Okay, so, can we skip the apologies? No? I'm sorry. Cat is sorry. :( It's not like we forgot about this fic... except that's exactly what happened. But, after the wait, the seventh chapter is ready. *crowd applauds* I know, we don't deserve an applaud. But we get one anyway, because I say so. ...Oh, I also apologize for comparing Simon to a rat in this chapter. It's so overused and I know I get annoyed every time I see it in a story. But it was inevitable. You can't not compare him to a rat.

Uh, I might need to point out: Neither Cat nor I have gone to ancient Alexandria, though not for lack of trying, I assure you. Actually, we've never even been to the current one. So if things are a little off (which they most likely will be) sorry. :( Like, if Ancient Egypt is actually a utopia complete with flying cars and chocolate fountains, I can promise you the description of this city isn't even a little bit close to realistic.

But here's the more important stuff: EarnestlyBunburying is, like, the best. Seriously. She (I'm so sorry if you're actually a dude, but calling you an 'it' didn't seem very kind) was the kickass awesome person who gave Cat and I the brilliant ideas for the previous chapter. Everyone, all together: THANK YOU, EARNESTLYBUNBURYING, YOU ROCK!

Disclaimer: I ain't never owned no published story eva. (Wait, does that work? I are/is not never owned no published..yeah, never mind.)

Magnus walked out of that meeting room with a purpose. Alexander could not just follow his short, demanding dictator and get out of hearing the lengthy apology speech Magnus had prepared for him. No way. Magnus was going to talk to him if it meant telling Caesar to get the fuck out of that Apophis-damned room so he could talk to the guard he accidentally sexually assaulted. ...Or maybe he wouldn't say that. He could wait patiently for Caesar to finish whatever he needed with Alexander before Magnus talked to him. Julius Caesar and Magnus could share.

"Magnus?"

Magnus whirled around at the timid voice and saw Alec walking towards him. Oh crap, no. I'm not ready. What was I going to say again? Magnus thought, while maintaining a pretty convincing smile. Alec didn't return the smile, and that in itself made Magnus' stomach flip.

"Alexander, dear. We have to talk," Magnus said, dropping his smile. No point in pretending that he'd never kissed the poor guard. He put a hand on Alec's wrist lightly and steered him into the abandoned hallway leading to the servant's quarters. "I wanted to apologize for my actions last night. I was exhausted and not thinking clearly. I should not have made any advances and-"

"Did you not mean it?" Alec blurted out. He looked surprised at the words that came out of his own mouth and it was positively adorable. Alec seemed to take Magnus' surprised silence as confusion, so he began to elaborate. "I just kind of assumed you did, but I suppose that was pretty stupid. It's just that I think you winked at me that one time and then you gave me food so I wasn't sure. You did give Simons food, too, though. Oh crap, did you mean to kiss Simon?"

"Who's Simon?" Magnus asked. "Oh wait, is he that guard who always follows you around? The one with the face that kind of looks like a rat's?"

Alec started nodding, but stopped short. "Rat's? That's kind of rude."

Magnus just grinned and shrugged. "The truth hurts. Now stop talking Alexander, I have to scold you for getting such a ridiculous notion. Simon? Absolutely not. I'm pretty sure I can tell a hot guard," he put a finger on Alec's breastplate, just in case Alec thought he was talking about Simon then, "from the hot guard's shadow." His finger was obviously distracting Alec, so in a great deed of generosity, Magnus removed it.

"Best friend," Alec muttered, "not shadow."

"Same thing. I did not mean to kiss your best friend. I meant to kiss you. Of course, I don't exactly expect you to reciprocate my feelings…" Magnus said. He bit his lip for good measure and looked at Alec through lowered eyelids. Alec's height was shocking; he was only a little bit shorter than Magnus, which was impressive. Especially for a Roman.

"I...um. Well. I do, to an extent." Magnus tried to keep a straight face. For the most part, he resisted the urge to do a dance of victory, but he found himself grinning. "But, I don't really want anyone to know." He looked down and Magnus knew he was embarrassed. No need for that, dear.

"That's fine, darling," Magnus said. "Do you have anything to do for the rest of the day?"

Alec's eyebrows drew together in confusion at the abrupt change in topic, but he only shook his head. "My next shift is tomorrow afternoon."

"Good." Magnus knew he was being completely irresponsible, especially since he was supposed to go put a protection spell on the chief treasurer's pregnant daughter, but he could deal with the consequences later. No doubt Alexander's presence would make whatever punishment or lecture he'd receive from either Ptolemy or Ragnor worth it.

Magnus glanced back and forth to make sure no one was paying attention, and when the coast was clear he grabbed Alec's hand and practically dragged him out of the palace. It was only once they were halfway across the yard when Alec's sense seemed to come back to him and he dug his heels into the dirt.

"Magnus, I can't just leave."

"And why is that?" Magnus asked, smirking a little. Alec's eyes narrowed in on his expression with confusion. Magnus nudged him over his armor where his ribs were located. "You need to protect little baby Julius?" he teased.

Alec sighed heavily and looked at Magnus uncertainly. "I-I guess. I mean, I don't have a shift, but if something comes up, I might be needed." He stopped talking then, a funny look on his face. "... Actually, you know what? Simon can cover for me." Alec slipped his hand into Magnus' and he started walking again, this time at an even quicker his pace.

"Fantastic," Magnus said. He didn't really know where he wanted to take Alec, he just knew that the boy had never gotten a proper tour around Alexandria. That had to change.

"Wait… where are we going?" Alec asked. He bit his lip and Magnus almost giggled at the cute habit.

"Well, I was thinking I could show you the city. I mean it is named after you, so you have to know your way around," Magnus said, slowing his pace once the two left the view of the pharaoh's palace.

Alec blushed. "It's named after Alexander III of Macedon," he muttered. Of course, he's some sort of historian, Magnus thought.

"Alexander the Great," Magnus nodded. "Sounds like you to me." Before Alec could interrupt him, Magnus asked a question that had been bugging him for a while. "What's with that, anyway? Alexander is a Greek name and you're a Roman."

Alec nodded, like he got the question a lot. His blush from the earlier comment disappeared, to Magnus' chagrin, as he explained. "Yeah, my family is looked down on by many people for that. I have Greek ancestors and my parents are proud of it, so they kept the name passed on. 'Greeks know everything,' my dad used to say, 'why not flaunt the fact that we have natural intelligence in our blood?' But your name makes no sense either, you know. It's Roman and you're from the East."

Magnus tried to hide his flinch. Oh goodie, he's already asking about my home. Perfect. "I picked it myself. I've always liked Roman names. They sound so much more...authoritative. Oh, here we are!"

Magnus didn't like brushing Alec off. But he had too. There was no way he was already going to tell Alec his entire pathetic sob story about his parents so soon. He was cute, but he was still a Roman. Magnus had no desire to get more vulnerable to him than he already was. Something about Alec would make it more painful to hear condescending jibes about his origin from the Roman.

Magnus and Alec reached Alexandria and Magnus was again shaken to the core by the amount of Roman soldiers milling about. He'd always compared the Roman Empire to the bullies on the streets of his city that grouped together and threw rocks at the younger kids running errands for their parents. Rome had strength in numbers; it's extensive army was able to swoop in and take over any area. Even the timeless Egyptian Empire. But, after listening to Caesar talk, Magnus knew that Rome wasn't only powerful because of its military. Caesar was clever too, and it scared Magnus more than he liked to admit.

Magnus was dragged out of his thoughts by the motion of a quick hand wave. Alec was returning the greeting of another one of the centurions. How is it that they seem so normal? Magnus thought. Alec himself is so kind hearted and shy… but I always thought the Romans were cruel. But here they are, waving and being friendly like any normal person would.

"Hmm… mud huts and people rushing around. Same as yesterday. What are you planning to show me, if it isn't this?" Alec asked, with a surprising lack of rudeness in his tone. He just seemed curious and slightly eager, like he couldn't wait to find out what Magnus had in store for him.

"Patience, young guard. We'll be there soon," Magnus said. It was just then when Magnus caught sight of what he was looking for- the stables. They were kept by an old man who knew Camille very well and, by default, was a friend of Magnus'. The horses were mainly used to pull carts and chariots, but if Magnus ever needed to use one to get to a particularly far away temple or home of a sick person in need of a healing spell he was allowed. It was perfect in his mind; take Alec on a little ride around the outskirts of the city, get him alone, maybe even kiss him again.

He pushed open the wooden door of the huge flat-roofed building the horses were kept in and held it for Alec to walk through. The guard grinned and nodded his thanks. There were few horses here in comparison to most stables. The place was obviously not he most desired place to get a horse from, but it was well-kept and the horses were treated well. That in itself gave it a sort of charm.

"We can take my favorite, if you'd like," Magnus suggested. Magnus grinned at Alec and led him to the area where the horse he considered his was tied up. Alec's eyes sparkled with a childish delight as they approached the giant white mare. The horse snorted and Alec pet his nose.

"Back home, in Rome, there was a small stable down the street from the domus my family lived in," Alec said softly, still petting the horse. "There was one that looked just like this." He have Magnus a small smile and Magnus felt terrible. He was angry at the Roman soldiers for invading his home, but the soldiers probably didn't want to even be here, so far away from home.

"Do you miss home?" Magnus asked while he tacked up his horse. Alec had a wistful look on his face when he spoke of his home and the stable near it, so Magnus figured he knew the correct answer to the question.

"No," Alec answered, a steely edge to his voice. Or not, Magnus thought. "I miss my brother and sister, but not my parents. Not really."

"Oh? You don't have to explain if you don't want to." Magnus really wanted him to anyway, but he didn't want to pressure him.

Alec just gave a shrug. "It's no big story. They just don't like me very much."

Magnus would've replied, but it seemed Alec was attempting at dismissing the subject entirely. Magnus quickly finished readying the horse instead and turned to look at his centurion when he was done. "Alec, are you comfortable in your armor? I don't think I've ever seen you take it off." It would certainly be uncomfortable if he wore it, but Magnus highly doubted a guard of Caesar's would go around unarmed.

"Well it is quite uncomfortable, but I feel... Naked without it, I guess." Alec shrugged. He was used to his armor and keeping it on for long durations of time did not bother him. "I-I can take it off, though. If you want." He blushed at his own words and Magnus chuckled.

I wouldn't mind seeing you naked, Magnus thought. He grinned despite the fact that Alec had no idea what he was thinking.

"Oh, I would love it if you took it off," Magnus said, paying more attention to making his voice sound seductive than to the words he was actually saying. Alec blushed even harder and removed his helmet first, then came his breastplate and the rest of his armor. Once he was only wearing his short red tunic, he grabbed the sheath for his sword and tied it around his waist. Magnus was slightly offended. But if he feels safer armed, then so be it, Magnus thought unhappily.

"Just in case," Alec said, looking at Magnus like he was afraid he would get yelled at. Magnus just smiled and climbed onto the horse, pulling up the beautiful guard behind him.

"Good," Magnus said quietly, reaching back and placing his hand on Alec's thigh. "You can protect us if someone tries to attack." He leaned back against Alec's chest and looked up at him, batting his eyelashes. Alec rolled his eyes in response and blushed.

"Where are you taking me, anyway?" Alec grumbled, obviously embarrassed by Magnus' flirting.

"Oh don't try to sound too excited," Magnus snorted. "It's a secret, Alexander. You have to have patience." He grinned and kicked the horse into motion.

Alec was freaking out. He knew he should've been infinitely nervous about the fact that it was only midday and anything could happen to make Caesar need his assistance. Or that Magnus was dragging him along to a secret location on foreign land Alec did not know his way around. But no, he happened to be equally if not more terrified about that fact that he had no idea of what to do when courting someone.

Not that he and Magnus were courting. No, certainly not, Alec immediately dismissed that idea. Just because he kissed me once does not mean he wants anything more from me.

Which left the big question: What in the world was going on? Alec was nervous, but he had no reason to be. Especially if he and Magnus were only acquaintances.

"Here we are, dear."

Alec was dragged out of his thoughts by Magnus' voice. The ride had been a long one and he had spent the majority of the time chatting with Magnus about the flaws of Pothinus and trying to block out the pungent smell of the ocean by subtly burying his nose into the back of Magnus' bare shoulder. He glanced around at the vast yard of green grass and the short bushes that were planted along the edge of the area. Alec was confused for a moment, but when he saw the huge building realization of where Magnus was taking exactly hit him in the chest.

Alec had know Magnus was taking him to the harbor; the direction they had been trotting in gave it away only slightly less than the smell. So Alec had expected some time lazily kicking their feet in the water and watching the Pharos Lighthouse guide boats to the shore. The last thing he had expected was a trip to the Royal Library.

The Library of Alexandria was known throughout the world for its extensive collection of great works from the best writers liver ever live, but Alec had never really thought about what the outside of it would look like. In his dreams he had only imagined the tall shelves holding the worn out parchment Alec would love to get his fingers on. But the outside itself stunned Alec to silence. The building towered above all the trees around it and was made up of worn-out looking stone that Alec imagined the pyramids would be built from. Alec was a little intimidated by the giant stone steps leading up to the massive wooden doors guarded by armor-clad guards. It looked exactly like what Alec imagined the members of Elysium would live in.

"It's beautiful," Alec told Magnus. Magnus nodded and smiled at him.

"You seem like the book type, so I figured you'd appreciate this," he said. Magnus walked the horse up to the front door and leapt off, holding a hand to help Alec down.

"Oh, what a gentleman," Alec said, taking Magnus' hand and leaping off. Then he leaned in to Magnus and whispered, "How are we going to get in here, anyway? The guards aren't going to let me in, I'm Roman. And plus, isn't it just royalty allowed in?"

"Well then look less Roman," Magnus said, smirking. "Don't worry Alexander, a bunch of people come here. Royalty, members of the Royal Palace, scholars, anyone with a thirst for knowledge, really. So the visit from a lector priest is a very high honor." He gave a bow that perfectly showcased his egoistic nature Alec loved so much. "I mean, letting in hostiles is definitely against the rules, but technically, you aren't a hostile. You're very friendly. So I think this could work." Magnus gave a small nod to reassure Alec.

Great, now we're breaking laws, Alec thought. "Right, I'm not a 'hostile', but I'm an enemy soldier, which is pretty much the same thing. Not to mention a high-ranking one at that."

"Again with the bragging, Alexander, it's unbecoming. You must control your ego," Magnus teased. "Don't worry. I'm one of the best priests there is; Ptolemy wouldn't dare try me in court for a simple matter such as this. And even if I was, the court system is easy on palace members. I'll be innocent."

"Oh, of course. And even more so, because Pothinus is the most influential person in the court system. And we all know that man is like a gift from Apollo," Alec snorted. It's as if Pothinus is Hera and the Roman guards are Zeus' illegitimate children, Alec thought.

Magnus grinned and handed off his horse to one of guards while he opened the door for Alec. "I don't need your sarcastic god-related comments, young man. Now quit lagging, we have books to ignore and lips to kiss." He slapped Alec's ass to spur him on and Alec felt his face heat up and a small squeak escape his mouth. He quickly walked into the Library and realized the fanciful facade of the building didn't only exist on the outside. Alec looked up at the floor to ceiling shelves used to stack rolls of parchment and his jaw slacked. There was a staircase which led to another book-filled floor and the back of the room the building opened up to turned into a hallway. It was completely silent; apparently all the people Magnus mentioned being there were further in the depths of the library. There were old, dirty windows let in the daylight with streams of dust motes floating through the streams of sun.

"Honey, you're mouth is hanging open," Magnus announced smugly. He touched his fingers to Alec's chin and Alec shut his mouth.

"H-how did you know I like books?" Alec asked. He knew his voice sounded squeaky and weak, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Even as a kid he would hole up in his room with all the books he could get his hands on. He preferred it over all the games his friends played, even though he was good at them. People used to tell him to put the books down and train to become a gladiator, but he never wanted the fame or the glory of winning in combat to entertain a crowd. Books were his escape and they were dear to him.

"Eh, wild guess. No offense, but all your guard comrades seem sort of emotionless. But you showed compassion for rat-face when he nearly had a panic attack over Pompey's head, even though it bothered Caesar. I figured you have to be pretty clever if you don't blindly follow your leader. And what do clever people do? They read," Magnus said.

Alec laughed. "Not necessarily."

"Don't even try to find a flaw in my logic. I am right, like usual. Just go with it."

Magnus watched with amusement as Alec rolled his eyes and started up the big staircase. Magnus couldn't help but feel like a lost puppy as he followed Alec. The Roman seemed to be in his own little world. Alec reached out and ran his hand along the bindings of the first books he reached. Magnus grinned and watched the expressions flash in Alec's amazing blue eyes: childish wonder, bewilderment, gratitude.

"Ooh, look at this! Story time, children."

Magnus dragged his eyes away from Alec's and he actually focused on the boy. Alec was pulling out a small roll of parchment with a huge smile on his face. Magnus walked up and laughed out loud when he saw the title. Romans and the Great Empire's History.

Alec jumped onto a table nearby and beckoned Magnus over.

"Oh get off that table, you little ruffian," Magnus commanded, but he listened to Alec's silent command anyway. Once he reached Alec's table the guard started to read from the book in a deep, mocking voice.

"The Romans are a breed of mindless lunatics. They have no respect for us Egyptians and we hate them for it. These bastards go around trumping any land they can get their fat little fingers on-"

"The book does not say that!" Magnus protested, laughing nonetheless.

"Are you interrupting the teacher?" Alec said with a tone that reminded Magnus of a disappointed mother.

"Yes, I am," Magnus said, sticking his nose in the air haughtily. He wrapped his arms around Alec's bare legs and pulled him off the table.

Magnus immediately regretted his decision when the two came crashing to the floor and Alec landed directly on Magnus. The breath left Magnus' lungs when the crashed to the ground, but that was less breath-taking than the lips that were on Magnus' once they were sprawled on the floor. Sadly, they were gone before Magnus' brain could even catch up with the action enough to enjoy it.

"Hmm, you were right. We did end up kissing," Alec announced dramatically, as if Magnus hadn't noticed.

Magnus wasn't quite sure how Alec could possibly talk after their fall, but it was impressive. Alec laughed at the breathy moan that replaced Magnus' coherent response. It took him a moment of coughing and sputtering before Magnus replied, "Yes, and it seems you've stolen my breath away. Though I'm not sure if I should credit the kiss or your weight crushing me into the ground."

"Hey, it's your fault for pulling me off," Alec pointed out. That was annoyingly logical, so Magnus just narrowed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Alec's waist.

"Either get off me or kiss me again, you mindless lunatic," Magnus growled.

"Impressive book quoting. But you aren't giving me much of a choice." Alec smiled at him with a too-innocent look in his eyes and leaned down to kiss him. Magnus just caught a glimpse of the seemingly endless blue orbs above him before their mouths molded together. Magnus loved the softness of Alec's lips and the way his strong, muscular body contorted perfectly with Magnus' lanky torso. Magnus ran his hands through Alec's dark curls to deepen the kiss and made a slightly embarrassing noise of protest when Alec broke away from him.

"What's that?" Alec asked, not moving from his position on top of Magnus. No matter how much his ribs were beginning to hurt, Magnus couldn't bring himself to care.

"What's what?" Magnus opened his eyes and grinned at Alec's messed up hair from where he ran his hands through it. He couldn't help but tuck a small bit of it behind his ear.

"No, stop that," Alec whined, shaking his head. "It's uncomfortable." His hair fell back into his eyes and Magnus was close enough to him to have the black strands tickle the tip of his nose. "I mean what's that- over there. There's a cat. Oh by Zeus, what is a cat doing in the Royal Library?"

Magnus wasn't sure what Alec was babbling about, so he just turned his head in the direction Alec was looking in. Sure enough, a small white kitten with small gray stripes had leapt onto on the shelves and was trotting across it like he owned the place.

"Oh, cats are everywhere here. They could find their way into a locked box if you give them enough time. They're usually really scrawny and ugly, but that one is so cute!" Magnus squealed. Alec smiled and jumped off Magnus to go over and pick up the tiny animal. Magnus didn't know why, but the lethal weapon swinging idly against Alec's leg as he walked looked so out of place it made Magnus chuckle.

"He is adorable," Alec mumbled when the kitten licked one of his fingers.

Magnus stood up and cracked his back with a groan. He didn't know how long he and Alec had kissed on the floor, but it was enough time for the wood to jab into his back and make his muscles stiff. He padded over to Alec and snatched up the baby cat.

"We should keep him," Magnus said, rubbing the top of the cat's head.

"Keep him? That will never work." Alec frowned and looked away from the cat to meet Magnus' eyes.

"Of course it will! I have plenty of servants coming by constantly to check up on me, and I can just alert them of the cat and they can bring him food. Plus, there are a bunch of other pets in the palace that this little baby will love to meet. Oh! And we can name him Chairman Meow."

Alec looked at him like he was crazy.

"What? Look at that." Magnus pointed to the roll of parchment at Alec's elbow. It was the journal of Qin Shi Haungdi. "He's a Chinese emperor, isn't he? Don't the Chinese have Chairmen?"

"You're actually crazy."

"You make me crazy." Magnus smiled when Alec blushed and looked down at Chairman Meow. He leaned in and gave him a small kiss. "I hate to say it, but should we head back? I'm sure Pothinus is serving disgusting grain about now and I need time to sneak you something edible."

Alec laughed and Magnus led him out by the hand, but not before snagging the book Alec had jokingly tried to give him a lecture on. It's not sentimentality, Magnus thought. I legitimately want to read about the history of Romans.

Magnus let go of Alec's hand when they got to his door and the guard was disappointed at the loss of the warmth. His other hand was already freezing from holding onto the cool metal of his helmet. Alec leaned up and kissed Magnus' cheek. "Thank you," Alec mumbled into Magnus' neck before pressing his lips to the sensitive spot underneath Magnus' earlobe.

Magnus sighed before asking quietly, "What for, beautiful?"

"For today," Alec answered, since it was the most obvious answer. He couldn't tell Magnus the real reason he was thanking him. "And for the yummy food you will bring me tomorrow for breakfast." Magnus laughed and leaned in for one last kiss.

"Mmm, I will see you tomorrow. We can relax before the terrible banquet that's coming up," Magnus said. "Goodnight, darling."

"Goodnight."

Alec opened the door to his dorm and was met by Simon grabbing his shirt and throwing him against the wall. Most of Simon's demanding questions were answered with short, mumbled replies. Alec was too lost in thought.

Thank you, Magnus. Thank you for showing me that relationships between men is perfectly normal. Father is far away and he cannot do anything about us.

Ugh, I can't end anything. I promise the next chapter will be up in at least five years. :P