Alec Was On His Phone As He Queued For Coffee That Cold February Morning In His Favorite Cafe. Only Stepping

Alec was on his phone as he queued for coffee that cold February morning in his favorite cafe. Only stepping forward as the feet behind his screen moved away. He glanced up at the menu, despite ordering the same thing everyday for the last year. Halfway through another ridiculous buzz feed quiz, a lilting voice, dripping sass, asked him the most important question this early in the morning. 

“What can I get you?“ 

Alec rattled off Izzy’s insane drink order and his simple large, black coffee. 

“Hmm, tall, dark and bitter? Just how I like them.“ 

Alec’s head shot up, finally making eye contact with the barista. Well, he tried to but was immediately distracted by the man’s skull makeup. Smokey sockets surrounded deep brown eyes, highlighting the twinkle that Alec was certain must be pretty much permanent, black lips complete with heart-shaped dimples made the guys teeth look bright and sharp. 

With a delicate eyebrow raised, the man smirked and Alec’s mouth went dry. 

“Name?“ 

“Huh?” Alec replied eloquently. 

“For the cup?“ 

“Oh! Alec.” He searched for a tag, finding ‘Magnus’ embroidered onto his apron. 

“Thank you, Alec. The…elaborate one might take a minute, have a seat.” He handed off the labeled cups to his younger colleague and gestured to the counter space nearest him. Alec slid onto the stool and watched Magnus’ hands as he busied himself nearby, wiping down the counter and rearranging things needlessly. It was when he drifted close to him for the third time that Alec cleared his throat. 

“So, what’s with the-” He waved his finger around his own face and Magnus frowned before he seemed to remember that he had a full face of makeup. 

“It’s Halloween!” He flung his arms wide to gesticulated flamboyantly, complete with a small bow. 

Alec knew he was staring but he couldn’t help but be fascinated by this ridiculous man. He cleared his throat. “Bit late, isn’t it?“ 

"It’s never too late for Halloween.” Magnus drawled with a wink and Alec had to admit the man had a point. 

“You new?” Alec blurted out. “I mean, I haven’t seen you. I’d have noticed…I mean.” God, he was a moron. 

“You’d have noticed, huh?” That damned smirk again made Alec’s face grow warm and he knew he was blushing, his ears were probably glowing by now. “I just moved here.”

Alec thanked whoever was watching that his idiocy was interrupted by his name being called. Before he could move, Magnus had dashed to the pick up area to intercept his cups for a moment then he leaned on the bar holding his out with a shy smile. 

“Thank you for stopping by. Come again soon.”

Alec stuttered a thank you and proceeded to stumble off his stool. Face hot, he left clutching his drinks. He looked back for a moment to see Magnus give him a dainty wave as he watched him leave. 

It wasn’t until Izzy hit him with a barrage of questions about who he had met, that he noticed, with a smile, the phone number scrawled along the side of his cup.