DAY by DAY

by BellaMorgan1

AU Story. Alec works as a Team Lead on an IT help desk, working very hard to keep his work life and personal life separate. Many of his co-workers, aside from his brother Jace, thinks he's cold-hearted. Alec has two other siblings, Izzy and Max. All that changes when a new member of the team begins working as a replacement tech. Enter Magnus Bane. (NOTE: Mature Content)

6. Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX – DAY SEVENTY-THREE TO SEVENTY-FOUR

"Will, you are kidding me? Right?" Jace, Will, and Jem were rounded together in the bullpen area of their cubes. Alec was at his weekly staff meeting with Tessa and Magnus had taken a call on the fourth floor, he was going to be gone away. They had at least an hour until they had company again.

"Believe me, Jace. I was there too."

"Alec and Magnus were out together. No." Jace shook head. "No, I don't believe it. Alec doesn't hang out with people from work. He barely hangs out with me anymore."

"Uhm."

"What?" Jace asked they were apparently hiding something from him.

Will and Jem shared a look, neither want to say anything. "Is Alec gay?"

"What?" Jace rolled back slightly, but it caught on his jacket and flipped, tossing him to the side. His eyes went wide and he stood up, looking between Will and Jem. "What?" He repeated.

"I clearly saw Alec and Magnus holding hands." Will always thought Alec was cold hearted but he never knew he wasn't straight, he never gave any indication of not liking anything but his job.

Jace sighed, "Yes, he's gay but you guys can't say anything. I would literally die by Alec's hand."

Will and Jem just sat there. "I knew it." Jem smirked, "I always knew he had to love something other than his job."

"Hey," Jace hissed at them, "That's my brother your talking about."

"What are you idiots doing?" Alec called from the entryway. Will and Jem were huddled together while Jace stood over them. "Are there no tickets to run down?" He didn't know what they were talking about but he didn't want to know either.

"Yeah, I gotta run upstairs." Jace grabbed his phone and hit Alec on the arm as he went by.

"And you two?" Alec sounded pissed off and he was, he didn't like getting his ass handed to him by his boss.

They both nodded and went back to their computers.

"Hey, Alec." Magnus came up behind him, he hit his arm the same manner as Jace but handed him his notebook, "Tessa, stopped me outside. You left this in her office."

"Thanks." He grabbed the book and left without a word further. "Get to work, people." He yelled over the wall before he slammed his office door.

Magnus frowned, "What the hell did you two do?"

"Talked to Jace to much."

"Well yeah, that is a problem of ours." Will pipped up after Jem, both cracking large smiles.

Magnus smirked, "So you two are getting everyone in trouble."

With that, the phone rang, and Jem picked it up. The day picked up from then and it was off to the races. No one had a moment to break until lunch and even then it was tough. Today hey had to take it in shifts. Jem, Will, and Jace told Magnus they were taking the first lunch and leaving the help desk to him and Alec; whom still had not left his office in the entire three hours since he slammed the door.

Magnus leaned back in his chair while the phone was silent for the first time all day. He was exhausted, he and Alec barely slept Friday night and spent all of Saturday the same way they did on Friday night. They only left on Saturday night to get dinner and stop by Alec's place so he could shower and freshen up before going back to Magnus' for the night. They spent Saturday night the same way as Friday. It was a long weekend of lots of talking and lots of making out. Magnus couldn't complain but now he was exhausted.

Magnus closed his eyes with his head back just thinking about the moments in Alec's house. Alec led him in and threw his keys on the kitchen table with his wallet and phone, it was messy but a family messy. He enjoyed the little touches of the family living there. It was a whole new side of Alec, a side not many people got to see and it was only a week in and Alec was willing to show it to him. Alec grabbed his hand and led him up the stairs, past the first to doors and into his room. He just announced it was his room and dropped his hand to pull out some new clothes. Magnus smiled and watched him; he shocked him that they both felt so comfortable around each other. He called his name and pulled him into a quick kiss. When he let him go, Alec smiled and left for the shower giving Magnus time to wander around Alec's room with all the pictures of his family; his favorite was of Alec with Max; both had huge smiles. Alec had Max up in the at his chest; it was the type of picture that you didn't know someone was taking.

"What are you doing?"

Magnus opened his eyes and smiled at his boyfriend who was staring down at him. "Daydreaming."

"You should be working." Alec rested his shoulder on the cube wall, he was trying not to smile but his day started off bad from the time Max woke up, fighting him on going to school then an irate user went to Tessa to complain about the help desk not picking up the help desk phone. Alec had explained that if all the techs were on the floor then the call would go unanswered and there was a reason an email they could send issues to. Tessa agreed with him but he still got yelled at for it.

Magnus held out his hand; he wanted Alec to take his hand. Alec sighed and looked at his outstretched, "Mag-"

"Alexander." Magnus left his hand out to him.

Alec took his hand with his opposite one and entwined their fingers.

"What happened?" Magnus squeezed his hand.

"Max was a nightmare. He didn't want to go to school because he wanted to stay with me. He missed me." Alec moved to sit on his desk; Magnus moved his hand to Alec's thigh. He followed his boyfriend's movement by placing his hand on his. "Tessa got a negative report and I got in trouble for it."

"Who was at fault?"

"No one. It was an unanswered telephone with a user who refused to send in an email request."

"Yet, you take the heat." Magnus subconsciously began moving his thumb along the top of Alec's thigh.

"Part of the job." Alec sighed, he was just as exhausted as he looked. "I enjoyed our weekend but maybe next time a little more sleep."

Magnus laughed at that, he put his head back on his chair again, still massaging his boyfriend's leg. "I would have to agree, but it was damn fun." Magnus stood up in a flash then, bringing himself up close to Alexander. "Alexander, we need to do it again."

Alec sighed and put his hand on Magnus' chest, he wanted to push him away but he couldn't. "You really can't call me that here."

"But I love the look in your eyes when I say it."

Alec did push him back then, "Not here."

Magnus willingly went back but held onto his hand, "I'm still on my mission to get you to be part of the team instead of just taking all the hits for the team."

"You do that. I'm heading upstairs for a working lunch with Tessa, send Jace up when he gets back then take a lunch." Alec went to leave but he couldn't; he turned around to face Magnus. "Magnus." He waited for Magnus to look at him. "Thank you. I'll call you later."

Magnus nodded and took a seat in his chair again while Alec walked away.

"Alec!" Max turned while at the table with Clary trying to do his homework.

Jace and Alec walked in the door, "Hey, buddy." Jace went to Clary for a kiss on her lips and the top of Max's head.

Alec threw his keys and wallet on the table and looked down at Max, "Whatcha working on?"

"Reading with Clary." Max bounced in his chair, "We are almost done. I'm hungry."

"Izzy's getting pizza on the way home," Jace answered taking a seat next to Clary, he quietly talking to her about his day. She went about nodding.

Alec scrunched up his face, "Izzy is picking up dinner. We have leftovers from last night."

"I promised Max pizza after Saturday."

Alec nodded, "We worked together all day and you couldn't mention it."

"I would have but you were either locked in your office or in Tessa's office." Jace stayed in the seat, with an arm around Clary while she spoke with Max, "What was that about anyway?"

"Lack of sleep, the fight…" Alec pointed to Max, "And getting yelled at by Tessa for an irate user."

Jace stood then, "Why didn't you tell us?" He walked around the table to stand with his brother.

Alec grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge; he was beyond exhausted and skipping dinner so he could go to bed early seemed like a grand idea. "Jace, the user complained no one answered the phone but refused to send an email request. What good would it do to tell the team that?" He put the bottle down on the counter aware that Max and Tessa were watching them now. "It was no one's fault."

"But you got yelled at; you should have told us." Jace sighed, "Alec, you shouldn't hold all that in."

"Its part of my job."

"To what, not be apart of our team?" Jace's voice elevatored slightly.

"You are the second person to say that to me today." Alec meant to speak under his breath; he was too exhausted to deal with him.

"What?" Clary spoke up then.

"I know. Okay, I know." Alec's breathing pitched. "I get it, I'm not a team player but I can't always be a team player, Jace. I am the boss and sometimes I take the hits for the team. Not all they need to be advertised to the team. There is nothing that you, Will, Jem, or Magnus can do to change things." He felt his anger rise, "When it is important enough or changeable then I will let the team know."

Izzy showed up then with three pizzas and breadsticks; she always went overboard because she felt pizza was an excellent cold breakfast. They set the table and ate as a family. Alec got Max his pizza and milk then sat next to the boy; he had missed him.

"Alec?" Max smiled up at his brother.

"Yeah?"

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"Can I share with you?" He smiled at him when Max nodded; Alec made a small show of stealing a breadstick.

"Alec, what did you do all weekend?" Max asked with a mouth full of pizza and chocolate milk.

"Or who?" Jace smirked with a whisper to Clary who smirked back at him.

Alec looked up at Jace, "What?" He caught the look between his siblings; even Clary seemed to be aware of it. "What did you say, Jace?"

"I said or who."

"Jace." Alec stood up then, "You have been on my case all day, what is your deal?"

Simon showed up then, coming in from the back door and heading straight for Izzy, "Hey guys?"

"Perfect timing, Simon. You stopped Alec from yelling at Jace." Izzy smirked at him, winking when he pulled back from his welcome kiss.

"Max, honey." Clary stood up with him, "Let's take this in the living room. You can watch TV with dinner tonight."

"But Alec…" Max looked at his big brother.

"It's okay buddy. Go with Clary; I'll be in there in a minute." Alec got down on his knees to see eye to eye with him. "Listen, tonight after bath time I will read you two books. How about that?" He seemed to cheer up at that, following Clary carrying his plate with Clary holding onto his chocolate milk.

"Alec, you have been beyond annoying for a while now. What is going on?" Izzy looked really concerned for her brother, she nudged Simon and tilted her head towards the door Clary just left out of. Simon got the hint and grabbed some pizza before leaving. "You barely speak to us anymore about anything or without being mad."

Alec shook his head, "My problem?" He chuckled, "You want to know what my problem is? Not everyone around here is pulling their weight and it's exhausting having to pick up the slack for everyone else."

"Alec-"

"Stop." Alec hit his hand on the table just hard enough to rattle the plates. "You asked, so now just listen. We agreed on a schedule for Max and I'm the only one who's keeping it. It is getting hard, Izzy. How many times have you called me in the last few months to get Max after school because you have plans? How many times do I have to stay home because you-" Alec pointed to Jace, "-need a new date night with Clary? You live together, we all live together. Simon practically lives here too and it's all okay for all of you to drop Max whenever you want for your boyfriend or girlfriend because I'm always here."

"Alec, if you wanted to date then you ask us."

"How Izzy? Two to three days a week you are calling me because you can't get Max from school. Do you know how expensive after-school programs are? Mom and dad don't spend that much money and I can't really afford that right now, none of us can that's why we have this schedule."

Jace decided this was the point to defend him and Clary, "Listen Clary and I need our couple time. Its just one night a week."

"What about my time?" Alec was fuming; they asked what his problem was but then they weren't listening. "You were all out of town and I still couldn't enjoy my time because someone had to hurt Max and no other adult could soothe him. You had to call me." Alec sighed in anger; Magnus was right, he was burning out and taking it out on his family. How did someone he had only known for the last few months pick up on his stress better than his own family who knew everything about him? Not everything, he thought, they didn't know about Magnus yet. "I couldn't even enjoy coffee for one day alone. I got over 15 text messages with questions about Max; you guys were only gone for less than three days!"

Izzy turned red then; it was all her. "I tried everything he just wouldn't calm down and I didn't know what else to do. I'm not like you, Alec, you are a natural with Max and he wanted you."

"When did he start asking for me?" Alec knew he was asking a trick question; he knew the answer without them answering, the answer was Friday night.

Jace sighed, "Alec.'

"When? Friday night?" Alec lost all his steam, the looks on their faces told him everything he needed to know. "I'm a natural Izzy because I've been doing it my entire life. I have taken care of you and Jace, and I've been taking care of Max since he was three." He brushed his hand through his hair roughly, pulling at the edges. "Max could be my son, and I love him to death. He's the reason I work so hard. You guys make fun of me because I don't open up at work or am too professional but I've had no choice. I have to be." He was trying not to cry now; he was too emotional. "I can't risk losing my job; I have to be good at it because I have to keep it. You think I like working as much as I do, as hard as I do. I hate it, but I have to."

"Big brother-"

"I wasn't alone, Izzy." He was deflating fast, "I wasn't alone." He wanted that thought to sink in for them; he wasn't alone that early in the morning on a weekend morning.

"What?" Izzy heard the words but the actual message seemed lost to her. Jace arched an eyebrow and looked at her; Alec mused Jace got the meaning behind his words.

"I wasn't alone on Saturday." If he was going to tell his family, then it might as well have been in that moment. He was so exhausted from everything. The lack of sleep all weekend didn't help but it had been a long time coming. Working 7-5pm every night, coming home to help Max with his homework, bath, and then bedtime. Then do it on repeat every day. The weekends weren't much better. Max was too attached to him; he knew that was his fault. It appeared nothing he had been doing had been helping. Only making them worse. "I couldn't even make it through one cup of coffee with my boyfriend."

The room went silent, Jace looked to Izzy then back to his brother. When Jace left the help desk earlier he called Izzy about what Will and Jem had said, they decided to talk to him because they both knew Alec would be upset about people at work talking about him but more importantly, they wanted to know if it was true. They had their answer.

Alec was so exhausted and defeated, "Maryse and Robert want Max in Europe." He could feel his emotions just pouring out; he could have cried. "Maybe-" He instantly felt like dying. "Maybe, this isn't working."

"They can't have him."

All three siblings turned to Clary who was standing in the doorway; she was in front of Simon who had his hand on Max's shoulder who was next to Clary; both Simon and Max had confusion on their faces. No one had noticed them enter the room.

"They can't have him." She repeated. "We are a family and I don't care what it takes. Working out a new schedule or whatever." She shook her head with vigor, long red curls flowing with the movement. "But they can't have him. Max is not leaving this family for two parents who don't even remember his birthday." She looked Alec straight on, "I'm sorry we haven't been helping like we should have been. Jace and I got a little selfish lately but that's going to change. We will work this out as a family." She turned to Jace then, "Jace, listen to your brother. Alec has done everything for this family and he's getting burnt out, can you see it in his face?"

"Why does Alec have a boyfriend?" Max's little voice filled the small room, echoing off the silent walls,

Jace sighed then; no one was ready for that conversation.

It was almost comical what Alec felt in this moment, the wreck that was his family and still Max was so innocent. "Come here." Alec bent down and scooped him up into his arms, taking him out of the kitchen; pushing passed, Simon and Clary. He moved the abandoned pizza and chocolate milk, Max's two favorite food groups.

"Alec, I don't understand."

"I know buddy." Alec put him down when they reached his room, dropping him with a bounce in the center of his queen size bed. He got down with him, propping himself up on his elbow. He ran his hand down Max's hair to his elbow. "You remember Magnus?"

"He helped me with my reading. I like him."

"Yeah, he did help you and I like him too." Alec smiled, "He's my boyfriend." He brushed Max's hair again. "You know how Jace has Clary. And Izzy has Simon." Alec waited for Max to nod. "Well, I have Magnus."

"I like Magnus."

"I do too." Jace walked into the room and laid on the other side of the bed, mimicking Alec's postures. "He's great with computers and making everyone feel at ease."

Alec looked to Jace while continuing his brushing of Max's hair.

"I still haven't met him yet," Izzy called from her place at the door, she came in and sat on the edge of the bed. "Listen, I have something to say." She waited until they were all looking at her. "First, we re-work the schedule." Izzy squeezed Max's chest and pulled him to her, caused Alec to drop his hand. "Second, I get to meet Magnus."

"Me too!" Max announced. Izzy laughed and just hugged him. Alec rolled over onto his back to try and breath, it wasn't going so well.

Alex didn't know what he was doing other than he had put Max to bed, which was horrible because Max kept asking questions about if Magnus was moving in, and did they kiss like Jace and Clary because they were gross to the nine-year-old. At which point Alec declared he needed air and left the house, tonight had been tense and he needed some fresh air. Before he could blink, he was in front of Magnus' door, knocking. He heard the meow before the door opened, Chairman Meow was close.

Magnus tilted his head and pulled the door back while stepping aside. Alec entered bending down to pet the cat before he ran down the hall. Magnus shut the door and just watched him. Alec stood up to face his boyfriend, whose head was still tilted just staring at him. He stepped up to him then tilting his head the other way and in for a kiss. It felt so natural when Magnus reach behind his head to play in his hair.

Magnus pulled back first, "Not that I mind but what's going on?"

Alec bent his head forward to rest on Magnus' chest for a moment; he needed to breathe. "I have to explain to a nine-year-old what it meant for a gay to have a boyfriend. By the way, kissing is gross." Alec stepped back.

"Not all kissing."

"Apparently when you are nine all kissing is gross."

Magnus laughed at him, "You staying around for a bit tonight?"

"Yeah, I think so. I put Max to bed and I needed out." Alec relaxed into Magnus again, "I'm sorry. I should have called but I wasn't planning on coming here. I was just going for a drive and ended up here."

Magnus grabbed Alec's wrist and pulled him back towards his bedroom, "I don't mind. That's the fun part of relationships. You get to drop by randomly."

"The bedroom?" Alec lifted an eyebrow at him. He found himself hard to smile earlier but now in front of Magnus with his little antics he couldn't help but smile.

"The bedroom-" Magnus turned around to take a few steps backward, "-is the most intimate room in the whole house." He pulled Alec to him for a quick kiss, just a brush of their lips. "What better place for intimate conversation than in the bedroom."

"Intimate conversation, huh?"

"Yeah," Magnus pulled back, all the way back; he made eye contact with his boyfriend. "I want to know the entire conversation with your siblings that led to Max saying kissing is gross."

Alec stepped forward which Magnus stepped back; they continued that way until Magnus' knees hit the bed and he was forced to sit down.

"Shoes and shirt must go. Pants optional." Magnus spoke amongst Alec's laughter.

"I can't be staying that long." Alec did kick off his shows but left his shirt, and pants on. Magnus used his hands to slide up the bed while Alec crawled on his knees to meet at the head of the bed.

Magnus rested his back on the headboard and waited for Alec to come to him, which he was; coming up to him on his knees. He smirked when Alec reached his mouth; the kiss was slow and gentle. Moving his knees to straddle Magnus' waist. Alec rested his hands on the top of the headboard. Magnus had to pull back with great effort. "This is intimate." Magnus rubbed his hands on the back of Alec's thighs across his butt and up to rest on his hips.

"You said it first."

"I also said shirtless," Magnus smirked, his eyes couldn't stop staring at Alec.

Alec removed himself from Magnus and sat on the bed next to him; shoulder to shoulder. "I got angry at my siblings tonight." Magnus mimicked their hand-holding from the weekend before, intertwining and massaging with his thumb. "Just like you said I would."

"I didn't want that to happen."

"I know." Alec smiled at him, "But you knew it was going to and I saw it happening before my eyes but I couldn't stop it. Jace was just egging me on and then Izzy got involved. I told them about us." He had to look down then; much the same manner as before. "Well, not really. I announced I had a boyfriend but Max didn't understand so I had to make him understand. I asked him if he remembers you. He likes you."

"So he's okay?" Magnus questioned, trying to get Alec to look at him.

"Yeah, sort of." Alec looked at him and they locked eyes. The other question was in Magnus' eyes. "He seemed to understand when Izzy, Jace, and I were talking to him but then he cornered me with questions at bath time. He asked if you were moving in." Alec laughed with Magnus.

"Man, he must really like me." Magnus brought their link hands up to rest on his stomach.

"You really wowed him with your reading skills." Alec threw his head back against the headboard. "You wowed Jace with your computer skills."

Magnus snorted, "That's impressive. The blonde wonder is wowed by me."

"The blonde wonder?" Alec choked on his laugh. "Will and Jem. I'm assuming."

"Me actually, to his face." Magnus closed his eyes and rested his head next to his boyfriend. "Jace was having a very douchebag moment about three weeks ago. We had a moment."

"How did I not know about this?" Alec spoke with a laugh, "Blond wonder. I am not letting this one go."

Magnus learned his head to the side, resting on Alec's shoulder, the calm was settling, "You know how there are things you don't tell the team because it's not a big deal?" He waited for Alec's nod, "This was one of the things for the team. The three of us dealt with the blonde wonder just fine."

Silence settled around them, them sitting there resting against one another with Magnus' thumb still running circles on Alec's hand. Chairman Meow came in at some point and nestled into Magnus' side. He didn't know how long it had been but he knew he had to get Alec going, Magnus forced himself to speak up, "Alec, you should go unless you plan on sleeping here tonight."

He nodded, but he didn't want to go. He had to though, Max would need help getting on the bus in the morning and he would need work clothes. Alec slowly let go of Magnus's hand and slid to the side of the bed. It didn't take him long to pull on his Nike's, like everything he owns, they were warned in and a perfect fit. He took a second with his elbows on his knees. So many thoughts had come crashing down on him with the idea of going home, it was odd at Magnus', all of the worries didn't seem to exist but now he had to go home and they crashed around him like his own personal rain cloud.

"I'll walk you out." Magnus stood in front of him, reaching for his hand. "There will be a point when you can stay the night and not worry about Max, and we will get there. I promise." The walk to the door was short and per their normal, Magnus did the small talk.

Alec pulled back on Magnus' hand when they reached the door. He wanted a moment longer, "Magnus."

"Listen," Magnus cut him off, "You need to go home and be there for Max. Work out whatever you need to but Friday night until Saturday afternoon, you are mine. I have plans for you." Alec nodded, he didn't think he would get another word in any way. "Now, go. Text me when you get home." Magnus leaned in for a kiss, Alec pushed back against him and Magnus had to physically step back, or he knew he was going to be dragging Alec back to his room.

Magnus shut the door behind Alec with a gentle click of the lock; he had to muster the nerve to not call him back in. He really wanted Alec to come back but that was still too soon and too much had happened for him in the last few hours, it would not have been good for their relationship. It was strange they only been dating for just over a week, their first date counted as day one to him, they felt so natural and old. Magnus felt calm around Alec and he found himself not thinking of New York as much. He found himself searching through his phone to find exciting things to do in Michigan because he wanted to experience all of those things with Alec. Part of his heart lurched when he thought of the fact that he also told Alec about his mother and her death; that was usually a well-kept secret. With Alec, he had offered up that secret free of charge and nothing was ever free.

He had just made it to some link about an island that Michigan is known for, some old fort that seemed like a family favorite. He was just hitting save to the link when a message drop-down appeared then.

Home. See you bright and early tomorrow.

Magnus Bane couldn't keep his smile off his face and that was when he decided it would be a good time to go to bed. All smiles.