Hello, friends!
It's been a while. I bet you were surprised to get this update… hehe. Here's the deal. I decided to do a little something for this special day (April 19th). Why is it special? Oh, because it's the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of this story! Well, it's been 1 year since I posted the first chapter… crazy, right? So much has happened since then… I even started 2 new stories!
So, in honor of this day I'M POSTING THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE SEQUEL TODAY. No idea when the rest will come, but I can assure you it's coming. ENJOY!
Chapter One - Cuddly
Magnus snapped out of his sleep. He wasn't sure what had woken him. Falling asleep in a sitting position wasn't the most comfortable thing to do, even if one had an amazingly warm and soft Alexander in his arms. Magnus smiled down at the sleeping Shadowhunter. He still couldn't believe this was happening. It seemed like all the misfortunes Magnus had experienced - being Valentine's prisoner for weeks and barely surviving it - were starting to pay off. His powers were still gone, but having Alexander by his side meant more than all the magic in the world to him right now. After the last month's events, Magnus desperately needed to feel that he was good and appreciated and so far Alec had provided nothing less than that. But at the moment, the warlock was too exhausted to overthink anything; all he wanted was to get them both into bed and have a good night of sleep.
"Alexander," Magnus whispered as he gently ran his hand through Alec's black hair. Alec didn't respond, so Magnus repeated it a bit louder. The Shadowhunter had fallen in a deep sleep, so it took Magnus a few minutes to wake him up.
Alec finally gave a sign of being somewhat awake as he hummed into Magnus' neck with his eyes closed.
"Let's go to bed, darling," Magnus cooed and helped Alec sit up. Then, before Alec could fully open his eyes, Magnus took his hands and pulled him off the couch. Alec obediently followed as Magnus guided him into the bedroom. But when they entered the room, Alec let go of Magnus' hand and when Magnus turned around he saw that the previously soft, sleepy Alec was now very much awake. More than that, he looked absolutely stunned; Magnus had never seen his eyes so wide and his lips were parted in a small gasp.
"There's plenty of room for both of us here," Magnus answered in response to Alec's astonished look, but it didn't have the effect he was hoping for. Alec just stood there staring at the bed like he'd never seen one. Magnus turned away and proceeded to get himself ready for sleep. He slipped out of the black fluffy robe he'd been wearing and casually tossed it on the creamy velvet loveseat by the wall, exposing his dark blue pair of short pajama shorts and it's matching sleeveless top. The only lighting in the room was a circular shaped beige lamp on the wooden side table, so Magnus figured the dim light it cast would distract Alec. But he was wrong. He could feel Alec's eyes on him the whole time and Magnus had to control his urge to start sexy dancing right there, right then. It was too early for that and Magnus suspected Alec would either pass out or run away. So he restrained himself, not counting the smug smirk spreading across his face. There was no way of controlling that part.
"I don't… I don't have any change of clothes," Alec spoke quietly. The Shadowhunter still stood in the doorway, his arms crossed, shoulders drawn up in a nervous manner; guarded, closed off. He roamed the spacious room with his eyes, desperate to find a way out, reminding Magnus of a trapped rat looking for a way out of the maze. Magnus suppressed his urge to laugh and walked to his wardrobe. He opened the first drawer, where he stocked his pajamas and a few moments later walked back to Alec with one of the dullest piece of clothing he owned: a pair of mauve and black checkered long sleeved pajamas. He offered them to Alec, but all the Shadowhunter did was stare at the content of Magnus' hands.
"These are probably… just… umm… I don't think these will fit," Alec breathed and then it hit Magnus. What wasn't colorful enough to him was probably too colorful for Alec. Hell, he probably even thought those pajamas looked too girly. The idea made Magnus smile.
"But thanks. I'll be fine, really," Alec added after a nervous gulp and gazed at Magnus with worried brows.
Magnus gave him an assuring nod then put the pajamas back in the drawer. After taking care of that he silently headed to bed. He only made eye contact with Alec again once he had climbed on the bed, ready to pull the red silky covers on himself. What he saw almost made him laugh out loud: The Shadowhunter hadn't moved an inch and the same expression of shock was still frozen on his face.
"Come on, I don't bite," Magnus promised, patting the empty side of the bed for encouragement. "Unless you ask me to," he added with a slightly seductive tone that had an immediate effect on Alec. His face had blushed uncontrollably. The embarrassed boy clearly wanted to say something, but choked on his words instead.
Shit, Magnus, control yourself! The warlock mentally reprimanded. Cut the cheekiness. Just stop before he gets scared away, before he notices you're too much to handle...
"Or if you just wanna stand there and stare, fine. Suit yourself," Magnus said casually, pretending not to care. "I'm very tired, though. So, goodnight."He nodded towards Alec and turned the lamp off. He turned on his side, letting Alec go out of his sight and waited in the dark.
Nothing happened for a few minutes, though they felt like hours to Magnus. His didn't move a muscle, but that didn't stop his heart from pounding like a stampede of horses. Then he heard Alec move towards the bed, and the sound of shoes being taken off. He felt the weight of Alec compress the mattress beside him and his heartrate went through the roof. The Shadowhunter climbed into bed so agonizingly slowly that Magnus, again, had to prevent himself from grabbing hold of him and pulling him down at once. But when Alec had finally settled himself in the bed and Magnus heard the sound of his unsteady breathing behind him, the warlock couldn't hold it anymore. He abruptly turned around to his other side and faced Alec's dark hazel eyes blinking at him in surprise. The Shadowhunter had laid on his side too, facing Magnus, and he was clearly caught off guard from Magnus' sudden movement.
"Oh, sorry I… I thought you were asleep," the boy mumbled.
Magnus replied with a warm smile and his hand involuntarily wandered to Alec's shoulder and danced its way down his firm biceps and forearm, only stopping to hold his warm hand. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the room by now and he watched Alec until his eyelids started to feel heavy.
No. Not yet. Magnus fought his impending slumber. He could never stop watching the perfection that was Alexander Lightwood. The boy didn't seem sleepy. His hazel eyes were stunning, deep and piercing, seeming to see right into Magnus' soul. An inexplicable light shone in them, and Magnus wasn't quite sure where it came from, considering the darkened room. His deep black hair was barely visible, yet even so Magnus could see how perfectly it framed his features, and imagine how it must accent his runes in full light. His lips were a pale pink, sitting perfectly beneath his chiseled cheekbones, which cast even deeper shadows on his alabaster skin. Said white skin seemed to almost glow in the shadows, making his facial features shine starkly clear. His thick eyebrows were drawn tightly over his hazel eyes. Magnus couldn't read the expression in his eyes, but that didn't prevent him from admiring them. He noticed that Alec had barely blinked, which allowed Magnus to appreciate his long lashes as well.
He squeezed Alec's hand as a weak attempt to keep himself awake. He didn't expect Alec to squeeze back, but he did and that tender movement sent more warmth through Magnus' body than what he was ready for. He closed his eyes to hide the tears that were collecting in them. However, that wasn't the last amazing thing that happened that night.
Magnus was forced to open his eyes when he felt Alec move closer, their foreheads coming to rest together and the tips of their noses brushing. His sleepy brain immediately jolted to life as if he had just downed a liter of espresso, as Alec pulled him close with his rune covered forearms.
Magnus gasped, shocked - a feeling he didn't get often. Alec seemed to be the only one who could make Magnus feel this way. Magnus could feel Alec's unsteady breaths kiss his skin. Long lashes blinked over hazel eyes as Alec held him with a tender expression.
"You surprise me… again," Magnus whispered contentedly.
"Yeah, well… This isn't so bad." Alec smiled, looking handsomer than ever.
"No, it isn't." Magnus replied as he sunk himself into Alec's tight embrace, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. Magnus sighed in wonder. This miracle of a Shadowhunter, who moments before had been blushing at the thought of getting in his bed, was snuggling with him, looking contagiously happy and not at all abashed.
Despite Magnus' depressive mood, tonight turned out to be perfect. Both of them slept peacefully and Magnus was pleasantly surprised to find out that Alec was very cuddly.
Betad by Sabiduria. Inspired by Rosycat and MyaZab.
Happy anniversary! It wouldn't be happening without you, lovely readers. Let me know if this chapter made you excited for the Sequel! See you soon.