How to Name Your Cat

How to Get a Roommate

The millions of light bulbs that lit the Brooklyn skyline at night weren't in sync.

That was part of the majesty of it all.

Millions of sources of lights, not connect, yet coming together to create a beautiful spectacle. These were the lights that took away peoples' breathes.

That was just at night.

During the day, Brooklyn had a different kind of light: one that was more natural.

Magnus Bane's apartment had a full view of the Brooklyn lights as it sat on the 29th floor of a skyscraper.

The sun was setting in the distance and the lights were starting their show for the night when Magnus unlocked the door to his spacious apartment.

He was followed by the awestruck Alexander, who he had spent the afternoon with, just walking around Manhattan and Brooklyn after their morning at Taki's.

Alec had never been in such a luxurious building. He descended the steps into the sunken living room, still in a bit of a daze, as Magnus moved around the room in a hurry, picking up what little bit of stuff was still lying around.

"This is your flat?" Alec asked. Magnus looked out of the window in the wall that connected the kitchen with the living room.

"Of course," Magnus said. "I didn't break into some random person's flat just to impress you."

"Impress me? That's what you're trying to do?" Alec asked. He climbed the stairs out of the living room and up into the dining area which had a floor to ceiling glass window.

"Yes," Magnus said, hesitantly.

"Is that the Brooklyn Bridge?" Alec asked, placing a hand on the glass.

"Yes," Magnus said. He punched a couple of buttons on the coffeepot to get it brewing.

"I don't think I've ever seen it from this high up," Alec said. "I mean, I've driven over it and stuff but never— This is truly amazing, Magnus. Do you ever just sit here and watch it all?"

"Occasionally," Magnus said. "If I find the time."

"You must have a lot of time," Alec said.

"What makes you say that?" Magnus asked, entering the dining room.

"You spent all morning at a coffee shop," Alec said, turning back. "Writing down names for a cat you don't even have."

"Well," Magnus said, "that's enough judging for one night. Coffee?"

"Yes, please," Alec said.

Magnus returned to Alec's position at the window a few minutes later, two ceramic cups in hand.

"I imagine you live in a place just like this," Magnus said.

They both laughed; Alec at the idea and Magnus at Alec's laugh.

"No," Alec sighed. "I live in a crap hole."

"Well, I have plenty of space," Magnus said. Alec froze, tightening his grip on his mug.

"You mean that don't you?" Alec asked, carefully.

"Absolutely," Magnus said. "I think you'll find I am incredibly honest."

Alec set the mug on the dining table and grabbed the back of a chair for support.

"Magnus," Alec started, "thank you, but you've got to know that I've broken so many of my rules today."

"Like what?" Magnus asked, unfazed by Alec's panicking.

"Like going out of my way to talk to customers for one," Alec said. "Then compiling a list of names—"

"You actually made that a rule?" Magnus asked.

"No! That's not the point," Alec said. His otherwise pale face was starting to fluster with spots of red. "And then getting in a taxi with you, walking around the city, and now I'm in your apartment. You have to admit this is weird!"

"I've seen weirder," Magnus mumbled, quietly.

"No one does this," Alec said, firmly. He exhaled forcefully as if breathing could get ot rid of all his troubles and worries.

"I'm offering you a free place to stay," Magnus said. "That is it."

"How old are you?" Alec asked.

"26," Magnus said. "And you?"

"22," Alec said. "What do you do for a living?"

"Is this 20 Questions?" Magnus asked.

"These are the questions I should have asked early, had I been thinking sensibly."

"Why weren't you thinking sensibly early?" Magnus asked.

"I—" Alec stopped. "I should go."

"If you must," Magnus said.

Alec left, his coffee cup still steaming in his wake.

The flat had never felt lonelier.

Magnus' first attempt at friendship in years had fizzled out within hours. An official failure.

He had come on too strong. He mentally beat himself up as he cleaned up the coffee mess.

A couple minutes later, he found himself sitting at his office desk, staring at the list of names written in Alec's handwriting.

But none of his names compared to the one purple, underlined, circled, and bolded on his: Alexander.

A couple hours later, Magnus woke up at the desk, cheek resting on the pad of paper.

Alexander was the first thing he saw, but the buzzer was the first thing he heard.

It continued with it's irregular pattern until Magnus made it to the door, and held down the microphone.

"Mmm, good morning," Magnus muttered. He blinked a few times to get everything to come into focus.

"Magnus?"

"Alexander," Magnus said, triumphantly.

"I was pretty rude last night," Alec said.

"All is forgiven," Magnus said.

"I was hoping your offer was still good."

"Always, for a friend," Magnus said. There was a moment's pause. "Shall I let you up?"

"That would be great, thank you."

Magnus held down the button until he was sure Alec had made it through the doors.