Magnus Bane

“I’d say you’re totally rocking it. Are you wearing the crown or is the crown wearing you– you know?” Ben complimented with a smile and a soft laugh. He could come off as a little lame sometimes but he always meant well.

“I do believe I was made for things like this.” Still, with a chuckle he took it off his head and set the crown down on the side. “But I don’t think it’s the look I’m going for in my club.”

Jane blushed, she felt slightly embarrassed for taking up so much if this man’s time, but when she got on the topic of gorillas, she really couldn’t help herself. “Cats are wonderful! I have a few at home myself, stray and domesticated. They’re wonderful companions aren’t they?”

“I’ve always thought so but I’m an animal person in general. I probably help more cats than is likely healthy though.” Magnus admitted with a chuckle given how many feline visitors he got these days.

Alec was becoming more and more relaxed as they continued dancing. He hadn’t noticed anyone staring at them and he felt more comfortable. He was taller than the other man but he didn’t have to make himself smaller for him. They were standing very close and he had to look down when he was speaking, but he didn’t feel like he needed to slouch. Alec closed his eyes for a brief moment when Magnus caressed his neck. It felt so damn nice. And somehow… No, it was silly, it definitely did not feel in any way familiar. “Y-yes,” he suddenly said, surprising himself. 

In a way, Magnus had been anticipating another maybe or even to be told no. When Alec agreed to dinner and drinks, a look of slight surprise that was quickly quashed by the tender smile that drifted across his face. “Yes?” He repeated, almost as though he couldn’t quite believe he’d heard it correctly the first time. There was an urge in Magnus in that moment that he couldn’t ignore completely ignore. “You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now, Alexander.”

Alec’s heart was beating fast and he didn’t know if that was from all the nerves, or if something else was causing it. Magnus was suddenly so close to him and his eyes widened slightly. Why was his heart racing so much? He needed to calm down and focus. It was just a dance, nothing more. And no one was paying them any attention, right? Everything was fine, just fine. Alec took a deep breath and looked up at Magnus. “It seems easy enough for me not to mess this up,” he smiled shyly. He started slowly moving from side to side, keeping his fingers crossed that it was the right thing to do.

Even Magnus found himself getting a little lost in the dance. Something about Alec’s presence was intoxicating and Magnus had a difficult time thinking of anything but the man in front of him. One might call it tunnel vision when the dark haired man was around. He swallowed, the beat of his own heart having picked up at the proximity. Sure, he was used to getting a little excited at the prospect of taking someone home with him but this... it happened even when all he was going to receive was the mans company and that deep, rich response of the others voice. “I’ve every confidence that you have more skills than you lead me to believe.” His fingers gently traced along the nape of the others neck. “Alexander...” Magnus spoke after taking a deep breath. “I would like to see you after tonight... not a chance meeting but something arranged. Perhaps drinks or a meal. Maybe both?”

A small, shy smile appeared on Alec’s lips and stayed there much longer than it usually would. He was conscious of everyone around them, but… But he wasn’t as concerned as he had thought he would be. He wasn’t sure where to put his own hands and he looked at Magnus for some help. "I’m quick on my feet, but I’m no dancer. I’m going to need some pointers,” he explained.

“Well...” Magnus spoke when he realised that Alec wasn’t about to jump and run at every little touch. “It depends on the type of dance, but this one we can get close...” He explained, shifting a little. “And your hands can go here...” Magnus let his fingers slide along the others arms to find his hands before guiding them to his hips, his own arms wrapping around Alec’s neck. “Maybe I’ll show you a more complex dance later but this one definitely has its perks...” Like the chance to hold onto the tall male in front of him and stare into impossibly deep eyes that Magnus was already a little lost in. “Just let me guide you, you’re doing fine, pretty boy.”

“Somehow it feels like you’re an exception,” he whispered after a moment of silence between them. Alec was great at making himself not feel things, to control his urges, but now he felt like everything was upside down. He could pretend all he wanted, but Isabelle didn’t have to convince him to go to the party. He wanted to see Magnus again and yet… Yet he was still so damn skittish around him. Magnus’ hands on him felt good, there was no denying it. It felt… Nice to be seen. It felt nice that someone wanted to get to know him. “You like to dance, right? Then we can dance for a bit longer.”

To Magnus there were perhaps no sweeter words that could have fallen from the dark haired mans lips. “That feeling is entirely mutual, Alexander.” He breathed out softly as if it were something that he found surprising even to his own ears. Magnus’ palmed rested flat against the others clothing, making the most of the small touches. He was scared of frightening him off. It was a treat in itself to be able to get this close to him that he didn’t want to shatter the moment with impatience. No, this was something worth waiting for, he could feel it. Another tender smile seemed to blossom across the older mans lips at the others words, and Magnus’ head tilted, staring at Alec with curiosity and wonder. “You really are something utterly special. And yes, I do like to dance, but I value my time with you more.”

“Sorry… I… I don’t like attention,” he found himself saying. When he was with Izzy and Jace, people rarely paid him any attention and he was perfectly fine with that. He actually preferred it. And… And there was also a matter of him being deep, deep in the closet. His sister was the only person who knew about his preferences as he was not ready to tell anyone else. Dance with another guy seemed like not the best way to change that. But he couldn’t make himself say no to Magnus. He followed him and started moving slowly, closing his eyes for a moment in hopes he would feel more sure of himself once he opened them. “My sister made me. She can be quite… persuasive,” he explained.

A hum left Magnus. “What about when I give you attention?” He pressed, a little smile on his face. He could read the conflict on the taller males face, clear as day almost and he took his time to guide the other man in a little closer, hands resting lightly on the male. “Ah... yes, Isabelle. She does have a way that is hard to deny. I’ll have to thank her for that.” Magnus admitted with a chuckle. “If being noticed is an issue, I am sure we can find somewhere quieter.”

“A hermit? No– I would never,” she chuckled back. Pamela smiled as he did a twirl, “The full 360! It’s truly an honor to be in your presence,” she teased lightly. “Oh thank you. I thought the only appropriate look for me at a decades dance was to go for flower power.”

“Well... I do like to grace those around me.” He teased in return. “It isn’t the only appropriate decade for you as I am sure you could pull off many a thing but this is definitely the most appropriate one lilybud.”

“My kind of guy,” Nick replied with a cheeky smile, “You enjoying yourself then?”

“One can only hope.” Magnus responded with a playful wink of his own. “Well certainly more now. But yes, I have been. Yourself?”

Alec was surprised by how quickly the other replied. While he still didn’t know what to make of it, he had a gut feeling that he shouldn’t say no. He looked around once more and when he was fairly certain people were not paying attention to what they were doing, he visibly relaxed. “I’m… I’m not much of a dancer but I can try,” he found himself saying.

Magnus watched the way the others eyes seemed to observe everyone around them and he couldn’t help but smile. “You can’t switch off can you?” He mused quietly. “Always the observer... so focused.” He let his hand slip from the others wrist down to his palm, taking the hand and gently guiding him into the crowd . “Just do what I do... everyone here is dancing so you’d be more noticeable if you didn’t.” Magnus assured him, taking it slow. Every fibre of his being was calling out to tug Alec in close but he didn’t dare right now. One step at a time. “I’m glad you came. I have to say, I did wonder if you would.”

Alec absolutely refused to dress up for some dance. He was not a big fan of parties in general, but dressing up? Over his dead body. Besides, he could never relax when others were partying. He was always tense, always observing, always making sure that everyone was okay. Isabelle had to drag him to the dance, but there was also a small part of him that wanted to see Magnus again. He didn’t know why he felt that way, he barely knew the guy, and yet there he was, subtly looking around in hopes he would find him. A delicate touch on his wrist sent an electric shock through his body and he quickly turned, a shy smile appearing on his lips. “Magnus,” he greeted the other. Alec was a bit surprised when he was asked for a dance and he looked around, wondering if anyone else was looking at them. “W-why?” He blurted out.

The little flip of his stomach was something that rarely happened to Magnus and yet every time he earned that small, genuine smile from Alec... well it made him feel a little giddy. Still, he was much more practised in hiding his emotions which is how he managed to keep his demeanor as calm as ever. “Why not?” He answered simply, offering up his own smile to the man. “And because I enjoy dancing and I would like to dance with you.” There was a pause before Magnus continued. “And perhaps a part of me selfishly wishes to keep your attention and company for longer today. The length of a song is much more than I’ve been allowed so far.”