Hey everyone! Sorry for not updating, I was at summer camp for two weeks. Also school started and there's so much homework. Pray for me. But now I'm back and ready to write! This idea literally woke me up in the morning, and I'm very excited to share it with you. Some things to know about it: There will be a slight spoiler for Ship of the Dead, so if you haven't read it and don't want spoilers, do not read this chapter. This chapter is basically an AU where Magnus and Alex open a pottery studio/store called "Chase Ceramics". Yes, I know. Super original. Anyway, enjoy!

Magnus POV

I flipped the sign on the door to "Open." Chase Ceramics was ready to roll! I was still thinking about whether or not to tell Alex about my dream on the Big Banana, but that could wait. I was excited to manage the studio, and that was enough to get my mind off things. Of course, Alex, (today a she), would constantly lecture me. But who cares! (Why so optimistic, Mags?)

"BOO!"

I shrieked and fell on the ground, breathing rapidly. Then I saw Alex standing over me, laughing her head off. I felt my face heat up.

"Mags... you are so- haha! Easy to scare..." She said between laughs.

"It's not funny," I huffed, brushing off my jeans.

"Yeah right," Alex let one more giggle slip out, then suddenly got very serious. "We can't waste time, Chase. C'mon, you have customers to serve." She grabbed me by the hand and dragged me behind the counter.

I heaved a sigh. "All right, all right."

"Good." She kissed me on the cheek and disappeared into the storage room. 

Suddenly, the bell jingled. 'A customer!' I thought. 

A tall and pudgy man stalked toward the counter. He seemed quite familiar...

"Excuse me. Is this Chase Ceramics?"

"Uh, yeah! What can I get for you?" I could practically hear Alex facepalming from the storage room.

"I want to see my son." 

Wait... this is Alex's dad! That's where I recognized him from!

I pretended that I didn't know a thing. "Who's your son?"

Mr. Fierro gritted his teeth. "Alex Fierro."

I heard Alex stifle a gasp as she, too, realized who this was.

"Just a moment." I sprinted into the storage room where I found Alex hugging her knees in a corner.

"A-Alex?" I whispered.

Her head snapped up. "Maggie... he's here..."

I sat down in front of her. "I know. Do you have any idea how to get him out before he tortures both of us?"

Alex slowly got to her feet. "Only one." She walked out without another word.

Naturally, I followed her.

"Hello, father." She smiled her perfect smile, but not the way she did at me. There wasn't any sign of love in her eyes. Only pure hatred.

"My son." He looked her over, and harrumphed.

Alex gritted her teeth, trying to keep the smile. "I will kindly let you know that I am female today."

Mr. Fierro was fuming. "What did I tell you about that nonsense?! You were born a boy and will stay that way!"

I felt a tear run down my cheek. "STOP!" I ran in between them and turned to Alex. "Al, I hate seeing you like this..."

Alex's gaze softened a bit. "It's okay, Mags. I've got this."

Her dad did not approve. "Oh, so now you're going to rely on  your little boyfriend for support? What kind of a son did I give birth to?!"

Alex slowly walked up to her dad so that they were nose-to-nose. "You say that one more time. I dare you."

"Alex, please..." I pleaded as I grabbed her shoulders from behind. "Don't do this."

"Maggie, I have no choice. I'm sorry." She kissed me quickly and turned back to her father. "Well?"

I guess her glare did it, because he shot back with "I'll come back tomorrow!" and stormed out of the shop.

"You forgot your pottery!" I called after him, throwing shards of a broken mug at the disappearing figure of Mr. Fierro.