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Magnus was preparing for yet another group of bored white collars coming into their planetarium. He would rather make the presentation for schools than for people like that. The kids were always so excited, unlike bored office workers.
As an astronomer, he had a presentation for the general public once per week. He hated their tired looks, as if they were forced to be there. And the rest? When it came to questions at the end of the presentation, some were trying to be funny and instead were cringe. But if he wanted his grant, he had to endure it.
His colleague Catarina was just checking on him, making sure he had everything he needed. Then they walked outside to open the door for the group.
“Okay, the projector is ready. And Magnus, please, don’t be like Hypatia. She hit on a customer last time and had a problem with our boss. I know you never did it, but I need to warn you anyway. Don’t misuse this room, okay?”
“As if, look at them. These people don’t have any spark in them. They look like a bunch of zombies,” Magnus said as he tried not to look at them with disdain.
“It’s just one hour. You can do it.” Catarina smiled at Magnus and patted his shoulder, he nodded.
Magnus took a deep breath and then put on his professional smile. While Catarina managed the payment and tickets, he took his place at the podium in the projection hall.
When he had almost everything prepared and checked, the people finally started to roll in, and they sat down. Magnus started by welcoming them, then he played a little movie about observatories in the world. His spoken part started after. This group paid for the most basic presentation of a starry sky. Their company must have had a low budget for this.
“So, now we come to our main attraction. The dome,” Magnus said. He turned on the projection, and suddenly, stars appeared. It was always so mesmerising, reminding Magnus why he became an astronomer in the first place.
“If you look here, you can see a winter sky. I can show you what to look for,” Magnus said and pointed his laser at the top. “For example, this constellation is Orion. It is one of the most well-known constellations, if you have a good imagination,” Magnus pressed a button on his remote control “You can see it quite clearly.” The stars were now connected. He could hear a silent wow in the crowd, and Magnus seemed content. He loved the dome and the effect it had on people.
“Now, if you look here,” he said, but suddenly a loud snore cut through the room like a knife. Everyone laughed and Magnus sighed. “I guess you won’t see much with eyes closed. I’m sorry if my presentation is not much to your liking.”
His mood got even worse. He tried to act professional during it all, but it was now much harder. This was the first time someone fell asleep on one of his presentations. The person even snored!
After it was finally over, Magnus turned off the dome. “Thank you all for listening and for your questions. I hope that if you come next time, my presentation will not make you fall asleep,” he said, and the group laughed again. Except for one man, who looked rather flustered. Oh, so it was him. He was lucky he was pretty, Magnus thought. The people were leaving finally. One of the worst groups ever.
And what even was that question? Does your neck ever hurt when you look at the sky all the time? Were they trying to be funny, or was it meant seriously?
Just as he was preparing and closing all the files, the man came closer to him. He still looked so flustered; it was almost endearing. Magnus lifted his head and squinted at him.
“Hello again, Mr… Bane?” the man said.
“Yes, that is me. How can I help you?” Magnus asked.
“Uh… I came to apologise for… for falling asleep. My mother had a gallbladder attack last night, and I had to bring her to a hospital. I loved your presentation, really! It’s just… the seating is so comfortable here and…”
Magnus blinked incredulously. So… he came to apologise? And it seemed it was not his fault at all. It was so endearing that Magnus’ heart fluttered.
The man was almost blushing, as he was looking at Magnus through his eyelashes. It took great courage to come to apologise. Magnus smiled and patted his back.
“That is okay, well…” his eyes flickered to the remote control. He hoped Catarina was still outside. “Since you were so tired, I could… play it for you again.”
The man grinned. His perfectly blue eyes were lit, and Magnus’ legs went weak. He could never resist a pretty face like this.
Suddenly, there were the stars again, and the man was turning around, mesmerised. Yes, white collar or not, he was perfect. He did not miss a spark, even though he was tired. Magnus gently touched his arm, and he did not pull away. Maybe he felt the same, because he just stopped looking at the sky and smiled at Magnus.
“Here… here is a constellation of…”
“Magnus! What did I say?! Don't hit on the customers!'” A sharp voice could be heard from the door. It was Catarina. Magnus knew she was worried; that’s why she was strict. He quickly turned it off.
“Sorry, it was just…”
Catarina sighed. “I just don’t want you to get in trouble,” and with heavy steps, she went to them and swiftly took the remote control.
They both left the place, equally humiliated, but for very different reasons.
Magnus looked at the man. “I’m Magnus, by the way,” he said and smiled at him. This time it was a genuine smile, not the one he had reserved for the masses.
“Alec, Alec Lightwood,” the man said, and his eyes sparkled again, and this time, Magnus hoped it was with interest. He could not tear his eyes off. This was it. He had to do something before Alec would run away.
“How about a dinner?” Magnus asked, reaching for his hand. Alec did not pull away.
“Yes, that would be lovely.”
And just like that, the stars were not the only thing that made Magnus glow.