Once Upon A Time In Brooklyn

Chapter Three: كِتَاب أَلْف لَيْلَة وَلَيْلَة

Nothing happened for days. Magnus eventually started to go insane in his apartment. Although watching reruns of Rupaul's Drag Race did pass some time, he already knew the outcomes of every season and it was starting to grow boring to him.

The glitter was nice though.

Finally he realised he could put off his work no longer. The curse, for whatever reason, had decided to take a short vacation, and he needed to do something to sustain himself. Cable did not pay for itself after all.

He had been surprised that Alec had called almost every day to check on him. He had known that the boy's sister had hoped, once, that they could be friends, but he had never thought that Alec considered them so.

It was kind of cute, really, that Alec was so concerned with the curse. He was considering that the other might have a little crush on him, though that was probably far from the truth.

Alec would probably just point out that they were Shadowhunters and it was their job to prevent the misuse of magic if he were ever questioned anyway.

Sure enough there was a call around 4pm. Magnus wasn't sure why it was always that time, though he suspected it was the time that Alec got to himself away from the others. He never heard other Shadowhunters in the background during Alec's calls.

"Well, hello, Alexander," he said as he answered the call. He heard a slight intake of breath on the other end of the line. Did Alec really think he was surprised whenever he rang? He had caller ID just like everyone else.

"Er, Magnus, hey," Alec said, as though he were surprised to hear Magnus answering his own phone. Magnus didn't have to hide his smile for fear of offending this time and so he let it spread across his face.

"No changes to report," he said. "No sign of the curse. I'm getting a little antsy locked in my apartment and honestly I have so much to do. I do have to work for my money after all."

Alec listened to him whine. Really, the boy was rather the Angel. Well, Magnus guessed that was kind of his thing.

"If you need any help, I'm free tonight. I could come along with you? Just in case?" Alec offered. Magnus paused. That was... Unexpected.

"Well, if it's going to be a date, I'll have to do my hair," he said, inspecting his nails. He was just teasing but the spluttered reward he got for the effort was more than worth it.

"It's not a date, Magnus. I just wanted to know if you needed help. Sorry I offered," Alec said and Magnus did his best to ignore the snippishness of the shadowhunter's tone.

"Now, now, don't let your pride get the better of you. If you really want to go on a date with me, you can pick me up at seven. There's a musty crypt I'm being paid to raid and it's all very Indiana Jones. Should be right up your alley," he said. He heard Alec make a 'hmming' noise. Magnus thought that Shadowhunters should be far too busy to be goofing off with Warlocks in any case. If Alec said no, he'd just go alone.

"Can you make it eight? I've got to have dinner with my parents tonight," Alec said. Magnus raised his eyebrows. When Alec had said he was free that evening, he thought he had meant early on. To suggest they met later, why, how scandalous!

"Would you like to spend the night as well? I'm afraid my guest room is out of commission now but my bed is large enough to share-"

"No, thank you. See you at eight Magnus," Alec said and hung up. Magnus snickered as he put down the phone.

Truly Alec was a joy to play with.

*

Eight rolled round and went. Magnus sighed impatiently. Of course the boy would be late. Magnus made himself another drink. He heard his door open but didn't turn towards the intruder.