I am finally starting to defeat the last of the angst and get the levels of fluff up to reasonable levels… and also get rid of the writer´s block this story has caused lately.

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Alec left the house around seven, deciding he didn't much fancy being there all alone this evening, with just two far too lazy pets for company. He didn't mind, and normally he would have happily just made himself some food and read a book, but something made him want to change that habit for once.

Alec found himself regretting this idea right away; as soon as he stepped into the pub. He was glad he wasn't entirely alone - he had brought Church - but he still felt awkward and exposed. For about three seconds, before John spotted him and with a huge grin, called out, "Alec! Decided to finally leave the sun-room, did you! Fancy a beer?"

"Greetings neighbour," Raphael stated with a measure of sarcasm, but no measure of malice, from over by the wall, and Alaric raised his bottle in greeting just as Alec got a huge hug from Lydia, who appeared out of nowhere. Smiling, he decided this might have been a good idea, after all.

While the summer was in full bloom, Magnus started to attend more events; and while Alec did spend several evenings out on the patio relaxing - enjoying the peaceful nights, for all that he also adored spending time with his husband - he went over to John's bar at least once a week.

He didn't normally drink - and he didn't start now - but he enjoyed the company, nevertheless. One evening, as Magnus and Izzy were attending a glamourous premiere, Alec came early to the bar. He was enjoying the place's speciality steak burger as the room slowly filled up with people, Church sitting there with his head in Alec's lap.

He had asked - that first time he came - if it was alright to bring the dog inside; but it was soon evident that absolutely nobody minded. Church got a lot of pets on his head, accompanying his master, and he was far too well behaved to disturb anybody at all.

It was no longer needed, after Cat and Alaric's efforts, but the odd person who did still wonder about the young man's relationship with the eccentric multimillionaire - and son of a rockstar - lost their worries soon enough, seeing Alec out and about on his own, talking to people. Magnus, too, was known to smile warmly when it was brought up. Which of course it regularly was, seeing as Lydia's husband owned the bar; and she worked with Magnus. The world is not that big, in a small town.

This particular evening, a particularly brave and industrious reporter had drawn his own conclusions and came striding into the bar halfway through the night; as the premiere was on the television in the corner and Alec got good-naturedly teased about his attractive husband.

The very moment the reporter set foot inside the threshold, at least five men rose. Alaric was amongst them, hand reaching for his badge, as John stepped out from behind the counter, voice full of authority as he made it very clear. "Journalists are not welcome at this establishment. Please leave. If needed - I will…" "Call the police?" The reporter's face was surprisingly kind. "I think waving will be enough," Lydia cut in, letting her husband make the gesture towards Alaric, who was now holding his badge up.

"It will not be necessary," the man assured them. "I would very much like a word with Alec Bane - but if he prefers not to talk to me, he can simply decline. I am not really the kind of reporter you fear I might be, I think. Merely an investigative journalist who has become fascinated by certain things which have been reported… and do not match."

"It's alright," Alec told his neighbours. He then met the reporter's eyes. "Ask the question - and I'll tell my friends if they need to toss you out or not," Alec decided. The man smiled, and the smile was a genuine one.

"Well - may I sit?" At Alec's nod, the man sat down, politely ordering a drink from John, who was back in his place, keeping careful tabs on them in the still only half full place. "There has been a large amount of speculation about your and Bane's relationship. A lot of predictable words have been tossed around; but there has been no indication - what I can find - that they actually fit you two. You seem a perfectly happy, loving couple to me, uneager to prove anything and perfectly suited. So, I guess if I am to ask one question, it'd be why. How does it come that a very down-to-earth young man like yourself and somebody as extravagant - and, to be truthful, quite frightening - as Magnus Bane, seem to have unlocked the secret to true love?"

Alec smiled in response, nodding to Alaric who was hovering nearby, that he didn't mind; and the stranger didn't need to be tossed out. Alaric sat down nearby with a mouthed, "Let me know if you need help." John, too, gave the man his drink with the information that the moment Alec asked for it, he'd be shown the door. The strange journalist apparently accepted this easily.

Meanwhile, Lydia had asked for the man's ID and had been checking him up at the speed of lightning, providing her boss' husband with the useful information that this man really was the believer in true journalism he said to be, and no scandal reporter, out for a quick scoop. It'd be reasonably safe to respond; would he want to.

"I guess," Alec finally answered, sipping his apple juice, "that it is mostly because I don't know the Magnus that you do. I have gotten the question before how I can be with somebody so intimidating, so easily; and the honest truth is that I'm simply not. I'm aware of his… well, well-known and very frightening board-room persona, but that's not who he is with me. He has never turned that side of himself on me; I cannot see more than anybody else can how anybody could live with anyone so daunting and unapproachable, but to me… he's the person I love, and - perhaps more importantly - I'm the person he loves.

To me, he's my partner and soulmate, the one I solve all problems alongside and love more than anyone; perhaps my siblings excluded. That's a draw. I see him like nobody else ever do; petting his cat with makeup done on only one eye. It's not the same."

"Thank you, that is very enlightening; and interesting. If you'd want to, I'd love a full interview," the man took a sip of his beer. "It need not be exhaustive, and you need not answer any questions you do not like to answer. And if you need to consult your lawyer about it, pleased do. I'll let you read it before publishing, even."

"Maybe another time," Alec decided, and the man nodded, not prodding further. Not that he could, being watched in a hawk-like way by not only John and Alaric, but several others.

A few weeks later, the short interview with Alec Bane was published - with full permission from the first branch of Bane Inc that could be reached - and Alec's sweet, honest reply was written as it had been spoken exactly.

It was read out loud in the bar, the next time Alec came in; this time accompanied not by his hound, but by his husband, and Magnus couldn't help but give his Alexander a kiss, when hearing it. It was, after all, truth in its best form.

I do not mean to cause offence to journalists with this chapter., There is a large number of very good reporters out there; whose hard work help protect our democracy and push our society forwards. Thank you, to all of you guys. All credit to you. Unfortunately - and as this chapter is noting - there's even more of the other kind, looking merely for quick clickbait and taking little or no note of people's privacy.

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