Hey guys! I finally have the next chapter for you :) I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanza, or all three if you celebrate all of them. I wanted to get this chapter out before the New Year's, and I am proud to say that I achieved that goal. Since I gave you a little Christmas gift (Maybe This Christmas), it only felt right that I update this story before 2015 as well.

I have a new story that I plan to post on New Year's day. It's another Malec AU, but that is all I shall give away for now. I just wanted you guys to know that I have another story I am working on.

Also, I was wondering, do you guys want me to answer your comments in these little notes before the chapter? I noticed that some authors do that and I was just wondering if you would like me to do that.

Anyways, back to the story :)

Magnus POV

"Magnus."

The name cut through the deafening silence that had surrounded Magnus for the past few hours as he waited. Overwhelmed by nerves, he had spent the most of the time pacing back and forth, going through everything in his head. He doubted Alec would even show, or that he had even bothered to read the letter. But he still had hope. And, as it turned out, that hope was well placed.

He didn't even have to turn around to see who called his name. He knew his voice, the very voice that haunted his mind for weeks with the words of "I love you" and goodbyes. He knew it was him.

He wasn't even sure if Alec would have shown up at all. He was prepared to wait the entire day in that old shack for someone who would never show. But he did show.

Magnus turned towards the direction the voice had come from, and his heart stopped for a moment when he saw him. He looked perfect, as always. He had that kind of natural beauty that could only be described as angelic, a beauty it's owner failed to acknowledge. His robes were wrapped tightly around him, his black hair tousled, and his deep blue eyes were staring right at him. Magnus let out a sigh of relief. He had read the letter. He was there.

Alec.

This was the first time they were alone in weeks together (well, besides that morning in the infirmary, but that didn't really count in Magnus's mind), and it took every fiber in Magnus's body not to walk over and pull Alec's lips to his. No, I have no right to do that, Magnus reminded himself. You can't do that to him. Alec deserves better. Just tell him what you came to tell him. But where to start?

"Alec," Magnus sighed, out loud this time.

Alec shuffled awkwardly from foot to foot. "Well?"

Magnus didn't know how to start, how to say what he wanted to say. For the first time in a long time, Magnus was speechless. It was so unlike himself, but he just couldn't think straight with Alec staring down him like that. He tried not to cower under his gaze.

Realizing that Magnus wouldn't be saying anything anytime soon, Alec said, "Magnus, just say what you wanted to say."

Nothing.

Alec sighed. "Maybe I'll just go…" He started to turn to walk away.

"No!" Magnus said. The prospect of Alec walking away before he said anything was enough to snap Magnus out of his muteness. "I mean," he began, composing himself, making up for the outburst. "Please, don't go," he pleaded.

Alec turned back to him, waiting, listening for what he had to say.

Magnus took a deep breath. He had prepared what to say for the past week, think of everything he would need to say and every possibility for how Alec would react. Though it all disappeared a few moments ago, it all came flooding back. It was now or never.

"Look, I know I'm probably the last person you want to talk to…"

"Magnus-"

"Please, just hear me out on this," Magnus said. He had to say this, without interruptions. He had to get it out.

"Alec, I know you said you weren't ready to take me back, and I know I said I would wait, but I can't help but feel as if you never will. It's been weeks, and you've been the same throughout it all. Nothing has changed. And I know you said that you loved me, but I don't know if you still mean it or if you ever meant it…"

"Wait, no…"

"I've missed you like hell Alec," Magnus continued, as if there was no interruption at all. "And I know it's my own fault for pushing you away. It's just, as I watched you fall in the task, it was the most terrifying feeling I've ever felt. I was so worried that you were going to die out there! And I would have had to watch you die. All could think about is how I don't want to lose you. But I think I already did, just in a different way. As I sat next to you in the infirmary, waiting for you to wake up, I couldn't help but think that you wouldn't even want me there when you woke up. You deserve so much more than someone like me."

"Magnus…"

"Alec, I don't know how you could ever forgive me, and I am a terrible person for asking that of you, but I need you there. And I can't wait on the sidelines for you if you will never return to me. So, please Alec, let me know truly, if you will ever take me back. Do you still love me? Because if the answer is no, I need you to tell me now. Just get it over with. I can't wait in the dark like this anymore. If there is any hope for you and me, would you be willing to go for it? Now? Because it's now or never…" He trailed off, keeping his eyes locked with Alec's. His eyes gave away nothing, his face blank, hiding all emotion.

"You know, never mind. This is too much to ask of someone. I shouldn't even be asking this of you. I should have never even asked you to meet me here. I don't know what I was thinking…" Magnus decided.

"No, Magnus…"

"I don't even know why you came," Magnus said, more to himself.

"Magnus," Alec said a little louder.

"I should probably just go," Magnus said softly as he started to walk towards the door at the other end of the room.

"Magnus!" Alec called urgently, but Magnus didn't stop. He couldn't face him, not now. He might just fall apart. He couldn't…

All of a sudden, he felt a warm hand on his, pulling him back, turning him around.

And then Alec's sweet lips met Magnus's.

Magnus didn't even have to think; his body seemed to act on its own accord. He leaned into the kiss, savoring every moment as if it were his last.

Alec pulled back a second later and leaned his forehead against Magnus's.

Magnus, however delighted he felt, was confused as to why Alec had even kissed him. "Why did you…?"

Alec crashed their lips together again for a moment, effectively shutting Magnus up.

"Now, will you please listen to me?" he gasped.

Magnus, at lost for words, simply nodded his head slightly.

"Good," Alec said with a smile. "Magnus, first of all, you are not the last person I want to see. If that were true, why would I have even come here? No, Magnus, you are the only person I want to see." His smile widened. "Second, as to why I'm here," he took a deep breath before continuing, "…is because I missed you as well. I missed you every single day. I forgave you a long time ago."

"Then why didn't you say…"

"Because I was still scared that the same thing would happen again. I was worried you would leave me, and I was still so worried that you were just leading me on. And I couldn't risk it, no matter how much I wanted to take you back. But I can't do it for any longer. I can't stay away." He looked up at Magnus, his blue eyes filled with hope. "I love you, Magnus Bane. I love you."

"But how could you," Magnus questioned, breaking their gaze, looking down. "I broke your heart. I kissed Camille."

Alec turned his head up and kissed him again. "You made a mistake. We all do."

Magnus turned his head down again out of disbelief. Though it was all he wanted, how could Alec take him back after that?

"Hey, look at me," Alec said. After a few seconds of feeling Alec's eyes on his head, Magnus obeyed.

"Do you love me?" Alec asked.

"What?" Magnus asked, confused at the question.

"Do. You. Love. Me?" Alec asked again.

"What do you mean, do I love you? Yes! Of course I do, but what-"

"Say it."

"Alexander Lightwood, I love you," Magnus answered, meaning every word.

"Then that is all I need to know." Alec smiled, and this time Magnus returned it.

Magnus leaned forward to capture Alec's long awaited lips with his. Their lips moved slowly together for a moment. However, the weeks apart seemed to have built up a lot of anticipation and tension, as it didn't take long for the kiss to turn more heated.

One of Magnus's hands was on Alec's neck, while the other was on the small of his back, pulling his body flush up against his. Alec's fingers were tangled in Magnus's hair, tugging softly, releasing soft moans from Magnus. He pushed Alec up against the nearest wall, allowing his mind to lose itself in Alec, in the feeling of his fingers in his hair, his hard body pressed up against Magnus's, his soft lips moving in a quick rhythm with Magnus's. He had forgotten just how much he missed this, how much he needed this. He snaked his tongue out, licking Alec's lips, teasing silently for an entrance, to which Alec quickly granted. He explored every sweet part of Alec's mouth before breaking the connection to slowly make his way down his cheek, along his jaw line, and down his neck. He placed kisses along the way, whispering "I love you" between every single one, relishing in the delighted shiver that ran through Alec's body each time Magnus's breath ghosted over Alec's skin. Every touch was electrifying. Alec leaned his head to one side, giving Magnus better access, to which Magnus immediately took advantage of. He kissed and bit softly at the newly exposed skin, not caring that he would probably leave a hickey. After all this time, he finally had Alec back. Alec was finally his again. Magnus was where he needed to be, in Alec's arms. He was where he belonged.

With his hands still in Magnus's hair, Alec pulled his head up, crashing their lis together once more. They moved together in a fluid motion. Magnus pulled Alec closer to him, wrapping his arms tightly around him, never wanting to let him go again.

Before long, Alec pulled away, resting their foreheads together, their breaths mingling in the cold February air.

"I love you," Alec whispered softly, looking up at Magnus through his long, dark lashes, his blue eyes tempting Magnus to drown in them.

"I love you too, darling," Magnus whispered back with a soft smile.

Alec's cheeks pinked at the nickname, making Magnus's heart flutter. "I… Does this mean… are we together again?" Alec asked nervously.

Magnus couldn't hold back the soft chuckle. He's just too cute! he thought to himself. "If you want us to be. I do believe the decision is up to you," he answered.

"Yes," he confirmed. "I take you back. I want us to be together."

"Then your wish is my command,"Magnus stated, grinning from ear to ear. He pressed his lips to Alec's, feeling him smile into the kiss.

When at long last they broke apart, Magnus grabbed Alec's hand, intertwining their fingers together, and the two walked together out of the Shrieking Shack. Magnus was on cloud nine, he didn't think it would have gone so well,not that he was complaining. He looked over at his smiling boyfriend, allowing himself to fully appreciate how lucky he was. Alec had forgiven him, despite everything. He truly was amazing.

"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?" Magnus teased.

Alec blushed. "I think you might've said it once or twice. Not that it's true."

"Hmmm, then I guess haven't said it enough," he decided.

Alec rolled his eyes, waving away Magnus's statement.

"I'm only stating the truth, darling. You are beautiful…"

"Am not," Alec interrupted.

"And wonderful, and charming, and smart, and kind, and just perfect."

"Magnus…" Alec trailed off, his hair falling in his eyes, however his flushed skin was still quite visible.

"I love it when you blush. It's too adorable," Magnus told him with a wink.

"You are quite stubborn, aren't you?" Alec stated with a shy laugh.

"You love it," Magnus told him, still smiling.

"I know."

Magnus kissed him on the cheek, and they continued to make their way back to the castle, Magnus doing what he does best, flirting and teasing the whole way back. For the first time in weeks, he was truly happy. Nothing else mattered in the world. Hand in hand with Alec, Magnus let himself enjoy the moment, forgetting the problems of the past and his worries for the future.

That's it. My New Year's gift to you. I hope 2014 was a great year for you, and I hope 2015 will be even better. Because, just like now in the story, the time is ripe for new beginnings :)

Goodbye, 2014!