Bridges Of Time

Chapter 4

Summary:

Dinners, projects, banters, heartbreaks, and more.

2004
Cooperstown

Lola's is significantly empty when Alec drops by to pick up his French fries order after school. He looks around and spots a few familiar faces in the cafe, including Clary who's grabbing lunch with Andrew Underhill. She gives him a wave and smile when she notices him, and Alec leaves them to their privacy. Behind Clary and Andrew, he sees Annamarie Smith, one of his father's clients. She seems to be by herself, sipping the cafe's special strawberry milkshake. Or maybe she isn't — Alec notices another half-empty glass with iced tea in it sitting on the other side of the table. There's no one there though, and Alec decides to not pry, leaving her and her mysterious guest to it.

He grabs his takeout bag, hands over the tip to the waitress, and walks out of the cafe, heading straight to Magnus' father's garage.

.

(Sometime later)

Magnus sits in the corner of the garage with his books open in front of him. The garage is eerily empty at this hour of the day, the heat from the engines of the car and afternoon sunlight making the boy sweat profusely. Asmodeus as retreated to the house for a quick nap, but his presence in Magnus' mind looms heavy. He flips a few pages of his textbook, to draw his attention back to his studies, but it doesn't work. So he gets up to resume repairs on the car engines to clear his head.

The silence in the air is cut only by the sound of welding sparks as Magnus attempts to repair one of the engines, holding his protective mask in front of him. A few minutes later, he hears fresh footsteps enter the garage from outside, followed by a soft annoying whistle. "Magnus, you there?" It's Alec Lightwood, his voice cutting through the rhythmic hum in the garage.

Magnus is hunched over a workbench, tinkering with a car engine—his greased hands deftly maneuvering tools. He looks up, wiping sweat off the corner of his eyes. "In here," he lifts one hand in air, trying to grab Alec's attention. "What do you want?" He asks, coldly.

Alec points at his vehicle parked outside the shop. "My truck. I need it back."

Magnus nods, his eyes darting to the new tire sitting in the corner. He's not had the time to replace the faulty tire. "Oh, yeah, the spare did come by. Let me quickly replace the tire and your truck will be as good as new."

There's a hint of disappointment in his mind, and Magnus isn't sure why.

Alec smiles, a sigh of relief escaping his lips, "You are my life-saver, Magnus. I was feeling helpless without my child."

"The truck is your child?" Magnus laughs, rolling the tire to Alec's truck and grabbing his toolbox. Alec watches him crouch on the ground, loosening the lug nuts one by one. It is awfully hot during this time of the year in Cooperstown, and Magnus' caramel skin glistens in the sun with sweat and motor oil. After loosening the final lug nut, Magnus pulls his over-shirt out, throwing it on the ground next to him, to reveal a faded grey vest underneath. His muscular arms, tightly holding the tire in place are ripped, with sweat dripping all over.