Life with Magnus

By Shin Sankai

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Chapter Nine

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It was the wee hours of the morning, Magnus quietly unlocking his door and shut it softly behind him. He removed his coat and the scarf, it pretty much being a second present he got from Alexander, and then took off his vest and bow tie. He pulled the white shirt from his trousers and undid the buttons and proceeded to kick off his black polished shoes. His contact lenses had been irritating him for the past hour and finally in the confines of his home, he stood in front of the mirror near his front door and removed them, blinking several times as the irritation vanished instantly. Maybe the contacts had dried out his eyes, he couldn't be sure, but he did enjoy the instant relief he felt.

With contacts gone, Magnus turned back to look into his apartment, completely silent as all were asleep, though he did take note that a light had been left on, just around the corner from his large living space, which is where he pretty much housed all his books for young and old, and also where he had a large flat screen TV and surround sound system...and of course a two seater couch, another plush rug, it being white, and then some cushions, blankets and a chair with matching ottoman.

Magnus was more of a bookworm then watching TV but knowing that Alexander and the kids would have used it to watch the movie was reason enough to have it in his mind.

He was about to go and turn off the light, Alexander probably forgetting to turn it off once everyone retired for the evening, but stopped as a tiny whimper came from inside a bedroom. So, not everyone was deep in slumber. And that little whimper wasn't Madzie, but Raphael. Even after such a short period of time, Magnus was getting used to everyone's sleeping habits, since he always made sure the kids had nap time at Day Care. Magnus made his way to the room, Alec obviously completely exhausted as his door was closed and he hadn't heard his youngest son cry out in discomfort.

Magnus just realised he hadn't even asked Alec how the meeting with the insurance company went as they'd pretty much become a tag team and switched in looking after the children as he rushed off to Ragnor's.

"Oh my sweet boy," Magnus cooed as he entered the bedroom and pulled Raphael into his embrace, arms locking around his neck, his head dropping onto his shoulder.

"Welcome home," Came a sleepy voice from the other bed, Raphael having woken Max. Magnus bent down, whilst still rubbing Raphael's back as he pressed his lips to Max's hair whispering his thanks and told him to go back to sleep. Lucky it was Saturday so everyone could have a sleep in...he included...once he finally got to bed that is.

Magnus quietly shuffled out of the bedroom, making his way into his open plan living room, pondering whether he should wake Alexander up to console his little boy, but all thoughts came to an abrupt halt when he faced his open plan TV/library room as there the man lay, sprawled on the two seater couch.

"Daddy wanted to wait up for you." Raphael sleepily voiced.

"How sweet..." Magnus mumbled as he continued to stare at the dead to the world Alexander who looked a little awkward on this two seater couch, his lanky body enveloping all the space it had, his legs hanging over the edge and one arm splayed out to the floor, resting on the cool tiles. The man had his right arm tucked awkwardly under his head, using it and one of his cat printed cushions as a pillow. His thick eyelashes were casting shadows over his cheeks in the pale lighting. And then what made his breath hitch, as per usual, when he gazed at Alexander a little bit longer then he should, was the fact the man was once again, shirtless. Tattoos all on view for him to have a look at, if he moved a bit closer that is, but now was not the time to focus on the man when young Raphael was in his arms and he turned his attention back to the youngster.

"And how does my sweet boy feel?" Magnus softly questioned, one arm under his bum, keeping him against him while the other rubbed at his tiny back. "Do you need a drink of water? Some medicine? Does your tummy hurt at all? Want me to wake your daddy so he can give you hugs?" Magnus was rewarded with a shake of the head as Raphael tucked his head under his chin.

"I want Magnus' hugs." And the man was sunk, his eyes closing as he secured his arms a little tighter around the two year old.

Magnus drifted into a world of his own, a soft hum coming from his lips, trying to recall a tune that Catarina used to sing as he rocked the two year old to sleep. His sock covered feet slid over the tiles, Magnus gliding effortlessly over them, losing himself in a makeshift little dance. In minutes he knew that the movements and his voice were working on Raphael as his tiny tense body began to relax. He was practically putty in his hands now.

"Ok sweet boy, time for bed now." Magnus murmured as his dance and humming dyed down, his eyes finally drawing open and suddenly widened as Alec was sitting up on the couch, spread legged, elbows on his knees and his hands cupping his face as he was looking right at him! "H-How long have you been awake for?" He voiced softly as the taller man stood up and made his way over to him.

"Since you got home." Magnus darted his gaze away, but jerked a little, hoping it wouldn't wake Raphael when a cool index and middle finger brushed against the corner of one of his orbs. It was then Magnus finally realised he'd removed his contacts earlier and Alexander was gazing right into his eyes! He shied away for a moment, but it were not possible when Alec placed his hand under his chin now, gripping it lightly as he directed his shy gaze back to his startling blue orbs. "They're beautiful Magnus." He sucked in a breath at just how honest Alexander was being. "You shouldn't hide them."

"Its complicated..." Alec gave him a small tired smile since he had said words to that effect more then once to the man and knew it was a "don't go there" type of topic. He dropped his hand from Magnus' chin and shoved them into his pockets. Alec wondered, if he'd been open from the times he had stated it's complicated would Magnus have explained his decisions to hide his own eyes to him?

"Let me take him off your hands." Alec went to grab Raphael, but the youngster refused to let go of Magnus, he jerking slightly forward, nearly crashing into Alec's broad chest and pulled a face at the tight grip the youngster had around his neck. For such a tiny boy, his grasp was truly amazing.

"Raphael..." Alec softly whispered, slightly exasperated as the two year old shook his head, refusing to leave Magnus' embrace.

"Its alright." Magnus placed his arms back around Raphael who stopped wriggling in protest towards his father. "Would Raphael like to sleep with me tonight?" A tiny nod was his answer.

"Are you sure?" Magnus nodded his head, not one to offer something like that if he didn't want to.

Alec turned off the lights, dosing his living spaces into darkness and then both men strolled towards his bedroom, the door swinging open and Magnus turned on the light and then did the same to a lamp on the bedside table, the side he usually favoured during slumber. He pulled down the gold sheets and winter blankets and then placed Raphael right in the middle, hand brushing over his jet black hair, down the side of his face and then pat him rhythmically on his belly trying to settle him down for the night.

"Daddy too..." Magnus jerked his head over his shoulder and looked at Alexander.

"Raph..."

"Please daddy..." The tiny voice was so pitiful.

"You're lucky you're so cute, my dear boy." Magnus mumbled, knowing full well Alexander was listening...and watching him rather intently too. He turned his gaze back to Alec who was hovering at the doorway, not wishing to enter without his permission it seemed. "Its alright..." He waved the man inside, even though in his head it bloody well wasn't alright!

He watched Alexander close the door and then he made his way over to the other side of the large bed. Magnus left him there as he moved into his ensuite, removing his work clothes and don his black and gold silk pyjama pants and the dressing gown. Though he was quite fit himself, he didn't seem to have the self confidence like Alexander did with walking around his home shirtless. Or maybe he was just clueless as to what his striking physique did to him. Magnus shook his head, looking at himself in the mirror. He'd felt his entire body shiver when Alec had seen him shirtless when he was doing his morning exercises on the balcony and vowed not to do that again.

"Get a hold of yourself Magnus..." He mumbled to himself and made his way back into his bedroom and paused as Alec was already lying in his bed, blankets up to his waist as he gazed up at the ceiling, like jumping into a man's bed was the most natural and comfortable thing he did. Magnus wasn't sure if he liked to think about that... Raphael was still to his left, in the middle of the bed, eyes closed and drawing in deep breaths and his tiny right hand was wrapped comfortingly in Alec's left hand. Magnus turned off the light, placed his phone down on the bedside table and then carefully sat down. Alec was wide awake, eyes watching his every move. He was getting used to that gaze...though not getting used to it as well. Magnus vowed he was being cautious so as not to wake Raphael, not for the fact that Alec couldn't seem to stop starring at him. Did he even know he did it? Could he point it out to the man and maybe get him to stop? But then...did Magnus actually want him to stop...?

"This is awkward..." Magnus let off a small chuckle, finally lying flat on his back, securing his dressing gown over his lean body and then turned his head to Alec who was already looking his way, their gazes locking for several long moments. It was the father of two who broke the staring competition first and went back to gazing at the ceiling. "Sorry about Raphael's request."

"His sweetness is so cute. He will easily persuade many as he gets older, this I'm sure of." A slight snort was Alec's response. "Does he get that from his father?"

"I doubt it. I was way too shy and awkward."

"Even that is a cuteness in itself." The room fell quiet at that, Magnus closing his eyes at his slip of the tongue. Awkward indeed...

"I think Raphael developed it all on his own." Alec cleared his throat, not sure if he should say it, but, "What has surprised me, is how quickly he has fallen in love with you."

"Kids are easily fooled." Alec turned his gaze to Magnus who was currently looking up at his own ceiling and wondered what he meant by that. Surely all he did wasn't a lie was it? "I'm not even worth loving."

"Magnus,"

"Good night." Alec watched Magnus turn away, clicking off the light and dousing the room in darkness. The strain in his voice held finality in it once more.

He could feel the unease wash over Magnus in an instant. He'd obviously not meant to blurt that out, but even so, what did he mean by that? In the very short time he'd been here with his children, and also observing him at his Day Care, Magnus was far from being unlovable. He showered his boys and Madzie with such tenderness and kindness that even a blind person would be able to see it. And then there was Clary and Jace who probably loved him in their own way too. And what of Catarina and Ragnor?

Alec wasn't sure he'd be able to sleep now, his blue eyes focused on Magnus' outline in the darkness.

# To be Continued #