Apparently your little three year old brother shouting about you kissing a guy was funny. Izzy and Clary burst into giggles causing Max to laugh too, although he probably didn't know why.
After the laughter had died down and Alec had deposited Max onto the sofa Alec thought about what to say to Max. He was a curious child and Alec didn't just want to give him an answer that would keep him quiet. Besides if he focused the attention on reassuring Max hopefully he'd avoid an interrogation from Clary and Izzy.
"Well Max, Finn's daddy is my friend too. Like Finn is your friend and he said something very nice to me." Alec started to explain.
"Yes but why did you kiss him?" Max repeated.
"So you know how usually children will have a mummy and a daddy? Well sometimes children might actually have two daddies or two mummies. Or even before they have children they might just love each other, so a boy and a boy or a girl and a girl. Does that make sense?" Alec asked Max.
"Okay, so you want to be a daddy with Finn's daddy?" Max said looking quite confused.
Alec didn't really mean for it to come across like that but I guess it showed that Max kind of understood, at least the man and a man bit. Izzy could see Alec was struggling so she interjected "Sort of Max, Alec loves you and me very much, but he thinks maybe he might want someone else to love too, and maybe that might be Finn's daddy or it might be another man." Izzy said as she sat on the floor in front of Max and properly looked to see his reaction.
"Okay, but Alec will still be with me." Max stated.
"Yes, Max. Alec and I will always be with you and we love you lots and lots." Izzy confirmed.
"Okay." Max said seemingly satisfied then flopped down on to Clary's lap.
"Clary will you read me a story?" Max pleaded. "Of course Maxy, let's go" Clary gave the green light and picked him up.
Alec felt alright about Max's reaction to that. He didn't seem too phased as long as he still had Alec. Which he always would.
"So you kissed Magnus huh" Izzy teased as Clary and Max headed upstairs. Damn he hadn't managed to avoid the interrogation.
"Just on the cheek, don't get ideas." Alec retorted.
"What caused that? You said earlier that he said something really nice?" Izzy grilled.
"So you know yesterday I thought he was on a date. Apparently it wasn't and he tried to reassure me saying that he promised he would wait for me and he plans to do that." Alec replied, blushing furiously but with a cute smile. He wasn't usually the sappy type, especially not around his sister.
"Aww Alec, well as long as you are happy" she assured, giving him his own kiss on the cheek.
XxX
On Monday, Magnus and Alec saw each other at drop off time and walked out to the parking lot together. Magnus was talking about the swim lesson he had taken Finn to on Sunday.
"Are they old enough for that yet?" Alec asked unsurely.
"Yea, I mean a parent has to be in the water with them, but the instructor shows you how to support them and get them to keep their head above the water and stuff. You guys should come and try it next week." Magnus explained.
"Yea, maybe. I don't think Max has ever been in the water though, aside from the bath obviously" Alec replied.
"He might like it. Just give it a go!" Magnus pushed.
"Okay, okay. I'll bring him on Sunday. Send me the details." Alec surrendered.
"Cool, right I have to go. Later Blue Eyes" Magnus called as he dashed off to his car.
XxX
Alec had a busy week, he had shifts almost every day at work, he'd gone to his art class again on Thursday and he'd spent all the other nights midweek clearing out the office. He knew it had to be done at some point and he was the only one that would do it. There was three filing cabinets full of folders and documents which Alec had to sort through properly.
He'd been thinking recently about the house. It was a lovely house in a good part of town but it had six bedrooms, a huge lounge/diner, an office, a driveway for four cars and it was too big really. All they needed now was a four bedroom place, three really given Jace was barely ever at home and didn't have loads of belongings.
He just didn't want to be insensitive. It was the last place they'd ever seen their parents, he didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing. Sometimes it made him feel closer to them, when he was having a rough time and he thought about the good memories, but the rest of the time it was sort of just a reminder.
Maybe when Jace got through college, they'd see what he wanted to do and where he ended up. He might end up with a job across the country, or Izzy might move into the city if she wanted to work at one of the fashion houses. There was no point moving just yet until they had finished school.
Thankfully, Alec's weekend was looking completely free and when he woke on Saturday it was a nice feeling to have. Izzy was going to see some concert that evening, so staying at her friend's place in Manhattan for the weekend, so all he really had to focus on was Max. Who must have been either still asleep or playing by himself in his room which he was doing more and more these days, which Alec was very pleased about.
Alec was just getting up out of bed and about to wander into Max's room to see what he was up to.
Alec I know it's early still but I can please come over with Finn for a few hours today. He's been up since 6 and he's driving me crazy. He constantly wants me to entertain him, and I'm exhausted. Pleaseeee x
Alec snorted at that, he had days like that with Max but at least then him and Izzy could share it if she was around. Magnus was on his own, it must be hard.
Sure, I'm only just up but come over in an hour or so X
Alec got Max ready and fed and left him in front of the tv watching cartoons and jogged up the stairs to hop in the shower. It wasn't long before the doorbell rang and Max was jumping up trying to reach the handle shouting to let Finn in.
"Alright, alright, chill out. I'm coming" Alec puffed out as he dashed down the stairs, wet hair dripping all over the place. He twisted the lock and pulled the door open to reveal a very lively Finn and a very tired looking Magnus.
Finn leapt on Max and pushed him to the floor. "Finn! Be careful!" Magnus bellowed. Max didn't seem bothered, in fact he just rolled Finn off him on to the floor and got up to get his remote control car and drove it straight into Finn's head.
"Max, be nice"" Alec chided.
"Aren't they a pair. Uh, I'm so tired, I need coffee. " Magnus groaned out. Alec was leaning against the door edge just looking Magnus over. He really did look pretty exhausted.
"Let me make you one, make yourself at home." Alec said as he pushed Magnus softly towards the sofas. Max and Finn were sitting on the floor now playing with Max's train set so Alec stepped over them to get to the kitchen. He quickly made him and Magnus a coffee and went back over to the living area to sit down on the sofa next to Magnus.
They sat quietly and sipped at their coffees while the boys continued playing together. "Thank you so much for having us over, I don't know if I would've been able to last the day with him on my own. He's just go so much energy at the minute. That's why I'm hoping these swimming lessons will tire him out tomorrow. You're still coming right?" Magnus asked.
"Oh yea I forgot about that. Yea I guess we'll give it a go and see if he likes it." Alec agreed.
"Cool, it starts at 11 for an hour, so shall we meet at the pool at like 10.45. I find it takes at least ten minutes to get Finn ready" Magnus suggested.
Once that was decided they talked about their week and Alec asked for Magnus' opinion on the house. Magnus agreed that they were in a good part of town with good catchment areas for schools so he should try to stay around that area if possible but he didn't really know how it felt to lose parents. He'd never known his dad, but he couldn't imagine how painful it would be to lose his mum. He got Alec to open up a bit more about how he felt about his parents.
"Yea, it was six months since they died on Wednesday so I guess I'm used to it now but I still have times I think about it and it feels like the moment I was told they had died." Alec confessed.
"Oh Alec honey" Magnus murmured as he brought Alec into a tight hug, rubbing his back soothingly.
"I think I'm doing good with Max which is what's important. It's just all the ongoing stuff, like I keep finding things to deal with, stuff my parents didn't even tell me about.." Alec mumbled against Magnus' shoulder.
"Like what? You mean like legal or financial stuff? I know a lawyer and I'm sure the finances can be sorted. Seriously, if I can help in any way please let me." Magnus urged leaning away from Alec so he could show him how sincere he was.
"I don't know really to be honest. Simple things like my parents had some shares in what I think are dodgy companies but I don't know what to do with them. Should I sell them or keep them? Then the family insurance policy, I still have to change that. It's just stuff that I didn't think I'd need to have figured out by my age." Alec explained showing more frustration as he continued.
"Yea I get it, you're 20 right?" Magnus questioned.
"Yea nearly, on new years eve." Alec confirmed.
"Okay, so I think you're doing really well with all this. I'm 24 and I don't think I could handle anything like this if my mum died so give yourself some credit." Magnus said imploring Alec to believe him.
"Yea I do, I do." Alec accepted. "Good" Magnus said with a sharp nod of his head.
They continued to chat, talking about their childhoods and moving onto what they thought Max and Finn might grow up to be. It got to lunch and then nap time so they put Max and Finn to bed. When they got downstairs Magnus asked if he could make himself another coffee.
"Yea go ahead, or if you're really that tired why don't you take a nap. There's the spare room, although you might have to move some stuff to get to the bed, or actually forget that, you're welcome to my bed." Alec offered. Magnus stared at Alec, raised one eyebrow, then said "Don't tempt me" under his breath.
It was only then that Alec realised what he had said and of course his cheeks subsequently turned pink. Magnus sat down again on the sofa and just said "Just put a movie on or or something, I might snooze on the sofa." Alec was always surprised at how Magnus could say something so suggestive or blunt and then carry on as if nothing happened.
They put some action movie on and within ten minutes Magnus' eyes were drooping. Alec was feeling a little tired too but he watched the film for a while until Magnus' head fell lightly against his shoulder. He called Magnus' name a couple of times with no response so he deduced he was well and truly unconscious. Alec rested his own head back against the sofa and focused on the film again.
An hour later Alec felt something stirring beneath him. His eyes crept marginally open and he took a deep breath in. Something smelled amazing. He took another deep breath in. It smelled quite woody but sweet at the same time. He lifted his head and opened his eyes fully. Magnus' head was resting against his shoulder still and he turned his head to the side and rested his nose very lightly against the top of Magnus' head, it was his hair that smelled so incredible.
"Alec.." Magnus said softly. Alec didn't realise he was awake.
"Uhm yea" Alec responded.
"Did you just smell my hair?" Magnus asked, his voice raising at the end as he sat up straighter to look at Alec.
"Maybe... I just didn't know what that amazing smell was, I wanted to check." Alec replied sheepishly.
"Ha, it's this nice shampoo I have, sandalwood or something like that. It smells really good." Magnus explained.
XxX
They spent the rest of the afternoon playing happily with the boys and chatting. Alec offered to cook dinner for all of them which Magnus ended up helping with. After dinner Finn started getting really whiny and refusing to share toys with Max. Alec could tell Magnus was trying to hold his patience and after fifteen more minutes of this Magnus gave up and told Finn they were going home and he was going to bed early.
Max was looking a little tired anyway having been at Daycare all week and now also having another full day of play with Finn. Usually he'd have at least 2 or 3 days a week with just Alec which would usually be much less physical play time and often just days spent lounging on the sofa.
The friends said their goodbyes, the adults holding on a little bit longer to their hug than the kids did and then once Max was tucked up in bed, Alec fell into his own. It was only 8.30 but he was feeling so drained of energy he knew he would sleep. If Max would let him, he could probably sleep a full twelve hours he'd had that much of a tiring week.
XxX
Alec did sleep, actually over twelve hours, until 9 when his alarm went off and surprisingly Max was still asleep when he stuck his head round the door too. That was really rare for Max to sleep that late, he was usually up by 7.30 at the latest.
He got their breakfast ready and then went back upstairs to gather their swimming gear together into a bag and then woke Max up gently. He felt his forehead, if he slept this late maybe he was ill. He didn't seem to be hot and he seemed fine as he got up, still his happy and bouncy self. Or at least the happy and bouncy child he was becoming in Alec's care.
By the time Alec and Max got to the pool Max was just as excitable as he usually would be about seeing Finn so Alec really wasn't worried. They waited in the reception area for Magnus and Finn as Max leaned against Alec's legs, trying to step on to his shoes. That was Max's favourite thing at the moment. He would stand on Alec's feet and Alec would hold his hands and walk. At least it was an easy way to keep Max entertained.
Before long Magnus and Finn arrived and they went through to the changing rooms after paying for the swim lesson for the boys. Alec and Max were ready first so they went through to the showers, Max took baths at home so getting him under the shower spray was a little difficult but when he was under he seemed to be fascinated. Looking up at the spray as it hit his face. Maybe he was okay with water.
Magnus and Finn walked through to the showers just as Alec stepped under the spray. Alec recognised the caramel skin out of the corner of his eye and glanced over. His glance turned into full on staring as he saw what Magnus was wearing. He had speedos on. Not swim shorts, full on tight briefs which left absolutely nothing to the imagine. His ass, as usual, looked amazing, but Alec was surprised to see that the bulge filling the front of the speedos was rather large. His mouth watered, having that in him would feel incredible no doubt. Wait. Where had that thought come from? He was trying to be friends with Magnus, he shouldn't be having thoughts like that.
He tried to take his eyes away from the bulge, after some considerable effort they moved up Magnus' body. Alec knew that Magnus worked out some lunchtimes during the week but he had abs which Alec wasn't necessarily expecting. They weren't just a hint of abs either, it was a very pronounced six pack. Magnus was standing in front of them by this point and he had a giant smirk on his face.
"I think you might have some drool there Blue Eyes" Magnus chuckled out. Dammit Alec had been caught. What could he say? He was only human and Magnus was a work of art. Anyone would stare at him.
"Uhh, uhm" Alec replied looking down, trying to avoid Magnus' gaze. At least his flush could be blamed on the heat inside the pool area.
"Not looking so bad yourself." Magnus continued chuckling and moved over to the next shower. Alec thought about going through to the pool area but he didn't want to seem rude so he endured having Magnus shower next to him. This was really testing Alec and there was still an hour or more left.
Both boys loved the lesson. Max was just getting the idea of moving his arms and legs together when it came to an end and he didn't want to stop but Alec promised to bring him next week and that stopped his complaining.
On the way out Alec had to turn away in the showers and face the wall. He'd managed to get through an hour of seeing Magnus wet and glistening with his hair swept back from his face, he didn't think he could cope with another shower scene. God he was so gorgeous. He wanted that man so badly but he had to restrain himself, it wasn't fair on Magnus for him to be so up and down.
After they were dried off and back in reception Finn asked Magnus if Max could come over to play afterwards. Magnus just looked at Alec as if for permission to say it was okay. Alec gave a quick nod. He wouldn't mind another chilled out afternoon with Magnus whilst Max was being kept busy.
XxX
That night when Izzy got home they talked about Christmas. His parents used to allow them to have a tree but never any decorations anywhere else and they would just take them out to Christmas lunch at a restaurant but Alec thought it would be nice if they tried to actually make it together as a family this year. Max was three now and this would probably be the first time he would properly understand Christmas. Last year, he had enjoyed playing with new toys and having Alec and Jace back home again but he didn't really understand the significance of it. He was so young that they'd still had to help him with unwrapping his presents.
This year Alec wanted to make it feel more special for all of them. He wanted decorations all over the house, even if it was just some cheap tinsel and he wanted some proper home cooked food and for them all to play games and watch Christmas movies afterwards. None of them had ever gotten to experience that type of Christmas and he was planning to change that.
Izzy thought it was a wonderful idea and even offered to help with the cooking, which Alec politely declined saying Jace had already offered and someone would have to keep Max occupied and away from the hot things in the kitchen. He hadn't actually spoken to Jace yet but he knew he would be of the same opinion of Alec - that Izzy should be kept away from the kitchen at all costs. She could cook basic dinners, like beans on toast although one time she'd even burnt that, but when let loose in a kitchen she 'got creative' as she liked to call it and would add all manner of ingredients to things which would inevitably end up tasting awful.
Izzy showed childish excitement when Alec said she could hold the budget for the decorations and spend it how she liked. He was pleased about that, he hadn't seen Izzy's eyes light up like that for some time. The siblings discussed ideas and what presents they wanted to get for Max and then whilst Alec was in a great mood she mentioned his birthday and the fact that a new club had opened in town and they should actually go out and celebrate.
Alec said he'd think about it and then hastily went off upstairs as he'd conveniently heard Max calling for him. Alec didn't really do birthdays, he didn't like being the centre of attention and he didn't want the fuss. But this was Izzy, and when Izzy wanted something then it usually happened.