Disclaimer: I own nothing...and am not even in the fandom. XD A.N. So, Tigger, here is your Christmas tidbit. It might not be what you imagined, exactly, but I hope it's enjoyable anyway. A merry, merry, merry Christmas to you!
Marshmallows
The first time it happens, Magnus acts like the great boyfriend he always is, and spoils Alec to the best of his considerable ability afterwards. He's lived too long not to know that sometimes, things just go south, and then keep going. Of course his brave darling would fight anything that dared to be a threat to the human population.
Prowess deserves rewards, and his somewhat battered warrior receives the gentlest - and most hedonistic, because why not - healing.
The next time, Magnus is a little pissed off. No, not at his boyfriend following his protective nature. But this is his city, dammit, and you'd think that assorted Downworlders would know better than to create trouble.
He tries to covertly make a point. Invites to his parties the most important members of every group of creatures, and mentions what a pleasure it is to have them around, and what a pity it would be to have to curtail everyone's entertainment.
No overt threat, of course. That would just be counterproductive. The pointed "keep your fucking boys – and girls – in line" should be received anyway. You don't rise through the ranks of...anything, really, if you're dumb. Or you don't last long enough to enjoy more than one invitation, anyway.
Still, eventually, Alec will trudge back, exhausted and achy. Magnus takes care of him. He even enjoys pampering his boyfriend. But it should be a lovely indulgence, not something he has to do.
After a few repeats, though, Magnus sees through it. Sure, Alec is a Shadowhunter. Keeping all and sundry under control is what they do. But someone would grumble about being run ragged over and over. Clary, maybe, who wasn't born into this. Or someone else, but - a little annoyed huff would arrive to his ears.
They don't, and Magnus has to wonder. Maybe Alec pushes himself harder than his friends. Double-checks on more rumors that might lead to a confrontation after leaving them. And if he's taking risks on his own, well... Magnus is torn. Hysterical laughter, frustrated groan and hitting his head against a wall sound all somewhat palatable at the moment. Instead, he gets a hold of himself. This needs to be addressed.
Still, he doesn't want to pick a fight with Alec. One, it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. Two, Alec is a combatant. Being confrontational with him is about the stupidest thing you can do.
So, instead, he smiles and - out of the blue, while handing his boyfriend some hot chocolate - he ponders aloud, "My magic didn't accidentally misfire lately, did it? I have not shapeshifted into a vending machine at any point, right? I mean, that's one thing I should really have noticed."
"What?" Alec's eyes add "the fuck" loud and clear.
"You heard me."
":..Nope?" The boy sounds hesitant, and Magnus doesn't entirely blame him.
"Good. I had to wonder, since someone decided to treat me like one."
"I don't get it," Alec admits, with a frown and a sip.
"Oh, just your basic attempt at manipulation. Thinking it's possible to press the right button and get what you want." Magnus shrugs.
"Manipulating you?" Alec laughs. "I pity the fool." Magnus couldn't have misunderstood the situation, could he? He's confident on his ability to read people, and his boyfriend that much more...Or maybe his beloved isn't that self-aware.
"How would you suggest I handle him?" He smiles.
"Are you - seriously asking?" Alec's very pretty eyes are wide with surprise, and glinting with more than a little pride.
Magnus is more than adept at dealing with anything - demons, angels, fairies, and on the list goes. He adores Alec, but of course he has more experience and finesse to actually pick the best option. He will defer to him if the matter concerns Alec personally...and that should be his boyfriend's first, and possibly biggest, clue. "I just did, I didn't I?" He takes a sip of his own chocolate.
"Do you just want to give him a lesson, or..." Alec's hands leave no doubts about how final a punishment might be on the table. And Magnus gets it. When you grow up a certain way, killing starts being the default option. One that Alec might expect to help with, even if Magnus so doesn't need any backup, should he choose to.
A laugh is startled out of the warlock. "Nothing drastic, no. He's a little green still, I have confidence he'll learn. He might have tested my patience, and I'm annoyed that he would take a shine to that plan. But there was no consequence that would warrant a swift and harsh retribution. It's been going on for a while, actually. You know I would have put a stop to it if it was anything serious."
"Of course." Alec's delight of a moment ago melted, and he's...well, he would object at the idea, loudly and vehemently, but he's pouting. Quite adorably, too. "You sound fond of him."
"Your eyes are blue, you know."
"And...?" Alec's utter confusion shouldn't be so entertaining...but then again, what is life without fun?
"They have no reason to turn green. I won't say that you were wrong in your assessment, because that'd be a lie. I'm just saying, you don't have anything to be jealous of. Not one single stray thought."
Alec blushes, even if he has no reason to. Magnus won't say he doesn't enjoy a little possessive streak in his beloved, every now and then. He'd just rather not even tease in any way that might make the boy feel more insecure, because God knows he doesn't need it.
"So what do you say? How should I proceed with my young schemer?"
"Well, since you seem inclined to forgive, maybe you should just talk to him. Make yourself clear."
"That was my plan, actually. I'm glad to hear you agree."
Magnus smiles again, more feline than ever. "That's why I started early."
Alec stiffens, not in any fun way, more's the pity. Not that Magnus expected him to, right now. "I don't understand."
"First of all, I love that you keep protecting everyone, okay? You know it's one of the things that made me fall for you. Among everything else, and we'd be here all month if I started that list...and I'm lowballing it. But I'm not wrong when I'm saying you didn't quite have to push yourself so hard every now and then, did you? That one situation or three could have been checked the morning after, after you got some rest, instead of coming back dead on your feet every time?"
"I - did make a few personal calls about exactly how imperative it was to investigate some situations promptly. I thought you trusted my judgment."
"I do. And I admire your dedication. Are you telling me that has no relation at all with the way I like to set you right when you overwork?" He half wants to see Alec deny that... he's pretty certain, but the way his boyfriend tackled that argument would have to be interesting.
"It does, but Magnus, that's absolutely not manipulation. I wouldn't!" The boy's so earnest, the warlock gets the urge to comfort him.
"So be it. What would you call it, then?"
"I was just earning it. Them. Your, huh..." Alec stumbles on his words, and just that makes Magnus fall in love all over again.
"My. Masseur talents, snack choices, willingness to boss you into relaxing, all of the above, plus other miscellaneous things I might not think are important but you appreciate?" Magnus tilts his head, looking even more like a curious cat than ever.
"That." Alec sighs.
"I see two very obvious options for our future, and mind you, both is a perfectly acceptable response."
His boyfriend nods, and if it wasn't for his training, Magnus'd bet he would vibrate with nerves. He doesn't have to, of course, Magnus would rather lose a limb than hurt him, even with a word. But he's been caught, and he still expects some sort of retaliation.
"One: since you do like that, I will not wait anymore. I'll boss you into whatever form of relaxation I'm in the mood for. I've been remiss, really. This is all my fault, and I apologize. But there are so many things I want to do with you, and sometimes I get eager. But we don't have to rush, do we? We have time. All the time."
Alec almost interrupted him when Magnus apologized, actually opened his mouth, before clamping it shut. Now he's nodding again, fervently. He's not the one who'll cut their relationship short. Good.
"Option two, if you are in the mood for it, and I haven't picked up your cues, just tell me, in the name of everything holy - or less so."
Alec blushes again. Yeah, that's not very likely. Not this month, at least. That's when Magnus has a brilliant idea, if he says so himself. "You know, I was thinking...you might get the itch when we're in public. I do understand, beloved, sometimes it's awkward to be open about everything. Yes, you could wait until we're home, but you just know I could use some extra time to plan...what do you say, if we use a code?"
Alec shrugs. "That might - be easier. Possibly. I mean, Izzy will probably end up breaking it, because she's nosy like that, but we should have a few days where we can enjoy that. What were you thinking about?"
"You would have to use it, darling, you pick it. It wouldn't do if I picked something that you couldn't remember, would it now?" The warlock smiles, a little teasing quirk to his mouth.
His boyfriend pouts a little. Of course he could remember anything - there are so many rules he knows forwards and backwards and used to stick by, until Magnus managed to make him relax a little. Being put on the spot without knowing the right answer? It annoys him. There's no possible wrong answer, though, and hopefully he'll realize it.
For a few seconds, Alec's clearly focused, eyes on the table. Then he raises them, with a cheeky grin. "Marshmallows?"
So Magnus likes to life to the fullest - and sweetest. He's not ashamed of it. "Brilliant. Remind me I've finished yet another box of marshmallow and we gotta buy more. By the time we'll get home, you'll get all the TLC you can tolerate...and then some more, just because I can." He licks his lips.
"That doesn't sound like a threat." Alec instinctively mimics him.
"It wasn't meant to be. Why would I, love?"
They end up kissing. Of course they do. Chocolate and marshmallow...and that might just become Magnus' next favorite flavor.