Help Wanted

by Shin Sankai

Answering an ad in the paper, desperately in need of money to pay the rent and also several other debts, Alexander Lightwood never would of thought he'd be sitting in front of the most beautiful man he'd ever seen in his life and being advised just what the job entails which is far from the private tutoring he thought he was applying for. AU-none Shadowhunter-verse (MALEC)

20. Chapter 20

Help Wanted

By Shin Sankai

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Authors Notes: Oh the wonders of the festive season has arrived! This is a chapter of epic proportions, so much so I have split it up into two parts. The reason behind this is because the damn chapter was beyond 70 pages! That is just INSANE!

Part One is the lead up to Christmas Day which is all of Part Two (and pretty much the majority of what was going to be a whooper of a chapter before I thought logically it was best to split it). I had wanted to get it all out this weekend, but that is unlikely to happen now, so I've done the best thing and will release this part now and fingers crossed part two will show up eventually.

In any case this chapter has some good stuff in it, at least to me it does. Between the parts the entire thing is filled with lots of lovely good times. I definitely enjoyed writing this and this part came to me easier then the second part but I am working hard on it so wish me luck!

Moving on from that we've got a double date happening, some chatter about flowers and their meanings (it has significance here and in another chapter). There is also some cute and lovely kissing, an unfortunate appearance once more from you-know-who, Alec worrying, because its Alec. Then we've got an Alec confession, but might not be what you all think he should be confessing right now, but hopefully a nice treat in any case. Topped off, as a cherry on the top, with lovely Malec sex. I needed some more hotness in here and I hope I delivered? Once again Magnus is in control, but Alec is eager and willing...so...all good things in my books!

I hope you enjoy!

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Chapter Twenty: Festivities and Changes Ahead – Part One

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By sheer luck Alec was able to drag Magnus away from his own gallery and take him to the Museum of Modern Art. The man had barely been home lately and he was having withdrawals from not seeing his boyfriend.

Sleeping in Magnus large comfy bed without the man made Alec rarely sleep much at all. He liked Magnus' warmth, Magnus scent encased all around him, like he was protecting him in some bizarre but wonderful way. Then there was the kids. Alec couldn't imagine how they felt, almost like it was the UK situation all over again as Magnus was pretty much absent morning through to night.

Alec once again pretty much became like a sole parent to the children as he supervised them during bath time, which always had been something Magnus loved to do. He would sit on the stool by the bath, listening to his munchkins chat away and when washing Raphael and Max's hair he would spike it up into cute mohawks making them giggle. Naturally Magnus would take photos, not only to embarrass them with when they turned 21 which was quite the ways off, but also to remember this moment, this innocence too. When they ate diner together, Alec missed Magnus' gushes and compliments over his dinner, but still smiled happily when the children praised him wholeheartedly. Then there was bedtime stories, where both Magnus and Alec, since his return from the UK before it got all insane again, would sit on the floor in the boys room, all three usually tucked into Raphael's bed and they would read the same story over and over again. It was what dropped the kids off to sleep the fastest, and truthfully, both men could recite it without even looking at the pages as they sat kneeling on the floor together, looking over angelic sleeping faces, hands entwined. Sometimes Magnus would keep them all cuddled together like that and other times Alec would place Max in his bed and then Magnus would take Madzie to her room and tucking her in.

Magnus would then take his hand, guiding him to the bedroom where he would receive a kiss and then his photographer boyfriend would sultrily head to the bathroom with that sway in his heaps, teasing him to follow, but Alec didn't. Magnus took exceptionally long showers and Alec was sure if he joined the man he'd probably overheat, plus there was the fact that by the time Magnus did get back from being out and about, Alec had already bathed. He was not one for wasting water or electricity for that matter. Whilst Magnus was showering and do angel knows what else in there, Alec usually nodded off before he re-emerged, but was lulled into a deeper sleep when his warm body cocooned him within his gentle embrace and made him feel safe and secure. No one and nothing had ever truly made Alec feel like that. Sleeping beside Magnus, the normality of it all, had not happened in days.

When Max had a bad dream, or during a particular storming night, his tiny little fisted hand would knock on his Papa's door, too short to open it himself as his pitiful tiny voice wanted to come inside, to be cuddled nice and tight by his beloved father and told that the bad monsters under his bed weren't real or that the thunder and lightening outside weren't going to hurt him either. Max didn't get that from Magnus, but he did get that from Alec as he was roused from slumber, tripping over his own clothing on the floor as stumbled to pry open the door and then would cuddle one of his little princes close, taking him to Magnus' bed and cooing softly and gently to him until Max dropped off to sleep. Alec would pull the blankets up and drift off soon after, only to awaken to two extra bodies in bed with he and Max as sometime during the night Raphael and Madzie had snuck in too, seeking comfort.

Alec even tried to get the kids even more excited about Christmas with all the baking he was going to do for them. They even baked gingerbread together so they could take some to school and share with their friends and teachers. They were pretty happy there for a bit, but at the dinner table, things would fall silent when their big brown-golden orbs would shift to the empty seat where their beloved Papa usually sat. Of course Alec knew why Magnus was absent these days, the gallery once again had some hiccups but things were progressing pretty fast too, maybe even a little too fast that Clary and Magnus were struggling to keep up. They spent days pretty much living at the gallery now.

Every now and then Alec saw glimpses of Magnus coming through the door, returning after a few days absence to shower and change clothes, re-do his light make-up and place on his deodorant as Alec could only guess the stench of the man (and possibly Clary too) as he was sure they hadn't been showering properly (possibly not eating properly for that matter) and were pretty much awake 24-7 so everything stayed on track for their scheduled opening night New Years Eve.

He even tried to talk to Magnus about his absence too, but the man was out the door with nothing but a squeeze to his hand or shoulder and maybe a light kiss to his cheek if he were lucky. Alec couldn't help but feel a little neglected, just like the kids might be thinking, but then shook his head of such silly thoughts and went back to his chores of what he had been hired to do from the beginning and planned out his day as per usual.

He was the adult here, there was no time to think like that when he had three little children depending on him to make them feel better during their father's absence once more. So much so Alec had even started setting up fun little projects for the kids to undertake. Some were like tiny little adventures where they had to solve puzzles and would then receive treats and surprises, some were even when they were baking together where he would turn it into spelling competitions or even some maths. One adventure ended up being like a treasure hunt in their own home and then they would do drawing and crafts together to keep their minds active and busy if it was snowing too much outside since he didn't want any of them catching a cold so close to Christmas.

As the days rolled on of not seeing Magnus, Alec was certain he really needed to be more firm and assertive and talk to the Magnus about it. Not only for the children, but for him too and just hoped it would not turn into a fight between them. They'd had that one fight, it was awful and Alec did not want a repeat of it thank you very much.

By sheer luck, a day to steal Magnus away had finally happened, though it hadn't been to spend it entirely with the kids or even himself. In fact it was Wednesday and it was time for that 'double date' as promised to his kid brother.

Although, the only way Alec was able to steal Magnus was having spoken to Clary, almost pleading with her in a sense and also at the promise of cooking her a meal and several baked treats too. He'd thanked her profusely, saying Max wanted to go to MoMa with Magnus, which he did, but Alec wasn't sure if Clary was completely buying it, and probably thought he was taking Magnus out on a date. Which it sort of was, but this was mainly for Max. Or so Alec kept telling himself that.

It did make Alec grin a little about today though, because surely he'd be able to spend a little time with Magnus alone and then afterwards they could surprise the kids by picking them up after school and day care since it was their last days until the new year and all. That would be exciting for Magnus' children, Alec was sure of it. Perhaps they could even go get burgers and fries at Taki's as an extra added treat.

"Alec!" Said man jerked from his thoughts as his baby brother came jogging over, wrapping his arms around his waist. It been days since they last saw each other, though they did keep in contact via messages and phone calls, of course, but being able to hug his siblings was something Alec truly loved. It made him feel so much closer to them, being able to bundle them up nice and tight in his arms and wish all the bad things away. Even if they were all grown up now.

"Hey Buddy, how you been?" Alec's returned hug was a tight one, but Max wouldn't expect anything less.

"Really good. School is finally finished!" Max grinned wide as he let go of his brother and stepped back and then shifted his gaze to the other man. "Hey Magnus."

"Well look at you Maximilian, looking all handsome and dapper." Magnus pulled the blushing teen into his arms as Max was not in one of his paint smudged shirts, ripped jeans or tattered jumpers. He delighted in Max's soft giggle and pressed a kiss to the top of his shaggy blackish-brown hair. He was in nice black jeans, navy polo and whilst there was a black hoodie over the top, to ward off the winter chill this fine Wednesday, it was one of his better ones, one that Izzy had bought him. Though you couldn't take the artist out of the teen as he was still wearing his tattered black and grey sneakers which had some paint drops on them in yellow, red, blue and green respectively. It actually made Magnus grin. "Now, is this the lovely Livia we keep hearing about?" The blonde girl blushed sweetly, just like Max was, as she had come walking over.

Livia was dressed in pale blue jeans, white button down shirt and a tan overcoat wrapped snug around her slender frame and went mid thigh on her. She had a pair of plain white tennis shoes on her tiny feet and her long hair was cascading down her back and over her shoulders, blue eyes bright and alert, light make-up on her sweet face with pink gloss on her lips.

"Livia this is my brother Alec and his boyfriend Magnus." The teen didn't even seem to bat an eye as she stuck out her hand in greeting. Alec took it gently in his larger one, shaking it lightly whilst Magnus went over the top and kissed her palm, which of course made Livia blush a little more. "Don't mind Magnus, he's always that embarrassing." Max cheekily griped back, receiving a pinch to his cheek from the man himself.

"You mean I'm always that charming, kiddo." Max grumbled at being called 'kiddo'.

"Shall we get in there?" Alec piped up as it looked like Max was about to bite back and then he was certain the both of them would be off and running with back and forth banter, almost like how Max and Jace were when they were together. "See what this exhibit is all about?" All four turned to the entrance and headed on up the stairs.

"I love your coat, is that a Michael Kors design?"

"How did you know?"

"Oh well..." Magnus' hands waved around him, numerous rings sparkling in the small amount of sunshine.

"He knows our sister." Max piped up. "She's heavily into fashion and they are forever messaging each other." That was news to Alec, but then Magnus hadn't been around much lately. Plus its not like he had to tell him every little thing that he did...and Alec kind of liked that Magnus and his sister had become fast friends.

"As am I. I like to keep up to date on all things fashion, men's and women's. Its a hobby of mine. Plus the cut and style suit your lovely slender figure." Livia grinned at the compliment.

"You're eye-liner is amazing." Livia piped up, offering a compliment of her own. "It must take you ages to get it perfect like that. I always have trouble with mine, not really having a steady hand unless I'm painting, which is weird." Livia babbled adorably.

"I have spent many hours perfecting it, but its second nature now." Magnus grinned down at the short girl as he jutted out his elbow. "Shall we?" Livia's smile widened as she linked her left arm through Magnus' right and they headed on inside the building.

"Why is your boyfriend stealing my girlfriend?"

"Your would-be girlfriend." Alec corrected and Max pouted. "What's your plan of attack Buddy?"

"Not to attack her."

"You know what I mean you cheeky brat."

"We'll enjoy the exhibits together and then when I'm ready I'll take her to 'Bouquet of Sunflowers' and ask her out there. With this as well." Alec glanced down at his brother as he secretly opened his hoodie to see a fake sunflower pop out for a few seconds before Max did up the zip and hid it once more.

"Good plan." Max looked sceptically up at his big brother.

"You still don't get why I'm doing it this way do you?"

"Not a clue." Max laughed loudly at Alec's honesty, gaining attention from other MoMA visitors and Magnus and Livia too.

"What is so funny?" Magnus questioned as it looked like Max was wiping a tear form the corner of his eye.

"Just Alec being all cute."

"Oi..." Alec narrowed his eyes at his kid brother who bolted over to Magnus and Livia, possibly seeking protection from them.

That was how the mid-afternoon drifted along, Alec slightly in the background as Magnus gave the teens a grand tour of MoMa which he seemed to know like the back of his hand. Their eyes were bright, wide and alert, listening to everything the man said. Magnus was truly a wealth of knowledge and it made a silly grin form on Alec's lips.

They did have to pause for a moment, whilst Alec used the restroom but when he came back out Magnus was back into tour guide mode, which was kind of cute to see as he even gained a little bit of a following as some other tourists were hanging on his every word! When Magnus finally realised this, he was a little startled, but considering it was a married couple with their four children, he shifted back into his usual grandeur immediately, placing on quite the show for them.

For while there, Alec thought everything was going swimmingly well. Magnus was in his element as they drifted from floor to floor, room to room and Alec tried stifling a yawn or two since art wasn't really his thing and coughed on half a laugh when the couple tried paying Magnus a tip for volunteering to show them and their kids around. Of course Magnus was having none of it and farewelled the family before turning his attention back to the three of them as they all headed into Thomas Cole's exhibit.

The more time they spent here, the more Alec was not a fan of the growing crowds, but was trying his best to ignore it even if for some reason it felt like everyone in New York (plus travelling visitors) had picked today to come to MoMA. Of course its not like Alec was expecting the museum to be open just for the four of them, but when a sixth person bumped into him, not looking where they were going, he was ready to call it quits.

However, what stopped him from getting cranky was watching Max talk art history to Magnus. His shy little man was practically beaming with excitement and energy as he and Magnus lost themselves in the Renaissance period and Livia chimed in every now and then too. Alec was lost as soon as they walked into MoMA itself but grinned up a storm behind the trio as they weaved through the crowd.

He knew his kid brother was loving being with Magnus, kindred spirits as it had already been remarked, and it seemed like Livia liked being with both of them. Alec himself liked being in the background watching over the three of them. He finally noticed it looked like they had just come to the end of Thomas Cole's exhibit and was about to suggest they go grab a bite to eat at the café when he stopped immediately in his tracks, heart thumping, stomach churning and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on edge.

'No, no, no, no, no! This cannot be happening!' Alec's internal voice yelled.

His blue eyes watched Magnus, Max and Livia get swallowed up by the crowd and once they were fully out of sight, which took a bit because Magnus was a tall man, only then did Alec whip around and came face to face with one Camille Belcourt.

"Why are you here?"

"What, no greeting for me Alexander? I'm hurt." The very sight of her made Alec's skin crawl. "This is such a surprise to see you here." Alec knew how much that comment was full of shit and pulled her into a smaller room off of one of the many exhibit grand rooms for some of Thomas Cole's collection of artworks.

"Stay away from Magnus."

"Or what?" Alec's jaw clenched as he hated not being able to respond to her taunt. Any threat he thought about, he knew he would never pull off. Could never pull off. He could never buy her off and there was no way he would ever do that to Magnus either, making him feel like a piece of valued furniture or precious trinket rather then a person. He couldn't threaten her away either, as much as he wished he could, because he only had one life and he was responsible for his siblings welfare and there was no way he could do that from prison.

"Just stay away from him Camille." Alec almost felt like he was talking to a child who couldn't have its favourite toy because playing with it anymore would break it beyond repair. Though Alec was fairly sure, if Camille dug her claws back into Magnus, there was that frightening possibility actually happening! "He's never going to forgive what you did to him." Alec was a bit satisfied when she frowned up at him, those cold emerald eyes narrowing. He tried not to shiver at the look, never having seen eyes that unfeeling before. Even his own parents eyes at least showed some sort of emotion, usually negative towards him, but it still meant he knew where he stood with them. Standing here, with Camille now, Alec was not comfortable about it at all. Even though there was the slightest widening, taking in what he said, even if it was a blatant lie though she didn't know that, Alec wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to shake his unease away. His heart was still thundering in his chest as it was, practically echoing in his ears.

Camille would have no choice but to take what he said at face value though Magnus had not voiced anything of what this woman truly did to him, to break him as she did, other then the fact she seemed to constantly cheat on him. Well that and the fact Magnus had fallen in love with her, given her his heart and she had not accepted it, protected it like she should have. She just continued to hurt him by continuously cheating on him, but for some reason Alec was sure that wasn't just it. He was sure something else lay deep down inside Magnus which he didn't ever want to surface and perhaps it was that secret that Camille tried exploiting. After all, his father did make comment about blackmail.

Alec truly wanted Magnus to open up to him, like he had opened up to him. Was he not trustworthy enough to know all of Magnus' secrets?

"I couldn't help but notice..." Alec shifted his attention back to the woman before him, almost wishing this was a bad dream he would awaken from. "That's a cute little brother you got there." Something took over Alec in that moment, making him snap as soon as her haunting words reached his ears. A dangerous glint entered Alec's gaze as before he could blink after registering Camille's words, a surprised gasp escaped her blood red lips, emerald eyes a little wider as she had not expected Alec to slam her up against the wall, or have his left hand around her throat either. It looked like his unpredictably could at least ruffle her a little, possibly even scare her too.

"Stay the HELL away from my family!" Alec spat through gritted teeth, breathing harsh as it ruffled Camille's hair as he panted against her face whilst she continued to look up into his hardened gaze, just waiting to see what he would do next.

The intense moment was suddenly interrupted by a couple of giggling teenagers that came into the room, freezing immediately at seeing Alec leaning so heavily into Camille, though they missed his hand around her throat since his hunched body was obstructing it from view, thank the angel. They immediately scrambled out, possibly thinking it was going to be a room where they might be able to make out in but saw it was already taken.

"If you even think about touching my family..."

"Is everything alright here?" Alec quickly backed away, never finishing his growled sentence as his murderous gaze shifted to a security guard who went a little rigid looking over at him, hand suddenly poised at his radio at his belt. Alec took several more steps back, trying to get himself together, fisting his hands at his sides so Camille wouldn't see them shaking.

Never in his life had Alec ever reacted like that to anything before, never having thought that sort of anger or violence bubbled within him, suddenly breaking to the surface because of her. Though Alec almost felt like he could understand it a little when this very woman was stalking him in the hopes of stealing his boyfriend, and possibly hurting him beyond repair, and also doing something to his family too. It made his blood boil.

"Everything is fine." Alec quickly blurted out, finally getting his mouth moving along with getting his heart rate back to normal.

"Miss?" Apparently the security guard was not buying his response.

"All is fine." Camille voiced softly, one hand raised to her neck whilst she gave a sickeningly sweet and convincing smile to the guard even though Alec's sudden movements had surprised her, almost making her feel a little bit aroused if she were honest. Oh how she loved twisting peoples emotions. It gave her such a thrill. Camille stepped away from the wall, shifting like a predator over to Alec as she flicked her hair over her right shoulder and placed her left hand against Alec's bicep, pretty much leaning into his rigid body. "I just tripped a little on my feet and this lovely gentleman was just keeping me upright and making sure I was fine." The guard looked between the both of them before cautiously wandering off, continuing on his rounds around this section of the museum.

Alec's narrowed gaze watched Camille's hand glide further down his arm, making his skin prickle underneath his jacket and then her long spidery fingers entwined with his, making him feel all yuck and clammy.

Before he could pull away she broke the contact between them, that creepy smile on her lips once more and a glint in her emerald gaze. Her hips swayed as she moved out of the little room, grinning at him over her shoulder as she gave him a little wave before weaving her way between museum visitors and staff and once again, like a ghost, she was gone.

Alec didn't know how long he stood there for, a slight tremble to his entire body as he was still reeling at having laid a hand on a woman. Granted she had to be the most despicable woman he'd ever had the displeasure of knowing, but he'd done it. He'd actually physically touched her, shoved her to the wall and pressed his hand against her throat. He knew he hadn't applied that much pressure, but for a sickeningly split second, the darkness in Alec wanted him to.

He let out a shuddering breath as he finally staggered out of the room, back into the walkway area where chatter and laughter was milling around him, visitors weaving past him as he tried with all his might to catch his breath once more, gazing down at his shaking hand, turning his palm over to realise there were three red marks on his skin where Camille had dragged her fingernails across,branding his skin with her touch temporarily. Alec hadn't even felt it, lost in a whirlwind of emotions at his own actions of what Camille had pulled deep from within him. It had frightened Alec to his very core. He was not a hater, never had been, but this woman, he was hating with a passion. Asmodeus Bane had been right. She was bad news. Very bad news now that she had made her presence known twice already. Alec had no idea just what she was capable of and felt the churning in his stomach increase, wondering if he was possibly about to have a panic attack.

Blue eyes darted around, looking for an exit or a bathroom but before any further yucky fillings could bubble within Alec, a sight for sore eyes looked his way, pretty brown-golden orbs locking with his haunted blue ones and when that beautiful smile reached very kissable lips, Alec felt a calmness envelop him as Magnus started walking towards him.

"There you are." Alec noted Magnus had come from the opposite way Camille had left, so he knew the two of them had not seen each other, but he knew he needed to tell him. He had a right to know what was going on. "I didn't realise today was going to be so busy. How are you fairing with the crowds?" Alec felt the churning disappear entirely and his shoulders eased. He had such a caring boyfriend as Magnus fluttered his fingers down his arm, taking hold of the hand that Camille had touched earlier. Magnus' very touch was soothing the prickly feeling in his skin as the beautiful man laced their fingers together. "Alexander?"

"I'm fine." Alec quickly replied, Magnus narrowing his gaze for a moment, trying to search for something, but didn't find anything and instead brought up his hand, pausing for a moment when his eyes caught sight of the three fading little marks on his palm before pressing his lips to it unknowingly. "Magnus..."

"I didn't think I was going to lose you in the crowd as well."

"What do you mean?" Alec's eyebrows furrowed together.

"I lost that brother of yours, and his darling little girlfriend."

"They're not together."

"Alexander..."

"Yet. He said he was going to ask her near some painting or whatever." Alec watched Magnus grin at him. "What?" His boyfriend started pulling him along, he going willingly, though every now and then he couldn't help but look around, even if the hairs on the back of his neck were fine now.

"Art really isn't your thing is it?"

"Sorry..."

"Its quite alright. I find it a bit cute in my eyes, but maybe just show a little bit of interest in what I'm saying, hmm? I am your tour guide today." Magnus looked back at him, since he was walking in front of him, pulling him along, and gave him a wink.

"Well..."

"Or at least pay a bit more attention or show some enthusiasm to what Maximilian is saying. He really wants to share today with you."

"Are you sure about that?" Alec questioned as they had stopped in their wandering as Magnus had dragged them into the Claude Monet exhibit and they watched, just as Max took hold of Livia's hands, cheeks pink and a tiny little smile on his lips as he voiced something softly to the surprised but smiling girl. As Max had planned, he and Livia were standing in front of the 'Bouquet of Sunflowers' painting. And whilst they looked very precious there, Camille's words of 'that's a cute little brother' kept circling Alec's head and he shifted his attention and gaze back to Magnus.

"I need to tell you something."

"Hold that thought." Magnus' left hand was on Alec's right bicep. "Look!" Alec felt the tension in him decrease a little more as a grin formed on his lips at the slight squeal in Magnus' usually deep throaty voice. His boyfriend was currently observing his little brother who had pulled the fake sunflower from his hoodie and handed it over to a blushing Livia as she gave him a nod of the head. Alec could only assume that was possibly her affirmation to be Max's girlfriend. That very notion seemed to give his brother a surge of confidence as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Livia's. She jolted, as one does when experiencing your first kiss a little suddenly like that, but her hands held on tight to the sunflower Max had given her as they continued to share in their first peppered kisses together, lips shifting into grins, whilst blushes adorned their cheeks.

"Go Maxi!" The teens jerked apart, their gazes and blushing faces turning to look over at both Magnus and Alec and also some other onlookers who had all been cooing at the innocent display of teenage affections. Alec for his part was trying to be a good brother and wanted to drag Magnus off but he was slapping his hands away, brown-golden orbs still focused on the teenagers. "I take my chaperoning very seriously Alexander."

"This isn't chaperoning now, this is just watching my kid brother kiss his new girlfriend. Its weird."

"No, I have to see this. My little Maximilian is becoming a man!" Alec should have snidely made comment that this was his brother and he had no connection to Magnus whatsoever, but having heard Magnus be so affectionate to any of his siblings, considering how things started, was a blessing to him.

Magnus was sure he heard Max mutter an apology to Livia for having dragged his brother and his brother's overly embarrassing boyfriend along with them and hoping she wasn't too freaked out at the public display of affection he'd just shown towards her since they both knew they were each others first ever boyfriend and girlfriend. Even that cuteness, since Alec also had amazing hearing himself, brought a bit of a grin to his lips just as Livia began to laugh, shaking her head as she pulled Max into a hug which he melted into.

Just standing here, Alec was so proud of his brother and finally looked past the adorable couple to Monet's 'Bouquet of Sunflowers' and then to the sunflower in Livia's delicate hand.

"Oh!" Magnus shifted his gaze back to Alec almost seeing the cogs turning in his head. Finally. "Livia and sunflowers!" Alec mumbled mainly to himself. "Her favourite flower is sunflowers! Max asked her here to make it more significant! I totally get it now!" Magnus had to contain his own laughter, biting the inside of his cheek even if a grin fast formed on his lips.

"My darling boy..." Magnus shifted his attention to his boyfriend and pat Alec on the cheek, watching him pout as though what he had voiced was not a surprise to Magnus like it was to him. "There is much for you to learn kimosabe." Magnus linked his arm with his blue eyed beauty. "Now, how about we split up this double date and I take you on a very personal and intimate tour of my favourite paintings?"

"Well..." Alec never did get any further as Magnus dragged him away.

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Alec tried to keep one eye and ear on Magnus and his other eye and ear on his surroundings, just in case, but it seemed the coast was clear for now and Alec could begin to relax, the almost claw like grip squeezing his heart lessening as the minutes that Camille had not resurfaced ticked by. Her very presence, let alone her words, made him fill with doubt and insecurity, very negative and dark thoughts bubbling within him, and Alec hated that. He'd only seen her twice now and she was already affecting him too much! What the hell was Alec to do if it was going to continue on longer?! He needed to tell Magnus. Now.

"Alexander are you even listening to me?" Alec jerked back to attention, shifting his gaze around to see they were within another exhibition hall, probably on another floor for all he knew and some other visitors were milling by making comment on various paintings as they went.

"Of course I am. That painting is cool." He waved his hand in a general direction to his right.

"You like a painting of severed heads?" Alec jerked his blue eyes over to the painting to see indeed he had gestured at a painting of two severed heads. One even had its eyes open, blood pouring from its neck onto a sheet and it almost looked like rigor mortis had set in as the skin almost looked leathery and sunken in. Magnus felt his lips shift into a grin as Alec wrinkled his nose and his eyebrows furrowed, lips turning into a frown as clearly he was not a fan.

"That's what they call art?" Magnus chuckled as he shifted a little closer, blocking Alec's view of the heads and cupped his cheek. "No wonder I don't understand it." Alec mumbled quietly and even at his expense, he liked listening to Magnus' laugh.

"You seem a little far away." Magnus offered up. "I think I lost you back in the 17th century painting I was showing you."

"Where was that again?"

"Right in the beginning."

"Oh..." Alec blushed sheepishly.

"Every now and then I thought you were possibly listening to me, but then you did have this adorable goofy grin on your lips and as smitten as I was with it, I am quite curious as to what put it there."

"You did." Alec heard himself blurt out. Truthfully, right from the beginning at whatever painting Magnus had shown him, he didn't see it at all. All he saw was Magnus. He was utterly transfixed by his boyfriend, lost to the sound and rumble of his voice, the gesture of his hands as they moved from room to room. "You have a beautiful voice Magnus." Alec's cheeks darkened as he heard his own confession, never mind the giggling of some teenage girls walking past or the fact Magnus' lips parted slightly at it. The older man was quick to swat his arm at having being caught off guard like that.

"You are quite the charmer Alexander. Definitely a Lightwood just as Phoebe stated." Alec got a wink from Magnus which he rolled his eyes at, even though he kind of felt a little proud of himself for affecting Magnus like that, even if it was for only a few seconds. As an after thought, Alec really hoped his blush was down to a minimum.

"There you two are." Both men shifted their gazes to the grinning teens who were holding hands. "Livia and I were going to get something to eat at the café, want to join us?"

"Are you sure you want me there? I did make a scene earlier and all." Magnus teasingly questioned as Max frowned up at him.

"Livia is making me invite you because I want to be with Alec." Max grumbled out. "Well Alec and Livia that is." He quickly piped up earning soft laughter from his new girlfriend. "I'm still mad at you for making fun of me."

"Oh Maximilian, I was not making fun of you at all." Magnus took a few steps forward, dropping his hand on Max's head as he brushed his fingers through his fluffy hair. "I'm super happy for you and Livia, and very proud that you had the courage to go through with your confession plan, and that it worked favourably for you too."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. Asking someone out is no easy feat in my books."

"You as well Alec?" Big brown eyes shifted to sparkling blue ones. "Are you proud too?"

"Very much so." All parties watched a tiny smile drift to Max's lips.

"Cool." The teen walked a little taller as all four headed for the café and ordered some drinks and sandwiches. Both Magnus and Alec even found it cute that Max refused to have his and Livia's lunch paid for because that was his job. Alec knew he didn't have much of an allowance, not being able to give his kid brother much, but he did find his machismo adorable even though Livia rolled her eyes, politely telling Max that she could very well pay for her own meal, though it did fall on deaf ears.

Whilst waiting for their order, Magnus broke into light chatter with Livia whilst the two brothers hunkered down and were discussing the book series they had been reading. Max was borrowing it from the library and Alec had found it conveniently on one of Magnus' bookshelves, the very man himself stating he bought it with every intention of reading it but didn't get around to it. He'd gotten half way through book one and then forgot all about it. Magnus had the series for a good couple of years now and Alec assumed he was probably never going to read it any time soon so had appropriated it for himself and started on it. Max was already on the fourth book whilst he was just starting the second, so Alec was pretty behind and didn't mind the spoilers Max was giving him since he didn't have a lot of time to himself and knew with the kids finishing up school and day care as of today, it wasn't going to happen much until the New Year when they went back.

As Magnus was taking a sip of his bottled water, his eyes finally drifted down to the sunflower tucked into Livia's coat pocket, the bright head of the flower poking out for all to see.

"Did you know the sunflower symbolises adoration, loyalty and longevity." Livia's blue eyes drifted down to the sunflower before raising her gaze up to Magnus' smiling face.

"I didn't know that, I just liked them because they were a happy flower to me, or they made me feel happy when I saw them. When I was little my parents took me and my siblings to a Sunflower Festival and they were everywhere. I was awed by their beauty instantly. When I got home all I wanted to do was paint them."

"How old were you?"

"I was ten."

"Is that when you knew art was going to be your calling?" Magnus softly asked the smiling girl.

"Yep." She popped the 'p' at the end adorably before picking up her drink and taking a sip from the straw.

"How do you know what the sunflower means?" Magnus shifted his gaze to Max as the brothers finally drifted out of their own little world and seemed to be paying attention to what he and Livia had been discussing.

"When my mother was alive, she showed me some kindness and taught me a bit about flowers and their meanings." The unspoken words at the end was pretty much 'before it all turned to shit and she killed herself'. "When I went to live with my father, he actually knew quite a lot about flowers too, which was surprising, and he taught me a bit about them up at his lake house in the countryside."

"You have a lake house? That sounds awesome."

"It was, but I no longer visit it anymore."

"Oh..." Livia dropped her gaze and picked up her drink once more. The entire table went quiet.

"Well, didn't I just make the conversation die awkwardly?" Magnus tried to joke but it too fell flat.

"What other flowers do you know the meanings of?" Alec piped up, Magnus taking notice in his boyfriends sweet features and realised he was genuinely interested to know.

"Well lets see... Lots of flowers have lots of meanings and some flowers have the same meanings as others too. Meanings can also be different for the same flower, but with it being different depending on the colour. For instance a white rose can mean innocence and purity, but then a dried white rose is sorrow. Red, one of my favourites, is true love and then you have the thornless rose which is love at first sight. Then there is the black rose."

"That sounds cool." Magnus grinned at the brothers as they looked at each other, having said that simultaneously.

"You might think that, but the black rose can mean death, despair, sorrow, mystery, danger and obsession." The table went quiet as their sandwiches arrived along with Max's hot chocolate. Max took a big bite of his ham and salad roll, chewing thoughtfully.

"Nope, its still cool." Livia laughed as she bit more daintily into her ham, cheese and tomato sandwich.

"Well if you think that's cool, what about the Tansy. That's got the meaning of I declare war on you. What do you think of that?"

"Ok, now that is cool." Max confirmed and Magnus chuckled.

"There is also the tuberose which is dangerous love." Magnus picked up his turkey and salad roll and took a bite.

"Magnus, tell us some nice ones." Livia pleaded and Alec nodded in agreement as he bit into his chicken and salad roll.

"Well, there is cute ones like baby's breath which is innocence and purity of heart. Then you have the lovely white carnation which is sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love and faithfulness. A sturdy flower and a favourite of mine, along with the red rose of course. A bouquet of the two flowers together is very striking. Then there is the calla lily, another favourite of mine, which is magnificence and beauty."

"Sure you aren't just projecting yourself into the flower there?" Alec nudged Max as he sounded too much like Jace just then.

"Then there is the lovely and delicate Forget-me-not which is another symbol of true love and of course the obvious, don't forget me." Magnus decided to ignore the youngster and be the adult. For once.

"Wow Magnus, your flower knowledge is amazing."

"Thank you my dear." He grinned at Livia as they all went quiet for a few moments, concentrating on filling their empty stomachs.

"Magnus," His gaze shifted to Livia, she having finished her sandwich. "All these seem like quite grand meanings, and weird ones too, but are there any flowers that are not nice, like they should never be given or something?"

"Orange lilies. Very popular but can actually symbolise hatred, pride and disdain. Same goes for yellow carnations. Not my choice of flower at all, especially when it means rejection, disdain and disappointment. Not exactly a way to win a girls heart." Magnus saw Alec starring at him. "Or a boys heart." He winked at his boyfriend who ducked his head, munching quietly on his sandwich, cheeks warming. No one was the wiser as all these flowers and their meanings were flooding his brain, Alec trying to keep the ones that were of interest to him so he could do research on them at a later date. He may have just had a brilliant idea. "Then there is Bachelor's Button which always cracks a smile on my face, not only because its sounds a little funny, but its meanings are wealth, good luck and happy or blessed celibacy." Livia and Magnus listened to both Alec and Max giggle adorably.

"That's so not you Magnus." Max cheekily commented once more, earning a light thump from his older brother, but Alec and Max just looked at each other and then erupted into their only little fits of giggles, the sound literally stopping both Livia and Magnus from eating and drinking any further. Magnus pretty much squirmed in his seat at the adorableness of it all and Livia just continued to stare wide eyed, though her gaze was currently fixed on Alec, which he did end up catching.

"What is it?"

"You're really cute."

"Um...thanks?" Alec's cheeks brightened a little, still not used to receiving compliments and then for the fact it was coming from a girl for that matter. A clatter of a cup jolted the blonde as her gaze shifted to Max's crushing look.

"Wait Max, wait!" Livia was tugging on Max's wrist, wanting him to sit back down before he could get up and run away in heartbreak. "I... The way you and your brother laughed just then, it was so cute." Livia felt her cheeks blush. "You're...really cute Max. You always talk about Alec when we're at school and today, meeting him, it gave me more insight into you. I now truly know you take after your brother because he's sweet and kind, and his giggle is just as adorable as yours."

"Oh..." Max felt a blush rising to his own cheeks as Livia's hand made his left one unclench as she curled her smooth fingers around his, holding it tight.

"I like you Max. I like you even with your terrible fashion sense, your unruly hair, your dorky glasses that seem too big for your face and how much you love drawing and painting. I even like how much you always talk about Alec and how you gush over your family pretty much on a daily basis." Livia ducked her head a little, knowing her babbling usually got her into all sorts of trouble because once she started she couldn't stop herself. "I just like everything about you." She mumbled softly, ending her rambling speech.

"Well, I think our work is done here." Magnus graciously rose to his feet, Alec scrambling to shove the rest of his sandwich down his throat since there was no way he was wasting it and then followed Magnus' gesture and got to his feet, so not as smooth and fluid as him of course. "Livia, my dear, its been an utter pleasure. I hope to see you again soon." Magnus kissed her hand once more and it made her laugh again as Max rolled his eyes. "Maximilian, you get her home safely you hear me?"

"Yes daaaaaaaaad..." Max drawled.

"If you were my little Max, I would have smacked your bottom for your behaviour towards me today." Alec watched Max's mouth part open, cheeks flushed, though he was ready to fire something back, but Alec was quick to push Magnus away.

"It was nice meeting you Livia. Buddy, be good and make sure she gets home safely. I'll message you later." Alec threw over his shoulder as he directed his boyfriend away. "Geez Magnus, will you stop baiting Max like that."

"But its fun though." Magnus grinned mischievously.

"By the angel, give me strength..." Alec mumbled to himself and shifted his gaze to Magnus' hand which took hold of his.

"Want to do something else fun?" Before even Alec could ask what, Magnus was pulling him into one of the many exhibit rooms, which was conveniently free of people and stole Alec's lips as he cupped his face. Alec gasped, which of course gave Magnus the perfect opportunity to thrust his tongue into his mouth, pushing him up against the wall.

Alec became lost in Magnus, hands gripping the material of his silky shirt under his open coat before a clearing of the throat broke them apart.

A hoity old grouch of a lady had interrupted them, giving them the evil eye and whilst Alec had blushed in embarrassment, Magnus had laughed and commented on him being too sexy to resist to the old woman who went quite red in the face. Magnus' frankness of course made Alec blush harder and he was almost certain the woman was going to call security or scream at them, maybe even both, but Magnus grabbed hold of his hand and ran, making them exit MoMa and after quite the stroll they ended up in Central Park laughing their heads off and clutching at their sides.

The very sight of Magnus like this stole the breath from Alec and seriously, it was no fault of his when he couldn't help but pull Magnus behind a tree and assaulted his lips, the older man perfectly fine with it as his back was pressed into the trunk.

Magnus was in a very happy place, allowing Alec to set the pace. Well until the delightful young man stopped kissing him and looked at his phone to note the time. His frowning didn't last long when Alec advised him how quickly time had slipped by and it was getting pretty close to when he would be going to pick up the kids, which Magnus did grin wide at. He proudly took Alec's hand and off they strolled towards the subway.

Neither one realised that emerald green eyes were watching them from afar.

#

(A few days later – Christmas Eve)

With all the hours Magnus had been gone, Alec had finally remembered that the man had told him about it previously, how he and Clary were doing quite a few all nighters so they could at least have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself off to spend with family and friends. That also gave an opportunity for James' company and any other third party companies used during the renovations time off too since with it just over a week to go before opening night, things were becoming intense. Tempers were frayed, orders were delayed, construction stopped and both Clary and Magnus were in a panic that things weren't going to finish. Or so Alec had heard Magnus mumble a lot when he did see him and he also heard him griping on the phone about it too. He guessed he was talking to Raphael about it, which Alec was glad Magnus had someone to talk to about it all, but then felt a little sad that it wasn't him too.

When Magnus had made mention of what a blessing James was, Alec could definitely vouch for that man when he had helped him with the roof top garden terrace. The ever calming and melodious voice of James seemed to simmer the business partners and friends down and work resumed as normal. Magnus had continuously mumbled that the exorbitant fees he paid to James were worth it, for the man was practically a monk, always seeing the good in things and calming him and Clary down with his wise reasoning's.

When Alec and Magnus rocked up at Madzie's school to pick her up, after leaving MoMa, on her last day for the year, she had literally launched herself at her father, clinging adorably to him and demanding he carry her all the way home. Magnus chuckled as Alec took her school backpack whilst Magnus sat his darling little Sweet Pea in the crux of his right elbow and her left arm was slung around his neck as she babbled adorably away, telling him everything that he had been missing over the past several days. Alec watched a tiny frown form on Magnus' lips as he listened to his daughter whilst they strolled to the subway. Perhaps he was finally realising how absent he'd been.

When they had gotten to Raphael and Max's day care, just like their big sister, they too had launched themselves at their father's legs, laughter bubbling up from Magnus as he handed his darling daughter off to Alec and picked up his boys who secured their arms tightly around his neck, both not wanting to let go of their beloved Papa.

They did go to Taki's for dinner that day and pigged out on ice cream at home afterwards. Magnus supervised during bath time, Alec leaning against the door grinning away as Magnus tried placing Madzie's hair into a mohawk like her brothers, but it was just too heavy and thick, but she giggled with glee at her Papa's attempts. Alec left Magnus to do bedtime stories on his own, wanting the children to have as much time with him as they could. Just as Magnus finished tucking Madzie into her bed, his phone vibrated and he gazed down at it just as Alec had.

'I'm sorry Sweetheart, its Clary.'

'It's alright, take it.' Magnus pecked him on the cheek and he took the call. He was absent for the entire day so of course she would ring him to provide an update, especially when it was so close to opening night.

Alec went to bed and he didn't know what time Magnus joined him, but he felt a kiss against his temple, a murmur of something he couldn't make sense of, since he was pretty deep in slumber and then Magnus' warm body curved around his, right arm curling over his waist, keeping him close. It was one of the best sleeps Alec had had in days.

Of course the very next day everything went back to as it was before with Magnus being absent again, but it only lasted a couple more days because the night before Christmas Eve, Magnus had come home, even if it was well after midnight.

Alec was still half asleep when Magnus had rolled out of bed early this morning and he was kissed sweetly on the lips as Magnus told him to go back to sleep, so he did, wriggling over to Magnus' side of the bed and stealing his warmth. When Alec did awaken later on, he was greeted to the sight of the kids at the table and Magnus bringing them a special breakfast. They practically oozed excitement that their Papa was home for the ENTIRE day! Alec grinned wide as they told him this and he took a seat next to Max and graciously accepted Magnus' waffles with strawberries, icing sugar and syrup. They looked so good and when he bit into them, they tasted even better.

To think, it'd been a few hours since the lovely surprise breakfast Magnus had made them and all his attention was on his super happy children, which was the best thing to see in Alec's books. Magnus hadn't lifted his phone to his ear, unless it was to order their lunch which was currently on its way, and neither had he fired up his laptop. Just as he had promised, he would not be doing any work today or tomorrow.

After breakfast, Alec went off to do laundry and Magnus played with the kids before settling them down with a movie whilst he needed to do some work, but not gallery related. It was all personal this time and his darling cherubs didn't mind because he was just sitting on the lounge, not far from them.

Alec had just returned from the laundry room in the basement about half an hour ago and was currently folding laundry into piles, taking up half the coffee table, humming adorably away and not realising he was even doing it. He had after all done several loads, but the sheer calmness in it all made a fond smile break across Magnus' lips as he stopped what he was doing just to stare at Alec. He made housework look like an art form all his own. He was kneeling on the floor, completely content and in the moment with the overflowing laundry basket beside him and piles of perfectly folded children's clothes were in front of him. There was a tiny lift to his lips and an ease in his posture, always seeming to be so very comfortable in the apartment then anywhere else.

Magnus was mesmerised, sitting on the couch in a pair of navy-greyish skinny jeans and a loose long sleeved silk burgundy button up top which had a gold pattern on it. It was untucked and with three buttons undone, giving glimpses of toned golden-bronze skin and the three necklaces resting against his chest. It was casual and comfortable wear to Magnus, which was very opposite to his darling boyfriend.

Alec was dressed in black slacks and a dark grey sweater with winter woolly socks on his feet. He'd found those in Magnus' wardrobe and asked if he could wear them and Magnus wasn't going to say no, thinking a mere pair of fluffy socks looked rather adorable on Alec. Even if Alec's attire was a little tattered and the sleeve of his sweater fell off his right shoulder like it always did, showing off the small tattoo there, it was still such an endearing sight to Magnus.

"What?" He blinked several times realising that Alec had caught his gaze and just gave him a gentle smile, enjoying the returned one he got before going back to opening up the mail he'd neglected for the past several days, noticing he had quite a lot of Christmas cards this year then last. Though that was most definitely because he had been doing a lot of independent photoshoots this year compared to last year and most of these were from business associates but there was still some from friends far and wide and also those that resided in America too. Then there were several bills in the mail too. They never went away even at such a time of year.

Magnus carefully read each card, whether it was business or personal, before shifting around his home to display them on various spaces and then went back to the stack of cards he was writing out by hand, which Alec found quite surprising when he had asked him earlier. He found it quite an old fashioned gesture, filling out Christmas cards by hand, but that was just yet another quirky and surprising thing about Magnus, he finding the thought of sending a message on his phone, during such a wonderful holiday, so very impersonal.

"You still have quite a few cards there to send out." Alec piped up, just making general conversation, but not truly wanting to interrupt the tranquillity he was feeling. He had taken notice of the mixture of Christmas cards which was in a packet of 100, a box of stamps close by and then Magnus had some other more individual cards, hallmark ones, which were covered in prettier designs and glitter and usually had the 'Merry Christmas to Someone Special' or 'Merry Christmas to a Special Family' on the front in cursive handwriting and were more expensive then the bog standard packet ones.

"I do, but I have been very busy as of late so everyone will get them after Christmas, but my thoughts are still there. Plus several of my favourite people will get calls on the day itself." Magnus beamed a smile as he started writing in one of the 'special family' cards. Alec observed Magnus pull a photo he had gotten developed of the children, they looking like they had gone on an adventure to the beach, so it was definitely before Alec's time here and it was slipped into the card before it was sealed up. He arched an eyebrow as Magnus kissed the envelope rather adorably and then noticed he was looking quietly at him. "Its for Mama Santiago, Rosa and darling little Samuel." Alec grinned at that but noticed a glaring omission in his explanation.

"Not giving one to Raphael?"

"There wasn't one on the shelf that said 'Merry Christmas to my Broody Little Brother' so he lucked out." Alec cracked up at that, the kids shifting their eyes from the Christmas movie at hearing Alec's laughter and smiled big because all five of them were together for the next two days as per their Papa's promise. They wouldn't pout until he had to go back to stupid work, but that was like ages away so they hunkered down into their beanbags and got back to their Christmas movie. "He's actually named in this one anyway." Magnus explained once more and then placed it into a pile which didn't have stamps on it.

"Not mailing it out?"

"Raphael flies out tomorrow so I'm giving it to him to give to his mother."

"He's not going to be with us for Christmas?"

"He'll be over for lunch for a couple hours like Catarina, since she too is flying out somewhere."

"Oh, I wonder where she's going?"

"I'm not sure, she won't tell me." Magnus pouted as he began writing in Cat's card, this time picking the 'someone special' one. "Have you sent off your Christmas cards Alexander?"

"I don't have anyone to send Christmas cards to."

"Well that's not true. What about your friends?" Magnus watched Alec's blue eyes widen a little. Magnus let out a dramatic sigh and handed Alec two cards, from his 'someone special' pile since he knew two of Alec's girlfriends were actually in a relationship so that made it easy for him. "Make sure to write 'Merry Belated Christmas' in them." Alec poked out his tongue as Magnus handed him a pen and he scribbled away in the cards before closing them and sealing them. He pulled out his phone to find Lydia's address, writing it on the envelope and then did the same for Aline and Helen.

"Happy now?"

"Very." Magnus took the cards and placed stamps on them for him and into the pile they went. "I've been thinking, Clary and I have pretty much sent out our invites to the opening of our gallery, but we could add some extra guests if you like." Magnus watched Alec tilt his head. "What I'm saying is would it be alright for me to invite your girlfriends to our gallery opening? It really is thanks to them that Clary and I finally met and all. That way they can see our stuff, relay our amazing talent to family and friends and get to see you as well." Magnus smiled sweetly.

"You and Clary can invite whoever you like, its nothing to do with me."

"True, but I wanted to ask anyway."

"I would imagine that Lydia would be invited being as she is distantly related to Clary, but they aren't particularly close so maybe not if you don't recall her name on your invitation list." Alec watched Magnus shake his head. "Magnus, if you want to invite them, invite them, I don't mind at all."

"Good. You'll be able to catch up too since you are coming opening night right?"

"I don't know, I'm pretty popular, so I may have other plans."

"Cheeky..." Magnus filled in another Christmas card before eyeing the two Alec had just done. "Shall I take a stab in the dark and suspect since you never realised you had family after all these years, that you have indeed not sent a greeting card off to Andrew and Phoebe?" Alec chewed on his bottom lip, offering a sheepish look to Magnus. He had hit the nail on the head. He watched his boyfriend pick up another 'special family' card and Magnus smoothly wrote within it. Alec tried craning his neck to see what he was saying but the man hid it from him, enclosed the card and then sealed the envelope closed. He wrote down the address of the Lightwood grandparents on the front, stuck on some stamps for his cards that were going international and placed it in the pile.

"Why wasn't I allowed to read it?" Alec pouted since they were his grandparents.

"Because its a personal message from me, filled with good will, health and happiness to all the family, which not only includes Andrew and Phoebe but the Herondale's and Collins clans from all of us here."

"All of us?"

"Yes, all of us, including your kids too." Magnus winked and Alec grinned wide, now realising that he just didn't wish his grandparents and extended family happy holidays from the five of them, but included his beloved siblings. That warmed his heart.

Magnus went back to writing in his stack of cards, ticking names off a list he had beside him as he went. Old fashioned indeed. Alec liked it.

Several moments later, since Alec got back into sorting and folding the children's laundry, his phone chimed in his back pocket and he placed down one of Madzie's pink tops and pulled it out, eyebrow raising when he noticed Raphael's name pop up.

"Huh..."

"Everything alright?" Magnus muttered as he had finished about thirty greeting cards and had about another fifty to go. His hand was certainly going to be tired afterwards.

"I just got a message from Raphael."

"Oh?" Alec swiped his message application open.

"Oh my god..." Alec mumbled under his breath as he was currently looking at an image attached to the message Raphael had messaged him which said 'my present to you, enjoy it'. "Magnus you smoke!" Alec blurted out, blue eyes wide as he continued to gaze down at his phone screen.

"What? I do not. I..." Magnus stalled in his denial as Alec flipped his phone around, Magnus' gaze narrowing as Raphael had sent his boyfriend a picture of him smoking! "Oh..." He let out a sigh knowing he couldn't deny it when Alec had solid evidence right in his hot hand. "Well then yes, yes I smoked, but that was a long time ago Alexander."

The 'long time ago' notion that Magnus stated was back when he ran away to Chicago at 18-19 years old and he was accepted at SAIC, been befriended by Ragnor and was going through a rather dramatic punk/goth phase. Magnus wrinkled his nose at his old self and needed to think of a suitable punishment to pay his brother back for daring to send his sweet boyfriend a picture from his very questionable past.

The younger Magnus was clad in all black clothing, which he believed he did not look all that great in. Never mind the fact they were very baggy on his lithe frame too. For Magnus, only Alexander looked good in all black attire. As he continued to gaze at his own picture, there was an abundance of silver chains hanging from belt loops and there was even a studded collar, studded wristbands and silver stud earrings when Magnus decided to pierce his own ears! Then there was his rather overly spiked and greasy hair, his long bangs falling into his eyes which had coloured contacts in them and were actually sparkling gold and very cat-like. Then there was the insanely thick eye-liner and heavy eye-shadow too. Magnus almost looked like he had black eyes from someone having punched him! However it was just around the time when he truly started to experiment with make-up, since he was also getting into modelling for quick cash back then and he was utterly terrible at placing the stuff on, but was able to learn quickly from make-up artists when he was in the chair at modelling agencies having it and his hair done. Truthfully Magnus wondered what his 18-19 year old self was thinking back then.

"You can totally blame Ragnor for that. He always looked so cool smoking so I just..." Magnus died off at Alec's incredulous look. "...um...copied him." He lamely finished off, ducking back down to continue writing up more of his Christmas cards. Magnus was quite an impressionable young adult back then and to him Ragnor really was cool. His family originally was from the UK and though he had been in America for quite some time, he still had an accent which seemed old fashioned and from a different era. Ragnor beat to his own drum and Magnus decided to do the same and liked the older man straight away.

"I can't believe you smoked." Alec mumbled softly as he flipped the phone back around to gaze upon Magnus' younger self. "I mean I know you probably tried marijuana at University but..." He died off as Alec was realising that aside from the fashion sense now, the lighter make-up he generally used these days, unless Magnus really wanted to make an impact, his boyfriend hadn't looked like he aged at all! Talk about good genes!

After about another ten minutes, Magnus was down to thirty more cards to go and let out a sigh as Alec was still staring at the damn photo!

"Alec please delete that and forget you ever saw it." Magnus placed down his pen and went to reach for the man's phone but Alec was quick to hold it tight and press it against his chest.

"No, Raphael gave it to me as my Christmas present."

"That is the most horrifying present you've surely gotten."

"I like it." It hadn't been the most horrifying gift he'd received. That top spot belonged to Izzy. She, as a joke, got him a three month magazine subscription to a gay men's magazine. Talk about embarrassing and he had later griped at what a waste of money it was too. She had pouted at him for not liking the present and he felt bad about that afterwards, pulling her aside to thank her and took a quick look at some of them, but most ended up in recycling because Alec truly was too embarrassed back then. Just staring at Magnus in the photo, and now too, Alec knew he would be a heck of a popular guy in magazines like that, even straight ones too, but quickly shook his head and drifted his gaze back down to his phone. He was almost tempted to have it as his home screen image, though he hadn't quite worked out how to change it from what it currently was, which he wasn't sure he would change anyway since it was a picture of his siblings.

"Why on earth would you like it?" Magnus' shocked voice brought him out of his thoughts and Alec tilted his head adorably.

"You look cute."

"Oh please..." Magnus rolled his eyes in response.

"Maybe even a little sexy. The contacts really do it I think."

"What, are you saying I'm not sexy the way I am now?" Blue eyes darted up as they drifted up and down Magnus' lithe body.

"You're way sexy." Alec blushed as soon as his blurted confession reached his ears. And of course it earned him quite the delicious coy smile from Magnus as Alec shoved his face into the pile of clothing which belonged to Max.

"Oh darling, you're making me blush." Alec rolled his eyes before finally sitting up once more, pulling Raphael and Max's clothing piles into his arms as he rose to his full height. Alec went to go put them away. What he wasn't expecting was for Magnus to follow him. Or for the man to jerk him around, pushing his body back into the hallway wall near the boy's bedroom door, trapping him between it and Magnus' warm body which was pressed right up against his. Alec's hands were trapped at his chest, clinging to the boys' clothing as Magnus nipped at his bottom lip before kissing him hard, making him gasp which of course had the desired affect when Magnus slipped his tongue inside, coaxing his own to come and play.

Alec was not complaining since he'd not gotten a kiss like this from Magnus in forever! It immediately set him on fire, jerking his hips forward as one of Magnus' hands dove beneath his slacks and briefs ensemble to grope his backside and the other was at his neck, holding him firmly in place as Magnus continued to kiss him deeply, thoroughly. Alec blushed when he felt himself grind against Magnus' own clothed groin region when his other hand finally skimmed down his body and decided to join the hand groping his ass, enthusiastically dry humping him back. Alec thumped his head against the wall, the heated lip-lock coming to an end as he gasped aloud.

"M-M-Magnus..." The doorbell ringing had everything ceasing in seconds flat, Magnus taking a step back and Alec jerked on the spot, eyes snapping open as he was bringing in some rather deep breaths, once again loosing himself in Magnus and everything he gave him, whether he was prepared for it or not. Alec bit his bottom lip when Magnus' groping hands left his backside and were now shoved into his pockets.

"And that's lunch." Magnus proclaimed and hummed away as he sauntered off to go answer the door whilst Alec slipped into the boys bedroom, placing their clothing away before taking a moment to sit on Raph's bed to try and massage the quiver out of his knees and thighs as Alec rubbed his hands up and down his limbs. Well that and try and cease the strain in his boxer briefs too. Magnus truly did have such magical hands.

Alec took in some deep breaths, ran his tongue over his bottom lip, feeling the remnants of left over lip gloss from Magnus there, cherry flavour possibly, and was pretty damn sure he didn't want the Thai food for lunch but Magnus himself!

#

(Later that evening...)

Alec and Magnus were currently cleaning up after dinner, washing dishes by hand because Alec thought using the dishwasher wasted too much water and then he reasoned with Magnus that he didn't mind manual labour like this and the fact the dishwasher was going to get a workout tomorrow as Alec would use it then because of how much cooking and baking he would be doing.

The kids were tucked in bed, having complained earlier that they were not going to go to sleep because they wanted to see Santa and the only way they settled was all five of them cuddled into the beanbags, over near the twinkling tree which had a mountain of presents beneath it and Magnus darling cherubs had demanded Alec tell them a story.

Alec really liked that Magnus snuggled with him in the double beanbag, curling his body around his and then pulled a mink blanket over their bodies as Alec tried to think up a story to tell the kids.

Earlier that day, pretty much right after lunch he had caught them sneaking looks and pressing their tiny hands into some of the presents. Magnus had gone to take the garbage out and Alec had just come from the kitchen to wipe down the dining table when he'd seen the kids with their heads down and bums up, pretty much diving into the presents.

'What do you think you are doing?' One present was dropped and three adorably guilty faces looked up at him. 'I don't think your Papa will be happy if you peak under the tree like that. And what would Santa think too?'

'Please don't tell on us Allie.' Max gave him his best puppy face and man did it work a treat on Alec.

'If I give you each a cookie and some warm milk, will you be good and do some colouring in?' He received nods of the head for that. 'Alright, get the books and pencils out of the toy chest and I'll get the cookies and then come and join you.'

'Don't forget the milk Allie.'

'I won't Maxi.' Alec was about to head into the kitchen when he noticed Magnus was back, but he hadn't moved from his open door and was looking down at his phone. Alec headed on over, hoping it wasn't work related. 'Everything alright?'

'I... Um... I just invited my father over for Christmas.' Magnus watched Alec smile.

'I'm so proud of you.' Alec tilted his head up and kissed his boyfriend sweetly on the lips. 'What did he say?'

'He flies out tomorrow to travel to the east coast for work.'

'Oh...'

'But he wants to come over for breakfast before his flight.'

'Magnus that's great!'

'You're alright with that?'

'Of course I am. I want you and the kids to have a great day and I want your father to see it.' Alec felt his heart melt at Magnus' smile as he tapped away on his phone, probably responding to his father and telling him that he and the kids would see him tomorrow at breakfast.

'There is one problem.'

'What's that?'

'I haven't gotten him a present.'

'I'm pretty sure being invited over is present enough for your father.' Alec was pretty damn positive about it in fact.

'Well...'

'But if you want to give him something...' Magnus observed Alec move over to the wall that the couch sat in front of and he got up on the couch and plucked the framed picture of Magnus cuddling his grinning children and handed it over to him. 'Wrap this up and give it to him.'

'A second hand gift?'

'That doesn't matter. What matters is its a recent picture of his son and grandchildren. It will be priceless.' And a recent one at that too, though Alec kept that bit to himself.

Alec was pleased when Magnus nodded his head, grabbing out some tissue and wrapping paper, ribbon and tape and listened to his cheeky boys whine that Alec wasn't giving them their cookie or warm milk like he promised. He observed Alec roll his eyes before he headed off to do just that.

As the day drifted into night and Alec made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner with garlic bread and belly's became full, that is when the demand for a story had been requested after everyone had settled into their beanbags.

Alec quickly made up a Christmas story about two little princes and one little princess who went on an adventure to save Santa so he could bring presents to all the wonderful children of the world. Somewhere between the princess and the princes rescuing Santa, finding his reindeer and setting off to deliver presents to all the wonderful children in New York first (naturally) Madzie, Raphael and Max had nodded off.

"And you say I have a beautiful voice." Magnus whispered into Alec's ear, making him grin at the compliment as gentle lips pressed a kiss to his cheek before the weight of Magnus' head rested back down against his once more as they both watched darling cherubs drift further into wondrous dreams and the excitement of what tomorrow would bring them.

Alec shifted his head to gaze up at Magnus who appeared lost in thought and pressed his lips to the underside of his strong jawline.

"Thinking about your father?"

"A little." Magnus softly confessed. "I've never had him over for Christmas before." Alec frowned at that. "I just always figured he was working, though now that I think of it, I've never actually invited him. Ever." Alec could just picture the look of shock on Asmodeus' face at receiving an invite to his son's home, not only to partake in Christmas breakfast with his son, but to also watch his grandchildren rip open presents too. Alec hoped this was a good sign of changes ahead for the two men.

"Everything is going to be fine Magnus." Alec tried to reassure his boyfriend who pressed his lips to his temple.

"I should put them to bed." Alec didn't like it when Magnus pulled away from him, but just as he was getting up to help, Magnus pushed him back down into the double beanbag and secured the blanket around him, stuffing it beneath his body so he was rugged up like a bed bug which did make him giggle. "I've got this, you stay right there." Magnus mumbled sweetly against his lips, giving him another gentle kiss as he first picked up Madzie and took her to bed and then came back for the boys. As Magnus was taking a little longer putting the boys down for the evening, Alec finally de-tangled himself from the blanket and placed the beanbags back into their rightful spots and then shifted over to the tree. "Why did you move? I was coming back to cuddle with you." Magnus pouted as Alec had his back to him, gazing out at the falling snow, seemingly lost in thought. "Alexander?" That jerked him back into the present.

"Um, I wanted to kind of give you a Christmas present early." Alec was still facing the window, feeling Magnus quietly heading towards him and took in a deep breath. He knew he had been bottling this up for a long time and felt tonight was as perfect as it was going to get, especially after listening to Magnus talk about flowers.

When Alec was out a couple days earlier, he had found the one he was looking for, bought it and then stashed it in a vase in his old bedroom which Magnus never went into these days so he knew it would be safe there.

Alec finally turned around to face Magnus, one hand behind his back still, holding the flower tightly in his hand, but mostly to keep it from shaking in nervousness as he took the beautiful man in from head to toe and back up again. Alec had no idea how on earth he got this man as his boyfriend, but right here and now, he truly was the luckiest man on the planet.

"Everything alright?" He watched the concern drift over Magnus as he stepped closer, thinking something was wrong when in actual fact, right now, regardless of what had been going on, everything was very right. The fire was roasting away, snow was falling outside, promising a white Christmas tomorrow, and Magnus' living room and the balcony was amass of twinkling lights with the ones on the tree reflecting in Alec's mesmerising orbs. Magnus himself was bewitched by the beauty of his boyfriend, even in his tattered clothing.

"I like you." Everything suddenly went quieter, not even the fire dared to make a sound as Magnus blinked down into wondrous blue eyes. "I like you Magnus." Alec repeated, heart thundering away and watched Magnus' lips twitch.

"Well I should hope so after everything..." Magnus' voice which had a hint of humour in it faulted when Alec's right hand shifted away from behind his back and he suddenly found a calla lily being presented to him.

"I like you." Alec's voice was but a whisper now, hand trembling a little, but still firmly holding it out towards his boyfriend. "Really like you Magnus." The truthfulness, the sincerity, the almost fear that crept into Alec's eyes just as a lovely pink blush graced his cheeks, it had Magnus' own heart pounding! "I just..." Alec licked his suddenly dry lips. "I really needed to tell you that." Blue eyes dropped to his sock covered feet, toes curling in on themselves in nervousness. Butterflies were churning in Alec's stomach, never having ever confessed to a single person in all his life and yet here he was, on Christmas Eve, doing exactly that at 28 years of age.

"Oh Alec..." Magnus murmured, his left hand taking hold of the rose whilst his right curved around his boyfriend's neck, drawing his eyes back up and then their lips caressed as one as Magnus' eyes drifted closed, tears possibly prickling at the corner of his brown-golden orbs.

This was truly the most wonderful confession Magnus had ever been gifted. And to think it wasn't even an I love you and yet it completely floored him! When Magnus broke the peppered kisses he was bestowing on Alec's curved lips, he drifted his right hand up to cup Alec's pink cheek.

"I like you too Alexander." The bewildered surprise, which quickly morphed into the biggest smile on Alec's lips that Magnus had ever witnessed did the older man in and he couldn't help but slam his lips back to Alec's stealing the very breath from his boyfriend, absolutely delighting in the gasp and shudder as Alec practically fell against him, thrusting his arms over his shoulders. "Wait, wait..." Magnus mumbled and quickly broke apart, breath panting.

"Wh-What is it?"

"I don't want to crush me." Alec let out a chuckle as Magnus gave him a wink and then darted off to place the calla lily into a tall glass, not bothering to find a vase at this stage since he had far more wonderful things to do like going back to kissing his wonderful and sweet boyfriend. Magnus placed it in the middle of the dining table before sauntering back over to Alec who was waiting patiently for him by the tree. "Now, where were we?"

"I think you were rewarding me with kisses, for my so very marvellous present." Alec whispered back, his hands gliding up Magnus' arms before drifting over his strong shoulders and locking behind his neck.

"I think I was." Magnus murmured as he took a step closer to Alec, winding one arm around his waist and the other went back to his neck, tilting his head just so and then he slammed his lips back to Alec's rather urgently, body on fire as they reacquainted themselves once more, Magnus loving the fact his pretty boy was moaning hotly into his mouth.

As the kisses drew on, so did the urgency as both men clung to each other, soft sensual sighs and moans escaping their lips which only broke apart every now and then as groins brushed heatedly and for the fact they needed to catch their breaths too.

"I need you Magnus..." Alec was breathless with desire, cheeks flushing redder and shuddering as Magnus expert fingers were fluttering down his back, sneakily dipping into the waistband of his slacks and boxer briefs to caress his hot smooth skin once more.

"You'll have to keep your voice down." Magnus immediately shot back, voice deep, gravely and desperate as he pressed kisses down Alec's throat whilst boldly tracing Alec's butt crack with his middle and index finger which caused Alec's knees to buckle a little.

"I...I will. I promise." Alec moaned and hoped he could actually do that.

With hearts thundering, Magnus took hold of Alec's hand and they headed for his bedroom, Magnus pressing Alec up against the door, which in turned clicked it closed for them as he stole his lips once more, the groan fuelling him on as Alec's desperate hands pulled at his silk shirt, demanding he remove it, which of course Magnus did willingly, but left his necklaces behind. Magnus felt Alec's hands all over his chest, fingertips drifting over his nipples making them harden and then suddenly he was being bushed backwards. Their eyes connected, heat coiling deep within them as Alec reefed off his sweater, tossing it across the room as he continued to advance on Magnus and back him towards his lovely bed.

At the hot palm against his bare chest, Magnus felt the pressure and sat down on the edge of his bed, very much taken off guard, lips shining with spit, plump and kiss swollen as he watched with wide hungry eyes as Alec dropped to his knees, resting between his spread legs.

"Alec..." Magnus throatily groaned when ever so slowly Alec's trembling hands had come up, undoing his belt, sliding it out of the loops and then dropping it to the ground beside him. Then came the adorable fumbling as he undid the button and then his zip went down. Magnus breath hitched in his throat as shock and wonder rippled through him as Alec in all his sweet clumsiness finally released his half hard cock from the constraints of his briefs and jeans and it was now bare and right before his blushing beauty's very eyes, merely inches from those lightly parted lips of his. Magnus waited breathlessly to see just what his darling boyfriend would do next.

Several minutes passed and an undeniable smirk finally drifted onto Magnus' lips as he observed Alec continuously chew on his bottom lip whilst also tilting his head this way and that, those sparkling blue eyes starring endlessly at his cock.

"Alexander, you don't need to inspect it that thoroughly from all angles." Magnus softly teased. "Its really just what you see, is what you get."

"Yeah but..." Alec paused, unsure whether he should say what was literally on his mind.

"But what my darling?" Magnus stroked a hand through Alec's messy hair, the spine tingling feeling drifting about him was mind blowing as he just loved this new image of seeing Alec on his knees between his spread legs and the feel of Alec's hands lightly resting against his inner thighs, squeezing them unconsciously as he shuffled a little closer.

"From every angle its...its big...and...and lengthy." And whilst that had to be quite the compliment, Magnus couldn't help but chuckle at his sweet boyfriend. The yearning to have Alec's lips around him subsided as Alec was now frowning up at him through his messy bangs and thick eyelashes. He was just so beautiful to Magnus. And so very tempting. So much so Magnus couldn't help but place his hands under Alec's armpits and pulled him up from his kneeling position on the floor, and with quick ease, Alec followed his request and ended up straddled over his lap, his clothed groin area grinding against Magnus' bare cock. Both men let out tiny moans and shudders at the sensation. "Magnus... I was fine." Alec bemoaned even as he accepted peppered kisses against his frowning lips.

"You were stalling Angel." Magnus murmured as he trailed his lips down the underside of Alec's jaw. "And that's alright." Magnus caressed his hands up and down Alec's sides, adoring the shudders his fingers elicited from his sensitive warm skin. "If you aren't ready, its alright Alexander."

"I am ready." Magnus stayed quiet as he calmly and soothingly placeed his hands at Alec's hips and then peppers kisses across his collarbone, patiently waiting for the truth to be told. Every now and then he couldn't help but trace the curve of Alec's perky ass in these rather baggy slacks he was wearing. Though he had to admire them right now because the way Alec was sitting over him, it drew them tight over his firm buttocks nicely. Magnus shifted his attention away from Alec's ass when his darling boyfriend let out a defeated sigh and thudded his forehead against his shoulder. "I'm not ready..." Magnus couldn't help but smile. "I'm sorry Magnus... I just... I don't know what I'm doing and I don't want to screw it up." There was slight pain in Alec's whine, in his voice and Magnus cupped his cheeks, cradling his head in his warm hands sweetly. He was utterly pleased when Alec finally came clean.

"Thank you for being honest with me." Alec was rewarded with another sweet gentle kiss which spoke volumes to him. "Next time I do it to you, try and take mental notes of what I'm doing. Or maybe spend a little time doing some research? Either way, I don't mind at all." Magnus sultrily murmured, enjoying the flush that hit Alec's cheeks, neck, ears and the top of his chest.

"Magnus..." Perhaps his sweet boyfriend was imaging that very imagine of his wet hot mouth on his cock. He'd thought of it several times himself.

"I know, how about we do something together that you can easily watch and get the rhythm of?" Magnus gently offered up in suggestion.

"What?"

"Lets jerk each other off." There really was no eloquent way of saying it. "We can come together just like that." Magnus murmured into Alec's ear, sucking on his lobe and making his sweet boy shiver.

"Ok..." It was but a breathless response as Magnus allowed Alec up onto his wobbly legs and he began to strip, earning a massive grin from Magnus as he wriggled his eyebrows at him. "You get naked too." Alec griped and just stood there in his boxer briefs as Magnus swiftly moved about his bed, being thoroughly flexible as he removed his jeans and briefs without getting off the bed and then sat proudly in the middle of it, looking expectantly at him. Alec suddenly felt hot all over as he slowly, maybe a little teasingly too, tucked his thumbs into the waistband of his briefs and then inch by inch pulled them down before gravity took over.

His shy eyes met smouldering brown-golden orbs, almost groaning when he observed Magnus drag his tongue over his bottom lip before his eyes took a dive to Magnus rigid cock. Seems like his little strip had fired Magnus up and brought a proud smile to Alec's lips. He'd done something good.

"Come here Alexander." Who was he to say no as he crawled onto the bed and sat expectantly in front of Magnus. He was manoeuvred into a spread legged sitting position with knees bent and then shuddered when Magnus gripped under them and pulled him closer, so very close that Magnus was in easy kissing range, which was a definite plus. His legs were resting over Magnus' and any shuffling would have their dicks pretty close to touching, though such thoughts flew from Alec's mind when Magnus' right hand suddenly wrapped around his cock.

"Nngh..."

"Do the same to me Alexander." With a shaky hand Alec took hold of Magnus' cock and relished in the feel and weight of it. When Magnus stroked, he stroked. When Magnus brushing his thumb over his slit, which did send shock wave after shock wave down his spine, he did the same. Alec grinned when Magnus let out a moan when he decided to add a bit more pressure there then what Magnus had done to him, scraping his thumb nail over the slit. It was definitely well received.

"Oh god..." Alec mumbled again when even more pressure was applied to the length of his cock and Magnus' pace in jerking him off quickened.

"Stay with me darling. We're only just getting started." Magnus drew forward as he swiped his tongue down Alec's throat, delighting in the way Alec tilted his head back to offer him more access. Alec's eagerness was such a turn on. Of course Magnus was obliged to do just that, nibbling and sucking at Alec's neck tattoo before making his sweet boyfriend gasp when he pumped faster and flexed his body in such a way that he was now flicking his tongue over one of Alec's hardening nipples.

"M-Magnus... Please... Please..." Magnus paid attention to the other nipple before moving back up Alec's chest, kissing and sucking as he went before shifting his heated gaze to blazing blue eyes.

"Kiss me Alexander." Magnus ordered, daring his boyfriend, and he was not left disappointed as Alec thrust forward, pretty much shoving his tongue down Magnus' throat just as he himself brought his free hand into play and stroked and cupped Alec's balls. A strangled cry broke from Alec's lips when he once again broke the lip-lock as cum exploded over Magnus' hand, Alec's stomach and the sheets, his orgasm completely taking him by surprise. Alec shuddered, moaned and gasped his name and in turn his hand was tightening and shaking against Magnus' engorged cock which had him coming shortly after.

Alec thudded his forehead against Magnus' shoulder trying to catch his breath back, Magnus doing the same as he pressed a kiss to Alec's sweaty temple.

"How do you feel?" Magnus softly questioned.

"Good." Alec murmured back as he pressed a kiss to Magnus' warm skin. In fact he felt awesome, however, Alec knew he wanted more and his cheeks flushed just thinking about it. He needed Magnus all over him. Hands, lips, teeth, tongue, his cock thrusting in him... The very thought made him shudder and he felt his cock begin to harden again, which was still within Magnus' light grip. With his emotions going haywire, Alec was sure this was the first time he ever felt horny before and wasn't exactly sure what he should do about it. Should he confide in Magnus and hope the man didn't laugh at him?

"You alright Sweetheart?" Alec flushed as he knew Magnus could definitely feel his dick hardening.

"Very alright..." Alec mumbled as he held Magnus' hand against his cheek, the clean one that is, as Magnus guided them to lie down together on their sides, making a point not to lie in their mixed cum though, and finally his grip let go of his sensitive cock. "Are you good?" Alec softly questioned his boyfriend.

"Oh I am very good." That gave Alec a bit more confidence as he was left to his own thoughts, becoming lost within them for several moments before feeling heat bubbling up and blood heading south. Alec licked his lips, it was now or never...

"Hey Magnus?"

"Mm?" Alec was openly looking at his very sexy and beautiful boyfriend who was now lying on his back, one arm over his eyes and the other was resting at his taut stomach, cock slacker but still glistening with cum, just like his abdomen was too. Alec licked his lips again.

"Did you put something in my drink at dinner?"

"What are you talking about?" Just as Magnus moved his arm, his entire body shuddered and his eyes widened a little as Alec was suddenly sitting on his cum soaked stomach and gazing hotly down at him.

"I think..." Alec blushed, having no idea why the hell he was about to admit to what he was about to admit to, but wanting Magnus to know how he was affecting him too. "I feel really horny." The words were whispered into the bedroom as though it was a massive secret that no one was allowed to know, even if it were only them in the room.

"Well..." Magnus grinned wide. "I better do something about that then shouldn't I? After all, I want to see you loose your mind when you orgasm." Magnus loved the blush brighten on Alec's cheeks in the pale lighting of his bedroom just as he groped Alec's backside, making him jump a little. "It is such a pleasure to watch."

"R-Really?"

"Yes really." Magnus pulled Alec down and pressed his lips against his once more, delighting in the answered kiss. When he drew his lips over to Alec's ear, sucking on his lobe for a few seconds once more, he decided to confess something else. "I'm desperate to cum inside you." He felt his sweet boyfriend shudder at his honesty and pulled away to gauge his reaction more closely. The blush was even brighter on Alec's cheeks, eyes wide but lust blown, and as much as Magnus wanted to grin at the display, maybe even tease a little, Alec was pulling away from him! "What? Where are you..." Magnus died off and seriously felt his dick harden the quickest it ever has as he sat up on his elbows when Alec turned his back to him and literally got on all fours! His heart was hammering in his chest, blinking several times to make sure this wasn't a dream and watched his pretty boy glance at him over his left shoulder, naughtily shaking his bum eagerly at him.

"Go ahead." Magnus thought he'd died and gone to heaven and was scrambling up on his knees, shuffling over to Alec who was still blushing prettily, clearly going on pure instinct right now as Magnus was absolutely certain his darling boyfriend still hadn't gotten the courage to do any actual research on the internet on everything they could be doing together. Not that it mattered right now, because Magnus was plenty surprised and plenty taken by the display as it was.

Placing his warm hands against Alec's hips, thumbs tracing circles into his soft skin, his very touch made Alec jolt, teeth sinking into his bottom lip and still looking heatedly back at him, eyes half lidded. Goodness if Alec could see himself in the mirror right now, he would have no option but to comment on just how downright sexy he looked.

"Magnus...please..." Alec's soft gravelly voice snapped him from his thoughts and started mentally kicking himself for not having any lube within easy reach, but when his eyes dropped to the bed, gazing at the pools of cum there and the remnants on his belly too, well it was the next best source as he smeared it over three of his fingers on his left hand before shifting them to Alec's backside, probing his twitching hole with one cum soaked finger.

The intrusion of course made Alec cringe, gasping at the discomfort, but Magnus was patient, an expert, and after several moments and fluid stroking, Alec was pushing back on the three fingers intruding his sensitive hole. Magnus crooked his fingers, listening to Alec gasp and he knew his sweet boyfriend was ready for his thick rock hard cock now.

Alec whimpered when Magnus' fingers were taken from him, hating the emptiness he felt, but it didn't last long when Magnus slid his cock effortlessly into his gaping hole. At the intrusion, the fullness of it all, Alec's shaking arms lost the will to keep him up and he face planted the comforter. The sudden change in his posture made Magnus moan louder since Alec's half tumble to the bed made him bow his back, surging his rear end right into Magnus' groin region which of course then shifted the angle of his cock, Alec moaning into the sheets when Magnus seemed to slide in even further if that were possible.

"You'll be the death of me Angel..." Magnus murmured as he took a firm grip of Alec's hips and began to ground his cock into Alec, making his boyfriend shudder and moan, teeth clamping down on the silken sheets, pretty much drooling on them and darkening the material. The mewling coming from Alec was a little high pitched every now and then, Magnus wondering if he was possibly hurting his boyfriend with his thrusting. "Do you want me to slow down?"

"N-No..." That one word had excitement bubbling in Magnus even more.

"Faster and harder perhaps?" Alec lost the ability to talk, instead moaning out a muffled 'ngaaah' response, pushing back onto Magnus' cock and the older man thoroughly took that as affirmation of his desire to increase his speed and the precision of his thrusts and was certain he might leave some bruises on Alec's hips as he gripped harder and began to pound into Alec.

"Ah... Haaa... AAAH!" Alec was already lost, not realising his own voice gained in volume until his eyes snapped open as Magnus was now leaning quite heavily over him, hips still rutting and gyrating into him, but his left hand was still holding up his weight away from his own body just a little whilst his right hand shifted towards his mouth.

"Shhh..." Magnus' hot breath against his neck made Alec shudder before he felt pressure against his lips. "Suck on them." That was a little surprising to Alec as he blinked in the pale lighting at two of Magnus' fingers at his mouth. He never questioned the man, only opened up his mouth as Magnus placed pressure on his tongue and then the next thing he knew he was sucking on them like his life depended on it whilst Magnus still rocked within him, his throbbing hole squeezing Magnus tight when he tried to leave his channel but then opened beautifully, greedily allowing him inside to fill him up just right.

Alec moaned around Magnus' fingers, eyes slipping closed once more when his ring finger joined in, widening his mouth as he was now filled with three fingers there and Magnus cock pounding in him down below. Alec was sure he was drooling by this stage and felt a full body shiver as Magnus suddenly stopped without warning. Alec let out a pitiful whine around Magnus' fingers, which he would surely blush over once he got to think about this evening in more detail later on, but nothing more could be thought about when Magnus' strength lifted him up, kneeling on the bed and surging his cock even further within him, impaling against his prostate whilst his back was flush against Magnus' chest.

Alec literally saw white, exploding instantly and moaning against Magnus' three fingers shoved into his mouth as spurts and spurts of white hot cum burst from his pulsing cock and, as promised, Magnus filled him up good.

They both fell onto the bed, Magnus toppling over Alec and slamming into his back, both still connected and Alec let out a slight whimper, extremely sensitive to any sudden movements, Magnus sinking right in to the hilt, though Alec truly wouldn't change any of this for the world and half realised that Magnus' fingers were no longer in his mouth and stretching his lips wide.

"Sorry Sweetheart..." Magnus breathlessly voiced, taking a few extra moments as his cock was still spurting cum into Alec's hole. After a few more moments and some rather deep breathing, Magnus finally eased out of Alec and flopped down beside his heavily panting boyfriend who unfortunately, this time, landed in his own cum, though right at this moment didn't seem to even care.

After several long moments of silence, it was Magnus that broke it with a chuckle, mind reeling about how all of this had started with him looking at a picture of the young man beside him and being captivated by his pretty blue eyes to right this moment, spending Christmas Eve with said man who was lying butt naked beside him. Who in there right mind would have pictured that happened, especially when last Christmas Eve Magnus had spent it with a total stranger.

Alec cracked an eye open to look at Magnus, his skin glowed with sweat and the room smelled like sandalwood, sugar and sex. A total Magnus combination and Alec was hooked. His hand went out, lazily fluttering his fingers up and down Magnus' spine since they were both lying sprawled on their stomachs. Warm brown-golden orbs fluttered open to look at him, Magnus' left hand coming up to draw over one of Alec's tattoos on his arm.

"How do you feel now?"

"That was... That was..." Alec really had no words. "God that was..."

"Amazing?" Magnus offered up and listened to Alec moan. He was thinking it was his answer to his question, but then it might also be for the fact he had sneakily drifted his fingers between Alec's butt cheeks, probing his sensitive hole and opening him up a little to expel his cum from his body.

"Magnus..."

"I'm just trying to help."

"Uh huh..." Magnus frowned when Alec slapped his hand away and observed him roll onto his side, though his frowning didn't last long when he got to look at his naked boyfriend which included his now slack cock. That cock which one day he would get between his lips once more. "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking..." Magnus thought best not to go there, since Alec looked tired, and so was he, plus they did have a busy day tomorrow. "We should take a shower together, no funny business, change these sheets and then get some sleep."

"We've a busy day tomorrow." Alec mumbled as he let out a cute yawn.

"So, will you join me in the shower?"

"No funny business?"

"No funny business." Magnus reaffirmed.

"Ok..." Alec rolled off the bed, hissing a little at the ache in his lower body and headed for the bathroom first, Magnus grinning wide when Alec unconsciously placed his hand at his backside, cupping himself as though to capture his own cum expelling from his body. Magnus thought it best not to comment on that and stripped the sheets first, rolled them all into a ball, throwing it in the corner of the room and would pick a set of sheets with Alec once they got done having a lovely innocent shower together.

#

Back in bed, turns out Alec didn't want to get dressed, and Magnus was not complaining as they rolled under the black sheets, butt naked, and then Magnus pulled up the black and gold comforter, they seeming to be Alec's favourite set. Magnus pondered if it was because it was the set they had made love in for the first time.

"This is the best Christmas Eve ever." Alec mumbled tiredly and Magnus couldn't agree more as the both of them drifted off, hands reaching out for each others and fingers laced together, just as eyes slipped closed.

#

To be continued...