Life with Magnus
By Shin Sankai
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Chapter Sixteen
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Noise, though as quiet as it was, happened to be interrupting Alec's blissful slumber. He'd heard it a few times, knowing the person doing it was trying ever so hard not to make any, but when the bathroom door creaked, and even the master bedroom door for that matter, and then there was the springs on the mattress of the bed moving at the weight of the man who had re-entered the bedroom and sat back down.
Alec was always someone who was constantly on guard, especially with his surroundings, but where he was right now, he'd never felt more comfortable or at home in all his life. Magnus' very home had become a sanctuary for him and his two young sons. So much so, he was now sharing the man's bed with him. Such feelings (and this relationship for that matter) were all very new to Alec, just as he had confessed to a very surprised Magnus, but the man had not taken a step back. On the contrary, he'd leapt forward! And right into his lap too! And really, who was Alec kidding... There was no way he would have ever been able to resist all that Magnus was, sparkles and all.
"Hmm..." Alec shifted carefully in the bed at listening to Magnus' throaty hum and of course curiosity got the better of him, pulling him from slumber, still cocooned in silky bed sheets and comfortable winter blankets, as his crystal blue eyes snapped open to gaze upon his surroundings.
There Magnus was, sitting atop his bedspread and blankets (they having changed them to the red and black set after their steamy escapades in the shower). His hair was slightly damp, long strands falling into his eyes, though his head was bent, eyes completely focused on a crisp white paper in his left hand. Magnus was only dressed in silk black pyjama bottoms, the rest of his slender and muscular tanned body was currently on view for Alec to ogle. And there he sat, in all his stunning glory, facing him and completely engrossed in what he was currently reading.
Though for once, Alec's attention wasn't completely on Magnus. Not truly that is. In fact, his eyes were on the other stark white pieces of paper currently scattered around Magnus' seated form. And then of course, was the folder that the 400 pages usually were hidden within, wide open and cast aside as everything was out in front of Magnus...well...practically surrounding the man if he were honest.
Whilst Alec had given the 400 pages freely to Magnus, he didn't realise the man was actually going to read them right in front of him! Granted he had been asleep, but still! Alec finally lifted his eyes from the documents to look at Magnus' slightly bent head, registering the man had a pencil resting between his lips, chewing thoughtfully on the end before removing it as he decided to write something on the document in his hand! What are you doing?
Whilst Alec was dying to know just what Magnus was writing down, he couldn't for the life of him interrupt the man from his thoughts. Instead, he allowed his mind to drift back to last night...
He was no fool to know that Magnus was insanely experienced, and yes, he had felt a tiny bit (a lot) jealous. And unfortunately he had shown it on his face and Magnus had picked up on it instantly.
'I cannot change the past Alexander. Whilst it isn't something I'm proud of, just know that I am only with you now. So lets not worry about any of that and explore this relationship together.'
That had been enough for Alec and they were both swept away by each other and the passion they were feeling and sharing together. Plus showering with someone was an all new experience for Alec, and one he wasn't sure he would do again any time soon. Not unless Magnus decided to renovate his ensuite and turn it into a nice rectangle walk-in shower and not the confined square stall that it currently was. After all, the man's tiny ensuite had echoed with laughter, as two tall men, in a shower stall together, wasn't the greatest of ideas. Alec, in his eagerness hadn't seen the soap on the floor, his elbow having knocked it from its original spot previously, and he'd gone for a bit of a slide, nearly crashing through the glass screen door! The steam, and the incident, sent a blush to his cheeks as he listened to Magnus' glorious chuckling against his ear. After all, the man's quick reflexes had caught him before his head and upper body went through the glass. He had hit it with his forehead, it had rattled slightly but any mortification was lost to him when Magnus' breath was against his ear, the man righting him immediately, muttering something along the lines as to whether he was alright, but that didn't matter at all. What mattered was the fact that their sleek wet bodies pretty much melded as one and Alec couldn't take it anymore and had enveloped Magnus' lips, drinking in the man's laughter in his desperation to have him oh so close to him once more.
After their escapades in the shower, they had laid in bed, in nothing but their boxer briefs and stroked and kissed each other for what felt like hours to Alec. Magnus spoke a little about his past, and Alec spoke about the present. How he'd finally spoken to both his parents, and had found out they were currently having some marital problems of their own. He didn't want to pry, but had wondered if his decision to come clean about his sexual orientation had pushed them over the edge. He had eventually (and rather stubbornly) asked this, but his parents had said no. Things had been strained between them since Max died, and they had tried to work it out, for he and Isabelle, but in the end, they had decided to separate.
Magnus hadn't a clue what to say to that and had just held Alec's hand as he closed his eyes, thinking over all the times the family had been together these past five years and how he'd not seen the signs.
'They are your parents Alexander. They wouldn't want to show you their weaknesses.'
Alec didn't have a response to that and instead blurted out what he'd really been wanting to tell Magnus: that he'd gone to see Lydia. He waited for some for of response from Magnus, maybe hurt flashing across his face, but nothing happened. Instead he waited patiently for him to continue. Alec told him how she was in a wheelchair for now, and he wanted to help her as much as he could, but he was also wrestling with a thousand thoughts on what to tell his two sons about her too, he letting Magnus know that she had asked to see the boys. Magnus had cupped his cheek, telling him that whatever decision he made, he would be there to support him. Just having someone at his side again, Alec felt a lump in his throat and had stolen Magnus' lips, hoping the man could feel every emotion he felt from what he said.
They didn't speak much afterwards, just gazed at each other, and whilst to others it may have been quite awkward indeed, but to the two of them, it felt like one of the most pure and natural things to do. And then there was the kissing they continuously did too. Magnus was an amazing kisser. So much so that Alec's own jaw was beginning to ache from it all. It had sent a soft chuckle from Magnus' lips when he confessed this (though blushing too) and the gorgeous older man pecked him once more on the lips, not caring that he didn't respond and then left the room to make them a late night snack. He had told him it was to replenish their energy, voicing this with a wink and a wicked smile and what appeared to be a sash-a of the hips as he stepped out of the bedroom...or so Alec thought. Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him.
"Oh!" Alec shifted his gaze, breaking from his thoughts as he found warm brown and amber-gold eyes sparkling over at him. "Hello there sleepyhead."
"M-Morning..." Alec observed Magnus crawl towards him, over the 400 pages scattered on the bed, their ears picking up on the crunching sound the paper made, but none of that mattered as Magnus leaned over his lounging body to give him a kiss, morning breath and all, though Magnus' breath was surprisingly minty. Alec's heart fluttered when Magnus drew away, pressing his lips against his closed eyes and then went back to sitting cross-legged on the bed, eyes shifting back to the typed writing on the paper in his slender hand. "D-Don't read it in front of me."
Alec watched Magnus wave off his tiny complaint. "I'm nearly done with it." The room went silent as Alec decided to look everywhere but his companion. The sunrise began to stream into the bedroom, creeping across the floor and onto the bed, turning Magnus' tanned flawless skin a golden bronze colour. He truly appeared to be a being from another world. That very thought immediately made Alec blush once more, he quickly pulling the blankets up to his face, not wanting Magnus to see it...and tease him about it too.
"Hmm..." There was that hum again, Alec unsure what it meant, other then the fact that Magnus appeared to be deep in thought as his eyes shifted over the last few papers in his hands. With how many pages there were, the man must have woken ages ago.
"Wh-What do you think?"
"I cannot believe you named the main vampire woman Camille." Alec felt a blush rise to his cheeks. That was his most recent addition, scribbling 'blood sucking woman is Camille' onto the back of a document.
"Um..."
"I'm not sure how I feel about you placing a past love of mine into this book."
"I-I'll take it out...and...and..." This flustered Alec was so adorable to Magnus.
"Relax Alexander, I'm only joking." He grinned at the now pouting father. "In fact, it practically suits her with breaking hearts left, right and centre. I doubt I was the only one."
"Magnus...I...sorry..."
Alec watched him wave his hand. "No need to apologise. I've wiped my hands of Camille." Alec believed those words instantly. After all, he'd listened to Magnus vent to the woman that had broken his heart and now they were together and Alec would never want Magnus to ever go through something like that again. He knew he wasn't experienced in much, but he was stubborn, determined and eager to please the man so his gaze would never stray to another. After speaking to Ragnor, about having to make a choice, though not yet telling Magnus any of this, Alec was more sure of himself and his feelings then he'd ever been before. Not that anyone had ever made him feel like Magnus made him feel. "Alexander..." Alec jolted from his thoughts again, feeling Magnus' warm hand press against his cool cheek. "Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes," He watched Magnus arch an eyebrow at him. How could he get the man to understand? "Its just," Magnus watched Alec fiddle with a thread on one of the pillows which was now sitting in his lap, he having finally sat up properly and the pillow and sheets covered his lower body from Magnus' prying eyes, though he was in plain black boxer briefs anyway. "I'm just not good with names is all."
"I can clearly see that. I think I was even more surprised to see that Clary and Jace appear to be the two main characters in your story. And then there is young Maxy and Raph in here too. You've clearly had a lot of this written up for awhile, as you said, but recently you've started penning names down for certain characters, which I am glad for as it has made it easier to follow along."
"Sorry its so confusing..." This shy Alec, who wasn't showing a lot of self confidence in his writing abilities was extremely precious to witness, if Magnus was being truthful.
"You've still got quite a few characters to name, but the one that you need to concentrate on finding an amazing name for the most is Jace's...hmm...what was that word again..."
"Parabatai?"
"Yes, him."
"Well..."
"He appears to be an integral part of the story from what I can tell, so give him a really strong and unforgettable name alright?" Magnus watched Alec give him a slight nod of the head. "So, what is a parabatai? Its been nagging at me since I started reading this and you haven't really explained it at all."
"Well...my thoughts have been jumbled is all."
"Its an idea to expand upon though." Alec nodded his head, shoving it to the side for now and willed himself to try and remember that when he got a few moments alone with his laptop to jot down the explanation and to also "flesh it out" as to how it all came about too. He knew Magnus was going to be good at this. "Its still very much a work in progress. And even with several characters now having names, I'm sure its still too hard to follow."
"I'm not sure if its hard to follow, but there are a lot of mythical creatures to get my head around. And then I was quite surprised you were using names of people you knew, well that we know."
"As I said, I'm terrible with naming characters and the young girl in my head had red hair and when I saw Clary at your day care I thought...why not."
"And then there is Jace too. The mysterious and dashing young man, face like an angel, but his behaviour and attitude can be a little devilish which intrigues and infuriates her all at once."
"You're right...its weird..."
"On the contrary, even as little kids, Clary and Jace are like that. And I'm almost certain they'll fight like cats and dogs but also grow closer together as they grow older." Magnus lifted up a couple of the pages to see some illustrations Alec had done. They were quite rough, but with the girl having red hair, due to the coloured pencil Alec had obviously used, he knew this was Clary and then there was the boy with golden blonde hair, it definitely being Jace."Clary will become a very pretty young woman and Jace will no doubt be quite handsome too."
"You think so?"
"If I go by his father, for sure. He is very handsome indeed."
"Oh, is he now..." Magnus grinned at that. Ah, was his Lightwood a little jealous by that? "A-Anyway, aside from that, what did you really think?" Alec's blue eyes would not break from Magnus' gaze. "Give it to me straight up, I can take your brutal honesty. You're not someone who'd lie to me...are you Magnus?" The man in question leaned forward once more, cupping his cheek rather tenderly.
"I'll try my very best not to, but I need you to be patient with me too." Alec gave a nod of the head.
"I must confess, I've been awake awhile...and have been watching you." Magnus raised an eyebrow at that. "I noticed earlier you've been pencilling stuff down. What is it?"
"Just some questions is all." Blue eyes narrowed at the vague response. "What you really need to do right now, is send this off to your editor to help you make some changes."
"I knew it was terrible." Magnus watched Alec flop back down into his bed, drawing the sheets up his bare chest and then proceeded to cover half his handsome face. It was kind of cute the way he sulked.
"No, that is not what I'm saying." Alec cracked an eye open to gaze up at Magnus, the man giving him a sweet gentle smile as once again, he was leaning over his lounging form, hands on either side of his shoulders. "What I meant is, just like you have said, its just a little jumbled. An editor can assist with providing you with structure and more ideas and constructive criticism. There are certainly bits you can flesh out more to draw the reader in." Alec dropped his guard a little, hand coming out from under the covers as he pulled the closest piece of paper over, eyes drifting over the back of the document to see Magnus' pretty and cursive handwriting asking various questions, some he could already expand on as though the man had turned on the light switch in his brain for this story once more.
"Magnus..."
"I'm not a writer, but I am an avid reader of a variety of genres and there is a lot of good things you wrote down. I for one would be interested in finding out where it goes."
"Really?"
"Really." Magnus leaned closer, kissing Alec once more, never tiring of those lips against his own. Quickly he got up, made his way over to his wardrobe and effortlessly removed his pyjama pants as he began to ponder about what he should wear today. He knew intense crystal blue eyes were watching his every move, but Magnus fought off the shudder as he and Alec did not need to have another tumble in the sheets since there was much to do today...and his body was already a little achy as it was. "Now, when are you going to give that parabatai boy a name? I need to make sure its a name that'll suit him."
"And why is that?"
"He's the character that I'm fascinated in. There is so much more there for him, I'm sure of it. And since you say he is a parabatai to Jace, surely that means something very important that being a side character is just not possible for him." Magnus chanced a glance at Alec, gazing at him over his shoulder to see the man was deep in thought, lips slightly crinkled in such a cute way whilst his eyes were currently lifted to the ceiling.
"Whilst that is a character that seems to fascinate you, and granted I think I can develop him a lot more, I for one feel like something has always been missing from the band of characters I've already created." Alec watched Magnus pull on a pair of tight leopard print trousers and then came a black silk shirt, he leaving it unbuttoned as he turned to face him now.
"Like what?"
"Well..." Alec faulted, biting his bottom lip as he stopped himself from blurting out: You...
"Uh oh...you are drifting into that head of yours, that can be quite dangerous you know." Magnus gave the pouting Alec a grin as he truly was just teasing him. He made his way back over to the bed, sitting on the edge of it and took hold of one of Alec's hands with his own. "You know you can tell me anything, right? I may not be an editor, but anything that is jumbling around in that head of yours, maybe voicing it aloud will help you make more sense of it. I'm a very good listener." With a slight nod, Magnus gave a tiny grin and was about to button his shirt when Alec suddenly took hold of both of his hands.
"Magnus," He could feel the awkwardness wash over Alec in waves, but with a smile and a slight nod of the head, for encouragement, he hoped it would allow Alec to open up to him a bit more. "If...If I wanted to write you into this book, would you...hate it?" Alec watched Magnus tilt his head in confusion and he could feel warmth rush to his cheeks. "I mean not you specifically, like I wouldn't call the character Magnus Bane."
"Why not?" He had Magnus' full attention now.
"It'd be...weird...wouldn't it?"
"Only if you wrote the character as a girl."
"No, it is a man...well...I was thinking...since its filled with angels, demons, werewolves, vampires and the likes...well in my head, with the main band of characters, there always seemed like something was missing. Something very different from the shadowhunters, but an integral part of the group, if not one of the most important...I don't know..."
"Like what?"
"Well...for awhile there I was thinking maybe...maybe a warlock?"
"Warlock?" Alec could hear the grin in Magnus' voice and refused to look up from their clasped hands resting in his lap.
"Warlocks are immortal and very magical. And this one, in my head, is very powerful indeed...scarily powerful, since he's not just like any other warlock in this magical world."
"Oh?"
"He's a High Warlock and one of the most...if not...the most powerful around."
"Sounds cool."
"He's very handsome too..."
"Hmm?" Magnus felt himself grin. Are you calling me handsome? Magnus slipped his right hand out of Alexander's light grip and brushed it against his cheek, observing blue eyes lift up and finally lock with his warm gaze.
"He's got beautiful piercing cat eyes." Magnus felt a grin forming on his lips once more, knowing the lenses, which he rarely wore these days were Alexander's favourite. "They are his marker that defines him as a warlock of the highest order." It appeared Alec was starting to ramble, cheeks blushing adorably, but it looked like he needed to explain his thoughts before he chickened out entirely. "He's got quite a colourful past, filled with happiness, sadness and danger, since he is immortal and all. He's flashy and alluring and he's lived a really long time...like 800 years...no maybe about 700...or 500...no maybe 400 and something."
"You seem indecisive about his age."
"He hides a lot." Magnus wondered if Alec was directing that at him, though he couldn't talk.
"Tell you what, I'll consent to you creating a dashing warlock known as Magnus Bane..." Magnus watched Alec's pretty blue eyes dart up to look at him once more, hope and excitement flashing within. "If you make that adorable and confused dark haired shadowhunter parabatai boy, you."
"Eh? Me, why?" That had surprised Alec as he was practically paralysed by Magnus' smile now.
"If Magnus the warlock hides a lot...for whatever reasons in his centuries of age...maybe a certain strong, silent, awkward and adorable young man, dressed in black, with intriguing runes etched over his pale skin and piercing blue eyes, may just be what he needs. Maybe that boy will be the one to lower his guard, will be the one to change him for the better. After all, there could very well be a story to flesh out there too. If you wanted something like that in your book that is..."
"Magnus...don't make fun..." Alec began to pull away, hands raking through his messy hair. "I was being serious."
"As was I Alexander..." Magnus shot back, lifting several documents up and shaking them in front of Alec's eyes. "I've never seen such detail and dedication like this before. Granted it is a bit all over the place, but with time and help, it'll be amazing."
"That's..."
"And surely you have faith in yourself, after all, I've never known anyone to imprint their own designs on their very skin!" Ah, that was right. Alec forgot about some of his drawings were scribbled onto the pages. Thank goodness the image he had of Magnus the warlock was hidden elsewhere. Now that would have been insanely embarrassing. Alec drew his eyes down the length of his arms, to where several runes were inked into his pale taut skin. "I've not had a lot of time to study the ones on your skin to the drawings you've created and which ones mean what, other then this one here, which I do know is trust." Magnus traced a finger over the tattoo on Alec's left forearm. "You'll have to let me study them more thoroughly..." Alec felt a blush rise to his cheeks as Magnus gave him a wink.
"A-Are you talking about on the papers...or me...?" Alec was sure he blushed harder, once he finally realised what he had said just then and observed Magnus' grin expand. "N-Never mind...forget I said..." Alec was interrupted as Magnus kissed the life out of him once more.
"Just how many runes have you created?" He voiced with a slight chuckle on his lips.
"Lots..." Alec mumbled, eyes fluttering closed as Magnus leaned in closer once more, only this time his lips fluttered over the skin on his neck before he pushed away and knocked their foreheads together.
"Are you going to get up shadowhunter?" There was that delightful but annoying and teasing grin on his lips as Magnus sat upright, again not wanting to start something since the kids were returning today and Magnus was sure they would want to decorate his place as soon as possible.
"I shouldn't have let you read it."
"But I want to know more about you Alexander." Blue eyes followed Magnus' fingers as he finally buttoned up his shirt. "And that includes all the ideas that seem to be rushing around in that head of yours."
"I..."
"Now, if you don't send that off to your editor for constructive criticism, I'll dig up who it is and do it myself."
"You aren't allowed to!" Alec shouted, both men going silent when there was avid knocking at the front door and sweet angelic voices calling out to them.
"Ah, earlier then I thought they would be." Magnus felt a grin form on his lips as Alec stumbled out of his bed, tripping over his own jeans which were lying carelessly on the floor. Magnus opened the bedroom door. "The next time you decide to write a smash hit, make sure we are the main characters."
"You don't even know if it'll be a hit!" Alec complained as Magnus left him there, a flippant wave as he shut the door so none of their children would see him half clothed and in Magnus' own bedroom for that matter.
He could faintly hear his boys shouting how much they missed Magnus, the man returning the confession with his own, knowing he would be giving his boys and Madzie massive hugs and also thanking Clary's mother for dropping them off too. And of course, as he pulled on his shirt, he could hear Raphael's muffled voice wanting to decorate. He again listened to Magnus telling them that they would have to wait for their daddy first, who was currently finishing up in the shower.
Alec shook his head, tidying up Magnus' bedroom a little bit and then flipped through several of the pages which Magnus had scattered on the bedspread. His eyes focused on Magnus' handwriting, noticing the man had written: 'the adorable and awkward blue eyed boy needs a name. He's very important in this story.' Could he really call the boy Alec, like Magnus had requested of him? But then in order to create Magnus the warlock, that had been the deal between them so...
Quickly Alec compiled the 400 pages together and took a deep breath before cracking Magnus' bedroom door open. He poked his head out, seeing the coast was clear and slipped back into the bedroom he took residence in, though it was currently perfectly made since he and Magnus had pretty much not left his bedroom at all since the children went for their sleepover. Just the thought of being next to Magnus made his heart flutter and his blood pumped excitedly through his veins.
Shaking his head of such thoughts, Alec fired up his laptop and attached Magnus' scanner to it, waiting for it to recognise the driver and install the software. When that was done he scanned around twenty pages and attached it to an email to his editor. He gave her a brief outline, also including the idea of adding in a warlock to the mixture and a few other things too. He also apologised for the pencil marks, and the crinkled documents (thank you Magnus) and as he clicked the 'send' button he hoped he wasn't wasting her time. Though he had decided not to bore her with all 400 pages when she was only going to reject it anyway.
Alec finally left the room, grinning as Magnus had Raphael on his shoulders, telling him to hold on tight and Madzie and Max were in his arms, against his hips as they were walking in circles around the large white structural post with a bunch of fairy lights.
"I thought you'd wait for me?"
"Daddy!" The boys cheered lovingly, he making his way over to accept their kisses, all the while placing his arm lightly around Magnus' waist, hand splayed against his right hip. He had felt Magnus jolt at his boldness, but the tiny bit of affection was not discouraged. Magnus quite liked this slightly possessive side of Alec, but of course there was always that small niggling feeling that this happiness was going to burst. Though he tried ever so hard not to think about it since Alec took Madzie and Max and he lifted Raphael higher to tape the end of the string of lights up. And then it was time for round two and three as the kids wanted lots of lights covering the stark white pole.
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Some time had passed and more fairy lights, after it took awhile to untangle them, were now around his book cases, the TV cabinet, strands around his lamp shades and around his couches and also around the archway that lead into the kitchen. The last strings of fairy lights were framing the glass sliding door to his balcony and also two streams of lights were draped on the actual balcony as well – these ones being waterproof just in case it rained, Alec had said, and then it was the children's turn to go and flick on all the lights, much to their delight as Magnus' home began to glow in bright golden light.
"Perfect."
"Not yet." Magnus drifted his eyes to Alec and the kids as they held up various gold, silver and crystal decorations, smiles beaming on their faces as they all looked to the bare Christmas tree.
"We've saved the best to last." Magnus voiced as the five of them got stuck into decorating the tree. There was no structure to it, all that mattered was they did it together and that the tree sparkled gold and silver and light reflected off the crystals rather prettily too.
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"Wow..." All five had taken a step back to eye off their handiwork.
"The tree is like Magnus." Raphael beamed heartily which got the man chuckling.
"Do you have any presents you want to place underneath?" He watched them tilt their heads in confusion. "What about...your cards?" Magnus whispered a little, though Alec could hear him as plain as day. The three children bolted towards their rooms and Magnus turned his gaze to a grinning Alexander. "They made you cards the other day."
"Thank you," Magnus drew his hand down Alec's arm, giving his left hand a light squeeze before telling the author he would make the children some drinks and told him to turn the TV on so they could watch a movie before they decided on what to eat for dinner.
"Daddy," Alec turned his attention to his youngest son, watching the three children place their cards into the tree, balancing them between the branches and decorations. "Can we live with Magnus forever?"
Blue eyes widened at the unexpected question. "That's not being very fair to Magnus."
"What is not fair to me?" Eyes turned to look at him, Magnus coming back into the living area with juice for the children. Even with the alien slippers adorning his feet, Magnus looked so good. And as he drew closer, giving each child their respective drinks, Alec finally took in a deep breath, getting a whiff of Indian sandalwood on Magnus' perfect skin. It was such a nice homely smell, not at all overpowering like some aromas and scents could be.
"I asked daddy if we could live with Magnus." Alec watched the man's brown and amber-gold eyes widen slightly. "I want to live with Magnus and Madzie forever!" Raphael beamed heartily, his older brother at his side, and who was also nodding his head in agreement at his brothers oh so brilliant idea.
"Well..."
"And as I said, we've imposed on Magnus enough as it is." Alec dropped to kneel in front of his two boys. "Its nearly time for us to move back to the apartment. I got word that the repairs are nearly finished." That had been news to Magnus, Alec having forgotten to tell him that since they had mainly spoken about his parents separation and of course Lydia. Magnus watched the two boys frown, as did Madzie. Heck, even he felt like a frown was marring his lips at this sudden news.
"Why not wait until the New Year?" Magnus found blue eyes gazing up at him now. "After all, you're all invited over here for Christmas as it is. I'm making quite a feast."
"Well..."
"I mean...you've gone to all this trouble of buying a tree and now that we've decorated the place, lets enjoy it all together for a bit longer." He hoped his smile was winning the silent man over. "With the Day Care now closed for the holidays...I did promise to make cookies with the boys and Madzie too." Magnus placed his hands on top of Raphael and Max's heads. "Plus, I bought presents for everyone too." He was, of course, rewarded with massive smiles.
"Magnus..."
"And then I'm sure once your editor reads some of your book, she'll give the green light and you'll become quite busy."
"You've way more confidence in my work then I do."
"I can smell success from a mile away. And in any case, my day care won't reopen until February, which means the boys will need entertaining, and Madzie and I are more then happy to do that, aren't we Sweet Pea?" Madzie nodded profusely at that.
"As long as its no trouble to you."
"I adore Maxy and Raph, and Christmas is way better when one is surrounded by those you love." Alec watched Magnus fault at his slip of the tongue. "Because you boys are very special to me." This time hugs were his reward and boy he hoped that got him over his slip up. "And Catarina and Ragnor will be coming over for Christmas as well. I'm sure they'll have lots of presents to share." He didn't need to be moving fast, for that would surely freak out Alexander. Sure they'd kissed...a lot...and slept together several times too, but bringing things like love into the mixture definitely complicated things... And he and Alexander were already complicated enough as it was. "Now, did you settle on a movie for them?"
"Yeah, its already on, just need to hit play is all."
"Before that," Alec watched Magnus pull out his phone. "I want a picture of you three in front of the tree." Alec couldn't help but pull out his own phone as the two of them took a few pictures of their adorable children holding hands and hugging each other in front of the tree, massive grins on their angelic faces. Once that was done, the five of them took a group photo and then Magnus got everyone onto the couch and then hit the 'play' button and the movie began.
"You're thinking about something again." Alec shifted his gaze back to Magnus as the two of them were sitting at the dining table now. "I know that little furrow on your face very well."
"Its just...if you're alright with a full house at Christmas, would it be alright for me to invite someone?"
"Of course. I'd love to finally meet your sister."
"Oh...well...um..."
"Oh, maybe that isn't who you wanted to invite?"
"Well..." Magnus placed on a kind smile as Alec shifted awkwardly in his seat. Ah, perhaps he meant...
"Do you want to invite Lydia over for Christmas?" Magnus watched surprised blue eyes dart up and over to his warm gentle gaze.
"How did you..." Alec faulted when Magnus leaned over and took one of his hands.
"She's the mother to your children, and someone very important to you as well."
"Thank you," Magnus gave a nod, debating on his next train of thought, but decided to blurt it out anyway, knowing regardless of everything that had happened between Alexander and his parents, they were still very important to him.
"Why don't you invite your mother as well." Blue eyes widened at his suggestion. "It must be hard with the sudden split from your father...and the fact he's not going to be there and all...so..."
"But..."
"I am fully aware she doesn't like me, but at least give her the option. Not even I would like your mother to spend Christmas on her own."
"Well, Izzy flies back from Paris as she doesn't want her to be on her own either."
"So invite your sister as well. The more Lightwood's the better." Alec arched an eyebrow at that. "What I meant to say is, the more distractions she can have the better off I'll be."
"Magnus..."
"Regardless of her dislike for me, I'm not going anywhere."
"And I don't want you to."
"Good." Magnus gave him a smile. "Martini?"
"Sure..." He was getting used to them now.
While Magnus mixed the drinks, Alec sent text invitations to his sister, mother and Lydia in regards to having Christmas at Magnus' place. Lydia responded instantly, delighted in the offer (and secretly pleased that she wouldn't have to spend the entire day with her parents).
Alec leafed through some takeaway brochures, deciding on Chinese tonight, and then accepted the martini from Magnus, the two of them standing side by side, each holding each others hand as they gazed out the glass sliding door of the balcony, watching snow flurries falling from the mid afternoon sky.
# To be Continued #