Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three…. Two… one…
"Happy New Year."
Alec looked deep into his fiance's eyes, a smile playing at his lips as he leaned forward to kiss Magnus with all the affection he could muster.
"Happy New Year, my darling," Magnus whispered.
"Your darling am I?" Alec smiled.
"Unless you have an objection to the name," Magnus replied easily.
Alec made a face, trying to look afronted, but he couldn't hide his smile.
"I love you," Magnus chuckled. His voice changed to one of mock seriousness as he added. "But not as much as I love confetti."
"Liar," Alec smirked.
"What gave me away?" Magnus mused.
"Well it's confetti," Alec commented. "Little tiny pieces of paper that do nothing except make a big mess after putting on a show."
"You caught me," Magnus smiled. "Mine is a temporary confetti type love, very fleeting. Bright and short."
"Is that so?" Alec replied, pulling Magnus in closer.
"Mmm hmmm," Magnus said, grinning.
"Why'd you agree to marry me then?" Alec whispered, also smiling. It was funny how little their actual words impacted the mood of their conversation.
"Did I do that?" Magnus replied, with mock surprise. Alec simply nodded. "Well, I must have been drunk. Better call the whole thing off right now!" Alec laughed, giving up on the teasing to kiss Magnus again. He wound his arms around his fiance's neck, parting his lips to deepen the kiss. He felt Magnus's hands press against the small of his back.
"Oh, get a room!" Izzy's voice snapped at them. Alec turned around to see his sister with her arms all over Simon.
"You first," Alec replied. With one swift motion, Izzy finished her champagne, then grabbed Simon by the arm and promptly left. Their parents had insisted everyone stay up together to greet the new year, but as that was now over, it seemed Izzy was taking the opportunity to spend time alone with Simon. The two of them were the first to head up to bed. Aline and Helen were next, waving goodbye to everyone as they went. It had been great to see Aline outside school. Between Alec and Aline's clashing class schedules - and respective relationships - it had been hard for them to find time to spend together. Before Magnus, and Jace for that matter, Aline had been Alec's closest friend. It was strange to him that he was now so comfortable spending so much time away from her, and it made him wonder if the myth was true. They say the act of falling in love will cost you at least one friend. If only there were more hours in a day, and more space in one person's life, that might not be the case.
Aside from his mother's constant wedding commentary, Alec's holiday had been splendid. And Alec couldn't even complain too much about his mother's wedding frenzie since he was so grateful she was handling the details. Alec wanted to marry Magnus more than anything in the world, but he wasn't so keen on making lots of tiny decisions about flower arrangements. And hey, if it made Maryse happy, who was he to argue? He supposed the answer to that question was 'the groom', but Alec felt more like a guest with so much of the planning out of his hands. A very important guest, he mused.
Alec couldn't believe that April was only four months away. If those months went by as fast as his winter break, Alec would be married before you could say 'I do.' It was a strange and wonderful feeling. Before he'd met Magnus, Alec hadn't been able to picture any of it, even just the idea of being in a relationship had felt foreign to him. He'd always known he was gay, but that hadn't really helped him imagine merging his life with another person forever in matrimony.
As Alec, Izzy, and Simon's classes started on the same day, the four of them returned home on the same plane. Alec tried not to watch his sister being all doe eyed with Simon, even if he was happy about it. It was strange to see. Izzy had never been like this before, and the longer it remained strong, the more Alec hoped this change in his sister would be permanent. It wasn't that how she'd lived before had been wrong; it was more that he'd always gotten this sense that she was trying to hide the fact that she was terribly unhappy. He couldn't sense that in her anymore, and he was more than glad of it.
As Alec and Magnus walked up to the front door of their apartment and went inside, they were pleasantly surprised to find Tessa sitting in their living room, a book in her hand, and a cat sleeping on her lap. Upon further inspection Alec saw that Lucie was here also. The adorable toddler was sitting on the floor surrounded by a collection of bright plastic toys of various sizes and shapes. At the moment, she seemed intent on making a square block fit into a round hole, without much success.
"Thank you for checking on our fur babies," Magnus said as he moved closer to pet the Chairmen sleeping on Tessa's lap.
"Fur babies?" Alec chuckled.
"What! They're adorable," Magnus defended himself.
"Chairmen is his usual annoying but lovable self," Tessa commented. "However, Catsby hasn't been very active. He's slept on your bed basically the whole time I've been here. I had to put his food in there for him in the hopes he'd eat it. He did managed to get up to get to his litter boxes, but not much else."
"Thanks," Magnus smiled at her.
"I think we should take him to the vet," Alec added. "He's been not quite himself now for a while."
"Good idea," Magnus said. "I'll call them first thing tomorrow. They'd be closed by now."
"I should probably get Lucie home to bed," Tessa said. "It just seems a shame to move a snuggly cat."
"I got it," Alec said as he scooped Chairmen into his arms.
"Meow!" the cat scolded Alec loudly, for disturbing his peaceful rest.
"Tessa has to leave," Alec told the cat. "Besides, didn't you miss me?"
"Meow," Chairman said begrudgingly, his head facing away.
"I'd take that as a no," Magnus chuckled as Tessa got up and Alec put the cat back down where he'd been. Chairman gave them both a look that said they were the dirt beneath his paws, then jumped away from the couch as if it too had done him a great offence.
"Where's the gratitude," Alec whined.
"From a cat?" Magnus laughed. "Good luck!"
As Tessa packed up Lucie's toys and playpen with Magnus's help, Alec went into their bedroom to check on The Great Catsby. The old cat was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking - if possible - even thinner. If Alec hadn't seen the animal's chest rise and fall, he would have panicked thinking the feline had died in his sleep.
The next morning they called in the moment the vet clinic opened, managing to get an appointment that same day. Leaving a whiny Chairman at home, Alec got Catsby into a carrying case before putting him in the taxi. Neither he nor Magnus had a car, and they hadn't planned this well enough to ask to borrow Will's for the morning.
Catsby was quiet during the drive, and remained silent as it sat by Magnus's feet, secure in his carrier. Alec was beside Magnus watching all the other sick animals with their owners waiting to be seen. He'd never had to take an animal to the vet before, and he had to admit - though only to himself - that he was scared. What if they couldn't help Catsby? Sure, he wasn't as young as he once was, but he was only twelve. Alec had known cats to live into their late teens, or even early twenties.
When the nurse finally called them up, they were taken into a small enclosed room with two doors. They waited there only a few moments before the veterinarian joined them. She had a white lab coat on, dark brown hair, and a narrow face. She listened attentively to their concerns before speaking.
"Losing weight while eating isn't a good sign," the vet said. "Neither is disinterest in food. If his organs are failing, there won't be much we can do, but it's a good sign that he still eats, even if he doesn't want to get up to get it." She moved away for a moment, turning back around to face them again with a needle in her hand. "I'm just gonna take some blood to test, then we will know whats going on."
Magnus nodded and they watched as the vet skillfully extracted the needed blood from the very grumpy cat.
"We should have the results in about a week," the vet continued. "Take Catsby home, and try and make him eat as much as you can in the meantime. As many treats as he wants." She smiled before adding, "Call if any of his symptoms change." Magnus and Alec both agreed, and together they got Catsby comfortably back into the carrier.
Leaving the small room, they went to check out at the reception desk. To Alec's surprise, Magnus didn't even flinch as Alec paid the bill. Instead, Magnus just whispered 'thank you' as they got into the cab. Alec didn't understand Magnus's need to say that. He had long ago grown to consider his fiance's cats his own, and hadn't thought twice about paying the vet fees. He tried to explain as much to Magnus on the way home, but he remained grateful all the same.
The whole drive home, Alec couldn't help feeling like there was something he'd forgotten about today. Classes started first thing tomorrow, and Alec had spent what time he'd had outside of vet visits getting his school stuff ready and buying his textbooks. There really wasn't much else to do, so why wouldn't this nagging feeling go away? It wasn't until later that night, as Alec lay awake trying not to think about the vet results, that he realized what he'd forgotten.
"Hey Magnus," Alec said elbowing the man beside him gently to see if he was awake.
"What?" Magnus mumbled.
"Happy two year anniversary," Alec said, leaning down to kiss his fiance on the cheek.
"Oh wow," Magnus said, suddenly more conscious as he rolled over to look at Alec. "I totally forgot with Catsby and everything."
"Me too," Alec smiled. "So what do you think? Should we still celebrate our first kiss after we're married?"
"It was more than just our first kiss," Magnus reminded him. "It was when we both admitted how we felt and decided to be together."
"It was when you admitted how you felt," Alec corrected. "As I recall, I'd communicated my feelings to you far sooner."
"You one-love wonder, you," Magnus smiled up at him. Alec was laying on his side, propped up on one elbow, looking down at Magnus.
Magnus's hand was resting on Alec's cheek when Alec asked. "What do you mean?"
"It's a wonder to me," Magnus replied. "That you will never experience a broken heart." He paused, his tone shifting as he replied.
"You would be the one to know that," Alec replied easily. "My heart is in your hands." Magnus just looked up at him, the most beautiful smile on his face.
"So what do you think?" Alec continued. "Anniversary in April and January, or just April?"
"With a wedding anniversary to celebrate, there's no need for the other, surely," Magnus smiled. "I mean, how many times a year should we really celebrate us being together anyway?"
"Everyday," Alec laughed.
"Just a tag narcissistic," Magnus chuckled. "Don't ya think." Alec couldn't help laughing lightly with him. "Besides, that would be exhausting to maintain."
"In that case," Alec replied, grinning from ear to ear. "If this is the last time we ever celebrate our first kiss, I think we should do something to mark it."
"And what did you have in mind?" Magnus asked.
"Oh, I don't know," Alec mused as his hand trailed south to check the gravity of the situation. He grinned when his hand reached its destination, and he saw that look of pleasant surprise on his fiance's face.
"Though I'm not at all against this idea," Magnus replied. "That's hardly a rare event."
"True," Alec smiled. "But I don't wanna get out of bed."
"Spoiled rich boy problems," Magnus sighed as he reached up to wrap his arm around Alec, pressing him closer. Alec wasn't about to argue as he moved his body to on top of Magnus's, kissing his bare chest. They both slept in nothing but sleep pants or boxers usually, leaving their chests naked. Alec loved the feeling of Magnus's warm skin against his own. There was a comfort to it, a familiar tenderness.
As their kissing intensified, Alec could feel his fiance's arousal grow through their loose pants. Maneuvering down, Alec pulled at the clothes, moving them with him until Magnus's erection sprang free from its restraints. Alec moved back up to kiss along the shaft, teasing with his tongue and teeth.
Magnus seemed to quickly get fed up with teasing and sat up to wrap his arms around Alec, locking their lips in a kiss. Alec began to grind his hips into Magnus's, rubbing their erections together, creating beautiful friction.
"Alexander," Magnus gasped, but Alec wasn't quite there yet. He felt Magnus's release, warm and sticky on his abdomen.
Alec was eager to catch up, moving quickly to bring himself to his finish, but Magnus stopped him, whispering what he wanted in Alec's ear.
"You'll be sore tomorrow," Alec reminded him, but Magnus just shrugged.
"I got nowhere to be," he said before leaning over and reaching for the side table. Magnus rolled the condom down Alec himself before handing the lube over. Magnus rested his leg on Alec's shoulders, his hands gripping the sheets. Alec began to stretch Magnus's entrance slowly.
Alec leaned forward and kissed his fiance before going in a little deeper. After checking if Magnus was sure one more time, Alec finally positioned himself and gently pushed in. Magnus gave a gasp as his muscles tensed. It took all Alec had not to finish right then. As Alec moved in and out, they both moaned and gasped, Magnus's hands gripping the bed sheets. Though Magnus didn't finish again, he was clearly enjoying the feeling as Alec thrust in one last time, climaxing inside his lover.
Both panting, they collapsed beside each other. Alec rested his head on Magnus's shoulder, gently trailing his fingers over his fiance's chest. Alec mumbled against Magnus's skin, asking if Alec had hurt him. Magnus just smiled, kissing the top of Alec's head, and whispering 'I love you' into his ear. Alec pulled a blanket up over both of them and they fell asleep wrapped in each other.
The next morning Alec had to go to class. He left Magnus asleep in bed, intending to dash out quickly, but on his way, Alec passed a hungry Chairmen, and realized he had to at least try and get Catsby to eat something before he left.
Almost twenty minutes later, Alec was gonna be late for class, but at least Catsby's food dish was half empty. He wasn't sure if it had been the morning, or still anxiety from the vet appointment yesterday, but Alec had a hard time not worrying about Catsby's test results during his class. It was good it had been a first class, otherwise he might have actually had to pay attention.
Alec's classes were over by mid afternoon, and he came home to see his fiance curled up on the couch drinking tea and watching Poldark.
"You can blame your sister for this," Magnus said as Alec sat beside him, on the verge of laughing. "She was watching it all through the holidays, and it reminds me of all those period shows Tessa and I used to watch together."
Alec settled in for the evening, watching another three shows with Magnus before calling it a night. Magnus stayed up even later, probably finishing the season. This meant that like yesterday, Alec left their room with a sleeping Magnus in it. His classes that day were even more boring than yesterday, and Alec found himself looking forward to next week when classes actually got interesting.
Alec had expected to arrive home to Magnus on the couch again binging more 19th century dramas, but he wasn't. Alec looked around and spotted a note in Magnus's hand writing on the coffee table.
Went to Tessa's for the evening. Will be home late. Don't wait up.
Love you,
Magnus
Smiling to himself, Alec decided to choose his own television tonight, or possibly play one of the video games he'd got for Christmas. He was half way through level two of his new game when he heard a knock at the door. Assuming it to be Magnus arriving home early, Alec called out for the person to enter, and a moment later, he heard a very distinctly not Magnus's voice greet him from behind.
"Hey Alec," Clary said. Alec turned.
"Oh, I thought you were Magnus," Alec said.
"I take it that means he isn't here then?" Clary asked.
"You would take it correctly," Alec smiled. Clary smiled too, but there was an awkward way to it, as if she was smiling too widely to be real.
"Is everything alright?" Alec asked.
"Yeah," Clary said too quickly. "I mean- you know, nothing wrong per say..."
"Spit it out, Clary," Alec sighed.
"It's just well… if you had to choose between your own dreams and Magnus, what would you do?" Clary asked very quickly as if trying to get it all out in one breath.
"Honestly, I have no idea," Alec replied simply. "I've never had a dream or aspiration grand enough to eclipse Magnus."
"I see," Clary sighed. She looked a little deflated. "Well, thanks anyway, I guess."
"Hey," Alec said standing up and moving quickly around the couch to stop her leaving. "You can't just ask that and leave. What's going on?"
"Nothing," Clary said quickly before moving out of his grip. Alec let her go rather than forcefully hold her there, but he was suddenly wondering if it was his duty as Jace's best friend to tell Jace that something was up with his girlfriend.
I had decided to wait a few more days to update this but 'HidingBehindMyWords' (who until very recently was taught to dream30) told me she'd read it right away if I uploaded today so I thought why not!
OMG the second real Malec smut scene in this entire story. La gasp! Yes yes I know, I never write these anymore. Malec smut was the first smut I ever wrote, maybe that's why I like to move on and try other things. See all my other stories for more. ;)
Also I have added Ch0: to the beginning of every chapter of this story to make the timelines changing the chapter number less confusing. Hope that helps. ^_^
Woot! 355 follows! Thanks so much everyone! 3 3 3
Sneak Peek Chapter 115
"I'll be ten minutes huh?" she smirked at him.
"Sorry," Jordan mumbled. "I lost track of time."
"Oh no really," she chuckled. "I hadn't guessed."
"I promise to make it up to you," Jordan replied, wrapping his arms around her to kiss her even before he took off his coat.
"And how do you intend to do that?" Paige asked smiling up at him.
"Umm," Jordan stated. "No idea. What do you want?"
"Let's see," Paige began, obviously teasing him. "How about eternal servitude." For a moment Jordan just stood there looking a little startled, then Paige laughed and added, "I'm kidding silly."
"Oh," Jordan replied, smiling.
"How about I pick the movie?" Paige smiled at him. "We will have to see a later showing is all."
"I thought you were already picking the movie?" Jordan replied.