The elevator was a good place to think. With the exception of the steady dings which helped one keep track of time's progress, it was generally silent, even if you were riding with someone.

It was a part of your day that you took for granted. When recounting your day, you didn't usually talk about the elevator ride like you talked about your day at work.

It was a time generally wasted by the human race.

Magnus took his elevator time to people-watch. The other residents in his building were curious people with the quirky mannerisms of America's rich and elite. Their stiff posture was one thing Magnus often mimicked as he stood behind them in the elevator.

It was just him and Alec in the elevator as they arrived back from dinner, however.

It was hard to think or watch Alec because:

1) He was standing right beside Magnus.

2) Alec's phone kept buzzing in his pocket.

"Who's texting you?" Magnus asked, as simply as he could.

"Probably just Jace," Alec said. It took him a second to remember that he and Magnus barely knew each other. "My best friend."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. He's probably just being obnoxious," Alec said. "He's generally obnoxious. You'd like him."

Magnus made an offended noise as Alec smiled at his own joke.

The doors started to slid open.

"Well, invite him over," Magnus said.

"That'd be imposing," Alec said.

"I swear," Magnus said, "if I have to tell you one more time—"

"Fine," Alec said, quickly.

"Well, good night then," Magnus said as he descended into the living room.

Alec stood on the top step, surveying the state of the apartment as Magnus disappeared down the hallway.

.......

"Don't be rude," Alec said. Magnus was laying lazily across the couch, flipping through TV channels.

"National Treasure 2 is on AMC," Magnus observed.

The buzzer echoed throughout the apartment.

"And I apologize in advance for Jace," Alec said as he held down the unlock button.

"You really should verify who's at the door," Magnus said. "That could be a murderer."

Alec mumbled a comment as he stood waiting by the elevator doors.

"National Treasure 2 or Night at the Museum 2?" Magnus asked.

"You know I don't care," Alec said.

"That's why I like you," Magnus said. "Neither it is."

The TV flickered before powering off. Magnus rolled off the couch and onto his feet. He stood up, adjusting his coat.

There was a distant ding of the elevator arriving. The doors didn't open though.

"He doesn't have the key," Magnus said. "You need to press the red button to unlock the elevator doors."

Alec pressed the button until the doors slid open.

"I thought I was trapped," Jace said. The blonde boy leaned against the wall of the elevator.

"Did you panic?" Alec asked.

"Obviously," Jace said. He pushed himself off the wall.

"Uh, Jace this is Magnus," Alec said, turning around to gesture to Magnus.

"Hello, Magnus," Jace said. The elevator doors slid shut behind him.

"Jace?" Magnus asked.

Jace started to speak but Alec cut him off.

"No," Alec said firmly. They had only known each other three days and Alec could already read Magnus' mind.

"It's a lovely name," Magnus protested.

"Thank you," Jace said, cheerfully. "It was a gift."

"A gift?" Magnus asked. "From whom?"

"My parents."

The conversation was beginning to speed up as Magnus and Jace bantered back and forth.

"I like him," Magnus said.

"No. You don't," Alec countered.

"I like me," Jace said.

"You're not naming your cat after this egotistical—"

"You're naming your cat?" Jace asked.

"Yes," Magnus said.

"Where is he?"

"He doesn't even have a cat yet," Alec said.

"You're naming a cat you don't have?" Jace asked.

"That's what I said!"

"You should get the cat first," Jace said.

"I've put cat-searching on hold," Magnus said.

"My full name is Jonathan, if that helps any," Jace said.

"Not really," Magnus said. His eyes were on Alec, not Jace. And Alec felt it.

"I'll let you guys. . . do whatever," Magnus said, shaking his head clear of a thousand thoughts. He left them alone on the stairs.

........

There was a knock at Magnus' door.

It took him a moment to register.

"Yes?" he called.

"Can I come in?"

"Of course," Magnus said. He looked up from the pile of papers he had been studying as the door to his office opened.

"Jace is gone," Alec said. He still stood in the doorway.

"You can come in," Magnus said.

Alec took a single step inside.

"We ordered pizza. There's some leftover," he said.

"I'm not hungry," Magnus said. He put his purple pen aside. "I liked Jace. How'd you meet him?"

"High school," Alec said.

"I imagine he was the popular one," Magnus said.

"And I was his loser sidekick," Alec said. He sat in the chair in front of Magnus' desk.

"Loser is a strong word," Magnus said.

"Not really," Alec said. "But he stuck by me and defended me for those four years of hell."

"No better way to gain camaraderie," Magnus said. Alec leaned over the desk on that note.

"So what are you doing, Mr. I-Don't-Have-a-Job?"

"I never said I didn't work," Magnus said. "I still invest, though more sparingly."

"So only like a million dollars," Alec said. "Versus ten million."

Magnus smiled.

Alec picked up a piece of paper, all while keeping his eyes on Magnus.

"This is a lot of numbers," Alec observed.

"It's dizzying sometimes," Magnus said.

"But this makes sense to you?"

"I wouldn't do it if it didn't," Magnus said.

"Then I am impressed," Alec said, setting the paper back down with care. "So what are you investing in now?"

"Well, I don't really tell anyone that," Magnus said. "It hurts my calculations. But I'm certain it's a gold mine."

"I should hope so," Alec said.

"Me too," Magnus said.

"Honestly though," Alec said, "this is what you do all day?"

"Most days, yes," Magnus said.

"Then I feel sorry for you," Alec said, sitting back in his chair. "But, at the same time, why aren't you doing stuff? I mean, get a job, settle down, get married, have kids."

Magnus just smiled at the idea.

"You'll find rather quickly in life," Magnus said, "that ideas are nicer on paper than in practice."

"I could make you a Match.com account," Alec offered.

"I'd be better off with a cat."

"And me," Alec added.

"And you," Magnus mumbled.

He barely heard Alec stand up.

"There's still pizza in the kitchen if you want it, Magnus."

"Thank you, Alexander."

He didn't pick the pen up again that night.