Title: Calls and Closets

Summary: "You hadn't seemed quite out of the closet yet, you know?" Magnus said. Alec choked on a laugh. "I'm not, really. Literally and figuratively." Malec

Part Three: Apartments and Alcohol

Notes: Well, here is the long awaited final chapter of this Malec fic. Personally, I think this is the best Malec I've ever written. And when I was writing... well, I think you'll have to read to understand but I called my friend squealing how I could practically feel the heat! This chapter takes place in CoA. You may notice that this sort of recaps - it was written before I decided to post it all in one story. Also, I wrote this before the previous chapter. Enjoy! Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Also, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who favorited, put this on alert, reviewed, and read this fic. You guys rock! (does little heart with hands) You make me go on! I'll be away all weekend, so no updates on anything until possibly mid next week, if not later (sorry for those of you reading Forever Doesn't Last... I wont have access to my computer and I unfortunately have to keep up my grades if I'd like to pass Bio).

Warnings: Slight use of alcohol in this chapter. Also a somewhat intense make out scene between two of the same sex (but seriously, if you don't like that, why are you still reading this Malec fic?).

Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments. Or Alec and Magnus.

Alec peeled off his clothes and threw them in the hamper, replacing them with a towel. Dragon demons… he was going to kill Jace. Since when did almost extinct become extinct? Furthermore, when did people fight demons that were almost extinct? That meant they were supposed to be almost gone!

He felt sticky and gross and absolutely horrid. There was nothing he wanted more than a hot shower and he knew that if he didn't get to it soon, Isabelle and Jace would use it all. He switched on the shower – steaming hot – just as his cell phone began to vibrate. He checked the caller ID – Magnus Bane.

Alec's stomach lifted. He was still sore and looked like he had been ridden over by a truck thanks to the Greater Demon battle, but Magnus had thankfully been there to save his life. He was much better than he might have turned out.

Now, Magnus had been calling every few days just to check in (and occasionally just to chat). Alec wasn't sure what it was about him. Magnus's image made Jace flee his mind without a trouble.

"Hello?" he answered, his breath hitching.

"Hey, Alec," Magnus responded. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore," he admitted. "Jace decided to drag us all out to battle a dragon demon."

"I thought those were mostly extinct."

"That's exactly what I said!"

Magnus laughed. "Did you get beat up too badly? How about the crutches? You still using them?"

Alec sighed. So it wasn't a conversational call. It was a check up. Great. "I'm not too hurt, no. And nope, I'm not using the crutches anymore."

"Good." Magnus seemed to purr. Alec wondered if it had anything to do with the cat eyes thing. "So, what are you doing? Not sitting in a closet, I hope."

Alec laughed this time. The first time they had spoken, the night after the party, Alec had resorted to literally hiding in his closet just in case anyone barged in. Magnus hadn't stopped teasing him since.

"No," he snapped. "Trying to steam up the bathroom."

"Oh, that's good for your pores," Magnus commented. Alec said nothing. "I suppose you don't care about that."

"No, not particularly," Alec said. "I don't go for the makeup and hair stuff and the… glitter." He pictured Magnus's signature colors – which was really all of them. Definitely not him.

"That's okay. You look good in black," Magnus assured him. "So you're in the bathroom right now?"

"Yeah," Alec admitted. He closed the toilet seat and sat down. "Where are you?"

"Wait one second." There were a few doors opened and shut, then the sound of water being run. "Same place."

"Why do you always do that?" Alec asked. Magnus always tried to put himself in the same place as Alec when they talked.

"So it can be like we're together."

A hot rush surged up Alec's neck, into his cheeks and even his ears. He glanced into the mirror – yep, red as a tomato. "Right. That's… cool." His voice came out strangled.

"Hey, how about we meet up so we can actually be together? Talk face to face for once." Magnus suggested this slowly, cautiously. Alec knew it was only for his sake. The warlock was never this careful.

"Er…"

Magnus continued quickly. "Not if you don't want to, though. This is fine."

"Alec!" There was a bang on the bathroom door. Isabelle had broken into his room again. "Alec, get your butt out of the shower, you're using up all the hot water!"

"I'm not even in the shower yet!" Alec yelled back. "Jace must've used it all, it's heating up!" This was a blatant lie, but a necessary one. If he didn't tell it, Isabelle would freak out at him.

"I'm coming in, you're a liar, I see steam!"

Alec tightened the towel around his waist just as the lock clicked and the door swung open. Damn Isabelle. She wore a robe, her hair slicked back in a ponytail. Still without a speck of dirt on her. It was almost unfair.

Alec set the phone behind him, aware that Magnus could probably hear every word. "Isabelle, what are you doing?"

She hoisted herself onto the counter and kicked the door closed. "Oh, this is good for pores."

"Told you," Magnus whispered.

Isabelle's eyes lit up. "Hi, Magnus!" she said. "Put it on speaker, Alec."

"No," he said firmly and pressed the phone to his ear again. He averted his eyes from Izzy. "Magnus, I've gotta go."

"You never answered my question," Magnus said before he could hang up. "Meet me somewhere?"

"Not where someone I know will see us," Alec said quickly.

If Magnus was annoyed or offended, he didn't show it. "Of course. Taki's?"

"That's basically the opposite of what I just said."

"We're not going to Taki's, we're meeting there. I know somewhere nearby."

"Okay," Alec said slowly, suddenly not sure if this was a good idea. "Izzy, get out of my bathroom, I'm on the phone."

"Oh yes, like that's the most normal place in the world to be talking to a sexy warlock," she said much too loudly.

Alec glared. "Out!"

"Oh, you're cranky," Isabelle said but slid off the counter and headed for the door. "Shower and get out of the house. But be safe, you two!" She was laughing as she walked down the hall.

"Sexy warlock," Magnus repeated thoughtfully. "Hm. I could get used to being referred to as such."

"Isabelle said that, not me," Alec reminded him.

"Still, the habit might rub off eventually."

Alec raised his eyebrows, though the warlock couldn't see him.

"Don't raise your eyebrows at me, Alec Lightwood, I know you are."

Alec let himself smile goofily. Magnus knew his so well that it was scary. They had barely known each other two weeks, yet he could read his body language from miles away. "You're so conceited."

"I never said I wasn't," Magnus said. "How about this? You get your butt in the shower, clean all the demon guts off, and then meet me by Taki's. Nobody has to know."

"I'm not sure…" Alec said uneasily.

Magnus sighed. "Is this to do with Jace again? Is he hurt? In need of a sponge bath or something? Because if he is, I'm available, too."

Alec gripped the phone tightly. "No!"

"Has he decided he's gay and is love with you?"

"No!"

"Then there ought to be no problem with meeting up with me for one afternoon. See you there or not. I'm sure plenty of people will be willing to hang out with me if you don't have the guts to show."

The line went dead. Alec set down the phone and jumped into the now chilly shower with a resolve like none other to prove Magnus wrong.

Alec was sweating in his jeans and long sleeved t-shirt, but was too self conscious about the bruises running up his arms and legs to wear anything less. Magnus looked at him in distaste when he reached the corner by Taki's.

He fingered the stele in his pocket, willing to make himself a glamour anytime, anywhere. Magnus closed a hand over his wrist.

"What," he spat. "Are you wearing?"

Alec rolled his eyes. "Clothes. I'm sure you're glad that I am." Magnus himself was wearing black skinny jeans that, from what Alec could tell, had sparkles in the fabric and a multicolored t-shirt that looked more expensive than his entire wardrobe.

Magnus scanned Alec. "I'm not sure that I am, especially considering that you're wearing that. It's eighty-five degrees, what's with the long sleeves?"

Alec winced as he yanked his arm out of Magnus's. "Some of us have been poisoned by demons in the past few days and the bruises haven't quite faded," he snapped.

Magnus shook his head, disregarding him completely. "And it's black! On top of it all, it's black. And it doesn't fit you at all, that's what, a size too big?"

Alec took a deep breath. Through gritted teeth, he muttered, "Are we going to stand here on the corner looking like prostitutes or are we actually going somewhere?"

Magnus glanced around and waved at some people passing. "I'll go for the prostitution thing, it sounds fun."

"Magnus."

"Right. Sorry. Forgot you're not into that kind of thing. Come on, we're definitely going somewhere." Magnus took hold of Alec's elbow and start leading him down the block. Alec took his arm back and glanced round nervously.

The ifrit from Taki's was talking to Kaelie, the waitress, right outside the diner and they looked at the passing pair with a look that said they were definitely excited for the gossip. Alec looked away and tried to slow his pace so he was a few feet behind Magnus.

Eventually, Magnus led him into an apartment building and they climbed endless steps together in silence. Alec felt like he ought to be worried or concerned. He had no idea where they were, what Magnus was planning, if he'd even come out alive…

Oh what was he saying? Of course he'd come out alive. Magnus wasn't going to kill him.

The warlock stopped at a door and stuck a key inside. As he twisted the doorknob, he looked behind him with a glint in his eye, checking if Alec was behind him.

Alec gulped. Well, he wouldn't kill him purposely, at least.

"Welcome," Magnus said and swung the door open grandly, "To my humble abode – the second." He gestured for Alec to enter.

Alec walked in slowly, taking in his surroundings. It was nothing like his other apartment. This one had blank, unpainted walls. There was the bare minimum of furniture shoved into the small room. A bed, a table, and two chairs. Alec could see a bathroom (the shower had no curtains, he noted) and a kitchen that looked like it had never been used.

"You have two apartments?" he asked as Magnus shut the door behind him.

Magnus shrugged. "It's where I stay when I have business in the area. It's a pain to go back and forth, you know? Especially when it's really late."

Alec nodded. "That makes sense," he said slowly.

Magnus kicked off his shoes and Alec wondered idly if he should, too. Magnus headed to the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink? Water? Juice? Soda? I think I have some vodka from when you got hurt…" He started rummaging, through the cabinets.

"I don't drink," Alec said quickly. "Why do you have alcohol from when I was hurt?"

"Well, I was worried," Magnus explained and took out two shot glasses. "There was nothing I could really do, so I eventually came back to here to drink and sleep a bit."

"I don't drink," Alec repeated when he noticed that Magnus was pouring vodka into both glasses.

"Right," Magnus said and smirked as he handed Alec one.

"I don't! I mean, I've had wine, but only enough to get me buzzed. I don't want to get drunk."

Magnus laughed smirked even wider. "Why? Scared that you'll get a loose tongue and spill all?"

Alec blushed and looked away. "Maybe," he muttered.

"Well, I already know, so it's no big deal," Magnus said. "Take a seat somewhere, anywhere. Floor, table…" He grinned slyly at Alec. "Bed."

Alec's throat went instantly dry and he managed to croak, "T-table is fine."

Magnus looked at him silently. "Sit on the bed, for god's sake. There's no need to be uncomfortable. Those chairs are for business only."

Alec laughed, but didn't go near the bed. "Excluding that hint of prostitution you mentioned before, right?"

Magnus smiled, as if he couldn't believe those words were coming out of Alec's mouth. Alec didn't believe it either.

"I only invite really special people to sit on my bed," Magnus said and inclined his head toward it. "It's the closest thing to a couch in here. We might as well."

Alec swallowed, trying to wet his throat, and nodded. He crossed the room and sat down on the edge of the bed, trying not to spill the drink that he had no intention of drinking. Magnus downed his as he sat.

"So." Magnus stretched the word out as long as he could. "What do you want to do?"

Alec shrugged. He hadn't expected things to be so awkward when they were standing in the same room. The phone calls had become routine, comfortable. But now, they were sitting there and just staring at one another and oh god, it was sending twists and turns in his stomach, in his brain, in his heart…

Magnus sighed. "You sure you're not too hot in that shirt? I can lend you something."

Alec shook his head rapidly. He couldn't go home in someone else's clothes. Surely his mother would notice if he was wearing something of Magnus's.

"I have a black t-shirt that might fit you," Magnus added. "It's completely plain, I promise."

Alec shrugged.

"Are you really going mute on me?" Magnus demanded. "Come on, say something, Alec."

Alec fumbled for words. "I… Magnus, maybe this wasn't such a good idea. We don't… I… We barely know each other, why am I even here?"

Magnus frowned. "So we can get to know each other. Look, if you don't want to stay, that's fine. I'll walk you – well, no, I won't walk you home, I know you wouldn't want that. But I'll walk you back towards Taki's, if you want."

"I'm sorry, Magnus," Alec said quietly after a short silence. "I don't want to hurt your feelings or anything, I just don't think I'm ready for this sort of thing."

"I know," Magnus said just as softly. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I know I tease a lot about you being in the closet, but… if that's what you want, that's what it'll be. I won't push you."

Alec looked at the shot glass instead of Magnus. He let himself take a tiny sip, barely enough to make his throat burn and his eyes water. "It's not that," he admitted. "Well, partially, it is. I just… you were right before, I think. On the phone. I've been in love with Jace for so long, I just don't know –"

"How to care about anyone else?"

Alec reluctantly met his eyes. "Yeah."

Magnus nodded. "I've had things like that, too. The thing is, sometimes you have to get over someone by doing things you're not sure about. Sometimes, it's a disaster. Usually it turns out well."

"What do you mean?" Alec cocked his head to the side curiously. He kicked off his shoes and crossed his legs on the bed. His chin rested in his hand, which rested on his knee.

Magnus thought for a minute. He reached across Alec to set the glass on the night table and Alec followed suit. He definitely didn't like the burning. Wine, he could deal with. But not that. Too strong.

"Well," he answered. "Once, I broke up with my girlfriend and I was having trouble getting past her. It was a sort of nasty breakup – she thought I was cheating, which I was not and slapped me in front of about a million people, calling me all sorts of names, threatening me, the whole shebang. A few weeks later, I ran into some guy. We were both drunk, we kissed. Decided that I liked it better than I liked kissing my exgirlfriend. So that was a good thing."

Alec frowned. He couldn't quite picture Magnus with a girl, which was why he supposed Magnus considered it a good thing.

"So, are you saying I need to find a girl to make out with?" Alec said slowly.

Magnus shook his head and his hair fell in his face. He leaned back onto his elbows. "No. I didn't say you need to kiss anyone. Just try something new that you're not sure about."

"Like what?" Alec leaned back as well, surprised to find that the bed was extremely comfortable. Magnus was across from him.

He looked to the ceiling, as if the answers were there. "I don't know. What are you not sure about doing?"

"You," Alec blurted out before he could stop himself. He bit his lip instantly, so hard he thought he might draw blood. Why had he said that?

Magnus laughed. "Well, no offense, but I'm pretty sure you're not ready to do me yet. I think you'd have to be pretty hammered to do that right now."

Alec laughed weakly. "Yeah, I guess I would." He paused, unsure. "Maybe we can do something else, though?"

"Like what? You afraid of heights? Maybe we can find a rollercoaster or something."

Alec's insides felt like they were on a rollercoaster, but he seemed unable to stop himself as he plowed forward. "No, maybe… maybe something closer to the idea you had before?"

Magnus's jaw was set firmly as he sat up, each movement more cautious and hesitant than the last. Alec's stomach lurched nervously and he, on instinct almost, leaned in towards Magnus, inching closer.

They were still at least a foot apart when Magnus whispered, shaking his head, "What are you doing, Alec?"

"Something I don't know if I want to do," he murmured back. His hand only trembled slightly as he reached out to rest it on Magnus's. It wasn't Jace's in the slightest and maybe that's what drew Alec towards him so strongly.

Magnus pulled away. "Then don't. Don't do anything you don't want to. I don't want you to do that. Please. You don't want to, Alec, so don't."

Alec reached out again, his eyes shut tight. Magnus's hand was cool, a contrast to his own overheating body. Magnus was right – long sleeves were a bad idea in the middle of the summer. With the warlock so near, he couldn't even attempt an image of Jace in his mind. For some reason, relief flooded him and he knew – just knew – that Magnus was wrong.

He wanted to.

"Magnus, please," he whispered. "Help me get him out of my brain."

Magnus's fingers shook under his own, as if the warlock couldn't control them any better than Alec could. Alec didn't open his eyes as he moved forward, and then he collided with something, someone, and there was nothing, nobody he could think of except Magnus.

He was pushed back against the voluminous pillows, gasping as he did so. His legs unfolded themselves and he could feel the warlock's lying beside them. Magnus was pleasant against his lips, against his hands. In all his fantasizing about Jace, he had never expected Magnus to be better than his imagination. That kiss when he was injured was nothing compared to this.

Magnus's lips were smooth and pressed down on his feverishly. Alec responded instinctively and held the warlock closer, kissing him back, moving his lips whichever way Magnus did.

Magnus pulled away much too soon. Alec looked at him, wide eyed and nervous. Why had he pulled away?

Magnus was grinning, his eyes making him look like a Cheshire Cat. "You okay?" he murmured.

Alec nodded, speechless.

Magnus laughed and eased back onto his knees. "Are you okay?" he repeated.

"Fine," Alec spluttered. "I-I'm totally fine. Completely fine."

Magnus extended his arm and gently touched Alec's cheek as he propped himself up on his elbows. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Alec said, more confident this time. That had been nice. More than nice. He liked it. He liked Magnus, even, he realized. He really liked Magnus.

"Do you want to…" Magnus trailed off, and to Alec's astonishment, pink crept up his cheeks.

"Are you blushing?" he asked incredulously.

Magnus rolled his eyes. "Tell that to anyone, Nephilim, and you never leave this apartment again."

On impulse, Alec grabbed Magnus by the hand and pulled him closer again. At this point, he wasn't sure if he'd mind staying there forever. He fell back again, taking in the moment with every cell in his body. Magnus's smell, the taste of his lips, the fabric of Magnus's shirt under his fingertips as he grabbed onto the warlock's shoulders…

Magnus pried himself away from his lips and Alec took a small breath of air, expecting him to sit back again. But this was not the case. His lips touched the corner of Alec's mouth, trailing down his jaw line, and Alec couldn't think of a reason to stop him. He clutched Magnus tightly. One of Magnus's hands wandered under his sweater, but he didn't mind when the cool, not callused skin, so unlike his own, rested on his heart.

Magnus had been right. Maybe things he wasn't sure about did turn out to be the best.

The softness was replaced by a dull pressure on his neck and Alec stiffened automatically. Magnus lifted a hand and it twisted in Alec's hair as Alec's tangled itself in the rainbow colored streaks. He relaxed again, his eyes shut, afraid that any sight would ruin the moment.

Magnus disentangled his hand from Alec while he moved the other towards Alec's shoulders, pulling up the sweater as he went. But the hand moved too quickly in the wrong direction, and Alec felt the shot glass hit his skin before he heard the fall.

Liquor soaked through his shirt and he sat up straight, almost knocking Magnus off the bed completely.

"Stop," he panted.

Magnus moved back immediately. "Are you okay?" he asked again. "Did I hurt you?"

Alec's cheeks felt hot and he pressed a hand over his (also burning) neck. "N-no," he said shakily. "The vodka –"

"No problem." Magnus slid off the bed and picked up the shattered glass. It had fallen to the ground after hitting Alec. "This bed has had worse than alcohol in it."

Alec didn't even want to know what he was referencing, though he was fairly certain it was dirty. "But my shirt hasn't."

Magnus took the few steps to the kitchen and threw the glass into a trash can. He smiled as his eyes raked over Alec.

Now that Magnus was across the room and they were no longer kissing, Alec felt like he was snapped back to reality. What was he doing? He was a Shadowhunter. A Shadowhunter! Making out with warlocks had to be against some sort of Law. Making out with the same sex had to be against some sort of Law. He had to be against some sort of Law!

Alec drew his legs to his chest quickly, trying to ward off Magnus's stares. Yes, that had been nice. He had enjoyed it much more than he wanted to admit. But this could never work. He wasn't sure what had compelled him to do it, to want to kiss Magnus so eagerly.

He knew he had only a sip of the vodka (after all, the rest was soaking into his shirt), but maybe that had something to do with it. Yes, he decided, that had to be it. He didn't blame Magnus at all, no. It was his fault for taking the sip in the first place, for not refusing the glass.

"I told you that shirt was a bad idea," Magnus said loftily and crossed the room to the bathroom. There didn't seem to be a closet in this apartment – Alec noted to mention that one day. Two could play at the closet jokes, after all.

Magnus reached under the counter, where there were a few stacks of clothes. "Here." He tossed a plain black short sleeved shirt to Alec. "Change into that."

Alec let it land beside him and then picked it up slowly, as if it might detonate. He observed it – no glitter, no embarrassing graphics, and a normal neckline. Okay. He could wear this.

"I've got alcohol all over me," he said slowly, not meeting Magnus's gaze. The warlock stepped out of the bathroom.

"Clean yourself up," he invited. "And then come out again. I'll see if I've got any food here that's not rotting."

Alec didn't think this sounded promising, but did as suggested. He shut the door behind him and peeled off the shirt. This was the second he had ruined this day, both at fault of some other guy. First Jace and the stupid demon. Now Magnus and… He couldn't even think of it without burning up again.

He ran the sink and scrubbed at his skin where he was sticky with the drink, but was careful not to wash his hands. They still tingled with Magnus's touch – he didn't want to risk getting rid of that so quickly.

It wasn't until he was clean when he realized that he had forgotten the t-shirt outside. He glanced at his sodden shirt. He couldn't put it on again. And Magnus didn't seem to have any towels in the bathroom.

"Magnus?" he shouted through the door.

"Uh huh?" The warlock sounded distracted. A cabinet slammed shut.

How to put this? "Um," Alec said. "I sort of… forgot the t-shirt out there."

"And?" Another cabinet shut. "Why don't I have any food in this place? I knew I should have grabbed something from Taki's."

"Forget the food, Magnus. Can you, uh, just hand me the shirt?"

He expected Magnus to just open the door a crack and slip the shirt inside. He hadn't expected the door to be thrown open, much like Izzy was in habit of doing. His cheeks flushed again (he really had to stop that!) as Magnus crossed his arms over his chest, t-shirt still in his hands.

"I don't see what the problem is. You could have just walked out." Magnus tossed the shirt at him and Alec caught it. He instantly pulled it over his head. Luckily, it was on right. "It's not like you have a bad looking body. And how is it different from wearing a bathing suit or something? I wear bathing suits in public. Most everyone does."

"Magnus, please," Alec choked, now picturing him shirtless. "Not now."

Magnus nodded, sobered instantly. "Right. Sorry. Forgot that you're not used to this." He laughed and stuck his hands in his pockets. "You didn't seem like a newbie, though." He paused. "That's a good thing, by the way."

Alec bit his lip. "Good to know, I guess."

"It's very good to know." Magnus removed one hand from his pocket and slipped it into one of Alec's, tightening his grip ever so slightly. He led him towards the meager food supply in the kitchen. "So. Food that is edible: crackers, cookies, and… whipped cream."

Alec furrowed his forehead. "Do I want to know why you have whipped cream in your usually unused apartment?"

Magnus considered. "No, I don't think you're ready for that yet."

Alec opened his mouth, but shut it quickly. "I'll have a cookie, thanks."

Magnus passed the container over. It was unopened, so Alec hoped they weren't stale. He ripped the cardboard box open and took one out before handing it back to Magnus. Magnus did the same and then put everything else away.

"Could I… Could I have some water?" Alec asked quietly, sinking into one of the rickety chairs.

Magnus grabbed a shot glass (did he have anything but shot glasses in this place? What kind of business did he do?) and filled it with tap water. He pushed it across the table and Alec downed in readily, wetting his throat and mouth eagerly.

"That was fun," Magnus commented and sat down across from him.

"Fun," Alec repeated. "Fun is…" He struggled for a meaning, before sighing. "Yeah, that was fun." For once, he was fairly certain that this was a definition he and Jace could agree on. "Extinct" perhaps not, but "fun"…

"Is there any chance we might, you know, do that again?" Magnus inclined his head, waiting for an answer.

Alec looked at Magnus, remembering the feel of his lips and his fingers tangled in his hair… "Yeah," he said finally. "There might be."

His phone rang loudly, breaking the peaceful silence that ensued.

Alec jumped to his feet to grab it off the bed, where it had fallen out of his pocket. He checked the caller ID – Isabelle.

"What's wrong?" he said, skipping hello, because he was sure that Isabelle wouldn't interrupt him after pushing him so hard unless it was an emergency.

"Mom wants to know where you are and Jace just got home from a fight with a bunch of werewolves," Isabelle said all in one breath. "I told her you were on a walk."

"I… um," Alec said and glanced at Magnus nervously. The warlock was leaning back in his chair, tipping it dangerously. He watched him intently, his expression curious. "Okay. I'm on a walk. Why was Jace in a werewolf fight?"

"We missed it, he left after he talked to Mom. I don't know the full story, just get home and quick. I heard the Inquisitor is coming."

Alec gasped. "The Inquisitor?"

"Yes!"

"I'm going to kill Jace," Alec said. "This is all because of him?"

"The Inquisitor is coming to the Institute because of Blondie?" Magnus inquired.

Alec put a hand over the microphone. "Apparently."

Magnus whistled and stood. "Wow. Your little crush has it coming for him."

Alec reddened. "Oh shut up," he said and went back to Isabelle. "I'll be home as soon as I can."

"Well, hurry, Mom will start to wonder."

Magnus plucked the phone out of his hand and put it on speaker. "Isabelle, it's Magnus. Have you considered the idea of helping your brother out of the closet?"

There was a short silence. "Are you two sitting in a closet again?" she finally asked.

"No, he doesn't even have a closet in this place," Alec said. "It explains so much."

Magnus rolled his eyes and wrapped an arm around Alec's shoulder, drawing him close. He told himself it was because Magnus had the phone, but knew, just knew, it was more than that. He didn't mind either way.

"All right, Magnus, I promise you can keep my brother prisoner another time, but Mom is already pissed at Jace and he might get kicked out and I'm sorry, but I'd like at least Alec to still be around."

"Jace might get kicked out of the Institute?" Alec had always assumed that would be him. Jace was the best Shadowhunter he'd met.

"Out of the Clave," Isabelle corrected.

Alec went to take the phone from Magnus's hand, but Magnus simply slipped his over Alec's so they both held it.

"That doesn't sound good for a Shadowhunter," Magnus commented lightly.

"It's not," Alec said. "They strip you of your Marks and I heard your Sight, too."

Magnus frowned. "They can't do that. Even I can't do that. I've tried."

"You can't do everything, Magnus," Isabelle chimed in. Suddenly, she was muffled. "And – Mom, I'm on the phone! With my friend! His name is Magnus, okay? We – no, he's not my boyfriend! Yes. Sure, I'll call Alec. I told you, he's on a walk. I can honestly tell you he's not with a girl."

Magnus laughed so loud that Alec clapped a hand over his mouth. Unfortunately, this caused Alec to laugh and Magnus retaliated. They glanced at each other and started cracking up again. Holding hands over the phone with their arms crossing to cover the others' mouth – it was quite a scene.

"Oh my god," Isabelle said, clear again. "I can hear you two making a racket, what did I miss?"

"Just taking pleasure in the fact that Alec is most certainly not with a girl," Magnus commented. "I'll send him home soon, we're just going to take a few minutes."

"Okay," Isabelle said slowly. "Alec, you're spilling all when you get home."

She hung up without another word.

Alec snapped his phone shut and stuck it in his pocket. He turned to Magnus curiously. "What are we taking these few minutes for?"

Magnus placed his hands on Alec's waist and tilted forward. "Exactly what we were doing before."

Notes: Again, I hope you enjoyed! Feedbackk is wonderful, I try and use it as often as I can with both my fanfiction and original writing. Like I said before, this is my favorite Malec thing that I've written. Going over it this morning, I actually added a little bit because I loved the scene so much. Before, Magnus's hand went nowhere near Alec's chest. I'm sort of glad that it did, now... Anyhow, I appreciate all the people who have read this little threeshot and thank you all for reviewing/favoriting/alerting! My next MI fic will likely be Clary/Jace or something to do with Simon, though. Unless I get off my butt and finish that conversation between Alec and Jace... Oh, and that bet idea I got... oh boy, Alec, why can't you let me be with Simon for a little? I love you, but Simon's fun for angst!

(Oh and A+P [you know who you are] - yes, I put the cookies there for you)