Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

…boots on, stomp your feet
it's like you've been waiting on me to move like you do
all sexy and smooth…
Move -  Luke Bryan

"Hey, Isabelle, have you met the new paediatrician?"

The Hispanic man seemed to be a little agitated, or at least concerned with something.

"Raph, there you are, I was looking for you... Shall we go to lunch? And anyway, no, I haven't had the pleasure yet."

"Umph, I don't like him." He declares gravely.

"Raph, you don't like anyone."

"It's not true. I like you... and Simon, more or less, and just because he treats you well, and I like my patients too. This guy is... weird."

"I guess I'll have to meet him in person to figure out what you mean by weird."

Isabelle could argue that someone may consider Raphael himself to have a few oddities; he may seem to be quite surly, but she knows that he is anything but. And with his patients, he is affectionate and even charming.

Well, the average age of his patients is around 80, and perhaps this might be the reason for his caring attitude toward them. Raphael seems to be so gentle and warm only with his dear old folks, as he fondly calls them. Nevertheless, he has a big heart and Isabelle is very fond of him.

"Ah, you don’t believe me, huh? You'll see for yourself. Now, please just let’s go. I'm hungry and I have an appointment at 2 o'clock."

"Ok, I'll call Simon, Andrew, and Maia to join us."

"Sure... If you have to…"

She laughs at his colleague’s crankiness. Colleague and dear friend.

Isabelle is a cardiologist and Raphael is a geriatrician at a private clinic in Brooklyn. Simon, Isabelle's boyfriend works there too and he is a haematologist, while Maia is a dermatologist and Andrew is an ophthalmologist. Several doctors work at the clinic, but the five of them always go to lunch together and have become friends in the last few years.

The place they are heading to is nice and it is only one step away from the clinic, so they usually go there to eat. Isabelle adores the healthy meals they have on their menu, all full of veggies and tofu and things like quinoa, avocados, and diverse kinds of sprouts; moreover, it's close enough to her two brothers' sporting goods store, which is good because they can join them on their midday break almost every day.

Today, however, Alec and Jace are busy with the inventory at the store, for the absolute desperation of Jace, who hates such boring cataloguing activities, and, conversely, for the immense joy of Alec. He has a penchant, utterly incomprehensible to most people, for spending his time counting an infinite number of damned golf balls, and then, scoring useless numbers and collocations on his tablet, all fucking day. Jace usually describes what they are about to do this way. He complains a lot, which makes Alec roll his eyes at repetition. Isabelle witnessed them doing the inventory only once, but she spent a hilarious half hour back then.

As the whole group is ready to leave the clinic, they meet an unquestionably attractive man at the door, who looks at Isabelle with a way too bold gaze.

Then he turns to greet Raphael.

"Dr. Santiago, thanks for showing me around this morning. Are you going to lunch?"

Maia intervenes immediately, clearly charmed by the man.

"Hi, I'm Maia, the dermatologist; sure, we are going to a pretty good place here nearby, if you want to join us."

"Oh, yes, why not, so I can take the opportunity to introduce myself to the crew, right? My contract will start in two weeks, but since I'm free now, I'd gladly join you."

After a quick round of handshakes, the group finally heads for the bistro. Simon did not miss the look that the new doctor threw at Isabelle, his Isabelle and during lunch, he never misses an opportunity to make the paediatrician understand that Isabelle is taken. Doubtlessly, unmistakably taken. He gets particularly clingy when he is jealous, but Isabelle finds his insecurity endearing. Simon is the sweetest man alive.

"Well, what is it like to work at the clinic? It seems to be a very comfortable and well-organized environment. And my colleagues don't look bad either."

Meliorn asks casually with a fawning voice, trying to flatter them, and then he winks at Isabelle. Instantaneously Simon's arm is around her shoulder.

Isabelle remains unimpressed by Meliorn's flirty attitude and turns his head to peck Simon's lips.

"Yes, it's the best place to work; the shifts are easy and well managed, the pay is good, the equipment is cutting edge, everyone is nice, and someone is also irresistibly cute, right Simon? Luckily, the policy regarding interpersonal relationships among colleagues is quite loose here."

“Oh, good, it sounds like a heavenly workplace.”

At that moment, Isabelle's cell phone lights up on the table. It's a message from Jace, asking her to go and rescue him from their brother's clutches. He swears he can't take it anymore, he is dying out of boredom.

Isabelle laughs, amused by her brother's complaints. And they say that she is the dramatic one in the family.

The wallpaper of her cell phone is a nice picture of Isabelle and her three brothers, in their swimming suits near a pool, and Meliorn can't help but throw a glance at it. Max, their youngest brother, Jace, and Alec are standing one next to the other and they are supporting Isabelle, laying down on their outstretched arms. Meliorn surely appreciates the perfection of the Lightwood siblings’ figures.

"Oh, what a lovely picture..."

"Ah thanks, they're my brothers, the little one is Max, well little, he is 25 already. Jace is the blond one and Alec is the dark-haired one… he seems to be on the verge of wanting to drown himself in the pool. Don’t worry, he always looks like that.”

“They are truly handsome. A real sight for sore eyes, as you are.”

Simon emits a sound too kin to a snarl, but Isabelle puts a hand on his knee, reassuringly.

“You know, Jace and Alec have a sporting goods store about half a mile from here, but today they are busy with the inventory and they couldn't join us for lunch."

"Ah, do they normally have lunch with you?"

Meliorn seems extremely interested in the lunch break habits of the two men. Oddly interested, almost eager to know about it. Simon squints at him.

"Yes, normally they do. So, when you start working here you will get to know them."

"Your brother Alec looks a lot like you, you are both stunning. Does he have a girlfriend… or a boyfriend?"

Simon keeps looking at him intensely. It seems that the new doctor is interested in Alec now, right? He doesn’t know whether to be relieved or worried.

Meliorn must notice his curious gaze, as he turns toward him and adds, gracefully, “You know, I am pansexual, and I am highly attracted to every kind of beauty.”

Isabelle snorts and giggles, evidently flattered.

“No, my brother is single; he doesn’t have any boyfriend at the moment.”

“Oh, well. I really look forward to meeting him, then.”

And he winks at her again, enticing a long-due rolling of Simon’s eyes.

“Hey Isabelle, have you decided where you are going to celebrate, eventually?”

Maia asks her out of the blue, biting into a green bean.

“Uhhh, what are you going to celebrate?” Meliorn asks smiling in his alluring way.

“I am looking for a place to celebrate my next birthday. I’m turning 30.”

“Oh, how nice. What about dancing at some club?”

Isabelle’s eyes widen and she claps her hand with enthusiasm.

“Sure! I do love dancing; it’s actually a great idea, you know? I have wanted to go to Pandemonium again for ages now. What do you say, guys?”

Everyone agrees on the idea, and Meliorn takes the floor again. Could this guy be quiet even just for five minutes straight? Simon thinks he already hates him.

“I love dancing too… It’s so liberating, right? All that steamy and hot-blooded energy flowing through all those bodies packed together. It’s so reinvigorating.”

Simon is speechless at this point. Hot-blooded? Does the doctor think they are going to organize an orgy or a birthday party?

And then Raphael, who has been silent until that moment says something that nobody is expecting.

“Oh, it’s true. I’ve been having dance lessons twice a week for a while now. My teacher is amazing. Magnus… he is really great, I think he could make even a stone dance.”

Everyone but Meliorn stares at him with their jaws dropping open until Simon coyly asks him.

“And what dance style are you learning?” He doesn’t even know why he has asked that.

“Street dance, you know, as the robot dance for instance, but not only that. Magnus has a unique style and he has that energy Meliorn was talking about flowing out of him.”

A weird silence falls upon the group, while everyone scrunches their face, trying to picture Raphael dancing like a robot. With a sexy teacher, no less.

“Well, it sounds nice. If he is so good at teaching, I may take some lessons too. I miss going to a dancing school, so much. Maybe I could call him and ask for advice, what do you think?”

“Of course, Iz, I’ll give you his number then.”

“Thanks, Raph.”

Isabelle smiles, visibly satisfied with herself. It’s a good idea, both are actually. Taking some dancing lessons again, as she used to do when she was younger and a dancing night at Pandemonium with her friends. Wonderful ideas, indeed.

The only problem now was convincing Alec to join them at the party, but it’s her birthday they are talking about, so he could not really refuse to go, right?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Before going home, Isabelle and Simon go to say goodbye to Raphael in his office.

"Hey… Simon and I are leaving. Do you know what I was thinking about?"

"What?"

Raphael looks at her already worried. Perhaps is this another one of Isabelle's brilliant ideas?

"I came up with this wonderful idea.”

Of course, it was.

“I could invite Meliorn to my birthday party, so maybe Alec could talk to him… He seems to be a nice guy and, well he is hot, right? What do you say? It's time for my brother to loosen up a bit, and Meliorn seemed fascinated by Alec's picture on my phone."

Simon looks at her horrified.

"Iz, this doesn't seem like a good idea. You know how private Alec is."

Private is an understatement, truth be told. Alec is shy and introverted and when he came out a few years back, it wasn’t easy for him to accept himself. He had lived for years in self-denial.

The last thing he needs is someone to poke their nose in his love or sexual life.

Raphael agrees with Simon. He likes Alec and sometimes Isabelle, yet moved by the noblest of intentions, comes forward too strong with him.

"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't try to set him up. Do you remember what happened with Andrew? Luckily, they cleared up after their awful date and in the end, it all turned out for the best and they are friends now. But you have to stop playing matchmaker for your brother with all the new doctors arriving here at the clinic."

The blind date Isabelle planned for Andrew and Alec turned out to be a disaster. Andrew was kind and really interested in Alec, but his brother panicked and ran away, ditching Andrew at the restaurant for no apparent reason.

"Look, all I wanna do is invite Meliorn to my party, also to get to know him better, since he will be soon working here full time. And I promise, whether he will make a move on my brother or not, it will be his decision and his alone, I won’t try to interfere."

The two men look at her, not believing a single word, but knowing that it is perfectly useless to try to oppose Isabelle Lightwood.

“Ok, but if I see you force your hand on the new doctor to hit on your brother, I’ll tell Alec. Are we clear? And anyway, you should tell him you are inviting someone outside our usual circle.”

“Of course, I will. I just hope they can get the chance to dance together… It’s not a big deal.”

Simon shakes his head, amusedly.

“Knowing Alec, he won’t go anywhere near the dance floor, so they will not exchange a single word. You heard Meliorn. He loves to dance and I bet he is also very good at it.”

Isabelle looks at Raphael with her big eyes, a wicked light in them.

“No, Iz… No, whatever you’re thinking of doing, just don’t, ok?”

Isabelle smirks at him and Raphael can only look at Simon, worriedly.

Isabelle has just had another fantastic idea, but she is not going to tell them about it though. She knows they can be real party poopers sometimes. And the party is hers after all.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Hello! Magnus Bane's speaking."

"Hello, my name is Isabelle; a friend of mine gave me your number."

"Oh, yes, Raphael called me and told me a friend of his would need my… services. I guess it's you."

"Yes, I am."

"Very well, what can I do for you, dear?"

Isabelle likes this Magnus person; he sounds outspoken and gentle. She still wants to try and take some lessons with Magnus for herself, but in the meantime she had this magnificent idea.

"So, the fact is this; I got your number because I wanted to take a few dance lessons with you, or maybe join a class? But I think I am going to wait just another few weeks for that. I’ll reach out to you pretty soon, so we can make an appointment?”

“Oh, ok, sure. When you are ready, just call me and we will look at our courses together and we will find the best solution for you.”

“Perfect! I have another request for you, now, though. I'll be turning 30 ten days from today. Gosh… is this really happening?? Anyway, I'm throwing a party at Pandemonium."

Magnus giggles at the woman's apparent contempt for the round number of her upcoming birthday.

"I know the place; it's one of my favourite clubs."

"Yeah, it is great, but you know, Magnus, I love dancing, but my brother? Let's say he looks like a log of wood."

"Oh, poor thing."

"Yeah... Since I'd like to dance with him at my party and Raphael told me that you can practically make even a stone dance, I'd like to ask you to give Alec a few lessons next week."

Of course, she cannot say she wants Alec to dance sensually to catch the eye of a very hot doctor.

"Next week you say?"

"Sure, I was thinking just about 2 or 3 lessons, in order to make him loosen up a little. You know he practices many sports and moves gracefully... but he is very shy and I would like to see if, with professional help, he could overcome his coyness and throw himself on the dancefloor. I really want to dance with him on my birthday." She sounds a little plaintive.

"I understand, and how old is this little brother of yours?"

Magnus expected him to be a teenager, maybe, or a freshman. This young woman sounds very fond of him and the idea of wanting to dance at her party with him is tender and endearing.

"Well, actually he is my big brother, he is almost 32."

"Oh, well, ok. No problem. Look, Isabelle, you are lucky, next week one of my private clients who usually comes to my school on Monday and Wednesday evening for individual lessons is leaving for a cruise somewhere in the Mediterranean, so I have those slots free. And… if you want to add an extra lesson on Friday evening, I am still available for your big brother."

"Oh my God, this is amazing, you’re amazing. Thank you! How do I pay for the lessons?"

"May I text you the link to make an online payment? Through the dance school website, I mean, okay?"

"That's fine, thanks, Magnus. You've been very kind.”

"Raphael's friends are also my friends, darling."

“Oh, by the way, just one more thing. Could you please keep this thing between us? I wouldn’t want to make my brother feel embarrassed with our friends. I’ll tell Raphael I’ll start my lessons with you later on, and of course, I’ll call you again in a couple of weeks, ok?"

“It sounds like a plan, and you can count on my discretion.”

“Amazing. Thank you, Magnus.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Hey big brother, how are you feeling?"

"I mean, I've seen better days."

It sounds more similar to “I bean, Ad seen bedder days”, though.

Yesterday he spent the whole day at the store and in the evening, he started feeling a little feverish.

Isabelle can easily hear that Alec still has a stuffy nose and speaks with difficulty.

“I’m here dying alone.”

"Do you want me to visit you?"

"No, Iz, Jace is taking care of me and the store as well, thanks. I don't want to pass you some bacillus and make you sick."

"Are you taking your meds?"

"Yes, don't worry… I told you, I already have mother-hen-Jace fussing over me all the time. He made me chicken broth for lunch. Can you believe that?"

She chuckles. Jace adores Alec, as much as their big brother does and they always take care of each other.

"Ok, ok... Look, I've decided where I want to celebrate my birthday."

"Oh, well... I'll be there. In 10 days I hope to have defeated this flu, right?"

"Don't be overdramatic; just a couple of days and you'll be better already. Anyway, I want to go to Pandemonium, dancing.”

"What? Iz you know I can’t dance and I hate going to clubs and sitting alone all night drinking horrible warm beer or cocktails that taste nothing but like alcohol.”

"Again, you’re being dramatic. Listen, I have the solution for you."

"What solution?"

"So... Well..."

Isabelle is clearly beating around the bush, knowing that her brother will get mad at her.

"Isabelle, what have you done?"

"Right. I bought three dance lessons with a professional dance teacher; I had a very good rec about them and the school.”

"Dance lessons? Have you gone insane? I cannot take dance lessons!!”

"Alec, listen to me. You can't possibly not be able to dance. You are my brother and you should have inherited from Mom the ability to move gracefully without looking like a sack of potatoes."

"Izziiiieeee..." Alec whines on the phone. Why is his sister so cruel?

"You're just shy, but I'm sure you'd be a great dancer if you loosened up a bit. Anyway, I already booked those lessons for you, next week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so that Saturday you'll be ready for the party at the club. What do you say? Please, do it for me, I want to have the pleasure to dance with you, you can think of this as my birthday present from you. I want to dance with my big brother for my 30th birthday. Am I asking too much?"

Who is that is sounding melodramatic, now?

"Iz, damn, you're cornering me now..."

Alec whines again.

"I'll make you look bad."

"Nothing will ever make me look bad and you are just beautiful, Alec."

Alec rolls his eyes. Too bad that Isabelle can’t see him.

"I'll step on your toes."

"I'll put on my closed-toe shoes. I'll avoid wearing my beloved high-heeled sandals, just for you."

Alec groans.

"Okay, let's do this. I'll go on Monday, but if I'm not feeling at ease with this teacher, I'll stop going."

"Okay, okay, I'm just asking you to give this thing a try."

"Anyway, I already bought your birthday present."

"Oh yeah? And what did you get me?"

"I'm not telling you, but it's something you will love immensely."

"You can’t be so mean… I’m dying of curiosity now..."

"And this is my revenge against you for forcing me to... dance..."

Alec sounds really offended by the idea.

"You're an asshole, but I love you anyway."

"And you are insufferable. And I love you too, Iz. Talk to you tomorrow."

"Good night Alec. Stay warm and take your medicine."

“Sure. ‘night.”

Alec wonders if this flu virus he's caught is tough enough to last until the following Friday.

Then he sneezes and feels his brain explode in his head; no, after all, facing a couple of dance lessons is not such tragedy, he muses, blowing his nose again and hoping to get better quickly.

Chapter Text

After a couple of days, the flu is completely gone, and Alec is finally back to work. Saturday is more and more tiring as a working day, there are so many customers with their crazy requests. Alec and Jace have hired a couple of people who help them, part-time, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, but on Saturday evening Alec comes home completely worn out. Although Jace invites him to go out, with him, Isabelle, Simon, and Andrew, he prefers to stay at home to rest. On Sunday, it is customary to have lunch all together at their parents’ place. So the weekend passes quietly and finally, it's Monday again.

After spending the morning at the gym and the afternoon at the shop, Alec sadly heads to the address his sister gave him for his first dance lesson.

This is all ridiculous. Alec knows he can't move, has no sense of rhythm, and really looks like a sack of potatoes, as Isabelle said.

He just hopes the teacher is kind and understanding and doesn't humiliate him by making him feel totally inadequate.

Not that Alec doesn't like dancing, who doesn't like it? Indulge in music, move your body freely. When he had the chance to watch his siblings, but also Maia and Simon for example, shaking their bodies on the dancefloor, he envied them a bit. He would like to gain that confidence to express himself by moving his body, to be on the dance floor with the others, to wave and jump in unison, and maybe to dance with someone nice or... hot. Isabelle dances beautifully, her movements are perfect, sure, and certainly sensual, but Alec would feel and look ridiculous dancing like that.

The dance school is small but nice, Alec enters and is greeted by a kind girl at the reception who sends him to one of the many classrooms of the school. When he enters the room, the music is already playing loud and a man is dancing in there all alone. He is shirtless and barefoot and he seems completely engrossed by the music and he is... flying? Alec cannot describe what the man is doing in any other way. He keeps spinning on his toe, his arms gracefully up, above his head, and then does a few long leaps across the room, light as a feather, and starts spinning again. Alec keeps gaping at him. The beauty and grace of his movements are perfectly balanced by the sheer power of his body. His sweaty muscles on display make Alec’s mouth dry. He is elegant and vibrant with pure energy. The man seems to be very young, maybe he is another student at the school. Sure, an incredibly talented one.

The man must have seen him because he stops his dancing and looks at him, slightly panting with the most radiant smile on his face.

“Oh… hello. I'm sorry, I didn’t notice you were there.”

“Hi… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb your… training. I was looking for my teacher, but maybe I am in the wrong room?”

“Are you Alec?”

“Yeah?”

“Aren’t you sure?”

The man looks amused by Alec’s shyness.

“No, yes, of course, I am. I am Alec.”

“Perfect, great to meet you, Alec. I’m Magnus, the teacher you were looking for.”

Alec feels his face burning up. He is surely blushing. He doesn’t really know why, but he was expecting a woman, maybe because when his sister used to attend dancing lessons, her teachers were all women.

But it was silly of him to presume that, based on his non-existent experience in the world of dance schools, right?

The problem is now that he doesn’t know how to survive this. Magnus is stunning, he can’t help but appreciate… well everything about him. His skin and muscles and his delicate facial features and his hair, the way he was moving, his shaped body… his broad shoulders, and his narrow waist.

And he is getting closer. Oh, God! 

Alec feels like a trapped animal. Okay, he's a grown-up man and it's not like he's never dealt with attractive men. But his extreme shyness never allowed him to act on his wish to get to know someone he had just met and those times he found himself to be the object of advances, well, the result was catastrophic. The fact is that he had a lot of trouble accepting to be homosexual, not that his family wasn't supportive, but Alec was afraid to come out, to be judged for being different. So he spent years struggling, trying to come to terms with his sexuality. Eventually, he had to surrender to the truth. Women don't attract him. Period. He was able to admit it to himself at the age of 25. Afterward, he had a couple of stories with men who were still in the closet. At first, even being out himself, it seemed safer not to play with an open hand. In the end, what he did with those men was private, wasn’t it? But then he realized that it wasn't what he wanted; being relegated to be a secret part of his boyfriend's life. It was safe but unsatisfactory. Hence, his very limited experience in the sentimental and sexual fields. Well, he is not a virgin, but he feels completely inexperienced nevertheless. It is a vicious circle. Over 30 years of age, he should be more casual, more confident. Instead, the more time passes, the more Alec closes himself off to new experiences. Who would want to be with a grown-up man who still blushes at the sight of a bare chest? At that moment he notices that he is staring at Magnus’ twitching pecs and that he has probably zoned out. He hurries to look up and notices that the teacher has a smirk on his mouth.

“Aaand you’re back, good. Alec, shall we start? Just give me a second to change and I'm with you ok?"

"Ok, I .. I'll wait here."

"Five minutes, and I’ll be right back."

And with this Magnus heads to a door at the back of the room.

Alec is nervous, he starts fidgeting, his legs seem to be restless and he rubs his hands together. Fuck, he's got sweaty palms.

Breathe, calm down. He is a teacher, isn't he? So he will be used to having students totally unable to put one foot behind the other and sway their hips without looking like a drunk giraffe.

He is spiraling, but fortunately and as promised, within five minutes, Magnus is back. He put on a shirt, and Alec thanks the Heavens, because he couldn’t bear that distracting sight throughout their lesson. The T-shirt is oversized and it has the school logo on the front.

Okay, he's spacing again thinking of his now covered body and Magnus is talking to him.

Fuck, Alec, focus!

"What?"

"I was just saying, that your sister already paid for three lessons, so we can just start away. You can take off your shoes and jacket and lay it there on the bench."

"Oh, ok, sure."

Alec complies and then returns to the center of the room where Magnus has his hands stretched out, with a clear request to grab them.

Alec reaches out and takes his hands. Magnus squeezes them and smiles at him, reassuringly.

"Alec, your sister told me she'd want to dance with you at her party, right? And that you are not comfortable with dancing in public."

"Well, no... But I have reasons. You must know that I have two left feet."

Magnus giggles adorably.

"Let me judge that. We're not here to learn choreographies or complicated steps. Let's say we'll take a short introduction to dance. Isabelle told me you play a lot of sports."

"Yes, since we were children, my siblings and I have always practiced many sports; skiing, soccer, a few martial arts, archery, tennis and, you know, CrossFit and Calisthenics."

"Well, darling, it's not hard for me to believe it, judging from... well... this."

And Magnus releases his hand for a moment to vaguely point to Alec's figure.

"You seem to have a perfectly shaped body, you know? Muscular, but not overbuilt, strong and graceful.”

"Look who's talking."

Alec closes his jaw abruptly; his comment slipped away without him even realizing it.

"Sorry... I..."

"Don't apologize for paying me a compliment. Thank you, you know dance is a complete discipline, you need to develop both coordination but also strength. You are tall and slender… And surely strong… Oh, I am thinking about a few things we could do together."

Magnus mutters with a husky voice.

“What?”

Magnus realizes what he has just said and blushes, but then he bursts out laughing.

“I am sorry, I was referring to me jumping and you catching and lifting me… Have you ever watched Dirty Dancing?”

Alec blinks at him a couple of times but doesn’t even answer.

Magnus promptly brushes the subject off, shrugging.

“Anyway, coming back to us," and he takes Alec's hand in his again, "if you are used to moving your body and having control over it, dancing will come naturally to you. You just have to get in touch with your most emotional part. The disciplines you mentioned earlier require absolute control of the movements. When you dance, your body should take over your mind. You don't have to think, you have to feel; let the music enter you and if you abandon yourself to it, the movements will come by themselves."

"I get it. Isabelle says I tend to overthink everything. Maybe she's right, I can't help thinking that people are looking at me and feeling... well... ridiculous."

Magnus's smile widens.

"I can assure you that you look anything but ridiculous. You are quite a delight for the eyes, my dear."

Alec blushes again. What was this comment? An attempt at flirting?

No, it's not possible, Magnus is doing his job and he's just trying to calm him down, to make him feel at ease. Not that it’s working.

"Now, I’ll start the music and we just move a little, okay? I'll lead you, nothing complicated, we sway a little, we move here and there, following the rhythm."

"O... ok."

"Perfect."

Magnus releases his hands and Alec already feels the loss of contact as something absolutely unpleasant, as the teacher walks away to turn on the music.

Magnus chooses Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls. It's an emotional song, it sounds so intimate to Alec and he feels the nervousness paralyze his legs.

Magnus takes his hands again and shakes his arms slightly.

"Relax your shoulders, look me in the eye, okay?"

Alec nods, losing himself in Magnus’ chocolate irises.

Magnus begins to sway, left and right and Alec follows him, mirroring his movements, but he stays stiff, he doesn't move his hips as softly as Magnus, but the man doesn't seem to care as he keeps looking at him smiling until he takes a step forward, brings one of Alec’s hand on his own shoulder and puts his around his waist. There is still space between their bodies, and they continue to sway as they move, circling around the room.

Alec doesn't believe it. He is dancing. Perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but he has not yet fallen to the ground or stumbled upon his teacher and this is already a great achievement.

He begins to relax. It's easy to be guided by Magnus, the grip on his hand and around his waist is firm and reassuring. Alec begins to open up to the music, letting the words seep into him.

…And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand…

And that's exactly how he feels. He just wants to hide, to live his life quietly and far away from people’s judgment. He is not as handsome and self-confident as his brother Jace, who usually flirts with every client entering their store, man or woman it doesn’t really matter to him, while Alec spends his time in the storage room or his office in the back of the sales area. But Magnus is looking at him straight in the eye, unwaveringly and so intensely, and Alec smiles at him feeling worthy to be seen.

…When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am…

It would be nice to be brave enough and show himself, his true self to this gorgeous man, but then the song is over and Magnus smiles at him, pleased.

“See? It wasn’t so bad, right?”

Magnus is doing his job, and he has to admit he is quite good at it. He nods and smiles back, still a little unsurely.

Then another song starts, and it's another slow song and they keep swaying, and then another song, and another and they go on and on. With each song, Alec gets more and more lost, Magnus squeezes him a little tighter and on the fourth song, he even makes him swirl with a decisive push, giving him the right momentum to spin on his toes and then pulling him back into his arms.

Doing it a few more times, Alec finds himself with his back pressed against Magnus's chest. Magnus puts his hands on his hips and they sway together. It's easy and if it weren't for the heat Alec feels emanating from Magnus's body behind him, everything would be fine. But he feels that warmth, and the grip of Magnus’ hands on his body, and the closeness and all of that is driving him crazy.

When the song ends, Magnus turns him around to look him in the face again and Alec can see that he looks a little affected too. Is it even possible?

He doesn't have the time to keep thinking about that, because Magnus walks away from him again to tinker with the sound system.

"I have to say you’re not bad at all, I can see you're not used to moving in pairs, but you move well and have a good sense of music. What do you think about the lesson so far?"

"Oh, I like it... It's not like I don't enjoy dancing, everyone in my family is a skilled dancer, my mother, and my sister are exceptional, even my father gets some moves. But me? I don't know... maybe I'm too shy."

"You did very well... But now let's change genres, I guess there will be a kind of music a bit more rhythmic at the club, okay? Besides, you have to dance with your sister, not with your girlfriend. Oh well, I don't really know that... Are you going to dance with your girlfriend too?"

"Oh God, no... Girlfriends... That's not really my thing... you know..."

"No?"

"No, I am single, but if I danced with someone like that, it would be with a man."

Alec doesn’t know why he said that, but it came naturally to him. He is out and proud, isn’t he? Well, at least he tries to be.

"Oh, ok. Maybe you can find someone at the party, right?

While he says that, Magnus hopes he doesn’t. And he is taken aback by his own thought.

"I don't think I'll be able to dance with someone I don't know."

"Alec, you didn't know me half an hour ago."

"That is true."

They smile at each other, and something feels unspoken between them.

"So, as I was saying, maybe we should try to dance with some music more suited to a club like Pandemonium."

"Ah, my sister told you where she will celebrate her birthday?"

"Yes, it came up... I go there… often I’d say, when I feel like dancing and having some fun."

The music starts again and it’s faster and more joyful. Magnus gets closer but he doesn't hold him in his arms. Alec panics again. Without his lead, he doesn't really know what to do. But Magnus has infinite patience as he shows him some simple steps that he can use in repetition. In the end, even with a quick and rhythmic sound beat, Alec manages to find his pace, moving easily next to Magnus. When their hour together is over, he realizes that he has been surprisingly enjoying himself. Magnus is very good at his job, and his style… wow… It’s something worth admiring. Every now and then he inserted in his own dance, a few pirouettes that seemed to never end or a few steps of something similar to the robot dance.

Alec is delighted and pleasantly relaxed.

When they say their goodbyes, Alec feels all over the place, he is tired but undeniably happy.

As soon as he gets home, he receives a text from his sister.

"How did the lesson go?"

"Iz, you didn't tell me the teacher was a man!"

"And so what? Why? Is he hot? His voice was hot."

"Well, hot doesn't do him justice. And the way he dances..."

"Well, so I guess you'll do the other two lessons too, right?"

Alec imagines Isabelle's smug grimace, but he responds anyway.

"Yes, sure. I enjoyed myself after all. And I will get to dance with my adorable sister on her birthday. So, why not?"

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The second lesson goes on more or less like the previous one. They dance to a few slow songs, swaying together, and then some faster ones. Magnus teaches him to turn on himself, without falling to the ground and a few other moves. At the end of the hour, Alec is unleashed. The two of them dance and laugh together, they take each other by the hand, from time to time, Magnus makes him spin and swirl and it’s so much fun.

Alec completely abandons himself to the music and Magnus.

When he is about to leave, he has flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and a wonderful, open smile plastered on his face.

"Thanks, Magnus, that was amazing, I had a lot of fun, really… So, see you on Friday then."

"Sure, I enjoyed our lesson too, darling. Thanks, see you next time."

And it’s true, he really enjoyed dancing with him. Magnus is happy and satisfied with the lesson. Alec can decisively dance, he was just stuck in his own insecurities. He goes to take a shower.

A group of his students invited him for a beer and it's not that unusual, it's a class of adults and they go out together occasionally. Magnus had particularly bonded with a couple of them, especially with Raphael, who by the way is the one who gave his number to Alec's sister. He would like to thank him for having recommended the school, but Isabelle asked him not to mention what Alec is doing.

Magnus prepares carefully and heads to the pub where he is supposed to meet his students. Raphael is already there, while the others have yet to arrive.

"Raphael, you're already here, I thought I was going to be first."

"I came straight from the clinic."

"Yeah, me too, straight from the school..."

"So, how is it going?"

"Oh, everything is great."

"Are you sure? Is there something bothering you?"

"Bothering? No, well... no. Everything's okay."

"Ok, ok. You just look different."

"I just finished a lesson with a new student ... And he's... well... something else."

"What do you mean?"

If he doesn’t reveal his name, he can still talk about Alec to his friend, right? He needs to vent a little about his cute new student.

"Oh, well. He's beautiful... And sweet and shy, but he's also funny."

Magnus would petulantly like to ask Raphael how it is possible that a friend of his has a brother, who is single AND hot and he has never thought to introduce him. But of course, he can't. However, letting off a bit of steam, won't do any harm. And besides, allegedly Alec will no longer be a student of him, starting from Friday and maybe Magnus could come forward and ask him out.

"Uhmm you like this guy, don’t you?"

"I suppose… He is really nice. And I enjoyed dancing with him, maybe too much."

"Well, don’t you enjoy dancing with me?"

"Of course, but… I don’t have that kind of thoughts when I dance with you."

"Gross. And… rude."

Magnus laughs.

“You're the one who asked. Anyway, I like him, but he is a student of mine and I have to behave; you know professional ethics and stuff.”

"Yes, of course..." Raphael doesn’t sound completely convinced.

At that moment a small group of cheerful and boisterous people joins them and the evening continues amid general laughter and bickering.

Magnus sips his beer, a little distracted from the chatting around him. He sighs dreamily, as he looks forward to dancing with Alec again.

Chapter Text

Alec is in the storage room to arrange a few carton boxes of goods, that have been just delivered. He is wearing overly big headphones and listening to a Spotify playlist called Dance '80 '90 '00. He seems to be totally engrossed with the task at hand and with the music.

Well, Alec is happy; why shouldn't he be? It's Friday, tonight he's going to attend his last lesson at the dance school and then tomorrow it will be Isabelle's birthday, and for once, he doesn't dread the incoming party, rather he looks forward to it.

Besides, he hasn't been able to stop thinking about Magnus since Wednesday night. He feels weirdly excited about seeing the guy again and he can’t really wait to dance together one more time.

Who knows if Magnus would agree to go and have a coffee together? Sure, he should ask him first. Alec tries not to let his enthusiasm be held back by his usual self-confidence issues...

Yet, why would a gorgeous man like Magnus want to go out on a date with him? Alec shakes his head, admonishing himself. No, not this time. Magnus is kind and affable and if he hasn't misread the signs in his behavior, he finds him cute at least. He hopes cute and not a charity case. Admittedly, Alec caught him giving him an unmistakable look a couple of times. There was something in that look that gave him goosebumps. And Alec is thrilled to be dancing close to him again. Their bodies almost touching… His handsome face, a few inches away from his. Suddenly he feels a surge of anticipation and excitement and lets himself be completely overwhelmed by Gloria Gaynor's voice singing her Can't Take My Eyes Off You and without even noticing it, he finds himself widely swaying his hips and shaking his shoulders in time, singing along. With his headphones on, though, he doesn’t realize he is yelling way too loudly.

I love you baaaaby, and if it's quite all right, I need you baaaaby to warm the lonely night…

Jace, thinking his brother is having a bad case of intestinal colic, rushes to the back of the store, into the storage room, just to find himself in front of an unbridled, wild Alec, who is unrestrainedly dancing there, in front of the shelves. Jace tilts his head to the side, puzzled, but he has to admit Alec is moving with surprising grace, completely lost in the rhythm. He dances and puts the football shirts on the shelves, dividing them by size, as it was the normal way to do that task.

This is something unprecedented. Why doesn't he have his phone with him? He needs to make a video because no one is going to believe him. No one.

He goes back to the sales area, behind the counter, as he doesn’t have the heart to disturb his brother’s frenzy and happiness. He has never seen him so free and disinhibited, and he can’t help but smile at himself.

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When Alec enters the classroom, Magnus is already there and welcomes him with a genuine smile that almost blinds him. Alec can't help but notice again how attractive Magnus is. He's practically perfect, he can't find anything that doesn't attract him. And he is not talking about his mere appearance. His voice, his joviality and kindness, his talent, his elegant hands, his deep and warm eyes, his smile, even his smell, enveloping but not aggressive and so damn alluring. How can he dance with him without being distracted? Impossible. Magnus is obviously staring at him with an amused smile on his lips, patiently waiting for him to come to his senses. Alec seems to have the tendency to zone out each time he meets him as if he were knocked out by his mere sight. Alec shrugs internally, he's so smitten he doesn't even bother worrying that he's probably making a bad impression.

The lesson finally can begin. The first song Magnus chose is Chriss Isaac's Wicked Game. Magnus takes him in his arms, but instead of grabbing his hand and putting the other arm along his shoulders, in the usual pose a couple would take to dance, he snakes both his arms around Alec’s neck and pulls him close to himself. Alec gasps. He did not expect this closeness. Magnus glances at him through his long eyelashes.

"You know Alec, sometimes, at a club, they play slower and more sensual songs. In this case, the movements are simpler, see?"

And Magnus begins to sway following the sweet rhythm of the song. Alec wraps his arms around his waist and realizes that their hips are dangerously close. Magnus keeps looking at him, in the eye. Alec tries to relax and follow the soft swaying, even though the awareness of Magnus' body practically pressed along his own is intoxicating. Magnus rests his head on his shoulder and Alec breathes in the heady scent of his shampoo. They keep dancing and after the chorus repeats for the second time, Alec hears Magnus humming along with the song near his ear, his warm breath gives him chills and his voice is soft and tuneful.

The world was on fire and no one could save me but you…

Strange what desire will make foolish people do…

Magnus lifts his head and looks him straight in the eye. Alec notices that Magnus’ eyes are glowing and he enjoys the moment they are having. It’s quite magical.

They keep dancing on the spot, only alternating their bodies’ weight from one foot to the other.

Then the song fades and both men remain silent, overwhelmed by the intensity of whatever they shared.

Alec pulls back, suddenly embarrassed by his own feelings. But Magnus just smiles at him and the lesson goes on. Magnus teaches him some more tricks and steps and they dance and dance, enjoying themselves. The last song Magnus chooses then is Hips don't lie by Shakira.

"Look, we are almost done. Now we are going to see if you can really let go and dance without any worries, ok? Just dance as you feel it, don't think about what I may expect from you. Just move, feel the music, ok? This is a sensual song, so lower your center, keep your knees slightly bent, and wiggle that pretty ass of yours as if tomorrow never comes."

Alec laughs.

"Ok, I'll try."

The music starts and Magnus begins to move. He is smooth in his movements and Alec goes along. And indeed, he sways his hips and wiggles his ass and spins on his heels and moves his arms according to the music, just as freely as he feels it. It's easy and it feels so good. Suddenly Magnus gets closer and lodges his leg between his, and one of his hands lands on his hip, keeping him in place.

They start moving together, their body brushing one against the other. It's sensual and exciting and so different from the way they danced to the first song. Not even one hour ago, Magnus was in his arms, looking soft and almost vulnerable. Now Magnus’ lower parts are pressed against him and he keeps pulling him to himself with the hand that is now on the small of his back. Magnus's other hand is on his chest and Alec wound his arms around his back. They are impossibly close and Alec is about to catch fire. This is so much more than just dancing.

With a quick and sudden move, Magnus spins him around and presses his chest against his back, continuing to sway. His hands are on Alec’s stomach and his mouth on his nape. Alec continues to follow Magnus' movements until his hands begin to slide along his abdominals, slowly, his fingers digging into the skin beneath the fabric of his shirt. Once he reaches Alec’s chest, Magnus hugs him tightly, brushing his slightly parted lips along the side of his neck.

Alec shudders violently and turns around quite abruptly. Magnus opens his eyes wide, a flash of fear in his eyes. Has he exaggerated? But Alec throws his hands around his waist pulling him hard to himself and then looks him in the eye, circling his hips in an allusive way.

Magnus is short of breath and then he thinks about how unprofessional it would be to kiss Alec in his class during their lesson. Luckily, the song ends and Alec pulls away. They look at each other, remaining a few inches from each other.

Then Alec smiles at him and he looks in his eyes as if he was looking for something.

The silence stretches for a few seconds until Alec finally breaks it, his voice low and deep.

“Are you free tonight? What about a drink?”

Magnus relaxes and his smile widens.

“I’m free and I’d love it.”

They go to a bar near the school, nothing fancy since neither of them got the chance to go home and dress for the occasion. But they don’t really care about that.

Alec had brought a clean T-shirt to change from his sweaty one, and he washed himself in the school's changing room.

It’s Friday, so the bar is quite crowded, but they find a couple of free stools at the counter and have a beer there. It's not the best of privacy, but Alec assumes it's okay anyway. He just wants to have a little chat and get to know Magnus better.

“So, you already know I am a dance teacher and I own my own school, but what do you do for a living?”

Magnus inquires, sipping his pint of amber beer.

“Oh… well, I… wait a sec, you own the school? I thought you worked there. Great, it’s great, ehm, your school is very nice.”

“Thank you, Alec, actually it is mine and Catarina’s. She is my best friend and we studied together.”

“I see, well, I own a sports store with my brother Jace. We have always liked sports as I already told you and so at first we had thought about opening a gym maybe, but then someone we knew was selling the store and you know, one thing led to another.”

“I know… It happens, life can be unforeseeable.”

“Yeah. Anyway, Jace is a personal trainer, so sometimes he gives some private lessons and during summer, I teach archery to a few classes of kids.”

“How nice… So you have a sister and a brother, right?”

“And another brother, he is the youngest, Max is now 25 and he is a cybersecurity expert, while my sister is a cardiologist."

"You seem to be very fond of your siblings."

"I am, we are pretty close, even if Jace is a lazy, rowdy messy guy and Isabelle tends to be meddlesome and overprotective. But I wouldn't want them any other way. Max... He is the little one of the family and sometimes he takes advantage of it, he knows that the rest of us would never deny him anything and we tend to spoil him. But he is a smart boy with a heart of gold.”

“It must be nice to have such a close-knit family."

"It is. Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No, I am an only child and my parents returned to Indonesia about eight years ago. They helped me open the school, but then they decided to go back to the place where they were born. My father is much older than my mother and when he retired, he preferred to leave the US and go back to where his family is. I visit them whenever I can.”

“I guess you miss them."

"Sure, but I know they're fine and happy. And I'm happy here where I am, I have my school and my friends."

"And nobody else?"

Alec blushes at the implications of his question. Magnus smiles coyly at him.

"No… there hasn't been anyone else in a while."

"There is no one for me either, you know, besides my siblings and a few friends. I'm not exactly a sociable person."

Magnus smiles.

“You seem perfectly sociable to me.”

The evening passes by, fast and carefree, between light chatter and laughter, a couple of pool games when no real winner emerges, and a darts challenge when Alec makes a killing.

"Ok, ok, you humiliated me. But that's not fair, you definitely have a good aim, since you shoot with a bow."

"What can I say, I told you, I'm good at all sports." Alec declares proudly as a smirk tugs on his lips. He is actually having a great time.

"Oh, now we're being cocky, aren’t we?”

"Not cocky, just honest. Give me a ball, a bat, a kettlebell, a racket, a bow and you’ll make me a happy man."

"Well, now you can also dance."

"Well, no, I wouldn't say that. You're very good as a teacher and I certainly feel less awkward, but to say that I can dance is an exaggeration. You... you are wonderful though when you dance. You have an extraordinary elegance, I could spend hours watching you."

Alec blushes and looks down. He is being unusually brave and outspoken this evening.

"Thank you, dear. Well, in case you want to see me dance again, I will perform in a charity show next week, on behalf of the school. We are supporting an initiative in favor of an LGBT association... The proceeds of the evening will go entirely to the association."

"Oh, wow, sure! When is it?"

"Saturday next week."

"Okay, thanks then, I'll be there."

"Then I'll get you a ticket. My treat. It would be nice if you did a little donation though."

"Of course, thank you… Should I give you my number? So then you can send me the address and the details. I mean…"

Magnus nods and smiles. The impromptu evening went better than expected, Alec is nice, funny, and all in all a kind soul. In a week they will meet again and now the numbers have also been exchanged. It looks good, very good.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

"Code red! You have to help me, Alec!"

Alec wasn’t expecting a distress call from his sister in the middle of Saturday morning. She sounds to be in panic.

"What's going on Iz?"

"They called me from Pandemonium, it seems that last night there was some failure in the plumbing, and tonight they can't open the club, so the party is canceled."

"Oh no... What now?"

"Now I'm waiting for Raphael who has a friend who works in another club, the DuMort, and also  Maia who has contacts at Hunter's Moon, which is a bar, though, not a club and I wanted to dance so damn much. I hope Raphael will find me a booth I can reserve with so little advance."

"Do you want me to ask Jace if he can think of anything?"

"Yes thanks, I need all the help I can get. I called him just now but he didn't answer his phone."

"Well, he's in the middle of a sale. He is showing some skates to a couple of girls and let's just say he's... focused on them."

"Yeah, I guess… The skates or the girls?"

They both giggle. Jace is beyond redemption, he can flirt with literally anyone.

"He's a great salesman, though, I wish I had half the gab of him."

“Yeah, but you are good at managing the shop, if it were left in Jace's hand you would not find anything after only a couple of days.”

This is utterly and sadly true, Alec admits.

"Anyway, so as soon as he's done I'll talk to him, ok? And don't worry, Iz, we will find a solution."

"Ok, I really hope so..."

"I'm sure, talk to you later."

When Isabelle hangs up the phone, Raphael walks into her study, carrying two cups of coffee.

"So, unfortunately, the DuMort is fully booked tonight. But I called Meliorn just to warn him of the little snag we had for the evening and he proposed we go to the Chandelier, he has already checked and there would be a private booth still available for us. Apparently, he knows the owner."

"What!!?? Oh wow, this is amazing, that place is very exclusive, I love it, it's decadent and so baroque. That's fine, can you confirm with him then? I’ll let everyone else know about the new location. Gosh, this Meliorn is great!"

"Sure. By the way, did you tell Alec that Meliorn will be there too? And that he saw a picture of him and showed interest in him?"

"Of course I did!"

The Hell she did. She didn't tell him and didn’t intend to. In her defense, she knows her brother, and just convincing him to take those dance lessons was uncertain, she will not risk his brother avoid to approach Meliorn because he is afraid of possible advances. Better to play the surprise card. Given the flirtatious attitude of the new doctor, Alec has no escape, according to Isabelle, even more so if he can't play defense from the beginning.

"Ok... Because you know Alec, what he is like with new people, especially if he doesn't expect them to be there. So, who will be there tonight?"

"You and I, Jace and Alec, Simon, Maia and Andrew of course, Meliorn, Clary, my cousin Aline with Helen, her girlfriend and Max with a couple of friends of his, and… that’s all."

"Perfect, I'll call Meliorn then and tell him to reserve a booth for 14 or 15 people max."

"Thanks, Raph, and thank Meliorn for me, he saved my birthday party."

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

After lunch, Magnus is in his office doing some administrative work. He loves teaching, he doesn't like the administration part that much though. Well, it is part of the job, so it needs to be done. On Saturday afternoon there are no classes and soon he will go home to relax a bit and tonight he will go to some club with Catarina. So nothing to complain about. Everything is going great.

He really wants to dance a little and have some fun. He also needs to get distracted since he can't help but keep thinking about Alec. They went for a beer, but was it a date? Alec seemed to enjoy their little flirtation, but they didn't even kiss although Magnus wanted it so much. Instead, they said goodbye in front of the bar, agreeing to see each other at the charity event in a week. And he could also text him, in the following days, just to… keep in touch.

Anyway, Alec will be there to see him dance, so Magnus remains optimistic, maybe he will be able to invite him on a real date then. He is lost in his thoughts when his phone pings with a text from Cat.

"Mags, still at school? Look, I heard from Tessa and she got three passes for the Chandelier and invited us to go with her tonight, I know you've wanted to go there for a long time and it's always so hard to get an invitation. What do you think? "

Oh, the Chandelier. This is awesome.

"I say it's fantastic! All right, tell Tessa that we’ll go, if you are up to it too."

"Sure, I love the idea. See you tonight. Are you coming to pick me up?"

"Of course, I'll take an Uber, see you later xxx"

Wow, finally. Magnus had been trying to find an invitation to one of New York's most exclusive clubs for months. He makes an impromptu decision. He gets up, fuck the paperwork and the accounting, now it’s time to go shopping. He has to find an outfit that is absolutely perfect for the club they are going to, he wants to overdo it tonight, he wants to be magnificent.

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Alec and Jace enter the club after giving their name at the entrance. The bouncer looks at them from top to bottom, scrutinizes them carefully. Then he murmurs something incomprehensible but lets them in.

Gosh, thank goodness he turned to Jace for help to get dressed. He would have put on black jeans and a loose and comfortable dark denim shirt, but Jace patiently explained to him, as one would talk to a child, that dress codes exist for a reason and that he is going to dance in an exclusive club and celebrate his sister and not to shoot at the range. Alec, after puffing and rolling his eyes, repeatedly, got his brother to choose his clothes for him and well, he has to admit that the result is amazing.

Fitted black pants and a white muscle-fit T-shirt with black and silver geometric patterns on the front, so tight that his biceps were barely contained. Over the shirt, a waistcoat, black in front and silver gray in the back, and black Chelsea boots to complete the outfit. Besides, Jace had insisted on putting some eyeliner on his eyes and some gloss on his lips. Jace wasn't used to wearing makeup, but luckily Isabelle had left a clutch bag at Alec's house with some products in it.

Alec enters the club and for the first time, he doesn't feel completely out of place. He is happy to be there to celebrate his sister's birthday with his friends. Dancing doesn't scare him that much anymore.

They arrive at the booth and the others are already almost all there. Alec notices that only Raphael is missing.

After hugging his sister and greeting the others, he goes to get a beer, and then he sits at the table next to Aline until Isabelle gets to him.

"Hey, big brother, can you show me what you learned in class? Shall we dance?"

Alec is slightly nervous now, but he wants to try and please Isabelle, so he gets up and heads to the dance floor with her. Jace, Maia, Simon, and his best friend Clary follow them.

The music the DJ is playing is not bad at all and Alec immediately lets the rhythm carry him away. He starts moving next to the girls. Isabelle looks at him smugly and happily, while Jace and Simon are visibly shocked. Since when has Alec been dancing? And since when is he so good at it?

They continue to move all together following the rhythm of the music until Alec turns around and sees him.

He's... breathtaking. Magnus is in the middle of the dance floor, dominating the scene and dancing between a couple of girls. His movements are pure sin and his clothes...

God, he looks like he just jumped off a fashion runway. Not that Alec is into fashion, but he appreciates that little fabric that is clinging to Magnus’ body, being it either transparent or very tight. So, there is a lot of exposed skin. A lot.

Alec stops dancing altogether and stares at Magnus for a few seconds until Jace approaches him worried.

"Hey, buddy, are you okay?"

"What? Oh... Jace, yeah, sorry, I'll be right back."

Alec walks through the crowd towards Magnus and the closer he gets, the more he can appreciate the details of his outfit and also of his makeup. He is nothing but a marvelous vision.

When he's a few steps away from him, Magnus finally spots him and freezes.

"Alec? What are you doing here?"

Alec swallows and then he reaches out.

“Magnus, do you… would you… would you care to dance with me?”

Chapter Text

Magnus stares at him for a matter of a few seconds, before smiling, clearly pleased about the fortuitous encounter.

“Sure. I’d love to, Alec.”

Magnus says, gently taking his outstretched hand.

Then he turns toward the girls standing behind him. Magnus’ friends, Alec supposes.

“Cat, Tess, this is Alec.”

They blink in surprise.

“That Alec?” One of them asks. “Alec, Alec?” The other adds.

“Yes… Alec, Alec.”

“Oh, ok, hi Alec, Alec.” The first one says in a silly way.

The girls are clearly amused and start giggling, looking at each other eloquently. Alec is dying of embarrassment, but, apparently, Magnus had talked to his friends about him. Well, it’s a good sign, isn’t it?

They wave at him, smiling, and Alec waves back with a timid smile.

“Hey there, uhm… I am sorry, I didn’t want to intrude…”

Magnus grabs his arm and starts pulling him away.

“Don’t worry about that, let’s go a little further, I want you all for myself. Tonight, you’re particularly… dashing. And what is that? Eyeliner?”

Alec blushes, trying to accept the compliment without swooning, while being practically dragged away from Magnus’ friends, who are still staring at them, with a benevolent look.

When they reach a quieter area of the dance floor, they stand face to face.

“You look… incredible, Magnus…”

In response, Magnus throws his arms around his neck and presses against him, without hesitation.

“Alec, dance with me.”

They start dancing, moving their bodies unhurriedly and unable of averting their gazes from each other’s face as if they were enchanted and amazed to be there together. Alec puts his hands around Magnus’ waist to keep him as close as possible.

Now that they are out of curious sight and especially prying ears, Magnus repeats his question.

"So… How did you end up here at the Chandelier?"

"Oh, good question, there was a water leak at Pandemonium, and they canceled our reservation. My sister was beside herself, but eventually, a colleague of hers got us all in here. He managed to get a booth."

"Well, it's not easy to get an invitation to enter here, especially for a large group of people. This colleague… well, they must have the right contacts."

Alec shrugs, he didn't really care about which club they were going to have the party at. One place was as good as the other, for all that matters to Alec. But now he is happy they have come here, especially because he has Magnus in his arms now.

Alec bravely begins swaying the way Magnus taught him with a smirk on his lips. He is trying to tease him, with the impudent and tantalizing rocking of his hips.

Magnus looks delighted and lowers his hands, making them slide along Alec’s arms, eventually getting them to rest on Alec’s hips, getting a little closer. Nobody can see them where they are now; they have reached the most remote corner of the dance floor and are hidden behind a column among a waving sea of people.

Alec feels good, confident, almost bold. He raises one of his hands and brings it to the back of Magnus' neck, appreciating the feeling of the short hair there, tickling the palm of his hand. The music gets more sensual, one of those songs which make you want to shake your body shamelessly. They are getting closer and closer, Magnus never takes his gaze away from his eyes and finally, Alec understands why his siblings like to go dancing so much. This feeling of being untamed, free and easy, instinctive and unrepressed. Even more, if you are lucky enough to dance with someone like Magnus.

What a feeling… It’s new but it’s something he has been missing out on in some ways. Has he been repressing himself? Surely, he has not been able to get what he wanted. When he came out, he hoped to be finally able to live his sexuality more freely, but he has always been terrified of actually acting as free as he wished he would be able to.

Now? Now he is free falling. Alec feels practically trapped in an orbit around Magnus, he cannot move away, he doesn’t want to, he is inexorably attracted to him, and the distance is getting shorter and shorter. Magnus is a star and he is there, basking in his light. There is nothing left, no one, only Magnus's happy and relaxed face a few inches from his, his eyes burning and a little jaunty as if he knew exactly what effect dancing like this, almost glued together, is having on Alec. In a tumult of sensations and emotions, Alec is experiencing the conflict between the desire to stay there forever, frozen in time and rooted to the spot, and the irresistible urge to drag Magnus away from the club and take him to a more secluded place. But anything he is imagining or hoping that could happen between them could start with a simple kiss, right?

Alec gathers all his courage and gently reels Magnus in by the back of his neck and in the meantime, he leans forward, his eyes fixed on Magnus' shiny lips. He is doing it; he is about to kiss the man. And Magnus is letting him do it. A second before their lips touch, however, the spell breaks. It shatters and it feels like a cold shower.

"Magnus? What the Hell are you doing here?"

Alec turns, horrified because he knows that voice. Raphael?

Magnus maintains his aplomb and looks at the newly arrived man, with a raised eyebrow and without separating from Alec.

"Hey Raphael, well… I should have known you were here, you're friends with Isabelle so you are at her party… of course…"

Magnus is ready to brush off the little interruption and resume their task, but Alec is a little more puzzled, he doesn't know whom Isabelle got the school recommendation from, nor that Raphael goes to the same school, so he looks alternatively at the two men, not understanding how they may know each other.

Magnus, perceiving Alec’s bewilderment lets go of him and takes a step back. Well, he realizes, Raphael didn’t know that Alec took a few lessons at his school, but why is he looking at them that way, seeming so stressed out?

Suddenly, another man materializes beside Raphael. Where the Hell did he come from?

"There you are, finally! Maia told me you were dancing together and then you disappeared into thin air. But I found you, come on babe, I got you a cocktail."

Babe?

Alec looks back over his own shoulder because it's obvious the man isn't talking to him, right?

Raphael grabs Magnus by the arm and drags him away.

"Come with me for a moment, I need to talk to you.”

They take just a few steps to the side of the dancefloor, but Alec looks at them, sad and disappointed as if he couldn’t bear to be separated from Magnus. Then he turns again and that other guy is there, dangerously close to him, smirking and boldly gazing at him, at his face and his body as well, with an appreciative look. Alec gulps. Who the Hell is this guy?

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All Raphael wants is to understand why Magnus is here, if he came with Alec, if they just met by chance, and what his intentions are. He knows Meliorn is aiming at hooking up with Alec. In the car, he sounded overly eager, almost annoying in fact with his hubris, but Raphael knows that Alec is not that kind of guy and decided to look out for him. And now Magnus? They were dancing unequivocally close. Were they about to kiss?

“What are you doing here? How do you know Alec?

"What? From the school… I met him at the school, his sister, Isabelle right? She bought a few lessons for him. And now… we met here by chance, I thought you were going to Pandemonium."

"Yes, but they had..."

"Yeah, I know a water leak. What's the problem? We were just dancing."

"Well... Not quite just dancing."

"Raphael! There you are! Where have you all ended up? I couldn't find the others anymore. I didn't even realize you had arrived."

A girl squeals too near to their ears, making Magnus jump, startled. Raphael looks at her and hugs her briefly.

"Hey Isabelle, Happy Birthday, my dear. Sorry, but I went to pick Meliorn up, and apparently, he takes longer than you to get ready."

"Ah, Meliorn is here too? Great, I hope he has his way with Alec tonight. My big brother is going to get laid, right?"

Raphael realizes that Isabelle is a little more than just tipsy, while Magnus turns pale at her explicit words.

“What?”

“Oh hi, sorry, who are you?”

“I… I'm Magnus.”

“Magnus? Magnus as Magnus Bane the dance teacher?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, but what a coincidence. It’s really a pleasure to meet you here. Next week I am coming to see you as promised, so we can talk about… Dancing! Is that alright?”

Magnus feels sick, but he manages to keep his behavior as professional as he can.

“Of course, whenever you want Isabelle. Give me a call a couple of days in advance ok? "

"Perfect!"

The girl turns her back on him as if Magnus wasn’t even there anymore.

She spots Alec a few steps away from them talking to Meliorn. Or rather, he is trying to rip Meliorn’s hands off him, while Meliorn keeps dancing all around him, touching him in a provocative and pushy way.

Paying attention it would be clear that Alec is completely uncomfortable and trying to escape the onslaught of this stranger, but Isabelle is too intoxicated by the alcoholic drinks she has been having, and Magnus… Well, Magnus has tears in his eyes, so he doesn't get the dynamic between them correctly. He just sees that Alec is dancing with another man now, and it's all too wrong.

"Oh Raph, see? I'm so glad Alec finally found someone suitable for him. I think they're a nice couple right? And we have to thank Magnus here, that Alec can dance with him tonight.”

She turns again to look at him.

“Let me say this, Magnus Bane. You did miracles with my brother, I'm sure Meliorn will be completely conquered by his moves."

And she does an unequivocally lewd movement with her pelvis and then she giggles, stupidly and clearly pleased with herself. Raphael looks at her questioningly. It is all too evident that Alec is trying to saunter off. Raphael still thinks that Meliorn is weird, and he proves to be right, as always. He is pondering if he better go and rescue his poor friend, but Isabelle told him that Alec knew Meliorn was going to be there to meet him, so it’s better to ask.

"Isabelle, wait a sec. Was Alec happy to meet Meliorn?"

Isabelle looks at him and for a moment she doesn't understand, then she remembers the white lie she told him. She blushes, she has almost been caught and she can blame those Tequila shots she had. But she will stick to her gun, now.

"Of course! He was thrilled, he couldn't wait to meet him."

Magnus whines. So, it appears that Alec had a date with another man tonight and was shamelessly flirting with him at the same time.

Everything Magnus feels is a profound disappointment. He is hurt. He doesn't know why but Alec had made a different impression on him. He looked like an honest, genuine man. He had told him that there was no one in his life but his siblings and his friends. But maybe he meant that he wasn't looking for anything serious, that he preferred having only flings, that while flirting with him, he would also go out with others.

Magnus falls silent, totally puzzled by the absurdity of the situation. He knows he doesn't have the right to feel this letdown, on the other hand, they haven't even dated once, for real. Maybe Alec was just looking for something physical with the sexy dance instructor. Admittedly, not an uncommon cliché. He can’t stay here anymore.

"Sorry, I have to go find my friends. Raphael, I'll see you at school on Tuesday. Isabelle, it was a pleasure to meet you, and I'll wait for you to call me, ok? Ah... And Happy Birthday."

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“Who the Hell are you and let go of my arm, now!”

“Hey… cool off, I'm Meliorn, didn’t Isabelle tell you I was coming tonight?”

Meliorn keeps dancing, brushing his legs against him.

“No… should she have?”

“Well, according to Raphael you knew I was invited at this party, explicitly to meet you and get to know you… you know, Alec, I saw a picture of you and I must say, you are even better in person. Wow… Those eyes and this body… You look like a Greek God.”

Alec looks at him totally dumbfounded, holding tightly the cocktail this man has shoved into his hand and his mouth slightly parted. He is evaluating if he should pour the cocktail on his head. He is also thinking of, planning actually, the quickest way to kill his sister without being caught. Should he ask Jace to help him?

She has tried to set him up, again, with this weird guy, who is looking at him in a too bold way, who is touching him without his consent. He feels uncomfortable, and all he wants to do is go back to Magnus and resume from where they were interrupted.

“Look…”

“Meliorn, my name is Meliorn sweetheart.”

Alec cringes internally and he takes a deep breath.

“Look, Meliorn, I didn’t know about this and I was actually dancing with another man, who I am definitively interested in. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll go look for him, now.”

“Oh, really? I am sorry, I assumed you knew and agreed to, you know, me being your date tonight, otherwise, I wouldn’t…”

Meliorn seems to be really sorry and contrite.

“It’s ok… So… Have fun, ok?”

“Sure, you too Alec. This man you mentioned, he is lucky to have you.”

Meliorn states solemnly.

“Uhm… Thank you? I guess?” Wasn’t that too much? Definitely, considering he doesn’t even know this man. Meliorn shrugs and a second later he is already dancing among the crowd.

Alec shrugs too. The world is full of weird people, right? Now he needs to look for Magnus, though.

He goes back to the place where he met him earlier and the girls are still there, glaring at him, definitely unfriendly.

"Hey... Sorry to bother you. I'm looking for Magnus."

"Well, you're late, he's gone. What have you done?" One of them enquires angrily.

"Gone? Where did he go?

"Home, he said he was going to take a taxi and didn't want us to go with him. He looked… upset."

"Oh, fuck, I gotta go, sorry."

Without even saying goodbye Alec rushes to the main door of the club, he doesn't warn anyone, much less Isabelle, he's so angry with her that it's better if he doesn't see her right now.

As soon as he stumbles out of the club, the bouncer gives him another unimpressed glare that Alec totally ignores.

"If you go away, then you can't go back inside." The man says with a flat voice.

"I don't care..."

He looks to his right and then to his left, and finally, he sees him. Magnus is walking down the sidewalk, trying to hail a cab.

"Magnus! Magnus, wait!!!"

Magnus stops, lowers his arm, and turns around.

Alec starts running towards him until he is right in front of him, panting slightly. Magnus is staring at him with a look that is a bit of a mix of anger, disappointment, hope, and curiosity.

"What do you want? Don't keep your date waiting for you." His voice is cold, and Alec sees the hurt in his eyes.

"Magnus, fuck, I didn't even know he was going to be here. I don’t even know who he is. Isabelle... She invited him without telling me, I swear. I have never seen that guy before, and to be honest, I don't want to have anything to do with him... "

"Well, Isabelle told me you knew about him coming for you... That you were happy to date him, and even that… Oh no, I won’t repeat that, it was so awkward. Anyway, spare me your bullshit. What was that? Were you trying to have it both ways? Well, I am not interested, I am not used to sharing, so hurry up, you are probably still in time to save your night."

"Oh God, she has been totally out of line this time... I can't believe it. She lied, Magnus, I didn’t know, she didn’t tell me, because she knew I would have gotten mad at her."

Alec groans. It’s so fucking frustrating. Magnus is looking at him, unsure.

“I swear, Magnus, I am going to strangle Isabelle for this. Or at least, I won't talk to her for a few months. Two at least. Let’s say three and she needs to apologize, meaning it and promising she won’t do this again or I won’t forgive her, oh no, not this time. This is the fucking last straw. How could she be so reckless? And with that man? So fucking rude.”

He must be sounding really desperate to get Magnus to believe him and so pissed off with Isabelle, that Magnus’ wrath and certainties begin to crumble.

“You didn’t know? Well, he was kinda hot, I guess.”

“No, he was overbearing and I just wanted to flee. Jesus, I promise I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have… danced with you like that, I… was going to kiss you, Magnus. I am dying for a kiss from you. You are beautiful and… hot. He wasn’t, not in the slightest. Please, believe me. Just please?”

“Well, you are here now, that must mean something, I…”

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, let alone in there without you."

"I don't want to go back, though." Magnus says, lowering his gaze.

"Neither do I and in any case, they wouldn't let us back inside now that we got out of there."

"But it's your sister's party."

"Don’t worry, I’ll text her, and Jace and even Raphael, and I’ll talk to my sister tomorrow. Look, can I walk you home, now?"

“I live on the other side of the city. Cat and I took an Uber to get here."

"Well, then we could go to my place, and I could fix you a drink?"

"Uhm, I like this plan better, but first, weren't you dying for a kiss?"

"I still am."

"I could save your life, then."

"So honorable of you."

Alec takes a couple of steps and enters Magnus' personal space, and Magnus smiles at him, a glint of smugness in his eyes. He throws his arms around Alec’s neck again, as he did on the dancefloor, and Alec holds him just as tightly.

This is how things were meant to go from the beginning. Their lips clash together and Alec knows right away that this thing between them, whatever it is going to be, is going to be great and all-encompassing and fun. And most importantly, it already feels so real. He is not going to hide or hold back. They kiss and Alec feels like he has come home. Kissing Magnus is weirdly familiar but in a good way. Ok, he is still pissed off at Isabelle, but it's because of her that he met Magnus in the first place, so he'll forgive her eventually, sooner than expected. Well… Possibly.

When they finally start walking to Alec's place, Alec can't avoid spotting his brother Jace and that Meliorn guy, kissing ardently against the wall, outside the club. He facepalms, but then Magnus is kissing him again and he thinks that, in the end, all's well that ends well, right?