Chapter Text
The world of fashion was more...complimentary than I had expected. And much, much more complicated.
The assistants were all eager to help, suggesting clothes and telling me which colours would make my eyes "pop" or whatever the hell that meant, while Magnus nodded sagely, occasionally adding some comment or suggestion of his own.
There was a flurry of fitting rooms and piles of clothing being flung over the doors of them. Despite my rule against overly bright clothes, I saw more colours than I had known existed before now; although blue seemed to be a common feature (that was the one that made my eyes pop. Seriously, what does that even mean? Are my eyeballs going to explode when I wear this colour? Maybe even Shadowhunter abilities aren't able to protect me from the dangers of the fashion world, they haven't managed to yet.)
I eventually pleaded exhaustion, having lasted as long as I could, so Magnus and I went to go get something to eat. We ended up in a little cafe` in the general vicinity of the food court. I would have been happy with a burger, but Magnus wouldn't hear of it, asking with a semi-horrified expression, "Do you know how unhygienic those places are? Not to mention the ridiculous amount of calories..."
I wondered about him sometimes.
I ended up getting a coffee and a much less fatty and much less tasty sandwich. Magnus smiled at me over his mug, his painted nails tapping rhythmically against the sides.
"You do realise this is all a formality right? I'm just going to snap most of this stuff home with us."
I rolled my eyes. "I kind of figured that. Don't you get a ridiculously large salary as Head Warlock?"
Magnus snorted. "From who? The Clave? Not freaking likely." He sighed, "No my dear, the only perk of being Head Warlock is the prestige, and of course, the ability to work oh so closely with the Nephilim." He gave me a lecherous wink, raising his one eyebrow flirtatiously. It was half hot, half vaudeville villain and entirely ridiculous.
I rolled my eyes again, and said, "I've pretty much become the Institute's liason with warlocks now, through you." I swallowed, trying to be brave, and flushing slightly, I tried in my smoothest tone, "the closeness is appreciated on both sides."
Trying to be really bold, I put my hand on Magnus' leg under the table.
Magnus looked at me with something akin to pride. "I've done it. I've taken this poor prudish Shadowhunter, and corrupted him into a smooth talking flirt."
I yanked my hand away as he openly laughed at my indignation. He pouted at me pitifully, staring at my hand, to his leg, and back to my hand again.
"You're pathetic." I smiled, putting my hand back on his leg, while he preened.
"Ah, but my dear Alec, I got what I wanted, didn't I?" he said smugly.
I laughed, I couldn't help it.
"I love you Magnus," I said airily, still chuckling.
Magnus smiled the little pleased grin he always did when I said those words, no matter the context. He looked close to blushing, almost shy, it was... oh by the Angel, I've been spending too much time with him, God forgive me, but cute.
And it gave me a little thrill every time it happened, that by saying three little words, I could reduce the (my) warlock - who boldly wore such outfits, and was so unashamedly himself - to (as he'd once described Jace about Clary) "a blushing, lovestruck sap with hearts for eyes".
"Love you too Alec." he said quietly, still with his little smile.
And as soon as he said it, I knew that my face matched his.
oOoOoOoOo
We finally got back home - Magnus' apartment, I mentally corrected - and I collapsed onto the obnoxiously pink sofa.
Magnus laughed at me, and said wryly, "It's like a study in negative space."
I raised my eyebrow.
"You know, 'cause you're wearing black and it contrasts with the... oh never mind." Magnus trailed off, flapping his hand in the universal gesture of "I give up on trying to explain arty things to clueless boyfriend". Hmm, perhaps not an entirely universal gesture.
He flopped down next to me, resting his head on my shoulder. He turned to face me, his hair tickling my face and neck as he did so, giving me goosebumps.
"So, did you like the shopping trip?" he asked.
"Umm. Sure." I said uncertainly.
He slapped my chest. "Be nice, I put in a lot of effort for you today! I picked out very nice, comfortable clothes; I endured the groups of giggling 16 year old girls perving on you; and I watched you get undressed multiple times without taking advantage of the situation! Do you know how much willpower that takes? Plus, I still need to snap everything from the stores back here, in the right size, style and colour." He ended with a pout.
"Life is difficult for you, isn't it?" I teased.
"It really is." He said petulantly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Wait, what did you mean before?" I asked. "What giggling 16 year olds?"
Magnus rolled his eyes. "Sweetie, this sort of stuff is why you didn't have your first kiss or get any action until you were 18."
"Hey!" I said, almost offended.
He patted me sympathetically on my other shoulder. "It's okay sweetie, it doesn't matter that you're completely unobservant and clueless; you have me now!" He said with his biggest angelic grin.
"Still trying to work out if that's a good thing or not." I grumbled.
"Ouch!" Magnus leaned up and off me, "I'm hurt my love! How can you say such cruel things?"
I smiled. "'Cause you'll forgive me because you loooove me." I cooed, laughing.
Magnus snorted, and leaned back down on me, squirming until he got comfortable again, then crossing his arm over me, his hand grazing slowly up and down my left side, sending shivers up my spine.
"I do, though." Magnus said quietly. "I really do."
I supressed a slightly giddy smile, and sighed, wrapping my arm around Magnus' shoulders, cradling him closer to me.
He let out a contented smile, kissing me on the neck, and then chuckled.
"Sorry," he muttered in response to my silent query, "I just pictured you doing the classic, 'Oh, I'm yawning, but hey since I'm yawning, I may as well put my arm around your shoulders, and hey, now that my hand's around your shoulders, how about we fuck?' manouevre. Funny image"
I coughed. "I don't really remember that last bit being part of it."
Magnus smiled against my neck. "First kiss at 18 remember?"
"You know you've just ruined any movie where they use that fake-yawning thing for me now, right?"
Magnus looked up at me. "Alec, any movie that uses that as a viable option was already ruined."
I shrugged. "True."
I yawned.
Magnus laughed, "Hey! You're supposed to do that beforehand!"
I groaned. "Wow, Magnus, you're so funny." I said sarcastically.
"I know, right?" he replied. He giggled again, and then said to himself, "I'm hilarious."
I patted him patronisingly on the head. "Sure you are."
"Yup" he said quietly, before he snuggled somehow closer to me (snuggled? I use words like snuggled now? I really am spending too much time with him). We lay for a while longer, before Magnus said, softly "Mmm, I'm tired."
I sighed in agreement. It was becoming a bit of a struggle to keep my eyes open now. "Should probably go upstairs or something."
"Yeah..." Magnus slurred. He drowsily kissed me on the neck again, before resting his head back onto my shoulder. Clearly, we weren't going anywhere. I hadn't much liked the idea anyway.
We both drifted off to sleep together, lying in each others arms, on his truly hideous couch.