I know, I know. I'm terrible. Sorry.
Alec breathed deeply. Magnus smelled of sulfur and ichor.
"Are you okay?" Alec whispered, his voice scratchy.
"I'm alright." Magnus told Alec, though he was arching his back away from Alec.
"You're hurt." Alec said, and it wasn't a question. Magnus shrugged.
"Barely. I'm okay, Alec, I promise. How are my boys?" Alec winced.
"Better now."
"And you?" Magnus arched an eyebrow. Alec let out a sob disguised as a laugh at the familiar gesture. Magnus wrapped his bony arms around Alec again and kissed him. Alec prolonged the kiss, pulling Magnus closer to him. The kiss intensified. Alec gasped against Magnus's mouth. Magnus groaned and bit Alec's lip. Alec tangled his hands in Magnus's matted hair. Magnus's hands ran the length of Alec's back. The touch was both familiar and unfamiliar without Magnus's usual rings. Alec tasted salt. He opened his eyes to see Magnus's dusty eyes leaking tears. Alec pulled away and gently wiped the drops off of Magnus's cheeks. At the gentle gesture, Magnus cried more. Alec sat down and pulled Magnus with him, until their hips were connected and their shoulders were touching, and neither of them were sure where their mouths stopped and the other's began.
Alec put his hands on the back of Magnus's neck. Magnus rested his forehead against Alec's.
"Let's go home, love," Magnus whispered. Alec grinned shakily.
"Yes please." He said.
Alec unlocked the door to the loft with some difficulty, as Magnus hadn't let go of him since Taki's. They stumbled inside. There was all new furniture. Magnus reeled back.
"What the hell happened to my loft?" He asked, turning to Alec. Alec laughed sheepishly.
"Long story, for later." Alec told him, nuzzling his face into Magnus's neck.
"Love, I would absolutely love to do this, but I haven't showered in years. I really, really have to shower." Alec wrinkled his nose.
"Gross." He mumbled. Magnus nodded and walked to the bathroom. Alec, unable to help himself, followed him. Magnus laughed lightly when he saw Alec. He winked and slid into the bathroom. Alec didn't go into the bathroom, but sank to the floor right next to the door and rested his head against the wall. The shower turned on, and Alec could hear Magnus in the glass tub. He listened to Magnus humming to himself with a smile.
Magnus stayed in the shower for an hour. Alec fell asleep against the door listening to Magnus singing.
He came out in a cloud of steam. The scent of their shampoo washed over Alec. He hadn't yet used the sandalwood scented gel yet. It reminded him too painfully of Magnus. But it was familiar, and Alec loved that. Magnus was dripping, his hair back to its regular black but still rather knotted, the towel around his waist hanging off of his skinny hips.
Alec stood up and pressed his lips against Magnus's fleetingly. Magnus let out a sigh when Alec pulled away. Alec grinned. He grabbed Magnus's hand and pulled him to the bedroom, then flopped on the bed. Magnus let the towel drop. Alec sighed with happiness, then undressed.
When they were finished, Magnus's hair was fully ruined. Alec grabbed the brush that Magnus had brought from the bathroom and began to work through the knots. Magnus let out a satisfied breath as Alec untangled his hair. Alec's hands were dripping with watery residue. He gently ran the brush through the matting over and over until it was smooth as silk and easy to brush. Alec kissed the top of Magnus's head and breathed in the sandalwood scent.
There was a clattering of footsteps in the hall.
"Oh, shi-" Alec started, then yanked a tank top and his pants on. Magnus just had time for his boxers before the kids came barreling in. Rafe stopped dead in his tracks. His face contorted and his broke down sobbing. Max didn't have the same issue. He galloped over to Magnus and threw his arms around his dad. Magnus, tears streaming down his face, wrapped his lanky arms around his son. Alec looked at them for a moment before going over to Rafe.
"Hey, buddy. What's up?" Alec asked gently. Rafe pulled himself into Alec's lap and sobbed into his chest.
"I thought he was never coming back!" He wailed. Alec stroked his soft, curly hair and kissed Rafe's forehead.
"I know, baby boy. I know. But he's back. He really is." Rafe looked up at him with tear-filled brown eyes and gulped. Then he tore away from his dad and ran to his other dad. He slammed into Magnus and curled up his lap, still crying. Max joined them, sitting on Magnus's knee. Alec smiled at his family, walked over to them, and wrapped his arms around his complete family, finally.