Chapter Text
Magnus had just finished up with his last client of the day when he walked in, out of breath, a sweet little girl in his arms. Usually he took an early day on Saturdays, but suddenly he had a feeling that would not be the case today.
“Hi,” the man greeted, eyes full of worry and concern.
“Good afternoon, I’m Magnus—”
“Alec.” The other man offered, looking a little flustered.
“Alec.” Magnus smiled, “is there anything I can help you with?”
The little girl in Alec’s arms began to emerge from beneath her long dark hair.
“I was wondering if you would be able to fit in a last minute updo? Little miss and I went back and forth for two hours trying to find something for her for family pictures, all the ones she picked were too complicated for me and she didn’t like any of the ones I picked, and now we only have a little over an hour left until we need to be on our way.”
Magnus wasn’t sure that he even breathed once during that whole speech.
“You are in luck, I just finished up with a client and would be happy to take you and—?”
Alec gave the girl a little squeeze, signalling her to introduce herself.
”Charlotte” she stated, very prim and proper for a girl her age. Magnus could see the resemblance in the pale skin, thick dark hair and stunning eyes.
“My friends all call me Charlie, but you can call me Charlotte.”
Magnus couldn’t help the snort that escaped him at her explanation.
“Well then Miss Charlotte, why don’t we bring you to my chair and you can show me what hairstyle you were thinking for today.”
”Okay!” Charlotte scrambled out of Alec’s arms reaching for Magnus’ outstretched one.
“Thank you so much—” Alec started, “it’s just her and I. I do my best but there are some parts where I just don’t have the skills yet.”
”Not a problem Alexander, it would be my pleasure.” Once they reached Magnus’ station he helped the girl onto the seat before looking back up to Alec. “Do you have any of the pictures that she liked?”
Alec took out his phone before flipping to a series of photos, before verifying with his daughter.
“This one daddy!” She exclaimed when he flipped to a photo of a little girl with space buns in a half up, half down hairstyle, there were intricate braids throughout both buns and the hair that was still down was curled.
”That’s beautiful Miss Charlotte,” Magnus looked up to Alec before asking the next question. “Now she has pin straight hair, would you be okay with me using a curling iron on her hair?”
“It’s definitely not an everyday thing but I think this special occasion calls for it.” ‘
“Wonderful!” Magnus exclaimed before turning back toward his client.
Over the next forty-five minutes Magnus’ station was filled with hushed chatter and giggles while he diligently curled and styled each piece of Charlotte’s long dark locks.
He ended with a spritz of glitter in her hair, when he revealed the final hairstyle the responding squeal was all he needed to know that he made the right decision to stay.
”Thank you so much again,” Alec said when they reached the reception desk.
”It was my sincerest pleasures Alexander, but if you would like to repay me, my Instagram handle is on this card.” Magnus passed the other man his business card.
“Oh—” a flush started to spread on Alec’s cheeks and neck. “Charlie’s not on social media—“
“No worries at all,” Magnus reassured, “if you ever need to rebook or anything please don’t hesitate to reach out.”
“Yeah, I’d like that.” Alec replied, a lopsided smile blooming on his face.
A little voice shook them out of the moment.
”Daddy, are we going to see Nana now?”
“Oh yeah—” Magnus couldn’t help but be amused by the way Alec fumbled to put the card in his wallet before taking Charlotte’s hand in his.
“Goodbye Mr. Magnus, thank you for making my hair pretty!” Charlotte called out to him as they were walking out.
“Goodbye Miss Charlotte, I hope you have a wonderful time. Don’t give your dad too hard of a time.”
The responding “I won’t” from Charlotte was accompanied by a snort from Alec, Magnus couldn’t help but sigh at the interaction before sinking into the counter in front of him.
Magnus didn’t notice Clary walking up beside him until her voice broke the silence.
“Stayed late for a handsome man, huh?”
“I was helping the poor girl,” Magnus defended himself, Clary’s knowing smirk gave him away though. “I was doing an act of service, nothing more biscuit.”
”Mhmm,” she responded before turning and walking away. When she was gone Magnus let himself daydream just a moment more about the man with dark hair, piercing green eyes and a smile that made his heart skip a beat.