Just The Right Amount of Cheese

The morning was beautiful, but when Magnus walked out of the elevator onto his top floor office lobby all he could see was the color pink, red and white. It looked like cupid had thrown up all over the place! There were multiple bouquets of balloons standing around the lobby, streamers hanging from the ceiling, and heart shaped cut-outs everywhere with phrases such as 'Be Mine' and 'Happy Valentine's Day'. Maddison, the young intern he hired while Cat was out on maternity leave, was standing in the middle of the room looking so excited she might jump out of her skin.

"What is all this?" Magnus asked as he continued looking around the lobby.

"Chef Lightwood did this for you this morning!" Maddison practically shouted, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

It was no secret around the office that Maddison was a 'fangirl' when it came to his and Alexander's relationship. She even shipped them as 'Malec'. Magnus had no idea what a ship name was until Maddison explained it to him. She claimed that they were 'relationship goals' or some nonsense like that. She was a very sweet girl, but sometimes a little too hyper for Magnus' taste. Alexander seemed to like it, as she reminded him of Isabelle from when they were younger.

"This is way too much," Magnus muttered, but was internally preening from the attention his boyfriend seemed intent on giving him. "We agreed to just have a nice dinner at Alexander's place tonight. He's been working so much that I wanted him to have a break tonight." Even though Alexander insisted on cooking their meal instead of ordering take-out, which Magnus was perfectly fine with, it was still a much needed and deserved break for his boyfriend.

"He loves you, Magnus. What he did was terribly tacky, but it was probably also one of the sweetest things I've ever seen," Maddison stated with a soft laugh. "He seemed so proud of himself when I came in this morning. Let him spoil you in his own way."

Magnus chuckled as he turned towards his young intern. "He really did try, didn't he."

He looked around at all of the red, pink and white with a slight cringe. His Alexander at least got an 'A' for effort, and Magnus felt a slight pull to his heart at the idea that his sweet boyfriend tried his hardest to come up with such a cute - albeit cheesy - surprise.

"Yeah yeah. I may only be working here for college credits, but I can see that you two are perfect for each other. Let him have this," Maddison waved Magnus away, dismissing him to his office. "Now, the faster you get to work, the faster you get to see your man."

"Stop bossing me around, child! This is my company," Magnus teasingly chastised, chuckling as he unlocked and walked into his office.

Magnus' breath hitched when he took in the view of his office. Inside were - what looked like at first glance - about a dozen bouquets of red and white roses sitting on what had to be every available surface. On his desk lay a box of 'La Maison Chocolat', and a takeout menu from the bistro. The last two weeks that the bistro had been opened Alexander had been so busy that they've barely seen one another. Magnus would make it a point to go there for either lunch or dinner everyday just so he could be close to his love. Alexander would always head out to the dining room and eat with Magnus each day he came to visit. It had become sort of a new routine for them, and Magnus loved being able to get out of the office each day.

Smiling, Magnus pulled out his phone.

"Happy Valentine's Day, baby," Alexander's voice came through after the first ring.

"Thank you darling," Magnus responded. "This is too much."

"Nothing is too much for you," Alexander said with a sigh. "Did you choose what you would like for lunch?"

"No," Magnus laughed. "I only noticed the menu when I walked over to my desk. I called you before I did anything else. I wasn't aware that I was calling in a lunch order." Magnus sniggered as he looked through the menu.

"Well, I'm assuming you didn't read my note then either?" Alec asked.

"I didn't see a note," Magnus said, slightly miffed as he looked around his office for said note. "There definitely isn't one anywhere. Where did you leave it?"

"I left it on top of the chocolates," Alexander huffed. Magnus moved around his desk still coming up empty handed.

"Well, what did it say?" Magnus asked, figuring he could look for the note later.

"I just wrote asking you to pick out what you'd like for lunch, and what time you'd like it delivered," Alexander started. "I also wrote that I love you more than words can say, and that I hope you enjoyed your morning surprise." Alexander paused, then added, "I hope everything wasn't too cheesy?"

"No darling," Magnus said softly, feeling his heart rate accelerate from just how sweet his boyfriend was being. "It was just the right amount of cheese. I love that my office looks like a flower shop. It smells wonderful in here!"

"I'm glad you like it," Alec laughed. "There's a dozen roses for each month we've known each other."

"Ten dozen roses," Magnus whispered as he took the time and counted each dozen around his office.

"Yeah, next year there won't be as much," Alexander whispered, sounding bashful all of a sudden. "I think twenty-two dozen roses would get a bit pricey."

Magnus couldn't help it, he let out a full bellied laugh at the thought of Alexander buying twenty-two dozen roses and trying to place them in his office. "No, my love. I wouldn't expect you to do that. By the way, how did you get them in my office anyway? In fact, how were you able to get into the building?" That was the first time that Magnus realized that his boyfriend couldn't have done all of this in the short time the office was open.

"Oh that was easy," Alec responded, sounding smug. "I arranged everything with Fred. He met me at six a.m. then let me onto your floor, and unlocked your office for me."

"Who the hell is Fred?" Magnus asked. He wasn't aware of anyone working under him by that name.

"He's your head of security," Alec laughed. "He's been employed under your company for the last thirty years. You might want to get to know your security baby, they're there for your safety."

"You're right," Magnus conceded. "Wow thirty years and I didn't even know his name. I'll have to thank him for helping you this morning, and get to know my security better. It's just a smart business idea to have a good working relationship with those that are here for the safety and security of myself as well as the rest of my staff."

"Good," Alexander said, seemingly pleased. "Now, what would you like for lunch?"

After another glance at the menu Magnus placed his lunch order, then bid his boyfriend farewell with the reminder that he would meet Alexander at his place at seven p.m..

~oOo~

As Magnus reached Alexander's door he straightened his blazer, and knocked. Alexander's incredibly sweet cheesy gesture from earlier in the day made Magnus feel very inadequate, which led to Magnus calling his jeweler and buying a gift. He knew that the gift giving wasn't a competition, but when Alexander suggested just having a quiet dinner at his place, Magnus didn't think about the gift part of the holiday.

At that moment the door opened revealing his gorgeous boyfriend. Alexander was wearing a pair of tight black, skinny jeans paired with a fitted black button down shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a dish rag hanging off his shoulder.

"Hey, sweetheart," Alexander said..

Before Magnus could respond, Alexander's lips were on Magnus'. The kiss was like nothing Magnus had ever shared with Alec. This kiss seemed desperate mixed with a little possessiveness.

"Woah," Magnus said once they broke apart. "That was quite the hello. Is everything okay?"

"Of course," Alexander responded, the apples of his cheeks were red. "I just missed you. I feel like our daily encounters have been too short."

"I've missed you too, darling," Magnus said, his hand raised up to Alexander's cheek. "But I understand. I know you're busy, and I respect that. I'm not upset at all, in fact, I am so insanely proud of you. You are pursuing your dream, and so far there's been nothing but success for you."

"I don't deserve you," Alexander whispered, closing the distance and wrapping his arms around Magnus in a tight embrace.

"No darling," Magnus responded, holding his boyfriend just as tight. "You deserve better than me. But we should get out of the hallway. I'd hate for Raphael to walk out and fuss at us for not making use of a 'perfectly good loft.'"

"He's at the bistro," Alexander laughed. "But you're right, come on in."

With that, Alexander led Magnus into the loft. All of the lights were off, and there were candles filling the loft with a warm glow without it being too dark. Magnus noticed the dining room table was set up for the two, with yet another bouquet of roses as the centerpiece.

"I hope you're hungry, dinner is ready," Alexander said, looking back to Magnus.

"I'm famished!" Magnus exclaimed. He'd only ordered a grilled chicken salad for lunch, knowing that Alexander was feeding him again tonight.

"Good," Alec said as he led Magnus to the table, and like the true gentleman he was, pulled Magnus' chair out for him. "I made mustard-crusted lamb with red skinned potatoes, and broccoli rabe."

"Wow," Magnus said in awe. "Everything looks and smells amazing!"

Alexander poured the Bordeaux into each of their glasses, and they dug in while exchanging chit chat.

"I have something for you," Magnus said once he'd finished his meal. He reached into his blazer pocket and pulled out a blue Tiffany's box, slipping it across the table.

"Magnus," Alexander's breath hitched. "I told you that I didn't want anything. Tonight was supposed to be all about you."

"I know," Magnus smiled at his boyfriend. "But after your sweet display of affection, I knew I couldn't not return the favor. It's nothing big, I promise."

"Says the man holding a Tiffany's box," Alexander grumbled, glaring - in what Magnus hoped - was mock anger.

"Just open it," Magnus chuckled.

Inside the box was a white gold chain with a circular pendant that Magnus had his jeweler engrave 'Aku cinta kamu' on. He knew his love wasn't big into jewelry, which was why Magnus chose something simple. It was simple, yet elegant just like his Alexander.

"Sweetheart," Alec sighed, moving out from his chair to stand in front of Magnus. Magnus could tell that his eyes were welling up with tears. "I love it. Will you put it on me?"

Alexander then kneeled in front of Magnus, and turned so Magnus could clasp the necklace around his neck. It sat about an inch below Alexander's clavicle, resting perfectly on his sternum. Magnus noted that Alec hadn't taken his eyes off the pendant, and kept running his thumb over the inscription.

"I'm never taking this off," Alexander whispered. Magnus wasn't sure if he were meant to hear that, or if Alec was just thinking to himself.

"I'm glad you like it," Magnus said softly, not wanting to speak too loudly in fear of ruining the mood that was set.

"Magnus," Alec said, turning back around to face Magnus while still kneeling. "I told you a few weeks ago that I'm all in. I meant it when I said that. I've also fully forgiven you, and I'm ready for us to move on from our mistakes and create new memories."

"What are you saying?" Magnus could feel his heart pick up pace, praying to whatever deity that was out there that Alexander was saying what he thought he was saying.

"I'm saying that I'm done holding back, and in such a short amount of time you've proven to me that I can fully trust you again," Alexander looked deep into Magnus' eyes - seemingly like he was looking into Magnus' soul - and took a deep breath. "Will you, Magnus Bane, be my boyfriend again? In the truest sense of the word?"

Magnus couldn't help the laugh that escaped him. He was so delighted that they could finally move on from his mistake.

"Too cheesy?" Alexander asked, his own eyes seemed to have lightened in amusement.

"No darling," Magnus said, feeling so light in that moment. "It was just the right amount of cheese."

~oOo~

Here's another chapter! Much sooner than expected, but I hope I didn't disappoint anyone with how the chapter turned out. Anyway, what did you think? I'm actually more proud of the chapter title than anything else lol. I've been struggling lately with the title chapters so when I wrote the chapter, this title just seemed too fitting not to use. Give me thoughts on what you liked and disliked about the chapter, and hopefully I can keep up the consistency with updating semi-regularly.