock's scent, clinging to him as he tried his best to stay afloat. He didn't understand what was happening to him. One minute he was over joyed to finally be outside, free, the next, he felt like he was drowning.

"Magnus," he whispered.

"Just breathe my darling... you're safe I promise."

It was a few minutes later when Alec calmed down, slowly pulling away from the warlock and clearing his throat. "Uhmm, sorry about that," he said, blushing with embarrassment. "I don't know where that came from."

"It's alright," Magnus assured, bringing a caressing hand to Alec's cheek. "No need to apologise. After being couped up in that place for so long, it's perfectly normal to feel a little overwhelmed."

"But I'm a shadowhunter... we're not supposed to get overwhelmed." Alec countered, looking down at his feet, still feeling a little embarrassed. As much he enjoyed being in Magnus' arms and getting lost in the alpha's scent, he didn't want Magnus to think he was weak. Not when they were just getting started.

"And you're human as well my sweet, don't forget that." Magnus hooked his finger underneath Alec's chin, bringing the omega's gaze back to his own. "And even shadowhunters get overwhelmed sometimes... you all are just too stubborn to admit it."

"Maybe," Alec frowned.

"Uh uh, no maybe," Magnus said sternly. "Don't be so hard on yourself... promise me."