Chapter Text
When the car finally came to a stop, Magnus looked out the window with wide eyes up at the tall,intimidating, gleaming building. The Institute. Magnus had of course seen pictures but seeing it in person left him in awe. He’d never in a million years anticipated that he’d be able to go here. Magnus was broken out of his ogling when his longtime music teacher, Dot called his name.
“Magnus” she said finally getting his attention, as he turned to look at her, “you know, last time I checked,you need to actually get out of the car to get to the camp” she said with an amused smirk, causing Magnus to look down in embarrassment.
“Yeah sorry Dot...it’s just..wow” Magnus said, unable to find the words for how in awe he felt. If someone had told him 5 years ago when he started taking the piano seriously again, that he’d make it here, he probably would’ve laughed in their face, but, somehow, he was here, and it blew his mind. Nevertheless, he did need to get inside before he was deemed late so, he unbuckled his seatbelt, grabbed his duffle bag full of clothes and slung his book bag onto his shoulder as he made his way to the glass door, Dot by his side. The place was packed with students, of all ages, most holding instrument cases, of all sizes and colors. Magnus joined the line of students waiting in front of the registration desk and waited till it was his turn. Once the last person in front of him finished, Magnus and Dot walked up to the table, the pretty young red head smiled up and them.
“Name, age, sponsor, school and instrument?” She asked
“Magnus Bane, 17, Dorothea Rollins, Pandemonium School of Arts, and piano” Magnus answered back, watching as the girl shuffled expertly through papers and after a moment, handed Mangus two cards, a booklet, name tag and a stack of papers.
“There’s our house key,food card, hand book, name tag, schedule, campus map and a few important papers we’re required to give you, I’m clary, a student here, so if you need any help you can always find me or any other official, you can head over to the group of kids over by the stairwell,I hope you enjoy your stay here” the girl said sending him another polite smile which Magnus returned.
“Thanks biscuit” He said before stepping off to the side so the next person in-line could go. Before he walked over to his group Magnus turned to Dot and gave her a huge hug, “thank you so much Dot...for believing in me for all those years..and getting me into here, you have no idea how much it means to me” Magnus said, trying his best to keep the tears at bay. Truth was, he was going to miss not having her around for two months, other than piano, she’d been his only other constant, his rock. Dot smiled up at Magnus and patted his shoulder, “If anyone deserves this it’s you, now go, have fun, make me proud, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do” she said with a laugh and a wink, hugging him again before pushing him towards his designated group. Magnus approached the small group of students by the steps and smiled when a petite blue haired girl noticed him coming over and smiled at him.
“Ah, a new recruit. Hi,I’m Catarina, but just Cat for short” She said in a cheery tone, before pointing to the tall silver haired boy next to her who had his arm slung around her shoulders, “and this here,is Ragnor”
Magnus smiled at both of them, knowing immediately, by the way they were gazing at each other, that they were a couple,and a cute one at that, “nice to meet you guys. I’m Magnus, Magnus Bane” he said with a small wave before continuing, “are you guys new too or...?” Magnus asked curious
Cat and Ragnor shook their heads simultaneously, “we’re both regulars, been here since we were 12, I play the cello and Cat here plays the piano” Ragnor said
Magnus was about to ask how the piano mentors were when suddenly Cat squealed and jumped into the arms of someone behind Magnus.
“Alec!” She exclaimed
Turning around Magnus watched as the tall guy, with a black cello case securely on his back, spun Cat around in his arms before setting her down and straightening back up. Magnus froze. There stood the most angelic guy Magnus had ever laid eyes on. Magnus was tall himself but the guy- Alec? He was tall but at least two inches shorter then him. Clear pale skin,ocean blue eyes, silky black curls that were messy in the best way possible, and despite those black ill fitting clothes, Magnus could tell that Alec had a delectable body. All he could think was who are you. Magnus realized he was staring and he looked down, masking his embarrassment
“Magnus, this is my good friend Alec, he’s a regular also,he plays cello. Alec this is Magnus, this is his first year, he plays...?” Cat made a hand motion for Magnus to finish for her
He smiled fondly at her, “piano, I play piano” he smiled before turning to Alec extending his hand, “Pleasure to meet you” Alec looked down at Magnus’ hand before taking it, giving it a light shake. Magnus barley repressed the shudder that ran down his spine at the shock of electric he felt touching Alec, clearing his throat he continued, “Alec, is that short for Alexander?” Magnus asked.
Alec nodded before adding, “but everyone just calls me Alec” Magnus hummed in answer, making a mental note to call him Alexander. After releasing each other’s hands, Magnus couldn’t help but notice the rainbow bracelet on Alec’s wrist, as he pushed his sleeves up on his dreadful black sweater.
“Nice bracelet” Magnus couldn’t help saying with a smile, as he finally let go of Alec’s hand.
“Thanks” Alec said with a beautiful smile, revealing dimples. Could this boy get any more perfect?
“Nice rings” Alec said, picking up Magnus’ hand again and running his thumb over his ring adorned fingers.
“Thanks” Magnus said, echoing Alec from earlier, while smiling.
“Awww Alec’s got a crush” sounded a new voice. Alec immediately looked away,a pink blush coloring his pale skin and Magnus couldn’t help but do the same. The person was surly wrong, Alec was just a nice person, like Cat and Ragnor. Magnus didn’t consider himself ugly by any means but... he didn’t think a guy like Alec would even be into him. Magnus startled when the guy who’d made the comment, materialized out of seemingly nowhere. He was handsome as well, classic blonde hair, athletic build, gold eyes, you know, the whole Malibu beach boy vibes, but, he wasn’t nearly as handsome as Alec, nor was he Magnus’ type
“Shut it Jace, or I’ll fill your guitar case with rubber ducks” Alec said, sending a glare at the man-Jace. Magnus was confused as to why ducks but seeing the poor boy’s face, he knew it must by a inside thing.
“Don’t even play like that bro” Jace said before shuddering visibly.
Alec snickered looking pleased with himself, readjusting the strap on his cello, before turning to Magnus again, “sorry about him,my brother doesn’t know how to act in social settings” Alec said with another one of those beautiful smiles.
Magnus couldn’t help but look between Jace and Alec quizzically, “your brother?”
Alec nodded, “Yeah, he’s adopted but we’re closer than blood” Alec answered, looking proud, “Hey I was thinking,since this is your first time here,would you be interested in a tour around the place? A little insiders guide?” He said while extending his arm and making a quick swoop motion. Before Magnus could start thinking to much on it he nodded, “ that would be really helpful, thank you Alexander” and he wasn’t lying, it would be helpful for Magnus not to be complete clueless but... he had a feeling that the more time he spent with Alec, the deeper Magnus would be digging his hole.
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After the mandatory greeting assembly, each group was sent off to find their houses and get settled. The camp housing arrangement was divided into four houses, the freshman, sophomore, juniors, and seniors. There was a whole other institute for grades 6-8 and another one for grades 1-5. Each house has 1 master bedroom, 3 regular rooms, a practice room,equipped with a baby grand piano and stools for cellists and pianists of the camp, a kitchen, a patio, a pool, and 6 bathrooms, one in each room. Each house is different in a unique way and they are updated every two years.
The limited rooms on top of the quality of the houses and the education there, the institute had a 2% acceptance rate once you were a senior, even if you did have the money. They wanted to make legends. There were four seniors, one for each room. It was Cat,Ragnor,Alec,and Magnus all in one house. Each room was spread across the house but essentially, there were two up stairs and two downstairs, Magnus took the room that was connected to the balcony,which happened to be upstairs, Alec took the room closest to Magnus, Cat and Ragnor settled in on the other side of the house. Once Magnus entered his room he stood by the door and gasped and stared at it for a few solid minutes. The room was half his house! Back home in Brooklyn Magnus lived by himself in a apartment complex, it wasn’t much but it was home to him. He looked around and noted that the room had a queen bed, a side table, a dresser, a huge walk in closet, two glass doors that lead out to the balcony, a music stand, a chair and a door that Magnus guesses lead into a bathroom. Magnus removed his black and white checkered vans, and padded into the room with only his black ankle socks that read “love is love” in rainbow around the elastic part. Magnus placed his duffle bag on his bed, opened it, and began unpacking. By the time he was finished, most of the white walls were littered with posters that Magnus had brought from home, his dresser had pictures of he and chairman meow, and other framed pictures of him with his friends Jem, Will, Tessa, Raphael and Maia, his huge closet was halfway filled which, came as a shock to Magnus, who brought all the clothes he could from his exstensive wardrobe, in his huge duffel bag. Magnus had been right about the door that lead to the bathroom, which was equipped with a bath tub,shower and huge vanity which put his makeup drawer and circle mirror along with his bath products. Magnus sighed and flopped on his bed, staring up at the white ceiling.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow it would all begin and Magnus would work his ass off to unsure that everyone knew he was a force to be reckoned with. He would not disappoint Dot when she worked so hard to get him there- there was a soft knock and Magnus was immediately broken out of his thoughts
“Come in” Magnus said, sitting up and watching as the door opened and Alec walked in. He closed the door behind him and stayed there. Magnus eyed Alec as his eyes took Magnus’ room.
“Yes?” Magnus said
“I was just wondering if you wanted that tour now,since it’s still early afternoon, I thought it would be a waste of a beautiful day” Alec said with a smile before adding, “awesome room by the way”
Magnus smiled and stood from his bed, “Thanks. As for your question, yeah I’ll take you up on that tour right now. Shall we go?” Magnus said motioning to his room door.
“Yeah, let’s go” Alec said opening the door, letting Magnus step out first before following, “So, what made you choose the piano?” Alec asked as he and Magnus made their way down the stairs and outside.
“Well, what made you choose the cello?” Magnus countered, effectively deflecting the question because frankly, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to tell Alec much about him yet. Alec looked and Magnus with raised eyebrows and an amused smile but answered anyway
“Okay, well, originally my mum and dad forced me into it, because in our family you either need to play a instument, a sport or be in clubs, and since they considered archery not a ‘worthy’ sport I was stuck the the instrument option,but, I really grew to love it so much. I’ve been playing since I was 10, pretty boring I guess ” Alec said with a shrug of his shoulder
“Your parents seem pretty strict,” Magnus commented as they walked down the walkway leading from the house.
Magnus watched as Alec’s facial expression turned sad for a split second before returning to its neutral look, it all happened so fast that Mangus wondered if he imagined it all “Ah, they are indeed. All about ‘preserving the lightwood name’ they practically say that line in their sleep” Alec said with a scoff
Magnus stopped walking and looked at Alec with wide eyes, “Lightwood? You’re a Lightwood?”
Alec stopped walking as well and looked at Magnus with a cautious, and borderline worried expression, “Yes, I’m a lightwood, though I am nothing like my egocentric parents...why do you ask?” Alec said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Magnus blinked a couple times, before clearing his throat and shifting his weight.
“Well I just- you don’t seem at all like Maryse and Robert..or any lightwood I’ve met in fact..I never would’ve guessed that you were their son..” Magnus said, voicing his thoughts. He’d met both Maryse and Robert in his early teenage years through Dot, the would always come into the Pandemonium, asking for different tractors and services from Dot, but they were never pleasant to Magnus or any of the kids there. He’d never forget the conversation he overheard Robert and Dot having. Robert had pulled Dot aside on a visit and had asked
*flash back*
“Dorothea, you had so much talent back in the days of the circle, why would you ever waste your talents here teaching these poor vagabonds? If you need help getting back into the game I have some old contacts I can talk to, maybe pull some strings an-“
Robert was cut off by a sharp slap from Dot, “how dare you, Robert. Come and talk about my students like that. These are all extremely talented kids and just because they haven’t been handed a easy life doesn’t make them any worse then those students up in the institute. It actually makes them better. They work their asses off twice as hard as their students even when most of them have a million other worries. So don’t come here and act like you ‘pity’ me for doing something great with my life. Making a difference” Dot whispered fiercely. There was a quiet pause before Magnus heard shuffling, “you need to leave” was all that Dot said before Magnus heard the departure of footsteps.
*flashback end*
Magnus could tell that Maryse and Robert were judge mental pricks but Alexander? He looked and acted worlds away from anything like that. Magnus startled when he heard Alexander start talking again.
“Yeah.. my parents have bigoted and selfish views that I don’t agree with at all, they know this and it tends to make me a disappointment to them. Now, enough about me, what about you? What made you take up the piano ?” Alec asked with curiosity apparent in his voice.
Magnus sighed and continued walking, Alec following suit. Alec had told Magnus about him so he might as well tell Alec about him. So that’s what he did.
“Well, my mum was amazing at the piano. She used to always play to me as a child, and teach me little songs and, I don’t know.. I just got attached to the instrument. I started taking lessons around the age of 7 with Dot, to my fath..ers dismay, I ended up amazing at it” Magnus said cringing at his inability to regularly refer to Asmodeus as his father and focused his eyes on his shoes, “After my Mother died, my father stopped taking me to lessons and forbid me from playing at all. Little did he know Dot continued to give me lessons in secret for free, all because she said she saw potential. If it weren’t for her..I..” Magnus trailed off not even wanting to think about where he would be without Dot.
“Magnus I- I’m..sorry for your loss” Alec said looked genuinely perturbed
Magnus let out another sigh an just shook his head, shrugging one shoulder. He didn’t want to get into that now. Or maybe ever. So Magnus decided to change the subject.
“What’s that?” Magnus asked as he pointed at a huge church like building, hoping it would make Alec drop the subject. Luckily he did.
“Um well, that is the auditorium we all perform at the end of the 1st month then again at the end of the 2nd month” Alec said
“What do we perform? Pieces we make or pieces we’re given?” Magnus asked
“Well, your mentor picks out a couple pieces for you based on your skill level and you pick which two you like the best” Alec said
Magnus hummed and nodded in understanding, “Do you happen to know who the piano mentors are?” Magnus asked
Alec nodded with a smile, those damn dimples flashing again, “yes of course, we have Lucian Greymark, Jia Penhallow, and Elias Carstairs”
As they continued walking, Magnus kept pointing out things and asking questions and Alec kept answering, by the time they made it fully around the camp grounds, they were both tired and hot, so Alec suggested they make a pit stop before heading home to grab a bite to eat at Taki’s, a restaurant on campus, since it was on their way, to which Magnus of course said yes to. It amazed him how unlike a music camp this was, it truly felt as if it was its own little world, glamoured from normal mundane eyes. Once they made it inside it they found a table and sat across from each other.
“So, what made you want to come to the institute? Usually people who are at this camp have all been coming since rookie days, back when we were all 12 year olds. By this time we never get any new people” Alec said propping his chin up on his open palm. Magnus had expected to be asked this question and had an answer prepared, but, it seemed harder to get it out now that Alec was staring intently at Magnus, waiting for his answer. Magnus had to avert his eyes, busying his hands by shredding up a napkin on the table and tried his to avoid staring directly into those endless blue eyes, lest he get lost in them.
“Well...I’ve been practicing the piano for years, as I said earlier, and my teacher Dorothea Rollins thought I could get even more experience by coming to this camp, so she pulled some strings and...here I am” Magnus said with a nervous smile, finally meeting those magnetic eyes.
Alec smiled, a genuine one, flashing his perfectly straight teeth and beautiful dimples, “well I’m glad she did. I was convinced this was going to be a boring summer, but you, Magnus, will definitely make it interesting”
Magnus simply didn’t know how to respond. Magnus didn’t plan to come here and open up much less have a friendship. He was making that way harder than he’d anticipated. Alexander Lightwood wasn’t part of his plan. But then again, he did love a challenge.