It was that time of year again. Alec was audition for his high school's spring musical, and for the first time in his theater career, he'd gotten a callback. A freaking callback. He actually had a chance at a lead this year and he couldn't even believe it. The callback list had gone up that afternoon and the callbacks were scheduled for the next afternoon. He'd picked up a copy of the scene that would be used for the callback from Ms. Herondale's office a few minutes earlier; she'd smiled at him as he left, and he'd smiled back. Now, all that was left to do was to find someone who would run lines with him.

Alec walked into his room, kicking his door shut with his foot and throwing his backpack onto his bed. He pulled out the makeshift script and scrolled through his very short list of contacts, hoping one of them would be able to help him rehearse.

The scene in question was between a boy and a girl whom the boy had a crush on. Alec definitely needed to practice acting like he was in love with girls (it had been quite a few years since Alec had even thought he might like a girl), so he figured he should try to see if either Clary or Izzy was available first.

Clary would actually be perfect because she also had theater experience so she would be the most helpful to him. Unfortunately, she'd chosen not to audition this year because she wanted to get a job and focus on her grades in preparation for college applications. Alec also knew she was busy that day because she worked after school pretty much every day.

Isabelle was probably available, though, so he called her.

"Hey, Alec, what's up?" Izzy said, answering the phone on the second ring.

"Hey, Izzy, are you busy right now?"

"Yeah, I'm in line for a concert. Why?"

"Oh, I needed someone to run lines with for my callback tomorrow, but I can ask someone else. It's all good."

"Okay. I'm sorry, Alec, I wish I could help. You know I would, but I've had these tickets for months. I really hope you get the part!"

Alec smiled. "Thanks, Isabelle. I want to hear all about this concert tomorrow, okay?"

"Of course. Talk to you later."

"Bye."

Alec hung up the phone and looked back down at his contacts list again. He knew Jace was busy working out, so was Simon. Then his eyes fell on the last person whom he hadn't considered yet.

Magnus Bane.

Magnus, who'd sprained his ankle last week jogging so he couldn't do anything physical for at least two or three weeks, at least according to Jace.

Magnus, who Alec was secretly in love with.

They weren't close or anything, but they sat together at lunch with all of their friends, and Alec didn't have anyone else to call to rehearse with him.

Magnus it was, then.

"Alec?" Magnus asked softly when he answered the phone.

"Hey, Magnus," he began slowly. "I, uh, can you come over?"

Crap.

"I mean, not like that. Um, I need help rehearsing for my callback tomorrow."

"You got a callback? Congrats, man, that's awesome!"

"Thank you. I have to know the scene well enough by tomorrow to be able to perform it with whoever they're calling back for the female lead. Can you come over and rehearse with me? I know it's kind of a weird question but everyone else is busy."

"Sure. Give me a few minutes."

"Thank you so much, Magnus, you're a lifesaver."

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Alec ran downstairs and opened the door and saw Magnus, looking adorable as ever. Alec tried so hard not to blush as he mumbled, "Come in" and gestured for Magnus to follow him upstairs.

"So what kind of scene is this?" Magnus asked, picking up the script lying on Alec's bed.

"So the guy, the character I have a callback for, is in love with this girl." Alec paused, expecting a reaction from Magnus, but he just nodded, so Alec continued. "He's in love with this girl and he wants to ask her out, but he's too nervous."

"I'm playing the girl, then?" Magnus asked, smiling softly.

"Um, yeah, sorry about that. Isabelle and Clary were both busy and I just need someone to read the lines back to me and—"

"It's okay, Alec, don't worry. I like spending time with you, and I really do want you to get this role."

"You do?"

"Of course. That's what friends are for, isn't it?" Alec smiled. "Let's get to it, then."

They began reading through the scene. Alec was a bit hesitant at first, but it felt even more natural as he imagined himself saying all of this to Magnus instead of whatever female character this was.

And then his eyes reached the bottom of the page.

"So I guess I would, um, kiss you here. Your character, that is," Alec said, stumbling over his words as his heart pounded in his chest.

"Yeah, it seems like it." Magnus and Alec look at each other, neither of them daring to say anything out of fear making the situation even more awkward.

Alec didn't know what came over him, but before he knew what he was doing, he leaned in and pressed his lips gently against Magnus'.

He started freaking out and was about to pull away when, to his complete and utter surprise, he felt Magnus start to kiss back. Alec let his eyes slide shut as he leaned into it, wondering if he was dreaming. Magnus' hands slid into his hair and he pulled Alec closer.

Nope, definitely not dreaming.

Finally, they pulled away.

"So I guess we're dating now," Magnus said.

Alec's breath caught in his throat. "Are-Are we?"

"What? Oh, I was just reading from the script," Magnus said, smirking. "See, I can act, too."

"Magnus Bane, oh my freaking goodness you are such a tease." He laughed. "But seriously, I really like you."

"I like you, too, I always have."

"Can we be boyfriends for real?"

"Yes, oh, yes," Magnus replied, pulling Alec in for another kiss.

Real dating is so much better than fake dating.

A/N: Happy Pride Month and remember to tweet #saveshadowhunters. This show isn't ending until we get a proper Malec wedding!!