Rock Bottom

Sparks

The weather was getting cold with the arrival of October, and driving was getting less and less fun, but still Alec was practicing. He really wanted to be able to do this. He wanted to be more independent of Jem and Tessa, and of course, he wanted the added bonus of spending time with Magnus. Alec was getting very good at ignoring the tense tummy feelings as he got to know the interesting person volunteering his time to teach Alec to drive. Alec found more and more that he looked forward to learning about Magnus. And during their lessons he'd actually learned quite a bit. Alec knew that Magnus had a roommate that he'd known since high school, named Raphael. Magnus never talked about family, and as far as Alec could tell, Raphael was the only constant in Magnus's life at the moment. Though Magnus seemed to brush this off as unimportant Alec often wondered if under all that confidence and humour Magnus was just lonely. Then again, what did Alec know? He was probably reading the whole situation totally wrong.

And he was also driving. Best not to think about other things while driving.

"I know the roads are icy," Magnus said. "But please don't drive my car into a pole."

"Sorry," Alec said, ashamed of his wandering mind as he steered them back on track.

"Distracted driving is up there with drunk and sleep deprived driving," Magnus replied. "Focus."

"Right, sorry," Alec said again, taking a deep breath and clearing his mind.

"Don't be sorry," Magnus replied calmly. "Be smart." Alec just nodded, focusing on the road ahead where there was a little white malibu about to turn left, but no other hazards in the way.

Alec was starting to trust his instinct more about driving after almost two months of lessons, and his test was finally approaching. Tomorrow Alec would either have a driver's license, or waste thirty-five dollars.

"Because smart people pass their driver's test the first time!" Alec said, trying to instill confidence in himself.

"Because smart people don't drive into things, and then get stuck paying for the repairs," Magnus chuckled.

"Oh yeah," Alec replied, slightly embarrassed. "That too."

"Okay, let's go home," Magnus decided. "I think that's enough driving for one day."

A few turns and traffic signals later, Alec turned into Tessa's driveway. He put the car into park and turned off the engine, but like always, Alec didn't want to open the door and walk away. Today though, as it might be their last driving lesson, Alec felt an extra push to do something.

"I just wanted to say thanks again," Alec offered, turning to face Magnus in the passenger seat, and handing him back his keys. "I know you didn't have to give up so much of your time to teach me, and I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome," Magnus replied.

It was now that Alec knew he should get out of the car, but he didn't want to. Magnus's body language was so stiff, and despite the social awkwardness they always experienced at this moment, Alec didn't move. Or maybe it was just that it was cold outside but warm in the car?

"You're a really great friend," Alec said with a smile, thinking he'd said something nice, but to his great surprise this produced a rather dramatic change.

"Oh good gods, Alexander!" Magnus exclaimed, his whole body breaking out of his stiffness as his arms went up in the air and his voice got louder. "After all this time! All these charged goodbyes and you want to be friends? You've half driven me mad and now it's just, shrug, good friend?!" He paused for breath while Alec hardly felt like he was breathing at all. "I don't want to be your friend!"