Simon looked up from his phone as Raphael walked into the room.

At first Simon had considered leaving their conversation until after the leader had had his rest but he he didn't want Raphael to get the wrong idea so, he decided to wait the last hour in the older vampire's room.

"Hello Simon," said Raphael, "What are you still doing up?"

"I know you're probably tired but I thought we could talk,"

"Does it have to be now," said Raphael, sounding a bit down

Anyone else would have put it off to Raphael being tired but Simon could tell that the other vampire was genuinely worried about the conversation.

"It's nothing bad. I promise," said Simon, "Here let me out your stuff away while you shower and then we'll talk,"

Raphael nodded and went into the bathroom.

After five minutes Raphael came out in his silk pajamas and took a seat on the sofa beside Simon

"So?" said Raphael

"They told me about Nick,"

Raphael expression closed, "Oh?"

"I think I understand better why you weren't willing to take me on my word," said Simon, "I talked to Magnus and he gave me a few things to think about,"

Raphael nodded with an apprehensive air about him

"I'm going to say a few things and I want you to wait until the end to comment. OK?"

"OK," said Raphael, the corners of mouth crinkling a bit. Simon counted it as a victory.

"When I was a human I loved milk," said Simon

"Milk?" said Raphael Incredulously

"What did I say about interrupting huh?" said Simon playfully

"OK. OK," said Raphael, "I'll let you have your 'Simon' moment,"

"Thank you," Simon grinned. Raphael smiled back.

"So," said Simon, "When I was human I loved milk and that fortunate because I needed a lot of it. Apparently my body lacked quite a bit of potassium. I'm not sure why or how it worked. All I know is that I had to make sure to drink a lot of milk and eat these Vitamin D tablets. You see milk was necessary for me but chocolate milk wasn't. I mean it was great and all but not necessary, it was something I could live without having. I really just needed plain milk and I loved it that way,"

Simon could see a bit of understanding in Raphael's eyes.

"So I listed a few things that fall under 'milk' when it comes to relationships and those that fall under chocolate milk," said Simon, taking out his phone, "You can read them and then I want you to write yours afterwards,"

"But I'm not the one giving up something," started Raphael

"First of all, you haven't read my list so, you don't know that but also this is a relationship. It involves both of us therefore we should both talk about out milk and chocolate milk,"

"Milk and chocolate milk. That sounds so odd," said Raphael

"What are you talking about?" said Simon, "It's a great analogy. Now read,"

Raphael smiled and looked back down on the phone.

"Someone who can stand to listen to me rant about a subject for almost an hour,"

"You know how I get," said Simon

"Morning and night kisses," said Raphael, "That I can do,"

"I know," said Simon, "You do them very well,"

Raphael just grinned and went back to reading. His brow furrowed, "What do you mean by toy-oh. I get it,"

"Hope you're OK with it,"

"Of course," said Raphael, "It's absolutely fine,"

Simon nodded

"Public display of affection falls under chocolate milk?" said Raphael, "I thought you would be one of those people who cling to their significant other a lot,"

"I mean yeah but I'm not one of those people who would make out at a park bench. Being kissed goodbye in front of a bar or something would be nice but I know some people aren't comfortable with that and I totally get it,"

"Hmm" said Raphael, "I don't have a problem with it. I don't like holding hands though. Even in private,"

"Really?" said Simon, "That's very particular,"

"It's always been like that," said Raphael, "Just never been in favor of it,"

"Huh," said Simon, "Well, I'm fine with that,"

Raphael handed him the phone, "Here. I'm done. I think most of what you need works for me,"

"So you don't mind being hugged at random times of the day?" Simon said cheekily

"You hugs are great mi sol,"

Simon smiled, "Your turn,"

Raphael face scrunched up, "Do I have to write them down? Can't we just talk about them?"

"Nope Rapha," said Simon, "You gotta write them down,"

"Fine," said Raphael, getting up to get some paper and pencil.

Simon waited patiently as the other vampire wrote down his thoughts. Eventually Raphael handed him the paper with the two lists. Simon noticed they were both very small

M

- A loving person

- Someone who is willing to listen

- Someone who is OK with dating a busy leader

- Someone who is OK being around a grouchy person

- Someone who can put up with no hand holding. Ever

CM

- Someone who loves dancing and cooking

- Someone who will let me dress them occasionally (taking in their tastes of course)

"First off, this is a very short list," said Simon, "You like dancing?"

"Yes and when I say dancing, I mean actual classical dancing,"

"I could learn and you already dress me up anyway," said Simon, "As for the first list, I don't have any problem being any of those people, I mean I already out up with your grouchiness,"

Raphael chuckled

"But are you sure that you don't want to add stuff to this. The lists are pretty short," said Simon

"I'm sure baby," said Raphael, taking his hands, "I'm still very young compared to some immortals but I've been around long enough to know that some specific things don't matter and we can figure some things out as we go on. We just have to want to try,"

"It really was just the sex thing that was bothering you,"

Raphael smiled and nodded.

"Well," said Simon, "I'm still glad we did it. It really helped me too,"

"That good," said Raphael, "Though I'm pretty sure I have never heard anyone compare any relationship to plain milk and chocolate milk,"

"Oh hush," said Simon, pulling the leader close, "It worked didn't it?"

Raphael nodded and smiled his pretty smile again, the one that was just for Simon.

"Can I kiss you?" asked Simon

"Only if we're in bed," said Raphael

"Come on then,"

Raphael let out a startled laugh as Simon pulled him on the bed.

"I'm glad we're compatible," said Simon

"Me too," said Raphael, just before their lips met

"Come on Lewis," said Raphael, "We are going to be late and them Magnus will turn us into rats,"

"I'm here," said Simon, stepping out of their shared closet, "I still don't understand why we have to go early. The party isn't for another two hours,"

"One hour and a half," corrected Raphael, fixing Simon's tie

"Same difference,"

"It's Alec's birthday and Magnus is nervous and you know what happens when Magnus is nervous,"

"Right," said Simon, remembering the pink walls, humongous chocolate cake and the kangaroo.

"Right. let's go,"

Raphael called Magnus who opened them a portal.

"Hello my dear vampires. How are you doing? What do you think? Should the cake be vanilla or chocolate or I could change it to strawberry. What about the streamers and-"

"I'll handle this," whispered Raphael, leading away the blabbering warlock.

It was honestly a little funny to watch someone as confident as Magnus worry about his boyfriend's birthday party. Alec would love Magnus even if they held the party in some rundown motel.

"Hi Simon," said Isabelle, "How are you?"

"I'm good," said Simon, "What about you? How is Maia?"

"I'm great too and so is Maia and we're great together. She's amazing. She's coming a bit later,"

"That's great Iz," said Simon, smiling at his friend's excitement

"And how's Raphael," she asked, with a wiggle of her eyebrows

Simon chuckled and thought about the past few months.

Raphael made blood candy for Simon when he was feeling down. He loved hugging Simon all the time. In the morning he sometimes woke him up with kisses. He held him when they watched horror movies or when Simon woke up screaming from nightmares. In return, he let Simon hold him too. He told him stories about his parents and let Simon rub his back as he cried for the people long gone. He was teaching him to dance, even though most lessons ended up with them making out. He loved for them to take baths together. He shut himself inside his office when he was in one of his moods but he would always come to Simon later. He was sweet, king, moody, and loving.

Their relationship was made of some many little things put together, little things that made a beautiful picture.

Simon looked at Izzy and smiled, "He's perfect for me,"