Once Upon A Time In Brooklyn

Chapter Ten: Cassandra Complex

Magnus came to the Institute at 1pm with a cat cage and a cheerful smile on his face. Alec went to greet him. His stomach felt strange, like he was going over a particularly fierce drop on a rollercoaster. When he saw Magnus it felt like it rose somewhere around his throat and he found it suddenly hard to swallow.

"Hi," he said and was surprised that his voice sounded so strained. Magnus raised an eyebrow but gave him a warm, slightly knowing smile.

"It's lovely to see you again, Alexander," he replied. Alec was hyper-aware of the Shadowhunters behind him but even so he couldn't hold back the stupid smile that he was sure spread across his face. Magnus gave him an amused look.

"I'm here to pick up the Chairman," he said. Alec nodded. Right. The cat.

"Yeah he's in my room. No one else would take him in after... this morning," he said, turning and walking towards the dormitory rooms. Magnus fell into step with him easily, his dress shoes clicking on the floor as he walked.

A few Shadowhunters glanced at them as they walked through, but none seemed to find it strange that Magnus was there. Alec guessed that it had already been noted that the Institute was offering its help to the High Warlock.

"I hate the atmosphere in this place. Always so serious," Magnus said once they got out of the main room and into the warm, wood panelled corridors that led to the private quarters. Alec shrugged.

"You get used to it," he said. Magnus gave him an amused look.

"It is your kind of place, not mine," he said. Alec had to concede the point. Thinking of Magnus spending much time in the Institute... He remembered his mother's suggestion, that they should keep Magnus locked up in the Institute until the curse passed. He knew now, better than ever, that Magnus would never agree to such a thing.

"So, this is my room," Alec said, pushing open the door. Compared to Magnus' loft, it was sparse. His room was for sleeping, to keep his weapons and not much else. Magnus looked around it for a moment before he spotted Chairman Meow curled up on Alec's pillow.

"Oh there you are. Come on now. We have to get you in this cage before some pesky Shadowhunters decide to call animal services," he said, putting the cage on the bed and scooping the Chairman into his arms. There was a brief few seconds of Magnus cooing over his cat while Alec stood awkwardly watching, before Magnus put him into the cage.

Chairman Meow mewled once in protest, before he seemed to get woozy and then curled up into a ball. Alec suspected magic, though he wasn't about to ask.

"Well, now that's business attended to, how about we discuss pleasure?" Magnus asked. Alec looked over his shoulder at his open door and quickly kicked it closed.

"Magnus, keep your voice down. Anyone could hear you," he said, his voice low. Magnus rolled his eyes, standing up and making his way over to Alec.

"You were the one who asked me on a date, Alexander," he reminded him. "Am I supposed to tiptoe around like I'm a dirty secret?"

Alec felt his mouth going dry the closer Magnus got to him. He knew he had to say something but his mind was going unhelpfully blank.

"The look on your face suggests that's exactly what you expected. Well, I guess that it might be interesting... for a while," Magnus conceded. "But you should know Alec-"

Alec reacted on impulse. He didn't want to confirm Magnus' claims, nor could he refute them. But he could stop him talking. He put his hands on Magnus' hips and pulled him forward. Any resistance that Magnus put into moving was useless against the runed strength of his arms.