Air
Alec shivered as warm breath ghosted across the back of his neck, the familiar scent of sticky sweet burnt sugar and sandalwood curling up around him as strong hands slid over his ribs to pull him back against a warm body. Breathing in deep he relaxed into the comforting embrace, some of the day's tightly coiled tension bleeding out of him.
"Long day Darling?"
Alec hummed a noncommittal noise in reply, bringing his hands up to curl over Magnus's where they rested against his chest, absently running his thumbs along the curve of his wrists.
It had been a long day. The clave, in their infinite bigotry, was still picking apart everything he did, questioning his leadership at every turn and scrutinizing every decision he made. They had once again scoffed a harsh dismissal at the success he was having with the Downworld Cabinet, their noses firmly turned skyward in stubborn arrogance. He knew they were just waiting for him to make one mistake, take one wrong step, so they could swoop in and destroy everything he was fighting for. They would make him into their example, crucifying him in a public trial, shaming him so absolutely that nobody would dare challenge the status quo again. He knew he had to work three times as hard as any other Institute Head just to keep afloat and sometimes he felt like he was breaking under the pressure. While some days were easier than others, today had not been one of those days.
When they hadn't been able to find anything substantial to reprimand him for they had switched tactics, brutally attacking his relationship with Magnus and insinuating that he was nothing more than a passing fancy for the warlock. They claimed his devotion to the other man clouded his judgement, made him an ineffective leader, and put his Shadowhunters at risk. And while he had successfully rebuked their baseless accusations the meeting had left him feeling cracked open, exposed, scraped out and raw.
With a shuddering sigh he turned in Magnus's arms, tucking his face against the curve of the other man's throat and breathing him in. He hummed again, this time in gratitude as nimble fingers carded through his hair soothingly, the warlock murmuring love and support in a low voice. He allowed himself a small smile at the feeling of Magnus pressing a gentle kiss against his temple, the gesture a balm on his battered soul.
Sometimes Alec still marveled at the fact that he got to have this. He had denied himself for so long, burying that lonely piece of his soul until it had begun to suffocate and wither. And then Magnus had stubbornly crashed into his life with his vibrant colors and staggering capacity for love, and Alec…he felt like he could breath for the first time in his life.
Magnus was like oxygen, the air in his lungs, his comfort at the end of a long day and a source of unwavering strength he never knew he needed. As long as Alec had him by his side he could tackle anything the Clave threw at him.
"I love you," Alec murmured, tilting his face just enough to press a kiss against the underside of Magnus's jaw. "So much."
Magnus's arms tightened around him. "I love you too my beautiful Nephilim."
AN: This is the first installment in a word prompt challenge I found online. I have 50 of these to get through so we'll see what happens! I'm trying to finish all of them by the end of this year but I'm thinking that might a be a lofty goal. Reviews keep me motivated though! Big thank you to everyone who took the time to read. I appreciate you!
-GPO
