A/N: This is the longest story I've ever written, original or fanfiction. I know this chapter's kinda short, but that's where it wanted to end. Enjoy, y'all! There's a new poll out on whether you wanna know everything that happened to Mags pre-Alec or if you want it left to your imagination during the trial. Let me know, guys.

21: Alec

I never thought Magnus would come this close to an 'I love you'. When we first started dating, I'd have settled happily for an 'I really like you'.

"Did you have fun?" I ask, watching as his deft hands wrap another package.

"I always have fun with you, darling. Unless it's grocery shopping," he replies.

"No one likes grocery shopping. I'm glad you had fun today."

"Do I make shopping interesting?"

"You make life in general interesting. At least you have some common sense, though."

"Did Jace make it interesting too?"

There's an edge to his voice I haven't heard before. His golden eyes harden just a fraction.

"Not like you do. Jace is…reckless. Unpredictable. You're fun and spontaneous. You make me laugh. Are you jealous?" I reply, rubbing my foot gently against his.

"I thought maybe—Were you guys ever together?" he asks.

"No. He doesn't know I had feelings for him. You're my first."

He seems genuinely shocked by that.

"I thought someone would've gone for you. You're sexier than you think," he informs me, all traces of jealousy gone.

"Magnus, on what planet am I sexy?" I ask.

"On my planet."

He pets my foot with his own fuzzy leopard-print sock one. It feels really weird on my bare foot.

"I miss my tail," he murmurs sadly.

"I miss it too, but at least you still have part of one," I reply, stretching.

"Am I gonna have to testify at the hearing?"

His answer's cut off by Izzy yelling at me to turn on the news.

"They made gay marriage legal. What could have her so excited?" I mumble, obeying.

What I see is the best news I've ever gotten. Instead of hybrid cruelty only being a crime in the case of assaulting someone else's hybrid, it's now a crime no matter who the hybrid belongs to. The law change goes into effect on January 1st.

"This is great!" I shout, moving to hug Magnus tightly.

"Ow! You're gonna break me," he groans, pushing me away gently.

"Sorry. Your ribs or your back? I think he might be able to be charged for the hell you went through."

"Both. You're forgiven. That only happens if I testify or the videos are used, right?"

"Do you want me to rub your back? Yeah. It's your choice, and I'll respect it. You're really worried about it, aren't you?"

"That sounds good. If he doesn't go to prison, he'll kill me."

"I'd leave the country with you if he got out. I'd change both our names. Whatever I need to keep you safe."

By the time we're done wrapping presents, his back is really hurting him. I think a lot of it was from walking so much.

"Go ahead and lay down, baby. I'll be in with your food in a minute," I murmur.

He grimaces when he gets up.

He's lying on his stomach with his head on his hands when I come in with his protein shake. He's stripped off his glittery sweater. His caramel skin is littered with fading bruises from the assault. He looks so much better since I first adopted him; the nubs of his spine don't jut out painfully and just the outline of his ribcage is visible.

"Hey, darling. I think this is where I'm gonna be staying for a while," he tells me.

"Do you need pain medicine?" I ask.

"It's around a six. I think I can wait."

"Your six is probably my ten. Do you want lotion or do you want oil?"

I bought lavender oil for both of us to use in our bathwater if we're stressed out.

"Oil sounds better," he murmurs.

He's watching me nervously.

"I'll stay right beside you, okay?" I say, rubbing a mix of almond and lavender oil on my hands.

There's no way I'm getting near his butt when he was raped a week ago.

"However it's easier for you," he tells me.

"Where're you sorest?" I ask.

"My whole back."

He jerks when I place my hands gently on his shoulders. His ears flicker uneasily at the contact.

"You're safe. I didn't mean to scare you," I murmur soothingly, kneading his tense muscles.

He whimpers softly as his muscles gradually unknot. He's starting to purr. He's beginning to melt against me.

"Now I see why people hire a masseuse," he groans.

"Glad you're enjoying it," I reply, smiling.

I'm really glad he trusts me enough to allow this. I wouldn't have blamed him if he didn't want me touching him like this.

"You can rub a little harder," he mumbles.

He makes a soft noise in the back of his throat when I comply. I like hearing how good the backrub feels.

By the time I'm done, he's lying there limply. He looks very relaxed.

"Better?" I ask.

"Much better. If the videos and my testimony will help, I'll do it," he replies.

"If you're comfortable doing it. I love you, and I want you to be sane. Well, as sane as someone obsessed with glitter and fuzzy socks can be."

"Glitter is a wonderful thing, Alec."

"What bothers you most about the trial?"

"Seeing him. Remembering what happened. Being treated like a dumb animal. Everyone knowing what I was and hearing how horrible he is. If he has another neko, will you help them?"

I hate the fear in his voice from just talking about it. If talking about it scares him, what's the trial gonna do?

"Are you gonna be okay to see him? I can't protect you from your memories, but I can protect you from him. And I will. You don't have to testify. I can tell them the condition you were in both when I adopted you and after the attack. You can also address him and tell him exactly what you think of him," I say.

"I don't know. They probably don't allow that sort of language in a courtroom," he mumbles.

"I doubt you'll be allowed to cuss him out. Do you know what you wanna say?"

"That he's a worthless piece of crap and I hope he rots in hell."

If he's allowed to address Ragnor, it will be the only time he can stand up for himself to the…man without being punished later. I want him to have the chance to give Ragnor a piece of his mind. After ten years of torture, Magnus more than deserves the opportunity. And I'll be there to protect Magnus if the trial ends horribly.

There's one more thing he needs for Christmas. I'll make the call tomorrow, I think sleepily, pulling my adorable boyfriend closer.