Life with Magnus

By Shin Sankai

#

Chapter Six

#

Puffing for air, and sweating from his mad dash even in the cool weather, Alec pressed Magnus' buzzer and only had to wait a few seconds before the man buzzed him through the main door and then Alec headed up to the top floor and was standing at Magnus' front door in minutes. He knocked a couple of times and it didn't take long before the door opened.

Alec was surprised (pleasantly so, if he were being honest) to see that Magnus' usually styled hair was wet from he obviously having finished having a shower not long ago and it was spiked naturally from running his fingers through it, not bothering to use a comb or styling it in his usual ways (with a lot of products he gathered – since hairstyles and fashion was not his thing) as he were in the confines of his own home...and other then himself...was not expecting guests.

What was also interesting to Alec's startling blue eyes was the fact that Magnus was standing before him in a pair of silk black and gold pyjama pants and a matching dressing gown which was open. He could clearly make out the toned and muscular body beneath, those rather defined abs. And though he was certain he could of stared longer, Alec attention was stolen by something else. He felt his lips quirk as his eyes drifted down to a pair of slippers which were on Magnus' feet, but not just any slippers. These were bright green and purple alien heads with antenna wriggling about when he moved.

"G-Good evening..." Finally he got his voice working as Magnus opened the door to his home wider and he slipped inside, dropping his bags with a rather loud thud, or multiple thuds, and then quietly followed Magnus further into his very large and spacious apartment, his eyes not being able to help but look around in awe.

Wow...

The father of two quickly stopped short of running into the back of Magnus as he finally gazed down at the floor, where a plush red rug was in the middle of the room which was surrounded by some fancy looking leather couches and other expensive looking furniture, ornaments and artwork and right there, lying on the rug, curled together under brightly patterned blankets and cat themed cushions were Madzie and his sons, all fast asleep. Alec finally picked up on the melodious music which had put the children to sleep and now knew this was the reason why Magnus hadn't yelled at him over the phone. He didn't want to wake them.

"Max and Raphael have been bathed and I placed them into some old shirts of mine." Alec flicked his eyes to Magnus for a second, listening to his soft sensual voice. "With their belly's full from some left over home cooked beef and vegetable stew, I was able to put them to sleep rather quickly. Though it has been an eventful day so I can't take all the credit as I'm sure both boys are completely spent from their frightening ordeal." Alec crouched down, fingers lightly grazing Max's forehead where the stark white bandage was wrapped around his head. "His stitches have to stay in for an entire week." Magnus remembered to voice what the doctor had said. "Just take him to your local GP to get them removed." Alec remained crouched, knowing his son, and the imagination he had, he would turn his injury into quite a story. Although that brought small smile to his lips he hated the fact his little boy would end up with a scar on his cute face, though as he grew older he would hope he'd think it cool in the end. At least he prayed for that.

Out the corner of his left eye, Alec finally noticed Magnus was now pacing a little, hands folded rather awkwardly behind his back, though it looked like one of the most natural things the man did. It also parted his dressing gown open that little bit more too, his silk pants riding low against narrow hips, showing off the plain black band of his boxer briefs beneath. Not that Alec should be eyeing the man off like that as right now Magnus truly looked troubled.

"Magnus..."

"I'm sorry..." Alec arched an eyebrow as sad golden cat eyes looked over at him. Even though Magnus had worn a variety of different coloured contacts, from purple, to green, to red, to even blue, and it did make him wonder just what was so terrible with his own natural colour, but even so, these cat eye lenses were his favourite if Alec had to pick a pair. "I always ensure that nothing like this ever happens to the children in my care and yet..." Magnus faulted when Alec stood up and drew closer, too close in his books, and then he jolted a little when the man rested his hands against his shoulders. Calm down...it means nothing.

"And I'm sorry I wasn't there. You must have been worried."

"I was worried for Max." Magnus looked down at the boy. "Poor sweet Raphael was hysterical, telling me his brother was dead and when I went out there...the blood...and he looked so pale that I did actually think..." Magnus never did finish as he was suddenly hugged! Of course he tensed instantly, but he couldn't help the soft gasp that escaped his lips either. He was not expecting this at all, nor the way it felt so nice being in Alexander's strong arms either.

"Max's uncle, my younger brother, the one he was named after, he was involved in an accident over a year before Max was born." Alec had no idea why he was blurting out such private matters, because he just wasn't that type of person to share. However for some reason, when he was with Magnus, he just felt like he could be himself and tell the man anything. From their first meeting he had felt comfortable with him, like there was a connection forming. He wondered if Magnus felt the same, but of course he instantly began to place up defensive walls as soon as he found out he were a father. It wasn't exactly something one could just blurt out. "I hadn't been there to protect him." Magnus felt his breath catch, knowing Alexander was talking past tense. His little brother was... "Listening to you relay what had happened to Max, I thought I was going to be violently ill." Alec felt his eyes droop closed when Magnus raised his arms and wrapped them lightly around his waist. It felt...nice. And dear lord, Magnus smelt so good... "I couldn't save my brother..."

"Alexander..." Magnus murmured softly, wishing with all his being he could comfort this handsome man who was currently embracing him, of his own free will, even if it were for just a moment.

"I'll never forgive myself for not being there for him, but you...today...you were there for both my sons. You took swift action and stayed with them the entire time and because of that, Max will recover from his injury in no time." Alec finally loosened his grip on Magnus, to gaze upon him once more. "Thank you," Alec hoped Magnus could feel the sincerity in his voice and observed his eyes dart away from his own intense gaze. Magnus seemed to catch himself once more, placing up his defences as he promptly dropped his arms from around his waist and took a step back, giving them some much needed space.

"I was definitely panicking more then Max was at first, but as soon as he saw the blood, the unknown ambulance staff, and the pain would have kicked in as well, the flood gates opened and all he wanted was his daddy." Alec felt the guilt rise in him like bile. "I tried my best, tried to reassure him that he would see you soon, but I wasn't able to calm him down at all. I think the staff at the hospital ended up giving him a small amount of a sedative and then I was ushered away with Madzie and Raphael. We waited for what felt like hours upon hours before a doctor came to give me an update. I was filled with utter relief that it wasn't too serious...even though it was serious."

"Magnus..."

"The only way I could convince Max to come home with me was the fact he could read or flip through any of the books I own, which is quite a lot I might add, and then he could meet my cat." Alec grinned at that, knowing both his son's wanted a cat desperately. He hated not being able to give his sons what they wanted, but then he didn't want them to grow up being spoilt either. Then there was the fact that their apartment was so bloody small with the three of them already living there, pretty much on top of each other that Alec vowed it was but a temporary home since eventually his growing sons would need bedrooms to themselves as well. Adding a cat to the mix would just be insane, no matter the pouting he got from his boys. "Though I think the clincher was ensuring that his daddy took us out for the biggest ice cream sundae all of us have ever seen once you got back from wherever you've been...and as long as Max felt up to an outing too."

"All of us together?" Magnus nodded his head. "Sounds like a date..." Alec was sure he blushed a little awkwardly at his slip of the tongue, hand rising to scratch behind his neck as he cleared his throat to try and cover up his embarrassment.

"What's with the bags?" And how thankful was he to Magnus who decided not to press the matter with him and instead gazed over at his dumped bags lying on the ground near the front door. "Are the three of you going somewhere?"

"Well..." Alec finally took a seat on one of the blush couches in the living room, his gorgeous blue eyes loving the play of emotions rushing over Magnus' face rather unguardedly as he reeled off today's events.

He'd been in the combined kitchen/living room of his tiny apartment, making a coffee when he heard an unusual creaking sound. Alec had shuffled into his bedroom/study just in time to watch the ceiling give way, a massive rush of water came crashing down. He'd yelled at the top of his lungs, diving for his laptop and a folder which held a 400 page document he'd been working on for months!

He'd spent most of the day on the phone to the owners of the building, arguing with the supervisor and also having multiple phone calls with the insurance company too, hence why his phone had zero battery power at the moment. After countless hours of arguing, everyone deemed the apartment was unsafe at this time, assigning an investigator to Alec's case and then he packed up three overnight bags, placed his laptop and the bulky document into another carry bag and left the apartment.

"So right now, we are a little bit homeless." He watched Magnus' mouth gape open. "I've been trying to find temporary accommodation,which is why time slipped away and I hadn't realised it got so late, but with money being quite tight at the moment, I've not found a suitable place to stay yet." Alec didn't want to go into the gritty details of his financial problems. Besides, if he did that he could just hear his mother's patronising voice in his head saying: I knew something like this was going to happen so you should have just stayed here. Like she could have predicted this!

"Would you like to stay here?" Alec darted his head up as he had previously dropped it into his hands, elbows resting on his knees as he'd been looking down at the children, hoping beyond hope he wouldn't have to resort with calling his parents and asking them if they could stay with them, but then he had heard Magnus' voice and was now gazing over at him, wondering if he'd just heard right. "I am fortunate enough to have space available." He had.

"You would offer your home...to a stranger...to me...just like that?"

"Well, when you make it sound like that, no, no I wouldn't just offer my home to a stranger." Alec watched Magnus pace a little before stopping once more, turning those warm eyes to look over at him. "Alexander, you aren't just anyone." So what am I? Alec bit the inside of his cheek, stubbornness keeping him from blurting that out. "I'm not so heartless to throw a man and his two sons out into the gutter, especially when his two sons are children I look after." So its all just business? "And as I said, I have the space."

"I...I wouldn't want to intrude..." Alec hesitantly voiced. "I mean, it'd be awkward if you had...company...wouldn't it?" God that word was bitter on his tongue. "With the three of us imposing on you, I mean you wouldn't get the privacy you need and..."

"It is just Madzie and I here." Alec darted his blue eyes back up to see Magnus shift his gaze away from him. That confirmed he didn't have a partner, right? "S-So you needn't worry about that."

"Is Madzie your daughter?" Alec received Magnus' full attention now, head tilting slightly. "I...I mean she doesn't call you dad but..." Shit, should he have said that? It seemed awfully invasive after all.

"Well, I guess we are family now." Magnus gave a tiny lopsided grin. Boy, and Alec thought he was good at being elusive. He watched the man step over the flaked out children as he decided to mix them a couple of drinks. It wasn't long before Alec was accepting a martini from him. "Welcome to my home." They clinked them together.

"Its... Its good." Magnus smirked while taking a sip as Alec pulled that oh so adorable face he did when he still wasn't sure about whether he liked the taste or not.

"You can have a more thorough tour tomorrow, but let me show you to the bedrooms at least." Alec downed the martini, knowing Magnus arched an eyebrow at him for doing that. He didn't bother to eat the olive as he placed the glass on a round chrome table next to one of the black leather couches and then promptly picked up the bags he'd dropped near the front door and followed Magnus down a wide hallway. "Once you advise Max and Raphael about what is going on, even if they might not fully understand, as you can just explain they are having a sleepover here for however long and this'll be their room." Alec gazed inside to see a nicely furnished spare room. He placed two bags inside as he gazed over at two single beds and a nice looking entertainment system that would keep his kids entertained for hours. There was also two desks, a built in wardrobe, some plush beanbags and a large window which seemed to look over part of Brooklyn but Alec didn't get much of a view as Magnus was on his way again. "The main bathroom is here, and that is Madzie's room." Not that Alec could miss it as her name was on the door and it was surrounded by pink and purple butterflies. "And this will be your bedroom." Magnus flicked on the light, dosing the room in warm hues as a double bed with red and black sheets and covers was under the large window. There were built-in wardrobes a plenty, a writing desk with a laptop, printer and a filing cabinet, another expensive entertainment system and another leather couch with fluffy cushions.

"You have a lovely home." Alec watched Magnus wave off the compliment. His eyes flicked to another closed door, knowing it would be the master bedroom which Magnus occupied but quietly followed the man back into the living room, again observing him step over the children as though he didn't realise they were there, but of course he did. Magnus quietly slid open the glass balcony door and Alec followed him, noticing several plants and shrubs and even in the cool night air, with no jacket on, he was in absolute awe of the stunning view. "Wow..."

"I am very fortunate to have this." Magnus softly voiced, sipping his martini until the entire contents was gone. He chewed thoughtfully on the olive.

"This is what I want." Magnus tilted his head at the mumble before feeling his shoulders straighten when Alec was currently staring at him with his focused crystal blue eyes. "A homely place like this, for me and the boys." He couldn't help but wonder if there was going to be a future Mrs Lightwood in that speech but when it never came, Magnus cleared his throat and gave the handsome man a tiny smile.

"And you will Alexander, one day, I'm sure of it." Magnus watched as Alec sagged against the railing of his balcony, head tilted back as he gazed up into the night sky. With how many lights and buildings (and pollution) there was about the city, there was no way you'd be able to see many (if any) stars. Not that stars was what Magnus was thinking of.

All he could think about and see was Alec. The way his clothing, as plain and simple as it was, hugged his muscular frame in all the right places. Again, three buttons were undone and giving him agonising glimpses of the taut pale skin beneath. Then there was the finely chiselled face, possibly carved by God himself to tantalise anyone who dare look. Those beautiful blue eyes were currently closed, thick black lashes brushing against pale cheeks. A slight breeze was ruffling his unkempt hair, but Magnus would never dream of running a comb through it because the wind tossed look was so very appealing on Alexander Lightwood.

"I should put the boys to bed." And the moment was gone, Magnus being pulled from his daze in an instant.

"Yes, it is getting late." He closed and locked the glass door, watching as Alec effortlessly picked up his sleeping boys, they not even making a whimper and then turned to look at him as he did the same with Madzie. Magnus decided he'd clean up the living room tomorrow as it wasn't too bad with just cushions and blankets about the place, even if he did like order.

Quietly they shuffled down the hallway, children being tucked into their beds and doors being partially closed. The door to the main bathroom was also left ajar and a night light was on inside so the children and Alec (mainly the children) could find it with ease once Magnus doused his apartment into darkness.

"Oh, so this is the famous cat that helped win Max over, huh?" From the pale lighting coming from the bedroom he was going to reside in, Alec had watched a cat come strutting out.

"Yes, that fat companion of mine has been with me for quite a few years now. His name is Church. He's been very spoilt all his life, so I'm curious how he is going to go with a sibling in Chairman Meow, a cat I'm getting Madzie for Christmas this year. I found him online, in a cat shelter in LA and he should be here just before Christmas." Magnus could see Alec arch his eyebrow from the corner of his gaze as he was probably curious about the odd names...though he never did ask about them.

"Well..."

"Well..." Magnus repeated as they stood in the hallway like two new and awkward room-mates. When Alexander didn't bother to say anything else, probably unsure of what to say really, Magnus thought it best to call it a night. "Pleasant dreams Alexander." He shuffled to his bedroom, prying his door open to slink inside.

"Magnus," Alec watched him turn to look over his shoulder back at him. "I like your slippers." Alec was rewarded with a small laugh from Magnus, his lips forming a tiny smile as he called him a liar and then gave him a small wave before slipping into his room, the door clicking closed.

Alec closed the door of his temporary bedroom and removed his clothing, falling onto the bed in his boxer briefs and stared up at the ceiling, arms folded behind his head.

He quite liked the sound of that tiny little laugh from Magnus. Though he quite liked the tiny little smile as well. And then there was all the other expressions he was freely able to gaze upon as he had been reeling off what a shit day he had had and why he'd missed the worried calls from the man in regards to Max.

Alec sat up, placing on the bedside lamp and then turned off the main lights. He dragged his overnight bag to the bed and pulled out his phone charger and then promptly plugged in his phone. He didn't know how long he gazed about the room and then took a quick peak out the closed blinds to look at the view and then darted his eyes to his flashing phone which vibrated numerous times:

30 missed calls and 15 text messages... He was certainly worried about Max.

#

Just before drifting off to sleep, Alec wondered if tomorrow was going to be awkward.

# To be Continued #