Closer
Magnus watches as Alexander steps past him onto the balcony of his loft, still a little surprised that he suddenly has his lovely Shadowhunter in his loft, all to himself, without any distractions around.
Magnus forces himself to focus back to his bar cart, so he can actually see what he is doing while he prepares their drinks.
After their walk Magnus had asked Alexander whether he would like to come up for drinks and the Shadowhunter had easily agreed. Almost like it wasn't even a question, like he had just assumed that tonight was going to continue.
And Magnus more than approves of the mindset.
They are teetering at that point right between casual getting-to-know-each-other and making this into something more.
Even before tonight, it had been oh-so-clear that there was something between them, all those conversations and exchanged messages making that more than apparent. And now, with the wonderful dinner date they just had and their legs staying pressed together under the table and with the hand-holding and the walking close, they have reached that point where their attraction to each other, that spark between them, just isn't a question anymore.
And Magnus is absolutely certain that he himself wants more, really wants to try turning this into a relationship, wants to see whether they could have something real and true and lasting. So, he would love to just take the next step, has been fighting with himself all night to refrain from just stepping up to the Shadowhunter and pulling him in for a kiss.
But.
Magnus also knows that the situation is a little more complex than just making up his mind on whether he likes Magnus as well on Alexander's end.
Because he is well aware that Alexander being interested in him is one thing, while Alexander being willing to actually date him - to deal with the inevitable conflict he will have to face if he really decides to be in a relationship with a Downworlder and a male one at that - is something else entirely.
Which doesn't even take Magnus' recent and very clear impression into account that Alexander might not have quite as much experience with relationships as one would assume for someone as self-assured and as ridiculously gorgeous as Alexander.
Which only serves to strengthen Magnus' resolution not to push Alexander into anything.
So instead, Magnus resolves to make his own attraction - his interest in making this thing between them into something more than just a casual acquaintance - unquestionably clear tonight. And then he will back off and give Alexander all the time he needs to make up his mind, to make a decision.
Magnus will make it clear tonight that he is right here, here to stay and absolutely willing to wait, for however long it takes. Because Magnus can tell already that what they could have is worth the wait and he has nothing if not time.
Well, Magnus also tries to remind himself not to get his hopes up too much, that they haven't yet talked about it, have yet to even so much as kiss. He tries to remind himself that there is a very realistic chance that if truly faced with that choice Alexander might still decide against committing to Magnus, if only to please his parents or to avoid the hassle he will inevitably have to deal with if he decides to date a Downworlder. Magnus tries to remind himself of all that.
Well, 'tries' very much being the keyword here.
Because when he finally follows Alexander outside - their freshly prepared drinks in hand - and looks up, he just kind of stops short at the sight that greets him.
Alexander leaning sideways against the parapet, calmly looking out over the city, only part of his face visible to Magnus, his form backlit by the countless flickering lights of Brooklyn at night.
He is so incredibly, breathtakingly gorgeous.
And when he spots Magnus from the corner of his eyes, he turns his head towards him fully, a small but honest and open smile lighting up his face, the sight quite literally makes Magnus' heart skip a beat.
By magic, this one has me so caught, I might as well throw in the towel now.
Thankfully, he at least manages to stick with his resolution from a few minutes ago and refrains from just dropping both of the glasses in his hands to reach out for Alexander and pull him in for a kiss.
He resists. Even if only barely.
Instead, he swallows once and then takes the remaining few steps to reach the Shadowhunter's side, handing over one of the glasses and then holds out his own to clink against.
Alexander smiles, tries the drink and promptly pulls that adorable little grimace of his. So damn adorable.
And apparently martini isn't to his tastes, maybe I should prepare something a little sweeter next time?
Of course the Shadowhunter doesn't actually say anything, just turns back to watch the city at night, his profile once more illuminated by countless city lights, dark eyes calmly gazing out over the river.
And Magnus is happy to just join him, basking in this moment of almost surreal peace and quiet, standing right here next to Alexander, close enough for their arms to be touching, silently enjoying the beautiful night and the even better company.
Alec has absolutely no idea what time it is. He also doesn't much care.
He knows that they've been back at Magnus' loft for a while now and they had cocktails on the balcony and once those were gone, Magnus prepared another round - Alec liked the second kind of cocktail much better - and they took those drinks with them to settle in the seating area on the terrace instead.
And they've just been sitting outside, enjoying the warm night air, talking and laughing and discussing and even arguing at some points. And from time to time there are even breaks in their conversation, comfortable silences which neither of them really feels the need to fill, before they just naturally find something else to talk about, easily falling into yet another new conversation.
Alec kind of absolutely adores this, has enjoyed the entire evening, mind you, but this right here, this is simply perfect. He can't remember ever feeling so comfortable before, so relaxed, so truly himself.
And the longer they sit there, talking, entirely focused on each other, the less all those other things that usually crowd Alec's brain seem to matter, just falling away. Alec can barely rip his eyes away from Magnus and the warlock has been returning his attention in equal measure all night.
By the angel, is it like this for everyone? Reality narrowing down to just that one person across from you? Their presence taking up your entire field of vision to the point where you can't see anything beyond them anymore? Everything else just somehow fading into the background until it's just the two of you?
And they sit and they talk and they laugh. And not once does Alec bother checking the time, simply uncaring what time it is or just how long they've spent together at this point, unbothered by losing track of time entirely.
Which also means that he has absolutely no idea at what point of the night he falls asleep on Magnus' couch.
Alec just knows that they were talking and then next thing he is waking up on one of the couches in Magnus' living room, covered by a fluffy blue blanket.
Alec blinks, pushing himself to sit up slightly as he looks around with bleary eyes. It's clearly morning already, the early morning sun bathing the living room in a warm orange glow.
Where is Magnus?
He pauses for barely a moment but then he proceeds to actively ignore the fact that just now, his actual first thought after waking was about Magnus. Alec's mind is still far too sleep-addled to want to consider the implications of that particular development.
And barely a second later - almost as if called by his thoughts - Magnus appears in the doorway, holding two steaming mugs of what smells deliciously like coffee.
"Good morning, Alexander," he says brightly. "I hope you slept well,"
The warlock is already perfectly dressed and styled, looking just as amazing as always in a dark-red, long, kind of Asian-style shirt with gold patterns, several necklaces and rings, his hair swooping upwards and then to the side, golden highlights at the tips, a few strands falling into his face almost like a fringe and is that gold glitter lining his eyes?
Alec just blinks at him for a moment as his brain tries to catch up, feeling almost a little blinded by the sight.
It's like trying to look directly at the sun, he thinks a bit dazedly.
A fitting comparison if ever there was one. Magnus really seems about ready to out-shine the morning sun that is coming in from the outside.
How can someone already look this pretty this early in the morning? Alec thinks to himself a little helplessly. How is that in any way fair?
Magnus does his best not to coo at the absolutely adorable sight of the Shadowhunter on his couch, looking all sleep-rumpled and soft and lovely with his messy hair and only partially open eyes, blinking up at him slowly.
Instead, he just smiles brightly and thinks that it really is a good thing that his hands are currently full with mugs of hot coffee or he honestly might have been unable to keep himself from touching. Really, he deserves some sort of reward for managing to resist.
Finally, Alexander clears his throat, greeting in return, "Mornin'."
And Magnus promptly has to suppress an appreciative shiver at the gravelly quality of Alexander's still sleep-rough voice.
Oh yes, definitely a fan.
He just holds out one of the mugs in his hands - which is immediately and rather eagerly taken from him – to the Shadowhunter, takes a seat himself and remarks, "We must have fallen asleep at some point last night."
The comment just gets him a nod and nothing else. Clearly, Alexander is even less of a talker in the morning than he is at any other time of the day. And apparently, Alexander also doesn't feel uncomfortable at all at having unintentionally slept over, clearly not bothered in the least, just taking everything in stride as always.
And Magnus tries to tamp down on his smile as he watches Alexander curl around the mug in his hands, inhaling the aroma of the coffee with a rather blissed-out expression. He is just so absolutely, stupidly endeared with this boy.
Yes, I so deserve a reward for keeping my hands to myself.
"Would you like some breakfast before you have to leave? Or do you have to get back to the Institute right away?" he asks as casually as he can, trying not to sound too eager. Then, he can't help but add the small incentive of, "I already prepared a small spread."
And Magnus truly limited himself to a rather small selection of breakfast foods for once - fully aware that his tastes tend to lean towards the extravagant and still a little worried that he might overwhelm his occasionally somewhat skittish Shadowhunter - despite even the most grandiose selection of foods being just a few flicks of his fingers to Magnus.
But having to decide between fresh croissants from Paris and those delicious pancakes from that restaurant in Chicago really is a small sacrifice to make, if it means Alexander feels entirely comfortable here.
Well, he just can't help but want to spoil Alexander at least a little, even if Magnus doesn't quite dare being too obvious about it yet.
And so what if Magnus just took a little round-trip to Spain a few minutes ago, just so he could get them a cup of coffee from that little place in Barcelona where they have the best damn coffee he has ever tasted.
It's not like Magnus actually has to tell Alexander that he just skipped across the Atlantic just to make sure Alexander gets a really nice cup of coffee to start his day with, now does he?
Alec decides that he can definitely spare another thirty minutes to grab a quick breakfast with Magnus before he has to take off again, seeing as it really is still rather early in the morning.
And then there is also the fact that there is just no way of knowing how soon they'll manage to actually see each other again. Going by the past few days, there is no sense in even trying to plan ahead, at least not as long as Clary and Jace are running around, making a mess of everything they so much as look at.
So, Alec is just not quite willing to leave yet, to go back to the real world and bury himself in missions and reports once more, without any clue when they'll be able meet again.
A nice breakfast seems like a perfect way to end their - admittedly rather extended - date.
But his decision to stay just a little logner is also the reason why Alec entirely misses his mother's arrival at the Institute.
He only hears about it afterwards, while drinking his second cup of truly excellent coffee and smiling at Magnus, who is still giggling slightly at one of the embarrassing childhood stories Alec just told him about his siblings. Puberty truly is kind to no one and as the oldest sibling Alec has the privilege of knowing all the embarrassing details for all three of his siblings. It makes for some excellent stories. Not to even mention the blackmail material.
So, Alec is still smiling when his phone dings with a new message. It's from Izzy.
'Heads-up: Mom is back. As always, she's in a mood. Jace and I have been sent on a diplomatic mission with the seelies. And before anyone could check, I also signed you in for that early morning patrol you are obviously on right now.'
Alec stares at the text for a few seconds. His mother is back at the Institute? Damnit.
He had honestly hoped that his parents might stay away a little longer, would give Alec a little more time to figure himself out, if only to better prepare himself for the fight ahead of him.
A fight which is entirely unavoidable at this point, not only in regards to all those unsanctioned missions but even more so once his parents realize that Alec finally has something he might not be willing to simply shove aside just to conform to their ideal image of him .
Just the fact that he is gay is already going to be enough of a fight, but add to that the fact that Alexander is also rather infatuated with a warlock of all people... yeah, the fight is truly unavoidable at this point.
Of course, the one morning where Alec for the absolute first time in his life is doing something entirely for himself, is the exact point in time his parents decide to check up on them. How typical.
Still, at least he can count on Izzy to cover for him. Apparently, by claiming that the reason for his absence is him already being out working.
And Alec finds definite amusement in the fact that this is certainly not the first time that Izzy and him have exchanged messages exactly like this before. But until now it has always been Alec who was covering for Izzy - claiming she was on patrol or on a mission or meditating or not to be disturbed in her room for whatever reason whenever their parents were looking for her while she was actually out doing something not-so-Shadowhunterish - and not the other way around.
But, isn't that what siblings are for? Having your back?
So, he just texts back a simple, 'Thanks.'
Izzy's reply is prompt. 'I want details once you get back.'
Alec quirks a grin. 'Yeah, not going to happen.'
'Spoilsport.'
He can practically see the pout she must be wearing right now.
Angel, does he love his sister.
Magnus watches as Alexander shrugs into his jacket.
Their undisturbed time with each other has finally run out. And he would love to keep the Shadowhunter a little longer – always 'just a little longer' with this one - but it's sadly unavoidable that they have to part at some point, what with both of them having rather stressful day jobs that require quite a bit of their attention.
Even more so, now that the elder Lightwoods are apparently back in the city.
Magnus promptly pushes that thought aside. He can worry about what sort of an effect the return of his parents might have on Alexander later. Magnus can only hope that this still so very new and fragile connection between them will survive the elder Lightwoods' presence.
Sure, so far Alexander has proven himself to be utterly self-assured in his own choices, including spending time with Magnus and not even making much of a secret out of it. But it is an indisputable fact that there are few influences in life greater than that of a parent. Magnus would know.
And the fact remains, that they still haven't defined what they are or what they could be or what they want this to be. So, who knows what Alexander will make of it now that his parents are back.
There simply isn't anything Magnus can do about it. He is already in far too deep to try pulling back now, to put some of his defenses - which Alexander bypassed so effortlessly - back up to protect himself, to protect his heart. It truly is too late for that. So, Magnus has no other choice but to simply wait and see how this plays out, to see whether he'll have a chance at actual real happiness again or whether he'll have to deal with the fallout of letting himself get so very invested so quickly.
It's simply out of his hands now. If he is entirely honest, Magnus might never have been holding any of the cards to begin with. Alexander had him caught pretty much the moment their eyes met that night at Pandemonium.
So, he pushes the thoughts of all that might go wrong soon aside and instead focuses on these last few undisturbed minutes they have left before Alexander has to go.
He looks at the Shadowhunter, who also seems rather distracted right now, clearly caught up in his own thoughts, possibly even thinking along similar lines as Magnus, about what his parents' return might mean for them.
Alexander had refused his offer of a portal, so as not to undermine his own alibi as provided by the lovely Isabelle of having been on patrol if someone were to see him step out of a portal in front of the Institute. Instead, he said he'd actually patrol the city for a bit - to make up for slacking - and then make his way back as he usually would when coming back from patrol.
Always the consummate Shadowhunter. Magnus just smiles fondly and finally reaches out to pull open the door for him.
Alec is about to leave.
After what might have been the best night of his life – and yes, he is fully aware how that sounds – his uninterrupted time with Magnus is pretty much over now. The dinner and the walk and the drinks and the talking and the nice but short breakfast this morning, everything was just pretty much perfect.
And now he is about to leave.
But then there is the fact that his mind keeps nudging at him, reminding him that this is the third time he has gone out with Magnus, the third time they spend hours talking while pretty much ignoring the rest of the world, not to even mention their countless texts and lengthy phone conversations. And at this point it's not even a question anymore whether he wants to make this thing with Magnus into something more.
Hell, whenever they aren't spending time with each other in one way or another, Alec can still barely even drag his thoughts away from the warlock.
And Alec has been thinking about it, about defining their relationship as more. But he is also a little clueless how to go about getting there. Sure, Magnus has made it so very absolutely clear last night that he is definitely interested in more, but the warlock made it just as clear that he is leaving it up to Alec to take the next step, that he is not going to push for anything and is just happy to take whatever Alec is willing to offer him.
Which is a nice sentiment and all but it also means that it's now up to Alec to figure out the next step. And excuse him for being a little clueless here. All of this is entirely new to him, the dating and the handholding and the talking and the flirting. Alec just doesn't know what the social conventions for taking the next step are.
All he knows is that he does want to take this further, that he does want more.
And he just spent an entire night staring at Magnus, at the sinuous movements of his hands, his warm eyes, his smile.
His lips.
Alec just really wants to kiss him. It's pretty much all he has been able to think about for days now. Kissing Magnus. He wants to know how Magnus' lips will feel against his, wants it so much he sometimes loses himself in thinking about it for minutes at a time.
But how do you go about kissing someone you've never kissed before? Do you ask? That seems a little awkward to be honest. But just pulling someone into a kiss without warning doesn't seem the best idea either.
But then, Magnus is pulling the door to the loft open for him, saying something and smiling at him warmly, and suddenly Alec's time is up.
"Hopefully we'll see each other again soon," Magnus says with a smile, holding the door open and not letting any of his doubts about what might happen once Alexander leaves show on his face. He turns slightly to fully face the Shadowhunter again, wanting to make sure Alexander knows just how much Magnus enjoyed their date. "I truly enjoyed this and I would love to do it again. Just let me know, whenever you have-"
He trails off.
Because the look in Alexander's eyes has changed, something intent and determined and eager and almost a little hungry in his gaze which keeps flicking between Magnus' eyes and his lips.
Then the Shadowhunter is taking a step closer to him, another. One of his hands comes up to settle lightly on Magnus' shoulder. And then Alexander is slowly pulling him in for a kiss.
It takes Magnus not even a second to get with the program - magic, has he been waiting for this - letting one of his hands come up to lay against the side of Alexander's neck, the other settling on his waist.
And he can't help but smile slightly into the kiss, as warmth and relief and joy spread in his chest. Alexander made his choice. Alexander wants him.
The kiss is everything Alec has imagined and at the same time so much more than he ever dared to expect.
It's just a rather chaste press of lips at first. But it changes, their lips moving against each other and, angel, it feels good.
Magnus' lips are soft and warm and Alec takes another step closer, and another, following Magnus' movement until the warlock is leaning back against the door, one of Alec's hands against the wood next to his head.
Alec doesn't know how long the kiss lasts. It might be just a few moments or minutes or even longer.
And then, Magnus' hand on the side of his neck shifts slightly, his thumb running slowly, gently along Alec's cheekbone, and Alec just helplessly steps even closer, entirely losing track of reality for a bit.
Magnus is still standing in the open door to his loft, slowly swiping his thumb over his lower lip, feeling a ridiculously wide, happy smile spread over his face as he stares in the direction where Alexander just disappeared down the corridor.
Alexander just kissed him.
No preamble, no hesitation, just a kiss. Long and slow and testing.
And then the Shadowhunter had pulled back, enough to be able to meet his eyes, just staying focused on each other for another few moments. Finally, Alexander had given a decisive nod and with an almost neutral sounding "I'll call you tonight." had then left rather quickly.
Although, not before Magnus got a nice view of that really rather adorable blush on Alexander's cheeks.
Magnus just feels his grin widen. Goodness, what this boy does to me.
A/N: So, as promised, even more Malec fluff :) And I really hope the development in this chapter seems generally organic and that the kiss didn't happen too abruptly here... Would absolutely love to know what you think :D
And I hope all this fluff will tide you over for a bit because the next chapters are probably going to be more about pushing the storyline forward a little ('cause this fic has 25k already and I barely made it to episode 5 at this point and just how in the world did that happen?). And though I wasn't able to keep the iconic wedding kiss as their first kiss in this version, I'll do my best to include some version of it later on in some way :D
And thanks so much for your reviews! They always make me so happy (*^^*)