AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hi, if you're reading this then thank you. It's my first fic that I've published, so I know that it definitely isn't the best in the world. If you want to, then feel free to leave a review. I'd love your opinions or suggestions on my writing. I guess that's it for now.

-Bee

Alec woke to sunlight streaming through the gaps in the blinds. He always thought that Magnus's apartment looked beautiful in the morning, when the light cast a pale glow across the vintage velvet furniture, and everything was silent. Alec slipped out of bed, his feet padding against the turquoise fur rug that lined the bedroom floor, and walked over to the small chest of drawers where he kept his clothes. He grabbed a black T-Shirt and a towel, and went into the bathroom to shower. It was a solid half an hour when Alec went back into the bedroom to see if Magnus was awake, and he was still asleep. Alec was surprised. Magnus was usually the first one up, but he set his thoughts aside. Magnus probably had a late night and was tired. Alec thought to himself. Not wanting to wake his boyfriend, Alec got started on cooking breakfast. There were some croissants in the fridge, and he toasted them and spread the pastries with butter and blueberry jam, Magnus and his new favourite obsession. He set out the plates, along with Magnus's usual, a chai tea, and a coffee for himself. Of course, when Alec went to check in on Magnus, he was still asleep. Alec sighed, and gently ruffled Magnus's hair. It was soft and silky when he didn't try to spike it or bathe it in hair gel, and Alec's fingers slid through it like a snail's trail. Magnus rolled over sleepily, and Alec was surprised when the Warlock turned his face towards Alec. His complexion was unusually pale, and his nose was red and blotchy.

"Are… You okay?" Alec asked Magnus, concerned. His boyfriend was never sick.

"Just a cold, Alexander," Magnus mumbled, his voice raspy. "They come on the occasion."

"I made breakfast if you're hungry," Alec said.

"Thank you," Magnus said, and slowly sat up. He was about to rise to his feet, when he winced, and his cat eyes flashed with pain.

Alec was at his side in a second, his hand on his boyfriend's back, stabilizing the Warlock.

"How about I bring you that breakfast, and you get some rest?" Alec suggested.

"That sounds better," Magnus replied, sinking back into the silk pillows.

Alec returned a minute later with the breakfast, a hot water bottle tucked under his arm. He set down the plate and mug on the bedside table, and handed Magnus the hot water bottle.

"Thank you again, Alexander, but really, I'll be fine," Magnus said.

"Oh, come on, Magnus," Alec groaned. "You don't have to do everything by yourself you know."

Magnus sighed. "I know. I guess I'm so used to being alone my whole life…"

"Tell me a story from when you were a kid," Alec said abruptly.

Magnus paused. "Only if you tell me something about your childhood," He replied.

Alec nodded. "You go first, though."

"Fine," Magnus said. He seemed to be lost in thought for a while before he finally spoke.

"I was young when I first produced magic. Maybe nine or ten, I can't remember exactly. I was exploring a hill in the quiet part of town, my mother often let me wander by myself, and it started getting dark. I had lost track of time, and all of a sudden I had no way of getting home. As a young boy, lost in an unknown area at night, well… I was scared, Alec."

Magnus was looking down at his fingers, picking at his black nail polish. Alec waited for him to go on.

"The first time I ever produced magic was out of fear. I was at my worst that night, I knew my mother wasn't going to come looking for me, she had always been distant and unloving. I thought I was going to freeze to death. It was winter, and I had absolutely nothing to protect me from the cold. Right when I was at my peak in terror, a flame sparked into my hands. I remember it being only small, a tiny blue flicker, but… It gave me hope. I managed to find my way home. When I told my mother what I had discovered about myself later that night, she… did not take it well. I can still to this day recall her screaming, loud, piercing shrieks of fear and disgust. It was the last noise she ever made."

Everything was silent when Magnus finished. Chairman Meow, who had nestled himself in between their legs, dared not utter a purr. Alec was trying to shape an answer. Did you apologize about something that had happened hundreds of years ago? What did you say to someone who had been unaccepted their whole childhood?

"I know it might not mean much, but I'm sorry," Alec said finally. "It wasn't your fault. Just know that I'm always here if you need anything, from a shoulder to cry on, to a refill of tea."

"I could use a fresh cup of tea," Magnus said trying to lighten the mood.

Alec rolled his eyes. "Forget I ever said anything. Just this once, though, because you're sick."

"The pity card is always a smart one to play," Magnus said mischievously.

Alec kissed him, before heading towards the kettle. Magnus cradling a mug in his hands, Alec leaning his arm against his boyfriend's shoulder, the two smiled at each other contentedly.

"I believe you owe me a story, Alexander." Magnus said after a while.

"Any particular genre you're interested in?" Alec asked.

"Let's go with something… comedic. Something funny. You're so serious Alec."

Alec nodded. "Give me some thinking time." As he searched through his memories, Alec found one that seemed to stick out to him. It was the time when he was eleven, and Jace had pranked him by telling him that the bathrooms in the institute were haunted. For some reason, he had believed his Parabatai and after a long day of training and trying to hold it in, Alec had given up and surrendered to the humiliation. When he learnt that Jace had been tricking him all along, he had been furious, but instead of giving Jace a piece of his mind, he had waited for the perfect time to get him back. Apparently, Jace had not enjoyed having the fingers of his training gloves glued together, and it had given Alec great satisfaction to watch him frown and try to wrestle his fingers into the stiff, black fabric. As Alec retold the story to Magnus, he found himself laughing and grinning as came to the part he would have once found mortifying, and Magnus seemed to be chuckling as well.

Maybe opening up isn't so bad? Alec thought to himself.

Magnus smiled as Alec reached the end of his tale, and leaned up to give him a kiss.

"You should get some rest," Alec said to the Warlock, who still looked unwell.

Magnus shrugged. "That's probably a good idea."

As his boyfriend drifted off to sleep, Alec looked down at his face, and smiled. Even if Magnus had been feeling ill, he had to admit it had been a pretty good day.