Beauty and the Beast ~ a malec fanfiction

That Boy Is So Peculiar

"Have you ever seen his nose not stuck in a book?"

"He should really be doing something better with his life."

"He's so beautiful! It'd be perfect if it weren't for his little problem... it's just unnatural."

Alec Lightwood didn't even hear the harsh words being spoken about him as he walked through the markets of Alicante. His fluffy dark hair bobbed up and down slightly as he almost began skipping due to the scene he had gotten to in his book. His azure blue eyes were focused completely on the black ink on the page, totally oblivious to people glares and stares and offhand glances. He was reading his absolute favourite book in the world, prepping himself for when the second book of the series came out. He was even on the way to the bookshop, just to see if he could convince the shop owner to give him an early copy. It would make his day, heck, it would make his month.

As he began to read his most favourite scene in the book, he suddenly walked into something really quite solid. He blinked a few times and looked up from the pages and saw a door. He tilted his head in confusion and looked further up to see the bookshop sign just above his head. He hadn't even realised how fast he was walking.

Alec started to hear sniggers from the people around him and felt the blood rush to his cheeks and his face get hotter and hotter. He was blushing. An annoying habit that he hated. Alec looked down at his feet and pushed open the door slowly.

"Alexander! The only bookworm in Idris!"

Alec gave a small smile at the man before him.

"H-Hey Ragnor. Good to see you." He said nervously.

"When are you going to learn to speak more confidently around me?" Ragnor smiled. "I'm nothing like those neanderthals out there."

Alec laughed and set his book down on the counter. He looked around to try and just catch a glimpse of the book he was searching for. Ragnor looked down on him curiously from the ladder he was on, trying to place a book back on the highest shelf.

"Looking for something?"

Ragnor's voice jolted Alec out of his searching trance. Alec looked up sweetly and smiled.

"Maybe." Alec faked a gasp and put his hand over his heart. "May I just say Ragnor, that is a lovely suit you're wearing!"

Ragnor looked down at himself and then up at Alec, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you want Alec?" Ragnor sighed.

He chuckled as Alec feigned innocence.

"I want nothing much. I am insulted that you would think that." Alec stood his ground. However, it took Ragnor no time at all to make him back down. Alec's shoulders slumped and he groaned. "Fine. I want the next book." Alec held up the book he had just read.

"Alexander...." Ragnor started.

"I know. I know! You can't give it to me because it's not fair on the others in town. But come on Ragnor! No one else reads here."

Alec could almost see Ragnor weighing up the options in his head. After a few minutes of Alec bobbing up and down nervously on his feet, Ragnor finally smiled and walked to the back room of the shop. He returned with a book, stilled sealed and in perfect condition.