#tmtio

After a few minutes, Alec makes his way over to the minibar that Magnus had insisted he install. Alexander, he’d said in that lovely baritone, you never know when you might need to serve refreshments. People are much more open to negotiations after a cocktail and sometimes it helps with the stress of being such a capable leader to throw back a glass or two of your favorite liquor.

He has to admit that it’s come in handy more than a few times. Right now, he’s eternally grateful to his husband for always thinking ahead. Alec grabs a tumbler and pours two fingers of scotch. He pauses before ultimately pouring another inch of amber liquid into the glass. He drinks it all down in just a few swallows before doing it all again.

He’s on his third generous drink when he sits in one of the chairs facing the fireplace that’s gently crackling. Gold light bathes his features and his eyes are a million miles away. He’s stuck in the past, playing over memories both sharp in intensity and faded with time.

It doesn’t happen much, anymore. There was a time he’d thought he’d never make it to this point, wouldn’t survive to this age. There were times he didn’t want to. While Alec is still a sentimental fool, he thinks about the future far more. If only he’d known.

Alec at thirty is a different man than he’d been at twenty and he is eternally grateful for that fact. Looking into the fire, his chest aches for the boy he’d been, the man he’d almost become. He doesn’t recognize them anymore.

Slowly sipping his scotch, he lifts his lips in a small smile and raises his glass towards the fireplace in a toast. “We made it, Gray. We really did.”

The rest of his workday is spent lost in memories. Seeing that it’s almost six, Alec gets up from the chair before turning off his computer and gathering up his wallet, keys, and sunglasses. He throws on his suit jacket-- he’d decided to go for maroon today since it was Friday and he’d decided to take tomorrow off-- and starts his walk home.

The air is crisp and the sun is shining and Alec is overwhelmed. He feels good. It’s not unusual these days but sometimes it still takes his breath away, the stark contrast between where he’s at now and where he’d been stuck for so long.

He enters the loft and just stops. Magnus is laying down on the couch, looking deliciously dressed down in a pair of leggings and one of Alec’s hoodies. His heart is so full of love that his chest aches. Magnus is on his phone and even though he must know Alec is staring at him, he’s showing no sign of it.

Alec toes off his shoes, takes off his jacket, and unbuttons the top few buttons of his shirt. He pads over to Magnus and it’s like they’re in sync. Magnus sees him approaching and opens his arms as Alec all but collapses on top of him.

Magnus lets out a soft sound of amusement as Alec buries his face in his neck and wraps his arms around his back. My strong shadowhunter, he thinks fondly. He’s like an octopus.

Alec relaxes into the body he knows as well as his own and breathes in. The tightness in his chest loosens and he soaks it all in. The overwhelming love, the desperate joy he feels every time they’re together, that sandalwood cologne that Magnus knows drives him wild.

They lay there for long minutes, both content to just be with each other. It’d been a bit of a hectic week and they’re both tired, happy to recharge together.

Eventually, Alec nuzzles into Magnus’s neck even further before pulling back and looking at his face. They simply look at each other for a moment or two before Alec breaks the silence.

His voice is raw with emotion, but it’s still impossibly soft as he says, “I love you so much, sometimes I think I’ll die from it.” His voice gentles even more as he whispers, “but I wouldn’t mind. It’d be my favorite way to go.”

Magnus doesn’t know why, but he’s stunned. He really should be used to Alexander’s way with words by now. They’ve been married almost five years and together even longer. But Alec’s intensity, his sincerity, never fails to make Magnus’s breath catch and heart clutch. He’s so goddamn in love with Alec that he’s dizzy with it.

Magnus pulls Alec down until their foreheads are touching and there’s not a centimeter of space between them.

“I love you too, my darling. My Alexander,” Magnus positively purrs and in the next instant, they’re kissing. It’s soft, and sweet, and rocks both of them to their cores.

But then, Magnus is pulling back and looking at Alec with a question in his eyes and overwhelming fondness in his heart. “Alec, love, have you been drinking?”

Alec looks sheepish and laughs a little. “I might’ve had some scotch back at the Institute.”

“I should have known,” Magnus says and rolls his eyes. “You always get sappy when you’re drunk.” Alec looks affronted but doesn’t argue. “Any particular reason why, darling? You don’t usually indulge during working hours.”

Alec hums. “I’ll tell you later. Just kiss me again. Please,” he whispers and Magnus is helpless to do anything but obey.

They lose track of time as the kiss turns heated. There’s teeth and tongue and Alec whimpers when Magnus moves to his deflect rune and bitesbefore sucking deliciously on the tender skin.

Magnus pulls off with a pop and admires his work before his eyes meet Alec’s. There’s a moment of silence before Alec is grinning and then they’re laughing. The laughter is soft and vibrant and it makes Magnus’s heart sing that he gets to have this. He gets the love of his life, here, with him, forever.

Alec’s thoughts are running along a similar path and he blames the afternoon’s events for why he’s suddenly tearing up.

Magnus looks concerned as he asks, “Alexander? What is it?”

Alec takes a minute before responding with a small smile and a chaste peck on Magnus’s lips. “It’s nothing. Something good just happened and it’s making me all emotional.”

Magnus raises a brow. “Care to share with the class?”

Alec laughs and shakes his head a little. Still smiling, he softly says, “No, I don’t think so. I think I want to sit on this for a little bit before I tell you. Is that okay?”

Magnus looks into Alec’s eyes, taking in every expression. “Of course, darling, as long as you’re sure you’re alright.”

“Don’t worry, babe, they were happy tears.”

There’s a pause before Alec speaks again.

“Would you mind if we watched The Lion King tonight?”

Magnus knows that The Lion King is Alec’s favorite movie of all time and that he only watches it when he’s feeling emotionally unsteady, when he’s thinking of the past. With a wave of his hand, the television turns on and the opening credits start to play. He dims the lights as Alec settles back on his chest, head resting over his heart, still hugging him tightly. Magnus wraps one of his own arms around Alec’s shoulders as his hand slowly cards through Alec’s hair. Alec hums in contentment and they watch the movie in silence.

Alec wakes slowly. He feels a hand sweep down his back and snuggles closer to his husband. Magnus chuckles as he starts writing on Alec’s skin with the pad of his finger.

I love you. Alec’s smile widens.

Mr. Lightwood-Bane. Alec positively grins.

I love your co--

Alec laughs out loud and slides up until he’s straddling Magnus. He brushes his nose against Magnus’s cheek before murmuring, “Good morning, love.”

“Good morning Alexander,” Magnus returns with a quirk of his lips and eyes glowing with happiness.

They spend the morning in bed. With lingering touches and slow caresses, they drown in each other. It’s soft, and oh so loving, and Alec surrenders to the feeling that’s grabbing his heart and squeezing, gives in to the pleasure that’s making his head dizzy and breath sharp. Magnus follows him over the edge and they rest back against the sheets, warm and content to stay in their little bubble for as long as they can.

Eventually, they get up, take a shower that lasts longer than strictly necessary, and eat breakfast-- lunch?-- together out on the balcony. Their wedding rings glint in the sunlight and they pass an hour with casual conversation and lively banter.

It’s everything Alec’s ever dreamed of come true. It must be the residual feelings from yesterday, but he suddenly remembers that long ago dream he’d had. A knight in shining armor, a man of his own to love and protect.

His teenage years had been hard. They’d been painful and tragic and Alec still bears scars, will always carry reminders of the worst years in his life.

Magnus had saved him. He’d given him the opportunity and desire to save himself. Magnus had been like a splash of cold water in his face. Alec had been in a fog, going through the motions, when he’d looked up and there’d he’d been. The most beautiful man he’d ever seen with an adorably awful fondness for puns. He’d been a goner from the first time their eyes had met.

He’d ran away in true Alec Lightwood fashion, but he couldn’t help the magnetic pull he’d felt. Magnus had known just how to handle him from the start and when Alec had looked down the aisle and seen him standing there, defiant yet so vulnerable, every cell in his body had yearned for him.

So he’d gone. He’d walked down that aisle with a confidence born of freedom, finally the weight had lifted off of him, and he’d kissed him. Alec had kissed Magnus and it was like his whole world was burning up, a supernova that he wanted to get lost in forever.

The world didn’t end but it did change and Alec will always thank the Angel for blessing him with a man to love, a man he knows loves him back just as much, just as hard.

Magnus has been an education. He’d coaxed Alec into becoming the man he supposes he was always meant to be.

Alec Lightwood, Head of the New York Institute.

Alec Lightwood, ruthless politician that fights tirelessly for downworlder rights.

Alec Lightwood, a man not afraid to try new things. A man that likes fashion, painted nails, and the occasional pair of lace underwear.

Alec Lightwood-Bane, the most devout husband to the High Warlock of Brooklyn.

It took him years and more energy than he ever thought he had, but Alec had clawed his way back to the land of the living. He’d learned so much and he’s looking forward to learning so much more.

One of the biggest things he’s learned, he’ll admit the hard way, is that it’s okay to love a man. It’s more than okay, in fact. It’s wonderful and brilliant and a blessing. It is the biggest blessing of his life to love Magnus Bane and he feels blessed by Raziel himself that Magnus loves him back.

He looks over at Magnus with his head thrown back in laughter and imprints this moment on his memory. He and Magnus have an eternity together. They’ll have a thousand meals just like this one and a million days to spend together. It won’t ever be enough-- they could have until the sun burns out and Alec would still never tire of his love-- but it’s all he could have ever hoped for. It’s more. It’s every wish he’d ever sent, every prayer he’d muttered in vain.