"So I take it Jace won't be showing his pretty face here tonight?"

At the sound of Magnus' slurring voice, Alec checked the clock on the wall. The baseball game was long over by now and Jace hadn't shown up like he said he would. "I guess not. Game is over now."

Magnus giggled drunkenly. "Can you believe that he didn't even message you to say he won't be showing up? What a-" He burped. "Prick."

Alec rolled his eyes. "That's the vodka talking now. Not you."

"You don't know shit! You and your mop hair and Bambi eyes-" Magnus held Alec's face between his hands and squeezed. "You're so....so beautiful. A modern day Adonis."

Alec moved out from between the hands that were holding his face. "Again. That's the alcohol talking. You won't remember any of this by morning."

Magnus said nothing. He was slumped on the couch, fast asleep. Much to Alec's delight, he snored softly.

Tossing a blanket over Magnus, Alec flicked off the living room light, stripped down to just his boxers and crawled into bed. He took out his phone and text Jace once he was under the covers.

|Alec: you awake?|

His phone dinged a minute later.

|Jace: I wasn't until you text me. Why?|

Alec scrunched his face and typed in a reply.

|Alec: why didn't you show up for the game tonight?|

Jace's reply was almost instant.

|Jace: sorry. Got held up|

Alec sighed heavily through his nose, annoyed at Jace's excuse.

|Alec: by held up you mean you got laid?|

|Jace: hey now. Don't get pissy at me. Clary was in the mood. What kind of boyfriend am I to deny my girl of her basic needs?|

|Alec: whatever. Just text me next time. Don't leave me hanging|

|Jace: you need to get laid, brother. Might help with that anger issue of yours|

Alec grunted and threw his phone with full force at the wall where it shattered into a million pieces. Magnus didn't even flinch from his drunken slumber. He snored even louder.

Alec rest his head on his pillow, staring up at the ceiling and sighing through his nose. Typical Jace. Always thinking with the wrong head. Getting laid was his answer to everything in life. To him, getting laid was something everybody should do on a regular basis. Like exercise.

Sighing one final time, Alec reached over to flick off his bedside light. He fell asleep to the sounds of Magnus and his drunken snores even though he couldn't sleep with noise. It was almost soothing knowing that someone was going to be there when he woke up in the morning.

**********

There was nothing better in this world than waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Turning over onto his back, Alec took a deep breath through his nose and smiled. Isabelle must've came in when he was asleep and made some. It wouldn't be the first time she did this.

He got up from bed with a groan, rubbing his face with his hands before messing up his hair, which was now even more messy than before. There was already a mug down on the countertop for him when he walked into the kitchen, which was something Isabelle had never done before. He shrugged, brushing it off.

There was also a note on the counter. Picking it up, Alec read it out loud.

"Alec. Fresh coffee in the pot for you. Gone to get donuts from that adorable little cafe across the street. Be back in 20. MB."

Alec scratched his chin. MB? Who the fuck was MB?

Magnus Bane.

"Shit!" Alec raced to the window and looked out, frantically searching the streets for any sign of Magnus. There was no sign of him from what Alec could see. Magnus wasn't exactly hard to pick out in a crowd.

He dialled Jace's number on his spare phone he kept for emergencies only. It rang six times before Jace picked up.

"Fuck off, Alec. It's seven in the morning on my day off," Jace rasped. He must've been asleep when his phone rang.

"Jace. I've lost Magnus. I woke up and he was gone," Alec gripped his hair. "I need you to come over and help me find him."

Jace yawned. "You don't need me, dude. You're okay on your own."

"Jace, he's our responsibility! We're not supposed to let him out of our sight!"

"That's not my fucking fault! He didn't stay at my place! For whatever reason! Look just.....I don't know. Follow the freaking trail of glitter or something. I'm going back to sleep."

Alec swore under his breath. "Jace-"

"Bye, Alec!" Then the line went dead. Fucking Jace. He was a real piece of shit sometimes.

The elevator to his loft opened up. Magnus stepped in humming a tune and carefully balancing a tray of ice coffees and a box of donuts. When he turned around and saw Alec standing by the window in his boxers, the donut that was in his mouth fell to the floor. His eyes were the size of sausages.

"Magnus," Alec croaked.

"Well then.....okay. I'm back," he breathed.

Alec glanced down at his boxers. "I'm not....I'm not d-dressed."

Magnus blew a raspberry. "You don't have to get dressed up for me. We're all men here, aren't we? Anyway, I got donuts for breakfast. Ice coffee for my damn hangover. Oh god, I feel like crap this morning....." Magnus sat at the island and sipped his drink. "How bad was I last night?"

Embarrassed of his near nakedness, Alec slipped a shirt on over his head. "You want the good news or the bad news?"

"Good news first. Always good news first."

"Well......we didn't make out. That's good news."

Magnus scowled. "Yeah for you. What else?"

Alec poured up a cup of coffee and stole a sprinkled donut from the box. "You gave me a palm reading. Then you held my face between your hands."

Magnus laughed. "I can vaguely remember that. That must've been some good vodka. Jace knows how to pick them."

Alec sipped his coffee, nearly burning his lip. "You didn't hear the bad news."

"Trust me. We didn't make out. That's bad enough news for me."

Alec's lips twitched. "Bad news is that I broke my Nokia. My favorite one."

The false sympathy was heavy in Magnus' tone as he spoke. "Oh no. Not your Nokia."

Alec frowned. He was completely unaware of the sarcasm being thrown his way. "Yeah. It's old but still worked like a charm. I threw it against the wall last night-didn't you hear it?"

Magnus shook his head.

"Of course you didn't. Anyway, I was texting Jace and his solution to all of life's fucking problems is to get laid. It's not that easy!" Alec took another sip of coffee to calm his nerves.

"To be completely honest with you, you could have anyone you wanted. You're a good looking guy with a stable career. That's sexy," Magnus stirred his coffee with his straw.

Alec blushed. "I don't want just anyone."

Magnus shrugged "Well Jace isn't wrong. Sex is a relief for many things. Stress, for instance. I think a good orgasm can cure hiccups. I heard that once. Not sure if it's true though...." He took another donut. "Look. He's a textbook horny straight man. Drown all your life's problems in jizz. Plain and simple."

Alec gagged. "That's an image I didn't need. My brother.....doing things. Okay. Change of topic. You know you weren't supposed to leave my sight, right? Did I mention that to you already?"

"No, but then again you're not my mother," Magnus popped out a pill bottle from his bag. "Besides. I wasn't going to run, in case that's what you were so afraid of."

"I wasn't afraid of that. I just thought for a moment that....never mind. Are you okay? Those are some heavy duty meds you got there."

Magnus chuckled. "These puppies work wonders for a hangover. You should try it sometime."

Laughter bubbled up in Alec's throat. "What, get drunk like you? I'll pass. You look like crap."

"I look like crap? Me?!" Magnus wheezed with laughter. "Honestly, Alexander. At least when I'm sober, I don't wake up with a head of hair that looks like a bird made its nest in it. Or it got married to a mop overnight."

Alec was about to retort when the elevator slid open and Isabelle stepped in. "Morning, big bro! I'm here! Bright and early, like I said!"

Alec groaned and let his forehead hit the counter. "Izzy, now really isn't the time-"

"Hi. I'm Magnus Bane. You must be Alec's little sister. The family resemblance is striking. Beauty must run in the family," Magnus kissed Isabelle's hand and smiled.

Isabelle giggled and blushed. "Yes. I am beautiful-I mean, I'm Isabelle. Alec's much more beautiful looking sibling. He's half decent."

Magnus laughed, his eyes twinkling. "I wouldn't even say half decent. He's practically below average."

They both giggled and snorted for five minutes while Alec sat at the island and drank his coffee. Once he had enough, he cleared his throat loud enough for them to hear. "Are you done dissing me? I'm literally sitting right here. I can hear you."

"That's the point! If we diss you enough, maybe you'll realize that I do this out of love. Pure love," Isabelle looped her arm through Alec's and bit his shoulder. "Come on, bro. Where's your sense of humor?"

"It's obviously as non-existent as the comb he uses to brush his hair," Magnus winked as Isabelle snapped her fingers and pointed at him for his jib.

Alec raised his hands. "Okay! Enough! Let's just get this shopping trip over with! I have a case to work on. Plus I think my promotion ceremony is sometime soon. I'll have to ask dad about it."

Magnus perked up. "We're going shopping?"

"Did you not hear me say I got promoted? Most people would congratulate someone for something like that-" Alec was cut off when Magnus covered his mouth with a hand.

"Shopping where, exactly?" Magnus asked Isabelle.

"I was thinking A&F? They have amazing outfits that would look incredible on Alec. He needs something to wear other than the sweaters with the holes in them," Isabelle whispered. "They're hideous. Trust me."

Alec snorted. "I don't say anything about your fashion choices, Iz."

Isabelle glared at him. "You wouldn't dare. I have a pair of heels that could go through your eye socket and out the back of your head if I stabbed you with them."

Alec grimaced. "Point taken. Now if you don't mind, can I get dressed in peace? Get out of my apartment. Meet me down in the lot. We're taking my car."

Magnus smirked as he opened the elevator doors for Isabelle. "Holes in your sweaters, huh? Got anything else with holes in them?"

Alec flipped him the finger.

**********

Alec hated shopping for clothes. There was never an in between for him. Either the clothes were too baggy or they were too short on him. He also hated being tall. He hated a lot of things, to be honest. Shopping was just an item on his long list of things he hated.

"Try this shirt. Oh my god how cute is this one? Alec, look at those jeans! You'd look amazing in them!" Isabelle tossed him item after item as she browsed through the store.

"Izzy....do I really need all this? It's a bit pricey here....." Alec caught one of the cashiers checking him out as she twirled a blonde strand of hair around her finger. "I'm very uncomfortable in here."

"Suck it up, brother. This is for your own good. No one is going to want to date a guy whose entire wardrobe is made up of holey shirts!" Isabelle threw a white shirt at his head.

"Hmm, I don't know. Some people find the idea of worn clothes quite attractive....." Magnus mumbled. "Let him try on what he has for now. He's practically carrying his weight in clothes."

Oh thank god Alec thought as he rushed into the dressing room and tossed the contents of his arms onto the small bench. "What if I don't look good in something?" He called out to them.

"I'll be the judge of that," Isabelle called back, prompting Alec to roll his eyes.

The first outfit was a black button up shirt with a pair of black jeans to go with it. He even tossed on the leather jacket Magnus had picked out just for good measure. Looking over himself in the mirror (deciding he looked good enough), he stepped out to show off his new clothes.

"So? What do you think?" Alec fixed the sleeves and twirled around. "I feel almost comfortable in this."

Isabelle squealed. "You look so handsome! Like a true detective! What do you think, Magnus?"

Magnus was staring at Alec in awe. "Uh....he looks good. I have to say, this outfit complements the bird's nest on top of his head. Very stunning, indeed."

Alec blushed, unsure of what to say. He stepped back into the dressing room to try on another outfit. Did Magnus just compliment him? He certainly wasn't expecting that, hair diss aside. He'll take what he can get.

He only had his shirt off when he heard a gunshot ring out. Years of cop training took over and he grabbed his own gun with lightning fast reflexes, leaning up against the door to listen carefully. He prayed that Isabelle was okay. Magnus too.

"Alright, listen up! Valentine Morgenstern would like to make a statement to the great people of New York. Your store is the lucky contestant of the day!" A man's voice shouted. A scream soon followed and the man laughed. "Mr. Morgenstern felt that you needed a reminder of who owns this beautiful city."

Alec's breath caught in his throat at the thought of Isabelle being grabbed and held at gunpoint. After a calming breath, he opened the dressing room door and stormed out. "NYPD! Put the gun down!"

The man at the front of the store jumped in surprise. "A cop? Just my luck! What better statement to make than to shoot a cop? Valentine would love that!"

Alec saw Isabelle peer out from a rack of clothes. She half smiled at him. Thank god she was okay. "Look. Just put down the gun. There's no need for anyone to get-"

A shot echoed through the store, as did a ringing in his ears. Strange. His left hip was burning. Was he on fire? No, that doesn't make sense. He couldn't be on fire. This was a clothing store. What could set him on fire?

Alec peered down at his bare hip. Blood ran down the length of his pants leg and spurt between his fingers when he pressed a hand against it. He was shot.

"Alec!" Isabelle screamed as she watched him fall to the floor. "Oh my god, Alec!" She crawled over to him. "Someone call 911! Please help my brother!"

Alec grunted in pain. "Iz-Izzy. I'm fine. Just a scratch."

"This isn't just a scratch, Alec. You're bleeding very badly-Magnus! Help me carry him to the car!"

Magnus suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "The shooter's gone. He made a break for it after he shot you." He frowned at Alec's wound. "You need a doctor, Alec. We need to bring you to the hospital."

Alec coughed. "No. No hospitals. Izzy knows what to do."

Magnus blinked. "Am I missing something here? What does he mean by that?"

Isabelle shook her head. "Alec doesn't like hospitals. Every minor injury he's ever had we've always treated at home. But this isn't exactly minor so....."

The trip back to Alec's apartment seemed like a blink of an eye. Alec was now laying in a blood soaked bed, grunting and gasping in pain as Isabelle began the process of cleaning the wound.

"There's no exit wound....and I need something to clean it with. The bullet needs to be taken out. Does he have any alcohol?" Isabelle asked.

Magnus swore. "I drank most of it last night. There's a mouthful left at the most."

Isabelle grabbed the bottle out of his hand. "It'll have to do. This is going to hurt, Alec...."

The liquid touched Alec's gunshot wound and he screamed in agony, fingers gripping the sheets underneath him so hard that his knuckles turned white. His back arched off the bed and he gasped as Isabelle tried to take the bullet out of him.

"You need to stop moving, Alec. I can't see what I'm doing if you keep squirming like that," Isabelle hissed.

Magnus took Alec's hand and gripped it tight. "Hang in there, Pretty Boy. If you're anything like your sister, I know you'll fight this. You're tough."

Alec grunted. "Ungh, Magnus? I....I need your strength."

"That sounded corny as shit. But okay," Magnus nodded. "Take what you need. Take it all, if you must." The grip on his hand tightened as Isabelle finally pulled the bullet out from under Alec's skin. "There you go. Nothing to it, huh?"

Alec chuckled but winced in pain as he did. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts to laugh."

"I'll try not to. I'm a naturally funny guy," Magnus smiled. "How's he doing, doc?"

Isabelle sighed. "I just need to patch him up and he should be good. But you need to call it in, Alec. Where's your phone? I'll text Jace. He needs to be here. What's the code for a shooting?"

Alec hissed in pain. "10-10. Tell him there's an officer down. Come to my place ASAP."

Isabelle's fingers were a blur as she typed. "He's on his way. Thank god for trustworthy partners, huh?" She kissed her brother's hand. "I'm going to go get Dr. Garroway. He can come in and take a look at you. I'm not sure if any internal organs were damaged when the bullet hit you."

"Okay. As long as I don't have to go to a hospital," Alec sighed and closed his eyes. "I'm so tired. Shopping is deadly." Alec whispered as his sister got into the elevator.

"Speaking of shopping, we picked up whatever it is we had picked out for you. The store gave it to us for free after you saved them. Generous, huh?" Magnus pushed a strand of raven black hair off of Alec's forehead, catching himself when Alec stared at him with a look of surprise on his face. "Sorry. Shouldn't have done that."

"No, no. It's fine. It was comforting," Alec half smiled. "Magnus....you're not going to leave me, are you? I don't want to be alone right now."

Magnus scoffed. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Alec smiled weakly. "The freaky thing about all this is that it reminds me of what you said last night about me in pain....but I won't suffer alone," Alec's mouth dropped open in shock. "Holy shit. Are you a warlock?"

Magnus laughed. "No! I told you tarot cards and palm readings aren't bullshit. This just proved it."

Alec shivered. "Still. It's freaky how accurate you were. Think you could get a reading about the case? About whether or not we're going to crack it?"

Magnus shushed him. "Don't worry about that right now. Get some sleep. You need it in order to heal, okay?"

Alec nodded. "Okay. Don't make any noise-"

"You can't sleep well when it's noisy. I know, Pretty Boy. I know."