Chapter 10 - Boyfriends

(Magnus and Alec decide on their relationship.)

Alec groaned at the force of Magnus pushing him up against his side door. Magnus was currently stripping Alec's jacket off, letting it fall where they stood. Alec wasn't one for being out done and pushed him back, causing their lips to part but not for long, Alec followed Magnus the few steps into his kitchen.

Magnus stripped off his own coat, leaving it on his kitchen table. He was walking back towards his living room but Alec had other plans. He pulled on Magnus' arm as he passed the stairs, twisting him so his foot hit the bottom stair. Magnus got the hint and grabbed Alec's hand leading him up the stairs. Not that Alec would need help finding his room, their condos were mirror images in their design. Once they hit the top of the landing, Alec came up behind Magnus wrapping him in a tight back hug.

Alec kissed the back of Magnus' exposed neck. "I know on the way here we said 'slow' but I kind of don't want to." Alec was breathless as he stayed tight against Magnus on the way to his room.

Magnus laughed, slightly above a whisper, "I told you, you would regret that statement."

"You were right."

Magnus turned around when they made it to his room.

Alec couldn't see much in the dark room; the moon being their only source of light. He could make out the bed; it was a large king size bed with golden sheets, at least he thought they were golden in color. He walked around Magnus to get closer to the bed; he turned to face him then; his back against the edge. "Sex should wait but I don't want to go home."

"I just got you in my room; I'm not ready to send you home." Magnus stepped up to him, "And yes, sex should wait but there are many other things to a relationship besides sex."

"Oh, and you are going to be my teacher?"

Magnus pulled his shirt over his head, throwing it to the floor somewhere behind him, "Oh yes." He used his hands to tug Alec's shirt out of his pants; he took his time undoing every button one at a time. He didn't want to ruin the shirt, Alec's family was right, it was the perfect shade to bring out his eyes. When he got to the last button, Magnus put his hands on Alec's stomach skimming them over his skin until he reached his shoulders and down his arm, pushing his shirt down with his wondering hands.

Alec couldn't take the teasing anymore; he cupped Magnus' face pulling him, meeting lips to lips. Magnus' hands found Alec's abs, tracing the lines on his skin causing Alec to pull back from the kiss, "Feel something you like?"

"Alexander, I think sex may be back on the table for tonight." Alec's laughter filled the room, bouncing from wall to wall. Magnus nipped at his jaw than his neck. "I could send you home with a mark the same way you sent me home." Magnus focused on Alec's neck when the laughter turned into a moan.

Alec gripped him by his hair and pulled on him, "Not where Jace can see it." He didn't care about the world, but Jace would never let the teasing end. He knew the second Jace saw Magnus' car had returned it would be obvious where they were but he didn't need him to see any marks to justify it to him.

"Deal." Magnus pushed on Alec hard on the chest to get him back on the bed, Alec crawled back as Magnus climbed over top of him but he stopped when he got to Alec's hip. He touched the muscles there, tracing along his hip, to his stomach, then back to his hip. "Right here." A little higher and slightly off center from the mark Alec gave him.

"Wha-" Alec didn't get to finish his question.

Magnus already bit down on his skin and kissing to soothe the pain. Magnus went back for another bite then kiss; a patterned that suited him well. Alec couldn't stop myself from pushing his hips up but Magnus pinned him down with his hands. The pain from the bit then the pleasure from his kiss was a sensation Alec wasn't used to. Alec felt Magnus' tongue next, tracing his bite. He tried to buck up again when he felt Magnus sucking on the same spot but Alec was being held firmly in place by Magnus' hands. It wasn't a deep pressure but it was enough to drive Alec's head back. He needed to do something with his hands; he didn't seem to have enough energy to do anything else besides grip at Magnus' golden blanket.

Magnus looked up at Alec; he was having a significant effect on Alec as he thought. "Alec," Magnus let go of his spot with one last kiss, he was satisfied with his mark enough to move on. He kissed his way up Alec's chest. When Magnus made it up to his neck, Alec had his eyes open and was looking down at him.

Alec released Magnus' sheets just to tangle his hands in Magnus' hair, pulling him into a kiss. Magnus rolled them over to have Alec on top of him.

Alec let go of him to rest his hands on either side of Magnus. He pulled out of the kiss. "I can't let you have all the fun." Alec got up onto his knees, taking his eyes from Magnus' face to his stomach. He traced the area of his last mark. "Would you like another?" He trace his hand a little lower, moving a finger just inside the edge of his pants, "How about here?" Alec moved his hands more center to where Magnus' belt buckle stayed, still just slightly inside the top of his pants. "Or here?"

"Alexander, pick a spot." Magnus was breathless from listening to him, feeling him, and watching him. Alec had been so focused on watching his own hand he didn't notice Magnus staring at him. "Please."

Alec smirked and looked up at him, green-gold meeting blue. "Here." Alec slipped another finger in his pants, a little further in. Magnus hissed at the spell Alec was weaving over him. Alec bent down and kissed the same general area as his last, leaving his fingers to play with the sensitive skin. Alec was going to leave his mark, after all he started this marking game they played.

They spent another couple of hours just like that; kissing, teasing, and laughing with bouts of talk. It was carefree and Alec couldn't remember the last time he spent time like this. After those hours, Alec reluctantly pulled away.

"Time to go?" Magnus asked.

Alec looked at the glowing numbers from Magnus' bedside clock. "It is after midnight."

Magnus nodded, "I should get Raphael."

"And I'm sure Clary wants to get home with Jace."

Magnus knew they sound practical but he wanted to be anything but. If it wasn't for the fact that he left his son for hours of making out, he would have stayed where he was until morning. He did need to get Raphael.

"When did my pants come undone?" Alec asked as he stood up to find his shirt.

Magnus laughed at him, "A long time."

"Jesus Christ, Magnus. How did I not notice that?" Alec looked down and his belt was undone, along with his button, and zipper down. His boxers looked askew.

"I'm magical." Magnus was leaning up on one elbow looking at him with a smile in his eyes.

Alec put his pants back together with a smirk; it took a little effort on his part. It would have worked a lot better if he was watching what he was doing but he kept his gaze on Magnus who went back to laying on his back. Alec found Magnus' shirt first and threw at him before finding his shirt.

"Come here." Alec looked over and Magnus was kneeling on his bed while pulling his shirt over his head. "Come here," Magnus repeated.

Alec went to him; his shirt was on but left unbutton. Magnus tugged on Alec's shirt to bring him closer. He started buttoning his shirt, one button at a time, starting at the bottom. He was reversing what he had done earlier. Alec watched Magnus' face; he was so concentrated on the buttons Alec was sure he didn't realize he was playing with his lower lip. "Magnus," Alec whispered. "You should not do that with your lip if I'm supposed to go home." Alec stepped back then, there were still a few buttons left but he couldn't take Magnus' hands on him anymore tonight. They needed to go their own way, or he would never be able to leave this room.

"Where did our shoes go?" Magnus frowned, he didn't remember when they came off.

"Downstairs. I have a thing about shoes in the house."

"Oh right, right before I pushed you up against the door as an excuse to get your jacket off." Magnus got off the bed and started toward his bedroom door.

Alec followed him with a frown, "Yeah, how did that work?"

"It seemed like a good plan at the time." Magnus linked his hand with Alec's and pulled him downstairs to where their shoes and Alec's jacket lay by his back door. "I don't know; I wanted your jacket off. Your back was to the door. It connected."

"Literally, connected." Alec laughed, putting on his jacket and shoes as Magnus did the same. He went outside first, holding out his hand as Magnus came down the stairs to meet him. It was Magnus' turn to hold onto Alec as he walked to his house and up the stairs. He opened the door as Magnus got his biting remark back.

"Yeah, it's also connected with your refrigerator as well."

"Magnus!"

"Your couch too." Magnus whispered, "The porch chair that was me connecting with it."

"Magnus, stop." Alec kicked off his shoes with a laugh which died almost instantly at the set of four pairs of eyes looking back at him. His siblings including Simon were all staring back at him from his living room.

"What?" Magnus laughed then stopped when he saw what Alec was looking at. "Lightwoods and Simon?" Magnus called out to them.

"Nice shirt." Izzy smirked, "You have mismatched buttons." She pointed at the middle section.

Alec looked down and sure enough, there was a mismatched pair, on reflex he looked at Magnus with a glare.

"Don't look at me. It was dark. I did my best." Magnus shrugged and went around him, "Besides I got it off easily enough." He winked at Izzy when she giggled, "Your right, it does wonders for his eyes."

"Oh my god, just stop." Alec went around them, "Where are Max and Raphael?"

"Sleeping. In Max's room. They've been out for hours."

"I should get Raphael." Magnus looked at Jace, "Thanks for watching him."

"Anything to get my brother laid." Jace coughed when Clary hit him so hard on the arm; he knew he was going to have a bruise.

"Well, that's a shame. We didn't have sex. Let's go back." Magnus pointed towards his place but didn't move, "Oh well, maybe next time." Magnus winked at Alec and pointed upstairs, "May I?"

Alec was mentally frozen for a moment; he was trying to catch up to the banter going on around him. Magnus was battling his siblings and he was sure Magnus was winning. "Of course. I'll take you up; I want to check on Max." Alec sidestepped his family, to lead Magnus to Max's room. "You can really hold your own against the Lightwood siblings."

"Well, I had to speak up, it was clear you weren't."

"I usually don't. I let them have their fun and move on." Alec opened Max's door just enough to make sure they were asleep before opening the door wider. They were both on Max's bed, each with their own blanket and their own stuffed animal. "That's cute."

Magnus moved into the room and gently picked up his son, leaving the blanket and stuffed animal as they were borrowed.

"I'm sorry for them," Alec whispered.

Magnus smiled at him, the room wasn't as dark as they had just left, the light from downstairs filter up to the open door. Not enough to wake the boys; just enough for them to see each other. "Don't be I can handle them." Magnus leaned in and kissed Alec quickly on the lips, in a flash he smiled and was gone, heading home.

Alec heard them talking downstairs but his focus was on Max. He knelt down on the floor, playing with his hair. He had to face his family sooner rather than later. It would be worst later. He spent a few more minutes looking at his son before gathering the courage to face his siblings.

They were still downstairs chatting but became silent when he came down.

"You guys are never going to let this go are you," Alec announced on his way down.

"No, we aren't." Clary geeked out on his place on the couch. "Is he a good kisser?"

"Tonight, was not our first kiss. I wouldn't keep kissing him if he was bad." Alec sat down on the floor; he was exhausted, he had been up since 5am the day before. "It's such an odd feeling."

"What is?" Izzy asked. The guys were sitting back and letting the girls lead the conversation. They had agreed on this plan before Alec came home. He would respond better to them then Jace or Simon.

"Max has been the center of my universe for three years, I have barely focused on anything but him and work."

"And now you feel something for Magnus." Clary moved from her seat next to Jace to go over to Alec, they had been friends for a long time and she understood him better than his own siblings sometimes. She even had a slight crush on him for like a week until she realized the truth, he was too open about if you really look at him.

"Yeah, I am but I don't really know how to do this." Alec was looking at Clary and it was clear that the rest of the room had fallen away, it was just them. Alec and Clary.

"What do you mean?"

"I've been on dates. I've been with some of them. But I've never wanted to be more than one night. I've never wanted to actually see any of them again. Or wanted them to meet my son." Alec seemed to stare at his hands. "I told him the truth about Max."

"What?" Clary slid closer to him, reaching for his hand to take in hers. "You were honest with him."

"I told him the whole truth about everything. Our parents, Izzy, and Jace. Max. I told him everything and I want to tell him more." Alec squeezed her hand; he truly had ignored the whole room. It was almost like he had to ignore the rest of the room to be able to talk about it. He was usually very quiet.

"That's a good thing, Alec." She smiled at him.

"How do I keep it a good thing?" Alec frowned, "I've already missed it up once. How do I know I won't do it again?"

"You don't. But that's what makes love special. It hard but it takes two people to make it work. Relationships take effort." Alec gave her a strange look then, "What?"

"Magnus said the same thing earlier tonight."

Clary sat down then with her back to the entertainment center, matching Alec's pose, being shoulder to shoulder. She grabbed his hand in hers. "I know you're scared. You have a lot to think about; you have a son to think about. But Alec, you also need to think a little less. Don't overthink. Magnus is a good guy and he has a beautiful son, whom both are fantastic with you and Max."

"You're too good for my brother." Alec smiled at her.

"I'm sitting right here," Jace called from the chair; he was in across the room.

Clary ignored him. "I know. He's so lucky."

"Yep, still." He pointed at himself, then waved his arms around, "Right here." Jace called again.

"We have to go; it's really late." Clary nudged his shoulder with hers. "You're my best friend, other than your brother-" Clary corrected when Jace made a sound something between a sigh and a curse. "-and I only want what's best for you. I love you." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Jace made another sound in the back of his throat which caused Clary to smile, "You might want to get your house checked out, it keeps making weird noises."

Alec laughed and Jace made another noise.

"Why do I put up with this crap?"

"Because we love you." Izzy pipped up, "And let's face it without us, who would?"

"I hate you all." Jace got up and huffed out.

Clary giggled, "I must go take care of my husband now."

It had been late Saturday afternoon before Alec and Max managed to get around to doing anything other than Alec laying on Max's floor while Max goofed off with his toys. They went downstairs long enough for pancakes for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. He was intent on taking a lazy day. It was his only day off and he wanted to spend it doing nothing. Part of him wanted to go see Magnus but that was overrun by Max's need to play and Alec's need to not do anything. After his family left, he was up for another hour or so just thinking, overthinking. Then Max decided to raise with the sun that morning and demand breakfast, and their Saturday morning tradition is pancakes. So, coffee, chocolate milk, and pancakes it was. By lunchtime Alec felt like he was a zombie, the coffee had no effect and he was still exhausted, he really needed a shower to finish the job of waking him up but Max wanted food and his complete attention. Which meant something easy, sandwiches and chips with more coffee and chocolate milk. Max had been extra needy all morning, he didn't want Alec anywhere but with him. His normal playing alone was not an option today. He knew it was because they hardly had any time together all week, the only night he got out on time was Friday and Max spent that with Jace and Raphael. He had not had any time with Max either and so it felt nice until Max wanted to jump on his stomach. Max said he fell with a giggle but Alec has seen him coming; the child was aiming for him. He just laughed and tickled him some more giggles out of him. It was almost two now and Alec had finally had his shower during Max's nap and it was time to wake the boy up, it had been really late for him anyway and Alec didn't want him sleeping any longer, or bedtime would be difficult. Max didn't want to wake up right away so Alec grabbed his blanket and his favorite cat stuffed animal and headed downstairs with his son in his arms, his hair was still damp.

Alec went into the kitchen for some water in Max's favorite spill-proof sippy cup; it had a cat on the outside with eyes that moved, when you tipped it upside down. He handed it to him but he pushed it away and buried his face in Alec's shoulder, today was really going to be one of those days. His side door open to reveal Clary, he arched an eyebrow at her.

"I got off work so I thought I would swing by." She put her hand on Max's back, "Hey, little man."

"Nnnoooo," Max whined and tried to burrow deeper into Alec's side.

"Well, alright then." She smirked and tossed her purse and jacket on the table.

"He's been a little attached all morning." Alec moved towards the living room; he sat on the couch and Max just shifted to stay better on his lap. He was able to rest his head on Alec's chest while using his little arms as a pillow. He was firmly planted on Alec's lap, buried deep into his chest. Alec took the time to wrap him up in his blanket. "I can't really complain, I actually like it when he's all spider monkey but he's been this way since about six this morning. I couldn't even use the bathroom earlier without him right there, staring at me. It's kind of hard to go pee with a three-year-old staring at you."

Clary joined him sitting in the armchair. "Did you get any sleep?"

"Not much." Alec found himself rubbing his hands up and down Max's back. "And what I did get, wasn't good."

"Jace huffed the entire way home, claiming he's divorcing me so I could marry you," Clary smirked with a knowing look at Alec; it was the same argument he played all the time when they got too snippy with him.

"I don't think my boyfriend would like that." Alec tried giving Max his water, who had finally sat back from him to play with his cat, he said no and thumped his head into Alec's collarbone causing him to groan in the slight pain it caused. Max didn't even make a sound as if his head did not just connect with Alec's bone. "Child, you have a hard head. Geez." Alec used a hand to touch his collarbone which was made difficult by the three-year-old who's head was in the way.

"I would fight him."

Alec's laughter rang out loud then, causing Max to sit back up and look at him. "I would pay to see that."

"Your hot best friend taking on your hot boyfriend." Clary laughed, "Okay that did not sound right." She smiled at him.

Max finally moved to sit next to Alec but began to whine when his blanket wasn't going where he wanted it. Alec had to fix it which still wasn't right so he got down and went to Clary. She was sitting with her knees resting on the arm of the chair and her feet tucked under her. He climbed up on her and she helped him. Neither of them paid Max any mind; this was a normal routine for them.

"I don't even know if he's my boyfriend. We haven't talked about it." Alec handed Clary Max's water when he saw his son eyeing it in his hands.

She handed it to him with a smile and he took it without cause, Alec glared at the damn sippy cup. She smirked at him, "Alec, you've made out with him many times, last night you came home with mismatched buttons, I think it might be safe to say you're dating."

"Dating and being in a committed relationship are two different things, you know that."

"You have to talk to him."

"Yeah, I'm aware but with a spider monkey, it's kind of difficult." Alec pointed to Max; not that he needed to, they both knew who he meant.

"Go now; I've got this one. Right, Max?" She moved him from side to side.

"Aunt Clary," Max spoke with an edge of surprise like he just noticed whose lap he was sitting on, "Dad, got me a book on cats."

"Oh really? Weeeellllll, let's go read it." Clary picked him up with his water, "Go, Max and I are having some auntie/nephew time." She took him but the stairs then, they were chatting in small voices the whole time.

Alec went to his side door; the walk over was about ten steps but he stopped for a second. He wasn't sure what to say. It was different in the dark of night, but now it was scary to him. He could see all facial features, the gestures, and the body language. He took a deep breath and knocked. The door swung open almost as soon as his knuckles hit the door. Alec stepped back in complete surprise.

"I was in the kitchen and saw you coming." Magnus smiled, moving back to hold the door open.

Alec went inside, "Sorry, I-"

"Needed a deep breath to still your nerves." Magnus finished for him, closing the door behind them. "Raphael's upstairs cleaning his room. Well, he's supposed to be, I'm sure he's already found a new toy to play with. You know how it goes."

Alec did know how that went. The cleaning and picking up happened until they found a toy they forgot they owned and had to play with it. It just saved more time to clean up while they were sleeping or playing elsewhere.

Magnus leaned in for a quick kiss. It was quick but he lingered close to him. Alec stepped into him, he wanted another but it wasn't the right place now, the promise of more hung in the air.

"Max wouldn't leave my side all day; he's been very needy."

"I wish Raphael was that way, but he has never been the clingy type." Magnus stepped back, he knew what Alec was thinking and mentally agreed with him. For now.

"Max is very clingy when he doesn't get enough time with me. Clary's over there now, it took him a while to even want to be with her this morning and she's his favorite." Alec stepped back to rest against Magnus' kitchen counter. "Max is my spider monkey."

"Alec, I love your son, he's very adorable. And I love my son, who's equally adorable. But stop talking." Magnus moved into him then, locking him in place with his hands on the counter at his sides. "I want to make out with my boyfriend, now."

"Okay." He sounded lame to his ears but he wasn't thinking, Magnus was kissing him then. Pushing against him. Kissing him. Alec wrapped his arms around Magnus' neck, not that he was going anywhere but he needed to do something with his hands; and he felt sliding them under Magnus' shirt was a bad idea with their current situation. After a few minutes, Alec pushed back on Magnus' shoulders. "We really shouldn't."

"We are not going to only kiss during nap times and after bedtime, are we?" Magnus stayed close to him.

"No, of course not. I just haven't said anything to Max and I feel I should talk to him before we get caught." Alec pushed him again but Magnus didn't move. He moved in for another quick kiss before finally stepping back; he dropped his hands from around Alec as he went. "I know he's young and might not understand but I do need to talk to him first."

"You're right." Magnus sighed, moving to his kitchen table. "I haven't said anything to Raphael either."

"I actually came over here with a purpose and kissing was not it." Alec joined him at the table. "But you, kind of already answered it."

"Oh, do tell."

Alec sighed, he felt stupid all of a sudden, like he was in high school, "Clary called you my boyfriend and I said I didn't know what we are."

"You wanted to have the talk about labels but I took that away from you by already saying it." Magnus frowned, "What did you think we were?"

Alec frowned at Magnus' frown, "I don't know. Dating at least. I didn't want to jump."

"Oh, you mean like we already did into my bed."

Alec really frowned then; he honestly had no clue what he was doing anymore. Everything was all confusing to him. "People do it all the time, what do you think one-night stands are for?"

"We are way beyond a one-night stand being an option." Magnus leaned on the table. "Do you want to be my one-night stand? My friend with benefits? Just be lovers." He leaned even further towards Alec.

Alec was mesmerized by Magnus' eyes, his voice, they were pulling him forward. He lost control of his movements. "No," Alec whispered.

"Good." Magnus kissed him, it was meant to be quick but Alec wouldn't let him pull away, he snaked his hand up to hold onto the back of Magnus' neck. When they finally pulled apart, Magnus smiled, "Do you want to be my boyfriend?"

"Yes."

"Then it's settled." Magnus was still close to Alec, "Alexander Lightwood, would you be my boyfriend?"

"God," Alec pushed back from him, "That sounds so cheesy."

"You never answered the question."

"Yes, okay, yes." Alec stood up to kiss him, quickly. "I need to get back to Clary and Max."

"Go." Magnus pushed on Alec's chest, who was currently bent over with a hand on the table and another on the back of Magnus' neck. "Let's have dinner tomorrow. A little mac and cheese, a little chicken nuggets."

Alec laughed and kissed him again before standing, "You know the way to my son's heart."

Magnus stood with him, "Alec?"

Alec smiled, he was halfway out the door, "Yeah?"

"I want to be your boyfriend too." Magnus winked at him and Alec was back up next to him in seconds, drawing him into a much longer kiss. Magnus drew back after a minute or two. "Go."

Alec didn't say anything, he just waved him off and went back home.

.The End.

Author's Note: I do have this series mapped out for three stories in total. I hope you all enjoyed this story. The next arch will be here shortly. -BM