#shcanon

It seemed incredibly lethargic for a dog that was only on the brink of being called elderly.

“Oliver,” the volunteer said kindly, reaching over the gate to scratch at its head.

Oliver lifted its head up at its name, sniffing the air before dropping its head back down, content to let Magnus keep petting it.

“Can I sit with him?” Magnus asked. He was very taken by the old dog, rubbing gently at its long ears.

The volunteer nodded her consent and unlocked the gate, Oliver shuffling back slightly before lying back down again.

“Hello, old man,” Magnus crooned, settling himself down beside the dog.

Oliver looked at him with one curious eye before stepping carefully into his lap and curling up.

Magnus stroked him gently, long broad strokes along the dog’s flank. The volunteer smiled at the sight of the content dog, bending to pet his head.

“Do you have a dog?” She asked and Magnus laughed, shaking his head.

“No, not really. I just have a very bossy cat, Chairman Meow,” he replied.

The volunteer laughed with him and then left him alone, telling him to look for her when he was done. She had a conspiratorial spark in her eyes when Magnus hurried to explain that he was only there to look.

So he sat there, petting the old dog who was very content to lie in his lap, snoozing away.

By the time the volunteer returned, Magnus had already made up his mind. But his eyes caught on the German Shepard limping behind the volunteer.

“I thought you would like to have a look at this old girl,” she explained hurriedly when Magnus looked up at her with questions in his eyes. “Her name is Angel.”

At that, a smile tugged at Magnus’ lips. Gently, he coaxed Oliver off his lap and watched as the dog limped over to him, sniffing curiously.

Her eyes were cloudy and unfocused when he held out a hand, remaining still for the old dog investigate.

“She’s blind,” he stated, and the volunteer nodded, looking incredibly sad.

“She has cataracts and at her age, it’s too risky to put her under,” she explained, bending to let Angel sniff her hand.

Magnus hummed softly, the cogs in his mind turning.

He had the means and the space to house them and they would be excellent company. They were both high maintenance dogs and he could devote time to them both.

“What’s the adoption process like?”

-

The smell of food cooking wafted through the air when Alec opened the door. He could smell the dinner cooking the moment he came down the hallway towards Magnus’ loft and his mouth was already watering.

“Magnus! I’m home,” he called as he toed off his boots, setting his bow and quiver down on the rack Magnus had specially constructed for him. A tiny grey ball of fluff padded out to him, mewling as it twined around his ankles.

Alec smiled, bending to pick up the cat.

“Hey, Chairman,” he mumbled, dropping a kiss on the feline’s head. Chairman Meow squirmed in his arms, sharp little claws pricking through his clothes before settling, meowing as he petted him.

He wandered towards the kitchen, wondering what Magnus had cooked up for dinner. A soft bark echoed through the sizzling of the pan and he froze, Chairman tensing in his arms.

“Magnus?” Magnus looked up from where he was cutting up chicken liver, a pan sizzling away merrily beside him, smiling when he saw Alec peek around the doorway. Alec stared at him, then at the two dogs curled up at his feet.

“Welcome home, Alexander,” Magnus shifted, nudging Oliver gently with a foot. The Cocker Spaniel rose to his feet, waddling over to Alec as he stepped into the kitchen, the Chairman still hugged to his chest. Alec looked down at the dog, his eyes going wide with surprise and then glee.

He plopped Chairman onto the counter, much to the dismay of the cat and Magnus, and dropped onto his knees to pet the dog. Oliver responded just as enthusiastically, nuzzling into his hand and lolling out his tongue. He licked his face and Alec laughed, a sound of pure delight.

“So you’re more of a dog person,” Magnus commented dryly, though there was a smile curving on his face. Alec looked up, grinning widely as he wrapped his arms around the dog, falling onto his back in delight.

Oliver was panting, licking at his face and wriggling on his chest, infected by his enthusiasm. Magnus shook his head fondly, reaching out a hand to pet the Chairman who was watching the proceedings from his perch with a look of horror on his feline face.

“Don’t worry Chairman, I still love you,” he soothed even as he turned on the tap, rinsed his hand and went right back to chopping up the chicken liver. Alec was holding Oliver to him, cooing at the dog.

Angel seemed to be drawn to him too, limping slowly over to the Shadowhunter, sniffing curiously. Alec looked up and his eyes widened a second time.

“You got two?” He blurted and Magnus laughed. He had gotten the dogs for himself, for something to do, to devote his attention to but having Alec love them so much was always a bonus.

“Yes but they’re not for you, love. They are for me.” He gestured to the pans sitting on the stove, emitting delicious smells. Alec cocked his head curiously as he moved into a sitting position, setting Oliver into his lap.

“Pet therapy,” he explained, and Alec flinched, guilt flashing across his face before it was gone, his fingers threading into Oliver’s fur. He nudged the dog off his lap gently and rose to his feet, moving to kiss his boyfriend.

Magnus melted into him, putting the knife down. Alec’s arm slid around his waist as he pulled him closer, inhaling his familiar scent of Indian sandalwood. He loved that the Shadowhunter was using his shampoo now.

“Are you okay?” Alec asked when they pulled away, a hand moving to cup the warlock’s cheek. His eyes were full of concern as he stroked his cheek and Magnus nodded, leaning up to kiss him again.

‘I will be,” he murmured against Alec’s lips. He hoped that was true. Alec was watching him, thumb still stroking idly over his cheekbone.

“I’m here for you, Magnus. No matter what. I know you say you’re fine, you always say you’re fine. But it’s okay not to be fine,” Magnus’ heart stuttered and Alec must have caught the expression flitting across his face because he reached out, gripping his hand.

“I won’t rush you, but please don’t push me away,” he said softly and Magnus pressed himself harshly against his boyfriend’s chest, barely able to stop the tears from falling.

“Yeah,” he murmured and Alec reached over to turn off the stove, wrapping him into a tight hug that lasts for several long moments, enough for the animals at their feet to start getting antsy, nudging at the back of Alec’s knees and barking.

“I love you,” Alec said as they pulled back, smiling softly and Magnus’ heart constricted.

“I love you too,” he replied, turning back to his liver. He could still feel Alec’s eyes on him, the concern burning into his skin. Ever since he had come back from Edom, his magic given to his father, Alec had been guilty. He had shown his guilt until Magnus, brimming with grief and sorrow, yelled at him.

Alec slept on the Institute for several nights after, until Magnus called him back when he was ready. It was not about him after all. It was about Magnus being okay. And Magnus knew now, that Alec would do anything for him to be okay.

“Off you go to shower. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready,” he said and Alec nodded, moving to press a final kiss on the top of his head.

-

“No, Ollie, stop, stop!” Alec stopped for a moment in the entryway, smiling as he took in the sight in front of him. It had been a few days since Magnus had adopted the two dogs and they had taken to the loft fairly well.

Magnus was lying on the couch, the black cocker spaniel on his chest. He was smiling so brightly, his head thrown back in laughter as the dog licked at his face, yapping happily. Angel limped over to Alec, head cocked curiously as she sniffed at his boots.

Alec was mesmerised. He had not seen Magnus laugh like this ever since his confrontation with his father. And the dogs had made it possible.

“Hi,” he grinned, “cheating on me with the doggie?”

Magnus gasped, sitting bolt upright as he wrapped his hands around the dog on his chest. His eyes were widened dramatically as he fell back onto the couch, holding Oliver to his chest.

“Oh no, you caught me!” He exclaimed and Alec laughed with him, scooping Angel into his arms before falling onto the couch with her.

“As long as you’re happy,” he quipped and as Magnus looked at him with his golden eyes shining, he knew he was.