Life with Magnus

By Shin Sankai

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Chapter Eight

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Later that afternoon, Alec had remembered to phone Magnus to advise him that he was going to be late and to take the boys and Madzie back to his loft apartment and not wait for him. He'd literally sent a text a few minutes ago, it just after 6:30pm now as he was bringing dinner with him, wanting Magnus to keep the kids up later then usual, even if it were only for tonight. He also didn't want Magnus to cook. It was the least he could do.

Alec punched in the security pin that Magnus had for the main doors to the building, he having sent it to his phone and then entered the elevator, the smell of Chinese food wafting in the confined space as the elevator dinged signalling he'd arrived at the top floor.

One knock on the door, which was a thud really, since he'd used his boot covered foot, and then the door was pried open. Magnus held out a spare key to him, but with his arms full, as he not only had tonight's takeaway but also several other shopping bags too, all Alec could think to do was bend his head, accepting the key between his teeth rather comically. It got Magnus' eyes widening and a smile fluttered to his lips. He looked rather handsome.

Alec quickly took the bags to the dining table, unloading his hands and then pulled the key from his lips and placed it in his back pocket for safe keeping. He listened to Magnus close the front door and then he was at the dining table and peering into one of the bags to see what was on offer for dinner. He was certain the man would be hungry since he didn't eat breakfast and lord knows what he had for lunch when he was always run off his feet at the Day Care. Drawing his eyes back over to Magnus, it was then Alec noticed his attire.

"Working tonight?" Magnus was dressed in his black and white uniform from Ragnor's.

"Mm, I let Ragnor know I wouldn't be working this weekend, not with needing to ensure my house guests are settling in well." Magnus gave him a wink. "So to appease Ragnor I promised to come in tonight as he said he's hired another bartender. Apparently he's quite flashy or so Ragnor says."

"You're quite flashy." Alec had blurted that out before he could stop himself.

He held his breath as Magnus gave him a slightly narrowed look. "I'm going to take that as a compliment."

"Please do." Alec mumbled, feeling heat rise to his cheeks.

"I'm fortunate that you're actually here too, since Catarina cannot look after Madzie tonight."

Alec gave a nod as he started pulling dinner out of the bag. "I'm glad Ragnor's finally hired someone though, you've been looking pretty tired at the Day Care." Magnus eyed him quietly, now realising that Alec was paying him quite a bit of attention even though he'd been keeping the man at a distance. Well, except now of course. "Where are the kids?" Alec quickly changed topics and popped the lids on the delicious looking dinner on offer.

"Hey boys, your daddy is back." Magnus called out, Alec's blue eyes watching his sons come dashing over to him for hugs, like he'd not seen them in forever even if it had only been this morning when he farewelled them a Warlock Day Care.

"Have you been good?" They nodded their heads affirmatively and Alec turned his gaze to Magnus.

"Of course, my little Lightwood's are very good boys." Alec felt something stir within him at Magnus' words. "Even the nice old lady in the park said so as she lost her hat in the breeze and Maxy and Raph went running after it to get it back for her." Magnus beamed the rosy cheeked boys a rather loving smile which stumped Alec. Then there was the simple fact he'd given his boys nicknames as well. Not even he or his parents had given them nicknames.

"She gave us cookies!"

"Is that right? Well, in that case, since you've already had some sweets today, maybe you didn't want this?" Magnus watched Alec place a plain white tub onto the table.

"Is that triple chocolate fudge brownie ice cream?!" Max shouted in excitement, jumping up and down on the spot, eyes sparkling, much like his little brother's as their father popped the lid to show them the contents inside...and indeed it was ice cream.

"It might not be the sundae I've promised you, but we'll have a little bit tonight, whilst watching a movie before bed." Squeals of delight erupted through Magnus' usually quiet home, but with adorable and rowdy boys, it seemed his tranquil sanctuary wasn't likely to be that for some time. And to think he didn't mind it one bit as it brought a smile to his face. Alec handed the DVD over to his eldest son, it being a present to the boys as they looked at the pictures on the back. "Where's Madzie, I have a present for her too."

It was as though his dear sweet and shy Madzie had been hiding around the corner as she finally shuffled into view, eyes peering down at her slipper covered feet, but they rose when Alec made his way over to her, squatting at her side.

"I noticed Madzie sometimes feels scared...and maybe she even worries about what others may think of the scars on her neck." Alec voiced softly to her, Magnus watching as his little sweet pea placed her hands against her tiny neck, covering her scars from bright blue eyes. He watched as Alec's large hands lifted up and rested over Madzie's. "Madzie never has to feel scared with me...or Max and Raphael. Just like Magnus, we'll keep you safe." Magnus felt his heart thumping in his chest, watching as Alec dropped his hands to pick up a small box which had been situated near his feet. "Madzie's scars are part of who she is...and we don't think they are ugly at all. However, if you still don't like them, and want to hide them, then maybe these will help." Madzie looked down at the light pink box, it still in Alec's hands but she lifted the lid with her tiny hands to look inside. "Will Madzie accept my gifts?" Magnus watched as Madzie pulled out two silk scarves, one was greenish-blue with white spots on it and the other was light pink with white daisy's on it. Alec lifted up the spotty one and tied it lightly around her neck. "There, now she looks like my Little Sorceress from my book." Alec was surprised, along with Magnus, as Madzie stepped closer, arms lifting to wrap around his neck, her head tucked under his chin, a tiny little smile on her lips.

"Oh sweet pea..." Magnus softly remarked, hands against his chest as Alec turned to look over at him. He stood up, taking Madzie to the table and placed her in a chair, the one right next to his, just like this morning for breakfast. Magnus quickly did the same for Max and Raphael, once he got the cushions for the youngster that is. "Madzie is such a lucky girl, what do you say to Alexander for the presents he gave you?"

"Thank you,"

"You're very welcome sweet pea." Magnus grinned as Alec had started to refer to Madzie like he did.

Alec served up dinner, eyes glancing to Magnus when an alarm went off on his phone. He'd only had a chance to eat a spring roll when he watched the man rise from his seated position.

"Leaving for work already?"

"Mm," He tucked in his chair, grabbing another spring roll as he was literally starving but then he needed some extra time to get organised at Ragnor's before they opened for the evening. "Save me some?"

"Sure," Alec responded as he watched Magnus farewell the kids and then headed for the front door. "Magnus wait..." He called out to him, making his way over to the man. Magnus watched Alec falter a little and gave him a grin. His hesitation and awkwardness was so adorable.

"Thank you again for being here to look after Madzie tonight."

"Its alright, after all, we've imposed on you as it is and she can have some of the ice cream that Max and Raphael like so much and maybe she'll want to watch the movie with us?"

"I'm sure she will. After all, that was the first time I've ever seen her hug someone other then Catarina and I."

"Really?"

"You are truly something else Alexander." Magnus drifted his eyes away, knowing he shouldn't have said that! "A-Anyway, thank you for what you did with Madzie. She may not voice it, but the hug spoke volumes as she was really quite chuffed with the scarves you gave her."

"I got something..." Alec faulted a little when Magnus' cat eyes gazed up at him once more. "Here..." He pulled out a small item from his pocket, it wrapped in black tissue paper, resting on his open palm. When Magnus didn't move, Alec extended his arm towards the man. "It's for you."

"Me?" The astonishment in his voice was rather cute.

"Of course." Alec watched as Magnus took the wrapped item from his palm, holding it within both of his so gently like he were afraid it was going to break. When was the last time Magnus received a present? "Open it." Alec prompted and watched as Magnus pried open the tissue paper to look upon an omamori. "For luck and protection." Alec had been debating on what to get for dinner, since the last time he brought up the topic of wanting to pay Magnus some money for housing him and his sons, the man had instantly refused. All he could think to do was buy dinner or groceries whilst they stayed here, plus he could look after Madzie if Magnus needed to work at the bar and Catarina couldn't do it, not that she needed to since he were staying at Magnus' place now. As he pondered on his way back to the loft, he came across a small Japanese shop tucked away in a back alley which he was walking down as a short cut back to the loft. He saw the brightly coloured omamori and asked what they were for and when the woman behind the counter started pointing to a variety of them, but then she held up one which was for luck and protection. He immediately thought of Magnus and had bought it. He eyed the rather quiet man and when he did nothing but continuously stare at the omamori, he couldn't help but click his fingers, knocking Magnus from his inner thoughts. "You don't like it?"

"N-No!" Alec was rewarded with a tiny smile. "I love it. Thank you Alexander." He gave a slight nod, really pleased with himself at the way Magnus held it, as though it were the most precious gift he'd ever received from someone. He watched as Magnus stared at it for a little longer, a tiny smile on his lips and then he placed it in his pocket, keeping it on his person. He slipped on his leather jacket and the the grey scarf he had given him.

"I hope work goes well." Magnus gave a nod and after a chorus of goodbyes from the children once more, he was out the door and rushing down the spiral staircase.

Alec went back to his dinner, listening to Raphael tell him all about their day with Magnus.

# To be Continued #