The air nipped at Alec's skin as he stepped outside. Despite the cold, he walked slowly and cautiously toward the hot tub. He shivered as he thought about how to get in.

"Don't worry about being graceful," Magnus said, "I'm not looking. Just get in before you freeze to death."

Sure enough, Magnus was lying back in one corner with his eyes closed. Alec hesitated for a few more moments, then set the towel down, took a deep breath, and climbed in. The hot water stung his skin and made him gasp, but he forced himself to slide the rest of the way in, taking care not to brush up against Magnus.

Alec settled in an adjacent corner, sighing as the jets thrummed against his back.

"It's nice, isn't it?"

"Mmm." Alec closed his eyes.

"Just don't fall asleep. I'd hate to have to explain to your family how you drowned on our trip."

Alec looked over at Magnus, who winked at him and closed his eyes again. They sat like that for awhile, in a comfortable silence. Alec had to admit that the warm water did do wonders for his sore muscles.

When his back started to feel a bit raw from the jets, Alec sat up, shivering as his wet skin was exposed to the air. He sank back into the water and watched the sun glisten on the snow. "It's strange, isn't it?"

Magnus moved to sit beside him and Alec hoped that he would attribute his flushed face to the hot water. "What is?"

"The contrast. The water's so warm that it's steaming, but we're on a snowy mountainside. It's just kind of bizarre."

"Hmm."

"You don't agree?"

"I suppose I haven't given it much thought." He moved back to his corner, and Alec found himself staring. "What?"

Alec started and looked away. "Nothing. Sorry. I zoned out."

Magnus smirked. "Is that so?"

"Yeah."

"Come here."

"What? Why?"

Magnus laughed. "Why do you think? I don't like having you so far away."

"Yeah, but…"

"But what?"

"But you're…um…"

"Ah. Are you embarrassed?"

Alec shrugged.

"That's a yes. Here." Magnus reached toward Alec. "Give me your hand."

Alec hesitated. "Why?"

Magnus sighed. "Alexander, if you're so worried about me being naked, the least you could do is let me hold your hand. I promise I won't jump on you or anything."

"Okay…" Alec took his hand and looked away, blushing as Magnus laughed.

"Sorry." Magnus made an attempt to sober himself. "You are just adorable sometimes."

Alec looked over at him and tried to relax. "Sorry. I just…"

"It's okay. I promise." He squeezed his hand.

After a few minutes, Alec broke the silence. "Do you not get pruney fingers?"

"What?"

"You know." Alec held up his other hand. "Like this. Most people's fingertips get all gross and wrinkly when they're in water for too long."

Magnus frowned and looked at his own fingers. "You know, I'm not really sure."

"Oh."

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"No, it's fine. I didn't expect a scientific answer or anything."

"Hmm."

Alec remembered the argument he'd had with himself earlier. He thought about all the times that Magnus had done something or said something and he'd wanted to dig a hole in the ground and hide. He wondered what he was so afraid of.

"Are you okay?"

Alec blinked. "Yeah, sorry."

"You looked upset."

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Well, if it's nothing, then tell me what you were thinking about."

Alec hesitated. "I was…I was thinking about…about why I'm so scared all the time."

"Scared of what?"

"Of you. Wait, no, that sounds bad. I meant, of this. Us, I guess."

"Ah."

"And like, how I have come a long way since last year, but at the same time it doesn't seem to be enough."

Magnus sat up. "Enough for what?"

Alec shrugged. "I don't know. Just…I feel like I'm always two steps behind."

"Alexander." Magnus started to move toward Alec, but caught himself and stayed put. "You don't have to worry about that, you know. I'm perfectly content just being with you."

"I know that. But for how long?"

Magnus shrugged. "However long it takes. I've lived a long time, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's patience."

"It's not enough."

Magnus blinked in shock. "What do you mean?"

"It's not enough for you to always be waiting for me. I need to act. I need to change."

"Then do it."

Alec looked over at Magnus. "What?"

"Act." He released Alec's hand and settled back against the wall of the Jacuzzi. "Kiss me."

"I—"Alec swallowed nervously. He didn't know what to do. Well, the answer to that was fairly obvious, but he didn't know if he wanted to do it. Well, no, he certainly wanted to, but he didn't know if he could.

Magnus was wise and kept his mouth shut, knowing that anything he said could shatter Alec's resolve. He waited.

A couple minutes ticked by, and then Alec took a deep breath and moved forward. He stopped a couple inches away, afraid of touching Magnus. Carefully, he placed a hand on the edge of the tub on either side of him and leaned down to kiss him.

Magnus was careful, responding very gently. He let Alec lead, and kept his hands to himself, silently encouraging him forward. Unconsciously, Alec moved closer. He felt his leg brush up against Magnus's and jerked back. "Sorry, I—"

"It's okay," Magnus whispered. "Keep going."

The next kiss was significantly deeper, and though Alec hesitated each time they touched, he kept moving closer and closer until his knees were straddling Magnus's waist. When he pulled back, he was breathing heavily. "I…um…"

"Yes?"

"I…" When he took too long to respond, Magnus pulled him back down again. He took Alec's hands and placed them on his shoulders, smiling slightly as the boy's fingers dug into his skin. Magnus kissed his way down Alec's neck, murmuring encouragements as Alec's hands wandered timidly down his chest.

"Magnus, I…"

"Hmm?"

"I think…I think we…"

Magnus looked up and saw that despite his flushed face, Alec was covered in goosebumps and was starting to shiver. "Yes, you're probably right. Let's take this inside."

It took a bit of fumbling, but they managed to extricate themselves from the hot tub and run inside. Magnus grabbed Alec's hand and pulled him toward the shower.

"What—"

"You're freezing and we both smell like chlorine. Not a good thing. Get in."

"But—"

"Come on."

The hot water won out, and Alec stepped cautiously inside, his eyes going wide as Magnus followed him in. "I…I thought—"

"Shh, don't worry. Just let me wash your hair."

Alec stopped shivering and relaxed a little as Magnus's fingers massaged his scalp. When he finished with his hair, he looked questioningly at the soap, and after a moment of hesitation, Alec handed him the bar along with a washcloth.

Alec bit his lip and closed his eyes as Magnus gently washed his body. When it was finished, he looked at Magnus, silently inquiring if he should do the same. Magnus nodded slowly.

Alec was terrified and nervous, but curiosity prevailed. He took a considerable amount longer than Magnus had, and when he finished, Magnus kissed him very gently on the lips. He turned off the water and they took turns toweling each other off.

Alec surprised them both by taking the initiative and reaching up with his hands to pull Magnus down for a kiss. They made their way out of the bathroom and onto the bed.

It was a complete shock to feel Magnus's skin against his, and Alec was surprised at the greed that he felt, the need for more. He could hear Magnus breathing just as heavily, and it was evident that his arousal was as great as his own.

"Magnus," he gasped. "I think…I think that…"

"Are you sure?"

There was no hesitation this time. "Yes."

Author's Note: Okay, so I have no idea whether Warlocks get pruney fingers or not. I sent Cassandra Clare a message about it on Twitter (LOL), but I doubt she'll respond. IF she does, and I'm wrong, then I'll edit the chapter. :)