Alec POV
The drab white walls of my apartment remind me just how much I miss Magnus and his colourful home. He told me I could start Monday, giving him time to deal with his other accountant. It's only Saturday and I haven't seen him since Wednesday after the minor bar fiasco. I can feel myself getting jittery, aching to do something, to get outside, so I do the second thing that comes to mind. The first thing, of course, is to call Magnus. We've exchanged some mildly flirtatious texts over the past few days since he's been too busy with work to meet up. The second thing that comes to mind is to call Jace. I know it's long overdue and that we have a lot to talk about. I know I need to see him and talk over our issues, or more specifically, his issues with me. I dial his number, drumming my fingers on the kitchen counter as I wait.
"Hello?" His voice is achingly familiar, reminiscent of long nights lounging in each other's bedrooms, talking long into the night.
"Hey, Jace. It's Alec."
We meet up at a coffee shop that's too high end for my taste. The place is bustling, but still quiet enough to converse. Jace is wearing a tight fitting white button up, sleeves rolled up to the elbow since the sun is beaming down all around New York City. His deep black jeans are designer, a brand I used to be familiar with, and his light gray jacket is clearly more expensive than an entire months rent at my place. I pale in comparison to him in my boring black jeans that don't fit quite right and my black leather coat that covers my plain white t-shirt. I feel the familiar pang of invisibility settle into my chest. This new life I lead is poor, but in it, I never fade into the background. Even standing next to a sparkling Magnus in his shiny, colourful suits, glittery hair and outgoing attitude, I never feel forgotten. Jace exudes sheer pride and confidence as he pulls back his chair and slides into it and I get the feeling he thinks everyone feels honoured that he's here. Though not technically a Lightwood, he is more one than I'll ever be.
We sit near a window, the sunlight dancing along his tan skin and golden hair. After we place our orders, Jace folds his hand on the table and turns to look at me.
"Alec, I wanted to apologize for the way I acted over the past 2 years. It wasn't your fault, anything that happened, and our falling out is my fault." I want to reassure him, to play the part always have. Lightwood's are never to blame, and you could hardly stay angry at any of my siblings for long. This time, though, I bite my tongue and let him wallow a little. I feel I deserve to keep apologies hidden inside my cheek today. When I don't respond, he continues.
"I should've been there for you instead of following in Maryse's footsteps. I didn't reach out like Izzy did, and I didn't stand up for you like you have for me all these years. I let her tell you you're worthless. Heavens, Alec, you aren't worthless by any means." I feel a swell in my chest at his words. It feels nice to know he doesn't hate me for who I am, even if I spent the past two years thinking so.
"It's all forgiven. How's Max?" Jace glances at the waitress as she sets our coffees in front of us. I thank her softly before turning back to Jace.
"He wonders about you, a lot. He's grown up a lot in the past two years, it's funny all the stuff he's gotten into. He's a good kid, studies a lot and reads some weird comics all the time, but mainly he's happy. Other than missing you like crazy. It drives Maryse mad." I curve my hand a little tighter around my steaming mug to hide my emotions. If there's anything I hate about this new life, it's the lack of Max.
"When he laughs, it sounds just like you. It makes me and Izzy smile. It makes Robert a bit sad, I can see it in his eyes, and it makes Maryse furious." We both chuckle at that, taking a simple pleasure in her discomfort, it's the only way to handle it without being upset or angry. Despite the familiar ache I feel around Jace, I deduce it to be a good idea to catch up. Magnus was right. It seems to be a pattern, him being right about all the things I can't figure out. I like it. Hell, maybe I even love it.
I wake up early enough to shower and blow dry my hair. Normally I don't care much about my appearance, but I care a lot about my impression on Magnus in this setting. I don't know what attire I should have, so I do the best I can, recycling the suit I wore for our interview- Camille didn't ask for it back and I didn't give it- and make sure that my messy mop of hair is maintained. There's a tight ball of nerves in my stomach and I don't know what to expect from Magnus as my boss versus my friend or potential love interest. He said he'd send a cab, despite my constant refusals, so I walk downstairs, pocketing my keys and meeting the driver outside.
We make small talk as he expertly navigates the city. When we arrive at the ridiculously tall skyscraper, I soak in the beautiful reflection the building of windows gives off. I thank the driver as I adjust my tie one last time before heading into the lobby. I square my shoulders, attempting weakly to exude some sense of confidence that I'm sure Jace would laugh at. The receptionist has a sweet face with thick wavy brown hair falling around her shoulders. She smiles warmly as I walk towards her desk. I glance around swiftly, taking in what is clearly Magnus' decorating expertise. It's toned down from his mansion, the brightest pieces being the bright pink floral arrangement on the coffee table by the wall, adorned with glitter-dip white feathers, and the extravagant paintings hanging on the wall.
"Hello, you must be Alec. My name is Tessa, I'm the receptionist here. Magnus is ready for you upstairs, take the elevator to the top floor, it's his office." I thank her and head to the elevator, pressing the button for the ninety-eighth floor. I step out of the elevator and into a small area. The walls are white and the decor simple. Sitting behind a white desk is another lady, this time with hair so startlingly blonde it's nearly white. She has a harsh feel to her, but warm eyes and she is strikingly beautiful. She glances up and smiles softly.
"I'm Catarina, Magnus' assistant. You can head on in." When I open the double doors, I'm greeted with a room so much like Magnus it makes my heart stutter. The walls are a soft coffee colour that gleams slightly in the sunlight that filters in through the wall of windows ahead of me. There's an impressive crystal chandelier swooping from the ceiling, going unused currently in favour of natural light. The decor is bright and lively, potted plants dotting the corners of the room. There's a vintage looking table to my right, next to a deep cherry oak door. It holds an expensive looking coffee maker and a shiny steel mini fridge. His desk is large and antique looking with a few monitors and a laptop on it. A double sided board is beside the desk, one side a whiteboard, the other cork with important notes tacked to it. But by far my favourite part of the room is the man seated behind the desk.
Magnus rises when I enter and flashes me his trademark Colgate smile. His suit is deep maroon, pinned tight at the waist and flowing out into a tail behind. His shirt is white, his tie black and glittery. I let my eyes roam briefly over him, soaking him in. He looks me over and cracks a grin.
"Well doesn't someone look lovely, Alexander? I hope traffic wasn't too bad for you." I shake my head, chuckling softly and rolling my eyes.
"I could've paid my own cab fair, Magnus."
"And I could've sent a limo. Call it even. Anyway, it's great to see you. I...have missed your company over the last week."
"I missed you too, Magnus." He smiles vibrantly and I swear he rivals the sun. I clap my hands together and feign excitement. "So! Where's all this paperwork?" He laughs and leads me back into the elevator. To my surprise, we only go down one floor. I raise a brow and he just smiles, winking over at me. When the doors open, we enter the same sort of area upstairs before Magnus' office. There are a small brown desk and some potted plants decorating the area, but no one here yet.
"You'll have an assistant, I just needed to conduct some interviews. This will be their area. Come on." He leads me through some doors and into what I assume is my office. I'm taken aback by how big and wonderful it is. The layout is the same as Magnus' above. It looks newly renovated, and by the faint smell of paint still in the air, I can tell I'm right. The walls are a rich brown, darker than Magnus office and lined with wood. It has the same Victorian feel with the rustic finished tables and desk. There are cabinets lining one wall and a board all my own. My desk has several monitors on it and I set my briefcase down gently on the chair. Gingerly, I drag my fingers along the smooth finish of the desk as I look out at my view of the city. Magnus waits quietly while I soak it all in before I turn to him.
"This is all yours. The previous accountant had an office down several more floors, but I cleared this out for you. I want you close. There is a bathroom through that door," he gestures to the right of us as he speaks, "And you can page your assistant when we get you one for anything else you require." I feel my mouth open slightly but I'm not sure what to say. He looks almost nervous for a moment before he gestures grandly to the room. "Do you like it? I decorated it myself, but if there's something you dislike, please let me know and we can change it." His voice fades off when he sees the wide smile on my face.
"Magnus, it's absolutely perfect, thank you so much." He looks relieved before he guides me to the cabinets. After pulling out some file folders, he spreads some papers on the desk.
"So, as I said, the last accountant was a wash. I'm no good with numbers or budgeting, but it looks like a mess." I look over the paperwork for a moment, chewing on my lip as I try to make sense of it all.
"It's messy and confusing, but I can work with this." He visibly relaxes and rests a hand on my arm.
"I'm really happy you chose to come work with me, Alexander." I notice how he always says 'with him' as if we're equals, not as if he's my boss. I frown a bit, worried he thinks he'll offend me.
"Magnus, you can treat me like an employee you know, you didn't have to go to all this trouble. I literally had a cubicle at Dumort." He shakes his head and smiles brightly up at me, making a small gesture with his hand and glancing out the window.
"You see, Alexander, I was hoping this would be more of a...partnership than anything else. I take a lot of work on, and once the accounting is cleaned up, you'll have some free time. I'm hoping to share some of my work with you and for you to run this company with me. Bane Architecture needs another name added, don't you think?" I gasp audibly and hug him tightly, burying my face in the crook of his neck and breathing in the scent of him, almost like mint, fresh rainfall, and the sharp undertone of expensive cologne. He hugs back as if his life depends on it and I smile a bit.
"I can't wait to get started on this new chapter. Now, I should head back to work, duty calls," Magnus winks at me and turns around before calling over his shoulder, "Meet me for coffee in my office in a couple of hours!" I laugh softly and lean back against my desk, finally feeling like something is going right for the first time in a long time.