Chapter nine.

Magnus had buried Saphie next to the half-breed. He had than placed an incantation on both graves so that nobody would ever find them. They had then spent a good three hours trying to find a portal. Finally they made it back to Magnus's house, exhausted and depressed. They were sprawled across Magnus's two sofa's, not asleep but not entirely awake, somewhere in between.

"I'm sorry." Magnus said after a long while of silence.

"For?" Alec asked, twisting himself ever so slightly, so that he was facing the other man.

"For dragging you down with me." Magnus replied, standing up and walking to the kitchen. Alec could hear him turn on the coffee machine and get two cups from inside his cupboard.

He lazily stood from the sofa and walked into the kitchen. "Magnus?" He said.

The other man turned to face him, "Yeah?" He replied.

"Saphire, she said you were in love with me. She said that she'd never seen you this way before. Was she telling the truth?" Alec asked, curiously.

Magnus blushed and looked the other way.

"Magnus?" Alec pressed.

"What do you want me to say?" Magnus asked fiercely, after turning to face him. "I'm sorry? I'm sorry that you're all I think about? I'm sorry that I'm absolutely in love with you? I'm sorry that it makes you uncomfortable because I'm just some downworlder who happens to be useful and you're a Shadowhunter and what I feel for you is supposedly wrong?"

"Magnus..." Alec sighed, "Why didn't you say?"

"Because," Magnus implored, "I would rather just be your friend than not ever being able to see you!"

Magnus thought of all the times he had amost told Alec how he felt. All the times he had nearly kissed him, but stopped himself. All of the times he flirted with Alec, only to be ignored or to not have the feeling reciprocated.

"Magnus..." Alec repeated. He tentatively moved forward and with shaking hands he cupped Magnus's cheeks. He moved forward slowly and pressed his lips to Magnus's.

Realising what was happening, Magnus quickly pushed Alec away. "Don't take pity on me!" He spat, outraged that this teenage boy would dare mock a High Warlock.

"I love you!" Alec cried! "Of course I love you! I think about you all the time! I fucking dream about you for...sake" He felt adrenalin pumping through his body and he was frightening even his self, "Damn..." he whispered.

"What?" Magnus whispered back.

"I...love you." Alec breathed, calmer now. "I always have."

As if by some silent, mutual agreement, the pair both moved forward and joined for a harsh, passionate kiss. Magnus gripped Alec's t-shirt, afraid to let go, afraid that if he didn't then Alec may diassapear into a cloud of smoke. Now that he had him, Magnus was not letting Alec go!