"For saving my life," Alec said. "I am very grateful, so thank you."

Magnus stared in wonder at the blue eyed shadowhunter before him. He could feel, and he knew Alec could feel it too, the electricity of their touch. This was chemistry. The kind of chemistry Magnus had not felt for, perhaps, centuries, but that wasn't what had him speechless. Had Alec actually come all the way here just to thank him? Not once in Magnus's whole life had this happened. Nephilim only ever arrived at his door if they wanted something, that was just the way the world worked, the way the world had always worked.

"Thank you," Alec said again with so much sincerity Magnus could do nothing except believe him. Alec's hand was still touching Magnus's arm, but Magnus was in no hurry to remove it. Now, that he let himself notice, Alexander was rather beautiful. Those blue eyes showed the innocence about his soul, while his smile was kind and free of judgement. Magnus found himself quite swept away, against his good sense.

Their gazes locked for a moment then Alec blushed beautifully and turned away, confirming Magnus's suspensions. Throwing caution to the wind, Magnus place his hand gently under Alec's chin. Their eyes met once again and this time Magnus moved closer, slowly, watching for Alec's reaction. When Alexander closed his eyes Magnus moved forward and kissed him. Magnus felt the shiver go down Alec's spine and was surprised by his own extreme reaction; his heart seemed to swell in his chest, all this nerves suddenly alight.

Their arms around each other now, Magnus quickly deduced that Alec had little to no experience in this, but that hardly mattered for what he lacked in experience Alec more than made up for with enthusiasm. Magnus knew his hair was a mess, but he didn't care. He'd never kissed a Nephilim before, and why would he, since most of them hated warlocks on sight, but there had been no hatred or even dislike in Alec's eyes. No, those blue pools contained only wonder and gratitude.

Magnus knew this was a bad idea. He knew getting involved with a Nephilim could end in only one of two ways, neither of which were good. He'd seen one of those ways with Tessa, but there was a worse possible end flashing before his eyes as well.

Alexander, however, was clearly not thinking about any of this as he pulled Magnus in closer. Magnus couldn't fight the pounding of his heart or the soaring feeling in his stomach. It had been so long since he'd felt this alive. Sure, wild parties were entertaining, but they were nothing compared to this.

Surrendering completely to the feeling, Magnus moved his lips down to kiss Alec's jaw line and Alec tilted his head to the side with a soft moan. Then Alec's hands were against the skin of Magnus's chest and Magnus remembered he was only wearing a robe and bottoms. He didn't usually answer the door in such a way, but he'd decided to take the whole day off to recover his magical reserves after healing the stunning Nephilim currently running his hands over Magnus's chest.

"Magnus," Alec whispered as he pulled Magnus's head back up to meet his lips.

Magnus's breath caught in his throat as Alec's hands began to push the robe off his shoulders. The robe fell to the ground and Magnus took a step back, trying to catch his breath while he stood there in nothing but sleeping shorts.

"Alexander," Magnus said. "What are we doing?"

"I have no idea," Alec said, blushing deeply and out of breath. "But I-" He took a step closer, eyes open and honest in what they wanted. "I've never felt like this before."

"Clearly," Magnus replied, trying to keep his expression free of emotions. Alec's face fell and Magnus couldn't help, but admire the way Alec's every emotion was written across his features.

"You started it," Alec mumbled and Magnus couldn't prevent the genuine smile that broke out over his face. Then Magnus was laughing. Laughing like he hadn't laughed in…, well long, enough that he couldn't quite remember at the moment.

"I did, didn't I?" Magnus chuckled. Alec didn't say anything and when Magnus's laughing stopped, the warlock faced his guest. "Well, Alexander, you have quite made my day. My decade, even." Alec didn't say anything at first, but he slowly moved closer.

"I came to thank you," Alec whispered. "I came to talk to you, but now that I've met you I just want to-" He broke off his actions clearly indicating what he meant, arms outstretched to touch the bare skin of Magnus's torso.

"Do you really know what you want, young Nephilim?" Magnus asked. Again Alec's first response was action rather than words. He moved just slightly closer and placed his hands on Magnus's bare chest. Magnus couldn't stop the involuntary shiver over his skin at the contact. Alec looked up at him, with those gorgeous blue eyes and Magnus leaned down to kiss him again. This time the kiss was more heated, more passionate. Magnus parted Alexander's lips easily and enjoyed the soft moan from the other man as he deepened the kiss.

Alec's hands were gliding over Magnus's skin, making it tingle. The next thing Magnus knew was that his own hands were under Alec's simple black shirt, pulling it up over Alec's head. Alexander only let their lips lose contact for a second as his shirt hit the ground.

Magnus felt better about being half naked once Alec's chest was bare as well, though as his hands explored the other man's skin he found a considerable number of scars. When Magnus's hands moved over Alec's most recent injury, he was happy to feel the smooth healthy unscarred skin there.

"I'm glad this healed well," Magnus whispered when they broke apart for air.

"Why did you? I mean, after you removed the poison, why did you heal the wound?" Alec asked.

Magnus pulled away to gaze at Alexander, the strangest of Nephilim. With a hand against Alec's cheek Magnus said, "I saw something in your eyes. Something that made me want to spare you pain."

Alexander smiled, warmth in his eyes, as he leaned up to kiss Magnus again. This was different than the others. This time Alec was leading the charge. There was something about this boy, Magnus thought as he kissed Alec as if the world was ending, something he couldn't quite place.

Of course, the world wasn't ending and Magnus really shouldn't be doing this. He pulled away.

"You are welcome, Alexander," Magnus said kindly. "And I am glad you are alright." He added, a finality to his words, but Alec didn't seem to catch the hint. He was staring now, his eyes moving from Magnus's lips to his chest and back.

"You are beautiful," Alec whispered. "Your eyes…" Ashamed Magnus quickly put up a glamour to conceal his cats eyes.

"Oh no," Alec said alarmed as he moved forward. "Please don't. I didn't mean-"

"What did you mean?" Magnus asked, curious while still cautious.

"While I was lying there," Alec said. "While you were healing me I noticed your eyes." Alec closed the space between them and placed a hand against Magnus's cheek, gazing directly at his eyes. "Please show me." Stunned beyond belief Magnus dropped the glamour and Alec smiled. "Beautiful," he whispered.

"I thought Nephilim didn't like curse marks?" Magnus replied.

"I like your eyes," Alec stated simply and Magnus's good sense went out the window. He pulled Alec in and continued their heated kiss. Magnus was fairly certain he'd lost his mind, but at the moment he didn't care. Together they collapsed onto Magnus's favourite couch, Alec on top of him, kissing his chest, his neck then returning to his lips. Magnus fumbled with Alec's pants and soon had them just as undone as Magnus's will to fight this feeling. Alec didn't miss a beat, but rather helped Magnus undress him. The little clothing Magnus currently had on was far less of an obstacle.

"Is this really happening?" Alec gasped as Magnus's hands explored him. Choosing to show rather than tell, Magnus sat up, pinning Alec under him and kissing the boy so hard they sank a little deeper into the couch. Magnus was straddling Alec now, their arousals pressed together, Magnus ground his hips into Alec's and enjoyed the soft moans it created in him. This wasn't enough however. Magnus wanted―no, needed more and he sensed Alec did as well.

Moving down Alec's body, trailing kisses behind him, Magnus's mouth reached its destination. Alec gasped as Magnus took Alec in his mouth. His back arched and Magnus's hands moved up to work on Alec. At this point they were both so worked up it didn't take long for Alec to come. Magnus waved away the mess with magic, giving their moment a light blue glow for a second.

Alexander was looking at Magnus with wide wondering eyes. Magnus smiled back and slowly, cautiously, Alec became to move. He reached for Magnus pulling him in for a kiss then laid Magnus down on the couch. Alec was a quick learner. Using his mouth and hands he quickly repeated what had been done to him, first adding friction with his hips before wiggling himself down to sit at Magnus's feet and leaning forward. Magnus was surprised how fast he finished, but it wasn't just that. Magnus hadn't done anything so completely crazy and spontaneous in a very long time.

Alec laid down, without saying a word, just snuggled into the warlock's arms and Magnus found himself putting an arm around the Nephilim.

Magnus wasn't sure how long they remained like that. It felt like time wasn't moving. Like the universe had granted them a pause. Magnus had never had such a moment before. To an immortal, time had little meaning. He could, and had in the past, wasted a years on meaningless ventures without batting an eye. Ragnor's joke about needing a decade to recover from Magnus's party hadn't really been a joke. Magnus wouldn't be surprised if he didn't see the warlock again for at least that long.

Time didn't stand still for immortals, but rather it passed around them without affecting them. If time was a river, then a warlock was the stone held fast to the riverbed while the mortals were swept downstream, destined to die when they reached the falls

Magnus knew Alec should leave, but he didn't want Alec to leave. He knew it was a foolish desire, since that was the only way this would end. There was no way Alec could stay here with him, even for a day. Magnus wondered how much could happen in a day with Alec if mere moments where this exhilarating. Such a small measure of time suddenly having the potential to mean so much stunned the warlock.

"I should probably go before they close the portal," Alec whispered, crushing the illusion that time had actually stood still for them.

The air was cold against his skin and Magnus felt Alec shiver so he waved his hand and magically laid the blanket folded on the other side of the room over them both. Alec's look of wonder made Magnus smile.

"That's amazing," Alec whispered as he pulled the blanket close.

"Why would they close the portal?" Magnus asked but he was grinning. Alec's admiration was the amazing thing here, not a simple short range teleportation spell.

"I didn't tell anyone where I was going," Alec said. "If anyone notices it they'll probably think the portal was left open by accident."

"Won't they notice you are missing?" Magnus asked.

"After a while," Alec replied. "But I could be anywhere in the Palace or on the grounds. It's a big place."

"Well if the portal is closed," Magnus said, raising his hand to gently stroke Alec's face. "I can always make you a new one."

"That could work," Alec said, his eyes half closing at Magnus's touch. "Can I see you again?" Alec asked, suddenly, eyes now open and full of honest hope.

"I thought princes were meant to have princesses?" Magnus replied coolly.

"Meant to, and want to, are two different things," Alec replied. "I'm not king yet."

"But you will be," Magnus spoke softly.

"Either way I still want to see you again," Alec said firmly.

"People will ask questions," Magnus whispered.

"They don't have to know," Alec murmured back. Magnus had to admit he wanted to see this singular individual again, but he knew he shouldn't encourage Alec. Then again, it might already be too late for that.

"Alright," Magnus agreed. Alec smiled and kissed Magnus. It was a casual kiss, nothing like their earlier heated ones, rather more like a quick caress of lips.

"When?" Alec asked.

"If you still want to return once you've been home again," Magnus said being careful to give Alec a way out. "Then, whenever you like."

"I know I'll want to come back," Alec said.

Magnus gently tapped Alec on the nose before he said, "You think you know."

"We'll see," Alec grinned at him. Then Alec was getting up and searching for his clothes. Magnus half sat up, supporting his weight on his elbow as he watched the Nephilim, enjoying the blush over Alec's skin. Magnus suspected just being watched while naked was enough to make Alexander blush.

When Alec's boring black warrior's clothes were back where they had been when Alec had arrived, he turned to Magnus.

"I'm going to check if the other portal is open," Alec said. "Right back." And he quickly moved to the door. Magnus didn't move, as he processed his own emotions. Why was he worried Alec's portal would still be open and he'd leave without saying goodbye? Magnus knew that was best and yet he had to fight the desire to get up and follow Alec.

If someone had told him yesterday that this is where he'd be today, Magnus would have laughed at the ridiculous idea. If he woke up right then and learned this had all been a strange dream Magnus wouldn't have been surprised in the slightest.

I decided for mild semi-implied smut. What did you guys think? Not so much plot in this chapter... just Malec but I didn't think you guys would mind. hehe

Also I started beta reading for MyaZab! Please check out her new Malec story! Its awesome and it's called 'The Outcast.' You won't regret it.

Sneak Peek chapter 5

"It's a magical contract," Magnus replied. "You can't just refuse me and be done with it. You signed on a dotted line not knowing what the price would be."

"But this makes no sense," Maryse said. "It benefits neither parties."

"Why I have chosen this is my business," Magnus replied calmly. "Do you want to go back on our deal?" Both Alec's parents looked from Magnus to Alec, clearly conflicted.

"What is he asking for?" Alec asked in the silence that followed Magnus's words.