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Alec, as former president of the archery club at Idris High School, and current vice president of the same club at the University of Alicante, is no stranger to partaking in archery displays. It's a good way to attract new club members, which is great, but it also means Alec is temporarily the center of attention, and sometimes people try to flirt with him, which is decidedly less great. He'd rather go unnoticed. Usually. This year's game day is a little bit different because Magnus Bane is standing near the front of the onlookers, and he's focused entirely on Alec.
Usually being watched makes Alec nervous, but there's something about Magnus that makes Alec excited and, at the same time, almost calm.
Alec knocks an arrow, ignoring everyone but Magnus as he focusses on the target in front of him. The nearby conversations fade to a murmur, but Alec hears Magnus' appreciative whistle followed by, "Look at those arms, someone works out."
Keeping his face carefully blank, Alec releases his bow string. The arrow hits dead center.
"Impeccable aim," Magnus murmurs, just loud enough for Alec to hear. He fires a second arrow and it hits directly beside the first, still in the bullseye. Though Alec is tempted to show off by splitting arrows, he’s been forbidden to do it outside of competition. Something about wasting too many arrows.
The shot, of course, draws another remark from Magnus about how, “Doesn't everyone just love a man with talented fingers?”
There are a few giggles, making just enough noise to draw Victor Aldertree’s attention. He stands a few paces from Alec, as president of the archery club—and, thankfully, a senior soon to graduate. "Stop distracting my archers and wasting our time. Lightwood won't give anyone the time of day, especially not someone like you."
Alec grits his teeth and fires one last arrow into the target’s bullseye before spinning on his heel. There’s a larger crowd than he’d realized, but it doesn’t make him pause. He only has eyes for Magnus.
Silently, Alec closes the distance between them. His heart is beating quicker than usual, his blood racing as he realizes what he's doing. He doesn't let that stop him, using his free hand to cup Magnus’ cheek. Then he leans down and kisses him in front of everyone, rubbing it in Aldertree’s smug face. There are more than a few cheers.
Alec finally forces himself away, cheeks red from the attention on them. He doesn’t look away from Magnus and his adoring gaze. “What was that for, darling?”
“I love you,” Alec murmurs, pecking Magnus’ lips once more. He’s been dating the upperclassman for a few months now, but they’ve kept it under wraps for a number of reasons. None of which had seemed quite as important as kissing Magnus just now.
“Lightwood,” Aldertree snaps, ruining the moment.
Alec sighs and steps away from Magnus. “What?”
“Stop kissing boys and go set up for the interactive part of today's demonstration.”
“Interactive?” Magnus asks.
Alec smiles at him because it’s hard not to smile when he’s looking at Magnus. Even if Aldertree is only a few feet away and yelling at him to get to work. “Where we let prospective members try archery.”
“Hmm, you know I’ve always been interested in trying archery.”
Alec very much doubts that. They’ve talked about Alec doing archery many times, and Magnus had never expressed an interest in the sport beyond supporting Alec. But if Magnus wants to use it as an excuse to spend more time together, Alec isn’t going to complain.
It’s a couple hours before Alec is able to talk to Magnus again. Between switching out the demonstration for the interactive one, and helping the first students in line, Alec is kept busy. Until, finally, Magnus steps up.
“No way,” Aldertree calls from where he’s showing a very nervous freshman how to hold a bow. “We’re trying to recruit members, this isn’t the time to hang out with your boyfriend.”
“I’m a prospective member,” Magnus shoots back, looking a little too innocent. “And I have a name.”
Aldertree sneers at them, but growls, “Make it quick, Bane.”
“He’s charming,” Magnus mutters just loud enough for Alec to hear.
“He’s the worst part of this club,” Alec returns just as quietly.
Magnus shoots him a conspiratorial grin, and Alec forgets to breathe for a second, before picking up the bow. “So, how do I do this?”
“Here, you need this.” Alec picks up the quiver, holding it out to Magnus who uses his freehand to pluck at one of the strings. Alec rolls his eyes at Magnus’ feigned helplessness, but moves closer to strap the quiver to his back. And, because he can’t resist, presses a quick kiss to Magnus’ cheek. “Now hold the bow up.”
Magnus raises the bow, aiming in the direction of the target. This one is far closer to the shooter than the one Alec had shot for the display. They’d wanted to give interested students a chance of actually hitting something.
“Good, hold the bow in your left hand and use your right to knock the arrow.” With a bit of guidance from Alec, Magnus manages to get the arrow knocked. “And pull back the string, but don’t let go until you’re ready.”
Magnus does as instructed. “Why is it so... heavy?”
“Every bow is a different,” Alec answers vaguely, admiring the image Magnus makes with a bow in his hand. The sunlight streams down on him, softening the red hues in his shirt and hair and glinting off his golden jewelry. He kind of looks like a god of archery—Eros or Apollo.
Magnus glances over and smiles when he sees Alec staring. “Now what?”
“Aim and try to hit the target.”
Magnus’ nose scrunches at the vague instruction, but he refocusses on the target. Alec can tell he’s going to miss before he releases the string. Sure enough, the arrow flies right over the top of the target and lands somewhere in the grass behind it.
“Alexander, you’re not a very good teacher,” Magnus says, pouting.
Alec shakes his head, expression betraying his fondness as he steps closer. He plucks an arrow from Magnus’ quiver and helps him knock it before pressing his hands to Magnus’ shoulder and waist, guiding him. “Like this. And stare down the arrow to aim.”
Magnus’ second arrow hits the target. It’s in the outer circle, about an inch from the edge, but Magnus seems satisfied.
“Much better,” Alec murmurs at Magnus’ ear to watch him shiver.
“Lightwood!” It’s Aldertree again because of course it is.
“Would it be totally unethical of me to swap out his shampoo for pink hair dye?” Magnus murmurs.
Alec chuckles, even as he steps away. “At this point, I’m willing to help you.”
Magnus sets the bow down and starts undoing the quiver. “You’re coming over tonight, aren’t you?”
Lately, he spends most of his nights at Magnus’ apartment instead of his and Jace’s dorm room, but Alec still has to ask, “Do you want me to?”
“Always.”
“Then yes.”
Magnus steps in to kiss him, keeping it soft and chaste. “I can’t wait.”