"What did you say?" Alec asked from his place against Magnus's chest, his fingers lazily tracing imaginary runes into the soft skin of Magnus's right forearm. The evening sun shone dimly through the open window on the far side of the room and a cool breeze drifted into the apartment. Magnus's eyes were closed and his head was leaning back against the top of the couch. "Hmm?" He mumbled.

"I heard you say something." Alec insisted, not ceasing the movements of his hand. Magnus adjusted his position so his shirt wouldn't ride up his back.

"I don't recall saying anything for the past twenty minutes, but if you're referring to earlier, I did say, 'You're an idiot.'" Alec rolled his eyes."Thanks Magnus, I can always rely on you for kind words of motivational wisdom."

"Don't worry," said Magnus, welcoming the playful banter. "You're the hottest idiot I've ever met." As Magnus teased, a playful smirk formed on his face.

Alec snorted. "And they say Chivalry is dead."

Magnus laughed quietly and moved his left hand up to rest on Alec's stomach. Alec sighed and relaxed even further under Magnus's touch

It was so rare that they could just lay together on Magnus's oversized (in Alec's opinion; Magnus just wanted simple luxuriesso excuse him) couch. It was always surprising to see Alec so unwound; the same shadowhunter who would threaten any Downworlder who gave him a hard time. He was always so high strung, like a tightly compacted spring, so it gave Magnus a pleasant feeling when Alec loosened up around him. Sure it had taken a while, as well as a great deal of self restraint and patience on Magnus's part, but it was worth it in the end when Alec would just rest with him.

After a few months, Alec finally stopped acting like a guest in Magnus's apartment. The first time he made coffee and ate snacks without asking permission first, Magnus just smiled at him reassuringly. He finally stopped awkwardly excusing himself to use the bathroom (which was a great relief for Magnus). All in all, the change of disposition was comfortable and welcomed in the Bane household.

"So, you didn't say anything?" Alec pressed again, growing aware of Magnus's attempts to distract him. It was becoming a habit that Magnus couldn't shake.

Magnus hesitated for a moment. "Nope, just your imagination." He paused. "Which, for the record, has been very active lately. Like the time when you described to me in full detail-" Alec whipped around at an impossible speed, no longer relaxed against him, exclaiming, "Magnus Bane!" Alec's eyes bore somewhat angrily into Magnus's, his cheeks were smudged with red from embarrassment. "What?" Magnus questioned innocently. "Shut up." Alec ordered. Magnus's eyebrows raised, his green feline eyes inviting Alec to give him a reason to shut up. "Why ever would I want to do that-" Alec kissed him, cutting his sentence short.

Magnus smiled into the kiss, not only because he was kissing the one he loved most in the world, but also because he had been able to distract him again.

"I love you." Magnus murmured between kisses. Alec paused, his lips a centimeter away from Magnus's. "What was that?" Alec inquired, his eyes glanced back and forth between Magnus's eyes and mouth.

Magnus closed the space between them before parting again, running his fingers through Alec's messy, ebony hair, and saying, "Nothing." Alec rolled his eyes again before whispering, "I love you too, Idiot."