A/N: So we're led to believe that after a hot cup of coffee (and maybe even a few hotter kisses goodbye) young Alec Lightwood went off on his merry way, back to the Institute, and back to work, thus ending his magical evening with Magnus (we cant have it all in one night; that's just not realistic).

But a month or two pass. The pair keep at their kisses and their canoodling, growing more comfortable together (and I'm mostly referring to Alec here). And so, our latest scene:

Magic Moment
Chapter 21: Meeting

"Yeeees?" The speaker crackled around Magnus's low drawl. Alec blinked, fairly sure that's not how he was greeting potential clients now. It was always in a sarcastic formal or maybe, depending on how late, a booming voice scolding them about the time. Never this.

"You saw me coming," Alec decided, answering the call box.

Magnus replied with a throaty chuckle. "How do you know?"

"Are you seeing someone else?"

"What a thought! It's only you, darling. It's always been you."

"And I'm the only one you talk to like that, right…?"

"Mhm." It was hard to make out the murmur through all the static.

Alec smiled. Silly warlock and his games. And why were they wasting time with him down here in the entry, merely talking to Magnus through a speaker? "So, umm, can I come up or what?"

Another chuckle and the door unlocked, allowing him up. Alec took the rickety stairs two at a time, not caring about the excessive noise of the old stairs protesting to his weight and his added bounce. Soon enough, he was standing in front of Magnus's door and when that didn't magically open for him, he turned the knob and rushed inside.

Unlike the February chill outside, it was warm and cozy inside Magnus's flat. He wondered why Magnus had taken care to turn on the heat. Typically, the warlock's body ran hot anyway, so he didn't necessarily keep the place above sixty-eight, even in the middle of winter. He said he was perfectly comfortable – a fact Alec could believe in theory, but still, he found himself shivering.

Maybe Magnus was doing it for him, enduring what must make him feverish, so that Alec wouldn't be cold when he came over.

Alec shed his coat immediately, hanging it up inside the door. He scanned the open space for Magnus. He wasn't in the living room or the kitchen. The television was on, running a commercial break. Chairman Meow was sprawled across one side of the colorful couch – which Alec decided must be a clue that Magnus had recently left the room. Otherwise, his little white shadow would have followed him wherever he went.

Was he playing another game?

Smiling a little, Alec headed back towards the warlock's bedroom. The door was open, so he slowly approached it, instantly recognizing Magnus's form on the opposite side of the room. He was standing in front of the long window, the curtains pushed back, resting his hands flat against the glass like he was trying to absorb some of the chill through it. And maybe he was.

Alec sucked in a breath. At first, he thought the warlock was naked from the waist up. After all, he could see the small tattoos on his back, make out the dip in his spine and even the cleft above the low-hanging leather pants which barely hung on his hips (because they were so low, not for lack of being tight). But then he realized that Magnus's back looked textured, and it took him a moment to distinguish the very soft mesh material of his shirt. It was so close to the golden color of his skin that Alec had been confused.

Magnus turned around, looking at him from across the room. They shared a comfortable silence, each enjoying the sight of the other from across the room. Then Magnus grinned, leaning back into the glass.

"Hello."

"You knew I was coming up."

"I did."

"So, why are you hiding out in here?"

"Maybe this is exactly where I wanted you," Magnus teased. Alec managed to smile, with only a weak blush.

"It feels good in here."

"I knew you'd like it."

"I do. It's still freezing at the Institute. I can't believe they're running the air-conditioning in February."

"All the more reason to come see me, as often as you can," Magnus replied, mouth curving.

"That's one of the reasons," Alec conceded, moving further into the room.

"Indulge me," Magnus purred, wanting him to elaborate.

"I miss you," Alec answered, starting with the easiest answer.

"I miss you too. What else?" Magnus prompted, hooking his own thumb through the waistband of his pants, tugging on the tight fabric enough to show the smooth, tanned skin underneath. Alec glanced down distractedly as he stepped closer.

"You've got a roomier bed. And it's more comfortable. So…I sleep better when I'm here."

"But you can't give the bed all the credit for that," Magnus teased, his thumb moving in a small circle. Alec was fairly sure he was rubbing his own skin. Alec bit his lip.

"What else?"

"I love you," Alec replied breathlessly, finally stepping up to the warlock, head tilted upward so he could look Magnus in the eye. And Magnus was staring back at him, his eyes warm and intense. He made no move to reach for the shadowhunter, but he smiled, breathing against Alec's face.

"And I love you. But I think there's one more thing you keep coming back for."

"What?" Alec asked, almost choking out the word because he couldn't find his voice.

"You want to hit this," Magnus crooned, unplugging his thumb so that he could hook it in Alec's waistband instead, snagging the shadowhunter by his jeans and jerking him closer still. Alec took a small step along with the tug, the damned blush in full effect.

Not able to come up with a clever reply to that, Alec decided it was best to just admit it and so he nodded, eyes lowering a couple inches to stare at Magnus's mouth. It was pink and soft today, no lip stain, no lip gloss. He still wore his glitter and his eye makeup. He was dressed to take company, after all – although Magnus had to be the only professional Alec knew who could or would speak to potential clients in leather pants and a barely-there-mesh-top.

Magnus's feet were bare, though. He knew that because his toes were trying to tickle Alec's calf, inside the leg of his jeans and above his boot. Also, Magnus was at least two to three inches shorter without his boots on. Still extremely tall, but the height difference wasn't so bad.

Alec flicked a smile up at Magnus, feeling the invasion of his foot. Magnus snickered, his thumb playing with the smooth skin of Alec's belly. He was obviously just playing with the shadowhunter. They weren't going to get anywhere like this.

"Are you done for the day?" Alec inquired, curling his hand around Magnus's hip, fingers playing with the leather.

"I don't have anyone else penciled in. But I'm always open to walk-ins."

"Like me."

"Door's always open to you," Magnus murmured, kissing Alec's forehead.

"Which door? This one?"

"Especially this one," Magnus replied, his hand sliding further inside the denim, until long fingers were brushing up against--

Alec gasped, grabbing his wrist.

"No?" Magnus asked, lifting his head, brows raised.

"The door," Alec said, glancing back over one shoulder.

"Ah, yes." With a lazy wave of his wrist, the door fell shut and the lock clicked into place.

"Better?" Magnus inquired, fingers stroking where they were trapped, against Alec's lower belly.

"Thank you."

"No one's going to come up here unless I buzz them. You're the only one with a key."

"I know. It's just..."

Magnus nodded, not making him explain. He understood. It was just one of a number of quirks that made Alec more comfortable when they were together. He would also have to draw the curtains, and probably maneuver to the bed and beneath the cover of the comforter before shedding most of their clothing, but it was fine. Magnus had no problem giving into these shy requests because the end result was always exquisite. Explosive. Extraordinary.

Alec smiled gratefully, leaning up to kiss Magnus on the mouth. The warlock smiled against his mouth, drawing Alec back a few steps. With another wave of his wrist, the curtains fell shut, and Magnus slid his free hand up along Alec's jaw, cupping his cheek.

Together, they reached for the end of Magnus's shirt, peeling the mesh up along his torso. At the shoulders, Magnus took over, lifting the material up along his very long arms and over his head, tossing it aside. Then he was back at Alec's mouth, kissing him hungrily.

Alec wrapped one arm around Magnus's rail thin waist, the other hand smoothing up Magnus's back. The skin there was so cold. Was something wrong?

Ah, that's right. He had been leaning up against the window. But it wasn't right. Magnus was always so warm. Alec pressed his palm flat against the warlock's unnaturally soft skin, trying to impart some of his warmth. He felt Magnus shiver, cool fingertips retracting, brushing Alec's stomach as he removed his hand. But only to play with the button at the top of his jeans.

"Bed?" Magnus inquired.

Alec shook the hair back from his eyes, looking up into the green-gold stare that was caressing his face. Alec nodded, nails curling in slightly against Magnus's back.

Magnus's lip twitched, and he turned down the comforter without having to reach for it, glancing over at the empty space.

Alec looked as well, already imagining himself on the left and Magnus on the right.

Magnus kissed his cheek and withdrew, moving around to the right side, depositing his rings and a bracelet he had been wearing on the bedside table.

Alec removed his long-sleeve shirt (his winter replacement, since he'd been banned from wearing the old sweaters) and moved to the left side.

They faced off from both sides of the roomy mattress. Magnus was the first to grin, climbing up and crawling towards the center of the bed.

"Coming, darling?" Magnus asked, inviting.

That had to be one of the most erotic things he'd seen - with the exception of Magnus full on naked, twisted in the sheets or humming in the shower. Magnus on his hands and knees, naked to the waist and wearing his tight leather - that was pretty damn close.

And the way he was looking at Alec made his stomach flutter. Alec swallowed, then climbed up onto the bed, breathing in the concentrated scent of Magnus on the bedding. And right in front of him.

"Thanks for turning on the heat," Alec said. Maybe it wasn't the time to make conversation, but he realized he'd forgot to mention it. And if Magnus hadn't turned up the thermostat, he'd be uncomfortable now and shivering without his shirt.

"Don't I always?" Magnus drawled, moving closer.

Alec was at a loss for a reply, watching Magnus move across the bed. He was reminded of how feline he could be sometimes, the way he slinked and slid through the movement, so fluid and casual, graceful in a way Alec was sure he wasn't. And it came so naturally to Magnus. Like his lazy posture, that came across as sexy instead of sloppy, his half-smiles that were barely there, but made Alec feel so...warm and special, whenever Magnus was looking at him like that.

Alec nodded, willing the blush away. And then Magnus's mouth was on his, sucking his lower lip, trying to bring him closer. Alec gave in with a moan, completing the kiss.

Sayomi Mayako: Thank you! And that is so true.

OmgAdot: Yeah, Magnus is the whipped cream and sprinkles to my coffee (hehe, Alec can just be the coffee).

MagnusSpark: I love Magnus more. But you can't have magic moments without Alec in the mix too. Glad you enjoyed the towel! I wish I had a hot pink towel. Maybe for Christmas.

Awesomesauce123: Thank you. Your question about what I was writing (and my reply of "nothing") really kicked me in the ass and motivated me to get back into the saddle. There's really no excuse. So I deleted the 240 words I told you about and started over. What do you think?

Lacie Crocker: Here you go. Lemony goodness.

rachelalexandra: You have to be my most hardcore critic. Seriously. You don't surgar coat it. That being the case, I'll admit I've written several chapters now with what you've said in mind. So you inadvertanty directed a number of my stories. Thank you for keeping me in line, and I hope you llike the latest update.

dorome: Thank you! That was the intended reaction. :)

bookworm0492: That is what I do best! Of course, the cliffs aren't meant to torment you. They're actually where my line of thinking usually stops. And when I get another idea, I pick up with the next chapter.

OoBlueBubblesoO: I probably would too! If I didn't know exactly what was happening next. I like reading this sort of fanfic, provided it seems real, you know? That makes it haut! And it gives you a chance to read something you'll never see in the books (being teen reading and all), but something that could totally happen. Eventually.

SpencerReidFan89: There you go! More.

Lenneth-Night: THANK YOU! I love that you're reading them all.

chop4tess: Who doesn't love that? Magnus + Alec = epic love! (Did I sound really young right there? That's what I was going for. I'm a fangirl too)

Katara-alchemist: I love how your review always pops up so fast! It's like you're right there, waiting for me!

Catharine: I usually don't reply to non-account-holding-people on FF. But you come back so many times under the same name, you might as well be one. Yum, indeed. Thanks for reading!

fan-fic-fan-girl41: I swear I won't rush it. You have my word. But just so you know, that chapter will probably be called Moment. For THE moment.

summerchic40: You're forgiven! I still love you.