Chapter Text
Alec Lightwood didn’t necessarily like being in front of the camera, it just so happened that he was good at it. For years he’d been told that he had that spark, that he was something people would pay to look at. At first he didn’t believe it, because how could he? He grew up in a home where he was told daily that he was an abomination and that if it weren’t for his sister, his mother would throw him out on the street.
Isabelle Lightwood was everything a parent could possibly want, all wrapped up in a tall, lean body and raven hair. Straight As her entire school career, an NYU graduate, and owner of her own fashion line, I.Z.Z.Y, which was doing extremely well worldwide. Isabelle threatened to never speak to her parents again and to cut all ties with them if they ever dared to leave Alec to fend for himself. Isabelle was a spitfire of burning beauty and brains.
But Alec? Alec just had a pretty face. Sometimes he thought that was all he would ever be. He was ten years old when he realized he wasn’t like the other boys at school. He didn’t want to kiss the girls, he wanted to kiss the boys. When he confronted his parents about his feelings, they were disgusted with him and told him he had to change. Years passed and Alec was no different, his parents losing their patience with each passing day. At fifteen, when he finally had his first kiss, he’d rushed home to tell Isabelle, unaware of his mother listening on the other side of the door. That’s when the coldness and cruelty started, and to this day, hasn’t ended.
Alec was twenty-three now and an openly gay supermodel, something he never even dreamed of being. Every day seemed to be packed with press conferences, photoshoots, TV appearances, radio shows, and meetings. Everyone knew who Alexander Lightwood was and everyone wanted him. His agent, Lydia Branwell, wouldn’t allow just anyone to photograph him though, they had to be the best of the best.
Which is why Alec was extremely confused when he walked into Lydia’s office to find a man he’d never seen before holding a camera. Alec stopped short, his breath hitching in his throat. The man was beautiful; golden skin, jet black hair, warm almond eyes…Alec was in heaven. His eyes traveled down the man’s body, taking in his attire. He was wearing tight leather pants, a purple shirt that was almost all the way unbuttoned, and he had an array of necklaces resting against his chest.
When Alec finally found the strength to speak, he wanted to kick himself for how breathless he sounded. “I-uh, is Lydia here?” he asked.
The man smirked, shamelessly looking Alec up and down. Alec was used to the attention and to being ogled, but rarely ever by someone this beautiful. “She just went to grab some paperwork. She should be right back,” the man said with a small gesture toward the door.
“Right, I-“ Alec was saved by the sound of Lydia’s heels on the hardwood floor.
“Alec!” she exclaimed, strutting into the office. “I was just about to call you after this meeting. What are you doing here?” Lydia’s long blond hair was falling in bouncing curls today, her face almost completely free of makeup. Alec thought she looked nice.
“Well, I wanted to see what was up with that Versace shoot and I was in the neighborhood, so I figured I would stop by,” Alec shrugged.
Lydia sighed and gathered her hair in her hand, lifting it off of her neck. “The Versace deal fell through.” Alec opened his mouth to complain, but Lydia cut him off. “But, don’t worry. Mr. Bane here has decided to work with you.”
Alec glanced at the man, Mr. Bane, before turning his attention back to Lydia. “No offense, but I’ve never even heard of this guy. How does he make up for losing a deal with Versace?”
Lydia rolled her eyes and gave Mr. Bane an apologetic look. “Alec, Mr. Bane here is the new head photographer for Vogue.”
“I’ve been on the cover of Vogue twice, Lydia,” Alec moaned. He knew he sounded spoiled and selfish, but being a supermodel wasn’t exactly easy. You had to always be doing something new, something different. This almost felt like three strikes and you’re out.
“I apologize for him,” Lydia said to Mr. Bane who just shrugged. She turned back to Alec, her expression very annoyed. “They’re doing an LGBT+ issue and they want you on the cover, dumbass.”
Alec felt as his cheeks began to heat up. “Oh, I-I- of course. Yeah, of course I’ll do it,” he stuttered, his embarrassment taking control. He faced Mr. Bane and held a hand out. “I’m so sorry for my behavior, Mr. Bane.”
Mr. Bane took Alec’s hand, giving it a firm shake. “Please, call me Magnus.”