Alec's POV

Ok so maybe breakfast was a bad idea. Maybe I should have allowed the idea that Jace and Magnus might not get along well. Honestly it was kind of fun eating and engaging in conversation with those two even though they didn't enjoy it. Simon seems cool I guess in a nerdy way and Magnus actually seems to like him.

Magnus was surprisingly sweet after last night. Not that he was rude, just more forceful than I'm used to. Some people don't enjoy being owned but others enjoy doing the owning. I guess it's a matter of finding someone who agrees and respects your decisions and in not sure if Magnus is that person. I'm not ruling him out yet because I think he has potential. He's charming and can be super sweet when he wants to. The only issue is his stubbornness to have things his way. I know I haven't spent nearly enough time with him to make these assumptions which is why I wanted to go shopping with him.

We stroll through the town with our arms linked until Magnus yanks me into a store along the cobblestone streets. It's a quaint shop with dressy/casual kind of clothing. I can tell Magnus is very fashion conscious so this seems like a perfect store for him. He splits away from me almost instantly upon entering the store. I stand there alone and finger some of the clothing choices.

Fall and winter are fast approaching so longer pants and jackets are in high supply. Scarves drape hangers and beanies lay in piles near the check out line. I've always had a serious weakness for beanies so I make my way over there. From wool to nylon the beanies lay in inviting little heaps, begging to be tried on and admired. Ok so I have a major beanie obsession so what? They're just so comfortable and can fix a bad hair day in a blink of the eye. I only brought one with me to college so I select a couple to try on in front of a mirror near the changing rooms.

I place the royal blue one on my black curls first and examine in thoroughly. It's a bold color for me and I'm not sure I like it so I put on a more neutral dark gray woolen one on instead. Yes, this one looks way more myself and it's super comfortable.

"Tsk tsk, you're so boring," says Magnus Bane from behind me. I didn't realize that he was standing there until now. I whirl and find him dressed in a cute brown sweater and holding a purple beanie in his hands.

"I am not," I argue back childishly and he raises a brow at me, sensing my lie. He takes a step closer before he rips my beanie off of my head with a quick tug. He places the purple one on my head instead and pushes my curls out of my eyes.

"That's better," he says in approval and I flush. I turn to the mirror and find that I actually don't look bad in the purple hat. It matches my current outfit perfectly and it's made of the same woolen material as the gray hat.

"Not bad," I muse and fix my hair.

"I know," he says arrogantly and I roll my eyes at him in the mirror. He flashes a smile before walking back towards the clothing racks.

I try on a couple shirts and decide on a light blue shirt with pineapples. Ok so maybe my fashion sense isn't quiet as good as Magnus's but I generally like the shirt because it fits me well and is super comfy. I walk around and come to find a couple sweaters and a black dress shirt. I don't need pants cuz I always have an insane amount of them. When I finally feel like I have enough clothes I scan the store in search of the dark haired big with the blue tips and a cocky smile. I'm about to go checkout and I want to let him know that I'm gonna go get in the long line. He might want to check out too but I don't see him anywhere.

"Magnus?" I call out softly.

"Yea pretty boy?" I hear a response and I turn towards the sound.

He stands with his arms full of clothing and a faint smile on his lips. He's about ten feet away. I feel stupid for not seeing him earlier and I feel a blush tint my cheeks. He chuckles and walks over, running a thumb across my cheeks.

"Don't be embarrassed," he tells me with a smile.

"I'm not," I pull away and scowl at him. He laughs and walks past me to the check out line.

"You ready?" He calls over his shoulder to me and I nod before standing behind him. I survey his clothing choices and find a lot of royal blues, purples, blacks, navies, and greys. There's also one red shirt sitting on the top and even though I haven't seen it on him, I can tell that it will be my favorite.

He eyes my small pile that includes the pineapple shirt, a black dress shirt, my sweater  and my purple beanie.

"What's with the pineapples?" He asks me, his lips twitching into a smile. I scowl at him and clutch my clothes closer to my chest.

"What's wrong with them?" I ask defensively and he shrugs his shoulders.

"Nothing, I just wouldn't have expected you to pick out a shirt like that," he explains with a smile.

"And why is that?" I inquire shortly and he just shakes his head and moves up in the line.

"Tell me!!," I whine but he doesn't spare me a look.

I let a huff exit my lips before I I try to turn him around. He doesn't budge but before I can open my mouth again he grabs my wrist and whirls around.

"Make me," he challenges and his eyes flare with excitement.

He's like a little kid. He enjoys games and challenges. His eyes light up, his lips twist into a grin and he seems lighter on his toes. He hums with electricity and energy.

"I will," I vow thinly but he sees through me and laughs a little.

"Oh really pretty boy?" He mocks with that cute little grin of his.

"Don't call me that," I make a face at the pet name.

"Make me," he taunts again. I scowl at him and he just tilts his head with a wicked glean in his eyes. He's like a puppy going through his teething state. As if reading my mind he snaps his teeth shut and grins.

"You're crazy," I mumble as we move up in the line.

"Crazy about you," he tells me lightly and I try to ignore the heat in my cheeks.

"Haha come up with something original," I tell him dryly but I can't fight the mad flush painting my cheeks. I almost melt into a small puddle of Alec Lightwood when Magnus reaches out a hand and presses the back of his fingers on my cheeks for the second time in less than like 5 minutes.  He smiles kindly at me and I struggle not to pass out. I have never been touched like this in public.

"Magnus stop," I tell him lowly. He looks sad but I soon realize he's not really. He put his thumb on my bottom lip and steps closer.

"Why should I?" He asks me patiently.

"Because we are in public," I tell him as though it's the most obvious thing in the world. I knew it was a bad idea coming shopping with Magnus. He smiles a cute little dimpled smile revealing perfect white teeth.

"One day you'll decide that people are far more absorbed in their own lives than to worry about us." He tells me tiredly and steps away from me. I can't help but feel disappointed by this rather large area of space between us.

He reaches out his hands and pulls my shirts and beanie out of my hands.

"Magnus what are you-"

"Paying for you, it's the least I could do," he tells me as I try to grab my clothes out of his arms.

"For what?" I ask, confused.

"For taking me to breakfast," he says and I gape at him.

"I thought you hated breakfast," I state flatly.

"It wasn't so bad, you were there," he tells me simply and I blush for like the hundredth time today. We finally reach the cashier and Magnus pays for his clothes and mine.

"I'll pay you back," I say once we get out of the store.

"No need," he calls flippantly over his shoulder as we walk briskly through the town.

"I'm serious Magnus!" I tell him as I struggle to keep up with him. I hate being in debt. He stops abruptly and I almost run into him but I manage to stop my weight just in time.

"If you're so insistent on paying me back I have an idea," he says with that impish smile.

"Money," I say. He bought me something and I need to pay him back. It's simple.

"Nope," he pops the 'p' and shakes his head. A couple of people pass us and I'm reminded that we are standing in the middle of a city having a conversation.

"Let's talk about this later," I suggest and start walking towards the bus stop but Magnus doesn't move.

"You haven't heard of my idea," Magnus says as if that explains why he's not moving.

"We can talk about it when we get home," I answer him and he tilts his head.

"Home?" He echoes with a faint smile.

"I have to call it something," I say with a scowl ad he chuckles.

"Ok we can talk then," he agrees and together we walk to the bus stop.

We both trek to the bus stop in silence. Once we arrive we make small talk about school and friends and home life. Magnus is an only child and his parents work a lot. I can deduce that he was left alone quiet a bit. His best friend is a big named Ragnor Fell. They sound very close from the was Magnus talks about him. I can't help the jealousy that swarms my stomach when Magnus talks about someone else with that amount of passion. I have to keep reminding myself that I barely know Magnus and that he and Ragnor have probably been friends for a long time. I want to be that close to Magnus one day, where I know all those little secrets that keep him up at night. I don't want him to only be able to tell Ragnor. GAHHH WHAT AM I SAYING?! UGH IM SO PATHETIC!!! I take a deep breath and Magnus stops his rant on his best friend to look at me strangely.

"You ok?" He asks with concern lacing his voice.

"Yes of course," I choke out and he doesn't look quiet convinced but he doesn't press me for any more information.

"I want you to meet him someday," Magnus muses almost to himself but I nod anyways. I can see that it's what Magnus wants so I'm ok with meeting him. He did put up with Jace for me so it's the least I could do.

"Is that your idea of payment?" I ask him with hope. He chuckles lowly and looks out the window.

"No, you'll just have to wait and see."

Hey sorry for not updating in a while!! Work has been brutal and we just started school. I hope you guys are enjoying this book and I will try to update sooner and more regularly.