"Hello?" Magnus' voice came from the receiver. "Who dares disturb the High Warlock of Brooklyn?" His usual vigour when he asked that question wasn't there.

Alec took a deep breath, cleared his throat which had suddenly become all tight, and then responded, "Magnus? It's Alec. Can I see you? I've erm, I've come to apologize."

A long pause followed. "Have you," Magnus said quietly. Alec didn't answer; Magnus could make up his own mind on that one.

"Hmmm," Magnus sighed. "Yes, you can come in. The door was open anyway."

Alec pushed the door open and with his heart pounding in his ears, went up the stairs to Magnus' apartment. The door was already open so Alec just walked in, taking in the place with a heavy heart. Takeaways littered the floor and clothes were strewn everywhere; jeans, t-shirts, leopard print pyjamas and boxer shorts. Magnus himself sat on the sofa strewn at the edge of the room. Alec's breath caught in his throat as he stared at Magnus. He was leaning forwards with his elbows on his knees, his hands placed together in front of him, his hair a scruffy mess with bits sticking up at the back in little clusters. And Magnus was watching him with tired, tired eyes. Pain was concentrated within them and Alec bit his lip and wouldn't allow himself to look away.

Magnus spoke. "Alec-"

"I just came to tell you that I'm sorry," the words spilled out of Alec's mouth and he silently cursed.

Magnus sat up with suddenly blazing eyes. "Why? Why bother Alec?"

Alec drew a breath but didn't allow himself to be intimidated. "Because I feel it's the right thing to do."

Magnus quietened his expression stilling as he took in Alec. Alec sighed and walked over to Magnus, "I suppose you don't believe me now."

Magnus ran a hand through his hair and looked up at Alec. "I don't even know what to think," he said sadly. "I don't get it Alec, you seem such a good person and yet it clashes with what you did. Why did you do it? Why did you try to make me mortal?"

Sitting down quietly on the sofa Alec considered. "I've always imagined myself and however I love growing old together and yet that cannot happen with you."

"But that's only part of it," Magnus guessed.

"Yes," Alec nodded. "I felt intimidated by you. You've lived so long and gained so much experience and lived through so much and you've survived in one piece, physically and mentally. I, well, I've never been sure that I would survive being a Shadowhunter and I've always felt unstable within myself. I've always admired very strongly anyone that can live through so much and still be good," Alec smiled tentatively at Magnus. "So I admired you a lot. Too much really. Standing next to you, you made me feel," he looked down at his feet suddenly embarrassed. "Worthless," he finished.

Magnus looked appalled, "Alec I never meant for you to feel like that!"he sat forward as if to grasp Alec's hand but a look over realisation flashed across his face and he slumped back into the sofa dejectedly. "Oh no," he muttered. "And I've not been telling you my secrets."

"What?" Alec said, confused. "Magnus?"

Magnus reached forward and took his hand. "Alec," his hands gripped Alec's right hand. "There's something you need to know. I am not as perfect as you think I am. I'm sorry I didn't tell you my secrets earlier but I didn't want you to know them as I am ashamed of them, but now I realize that I need to tell you, and it was wrong that it was my intent to be a perfect image for you, as it is not the truth and could have destroyed this relationship."

His hands were slightly smooth around the palm and his long fingers spread across the top of Alec's hand. "I'm sorry, Alec," he breathed.
Alec sighed and dropped his gaze. This would be the last time Magnus touched him.

The sunlight played across Magnus' right hand as he moved it up to touch Alec's cheek. "I don't make you feel worthless now do I?"
Alec breathed in and out.
"No," he said slowly, his eyes returning to Magnus's face. "No, you don't," Alec said with determination as Magnus paused, his mouth partly open. "The first week after I nearly beat myself black and blue with guilt, but now, I feel like there are more important things than growing old together with the people you love. I really hurt you and originally all I could think of was myself and how much of a bad person I was for hurting you, but then I started to imagine you with other people and you being happy with that person and I realized that a life isn't about only loving one person throughout your entire life, it's about the amount of love shared within that life. And I realized that well; if I was to end things with you properly and tell you to move on then you might stand a chance of finding love again."

Magnus looked stunned. "What?" he said quietly.

"You can move on now." Alec's eyes were a steady blue that held Magnus's and wished them well in a message sent from the heart.

Magnus gazed back and then he smiled, and breathed, "Yes."

"Huh?" Alec said and then, "Oh." He stood up quickly breaking hands with Magnus. "Well," he said trying not to be awkward. "I…I guess I better go then." He strode towards the door, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"What?!" came a cry from the couch. "No, Alec!" Magnus scrambled up and ran the full length of the apartment to come skidding to a halt in front of Alec. "Wait," He said breathlessly, putting his hands up to stop Alec.

"No," he said. "I meant 'Yes I've moved on'." Alec cast him a shocked look.

"Not that kind of moved on," Magnus said waving a hand to the side. "I meant I've moved on from the hurt," he said.

"What hurt?" Alec asked stupidly. He couldn't keep track of events and was wondering what on earth Magnus was doing, shouldn't he want to let him walk away?

"The hurt," Magnus gestured wildly. He seemed to be having trouble finding words.
"That you did to me, I've-" He grinned at Alec, "I've forgiven you, you duffess! You, Alec Lightwood you're a good man and I," his voice dropped with intensity and his eyes shone. "I love you."

A glorious warmth spread through Alec like birds on flight within the land they called home and they told him of the future within the blue skies and how this moment here, this moment was truly good and mattered like the sun mattered to the whole world.
And the words, comments and sentences gathered but Alec rejected them and he flung himself at Magnus wrapping him in a giant hug. Magnus made a noise of surprise which transformed into one of protest.

"Hey," he said. "Lover boy, let me get my arms out." Alec loosened his grip slightly and Magnus pulled his arms out so that he could hug Alec back.

"So," Magnus said. "Does this mean we're back together again?"

"Yes."

Magnus smiled.

"Magnus?" Alec inquired his voice slightly muffled against his shoulder.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"God I've been waiting ages to hear you say that," Magnus remarked. Alec punched him lightly on the shoulder and Magnus laughed and then bent down to kiss Alec.