I Like You. For Real.

First Meeting

Alec was going to kill Jace. Jace had said an hour.

"Come with me. An hour, and then I'll take you home. I really like this Clary girl."

It had been two hours and Jace was still in the restaurant with Clary. Alec would've just gone home. The problem? Jace had dragged him to the other fucking side of the city. Alec had left the restaurant, looking for somewhere, anywhere, to get away from the couple ogling each other. He came across what looked like a bar. Pandemonium. Strange name. But, seeing as it was either this or the restaurant, Alec decided to take a step in. It was unusually empty for a bar. A few people chatting, soft music playing in the background. It was fine by Alec's standards. He found a secluded corner and pulled out a book, something he always carried with him.

-

"Okay, Magnus. My turn," a drunk Dot slurred. "I dare you... to kiss Raphael."

Magnus looked over at his friend who snarled at him. "Dorthea I think... you're very very drunk. I'm not kissing him."

At the same time, Raphael said "He's not kissing me," with a scowl on his face.

Dot frowned. "Fine. But if you don't do the dare, you must suffer the consequences."

"Dot, we're not even playing truth or dare..." Raphael started to say, but Magnus stopped him.

"Hit me with your best shot," Magnus said, with a smirk on his face, "as long as it's not actually kissing Raphael," he quickly added.

A malicious smile came over Dot's face. "You must..." she scanned the room. "You must get him to go out with you," she said, pointing at a guy reading a very worn copy of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations.

"Dot, you can't just assume every single guy is gay." Raphael said, rolling his eyes.

"That makes it that much more... exciting." Dot said, cackling like a witch.

"Please." Magnus cut in. "I can get anyone I want. I'm freaking Magnus Bane. Watch and learn."

Magnus got up and started walking towards the guy. He was... admittedly not bad looking. But he was reading. Who reads in a bar?

-

Alec looked up as a man sat down across from him. He man seemed to be looking at him. Uncomfortably, Alec looked back down at his book.

"Dickens, huh?" The man was talking to him.

Alec looked up. People didn't really talk to him, and he liked it that way. This man looked about his age, maybe a few years older. Asian, but spoke with no hint of an accent. The man smiled. "I'm Magnus Bane." Alec gave a small nod, but stayed silent. "And you are...?" Magnus asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um... Alec Lightwood." Alec said barely above a whisper.


"Nice to meet you, Alec." Magnus said, over-enunciating his name. "So... that looks pretty worn. An often read?"

Alec nodded slightly.

Magnus studied him carefully. "So is Alec short for something?" Alec kept his eyes fixed on Magnus and slowly nodded. "Do... you want to tell me what it's short for?"

"Alexander." Alec looked back down at his book.

"Alexander," he muttered to himself. He then looked over at the bar. "Hey! Can I get a glass of champagne for Alexander here?"

Alec's head shot up. He hated alcohol, but champagne was the only thing he could tolerate. How did Magnus know? Magnus seemed to read his mind. "How did I know?" Magnus winked.

Alec stared at him. The bartender came up with his drink on a napkin. Magnus handed the drink to Alec, but kept the napkin. He seemed to pull a pen out of nowhere, scribbled something on the napkin, and handed it to Alec. Then he got up. "Until we meet again, Alexander," he said, once again over-enunciating his name.

Alec looked at the napkin. A phone number. Just then, Jace came running up to Alec. "There you are. I'm SO sorry that took way longer than I said. It won't ever happen again." Alec raised his eyebrow at Jace. "On the bright side," Jace said, holding up his hand, "I kissed Clary! And she didn't slap me like the last bitch. Plus, it looks like you made a new friend?" Jace said, smiling and gesturing over to where Magnus was now joining his friends.

Alec rolled his eyes. "He's not my friend," he said, turning away from Jace to hide a blush that he was sure was creeping up on his face.

"But you want him to be..." Jace said, grabbing Alec's arm and spinning him back around. "Alec you gotta stop being so shy. I see you got something..." Jace gestured to the napkin Alec clutched. "Use it."


Alec was now positive he was blushing. "Let's go," he said quietly. Jace chuckled as Alec dragged him out by the sleeve.