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There wasn't much room for routine in Alec's life lately. Thanks to Clary, Valentine, Jace, and everything in between, his life had been thrown for more than a few loops. He didn't mind, exactly, not that anyone would believe him, but he wasn't sorry his life had taken so many new directions. Didn't mean he was constantly happy about it, though.
This morning finds Alec waking up without an alarm, he hasn't needed one in years, and sneaking out of the Institute for a walk. He would normally take the time to catch up on work, or take advantage of the training areas before there are too many others needing to share the space, but while he's never been particularly claustrophobic, he just felt the need to get out. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Jace appeared to still be up and doing his own version of kick boxing on one of the bags in the gym. Not at all.
He's covered a few blocks, silence and mundane invisibility solidly in place, before he realizes where he's headed. There's no one to question his grin as he stops for a moment and shakes his head. And continues on his way to Magnus' loft.
Alec's still a little floored at the glittery keys Magnus gifted him one day, overly casual, which only served to alert Alec to exactly how much it meant to him. The trust Magnus was showing him. Even if it was a little unnecessary since everyone and their brother seemed to walk right through the door uninvited some days, but that was a gripe for another morning...
He lets himself in quietly, absolutely certain Magnus won't be even close to conscious at just after 7am. Of course he checks just to make sure, having deactivated his runes beforehand, and peeking in to see Magnus very much asleep, awash in a sea of silky sheets, and quickly sees himself back out to open spaces and sunlight to hide the light flush he feels threatening to emerge. Not that there is anyone to judge him except the cats.
At least three of them are peering through the glass from the patio. Alec's pretty sure there's always at least one more hiding somewhere.
It'll be a long time before he doesn't suspect a cat to be more than just a cat.
But these are the usual suspects and Alec is feeling a little more awkward by the moment, waiting around the living room of his sleeping boyfriend (no, it won't lose its novelty), so he takes a breath and grabs a random book off the shelf and heads out to make his peace with the felines. They all do a spectacular job of appearing to ignore him while never letting him out of their sight. A skill he's still trying to perfect. Cats.
He's settled into a chair before he realizes the book he grabbed is in a language he has absolutely no hope of reading, and he looks up into a pair of bright green cat eyes in a smushed, grey furry face, belonging to the old cat perched on the chair across from him.
“Like you can read this.”
Guess he'll just engage in a losing battle of staring contests with the beast.
Or start talking.
This morning finds Alec waking up without an alarm, he hasn't needed one in years, and sneaking out of the Institute for a walk. He would normally take the time to catch up on work, or take advantage of the training areas before there are too many others needing to share the space, but while he's never been particularly claustrophobic, he just felt the need to get out. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Jace appeared to still be up and doing his own version of kick boxing on one of the bags in the gym. Not at all.
He's covered a few blocks, silence and mundane invisibility solidly in place, before he realizes where he's headed. There's no one to question his grin as he stops for a moment and shakes his head. And continues on his way to Magnus' loft.
Alec's still a little floored at the glittery keys Magnus gifted him one day, overly casual, which only served to alert Alec to exactly how much it meant to him. The trust Magnus was showing him. Even if it was a little unnecessary since everyone and their brother seemed to walk right through the door uninvited some days, but that was a gripe for another morning...
He lets himself in quietly, absolutely certain Magnus won't be even close to conscious at just after 7am. Of course he checks just to make sure, having deactivated his runes beforehand, and peeking in to see Magnus very much asleep, awash in a sea of silky sheets, and quickly sees himself back out to open spaces and sunlight to hide the light flush he feels threatening to emerge. Not that there is anyone to judge him except the cats.
At least three of them are peering through the glass from the patio. Alec's pretty sure there's always at least one more hiding somewhere.
It'll be a long time before he doesn't suspect a cat to be more than just a cat.
But these are the usual suspects and Alec is feeling a little more awkward by the moment, waiting around the living room of his sleeping boyfriend (no, it won't lose its novelty), so he takes a breath and grabs a random book off the shelf and heads out to make his peace with the felines. They all do a spectacular job of appearing to ignore him while never letting him out of their sight. A skill he's still trying to perfect. Cats.
He's settled into a chair before he realizes the book he grabbed is in a language he has absolutely no hope of reading, and he looks up into a pair of bright green cat eyes in a smushed, grey furry face, belonging to the old cat perched on the chair across from him.
“Like you can read this.”
Guess he'll just engage in a losing battle of staring contests with the beast.
Or start talking.
Magnus has only been unconscious for four hours or so by 7 am, and if the world was a fair and just place, he'd stay that way for another four. Alas, he finds himself drifting back to the waking world far earlier than that. When he opens his eyes, the light isn't early morning, but it's still morning. He stares at the ceiling with a faint frown, trying to remember his dreams, and then his face softens as he does remember that Alec had been in them. And really, what else does he need to remember?
Thinking of Alec always softens him. The two of them as a them has moved on from the brand-new stage, there's something comfortable about it now, but Alec is still needed at the Institute often enough that he's only stayed the night through a handful of times. And Magnus doesn't mind, he thinks as he rolls onto his back, spread-eagled across the bed beneath the mounds of covers. He doesn't want Alec to need to choose. Alec knows he's welcome any time, and he closes his eyes and smiles at the memory of his face when Magnus had tossed him two glitter-coated keys on a ring. It hadn't been ceremonial, he hadn't wanted Alec to feel as if Magnus was putting him on the spot or asking for some kind of commitment he wasn't ready for yet. It may have only made it more obvious; Magnus is never casual.
But the keys hang right next to the array of keys Alec carries for Institute things now, and neither of them had needed to feel uncomfortable about the gift. Magnus is willing to call that a win in his crusade to keep Alec comfortable. Relationships take work, but the bigger challenge is ensuring that this relationship (and their vastly diverse experience levels) doesn't move too abruptly in one direction or the other. Slow and steady, he's told himself. It's been his opportunity to work on that patience virtue he's sometimes neglected over the years. Which is a good thing. Certainly. Even when he watches the way Alec is treated by the higher-ups at the Clave (absolutely including his own parents) and a part of him burns to just take him away from all their bureaucratic traditions and infighting.
Even when Alec isn't here, Magnus thinks about him. Sometimes he thinks he can hear his voice when... Magnus opens his eyes again and shifts onto his elbows as a stray breeze brings him faint sounds from the patio. He is hearing his voice. But who is Alec talking to? What time does anyone call this?
With a resigned sigh, Magnus slithers to the edge of the bed and wraps himself in a rather sedate deep blue embroidered dressing gown. When he moves into the sitting room he can see Alec sitting on a chair with his back to the door, surrounded by cats, and in fact talking to the cats. Alec is talking to his cats. And they're all listening intently, which makes Magnus come to a halt in the shadows, curious despite himself about what's so engrossing that even Church is perched nearby with a paw on Alec's arm.
Thinking of Alec always softens him. The two of them as a them has moved on from the brand-new stage, there's something comfortable about it now, but Alec is still needed at the Institute often enough that he's only stayed the night through a handful of times. And Magnus doesn't mind, he thinks as he rolls onto his back, spread-eagled across the bed beneath the mounds of covers. He doesn't want Alec to need to choose. Alec knows he's welcome any time, and he closes his eyes and smiles at the memory of his face when Magnus had tossed him two glitter-coated keys on a ring. It hadn't been ceremonial, he hadn't wanted Alec to feel as if Magnus was putting him on the spot or asking for some kind of commitment he wasn't ready for yet. It may have only made it more obvious; Magnus is never casual.
But the keys hang right next to the array of keys Alec carries for Institute things now, and neither of them had needed to feel uncomfortable about the gift. Magnus is willing to call that a win in his crusade to keep Alec comfortable. Relationships take work, but the bigger challenge is ensuring that this relationship (and their vastly diverse experience levels) doesn't move too abruptly in one direction or the other. Slow and steady, he's told himself. It's been his opportunity to work on that patience virtue he's sometimes neglected over the years. Which is a good thing. Certainly. Even when he watches the way Alec is treated by the higher-ups at the Clave (absolutely including his own parents) and a part of him burns to just take him away from all their bureaucratic traditions and infighting.
Even when Alec isn't here, Magnus thinks about him. Sometimes he thinks he can hear his voice when... Magnus opens his eyes again and shifts onto his elbows as a stray breeze brings him faint sounds from the patio. He is hearing his voice. But who is Alec talking to? What time does anyone call this?
With a resigned sigh, Magnus slithers to the edge of the bed and wraps himself in a rather sedate deep blue embroidered dressing gown. When he moves into the sitting room he can see Alec sitting on a chair with his back to the door, surrounded by cats, and in fact talking to the cats. Alec is talking to his cats. And they're all listening intently, which makes Magnus come to a halt in the shadows, curious despite himself about what's so engrossing that even Church is perched nearby with a paw on Alec's arm.
"Okay, don't look at me like that, I'm still working this out," Alec is saying, as one of the cats narrows his (her?) eyes at him, and the one perched at his arm gives a brief warning with claws. "Can you blame me? It hasn't been easy, for either of us, but it almost feels too easy. I know how this sounds, I'm not-- okay, look, I never expected-- it feels too good to be true."
His palms are open in front of him as he gestures animatedly, no more than usual, really, but... sincerely. It doesn't seem to be phasing the cats, if anything it keeps them engaged, and Alec's not sure why he cares, thinks maybe he should feel more crazy that he feels better the cats are paying attention than he would if he was just talking to himself. Regardless, he can't seem to stop talking. Maybe it's something about their eyes. Suddenly he's grinning, and off on another tangent, something awkwardly poetic about Magnus' beautiful eyes he would never, ever say out loud normally and it's almost enough to make him stop. Almost.
He pulls the keys out of his pocket, dangles them in front of the nearest cat, just out of her reach, and keeps talking while she takes a few lazy swipes at the glittering metal.
"He gave me these. He wants me here. It's my second home, too," he announces to the cats like he's one of them now. And then what he said sinks in.
It's enough to finally stop the stream of consciousness rambling. Enough to alert him to eyes on his back he should have sensed sooner. He doesn't startle, however, just swivels in his chair enough to shoot an absolutely blinding grin at Magnus. Who probably heard Angel knows how much of what Alec has been saying.
But it's been the truth, so... maybe that's okay.
His palms are open in front of him as he gestures animatedly, no more than usual, really, but... sincerely. It doesn't seem to be phasing the cats, if anything it keeps them engaged, and Alec's not sure why he cares, thinks maybe he should feel more crazy that he feels better the cats are paying attention than he would if he was just talking to himself. Regardless, he can't seem to stop talking. Maybe it's something about their eyes. Suddenly he's grinning, and off on another tangent, something awkwardly poetic about Magnus' beautiful eyes he would never, ever say out loud normally and it's almost enough to make him stop. Almost.
He pulls the keys out of his pocket, dangles them in front of the nearest cat, just out of her reach, and keeps talking while she takes a few lazy swipes at the glittering metal.
"He gave me these. He wants me here. It's my second home, too," he announces to the cats like he's one of them now. And then what he said sinks in.
It's enough to finally stop the stream of consciousness rambling. Enough to alert him to eyes on his back he should have sensed sooner. He doesn't startle, however, just swivels in his chair enough to shoot an absolutely blinding grin at Magnus. Who probably heard Angel knows how much of what Alec has been saying.
But it's been the truth, so... maybe that's okay.
And there, right there, is one reason why thinking of Alec makes something go a little gooey inside Magnus: that unrehearsed, genuine smile. Alec never looks more lovely than when he's being genuine. "Sorry," he says, actually sounding a little sorry as he pads barefoot onto the patio and reaches out a hand to stroke his fingers through Alec's hair. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I didn't want to interrupt your...seminar," he decides, looking at the cats, all of whom are now pretending disinterest. Sheba even hops down and takes up residence on a different couch for a bath.
"I should also apologize for the chair," he says, leaning to one side and examining it critically. To the naked eye, it looks perfectly ordinary, but... "I sat there last night while I was enchanting a truth-telling amulet for someone, and, well...I suppose I got a little sloppy with things."
That doesn't mean he isn't about to turn gracefully and settle into Alec's lap, however, settling his arms around Alec's shoulders. Should he...address any of the things he'd heard? Would it be easier to let this morning slip away unremarked? But that isn't fair, is it? Alec has revealed what's in his heart, after all. "It could be," he says softly, looking at the keys in Alec's hand. "Your second home. I'd never ask...of course I know how important your work is at the Institute, but if you wanted...to stay."
"I should also apologize for the chair," he says, leaning to one side and examining it critically. To the naked eye, it looks perfectly ordinary, but... "I sat there last night while I was enchanting a truth-telling amulet for someone, and, well...I suppose I got a little sloppy with things."
That doesn't mean he isn't about to turn gracefully and settle into Alec's lap, however, settling his arms around Alec's shoulders. Should he...address any of the things he'd heard? Would it be easier to let this morning slip away unremarked? But that isn't fair, is it? Alec has revealed what's in his heart, after all. "It could be," he says softly, looking at the keys in Alec's hand. "Your second home. I'd never ask...of course I know how important your work is at the Institute, but if you wanted...to stay."
There's a brief, petty moment where Alec shoots a look at the nearest cat when Magnus runs his fingers through Alec's hair and he nearly purrs, making eye contact with the cat he's pretty sure responds to Church, as if to say hah when he's the only one to receive the attention.
Alec is listening intently, watching Magnus' lips move as the words settle in and he's only half-formed the thought to definitely move to a different chair when Magnus sits on his lap and effectively narrows his thoughts, whether deliberately or otherwise.
"Well, that explains a few things," he replies with a small smile, his arms gently settling around Magnus, fingers still threaded through his keyring. He's more than halfway through considering kissing Magnus good morning, but holds off just long enough that Magnus continues speaking.
Alec never looks away from his face, even as he notices Magnus glancing to the keys dangling from his hand.
Fortunately, the keys are on the hand tugging Magnus just a little closer, which leaves his free hand to reach up and cup Magnus' face gently, always gently, aware of his own strength to a fault. Alec is smiling before he realizes it, bright and real and absolutely unable to hide the depth of the warmth spreading through him at the invitation Magnus just extended. Even if it feels a little like he's still expecting Alec to spook at some moment... maybe that's fair, considering the conversation Alec was just having with the cats...
"I'd love to," he answers, before Magnus can back out of it, or give him an opening to do so himself, stroking his thumb over Magnus' lips without thinking. "I don't... think I can full time. You're right, I need to be present at the Institute, but I'd-- I'd really like to be here. More. With you."
Alec is listening intently, watching Magnus' lips move as the words settle in and he's only half-formed the thought to definitely move to a different chair when Magnus sits on his lap and effectively narrows his thoughts, whether deliberately or otherwise.
"Well, that explains a few things," he replies with a small smile, his arms gently settling around Magnus, fingers still threaded through his keyring. He's more than halfway through considering kissing Magnus good morning, but holds off just long enough that Magnus continues speaking.
Alec never looks away from his face, even as he notices Magnus glancing to the keys dangling from his hand.
Fortunately, the keys are on the hand tugging Magnus just a little closer, which leaves his free hand to reach up and cup Magnus' face gently, always gently, aware of his own strength to a fault. Alec is smiling before he realizes it, bright and real and absolutely unable to hide the depth of the warmth spreading through him at the invitation Magnus just extended. Even if it feels a little like he's still expecting Alec to spook at some moment... maybe that's fair, considering the conversation Alec was just having with the cats...
"I'd love to," he answers, before Magnus can back out of it, or give him an opening to do so himself, stroking his thumb over Magnus' lips without thinking. "I don't... think I can full time. You're right, I need to be present at the Institute, but I'd-- I'd really like to be here. More. With you."
There it goes again, the warm runny thing like chocolate sauce inside his chest, as Alec's fingers brush over his face. He lifts a hand to catch at Alec's, pressing his palm to the back of Alec's hand and turning his head to press a kiss to Alec's palm. It's more than he'd allowed himself to hope for as he tried to move at Alec's more cautious pace, and he says a silent thank-you to his past self for being so messy with his magic the night before.
"I'd like that too, petal," he murmurs, and it must be true, look where he's sitting. "Is everything all right at the Institute, by the way?" he adds, looking up, inquisitive but not worried, not yet. "You're here rather early, even for you."
And Magnus knows the lack of sleep is going to catch up with him, but he's content to stay here for now, curled into Alec's warmth with a strong arm wrapped around him. Alec doesn't need to know, yet, that Magnus hadn't bothered slipping into anything else before slipping into the dressing gown.
"I'd like that too, petal," he murmurs, and it must be true, look where he's sitting. "Is everything all right at the Institute, by the way?" he adds, looking up, inquisitive but not worried, not yet. "You're here rather early, even for you."
And Magnus knows the lack of sleep is going to catch up with him, but he's content to stay here for now, curled into Alec's warmth with a strong arm wrapped around him. Alec doesn't need to know, yet, that Magnus hadn't bothered slipping into anything else before slipping into the dressing gown.
The truth is... Alec has always had a hard time lying directly to Magnus, and that was before he'd finally admitted to himself how much Magnus had come to mean to him. But something about this spell, this chair, makes it hard to remember why he wouldn't be truthful. Especially if it keeps bringing that look to Magnus' eyes, his lips against Alec's palm... he'd give the honesty freely for much less. He'd give it just because it's the right thing to do.
But of course, Magnus also appears to be taking advantage and Alec sighs, even though it really feels as though Magnus is giving him the chance to let go of another burden. Alec doesn't really have a lot of healthy relationships to use as a compass, but he's pretty sure that's how it's supposed to be. Or at least how he hoped it would be. What maybe the other couples in his life could benefit from.
Speaking of.
His fingers flutter against Magnus' cheek but he stills them, willfully, though it'd be more natural for him to gesture his way through his lack of words, but he's loathe to break the contact, his other hand gripping Magnus' thigh a little tighter. "Everything's really not all right, with the downworld readying for war, Jace and Clary and their... everything, and everything with Izzy, and Aldertree is a dick and--" and Alec laughs, sharp and humorless.
"Everything there sucks right now," he sums up, but his smile is sincere as he drags his hand down to rest against Magnus' neck, thumb stroking along his jawline. He knows he has to go back at some point, it's not a day off, Valentine is escalating and Alec really should be in the middle of everything.
"But I wanted to see you, remind myself not everything about my life sucks right now." It's inelegant and not even close to the whole truth, Magnus is more than something that doesn't suck, he's all but the only sunlight in Alec's life right now... but he's beginning to feel a bit exhausted by all this open heart surgery via word vomit. He leans in impulsively to kiss Magnus firmly, but briefly, on the lips, finally.
"I'm sorry. I didn't come here to drag you down with me," he apologizes as he slowly trails fingertips down Magnus' throat, stopping with his hand pressed against the other man's heart, fingertips along his collarbone, tapping lightly. “I was on my way here before I even knew where I was going.” And he's grinning before he could even hope of trying to contain it.
But of course, Magnus also appears to be taking advantage and Alec sighs, even though it really feels as though Magnus is giving him the chance to let go of another burden. Alec doesn't really have a lot of healthy relationships to use as a compass, but he's pretty sure that's how it's supposed to be. Or at least how he hoped it would be. What maybe the other couples in his life could benefit from.
Speaking of.
His fingers flutter against Magnus' cheek but he stills them, willfully, though it'd be more natural for him to gesture his way through his lack of words, but he's loathe to break the contact, his other hand gripping Magnus' thigh a little tighter. "Everything's really not all right, with the downworld readying for war, Jace and Clary and their... everything, and everything with Izzy, and Aldertree is a dick and--" and Alec laughs, sharp and humorless.
"Everything there sucks right now," he sums up, but his smile is sincere as he drags his hand down to rest against Magnus' neck, thumb stroking along his jawline. He knows he has to go back at some point, it's not a day off, Valentine is escalating and Alec really should be in the middle of everything.
"But I wanted to see you, remind myself not everything about my life sucks right now." It's inelegant and not even close to the whole truth, Magnus is more than something that doesn't suck, he's all but the only sunlight in Alec's life right now... but he's beginning to feel a bit exhausted by all this open heart surgery via word vomit. He leans in impulsively to kiss Magnus firmly, but briefly, on the lips, finally.
"I'm sorry. I didn't come here to drag you down with me," he apologizes as he slowly trails fingertips down Magnus' throat, stopping with his hand pressed against the other man's heart, fingertips along his collarbone, tapping lightly. “I was on my way here before I even knew where I was going.” And he's grinning before he could even hope of trying to contain it.
Magnus lifts a hand and presses a finger to that grin. It's far more charming than Alec realizes, which in turn only adds to its charm in a cycle that never seems to end, at least not for Magnus. "You, petal, couldn't possibly drag me anywhere I don't want to go," he says, now catching at Alec's face to keep him close. "I'm glad to hear I've been put into the 'doesn't suck' category, even if we both know that's a vicious slander."
He says things like that just to watch Alec blush and duck his head, he's certain he'll never get tired of watching that and hopes it never goes away. In truth, he'd be content to stay here and while away the morning, but this chair is covered in truth serum vibes at the moment, and are they really at the stage yet in their relationship where nothing they say might be best kept as a secret for now?
So instead he leans up and presses a lingering kiss to Alec's cheek as he shifts to stand, pulling Alec along with him. "You're here now," he says simply. "And I'm awake far too early. Let's pretend no one's looking for us, just for a few hours."
He says things like that just to watch Alec blush and duck his head, he's certain he'll never get tired of watching that and hopes it never goes away. In truth, he'd be content to stay here and while away the morning, but this chair is covered in truth serum vibes at the moment, and are they really at the stage yet in their relationship where nothing they say might be best kept as a secret for now?
So instead he leans up and presses a lingering kiss to Alec's cheek as he shifts to stand, pulling Alec along with him. "You're here now," he says simply. "And I'm awake far too early. Let's pretend no one's looking for us, just for a few hours."
Alec's eyes roll back in his head before he can even hope to contain the blush he feels crawling up his neck and he laughs, breathy and a little helpless before he returns to grinning directly back at Magnus. Vicious slander, indeed. "I apologize," he says, somehow managing to channel the heat crawling along his skin into his tone. He's not very practiced at it, but he likes to think he's got a little time to work on it.
There's no masking the moment of relief that washes over Alec as he's gently pried from the chair. He really can't think of anything he has to hide, but that might still be the spell talking, and he crowds gently into Magnus' space, hands dropping to the other man's hips, which alerts him to something he really should have realized sooner, and would you look at that, his blush is definitely a little high in his cheekbones now.
"A few hours?" he asks, unsuccessful attempting to hide his fading any moment now blush by leaning in and pressing his lips against Magnus' forehead, lingering there. "What did you have in mind?" he might have a few ideas, himself, though he's not exactly opposed to being used as a glorified body pillow if Magnus is determined to get his beauty sleep in.
There's no masking the moment of relief that washes over Alec as he's gently pried from the chair. He really can't think of anything he has to hide, but that might still be the spell talking, and he crowds gently into Magnus' space, hands dropping to the other man's hips, which alerts him to something he really should have realized sooner, and would you look at that, his blush is definitely a little high in his cheekbones now.
"A few hours?" he asks, unsuccessful attempting to hide his fading any moment now blush by leaning in and pressing his lips against Magnus' forehead, lingering there. "What did you have in mind?" he might have a few ideas, himself, though he's not exactly opposed to being used as a glorified body pillow if Magnus is determined to get his beauty sleep in.
[A long distance relationship was never easy, but it looked different from the immortal perspective. Some people were worth it, and Thor was absolutely one of them. Magnus had laughed when he'd discovered what it was Thor could do, given that seeing him for the first time had felt like a lightning strike. But it was difficult knowing he was out there alone, wandering space on his self-imposed quest for Infinity Stones. Important, yes, but still. Looking up at the stars was different now.
So he did the only thing he could: he wrote another fire message.]
Dear handsome prince--
Tonight at sunset I saw a shooting star above the horizon. It was a ridiculously photogenic moment, it didn't even look real, and I wished you were here to laugh at nature with me.
I've turned up a few more tidbits of information about the Stones in myths and legends, but from what I can tell, the only one that had ever been here for any length of time is the one you already know about. I hope you're making more progress. I've made a lot more progress on containment spells for them than on researching what they do, if you still don't want to store more than one at a time on Asgard bring it back here.
Or just bring yourself. You must have more scars by now that you need to show off.
I miss you.
<3 Magnus
So he did the only thing he could: he wrote another fire message.]
Dear handsome prince--
Tonight at sunset I saw a shooting star above the horizon. It was a ridiculously photogenic moment, it didn't even look real, and I wished you were here to laugh at nature with me.
I've turned up a few more tidbits of information about the Stones in myths and legends, but from what I can tell, the only one that had ever been here for any length of time is the one you already know about. I hope you're making more progress. I've made a lot more progress on containment spells for them than on researching what they do, if you still don't want to store more than one at a time on Asgard bring it back here.
Or just bring yourself. You must have more scars by now that you need to show off.
I miss you.
<3 Magnus
[ While Thor hadn't asked Magnus for help when it came to the Stones, of course the warlock had offered. Thor loved him just a little more for that. He also couldn't have thanked him enough for letting him leave like this. It had been abrupt after the battle with Ultron, but Thor knew it was going to be a mistake not to follow through on his vision.
Distance really didn't mean the same to two people who could live for centuries, and Thor knew deep down that it wouldn't change anything, other than increase his hunger for Magnus for when they finally did reunite. And perhaps appreciate that loft just a little bit more when he returned to Brooklyn. ]
My dazzling warlock,
I wish I had been able to laugh at that sight with you as well. Just like I wish it had been you keeping me warm last night, and not - well, it doesn't need writing down. It was not pleasant, and I have yet to be able to bathe.
My search is becoming just as fruitless. We knew where three of the Stones were at the start of all this, and that is all the information we still have. If I wanted to be honest with myself, I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. I had more faith in my vision than this...
Oh, you would have really enjoyed the last planet. I have tried to send back some gifts with an ally that was returning to Earth. I hope they find you, just ignore the hair. It's not their fault. I would have brought them back to you myself but we both know there is no way for me to know when that is.
I look forward to the day you can discover the scars for yourself, M.
Just as I look forward to finding out that you have no doubt grown more beautiful in my absence.
I ache for you, warlock.
Yours,
Thor.
Distance really didn't mean the same to two people who could live for centuries, and Thor knew deep down that it wouldn't change anything, other than increase his hunger for Magnus for when they finally did reunite. And perhaps appreciate that loft just a little bit more when he returned to Brooklyn. ]
My dazzling warlock,
I wish I had been able to laugh at that sight with you as well. Just like I wish it had been you keeping me warm last night, and not - well, it doesn't need writing down. It was not pleasant, and I have yet to be able to bathe.
My search is becoming just as fruitless. We knew where three of the Stones were at the start of all this, and that is all the information we still have. If I wanted to be honest with myself, I'm not sure how much longer I can do this. I had more faith in my vision than this...
Oh, you would have really enjoyed the last planet. I have tried to send back some gifts with an ally that was returning to Earth. I hope they find you, just ignore the hair. It's not their fault. I would have brought them back to you myself but we both know there is no way for me to know when that is.
I look forward to the day you can discover the scars for yourself, M.
Just as I look forward to finding out that you have no doubt grown more beautiful in my absence.
I ache for you, warlock.
Yours,
Thor.
[The missive, when it appears on his desk in a little froth of flames, makes Magnus's heart soar in a way little else can manage these days. Even when they'd first met, getting messages from Thor had that same effect. He can read through the lines, he can see how frustrated and crestfallen Thor has become, and he wants to write back and tell him to come back. Instead, to give himself time, Magnus pulls out his phone and scrolls back...]
Good morning, Charming. Yes, I know it's afternoon, but SOMEone kept me up all night.
Good morning, Charming. Yes, I know it's afternoon, but SOMEone kept me up all night.
[ Thor was never going to be able to properly explain to Magnus how meeting him had changed his life for the better, though he hoped where his words often failed him, his actions made up for it. ]
Is that really a complaint, M? Or just a reminder that I made sure you enjoyed yourself every single second?
Is that really a complaint, M? Or just a reminder that I made sure you enjoyed yourself every single second?
It would have been a complaint if I had anything to do this morning. Luckily, I had all the freedom I wanted to lie in bed and remember every single second. I'd ask where you get your energy from, but that would only make you smug.
Are you still in New York?
Are you still in New York?
I would have never taken up your time had you needed to be somewhere.
[ Who is he kidding? Of course he would have. Thor was beyond selfish when it came to particular elements in his life. And Magnus had created a hunger in him he hadn't known for some time. ]
And I don't think you'd like me when I'm smug. Not many people did, apparently.
For the moment. Are you actually missing me already?
[ Who is he kidding? Of course he would have. Thor was beyond selfish when it came to particular elements in his life. And Magnus had created a hunger in him he hadn't known for some time. ]
And I don't think you'd like me when I'm smug. Not many people did, apparently.
For the moment. Are you actually missing me already?
I think we both know you'd do your best to persuade me out of wherever I needed to be.
That sounded a little smug. But since you mention it...
There's no obligation, of course, but if you find yourself in the area, I have a beautiful view of the sunset from my roof.
[It's a struggle not to come across as clingy, he's never wanted to be that person, but he'd also never really noticed that his bed is too big for just him.]
That sounded a little smug. But since you mention it...
There's no obligation, of course, but if you find yourself in the area, I have a beautiful view of the sunset from my roof.
[It's a struggle not to come across as clingy, he's never wanted to be that person, but he'd also never really noticed that his bed is too big for just him.]
I'm not sure I can go into ways I would have persuaded you without crossing from a little smug to incredibly smug...
I'll just say that I still wouldn't have been in a hurry to get dressed.
If it helps you're not the only one missing the company. I should be able to make it before the sunset ends. I am not a fan of paperwork.
[ Such a thing certainly didn't exist on Asgard. There were people for that. He also doesn't interpret Magnus' message as clingy. But then he really did want to be back with the warlock as soon as possible. ]
I'll just say that I still wouldn't have been in a hurry to get dressed.
If it helps you're not the only one missing the company. I should be able to make it before the sunset ends. I am not a fan of paperwork.
[ Such a thing certainly didn't exist on Asgard. There were people for that. He also doesn't interpret Magnus' message as clingy. But then he really did want to be back with the warlock as soon as possible. ]
Someone's making you do PAPERWORK? Are you being punished for something?
Come over. I'll make you forget all about it.
Come over. I'll make you forget all about it.
It is standard apparently. There is no SHIELD to assist us in paperwork anymore.
I have no doubt that you would be very successful in that. Do I need to bring anything?
I have no doubt that you would be very successful in that. Do I need to bring anything?
If I were trying to play coy, I would suggest bringing dinner or a bottle of whatever you feel like drinking.
I just want you. Back here with me again.
I just want you. Back here with me again.
And I thought I was the one that had issues speaking so plainly.
As you wish, warlock.
As you wish, warlock.
( From here )
Oh, so it's a theme! Very clever. I'll love whatever you turn up with, as long as you bring yourself ;)
Oh, so it's a theme! Very clever. I'll love whatever you turn up with, as long as you bring yourself ;)
I will. Promise.
From there it's easy enough to slip from the club and across the street to the Chinese restaurant; he's a frequent enough visitor (or perhaps a memorable enough one) that there's a little banter while Alec waits for his order. The bag he's handed is heavier than he thinks it should be but he simply says a gracious thanks and heads up to Magnus' penthouse.
The door opens easily to his knock, and he calls out for his boyfriend. "Magnus...?"
From there it's easy enough to slip from the club and across the street to the Chinese restaurant; he's a frequent enough visitor (or perhaps a memorable enough one) that there's a little banter while Alec waits for his order. The bag he's handed is heavier than he thinks it should be but he simply says a gracious thanks and heads up to Magnus' penthouse.
The door opens easily to his knock, and he calls out for his boyfriend. "Magnus...?"
| | "In the kitchen, Alexander!" Magnus calls back, sprinkling an exact measurement of ground dragonfly wings into a tiny copper cauldron, then stirring it with a glass rod exactly four times clockwise. The other ingredients have been parceled out into small dishes, lined up in order of addition. It's an intricate, tricky potion, but if he gets it right, it might be a surefire substitute for yin fen, same effects, nonaddictive. He straightens up and inhales, the scent of the food creeping ahead of Alec himself. "Oh, that smells amazing. It's been far longer than I thought since I ate something, you're a lifesaver." |
Alec is careful about entering the kitchen — he always is when Magnus is brewing potions — setting the bag down far from the potion ingredients but not keeping far from its creator at all. He reaches for Magnus' hand, drawing close enough to kiss his cheek.
"I do enjoy saving your life," he murmurs, teasingly. And suddenly glad he got more than Magnus had asked for. "Do you have time for a break?"
"I do enjoy saving your life," he murmurs, teasingly. And suddenly glad he got more than Magnus had asked for. "Do you have time for a break?"
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