Chapter Three - First Dates

They were early. It made Magnus nervous. He was always late to dates, but for some reason he was desperate to make a good impression on Alexander. He would have preferred to have their date at a restaurant but Alec and Jace had chose a local pizzeria and honestly who could say no to pizza.

"You okay?" Asked Clary.

They were sat near the back of the establishment in a booth for 4 people. They'd decided to sit next to each other so Jace and Alec could take the seats across from them.

"I'm okay, just not used to being the one waiting," he smiled. "How about you?"

"I'm a little nervous," confessed Clary.

"No need to be nervous. You look stunning and Jace i'm sure will be enraptured by your beauty."

"Enraptured?" Giggled Clary. "Really Magnus?" He simply shrugged in return.

They settled into a comfortable conversation while they waited for their dates.

"So you've been texting non-stop since meeting at the store?"

"Yep,"smiled Magnus thinking of all the texts he and Alexander had exchanged. Magnus had learned that Alec was more comfortable texting and spoke more freely. The boy somehow managed to be adorable in person and writing.

"How about you and Jace?"

"We text a lot too, he also calls me every night to say goodnight and every morning he calls me good morning," She admitted her cheeks tinted pink.

"Ugh, I'm beginning to think you two are going to be sickly sweet and unable to keep your hands off each other," grimaced Magnus.

"Are you saying your going to be able to keep your hands off Alec?" She probed her eyebrows wiggling suggestively.

"Not when he looks like that," groaned Magnus his eyes focused on the stunning sight that was Alexander, as he and Jace walked towards them.

"Hey, hope you guys haven't been waiting long," greeted Jace.

"Not at all," responded Clary with a big smile.

Magnus was unable to take his eyes off Alec as he slid his black winter coat off his shoulders before taking his seat next to Jace.

"You look really good," complimented Magnus.

"Thank you. You do too, I like the glitter," Alec replied softly a blush already spreading across his cheeks.

"I honestly think we all look great," laughed Jace his gaze focused on Clary, drinking in her appearance hungrily.

He was right. They'd all put effort into their outfits, each trying to make a good impression.

Jace had chose to wear dark blue jeans that fit in all the right places, he'd paired this with a snug fitting crimson t-shirt that showed off his muscular upper body. The oufit was completed with black boots and a leather jacket.

Magnus let his gaze wander over Alexander as they began discussing what pizza they wanted.

Alexander was wearing ink black jeans that rivalled his dark tresses, they encased his long legs perfectly. He'd also made the good choice of wearing what looked to be an incredibly soft midnight blue sweater that he wore with the sleeves pushed up exposing the pale skin of his forearms. Magnus also noticed the combat boots that definitely seemed more Alec than the rest of his outfit.

"Earth to Magnus."

"Huh?" Asked Magnus looking towards a grinning Jace.

"Seriously, I know Alec's hot but you can't just sit and stare at him all night. Hey!" Jace turned accusing eyes on Alec who had very obviously kicked him under the table much to Magnus' amusement.

"I could and I would,"teased Magnus staring directly into Alec's eyes. A dark red blush had already engulfed his cheeks and neck. "But I won't because it would be far too impolite."

"Good. Because we're all getting hungry and need your opinion on the pizza order," Clary informed him.

Magnus decided they needed something to help them relax and have fun. "Who is up for a challenge?" Asked Magnus daringly.

"What kind of challenge?" Asked Jace his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Magnus smirked as he noticed the competitive look in both Jace and Alexander's eyes, he had the whole tables attention. "A competitive eating challenge of course," grinned Magnus.

"What are you suggesting? That we get a pizza each to ourselves and see who can finish eating first?" Questioned Alexander curiously.

"Precisely," nodded Magnus.

"What do we get if we win?" Inquired Jace.

"A kiss from anyone of your choosing," suggested Clary wickedly taking even Magnus by surprise with her boldness.

Alec's blush was back in full force as he deliberately avoided Magnus' gaze.

"Deal!" Agreed Jace grinning.

They ordered their pizza's and choice of beverages. While they waited they started up a comfortable conversation, sticking to safe topics such as what they did or didn't like.

"I'm not so sure this was a good idea," admitted Alec as they stared down at the table covered in pizza, there was barely any room for their drinks.

"Are you backing out?" Taunted Jace.

"No," responded Alec the competitive glint back in his eye.

"Okay, so on the count of 3," suggested Clary. "1, 2, 3." The number had barely left her lips before they were diving in like fiends, each trying to out eat the other.

Jace was a cheat. Of course Magnus was just as bad. At every opportunity he got Jace would throw straws that he had procured from god knows where at them. Whereas Magnus stuck with the age old tactic of playing footsie under the table combined with his natural flirty personality. He'd successfully caused Alec and Jace to yelp and almost choke more than once as Clary shook with laughter next to him. It was fun and the best bit was they were all relaxed and enjoying themselves, even if they did look like ravenous pigs to the casual observer.

"I don't believe it," muttered Jace wide eyed. He'd been repeating the same thing since they'd finished their little pizza eating contest.

"Believe it," grinned Clary victoriously.

While the boys had been trying to sabotage each other they'd neglected to notice that Clary was a monster when it came to eating pizza. She'd proudly jumped up from her seat proclaiming herself the winner leaving them all stunned.

"You know, you may just be the girl of my dreams," announced Jace confidently as they stood outside the Pizzeria.

"Aww, that's adorable," teased Magnus.

"Shut up responded Clary with a roll of her eyes. Magnus could tell she was trying not to show how much Jace's words had affected her. But the blush on the apples of her cheeks and the way she was softly gazing at Jace gave her away.

"Walk me home?" Asked Magnus turning towards Alexander.

"Sure," he nodded with a smile.

"You going to be okay getting home?" Magnus asked Clary already knowing the answer but asking anyway.

"I'll make sure she gets home safe," Jace assured him.

They said their goodbyes before splitting off into pairs.

They'd only been walking for a couple of minutes in a comfortable silence when Magnus felt Alec's hand take his hesitantly. Magnus grinned before interlocking their fingers and gripping Alec's hand more securely.

"I had fun tonight," Spoke Alec quietly.

"Me too. Maybe next time we can do something, just the two of us," suggested Magnus.

"I'd like that,"agreed Alec.

Magnus suddenly wished he lived further away than he did. Then they would have more time to talk, to enjoy each others company and certainly more time in which he could hold Alexander's hand.

But all good things must come to an end and that's what happened as they came to a stop outside his house. "This is my house," sighed Magnus reluctantly letting go of Alec's hand.

"Maybe we could go see a movie on Saturday?" Suggested Alec looking as reluctant as Magnus was to separate.

"Sounds like a date," teased Magnus glad to see he hadn't lost the ability to make Alec blush.

"It's a date," nodded Alec.

"You'll call me when you get back? So I know you got home safe," requested Magnus.

"Of course," was Alec's simple response.

"I guess I should be getting inside," mumbled Magnus miserably.

"I guess I'll talk to you later," replied Alec.

Magnus sighed, turning towards his house.

"Magnus?"

"Yeah?" Asked Magnus turning back towards Alec.

He was caught off guard as Alec's lips descended on his, the surprise of it causing him to stumble back a few steps only to have Alec's arms encircle his waist, pulling him tightly against his strong chest.

By the time they broke a part they were both breathing heavily, their lips tingling pleasantly.

"Well that was unexpected," breathed Magnus. "But I assure you Alexander you are welcome to kiss me any time."

"Good to know," grinned Alec as he pulled Magnus back towards him, their lips meeting once again.