I'm using randomly generated to words to inspire a series of Malec moments.
Turf
"So, how many high warlocks are there?" Alec asks.
"A lot fewer since the war on drugs," Magnus says, waggling his eyebrows.
"What?" Alec says.
"Don't they teach you history in that Institute? That was a joke – a reference to the 80s. You know, you were born in them."
"Oh," says Alec, unsure if he should feel silly. Magnus seems to be looking at him fondly, though, so he decides against it. "So, how many high warlocks are there?"
"Trade secret," Magnus says.
"It isn't," Alec says. He's almost certain.
"You're right, it isn't," Magnus agrees. "But, I can assure you, you won't like any of the others half as well as you like me."
"Probably not," Alec says.
"Definitely not," says Magnus cheerfully. "Doubt they'd be as friendly to you."
"Why?" Alec asks. Because I'm a Shadowhunter or because I'm gay, he wonders.
"They'd be afraid I wouldn't like it," Magnus says breezily.
"Why would you care?" Alec asks.
Magnus's grin widens. "Well, they know that you're – I hesitate to say 'mine,' since of course you're your own – but, for want of a better term, part of my turf."
"Your turf?" Alec asks, unsure if he should be offended.
"That's it," Magnus says, "we're watching some 80s crime dramas when we get back to my apartment."
"Magnus," says Alec, "explain."
Magnus sighs. "Well, it's all much more civilized now, but there used to be some quite dramatic turf wars between warlocks."
"And you…" Alec says raising his eyebrows.
"Must I say it?" says Magnus, his tone making it clear that he'd like nothing better than to say whatever it was. "Though I, of course, excel at drama, it finally got a bit ridiculous. I and some of my colleagues had to call a halt to power thieving. Put the kibosh on lover snatching. Absolutely outlaw business poaching. Suspend all backstabbing pending further investigation. Disbar all those who-"
"Magnus," Alec interrupts, "what's this got to do with me?"
"Well," says Magnus, seeming slightly less eager, "warlocks don't just take to new rules. Don't take too much of anything - as group, anyway - unless we see a clear material advantage. In any case, there's no need to go into the details, but, suffice to say, I had to go to some extremes to make sure that the new culture of, ah… respectfulness, prevailed."
"Magnus," Alec says, taking pains to make his irritation evident in his voice.
"Oh, all right," Magnus says. "There was an incident about twenty years ago involving the high warlock of Newark and a werewolf that I was seeing and, well, I think it's likely that it will be at least another decade before the warlock community decides to be friendly with anyone I'm dating."
Alec scowls. He hates hearing about Magnus's previous relationships, partly because once he hears anything about them, he wants to hear more. "It's not like people just randomly hit on me," he says sullenly.
To his surprise, Magnus laughs. "People hit on you all the time, Alexander. You just never notice. It's adorable."
Alec's scowl deepens.
"Don't be mad," Magnus says cheerfully, throwing his arm around Alec's shoulders.
Alec stiffens momentarily. He's still not used to being touched by another man in public. Then, deliberately, he slides his arm around Magnus's waist. They walk silently for a moment and then Alec stops abruptly. "You did that on purpose," he says.
"I do a great many things on purpose," Magnus says.
"You distracted me from asking about your work on purpose," Alec clarifies.
Magnus blinks. "I didn't think you'd notice," he says quietly.
"I did," Alec says, both annoyed and triumphant.
They stare at each other for a moment and then Magnus smiles. It is not the grin Alec is used to seeing – it is somehow softer and more…human. "Don't be mad," Magnus says sincerely. He sighs. "I just…I shouldn't talk about some of it and some of it…some of it I just don't want to think about."
Alec considers for a moment and nods. He feels the same way about his demon hunting. "I get that," he says. "Why don't you just say that?"
"I had it right when I said you were straightforward," Magnus says, chuckling. "I'm not usually, these days. Most people don't notice when I distract them."
"Sometimes I like it when you distract me," Alec says. "But I usually notice when you do it. Eventually, anyway."
Magnus's head is cocked to the side and Alec can't place the expression on his face. The warlock leans toward him then and kisses him gently. When Magnus pulls back, he is still looking at Alec with that enigmatic look. "There. Was that me distracting you?" Magnus asks.
Alec thinks for minute – it is not as if Magnus does not frequently use kisses and caresses to distract him. "No," Alec says slowly. "That was…that was something else."
"You're very surprising," Magnus says, his voice still quieter than usual.
"What does that mean?" Alec asks, unsure if he should be nervous.
"I don't know," Magnus says. Then, he seems to return to himself. "It's nothing to worry about," he says, grinning. "Are you willing to go back to my apartment and let me distract you with bad television or…something else?" He looks Alec up and down suggestively.
Alec smiles. One thing he likes about Magnus is that he seems to have no problem drifting in and out of seriousness. It makes Alec feel like he can drift along with him.
"Yes," Alec says, grinning back and reaching for Magnus's hand.