Hold a candle

Sadly, they reach the main room within what feels like only a few moments, so Alec doesn't actually get much time to talk to Magnus, much less enough time to ask for his number.

Then, a magical move later and Alec finds himself in yet another planning session, this time about summoning a powerful memory demon in order to get Clary's memories back. A planning session that includes his siblings, the girl who brings nothing but trouble and Alec's childhood savior.

Seriously, what a day.

Alec might also be itching to go nosing around Magnus' loft a bit but, hey, this is the apartment of a centuries-old warlock. There are bound to be endlessly interesting things to be found here. And you can't really blame Alec for maybe wanting to find out a little more about Magnus himself, now can you?

Alas, he doesn't actually get time for that either. Really, there always seems to be something going on in his life, taking up Alec's time, keeping him from doing the things he would like to do most. And usually that 'something' is also somehow his siblings' fault.

At least Magnus' obvious focus on him throughout their discussion is more than a little satisfying and Alec doesn't even try to pretend that he doesn't return the interest in equal measure. It's quite impossible to truly rip his eyes away from the warlock anyway - damn it all, but he is just so beautiful - so why even try.

And when Magnus calls him 'pretty boy' at one point, Alec's lips quirk in a smug grin, while Izzy smirks at him delightedly from over Magnus' shoulder. Jace's expression - caught somewhere between confusion at what is going on and offense at not being considered the pretty one between the two of them for once - only makes his grin widen.

So what, if Alec likes just how fixated the warlock seems to be on him?

And so what, if Alec decides only a little later that he should really consider taking up a hobby. Like painting, as an entirely random example. Hm, how does one go about learning to 'paint like Michelangelo'?

But before he can really ponder that particular existential question, they are already taking their positions around the pentagram to summon the memory demon.

Alec takes his place and then blinks at Magnus' outstretched hand for a second, before finally reaching out, curling his fingers around Magnus'. And then he promptly gets distracted by how breathtaking Magnus looks with that small smile he is currently directing at Alec and by how much he likes the way Magnus' warm hand feels in his.

It takes him a few moments to remember to offer his other, free hand to Jace. But by that time, even his parabatai has finally realized just what is going on. So when Alec finally reaches out to offer his other hand to him, both of his siblings are already grinning at him broadly. Alec knows he's in for quite a bit of teasing later on.

He entirely ignores Clary scowling at him from over Jace's shoulder. He doesn't know what her problem is and he honestly couldn't care less right now.

Because he is holding Magnus' hand and when the warlock starts the ritual, Alec can feel the magic pulse under Magnus' skin, building, tingling along the palm of Alec's hand.

Seeing and feeling such a powerful warlock's magic in action is really quite breathtaking. And Alec would be lying if he said that he isn't at least a little turned on by how easily Magnus is keeping such a powerful demon contained.

Apparently, Alec has a thing for power. Who knew?

The summoning itself goes off without a hitch but then things happen. Or rather go quite spectacularly wrong.

Because apparently nothing can ever be simple when Jace's newest crush is involved.

Once the demon actually demands its price, none of them ever even get the chance to pay it before Clary apparently decides that she would much rather kill the demon than actually give up another one of her memories.

And Alec can even understand why she would refuse to give up any more of her memories after realizing how much she is already missing. Really, he gets it. Still, he just wishes she would have thought of that before they went through all the trouble of summoning the demon in the first place.

By the angel, that girl really is an unholy amount of trouble.

But at least, Alec gets to hold Magnus' hand throughout the entire ordeal, even when Clary decides she would rather kill the demon than relinquish another one of her memories, even as the warlock struggles to contain the backlash of the interrupted summoning.

And afterwards, once the demon is gone, Magnus makes no move to let go of his hand right away, instead using their still linked hands to not-so-subtly pull Alec aside as Clary fusses over Jace. Magnus stops half-way through the entranceway into the next room. Only to then promptly ask for Alec's number with a coy smile and warm, glitter-adorned eyes.

And Alec is already so very much caught, it's honestly a little ridiculous.

Back at the Institute, Clary immediately goes off to grab a shower, having spent the trip home through the portal Magnus made for them in silence. She has barely spoken a word to Alec or his siblings ever since the summon mishap. Jace is of course worried, but Alec just shrugs internally.

Sure, she lost some of her memories, but what's done is done. She made her choice and now she has to live with it. That's just reality.

Alec has never been the type to worry about could-have-beens. Shit just happens. And then you deal with it as best you can.

However, with Clary's temporary disappearance the three of them at least have a chance to congregate in Alec's room to discuss everything that happened today as they tend to do most evenings.

Alec is leaning against the headboard of his bed, his legs pinned in place by Izzy's, who is lying on her back across the middle of the bed while flipping through a book on higher demons - wanting to look up the memory demon they just killed. She is using Jace's stomach as a pillow, who in turn is lying on his back with his head at the foot of the bed, frowning up at Alec's ceiling. All in all, it makes for a rather cozy picture.

Well, it would if it weren't also for the fact that Jace has been ranting for ten minutes straight now. He started with talking about Clary in general - as he always seems to do these days - then went on to lament how unfair it is that her memories are now lost forever and by now he has made it all the way to the topic of a certain warlock.

"Really, Alec? After all these years of us trying to find you someone to hook up with, that's the guy you finally decide is worth your interest? Him? Isn't he a bit... colorful?" Jace is clearly caught between mirth and bemusement, clearly uncertain just what to make of Magnus. Most likely because the warlock has been delighting in continually poking fun at his parabatai.

Not like Jace's ego can't use a few good pokes now and again. And Jace definitely tried to give back as good as he got.

So, Alec just grins, not bothering to comment.

Although, what does Jace mean by 'colorful'? Magnus is breathtakingly beautiful. Jace clearly has no idea what he's talking about.

Izzy speaks up to protest in his stead before Alec has a chance to, "What in the world are you talking about, Jace? That man is so hot it's honestly a little ridiculous. I mean, I usually don't share big brother's tastes but I would totally go for that one. Can you imagine him in bed? He definitely looks like the type who'd know what he is doing. Add a few centuries of experience to that... He would probably blow my mind."

Alec frowns. He doesn't like the sound of that at all.

But Izzy just reaches over to placatingly pat at one of his legs without even looking at him. "Don't worry, Alec. That man was so fixated on you, I'm not entirely sure he knows who else was even in the room with him."

Hm. That seemed to be the case. Alec feels his smile return.

But clearly, his siblings still have no idea just who Magnus is. Well, admittedly they really have no way of knowing, but still. It's rare that Alec gets to hold any sort of knowledge over their heads for any amount of time. So, he'll bask in this for just a bit longer.

A few moments of companionable silence, as neither of them says anything.

Then Izzy finally lets her book fall to rest against her stomach, turns her head to look at him and asks, "So, you're going for him?"

Jace leans up slightly to look at him as well, so clearly they are expecting a serious answer.

"Hn." Alec can't help but smirk. "I already have his number."

A pause.

Then Izzy laughs as Jace lets himself fall back onto the bed with a snort. "Well, once you decide you do like someone, you certainly don't waste any time, do you?"

"Not only that," Alec continues, deciding it's about time he lets his siblings in on the secret. "It's him. He is the man with the sparkles."

"Really, Alec. You don't say," Jace remarks, rolling his eyes at the ceiling, sarcasm heavy in his voice. "We kind of figured out that you were attracted to him. It was truly impossible to miss."

Alec waves his hand around vaguely, to cut him off. "No. I mean, he is the man with the sparkles," he re-emphasizes. "The one from my supposed dream. The one who rescued me."

There are a few moments of silence.

Then Izzy pushes herself up on her elbows to look at him incredulously. "Wait, seriously? That's actually him? I thought that was a dream."

"So did I," Alec says, not even trying to keep his voice neutral. "Because Mom told me it wasn't real."

Barely a pause. Then Izzy blows out an annoyed breath as she lets herself fall back again.

Jace winces - whether in reaction to what Alec just said or because of Izzy dropping her head unto his stomach without warning, Alec doesn't know. "Well, damn," is his parabatai's oh-so-articulate response.

"Hn." Alec nods, scowling at the far wall. He can see quite the explosive argument between himself and his mother in the very near future.

He even knows what her arguments are going to be. A mixture of 'preventing undue influence of an evil Downworlder's once-in-a-lifetime good deeds on Alec's still so impressionable mind' and 'But the prestige of the Lightwood name!'. Because having to rely on a warlock to save your firstborn not only meant there was a debt to be repaid, but it would certainly have been quite the hit to the Lightwood name.

Alec scoffs inwardly. Mom and her damn reputation.

Then, Jace unexpectedly starts laughing.

"Wait, you mean that the person we based most of our training sessions around, who you still continue to compare every single person you meet to, the person Izzy and me inadvertently have been comparing everyone we meet to, is Magnus Bane? As in all-powerful, centuries-old, High Warlock of Brooklyn, Magnus Bane?"

At that, Alec feels a slow, smug smile creep onto his face.

Izzy promptly bursts into giggles. "Oh, it all makes sense now. Of course Mom would try to hide this. She is going to flip when she realizes you figured it out. Much less that you're planning on asking him out."

Alec only grins wider.

As much of a mess as today turned out to be and as much as Alec is going to pay for all the stunts they have pulled recently without the Clave's approval, it was still entirely worth it. Because not only does he now know that 'the man with the sparkles' is in fact very much real but Alec also got the promise of a date with the single-most beautiful person he has ever seen.

Alec might even be willing to forgive Clary 'My Name Is Trouble' Fray for dragging them into her personal little crusade, just this once. Because, priorities.

A/N: Hm. I really don't like this chapter all that much. It seems a little messy and fragmented, but I've been sitting on it for a while now and I still wasn't able to really change anything about it, so here you go. Would love to know what you think :)

Also, it seems like this will probably be a relatively short fic (maybe another 10k?) and mostly fluffy, just fair warning and all that :D

Thanks for your reviews! You guys are wonderful (*^^*)