Work Text
Magnus Bane adjusted his aviator sunglasses as the midday sun reflected off his sleek black convertible. The engine purred beneath him as he wound his way through the picturesque backroads of New Hampshire. It wasn’t every day a renowned fashion designer like Magnus had the chance to slow down and enjoy life’s little surprises. His usual life—runways, high-profile clients, and a calendar full of impossible deadlines—left little room for spontaneity. His schedule was usually crammed with deadlines, fittings, and meetings with clients who expected nothing less than perfection.But this trip was different. A few weeks ago, he’d made the bold decision to incorporate mohair fabric into his next collection—a sustainable and luxurious touch that would set his designs apart. His research had led him to a supplier in Vermont, but Magnus, ever the showman, decided to turn a business trip into a little adventure. Driving gave him time to think, to dream up new designs, and—perhaps most importantly—to indulge in the fantasy of spontaneity.As the gas gauge on his convertible neared empty, Magnus scanned the landscape for a service station. Just as he was starting to worry, he spotted a small gas station that looked like it had been untouched by time. The building was quaint, with a rustic charm that felt plucked straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Gravel crunched under his tires as he pulled in, the car purring to a halt beside the pump.Magnus was busy adjusting his rings when he caught sight of a man bent over the hood of an old truck. His breath hitched. The man—tall, broad, and ruggedly handsome—wore grease-streaked jeans and a black tank top that showed off muscular arms. An oil smudge adorned his nose, giving him an endearing quality that contrasted with his powerful build. He straightened, wiping his hands on a rag, and turned toward Magnus, blue eyes sharp and striking.Magnus, never one to shy away from appreciating beauty, leaned forward in his seat, lowering his sunglasses. His trademark smirk spread across his face as the man walked toward him.The mechanic straightened and turned toward him, wiping his hands on a rag. His blue eyes met Magnus’s with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.“Need some gas?” the man asked, his voice low and steady, with just a hint of curiosity.Magnus tilted his head, letting his sunglasses slip down the bridge of his nose to give the man a proper look at his gold-shadowed eyes. “I certainly do. And maybe a bit of guidance.”The mechanic’s brows lifted slightly, a flicker of surprise and—if Magnus wasn’t imagining it—interest. He walked over, grabbed the pump, and began to fill the tank.He then raised an eyebrow, amused and asked “Guidance?”Magnus slid out of the car, making sure his movements were fluid and graceful. “I’m Magnus,” he said, extending a hand. “And you are?”The man hesitated before wiping his hand on his rag and shaking Magnus’s. “Alexander, uh, Alec.”The touch sent a jolt through Magnus, though he masked it with a playful smile. “Well, Alexander, any chance you could recommend a place to stay for the night? Somewhere charming, like this delightful town?”Alec studied him for a moment, a little flustered by the use of his full name and also as if trying to decide whether Magnus was serious. “There’s a motel out by the lake. My friend Maia runs it. It’s… rustic.”“Rustic,” Magnus repeated with a grin. “I adore rustic.”Alec ducked his head, and Magnus caught the faintest hint of a blush. “The bar there isn’t bad either.”Magnus’s grin widened. “In that case, how about I buy you a drink tonight? Say… six?”Alec looked up, his blue eyes meeting Magnus’s with a mixture of surprise and something warmer. “Sure,” he said, his lips twitching into a shy smile. “I’ll see you then.”Magnus stepped back, watching as Alec finished pumping the gas, and couldn’t help but think: This trip just got a lot more interesting. Magnus arrived at the bar promptly at six, his outfit a masterpiece of daring elegance. A silk purple shirt—unbuttoned just enough to hint at the necklaces draped over his chest—paired with tight leather pants and boots that gave him an air of effortless confidence. His makeup was bold, his dark eyes framed with dramatic kohl, and his fauxhawk tipped in purple to match his shirt. He turned heads as he entered the bar, but he was focused on looking for Alec.When Alec arrived, Magnus’s breath caught. Dressed in dark chinos and a fitted black polo shirt, Alec was a far cry from the grease-streaked mechanic Magnus had met earlier. His clean-shaven face revealed a jawline that could cut glass, and his blue eyes seemed even more piercing against the backdrop of his dark attire.“Wow,” Magnus said as Alec approached. “You clean up very well.”Alec chuckled, his blush returning. “I could say the same about you. Though I’m guessing you’re always this put-together.”“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Magnus teased, gesturing for Alec to sit beside him.As they ordered drinks—a cosmopolitan for Magnus and a beer for Alec—the conversation flowed easily. Alec asked Magnus about his work, and Magnus launched into a vivid description of his upcoming collection.“I’m working with small artisans,” Magnus explained, his hands animated as he spoke. “The idea is to create something sustainable and unique. No fast fashion—just timeless pieces with a story.”Alec listened intently, his gaze never wavering. “That’s… really cool. You don’t hear about a lot of designers doing that.”“Well,” Magnus said with a playful smirk, “I’ve never been one to follow the crowd.”When the conversation turned to Alec, Magnus brought up the book he’d seen tucked into Alec’s back pocket at the garage. “Tess of the d’Urbervilles, was it? Not the typical reading choice for a mechanic.”Alec smiled, his face lighting up. “I was an English major before I got into… other things. I’ve always loved Hardy, even though he’s kind of depressing.”“Tragic romance and unrequited love,” Magnus mused. “I can see the appeal.”Alec laughed, the sound rich and warm. “It’s not all tragic. There’s beauty in the struggle.”The night wore on, their conversation meandering from literature to travel to Alec’s siblings—Izzy, Jace, and Max. Alec spoke with a mixture of exasperation and affection, recounting tales of their antics and mischief. His love for them was evident, and Magnus found himself enchanted by Alec’s warmth.Finally, after several drinks, Magnus reached across the table, his fingers brushing Alec’s. “Dance with me.”Alec hesitated, glancing at the dance floor. “I’m not much of a dancer.”Magnus stood, holding out a hand. “Lucky for you, I’m an excellent teacher.”With a shy smile, Alec allowed himself to be pulled onto the floor. The music was slow and sultry, and as they moved together, the space between them disappeared. Magnus leaned in, his lips brushing Alec’s ear. “Come back to my cabin.”Alec’s answer was a kiss that left Magnus breathless. The next morning, Magnus woke to the sensation of soft lips trailing down his back. He turned, his gaze meeting Alec’s. The tenderness in those blue eyes made Magnus’s chest ache in the best way.They spent the morning tangled in each other, exploring and savoring every moment. It was only when Alec’s phone buzzed incessantly that the spell was broken.“Damn,” Alec muttered, reading the messages. “I have to pick up a cake for my grandmother’s birthday. I’m already late.”Alec explains that it was his grandmothers 90th birthday today and the whole family has gathered to celebrate. He needs to leave immediately if he wants to make the party on time.“How long are you staying? The party should finish pretty early.”“Honestly I would love to stay, but I need to be on the road by 12. I have some work I need to get done tonight before my meeting in the morning. I’d stay, if I could. “ The tone in Magnus’s voice wavers a bit, and it’s clear he means every word.“Do you ever get to New York?”An odd look passed over Alec’s face that Magnus can’t decipher, and Magnus thinks for a moment that Alec is going to say no, but then taken aback as a smile appears on Alec’s face.“Yeah” Alec says, “ I get to New York more often than you’d guess. Can I call you next time I’m there? Can I take you to dinner?”With a wave of hope washing over him, Magnus smiles back and pulls Alec close, kissing him gently as he says “Yes Alexander, I would like that very much.”After exchanging numbers, Magnus watched as Alec leaves, the door clicking softly behind him. He wanted to believe that he would see Alec again, but there was also a part of him who just couldn’t believe that he would. Although lucky in so many aspects of his life, Magnus was convinced that his love life was cursed, and the connection he felt with Alec would just be another regret that burrowed it’s way into his heart.However, as if the universe was trying to play games with that very same heart, that afternoon, Magnus’s phone buzzed. A photo of Alec with an older woman popped up, accompanied by the caption: Grandma says hi. I wish you were here.Magnus couldn’t help but smile. He snapped a picture of himself with a mohair goat from the Vermont farm and sent it with the reply: I’d love to meet her someday. Here’s me and a future sweater.From that day on, their texting became constant. Alec sent pictures of his family, funny anecdotes, and late-night musings. Magnus responded with snapshots of his cat, witty commentary, and updates from his travels. Their banter was lighthearted, but beneath it was a growing connection neither could ignore. When Alec texted Magnus to say he’d be in New York the following weekend, Magnus’s heart leapt. He spent the week alternating between preparing for his pitch to a private equity firm and planning their date. Because Magnus had been working on the supply side, he’d left Ragnor to do the leg work with regards to finding a suitable firm for them to work with. He trusted Tagnor implicitly and knew that whatever firm he choose would have the a vision similar to to their own. The meeting was really just to meet the firm and give his stamp of approval, Magnus hadn’t even looked at the brief that Ragnor had prepared for him. He knew that it would all be covered in the meeting anyway, and his preoccupation with his upcoming date had caused Magnus to lose a bit of his normal laser like focus.By Friday morning though, Magnus felt ready to conquer the world. Dressed in a striking red blazer with gold accents, he exuded confidence as he stepped into the gleaming Midtown office of Idris Private Capital.Ragnor met him in the lobby, leading him to the conference room where Lydia and the CEO were waiting.“Magnus,” Ragnor said as they entered, “I’d like you to meet Alec Lightwood, head of Idris Private Capital, and Lydia Branwell, his COO.”Magnus turned, his mouth opening to greet them—then froze.Alec.The Alec who had worked on his car. The Alec who had texted him sunsets and teased him about goats. The Alec who he had kissed under the stars in New Hampshire.Alec looked equally stunned, his eyes wide as they locked onto Magnus.Lydia, oblivious to the tension, stepped forward with a warm smile. “Mr. Bane, it’s a pleasure.”Magnus shook her hand automatically, his mind racing. “Likewise,” he managed, though his eyes kept darting to Alec.The meeting began, with Lydia and Ragnor leading the two other men through the plan that they had developed. Magnus and Alec, still reeling, struggled to focus at first but eventually fell into step as the conversation turned to logistics and vision. After the meeting, Alec asked Magnus if they could talk privately.In a quiet corner of the office, Magnus crossed his arms, arching an eyebrow. “So, care to explain why the man I thought was a small-town mechanic is actually the CEO of a private equity firm?”Alec chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “You never asked what I did. And to be fair, I was working on my truck that day.”“Your truck?”“It’s an old thing I keep at my grandmother’s place,” Alec explained. “My cousin owns the garage, and I was watching it for him while he went fishing. Figured I’d use the time to fix up my truck.”Magnus stared at him, a smile tugging at his lips. “So you’re a CEO and a mechanic?”Alec shrugged. “I guess you could say that.”Magnus shook his head, laughing softly. “I can’t believe I didn’t put it together. But I suppose I’m glad I didn’t. It gave us… this.”Alec’s expression softened. “Does this change anything? Us being in the same city?”Magnus stepped closer, his voice gentle. “It changes everything. For the better.”They smiled at each other, a spark reigniting as the possibilities stretched before them.