Beautiful

take a breather

Part of Alec was aware that he had been standing in front of the mirror for nearly 10 minutes. He was also aware that to others, looking at yourself in a mirror for such a long time could appear arrogant or vain, but he wasn't. No, Alec had been standing in front of that mirror for ten minutes because he didn't understand who was looking back at him.  The boy, the man, looking back at him was a different person; he wore a deep blue shirt, the collar open and exposing the cool, pale skin of his collarbone, the sleeves tight around his slim yet toned arms, showing off his body in such a subtle way that he made such a difference. Even the shorts he was wearing looked different on this man; they looked clean, smart, not like they'd been plucked from his bedroom floor and shrugged on without much putting much effort into. And he knew it was silly, but the more Alec looked, the more things he noticed. This mans shoulders we sitting higher than usual and comfortably pushed back, his chin untucked and proud, his eyebrows resting without a frown etched on his forehead. This man was confident, in himself and his clothes, and somehow, this man was him. It didn't make sense, but in the end, Izzy was right;  Alec looked...good or semi-decent at least, and he knew it. There was still something bothering him, even as a small smile grew on his face as he continued to scan his reflection, and it was something he couldn't exactly put his finger on.

What was Magnus going to think?  he asked himself without really realising. He hoped Magnus approved. Why did it matter what Magnus thought of him so much? It didn't matter, right?

Of course, it mattered though, Alec mentally scolded himself, because this was Magnus he was talking about; Magnus with his annoyingly bright eyes, and his annoyingly perfect hair,  and his annoyingly gorgeous smile that made Alec's heart skip multiple beats, and his annoyingly artsy bedroom that he could definitely get used to being in, and just Magnus, who had only ever been open and nice and amazing and beautiful and so incredibly Magnus that Alec couldn't help but care what he thought. 

With a sigh, Alec finally tore his eyes away from the gold-framed mirror and let himself slump on the bed near it, putting his hands to his face and pressing his palms to his eyes. He'd just jumped over one hurdle, and now there was another one approaching him; why was he doing this? For Magnus, of course, but why else? All he was doing was exposing himself to a situation likely to make him feel incredibly awkward and uncomfortable, around people he barely knew and so much alcohol that you could fill the freaking pool with it! Izzy and Jace had always said that he should push himself out of his comfort zone, but surely this was a bit extreme. As he fell back onto the red, satin sheets of the bed, Alec let out a large sigh and shut his eyes, letting a sense of calm wash through him as his body sunk into the warm mattress. He'd be fine. It's just a party and he'll be with Magnus the entire time. People do this all the time. Nothing was going to happen to him. 

*

The music was already blasting as loudly as ever when Magnus stepped off the last stair that led up to his room on the top floor. He could feel the thrumming of the bass beneath his feet, even though at the top of his house, and the cries and singing from the people downstairs; it all called to him like a siren song, pulling him in and making him want to dance until he died. Of course, for tonight, he would withhold himself a little; he had a very handsome, slightly insecure young gentleman to look after and he was waiting just behind that door. 

'Alec?' Magnus called, moving his face closer to the crack in the door to try and overpower the music ringing in his ears. 'You ready?' There was a pause before Magnus heard what sounded like a very quiet sigh, followed by some rustling and then a muffled affirmation that was all Magnus needed before he swung open the door to his bedroom. 

There Alec was, standing surprisingly close to the door, one hand reached out as if he was about to open it himself and looking unfairly gorgeous; Magnus felt his eyes widen as he roamed Alec's body and the newfound confidence that was written in the way he held himself - the only other time Magnus had seen him looking this self-assured was the first time he'd seen him, with his bow in hand and head held high. It was a good look on him, Magnus decided. The outfit that had been picked out for him by Izzy was also a good look on him, 'a good look' being one of the biggest understatements of the century in his mind. He had to force himself to tear his gaze away from the way the navy shirt clung to his round biceps, or the way his shorts tightened around a particular bulge that Magnus would be delighted to explore-Mind out of the gutter Magnus! He told himself as he finally met Alec's bright blue eyes, that were set on him with one eyebrow raised and a pink blush dusted along those lovely high cheekbones. He shook his head a little and took a deep breath as he plastered a completely fake innocent smile on his face. 'You look great,' he said, barely succeeding at hiding the tremor in his voice. Alec's blush deepened, and he smiled at Magnus in a way that sent his heart into overdrive.