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Chapter Text

Alec loves his coffee as much as the next person. 

Alright, maybe a little more than the next person, but he still has his limits. 

Some people make it their entire personality. He knows a couple of people at work who wear coffee-scented perfume, which is…too much. Izzy bought him one for his 25 th . He kissed her on the cheek and threw it away. 

Then later found out it was Tom Ford and cost a fortune. So, he pulled it out of the garbage.

He has limits, but he is not an idiot. 

Nevertheless, he does love his coffee — which is why he, for the last decade, has been working at a place trying to get other people to love coffee too. 

Whenever he meets someone new, usually during a blind date his meddling family set him up on, they ask him what he does for a living and the conversation always goes like this:

“I work at Java Essence.”

“Damn, you must like your coffee.”

“I do.”

“Cool.”

“Why would I work there if I don’t like coffee?”

“Not everyone enjoys what they sell.”

“What do you do for a living?”

“I sell cars.”

“Do you like cars?”

“Yes, but that’s not the point-”

“That’s exactly the point.”

“What about drug dealers? Do you think they like doing drugs?”

“I would assume so, yeah.”

“Wow, that’s judgmental.”

“No, it’s judgmental to assume a drug dealer wouldn’t like drugs.”

“You’re rude.”

“I think we’re done here.”

Or it goes like this…

“I work at Java Essence.”

“…Like a barista?”

“Would that be a problem?”

“No. No. Of course not. It’s just…Well, you don’t look like a Barista.”

 “I used to be a barista when I was in college.”

“But not anymore, right?”

“I think we’re done here.”

Or like this.

“I work at Java Essence.”

“Why not Starbucks?”

“We’re fucking done here.”

Some would say that his job has essentially fucked over his dating life. Others – like his siblings – would say that it’s mostly because of Alec’s personality. Maybe they are a little right. 

Alec loves his coffee and Alec loves his job. He’s not going to let anyone give him shit for it. 

He isn’t sure whether it’s always been like this. 

He’s always loved coffee, he knows that. Mom tells him he had his first sip when he was seven and has been addicted ever since.

But his job…Well, it’s been a long road. 

He was a part-time barista at the Java Essence right outside his university. Then after he graduated, at the tender age of 22, he saw an advert for a trainee position at the company and applied as a joke. 

And ten years later, here he is – Chief Operating Officer at one of the biggest coffeehouses in America.

It’s a big ladder to climb in such a short time. Though, his boss tells him that if anyone can do it, it’s Alec. 

Alec thinks his boss is a little obsessed with him, but that’s beside the point and doesn’t really help with the favoritism rumors swirling around in his workplace. 

The point is, when you love what you do, things are a little easier. Of course, it’s not the same for everyone. 

Maybe he’s just lucky. 

He tries not to think too much about it. You shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth and all that. 

Besides, it’s not as if he hasn’t made sacrifices to be here. The biggest sacrifice, excluding the crazy hours and compulsory socializing, is putting up with his boss – who is a downright menace. 

He is the reason why Alec is standing here like a moron, a cup of coffee to warm his hands, as he waits for the printer to spit out a single piece of paper. 

Asmodeus is allergic to technology.

Java Essence is eco-friendly in every possible way. They switched to recyclable cups at all their coffeehouses way before the rest of the fuckers did. However, it is a well-kept secret that they have to print out everything that needs to be reviewed and signed by their boss. 

The man almost set his laptop on fire trying to sign a PDF. So, Alec has given up on his quest to educate the man.

He grabs the piece of paper and marches to the office of the CEO – which is only a few paces away. 

Did he mention that? Did he mention that his office is on the same floor as the CEO? Because he’s the COO? The second most important person in this place?

Yeah, it’s a flex. 

What’s not a flex is ducking out of his boss’ view when he notices that the other man is not alone in his room. 

Asmodeus has see-through doors for his office. Some bullshit about transparency. 

When Alec becomes the CEO – touch wood! – the first thing he’s going to do is put on some fucking blinds. 

“What are you doing?” the man’s secretary peers at him from her cubicle.

“Shush,” Alec hisses at her and considers crawling back to his office.

The girl narrows her eyes at him before picking up the phone that rings at her table. “Yes, sir. It’s him. I’ll send him in right away.”

Alec straightens up and glares at her. She simply winks at him.

“My phone fell,” Alec explains as he walks into the office, not that anyone asked for an explanation. “That's why I, er, ducked.”

“Should fall into a well,” the man grumbles. “Blasted things.”

Alec wants to ask where the hell they’d find a well in Manhattan which probably would lead to a whole different conversation, and he really needs this document signed before noon.

“I just need a signature,” Alec points out. 

“Right. Right,” the man waves a hand and then holds up a photograph. Who even prints out photos anymore? It’s kind of creepy. “Thoughts?”

It’s the picture of a brunette, her long hair pulled back in a neat braid as she fiercely stares into the camera. Yikes. 

But the pleading eyes of the woman sitting behind Asmodeus beg him to say anything other than ‘yikes’.

“Cute,” Alec settles. 

“Hm,” Asmodeus frowns as he puts the photo down and picks up another, this time of a blonde man with a nose piercing. “This one?”

“Cuter,” Alec comments. 

They are probably violating some kind of HR rule about appropriate workplace etiquette. 

But then again, Alec is not supposed to smoke in his office either and that shit is not doable on days he has to meet with the marketing team. The marketing team and their fucking TikToks. 

“He is a chef,” the woman notes proudly. “It’s a cute Italian place in Queens. All the kids on TikTok are talking about it.”

Alec shakes his head vehemently at the woman, but it’s too late. 

“Yes, because TikTok is well known for its reliability.” Asmodeus lets out a loud snort. “Mei, I will not be entertaining the opinions of youths who think pranking their parents and putting it on social media is entertainment.”

Mei stares at Alec helplessly. Alec just shrugs. 

Not his circus. Not his monkeys. 

“What about the girl?” Mei pushes the photo closer to the man. “Allegra is a pro tennis player and tennis is all the rage these days.”

“Isn’t Allegra the name of a medicine?” Asmodeus makes a face at that. 

Alec wants to note that people named Asmodeus Bane probably shouldn’t judge others for theirs. On the other hand, people named Lightwood should also probably keep their silence on the matter. So, he does. 

“Does she have any allergies?” Asmodeus goes on, peering into the photo, as if he intends to see through the girl’s flaws. “The last one you showed me was allergic to cats – which we know isn’t going to work.”

“She wasn’t allergic to cats. She was allergic to ugly cats,” Mei corrects awkwardly.

“Magnus would’ve had her arrested for saying such blasphemy,” Asmodeus shakes his head and puts the photo down. “This doesn’t work either, Mei. I need more options.”

“And I need a signature,” Alec informs, pointing at the paper. 

“Yes, Alec, in a minute,” Asmodeus sighs and turns to Mei again. “What about someone who shares his hobbies? Can we find someone like that?”

“With all due respect, Mr. Bane,” Mei looks a little annoyed now. “Making your own glitter is not a common hobby.”

Mei packs up her files – files full of people and pictures – and leaves the office after that, promising to return soon with ‘more compatible candidates’. Alec really hopes he’s off on that day. 

“What am I going to do with this boy, Alec?” Asmodeus sighs, putting his face in his hands. 

“I don’t know,” Alec replies, hating it when the other man is like this. “But I do know you need to put your signature here.”

“Right,” Asmodeus chuckles as he grabs the paper from Alec and signs it without a second thought. 

He doesn’t even read it. He doesn’t even look at it. 

It’s not because he’s stupid. You can’t create an empire like this if you’re stupid or gullible. 

The problem is that he’s too trusting of Alec. Alec doesn’t know what to do with all that trust. 

The only thing he can do is dedicate his whole life to this company, which he intends to do no matter what.

When he gets the signature, he gives a curt nod and makes his escape quickly. He briefly turns around at the door to find Asmodeus looking tiredly at some of the photos and profiles Mei had left behind for ‘second thoughts’. 

He looks sad. 

Alec doesn’t like it when his boss is sad. 

Alec has been working at Java Essence for more than ten years now. He’s known Asmodeus for about eight. 

He remembers a bunch of trainees – the cream of the crop – being selected to work at the headquarters eight years ago when their boss was “incapacitated” for a while. Alec, through the office gossip, found out that Asmodeus took time off work because his wife passed away.

When the man returned to work a few months later, they got close. Asmodeus found Alec’s dry humor to be hilarious and Alec – who always had an awkward relationship with his father – found the man endearing and inspiring. 

There are people in the office, who still to this day, make jokes that Asmodeus replaced his wife with Alec. Jokes on them. After all, he’s the one with the corner office on the 12 th floor.

He doesn’t think Asmodeus replaced him with his wife. For one, the fucker won’t stop yapping about her. It’s always Saroja this and Saroja that. Second of all, he doesn’t need to replace his wife with some random man. 

If Asmodeus’s son died and then he got obsessed with Alec, well then that makes sense. The son is very alive, though – and probably trying to get rid of his meddling father. 

The meddling is quite recent.

When they met eight years ago, Asmodeus hardly spoke about his son. And then, out of nowhere, four years ago, he couldn’t stop talking about Magnus. 

Well, it wasn’t exactly out of nowhere. Asmodeus had a fucking heart attack and instead of focusing on his health after his recovery, the man decided to focus on his son’s dating life. 

He even asked Alec if he had any ‘nice friends’ he could introduce his son to or if Alec’s sister or brother would be interested. See? HR violations are not new at all. 

It used to be trying to get his son to date. Now, it’s straight-up marriage. 

Alec doesn’t get why he is pushing so hard. 

Magnus, Asmodeus’ son, is handsome. Extremely so. He’s bisexual, too. So, it’s not like he is struggling to find prospects or anything. If he doesn’t want to get married, then there has to be a good reason for that.

Asmodeus is relentless. He seems to be getting more and more desperate as he gets older. 

Alec kind of gets it though. Because his parents are the same. Now that Jace and Izzy are ‘sorted’, they’ve been bullying him to settle down too. Something about wanting to make sure ‘all the kids are settled’ before they die. 

Alec doesn’t understand why ‘settling down in life’ is synonymous with getting married. He supposes it has something to do with a parent’s fear of their child ‘dying alone’ – mom’s words, by the way. 

Luckily for Alec, his parents are manageable. Every time they bring up marriage, he throws back the good old ‘How did that work out for you?’ and they shut up right away.

In retrospect, all that ‘divorced parents trauma’ is kind of worth it. 

When lunchtime rolls around, as usual, Alec makes his way to the boss’ office. 

He grabs his smoked tuna and papaya salad on the way. He gets to choose from a private menu and there’s a private chef who cooks specifically for them.

Wish you were Asmodeus’ wife now, don’t you, assholes?

Lunch hours at the office are for gossip and chitchat for other employees. Alec usually eats with Asmodeus – which doesn’t help with the rumors – but honestly, eating with him is better than going to the cafeteria and socializing with everyone else. 

The only downside is of course having to listen to this. 

The endless brainstorming. The ideas somehow keep getting worse every time.

“What if I pay someone to do it?” Asmodeus asks him now, poking at his lemon chicken rice. 

“That’s prostitution, sir,” Alec notes dryly. 

“And?” the man prompts.

“And it’s illegal,” Alec clarifies. 

Asmodeus scoffs at that, the same way he does for any of Alec’s feedback. “Alright, what if I tell him that I am dying, and this is my final wish?”

“That’s fraud,” Alec replies, mouthful of tuna. “Also illegal.”

“Okay. Okay. What about this? I think this one has real merit,” Asmodeus leans forward giddily. “What if I make one of those dating profiles? You know, the ones kids use these days. I pretend to be Magnus and then strike up a conversation with someone and-”

“Identity theft and impersonation,” Alec interrupts before the man can proceed any further. “Again, illegal.”

“Everything is illegal in this bloody country!” Asmodeus throws up his hands in frustration. 

Alec chuckles and shakes his head, grabbing his glass of water. “Why is it so important that Magnus gets married right now?”

“Because he needs someone,” Asmodeus says seriously. “He is very good at being alone, that boy of mine. I don’t want him to get used to it.”

“Some people are better off alone,” Alec shrugs, mostly thinking of himself.

“This is honestly all my fault,” Asmodeus sighs. “I never should’ve let him be an only child.”

Alec points his fork at the older man, swallowing his food down. “Here’s an idea for you. Why don’t you build a time machine, go back in time, and have more children?”

Asmodeus hums at the idea, as if he is actually considering it. “I mean, I should count my lucky stars if I get to make love to my wife again.”

“I’m gonna stop you right there,” Alec points his fork again, a little threateningly this time. 

Honestly, HR should just fire them both. 

“Do you know what is sad?” Asmodeus stares off into the distance, that sad, puppy look coloring his face again. “I might have more success building a time machine than convincing Magnus to get married.”

“Maybe if you build the time machine, you can find a new hobby,” Alec suggests. “You can stop them from making Jaws 2 and kill the person who canceled Hannibal.”

“Is that what you would do if you had a time machine?” Asmodeus asks a little judgmentally. 

“My point is,” Alec huffs. “There are plenty of other things you can do instead of trying to convince your son to get married.”

“I don’t have a choice, Alec! I am old! I don’t have a lot of time!”

“You’re not even 60,” Alec rolls his eyes at the man’s theatrics. 

“I’m 57,” Asmodeus informs gravely. “Do you know what that is in tortoise years? 228! That’s a lot of years, Alec.”

‘Why would you compare yourself to a tortoise?” Alec asks incredulously. 

“It’s my emotional support animal,” Asmodeus informs sagely. “Magnus made me do a BuzzFeed quiz.”

“Oh my god,” Alec groans, even though he is vaguely curious about his own. He hopes it’s not one of those weird ones, like a platypus or something. 

“Besides,” Asmodeus says, a little softer now. “You know my heart.”

Alec frowns at that. 

He knows the older man has a heart condition. He also knows the heart attack last time had been a scary one. 

He hates this topic, and he hates the human body. It’s stupid and fragile. 

Maybe identity theft is not a bad idea after all. 

But he doesn’t encourage the other man. 

Because at the end of the day, who Magnus Bane marries is none of his fucking business. 

Chapter Text

Happy Hour on Friday evenings at Hunter’s Moon has been a standard tradition for years now. 

The booze is great. The 2-for-1 deal is even better. 

Alec has been coming here for ages and as he grew, the bar did too. 

The icing on the cake is that they have some kind of fun event planned for every Friday, a little treat for tired adults like himself. 

It’s not those annoying karaoke things either, thank fuck. But it’s usually a game. 

Alec likes games. Alec likes anything he can win. 

Sometimes it’s pool, sometimes it’s quiz night and sometimes it’s whatever weird game Luke came up with the night before. 

Tonight, it’s darts and Alec is going to crush everyone. He’s halfway there already. 

“Boo!” his siblings yell at him loudly, after another bullseye throw. Alec rolls his eyes at them and settles in his seat between Jace and Izzy. 

The bar is good. The alcohol is great. The games are fucking fun. 

But the real happy hour is this — getting to spend time with his siblings. 

He’s not going to say that out loud though. Nope. He can’t afford to get labeled as the sentimental one. 

“You know, one of these days, I’m gonna ask Luke to come up with a game the rest of us can win,” Jace mutters in annoyance. “Like, who has the best hair?”

“That’s not a game. That’s a beauty contest,” Alec corrects, waving his hand for another beer. “Not that you’d win it.”

Izzy cackles at that and rests her head on Alec’s shoulder, already tipsy after throwing back several shots of tequila. “Don’t be a sore loser, Jace. When Alec wins, we all win.”

“I’m not paying for those drinks,” Alec tells her. 

Izzy removes her head immediately. “Dick.”

“You’d think he’d let me win once in a while considering I’m married to his daughter,” Jace narrows his eyes at Luke who is cheering on the next dart player.

“It has nothing to do with you,” Alec informs sagely. “You don’t win because I’m here. And I am better than everyone else.”

“Dude, no wonder all your colleagues hate you,” Jace shakes his head. 

“They don’t hate me,” Alec pouts. “They’re just jealous.”

He hopes that’s the truth at least. 

One day, hopefully, he will run Java Essence. He doesn’t want to be the kind of boss everyone hates. There is no point in running a successful company if none of your employees like you. Also, if none of your employees like you, then you’re very unlikely to run a successful company. 

“Maybe Luke will let you win if you bring his daughter with you once in a while,” Izzy suggests to Jace with a wink. 

“Hey, she’s the one who decided to stay back and watch cartoons with your fiancé again,” Jace groans in frustration. 

“All anime shows are cartoons, but not all cartoons are anime,” Isabelle replies haughtily.

“Did Simon make you memorize that?” Alec raises a brow. 

Izzy sighs dramatically, shooting down another tiny shot of tequila. “The things I do for love.”

His siblings are very much in love. He can attest to that. 

Jace met Clary ages ago when he was barely old enough to drink. Luke caught his fake ID, but Clary begged for him to let Jace go. Apparently, the rest is history. 

Izzy met Simon through Clary, and the two of them — to literally everyone’s surprise — hit it off immediately. Something about opposites attract.

The four of them have been a little team — going out on double dates, little weekend getaways, and whatever the fuck else they can think of. 

Alec has never been more grateful for being gay and single. He cannot think of a more depressing way to spend his weekend than to go for a couples retreat in Nantucket. 

But he’s happy for them though. 

Because this is how love should be. It should happen naturally. And it should be a little cringey too. 

He doesn’t believe in the picture-perfect version of love. On some days — when he switches from beer to whiskey — he thinks he doesn’t believe in love at all.

On those days, he thinks of his siblings. 

Not just because they’re in happy, fulfilling relationships and love is obviously real. But also, romance isn’t the only kind of love. 

Alec has these two idiots. He has his family. He has his job. He has a coffee machine he imported from fucking Switzerland. 

All things he loves very dearly. 

So, just because he doesn’t have one kind of love in his life, it doesn’t mean he is lesser than anyone else. 

Sure, romance is great and all. It’s got to be — considering it’s all anyone can write and sing about. 

But it’s not for everyone. Alec has his job. He has goals for Java Essence. He’s going to focus on those. 

Whenever he tells his mother this, especially when she annoys him about getting married, she hits him back with ‘Well, why can’t you have both?’.

Damn his siblings for being successful and in love. 

Jace, who has been playing professional piano for years, made it to the New York Symphony Orchestra last year. And he got married too. Asshole. 

Izzy opened her boxing academy for young girls and women a couple of years ago. On the first anniversary of the academy, she got engaged. Another asshole. 

He doesn’t think she’ll actually get married though. She isn’t the kind of person to believe in marriage as an institution and Alec respects her for it. 

Alec isn’t like Asmodeus. 

He doesn’t think people in love should marry as if it’s some kind of inevitable final destination. But he does think, very strongly, that people who get married should be in love. 

Which is why this whole matchmaking thing is going to blow up in his boss’ face. Well, it’s not like Alec didn’t warn him.

An hour and three more rounds later, Alec wins the game night — again — and gets the beer tower as a reward — again. 

“Good boys share,” Isabelle tells him as she refills her glass first even though she didn’t even participate in the game. Smart woman. 

“And you’re paying for the drinks,” Jace informs. 

“Traditionally, losers pay,” Alec retorts.

“You make more money than us!” Jace groans. 

“And you’re going to inherit a multi-million dollar company,” Izzy singsongs. 

“We don’t know that,” Alec’s fingers tap against the wooden bar top a little self-consciously.  “Maybe Magnus will marry some kind of business tycoon who will inherit it.”

“Well,” Jace says and raises his glass. “Here’s to Magnus never getting married then.”

“Shame,” Izzy hums into her almost empty glass. “I’d hit it.”

“Isabelle!” Alec gasps. 

“As if you wouldn’t,” his sister snorts. 

“That’s beside the point,” Alec rolls his eyes at her. 

“He's hot?” Jace asks curiously, as he’s never met Magnus before.

“Yes,” Alec and Izzy reply at the same time. It’s an irrefutable fact. 

“I don’t like it when rich people are hot,” Jace says, mostly to his beer. 

Alec’s phone pings in his pocket, an alarm he set for winding down a little early today. He turns it off and climbs off the barstool, grabbing his jacket with him. 

“I gotta go,” Alec tells them, shrugging his jacket on, and slipping his credit card to the bartender. “We have an important meeting on Monday, and I have to prep for it all weekend.”

“Not the kind of prepping I want you to do on the weekends,” Izzy says sullenly.

Alec considers smacking her on the head and decides against it. Isabelle is still stronger than him, even when half-drunk. He presses a kiss to her head instead and hugs Jace. “Take a cab. Text me when you get home.”

His Lyft arrives outside the bar a few minutes later, only for Alec to realize that he left the prep files at the office. It’s not his fault though. Who even prints out and reads physical copies anymore? This is all Asmodeus’ fault!

He changes his location to his office and gets in the car, hoping to make a quick stop on the way. 

When he gets to his floor, the lights are still on. 

Alec frowns as he moves down the corridor, wondering if the maintenance staff stayed back late again.

But it’s not them. 

It’s Asmodeus. And he is not alone. 

The glass walls give away the visitor. Alec recognizes him easily and immediately. Only Magnus could pull off a barely-there see-through shirt in the middle of fall in New York.

Alec can see that they’re arguing. The glass walls give away the frustrated pacing of the younger man, his voice carrying through the door that is slightly ajar.  

“I don’t know what more you want from me!” Magnus groans loudly. “I went on a date, didn’t I? Just like you asked. I’m sorry it didn’t work out!”

“It never works out with you, Magnus,” Asmodeus says, not as loud, but equally frustrated. “This is why I told you to let me help you—”

“You think this is helping?” Magnus demands and some of the photos Mei sent earlier that week fly around as he throws them away angrily. “For the last time, you cannot ask me to marry someone I don’t know.”

“I am not asking you to do that!” Asmodeus sounds offended. “You can get to know them. Date them for as long as you want. All I am asking is for you to make an effort. Invest yourself in someone, Magnus.”

“This is not a business, bapak!”

“No, this is life!” Asmodeus snaps. “And I fear you’re not taking it seriously.”

Alec should probably leave. But he has to walk past Asmodeus’ office to get to his own. God, now would be a good time to turn invisible.

It’s not the first time he’s seen a tense conversation between the two of them. But it’s never been like this before. They both seem to be at their limit. 

Asmodeus is usually a little calmer and more understanding, trying to get through to Magnus as gently as possible. But he seems to be thoroughly pissed off as well. 

Maybe Alec should intervene? What would he even say?

“You used to want it so badly,” Asmodeus says, almost to himself. “Remember how you used to cut wedding dresses out of magazines?”

“I was a child!” Magnus replies incredulously. “I also used to want to fly. Should I try jumping out of a building then?”

“You are giving up on your dreams, Magnus. You are giving up on yourself. I see it.”

“Dreams change, bapak. I am telling you, once and for all,” Magnus says, his voice low. “I am not getting married. I am fine with being on my own.”

“Everyone needs someone,” Asmodeus sighs. 

“I have my friends!”

“They are eventually going to get married too. They will get busy with life — their own families. Or they will move away. You will not be able to cry on their shoulders anymore. Things happen, Magnus. Life happens! When it does, you need someone!”

“And you think I can’t handle it alone?” Magnus demands. 

“No,” Asmodeus replies plainly. Yikes. 

And that, without surprise, pisses Magnus off more. 

“You think I can’t do it?” Magnus hisses out. “Maybe I’ll do it just to piss you off!”

“Is that what you want?” Asmodeus asks tiredly. “For us to fight bitterly to the end to prove the other wrong? Is that what your mother would want?”

“It doesn’t matter what she wants,” Magnus replies coldly, making Alec wince. “She’s dead.”

“Magnus!” Asmodeus gasps at that. 

“You know what?” Magnus chuckles angrily. “Maybe I should just die too. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about me living alone.”

Alec doesn’t know what Asmodeus could say to that in response. He knows children can be cruel to their parents when they’re angry. God knows he’s done to his own father more times than he cares to admit. 

But Asmodeus doesn’t reply to that. 

All Alec hears in response is a loud thud and the sound of glass crashing against the tiled floor. 

“Bapak!” Magnus screams. “Bapak!”

Alec rushes into the room to find the older man collapsed on the floor as Magnus clutches at him helplessly. 

He squats down and grabs the man’s limp wrist to check his pulse. Shit. 

Magnus’ wet eyes blink at him in horror. 

“Call 911,” Alec tells him. “Now.”

Chapter Text

In another life, Alec probably would’ve become a doctor. Or at least a sexy nurse. He’s not sexualizing the job, by the way. He just thinks he’d make a sexy nurse. 

He finds hospitals to be a little…peaceful. He knows most people find them morbid and depressing, but Alec finds serenity in the quiet and sterilized hallways. 

He’s not sure if he can say the same for Magnus, though.

The other man is sitting opposite Alec, knees bouncing nervously as he removes and puts on his many rings over and over again. Alec watches the movement closely, keeping his eyes trained on Magnus’ hands. 

His nails are painted in a dark purple shade. There’s probably a name for it. But it’s just dark purple for him. The same color as the dress mom wore for Christmas when Alec was twelve. He liked that dress. He told her she looked pretty in it. Her face had gone soft when he said that and Alec realized, in that moment, people liked being told that they’re pretty.

He wonders if he should share that random memory with Magnus, at least to distract him. While Magnus does look like he could use a distraction, Alec isn’t sure if it’s sensitive to talk about happy childhood memories right now. He wonders if he should at least tell Magnus that he looks pretty — which he does, always. But he doesn’t think that’s appropriate right now either.

Magnus looks awful. Pretty, yes, but also awful.

His beautiful purple nails are half-bitten, the nervous chewing only stopped when Alec gave him a look. His eyes are still a little red from all the crying and his hair is a mess from running his fingers through it one too many times. Alec feels the weird urge to fix it. 

He just wants to help, that's all. He wishes he could do something. 

He looks at Magnus now, alone and afraid, and wonders if Asmodeus was right all along. 

Because what’s the point of making all this money, when at the end of the day, all you have left is your family?

In moments like this, Alec thinks about getting married. More as a necessity than anything else. It’d be nice to have someone to care for and to care about him in return. 

But then he thinks about all the ugliness that resulted from his parents’ marriage and immediately chastises himself for being foolish. 

Thankfully, his personal crisis is interrupted by the doctor walking into the corridor, his eyes trained on Magnus, face extremely serious.

Magnus tenses immediately. Then he looks at Alec. 

Alec blinks. Oh. Okay then.

He gets up and walks over to the doctor, shaking his hand and asking for an update. What the man has to tell him is a relief, but not completely. When he walks back to Magnus, he sits next to the man. 

“He’s okay,” Alec says first and foremost because it feels important to put that out there before Magnus can chew off the rest of his nails.

Magnus, instead of letting out a breath of relief, inhales sharply. “He was right.”

“He usually is about most things,” Alec admits, only because Asmodeus is not in the vicinity and is still unconscious. 

“He was right,” Magnus says again, still not looking at Alec. “I can’t do this alone. I couldn’t even talk to a doctor.”

“In your defense, that doctor looked kinda scary,” Alec notes, opting for humor.

Magnus does look at him then. But he doesn’t smile. “What did he say?”

“Your father is okay,” Alec says again. “He just needs to rest for a week or so.”

“So, he’s not dead?” Magnus asks him.

Alec could laugh at the innocence in his voice. He only manages a smile and shakes his head. “No, Magnus. He’s not dead. He’s okay.”

And then, and only then, does Magnus let out a breath of relief. Though, it’s still strained and slow. “It was a heart attack, wasn’t it?”

That’s what the doctor said too. That’s what worried Alec. 

“It wasn’t your fault,” Alec says immediately.

“You were there. You probably heard me,” Magnus sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It’s my fault. Just like last time.”

Alec doesn’t know a lot about last time.

He was becoming quick friends with Asmodeus back then. They were spending all their time together. Then, when the older man got sick and went away for a while, he didn’t offer Alec an explanation other than ‘Oh, it was just a heart attack’.

Alec has no idea what Magnus had to do with it. He didn’t know Magnus back then either. His boss’ son was never home, always flying around, traveling all over the world. He only came back to New York when his father got sick. Maybe that’s why Asmodeus got sick. Because he missed Magnus too much. 

Or maybe it wasn’t that deep. Maybe Magnus just yelled at Asmodeus back then too. Damn, his boss is too sensitive. Alec might need to watch his mouth from now on.

“I almost killed him again,” Magnus says quietly. “If it were to happen again, he’d die.”

“It’s a myth.”

“What?”

“The whole third heart attack will kill you,” Alec gestures vaguely. “It’s not true. I had an aunt who died from the first one. Some people die on the second. Others survive the third.”

“Oh,” Magnus says blankly. 

“The point is, Magnus, we don’t know how much someone’s heart can handle until it breaks for good,” Alec tells the other man. “So, we shouldn’t take it for granted.”

Magnus is quiet for a moment, staring into the distance as if Alec’s words pushed him far away. Alec doesn’t know where, but it doesn’t look good. The look on Magnus’ face…Yeah, he doesn’t like it. 

He is about to pull the man back to reality when someone calls out for Magnus loudly. Magnus breaks out of his rivière as he gasps at the trio walking towards them in the distance. 

Alec knows them. Well, he’s seen them around with Magnus before. Once or twice. The two ladies are kind of nice, but he isn’t sure about the dude.

“Go,” Alec tells him gently, pointing at the man’s friends. “I’ll stay with your father.”

“But—”

“I’ll tell you when he wakes up,” Alec promises. “You should probably eat something, Magnus.”

Magnus frowns at that before giving Alec a nod and walking away to his friends. If Alec didn’t know any better, he’d say Magnus left mostly to avoid seeing his father unconscious than anything else. 

Asmodeus once told him that, during the last few days, before his wife passed she was mostly unconscious. Apparently, neither of them left her side, waiting for her to wake up and grace them with at least a word. Even if it was just goodbye. 

So, he allows Magnus to walk away. It can’t be easy to see another parent like this. He goes inside by himself. The doctor said they can visit as long as they don’t disturb the man’s rest.

The man in question is still unconscious, looking as if he is resting peacefully. Alec hopes so at least.  

He sits down on the sofa by the wall and picks up a magazine. He hardly makes it past a couple of pages, reading an interview from the latest nepo baby in Manhattan, when he hears the man on the bed groan gently. 

“Hey. Hey. Hey,” Alec rushes to the bed immediately. “You okay?”

The man murmurs something in Indonesian. Alec has no idea what it means. The only words he knows in Indonesian are dad and coffee.

“Magnus?” the man croaks.

“It’s Alec,” he replies awkwardly. Maybe it’s weird that he is here. Is it? Should he leave? “Magnus went to find something to eat.”

The man sighs something in Indonesian again. 

“What’s that?” Alec asks worriedly. 

“It’s too late for dinner,” Asmodeus points out, eyes drooping shut slowly. 

“It’s actually lunch now,” Alec corrects carefully. “You’ve been out for a while, sir.”

“Magnus,” Asmodeus says again. 

“He’ll be right back,” Alec promises. 

Asmodeus shakes his head and tries to sit up. “We should go. Magnus doesn’t like hospitals.”

“Sit the fuck down,” Alec says before he can help himself. Hopefully, Asmodeus won’t remember it later. “Sir, you’re not going anywhere. You need to rest. If you move, I will call the doctor.”

More Indonesian. But this time, Alec is pretty sure the man said something rude.

“Do you need anything?” Alec asks, tucking the man back in. “Water?”

“I want my son to be happy,” Asmodeus sighs.

“I don’t think they sell that here,” Alec replies. The other man chuckles at that tiredly before slipping back into sleep. 

Magnus returns shortly, beelining straight to the bed, and checking on his father. 

“He was conscious briefly,” Alec informs. “Said something in Indonesian and then passed out again.”

Magnus gasps at that and turns to his father. “What did he say?”

“Uh,” Alec says. “Tuk cook panty something?”

Magnus gives him an incredulous look before turning back to his father, adjusting the hair away from his face. “I should’ve stayed here.”

“You needed to eat,” Alec points out and then pauses. “Did you eat?”

Magnus shakes his head. “I was informing my friends about the situation. They will bring back some food and clothes.”

“You can’t wait till then,” Alec argues as he gets up again. “Wait here.”

He goes to the cafeteria and orders a green tea. And then a vanilla muffin. When he returns with both, Magnus is exactly where Alec left him.

“Here,” Alec passes the tea to the other man. “They didn’t have the fancy shit you like.”

“How do you know what I drink?” Magnus asks, taking a careful sip. 

“He keeps some in his office,” Alec nods at the other man. “What the fuck is hibiscus anyway?

“It’s a flower,” Magnus rolls his eyes before looking at his father again. “He should probably drink it. It’s good for the heart.”

“Hm,” Alec nods, making a mental note to bully the man into doing it later.

“You didn’t get yourself anything?” Magnus asks him with a frown. “Coffee?”

“I’m not drinking that generic nonsense,” Alec scoffs. There is a Starbucks right outside too, but he’d rather die. Magnus laughs at his antics. It’s the first time he saw the other man smile since last night. “He’s gonna be okay, you know. He sounded fine when he was up briefly.”

“When he said tuk cook panty something?” Magnus chuckles again. 

“Hey, he’s the one who said it! Take it up with him,” Alec grumbles. 

“I will make sure to ask him when he wakes up,” Magnus hums as he puts the empty cup away. 

“He’ll wake up soon,” Alec says — again. Just for good measure. “He’s a stubborn guy.”

“My mom was worse, you know,” Magnus says, almost to himself. “The most stubborn person I’ve met. You could never win an argument with her. And yet.”

Alec swallows at that. He doesn’t know what to say to that. 

“Nothing can stop death, Alexander,” Magnus tells him. 

There is a weight behind those words that Alec doesn’t understand. But he is preoccupied with wanting to correct Magnus again. 

“It’s just Alec,” he says, not for the first time. Magnus never listens. He probably just says it because Alec doesn’t like it.

Magnus is about to respond when Asmodeus stirs again, making the other man gasp and clutch at his father. “Bapak! Bapak, can you hear me?”

The older man gives a tired smile, opening his eyes fully this time. “Hey, kitten.”

“You scared me,” Magnus whispers — half a confession and half a complaint. 

“I’m alright,” the man says. “Alec, tell him I’m alright.”

“He’s alright,” Alec decides to agree. 

“I’m sorry I yelled at you,” Magnus bites his lip. 

“I’m sorry I almost died,” Asmodeus shrugs. 

Magnus lets out a choked laugh and hugs his father tightly as the older man rubs circles on his back. 

Alec awkwardly takes a step back. “Erm. I should probably—”

“Stay,” Asmodeus tells him. 

“I don’t want to intrude—”

“It’s fine,” Magnus shakes his head. “Honestly, thank you for being here. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t there.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Alec waves a hand. 

Magnus smiles back and turns to Asmodeus again, who is now staring at them with a weird look. Maybe the drugs are kicking in again. “Bapak, Alec spoke to the doctor. He said you’re going to be okay.”

“That’s good,” Asmodeus chuckles, squeezing Magnus’ hand when the other man looks guilty all over again. “Magnus, it wasn’t your fault. I…I shouldn’t have pushed you like that last night. And we shouldn’t have brought your mother into it. It wasn’t right—”

“I’ll do it.”

“What?”

“I’ll do it,” Magnus repeats himself. “I’ll get married.”

Asmodeus blinks rapidly before looking at Alec. 

“Yeah, I heard it too, you’re not dreaming,” Alec confirms. 

“Why?” Asmodeus turns to Magnus again. “You said—”

“Do you really need a reason?” Magnus sighs tiredly. “You might talk me out of it if you do.”

“Okay. Okay. I just—, are you sure? Magnus, are you absolutely sure?” Asmodeus asks seriously. “You’re not just saying this because you’re traumatized or something?”

“I’m not traumatized,” Magnus grumbles before letting out a loud exhale. “Yes, bapak, I’m sure.”

“I should call Mei,” Asmodeus tries to sit up. “We have a lot of work to do—”

“Rest first,” Magnus tuts and pushes the man back into bed carefully. “We can talk about this later.”

“And you won’t change your mind?”

“No, I promise,” Magnus squeezes his hand. His phone vibrates in his phone, and he picks it out. “That’s Ragnor. I should tell him you’re alright. I’ll be right back.”

He plants a kiss on the man’s head and walks out of there quickly. Asmodeus stares after the man in disbelief. “How long was I out again?”

Alec chuckles at that. “You’re thinking you should’ve faked a heart attack a long time ago, huh?”

Asmodeus doesn’t laugh though. Ah, shit. Probably too soon to make jokes anyway. 

“Can you get me some water?” Asmodeus asks him instead. 

“Sure,” Alec nods as he grabs a bottle of water and pours it into a glass. “You need anything else?”

“Yes,” Asmodeus replies. “Would you like to marry my son?”

Chapter Text

He doesn’t drop the glass of water. But it’s a near thing. 

“ What? ” Alec wheezes at that man’s question. 

“Would you like to marry Magnus?” Asmodeus asks extremely casually. 

“No!” Alec shrieks in response. 

“Oh,” Asmodeus says, and then. “What if I hand over the company to you?”

Alec’s eyes widen at that before his jaw clenches tightly. “You are insulting both me and Magnus right now.”

Asmodeus grumbles under his breath, something about how dowry is not uncommon. Alec has several replies to that, none of them are very kind. But he keeps them to himself. The man is probably still hooked on the painkillers.

“Why me?” Alec asks instead. He needs to know whether this is some final, desperate, drug-induced attempt to ‘save’ his son or if Asmodeus genuinely thinks Alec is a good match for Magnus. “And why now?”

“They say you never know the value of things that are closest to you,” Asmodeus sighs, looking at Alec fondly. “I heard you two talking before. You were kind to him.”

“So?” Alec demands. “I am nice to everyone!”

“No, you’re not,” Asmodeus snorts loudly at that. Dick. “If you were, you’d let me win at poker. At least once.”

“Maybe you’ll win if you try a better strategy than emotionally manipulating people,” Alec rolls his eyes. 

“See?” Asmodeus grins at that. “You are not nice to everyone.”

“Okay, fine, so I was a little nice to Magnus earlier,” Alec admits in annoyance. “What else was I supposed to do? He was struggling.”

“Magnus needs someone like you,” Asmodeus nods at that. “Someone who is kind to him when he is struggling.”

“Then Magnus needs a therapist, not a husband,” Alec scoffs. 

“Alec,” the man frowns at that. “I am being serious.”

“Sir,” Alec groans into his hands helplessly. “I have no plans to get married. Magnus doesn’t either.”

“You heard him before,” Asmodeus huffs triumphantly. “He agreed.”

Alec wants to point out that Magnus didn’t agree, he merely folded and accepted defeat.

“Then call your matchmaker,” Alec shrugs. “I’m sure she’ll find a good match for him.”

 “I don’t just want Magnus to get married, Alec,” Asmodeus replies quietly. “You understand that, right? I want him to be happy.”

Alec gets it. Although he isn’t sure if Magnus does.

“And you think I could make him happy?” Alec can’t help but ask. “Based on one interaction?”

“You forget that I’ve known you for almost a decade,” Asmodeus chuckles. 

“A good employee is not necessarily going to make a good husband,” Alec notes. 

“Is that all you think you are to me?” Asmodeus asks him with a hint of sadness in his voice. “My employee?”

Alec bites his lip at that. He knows he’s more than that. Asmodeus is definitely more to him than just his employer too. Otherwise, he wouldn't be sitting here, at his bedside at the hospital.  

“I know the kind of man you are and that’s exactly the kind of person Magnus needs,” Asmodeus tells him gently. “The kind of person Magnus deserves.”

It’s a lot. It’s too much. 

Alec knows, he kind of does, that Asmodeus is going to leave the company to him. Not only have they had discussions about it before but there is literally no one else Asmodeus trusts more than him for this purpose. 

And while Alec wants that so badly — to run this company he has dedicated so much of himself to — it doesn’t mean that he isn’t afraid of the possibility. 

This is Asmodeus’ legacy. This is an empire. So, of course, he is shit scared about taking over. 

He is already responsible for protecting and nurturing one thing that means the world to Asmodeus. He isn’t sure if he can handle another. 

Besides, he has a strange feeling that running the company would be easier compared to running…Well, Magnus. 

He can’t do both. He can’t. 

“Do you not like him?” Asmodeus asks when Alec is quiet. “Is he not…your type?”

Okay, they’re close, but not this close. Alec is definitely not discussing his type with his boss. 

“I like Magnus just fine,” Alec replies honestly because he’s always been transparent with the other man. “I just…I can’t do this. You can’t ask this from me.”

Asmodeus lets out a long-suffering sigh as if he had expected this exact response. “Yes. You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Alec manages a smile. 

“Are you finally going to report me to HR?” Asmodeus asks him. 

Alec lets out a chuckle. “I’ll let it slide since you’re in the hospital and everything.”

“Thank you,” the man closes his eyes.

“See? I can be nice,” Alec notes. 

“Hm,” the man hums quietly. And then. “You should get married, Alec. If not to Magnus, then someone else.”

Alec can’t help but roll his eyes. “Now that Magnus agreed to marry, you’re going to bully me, huh?”

“I can try,” the man mutters sleepily before slipping under. Alec adjusts the cover over him before settling on the couch again. 

Asmodeus gets discharged later that evening. If Alec hangs around until then, it’s no one’s business but his own. He offers to drive the man home, but he chases Alec away, asking him to go home and get some rest. 

Alec decides to do just that. He has that big meeting coming up and spending the weekend in the hospital hadn’t been part of his prep plan. 

When he gets home, he takes a long shower. He gets some Chinese takeout and eats in front of the TV as usual. Neither the shower nor the food helps him shake off the weird feeling inside him — like some kind of unfinished business. 

So, he pours himself a glass of whisky. 

Telling Asmodeus no has nothing to do with Magnus, by the way. 

Magnus is hot. He is, from what Alec knows, a decent guy. He is independent, financially stable, has a good sense of humor, and is very easy on the eyes. 

Honestly, Alec could do a lot worse than Magnus. He has done a lot worse than Magnus.

It’s not about Magnus. 

It’s about marriage. It’s about Magnus’ father.

If Alec wasn’t working for Asmodeus and if this whole thing wasn’t about marriage, then this wouldn’t be such a complicated situation.

If he ran into the other man in a bar, in a world where Magnus wasn’t the son of someone Alec looked up to so much, he would’ve asked Magnus out.

He would’ve jumped at the opportunity. Well, okay, maybe not jumped. He would’ve hopped for sure. A little skip, at least.

That’s not the reality though. The circumstances are messy.

Besides, what Asmodeus proposed is long-term. Alec is not sure if he wants long-term with Magnus…or with anyone. 

He used to think he did. He isn’t sure anymore. 

Now, if Asmodeus had asked Alec if he wanted to fuck Magnus…But Asmodeus didn’t ask that, did he? He didn’t even ask if Alec wanted to date Magnus. He just straight-up jumped to marriage. 

And that’s why this won’t work. 

It won’t work. Right? 

The whisky kind of makes things worse. It makes him question himself and come up with unnecessary alternatives. So, he distracts himself with work. He’s halfway through making his notes for the meeting on Monday when he hears the doorbell. 

He frowns as he looks up at the surprise intrusion. 

He isn’t expecting any visitors. Maybe it’s Jace. He did text his siblings about Asmodeus and mentioned that he’ll probably spend the weekend at the hospital. 

Yeah. It’s probably Jace trying to check up on him. 

Alec takes a big gulp of the whisky, finishing off his third glass, and walks to the door to open it.

But it’s not Jace on the other side. Not at all. 

Alec blinks at the unexpected visitor as multiple questions pop up in his mind. 

How does he know where I live? Do I smell like whisky? How can someone look this pretty at fucking midnight?

“Hello, Alexander,” Magnus smiles at him a little awkwardly. “Can we talk?”

Chapter Text

Alec stares at the man outside his apartment for probably longer than what's socially acceptable —not that Alec usually cares about that while staring at Magnus— but he manages to clear his throat and pull himself out of the state of shock Magnus' presence on his doorstep put him into. 

“Yeah. Of course. Come on in.”

Magnus steps inside carefully, his eyes immediately darting around the space. Alec suddenly wishes he had hired that interior designer Izzy recommended.

“Is everything okay?” Alec asks worriedly. “Is Asmodeus—”

“He’s okay,” Magnus puts him at ease immediately. “I just got him settled in.”

“In Tribeca?”

“Yes,” Magnus nods. “I’ve decided to stay with him for a few days. Just to keep an eye on things.”

“That’s good,” Alec nods, taking comfort in the fact that the old man won’t be alone during his recovery. “You can tell him to not worry about work. I’ll handle everything.”

“I think he already knows that,” Magnus smiles. 

“Right,” Alec chuckles nervously. 

This whole situation is so awkward. He doesn’t know why it’s awkward. 

Maybe it’s because Magnus has never been here before and just decided to randomly turn up out of nowhere. Maybe it’s because Alec has never been alone with Magnus before, and it feels a little inappropriate for reasons he can’t understand.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Alec asks to break the awkward silence. 

Magnus’ eyes dart to the dining table again where Alec’s work files are spread out messily. He smiles. “I’ll have some of that whisky you’re having, if that’s okay.”

“Sure,” Alec replies and grabs an extra glass from the kitchen on his way. “Uh. Ice?”

“Please,” Magnus nods. 

Alec heads over to the couch with a glass and passes it over to Magnus, who has already settled down and patiently waits for Alec to join him. Alec sits down from across the man and tries not to bounce his legs. 

He doesn’t know why Magnus is here. Maybe he wants to continue their conversation earlier from the hospital.  He’s probably still shaken by everything that happened. But why would he talk to Alec about it? He has friends, right?

Then again, you can’t talk to your friends about everything. God knows he keeps things from Jace and Izzy.

Maybe it helps to vent to a semi-stranger. Maybe that’s why he’s here – to make Alec his sounding board. 

Like father. Like son.

Alec waits for Magnus to start ranting. Magnus doesn’t though. He just sits there quietly and sips on his whisky, as if it is a completely normal thing they do.

He looks tired. As if he hasn’t slept well — which is understandable. But he is still very much put together: his clothes ironed, and makeup done impeccably. 

It makes Alec realize that Magnus always looks like this — tired but put together. It makes him wonder if he ever sleeps at all.

He doesn’t ask any of this though. Magnus is here to vent, not to be interrogated. So, instead, he looks pointedly at Magnus, encouraging him to open up. 

He doesn’t do this shit with everyone, by the way. He’s not that kind of friend. He’s empathetic, sure. But he’s not the therapist kind of friend. He honestly doesn’t know why he’s doing it right now. 

“I got your address from HR,” Magnus tells him then, putting his glass down. “I hope you don’t mind.”

Alec absolutely does mind. He’s a pathologically private person. He doesn’t even use social media. He doesn’t say anything, though. What the hell is he supposed to say anyway?

“You could’ve asked your father,” Alec notes instead. 

“He…He doesn’t know that I’m here,” Magnus replies. 

Oh.

“What can I do for you, Magnus?” Alec asks bluntly, keeping his tone light. 

Magnus pulls at the rings on his finger. Alec has noticed that he wears many — more than one on each finger. “Bapak, uh, my father…He told me what he asked of you.”

Alec blinks in surprise and then lets out a relieved chuckle. Magnus isn’t here to rant. He’s just here to apologize for the stunt Asmodeus pulled on him earlier. 

“Yeah, no, don’t worry about it,” Alec waves a hand, sitting a little more comfortably now. “He was probably doped up on all the drugs.”

“Right,” Magnus says, dragging the last syllable and pulling at the hem of his shirt nervously.

“Magnus,” Alec chuckles because it’s kind of cute. “It’s all good. I promise.”

Magnus looks up at that. “Are you really not interested?”

“I—, What?” Alec blinks in confusion. 

“If he wasn’t, how did you put it, doped up on all the drugs,” Magnus says slowly and carefully. “Then would your answer have been different?”

“What—, What are you asking me?” Alec says, his voice coming out all squeaky and weird.

“I’m asking you if you’d like to marry me, Alexander,” Magnus replies.

“What?” Alec asks for the second time. 

“Would you like to—”

“No!” Alec shrieks. God, he really needs to stop shrieking. The father and the son seem to be bringing it out of him.

“Ah,” Magnus says, looking somewhat surprised and visibly disappointed. “I see.”

“I—, I didn’t mean to offend you,” Alec notes quickly, worrying he’s hurt Magnus with his rejection. 

He can’t help but think back to himself in high school, almost two decades ago. 

He had been quiet and shy. He had been scared too. So, he mostly kept to himself. He wasn’t sassy. He didn’t feel very powerful. He didn’t feel good. 

It’s hard to feel good about yourself when you’ve been telling yourself that people like you don’t deserve to feel good. 

That didn’t stop him from stealing glances though. It didn’t stop him from daydreaming.

He would’ve given anything — and he means, literally, anything — to have the attention of someone who looks like Magnus. 

If 16-year-old Alec knew that 32-year-old Alec rejected someone like Magnus Bane, he’d probably travel through time to punch himself in the face. 

It is, admittedly, a very stupid response. But what else is he supposed to say? You don’t just accept marriage proposals from random handsome men. Right?

There’s another thing as well. Why would Magnus ask him this? Why would he ask Alec out of all people?

“Did Asmodeus put you up to this?” Alec asks in horror. “Because if he did—”

“He didn’t,” Magnus shakes his head. “As I said, he doesn’t even know I’m here.”

“Then why would you—”

“Because if I’m going to marry someone, I’d rather marry someone he knows and trusts,” Magnus replies, as if that’s obvious. 

“You don’t have to marry anyone at all,” Alec points out, because that’s fairly obvious too.

“We all make sacrifices for family, don’t we?” Magnus shrugs. 

“Not like this!” Alec groans. “Magnus, this is a big decision. I respect that you want to make your father feel better, especially after what happened, but you don’t have to do this.”

“I promised my mother, Alexander,” Magnus tells him quietly, looking at his hands again. “I promised her that I would look after him. And yet, all I’ve done is put him in a hospital bed. Twice.”

Alec sighs at that. What the fuck is he supposed to say to that? That it doesn’t matter? That we shouldn’t ruin our lives trying to appease someone who is long gone? 

“If I get married, it will make my father happy,” Magnus says when Alec is quiet, still trying to figure out the right thing to say. “But if I marry you…He’d be ecstatic.”

“Am I supposed to be flattered by that?” Alec lets out a dry chuckle. 

“Yes,” Magnus nods easily. “My friends tell me that he likes you more than he likes me.”

Alec rolls his eyes at that. “I don’t see him pestering me to get married. He seems to be fine with me dying alone.”

“He’ll get to you once he is done with me,” Magnus chuckles at that. “Be warned.”

Alec manages a tiny smile. The older man has already started pestering Alec. However, every time he does, Alec threatens to quit and go work for Starbucks. As if, by the way. 

“My father says you aren’t interested in getting married either,” Magnus notes carefully. 

“I’m not,” Alec confirms. 

“May I ask why?”

“It’s just not for me,” Alec shrugs. 

“Then I consider you to be the perfect candidate,” Magnus exhales. “Alec, if we do this, I wouldn’t need to pretend. I would feel much less guilty about the whole prospect too.”

“I get where you’re coming from, Magnus,” Alec sighs tiredly. 

Because he really does. Marrying someone like Alec would be so much easier. They could just be friends who live together and do their own thing. 

It won’t be completely easy though. It means pretending elsewhere — in front of other people. It means things can get unnecessarily complicated. Alec doesn’t do complicated. 

“But you’re not interested,” Magnus realizes, nodding slowly. 

“I’m not,” Alec shakes his head. “What do I even get out of this?”

Magnus cocks his head. “Joint taxes?”

Alec blinks at that. 

First of all, that’s not a bad thing at all. Considering the amount of money he makes — the money he is bound to make in the future — joint taxes would be a blessing on his bank account. 

But it isn’t enough. 

Because even though he doesn’t want to get married, he does want children. He wants a family. He wants children he can spoil. 

What if one day they ask him why he got married and he has to respond with ‘joint taxes’? That doesn’t sound right — or even remotely romantic. He doesn’t want his future children to think he is a weirdo. 

“As appealing as that sounds,” Alec chuckles at the other man, “That’s not enough for me to get married.”

“My father said he mentioned Java Essence,” Magnus winces. “I’m sorry about that. I suppose he really was doped up.”

“I have given this company everything, Magnus,” Alec tells him seriously. “I don’t need to marry you, or anyone for that matter, to earn what I rightfully deserve.”

“I agree,” Magnus replies, looking equally serious. 

“Then what?” Alec sighs. 

“Don’t you think…Don’t you think that this pretend marriage might be the closest thing either of us will ever get to a real one?” Magnus asks him. “Are you not curious?”

He is. 

He is a curious person, but not really a confident one. 

God, it sucks to be someone who wants to know what everything feels like and never have the guts to actually seek those things out. 

Having a threesome. Traveling to Asia. Learning to surf. 

He could have all of those things in a single day if he just allowed himself to have those things. 

But instead, he is here, awake at midnight, prepping for yet another meeting.

“If you truly don’t want this, then I would never push you,” Magnus tells him when Alec is quiet again. “Trust me, I know what that feels like.”

“I’m sorry,” Alec says lamely.

“Don’t be,” Magnus shakes his head, getting off the couch. “I should probably go.”

“Right,” Alec clears his throat. “Erm. Let me know if you need any help with Asmodeus.”

Magnus gives him a grateful nod and walks towards the door, only turning around to put his shoes back on. Alec didn’t even realize he had taken them off when he came inside. 

Magnus has beautiful feet. His toes are painted in a lighter purple shade than his fingers. Alec wants to ask why, but he doesn’t. 

Magnus is also wearing a small ring on one of his toes. Alec knows people wear toe rings. But he’s never seen one before. It’s kind of cute. He wants to ask if Magnus made it himself, but he doesn’t. 

See? Curious but never confident.  

“What?” Magnus asks when he notices Alec staring. 

“Nothing,” Alec manages a nonchalant shrug. “It’s just…Did you really come to my apartment in the middle of the night and propose to me?”

“Perhaps I am as unhinged as my father,” Magnus hums, as if he is just realizing this himself.  

“You didn’t even get me a ring,” Alec tuts. “Such a shame for a jewelry maker.”

Magnus smiles at that, the same smile Alec saw before, the one that means he is holding something back. 

“Goodnight, Alexander,” Magnus tells him softly before walking down the stairs, ignoring the elevator on his way. 

Well. 

Fuck the goodnight. Alec probably isn’t going to get any sleep tonight anyway.

Chapter Text

Truth be told, it’s a bit of a no-brainer.

Alec stays up all night thinking about the proposition. He’s made a lot of difficult decisions in his life — especially when it comes to work. But nothing has gotten under his skin like this one. 

Damn Asmodeus. Damn his son. 

The thing is, it’s not a bad idea. It’s just a crazy one. 

Alec, when he is stuck with something like this and has to make a big decision, does what every leader is supposed to do. 

He calls for a meeting. He talks to his staff and discusses all possibilities with them before making the final call. 

After all, leaders are supposed to listen, not just lead. 

He doesn’t think calling Jace and Izzy is a good idea. He already knows what they’re going to say. And it’s not as if he can talk to anyone at work about this. 

It’s bad enough that people spread rumors that he is sleeping with Asmodeus, now they’re going to say he’s sleeping with his boss’s son, too. 

Then again…Then again, isn’t that better than the alternative? Some rumors are simply more tolerable than others. 

Also, he should really stop talking as if being married to Magnus is a hardship. Honestly, people probably would fight to death for this kind of opportunity.

He has to figure this one out. He can’t talk to anyone about this without coming across as some kind of lunatic or opportunist. So, he does the next best thing. He makes a list. 

He grabs his iPad and creates a column, deciding to write down why marrying Magnus is a good idea on one side and why it’s a terrible idea on the other. 

His thoughts drift back to the list even during the important meeting he’s been prepping for this entire month. It’s a high-stakes discussion - one of those moments where Alec really needs to be on his A-game. 

Asmodeus isn't here to back him up, leaving Alec to navigate the room full of government officials on his own. Yet, despite the stakes, despite the pressure, all he can think about is Magnus.

Alec is supposed to be focused on expanding Java into a handful of universities as a test program, but instead, his mind keeps wandering back to the list he’s been working on, trying to decide if marrying Magnus is a brilliant or terrible idea.

He tunes back into the conversation at the table. They're discussing logistics, weighing the pros and cons of bringing the coffee chain into three select universities to see how it performs. Alec nods along, offering a comment about demographics or foot traffic, but in the back of his mind, Magnus keeps intruding.

The coffee in front of him doesn’t help either. The deep brown color reminds him of Magnus’ warm, soft eyes, the way they’d locked onto Alec when he’d nervously asked him to marry him. Alec had never seen Magnus so unsure of himself, so vulnerable.

One of the government officials in the room is wearing a sharp blue blazer, and it pulls Alec back again to Magnus - this time to the flimsy blue shirt he’d worn the night of the proposal. He remembers how Magnus had tugged at the fabric, fidgeting while he explained why getting married meant so much to him.

Alec shifts in his seat, glancing at the woman sitting next to him. Her hand waves as she speaks, the wedding ring on her finger glinting in the light. And that’s what hits him - the realization that he might have said no to the only real chance he’ll ever get to wear one of those rings.

He tries to push the thought away, but it lingers as the meeting wraps up. They agree to move forward with three universities, a pilot program to test the waters. It’s a win, and Alec should be satisfied, but it all still feels like unfinished business. Damn you, Magnus. 

Two days and countless shots of double espresso later, he stares at the completed list and the answer couldn’t be more obvious to him. 

It’s not just that he has come up with five actual reasons — FIVE! — as to why this is a good idea. But he couldn’t come up with a single one as to why this is bad. 

He tried, okay? He really tried.

Then again, just because something looks like a good idea, it doesn’t mean you should do it. In business, it’s not always about logic and reason. You've got to trust your gut too.

Alec is not very sure about what his gut is telling him right now. He is pretty sure he’s getting a stomach ache from all the thinking. 

So, he goes out for a run to clear his mind. It, of course, backfires on him, because when he comes back home, he calls Magnus.

Magnus agrees to meet up for coffee the next morning. If he’s surprised by the random call from Alec, he doesn’t show it. 

Alec can’t be late since Asmodeus is still not in and he is running things right now. So, they meet up an hour before he has to clock in. 

Magnus is not very happy about that. Apparently, it’s too early. Alec, on the other hand, isn’t pleased with Magnus’ choice of location. 

“Couldn’t we have met somewhere else?” Alec grumbles as he joins Magnus at a corner table. 

“You said you wanted to meet over coffee,” Magnus shrugs. “This is the best coffee spot in the city right now.”

Alec gasps at the blasphemy. “It’s like you want to give your father another heart attack.”

Magnus’ grin vanishes at that, and Alec immediately feels like a dick. He really needs to stop making jokes. No one finds them funny.

“You wanted to meet up at Java?” Magnus quirks a brow, moving on. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”

“Magnus, people who work on the ground usually don’t know what their big boss looks like,” Alec rolls his eyes. 

“They would if the boss looked like you,” Magnus hums.

Alec blinks at that. Was that a compliment?

“I didn’t want to take the risk,” Magnus goes on. “Especially since I don’t know why you invited me for coffee.”

“Yeah. Okay. About that,” Alec scratches his forehead. “I was thinking about—”

“Are you guys ready to order?” a chirpy blonde interrupts them.

“Can we get the menu, please?” Magnus asks and the girl apologizes and scurries off quickly. “We should have these in our coffee shops too.”

“Menus?” Alec replies as the girl hands them over and walks away to serve another table. “We have them on the wall.”

“I know. But it’s so impersonal. I like a menu I can flip through.”

“It could be worse. You know some places have the menu on a QR code.”

“My father would never approve,” Magnus chuckles. “I just think our coffee shops could be cozier.”

“You're referring to a coffee house,” Alec corrects, gesturing vaguely at the space around them. “This is a place for people to come and chill. It’s cozy because their goal is to build community and memorable experiences. We run a coffee shop. People come in to get their coffee and get out. Our goal is to sell coffee, not to be cozy.”

“Who says you can’t be both?” Magnus shrugs. 

“Our marketing team,” Alec replies. “Cozy coffee places like this don’t make the same profits we do. This is a small business. We’re a multi-million dollar company. We cannot operate in the same way.”

“Shame,” Magnus tuts as he waves at the waitress who runs over to him. “This is way cuter.”

“You can’t be cute and make money,” Alec points out. 

“Speak for yourself,” Magnus winks at him and turns to the waitress. “I’ll have a lime iced tea, please.” 

She blushes in response for some reason. Okay then. “For you?”

“Just water.”

When she leaves, Magnus immediately leans forward, lowering his voice. “Is it true that you never drink coffee outside of Java?”

“Yes,” Alec nods. 

“What about at home?”

“I have our team ship me the coffee beans monthly.”

“But we don’t sell coffee beans,” Magnus frowns. “Is that even allowed? Even if it’s for the boss?”

“When the boss looks like this, yes,” Alec replies cheekily. 

Magnus chuckles as he leans back into the chair and crosses his arms. “So, you’ve never had any other coffee?”

“Not since I’ve joined Java, no.”

“Not even once?”

“No.”

“Not even from Starbucks?” Magnus asks, earning a glare from Alec. Magnus shakes his head fondly. “My father is right then. You are extremely loyal.”

Alec is not surprised to know that Asmodeus talks about him to Magnus. Nevertheless, he is kind of touched by it. “How is he?”

“You ask me that as if the two of you don’t speak on the phone every day,” Magnus rolls his eyes. 

“Yeah, well, he’s not gonna tell me if something is wrong, is he?” Alec points out. 

“I think he would, Alexander,” Magnus says genuinely. “He trusts you completely.”

There it is again. That trust. Would Alec break it, completely, if he agrees to Magnus’ proposal? Or would it make the older man happy somehow — even if it is not a real marriage?

“He is well,” Magnus tells him now. “We had a checkup yesterday. His blood pressure is a little low, but nothing to worry about.”

“Okay. Okay, that’s good,” Alec nods in relief. Asmodeus sounded fine when Alec spoke to him yesterday. But it doesn’t hurt to check — especially if the father is as good at keeping secrets as the son. “He can rest for longer if he wants. Honestly, he can stay home for as long as he wants. I’ve got things handled at work.”

“Rehearsing for your takeover?” Magnus cocks his head. 

“What? No! I wasn’t...That’s not what I meant!”

“I was pulling your leg.” Magnus seems amused at Alec’s flustering. “How are things at work anyway? Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Oh,” Alec says awkwardly. “Um. No?”

“Oh,” Magnus says too. “Then what is it? Did the doctor call you? Did he say something?”

Alec has no idea why Magnus would assume that the doctor would call Alec if something were wrong. It’s clear that he is still very anxious about his father. 

But he is acting like he didn’t walk into Alec’s apartment a couple of days ago and proposed marriage to him. 

Maybe it was an impulsive decision. Maybe he didn’t mean it at all. Or worse, he’s already forgotten all about it and found someone else to marry. 

Oh god, how embarrassing. 

“Alexander?” Magnus prompts worriedly. 

“No. No. It wasn’t the doctor. I’m sure everything with your father’s health is totally fine, Magnus,” Alec reassures him first. “I wanted to talk to you about something else.”

“Oh, I see,” Magnus relaxes a little. “What is it?”

Quick. Make something up. 

Say you have some kind of illness or ask him to make some jewelry for you. Anything but the truth!

“It’s about your proposal,” Alec replies. Goddamnit. 

“Oh,” Magnus seems genuinely surprised to hear that. Shit.

“But if you’ve changed your mind or found someone else—”

“No. No,” Magnus interrupts him, shaking his head. “Sorry, I was just—, You just seemed so certain about your choice the last time we spoke.”

“I was,” Alec admits begrudgingly. “I’ve reconsidered.”

“You have?”

“I have.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes,” Alec nods. “I want to.”

“You want to…what?” Magnus asks. 

Alec opens his mouth and closes it immediately when the waitress returns with Magnus’ tea and his water. 

When she leaves, Alec lets out a frustrated groan. “Don’t make me say it.”

“If you can’t say it, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it,” Magnus points out. 

Alec tightens his jaw and squares his shoulders. He can do this. “I want to get married.”

“You want to get married…to?”

“Are you trying to get me to propose right now?” Alec asks incredulously. 

“No, I’m trying to get clarity,” Magnus hums, blowing into the teacup. “For all I know, you could just be expressing your general interest in getting married.”

Oh, for God’s sake. This man is as stubborn as his father. Maybe worse. 

“You told me that you would like to marry me,” Alec points out. Because Magnus did that. He’s the one who started all of this. “I am telling you that I would like that too. I would like to marry you. If you are still interested, that is.”

“Why?”

Alec frowns. “Why would you still be interested?”

“Why are you interested now?” Magnus elaborates. “What changed your mind?”

“I had time to think about it,” Alec replies. 

“That’s it?”

“That’s it,” Alec nods. “I sat down. I thought about whether this is a good idea or not. I made a list. I made up my mind.”

“You made a list,” Magnus repeats in amusement. 

Alec pulls out his phone from his pocket, opening his notes app. “You can read it if you want.”

Magnus leans back into the chair, picking up the cup of hot tea and cradling it between his palms. “Read it to me.”

“What?” Alec blinks. 

“I want you to say it out loud. Whatever your reasons may be, Alexander, I need to know you mean it,” Magnus tells him seriously. 

“Alright,” Alec says, because that’s fair. He looks at the list on his phone and he looks up at Magnus again. “First thing I need you to know, I haven’t put Java in here. This has nothing to do with the company, okay?”

“Understood,” Magnus nods with a small smile on his face. “How many have you got?”

“Five,” Alec sighs, rubbing his forehead. “Maybe I can forward this to you—”

“Read it.”

“It’s easier to adopt when you’re married,” Alec says — first and foremost. “I know single people can do it. Even the queer ones. Especially here in New York. But it’s a legal and logistical nightmare. If I’m married, then it would be easier.”

Magnus looks a little spooked by the whole thing. Alec takes a big gulp of the water before he speaks again. 

“I assume, this thing we’re going to do, we’re not gonna be married forever,” Alec points out logically. “We can come to an agreement about when we want to end this. I doubt your father would force you to marry again.”

“You don’t think it would strain your relationship with him?” Magnus asks him. “Us getting divorced?”

“It depends on why we get divorced,” Alec shrugs. “But, no, I don’t think he’d hold it against me. That’s not the kind of person he is.”

“Is this adoption thing the main reason you’re doing this?” Magnus asks him, taking a sip of his tea. 

“One of the reasons,” Alec clarifies. “It’s not the main one. No reason on this list is more important than the other. I just realized there are a bunch of good reasons why I should do this. Which is why I want to do this.”

“I don’t want children,” Magnus tells him plainly. “But I am willing to help you with the process if it makes it easier. But I want nothing to do with them. I need to be clear about that.”

“Got it,” Alec nods and looks down at his phone. “Should I keep going?”

“Please.”

The next couple of reasons are pretty understandable — joint taxes and getting his parents off his back. Magnus has no comments on either of those. He just nods along.

“I…I’d like to know what it’s like,” Alec says, stating his fourth reason. “To be married.”

He wants to know so badly. Even though he knows this is not a real marriage. 

Because maybe Magnus is right. Maybe this is as close as he will get to being actually married and being in love and all that.

“Alright,” Magnus nods again, saying nothing more. 

“You don’t think it’s weird?” Alec asks him. 

“Being curious is never a bad reason to do anything,” Magnus tells him. “Besides, people get married for much less.”

Alec smiles at that. He likes Magnus. He thinks this might work out just fine. 

“What’s your last reason?” Magnus asks, finishing his tea and putting the cup down. 

“My last reason is your first reason,” Alec explains. “You’re doing this to make your dad happy, right?”

Magnus nods at that. 

“Well, if I can contribute to that, then I want to do it,” Alec replies honestly. “I care about him too, Magnus.”

Magnus smiles at that and leans forward. “Those reasons of yours are pretty decent, you know.”

“I know.”

“But are you absolutely sure?”

“I am.”

“Do you need more time to think about it?” Magnus asks him. 

“I thought about it for two days,” Alec explains, pointing at his list. “I don’t make hasty decisions.”

“So…We’re doing this then?” Magnus asks him. He sounds a little nervous. 

“Well, you never said if you want to do this,” Alec chuckles. 

“I want to do this,” Magnus finally agrees. 

“Sorry, you want to do what exactly?” Alec clarifies. 

“Oh, stop it,” Magnus rolls his eyes fondly. 

“No. No. You have to say it.”

“Alright, fine,” Magnus waves a hand impatiently. “I want to marry you, Alec Lightwood.”

“So romantic,” Alec wipes a mock tear off his face. 

Magnus fiddles with the rings on his fingers again. Alec wonders if he should get Magnus one. Is that necessary? Will people even notice with everything he is wearing all the time?

“What now? Do I tell my father about this?”

“If you want to, yeah.”

“God, he’s going to be insufferable about this,” Magnus groans softly before cocking his head at Alec. “Do you want to be there?”

Alec thinks about it and decides not to ruin a close family moment. “No, you go ahead. But I wouldn’t mind a recording.”

Magnus chuckles at that and agrees to it. “Will you be telling them today as well?”

“Tell who?” Alec frowns. 

“Your family?” Magnus asks. “When are you telling them that you’re getting married?”

Ah, fuck. 

Chapter Text

He decides to take the call at work. It’s safer that way. 

If they think he is home, they might ambush him afterwards. They might kill him. Or worse, they might throw a party. 

Alec stays back after work, which isn’t unusual for him, and makes himself a warm cup of cappuccino. 

He texted the family group chat about wanting to talk to them all and sent a meeting link along with his message. 

His family reacted exactly the way he thought they would. 

Mom immediately called him — and he let it go to his voicemail. Dad responded with a thumbs up emoji and Jace replied with a “👀” emoji. Izzy put him on read. 

He loves his family. He loves predictable things. 

He spoke to Magnus and agreed to marry him four days ago. He should’ve informed his family sooner. But things have been a little chaotic since then. Mostly because of his nuisance of a boss who hasn’t stopped grinning since Magnus broke the news. 

Alec must admit that he found the video recording — which Magnus sent to him as promised — to be terribly endearing. It was obvious that Magnus was worried that the surprising news — despite being positive — might send the old man into another heart attack. 

Magnus told his father slowly and carefully. But that did not stop Alec’s boss from cackling like a villain from a Disney movie. 

Asmodeus turned up at work two days ago. Alec assumed it was because of the man’s newfound strength after receiving great news. But it was apparently to go through his wedding planner and to start booking venues. 

So, here he is, looking at floral arrangements and making time in his calendar for cake tastings. 

Alec complained to Magnus about it, saying that all of this was unnecessary since the two of them didn’t even want to get married in the first place. 

“Do you want us to get married in City Hall?” Magnus had asked in an incredulous tone over the late-night phone call. “Bapak and I are visiting the Ritz tomorrow morning. You’re welcome to join us.”

It’s a good thing Alec makes the kind of money he does. Being married to Magnus sounds expensive. 

Now that he’s successfully conquered some wedding planning tasks, he is onto facing bigger beasts. 

His family. 

They are kind of all over the place right now — geographically speaking. Dad is mostly traveling these days, currently in London for a work visit. Mom moved to Dubai a few years ago with Kadir and she only visits for Christmas — or weddings. Even though his siblings are based in New York, their busy lives and the New York traffic mean they only see each other once a week. 

Jace joins the call right on time and spends the next several minutes trying to get their father to turn off the beach background he has on for some reason. 

“Is it gone now? Is it gone? Can you still see it? Am I still at the beach? Wait. Can you hear me? Jace. Can you hear me?”

“Dad, we can hear you, calm down,” Alec unmutes himself as he grabs some nutmeg to sprinkle over his cappuccino. “And yeah, you’re still at the beach.”

“Oh, darn it. Never mind. Pretend like I’m not at the beach.” His father gives up, throwing his hands in annoyance. 

Mom joins just a few seconds later. Alec’s phone rings again. 

“Mom,” Alec groans tiredly. “We’re literally in a meeting together. Why are you calling me?”

“I just wanted to see if my phone is working,” Mom points out with a frown. “You haven’t picked up any of my calls today. Is your phone working?”

“Yeah. Yeah. I’ve just been busy,” Alec says half apologetically. 

“What do you mean busy?” the woman demands. “Are you still at work?”

“My Wi-Fi at home is not working,” Alec lies and decides to distract them. “Where’s Isabelle? Jace, did you text her?”

His sister appears, somewhat like a genie, at the mere mention of her name. Alec barely says hello before she shrieks at their father. “Dad. Ew. Turn off your background.”

“Robert, I thought you were actually at the beach,” Mom looks a little spooked. “These AI things are getting creepier every day.”

“Guys. Guys,” Alec tries to take control before the conversation spirals into something irrelevant. “Can we get on with this? I don’t have a lot of time.”

“You don’t have a lot of time,” Jace repeats in a whisper. “Is that what this call is about? You’re dying!”

“What?” Dad gasps in horror. 

“I told you people to put an end to his coffee addiction,” Jace glares at the rest of their family. “Now, see what has happened!”

“Jace, for God’s sake, I’m not dying. I’m fine,” Alec rolls his eyes and pointedly takes a sip from his mug, because fuck anyone who tries to come between him and his caffeine. “I wanted to talk about something else. Something important.”

“Alec,” his mother squints on his laptop screen. “Is everything okay? You’re scaring us.”

“It’s nothing to be scared of,” Alec reassures her quickly. 

“Are you sure, dude?” Jace frowns, adjusting his hair on the screen. “Because the last time you called for a family meeting, it was when your kidney stone was removed.”

“Actually, I called that meeting,” Izzy drawls, not bothering to turn on her video, probably in bed. “Alec didn’t even bother to tell us about being hospitalized.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Jace glares at him in disapproval, and then his face becomes fond. “The last family meeting you called was when you came out.”

Alec doesn’t know about other gay people, but coming out to your family on a Zoom call is the best way to do it. If it goes really well, then you have a good memory recorded. You can put the damn thing on TikTok like Aline did and became an overnight gay icon. If it doesn’t go well, you can just end the call right there - or tell your parents your account got hacked and blame AI. 

“Wait a minute,” Dad frowns slowly. “Are you coming out again?”

“Why would he come out again, Robert? We know he is gay!” Mom rolls her eyes. 

“Well, sexuality is a fluid thing,” Dad huffs out, never not taking the opportunity to show off whatever he learned from some queer TikTok influencer. Someone probably needs to do an intervention soon. “Maybe Alec is bi now. Or he is trans.”

“If Alec is trans, we shouldn’t say he, it should be she” Jace points out. 

“Trans people don’t have to be male or female,” Izzy rolls her eyes. “What if Alec is non-binary?”

“Non-binary,” Dad nods sagely. “Also commonly known as NB.”

“Well, whatever it is, we support Alec,” Mom speaks for everyone. 

“That’s great,” Alec replies. “Can Alec talk now?”

“Sorry,” Mom says sheepishly and gives him an encouraging smile. “Go ahead, darling.”

There is only one way to say it, so Alec decides to do just that. “I’m getting married.”

There is a moment of silence. Mom is the first to break it. “You’re getting married? To yourself?”

“How can I get married to myself, mom?” Alec tries not to roll his eyes. 

“It’s a thing,” Mom scoffs at him.

“It’s called self-coupling,” Dad points out haughtily. “Emma Watson is doing it.”

“Yeah, well, good for Emma Watson,” Alec does roll his eyes this time. “I’m getting married to another person.”

“A real person?” Mom clarifies and puts her hands up when Alec glares at her. “Don’t look at me like that. You did want to get married to that elf from the Lord of the Rings.”

“Mom!” Alec groans into a hand. “I’m getting married. For real.”

“For real?” Jace repeats carefully. “To whom?”

Alec exhales softly. “Magnus.”

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Dad frowns in response. “Was this the boy you dated in college?”

“That was Mitchell,” Alec replies with patience. “This is Magnus. Magnus Bane.”

“Bane,” Mom’s eyes widen. “Bane as in...”

“Yeah.”

“Is that his real last name?” Dad makes a face. “Do you think he’d be interested in taking Lightwood after you get married?”

“I don’t know, we haven’t talked about it,” Alec shrugs. 

“Wait, you’re actually getting married?” Jace asks now, looking stunned by the information. “To Magnus?”

“Yeah,” Alec nods seriously. 

“Oh! Oh, Alec! This is great news!” Mom screams.

“Oh my, he is a looker, isn’t he?” Dad notes, squinting at his phone. 

“Dad, stop stalking him,” Alec hisses at the man who decides to ignore him. 

“You’ve made me very happy, Alec,” Mom sighs softly. 

“Yeah?” Alec can’t help but ask. 

He knows his parents aren’t like Asmodeus. They don’t pester him. But he knows they share the same hopes for him as Asmodeus does for his son. Maybe all parents do. Alec promises himself that he’ll be different when his time comes. 

“I really thought you were going to die alone,” Mom says — predictably. “My baby boy is getting married!”

“You’re getting married,” Jace repeats — again. Alec doesn’t like the sound of it. 

But his attention is pulled back to someone else. Someone who hasn’t said a word since he broke the news.

“Izzy?” Alec calls out for his sister, staring into the black void. “You there? You haven’t said anything.”

His sister’s voice comes out all grainy and robotic. He wonders if it’s a connection issue or if she’s just really pissed. “That’s great news, Alec. Have a great married life.”

Now why does that sound like a threat?

“Uh. Okay. Thanks?” Alec says awkwardly before turning to the others. “Look, things are gonna move pretty quickly and—”

“Move quickly?” Mom frowns. “How quickly are we talking?”

“We’re getting married next month,” Alec replies. 

“Next month??” Mom shrieks. “Alec, that is simply not enough time to prepare!”

“Magnus’ dad is sick, and we don’t want to delay this unnecessarily,” Alec tries to explain. 

The truth is both of them just want to get this over with. If the wedding is next month, they only need to survive a month of planning and talking about the wedding. Honestly, if it were up to him, Alec would marry Magnus tomorrow and be done with it.

“Oh no, that’s awful,” Mom replies, looking like she wants to hug him. Alec wouldn’t mind one right now. 

“So, that’s why you’re getting married so quickly then?” Dad clears his throat. “Not for any other reason?”

“What other reason could there be?” Alec frowns. 

“I don’t know,” Dad coughs awkwardly. “I thought, that maybe, um, Magnus is pregnant?”

“Robert!” Mom shrieks again. 

Alec pinches the bridge of his nose tightly. “Dad, Magnus is a cis man.”

“Oh. Okay,” Dad nods slowly, looking at his phone again. “Sorry. I just couldn’t tell. He looks very, erm, ambiguous. Too pretty.”

“Yeah, well, there are worse flaws to have in a husband,” Alec replies a little more pointedly than he’d like. 

Dad’s face falls at that. Shit. Reel it back in, Alec. Not the time.

“You guys aren’t mad at me or anything, right?” Alec asks, mostly to divert the conversation, even though he genuinely wants to know the answer. 

“Mad at you?” Mom chuckles. “For what?”

“Well, I kinda sprung this on y’all out of nowhere,” Alec points out. 

“We’re not mad,” Dad tells him. “Just a little surprised.”

“Okay, that’s good,” Alec exhales in relief. 

“Silly boy,” Mom chuckles again, shaking her head. “We know you’re very private about your personal life, Alec. I didn’t even know you were dating someone. Let alone your boss’ son.”

“Yeah, well,” Alec shrugs instead of actually responding to that. 

“Wait. What does this mean for Java though?” Dad asks then. “If you’re marrying your boss’ son then—”

“It’s not going to change anything,” Alec shakes his head firmly. “I’ll take over in a few years and…and it’ll be a kind of family business.”

“Family business,” Mom giggles giddily. “I’m going to have grandbabies.”

“Okay, I’m done,” Alec rolls his eyes. “I’ll keep you guys posted about the details.”

“You need to tell us if you need any help—”

“Magnus and his father have everything covered,” Alec promises. “But I’ll make sure to reach out if I need anything.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Mom wags a finger at him. “I love you, Alec. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks, mom,” Alec whispers and frowns when he sees his father giggle at his phone. “Dad. Stop stalking him. I swear to God—”

“Oh, he already accepted my request,” Dad looks up from his phone. “I was just chatting with him.”

“Dad!”

“I wanted to know who proposed!”

“No one! It was a mutual decision.”

“Huh,” Dad frowns. “Magnus says you did.”

“He said what?” Alec squawks. He  doesn’t remember randomly turning up at midnight and asking the other man to marry him. Magnus! How dare he?

“There is no need to be embarrassed, Alec,” Mom chuckles fondly. “It’s so obvious that you’re gone for him.”

“Is it?” Alec asks dryly. If only they knew. 

“You don’t marry someone out of nowhere if you aren’t completely gone for them,” Mom informs him sagely. “I hope Magnus knows how lucky he is. When can I meet him, by the way? Should I book my flight next week or—”

“I’ll circle back on that—”

“Do not give me this circle back bullshit,” Mom looks at him in annoyance. “I’m not one of your employees.”

“All I’m saying is don’t jump on a flight just yet. I need to talk to Magnus before I decide anything,” Alec informs his mother. 

“Oh, he is so gone.” Dad laughs at that. 

“Okay, I’m officially done,” Alec groans loudly and waves at his family. “I’ll talk to you guys later. Love you.”

“We love you!”

He ends the call and frowns at his screen. 

Well, that went well. Much better than he expected. 

Except for one thing. 

Jace and Izzy hardly said a word. That’s never a good sign. 

Alec realizes his intuition is right when he goes back to his apartment two hours later. He stares at the two intruders in front of him as he throws his backpack onto the couch. “What are you two doing here?”

“Regret giving us keys to your apartment, huh?” Jace smirks at him. 

“I never gave you a key,” Alec points out incredulously. “You two literally broke in. That’s a felony.”

“Burglary is a felony,” Izzy corrects, twirling a strand of her hair. “Breaking and entering is a misdemeanor.”

“Love me a burn that is ice cold and educational,” Jace high-fives her. “Alec, buddy, sorry, but this is an intervention.”

“I don’t need an intervention,” Alec informs as he walks to the kitchen. 

“We bought booze,” Izzy holds up a bottle of Jack Daniels. 

“Fine. You can stay,” Alec amends as he loosens his tie. “I assume this has something to do with my wedding?”

“Please stop saying that, it’s giving me a hernia,” Jace groans as he grabs the glasses from the kitchen cabinet. “You can’t just get married to a man you don’t know.”

“I know Magnus,” Alec huffs at that, grabbing the ice from the refrigerator. 

“What color are his eyes?” Izzy asks him, leaning against the kitchen island.

“How the fuck am I supposed to know that?” Alec demands. 

“Don’t you look at him when you talk to him?” Jace asks in confusion, pouring for all three of them.  

“Eye contact is for sluts and psychopaths,” Alec informs them. “Look, I might not know the color of his eyes, but I know enough, okay?”

Except, he does. Magnus’ eyes are a rich, warm brown, like a perfectly brewed cup of espresso.

He remembers the way they looked the first time they met at the Java Ball—outside in the garden, sunlight filtering through the trees, making the deep brown in his eyes gleam like freshly roasted coffee beans. 

They had been talking about something Alec can’t even remember, but the light caught Magnus just right, and for a split second, he couldn’t look away. Maybe it was because Magnus was wearing eyeliner. Alec doesn’t personally know many men who wear eyeliner. 

Then there was the time in the hospital — bright, harsh fluorescent lights washing over them. Magnus’ eyes had appeared darker, like the coffee you get when you over-brew it. A little bitter, but still comforting. Alec had been too busy worrying to think about why Magnus’ eyes seemed so guarded, but the image stayed with him.

And then there was that night in his apartment. Magnus had come over late, afraid, and his eyes had softened in the dim light of the living room, the brown almost caramel-like, mixed with shadows. 

It’s not like Alec spends all his time thinking about Magnus’ eyes, though. It’s just that he’s an observant person — it comes with the job. Noticing these things is second nature.

An occupational hazard.

“You are making a mistake, Alec,” Izzy says seriously. 

“No, Izzy, you made a mistake when you got that pixie cut,” Alec replies. 

“Son of a bitch!” Izzy growls and tries to climb over the kitchen island. 

“Siblings. Decorum. Please,” Jace waves a kitchen towel between them.

“Look, dickhead,” Izzy takes a big gulp of the whiskey and puts the glass down with a thud. “We’re well aware that Magnus is a hot piece of ass but—”

“Isabelle, watch your mouth,” Jace gasps, scandalized. “Magnus is going to be our brother-in-law.”

“I’ve said worse about your wife, shut up,” Izzy shoves him away. “You cannot marry him, Alec. This will be a huge mistake.”

“So what? Why am I not allowed to make mistakes?” Alec asks in annoyance. 

“If you wanna make a mistake, then go get a fucking pixie cut,” Isabelle shouts loudly. 

There is a moment of tense silence in the room before Jace clears his throat. “I hate to be that guy, Iz, but Alec can pull it off.”

“Aw, thanks, man,” Alec winks at him. 

“Alec!” Izzy hisses at him again. “Listen to me!”

“I don’t know what your problem is, Isabelle. You were the one who was moaning about how hot he is—”

“And I stand by that,” Isabelle groans loudly. “Alec, if you think he is hot, then fuck him. Where is this marriage crap coming from?”

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa,” Jace puts up his hands. “Marriage is a beautiful institution—”

“Jace, don't enable him,” Isabelle growls at the blonde man and turns to Alec. “Did you guys already fuck? Is that what this is about? Because I don’t care how good his dick is—”

“Izzy!” Jace groans, covering his ears now. 

“Isabelle, stop talking about Magnus like that,” Alec groans too. 

“Since when are you a prude?” Isabelle snorts. Alec should stop drinking with his siblings. He always has a loose tongue when he does. 

“I’m not a prude. I’m a private person,” Alec corrects her. “Excuse me if I don’t want to talk about my future husband so crassly.”

“Your future husband!” Isabelle throws her hands up in the air. “You’re serious about this? You’re seriously going to marry him?”

“Yes,” Alec replies patiently, not knowing how else to make it clear to her. “Seriously.”

“Is this about the company?” Jace asks him suspiciously. “Did that old man say he’ll only give it to you if you marry his son? Because I will fight him.”

“He didn’t say anything like that,” Alec shakes his head. 

“But he has something to do with this, doesn’t he?” Isabelle demands angrily. “A week ago, he was hospitalized and now you’re marrying his son.”

“Maybe this has a little bit to do with him,” Alec relents. “Magnus and I agreed—”

“Alec, we can understand why Magnus might want to do this,” Jace tells him gently. “But you don’t. Asmodeus isn’t your responsibility. He is just your boss.”

“He’s not just my boss. He’s my friend,” Alec says defensively. 

“Then write him a Get Well Soon card,” Isabelle snaps at him. “Alec, you don’t have to marry Magnus.”

“Why the fuck not?” Alec demands. 

“Because you’re not in love with him!” Isabelle says, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. 

Alec crosses his arms at that. “So, people should only marry if they’re in love?”

Easy for her to say, isn’t it?

Easy for the both of them to just stand there and judge Alec for his choices. 

Jace and Izzy found their soulmates a long time ago. They know what love feels like and they’ve never had to chase after it. Love came looking for them and knocked on their front door. 

Not everyone is so lucky. 

“I’m not saying that,” Isabelle sighs, her voice finally softening. She reaches out and touches his arm. “If you do this, you will never give yourself a chance to find it again.”

“Not necessarily,” Alec shrugs nonchalantly. “We could get divorced if this thing doesn’t work out.”

“If it doesn’t work out? What is that supposed to mean?” Isabelle narrows her eyes at him, the gentleness gone in an instant. “Alec, if you’re thinking of divorcing him once Asmodeus is dead—”

“I didn’t say that!”

“Good, because it will look terribly on you,” Isabelle points out. 

“Also, Asian people live for a long time,” Jace notes to no one in particular. “Aline’s grandma is like 97.”

“Can we not talk about him dying?” Alec asks in frustration. “Better yet, can we not talk about this at all?”

“We just don’t think you’ve thought this through, Alec,” Isabelle points out, reaching out for him again. “What about children? Does Magnus want them? I know you do.”

“Okay, fine, I admit, there are a couple of details we need to iron out—”

“This is not one of your corporate contracts,” Isabelle groans in frustration. “This is marriage. This is your life.”

“Look, I appreciate your concern, but I have thought this through,” Alec says. “I know what I’m doing.”

He knows they won’t listen to reason. Especially because they don’t understand his reasons. 

So, he does what he always does. What always works when it comes to family. 

“You’re hurting my feelings, Isabelle. I really thought you’d be happy for me,” Alec tells her quietly. “I’m finally getting married. I’m not going to die alone like everyone feared. I don’t know why you’re still disappointed.”

Isabelle clenches her jaw at that. “I know you’re trying to guilt trip me.”

“I’m not,” Alec shakes his head. He is. 

“I’m just worried about you,” Isabelle grumbles and pulls him into a hug. “I didn’t mean to yell.”

Alec squeezes her tightly. “It’s okay. I just chalked it up to you being jealous.”

“Why would I be jealous?” Izzy scoffs into his shoulder. 

“Because I’m going to marry Magnus,” Alec points out.

Isabelle pulls back at that with an annoyed face. “I can’t believe you get to see him naked every day.”

Jesus Christ. Is that what married people do? No wonder everyone is obsessed with getting married. 

They stay for a little longer and the three of them finish half the bottle together. Isabelle continues to interrogate him, and Alec dodges her questions as much as possible. When it’s late, he orders them a cab and shoves his siblings into the back of a Lyft. 

“Congrats, man,” Jace hugs him tightly before climbing into the car. “I am happy for you, you know.”

“I know,” Alec replies with a smile. 

“Hey,” Jace whispers, pulling back and pressing a kiss to Alec’s cheek. “You were never gonna die alone.”

“I know, “Alec smiles again. 

When he goes back upstairs, he puts the whisky glasses away and grabs his phone.

“Alexander! Hello!”

Alec winces at the loud noise in the background. “Bad time?”

“No, it’s fine. My friends dragged me out to celebrate the engagement,” Magnus explains, seemingly escaping the loud music. “You’re up late.”

“Yeah, I was with Jace and Izzy,” Alec explains. “I, uh, I told my family today.”

“Oh?” Magnus says, and it’s quiet now. As if he’s escaped to some alley. “How did they take it?”

“Very well,” Alec replies, keeping the drama with his siblings to himself. “They were very happy.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Magnus says, actually sounding pleased. “It’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Alec admits tiredly and scratches the back of his neck. “Look, um, I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things.”

“Yes?”

“Firstly, can you stop talking to my dad on Instagram?” Alec lets out a groan. “It’s weird.”

“No, weird is what you have with my dad,” Magnus chuckles in response. Okay, fair. “I was simply answering some queries your father had for me.”

“Oh God, I hope he didn’t say anything weird,” Alec covers his face. 

“He did ask if me I have morning sickness,” Magnus hums. “He seemed to be particularly concerned for my health.”

Alec is going to fly to London and push his father into the Thames. 

“Perhaps he was worried after what happened to my bapak,” Magnus points out. “Did you tell them about it?”

“Oh, yeah. I did. I hope that’s okay,” Alec says quickly. “You can expect a fruit basket from my mom.”

“I love fruit,” Magnus chuckles. “I look forward to it.”

“Um. There is one more thing,” Alec says carefully. “I think…I think we should talk.”

“Talk?” Magnus repeats. “About what?”

“About…About our life,” Alec exhales. “About boundaries and expectations. Magnus, we need to set some parameters for this thing.”

“You sound like you have another list for me,” Magnus notes in amusement. 

Alec tries not to stare at his iPad where he already has his notes written down. “Maybe.”

Magnus laughs — it’s loud and throaty. “Alright then. Let me know when I should drop by. Let’s discuss parameters.”

Chapter Text

He asks Magnus to come over during the weekend.

It’s a bit of a strategic decision. 

First of all, it gives Alec time to put his list together. Secondly, he usually cleans his apartment on the weekend, so it is best that he invites Magnus when his house is in order. 

It’s difficult to meet Magnus on a weekday anyway since he spends most of it with Asmodeus — even after work, since the older man has a lot of ‘thoughts’ about the wedding. 

Most of the wedding planning is being handled by Magnus and his father. Alec only has to sort out his guest list, his outfit and of course ‘approve’ the decisions made by Magnus. He usually just nods to whatever Magnus wants. Asmodeus joked about it and said they were going to have a wonderful marriage.

There are, however, a couple of things he wants to discuss about the wedding. He’s put them on his list as well. Alec doesn’t intend to get married again. Even if he meets the love of his life, he isn’t sure he wants to get married to them. So, if he is doing this once, he is going to do this properly. 

That’s apparently Magnus’ philosophy as well. Maybe Asmodeus is right. Maybe they will have a wonderful marriage — however long or short it might be. 

He meets up with Izzy and Jace on Saturday, who are still a little annoyed with Alec’s decision. But they help him out with the guest list — mostly because the task involves judging their friends and relatives. 

Alec decides to run through the rest with Magnus when he visits the next day. They decide on brunch — which Alec isn’t used to. So, he does some research on what people eat during brunch and orders a bunch of things. He doesn’t cook. He doesn’t want to scare Magnus away.

“Is anyone else joining us?” Magnus asks him when he comes over. 

“Uh,” Alec says. “No?”

“This is all for us then?” Magnus chuckles, waving a hand at the kitchen.  

Alec scratches the back of his head sheepishly. He doesn’t want to admit that he’s never hosted brunch before. “I’m used to feeding my siblings. They eat a lot.”

“I should’ve brought Chairman,” Magnus says fondly. “He enjoys a good feast.”

“Who’s Chairman?”

“My cat,” Magnus looks offended. “Don’t tell me my father never mentioned him. I’ll have to go to court for such neglect.”

“He mentioned you have a cat. He didn’t say what it was called,” Alec defends his boss.

“He is called Chairman Meow,” Magnus informs haughtily. 

Alec decides to keep his comments to himself. “Cool.”

“You’re not allergic to cats, are you?” Magnus asks worriedly. “This will not work if you are.”

“You’re marrying me for your dad and divorcing me for your cat,” Alec can’t help but chuckle. “And you say I’m the loyal one.”

“I can’t divorce you if we aren’t married,” Magnus points out. “Also, you didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m not allergic to cats,” Alec replies, even though he has no idea. He hasn’t spent a lot of time around cats, to be honest. “I’m allergic to shellfish, though.”

“Oof, that’s a tough one. I can’t imagine having to give up on Bouillabaisse,” Magnus shudders. 

Alec has no idea what boo-your-boss is, so he just nods in response. “Are you allergic to anything?”

“Nope,” Magnus smiles with a little wink. “I can eat anything, and I do eat everything.”

“Great,” Alec nods, grabbing his iPad. “See, this is exactly the kind of thing we should know about each other before we get married.”

“If you say so. I like a little mystery,” Magnus hums as he walks over to the couch and flops down. “But I must ask you an important question first.”

“Oh,” Alec says. “Sure.”

“Where are the mimosas, Alexander?” Magnus asks very seriously. 

“Um. Mimosas?”

“They are the most important part of brunch,” Magnus tuts. 

“Uh,” Alec says again. “I have coffee?”

Magnus rolls his eyes as he gets off the couch and marches back to Alec’s kitchen, looking around with a frown on his face. “Please tell me you have some kind of alcohol here.”

Alec chuckles as he joins the other man in the kitchen. “What do you need?”

“Do you happen to have any champagne?”

“I do, actually,” Alec replies and Magnus gasps in delight. “Jace brought some over yesterday. You know, to celebrate.”

“Great! Oh, we can use these too,” Magnus informs as he grabs a couple of oranges from the fruit basket Clary had sent over with her husband. “I’ll get started. You can go ahead.”

Alec tries. 

Magnus is dressed in a pair of dark brown flared pants with a high waist, the kind that hugs his figure so perfectly that Alec can’t help but wonder where Magnus buys his clothes. 

The transparent blue shirt he’s wearing is unbuttoned more than necessary, teasing just enough skin not to be kicked out of Sunday mass — which Alec went to earlier today. 

Does Magnus get his clothes tailored? Or maybe he designs them himself, alongside his jewelry. 

Alec realizes that he should probably ask what, exactly, Magnus does for a living. Thankfully, it’s on his list of things to discuss.

As Alec grabs his iPad, Magnus makes himself comfortable at the kitchen counter. He watches as Magnus pulls back the sleeves of his unbuttoned shirt just enough to keep them out of the way, but he doesn’t bother taking off the bazillion rings he’s wearing. 

Alec finds the movements mesmerizing, the way Magnus’ hands move so fluidly as he squeezes the oranges. He makes even the most mundane tasks look like art.

Magnus' hair is wet and messy, though not in a careless way. Alec is pretty sure Magnus styled it like that deliberately — it looks too good to be accidental. 

How did he even get here? Did he take a cab? Every time Alec looks at him, more questions pile up, but he can’t ask them all now, can he? Maybe he should take Magnus' advice and save some mystery for the marriage.

“Alexander?” Magnus prompts. 

“Yes,” Alec clears his throat and taps on his iPad. “I took the liberty of preparing some questions — to make this discussion more straightforward.”

“And I’m making mimosas — to make this discussion less awkward,” Magnus informs cheerfully. “Two kinds of people in the world, huh?”

“We don’t have to use it,” Alec points out, looking at some of the things he hastily added earlier this morning. Jesus, what was he thinking? “I don’t want this to get too clinical.”

“I don’t mind,” Magnus shrugs as he grabs another orange. 

“Okay,” Alec nods a little uncertainly and looks at his questions again. “Do you wanna start with the hard ones or the easy ones?”

Magnus looks up at that, his lips curling into an amused smile. “Did you categorize them, Alexander?”

“No,” Alec is quick to defy him, carefully hiding the color-coded sections on the screen. 

“Hard ones,” Magnus replies after a moment. “Might as well get those over with.”

“Right,” Alec clears his throat and decides to get to it. “What happens to our marriage if your father dies?”

“Good lord!” Magnus laughs, taken aback by Alec’s bluntness. 

“I mean, if you’re getting married to appease your father, then what happens when he, erm, you know?” Alec makes a vague gesture. 

“He is not that old, you know,” Magnus hums, looking down at the sliced fruits. “It’s not as if he is going to drop dead a week after we married.”

“God, I hope not,” Alec groans. “A wedding and a funeral? I don’t have the energy for that.”

Magnus smiles at that, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. He takes his time pouring the freshly squeezed orange juice into a glass, his expression unreadable. When he finally glances up at Alec, his voice is soft but steady. “Do you have champagne flutes?”

Alec nods, relieved that he does. Yet another useless gift he got from someone when he moved in five years ago. He pulls them from the cabinet, brushing off the dust. Magnus takes them with a slight nod, effortlessly combining the orange juice and champagne with an almost practiced elegance. 

When he hands one of the mimosas to Alec, their fingers brush briefly, and Alec feels a sudden jolt of uncertainty. Did he say something wrong earlier? His bluntness often got him into trouble, but this felt different. Did he offend Magnus? Or worse — hurt him? 

Alec swirls his drink absently, wondering if he should’ve started with something easier, like, “what’s your favorite color?”.

Magnus, as if sensing Alec's inner turmoil, takes a long sip from his glass, his eyes distant for a moment before they refocus on Alec. He sets his drink down, the rings on his fingers clinking lightly against the glass. “Do you mind if we circle back to my father’s inevitable death later on? I might need a few more of these to answer that.”

Alec freezes, unsure whether to laugh or apologize. Magnus isn’t angry, not exactly, but Alec can tell the topic is far more loaded than he’d imagined. He nods, almost too quickly and switches to a simpler one. “Do you want to tell me about your work?”

“Sure,” Magnus nods easily this time. “What would you like to know?”

“Everything,” Alec shrugs, realizing Magnus probably knows a lot about Alec’s job. Asmodeus is a yapper after all. “I know you make jewelry. But, like, who are your clients? What kind of jewelry do you make? What does your typical workday look like? How much money do you make?”

“That’s a lot of questions,” Magnus blinks. 

“Uh. Sorry”

“It’s alright,” Magnus waves a hand before taking another sip. “I don’t work with brands. My clients are mostly individuals — more control over who I get to work with and who wears what I make.”

Alec nods at that. He wishes he could control who he gets to sit at meetings with too. “Is that more lucrative?”

“Depends on what you define as lucrative,” Magnus cocks his head. “I’m not exactly strapped for cash, as you know.”

The only child of one of the most successful businessmen in the country. Yeah, that checks out.

“What kind of jewelry do you make?” Alec continues his inquiry. 

Magnus takes another sip of his mimosa, letting the question hang in the air for a moment before responding. “I make a lot of things inspired by my culture. My heritage, really. I’m Indonesian, as you know, and we have a rich tradition of intricate, meaningful designs. I like working with gold — lots of gold — and natural materials, like pearls, and even coral. Back home, filigree work is incredibly popular, and I incorporate that into a lot of my pieces.”

Alec has no idea what filigree is, so he makes a note on his iPad to Google it later. 

Magnus leans back slightly and puts down his empty glass on the counter. “Traditional Indonesian jewelry is often bold and symbolic, with motifs inspired by nature and mythology — floral patterns, dragons, phoenixes. I create necklaces, bracelets, earrings — anything that feels like an extension of that legacy, but with a modern twist.”

Alec vaguely remembers Asmodeus wearing a dragon brooch on his suit. He now wonders if Magnus made it. If he did, then holy shit. It looked so fucking cool. 

“So, your work is rooted in your culture?” Alec asks, intrigued. Magnus nods, but before he can respond, Alec adds another observation. “Like how Java is rooted in Indonesian coffee. Do you miss your home?”

“It’s not exactly my home,” Magnus says quietly. “It’s where I came from, not where I grew up. But my mother made sure I knew my history and culture, and I fell in love with it from a young age.”

Magnus always goes a little quiet when he talks about his mother. Alec knew, even before he met the man, that the woman is a sensitive topic for both Bane men. So, he diverts Magnus’ attention again. 

He tilts his head thoughtfully, remembering how Magnus still didn't get him a ring. “So…Indonesians don’t wear rings?”

Magnus laughs softly. “Oh, they do. I just don’t like making them. If I focused on that, I might end up spending the rest of my life making engagement rings. Boring, no? I like variety.”

“Is that why you didn’t want to get married?” The question slips out before he can think better of it.

Magnus, thank God, doesn’t look offended. Instead, he laughs — a rich, genuine sound that makes Alex relax slightly. “Do you always say whatever’s in your head?”

“Apparently,” Alec flushes in response, even though he’s been meaning to ask Magnus the very thing. He just hoped to be more tactical about it. “I just…We’re both getting into a marriage we don’t really want. I’d like to know why you aren’t interested in getting married. Because if those reasons change while we’re married—”

“They won’t,” Magnus replies with a certainty that is a little disarming. 

“Are you, like, aromantic or something?” Alec asks carefully. 

“Nope,” Magnus shakes his head. “Just tired.”

Alec has no idea what to do with that. What does that even mean? He’s tired of dating? That is kind of relatable though. Dating in New York is a bit of a nightmare. 

“And you?” Magnus asks him. “How will I know that you won’t run off with some other man?”

“Magnus, if I didn’t fall in love in the last three decades, I ain’t gonna do it now,” Alec can’t help but roll his eyes. “I promise I won’t fall in love with another man when I’m married to you.”

“And how long are you intending to be married to me?” Magnus asks curiously, pouring more of the mimosa into his champagne flute. 

“Great question,” Alec nods and looks at his notes. “I was thinking five years. How do you feel about that? Too long? Too short?”

“Five is fine,” Magnus agrees. “But I suggest we start distancing ourselves at three. Some public disagreements. Some couples therapy. Some time away from each other. Then we try to make it work for two years before we give up.”

Alec blinks at the other man’s strategic plan. “Have you done this before?”

“I just watch a lot of TV,” Magnus chuckles. “May I ask a question?”

“Of course,” Alec says immediately and decides to enjoy his mimosa. Damn, it’s good. “Feel free to ask anything.”

“How, erm, how old are you exactly?” Magnus asks awkwardly. 

Alec grins at that. “You didn’t ask HR?”

Magnus rolls his eyes at that. “You said three decades.”

“I’m 32,” Alec replies. “Too old for you?”

“No, I’ve dated older,” Magnus shrugs. 

“How old?”

“I think she was 62 at the time?”

“Magnus, that’s older than your father!”

“And?” Magnus scoffs. “Have you seen Dianne Wiest? She’s like 75. Never seen a more beautiful woman.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Alec nods solemnly and looks at his list again. “Do you have any allergies or illnesses I need to be aware of?”

“No allergies,” Magnus reminds him again. “I did have depression after my mother died.”

“Oh,” Alec says. “Is it…still there?”

“It comes and goes,” Magnus waves a hand. “How about you?”

“Just the shellfish allergy I told you about,” Alec replies. “Oh, this is an important one. Whose place are we living in after we get married?”

“Mine. Next question.”

“What, we’re not even gonna discuss that one?” Alec frowns. 

“Should we?”

“I mean, you haven’t even seen my whole apartment,” Alec points out, a little offended on behalf of his living space. 

“I don’t need to,” Magnus shrugs. “I’ve seen mine.”

“Mine is closer to work, you know,” Alec grumbles. 

“And mine has a claw-foot bathtub,” Magnus smiles. “Next question.”

“Fine,” Alec replies, even though he feels the need to argue. He doesn’t know why. Magnus’ apartment is objectively better than his own. He’s seen it once  — very briefly  — when he was dropping Asmodeus off at Magnus' after a late board meeting and got invited up for coffee. Alec never says no to coffee.

His eyes fall on one of the questions now, one that he underlined a couple of times and highlighted in red. He wonders if he should ask it now or save it for later. He looks up to see Magnus refilling his glass — again. Never mind, he should probably ask it while Magnus is still sober. “I’ve got another one.”

“Hit me,” Magnus nods. 

“What about sex?” Alec asks.

“Hm,” Magnus frowns as he finishes his glass and looks at Alec again. “I don’t think we should have a physical relationship.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah,” Alec nods a few times. “I, uh, I was thinking the same. It would be, um, weird, right?”

“It would be complicated,” Magnus adds. 

“Exactly,” Alec nods again. 

“But,” Magnus says slowly, pushing the syllable. “I don’t expect either of us to give up sex because of this.”

“That’s fair,” Alec agrees. 

“We’re adults.”

“We are.”

“And we have needs.”

“We do.”

“So, if you wish to pursue a physical relationship outside of this marriage, you have my blessing,” Magnus says casually. “What do you think?”

“I mean, it’s kind of like an open marriage, right?” Alec asks and Magnus shrugs. “It should be okay.”

“I do feel awful asking that of you,” Magnus sighs. “We agreed on five years. I don’t want you to have to sneak around or hide your sex life from your friends.”

“Magnus, it’s fine,” Alec reassures him. “I’m super private about my personal life anyway. It’s not a big deal.”

“Alright,” Magnus gives him a little smile. “I do have one request though. Can I ask you not to bring your, erm, special friends to my loft?”

“My special friends?” Alec chuckles. Magnus rolls his eyes. “Sure, I can do that. No ‘special friends’ at your loft. It’s probably not safe to bring people home anyway.”

They move to the couch with the food and continue their discussion. They settle down, plates balanced on their laps as they go through more of Alec’s questions. The conversation flows naturally, and soon enough, everything on Alec's list is covered. 

They quickly decide not to tell anyone the truth about their marriage — not Jace, not Izzy, nor any of Magnus’ friends. Both agree that the inevitable barrage of questions and frustrations wouldn’t be worth it. 

Magnus promises to send over some financial information so Alec can consult with his lawyer regarding their joint tax application. Their living expenses come up as well. Since Alec is living in Magnus’ place, he offers to cover groceries and other day-to-day expenses, but Magnus refuses immediately. After some back and forth, they agree to split it. 

When Alec tentatively asks if Magnus is okay with a church wedding, Magnus only shrugs, seeming indifferent. 

They both agree to keep the wedding small — 50 guests per side, which, by Magnus’ standards, is ‘extremely’ small for an Asian family.

They also decide not to merge their last names, agreeing to keep their own. 

When Alec brings up the idea of a honeymoon, Magnus says Asmodeus is already planning something and has been rather cryptic about the details.

By the time they finish, it’s well into the evening. Magnus doesn’t look particularly tired, but he turns to Alec and asks, “Are we doing dinner?”

As much as he enjoys Magnus’ company, after all the serious discussions, he feels the need for some time alone to process everything. 

“I wouldn’t mind, but…I’m not that hungry,” Alec says, hoping Magnus understands.

Magnus nods, not offended, but there’s one more question hanging in the air. They both know it’s there, waiting to be addressed. 

“He can’t die while we’re married,” Magnus says, his tone more somber than before. “This whole thing is for him.”

Alec wants to point out that no one knows what might happen in five years, but he doesn’t say that. Instead, he smiles softly. “Yeah, he’s a stubborn guy. He’ll probably outlive us both.”

Magnus doesn’t smile. His gaze drops to his hands, fingers fidgeting with his rings. “If something were to happen to my father—”

“Magnus,” Alec interrupts gently. “We don’t have to get divorced right away. It’ll look bad, and honestly, it’s not a nice thing to do—”

“I don’t want you there,” Magnus cuts him off.

Alec blinks in surprise. “What?”

Magnus keeps his eyes on his hands. “I wasn’t the best person when my mother died. I didn’t make the best choices. I hurt the people around me, and I don’t want you to see me like that.”

“Maybe this time will be different. Maybe you won’t fall apart,” Alec points out gently. “You’re not a kid anymore, remember?”

“Adults are worse with grief, Alexander,” Magnus says, his voice heavy with something Alec can’t quite identify. “When my mom died, I was depressed because I thought she went to heaven, and I couldn’t follow her. Now, I know heaven isn’t real, and I don’t know where my father will go when he leaves. All I know is that I can’t follow him, and that I’ll be alone.”

Alec stares at him, his heart twisting in his chest. 

“You won’t be alone,” he says quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. Then he manages a smile for Magnus. “I know the wedding vows say till death do us part, but I don’t think it’s referring to your dad.” 

Magnus smiles a little at that before shaking his head lightly. “This whole thing is ridiculous, isn’t it?”

“Nah,” Alec says honestly. “Family is everything. I’d do a lot worse for mine.”

“I appreciate everything you’re doing for my father. I really do,” Magnus says and clasps his hands. “I should probably go. I’m moving back to my apartment tomorrow. Bapak has been insufferable to live with.”

“You’re telling me,” Alec groans at that. “He barges into my office every five minutes. Who the fuck introduced him to Pinterest?”

“That would be me,” Magnus raises a hand guiltily. “I deeply regret my choices.”

“You should,” Alec huffs before letting out a chuckle, and walking Magnus out. “How are you going home, by the way? Do you need me to call you a cab?”

“I’m alright. Thank you,” Magnus informs. “I think I’ll go for a walk.”

“In those?” Alec asks incredulously, staring at the heeled boots Magnus is slipping into now. 

“I see there is much you are yet to learn about me,” Magnus tuts. 

“Someone told me to save some mystery for the marriage,” Alec replies. 

Magnus smiles at that and shakes his head. “Goodnight, Alexander.”

Once Magnus leaves, Alec goes back into his apartment. He opens his laptop and starts his research.

He starts with an important one, apparently; “How do you know if you’re allergic to cats?”

Chapter Text

A week before the wedding, their families decide to meet. 

Alec tries to find an excuse to reject the idea, but he can’t come up with anything. 

He understands that it is a reasonable request. He hates it when other people are reasonable because it usually means you can’t be a dick about it.

He floats the idea with Magnus, explaining that his parents are insistent about meeting Magnus before the wedding. Magnus agrees easily. It makes Alec wonder if Magnus is generally an agreeable person.

Asmodeus offers his place at Tribeca for the dinner. The old man has met Alec’s family a couple of times, but they’ve never had dinner or spent time together. Alec doesn’t know why he is so nervous about it. 

Maybe it’s because he’s so used to keeping his private life…well, very private. He has no idea how things will go and there are a lot of things that can fuck this up. 

Then there’s Magnus. 

Alec has never formally introduced anyone he has dated to his family — even the ones he actually liked. He supposes that’s the difference between dating and marriage. Marriage isn’t just between two people — it’s between two families.

He shouldn’t be so anxious considering Magnus is not the worst person he’s dated. Honestly, if he were to rank them all, Magnus would come out right at the top. He is, literally, introducing the best that he can do to his parents. But that knowledge doesn’t do much to calm his nerves. 

He arrives in Tribeca earlier than his family, who are currently at Jace and Clary’s getting ready together. Asmodeus seems to have arranged some kind of outdoor dining area under fairy lights and shit. 

It’s pretty. For some reason, it makes him more nervous. 

“Alec!” Asmodeus beams and throws his arms around Alec. “Are you coming straight from work?”

“It’s a weekday,” Alec says in the way of an explanation. “Isn’t this, er, a little too much?”

“This is nothing. I had to talk him down from ordering a chocolate fountain.”

Alec turns around and finds Magnus walking towards them, carrying a large bouquet of flowers with him.

He’s wearing a black, short-sleeved, transparent shirt with delicate flowers hand-painted on it. Alec can see his nipples through the fabric, and he’s not entirely sure if this is “meet your parents” appropriate, but Magnus looks good — really good. So, who fucking cares?

Alec almost tells him that he looks nice, but it feels like flirting. Then again, they’re getting married. Is he not allowed to flirt with Magnus? Or give him a compliment that’s objectively true?

"Magnus, put the flowers away and go get ready. I don’t want you to be late," Asmodeus chides from the side.

Oh, so Magnus isn’t dressed yet. This is just his at-home look? Pretty and nipples out? Alec wonders if this is what he should expect after they’re married.

"I told you I’d help with the flowers. You shouldn’t be carrying heavy things," Magnus tuts as he places a large floral arrangement in the middle of the long rectangular table.

"Magnus," Alec manages politely. "How are you?"

"Oh, I had a wonderful day, Alexander," Magnus replies brightly. "I took Chairman to the tailor for his fitting. Irina has done a marvelous job with the suit, bapak. We should tip her well."

"Um," Alec starts, slightly confused. "You’re getting a suit tailored for your cat? For the wedding?"

"You don’t expect him to come to the wedding naked, do you?" Magnus asks incredulously.

"Isn’t he, like, naked all the time?" Alec asks, eyebrows raised.

"Not in public!" Magnus huffs, clearly affronted. "He’s shy around strangers, you know." 

With that, Magnus turns and walks back into the house, leaving Alec blinking after him.

Asmodeus chuckles, watching his son go with a fond smile before turning to Alec. "That’s going to be your problem next week."

"I grew up with worse," Alec replies, remembering all the chaos he’s had to deal with from Jace and Izzy. He glances at the flowers on the table. "Do you need any help?"

"No, but you need a drink," Asmodeus claps him on the shoulder. "Coffee? Whiskey?"

"Can I get both?" Alec asks. 

Half an hour later, Alec finds himself sipping on his Irish coffee, gathering the mental strength to get through the evening. It should be fine. He shouldn’t be worried. It’s just a few hours. His mom is staying with Jace and Clary — probably pestering them about grandkids — while his dad’s at a hotel. Alec had offered his place to his parents, but they insisted they didn’t want to invade his space before the wedding, in case he wanted to be with Magnus.

What they don’t know can’t hurt them.

When they arrive, his family brings a lot of gifts for Magnus. Alec wants to point out that the Banes are rich enough to buy half of New York, but he allows his parents to do their thing and shower Magnus with presents.

Alec had been worried that he’d be the center of attention tonight, being asked endless questions, hearing embarrassing childhood stories, and enduring awkward teasing. But it seems Magnus is the real target at dinner.

His family is relentless with their questions, all eager to know the man who’s marrying their son and brother. Meanwhile, Asmodeus keeps sharing childhood memories one after another. Alec has half a mind to kidnap poor Magnus and run away.

Alec didn't need to worry. It goes well — really well.

Magnus seems to be good at this, at entertaining people. He patiently answers all of Isabelle’s questions, doesn’t flinch at Jace’s intimidating shovel talk, kindly indulges Alec’s dad's terrible attempt at speaking Indonesian, and even manages to make Alec’s mom blush with his borderline flirty compliments.

“He’s good, isn’t he?” Asmodeus notes proudly. “He’s always been very good at getting people’s attention.”

Alec, who has escaped inside the house for more coffee — just one last round to settle all the food he’s eaten — shrugs at the older man. “I wonder where he got that from. Definitely not from you.”

Asmodeus laughs at Alec’s joke and walks over. “How are you?”

“How am I?” Alec repeats. “I’m not the one recovering from a heart attack. How are you ?”

“Oh, come off it. It’s been over a month. I’m fine. You’re the one getting married next week,” Asmodeus points out. “Nervous?”

“Not really,” Alec says, unsure if that’s true or not. 

It isn’t nerves exactly — more like an impatience for it all to be over. He’d agreed to marriage, not a big wedding. He isn’t exactly the life of the party, and it made him a little grouchy. No wonder people don’t like him at work.

Asmodeus steps closer, his gaze softer. “I know this is all very unconventional, Alec.”

“Not that unconventional,” Alec counters. “Arranged marriages are normal in a lot of cultures. You’re the one who told me that.”

“Yes, well,” Asmodeus says, “but it’s still not what I wanted for Magnus.”

Alec is thrown. He wants to say, Are you kidding me? This is all you’ve wanted . But instead, he calmly asks, “I thought you wanted him to get married.”

“Oh, I did,” Asmodeus chuckles, putting Alec at ease. “And I am happy about that, don’t worry. But what I wanted more than anything was for my son to be loved. I wanted him to marry for love, the same way I did, the way most people do.”

Ah. Awkward.

“I know you don’t love him,” Asmodeus says quietly.

“I care for him,” he mutters, and it’s true, in a way. He does care for Magnus — just not in the way everyone expects.

“But you don’t love him,” Asmodeus repeats.

“I don’t,” Alec admits, feeling oddly exposed. 

“I know,” Asmodeus nods, squeezing Alec’s shoulder. “But I wanted to tell you that you will.”

“Huh?” Alec blinks. 

“You will,” Asmodeus repeats confidently. “You will love him.”

Alec chuckles nervously. “Why does that sound like a warning?”

“Because I worry you don’t realize what you’re getting yourself into,” Asmodeus replies, his voice soft but serious. “You’re going to live together soon. Your lives will be intertwined. You’ll get to know him better than anyone else. It’s inevitable.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m gonna fall in love with him,” Alec chuckles again, though this time it’s a bit forced.

Asmodeus smiles knowingly. “It’s impossible to get to know my Magnus and not fall in love with him.”

Wow. Okay then.

“Okay,” Alec chuckles again. Maybe Asmodeus has had one too many glasses of whiskey. “Consider me warned.”

“Good,” Asmodeus nods. He stops fiddling with the small jewelry box in his pocket and hands it to Alec. “Magnus gave me the responsibility of sorting out the wedding rings. What do you think?”

Alec blinks in surprise as he takes the box, half-expecting Magnus to have designed the rings himself. It seemed only natural — Magnus is a jeweler, after all, and Alec has noticed how much he enjoys wearing rings. 

But then again, why bother with all the effort? It’s not like Magnus is getting paid for this, and it’s not like he’s going to wear the ring forever like other married people do. 

This isn’t forever. It’s just…business.

He opens the box to find a beautifully designed ring, with barbed wire etched into the middle. 

“It’s pretty,” Alec says, though honestly, he doesn’t care much about rings. 

But if Magnus had designed it, he would have liked it more. Magnus made everything beautiful just by touching it. 

Asmodeus smiles fondly. “Magnus has always liked tinkering with things. When he was four, he made a ring just like this one for his mother out of toy wires. He ruined all his Christmas presents trying to pluck out the wires.”

“Cute,” Alec comments. 

“My son has a habit of hurting himself to make others happy,” Asmodeus tells him seriously. “I know he’s doing this for me, Alec.”

“Right,” Alec swallows.

“But,” Asmodeus manages a smile, his gaze softening, “Given how all of this turned out, I am happy. I truly am, Alec. Because he isn’t just getting married…he’s getting married to you .”

There it is again — that trust. Alec doesn’t know what to do with it. He should’ve been more of an asshole, more suspicious.

“I’ll take good care of him,” Alec hears himself say. Idiot. 

Well, he will. At least for five years.

“I know you will, son,” Asmodeus says with a warm smile. That word, 'son', always gets to Alec, making him feel a little emotional. “So, you like the ring?” 

“I do, yeah. Thank you,” Alec smiles and hands the ring back. “Although I’m not the jeweler here. My opinion doesn’t really matter.”

“Your opinion always matters to me,” Asmodeus tells him sincerely before waving at someone over Alec’s shoulder. “Sorry, I’ve been hogging him.”

Alec hears his mother laugh before joining them in the kitchen, glaring at the empty espresso cup in his hands. “It’s alright. I was just worried he was holed up in here raiding your coffee machine.”

“I just had one cup,” Alec grumbles.

“You know, I always thought if Alec got married, it would be to his coffee machine,” his mom says, laughing at her own joke.

“Oh, he’s had to settle for marrying the son of the man who runs a coffee empire,” Asmodeus teases him too. “It’s all part of his master plan.”

“Stop it, both of you,” Alec grumbles again. “There are worse addictions to have, you know. People are more likely to die from a drug addiction than a coffee addiction.”

“Is that so?” his mom asks with an eye roll. “Great argument, Alec. If I had known you were so good at defending your unhealthy habits, I would’ve encouraged you to be a lawyer.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” Asmodeus quips. “We are so lucky to have Alec at Java.”

“He is good, isn’t he?” his mom asks, turning the conversation to something much more embarrassing.

“He’s the best,” Asmodeus says easily. “You must be very proud of yourself for raising an outstanding young man.”

“You’re being so sentimental right now,” he grumbles, shifting uncomfortably. He needs to get out of here. “This is like the opposite of a shovel talk.”

“What is a shovel talk?” Asmodeus asks, genuinely curious. “Do you want one?”

“Nope,” Alec shakes his head firmly. “I’m gonna go find Magnus.”

“Yeah, you might want to rescue him,” his mom chuckles. “He’s with Jace and Izzy.”

Alec bolts out of the kitchen without another word.

He runs into his father on his way out of the kitchen, who grabs him by the arm, a pleased look on his face as he starts ranting about the flowers in Asmodeus’ garden. 

“These plants are very rare in our country,” his father continues enthusiastically, poking at the leaves of some very pointy plant. 

“That’s cool, Dad,” Alec replies, distracted. “But I really need to rescue Magnus from Jace and Izzy.”

“Ah, of course,” his dad chuckles, releasing his grip. “He’s nice. Your Magnus.”

Alec feels a pang of awkwardness at the words. Magnus isn’t his in that way, and yet… you’re supposed to be a little possessive about your spouse, aren’t you? At least, that’s what the movies tell him.

“Yeah?” Alec asks, trying to focus on something else. “You talked to him?”

“We had a little chat over dessert,” his father huffs. “You know, it’s my responsibility to talk to him.”

Alec tenses. “Please tell me you didn’t say anything weird.”

“Now, why would you assume that?” His father looks offended. “I was just telling him that I have bisexual friends.”

Alec groans inwardly. “Okay, good for you, but you’re not supposed to actually say that. Also, how do you even know he’s bisexual?”

“He had the flag on one of his Insta posts. I know my flags, Alec.”

Alec blinks, not quite sure how to respond to that. “Okay, that’s great, Dad.”

His father shifts awkwardly, his jovial tone faltering. “I’m happy for you.”

Alec isn’t used to these kinds of conversations, especially not with his dad. It feels strange, like trying to speak a language he never learned. “Thanks.”

“I…” His father hesitates, clutching his beer a little tighter. “I kind of thought I messed you up for good. From all the stuff from before.”

Alec knows what he means. They’ve moved past it, but it’s still stuff — the kind of stuff that leaves scars. 

“You mean like when you told me not to be gay?” Alec clarifies because you have to call it what it is. They can’t minimize it, even though they’ve healed.

“Yeah. That.” His father winces. “I thought you didn’t want to get married because of all that.”

There are a lot of reasons Alec never wanted to get married. But his trauma isn’t one of them. He didn’t let his past dictate his future. If he didn’t want to get married, it wasn’t because of the pain he’d endured — it was because he just wasn’t certain about the future. 

“It didn’t stop me from wanting to get married,” Alec says, the words coming out more honest than he expects. “If anything, it made me want it more. Love, marriage, kids… I wanted all of it, to prove that I could have it, and that I could be better at it than everyone who said I couldn’t.”

“You are better at it,” his father says softly. “You’re better in every possible way. I’m sorry for setting the bar too low, son.”

Alec isn’t sure how to respond to that, so he manages a smile and gestures toward the house. “Did you know Asmodeus has some cool indoor plants? You should check them out.”

His father takes the bait, wandering back toward the house, and Alec uses the moment to head out to the garden, where he finds his siblings by the creek, having cornered Magnus.

Yeah, Asmodeus has a fucking creek in his garden.

“So, like, if I were to order a bracelet for my wife, I’d get a discount, right?” Jace asks, his voice full of mischief. “Because we’re family now, right?”

“Of course,” Magnus replies, humoring him.

“Will I get a bigger discount than Jace because I’m related to Alec by blood?” Isabelle asks, shameless as ever.

“Excuse me, I should get the bigger discount,” Jace huffs. “I’m literally his best man.”

“Guys, guys,” Alec rushes over, waving his hands as if to shoo them away. “No one’s getting discounts.”

“So that’s how you stay in the one percent,” Jace shakes his head in mock disappointment. “Hoard your wealth.”

“I’m not the one percent,” Alec grumbles, rolling his eyes.

“You will be when you take over the company,” Magnus adds unhelpfully. “Honestly, we should be asking Alec for discounts. He makes more money than I do.”

“Alec is stingy,” Isabelle snorts, tossing a playful look at Magnus. “Good luck with this one, Magnus. He’s not coming home with gifts.”

“I’m sure Magnus can buy his own gifts,” Alec retorts dryly.

“Magnus wouldn’t mind some extra gifts,” Magnus chimes in with a teasing smile.

“You,” Alec says, exasperated. “You’re not allowed to hang out with them anymore.” 

“Aw,” Jace pouts. 

“Hey!” Izzy protests. 

He glares at his siblings. “Can you two please go inside and check on Mom and Dad?”

“But we’re talking to Magnus,” Jace pouts even further. “I was just saying we should all go to Nantucket when Simon and Clary come back from Comic-Con.”

“We are not going to Nantucket,” Alec groans.

“Yeah, bro, we need to aim higher,” Izzy tells Jace. “What about Venice?”

Magnus chuckles at her theatrics. “I love Venice — or any part of Italy, really. I spent a year in Tuscany, and it was just magical.”

“Do you guys know where you’re going on your honeymoon yet?” Jace inquires, leaning in.

“Do you guys know if you can take an extra passenger?” Izzy quips.

Alec shoves her away with a groan. “Guys, please. Check on Mom and Dad. I don’t want them to weird out my boss.”

“You mean your father-in-law?” Jace smirks. “Fine, we’ll go check.”

“Kicking us out so you can make out with Magnus, huh?” Izzy wiggles her eyebrows. “I see your game, Alec Lightwood, and I respect it.”

“Fuck off,” Alec says, without heat. He turns to Magnus, already exasperated. “I’m so sorry about them.”

“No worries, Alexander,” Magnus smiles, his voice warm. For some reason, Alec’s siblings giggle like children. “It’s all in good fun.”

“Go!” Alec glares at them, and they finally scatter.

“See you, Alexander,” Jace calls out as he heads back.

“Goodnight, Alexander,” Izzy echoes with a laugh.

Alec watches them go and sighs. “They’re the worst.”

“You love them, though,” Magnus notes, his smile soft.

“To death,” Alec admits with a sigh. “Not sure what that says about me.”

“Family, eh?” Magnus shrugs, adjusting his red blazer. 

It shimmers in the moonlight, matching the deep shade of his eyeliner perfectly. His black shirt is unbuttoned generously, not quite transparent this time, but still teasing just enough. Alec looks away pointedly. 

Not for the first time, he wonders how on earth Magnus is still single. Well, not why — everyone has their reasons — but how .

How does someone look and act like this -– and be wealthy like this — and still not get snatched up like a coveted relic at an auction? 

It keeps Alec up at night sometimes. 

What if there’s some secret reason, something so awful that Magnus’s own father had to resort to a matchmaker just to get him hitched?

Alec scans Magnus again, trying to spot any clues, anything that could explain it.

Maybe…Maybe Magnus is a loud snorer. No, not just loud — earthquake-level snorer, the kind that makes the bed tremble and the walls shake. 

Or worse; what if Magnus is secretly a cannibal? The charming exterior is just a cover for some dark, ancient appetite. Alec pictures waking up one morning with a suspiciously missing toe, Magnus shrugging it off as a "midnight snack."

Maybe Magnus collects the toenail clippings of his enemies. Or he has a room full of cursed artifacts and talks to them like they’re his imaginary friends. Maybe — oh God — he sings opera in the shower, but badly. Really, really badly.

Or, what if he’s one of those people who puts ketchup on everything? Even pancakes. Alec shudders at the thought.

But none of it makes sense, does it? Alec hasn’t seen any glaring red flags. No skeletons hidden in Magnus’s closet — at least, none that Alec has stumbled upon yet.

Maybe it’s not any of that. Maybe Magnus is just like him — just unlucky, but someone who labels himself as unlovable, simply because it hasn’t worked out before.

God, they’re going to make quite the pair, aren’t they? 

“They didn’t overwhelm you, did they?” Alec asks now, shifting nervously. “They can be a bit much.”

“I can handle it,” Magnus assures him. “How about you? I presume you were nervous about them meeting me.”

“Not really,” Alec shrugs, though Magnus raises an eyebrow. “Come on, you had to know you’d be a hit. Have you ever met someone who doesn’t like you?”

“There are people who don’t like parts of me,” Magnus shrugs, his voice thoughtful, as if this is a fact he’s had to accept a long time ago.

“Parts of you?” Alec frowns, his mind racing. 

What parts? 

Oh God, what if it’s something...physical? Is that it? 

He glances at Magnus, trying not to make it obvious as his mind leaps to the worst possible conclusion. Does Magnus have a small penis? Is that the secret everyone’s hiding from him? 

Alec isn’t one to judge people based solely on their bodies — he’s not that shallow — but he won’t pretend it wouldn’t be…disappointing. 

Why does it matter anyway? It’s not like Magnus is going to fuck him or Alec is going to suck him off. They’re not having that kind of relationship. So, why is he even letting his mind go there? Who cares how big or small their parts are? 

He shakes the thought away quickly, trying to focus on Magnus’s actual words rather than his own irrational insecurities.

“Parts of me,” Magnus repeats now, nodding solemnly. “Asian. Bisexual. Rich. Immigrant. Liberal. Take your pick.”

He feels a rush of shame for where his thoughts went, but then the frustration hits. Those are the parts people don’t like? 

“Cunts,” Alec mutters, the word slipping out before he can stop it.

“You always know how to say just the right thing, Alexander,” Magnus chuckles, his eyes sparkling in the dim light.

It’s quiet now, save for the distant laughter coming from the kitchen and the gentle gurgle of the creek nearby. Alec feels an unexpected sense of calm wash over him, like everything has fallen into place. His family is happy, his boss is happy, and for once, it all seems…fine. 

More than fine, really. 

He tries not to dwell on what Asmodeus said — about sacrificing yourself to keep others happy. But that’s the thing. He isn’t sacrificing anything. This doesn’t feel awful or terrible. 

In fact, it feels right. Fuck, it even feels good.

“Do you realize something?” Magnus asks.

“Hm?”

“We’ll be married this time next week,” Magnus says, his voice quiet.

“Ah,” Alec says, and the weight of it sinks in. He looks at Magnus. “Nervous?”

“Not nervous,” Magnus shakes his head. “I just want to be done with it. Sorry if that sounds rude.”

Alec smiles at that, feeling the same. He doesn’t need to say anything — they’re both on the same page.

“I think we’ll be fine, Magnus,” Alec tells him. 

“Yeah?” Magnus smiles. 

Alec smiles back. “Yeah.”

Chapter Text

They keep checking on him. Alec doesn’t understand why.

Especially his parents.

They kept coming to his room at the church, popping in every few minutes, asking if he was okay as if he might run off at the last minute. Was he giving that impression? Sure, cold feet were normal, especially considering the unique circumstances of his wedding. But seriously? Did they not know him by now?

Alec Lightwood doesn’t half-ass things. If he’s standing here in this church, it’s because he’s leaving it married. End of story.

The only person who hasn’t checked on him yet is Asmodeus, and oddly, Alec takes comfort in that. Asmodeus knows him. Asmodeus trusts him.

But his mind, being as unhelpful as ever, starts to spin. What if Asmodeus isn't here because Magnus is freaking out? What if Magnus is second-guessing everything and trying to back out? Alec’s stomach churns at the thought. 

Honestly, if anyone had a reason to freak out, it was Magnus. Alec wouldn’t even blame him.

What if Magnus jilts him at the altar? What would Alec do then? He'd probably just stay in the church and become a priest or something. Never go back to society. 

“You okay, man?” Jace, his best man and apparently his self-appointed security detail, asks with a furrowed brow.

Alec, who’s been fidgeting with the cuffs of his three-piece suit, clears his throat and nods. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.”

“I was nervous before my wedding too,” Jace says kindly.

“You were sobbing,” Alec retorts because he’s incapable of letting things slide. “There was snot.”

“And what about it?” Jace huffs. “All my bodily fluids belong to my beloved.”

Alec makes a face. “Why are you the way you are?”

Jace just shrugs, smirking. Alec turns back to the mirror, assessing his reflection. He’s wearing a black three-piece suit — simple, classic, not too flashy. Everyone has their own style. Alec’s style is something along the lines of ‘couldn’t give a fuck’. It works for him. 

It’s never been his style to fuss over clothes, and he didn’t see why today should be any different. The only splash of color is the white carnation Jace pinned to his breast pocket earlier. 

It’s fine. This will do.

There’s a knock at the door, and Alec’s dad pokes his bald head in. “Hey, son. How’s it going?”

Alec groans, feeling his mild frustration bubble over. “Can you people calm down? I’m not running away.”

His dad, seemingly satisfied, gives him a thumbs-up. “Good to know.”

Alec turns to Jace, exasperated, closing the door behind his father. “Do I look like I’m about to run away?”

“You do look a little antsy,” Jace admits.

“I just want to get this over with,” Alec mutters, trying not to scowl. Scowling wouldn’t be very groom-like. He picks up the comb again, running it through his hair just to give himself something to do. Izzy is going to kill him for messing with it.

“What time is the mass again?” Alec asks.

“Eager to get to the honeymoon already, huh?” Jace wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. Alec tries, and fails, to smack him with the comb.

Just then, the door swings open, and Isabelle strides in, eyes zeroing in on Alec. 

“What have you done to your hair?” she demands. “I’m going to kill you.”

Alec puts the comb down and glares at her. “Izzy, I’m fine.”

“You’re lucky you can pull off the messy hair look,” she grumbles, stepping over in her red stilettos that match her silk dress perfectly. She doesn’t even have to stand on her tiptoes to fix his hair. 

“You good?” she asks, smoothing out a stray curl that’s stuck to his forehead. Alec hopes to God he’s not sweating.

“I’m good,” Alec answers succinctly. 

Her voice drops as her eyes meet his. “If you actually want to run, I’ll help you.”

Alec gasps as he covers his mouth with a hand. “And cause a scandal in the parish? Father Enoch might never recover.”

Izzy rolls her eyes but doesn’t step back. She adjusts his bow tie even though it’s fine. “Seriously, though.”

“I thought you liked Magnus,” Alec says. He knows the two of them have been texting nonstop. Simon had even messaged Alec, joking that Magnus was trying to steal his fiancée.

“I do like Magnus,” Isabelle admits. “But I like you more.”

Alec smiles at that, touched, though he hesitates to touch her in return, aware of the sweat on his palms. He doesn’t want to ruin her makeup and have her follow through on her death threats. “I’m fine. I promise.”

She exhales, satisfied, and steps back. “Okay. Good. Anything you need?”

“Can you stop people from checking on me?” Alec asks dryly. “Body-slam them if you have to.”

Izzy nods with a little too much enthusiasm. “I got you.”

He almost regrets saying it. His sister’s a professional boxer, after all.

There’s another knock, and before Izzy can throw someone to the floor, Alec yells, “He’s fine, he’s fine!” waving her off as Asmodeus steps into the room.

“Christ, Izzy,” Alec mutters.

“You’re the one who gave the order,” she points out, gesturing to Jace. “I have a witness.”

Jace looks up from his phone, confused. “What? Sorry, I’m trying to find the right pics to post on Insta.”

Alec rolls his eyes at both of them, then turns his attention to Asmodeus. The older man is dressed in a sleek, grey suit, looking as handsome as ever. But he looks serious, and that instantly worries Alec. Maybe Magnus is calling it off.

“Can I have a moment with him, please?” Asmodeus asks, addressing Jace and Isabelle.

Alec’s stomach drops. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Izzy gives Alec a pointed look before exiting the room with Jace in tow. She’s definitely ready to body-slam Asmodeus if Alec gives the word.

“Hey,” Alec says, his voice a little too casual, trying not to sound nervous. “Uh, what’s up?”

Asmodeus chuckles, recognizing Alec’s forced aloofness. “You cleaned up nicely.”

Alec ignores the compliment, too anxious to care. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Asmodeus shrugs, sitting on the couch in the corner of the room by the coffee table full of napkins and hymn sheets. “Just wanted to speak with you.”

“Right now?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Sir,” Alec starts worriedly.

“I think you should start calling me ‘Dad’ now,” Asmodeus hums thoughtfully.

“Yeah, I’m not gonna do that,” Alec says, not unkindly.

Things are weird enough at work. 

The truth is, Alec doesn't really care how his marriage to Magnus, his boss's son , affects his job. Alec has always been good at not giving a fuck. He knows most people don’t care either, and as for those who gossip and make jokes behind his back...He can’t do much about it, can he?

Everyone was certainly surprised — maybe even a little jealous. 

Ever since Asmodeus announced the engagement during a staff meeting, people have been sending congratulatory emails and giving Alec winks in the elevator. He’s not entirely sure how they really feel, and he’s too afraid to ask. 

He doesn’t have a lot of close friends at work. He blames Jace and Izzy for that. They’ve always been enough, and sometimes too much, so Alec never bothered looking for friendship anywhere else.

Asmodeus hogging Alec's time hasn’t helped either. Though, Asmodeus had assured him that if anyone acted like an asshole, Alec should inform him immediately, Alec had no intention of doing so. He’s never complained about anyone before, and he wasn’t about to start now.

Honestly, even if people were talking behind his back, so what? Alec knows they already gossip about him and Asmodeus. What's one more rumor?

“How are you feeling?” Asmodeus asks tentatively.

“I’m fine,” Alec replies, though he’s not sure if Asmodeus believes him. “How’s Magnus?”

“Surprisingly calm,” Asmodeus sighs.

“Is that...a bad thing?” Alec asks, confused.

Asmodeus fiddles with his walking cane, the one he's been using since his recent hospitalization. Alec wants to reach out, hold his hand, and offer some comfort, but his palms are too sweaty, betraying his nerves. He doesn’t want Asmodeus to notice.

“Alexander,” Asmodeus says, and Alec tenses immediately. Asmodeus never calls him that unless he has bad news to deliver.

“What is it?” Alec swallows hard.

Asmodeus opens his mouth as if to say something, then closes it again, shaking his head. “Magnus said the two of you spoke. Is that true?”

“About what?” Alec asks, unsure.

“Everything,” Asmodeus shrugs. “He said he came over to your apartment a while ago and you two had a long chat.”

“Ah,” Alec nods. “Yeah, we did talk. You know, about stuff.”

“And you're fine with the stuff?” Asmodeus asks, clearly fishing for something Alec doesn’t quite understand. He must look confused because Asmodeus sighs. “Magnus struggled a lot after Saroja passed. I don’t know if you know about it.”

Magnus had mentioned it before, including that he’d suffered from depression afterward. He’d even admitted that he would’ve been in a worse place if something had happened to Asmodeus. Is that what Asmodeus is worried about? That Magnus might fall apart if something happened to him?

Alec hates this topic. He hates it so much.

“He did tell me about it,” Alec says quickly. “Sir, I promise. It’s all good.”

“Really?” Asmodeus asks, hopeful.

“Yeah,” Alec manages a smile. “I know...I know things have been hard for him. He told me.”

“Okay. That’s good,” Asmodeus exhales deeply. “I just...he doesn’t talk about it much.”

Magnus hadn’t said a lot, actually, but he’d said enough. Alec isn’t one to pry, and he can work with the information he has. He can’t blame Asmodeus for worrying, though. Alec's own parents had been checking in every five minutes since they arrived at the church.

“I just didn’t want you to think I kept secrets from you or anything,” Asmodeus says quietly. “That I sent you in blind—”

“I would never think that!” Alec interrupts, rushing to reassure him.

“Magnus can be difficult sometimes,” Asmodeus continues, as if he hadn’t heard Alec. “He’s too used to being by himself, and sometimes, being with him...you feel a bit lonely.”

Alec is used to loneliness. Besides, companionship isn’t one of the reasons he got married. It’s not like they’re going to spend a lot of time together anyway; Alec would be at work half the time.

“He isn’t very good at communicating his feelings, either,” Asmodeus goes on. “He either lashes out — as you already know — or retreats into himself.”

That sounds like every other person on the planet to Alec. So, he shakes his head and sits next to Asmodeus. “Why are you telling me all of this? Why now?”

“Because I need you to know what you’re getting into,” Asmodeus replies.

“I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t want to, sir,” Alec points out, as sincerely as he can.

“Okay. That’s good,” Asmodeus smiles briefly. “Then can I ask something of you?”

“Of course,” Alec says without hesitation.

“Do not break my son’s heart,” Asmodeus whispers. “I’m not sure I could survive seeing him so broken again.”

Alec hardly thinks Magnus will be broken because of him, but he nods anyway. He promises anyway.

“Okay, good,” Asmodeus says, smiling a little. “Because this is your last chance. If you want to walk away, now is the time.”

Does he want to walk away?

Alec knows he could. His family would have his back — and break anyone’s back if they tried to stop him. But he finds he doesn’t want to. What’s the worst that could happen?

“Nice try,” Alec rolls his eyes. “You know I hate unfinished business.”

Asmodeus smiles softly and touches Alec’s hand this time. “There’s one more thing.”

“Okay?” Alec says. “What is it now? Magnus has a tail I don’t know about?”

“No, but he does have webbed feet,” Asmodeus says seriously.

“No, he doesn’t. I’ve seen his feet,” Alec scoffs, then flushes. “You know when he came to my–It was just–I wasn’t–I didn’t look in a creepy way!”

Asmodeus chuckles, the bastard, and squeezes Alec’s hand again. “I’ve spoken to the board. I want you to take over immediately.”

“What?” Alec blanches. “We didn’t discuss this.”

“Consider it a wedding gift,” Asmodeus tells him.

“It feels like a payment,” Alec frowns.

“It isn’t. Of course it isn’t,” Asmodeus rushes out worriedly. “You know I’ve been meaning to do this all along. You know Java is yours.”

“The timing is suspicious, though,” Alec grumbles, even though, yeah, he knows.

“I...I want to take time off work, Alec. I don’t know how much time I have left—”

“Okay, here we go again,” Alec rolls his eyes, leaning back in his seat. “You’re going to be fine.”

“We don’t know that,” Asmodeus shakes his head, his usual air of certainty fading. “We mustn’t take time for granted.”

Alec bites his lip, a familiar pang of worry rising in his chest. “What are you saying?”

“I want to retire,” Asmodeus says gently.

Alec’s chest tightens, and he feels the tears threaten to spill. He tries to hide his emotions behind a sullen look. “I don’t want you to retire.”

“It’s time for me to go,” Asmodeus’s voice is steady. “That’s the most important trait of a leader, Alec. Knowing when to lead and when to leave.”

Alec’s voice falters. “I...I don’t think I’m ready.”

“Yes, you are,” Asmodeus says, full of quiet confidence. “The board agrees with me.”

“How the hell did you even call a board meeting without me?” Alec asks with irritation. “I’m your COO.”

“I’m a man of means,” Asmodeus winks mischievously. “So, what do you say?”

“You can’t just hand me your company and your son and fuck off,” Alec retorts, not caring that he just swore. It’s a lot to take in.

“I’m not…fucking off,” Asmodeus says, the curse sounding foreign on his lips. He rarely swears, at least not in Alec’s experience. “I’ll be there, in the background. Now, it’s your time, hm?”

“Can I think about it?” Alec asks, his voice tense.

“No,” Asmodeus replies flatly.

“Oh my god,” Alec groans, his hands running through his hair in frustration. “You’re the worst.”

“Oh, having to run a multi-billion-dollar company,” Asmodeus fake sniffles dramatically. “Poor you.”

“Fuck off,” Alec chuckles, nervously wiping his palms on his thighs.

Asmodeus’s expression shifts to one of concern. “Do you really not want this? Or is it about what other people might think?”

“I don’t care what other people think. I care what you think,” Alec points out, looking at him earnestly. “I don’t want you to think I’m marrying Magnus for the company.”

“I know, I know,” Asmodeus reassures him, nodding slowly. “But it would look like that no matter when it happens, no? Before marriage, it might feel like a bribe. Today, it might feel like a gift. Tomorrow, it might feel like a reward. It’s always going to feel a little weird, but you mustn’t mind that. This has nothing to do with Magnus. Java is yours. I’ve been working in the background to ensure your takeover for years now, Alec. Just in case something happens.”

“Nothing is gonna happen,” Alec says stubbornly. He crosses his arms. “And seriously? For years?”

“Do you want to see the emails?” Asmodeus quips. “I can show you the receipts. That’s what the kids say, isn’t it?”

“I dunno, I don’t talk to kids,” Alec mumbles under his breath.

“So, what do you say?” Asmodeus nudges Alec’s leg lightly with his cane. “Ready to be CEO?”

Alec hesitates. “Will you still be chairman of the board?”

“If that makes you feel better, yes, I’ll stay on as chairman for now. You can come to me for guidance, however long you need. But I want you to take full control. Start making the big decisions.”

Holy shit. The big decisions. 

He takes a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. A heart attack before his wedding would probably put a damper on things.

“You couldn’t have told me this tomorrow or the day after?” Alec exhales.

“But you’ll be busy with your honeymoon!”

“I don’t even know where I’m going,” Alec groans. “Is it Indonesia?”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Asmodeus says cautiously. “Magnus has difficult memories there since Soraja spent her last days there, and I want him to be happy during his honeymoon, you know.”

Alec pauses, watching the older man carefully. Is there anything Asmodeus wouldn’t do for Magnus? 

He wonders if Magnus even realizes how deeply his father loves him. He hopes so.

It’s a big deal.

To let go of love. To let go of something — or someone — you love and trust it in someone else’s hands.

Alec had been wrestling with what to do with all that trust, but now he knows.

He just has to keep it.

He has to keep Magnus, and he has to keep Java.

Then, when his time comes, he’ll pass it on.

“Okay,” Alec says quietly.

“Okay to not going to Indonesia?” Asmodeus asks.

“No,” Alec corrects, “okay to taking over Java.”

Asmodeus’s eyes light up. “Really?”

“But I have thoughts,” Alec adds immediately, straightening up. “We have to do this properly.”

“I’ll expect a thorough action plan from you,” Asmodeus says with a small salute, grinning.

Before Alec can fire back a sarcastic response, the door creaks open. He expects his parents to check on him, but it isn’t them. A soft gasp escapes his lips instead.

“Magnus!” Asmodeus screeches, grabbing a lace napkin from the coffee table and attempting to hide Alec with it. “You’re not supposed to see Alec before the wedding.”

“Do these rules even apply to us?” Magnus asks dryly. “We’re not Catholic.”

Alec is catholic, but he doesn’t believe in this nonsense either. He can still see Magnus through the tiny holes in the lace napkin. He doesn’t know why he expected Magnus to show up in something ordinary — something boring. Boring is not a word Magnus associates with himself.

Magnus is dressed in a traditional Javanese outfit, the cream-white fabric shimmering with intricate embroidery. The rich detailing wraps around his form, ethereal and almost godlike. 

He doesn’t look like he’s about to get married in a church. He looks like the church was built for him.

“Magnus,” Alec clears his throat. “You look...nice.”

“Why, thank you, Alexander,” Magnus bows slightly, walking over to the couch. He grabs his father’s arm playfully. “I’m here to escort this one back. I knew he’d be bothering you.”

“I’m not a bother,” Asmodeus huffs, crossing his arms.

“You kind of are,” Alec teases.

“The loyalties are already shifting,” Asmodeus gasps dramatically. “Here I thought I’d still be your favorite Bane after the wedding.”

“Who says you’re my favorite now?” Alec grins. “Maybe I worked with you all this time just so you’d let me marry Magnus.”

“That actually makes me really happy,” Asmodeus says warmly. “Magnus deserves someone who dedicates their life to him.”

“Bapak, stop being weird,” Magnus groans at his father. “Alexander, I apologize. He was invading my room, and I had to kick him out.”

“Can I come back now?” Asmodeus asks innocently.

“Only if you promise not to say anything that’ll make me cry,” Magnus warns. “You’ll ruin my makeup.”

“I don’t make you cry,” Asmodeus scowls.

“Oh, so you won’t say things like, ‘ I wish your mom was here to see this,’ Magnus ,” he mimics his father in a poor imitation.

“Who says she isn’t here right now?” Asmodeus asks. 

“Oh my god, stop!” Magnus groans, backing toward the door. “You can keep him, Alexander. Good luck.”

As Magnus leaves, Izzy bursts in, beaming and gushing about Magnus’s outfit before announcing that they all need to get to the chapel soon.

Asmodeus doesn’t say much after that. He squeezes Alec’s shoulder before following his son out the door.

“You okay?” Izzy asks for the hundredth time.

Alec thinks of everything awaiting him. The nerves twist in his stomach, but there’s excitement, too—a thrill for what’s to come. 

He smiles. He nods.

Alec walks into the chapel, his parents on either side of him. The space feels both intimate and grand, the high ceiling casting a soft light over the rows filled with familiar faces.  Relatives he hadn’t seen in years, some close colleagues, members of the board, and a handful of Magnus’ eclectic friends occupy the seats, all watching him as he takes his place at the front.

Asmodeus and Magnus walk to the altar next. Alec can’t help but notice how similar they are — and not just in their looks. They are both tall, striking, and confident as ever. 

But neither of them ever gives away how they truly feel. 

Alec has watched Asmodeus in one too many business meetings over the years. He knows the older man’s thoughts are carefully hidden until he chooses to speak.

Magnus is not very different. He is smiling now as if he is happy to be here. Alec knows he isn’t. He has no clue what Magnus is thinking right now. He’s not sure if he actually wants to know. 

The ceremony is a blur — readings, prayers, and vows, all passing by without much trouble. They move through it quickly, and Alec nods or recites where necessary. But then, it happens. Or rather, it hits him.

The kiss.

The fucking kiss.

How did they forget to discuss this? How did he miss this on his list?

His stomach flips as Father Enoch says the words, "And now, you may kiss your groom." 

Alec’s eyes dart to Magnus, who’s also blinking, like he just realized it too.

Shit.

Alec’s mind races. Do they kiss on the lips? On the cheek? Is that allowed? His parents are here, Asmodeus, the board — they're all watching. He has to sell this. His breath quickens, panic rises in his chest, and just as Father Enoch clears his throat, repeating, "You may kiss the groom.”

Alec is about to implode.

But then, a soft hand rests on his face. Alec looks up, meeting Magnus’ eyes, now closer. They remind him of a smooth, caramel macchiato — a warm brown with a hint of golden foam on top, catching the sunlight in a way that makes them shimmer.

There’s something searching in them, a question without words. 

Magnus is asking. Asking if he can kiss Alec.

It’s not like Alec hasn’t kissed people in public before. For God’s sake, he’s kissed people he didn’t even know the names of. But this — this feels different. But it’s fine. It’s just Magnus. Alec can do this. He can sell this.

With a trembling hand, Alec reaches out and places it on Magnus’ waist — why is it so damn tiny? — and pulls him closer. Their lips meet in a gentle press, and just like that, it’s done.

They say you learn a lot about someone when you marry them, and Alec learns three things immediately. 

One, Magnus has incredibly soft lips. Two, he’s an excellent kisser. Three, Magnus smells amazing. 

Jesus Christ, what is that scent? Alec inhales it again, distracted, and nearly forgets they’re in public until Magnus pulls back slightly.

Right. They're in front of everyone. In church. The kiss wasn’t supposed to last this long.

"You are now married," Father Enoch announces, and the chapel erupts into cheers and claps.

"Alec," Magnus whispers softly.

“Huh?” Alec blinks.

"Let go," Magnus murmurs, amusement in his voice.

Alec looks down and realizes his hand is still on Magnus' waist. He quickly removes it, grabbing Magnus’ hand instead, trying to mask his awkwardness.

It’s good practice, Alec tells himself. 

This marriage isn’t forever. He’ll have to let go eventually. 

But for now, he holds Magnus' hand a little tighter.

Chapter Text

They go to Croatia.

Out of all the places in the world, they end up in Croatia.

Alec prefers small towns over big cities — at least for holidays. Magnus, on the other hand, loves cities steeped in history and culture, and they both enjoy the beach. So, apparently, Croatia was the perfect compromise for their honeymoon. Or at least, that’s what Asmodeus had insisted.

Not that Alec really cares. He can’t remember the last time he took an overseas vacation — it’s probably Jace’s bachelor party when they went to France. 

Based on the quick research he did during the wedding night and their flight the next morning, Dubrovnik — the city they’re visiting in the south — actually looks pretty nice.

After a long wedding day filled with socializing with relatives from both sides, Alec wouldn’t mind lounging on the beach for a week. He'd refused to take more than a week off from work — especially given the changes happening soon. 

His parents are staying back in New York for a few more days with his siblings, but they practically shooed him away.

So here he is, standing in the baggage claim area of the small airport of Dubrovnik, while Magnus is in the bathroom.

They say you learn a lot about a person after marrying them. It’s particularly true for Alec because he hardly knows Magnus at all.

The first thing he learned about Magnus after their wedding is what Asmodeus meant by calling Magnus "difficult." Alec had braced himself for some spoiled behavior typical of the ultra-wealthy, but apparently being "difficult" meant refusing to fly in the company’s private jet.

Alec has never known a nepo baby who refused a private jet, yet here they are.

“Have you not read the recent studies, Alexander?” Magnus had asked seriously as they checked in for their commercial flight yesterday. “Private jets are 5 to 14 times more polluting than commercial planes.”

Alec, who frequently uses company jets for domestic travel — including field visits — just nodded along, not daring to mention his personal contributions to climate change. Sure, flying private is more convenient, and they wouldn’t have had a four-hour layover in Copenhagen, but at least they were flying First Class.

“Of course, we’re flying First Class,” Magnus had scoffed when Alec cautiously asked. “I care about the environment, Alexander, but I also care about my skin. Economy is terrible for the pores.”

Alec had chuckled at that, shaking his head.

Their luggage arrives first — thanks to their First-Class tickets, all courtesy of Asmodeus.

The second thing Alec learns about Magnus: he doesn’t travel light. Alec had packed a few essentials: some trousers, linen shirts, pajamas, underwear, and swim trunks. And his coffee machine, of course. Jace had seen the size of Alec’s suitcase and made inappropriate jokes about not needing many clothes on a honeymoon.

As Alec struggles to lift Magnus’ gigantic suitcase off the conveyor belt, he wonders what in the world is inside. Hopefully, nothing formal. Alec didn’t pack any fancy clothes, and he prays Asmodeus hasn’t planned anything extravagant.

“You got our luggage?” Magnus returns a few moments later, tapping something on his phone. “Our ride’s here.”

The third thing Alec learns: Magnus speaks fluent Spanish. The taxi driver, who is half-Spanish, strikes up a conversation with Magnus, and the two of them quickly dive into a lively exchange. Magnus translates every now and then.

“He says we missed the rainy season,” Magnus explains. “Oh, and he knows a private beach with the best view of the Adriatic.”

“We probably shouldn’t take up a stranger’s offer to be our tour guide,” Alec says with a polite smile, keeping his voice light so the driver doesn’t think he’s suspicious.

“We’re in a foreign land, Alexander. Where’s your sense of adventure?” Magnus grins.

The fourth thing Alec learns about Magnus: he’s the type of person to jump into a stranger’s car and say YOLO. No wonder this man gives Asmodeus heart attacks.

Magnus is soon engrossed in conversation with the driver, chatting so effortlessly that Alec almost feels forgotten. Alec tries not to feel bothered by it. Instead, he wonders how Magnus learned Spanish. Asmodeus doesn’t speak it, as far as Alec knows. Maybe it was his mother, or maybe Magnus learned it in school. 

He mentally adds it to the list of things they should talk about over dinner – if they’re even having dinner together. They hadn’t discussed their plans for Croatia.

Come to think of it, Alec isn’t sure if Asmodeus has any specific itinerary planned for them or if they’re just winging it. Will they spend their holiday together or do their own thing? 

It’s probably the latter. They don’t really know each other, and their personalities are obviously different. Magnus might want to explore all the historical stuff while Alec would rather sit on the beach and catch up on his reading.

Alec glances at Magnus, suddenly worried they should have had this conversation earlier. Sensing his gaze, Magnus looks over and smiles. “Everything okay?”

This isn’t something Alec wants to discuss in front of their chatty driver, who keeps glancing at Magnus through the rearview mirror. So instead, Alec shakes his head. 

“Nothing,” he says, turning to stare out of the window.

They get dropped off seemingly in the middle of nowhere by the side of the road. Magnus is still talking to the driver, so Alec has no idea what’s going on, but he follows Magnus’ lead and climbs out of the car. There’s no hotel in sight — just miles and miles of ocean stretching out around them. In the distance, there’s a small travel agency crowded with tourists, and a grocery store where some are walking out, sipping lemonade.

“Are we sure we got off in the right place?” Alec asks in confusion.

Magnus, still engrossed in conversation with the driver, doesn’t immediately respond. Alec takes the opportunity to look around, and despite his confusion, he can’t help but appreciate Asmodeus’ choice of destination. 

He’s never seen water this blue before, and it’s breathtaking.

“From what I gather, the place we’re staying at is further down, and apparently, taxis can’t get there. So, we have to walk,” Magnus explains, as the driver climbs back in, and points down toward a seemingly endless stretch of stairs.

Alec looks down at the long series of steps and sighs. “Seriously?”

“Alexander, this place is called Old Town for a reason,” Magnus chuckles. “We’re going to have to walk everywhere. No elevators or concierge for you, I’m afraid.”

“I fucking hate Europe,” Alec mutters under his breath as he grabs his suitcase and heads toward the stairs.

But then he remembers the monstrosity that Magnus dragged with him from New York and turns around with concern. “Can you handle that?”

He watches as Magnus wraps his hands around his gigantic suitcase and lets out a tiny huff. “Of course.”

Anyone else would look ridiculous and awkward struggling with a suitcase that size, but Magnus somehow makes it look effortless — well, almost. Even in this situation, Magnus is too well-dressed to look clumsy, too graceful to be anything but poised. He manages three steps before placing the suitcase down with a small grunt. “I’m all right. Let’s keep going.”

“You could’ve asked your little friend to help,” Alec mumbles.

Magnus glances up, confused. “What friend?”

“Nothing,” Alec hums, watching Magnus struggle again. He tilts his head, concerned. “Can you actually handle that? Pretty sure we can’t have a honeymoon if you break your back.”

“Pretty sure this honeymoon would be considered very successful if I went home with a broken back,” Magnus retorts, picking up the suitcase once more.

Alec chuckles as he moves further down, but when he hears Magnus panting behind him, he stops. It’s clearly hard for Magnus — hard for anyone, honestly, given that Magnus seems to have packed half of New York into that suitcase. Alec sighs and heads back up the stairs, setting down his own luggage.

“Alright, we’re switching.”

“What?” 

“We’re switching,” Alec repeats, grabbing Magnus’ suitcase. “Your dad would kill me if I brought you back home with a broken back.”

“Oh, Alexander, my knight in shining armor!” Magnus says dramatically before grabbing Alec’s small carry-on and running down the stairs.

Alec just shakes his head as he grips Magnus’ suitcase tightly. Good thing he likes arm day at the gym.

Alec has always been a creature of routine. He doesn’t do well with spontaneity. Every day starts the same: wake up, check the work calendar, drink his coffee, and then head to the gym for an hour. Jace had suggested the routine years ago, worried Alec spent too much time behind his desk and not enough moving. While Alec agreed mostly to stop Jace from pestering him, the routine stuck. It gave him something to focus on each morning, something to challenge him.

Who knew it would come in handy one day?

By the time Alec reaches the bottom of the stairs, his arms are burning, and he’s panting heavily — definitely not the kind of sexy panting Magnus did earlier. He catches his breath and glances up, letting out a surprised gasp.

He’d expected some kind of fancy beachside hotel, but instead, they’ve arrived at a quaint little house. It’s small but cozy, surrounded by orange trees, with an incredible view of the sea in the distance.

“Cute, right?” Magnus says, dragging Alec’s suitcase inside. “I told bapak not to do anything extravagant. I’m surprised he listened.”

Alec follows Magnus inside, impressed once again by Asmodeus’ choice. The living room is beautifully furnished with artifacts that Magnus is already inspecting. The kitchen is well-stocked for the week, even though Alec highly doubts either of them will be cooking. But it’s the balcony that steals Alec’s attention. He already plans to spend most of his time out there, staring at the ocean, maybe smoking a cigarette if the mood strikes him — maybe not right away. His lungs still feel like they’re on fire after carrying Magnus’ suitcase down seven flights of stairs. 

Then there’s the bedroom. Just one bedroom. With one bed.

Fucking Asmodeus.

Magnus blinks at the bed. It’s spacious enough for two people, but still. “We should’ve anticipated this. We are on our honeymoon, after all.”

“Yeah,” Alec scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.

It should be fine. They can share it. It’s a big bed. Alec’s pretty sure they can both fit without touching.

“I can take the couch if you want,” Alec offers, because it’s the polite thing to do, even though it’s not really necessary.

“That’d be great,” Magnus replies with a smile and heads toward the bathroom. “Thanks, Alexander.”

“Um. Okay then,” Alec says into the empty bedroom. 

The couch is surprisingly comfortable and large enough to fit Alec’s frame. It’s not what he expected for his honeymoon, but then again, this whole situation is far from expected.

The first day is spent recovering from jet lag and sleeping. Magnus goes out for a walk in the evening, but Alec stays behind, checking on some emails. 

He hasn't been on a proper vacation in a long time, and figuring out how to step back from work is hard. Especially considering what Asmodeus told him on his wedding day. Alec would probably lose his mind if he thought too hard about it.

It's difficult for him to say no to this opportunity. Not when this is something he's wanted his entire life — at least for as long as he's known this is something someone like him could even want. They haven't really discussed anything about the takeover yet; it's only been a couple of days since the wedding. Alec's sure Asmodeus is going to spend the week organizing things and sorting out logistics, while he expects Alec to lounge around in the sun. So, Alec tries to focus on that. He tries to enjoy himself because he knows when they get back, it’ll be chaos — the good kind, the kind he's looked forward to for a long time.

When Magnus returns after his walk, his feet are sandy, his nails painted a soft blue these days. 

“Picked up dinner,” Magnus informs as he sets the food down on the table in their guest house and heads to the shower. 

Alec hears the water running, then after a while, the familiar intro of Friends plays from Magnus’s room. Alec’s starving, so he doesn’t bother waiting. Afterward, he steps out to the balcony and continues going through the emails he's missed over the last two days.

The fifth thing Alec learns about Magnus is that he's not an early riser. 

Alec supposes working from home and running his own business means Magnus doesn't need to stick to a schedule. Alec waits for Magnus the next morning so they can have breakfast together, but by the time it’s past nine, Alec’s stomach starts to grumble. He leaves Magnus a text saying he’s heading out for a walk and breakfast.

He strolls down the streets of Dubrovnik, taking in the morning sun. He doesn't venture into the heart of Old Town, though. He figures that’s something Magnus would want to explore together. He’s sure Magnus knows more about the place than he does, so it feels right to experience it together. So, Alec finds a small café, orders breakfast, and texts his siblings. Isabelle demands pictures, so Alec quickly snaps a selfie for the group chat.

Sibling Support Group (Therapy Ain't Cheap) 

Izzy:
Where’s Magnus?

Alec:
Still asleep 

Jace:
👀

Alec:
Stop using that emoji for every fucking thing 

Izzy:
Still asleep huh?

Jace:
Someone must’ve tired him out 😏

His siblings have never quite grasped the meaning of boundaries. They grew up close, especially after Max’s death and their parents’ divorce. 

Alec knows he’ll need to come up with some kind of plan to deflect Isabelle's nosy questions or Jace's teasing jokes. He’s a private person, but that doesn’t fly with his siblings. If they found out the truth about his marriage, they’d be angry. Worse, they’d be disappointed. And the only thing worse than an angry family is a disappointed one. 

When Alec returns, nearly getting lost on the way back, Magnus is awake, chatting with someone on a video call. Alec holds up the small paper bag containing Magnus’s breakfast. Magnus brought dinner last night, so it only feels fair for Alec to return the gesture.

“Okay, I miss you too. Gotta go,” Magnus says into the phone, blowing a bunch of kisses before hanging up.

“Your dad?” Alec asks, a little surprised Asmodeus hasn't checked in with him yet.

“My cat,” Magnus corrects, walking into the kitchen to inspect Alec’s breakfast purchase. “My friend Catarina is watching him, and apparently, he’s been very depressed without me. Oh, French toast. Nice choice, Alexander. How was your walk?”

“Good,” Alec says, keeping it short. “I didn’t go into the old building thingy. I figured we could go together. Is that okay?”

“Of course. We’ve got a whole week to explore. No need to rush.” His eyes narrow as he suddenly adds, “What happened to your face?”

“What happened to my face?” Alec asks in alarm, touching his cheeks.

“Didn’t you use sunscreen?” Magnus asks, looking horrified.

“Nah, I’m fine,” Alec shrugs. “I don’t usually wear it anyway.”

Magnus gasps, scandalized, as though Alec just admitted to not washing his hands after taking a piss. 

“Magnus, it’s fine,” Alec chuckles, amused by the overreaction. “I’ve never used it. My face is fine.”

“Say that to your future self,” Magnus shudders. “At least now I’ll have a valid reason to divorce you in five years. Your skin will be a disaster.”

“In five years, I’ll be as rich as your father,” Alec teases. “You probably won’t care what my skin looks like.”

“Wrong,” Magnus huffs. “I always care about skin. Why do you think my bapak hardly has any wrinkles? Guess who’s responsible for that?”

Alec laughs again. “Magnus, seriously, it’s fine.”

“Your face deserves better,” Magnus insists, grabbing Alec’s hand and dragging him away. 

When they reach the bedroom, Magnus pulls a mini briefcase from his suitcase. Jesus Christ. No wonder that thing weighed a ton. 

“Did you pack the entire beauty section from Walmart?” Alec asks, counting at least twenty bottles of...well, something. He has no clue what they are.

“Walmart?” Magnus makes a face. “This is Fenty.”

Of course it’s Fenty. 

Magnus throws a small tub of sunscreen at Alec. “Use this. You’ll thank me in a decade.”

Alec isn’t planning to use it, but he says thank you like a good boy and gives Magnus a thumbs-up.

Afterward, he makes himself a cup of coffee because of course, he brought his own beans, and heads back to the balcony to read the book he started yesterday. He’s just gotten past chapter three when Magnus joins him and asks if Alec wants to explore the town. Alec nods, agreeing to go.

Magnus dresses like he always does — every outfit is a jaw-dropper. He's wearing high-waisted jeans that fit perfectly, along with a forest-green shirt that he hasn’t bothered to button properly, except for the last one, tucked into his jeans. Alec, on the other hand, is in a simple navy blue linen shirt and jeans, with no jewelry except for his wedding ring.

Alec enjoys people-watching, something he often does when he travels. He likes to study people and wonder about their lives, where they’re from, and what they’re doing here. It's a good skill to have as a businessman, he thinks, to be able to read people. 

He wonders what people think of him and Magnus as they stroll together. Would they assume they’re married? Would they think it's a love marriage or an arranged marriage? Who do they think proposed? Would they wonder how on earth Alec managed to bag someone like Magnus?

His musings are interrupted when Magnus starts ranting about Old Town and its history. Magnus is so well-traveled and cultured, Alec can't help but wonder again how this man hasn’t been snatched already. Surely there are other people out there who are worldly, gorgeous, and care about sunscreen, right?

They explore Old Town together, climbing the ancient city walls. Alec buys a bunch of souvenirs for his family and Asmodeus, and they stop for gelato, which turns out to be delicious. They check out a boat ride, but it takes four hours, so they decide to come back for it tomorrow. Together, Alec hopes. He just doesn’t want to do all this stuff alone.

He takes a bunch of pictures while Magnus talks to the tour guide about more tours and sends a message to his sibling again.

Sibling Support Group (Therapy Ain't Cheap) 

Jace:
Mom is asking where Magnus is. 
I think she has a crush on him 👀

“Hey,” Alec says when Magnus returns. “Uh, can we take a photo together?”

Why does it feel like he’s asking a celebrity for a picture rather than his own husband? 

“Are your parents bothering you?” Magnus chuckles as he takes out his phone. “My bapak has been the same.”

Your bapak hasn’t texted me once, Alec wants to complain, but he keeps it to himself. He’ll have a word with Asmodeus when he returns to New York.

Magnus takes a selfie of the two of them together. Alec barely notices and worries that he looks awkward; he’s pretty sure he’s going to look weird next to Magnus anyway. But when Magnus shows him the picture, they…they kind of look good, actually. Maybe it's the air in Croatia. Maybe it’s the fucking sunscreen — which Magnus literally forced him to put on before they left the guest house.

“Should we, um, should you post this on social media?” Alec asks him awkwardly. “We need to keep up appearances as a married couple.”

Also, maybe he wants Magnus's other hot friends to know that Magnus is married to him. What is the point of having something good if you can’t show it off? 

“I'll do a photo dump when we're done,” Magnus informs him, sounding like he knows what he’s doing. “Although perhaps an Insta story tomorrow wouldn't hurt. A lot of people on the Board follow me.”

“People on the Board?” Alec makes a face, knowing most of them are old…and married. “Isn't that a bit creepy?”

Magnus grins mischievously at that, airdropping Alec the selfie. “Aren't you on the board, Alexander?”

“I don’t follow you on social media,” Alec replies, even though he has used his fake profile to look up Magnus a bunch of times — mostly because he is curious about what Asmodeus does in his personal life. 

Alec learns a lot from the other man; he has to know what a successful person's personal life looks like, not just their professional life. Since Asmodeus doesn’t have social media, Alec obviously has to settle for Magnus’ accounts. 

It’s basically research. It’s not creepy.

Magnus gets distracted by a stray cat and runs after it. Alec quickly sends the picture to the group chat and follows after him.

They grab lunch and explore some more, returning to the guest house in the evening, tired for much else. Alec decides to catch up on some TV shows on his iPad while Magnus takes a nap. They don’t do dinner — again. Magnus is in his room, doing whatever, and Alec takes to the balcony, enjoying the breeze and a cigarette.

The days go on like that: exploring together during the day and spending time on their own at night. You’d assume it works the other way around for a honeymoon couple, where they should be exploring…at night. In fact, they should be ‘exploring’ the entire damn time. But this isn’t a normal marriage, so why would it be a normal honeymoon?

It’s still fun, though.

On the third day, they go on that boat tour they planned. They visit something called the Blue Caves, which are in a different part of the country, so they travel by boat. Alec enjoys it more than he expected; he even wonders how much it would cost to buy a boat. Not that he can’t afford it, but he doesn’t want to be one of those impulsive people who buy random vehicles, let alone a boat. It won’t reflect well on him. He has to make sound decisions now in every aspect of his life because it reflects on him as a leader, and as someone responsible for Java moving forward.

Magnus seems enamored by the Blue Caves. He looks beautiful in the blue light as the magical blue glow surrounds him. Alec feels the need to take a picture, so he does. He sends it to Asmodeus, who responds with a ❤️ emoji.

On the fourth day, they go on a Game of Thrones show tour because apparently the show was filmed there. Alec has never really watched it but knows enough because of his brother. He takes a bunch of pictures and sends them to Jace to annoy him. Jace responds with several rows of the 😭 emoji, after which Clary texts him in all caps, LEAVE MY HUSBAND ALONE .

The rest of the time is spent at the beach. They have been going separately every day, but in the last couple of days, they go to the beach together since they have seen almost everything else. Magnus, who seems to have packed towels, blankets, and all the gadgets one would need for a beach picnic (and, of course, his sunscreen), sits in the sand and reads a book in yet another language. Meanwhile, Alec goes for a swim. The water is warm, and the sea is as blue as it can get. Alec swims for a long time and floats even longer.

One day, when he is old —maybe old like Asmodeus — he’ll buy a house too. Not an apartment, but a house. It’ll be big and have more than just him; it’ll have children, maybe a dog, and it’ll have a swimming pool where he can float because this feels nice and relaxing. 

Alec has always felt like relaxing is something you have to earn, and right now he feels like he’s earned it. He’s gotten to where he wants to be, so of course he’s going to float around in the Adriatic Sea because he has earned it.

When he returns to their little area with the towels, which are more colorful than anyone else’s, he plops down next to Magnus, who passes him a towel to dry himself.

Alec likes this beach a lot. He’s been coming every day in the evening whenever he can, and every time he comes, he sits down and looks around.

Most of the beaches in New York have sand, but these beaches have pebbles. He hasn’t visited many pebble beaches; he likes the way they feel underneath his feet and what they remind him of — a childhood he craves to go back to.

He puts on a shirt, because there is a blonde guy to the left looking at him weirdly, pokes around the pebbles and looks for the perfect ones.

“Of course there are perfect ones,” Alec’s little brother used to say. “They have to be small but cute, they should have neat edges and be soft to touch.”

“I feel like you’re discriminating against the pebbles,” Alec would laugh, even though his brother was too young to know what discrimination meant. “I think they’re all cute and soft. Like you.”

Max would throw a pebble at him — one he considered to be imperfect — and continue on his quest to look for the perfect ones.

Alec knows that his brother was right.

Maybe everything is soft, and maybe everything is cute. But not everything is perfect. Perfect things in this world are very, very rare. And his brother was someone who looked for them.

Alec didn’t used to believe in the concept of perfection when he was a teenager — closeted and angry at the world. But he knows now that perfection exists. It’s rare, but it exists.

Perfection, to him, is Java — coffee so good that nothing can beat it. Perfection is his family — misfits individually, but when you put them all together, they are unmatched. Perfection is his relationship with Asmodeus, based on complete trust, loyalty, admiration, and respect — not a single ounce of ego or doubt. Perfection is Magnus’s face — sun-kissed now after spending a week by the beach, little freckles popping up around his nose, and the lines of it so smooth and soft that it could be a pebble itself.

“What are you doing?” Magnus asks him.

“Looking for the perfect pebbles,” Alec replies. 

His brother might be gone now, but he left so much of himself in the family: the way Isabelle still watches the cartoons their brother used to watch, the way Jace became obsessed with manga and even geeks out with Simon sometimes (although he refuses to admit it), the way Dad moves from city to city because Max always wanted to travel but never got the chance to do so, and the way Mom still uses the fabric softener for kids because it reminds her of the smell his brother liked — fresh daisies.

Magnus doesn't call him weird for his pebble-seeking habits, nor does he laugh. He simply picks up a pebble by his feet and passes it to Alec. “How about this one?”

Alec takes it in his hand and inspects it. It’s a soft gray — like his brother's eyes — and it’s perfectly round with perfect edges.

“It’s perfect,” Alec replies and puts it into the pocket of his linen shirt.

Alec absently flicks through a few pebbles in his hand, admiring their shapes, when he catches Magnus's eye, who is staring at him. 

“I think I’m going for a swim,” Magnus announces. 

He lifts his arms and stretches, the oversized glittery shirt he’s wearing catching the sunlight like a disco ball. With a mischievous smile, he begins to peel it off, revealing a sleek, sun-kissed torso.

Alec swears he hears a collective gasp from a nearby group lounging on the beach. They all turn to stare, and in their defense, who could blame them? Magnus is tall and lean, his body sculpted and smooth. Where Alec’s build might be rugged, Magnus exudes a buttery softness. 

“Damn,” Alec mutters under his breath. 

He feels a rush of heat flood his cheeks, not just from the sun but from the sight of the other man moving over the pebbled ground. He tries to distract himself by reaching for his book again, but it lies forgotten next to him, along with the pebbles he’d been collecting. 

Instead, he finds himself gaping at Magnus, unable to tear his gaze away.

Is it wrong to stare? After all, he’s literally married to the man — he has every right to appreciate the view. Right?

When Magnus returns, dripping wet and glistening from his swim, he drops onto the towel beside Alec with an easy grace. He puts on his sunglasses but leaves his shirt off, stretching out his arms and lying down like a sun-soaked cat. Alec can feel eyes on them — on him. Hell, is that girl on the right recording them? Jesus Christ.

“Magnus?” Alec clears his throat, trying to sound casual.

“Hm?” Magnus hums, his voice thick with drowsy contentment.

“People are looking at you.” It’s not a complaint or criticism, just a plain observation. A heads-up, in case Magnus cared.

But, of course, Magnus doesn’t. He simply turns over onto his stomach, lazily wiggling his hips with a smirk. “Might as well give them something to look at.”

“Okay, I’m going for a swim,” Alec says abruptly, needing to get the fuck out of there. 

“The water’s cold, Alexander,” Magnus warns, sounding half amused.

The cold water shocks him instantly, but it’s exactly what he needs to clear his head. He dives in without hesitation, letting the chill bite at his skin.

As he swims out farther than necessary, Alec allows himself to float on his back, eyes closed. He’s not an idiot — he knows Magnus is hot. He has known it since the moment he first laid eyes on him. And maybe fake-marrying someone you’re this attracted to is a stupid idea, but they established clear boundaries. 

No sex. They were free to sleep with other people. 

It’s fine. It’s not like he’s going to see Magnus half-naked every day…right?

By the time Alec returns to the towel, his body is numb from the cold, but at least his head feels…less horny. Magnus is awake again, flipping through a book as the crowd begins to thin out.

“Weren’t you freezing?” Magnus asks as he puts down his book.

“The body acclimates,” Alec shrugs. “Shall we head back?”

Magnus stretches, gathering his things and tossing them into his tote. “I was thinking we could do dinner tonight. Since it’s our last night here.”

“Oh,” Alec blinks, surprised. They hadn’t really gone out for dinner together — at least, not like this. “Yeah. Sure.”

Back at the guesthouse, Magnus showers first, of course. The sixth thing Alec’s learned about Magnus: he takes really long showers. Alec shouldn’t be surprised, considering how the man looks and smells all the time. Honestly, half of Alec’s mind is tempted to barge in just to see what Magnus does to smell that good.

He’s tried to figure it out — sniffed Magnus’ shampoo and everything — but that’s not it. There’s something else. Maybe he should just ask.

“Hey,” Alec blurts out as they walk to the restaurant Magnus found earlier in the week, “what’s the perfume you use? Izzy asked.”

Magnus smirks, tilting his head. “Celine Homme. Lavender.”

“Nah, it’s not lavender,” Alec says before he can stop himself. He clears his throat quickly. “I mean, Izzy wears lavender. She would’ve recognized it. She must’ve smelled something else.”

“Should I be concerned that your sister has been smelling me?” Magnus chuckles.

“Yeah, she’s a little creepy,” Alec says, throwing his sister under the bus, and changes the subject swiftly, “Will you be getting back to work as soon as we return to New York?”

Magnus tells him he’s taking things easy these days, mostly focusing on his father’s health.

“I do have an order due at the end of the month,” Magnus adds as they take their seats at a small beachside restaurant. “I might get started on it when we return. I’ve already sourced the materials.”

“Do you get your materials from Indonesia?” Alec asks, glancing over the menu.

Magnus nods as the waitress passes them a wine list. “I usually have stock in my workshop, but this one is a custom order. I had to get some jade terracotta beads from Bali.”

“What’s your favorite thing you’ve designed?” Alec asks, genuinely curious. “Who was it for?”

“You ask a lot of questions, Alexander,” Magnus observes, raising an eyebrow. Alec immediately opens his mouth to apologize, but Magnus chuckles, shaking his head. “It’s fine. I’m not sure I have a favorite. I like everything I design.”

“That’s not true. Everyone has a favorite something,” Alec scoffs lightly.

Magnus cocks an eyebrow, smirking. “Does your mother have a favorite child?”

“Jace,” Alec replies without hesitation. The real answer is Max, but Jace is easier to admit out loud. “Don’t worry. I’m the favorite brother.”

“And the favorite employee,” Magnus hums, swirling his wine. “Lucky you. I wouldn’t know; I’m an only child. And the only employee.”

“So, you don’t actually have a favorite thing you design?” Alec asks suspiciously. 

“Do you have a favorite coffee?” Magnus counters. 

“Depends on my mood,” Alec replies easily. “But I usually prefer a double espresso.”

“Of course you do,” Magnus says, as if that makes sense. “Well, I suppose what I design depends on my mood too. Lately, I’ve been enjoying designing anklets.”

"Anklets?" Alec asks, unfamiliar with the term.

Magnus tilts his head. "It’s like a bracelet you wear on your ankle."

Alec hums thoughtfully, his brow furrowed. "Never seen one."

Magnus extends his leg to the side and lifts the hem of his flared trousers. The loose fabric slides up his calf effortlessly. Above the pretty silver slippers he's wearing, Alec notices a delicate gold chain-thingy wrapped around his ankle, shimmering faintly in the soft light. 

It’s elegant, simple, but somehow striking.

Alec stares at the anklet for a beat longer than necessary, taking in the pretty curve of Magnus' leg. He clears his throat, suddenly warm. "Cute."

“They’re all the rage on TikTok these days,” Magnus shrugs. “Don’t tell my bapak I use it for research.”

Alec leans back in his chair. “He hasn’t texted me once this week.”

“Maybe it’s because he wants you to unwind and enjoy your holiday,” Magnus suggests with a knowing smile. “Bapak says you work too much.”

Alec huffs. “I don’t know how I feel about you two gossiping behind my back.”

“It’s not gossiping,” Magnus tuts. “We just…discuss.”

“Sure,” Alec rolls his eyes fondly, but there’s warmth in his voice.

Magnus leans in slightly. “What about you?”

“Do I gossip about you?” Alec raises a brow, internally cringing at the things his siblings have said about Magnus. Those thoughts are definitely going to the grave with him.

Magnus laughs, shaking his head. “No. Are you planning on getting back to work right away?”

“Oh. Yeah, obviously,” Alec nods. “I’ve got the weekend to catch up.”

“The weekend is to recover from jet lag.”

“I can multitask,” Alec says with a shrug, already thinking of everything that’s waiting for him back in New York.

“Are you excited about the takeover?” Magnus asks.

Alec isn’t surprised that Magnus knows about it; what surprises him is that Magnus actually cares.

“I am,” Alec replies.

“Any big changes you’re planning as the new boss?” Magnus wiggles his eyebrows playfully.

“Magnus, I’m pretty sure the first couple of years will be spent sorting out logistics and reassuring our stakeholders. This kind of power transfer makes people uncomfortable,” Alec says, trying not to sound worried.

“Yes, yes,” Magnus waves a hand dismissively. “But surely you have…ideas?”

“Maybe,” Alec hums, considering his response.

“Alexander, we mustn’t keep secrets in our marriage,” Magnus scolds, feigning a stern expression.

Alec chuckles at that. “I…I like the idea of expanding.”

“Expanding to…”

“To other markets,” Alec elaborates, glancing around the café. “Maybe even Europe. Coffee is big here, huh?”

“Yeah, coffee is, but not coffee shops,” Magnus shakes his head. “Europeans aren’t like us. Especially those in the south. If you go to France or Italy or Spain…they’re not very…grab-and-go like us. You hardly see any drive-thrus here for that exact reason. They like to enjoy their meals, even if it’s just a cappuccino. Perhaps you’d be better off selling your Java beans than actual coffee.”

Well, there’s an idea. It’s not like Alec hasn’t thought about it before. But selling coffee beans is a gamble; if beans are available, people might just make coffee at home. Why bother coming to a coffee shop?

“Because people like being serviced,” Magnus shrugs when Alec points this out. “Especially Americans.”

“So expanding to Europe isn’t a good idea?” Alec clarifies. 

“I’m not an expert on coffee or Europe, but I don’t think so,” Magnus replies, shaking his head. “Coffee shops aren’t as popular here as they are where we live. There’s a preference for local cafés and family-owned businesses. Plus, most people make their own coffee at home. Like you have been doing since we got here.”

Right. Okay. Alec hasn’t even started on the market research anyway. He knows everything he needs to know about coffee in America, but he’s not sure about other places. He’s pretty sure their marketing department might reflect Magnus’ concerns. He wishes he hadn’t shared his thoughts so soon. Magnus probably thinks he’s stupid.

“Expansion isn’t a bad idea,” Magnus tells him when Alec falls quiet. “But perhaps not to Europe, at least not at first.”

“I just…I want Java to be bigger,” Alec confesses reluctantly to explain himself.

“Bapak always says business isn’t about making things bigger, but about leaving it better than we found it,” Magnus tells him kindly. “I’m sure you know plenty of ways to do that. He also told me that the idea to expand to universities was yours. That was very smart of you.”

Alec tries not to blush at the praise. “I mean, we had a Java right across from my uni when I was doing my undergrad, but it still wasn’t close enough. College kids are the biggest coffee addicts. We should capitalize on that. But, uh, we’ll also be doing CSR projects with the universities we partner with, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Magnus nods solemnly. “Well, I suppose that’s a good place to start. I heard you got the green light for the pilot. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Alec says, unsure if he should continue discussing work with Magnus. 

Usually, if he needs to rant about work, he calls Jace. He’d like for it to stay that way. He hates getting used to something only to lose it and have to adjust all over again — like the old trainer he had at his gym who moved to Atlanta with his family. Magnus will eventually move on too. Alec needs to remember that. He needs boundaries.

“You seem to know a lot about Europe,” Alec changes the topic, determined to shift the focus. “How long did you live here?”

“I spent most of my early twenties here,” Magnus replies shortly. 

“Did you go to a lot of places, or did you live in the same place for a long time?” Alec presses for more. 

“I visited many places,” Magnus nods. “But I spent most of it in Paris and London.”

“Paris is nice,” Alec comments, pausing for a moment. “But what about London? For expansion?”

“London is a great choice,” Magnus says after a moment of thinking. “As are most parts of the UK.”

“Hm,” Alec nods, making a mental note to start some basic research.

They eat quietly after that, enjoying the lobster roll and black risotto, and discussing their respective jobs. But Alec can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching him. He glances around and meets the gaze of a blonde man — the same guy from the beach.

“He’s been staring at you for a while now,” Magnus says, trying not to smile.

“Oh,” Alec says, a blush creeping up his cheeks. “Uh. I don’t know him.”

“I didn’t think you did,” Magnus chuckles. “What I meant was…you can get to know him if you want.”

“Meaning?” Alec asks, surprised, even though the meaning is pretty clear.

“We talked about this,” Magnus says plainly.

“Yeah, but here?” Alec asks incredulously. “During our honeymoon?”

“What do you think people do on their honeymoon, Alexander?” Magnus asks in amusement.

Alec laughs at that, turning back to the man, the tall blonde guy who gives him a knowing smile, before returning his attention to Magnus. 

It feels wrong to do this here. Besides, he’s pretty sure he doesn’t want anyone to touch him until his body heals from all the sunburns. Thank goodness Magnus applied sunscreen when he did.

“I’m good,” he tells Magnus firmly.

“Sure?” Magnus asks. “Don’t hold off on my account. When in Europe and all that.”

“I’m sure,” Alec replies, his tone resolute. “I think I can survive without…well, you know…for a week.”

Magnus chuckles at that. “Okay.”

“Wait,” Alec says suddenly, realizing people have been staring at Magnus all day -or all week, rather. “Do you, erm, want to?”

Magnus, clearly catching his meaning, shakes his head.

“Because I can sleep somewhere else for the night if you want,” Alec offers awkwardly. Why did he say that? Ugh. The couch is bad enough.

“No, I’m good,” Magnus smiles in amusement. “Thank you for offering, though.”

“What can I say? I’m a good husband” Alec hums, making Magnus laugh out loud. 

When they get back to the hotel and do the packing for their early morning flight, Alec carefully unplugs his coffee machine from the small kitchen and places it inside his suitcase. The machine is compact, but he handles it like precious cargo.

“Do you always travel with it?” Magnus’s voice floats in from the doorway.

Alec looks up to see Magnus standing at the threshold, leisurely rubbing lotion into his arms, his skin gleaming under the soft lights.

“What’s that smell?” Alec asks, momentarily distracted by the subtle, warm scent in the air.

“Oh, that’s my moisturizer. Sandalwood.”

Sandalwood. Alec hadn’t expected that, but somehow, it fit Magnus perfectly.

“Cool,” Alec replies, zipping up his bag. “And yeah, I take my coffee maker with me. Sometimes, I don’t know how to use the ones in the hotel, and I can’t risk that.”

“You’re one of a kind, Alexander,” Magnus chuckles softly, shaking his head with amusement. “I’ll be ready in half an hour.”

The seventh thing Alec learns about Magnus is that he never gets ready on time.

By the time they finally leave for the airport, they’re an hour behind Alec’s meticulously planned schedule. Alec should be annoyed, but somehow, it feels like he’s already starting to get used to it. Besides, with priority boarding, they manage to breeze through most of the hassle.

At the airport, Alec steps away to grab a bottle of water before boarding. He spots a café and turns back to Magnus.

“Do you want a cup of tea?” Alec asks, slipping his hands into his pockets as he waits for Magnus’s reply.

“Sure,” Magnus says with a smile. “Green, if they have it.”

Alec nods, orders a bottle of water and tea at the café counter, and when the tea is handed over, he instinctively says, “Bag out, please.”

He watches as the tea bag is placed on the side, just as Magnus prefers, and it hits him. He knows these small details now: like how Magnus takes his tea, the scent of his moisturizer, and the time he wakes up in the morning.

Not just one thing. Or two. Or even six different things.

He knows a lot about Magnus now. So many little things.

Alec has never lived with anyone other than his family — people he’s known all his life. This is different. It's strange, and a little overwhelming. To know someone like this intimately. To know the details of another person’s routine, their preferences, their quirks. 

It freaks him out a little.

But this closeness is temporary. Not just because of the fact that this marriage will end in five years. But also because this is their honeymoon. It’s the intensity of spending so much time in a small space together, side by side, day in and day out.

Things will be different when they get back to New York. When work takes over, when schedules and routines become more independent. When they get back to normal life, Alec will barely have time to notice the way Magnus’s moles are scattered over the small of his back.

And yet...

He wonders if Magnus has noticed these little things about him too.

Chapter Text

Alec was right.

Alec fucking loves being right. It always feels so damn good. He was right when he said this marriage would be easy, and he was right when he assumed things would return to ‘normal’ after their honeymoon in New York.

He’s fucking right!

It’s been a week since they returned, and everything feels completely fine. Alec hasn’t gone back to work yet, at least not physically. The whole week has been spent moving his things into Magnus’ loft in Brooklyn, sorting out his old apartment, and putting things into storage.

Asmodeus suggested that Alec work from home for a week, and Alec agreed. He doesn’t like half-assing things, and he doesn’t want to be at work just to answer Magnus’ calls every other minute asking, “Are you sure we really need this?”

It’s been exactly a week since they returned from Dubrovnik, and Alec is right. It doesn’t feel like he is married. It kind of feels like living with a roommate — one he hardly ever sees.

Alec is still getting used to living in someone else’s home. He can’t remember the last time he did that — at least not for an extended period. It’s difficult to relax when he feels like he’s crashing at Magnus’ place. But it’s fine. He spends most of his time at the office anyway, and he’ll get used to the loft with time.

On his first day back to work, he wakes up early, and as usual, Magnus is still asleep since he doesn’t wake up before 9 AM. He brews a quick espresso before getting dressed for the gym. He had to find a new one in Brooklyn. It’s fine too. He wasn’t too attached to his previous gym anyway since his old trainer left.

There’s a lot to get used to now. It’s not just a new living space or a new roommate; it’s almost a new everything. It’s a new route to work. It’s a new dining menu — because Magnus doesn’t believe in eating “fried garbage” every night. That’s fine. Alec is good at adapting to new environments, and he isn’t a picky person, so he adjusts easily.

When he returns from the gym, he checks his messages. There are a couple from his siblings wishing him good luck on his first day back — as if he hasn’t been working this entire time. Alec responds with some heart emojis and hops in the shower.

His room is at the back of the loft, while Magnus’ is closer to the kitchen. They each have their own bathrooms, which means he can’t sniff Magnus’ shampoo anymore — a little disappointing, since he had grown accustomed to that coconut-y smell. 

The living space is huge, and the kitchen and balcony are for communal use. Alec hardly spends time there unless he’s watching TV or doing his dishes. He hasn’t cooked once since arriving, and he has no plans to do so in the future either. He doesn’t even know if Magnus cooks — he hasn’t seen him do it yet. 

Magnus spends most of his time either in his room or in his workshop, which is near Alec’s bedroom. Sometimes, Alec sees the light spill into his room through the cracks in the door at 3 or 4 in the morning. It makes him feel like he should check on Magnus, see if he’s okay. But maybe he’s just hungry, or working late like some creative people do. Or maybe Magnus has someone over. Alec doesn’t want to overstep and make things weird, so he stays put and keeps his thoughts to himself.

When he’s dressed for work and grabs his wallet and keys, he wonders if he should tell Magnus that he’s leaving. He doesn’t know why he expected Magnus to be awake and send him off — not with a kiss or anything, but at least with a “good luck.” It’s stupid, so he just grabs his stuff and a granola bar from the fridge before leaving the loft.

There’s an unsurprisingly warm welcome at the office. When Alec steps onto the 12th floor, he finds flowers in his office from some of the board members — probably people already trying to curry favor with him now that word of the leadership change has spread. There’s even a cake.

Alec sighs and asks his assistant to put everything away. He’s got a list to tackle. He spent last week working from home, prioritizing everything that needs to get done, and the biggest task is keeping the pilot program on track. There’s a solid team running it, and Alec trusts Maia to manage things well. But unlike Asmodeus, who trusts people implicitly, Alec prefers to micromanage. So, he instructs his assistant to set up a meeting with the pilot program team and settles in to spend the next half hour writing thank-you notes for the flowers. 

He needs the board. They respect Asmodeus, but Alec’s not so sure they feel the same about him just yet. Sucking up might be a necessary evil. One thing they don’t teach you in business school? There’s a lot of sucking in corporate life.

Alec might be on track to become the most powerful person at Java, but the board could vote him out in a day if they wanted. He doesn’t think they will. They like him, sort of. But many of them underestimate him, mostly because they’re in their 50s or 60s and he’s just pushing into his mid-30s. Still, he knows none of them care about Java as much as he does, and now is his chance to prove it.

The expansion plan is risky, and he can’t move forward without the board’s approval. For all his careful planning, he still doesn’t know if Asmodeus supports the idea. If it was such a good move, wouldn’t Asmodeus have done it already? Asmodeus has always been more willing to take risks than Alec, so maybe...maybe this is a bad idea.

“You look way too serious for someone who just returned from their honeymoon.”

Alec looks up to find Asmodeus leaning against the half-open door, his cane propped beside him and a smirk playing on his lips. He crosses his arms.

“I’m gonna put a password on that door,” Alec notes. 

“HeathLedger123?”

“Brokeback Mountain was a cinematic masterpiece, and you are never allowed to talk to my mom again,” Alec huffs out in annoyance. 

Asmodeus chuckles. “Can I come in?”

“Of course,” Alec replies, knowing that despite all the jokes, his door is always open for Asmodeus. “What’s up?”

“Thank you notes?”

“Yep.”

“Good. Good,” Asmodeus nods approvingly. “The board needs a little time to get used to you.”

Alec tries to suppress the knot forming in his stomach. “How…how did they take it when you told them?”

“Well, I’ve been telling them for years now, so it certainly was a surprise to no one.”

“What do you mean years? I’ve been sitting in those board meetings too,” Alec groans in disbelief. “Y’all have some sign language I don’t know about?”

Asmodeus chuckles again, shaking his head. “I’ve known some of these people for years, Alec. You do know we hang out outside of Java.”

“Does this mean I have to golf with them?” Alec tries not to gag at the thought.

“That was my thing, not yours. Although you should consider throwing a party once a year or so, just for, you know,” Asmodeus shrugs, as if it’s self-explanatory, and sits on the arm of the chair opposite him. “Magnus used to do it for me. You can ask him to help you too.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Alec says, although he highly doubts he will.

“I’d like to get a move on this as soon as possible,” Asmodeus tells him, his expression serious. “I was thinking towards the end of the year, right before the holidays. Then you can take over next year. New year, new me, and all that. I’m sure Lily would agree.”

Alec doesn't want to think about the PR side of all this. It means interviews, magazine covers, photoshoots — all the things he doesn’t want to do. He wishes Asmodeus could stay on, and they could be co-CEOs or something. Then Asmodeus could handle all the gross stuff Alec wants to avoid.

“You can’t pick and choose,” Asmodeus says, as if reading Alec's mind. “There are things I don’t like to do as CEO, too. But I have to do them. That’s what it means to lead — to make the difficult decisions. It’s all part of the deal, son.”

Alec knows. He’s been working closely with Asmodeus for years now. He understands everything this job entails — the ridiculous travel schedules, the schmoozing, the socializing, and being the face of the brand. But he hasn't done any of that yet. He isn’t even sure if he’d be good at it.

He’s seen enough to know there are people who excel at their jobs — Lily in Comms, Maia in marketing, Underhill in HR. But still, he wonders how they would feel about the expansion. He’s kind of close with them all. They’re close in age and they all joined the company at the same time. But now Alec is their boss. Kind of. They still like him, but only as their boss. They’re good colleagues. Alec isn’t sure if they are still good friends. 

He blames himself for isolating himself on the 12th floor, sticking to what’s comfortable. Otherwise, he’d be able to brainstorm with them right now — not as their boss, but as their friend.

“Is everything alright?” Asmodeus asks, his brow furrowing with concern. “Is there something you wanted to talk about?”

He should probably discuss the expansion with Asmodeus — possibly before the takeover in a couple of months. But this doesn’t feel like the right time. Alec doesn’t want Asmodeus to think he’s going to change things completely. What if Asmodeus changes his mind? Oh God, what if Magnus already told him?

“Nothing,” Alec shakes his head, forcing a smile. “Did, uh, did Magnus say anything to you? About the honeymoon?”

“Not really,” Asmodeus hums thoughtfully. “He did send me pictures.”

“Ah,” Alec replies, hoping Magnus didn’t spill the beans. “Okay.”

“They were nice pictures,” Asmodeus says, twirling his cane. “I might have seen a spark.”

“A spark?” Alec snorts, incredulous. “Were you wearing your glasses?”

“You were blushing in some of them, Alec,” Asmodeus scoffs, clearly enjoying this.

“It was the sun,” Alec rolls his eyes, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks again. Magnus was literally half-naked in some of those pictures. What the fuck else was he supposed to do? “I was sunburnt like crazy.”

“Were you not wearing sunscreen?” Asmodeus asks in the same ridiculous tone Magnus did.

“I don’t have time for this,” Alec puts up his hands, trying to steer the conversation back on track. “Do you think we should hop on a meeting with the board? Maybe just to, you know, touch base?”

“I’ve already scheduled one. The invite should go out later today,” Asmodeus replies. “We’ll put together an agenda and see how to go about this. I have a meeting with finance now. Would you like to sit in with me?”

Alec checks his calendar and nods. “Sure. I’ll be in the meeting room in five?”

“Sure,” Asmodeus says, rising from the chair. “It’s good to see you again, Alec.”

“I was gone for like a week,” Alec says, feeling a warmth spread through him.

“Two weeks,” Asmodeus pouts.

Alec chuckles at that. “Good to see you too.”

“He’s okay?” Asmodeus asks, his voice gentler now. “My Magnus?”

“He’s okay,” Alec nods. 

“Good,” the man smiles as he walks out, looking pleased. “You know I draw little smiley faces on my thank-you notes.”

“I’m not gonna do that, but thanks.” Alec shoos Asmodeus away, the corners of his mouth lifting despite himself.

When Alec gets back home later that day, he almost drives to his old apartment in Manhattan. Riding up the elevator in Magnus’ building, he realizes this is the first time in his life that he is coming home to someone. A flutter of giddiness spreads through him, even if it’s pointless considering the circumstances. 

“Honey, I’m home!” Alec announces loudly, chuckling at his own joke.

But there’s no response. The house is eerily quiet. He finds Magnus in the living space, cozied up on the couch, dressed in plain jeans and a cardigan, sketching something on his iPad. Alec wonders if Magnus will wear glasses when he’s older too.

Magnus must sense him staring because he looks up and removes an AirPod from his ear. “Did you say something?”

“Oh,” Alec blinks, turning to the kitchen to busy himself, searching for a glass of water. “No.”

“Okay,” Magnus replies, putting the AirPod back in and returning to his work.

Alec nods, feeling a slight twinge of disappointment as he walks to his room, passing Magnus on the way. When he shuts the door behind him, he discovers his bed is occupied once again.

Alec sighs, crossing his arms. “We’ve talked about this. This is my room now. You’ve gotta make your peace with that.”

The small gray cat blinks up at him innocently. Alec relents, flopping down on the bed next to the creature. 

“How was your day, huh?” he asks, chuckling at how pathetic it is that he speaks more to Magnus’s cat than he does to Magnus himself. But it's not like he can come home to Magnus sitting on his bed, right? You have to make do with what you’ve got.

Chairman Meow is still cozily chilling under Alec’s blankets when he returns from the bathroom, now changed into his favorite sweats. He grabs his phone, wondering what to order for dinner and what show to watch while he eats. It’s become his routine since moving here. Since forever, actually. 

It’s fine. He’s used to it. He’s been doing this every day for years now.

But it all feels a little pathetic when he’s not living alone. Surely he is capable of making human connections with another person and sharing a meal with them? He struggles with it at work, and now it’s the same at home too. At least before, he didn’t have social anxiety at home, but now that’s gone too. Ugh.

He is not a child. He is a grown man, and he can ask Magnus to have dinner with him. Gathering his courage, he walks outside. God, why don’t they teach this shit in school?

Chairman Meow darts after him, deciding to follow Alec, and jumps into Magnus’ lap.

Magnus coos, removing his cardigan to wrap it around the cat since the balcony door is still open, the cold fall air coming through. Alec gulps, his eyes drawn to Magnus’s bare arm, exposed in a tank top. He notices an intricate silver arm bracelet thingy shaped like a snake that shines in the dim light of the lamp beside him.

“What’s that?” Alec blurts out, unable to keep his mouth shut.

Magnus follows Alec’s gaze, a smile spreading across his face. “That’s an armlet.”

First an anklet, and now an armlet. People wear jewelry on every part of their body, huh? Alec had no idea.

“It’s pretty,” he says, the compliment slipping out naturally. He thinks Izzy would love it.

“Thank you, Alexander,” Magnus replies, scratching the cat’s chin softly. “Did you need something?”

Alec feels a flicker of annoyance at that question. He never needs anything from other people; he just wants to talk or hang out. But when people ask that, he ends up saying no or fabricates an excuse to avoid looking like a weirdo.

“Oh, er, I was just wondering if it’s okay if I watched some TV?” Alec asks, cringing inwardly at his own cowardice.

Magnus tuts, picking up the remote and tossing it at him. “You don’t have to ask my permission. You live here too.”

“Right,” Alec says, giving an awkward smile as he sits down next to Magnus, but not too closely. But, obviously, close enough. God, he smells amazing. “Thanks.”

He flips through the channels, eventually landing on a rerun of Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Comedy Central. He barely watches for a minute — he hasn’t even gotten through the fucking cold open — when he notices Magnus gathering his things.

“Oh, sorry, am I bothering you?” Alec asks immediately, anxiety bubbling up. “I can watch it in my room; it’s fine.”

“No, no. It’s fine. I was going to head to my workshop anyway,” Magnus says, cradling his iPad in one hand and picking up his cat in the other. “Goodnight.”

It’s only seven PM.

“Hey, do you wanna grab dinner?” Alec blurts out, regretting the words the moment they leave his mouth. 

“Oh, I already ate,” Magnus replies. “Thanks, though.”

He’s lying. Magnus eats dinner between 8:30 and 9. It’s one of the many things Alec learned about him during their honeymoon.

“Sure,” Alec says anyway, forcing a smile. “Goodnight.”

When Magnus leaves, Alec finishes the rest of the episode, but his focus drifts away. He watches the news for a little while before turning off the TV and retreating to his room.

He orders Thai food for dinner and eats it alone, as always.

He goes to sleep. Then he wakes up the next day.

Then he repeats it all over again.

Alec has lived alone since he was twenty-one. He hasn’t shared a living space with anyone for twelve years.

And yet, he has never, in his whole life, felt lonelier.

Chapter Text

Sometimes, being with him, you feel a bit lonely.

That’s what Asmodeus had told Alec on his wedding day. He warned him that being with Magnus could feel isolating at times. 

Alec hadn’t believed him then. How could he? Magnus had been charming, larger than life, and everything about him screamed presence. 

But Asmodeus had been right.

Living with Magnus makes Alec feel lonelier than ever, which is strange because Alec never felt lonely when he actually lived alone.

He doesn’t think Magnus is doing it on purpose. Also, it’s not like they agreed to spend all their time together or offer each other companionship. So, maybe he just needs to manage his expectations better. 

He just…he just hates feeling like this. He doesn’t enjoy feeling ignored. Magnus is not ignoring him per se. But he doesn’t exactly acknowledge Alec either. 

It’s been a little over a month since they got married and it’s almost as if he’s been living alone. 

If it wasn’t for the little reminders all around the loft, Alec would totally forget that there is someone else living here. 

A teacup left on the kitchen counter, a cardigan draped across the couch, the scent of Magnus’ lotion lingering on the balcony, or Chairman Meow invading Alec’s bed.

It could just be that he’s overthinking all of this. Their schedules don’t really align. Alec is hardly home during the day on weekdays and when he returns in the evening, Magnus is usually working. Alec does want to suggest that they should maybe have dinner together every day since they’re both home but that feels like a lot to ask. They didn’t discuss this kind of expectations beforehand, and he doesn’t want to sound too clingy or demanding. 

Weekends are no better. Alec either spends time with his siblings or catches up on chores. Meanwhile, Magnus locks himself in his workshop or goes out. Once, he thought about getting out of bed at 3 AM to talk to Magnus, knowing the man stayed up late in his workshop. But even Alec recognized how desperate that sounded.

God, he hates feeling this way. He doesn’t want to be the needy, clingy partner seeking attention. He’s independent and capable of being alone. But this—this feels like being purposely excluded, like Magnus is avoiding him.

Like last week, when Alec had invited Magnus to a bar for game night with Jace and Izzy. Magnus simply said no. Just like he always does.

Well, not always.

A month into their marriage, people started asking how they were doing, and what they had been up to. Neither had any answers. So, Alec suggested they go out together once a week — if only to keep up appearances. It wasn’t just about that, though. Alec wanted to spend time with Magnus, outside of the awkward silences in the loft.

He had been terrified Magnus would say no to that too. In the back of his mind, Alec feared that Magnus didn’t like him. That he was merely tolerating Alec’s presence, counting down the days until this fake marriage was over.

But Magnus said yes.

Alec had clung to that small victory, hoping it meant something.

He wishes he could be more like Magnus — self-sufficient, content in his solitude, unbothered by the silence. But Alec can’t. He wanted to get married, even if it was fake, to know what it feels like to share a life with someone.

He’s not expecting love. But a "good morning" isn’t too much to ask for, right? How about a simple "How was your day?" or "Do you want to have dinner tonight?"

He doesn’t need much. He just doesn’t want to feel like a ghost in his own home, if you could even call this his home. 

Even when they do go out, it’s not what Alec hopes for. Last week, they went to Central Park together, but Magnus brought a book and spent the entire hour reading. Alec sat there, people-watching in silence, feeling like a fucking idiot. 

Magnus isn’t rude. He’s not doing this to be cruel. At least, Alec doesn’t think so. But then again, what does Alec really know about Magnus? Maybe Asmodeus, for all the high praise he gives his son, doesn’t know him either. 

The awkwardness with Magnus aside, everything else in Alec's life seems to be falling into place. All the practical reasons he got married for? They’re making sense now. 

Joint taxes are a godsend, his family is overjoyed, and Asmodeus is absolutely thrilled. Alec’s even been talking to a couple of lawyers he knows, and they’ve mentioned that adoption should go smoother in the future now that he’s legally married.

Work is going smoothly too. The board is satisfied with him — or at least as satisfied as they can be right now. Senior management is buzzing about his upcoming takeover, and Alec’s been navigating those waters carefully. A few of the older board members made some passive-aggressive comments during after-work drinks, but Alec handled it with polite laughter. Thankfully, Asmodeus wasn’t there to swoop in and shut them down. Alec has made progress with the board, and he intends to keep it that way.

Still, he wishes he could make similar headway with Magnus. However, that doesn’t seem likely to happen anytime soon. Alec used to think he was a private person, but Magnus is on a whole other level.

He tries not to think of any of this as he attends his first board meeting for this month. The meeting goes well, and the board is pleased with the pilot project involving the universities. Alec knows they’re excited about the recent sales increase, too. He doesn't understand why people always get hyped about coffee in autumn. He knows for a fact that Maia is running the marketing department like the navy to push out those pumpkin-spiced lattes. 

While Asmodeus chats with their CFO, one of the board members walks over to him and invites Alec on a hiking trip to Bear Mountain State Park. Alec agrees right away, even though the last thing he wants to do is spend his weekend hiking.

Vivian is important. She isn’t part of Java; she is an independent board member, CEO of her own private equity firm, and advises on strategy and corporate governance. Alec feels like he could learn a lot from her. She seems to like him, though Alec is pretty sure she likes Asmodeus even more.

Vivian suggests Alec bring his new husband along, and for a split second, Alec thinks,  who?  It’s hard to remember you’re married when you barely speak to the person. He politely informs her that Magnus is busy with friends that weekend, even though it isn’t true. Why bother checking when he already knows Magnus’ answer?

Later, when Alec goes to meet Asmodeus for lunch, he shoots a quick text to Jace, asking if he can borrow his hiking kit. 

He knows Jace and Clary hike often — because that’s what married couples do, right? They do things together, things they both enjoy.

Alec doesn’t think there is anything he and Magnus could do together that they both enjoy. And that thought stings more than he wants to admit.

[From: Jace]

Sure. When do you need it?

[To: Jace]

It’s for Saturday actually. I can pick it up on my way. 

Thanks, man.

[From: Jace]

Are you and Magnus going hiking??

You can come with us!! We can double date it! 

[To: Jace]

It’s for work. 

[From: Jace]

🤮

“Alec!” Asmodeus beams as Alec steps into the lunchroom, the scent of grilled chicken and fresh salad in the air. Asmodeus is already seated, casually picking at his plate while typing something on his phone. “Meeting went well, didn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Alec replies, grabbing a chair and sitting down. “They seem pleased with the progress on the pilot. I remember Miller and Johnson being dicks about it last year.”

“And you’ve proved them wrong,” Asmodeus says proudly, taking a sip of his drink. “They’ll learn to trust your ideas soon enough. This is just the beginning, son.”

Alec hopes so. The thought of pitching his expansion project to Asmodeus—or worse, to the entire board—turns his stomach. It’s not that it’s a bad plan, but it’s still raw, based on gut feelings rather than solid numbers. But in business, you have to trust your gut, right?

“I saw you talking to Vivian,” Asmodeus remarks, eyeing Alec as he spears a forkful of Caesar salad. Alec's thoughts wander off to Magnus, again. He wonders if his husband is having lunch, too. What is he having? Probably silence and solitude.

“Yeah, she invited me on a hike this weekend.”

“Already getting private invitations?” Asmodeus winks.

“Pretty sure you get a hell of a lot more,” Alec shoots back with a smirk.

Asmodeus frowns in confusion. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Alec leans back in his chair. “I think she has a crush on you.”

“Vivian’s married!”

“So?” Alec shrugs, taking another bite. “You can still have a crush, even if you’re married.”

Asmodeus narrows his eyes suspiciously. “Do you have crushes on people other than my son?”

Alec nearly chokes on his salad. “What—no! Of course not.”

“Good,” Asmodeus replies firmly. “Because I know you don’t love him yet but I expect you to be faithful at the very least. Magnus deserves that.”

Alec is not interested in cheating, and besides, it wouldn’t be cheating—technically. Their marriage is open, though he’d never tell Asmodeus that.

“I would never hurt Magnus,” Alec says, his voice calm. “And we agreed not to talk about him at work, remember?”

“Fine.” Asmodeus pouts slightly before his expression softens. “Did he eat breakfast today?”

Alec raises an eyebrow, amused. “Is that a trick question? You know I leave before he wakes up.”

“Fine, fine,” Asmodeus mutters, his pout deepening.

After a moment’s silence, Alec decides to give his boss something to cheer him up. “We’re going out for dinner on Friday.”

Asmodeus immediately brightens. “Oh? Where to?”

Alec hadn’t settled on a place yet. It was his turn to pick their weekly outing, and he had suggested dinner mostly because he couldn’t bear another night of being ignored. Surely, Magnus wouldn’t ignore him over a meal, right?

“I’m still looking for a place,” Alec admits, running a hand through his hair. “Magnus doesn’t eat the same kind of food I do.”

“Like that Cheeto sandwich from KFC?” Asmodeus chuckles, shaking his head.

“That was a banger and you know it!” Alec retorts.

“There’s a new Lebanese place in Brooklyn,” Asmodeus suggests. “I’ll send you the address. Magnus loves Middle Eastern food.”

Later that day, Alec leaves work a little later than planned after Lily corners him to discuss the takeover party in December. He couldn’t care less about the party, but being CEO means caring about the things that don’t excite you, so he listens, nods, and gives a few suggestions before escaping as quickly as he can.

On the way home, he wonders whether Magnus will come to the party. He has to, right? It would be the biggest night of their calendar year. It’d be embarrassing if Magnus wasn’t there.

When Alec finally steps into the apartment, he’s greeted by the sight of Magnus in the kitchen, putting together a snack.

“Did you start a fight with the building supervisor?” Magnus asks, not even looking up, his tone slightly accusatory.

Alec tosses his keys onto the counter and heads toward the kitchen. “I didn’t start a fight. I had a spirited conversation.”

Magnus crosses his arms, leaning against the island. “He said you called him a slimy, two-bit crook.”

Alec rolls his eyes, grabbing a glass from the cupboard. “Because he is ripping you off. You know you don’t have to pay him for maintenance, right? It’s in your rental agreement.”

Magnus’ eyes narrow, his voice defensive. “Of course I know that. But he prioritizes my requests because I pay him extra.”

Alec fills his glass, taking a long sip before replying. “He should prioritize your requests because it’s his job. What about people who can’t afford to pay extra?”

Magnus throws his hands up in the air. “Oh my God, is that what you talked to him about? No wonder he’s mad at us!” He huffs dramatically. “Now I’m going to have to bake him cookies to win him over again.”

Alec raises an eyebrow. “You bake?”

Magnus waves him off. “No, I buy them from that shop on 74th Street, put them in Tupperware, and pretend I made them.”

“Why bother?”

“Because,” Magnus replies, his tone exasperated, “he’s the supervisor, and I need him when the shower clogs.”

“Maybe you wouldn’t have to bribe him with cookies if you didn’t bathe your cat in the shower,” Alec notes carefully. 

Magnus gasps in offense. “Chairman likes his bath time! Could you please stay out of this? It’s my apartment, and I don’t want my relationships with the neighbors or staff jeopardized.”

Alec cocks his head, loosening his tie. “Name one person in this building other than you.”

Magnus blinks, clearly caught off guard. “I know my neighbors!”

“Uh-huh. Go ahead then.”

Magnus glances around the room as if the names might be written on the walls. “There’s Rachel...and Joseph...and Monica…”

 “You’re just naming the characters from Friends, Alec bursts into laughter. “I need a shower.”

“If it’s clogged, don’t come complaining to me!” Magnus yells after him. 

It’s the longest Alec’s spoken to Magnus all week. He wonders if Magnus would talk to him more if he yelled at someone else. Maybe the security guy downstairs.

When Alec returns from the shower, drying his hair with the towel, Magnus is still in the kitchen, this time washing his teacup and plate. Alec puts the towel over his shoulder and clears his throat. “I didn’t mean to piss off the supervisor. I can buy the cookies if you want.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Magnus sighs, shaking his head. “Just let me handle the supervisor, okay?”

“Okay,” Alec agrees.

“Thank you.” And then Magnus just leaves.

“Magnus?” Alec calls, because he’s a fucking idiot. “Do you wanna grab dinner?”

“Oh. I just had a snack, Alexander. I think I might skip it.”

Alec orders in again and eats his Cheeto sandwich while watching a YouTube video for beginners on hiking safety tips.

They haven’t had dinner together once, not since that one night in Dubrovnik. Magnus either eats really late or goes out. Alec doesn’t really know where Magnus is going or who he’s meeting. Magnus simply says he’s going out and doesn’t offer more information. Alec doesn’t ask, because he feels like if Magnus wants to tell him, he’ll just say it, right?

But he does wonder. Where is Magnus going? Who is he meeting? Is he going to see...what did he call them again? His special friends? What does he do with them? Does he talk about Alec? Do they laugh about it together? Or maybe they find it hot?

Alec is at the gym early the next morning, pushing himself through the last workout of the week. It’s Friday, and his muscles are already sore from the week’s routine, but there’s no way he’s skipping leg day. Not with that hiking trip tomorrow. The last thing Alec wants is to embarrass himself by falling behind.

He focuses on his form as he starts the first set of his barbell lunges. With each lift, he feels the burn in his legs and core, his breath coming in sharp bursts as he powers through the motion.

As he finishes his set and pauses to catch his breath, he notices someone watching him from across the room. It’s a blonde guy: broad-shouldered, muscular, with a confident smirk playing on his lips. Alec pretends not to notice, but then the guy starts doing the same exercise, matching Alec’s movements like it’s some kind of challenge.

Alec has never been one to back down from a challenge.

He tightens his grip on the bar and picks up the pace, determined to outlift this stranger. The blonde man follows suit, increasing his speed, too. It becomes a silent competition, both of them waiting to see who will give up first.

Just when he thinks his legs are about to give out, the man across from him finally drops the bar, hands on his knees, panting heavily.

Alec allows himself a small, victorious grin, even letting out a quiet “yes” under his breath. He pumps his fist in the air in triumph, and the blonde guy laughs, walking over to him.

“Damn, you got me,” the man says, a playful gleam in his eye. “I’ll get you next time.”

Alec chuckles, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “We’ll see about that.”

“You new here?” the guy asks, leaning casually against the barbell rack. “I’ve never seen you around.”

“Yeah, just trying out a new gym,” Alec replies, still catching his breath.

“Cool. Well, let me know if you ever need a spotter. Name’s Jake, by the way.”

“Alec.” He shakes Jake’s hand, noticing that his workout gloves are covering his wedding ring. It feels strange, almost like he’s hiding something, but it’s not like Alec is doing anything wrong. So he pushes the thought aside.

“Hey, want a quick tour of the place?” Jake offers, glancing around the gym.

Alec hesitates for a moment. He’s been coming to this gym for about a month now—he knows the layout well enough. But it feels nice to be seen, to have someone take an interest in him. 

“Sure, why not?” he says, shrugging.

As Jake shows him around the gym, Alec finds himself enjoying the conversation more than he expected. Jake’s easy-going attitude and friendly banter are a welcome distraction from the awkwardness back in the loft. 

They part ways after the tour, and Jake doesn’t give Alec his number or anything, but the vibe sticks with Alec all the way to the office. It lingers as he sits down at his desk, and a small, quiet realization creeps up on him.

He’s missed this.

The casual flirting. The way someone’s attention can make him feel...seen. It’s not that he’s looking for anything serious or trying to start something, but the interaction with Jake left him feeling something he hasn’t felt in a long time. He realizes with a slight pang that he misses being touched and being wanted. He misses that small spark of excitement that comes from new encounters.

Without thinking, Alec pulls out his phone and opens Grindr. 

It’s a familiar habit, one he’s fallen back into a few times over the past couple of weeks. He’s only been looking so far, too frustrated with Magnus to actually find the energy to find someone else to fuck. 

He swipes through profiles absently, seeing the usual parade of bodies, abs, dicks, and faces. But as his thumb moves across the screen, he wonders if Magnus is on here too. The thought makes his chest tighten, and he starts swiping faster, searching for something familiar – lean fingers, soft lips, and bronze skin. It’s not as if he can recognize Magnus with a dick pic. The idea frustrates him for some reason, and he stops swiping altogether.

Why is he looking for Magnus? The whole point of this, of being on here, is to find something outside of his marriage. To find something that’s missing. So why does it matter if Magnus is here or not?

He continues to swipe and finds someone he likes. 

Kai’s cute, and his profile suggests he’s looking for something casual, quick, and discreet. Alec fires off a message, not expecting an immediate reply. But just as he walks into his next meeting—a briefing with HR on the new internship program—his phone buzzes with a notification.

Alec glances across the table at Underhill, who lifts an eyebrow slightly at the familiar sound of the app. Alec panics, trying to blurt out an excuse, but before he can, Asmodeus walks in, followed by the rest of the team.

"Alec, put your phone away," Asmodeus says with a chuckle. "Newlyweds, am I right?"

The team laughs, because when the boss jokes, you laugh. But Alec barely registers it. He’s too busy worrying about Underhill. Did he catch the sound? Did he know what it was?

Alec tries to focus on the meeting. HR is pitching about expanding the internship programs. It’s a cause close to Alec’s heart. He’s always been passionate about these programs, especially since he himself joined the company at such a young age. He believes in helping young people, giving them opportunities to learn and grow, just like he did.

But despite how much he cares, Alec’s attention keeps drifting. The worry about Underhill telling on him gnaws at him. They used to work closely together in sales before their careers branched out in different directions. Alec blames himself for not staying in touch with his old colleagues. 

After the meeting ends, Alec chases after Underhill, calling out to him as they leave the room. "Hey, Underhill. How’s it going? New haircut, huh?"

This is why he doesn’t have friends outside of his siblings. 

Underhill offers a polite smile. "I’ll ask Sashi to send over the presentation shortly."

"No, it’s not that," Alec blurts out in a rush. "Listen, about what you heard in there—"

"I didn’t hear anything," Underhill replies smoothly. "Just some good action points."

"No, I meant before the meeting, when Asmodeus walked in—"

"I didn’t hear anything," Underhill says again, more firmly. "Have a good day, Alec."

And with that, he walks away.

Alec stands there, feeling a mix of relief and paranoia. Maybe Underhill really didn’t hear anything. Or maybe he’s just the type of guy who minds his own business. Or maybe, just maybe, he thinks Alec and Magnus are looking for a third. Alec almost laughs at the absurdity of the thought.

It’s their weekly outing day, which means Alec has to take Magnus to the Lebanese restaurant that Asmodeus recommended. He doesn’t see the point in going home first. It feels awkward and unnecessary. It’s almost like he’s avoiding returning home. He has heard of husbands who stay late at work to avoid their partners. Alec really hopes he doesn’t become one of those people.

He manages to catch up on some work while staying late at the office, bidding farewell to Asmodeus, who mentions he is spending the weekend with a family friend. With nothing else to do, Alec takes out his phone and texts Kai.

Kai replies quickly, which Alec appreciates. They engage in some light small talk, neither revealing their identities, which is fine. Alec knows this is all just courtesy before they meet up to have sex. Still, he enjoys getting to know the person a little better.

When he finally arrives at the restaurant in Brooklyn just past nine o’clock — because Magnus eats late — he finds Magnus already there.

Magnus is dressed as fashionably as ever — even for a simple dinner date. It’s not a date, but they’re pretending like it’s one. Alec, who is still dressed in his suit, eyes the maroon pants and a white shirt with cool dragon embroidery. The shirt is unbuttoned to his navel as usual, revealing the other man’s chest which is decorated with half a dozen necklaces. His hair is wet, and Alec isn’t sure if it’s some kind of style or if he has just showered. He’d know for sure if he sniffs Magnus’ hair and gets a whiff of coconut. But that’s a weird thing to do — so is kissing him on the cheek to say hello. Instead, he slides into the booth and smiles at Magnus. “Hey.”

The restaurant is a small hole-in-the-wall kind of place, with mismatched plastic chairs, paper towels to wipe your hands, loud music blaring from speakers, and waiters who clearly don’t have a dress code. It’s not the kind of spot Alec visits on his own unless someone brings him, but it’s the kind of place Magnus seems entirely comfortable in. 

Alec likes that about Magnus — his openness to new experiences and always willing to embrace whatever comes his way. Except when it comes to Alec. Ugh.

“Hello, Alexander,” Magnus replies, returning the smile. He looks pleased for some reason. Maybe he had a good day. Not that he’d bother to tell Alec about it. “Great choice of restaurant.”

“Your dad recommended it,” Alec says, not wanting to take credit for it.

“Oh,” Magnus says, disappointment flickering across his face for some reason. “How’s work?”

“Same,” Alec replies shortly, grabbing the menu. It’s late, and he is starving. “Shall we order?”

“We just got here,” Magnus blinks, surprised.

“And we are here to eat,” Alec says, confused. 

“Okay,” Magnus says, picking up the menu too.

Magnus orders a feast of dishes while Alec settles for stuffed pita, curry, and what are apparently chicken skewers. 

An awkward silence falls between them as they wait for their food to arrive. Magnus rarely starts a conversation unless Alec initiates it. For reasons unknown, Alec doesn’t bother trying today. He’s probably just tired from the work week. 

“Do you have any plans for the weekend?” Magnus asks, probably trying to fill the uncomfortable silence around them. 

“Yeah, actually,” Alec replies. “I’m going on a hiking trip with one of the board members, so I won’t be at the loft tomorrow. And I’ll be out with Jace and Izzy on Sunday.”

“Which board member?” Magnus asks, sipping the tea he ordered before Alec arrived.

“Vivian Blake,” Alec answers. “You know her?”

“I know all of them,” Magnus replies. Of course he does.

“She asked if you’d like to join,” Alec continues, trying to keep the conversation flowing. “I told her you’re busy and won’t be able to make it.”

“Why would you say that?” Magnus asks, looking genuinely puzzled.

Alec raises an eyebrow. “Do you want to join us?”

“I—Hm. No,” Magnus mutters just as their food arrives.

“She has a crush on your dad, I think,” Alec says, popping a piece of chicken into his mouth. 

“Oh, I’ve noticed,” Magnus chuckles, breaking off a piece of bread and dipping it into the curry. “She’s not subtle about it.”

“Your dad isn’t interested?” Alec asks curiously.

“Isn’t she married?” Magnus counters.

“I mean, not her specifically,” Alec shrugs, his curiosity piqued. He’s always wondered about this. “But did he ever date anyone after your mom passed?”

“Moving on is not simple after you lose the love of your life,” Magnus says seriously, as if Alec doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation.

“I didn’t say it was simple,” Alec clarifies. “I’m just curious as to why he wouldn’t. He must feel very alone.”

“He has me,” Magnus frowns.

“Sure,” Alec shrugs, even though he kind of disagrees. “I’m just saying it’s not uncommon — even if it was the ‘love of your life’ and all. My mom started dating after my parents got divorced.”

“Oh,” Magnus says, surprise evident in his tone. “Why did they get divorced, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Alec sighs, knowing there is no easy way to explain. “My dad cheated.”

“Oh,” Magnus replies, his expression souring. “That’s not very nice.”

“It’s complicated,” Alec says because the truth is more layered than he wants to share. 

They didn’t get divorced because of the cheating per se; which his mom knew about for a long time. While the cheating was a big contributor, the divorce got triggered by Max’s passing and Alec isn’t in the mood to discuss all that with Magnus. 

“It's not that complicated, Alexander,” Magnus retorts. “Cheating is wrong.”

“I’m not saying it’s not wrong. I’m saying the circumstances were complicated.”

“Why are you defending him?” Magnus asks him, judgment clear in his voice.

“I’m not defending him,” Alec sighs tiredly. He wants to stop talking. Now. “I’m saying fathers are complicated.”

“That’s just an excuse, isn’t it?” Magnus scoffs. “Fatherhood doesn’t have to be complicated. You can’t generalize like that.”

“Really?” Alec can’t help but ask, slightly irritated now. “Because the last time I checked, it wasn’t my father who forced me to marry someone I barely know.”

Magnus falls silent for a moment, wiping his hands on a paper towel. “I need to use the restroom.”

As Magnus walks away, Alec leans back in his chair in exhaustion. A few minutes ago, he was eager to eat and talk. Now, all he wants to do is go home. But he can’t go back. He doesn’t have a home anymore. He has a loft and a passive-aggressive roommate.

His phone buzzes in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts. It’s Kai.

It’s just a message asking how Alec’s evening is going, but Alec recognizes a “you wanna meet up?” text when he sees one. He replies almost immediately, not beating around the bush.

[To: Kai]
It could go a lot better. Wanna meet up?

Kai is apparently at some bar in Queens and drops a pin. Alec responds with a thumbs-up and a quick “see you in 30” as he waves his hand at the waiter for the check.

“Are we leaving?” Magnus asks in confusion when he returns.

“Uh, yeah,” Alec says, forcing a casual tone. “I have to meet Jace. It’s an emergency.”

“Oh,” Magnus replies, his face falling slightly. “I hope everything is okay.”

“Yeah,” Alec nods, grabbing his jacket. “Do you want me to drop you off at the loft?”

“No, I’ll walk,” Magnus shakes his head. “It’s not that far.”

“Okay,” Alec nods again, grabbing his wallet. “Uh, see you?”

“See you,” Magnus replies.

Alec can’t help but feel a pang of regret as he steps out into the night.

It could’ve gone a little smoother. He could’ve been a little nicer. But then again, why does he have to accommodate Magnus every single time?

He pushes all thoughts of Magnus away as he climbs into his car and drives to Queens. He doesn’t meet Kai in the bar. He’s not stupid. If he runs into someone he knows, it’s going to be a whole mess. The incident with Underhill was already a close call.

Kai climbs into the car a few minutes later, turning to the side, cocking his head, and giving Alec a slow, playful grin. “You look cute in real life.”

“I’m also an asshole in real life,” Alec informs him, trying to keep the mood light.

Kai laughs at that, his laughter warm and genuine. “So... should we drive somewhere? Your place, maybe?”

“It’s not very close,” Alec replies hesitantly. Magnus specifically told him not to bring anyone to the loft. His apartment in Manhattan is still there, but it’s mostly empty now. Besides, it's actually far away, and there’s no point in going there.

“Might as well. I have a flight to catch in the morning anyway,” Kai shrugs, putting on his seatbelt. “Drive us somewhere?”

Alec isn’t new to this. Most people he meets—especially on Grindr—he doesn’t feel uncomfortable bringing home. It’s either a hotel room or his car. He knows a couple of spots, not in Queens but close enough. As he drives, Kai shares stories about his life as a musician in LA, his voice animated and filled with enthusiasm.

“How about you?” Kai glances at Alec, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “Wait. No. Let me guess. We’re being very discreet, so you do something important and high profile.”

“Something like that,” Alec manages a smile, feeling a bit shy under Kai’s gaze.

“Politics or business?” Kai cocks his head, intrigued.

“You wanna guess again?” Alec grins, enjoying the banter.

“I’m gonna say business,” Kai chuckles. “You’re too hot to be a politician.”

“There are some hot politicians,” Alec notes with a playful smirk. “You ever seen a young Bernie Sanders?”

The small talk comes to an abrupt halt when Alec pulls over onto an empty street. Without hesitation, Kai removes his seatbelt and climbs into Alec’s lap.

He’s a little shorter than Alec, which works perfectly. When Kai noses down Alec’s jaw, Alec inhales deeply, savoring the scent that surrounds him. God, he’s missed this.

“Strawberry?” Alec asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Hmm?” Kai hums absently, fingers deftly working on the buttons of Alec’s shirt.

“You smell like strawberries,” Alec says. It’s nice. It’s not sandalwood, but nice.

“You like how I smell?” Kai asks, cradling Alec’s face in his hands. “Wanna see what I taste like?”

Without a word, Alec grabs Kai by the back of his neck and pulls him in for a kiss. It starts slow, a careful exploration, but quickly turns heated. Kai’s hands snake down Alec’s chest, drifting over the fine hair, as he begins to unbuckle Alec’s trousers. Alec bites back a groan, his hands leaving Kai’s back to help speed things along.

“Oh,” Kai breathes, eyes widening slightly.

Alec’s gaze follows Kai’s to the shiny band on his ring finger. Shit.

“It’s fine. It’s not a problem,” Alec says quickly. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Are they dead?” Kai asks, his voice gentle.

“No,” Alec sighs.

“Oh,” Kai replies, his expression softening. “Is it a woman?”

“No,” Alec shakes his head immediately. “It’s...it’s complicated.”

“He doesn’t want to sleep with you?” Kai asks, confusion knitting his brow.

Alec sighs again. “He doesn’t even want to talk to me.”

“Why would you marry someone who doesn’t want to talk to you?” Kai asks, genuinely puzzled.

“Arranged marriage,” Alec explains, trying to keep it simple.

“People still do those?” Kai asks in surprise.

“Apparently,” Alec chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “Can we...can we get back to—”

“Yeah. Okay,” Kai nods quickly, leaning forward to kiss him again. Alec barely has time to slip his tongue into Kai’s mouth before Kai pulls back. “Does he know about this?”

“Yeah. Yeah, it’s an open marriage,” Alec waves a hand dismissively.

“No, I mean, does he know about me?” Kai clarifies, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. “I don’t want to get caught in some kind of domestic quarrel.”

“There’s no domestic quarrel,” Alec groans, exasperated. “And he doesn’t know about you.”

“So, he doesn’t know you’re here with me right now?” Kai presses, his expression serious.

Why is Alec so unlucky with men? Either they don’t talk to him at all, or they talk too much. Where are the men who know when to shut up and when to talk?

“No, he doesn’t know I’m here right now,” Alec admits, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “I don’t have to tell him every time I fuck someone else.”

“How many people, other than him, have you fucked?” Kai asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Why are you interrogating me right now?” Alec groans, feeling a mix of annoyance and discomfort.

“Well, it’s weird if you’re sleeping around and he’s not, right?” Kai points out, his tone matter-of-fact. “It happened to one of my friends who was in an open marriage. They said it was open, but he fucked around while she didn’t, and then she divorced him for cheating.”

“What?” Alec blinks in horror. “I’m not…this isn’t cheating!”

“No, but I’m just saying what happened to—”

“I’m not a cheater!” Alec snaps, as the frustration finally bubbles over.

Kai doesn’t like Alec’s raised voice. “Hey, I’m not the one sleeping with someone who’s not my husband.”

“And I’m not the one sleeping with other people’s husbands,” Alec retorts.

Kai doesn’t appreciate that either. He climbs off Alec’s lap and slides back into the passenger seat, crossing his arms defensively.

Alec sighs in frustration. “Look, I’m sorry—”

“I’d like to be dropped at the bar,” Kai interrupts coldly.

Alec opens his mouth, then closes it again. Nevermind. 

He drops Kai off at the same bar in Queens, where silence hangs heavy between them. As Kai climbs down, he turns around, frowning at Alec. “If your husband isn’t talking to you, then find a way to talk to him. Sleeping with other people isn’t going to fix that.”

Alec doesn’t bother replying. The situation is infinitely more complicated than Kai could ever understand. Instead, he simply drives away. 

He doesn’t go straight back to the loft. He really can’t face it right now, so he drives aimlessly around the city, finally stopping by the river to smoke a cigarette, scrolling through social media aimlessly until fatigue weighs his body down.

When he returns, it’s well past midnight. Magnus is, of course, awake, sitting in the living room with Chairman Meow in his lap.

“Hello, Alexander,” Magnus greets him, his tone a little unusual. “How is Jace?”

“Uh,” Alec stutters, momentarily confused. “He’s fine. All good.”

“He’s feeling better?” Magnus asks curiously. 

“I think so,” Alec replies, nodding as he walks to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water.

“I think so too,” Magnus says, his eyes glued to the TV.

“What?” Alec blinks in confusion.

“He came over to drop off his hiking kit,” Magnus informs him, still not looking away from whatever he’s watching. “I left it in your room.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. “Magnus—”

Magnus turns off the TV and shifts his attention to Alec, his expression unreadable. “You didn’t have to lie to me.”

“I—” Alec starts, but he doesn’t have anything to say. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“We’ve discussed this. We can be adults about this,” Magnus reminds him. “Next time, you can simply tell me you’re going out. I don’t need to know anything more.”

Alec bites his lip, guilt pooling in his stomach. “Is that what you do when you tell me you’re going out?”

Magnus exhales softly as he picks up his cat. “Goodnight, Alexander.”

It is, unsurprisingly, not a good night. After packing everything for his hiking trip the next day, Alec prepares for bed and climbs under the covers. But sleep, just like everyone else, decides to fuck him over too. 

He hates this. Not just the loneliness, but all the swirling emotions. 

He feels like he did something wrong when he absolutely didn’t. Yet, the urge to apologize to Magnus and make things better gnaws at him. Is this what marriage feels like? Apologizing for no reason and feeling guilty for no reason? No wonder people are getting divorced all the time.

Rolling over in bed, he prays for sleep to come, desperate to avoid being half-dead in front of Vivian tomorrow. He notices the lights turning on outside—inside Magnus’s workshop—and shuts his eyes again. 

He hates that he’s the one acting like this—so depressed and lonely and frustrated. He hates that this doesn’t seem to affect Magnus at all.

Driven by the frustration that followed him all day, he climbs out of bed and walks out of his room. He’s not sure if he’s going to pick a fight or offer an apology.

When he reaches the workshop, he does neither. 

Instead, he finds Magnus curled up on the small loveseat. He finds Magnus wrapped in a cozy blanket. He finds Magnus sobbing his heart out. 

Chapter Text

The crying becomes a regular thing. Maybe it has always been, but Alec had been blissfully unaware of it. 

Now that he knows, he can't unknow it.  

It happens almost every night. Magnus wakes up in the middle of the night — maybe he doesn’t go to sleep at all — and goes to his workshop to cry.

It’s been a week since he saw Magnus crying — and immediately ran back to his room in horror — and the crying hasn’t stopped. Magnus has cried four times since then — not on Wednesday though, he fell asleep early that night.

Alec had initially assumed Magnus cried that night because Alec had sex with — or almost had sex with — someone else. While that is very depressing for sure, it at least made some sense. 

This doesn’t.

Because Magnus cries almost every night. 

It makes Alec wonder how long the other man has been doing this for, and whether Asmodeus knows about this at all. Probably not. 

From a week of observations, Alec has deduced several things.

First, Magnus cries almost every night and it’s only at night — when he probably assumes Alec is asleep. 

Second, he cries in his workshop. Alec doesn’t know why. He guesses it’s because Magnus’ cat sleeps in his room and he doesn’t want to freak out the poor thing. 

Because, to be honest, it is kind of freaky. 

People don’t look good when they cry. Even beautiful people like Magnus. They look sad and broken and small. Alec had hardly seen Magnus’ face that night. But that pained look on the other man’s gorgeous face will forever be etched in his memory. 

The thing is, he doesn’t know what to do about it. There are several options that he has already considered. 

He could talk to Magnus — which feels invasive. After all, he is living in the other man’s home. Besides, if this is something Magnus does to feel better — like some kind of coping mechanism — Alec doesn’t want to make him uncomfortable by bringing it up. 

Alec doesn’t have any friends he can discuss this with, and he can’t tell his siblings without giving up the truth about his marriage. 

He sure as fuck can’t talk to Asmodeus. What if Asmodeus thinks Alec has something to do with this? 

Alec isn’t completely sure that he doesn’t have anything to do with this. Maybe Magnus feels trapped in this marriage. Maybe he hates how none of this was his choice and just decided to bawl his eyes out.

Or…Or Alec could just be blowing this out of proportion. 

This really just could be a coping mechanism. Because for one, Magnus doesn’t behave strangely otherwise. He doesn’t seem like he’s depressed or on the verge of a mental breakdown. He honestly seems fine. 

Besides, this could be a part of his routine. Who knows, maybe Magnus finds this therapeutic. Alec has heard about laugh therapy before. He has also heard that having a good cry is good for the soul. Maybe it’s just that. 

So, Alec doesn’t think this is something he should be deeply concerned about.

Or, that is what he tells himself to stop the panic in his chest and the guilt in his stomach from getting a little bit worse every night he hears Magnus cry. 

Alec does hear it. The muffled sobs, the quiet sniffles, the shuffling of feet as Magnus paces in the workshop at ungodly hours of the night. And no matter how hard Alec tries to stay in bed, to pretend he doesn’t notice, the moment that faint light flickers on in the other room, he finds himself padding softly down the hallway. Each time, he stops just before the slightly ajar door, peeking in like a ghost. And each time, he watches Magnus break down, alone.

It’s unsettling, foreign, because Alec is not the kind of person to sit back and do nothing. He’s not passive, not someone who lets problems fester. He’s a fixer, a take-charge kind of guy, always has been. His entire life, Alec’s been the one to step in, make decisions, and find solutions. When things go wrong, he’s the one people look to. And usually, he’s the one with answers. He’s been that guy for his family. He became that guy for Asmodeus at work. 

But now, standing there in the shadows, he feels frozen. He can’t just barge in and shake Magnus by the shoulders, demanding answers, even though every instinct in his body screams at him to do something . But what? What’s the solution here? He can’t force Magnus to talk, and he sure as hell doesn’t know how to comfort someone who barely lets him in.

And hugging him? No. That feels equally wrong. They’re barely... whatever they are. A hug feels too intimate, too personal for the fragile connection they’re building. It’s a strange, twisted paradox — he’s the only one close enough to see Magnus’s pain but he’s too distant to soothe it.

As he makes it through the day at work and sits in for a meeting with the sales team, he tries not to think about Magnus or the crying. He tries not to listen in as the team wraps up the meeting and discuss their after-work plans. They don’t involve Alec in it — even though some of them know Alec very well since he worked in the sales department a long time ago. He tries not to feel hurt by it. He has bigger problems to worry about.

One of the guys — Jonah — complains about how he can’t make it for after-work drinks because he has a date night with his wife, and the other dudes start teasing him for it. 

“You guys!” Jonah hisses, not-so-subtly gesturing at Alec. “Stop it.”

“Oh, I’m not here,” Alec waves a hand as he picks up his laptop. Because it’s actually like he’s not there anyway.

“Don’t worry, Jonah, Alec gets it,” one of them chuckles. “Right, Lightwood?”

“I get what?” Alec asks in confusion. 

“Demanding wives,” the guy elaborates. Alec’s secretary, who is seated right behind him, lets out a quiet ‘prick’ under her breath. “Or husbands, in your case.”

“I’m not sure what that means,” Alec frowns further. 

“Just means you’re married to the boss’ son,” the guy shrugs casually. “Rich guy. Only child. Surely, he has to be super demanding, no?”

“Actually, Magnus is very self-sufficient,” Alec informs. If only they knew the extent of it. 

“Is that why you stay back late at work?” One of them snickers. The others shush him immediately but giggle like it’s a hilarious joke.

“Actually, I stay back because I love my job,” Alec informs, clearing his throat, and grabbing his things. “Maybe you would’ve made it out of the sales department if you did, too.”

Their faces turn a little sour at that — and Alec knows they’re bitter about the whole situation. He also knows they no doubt contribute to the rumors about him. He wishes he could give a shit. He has a company to run. 

And yet, he doesn’t want them to think they’re right. He doesn’t want them to even consider the possibility that this marriage is fake or broken — even though it’s both. 

He swivels around in his chair and turns to his secretary. “Jess, did you send those flowers to Magnus like I asked?”

Jess, who is the best secretary in the world, doesn’t miss a fucking beat. She simply nods and gives him a thumbs-up, playing along. “Yep.”

“Lotus?”

“Yep. I sent your note too.”

God, he fucking loves her. 

“Awesome,” Alec smiles and swivels back around. “Have a good one, guys.”

When he gets back to the loft a little later, he finds Magnus moving around the living room with a feather duster. He looks perfectly fine. As he always does. No one would ever guess that Magnus cries himself to sleep every night. 

“Hey, you cleaning the loft?” Alec asks, walking past Magnus to his room to drop off his coat. “You need help?”

“No, I’m almost done,” Magnus replies, dusting under the couch. “I cleaned your room. Hope that’s okay.”

It looks exactly the same to Alec, but he thanks Magnus anyway. “You don’t have to do that next time.”

“Well, Chairman thinks your room is his playground, so,” Magnus exhales tiredly. “By the way, if you want to move your little pebble collection to the living room, it’s fine by me.”

Yes, Alec has a pebble collection. 

It is bound to happen if you start picking up pebbles everywhere you go. He started ages ago, and he never had the heart to throw any of them away. After all, he only picks out the perfect ones. So, he put them all in a gigantic glass vase — which he brought with him to the loft when he moved. 

“Nah, it’s okay, I like it in my room,” Alec shrugs. It’s a reminder of his brother, not some house décor. “Hey, I missed the gym in the morning, so I’m gonna head out now.”

“Alexander.”

Alec, who is in the middle of grabbing his gym bag, pokes his head out of the room. 

Magnus looks a little hesitant. “Can we talk?”

Oh shit. Does he want to have a chat? About the crying? Alec clears his throat and shoves his hands inside his pant pockets. “Sure. What’s up?”

“Um,” Magnus says carefully. “Why did you send me flowers?”

“What flowers?” Alec frowns. 

Magnus points towards the kitchen, and there it is, placed neatly and beautifully in a vase Alec has never seen before. A gorgeous yellow lotus bouquet.

Goddamn you, Jess. 

“Ah, that’s my secretary’s doing,” Alec explains. 

“Your secretary sent me flowers?”

“No, I asked her to.”

“Why would you do that?”

Alec sighs as he explains the situation with the guys from the sales department and then quickly apologizes if he made Magnus uncomfortable.

“I see,” Magnus nods slowly. “That makes sense. I just thought you—Never mind. Thanks anyway. They’re beautiful. How did you know I like lotus?”

“Your dad told me,” Alec shrugs. 

Yeah, like seven years ago. In passing. Alec has no idea why his brain held onto that little detail. Human brains are weird. 

“He needs to shut up sometimes,” Magnus rolls his eyes. 

“Yeah, he’s the biggest yapper,” Alec chuckles and then hesitates for a moment. “Hey, you okay?”

Magnus turns to look at him and then chuckles softly. “Oh, I’m marvelous, Alexander. I just got free flowers.”

Obviously, he is not marvelous. Because later that night, when the lights turn on outside his room at 2.45 in the morning, he finds Magnus crying again. 

That image sticks with Alec, haunting him for days. He can’t shake the worry gnawing at him, and soon it starts to show.

“You look like you haven’t been sleeping well.”

Alec knows that. Asmodeus isn’t the first to point it out. He looks up at the other man, ignoring his lunch, and rolls his eyes faintly. “That’s not very nice.”

“Are you still getting used to sleeping in a nice place?” Asmodeus asks with a soft chuckle. “Magnus doesn’t snore, does he?”

Alec wouldn’t know. It’s not like they share a bed. 

“Alec,” Asmodeus says now, his tone suddenly worried. “Is everything alright? Is something wrong with Magnus?”

“Uh,” Alec says – which is not the right response because that sets off the other man even more.

“What is it? Is he sick? Does he need me? Should I—”

“No. No. No. It’s nothing to worry about,” Alec reassures the man immediately, although he isn’t sure if that’s true. “I wasn’t…This isn’t about Magnus.”

“Then what is it?” Asmodeus asks, still very much concerned. 

Alec doesn’t have anything else to say so he says the thing that has been weighing on his mind lately – the thing other than Magnus.

“I’ve been thinking of expansion,” Alec mumbles the confession, wishing he had said it out loud more confidently – with more certainty.

“Expansion?” Asmodeus’ brows furrow in confusion. “Of what?”

“Of Java.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

 Asmodeus is quiet for a moment, suffocating Alec with the silence, before cocks his head. “Do you have the numbers?”

“Not yet,” Alec shakes his head. “I’ll have to talk to R & D. I haven’t discussed this with anyone yet.”

“I see,” Asmodeus nods, rubbing his jaw. “Expansion isn’t part of our portfolio.”

“I know,” Alec nods.

“And it’s risky,” Asmodeus adds. 

“I know,” Alec nods again.

“Because if it flops overseas, it will impact our domestic market too,” Asmodeus reminds him. 

Alec doesn’t want to say ‘I know’ again, so he simply nods this time. 

“And it’s a hell of a decision to make in your first term as CEO,” Asmodeus laughs softly.

“I know,” Alec says again – one last time.

“Hm,” Asmodeus sighs softly as he takes a careful bite of his braised pork. “Maia would love it. It fits perfectly with her vision for the rebranding.”

“I don’t care what Maia thinks,” Alec says, even though he does. So, it’s good to hear. “What do you think?”

“This is very surprising,” the older man taps his fingers against the glass table. “And I must say, I don’t get surprised very easily.”

“I don’t want you to think this is some spontaneous decision,” Alec points out quickly. “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.”

“And you never cared to mention it before?” Asmodeus inquires, somewhat frustratedly. “I’ll admit that expansion is not part of my vision for Java.”

Alec knows that. It’s why he never bothered to bring it up at any point. Because if it was such a brilliant idea, Asmodeus would’ve thought of it already.

“But,” the other man clicks his tongue, “I won’t be CEO after next month. So, my vision for Java is no longer relevant.”

“Do you think I should do this?” Alec blinks in surprise. He really thought Asmodeus would need more convincing.

“I think you should do what you think is best for Java,” Asmodeus shrugs easily, picking at the pork again. “And you should be willing to deal with the consequences.”

“You’re not playing me, right?” Alec leans forward, his lunch forgotten. “Because I was legit ready for you to shit this down so I can move on.”

“I trust you,” Asmodeus says simply. 

“I appreciate that,” Alec chuckles incredulously. “But this is going to cost us billions.”

Asmodeus smiles at that. “I trusted you with my son. You think I won’t trust you with a few billions?”

And what exactly has Alec done with that trust again? Watch the man’s son cry every night? Good job, Alec! Good job! 

“But if you must, you can talk to Jia and take her opinion into account,” Asmodeus suggests, and Alec agrees. Their CFO does not fuck around.

“I’ll have to talk to the board first,” Alec grumbles. 

“Ha!” Asmodeus snorts. “Good luck with that.”

“They hate me!” Alec groans like a petulant child.

“They don’t hate you. They’re just…tough,” Asmodeus corrects tactically. “We need people who are tough to keep the company together.”

Alec agrees, but it doesn’t help that most of them are old as fuck which obviously means every suggestion that comes out of Alec’s mouth always comes across as too radical for them. Like the time he suggested introducing mobile app pre-orders, where customers could order ahead and skip the line.

Mr. Wilkinson, one of the oldest board members who was in his 80s, had nearly had a heart attack. 

“What’s next?” the man had asked, laughing off his suggestion. “Robots making the espresso?"

Alec had just smiled, resisting the urge to point out that some places were already doing that.

“I would suggest,” Asmodeus begins, and Alec immediately grabs his phone to take notes, “that you talk to R&D first—get the numbers, run it by Jia, and secure her approval. Then, approach the board. It’s always smart to have Jia’s backing before facing them, and they’ll definitely ask for the numbers, so you’d better be prepared.”

“Right. I think I can do that,” Alec chews on the pen and looks up to find Asmodeus smiling at him. “What?”

“It’s good to see you taking charge,” Asmodeus smiles at him fondly. “Even if it’s making decisions that can possibly bankrupt my company.”

“It won’t bankrupt us,” Alec rolls his eyes. “If it flops, it’d be a setback.”

“Yes, but you don’t want your first big decision as CEO to be a failure,” Asmodeus points out. “That would be a PR nightmare. Poor Lily will have to 'accidentally' kill you off and use the sympathy card to clean up the mess.”

“You’re not very good at pep talks, are you?” Alec asks dryly. 

Asmodeus laughs at that and gestures at Alec to finish his lunch. “Come on. Tell me more. What else?”

“Well,” Alec says, feeling a slight weight lift off his chest. “I initially thought we should hit Western Europe—you know, Paris, Italy, and Spain. But then Magnus mentioned that the coffee culture there isn’t very—”

“Wait, you spoke to Magnus about this?” Asmodeus blinks in surprise.

“Uh,” Alec replies, a bit taken aback. “Yeah?”

“Oh,” Asmodeus blinks again, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Okay.”

“What?”

“Nothing!”

“You’re making weird faces!”

“That’s just my regular face!” Asmodeus retorts, waving a hand dismissively before propping his chin on both hands. “What else did Magnus tell you?”

Alec rolls his eyes fondly before informing his boss about what Magnus advised.

“Huh,” Asmodeus nods, a little impressed. “London is not a bad idea.”

“I really do think we can make an impression there,” Alec says earnestly. “I mean, if Starbucks can do it—”

“Don’t say the S word!” Asmodeus groans, prompting a chuckle from Alec, who zips his lips with a gesture. “Although, I must say, I’m very happy to see you talk about these things with Magnus.”

The guilt bubbles in Alec’s chest again, but he manages a smile. “Well, he’s very travelled and has good advice.”

“It’s important to be able to talk about work outside of the office, Alec,” Asmodeus tells him. “In here, we do the work, but the inspiration must come from outside. I used to bounce ideas off Saroja all the time.”

“Oh yeah?” Alec smiles fondly.

“So, it’s nice to see you doing the same with Magnus,” Asmodeus says, looking pleased. “When you were all nervous and stressed, for a moment I was worried that something was wrong with Magnus. You almost gave me another heart attack.”

“Don’t joke about your heart,” Alec complains.

“I wasn’t joking,” Asmodeus shrugs and grabs his phone. “Should we invite Jia for lunch later this week? Maybe you can pitch her the idea then.”

Alec is relieved that Asmodeus is already distracted, texting their CFO instead of discussing Magnus. Alec isn’t sure if he can talk about Magnus without looking guilty or feeling shitty.

He knows he needs to confide in someone before these feelings consume him or before he accidentally blurts everything out to Asmodeus or his family. So, he does the next best thing he can think of: he texts Jess after lunch to set up an appointment.

Two days later, Alec finds himself in a cozy apartment in Park Slope, perched on a couch that’s clearly designed for two people.

“It’s not unusual, if that’s what you’re worried about,” the man sitting across from him says.

Alec, too caught up in his thoughts, blinks and looks up in confusion. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”

“You booked the appointment, yes?” The man smiles kindly, and Alec nods. The man gestures to the empty space beside Alec. “It’s not uncommon for the other party to be late.”

“Oh,” Alec murmurs in understanding and then shakes his head. “Oh no, he’s not coming.”

“I see,” the man replies, his smile still patient as he picks up a sky-blue notebook from the small table beside him. “Did he let you know ahead of time, or is this an assumption?”

“Um,” Alec says. “I mean, he doesn’t know I’m here right now, so there’s no chance of him being here too.”

The other man blinks at that. “You do know my sessions are for couples, yes? I’m a couples therapist.”

“Oh, I know,” Alec chuckles, feeling a little sheepish. “My secretary said that you’re the best, that you specialize in queer relationships, and that you’re very discreet.”

Jess never makes a wrong choice, and Alec doesn’t hire people he doesn’t trust. When he asked her to look for an appointment with a couples therapist as soon as possible, he knew she’d find the right person. 

Alec read a bunch of reviews about the man on his way here, all of which confirmed what Jess had said—this therapist was, by all accounts, the perfect person for the job.

Dr. García blinks at Alec’s response. He’s a slight man, short and thin, with a neatly groomed salt-and-pepper beard that gives him an air of quiet wisdom. His linen shirt, crisp but casual, is rolled up at the sleeves, and his legs are crossed comfortably, one ankle resting on his knee. There’s a cup of tea resting on the small side table beside him, still steaming. His dark eyes, thoughtful and warm, are fixed on Alec as he shifts in his seat. 

Alec has a good feeling that this man can help him.

“Alec, is it?” the man asks, checking his notebook. Alec nods. “I’m not sure if you’ve been to couples therapy before, Alec, but it usually requires two or more people to work.”

“Two or more?” Alec frowns. 

“Polyamory,” the man explains, setting his notebook down.

“Magnus can’t be here,” Alec blurts out hurriedly. “But if it helps, I can describe what he looks like. Just picture someone very pretty, slightly glittery, with very fashionable and sexy clothes on.”

“That’s an interesting way to describe one’s partner,” the man hums in amusement. “Tell me, did you marry…Magnus is it, primarily for his physical appeal?”

“What? No!” Alec splutters. “I mean, he’s hot, but that’s just a fact. I didn’t marry him because of that—it wasn’t even a contributing factor. Okay, maybe a little, but it’s not like I can help it! He’s hot! Blame his parents!”

The therapist stares at Alec for a moment, his expression unreadable, before shaking his head slightly. “Regardless, Alec, I can’t conduct a couples therapy session without Magnus here.”

“Dr. García— Or should I call you Luca?” Alec tries, leaning forward. “Look, this is really important.”

“Luca,” the man replies smoothly. “Most couples don’t come to therapy unless it’s really important—though I wish that wasn’t always the case. But Alec, therapy requires participation from both sides. Why don’t you come back with Magnus, and I’d be happy to help you work through whatever is troubling your marriage?”

“He won’t come,” Alec says with a tired sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.

“And why do you think that?”

“Because our marriage isn’t real,” Alec states flatly. “So there’s no point in trying to fix it.”

Luca stares at him for a long time and finally picks up his tea. “Elaborate, please.”

Alec tells him everything. Before the session started, he double-checked to ensure that it was all strictly confidential. Jess had even arranged for Luca to sign an NDA—something the therapist was happy to do, which reassured Alec that Luca was used to working with high-profile clients.

“How long has it been since you first saw him crying?” Luca asks once Alec finishes. 

“A little more than two weeks,” Alec admits, his voice tinged with guilt.

“He’s been crying for two weeks and you haven’t done anything about it?” Luca raises an eyebrow.

“Hey, I thought therapists weren’t supposed to judge,” Alec frowns defensively.

Luca chuckles, shaking his head. “I’m here to challenge you, Alec. You’re not paying me to pat you on the back. Therapy works when we face hard truths, not when I agree with everything you say.”

“Well, I have been trying!” Alec argues. “I came here, didn’t I?”

“You should’ve gone to Magnus,” Luca replies calmly. 

“Is that what I should do?” Alec asks quickly, almost latching onto the idea. “Because I’m not sure about approaching Magnus—I think it might make everything worse. But if you think that’s a good idea, and it might help him—”

“I can’t tell you what will help Magnus without talking to Magnus,” Luca interrupts gently. “Which is why he should be here too.”

“He can’t come,” Alec groans, then corrects himself. “He  won’t  come.”

Luca studies him for a moment before speaking. “It seems to me that Magnus isn’t the only one struggling here.”

Alec blinks in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“How about I recommend you to a therapist who can help  you  with this?” Luca suggests kindly.

“I am talking to a therapist!”

“You’re talking to a  couples  therapist,” Luca reminds him with a soft chuckle. “I can’t give you the help you need.”

“But,” Alec tries not to pout. “I like you.”

“Well, then you’ll have to bring Magnus with you,” Luca shrugs.

“I can’t even invite him to dinner without breaking a sweat—how the hell am I gonna ask him to go to therapy with me?” Alec rolls his eyes. “It’s not like we don’t like each other or anything. We were fine before the wedding. But now that we’re living together, everything is different.”

“Living together changes things,” Luca points out. “It alters dynamics in ways people don’t always expect. The habits you once kept separate now overlap, and it’s easy for tensions to grow where there weren’t any before.”

Alec sighs heavily, slumping back in his chair. “I feel like if we could actually connect, then we’d be able to talk about stuff. We’ve been hanging out once a week, like I told you before, but it hasn’t brought us any closer. What brings people together?”

“Tragedy usually does,” Luca hums. “You told me that you and Magnus only really started talking when Asmodeus got sick recently.”

“Oh my God, you’re right!” Alec gasps in realization.

Luca nods, then adds thoughtfully, “Asmodeus seems to play a significant role in both your individual lives. It sounds like his influence extends into your relationship as well. You both seem to care more about what  he  thinks than what you think of each other.”

Alec decides to brush that off. That’s old news, nothing he needs a therapist to tell him. He leans forward instead. “Hey, do you think Magnus would get closer to me if I pretended to be sick?”

“I wouldn’t recommend that, no,” Luca says immediately, shaking his head.

“Yeah, but would it work, though?” Alec asks curiously. “I’ve seen it work in movies.”

“Alec—”

“You have been so helpful!” Alec jumps to his feet, cutting Luca off. “Your advice is great.”

“I did not give you any advice,” Luca says vehemently, standing as well. “And I’d strongly advise you not to come  back here without Magnus.”

Alec tries not to pout. Luca escorts him to the door, still looking bewildered but not entirely disturbed. It makes Alec wonder what kind of other oddballs Luca deals with regularly.

“Hey,” Alec says, turning around as he bites his lip. “Why do you think he’s crying?”

Luca pauses, his expression softening. “I don’t know, Alec. But sometimes, it’s worth asking who he’s crying for, rather than why.”

Alec sincerely hopes it’s not for him. He doesn’t want Magnus to cry because of him. It would be so awful — especially because he doesn’t know how to fix it. 

“Thanks,” he mutters as he steps out the door, wishing he could linger a bit longer and wishing that Magnus was there with him. But he stands by what he said earlier: this isn’t a real marriage, so why bother seeking therapy to fix something that feels so temporary?

He had only come here hoping to find a way to help Magnus and improve their situation, but that plan fell flat. 

Later that week, in a desperate attempt to reconnect, he pretends to be sick, but it backfires spectacularly. Magnus ends up informing Asmodeus, who forces Alec to take time off work. Alec hates taking time off work. To make matters worse, Magnus cancels their weekly outing — an art exhibition his friend Ragnor is hosting. 

Karma is real, kids.

Alec is curled up in bed now, a blanket wrapped around him as he lets out the occasional fake cough.

"Are you sure you don't need my help?" he asks desperately. "I think I'm already feeling better."

"Absolutely not," Magnus shakes his head, following Chairman into Alec’s room. "You need time to recover, Alexander. You work too much."

"But I promised I'd come with you and help your friend set up," Alec pouts, pulling the blanket tighter.

"Honestly, I don't even know why I'm helping him. Ragnor’s too stingy to pay some undergrads to help with the exhibition," Magnus rolls his eyes as Chairman Meow jumps onto the bed and snuggles under the blankets beside Alec. "You can meet Ragnor next time. Trust me, you’re not missing much."

"Okay," Alec sighs, giving up. "Have fun."

"Thank you," Magnus smiles sweetly and leans past Alec to rub Chairman Meow’s back. His scent fills the space, and Alec wonders how Magnus doesn’t get kidnapped every time he goes out—he smells  that  good. "Be good for Alec, Chairman. No monkey business while I’m away."

Chairman Meow gives Alec a look that practically guarantees mischief.

As soon as Magnus is out the door, Alec throws off the blanket and gets up. He’s sick of pretending to be ill. He pours himself a glass of scotch, and turns on the TV, but nothing catches his interest. He even calls his mother for a chat, and she tells him she’s planning a visit to New York soon. It’s nice, but it doesn’t kill the boredom.

The day drags on. Normally, Alec would spend his weekend hanging out with his siblings, but his lie has wrecked that too. He paces the apartment, aimless. He feeds Chairman Meow like Magnus asked and tidies up a bit, but it feels like he’s just filling time.

His mind keeps wandering back to Magnus. Is he okay? Is the exhibition going well? Will Magnus come home tonight and act like everything is fine, or will he slip back into that quiet sadness Alec doesn’t understand?

Magnus has been crying for weeks now, and Alec still doesn’t know why.

He sits back down on the bed, Luca’s words echoing in his head.  “It’s worth asking who he’s crying for, and not why.”

Alec has no idea who Magnus is crying for. 

Is it Asmodeus? Does Magnus miss his father? Is he scared for his health? Or is Magnus crying for his mother, someone he lost too young, a wound that never really healed? Alec remembers when he lost his brother. He wasn’t so young, and he had just graduated high school, but the pain still lingers—sometimes sharper, sometimes dull, but always there. While he doesn’t cry about it every night, he knows what grief feels like. Maybe Magnus is just grieving too.

But then a darker thought creeps in—maybe Magnus isn’t crying for someone else, maybe he’s crying for himself. Alec can’t imagine what it feels like to be stuck in a marriage you don’t want, bound to someone you didn’t choose. He’s tried to make things easy for Magnus, but it must still be suffocating. Maybe Magnus feels trapped, helpless, hating his life. And if that’s the case…well, that’s just fucked up and so sad. 

Alec shakes the thought away. He really hopes Magnus is just crying over his parents or something. He’s not sure if that makes him a terrible person, but it’s the truth.

The problem is that Alec doesn’t know. He doesn’t know Magnus at all. He knows what Magnus smells like more than he knows what Magnus feels like. They’re just two strangers living under the same roof, never opening up, never talking about the things that matter. 

Alec can’t help but think that knowing Magnus better would give him the context he’s missing.

So he decides to take matters into his own hands.

He quietly slips into Magnus’s room, careful not to overthink it. He’s never been in here properly before, and the room is exactly what you’d expect from Magnus. A gigantic bed dominates the center, covered in navy blue silk sheets. 

He pokes around the vanity, opening, and closing like a hundred little bottles. Serums, lotions, moisturizers—he has no idea why one person needs so many different products, but if it gets you to smell like Magnus, then who’s he to judge?

A few framed photos catch his eye. On the vanity, beside the bed—pictures of Magnus with his father, a few of his parents together, and one of his mother when he was just a kid. There are also photos of Magnus with his friends, smiling and carefree, and for some reason, a picture of Britney Spears. But nothing in these pictures— or this room—reveals anything Alec doesn’t already know.

Alec steps into the bathroom. More beauty products—naturally—and some prescription bottles. He quickly Googles the names. Antidepressants and medication for insomnia. He knew Magnus struggled with those things already, but somehow this makes it more real. Still, he doesn’t think people cry like that every night just because they’re depressed. Maybe he should ask Luca if that could be a reason, though Luca might kick him out if he shows up again. 

Alec moves back into the bedroom and heads toward Magnus’ walk-in closet. It’s big enough to be a room on its own, and meticulously organized. For some reason, Alec finds that incredibly attractive—the way Magnus has separate sections for his shoes, belts, coats, and even his jewelry.

He flips through Magnus’s clothes, not really interested in the fabric but in finding something, anything, that might tell him more about the man he’s living with. But there’s nothing. No hidden clues, no secret truths waiting to be uncovered.

Alec lets out a frustrated sigh. If there’s one thing he knows about Magnus, it’s that he hides things. Magnus is never just what you see on the surface—there’s always something more. So where is it? Where’s the thing that will finally give Alec some insight?

Eventually, he gives up. He makes himself an espresso, and walks back toward his own room, but as he passes by Magnus’s workshop, he pauses.

That’s where Magnus spends most of his time.

Alec stares at the door, considering whether or not to go in. He’s not sure what he’s looking for anymore. He decides to try anyway. 

Alec has been in here before, but always with Magnus present. Now, with the room empty, he takes his time, exploring it thoroughly. Just like the bedroom, this space is also meticulously organized. 

He glances at the neatly arranged materials Magnus uses for his jewelry. A rainbow of beads, wires, stones, and other tiny components—some Alec can’t even name—are laid out in perfect order. Magnus has a way of making chaos look intentional, and Alec finds it incredibly fascinating. He’s tempted to touch one of the delicate threads, but he pulls back, worried about breaking something. Not because it might be expensive, but because he doesn’t want Magnus to know he was snooping.

Alec sits at Magnus’s work table, settling into the chair where Magnus spends hours hunched over his creations. The tools spread across the desk are foreign to Alec—a magnifying glass, tiny pliers, intricate gadgets he can’t begin to understand. He doesn’t wear jewelry himself, aside from buying the occasional piece for his sister or mom, but there’s something about the way Magnus works that draws him in. He’s mesmerized by it, and more than that, he’s mesmerized by the way Magnus talks about it. The passion. The details. If Magnus would ever share more about his process, Alec would love to learn.

Eventually, he walks over to the couch—the one where Magnus sits when he cries. The blanket is still draped over the armrest, and Alec feels a strong urge to wrap it around himself. But he doesn’t. This is for Magnus, not him. Instead, he sits down on the couch, sinking into the cushion, wishing it could tell him why Magnus is crying and how he could help. But, of course, there are no answers.

Letting out a tired sigh, Alec shifts in his seat when something pokes him in the back. He reaches behind the cushion and pulls out a small box wedged between the seat and the frame. It’s a jewelry box.

Inside is a ring, and even though Alec doesn’t know much about jewelry, he knows this was designed by Magnus. There’s something about it that feels distinctly  him —stylish but elegant, traditional, and somehow still sexy. 

It’s made of pure gold, polished to perfection, with diamonds set around the band and a vibrant ruby glowing in the center. Alec can see his reflection in the gold, and the whole thing looks like it costs a fortune.

But what doesn’t make sense is that Magnus told him he doesn’t design rings.

Alec turns the ring over in his hand, confused. Why would Magnus make this if he doesn’t do rings? And why is it here, in the same spot where Magnus cries every night?

That night, when Magnus comes home late and Alec finds him, unsurprisingly, in the workshop again, crying into the same blanket, Alec forces himself to look closer. It hurts to see Magnus like this, curled up in pain, but something catches his eye this time—the small ring box, clutched tightly in Magnus’ hand, pressed against his chest as he grips at his skin.

Luca’s words echo in his mind. Suddenly, Alec can’t stop thinking about it. 

Not why Magnus made the ring. Not even why he’s crying.

But who did Magnus make it for?

And who is it that makes him cry this much?

Chapter Text

When sunlight falls over his face, Alec knows he’s overslept. It’s the weekend, though, so he rolls onto his stomach and groans into the pillow.

It’s been a hell of a week—between pacifying a doubtful Jia at work about his plans for expanding Java and trying to find a way to talk to a very elusive Magnus about his secret crying and his secret rings Alec hadn't had much rest. 

Jia is skeptical but open, as long as he shows her the numbers, which means he's been stuck working with R&D to get everything in order. He’s pulled other people into it now, so word’s going to leak sooner or later, and the board will definitely have questions. Alec needs to be ready. 

But the idea is out there now. He’d thought he might keep it buried forever, keep Java exactly the same without making it his own. So, this is progress. Things are moving forward.

Can’t say the same about approaching Magnus, though.

He still hasn’t figured out how to broach the subject, and Magnus, well, Magnus doesn’t exactly volunteer anything. The only relief Alec got this week was when Magnus casually mentioned going to the Hamptons with friends for a few days. Alec isn’t sure if it’s really friends or someone else. He didn’t ask—mostly because he didn’t want to know.

It’s a weird place to be. He promised Asmodeus he’d look after Magnus, and he meant that. But how do you take care of someone you barely know? How is Alec supposed to help when Magnus keeps shutting him out?

He thought Magnus being away would feel like a weight off his shoulders—no worrying about him crying in the next room, no awkward silence hanging between them. But it feels worse, somehow. What if Magnus is crying in the Hamptons? Is anyone with him? Is anyone taking care of him?

Alec tried to shake off the nagging thoughts by hanging out with his siblings. They hit Hunter’s Moon last night, just like they do every Friday. Alec was all set to win the game night and piss everyone off, as usual.

Then Luke had to go and declare it karaoke night, with the best performance—judged by the oh-so-impartial Clary—taking the prize. Alec immediately decided the only logical solution was to get drunk, because there’s no way in hell he’s singing in front of a room full of strangers. Okay, most of them are regulars by now, so maybe not strangers. Still.

He didn’t win. Clary, the “unbiased” judge, picked her husband. Jerks.

Since Alec lost—well, Jace cheated— he got even more drunk. Which explains why he slept through his alarm today.

Whatever. It’s fine. It’s the weekend.

He drags himself to the kitchen, pulling down his shirt as he goes, desperately craving coffee. His life literally depends on it, especially with the headache pounding behind his eyes. He turns on the coffee maker and lets out a loud yawn. 

“Hello, Alexander.”

“Jesus Christ!” Alec yelps, clutching his chest as he startles awake. The small cat, nipping at Alec’s sweats, leaps away and rushes back to its owner. Rubbing his eyes, Alec blinks at Magnus. “I thought you were getting back in the afternoon.”

Magnus smiles, rubbing Chairman Meow’s back as the cat nuzzles against his chest. “It is afternoon.”

“Oh.” Alec glances at the clock, his brain still lagging. That explains the headache. He should’ve already had four cups of coffee by now. “That makes a lot of sense.”

Magnus observes him, amusement tugging at his lips. “You look like you had quite the night.”

“Jace and Izzy,” Alec grumbles by way of explanation, grabbing his coffee and taking a reckless sip, burning his tongue in the process.

Magnus raises a brow. “Should I cancel our plans?”

Alec frowns, halfway through another gulp. “What plans?”

“Our date?” Magnus reminds him, using air quotes around the word 'date.' “Since we missed brunch, I thought we could reschedule—”

“No!” Alec practically shouts, now that the caffeine is hitting his system and his brain has kicked into gear. He hasn’t talked to Magnus properly in two days. If he backs out now, who knows when they’ll have another chance. “No, we can still do lunch. If you’re okay with that?”

Magnus shrugs. “I could eat. But are you sure you’re up for it?”

“Yep. Just need a shower,” Alec mutters, stifling another yawn. “And more coffee.”

Magnus chuckles. “You just had some!”

“Yeah, but I’ve got three cups to catch up on,” Alec says seriously, rubbing his face again. “How was, uh, how was your trip?”

“Oh, it was splendid!” Magnus beams, his eyes bright. “I roped Catarina into coming along. She’s an overworked soul. Like you.”

Alec pauses, unsure if that was a compliment or a dig. Either way, he’ll take it. “Well, I’m glad you had a good time,” he says, meaning it, though a small part of him wonders if Magnus cried there too.

“I always do at the beach,” Magnus replies, his smile softening. “Speaking of, here—” 

He pulls something from the pocket of his silky, peacock-colored robe, the afternoon light making him look even more stunning in it than usual. He holds out his hand, revealing a few pebbles.

Alec stares at the rocks, a bit taken aback. They're a little bigger than the smooth stones he usually collects. These are rugged and oddly shaped too. They’re the kind of pebbles Alec used to collect and bring to his younger brother, only for Max to throw them away with a playful, “Not even close, Alec.”

“These…aren’t the ones I usually collect,” Alec says gently, not wanting to offend him. “But thank you.”

Magnus immediately retracts his hand, his expression shifting. “Right. Okay. I’ll go get ready then. We’ll leave in an hour?”

“Sounds good,” Alec nods, pouring himself another cup of coffee. 

Two hours later—because of course, Magnus doesn’t get ready in an hour, and Alec knows that by now and prepares accordingly—the two of them climb into Alec’s car and drive to Manhattan for lunch at a rooftop restaurant Magnus found online.

“I need to pick up my dry cleaning on the way,” Alec mentions as a notification pops up on his phone. “You mind?”

“Not at all,” Magnus replies, his arm draped against the side of the door, head propped up on his hand.

He’s dressed in a navy blue sweater that makes him look both soft and devastatingly beautiful. Alec misses the unbuttoned shirts—damn you, winter—but it’s still a very elegant look. Naturally, everything suits Magnus perfectly: the earrings, the bracelets, and the rings gleaming on his fingers.

“Hey, so, I’ve got a work-related question for you,” Alec clears his throat, fingers tightening on the steering wheel.

Magnus turns from the window, raising an eyebrow. “Yes?”

“One of my colleagues is trying to get a ring for their husband,” Alec begins, nonchalantly.

“Which colleague?” Magnus asks. 

“You wouldn’t know them,” Alec rushes, not wanting to get caught in the lie. “Anyway, do you have any advice? As a...professional?”

Magnus hums thoughtfully, twirling one of his rings. “I wouldn’t call myself an expert, but I’d say make sure it complements their personal style. Personally, I prefer vintage, but some people like modern or classic designs. And the metal—platinum, silver, white gold for cool tones; yellow or rose gold for warm tones. If this person works a lot with their hands, they might want something durable, with fewer stones.”

“Right. I’ll pass that on,” Alec hums back. “For someone who isn’t an expert, you sure know a lot about rings.”

Magnus grins. “Basic knowledge for a jeweler, Alexander. It applies to most jewelry, really.”

“Right.” Alec nods, taking a left toward the street where his dry cleaner is. They usually deliver, but he doesn’t mind the detour. More time to drive around the city with Magnus. “So, you’ve never made rings before?”

“Not really,” Magnus says, eyes shifting back to the window as his fingers absentmindedly fiddle with his bracelet.

“Your dad told me you used to make rings for your mom,” Alec presses, voice light but probing.

Magnus is lying—about what, Alec isn’t sure, but it’s something private, something possibly painful. Alec has no right to demand the truth, especially since they barely know each other, but he can’t help wanting to understand. They’re married, they live together—shouldn’t they be sharing things like this?

Alec’s been thinking about it a lot lately. His best theory? Magnus proposed to someone once, and they rejected him. That’s why Magnus avoids marriage, why he’s heartbroken, why he cries every night. It fits—except for one thing. Who in their right mind would say no to marrying Magnus? Alec barely knew Magnus and still said yes. Whoever turned him down must be a complete idiot.

“Is there anything my father hasn’t told you about me?” Magnus asks, incredulous but amused.

Alec swallows down the urge to mention the crying and just chuckles. “Sorry.”

Magnus shakes his head with a small laugh. “I was a child back then. That doesn’t count.”

“When I was a kid, I used to run my own coffee shop,” Alec offers, deflecting the tension.

“Real coffee?” 

“Sand and water.”

“Good lord.” Magnus laughs. “I hope you didn’t poison anyone.”

“No, but Jace did end up at the doctor’s once,” Alec recalls, chuckling at the memory. “Still swears it was the best coffee he ever had.”

Magnus laughs, shaking his head. The conversation tapers off, and Alec’s mind races, scrambling to figure out how to bring it back to the question gnawing at him. He can’t just ask, point-blank, why Magnus is crying. But maybe he could say something like, “Hey, I found this ring in your workshop. What’s the story there?” He’s not sure if Magnus would lie again or get mad at him for snooping.

But he’s going to ask. He has to.

“I’ll be right back,” Alec says, swinging the car door open. He hustles into the dry cleaners, and when he returns with his suits, hanging them carefully in the backseat, he finds Magnus absorbed in a cat video on his phone, chuckling to himself.

“Okay, all good,” Alec huffs, settling back behind the wheel. “Where’s the restaurant again?”

“West Village,” Magnus replies, glancing over his shoulder. “Do you only wear suits?”

“I’m not wearing a suit right now,” Alec gestures at his hoodie.

“I meant for work,” Magnus clarifies. “I’ve only seen you wear suits to work.”

“Yeah, because we have a dress code,” Alec explains.

“Hm,” Magnus hums, clearly unimpressed with that answer. “When you become CEO, maybe that should be the first thing you change.”

Alec chuckles at the thought. “I’m pretty sure the board would prefer this over my actual plans.”

“They’re not happy with the expansion plans?” Magnus frowns, genuine concern flickering across his face. Alec immediately feels a swell of satisfaction at Magnus remembering their earlier conversation. 

“They could be happier,” he exhales, forcing himself to steer away from the topic. “I can handle them, I think. Honestly, I’ve got bigger problems.”

“Oh?” Magnus raises an eyebrow. 

“We’re doing a whole rebranding for me,” Alec tries not to grumble. “It’s all interviews and fucking TikToks, and photoshoots.”

“Poor you,” Magnus chuckles. 

“Not to mention the fucking party,” Alec groans. “It’s literally just signing a piece of paper. We could do it over email. But now we have to invite so many people and make speeches and all that shit.”

“As if my father is going to ignore a chance to sing your praises in public,” Magnus rolls his eyes, a fond smile creeping onto his lips. “What are you wearing?”

“For what?” Alec asks, confused.

“For the party!” 

“Uh, I don’t know,” Alec shrugs, gesturing behind him. “Probably one of these.”

Magnus gasps, looking horrified. “Secondhand clothes?”

“Those are mine!” Alec protests.

“COO Alec wore those. These do not belong to CEO Alec,” Magnus huffs.

“Magnus, it’s Tom Ford,” Alec chuckles.

“It’s old!” Magnus argues. “Alexander, this is the biggest day in your career. Surely it calls for a new suit?”

“Does it?” Alec asks dryly.

“Why is your PR not on this?” Magnus demands. “You should call Lily—”

“Please don’t call Lily. I’m this close to blocking her number,” Alec groans, rubbing his temples. “Magnus, it’s not a big deal.”

“I’m pretty sure it would be a big deal if the board figures out you couldn’t even be bothered to get a newly tailored suit for the grand occasion,” Magnus hums, crossing his arms.

Alec swears under his breath. “Fine. Okay. I’ll get a new suit. Happy?”

“No,” Magnus informs him, shaking his head. “Tom Ford is basic, Alexander. You need something much more refined.”

“Uh,” Alec says. “Gucci?” 

“Brioni, Kiton, and Zegna,” Magnus rattles off names with an air of authority.

“I haven’t heard of those,” Alec frowns. 

“Honestly, if anyone is going to figure out our marriage is fake, it’s because of this,” Magnus rolls his eyes again. For some reason, the simple statement stings a little. “We’re talking bespoke suits. Ultra luxury. Couture.”

“Uh,” Alec says again. 

Magnus groans and begins tapping furiously on his phone. “Alright. Change of plans. We’re going shopping. I’m going to talk to my friend and get you sorted.”

“What about lunch?” Alec asks. 

“Oh, we’ll grab a burrito on the way. We’ve got work to do!” Magnus replies, excitement lighting up his eyes.

They end up on Madison Avenue half an hour later, having grabbed a light lunch—and more coffee from a Java outlet on the way. Alec loves that no one recognizes him when he visits Java. He enjoys the anonymity it provides, especially knowing it might change later this month. People do a double take when Magnus walks in, but Alec figures it’s not because they know him; it’s simply due to how he looks. The staring is very valid.

As they arrive at a place called Kiton, Alec notices it’s pretty empty. He’s learned enough by now to know that doesn’t mean a lack of customers; it signals exclusivity. It makes him feel a little important, if he’s being honest.

A short woman greets them, cooing at Magnus as she kisses him on both cheeks and rattles off a stream of Italian. Magnus responds smoothly, his Italian fluent enough to impress, while Alec awkwardly waves at her.

“This way, Mr. Lightwood,” the woman says, switching to English. “We’ll need to take your measurements.”

“I’m so sorry for the last-minute appointment, Giulia,” Magnus says apologetically in English as she guides Alec to a platform. “We’re happy to pay for your extra time.”

Alec raises an eyebrow at that, but Magnus gives him a pointed look, urging him to keep quiet. Giulia waves a hand dismissively, grabbing the measuring tape and circling Alec.

“I was thinking we should go for a super 150s wool or a cashmere blend,” Magnus suggests, his gaze carefully assessing Alec. God, why does this feel so vulnerable? He’s not naked for Christ’s sake.

“Yes, I think so too,” Giulia agrees, looking up at Alec. “Black suit?”

“Dark brown,” Magnus answers for him, glancing at Alec. “Like coffee?”

“Oh,” Alec blinks, surprised he actually likes that idea. “Sure.”

“I wish my husband let me dress him up in whatever I wanted,” Giulia murmurs, measuring Alec’s thighs.

“I’ll send some color palettes to you tonight,” Magnus tells her with a chuckle.

“Magnus, you don’t have to go through all this trouble,” Alec says, feeling overwhelmed.

“It’s no bother. I love this,” Magnus replies cheerfully, diving into a discussion with Giulia about the rest of the clothes—the shirts, trousers, and everything else.

Alec, having nothing to contribute, stands there awkwardly until they finish with him. Magnus seems in his element, and Alec can’t help but think he’s never seen the other man so excited. Maybe they should go shopping every week.

“You need shoes,” Giulia declares, turning to Magnus. “Accessories?”

“I’ll sort out the shoes. We’ll need to buy cufflinks too,” Magnus says easily. “For accessories, I’ll need the belt, pocket square, and the tie, Giulia. I’ll send the requirements for those along with the color palette.”

“Do we really need all that?” Alec asks wearily. “I have shoes at home. And cufflinks too. Or we could just get buttons on the suit, Giulia?”

“Buttons?” Giulia shrieks, turning to Magnus. “You married this man?”

“See?” Magnus glares at Alec pointedly before turning back to Giulia, launching into another rapid-fire exchange in Italian.

When they’re done, Alec hands her his black Amex. Giulia chats with Magnus in Italian again, asking him a question.

“Oh,” Magnus says, glancing at Alec. “When is your party? Giulia says they need at least two weeks, even with the added costs.”

“Two weeks is fine,” Alec replies. “The party is on the 21st, so anytime before that works.”

Giulia nods and schedules a fitting for the 17th to make any final adjustments if necessary. When they finish, Magnus suggests grabbing a proper lunch first and then buying shoes on their way home.

As they walk down Madison Avenue toward a restaurant Magnus knows about, Alec clears his throat and tries to pick up the conversation again. “Thanks. Um. You know. For helping.”

“Of course,” Magnus smiles, his expression soft and warm. “I should check on my father too. God knows what he’ll be wearing.”

“What will you wear?” Alec blurts out. “I mean, if you’re coming for the party.”

Magnus stops, concern flickering across his face. “Do you not want me to be there?”

“Of course I do,” Alec replies, his desperation leaking through. He quickly clears his throat. “I mean, it would look super weird if my husband isn’t there for my own takeover party.”

“Of course,” Magnus says, his smile shifting a little. “I haven’t thought about what I’d wear yet.”

“I’m sure you’ll look great no matter what it is,” Alec says sincerely. “Although I’m not sure about the shoes, Magnus. Because I do have good ones—”

“I said no to secondhand stuff!” Magnus groans, exasperated. “We need new shoes and new socks too!”

Alec relents, shaking his head with a chuckle. “Fine. Can I at least wear old underwear, or does that have to be new too?” He doesn’t have time to process Magnus’s reaction before a familiar voice calls out to him from behind. Alec turns around and blinks in surprise. “Mom?”

“Alec!” his mom laughs happily, wrapping her arms around him.

“What are you doing here?” Alec chuckles, kissing her cheek.

“I told you I’d be coming to New York early. I was going to call you tonight, but I had to meet up with a friend who’s in crisis,” she explains hastily, pulling Magnus in for a hug. “Hello, Magnus. So good to see you again.”

“Hello,” Magnus replies, kissing her cheek as well. “You look lovely.”

“Are you guys shopping?” she asks, her excitement palpable.

“We just finished,” Alec explains. “We’re going to grab lunch now.”

“It’s a little late for lunch, isn’t it?” his mom frowns at Alec.

“Because someone spent hours buying clothes,” Alec argues.

“Or someone woke up late because they got hammered last night,” Magnus counters, and Alec quickly shushes him.

Alec’s mom merely laughs and shakes her head. “Oh, I’m so happy to see you both. You guys look good.”

Magnus smiles softly and squeezes his mother’s hand. “Would you like to join us for lunch?”

“Oh,” she blinks. “I mean, I don’t want to intrude—”

“Mom, it’s fine,” Alec reassures her, even though the thought of losing his private once-a-week Magnus time disappoints him.

“You’ll love it. I promise,” Magnus grins, holding out his arm for her. “It’s the best Italian place in Manhattan.”

“I love Italian!” his mom gasps, immediately grabbing Magnus’ hand. Okay then, Alec thinks, he’ll just walk behind them, he guesses. “So, what did you guys buy?”

“We went to buy Alexander a suit,” Magnus informs her. “Can you believe he was going to wear an old suit for his party?”

“I can believe that, actually,” Alec’s mom says, throwing Alec an accusatory look over her shoulder. “You should’ve seen him in high school, Magnus. He wore the same hoodie every day.”

“Mom!” Alec groans from behind them.

“Thank God Isabelle set fire to the damn thing,” she shudders.

“I thought it got caught in the washing machine,” Alec gasps at the betrayal.

“She did you a favor,” Magnus huffs at Alec and winks at his mom. “I see Isabelle inherited your looks as well as your taste.”

His mom blushes at that, and Alec can’t blame her. “Yes, well, Alec has inherited other admirable qualities from me.”

“Like his excellent cooking skills?” Magnus teases.

“Oh no, that’s all Robert,” Alec’s mom laughs loudly. “Out of all my children, only Jace bothered to follow me into the kitchen.”

“Jace doesn’t even know what a mango looks like!” Alec scoffs. “Also, this isn’t fair. You can’t cook either, Magnus.”

“You can’t?” Alec’s mom blinks. “What are you boys eating every day, then?”

“First of all, I can cook just fine. I simply don’t like to. It ruins my cuticles, and I don’t care for it,” Magnus informs Alec’s mother. “Also, we hardly need to cook. Alexander just drinks coffee for all his meals.”

“I’m not going to say anything,” his mom huffs in frustration.

“You’re not?” Magnus raises an eyebrow as he turns into a private lane, the two of them following him.

“I’ve told him a thousand times, Magnus, he will only learn his lesson when he gets hospitalized for kidney failure or something worse,” she grumbles.

“I’m not going to get kidney failure, Mom,” Alec insists for the thousandth time.

“You never know until these things happen!” she scolds him, and Magnus looks like he’s trying not to laugh. “Remember that time when Max got an ear infection because he swam in that public pool?”

“Oh my god, he didn’t get it because of the pool. It was just a coincidence,” Alec groans. “You’re paranoid for no reason.”

“All mothers are like that,” Magnus chuckles softly, giving Alec’s mom a fond smile. “Who’s Max, by the way?”

His mom abruptly stops walking at that.

Shit.

Fuck. Shit. Fucking shit.

He knows he’s married to a stranger. But it doesn’t hit harder as it does now. 

Magnus’ phone vibrates in his hand as he frowns at the screen before looking up at Alec. “It’s Guilia. Perhaps we’ve forgotten to give some detail. Let me check. Excuse me for a moment.”

As Magnus turns away to answer, Alec grabs his mother immediately. “Mom.”

“He doesn’t know about Max?” she whispers.

“I—No,” Alec sighs tiredly.

Magnus turns around and smiles at them both. “All good. She just needed to clarify something about fabrics. Anyway, where were we?”

“Um,” Alec stammers. “We should just head for lunch. Magnus, how far is this place?”

“Actually,” his mother says, sighing heavily. “I agreed to meet a friend for lunch, and it completely slipped my mind.”

“Oh?” Magnus blinks.

“Mom,” Alec sighs.

“I should go,” she exhales, biting her lip tightly. “It was nice seeing you, Magnus.”

“Oh. Yes. Of course. You too,” Magnus says, confusion evident as he senses the abrupt change in atmosphere. “Are you sure you can’t stay?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. You two enjoy,” Alec’s mom gives a tight smile before turning to Alec and nodding politely. “I’ll see you at the party.”

They both stare speechlessly as they watch her climb into a yellow cab, hastily getting out of there as fast as she can.

“Did I say something?” Magnus turns to him immediately.

Alec pinches the bridge of his nose. This cursed week couldn’t get any worse, huh? He takes a deep breath and turns to Magnus. “Do you think you can take a cab? I—I have to go talk to her.”

“But why?” Magnus asks, his confusion morphing into worry. “What happened? Did I do something to offend her? I feel like I did.”

“Magnus, you did nothing wrong, I promise,” Alec reassures him immediately. “I just—It’s a family thing. I have to go, okay? Will you be okay getting back to the loft on your own?”

“I—yes. Of course,” Magnus replies, though he still looks worried. “Sorry.”

“You didn’t do anything,” Alec shakes his head. “I have to go, okay? I’m sorry.”

After calling Jace, Alec finds out his mother is staying at a hotel, not with his siblings. He wishes she’d told him sooner. His vacant Manhattan apartment would’ve been an easy fix for her.

He also wishes she’d mentioned she was arriving earlier. He could’ve had time to prepare Magnus, although he's not sure it would’ve helped. It’s not like he would’ve brought up Max, anyway.

This is all his fault.

He knows his mother is hurt, and Magnus is worried. It’s all on him.

“Hey,” Alec musters a smile when his mom opens the hotel room door, staring at him with an unreadable expression. “Can I come in?”

She exhales slowly, stepping aside to let him in, albeit reluctantly.

Alec walks into the room, pacing, his fingers threading through his hair. “Mom, listen, I just want to say—it’s not Magnus’ fault.”

“I didn’t say it was,” she replies, her tone defensive.

“I don’t want to fight about this, Mom,” Alec sighs, frustration rising. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal?” she gasps, a disbelieving laugh escaping. “Magnus doesn’t even know about your brother!”

“A lot of people don’t know about him!” Alec snaps back. “I don’t make it a habit to broadcast my personal life.”

“If this is some bullshit about you being a ‘private person,’ I swear, Alec, I will lose it,” she hisses. “How could you not tell Magnus?”

“I don’t tell  anyone !” Alec groans. “My colleagues—”

“It’s not the same, and you know it!” She cuts him off sharply. “He’s your husband. You live together.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to share everything,” Alec says, shaking his head.

“I don’t understand how you can be married to someone and not talk about important things,” she scoffs.

That hits a nerve. Especially with everything happening at the loft these days.

Alec crosses his arms. “Did Dad tell you about all the important things?”

Her lips part, stunned, before she turns away sharply. 

Fuck. That was a low blow, and Alec knows it. He watches the way her shoulders tense, the subtle flinch that tells him he struck deeper than he intended.

He didn’t want this—didn’t want to hurt her. 

Alec cares. He cares deeply, maybe too deeply, and yet he’s spent so long locking away the parts of himself that ache—like his sexuality, his loneliness, his grief, his dreams for Java that always seemed too big. He’s held it all back, thinking it would keep him safe. But why does it always feel like the more he tries to avoid the hurt, the more it spreads to the people he loves?

“Mom,” Alec says immediately. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”

“Is this what you want?” she demands, sniffling softly as she sits on the edge of the bed. “To keep secrets and end up divorced too?”

Alec wants to tell her that his marriage is headed for divorce regardless. But he keeps it in. She’s had enough hurt for one day.

He sighs and walks over to sit next to her. “I’m sorry.”

“Do you not like him?” she asks in a whisper.

“Magnus?”

“Max.”

Alec’s breath catches. “How could you even ask that?”

“Because you never talk about him,” she says, a hint of accusation in her voice. “You didn’t even cry at his funeral.”

Is that what she wants from him?

To have broken down like Izzy? To post about Max on every anniversary like Jace? Or maybe she’d like it if he’s a little more like Magnus — crying over something every day because the pain is too much to keep within yourself. 

“I shouldn’t have said that,” she mutters, regret seeping into her voice. “I know you were just being strong for the rest of us. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I know, Mom,” Alec says with a heavy sigh. “I just…I grieve differently. I miss him in my own way.”

“I know, sweetie,” she whispers, kissing his temple. “I’ve seen your pebble collection. I know you miss him a lot.”

“He would’ve liked it,” Alec says, almost to himself.

“He would’ve,” she agrees softly. “He would’ve liked Magnus too.”

“He didn’t even know I was gay,” Alec murmurs.

“That’s a heavy regret to carry, Alec,” she says worriedly. “This is why you need to talk to people.”

“Mom...” Alec groans.

“I’m not saying you have to tell everyone, or even see a therapist,” she says, shaking her head. “But you need to talk to Magnus.”

“It’s not easy for me,” Alec admits.

“It’s not easy for anyone, Alec,” she says gently. “But Magnus would understand. He was younger than you when he lost his mother. He’ll get it.”

“That doesn’t mean I should—”

“You should, Alec.”

“Why?”

“Because if you can’t be vulnerable with someone, you’ll never feel safe with them,” she says softly. “And if you don’t feel safe with the person you’re married to, that’s...that’s a bad sign.”

Alec drops his face into his hands, groaning in frustration.

“And if you don’t open up to Magnus, he’ll never open up to you,” she adds quietly. “Is that what you want?”

“God, why is marriage so hard?” Alec grumbles.

“Don’t ask me, I fucked up mine,” she shrugs.

Alec lets out a reluctant chuckle, shaking his head. “You were perfect.”

“No one’s perfect, Alec,” she replies seriously. “It’s okay to be imperfect with the people you love. The problem is when you stop trying.”

Alec won’t. He doesn’t want to. But can he say the same for Magnus?”

“You can’t stop trying with Magnus, sweetie,” she whispers gently. “You’ve barely started.”

Alec knows she’s right. He’s been trying to get Magnus to be vulnerable, to share, but he’s never offered to do the same. Maybe showing Magnus how to open up is the only way to make it work.

“I’ll try,” Alec promises. “Okay? I’ll try.”

“I know you will,” she says, kissing his forehead. “You’re so brave.”

“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” Alec bites his lip.

“I’ll be fine,” she says gently, wiping her eyes. “I just want you to be okay.”

“I will be,” Alec manages a small smile.

“Everything’s okay with you and Magnus, right?” she asks, her voice tinged with concern.

Alec doesn’t even know where to start, so he just nods. He did say he’s a private person, after all.

“That’s good,” she smiles, relieved. “You can’t let him slip away, Alec. You have to hold on.”

Alec wants to tell her Magnus is already gone, that he never even caught him.

“Okay, Mom,” he says instead.

“Good,” she beams and lets out a dramatic sigh. “God, he’s gorgeous. Can you imagine what my grandbabies would look like?”

“Mom, please!” Alec groans loudly, making her laugh.

When Alec returns to the loft later, after making sure he didn’t ruin his mom’s day, he finds Magnus in the kitchen.

“I cooked!” Magnus announces brightly, holding up a bowl with a flourish.

Alec gasps, dramatically clutching his chest. “Are your cuticles okay?”

Magnus chuckles. “I used gloves. Would you like to eat?”

“Sure.” Alec shrugs, heading to the kitchen to grab plates and cutlery.

“Chicken Chow Mein?” Magnus asks, showing him the gigantic bowl of noodles.

“Perfect.” Alec manages a tired smile, grabbing a bottle of wine from the fridge.

They sit down at the table, eating quietly for a while. The food is actually good. Who knew Magnus could cook? Apparently, it’s just another thing Magnus doesn’t talk about.

Alec can’t keep going on like this — he needs to talk to Magnus. He glances up, sighing softly as the words refuse to form.

Magnus bites his bottom lip. “Who is Max?”

Ah.

So, Magnus has put two and two together.

“My brother,” Alec answers after a beat. “He died in an accident when I was 18. He was nine.”

“I’m so sorry, Alexander.” Magnus’s voice drops to a whisper.

“Yeah, well...” Alec shrugs, because he never knows what to do with people's pity.

“I feel extremely embarrassed,” Magnus mutters, eyes falling to his food.

“It wasn’t your fault,” Alec says immediately, shaking his head. “My mom knows that too. She was mad at me for not telling you.”

“Why didn’t you?” Magnus asks, his tone quiet but firm.

“Because the more I talk about it, the deader he gets,” Alec sighs. 

“I wish you had told me.” Magnus pauses, then adds, “You know so much about my mother.”

Alec huffs a short laugh. “Yeah, because your dad won’t stop yapping about her.”

Magnus goes quiet again, and the silence hangs heavy between them. Alec sighs tiredly, rubbing at his hair. 

“The pebbles are for him,” Alec finally says. “He used to collect them.”

Magnus smiles faintly. “Did he like the beach?”

“Not really,” Alec chuckles, shaking his head. “I had no idea what he was going to do with them. I guess I’ll never know.”

“Maybe he just liked collecting them,” Magnus shrugs, offering a small smile. “Like stamps, you know?”

“Yeah, maybe.” Alec mirrors the shrug, letting it go.

They both fall into silence again, but this time it feels...different. Not as tense. Alec stirs his noodles absently while Magnus sips his wine, watching him closely. Oddly enough, this quiet isn’t uncomfortable. It just...is.

“The food is nice,” Alec breaks the silence, his voice softer now.

Magnus glances down at the chow mein. “Oh, that’s good. I’m out of practice.”

“Max liked noodles,” Alec confesses quietly. “The spicy Korean kind.”

“Good taste.” Magnus smiles faintly, then his expression shifts. “Alexander, you...you don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, Magnus,” Alec sighs heavily.

“You don’t know how to?” Magnus offers gently.

“I’m not good at talking, okay?” Alec groans, frustration bubbling over. “It’s why I don’t have any friends outside of my siblings. Why no one at work likes me. It’s why I miss Max so much. Because I never talked to him properly when he was alive. I never knew what to say to him. He was almost a decade younger than me, and I thought—when he was older, we’d get along better. I was stupid enough to think we’d have all the time in the world.”

Alec pauses, swallowing the tightness in his throat. His mom always said he regrets not coming out sooner, not telling Max who he really was. And maybe that's part of it—maybe he wished Max had known. But that’s not what eats at him the most. What he regrets more, what haunts him, is that he never told Max anything at all. He never  really  got to know him.

He promised himself that he wouldn’t let it be that way with anyone else. He wouldn’t let anyone else slip away without knowing them. But here he is, doing exactly that. He can see it so clearly now. He can see it with Magnus. 

In five years, they’ll get divorced. Magnus will leave, and Alec will realize he doesn’t even know Magnus’s favorite color. He’ll have lived with someone for five years and never bothered to learn anything about him.

“I think your brother knew you cared about him,” Magnus says kindly.

Alec snorts, not buying it. “I’m not so sure. He didn’t spend a lot of time with me. I was just there to help with his homework or drive him to computer camp or find those stupid pebbles.”

“He relied on you,” Magnus points out softly. “Max had someone to count on, and you gave him that. That’s no small thing.”

Alec hesitates. “Do you wish you had siblings?”

Magnus shakes his head. “No.”

Alec’s gaze lingers on him. “Do you wish your mom had lived longer?”

“I don’t.” Magnus looks up, his expression conflicted. “I don’t…I don’t think she’d be happy to see how I turned out.”

Alec blinks, taken aback. He doesn’t understand, but he shakes his head anyway, vehemently. “I don’t think that’s true.”

Magnus lets out a soft, bitter chuckle. “You don’t know me.”

“That’s true.” Alec nods, not denying it.

Magnus drains his glass, setting it down with a thud. “We don’t know each other at all.”

“That’s also true,” Alec agrees, meeting Magnus’s gaze.

"Alright then," Magnus says, a glint of challenge in his eyes. "Tell me your deepest, darkest secret."

Alec snorts. "Really? We’re jumping to that? You don’t wanna know my favorite color or something?"

"I’m pretty sure it’s black," Magnus says, rolling his eyes as he refills both their glasses and hands Alec one. He’s not wrong. "Let’s move to the couch?"

They do. Alec wishes they hadn’t. Sitting on the couch feels more intimate, with Chairman Meow wedged between them, their gazes awkwardly meeting. Trying. God, trying is so intimate. Alec hates it.

"I don’t ever want to be in a position where I don’t know important things about you," Magnus says softly. "Our marriage might be fake, Alexander, but we’re real people."

Alec bites his lip.

Ask him. Ask him. Ask him.

Ask him about the crying. Ask him about the ring.

"Tell me about your first kiss," Alec says instead.

What? He has to work up to it, okay? He can’t just freak Magnus out. What if Magnus never offers to open up again? Too risky.

Magnus chuckles, nostalgia softening his features. "That would be Jennifer Abbot. 7th grade."

"Damn," Alec says. "I had braces in 7th grade. I wasn’t kissing anybody."

"Why don’t you have friends at Java?" Magnus asks, surprising him with the sudden shift.

"Oh my God, why do you keep asking the hard ones?" Alec groans.

Magnus chuckles again. "They’re not hard. They’re important. Besides, I’d like to know. Does it have something to do with my father? Is there anything he can do to help?"

"No," Alec responds, shaking his head quickly. "It’s not about him—it’s me. I just don’t know how to make friends or keep them. It was the same in high school. You’d think I’d have gotten better at it by now."

Magnus considers this. "I thought maybe it was because you climbed the ladder so fast."

"Oh, that’s definitely part of it. Some people don’t talk to me because they’re jealous," Alec rolls his eyes. "You know people think I slept with your dad, right?"

"I do," Magnus says easily, too easily. "Although I’m not sure my father does."

Good. They better keep it that way. No one’s ever been bold enough to accuse him directly, but they’re not stupid. Instead, they gossip. Drop innuendos. Throw looks. Alec’s not even sure HR could handle something like that. So he just lets it slide.

"It’s my fault, though," Alec admits quietly. "I had friends. When I started in sales, I had a lot of friends. Good friends. But then I got promoted, and everything got weird. Suddenly, I was in charge of their paychecks, and I didn’t know how to navigate that power shift. Shouldn’t they teach us this stuff in school? How to maintain friendships as awkward adults?"

Magnus gives him a kind smile. "Maybe you could still reach out?"

"No. Pretty sure they all hate me now," Alec sighs, thinking of Underhill, who probably believes Alec’s not only an asshole who ditched him but also one who cheats on his husband. He thinks of Lily, who stopped sharing gossip because she doesn’t trust him anymore. And Maia, who once called him 'Mr. Lightwood' like they were strangers.

He’s lost them all. Just like he always does.

"My turn," Alec says, taking a gulp of wine. "Now I’m going to ask you serious questions too."

"Go ahead," Magnus chuckles.

Alec bites his lip again. He tries, really tries, but he can’t. He sighs softly. "What did you mean when you said your mom wouldn’t like how you turned out?"

Magnus’s smile falters. He chuckles, but it’s thin. "Okay, yeah, these are tough."

"Told ya," Alec shrugs.

Magnus exhales, shaking his head. "You know, you’ve spoken to my father more in the last ten years than I have."

"It’s not a fair comparison, Magnus," Alec says gently. "We work together. Also, he’s obsessed with me."

Magnus chuckles again, softer this time. "We…weren’t close growing up."

"Oh," Alec says, caught off guard.

"Not in a bad way," Magnus adds quickly. "It’s just that…our mom was the glue between us. We both loved her more than we loved each other, and when she died…well, neither of us tried for a while."

"That doesn’t sound like your fault," Alec says, quick to throw Asmodeus under the bus. "You were a kid. He should’ve taken the initiative."

"I used to think that too," Magnus admits with a sad chuckle. "I blamed him for a long time. I wished he had kept a better eye on me or tried harder."

"You don’t blame him anymore?" Alec asks, treading carefully.

Magnus shakes his head. "Because he lost the love of his life. And that hurts people deeply, doesn’t it?"

Ask him. Ask him. Ask him.

Ask him about the ring. Ask him about the person who refused his proposal.

"I abandoned him," Magnus says, mostly to himself. "I traveled the world. I didn’t bother to come back until he was literally on a hospital bed. I didn’t even help him with Java when I could’ve."

"Java is fine," Alec reassures him. "That’s not something you need to worry about."

Magnus smiles faintly. "You know I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for him, right?"

Alec shifts uncomfortably, shrugging. "I’m just doing my job."

"You’re doing more than that," Magnus says softly. "That’s why he trusts you so much."

Trust. God, not that word again. It makes Alec feel sick.

Alec swallows, feeling the weight of Magnus’ gaze on him. The wine buzzes faintly in his veins, but not enough to make this easier. He shifts slightly, tapping his fingers against the glass as Chairman Meow stretches lazily between them.

“Your turn,” Magnus says, his voice soft yet probing.

Alec bites his lip, thinking. The easy questions—the surface-level stuff—feel irrelevant now. Too shallow for where this conversation is heading. He wants to ask Magnus about the crying. He really does. But maybe not today.

“Why did you marry me?” Alec blurts out instead, the words surprising him as much as Magnus. He hadn’t meant to ask that, not like this.

Magnus blinks, setting his glass down on the coffee table with a soft clink. His fingers trace the rim absently, his expression thoughtful, almost cautious. “Because you’re pretty.”

Alec can’t help the way his heart skips. Any kind of compliment from Magnus always makes him feel a little giddy, like he’s suddenly sixteen again. Besides, no one has called him ‘pretty’ before. It’s nice. It’s really nice. 

Still, he rolls his eyes, knowing it’s nothing but a deflection. “No, seriously. You could've gotten out of it. You know your dad wouldn’t have forced you, Magnus.”

“He wouldn’t have,” Magnus agrees. “But if I hadn’t...it might have hurt him badly. What if he got another heart attack? It’s not a risk I was willing to take. I have no issue giving away five years of my life if it means he’ll be there for 15 more.”

“He’s gonna be there for longer than 15,” Alec promises. “Pretty sure he’s gonna outlive both of us.”

“He’ll outlive you for sure,” Magnus hums. “Honestly, Alexander, I’ve never seen you drink water.”

“There is water in coffee!” Alec argues, and Magnus rolls his eyes. “You’re not gonna ask me why I married you?”

“You told me. Your list of reasons, remember?” Magnus smiles faintly. “Honestly, I was on the fence, but that solidified it.”

“You like lists?” Alec chuckles.

“I like people who are reliable,” Magnus replies, and for a moment, he almost sounds like Asmodeus. “It was clear to me that you took this as seriously as I did. I trust you, too. Perhaps not as much as my father, but I trust you.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. Not this. Not more of this. Alec needs to start acting like an asshole around here.

Maybe he should mention that he kissed another man. But why would he do that? Is he apologizing? Is he showing off? Is he trying to find out if Magnus has done the same?

“My turn,” Magnus smiles. “What is your happiest memory with Max?”

Alec blinks at that.

“You don’t have to share if you don’t want to,” Magnus says quickly.

Alec waves a hand. “I don’t know if it’s my happiest memory. But the happiest I’ve seen Max is when we took him to Comic-Con. It was...it was the year before he died. My parents wouldn’t let him go. My mom thought it was unsafe, and my dad thought it was some kind of sex cult. But Max came to me and whined about it. He basically manipulated me into taking him.”

“He trusted you to listen to him,” Magnus corrects.

“You go to therapy or something?” Alec snorts.

“I used to, actually,” Magnus hums.

“Oh,” Alec says, thinking about the late-night crying again. “Why did you stop?”

“Because I don’t have health insurance,” Magnus replies flatly. “Please continue your story.”

“Right. Okay. So, I took him to Comic-Con. Jace and Izzy came with me too. Honestly, it was the worst experience of my life. I hate crowded places, and I’m not into...well, all that stuff. I think I almost died. But it’s the happiest I’ve seen my brother. Like he found his people or something. So that made me happy.”

“You’re a good brother,” Magnus tells him.

“I mean, it’s just Jace otherwise. The competition isn’t that tough,” Alec chuckles, his heart feeling lighter now. It feels easier to open up. “I wish I could’ve taken Max to spaces where he felt seen too. Like a pride parade. Maybe when he was older and I wasn’t afraid like I used to be. But that’s not gonna happen now. Maybe if we had more time…”

“It’s not enough,” Magnus interjects, and Alec frowns in confusion. “You always tell yourself that if you had more time, you could’ve done more with them. But you can’t. There is never enough time in the world to enjoy someone fully and do all the things you want to do with them. Because the more time you spend with them, the more things you want to do. So no matter how much time you get, you end up with things you will never get to do with them.”

“Is that how you felt about your mother?” Alec asks carefully.

“When she was diagnosed, we were told she had four months,” Magnus exhales softly. “I remember one of the doctors saying that’s a lot of time.”

“Four months isn’t a lot,” Alec shakes his head.

“Neither is four years or forty. Not if it’s something you love,” Magnus says quietly, then shakes his head, gearing up to change the topic. “Speaking of mothers, I’d like to do right by yours.”

“Magnus, I told you, you didn’t do anything wrong—”

“But I feel awful, and I’d like to make up for it,” Magnus says firmly. Alec senses that Magnus just wants to spend time with his mom. Maybe he misses doing that. “Perhaps we could go for lunch tomorrow. She can join us if she wants. No pressure.”

“Go for lunch tomorrow?” Alec blinks. “But we had lunch today.”

“Alexander, you do know we can go out together more than once a week?” Magnus chuckles.

No! No, he didn’t know that! Nobody told him that. What the fuck?

“Oh, okay,” Alec says stupidly. “Yeah, we can do that. I’ll text her.”

“Thank you,” Magnus smiles.

“My turn,” Alec says, refilling his glass. “This is a big one.”

“Do tell.”

“What’s your favorite color?” Alec asks seriously.

Magnus chuckles loudly. “It’s purple.”

“Ah,” Alec says. “Cool.”

“Okay. Now I have a super serious question for you,” Magnus says, fishing for his glass. 

“Hit me,” Alec shrugs.

“Tell me your deepest, darkest secret.”

“No.”

“Oh, come on, I just trauma-dumped about my dead mother,” Magnus pouts. “I have earned this.”

Alec doesn’t know how to say no, especially when Magnus pouts. He hopes he figures out how in the future. Otherwise, this is going to become a problem.

“Okay. Fine,” Alec exhales, holding out his hand. “But you have to promise.”

“Oh my, we are pinky-swearing,” Magnus raises his eyebrows. “It is serious, I see.”

“Magnus, I mean it. If this gets out, I could lose my job, my reputation, and...everything,” Alec tells him. “Your father will never talk to me again.”

Magnus sobers a little at that. “Oh.”

“It was a few years ago. I was on a field visit to Nevada because we were going to open our first Java outlet there, and I wanted to drive instead of taking the jet—”

“As you should,” Magnus huffs.

“Anyway, I didn’t realize how long of a drive it would be,” Alec sighs. “It was literally for hours, and I ran out of coffee.”

“Uh-oh,” Magnus says. “I feel like you did something incredibly reckless.”

“You don’t understand! I was dying! I was literally dying!” Alec laments loudly. “My brain was shutting down, and my eyes were blurry. I needed coffee. I would’ve died otherwise.”

“I do think you are being a tad dramatic, Alexander,” Magnus chuckles.

“You don’t get it,” Alec grumbles. “I was on the verge of death. I did what I had to do.”

“Verge of death,” Magnus scoffs, and then his eyes widen in horror. “Oh no. You didn’t! Tell me you didn’t!”

“I didn’t have a choice!”

“You drank Starbucks!” Magnus cackles loudly, falling back onto the couch.

“I was dying!” Alec yells.

Magnus covers his mouth dramatically. “You cheated on Java?”

“It was just once!”

“That’s what they all say,” Magnus tuts. “Now you’ll tell me it didn’t mean anything.”

“It didn’t! It was just to stop my brain from bursting! I even tried to throw up after.”

“How could you, Alexander?” Magnus says in mock disappointment. “My father would be heartbroken if he found out about this.”

“You can’t tell him!” Alec shrieks. “He’ll fire me.”

“Oh for sure,” Magnus nods solemnly. “This kind of betrayal has serious consequences.”

“Don’t make me feel bad about it,” Alec groans, burying his face in a couch cushion. “It’s my biggest regret.”

“It is indeed a big one,” Magnus hums, feigning a dramatic sigh. “Oof. You think you know someone.”

“Fuck off,” Alec chuckles, pointing a finger at him. “Your turn. Tell me your deepest, darkest secret.”

“I don’t have one,” Magnus replies simply, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

There it is again. Alec feels the urge to challenge him, to argue. But he doesn’t want to ruin the good vibe they’ve just built with awkwardness.

“Okay,” Alec says instead. “I…I should probably get ready for bed.”

“Oh,” Magnus replies, a touch of disappointment in his voice. “Of course. Um, I hope you enjoyed dinner.”

“I did, thank you,” Alec smiles. “I’ll let you know what my mom says.”

“Yes, please do.”

“And thanks for, uh, the talk,” Alec gestures vaguely. “I don’t think I’ve talked about Max like that in a long time.”

“Have you ever been to Mexico?” Magnus asks suddenly.

Alec blinks, caught off guard. “Uh, I went to Cabo with Jace and Izzy once. You’ve visited?”

“I lived there for a while—no more than a year,” Magnus hums. “They have very interesting traditions there.”

“I’m sure,” Alec nods, intrigued yet uncertain about where this is going.

Magnus leans back, his expression thoughtful. “One of the most beautiful celebrations is Día de los Muertos. It’s a celebration of life, not a mourning of death. Families put out photos and favorite foods of their loved ones who’ve passed. They celebrate those people, believing that for this day, the souls return to be with them.”

“Oh,” Alec says slowly, digesting the concept. “That sounds nice.”

It’s not something he would do, not really. He doesn’t want to celebrate Max. He wishes he could go back in time and tell him he loves him as much as he should’ve.

“In some cultures, people believe that we only truly lose those we love when we forget them,” Magnus continues gently. “That’s why they celebrate the dead—to keep their memories alive.”

“That’s nice,” Alec replies sincerely now. 

“You mentioned that the more you talk about Max, the deader he gets,” Magnus recalls carefully. “I know Max is gone, as is my mother. Nothing can bring them back, but they only fade away if we forget them. So, I disagree, Alexander. The more you talk about Max, the more alive he becomes, and the more people will remember him. That’s how he lives on—in memory.”

“I’ll try to remember that,” Alec swallows, feeling a weight lift slightly.

“Good,” Magnus smiles softly. “Goodnight?”

“Goodnight,” Alec whispers.

As Alec drifts off, he doesn’t know if Magnus cries that night or not. All he knows is that he falls asleep easier than usual, and he’s never had a better night’s sleep than this.

Chapter Text

That goddamn therapist was right. Tragedy  does  bring people together.

It’s been a couple of weeks since Alec opened up to Magnus about Max, and the air between them feels lighter somehow, like something's shifted. 

They’ve started having dinner together. Not every day, of course. Magnus still prefers working at night, but when they both have the time, they share a meal. Over the past 16 days, they’ve managed to have dinner together seven times, which is more than Alec expected. 

But the biggest difference? Magnus doesn’t cry as much anymore. Well, he still does—but not like before. In the past two weeks, Alec’s only seen him break down three times, and that feels like a major improvement. He doesn’t know if he’s the reason for it, but it’s enough to see that Magnus is feeling better.

Then again, he can’t help but wonder if Magnus cries during the afternoons instead, when Alec’s not around to see it. He’s been swamped with work lately—juggling the rebranding efforts with Lily, stressing over his first meeting with the board about the expansion, and on top of that, worrying about the upcoming takeover party next week.

Their weekends are the same, though. They still hang out, doing something together—though Alec put his foot down about not going shopping again. Magnus just smirked and said, “We’ll see,” in that cryptic way of his. 

It’s Magnus' turn this weekend to pick an activity, because they’re a democratic household—even if it’s a fake one. Alec, driving home from work that Friday evening, can’t help but feel a flicker of excitement for what Magnus has planned. His night isn’t over; he still has game night with his siblings at Hunter’s Moon. Normally, he’d stay at the office and head to the bar directly, but Asmodeus had kicked him out early today, insisting that Alec was overworked. He hadn’t argued—he knew it was true. Besides, the idea of heading back to the loft for a shower before meeting his siblings didn’t sound too bad.

“Oh, good, you’re back early!” Magnus grabs his arm as soon as Alec steps foot into the loft. “I need your help!”

“With…what?” Alec asks, a little skeptical as Magnus tugs him toward the workshop.

“I need a volunteer,” Magnus says seriously. 

“For?” Alec asks suspiciously. 

“I need you to try on some pieces for me,” Magnus says as he all but shoves Alec down onto the couch—the very one where Alec has caught him with tears in his eyes more than once.

“Uh,” Alec says, loosening his tie. “I’m not really a jewelry person.”

“You don’t need to be,” Magnus waves him off with a shrug. “I just need someone to wear it so I can see if it works.”

“Why can’t you try it on yourself?” Alec counters.

“That wouldn’t help, Alexander. Everything looks good on me,” Magnus replies, deadpan.

Alec can’t help but chuckle. “You could’ve asked your dad. I know you had lunch with him today.”

“Aw, are you jealous my father ditched you for one afternoon to have lunch with his son?”

Rolling his eyes, Alec shoots back, “I just meant he’d be more willing to do this than I am.”

“Bapak hasn’t volunteered since I accidentally spilled glitter on him,” Magnus huffs dramatically. “Also, my client is white.”

“Ah,” Alec nods and checks his watch. “I can give you 20 minutes.”

“I’ll be quick!” Magnus beams, clapping his hands. He grabs a small table and sets it up in front of the couch. “Put your hands here, and roll up your sleeves.”

As Magnus disappears into the back to gather his supplies, Alec shrugs off his suit jacket and rolls up his sleeves, hoping whatever Magnus has planned won’t make him look ridiculous.

The other man returns moments later, carrying a tray full of intricate jewelry—chains, bracelets, and strange, claw-like pieces Alec can’t even name. 

“Alright, let’s start with this,” Magnus says, taking Alec’s hand carefully in his own. 

Alec is utterly mesmerized by the way Magnus’ fingers move—the quick, practiced motions, the dexterity—as he picks up a thin chain and begins wrapping it around Alec’s fingers and palm.

“You’ve got nice hands,” Magnus murmurs absentmindedly, as he discards the chain and grabs something else—some kind of metal glove that looks more like a gauntlet.

Alec swallows. “Uh, thanks?”

“This one’s a bit snug,” Magnus notes, his brow furrowing even more. He sets the glove down and heads over to one of the drawers, rummaging through it before pulling out a small bottle. Alec’s eyes widen.

Is that…oil?

Magnus returns with the bottle in hand, opening it with a practiced flick. “Hold out your fingers.”

Alec does as instructed, but his heart rate kicks up as Magnus begins rubbing the oil into his fingers, massaging it in. The motions are way too familiar and sends Alec’s mind spiraling into places it really shouldn’t go. 

Magnus glances up, an eyebrow raised. “Are you alright?”

“I-uh-yes?” Alec stammers, his voice an octave higher than normal.

Magnus tilts his head, looking concerned. “Is it too warm in here? I kept the windows shut since it’s cold outside.”

“No. No, I’m fine. I just—” Alec stumbles over his words, grasping for an excuse. “I need coffee.”

Technically, it’s not a lie. He could definitely use the caffeine. And a cold shower. 

"I’ll be done in a moment," Magnus reassures, carefully putting the metal glove thingy over Alec’s hand again, this time with ease. "How was work?"

“Hectic,” Alec sighs, leaning back against the couch. "But I think they’re finally wrapping up the party plans."

“Is it true they’re getting Sabrina Carpenter to sing ‘Espresso’?” Magnus chuckles. 

Alec groans, rubbing the oil-less hand over his face. “I don’t even know who that is! And they’re throwing an insane amount of money at this. You know, Jace would play the piano for us for 20 bucks.”

Magnus tuts, a playful smirk on his lips. "It’s called branding, Alexander. You should know this by now." He removes the glove and wraps a bracelet around Alec’s wrist, giving it a quick once-over. "Has Giulia reached out about your suit fitting yet?"

"Yeah, I have to go on Tuesday," Alec nods, flexing his fingers to see how the bracelet feels.

Magnus pauses, glancing up at him. “Well, I could come with you.”

Alec blinks, caught off guard. "I don’t want to bother you—"

“It’s no bother,” Magnus cuts in smoothly, waving his hand. "Besides, you'd be lost without me. Do you even know what to do if your suit isn't tailored properly?"

Alec laughs, rolling his eyes fondly. “Well, insults aside, thanks.”

“You can thank me by buying me a trinket while we’re there,” Magnus hums, eyes twinkling mischievously as he adjusts another piece of jewelry on Alec’s hand.

“A trinket?” Alec raises an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "From that shop?"

“Hm-hmm,” Magnus replies, as if Alec hadn’t recently dropped 400 dollars on a tie that Magnus insisted he needed. "I’m thinking Thai for dinner tonight. What do you think?"

Alec winces, already regretting his prior commitment. “Sorry. I have to meet Jace and Izzy tonight for game night.”

“Ah, game night,” Magnus hums knowingly, as he grabs a hand towel and wipes Alec’s hands. Wait, they’re done already? "What’s on the agenda this time?"

"Quiz night," Alec says, unable to stop the grin from spreading across his face. "It’s one of my favorites."

Magnus chuckles softly, noticing Alec's enthusiasm. “Sounds fun.”

“You could join us if you want,” Alec offers, though he knows Magnus will decline like he always does.

“Okay.”

Alec stares at him, jaw slack. “Wait. Really?”

Magnus glances up at him, biting his lip nervously at Alec's surprised reaction. “Do you not want me to?”

“No, no, it’s totally fine,” Alec says hurriedly, running a hand through his hair. "It’s just...my siblings can be a bit, uh, annoying."

“Oh, I know,” Magnus chuckles, his grin returning. 

Alec grabs his phone, shooting off a quick text in the group chat.

Sibling Support Group (Therapy Ain't Cheap) 

Alec: 

Magnus is joining us for game night. 

Please behave!!

Izzy:

omg we’re gonna be the hottest group!!! 😍😍😍

Jace:

We’re already the hottest group 😌

Alec:

This kind of hubris should be avoided, thanks. 

Once he’s done with his shower, Alec checks his phone again. The idea of all of them together tonight worries him. It's been three months since the wedding, and this will be the first time they’ve all hung out. 

As he puts his phone down, Magnus saunters—no, struts—into the kitchen.

"Alexander," Magnus hums, eyeing Alec up and down. "What does one wear to a game night?"

Alec tugs at his leather jacket, feeling slightly self-conscious under the scrutiny. "Uh...I’m wearing this."

"Of course you are," Magnus sighs, his eyes lingering on the jacket like it’s some predictable choice. “But is there no dress code?”

Alec chuckles. "Nope. You can wear whatever you want."

An hour later, Magnus reappears, and Alec’s breath hitches. He’s wearing an oversized, deep blue sweater that looks ridiculously cozy, and Alec has to fight the sudden urge to reach out and see if it’s as soft as Magnus’ hands. 

“You look nice,” Alec says before he can stop himself. It’s true—nothing weird about stating the obvious. He clears his throat. “Shall we?”

As they head out, the streets of the city are congested, typical of a Friday night in December. The car moves slowly through the gridlock and Alec lets out a tired sigh. He usually takes a cab since he hates driving at this time and knows he won’t be sober enough to drive back anyway.

“So, do you know what the topic is tonight?” Magnus asks. 

“They never tell us ahead,” Alec grumbles.

Magnus’ brow quirks. “Isn’t the person who runs the place related to you?”

Alec can’t help but feel pleased that Magnus remembers Luke after meeting him once at the wedding. 

“Yeah, Luke usually gets Clary and Simon to organize the quiz night, but they never tell us anything. It’s fine. We don’t need their help anyway.” 

Magnus raises an eyebrow. “Have you ever won quiz night before?”

“Well, we almost came close last time,” Alec mutters. “It’s not my fault, okay? Team sports are difficult.”

“Team sports,” Magnus laughs, shaking his head. 

“We’re winning today,” Alec says decisively. “We’re winning at all costs.”

“I’ll try my best to contribute to our victory,” Magnus says, equally serious. 

He’s not really worried about Magnus spending time with his siblings—well, not exactly. But he does wonder if tonight will be the moment Jace and Izzy figure out that this marriage is a farce.

It’s not like they’ve had anyone over since the wedding. Jace has been traveling, and Izzy’s busy with opening a new branch in the Bronx, but that’s not the only reason. Neither Alec nor Magnus has invited anyone. Part of him misses having his siblings around at home, but another part of him dreads the idea of reorganizing the loft to pretend it’s a real marriage. The separate bedrooms would raise too many eyebrows.

People joke about it, even Asmodeus once teased them about still being in the “honeymoon phase”. Of course, Asmodeus knows the truth—they aren’t in love. Alec is just not brave enough to ask what other conclusions he’s drawn.

Does he…Does he think they’re in love? Already? Why would he think that?

When they finally arrive at the bar, a little later than usual thanks to Magnus's notorious habit of being fashionably late, the place is already buzzing with energy. Thankfully, their usual booth is saved for them, and Izzy is already there, typing furiously into her phone.

“Hey,” Alec leans in to kiss her, then slides into the opposite side of the booth, leaving space for Magnus.

“Magnus!” Isabelle shouts, completely ignoring Alec’s greeting. Asshole. “I love your outfit!”

“Is everything alright?” Magnus asks politely when Izzy goes back to glaring at her phone. 

“I’m trying to blackmail Simon so he’ll leak the quiz topic to us,” Isabelle replies in annoyance. “I swear, I’ll never send him nudes again if he won’t help us.”

“Why are you sending him nudes? Aren’t you guys living together?” Alec grimaces, desperately trying to push the image of his sister and her fiancé being naked out of his mind. 

“Oh, Alec, you sweet summer child,” Isabelle shakes her head. “Are you saying you don’t want nudes from Magnus just because you’re married?”

“Isabelle!” Alec hisses, his cheeks heating up.

“You might have better luck trying to reward him rather than blackmail him,” Magnus chimes in, toying with an ear cuff he’s wearing. “Tell him you’ll send him one from the bathroom right now if he tells us the topic.”

“Magnus!” Alec shrieks, his eyes wide.

Has Magnus actually done that before? Is he speaking from experience?

Alec hasn’t so much as thought about Grindr or casual hookups since that night with Kai—that whole mess left him feeling wrong in ways that didn’t even make sense. For the past few months, he’s relied solely on his hand and the vibrator he stashes in his bedside drawer, and he’s just fine with that. But…what about Magnus?

Maybe Magnus is meeting people. Rewarding them with photos, maybe even more. It’s not hard to picture him, that mischievous smile, teasing just enough to drive someone wild. 

Christ, Alec, get it together! 

“I thought we were winning at all costs,” Magnus cocks his head now. 

“We are not whoring out my sister!” Alec groans, rubbing his temples. God, he needs a beer already. “Isabelle, put your phone away.”

“Wait, he said yes!” Isabelle cheers, looking from her phone and blinking at Magnus with admiration. “Teach me your ways.”

Alec isn’t above yeeting his sister out of the booth to prevent her from bonding with Magnus. That seems like a dangerous combo—one that could break his bank account if they ever went shopping together.

Plus, he doesn’t want his family to get too close to Magnus. There were no awkward family ties after his parents got divorced. But given how much his family adores Magnus, he senses it might become a problem for him in the future. 

Luckily, Jace swoops in, striding over with a tray full of beer and cheesy fries. 

“Hey, man,” he slaps Alec on the shoulder and shakes Magnus’s hand. “Izzy, any luck with Simon?”

“You’re in on this?” Alec asks incredulously. 

“What do you think I was doing behind the bar with Clary?” Jace snorts. “Look, man, we need to win this tonight. We’ve won every game except for—”

“You mean I’ve won every game?”

“Fine, you’ve won every game except for quiz night,” Jace corrects himself. “And it’s not a good look.”

“People are starting to think we’re just really hot people with average intelligence,” Izzy adds with a dramatic sigh.

“What topics have you had previously?” Magnus asks curiously. 

“80’s music was one time. That was rough since everyone here loves rock,” Isabelle grumbles. “Then we had Disney movies. Honestly, we’d have been toast if it wasn’t for Jace.”

“Y’all remember Greek Mythology night?” Alec snorts into his beer.

“Fucking Blackthorns,” Isabelle mutters darkly.

“What happened with the Blackthorns?” Magnus asks, intrigued.

“They didn’t let anyone win a single question,” Jace rolls his eyes. “Showoffs.”

“Perhaps today will be your day,” Magnus says encouragingly.

“Oh my god, they should ask us fashion questions!” Isabelle squeals. “We’d kick their asses so hard.”

Magnus chuckles at that, agreeing as he sips his beer. He looks genuinely happy and relaxed, but when Magnus is like this, Alec can’t shake the nagging feeling of uncertainty. Is he really happy, or is he just pretending?

“You shouldn’t worry, Magnus. We’re gonna win today,” Jace says confidently, sporting a faint beer mustache now. “Alec’s a beast during game night.”

“I’ve heard,” Magnus hums into his glass. 

“You have?” Alec blinks, surprised.

“My bapak tells me you never let anyone win during poker night either,” Magnus chuckles.

“Alec is a competitive asshole,” Izzy groans. “You’d think he’d be a good big brother and let us win once in a while.”

“Do you want a pity win?” Alec raises an eyebrow. Izzy flips him off without hesitation.

Magnus grins, clearly entertained. “What if you were competing against a child, Alexander?”

Alec shrugs. “Children should learn to handle failure. Builds character.”

“Okay, but what if it’s a kid whose puppy just died?” Jace asks, making a puppy dog face. 

“The hell do I care?” Alec frowns.

“What if the child has cancer?” Magnus joins in, laughter hiding beneath his voice. “Would you at least let the poor thing win?”

“No!” Alec says after a moment’s consideration. “If anything, that kid already knows how to deal with disappointment.”

Izzy rolls her eyes, grinning. “Told you. Competitive asshole.”

“You people are never gonna make it far in the world,” Alec deadpans.

“We don’t need advice from you, you corporate slut,” Izzy tosses a French fry in his direction.

“This corporate slut is paying for your beer,” Alec reminds her. 

Izzy just blows him a kiss and turns to Magnus again. “How’s your dad doing, Magnus? Does he have any retirement plans after December?”

Jace’s eyes widen. “Oh my God, is he going to buy a yacht and chill in the ocean?”

Magnus laughs. “I’m afraid not. He’s actually been talking about taking up gardening.”

“Rich people are weird,” Izzy mutters.

“He is?” Alec asks in surprise, turning towards Magnus. 

“Something about orchid plants,” Magnus sighs, rolling his eyes. “But I’m glad he’s taking time for himself now that you’re going to be in charge of Java. Thank you for doing that for him.”

Alec wants to say he didn’t do it for Asmodeus, but that wouldn’t be entirely true. He’d always wanted to take over Java eventually, though not quite this soon. They’d even discussed—at length—what would happen if the CEO were to die unexpectedly. The conversation had been awkward, but Asmodeus insisted, saying that it was a necessary precaution, given the circumstances of his health.

By company structure, if the CEO position became suddenly vacant, the role would pass automatically to the COO—in this case, Alec. It is a position he is more than prepared for, yet he can’t ignore the quiet pressure that comes with it. If the board didn’t have faith in him, they could potentially push him out, something Asmodeus had helped safeguard against. Over the past year, he’d subtly helped Alec earn the board’s trust, making them more receptive to his leadership.

But, as always, there were risks. If Alec made one monumental mistake—like launching Java into a foreign market only to have it crash disastrously—it could ruin everything. A single colossal failure, and Java’s shares, reputation, and legacy would be in jeopardy.

All because of him. 

“Are you alright?” Magnus’ gentle voice pulls him out of his spiral.

Alec nods, attempting a smile and pushing away thoughts of the looming board meeting about the expansion next week. “Yeah, I’m good.”

Magnus seems to study him for a moment before his gaze shifts to the group. “Your siblings are very... fascinating.”

Alec glances over. His siblings are currently arguing over the latest update—that Clary confiscated Simon’s phone, which put an end to Isabelle’s nudes plan. Alec sighs in relief. Thank God for small miracles.

“You’ll get sick of them soon enough,” he chuckles.

Magnus shrugs. “I like them.”

“You would’ve liked Max too,” he says quietly, almost surprising himself.

Magnus’ face softens. “Yeah?”

“He was...a little weird,” Alec says, feeling that familiar ache of memory. But he pushes through, trying to honor what Magnus had asked about sharing Max to keep him alive. “Like you.”

Magnus gasps. “I am not weird.”

Alec chuckles, recalling one of Magnus’ passionate rants from a few weeks ago. “Magnus, I don’t think anyone else I know can name twenty different types of moss. It’s a little weird.”

“Well, you’re gonna regret saying that when we find out the quiz topic tonight is indeed types of moss,” Magnus huffs indignantly.

Alec laughs, feeling a little warm and fuzzy. How many beers has he had again? “We’ll see.”

Alec and Magnus turn to face the front, where Simon is setting up the makeshift podium out of stacked, empty beer can boxes—his standard setup for quiz night. He really takes this more seriously than anyone ever should.

“My dear fellow thinkers and drinkers!” Simon proclaims with a grand flourish, his cape dancing behind him. Why he insists on wearing that cape every time remains unknown. “We bid thee welcome to this hallowed eve of trivia here at the Hunter’s Moon, where the beer is never better than the banter!”

Alec sighs, leaning closer to Magnus. “The worst part of quiz night is having to put up with this.”

“You’re doing amazing, sweetie!” Izzy calls out supportively.

Simon raises a hand, silencing the room with a dramatic pause. “Before we unveil this eve’s noble theme, I must ask—nay, beseech thee!—to offer forth thy team names to the lady scribe Clary and surrender thy enchanted communication devices!” He gestures regally toward Clary, who’s darting from table to table, gathering names and confiscating phones with a grin.

“Do we need a name too?” Magnus asks.

“Oh, we’ve used the same one since our first time here,” Jace chuckles. “Lightwood-Babes.”

“It’s a terrible name,” Alec admits.

“Actually, it sounds a lot like Lightwood-Bane,” Izzy muses, downing a shot she got from god knows where. “Have you guys considered hyphenating?”

“No,” Alec answers firmly. “Also, maybe save the drinks for later? We need a clear head for the quiz.”

“Boo!” his siblings chorus, clearly not taking him seriously.

“Guys, this isn’t beer pong,” Alec tells them with exasperation. “We actually need to stay sober if we want to win.”

“Alec, the whole point of game night is to have fun,” Jace groans.

“No, the point of game night is to  win ,” Alec corrects, baffled. “Otherwise, it’d just be called ‘fun night with no competitive games involved.’”

“Yikes,” Izzy says, snickering. She leans over to Magnus. “I honestly don’t know how you put up with him.”

“Oh, a little competitiveness isn’t so bad,” Magnus hums, winking at her. “It can come in handy in the bedroom.”

Alec feels his face go hot again. He wonders if Magnus is just playing along for his siblings’ benefit, which he appreciates, especially since the last thing he needs is Jace or Izzy reading too much into things. But maybe Magnus could tone it down a bit—Alec doesn’t need his mind wandering into other territories right now.

“Gross. We don’t need to know about our brother having sex,” Jace groans loudly. 

“You and Clary literally made a podcast about your first time,” Alec says flatly.

“It’s called sex positivity, Alec, don’t be a dick,” Jace quips, throwing the last fry at him. Alec catches it out of the air and pops it into his mouth with a smug grin.

Simon clears his throat, his voice dropping to a tone meant to sound mysterious and wise. “Tonight, noble friends and seekers of enlightenment, the theme of our intellectual quest…” he pauses for dramatic effect, sweeping his cape around himself, “...is chemical elements!”

Alec groans, dropping his head into his hands. “Oh, no.”

Izzy blows a loud raspberry, slumping back into her seat. “Seriously?”

From somewhere in the back, someone shouts, “What’s next? Advanced calculus?”

“I’ll give you ten bucks if you give me my phone back,” Jace says to Clary, who laughs and slips his phone further out of reach.

Simon either doesn’t notice or is completely unfazed by the complaints. “Ah, yes, dissent from the uneducated masses! Fear not, dear philistines, you’ll leave here tonight with knowledge you didn’t know you needed.”

Alec sighs, resigned. He’s always prided himself on being competitive, but chemistry was never his thing. This is going to be a long night.

“Scholars and rogues alike, I present to you our first question of the evening!” Simon kicks off the quiz with a set of easier questions. “Tell me, which noble element graces our world with the humble symbol...O?”

Someone from the opposite booth immediately rings the buzzer on their table. “Oxygen!”

"Correct!" Simon declares, beaming. "A gentle start, indeed! Now, steady yourselves for the next query: which element bears the symbol...H?"

Alec sits up. He may not be great with chemistry, but he’s not completely hopeless. “Hydrogen.”

The easy round, which comprises five questions, goes by fast as all the teams compete, slamming their buzzers as fast as they can.

But as the quiz moves into the medium round, Alec finds himself sinking back, his earlier enthusiasm waning as the questions grow harder. Yet every time Alec hesitates, Magnus just leans in, supplying the answer.

"Onward to a challenge!" Simon calls out, excitement lighting up his eyes. "Atomic number 47, symbol Ag. Name the element!"

“Silver,” Magnus replies effortlessly.

“Correct!” Simon lifts an impressed eyebrow. “Alright, atomic number 26, symbol Fe—name it.”

“Iron,” Magnus says without hesitation.

“Atomic number 14, often found in computers?” Simon prompts.

“Silicon,” Magnus answers, almost looking bored now.

“Atomic number 83, dense, with symbol Bi?” Simon frowns this time, even asking Clary to check if Magnus has his phone on him. Alec shoos her away.

“Bismuth,” Magnus replies, his eyes closed, clearly unconcerned.

“Oh, this is a hard one,” Simon cackles, feigning a sinister look. “What chemical element is represented by Te?”

“Tellurium,” Magnus answers with a wink.

Simon lets out a sharp whistle. “Well, well, looks like the Lightwood Babes have taken the lead! Thanks to their newest recruit, it seems,” he teases, casting a playful glance toward the other teams. “The rest of you, prepare yourselves! The final round begins soon. But first—who’s up for shots?”

“Are you like a wizard or something?” Izzy asks, staring at Magnus in awe.

“Yeah, man, why do you know the whole periodic table?” Jace adds, half amazed, half confused.

“Occupational hazard,” Magnus shrugs, turning to Alec. “Should we get more drinks?”

Alec’s brain isn’t fully functioning right now. He’s been watching Magnus in quiet amazement, barely aware that they’re playing a game. Magnus is just...God, he’s something else.

“Magnus! Does this mean we can win tonight?” Izzy exclaims excitedly.

“We’ll see,” Magnus chuckles. “Your fiancé did say the final round is very difficult.”

“Please help us win,” Jace chimes in, flashing puppy dog eyes. “I can’t let these people think we’re a bunch of himbos.”

“Yeah, please, help us win,” Izzy pleads, nodding eagerly. “If you do, Alec will suck your dick so good tonight.”

“Isabelle Lightwood!” Alec kicks her shin under the table, though she barely flinches. Goddamn kickboxers. He shoos his siblings away to get them some shots and gives Magnus a sheepish look. “Told you, they’re a lot.”

Magnus only smiles. “And I told you I can handle them.”

Alec studies him a moment before asking, “How do you know all this anyway?”

“I studied chemistry and engineering,” Magnus replies, a playful glint in his eye. “I thought my father told you everything.”

“You did?” Alec’s eyes widen in surprise. He isn’t sure why he finds that so hot, but he does. “I only knew you studied in England.”

“And what did you think I studied?” Magnus raises an eyebrow.

“Uh,” Alec stammers, embarrassed. “Jewelry design?”

Magnus laughs. “That was part of it. Back then, they didn’t have courses specifically for jewelry design, so I majored in materials engineering and organic chemistry. It let me explore metalsmithing and gemology too, which was fun.”

“That sounds...cool,” Alec says carefully, though his heart is pounding. It’s hot. It’s maddeningly hot.

When Jace and Izzy return with drinks, Simon claps his hands. “Alright, noble quiz warriors, we’re entering Round 3—the Difficult Round! Only the worthy shall rise to victory!”

“Bring it on, suckers!” Izzy yells. 

Simon squints at his notes, upping the challenge. “First question: This element, atomic number 67, is used in laser technology and has the symbol Ho. Name it.”

The room falls silent, and teams exchange puzzled looks. Alec’s heart races, surely this is where Magnus might finally stumble. But Magnus answers without hesitation.

“Holmium.”

Simon blinks, clearly impressed. “Correct.”

Alec swallows hard, barely breathing as he watches Magnus dominate the round, the flicker of a confident smile on his lips. It’s mesmerizing, and Alec’s heart beats faster with each answer.

Simon glances at his list, clearly determined to find something challenging. “Atomic number 73, symbol Ta, used in electronics and known for its resistance to corrosion.”

Magnus pauses a beat, letting the suspense build, then replies with a little smirk, “Tantalum.”

By now, the whole room has caught onto Magnus’ skill. People are casting awe-struck glances, and some look completely defeated. Alec’s urge to climb onto the table and announce,  I am married to this man , is getting harder to resist.

Simon clears his throat for the final question, clearly hoping to stump him. “Alright, last question for the win. Which chemical element has the symbol Cs and is highly reactive and used in atomic clocks?”

Magnus takes a long time, probably pretending to think, before he grins slowly. “Cesium.”

The entire club erupts into cheers and applause as Izzy throws herself at Magnus, screaming excitedly in his ear. Alec can’t help but laugh when Jace claps him on the back, congratulating him as if he’d scored the winning shot himself.

Luke presents them with a gigantic pitcher as a reward for their victory, and everyone dives in, getting even more intoxicated. Alec nurses his drink, mindful of his role as the designated driver, but Magnus has no such reservations—especially not with Alec’s siblings continually refilling his glass.

“Great game, guys!” Simon exclaims, sliding into the booth beside Jace and Izzy and planting a kiss on her head. He’s still wearing his cape and shit. “I told y’all that you don’t need my help.”

“And you’re a great host,” Magnus tells Simon, he’s too kind. “It’s weird to see you speak normally after all that.”

“Simon is very good at role-play,” Izzy winks.

“Izzy!” Jace groans loudly. 

“Magnus, you were incredible!” Clary squeals as she joins them, squeezing into the booth next to Magnus, pushing him closer to Alec until their bodies are flush. Maybe Magnus is too buzzed to notice, but Alec feels every point of contact, hyper-aware of the warmth seeping between them.

“Thanks, biscuit.” Magnus grins at her.

“You should join us every week!” Isabelle gasps, clutching Magnus’s hands. “We’d be unstoppable!”

“Isabelle,” Alec chides, downing a glass of water to sober up. “Maybe that’s enough shots for you.”

Isabelle pouts at that. “Oh, come on! Buy us more, Alec. You’re a bigshot CEO now.”

“Not yet,” Alec points out.

Jace wipes at his eyes, already in the sentimental phase after drinking too much. 

“It’s so nice to see everyone doing so well,” he sniffs, looking over at Clary with a tipsy, affectionate smile.

“Did you know Jace is going to Paris to perform with the Orchestre de Paris?” Clary announces proudly, practically glowing.

“That’s incredible, Jace!” Magnus says warmly. “Congratulations.”

Jace makes grabby hands at Alec, giving him an earnest nod. “We’re thriving together, man. Like two balls in a nutsack.”

“You mean two peas in a pod,” Alec sighs, rolling his eyes.

“Nope.” Jace frowns, squinting. “Definitely nutsack.”

Isabelle raises her glass. “The Lightwood Babes are all thriving! Alec will be CEO, Jace is playing in Paris, and my ass is getting bigger!”

“Babe, you’re opening a new branch too!” Simon reminds her. 

“Yeah, yeah, but I’m more proud of this,” Izzy insists seriously.

“We should probably head back,” Alec murmurs, noticing that his siblings are only getting more chaotic with each drink.

“Time to cash in that blow job!” Izzy teases Magnus, winking playfully. Alec glares, and she pouts. “Oh, come on! Stay! We hardly see you two together!”

A pang of guilt washes over him. She’s right. His siblings always bring their partners to family events, spending time together openly, but Alec hasn’t done the same. He could blame it on his private nature, but he knows that excuse only goes so far.

“Maybe we could stay a little longer,” Magnus says cheerfully, oblivious to Alec’s inner turmoil. 

It’s a reminder of why he and Magnus don’t come to family events together often—it always feels like a performance. Alec, who spent years pretending to be something he wasn’t, doesn’t relish the idea of performing now. 

After some more drinks, Izzy drags Simon to the dance floor while Clary snuggles into the booth beside Jace, leaning her head on his shoulder as he feeds her cheesy nachos. They look utterly in love, and it’s so natural and real that Alec wonders what he and Magnus look like to everyone else. Probably not in love, he thinks. But he hopes they at least look real.

“Are you going to Paris with Jace?” Magnus asks Clary.

“Of course!” Clary chuckles. “As if I’d let him go to Europe without me.”

“I’m not going anywhere without you, babe.” Jace declares dramatically. “We’re going to hell together.”

“You mean heaven?” Magnus chuckles. 

“Oh no, we’re definitely going to hell,” Clary laughs. She turns back to Magnus. “You’ve been to Paris, right?”

Magnus chuckles, brushing off the question. “A long time ago. Another lifetime, really.”

“Your dad said you were there for a while,” Jace presses. “Did you have your own place?”

Alec notices the way Magnus fidgets, twisting his rings under the table. He knows Magnus well enough now to recognize discomfort when he sees it.

“Any tips for a first-timer in Paris?” Clary inquires.

“Any recommendations for couples?” Jace asks.

Magnus forces a smile. “Watch out for the pickpockets.”

Alec turns to Magnus. “Hey, you wanna dance?”

Magnus blinks, clearly taken aback, then slips his hand into Alec’s. “Absolutely.”

Before Jace or Clary can ask anything else, Alec leads Magnus to the dance floor, which is packed and bustling. Magnus’ hands settle on Alec’s shoulders, drawing them close. It’s not the first time they’ve danced together, but it feels different than what they did during their wedding. 

“Thank you,” Magnus says softly, his eyes warm.

“Don’t mention it,” Alec murmurs, shaking his head. “Sorry about my family. They’re…curious.”

Magnus chuckles, glancing down. “It’s fine.”

“You don’t have to give them recommendations,” Alec assures him. “They’ll be fine.”

“It’s Paris, Alexander—the city of love,” Magnus shrugs now. “I know a few spots they’d enjoy.”

Did Magnus visit those places with someone else? Is that how he knows? He pushes the thought aside. 

“Well, pass the recommendations to me, and I’ll give it to them. Just…no giving your number to any of them, especially Izzy.”

Magnus laughs, leaning in to whisper, “She already has it.”

“Oh no,” Alec groans, covering his face. “Sorry.”

“Relax.” Magnus waves it off, but then nudges Alec lightly. “You’re just standing there.”

“Huh?”

“We’re on the dance floor,” Magnus points out, raising an amused brow. “You can’t just stand here—you have to dance.”

Alec sighs, looking self-conscious. “I didn’t think this through.”

“Just sway,” Magnus chuckles, already moving to the rhythm as Alec reluctantly follows.

“Happy now?” Alec asks, swaying awkwardly from side to side.

“Yes,” Magnus hums, looking up at the ceiling before letting his gaze settle on Alec again. “Tonight was fun.”

Alec finds himself smiling, genuinely. “I’m glad.” He hesitates, then adds, “Izzy’s right—you’re welcome to join us every week.”

Magnus’s face softens. “Do you really mean that? I know this is your time with them.”

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it,” Alec replies. 

Magnus’s smile widens. “Then I’d be happy to.”

“I do have one condition,” Alec warns. “We have to take an Uber because I want to get drunk too.”

Magnus nods sagely. “Agreed on the getting drunk part, but let’s take the subway instead.”

Alec makes a face. “The subway?”

“Carbon emissions are no joke, Alexander,” Magnus says, completely serious.

Alec rolls his eyes fondly. “You really care about this stuff, don’t you?”

“Just the world we live in,” Magnus says easily. “We’ve only got one after all.”

 “Fine.” He relents, but after a beat, he asks, “So…does this count as our weekly outing, or…?”

Magnus chuckles. “I told you we can hang out more than once a week, didn’t I?”

“Just checking,” Alec hums, trying not to sound like a child. “Don’t want you getting bored of me.”

Magnus meets his gaze, eyes gentle and honest. “I don’t think I ever could.”

And for once, Alec lets himself believe it.

Chapter Text

“Alec, are you listening to me?”

“I am multi-tasking, Lily, but yes, I am listening to you,” Alec replies patiently, his eyes glued to the computer screen. He has read and approved the agenda for the takeover party a dozen times now. He doesn’t know how to tell her that he doesn’t care about all the minor changes. He can’t say it; he doesn’t want to come across as the new boss who doesn’t care about the big party the office is throwing for him.

“Okay, great. Let’s run through it one more time,” Lily continues. “So, we have Mr. Bane’s speech first. Then yours is right after. They wanted to check with you if you want someone else to say a few words about you—your family or some other senior member of the staff—”

“That won’t be necessary,” Alec shakes his head.

“Okay then,” Lily hums. “Next, we have the official handover and signing, a quick photo op, and we finish up with Sabrina.”

“Sounds good,” Alec nods.

“I’ve already asked admin to send you the security brief,” Lily informs him, typing on her phone. “You’ll be picked up at five. Please be here on time.”

“Am I ever late?” Alec looks up at her.

“Yes, well, you’re married to Magnus now,” Lily replies, a teasing lilt in her voice. “I’ve learned my lesson trying to get the boss here on time.”

“Fair point,” Alec concedes.

There’s a knock on the glass door. Jess pokes her head in. “Alec, the board is ready for you.”

“Great,” he exhales softly, shutting his laptop and grabbing his info pack. He turns to Lily. “If there are any more changes, talk to Jess.”

“You don’t think they’ll axe the London plans, right?” Lily asks, concern knitting her brow. Alec gives her a surprised look. “Oh, please. Everyone knows about it. I know for a fact that Elliot is gunning for that transfer when we open the London office.”

“If we open the London office,” Alec corrects her.

“Fingers crossed,” Lily replies, tipping an imaginary hat and adopting an exaggerated British accent. “Good luck, governor.”

Alec doesn’t believe in luck, but today, he wouldn’t mind a bit of it. This is the first board meeting about the expansion plans, and he really needs it to go well. It’s his first move as CEO, and the weight of that responsibility presses heavily on his shoulders. What if the board doesn’t buy into his vision? What if they question his every decision? Anxiety flares within him, a nagging reminder that all eyes will be on him.

“We have nine out of twelve board members present,” Jess informs him as they walk toward the boardroom. “Fiona and Griffin aren’t here. Mr. Adkins is absent, but we have his wife sitting in for him because he wants to stay posted.”

“Better his wife than him,” Alec mutters, relieved by Adkins's absence. Adkins isn’t his biggest fan. “Does this mean Aldertree is present?”

“Yep.”

“I can’t catch a break, can I?” Alec sighs, bracing himself.

“You got this,” Jess assures him confidently. “Mr. Bane is there too.”

“He’s not going to be around forever, Jess,” Alec reminds her—and himself. “I need to learn how to handle these people on my own.”

“Do you need anything?” Jess asks, concern etched on her face.

“No. No, I’m good,” Alec shakes his head, adjusting the middle button of his suit to calm his nerves. “What do I have after this?”

“Nothing. I cleared your schedule. You’re going to want to take it easy after this one,” Jess informs him, and he gives her a grateful smile. “You do have a meeting with R&D first thing tomorrow, though.”

“Got it,” Alec replies as they reach the room. She gives him a thumbs-up as he slips into the boardroom and closes the door behind him.

“Alec!” Asmodeus beams at him with a wide smile.

“Hey,” Alec responds, smiling as he nods at the others already filling up on coffee. He makes himself a cup, carefully scanning the room.

Alec finds his spot between Vivian and Jia, two strong women who are smart enough to support this plan and unafraid to take risks. He gives Diego, their long-term legal advisor, a quick smile. Asmodeus occupies the head of the table, chatting with a couple of others—internal board members who oversee sustainability and human resources.

They’re all the big guns, the key players responsible for Java in various ways. Being CEO means learning to navigate their dynamics—whether he likes them or not.

His gaze lands on Aldertree on the opposite side of the room, murmuring with their investor relations director. Yikes, that’s not good.

Asmodeus clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. He likes to lead the meeting, Alec had noticed, unlike Alec who prefers to stay away from the spotlight. 

“Thank you all for being here today. I’d like to acknowledge the members present,” Asmodeus says warmly and welcomes every single person, as usual. “And of course, our special guest, Mrs. Adkins, who’s filling in for Mr. Adkins.”

“Today’s meeting is about the expansion plans that have been proposed,” Asmodeus begins, slipping on his reading glasses as he flips open the packet in front of him. “I trust everyone has reviewed the info pack prepared by R&D?” He glances around the table, his gaze steady and assessing. “We’re here for an honest and open conversation about the possibilities ahead of us. Any initial thoughts?”

Jia leans forward beside him. “Maybe we should hear from Alec first?”

No, Jia, why? Alec groans inwardly, feeling a prickle of anxiety. But there’s no going back now.

“Of course,” Asmodeus nods immediately, looking at Alec. “Alec?”

Alec clears his throat and takes a quick glance around the table, aware of the heavy expectations in the room. “Hey, uh, look, there’s really nothing I can say that isn’t already in that info pack. It’s just pages and pages of data outlining why we should move forward with this expansion.”

He pauses, watching the faces around him, reading a mix of curiosity and doubt. “But honestly, I don’t think we should do this just because we have enough reasons to go for it. The real question is why we wouldn’t. We have a good product—a great one, actually. It doesn’t make sense to me why we’re not sharing it with the rest of the world.”

“Just because we can,” Aldertree interjects, his voice measured and critical, “it doesn’t mean we should. This is incredibly risky, especially at this point in time.”

Alec keeps his expression neutral but raises a brow. “What does that mean?”

“The company is going through a massive change in leadership. We’re vulnerable,” Aldertree replies, directing his words to the entire table.

“I disagree, Victor,” Carlos chimes in, a wry smile playing on his lips. “If we’re going to take risks, this is the time to do it.”

“So that if it flops, we can blame it on the new leadership?” Diego remarks dryly from across the table. “That’s not how we work, Carlos. We win or lose together.”

Asmodeus nods, then glances over at Chloe, their Business Advisor, who’s seasoned in guiding expansions. “Chloe?”

Chloe adjusts her glasses, her nails tapping against the info packet. “I like what I see here,” she says with a cautious smile. “The prospects are better than I expected, actually.”

“Are British people even that into coffee?” Mrs. Adkins asks with an arched brow, glancing down at the document.

“Actually, London has a thriving coffee culture,” Amina, the Head of Marketing, explains confidently. “Especially among younger people. If we go forward, demand won’t be our biggest challenge—it’ll be the competition.”

“Well, the good thing is that we’re not starting from scratch,” Vivian notes with a quick nod. “We’re already an established brand. People know us, they like us.”

“But this isn’t just about expanding to London,” Aldertree adds, his tone growing more serious. “We all know this is a pilot. Sure, London might feel like a safe choice, but if it works, then what? Are we looking at opening in every major city?”

“Not every city,” Alec replies with conviction, “but yes, this is about potential future growth.”

Aldertree’s gaze sharpens as he glances around the table. “But is it necessary? We’re a domestic brand—that’s part of our identity and our strength.”

“Our strength is in our product,” Alec counters. “It’s the goddamn best coffee you can get anywhere. Java can flourish wherever we take it. I believe that.”

Diego shifts in his seat, raising his hand slightly. “Let’s not forget the legal considerations,” he says, a note of caution in his voice. “Expansion to a new country is more than just branding. We’d need to consider compliance, regional regulations, and even the potential economic fluctuations that can hit new markets. The economic landscape in the UK isn’t exactly stable right now.”

It's one of Alec’s biggest concerns, actually. That’s why they need to be very careful with this. It’s why he’s spending all his time and energy worrying about it, too. 

“Yes, currently they’re heading towards recession. But consumerism is still high,” Chloe points out. “Honestly, if we have broader expansion plans down the line, starting with the UK makes sense. Success there would give us stronger buy-in when we eventually look to expand into other regions.”

As the voices settle, Asmodeus leans back in his chair, his hands folded on the table. “All good points. This expansion could very well be an opportunity, but it’s not without its risks,” he says neutrally, his tone reflecting his years of experience, although he glances at Alec briefly. “The next generation may be the ones to lead the charge, and I believe that’s worth considering seriously.”

He removes his glasses, glancing thoughtfully around the table. “R&D has indicated they’re prepared to send a team to London for preliminary research, but we’d need the board’s decision to allocate those resources. So, I suggest we all take time to think it over. Let’s reconvene after the holidays. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to do their own research, consult with each other, and weigh all aspects carefully. We need to make sure that if we go forward, we’re all fully on board.”

As the meeting wraps up, the room slowly empties, with most of the board members lingering to chat and exchange well wishes before the holidays. There’s a warmth in the air—a rare moment of camaraderie after a year of intense discussions. Alec navigates the room, speaking with each board member, thanking them for their support, and addressing concerns. Vivian is the first to approach, giving him a firm nod and a quiet, “I’ve got your back, Alec. Good to know you’ve got a clear direction.” 

Mrs. Atkins remains pleasant but detached, exchanging polite words with him before noting her husband’s role in the upcoming vote, her neutrality obvious.

Alec notices Aldertree slipping out without so much as a glance in his direction. He tries not to let it bother him, though it gnaws at the back of his mind. Still, Alec keeps his focus on the positive, engaging with those who stayed a little longer.

When the last of the board members are gone, Asmodeus comes up beside him, giving a lingering look around the empty room as if savoring it. Alec knows the moment is bittersweet; this was Asmodeus’s final board meeting as CEO. He hopes the man will stay on for a long time as chairperson. Alec needs him more than he is willing to admit. 

“You were talking to Raj for a long time,” Alec remarks, casting a glance at the head of HR, who nods stiffly at Alec before disappearing through the glass doors. There’s some gay drama there—Alec’s brush with Raj on Grindr months ago. Raj had swiped right, Alec hadn’t, and things had been a bit frosty ever since. Not exactly ideal HR behavior.

Asmodeus smirks, catching Alec’s eye. “Actually, it was about you.”

Alec freezes, his mind racing. Did Raj mention the Grindr thing? It was months ago, ancient history in Alec’s mind, but Raj hadn’t exactly let it go. Could Raj have seen him on Grindr again? Not likely; Alec had switched to using an alias profile ages ago, and he hadn’t touched the app since Kai.

“Um… about what, exactly?” he manages, hoping his face doesn’t betray his panic.

Asmodeus’s smirk softens, his tone reassuring. “About your replacement. I’ve requested the final list of candidates.”

Alec lets out a sigh of relief. “Right. I thought the board wanted someone external.”

“Not if I have any say in it,” Asmodeus replies firmly. “If I’m stepping down, I want to leave Java in the hands of someone I trust.”

“What about Diego?” Alec suggests.

Asmodeus raises an eyebrow. “He just challenged your entire idea.”

“I like people who challenge me,” Alec shrugs. “Also, he raised valid points and constructive concerns.”

Asmodeus hums in approval. “Well, if you think he’s worth working with closely, I’ll add his name to the list. Ultimately, the board will make the decision.”

“Of course,” Alec says, exhaling. “Do you have any idea how they’ll vote next month? I might need to put in some work over the holidays to sway a few of them.”

“Oh, you should just throw a big Christmas party,” Asmodeus teases, clearly amused.

Alec rolls his eyes, mentally tallying the votes he’s confident he has. “Not sure I want them all in one place. Especially if Aldertree’s there.”

“Well, let’s save the board politics for January,” Asmodeus says, brushing it off. “So what are your plans for the evening?”

Alec shrugs. “Nothing major. Why?”

“Oh, so Magnus is doing that whole ‘I’m too old for birthdays’ act again?” Asmodeus groans, rolling his eyes. “When he was younger, he threw legendary parties, practically invited the whole neighborhood. Now he won’t even bother with a cake!”

Alec’s stomach drops as the realization hits. 

Too old for birthdays???

Fucking fuck. 

It’s Magnus’ birthday. 

“Oh, we’re just planning a quiet night in,” Alec replies, trying to keep the panic out of his voice.

Asmodeus sighs dramatically, grabbing his coat. “Fine. We’ll pick up a cake on the way.”

“On the way where?” Alec asks, scrambling to keep up with Asmodeus’s pace.

“Don’t you think a surprise visit would be fun?” Asmodeus grins mischievously.

“Magnus doesn’t really like surprises,” Alec offers, though he’s not actually sure that’s true.

“Oh, he loves a good prank,” Asmodeus chuckles. “I’m sure he’s pranked you dozens of times by now.”

Magnus has never pranked Alec—and somehow, Alec doubts he ever will. They just aren’t that kind of couple.

“How is you visiting him a prank?” Alec asks as he hurries to keep pace.

“What if I wear a mask? Or jump out from behind the curtains?” Asmodeus muses, a playful glint in his eye.

“Please don’t give yourself a heart attack,” Alec groans.

Asmodeus’s expression softens, a trace of wistfulness in his voice. “I miss him, you know. Maybe we’ll just have dinner. Something simple.”

Alec feels an intense pang of guilt. 

“Yeah, sounds good,” he says, forcing a smile, though he knows he should have insisted on just staying in for the evening.

“Perfect. I’ll grab my things,” Asmodeus says with a smile, disappearing into his office.

The moment he’s alone, Alec digs out his phone and frantically starts typing a text to Magnus.

[To: Magnus]

RED ALERT. RED ALERT. 

YOUR DAD IS COMING TO THE LOFT RIGHT NOW. 

Also thanks for telling me it’s your birthday :/

[From: Magnus]

Ah crap 

Get me some time. 

When they drive to the loft, Alec grips the steering wheel a little tighter, glancing sidelong at Asmodeus, who’s settled in the passenger seat with an air of ease. In contrast, Alec feels jittery; his mind is preoccupied with whether Magnus has had enough time to set up and what, exactly, the apartment will look like when they finally arrive. But he keeps his tone casual as he tries to draw out the drive.

"Are you sure we’re going the right way?" Asmodeus’s brow furrows as Alec merges onto a road that leads toward Queens.

“Need to pick up flowers,” Alec says smoothly, recalling the address Jess had forwarded weeks ago.

“Flowers?” Asmodeus raises an eyebrow, looking unconvinced. “We passed at least three florists in Manhattan. Are you planning on arranging a bouquet by hand?”

“Magnus likes lotus flowers,” Alec says, gesturing vaguely. “There’s a place in Flushing that has them.”

“Oh.” Asmodeus’s expression softens as he nods. “Okay, then.”

When they finally reach the small Asian florist shop, Alec busies himself, taking more time than necessary selecting the flowers and chatting politely with the florist. He sneaks a glance outside now and then, spotting Asmodeus wandering into nearby shops, talking to shopkeepers with that easy charm of his. By the time Alec finishes, he finds Asmodeus holding a bag of takeout dumplings, looking pleased.

“I got us dinner,” Asmodeus says as Alec places the flowers carefully in the backseat. “Dumplings?”

“Perfect,” Alec replies, managing a smile. 

Finally, they reach the loft in Brooklyn, Alec practically holding his breath as he opens the door, hoping Magnus has managed to pull off…something. Thankfully, he has. The living room is transformed and decorated with wedding photos and personal touches. Even Alec’s things, which Magnus must have strewn about for effect, are scattered here and there. 

It’s all carefully staged to appear cozy, inviting, and homey.

It’s all fake. 

“Bapak,” Magnus’s voice rings out, arms folded and eyebrows raised as he eyes Asmodeus. “You can’t just turn up here unannounced.”

“I can’t?” Asmodeus smirks, the picture of innocence.

“I haven’t even cooked anything,” Magnus says, his hands raised in mock dismay. “I look like a terrible host!”

“Would you have cooked if I told you I was coming?” Asmodeus asks and Alec stifles a laugh. “No worries. I brought dumplings.”

“Oh, I do love those,” Magnus grins, reaching eagerly for the takeout bags.

With a laugh, Asmodeus pulls him into a warm hug. “Happy birthday, kitten.”

Alec hesitates, the flowers in hand, feeling a bit out of place in the family moment. But Magnus’s attention shifts to him, his expression softening as Alec holds out the flowers.

“These are for you,” Alec says a bit awkwardly.

Magnus’s eyes light up, and he gives Alec that heart-melting smile before leaning in to kiss his cheek. “Thank you, darling. Will you help me set the table?”

Uh…Okay?

“Don’t make him do the chores,” Asmodeus protests, tsking as he makes himself comfortable on the couch. “The poor man’s had a long day at work.”

Magnus pouts, placing his hands on his hips. “Excuse you, I’ve been working hard too.”

Asmodeus smirks. “I know for a fact you didn’t get up until noon.”

“Ah, of course, the board meeting,” Magnus walks over to both of them. “Poor Alexander has been worried sick about it. How did it go, my love? Was Aldertree an ass?”

First of all, Alec wasn’t worried sick. He was a little worried and slightly sick. But he wasn’t worried sick. 

Alec can’t help feeling flustered—not only by Magnus’s open affection but by all the pet names being thrown around so casually. He clears his throat, gathering his thoughts. 

“Uh, it went…fine? Aldertree was…well, let’s say tolerable. We’ll vote on the next steps in January.”

“Let’s leave work at the door,” Asmodeus cuts in, his voice fond. “But I am glad you have someone you can talk to about all this, Alec.”

Alec shifts uncomfortably. 

Sure, he and Magnus talked about it over dinner last week, but he hadn’t expected Magnus to remember all the details, especially since the night had ended with him finding Magnus crying in the workshop again.

“Oh, hello, you,” Asmodeus coos as Chairman Meow joins them while they open the food. Magnus feeds the small feline a piece of his dumpling, and the cat trots over to Alec, nuzzling against his leg. “I see he has warmed up to you well.”

“Yeah, he’s turned my room into his playground,” Alec grumbles.

“Your room?” Asmodeus asks, raising an eyebrow. Shit.

“I turned the guest room into an office for Alec,” Magnus explains easily. “It’s only fair since I have the workshop for myself.”

“Right,” Alec clears his throat, nodding, feeling slightly caught off guard.

“Besides, I don’t want him bringing work into the bedroom,” Magnus hums.

“Are you working from home too?” Asmodeus glares at him, completely ignoring Magnus’s comment, and so easily believes that they’re sleeping together.

“No!” Alec exclaims quickly.

“Darling, I know you check emails in bed,” Magnus scoffs, then turns to his father. “Perhaps you should stop scolding him and give him less work, hm?”

“Hey, he’s the one overworking,” Asmodeus raises his hands in surrender.

Magnus rolls his eyes and looks at Alec softly. “Giulia dropped off your suit, Alexander.”

“You took him to Giulia?” Asmodeus raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

“Of course I took him to Giulia,” Magnus scoffs. “My husband will not be dressed like a hobo at his own party.”

Asmodeus laughs at that, leaning closer to Alec. “Perhaps overtime is not a bad idea considering the new tailoring bills.”

“Bapak!” Magnus scolds, his voice sharp yet playful.

“Just a joke, kitten,” Asmodeus replies with a wink.

Alec, feeling very confused by this all, is just about to take another bite of his dumpling when he feels Magnus’s warm fingers brush against his cheek. Startled, he glances up, and their eyes meet.

“Hold still,” Magnus says softly, his thumb gently wiping away at the corner of Alec’s mouth. “You had some sauce there.”

Alec’s breath catches in his throat, the simple touch igniting a swarm of butterflies in his stomach. The warmth of Magnus's hand lingers longer than it should, sending a rush of warmth through him.

“Thanks,” Alec stammers, embarrassed as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, feeling the heat rising in his cheeks.

Magnus and his father get back to chatting and catching up and Alec….Alec doesn’t know what to do. 

Everything feels strange and uneasy. The fakeness of this conversation…doesn’t feel fake at all. Not one bit. But it’s hard to accept it as anything but a charade when he knows Magnus is just pretending for his father.

“Excuse me,” Alec mumbles when he’s finished eating, pretending to head to the bathroom. Instead, he almost walks to his room, but Magnus gives him a subtle look, redirecting him the other way.

Alec slips quietly down the hall, feeling the weight of the evening pressing on him. Everything from the affectionate glances to the subtle touches is starting to feel too real. He knows Magnus is doing all this for show, and yet…there’s a part of him that wishes it wasn’t. He glances back to make sure Asmodeus isn’t watching, then steps into Magnus’s room— their  room—at least for tonight.

He closes the door softly and takes a deep breath. But when he turns, his heart stops.

The room is exactly how he remembers it from the one time he snooped more than a month ago, yet it’s transformed. It looks lived-in, not just by Magnus, but by him.

His hoodie lies draped over the arm of the small couch in the corner. A familiar, comforting sight. His cologne— his —rests on Magnus’s vanity table, as if he uses it every day in this room. The well-worn copy of Giovanni’s Room he’s been reading again sits neatly on the left side of the bedside table, next to a small lamp. And right there, beside Magnus’s own belongings, is his damn coffee mug. That mug, chipped on the side, the one he always grabs first thing in the morning, is waiting on the bedside table as if he’s expected to wake up here tomorrow.

Alec’s chest tightens. 

It’s not just the little things; it’s the overwhelming sense that this is what a home would look like if they were really married. If they weren’t playing some elaborate game for Asmodeus’s benefit. It’s as if he belongs here, right alongside Magnus.

But it’s not real. None of it. Magnus doesn’t care about him like that. 

This is all just for Asmodeus, a charade that Alec agreed to play along with, a favor for a friend. 

He reminds himself of that, even as his heart twists. This is not a real marriage. They’re not husbands; they’re barely even friends. Alec’s stupid, half-baked crush is just that—a passing thing that will go away if he ignores it long enough. 

“Alexander?”

Alec snaps his gaze back to him, quickly shoving his hands into his pockets to hide the slight tremble. 

“Hey,” he says, clearing his throat, and attempting a nonchalant tone.

“I hope it’s alright that I went through your room,” Magnus says, his tone easy, though Alec can’t help but feel a pang of guilt about his own recent snooping.

“No, no, it’s fine,” Alec says quickly, shaking his head. “I’m glad you managed to do all this before we got here.”

“I was running around like a madman,” Magnus chuckles.

It’s different now. Magnus is different.

He’s no longer flirty and soft, the intimate banter that once flowed so easily between them is now replaced with a polite friendliness. He’s just Magnus now, and he’s no longer Alec’s husband.

Alec had known this whole time that it was all pretend. This marriage is fake. He understood that it would never be real, and he had convinced himself that he was fine with it. But now, remembering how it felt when things seemed genuine, it becomes harder to accept the truth. How good they could be together.

Stop it. Just stop this.

This isn’t real. Magnus doesn’t care about you.

Alec glances at Magnus thoughtfully. “Why didn’t you tell me it’s your birthday?”

“Because I turned 30 today,” Magnus replies, waving a hand dismissively. “I don’t need the reminders.”

It’s a deflection. Magnus is becoming a little easier to read. Alec is not sure if he likes that. 

“But you don’t look like it, though,” Alec says softly. It’s an honest comment, simply an observation.

“Flirt,” Magnus chuckles. “More of that for when we’re back outside, please.”

Alec bites his lip. 

Right. This is all for show. This entire evening is pretend, a performance for Asmodeus, not for them. It’s not real.

Magnus clears his throat, breaking the silence and stepping back into his playful, composed demeanor. “I think we should do a movie night since Bapak is here. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll just freshen up a bit,” Alec replies, exhaling deeply. “Can I, uh, can I use your bathroom?”

Magnus chuckles, shaking his head. “Of course, Alexander. I’ll have dessert ready by then.”

Alec hesitates, glancing back at him. “Magnus?”

“Yes?” Magnus turns. 

“Happy birthday,” Alec manages. 

Magnus smiles softly. “Thank you.”

Alec takes a while in the bathroom, gathering himself before looking for his clothes, only to find Magnus has stashed them all over: some under the bed, others in the closet. He eventually changes into a simple t-shirt and joins the other two in the living room.

“Where’s your dad?” Alec asks, flopping down next to Magnus on the couch.

“He’s taking a call,” Magnus says, nodding toward the workshop. “What do you think we should watch?”

“Anything’s fine with me,” Alec shrugs, relaxing against the couch cushions.

“Isabelle mentioned you’re into cop shows,” Magnus muses, scrolling through a list of crime thrillers and pausing randomly. “Ooh, I heard this one’s good.”

It’s been a few weeks since that quiz night with his siblings, and since then, Magnus has been showing up every week. Just last week, they played drunk Jenga, and Alec almost lost to Magnus. He should be annoyed that Magnus is suddenly his biggest competition, but he can’t bring himself to care.“Kitten,” Asmodeus waltzes out from the workshop, eyebrows raised. “What’s this?”

Alec’s heart skips a beat. Asmodeus is holding a small jewelry box—blue and slightly bigger than the one Magnus keeps hidden in his drawer. Alec’s stomach tightens, thinking of how Magnus clutches that red velvet box in private moments.

“Bapak!” Magnus hisses, darting over to snatch the box. “Stop snooping.”

“I wasn’t snooping,” Asmodeus replies with a feigned look of innocence. “It was right on top of your table. Is this for me?”

“No!” Magnus groans, rolling his eyes. “It’s…It’s for Alec.”

“What?” Alec blinks, caught off guard. 

“Oh no, I’ve ruined the surprise!” Asmodeus gasps and throws the box at him. “Sorry, Alec!”

Alec blinks, thrown off balance. Asmodeus must have stumbled upon something Magnus designed for a client, and Magnus is just going along with it to keep up appearances. But as he looks down at the box in his hands, confusion melts into surprise. Inside is a pair of cufflinks—a warm golden brown, shaped like coffee beans.

“I thought you might want to wear these for the party,” Magnus says softly.

Alec’s breath catches as his heart swells, and then doubts rush in.

No, this isn’t for you. Maybe it’s for someone else. Maybe it’s just an experiment for Asmodeus. This isn’t real.

“You’ve never made me coffee bean cufflinks,” Asmodeus pouts dramatically.

Magnus smirks, sticking his tongue out. “Maybe you should marry a jeweler, Bapak. Marriage works wonders, doesn’t it? Should I call Mei?”

“Enough of that sass,” Asmodeus chuckles, turning to Alec with a twinkle in his eye. “This might be a good time to give Magnus his birthday gift. I know how competitive you are, Alec.”

Alec freezes, his mind blank. Shit.

“I can’t,” Alec swallows, casting a pleading look at Magnus.

“Why not?” Asmodeus frowns, eyebrows raised. 

“Because it’s a…bedroom gift,” Alec blurts out.

Asmodeus groans, muttering something in Indonesian as he hastily retreats to the workshop, leaving Magnus laughing, his eyes bright with amusement.

“I think you scarred him for life,” Magnus chuckles, wiping his eyes as he settles back down.

“Sorry,” Alec murmurs sheepishly, holding out the box. “Here.”

Magnus’s face falls slightly. “You don’t like it?”

Alec hesitates, meeting Magnus’s gaze. “Is it really for me?”

Magnus looks back at him, puzzled. “Who else would it be for?”

Alec swallows, feeling foolish. “I thought it might be for a client.”

Magnus chuckles softly, a hint of warmth returning to his eyes. “Believe it or not, Alexander, I don’t know many people who are quite as coffee-obsessed as you.”

“Oh.” Alec’s gaze falls to the cufflinks, a smile tugging at his lips. “These…they’re incredible.”

“They’re Java beans,” Magnus explains with a smile. “I studied the ones you keep in the kitchen.”

“The details are amazing,” Alec says earnestly, running his thumb over the polished surface. “It’s probably the coolest thing I own.”

Magnus raises a brow, looking mildly offended. “I disagree. You own a Kiton suit now. Though that statement depresses me, so we’ll have to work on expanding your wardrobe.”

“You mean depleting my bank account?”

“Oh please, I know you can afford it.”

“Are you two done flirting now?” Asmodeus’s voice calls from the workshop.

“No,” Magnus calls back with a grin. “This is what you get for randomly invading our home.”

Our home.

Alec shakes off the thought. It’s not real. None of this is real.

When they settle in for the movie, Asmodeus balks at the crime thriller, sparking a friendly debate that goes on forever until Magnus grabs the remote and puts on Shark Tank. Alec quickly learns that Magnus has a habit of binge-watching it.

As they watch, the three of them pretend to be sharks, critiquing the hopeful entrepreneurs. But none of them ever agree on the same person. Alec judges solely on the strength of their ideas and the proposal’s potential. Asmodeus evaluates their character. Magnus on the other hand has completely different criteria for his judgement.

“No. Absolutely not,” Magnus says, wrinkling his nose at the man onscreen. “Not a chance.”

“That’s actually a solid proposal,” Alec counters, taking a sip of his espresso.

“And he seems like a decent man,” Asmodeus agrees.

“He’s wearing cargo shorts to a business pitch!” Magnus groans. “We’re not investing in him.”

“So you’d rather invest in the woman trying to sell raincoats for cats?” Alec asks, raising an eyebrow.

“First of all, that was a great idea,” Magnus sniffs. “And she was wearing Vera Moda. Clearly, she has impeccable taste.”

“You two are going to have very interesting children,” Asmodeus murmurs with a fond smile.

It’s not real,  Alec reminds himself.  This isn’t real.

 When Asmodeus goes to the kitchen for water, a Starbucks ad blares on-screen, causing Alec to scoff loudly. “They’re doing ads during  Shark Tank  now? Pathetic.”

“We got the best ad spots,” Asmodeus huffs, shooting the TV a disapproving look.

“Damn right we did,” Alec agrees.

Magnus laughs, shaking his head. “You two are weird.”

“You don’t get it, Magnus,” Asmodeus declares solemnly, downing his water. “Those people are the enemy.”

Magnus grins, a devilish spark lighting up his face. “So…you’d say Starbucks drinkers are also our enemy, then?”

“Without a doubt,” Asmodeus replies. “With subpar taste, no less.”

“Magnus,” Alec warns, catching on too late to stop him.

“Oh, Bapak,” Magnus sings sweetly. “Did you know that—”

“Magnus!” Alec groans, reaching over and shoving a pillow right into his face to muffle whatever he’s about to say.

Magnus barely falters, grabbing a pillow of his own and swinging it toward Alec, who tries to block it with his arm but ends up laughing as Magnus’s aim finds its mark.

“Help!” Magnus yells. “I’m being attacked by the enemy—”

Alec laughs, barely dodging another swing, before launching himself forward to tackle Magnus onto the couch. They land in a tangle of pillows and laughter. Magnus’ hair is a tousled mess, and Alec can’t help but feel a thrill at how close they are, the laughter fading to soft breaths as their gazes lock.

“Boys,” Asmodeus interrupts with a sigh, cradling the wide-eyed Chairman Meow. “You’re scaring the poor cat.”

Magnus chuckles, reaching over to pet the feline. “Oh, Chairman understands,” he says with a wink.

Asmodeus shakes his head, scoffing, “I don’t know how you put up with these two, Chairman.”

Once they settle back into the show, Magnus nestles deeper into the couch and rests his head gently on Alec’s shoulder. Alec stiffens for a moment, the unexpected closeness sending a wave of warmth through him. He exhales slowly, letting himself relax into the moment.

It feels easy, surprisingly intimate, and natural in a way that’s almost jarring. He can catch the faint, familiar scent of Magnus—fucking sandalwood. Even through layers of cozy winter clothes, Alec can feel the soft warmth radiating from him, like he belongs there against Alec’s shoulder. 

He’s not even sure how much time has passed; his attention slips between the TV and the quiet, steady rhythm of Magnus’ breathing.

“He’s fallen asleep,” Asmodeus’s voice breaks the silence, and Alec blinks, glancing down to see Magnus dozing peacefully, his face now tucked against Alec’s arm, breathing soft and even.

“Oh,” Alec says softly, as if afraid to disturb him, and gives Magnus’s shoulder a gentle shake. “Magnus?”

Magnus groans in response, murmuring something under his breath in Indonesian, and curls in closer, clinging to Alec as though he might drift away.

Whatever he says makes Asmodeus’s face soften, an affectionate expression Alec hasn’t seen often. Asmodeus exhales quietly, then stands. “I should probably head back.”

“Oh,” Alec says, reluctantly shifting away from Magnus, careful not to wake him. “Do you want me to drive you?”

“No, my driver’s downstairs.” Asmodeus waves a hand, stepping closer to where Magnus sleeps. He leans in, murmuring something in a gentle tone Alec can’t quite make out, then presses a soft kiss to Magnus’s hair.

Alec stands to walk him to the elevator, stifling a yawn as they go. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Asmodeus replies with a small smile, then pauses, watching Alec for a beat before he adds, “He likes you, you know.”

Oh.

That’s nice to hear. 

But this—Alec reminds himself, bracing against the flutter in his chest—isn’t real. Magnus doesn’t act this way on other days, not when they’re alone and there’s no one to pretend for. He can’t let himself forget that.

“Of course he does,” Alec quips, flashing a grin. “I’m awesome.”

Asmodeus chuckles, his expression warm as he reaches out to gently cup Alec’s cheek. “You’ve made me incredibly happy.”

Alec’s smile wavers for just a second, a pang of guilt twisting in his chest. He knows this happiness—this warmth in Asmodeus’s eyes—rests on a lie, on the fleeting illusion of a future that will eventually end in paperwork and a quiet goodbye. They’ll go their separate ways, and this happiness Asmodeus holds onto will be another casualty of this arrangement. 

He bites back his own reaction, instead offering a smile before waving Asmodeus off. 

When Alec returns to the living room, he finds Magnus still curled up where he left him, his face softened in sleep, every sharp edge relaxed. Magnus looks impossibly vulnerable, a side Alec rarely sees.

Magnus looks like the pebbles Alec collects from the beach—soft and precious. Something beautiful, something he wants to hold in his hand and keep close, to take home with him. 

But he can’t.

Alec takes a breath, forcing himself to look back at the screen, his chest tight with the realization that this—the closeness, the ease, the intimacy—isn’t real. It’s only pretend, a fragile moment borrowed from something they’re only acting out. So instead of reaching out, he settles beside Magnus and clicks back to the thriller he had suggested earlier, letting this small, precious moment be enough.

At some point, the cozy atmosphere pulls him under, and he falls asleep.

He doesn’t know how long he’s out, but when he wakes in the early hours, he reaches over, finding only the cool emptiness of the couch beside him. Blinking in the dim room, he looks around. 

Magnus isn’t next to him anymore. 

Magnus is in the workshop. Magnus is crying. 

Chapter Text

He paces around the bedroom—his bedroom, now that the facade for Asmodeus is over—as he shuffles the cue cards in his hands, mumbling the speech under his breath.

He doesn’t want to be overprepared. He wants it to sound genuine. He wrote the words himself, though he’d asked Lily to run through it once for feedback. Magnus looked at it too. Although he didn’t give any feedback other than a soft smile and a ‘this works’. 

Alec hopes it works. These are his words, and he wants people to feel that. 

With a nod to himself, he slips the cards into his suit pocket and walks over to the floor-length mirror—already there when he moved in. Magnus’ loft is never short on mirrors. He supposes that, when you look like Magnus, you don’t mind mirrors everywhere.

He studies himself in the mirror, then turns to the cat performing acrobatics on the bed. “What do you think?”

Chairman Meow, as if on cue, lets out a tiny fart, and Alec tries not to take it personally.

With a small exhale, he looks back at his reflection. He looks good. He knows he looks good. He doesn’t need anyone to tell him that. The right suit really does have a certain magic.

He checks his watch and realizes it’s almost time. His fingers drift a little lower, brushing over the golden cufflinks. They’re gorgeous. Alec has never been one for jewelry, but something about wearing these makes him feel…important. He’s not sure if it’s because the cufflinks look so cool or because Magnus made them for him. Probably the latter.

Because that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Making the people close to you feel important. Not just loved—but important.

Magnus might not love him—not that Alec loves him back, or anything. But Magnus has certainly made Alec feel important. Alec thinks back to all the little gestures: taking him to the tailor to get the right suit, helping with his speech, crafting those cufflinks, and even bringing back pebbles from the beach every time he visits.

Magnus doesn’t talk to him. Not really. Not about the things Alec wishes he would. But he does things for Alec. So many things, without Alec even having to ask—and sometimes he does things Alec didn’t even know he needed.

Alec doesn’t know what to make of it. The more he thinks about it, the more it confuses him.

Now isn’t the time to worry about Magnus and his cryptic, confusing behavior. Alec’s phone buzzes with a text from Jess—a time check, just like he requested, letting him know the car will be there in 15 minutes. He pats Chairman Meow, texts back a thumbs-up, and heads to Magnus’s room to check in. “Magnus, are you ready—AH! FUCK! SORRY!”

He slaps a hand over his eyes, squeezing them shut as he jumps back, trying not to picture what he just saw.

Magnus chuckles softly. “I’m not naked, you know.”

No, but you’re sitting on your bed in just your damn briefs, practically naked!

“Sorry,” Alec mumbles again, keeping his eyes tightly closed.

“It’s alright,” Magnus says, and Alec hears the mattress shift as he climbs off the bed.

No, it’s not alright. Alec is not going to his own party with a goddamn boner.

It’s not like seeing someone in their underwear is a big deal. But Magnus isn’t just anyone. He barely saw anything, but the image is burned into his mind: the honey-glazed skin, the defined shoulders, those endless legs, that narrow waist he could probably wrap an arm around—and those snug briefs that definitely deserved a closer look.

Stop it. Pull your head out of the gutter.

He feels soft fingers wrap around his wrist, and Magnus gently pulls Alec’s hand away from his face. Alec keeps his eyes shut, though, just in case Magnus is still standing there in nothing but those briefs.

But then, impulsively, he opens one eye—and finds Magnus now dressed in a navy-blue silk robe. Not that he’s disappointed. Okay, maybe a little. 

“You’ve messed up your hair,” Magnus tuts, adjusting a stray curl on Alec’s head. He’s standing so close, smelling incredible—fresh from the shower, all lotioned up. “Alexander, stop biting your lip.”

Alec, not realizing he was doing that, releases his bottom lip. “I’m just nervous.”

“No need to take it out on your lips.” Magnus hums, walking back to his vanity. He picks up a small tube and hands it to Alec. “Here, use this. It’s my lip balm.”

Alec doesn’t know how or why he’d need it, but he slips it into his pocket anyway. He likes it when Magnus does these little things for him. “You’re not ready yet?”

“Hair and makeup first, Alexander,” Magnus huffs, sitting in front of the vanity and pulling a band over his hair to hold it back.

“The car will be here in 15 minutes,” Alec reminds him.

“I’ll be ready by then,” Magnus replies, catching Alec’s skeptical look and shooing him away. “Stop distracting me, please.”

Alec walks out of the room, heading straight to the kitchen for another espresso. As he fills the machine with the Java beans, a wave of emotion hits him. Today may be mostly ceremonial—a symbolic passing of the torch and all—but it’s still the day he officially becomes CEO. 

It feels a bit surreal. Who would have thought that the lanky 19-year-old, pulling shifts at a coffee shop just to snag free espresso, would one day run the company?

It’s been a long road, far from easy. People might assume it’s been handed to him, especially now that he’s married to the boss’s son. A voice in his head reminds him that Asmodeus isn’t his boss anymore, which—God, he’s going to start crying. Alec quickly gulps down his coffee, hoping to distract himself from the flood of emotions. Jess texts him again, and Alec heads back to Magnus’ room.

“You’re still not dressed?” Alec sighs as he steps in.

Magnus turns and smiles. “Makeup’s done.”

Alec just barely stops himself from gasping. Magnus has gone for a stunning look: his eyes are painted in warm chocolate shades with a hint of glittering gold that makes his gaze smolder. They remind Alec of a rich espresso, dark and intense, with a lingering sweetness. His lips are painted a deep brown, making them look even fuller and shinier than usual, and his cheekbones—God, they’re so sharp Alec might cut himself just looking at them. He’s never seen anyone look this exquisite, and Magnus isn’t even dressed yet.

“I…like it,” Alec manages, struggling to keep his thoughts clean.

“Your PR team would adore me,” Magnus chuckles, turning back to the mirror and picking up his hairdryer. “Now, for the hair.”

“Magnus, the car’s downstairs,” Alec sighs, but Magnus doesn’t seem phased.

“I’m not ready,” Magnus says. “And why are we going so early, anyway?”

“I like getting there early.” Alec shrugs. “I need to schmooze with the board and the shareholders before the party starts.”

“All the more reason for me not to be dressed like a clown,” Magnus replies seriously. 

“How much longer do you need?”

“An hour,” Magnus hums, though Alec isn’t sure he buys it. “The party doesn’t start until seven, Alexander.”

“Fine,” Alec sighs, pulling out his phone. “I’ll let Jess know—”

“Why don’t you go ahead?” Magnus suggests. “I’ll join you later.”

Alec hesitates. The whole point of going early was to arrive together, maybe even to show Magnus off a little. But maybe Magnus doesn’t want that—doesn’t want to be paraded around like some prize, especially not at his father’s company. Is that why he’s taking his time?

“Okay,” Alec nods. “But you’ll be there in an hour?”

“Mm-hmm,” Magnus murmurs, touching up his lips with a brush.

“Alright,” Alec says, fingers itching to run through his hair. “I guess I’ll see you there.”

He’s about to turn and leave when Magnus calls out, stopping him at the door.

Alec looks back. “Yeah?”

Magnus quirks a smile. “You look very handsome.”

Oh.

Very handsome. Wow. 

“Thanks,” he mumbles, trying not to blush, and holds up his wrist to show off the cufflinks. “These look cool.”

“I’m glad you think so,” Magnus smiles.

“Yeah.” Alec exhales softly, patting his chest. “Alright. I gotta go. See you in a bit.”

Alec is en route to The Baccarat when he sees a message flash on his phone—Jace and Izzy are already there. That’s the difference, he thinks, between Magnus and his siblings. Jace and Izzy are family; he’s known them his entire life. Magnus shows up to support him, but Jace and Izzy are his support. 

And yet, he feels a pang of guilt, knowing how much he’s keeping from them. They’d be angry, sure, but more than that—they’d feel sorry for him. And Alec hates that.

Arriving at the venue, he’s greeted by a crowd of security and press swarming outside. It’s one of the biggest business events of the year, so it’s no surprise. With a little help from security, he slips inside, only to be whisked into an impromptu photo op in the lobby by Lily. A few quick shots and he’s ushered into the ballroom, where he spots his siblings…chatting with Asmodeus. Wonderful.

“Dude,” Jace says as he catches sight of him, looking him over with an impressed nod.

Izzy lets out a playful whistle. “Damn, looking sharp!”

“I call this the Magnus Effect,” Asmodeus grins mischievously, winking at them. “Where is he?”

“Uh, still getting dressed,” Alec replies, scratching the back of his neck. Izzy giggles, but Asmodeus just frowns and mutters something in Indonesian, pulling out his phone before excusing himself—no doubt to hurry Magnus along.

“You look good, bro,” Jace says, clapping a hand on Alec’s shoulder. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay,” Alec nods, scanning the room. “Need to make the rounds. Are Mom and Dad here yet?”

“On their way,” Izzy answers, her expression reassuring. “We’ll keep an eye out.”

“Keep an eye on your dates,” Alec teases, glancing at the open bar. “I know where they are.”

With a chuckle, he moves on, slipping into the crowd to make his rounds. The room is full of board members, shareholders, and industry heavyweights, all eager to talk to him. He keeps his conversations light and brisk, moving smoothly from one guest to another. A few Java board members greet him warmly, each interaction punctuated with polite nods and firm handshakes. 

By the time he’s completed a circuit around the room twice, Jess appears at his elbow, reminding him it’s almost time. Alec glances around, and Magnus is still not here yet. He subtly bites his lip, before slipping his hand into his suit pocket, feeling the lip balm there for comfort. He scans the room for Asmodeus but can’t spot him either. Frustrated, he shoots Magnus a quick text, but there’s no response. 

Just as he contemplates his next move, Lily nudges him forward, guiding him to his seat up front. Asmodeus is already there, just as Jia takes to the podium to deliver the welcome address. The nerves begin to swirl more intensely as Alec leans toward Asmodeus.

“Did you talk to Magnus?” he murmurs, barely moving his lips.

Asmodeus, fully aware of the watchful eyes around them, gives a tight smile. “He’s not responding.”

Alec’s heart sinks, and he checks his phone again—still nothing. In any other situation, he’d lean on Jace or Izzy, ask them to check in on Magnus, but that isn’t an option tonight. Trying to calm his nerves, he turns to ask Asmodeus what they should do next, but just then, Asmodeus is called to the stage for his speech. Alec swallows, forcing a calm expression as Asmodeus strides to the podium, every bit the composed leader Alec wishes he could be right now.

Asmodeus begins with a slight chuckle, waving a hand to end the applause that is resounding and well-deserved. It’s the end of an era after all. Alec is pretty sure he’s going to cry in a couple of minutes. 

“Thank you all for being here tonight. I have to admit, seeing so many familiar faces makes this a bit easier,” Asmodeus says with a pleased smile, as the applause finally dies down. “Transitions are always hard, and letting go—well, that’s a whole other challenge. But tonight, I can say it’s not that difficult. Not when I know Java is in excellent hands, with someone who I believe, from the very start, was meant for this.”

Alec feels a surge of warmth, trying not to show the sudden rush of pride on his face. He shifts, keeping his eyes down as Asmodeus continues.

“I still remember the first time I met Alec. I was fighting with the printer, as one does,” Asmodeus says with a grin, earning a ripple of laughter from the crowd. “I was about two seconds from launching the bloody thing out of the window when this young man—couldn’t have been more than twenty—comes up to me and says, very calmly, ‘Excuse me, sir, you need to turn it on first.’”

The crowd laughs again, and Alec, despite himself, smiles. That had been such a minor moment in his memory, but the thought that Asmodeus remembered it after all these years is unexpectedly touching.

“When I was a young man trying to make something of myself, I had no idea where to start. I was in a new country, a new world—and it was all so…new.” He pauses, and the room seems to breathe with him. “The only comfort I had in those early days was the presence of my wife by my side.”

Alec feels a pang at that, glancing at the empty chair next to him, wishing Magnus was there. But he shakes it off, refocusing on Asmodeus, whose words come as a balm.

“It’s a difficult thing, leaving one’s home behind,” Asmodeus continues, his voice dipping lower. “And that’s exactly how I feel today, leaving Java—as if I’m leaving my home all over again. But the thing about home…we carry it with us, don’t we?” He smiles wistfully. “So, I might be leaving Java, but I’m still here. I assure you. Because Alec carries the best parts of me with him.”

Oh God. Oh God, he’s going to fucking cry.

“To my staff—my Java family—I want to tell you that you’re in very good hands. He’s a great man – if you leave out his concerning caffeine habits,” Asmodeus jokes and Alec rolls his eyes, hearing a few chuckles from his siblings somewhere in the crowd.

“And to dear Alec,” Asmodeus says and it’s almost a whisper. “You’re going to do brilliant things here and I can’t wait to see it. Java is yours now, and I know you’ll love and care for it just as much as I did, if not more.”

As Asmodeus steps back from the podium, a round of applause rises, filling the space. Alec stands with everyone else, clapping along, but he feels something more than just applause in his chest. It’s a sense of belonging, of finally stepping into his own—and knowing, for the first time, that he’s exactly where he’s meant to be.

When the man comes down, Alec shakes his head at him, blinks rapidly to chase the tears away. Asmodeus simply gives him a wink and squeezes his shoulder. It’s all a blur as Jia says even nicer words about Asmodeus than before and invites Alec to the stage. Oh God, it’s happening. 

Alec takes a deep breath as he steps up to the podium, feeling the weight of all eyes on him. He carefully pulls out his notes, but, in an attempt to ease the tension, he leans forward and clears his throat.

“I paid him to say all that,” he deadpans, sparking a wave of laughter that ripples through the room. The warmth of the crowd’s response steadies him, and he glances down at his cards before continuing.

“When someone asks me what I do for a living, I usually say that I sell coffee,” Alec begins, earning a few chuckles. “But we all know it’s not just coffee that we sell.” He pauses, then adds, “As some of you may know, I like my coffee—okay, I need it to survive,” he says with a grin, drawing more laughter.

“To me, coffee has never been just a beverage. It’s…it’s like a little boost, you know? Think about the people who walk into Java every day. Whether it’s someone with a big presentation at work who needs a comforting latte, or a student cramming all night, desperately sipping on a triple espresso to keep their eyes open…we all need that push sometimes, that energy to get through the day.”

Alec hesitates a moment, then glances at his cards, knowing the next part by heart. “But, as much as I love coffee, it isn’t always enough. We need that boost from the people we love, from the family and friends who lift us up. I’ve been lucky enough to have so many people who give me that push every day.”

He glances down at his notes, his gaze lingering on a line where he’d originally listed his family, Magnus, and a few close friends by name. But he skips over it, deciding not to mention anyone individually. Alec knows his family understands how much they mean to him without needing a public acknowledgment—and he’s also painfully aware that people might notice Magnus’ absence if he mentions him specifically. 

“I’m incredibly thankful for my family, my friends, my colleagues,” he says instead, finally raising his eyes to Asmodeus. “And, of course, Mr. Asmodeus Bane. I’m honored to be your successor and forever grateful that you never did learn how to operate the printer.”

The crowd erupts in laughter, and Asmodeus joins in, his shoulders shaking with genuine amusement.

He takes a steadying breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle around him. “When Mr. Bane first approached me about taking over Java, he asked me what I would do and what my vision was. He told me to think carefully because, as he put it, having power and knowing what to do with it are two very different things.”

Everyone is listening closely, their attention on him and only him. Including a disgruntled Aldertree, who is on the front row with some other board members. Alec catches Asmodeus’s small, encouraging smile. He presses on.

“Mr. Bane’s vision for Java was revolutionary,” Alec says, a note of admiration in his voice. “He wanted to blend cultures, not just through coffee but also through our outreach, our corporate social responsibility, and our work in policy advocacy. He aimed to foster better relationships between the U.S. and East Asia—and he succeeded. We’ve built strong ties, and we’re going to continue doing that.”

The crowd bursts into applause, cheers echoing through the room. Alec catches sight of Lily in the back, whistling loudly, her face lit up with pride.

Alec nods, his expression serious. “Java has also been a pioneer in sustainability and fighting climate change. Last year, we were ranked first in eco-friendly practices in our industry, and we’ve committed to reducing our carbon footprint by another 25% in the next five years.”

Alec glances at Asmodeus with a fond smile. “Mr. Bane cares deeply about the environment. Having grown up surrounded by nature in a country I’ve had the privilege of visiting, he’s shown me how profound a love of nature can be.” He pauses, then adds, “It made me think back to my own formative years and what I’d held closest to my heart.”

He hesitates for a moment before pushing on. “For me, it wasn’t always easy. Growing up, all I wanted was to belong, to be accepted. I remember that fear, that constant worry of being shut out or misunderstood because of who I am. I wanted a place to belong—a place where I could just be myself.”

Alec feels his mother’s gaze on him, likely a little teary, so he musters a smile and forges ahead. “So, if you ask me what I want to do with the responsibility I’ve been given as your leader, it’s just that: I want Java to be a place where everyone feels included, both in the communities we serve and within our own walls.”

He glances around the room, catching Asmodeus’s approving nod. Alec knows he’s taking a bit of a risk, hinting at the inclusive expansion plans he has in mind, but he believes in it deeply.

“I want our workplace to be something we can all be proud of,” he says, his voice steady. “And I want our coffee to be something everyone can enjoy, because, let’s be honest—it’s damn good coffee, and we all need that little boost to get through each day in this challenging world.”

A few chuckles rise from the audience, and Alec relaxes a bit. 

“I hope you’ll join me on this journey,” he says, his voice a bit softer. “Transitions are scary, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my twelve years here, it’s that things are always a little less scary when we face them together. I know I have big shoes to fill, but if I can manage to be even half as supportive, as insightful, and as inspiring as Mr. Bane has been for us, I believe I’ll leave something behind that we can all be proud of.”

As Alec steps back from the podium amid the applause, his family is beaming, blowing kisses, snapping photos with their phones. The room is alive with cheers, and his heart swells with pride.

His attention snaps back to the stage as the transition ceremony begins immediately, the final, formal step in accepting his new role.

Alec watches intently as the document is brought forward, signaling the official transfer of power. His hand trembles slightly as he grips the pen, and a flash of camera lights nearly blinds him. But he steadies himself, glancing at Asmodeus, who gives him an encouraging nod. And then it’s done. The ink dries, and with it, the finality settles in.

Then, he hears Asmodeus, as the older man pulls him into an embrace, his voice low and almost a whisper. 

"He's not picking up," Asmodeus murmurs, a tremor of worry slipping through his tone. "I'm worried."

Alec’s face remains calm as he pulls back, giving Asmodeus a subtle nod. He manages to smile through the photo op, hiding the anxiety that gnaws at him. Once the photographers disperse, he gently grabs Asmodeus by the arm, guiding him off the stage under the guise of an exit, and makes a beeline for Lily.

“Great job, you two!” Lily greets them with a wide grin. “Your speeches were—”

“We have to go,” Alec says, cutting her off, his voice urgent.

Lily blinks, taken aback. “What? You can’t just leave! This party is literally for the two of you.”

Asmodeus interjects, his tone calm but firm. “It’s an emergency.”

Lily’s eyes widen in alarm. “Are you unwell? Should I call an ambulance?”

“No, nothing like that,” Alec says. “We just need you to handle things here. Can you do that?”

Lily glances between them, assessing the seriousness in Alec’s gaze, and sighs. “People are going to notice, Alec.”

“Not if you can distract them enough,” he replies.

With a resigned nod, she mutters something in Mandarin—likely a curse Alec pretends not to catch—and turns to her assistant. “Get me Sabrina. We’re switching up the agenda.”

“Thank you,” Alec breathes, relief washing over him.

“Both of you, head to the basement,” she directs. “I’ll have a car waiting so you can slip out discreetly. The lobby’s packed with reporters.”

Alec nods, leading Asmodeus toward the service elevators without wasting a second.

[To: Jess (personal number)]
Mr. Bane and I stepped out of the building for a bit. 
Don’t let anyone know. 

[From: Jess (personal number)]
Got it 👍🏾

[To: Jace]
Hey, had to leave the building for an emergency. Everything’s fine.
Can you keep an eye on the fam? Don’t let them know I left.

[From: Jace]

Got it, bud. Text me if you need anything. Hope all’s okay.

Alec tucks his phone away and looks over at Asmodeus. “It’s handled. They won’t notice we’re gone.”

“What happened?” Asmodeus asks him. “With Magnus.”

“I…I don’t know,” Alec says, swallowing hard. “He was fine when I left. He was getting ready and told me to go ahead…”

“You shouldn’t have left without him,” Asmodeus says, a bit sharply. Then he sighs. “Sorry. I’m sorry, Alec.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m sure he’s okay.” Alec tries to reassure himself as much as Asmodeus. “Maybe…maybe he just got distracted. It might not be anything serious. Chairman Meow might have gotten sick or something.”

“That’s not a good thing,” Asmodeus replies, shaking his head.

“What do you mean?” Alec asks, frowning in confusion.

“Magnus doesn’t handle it well when people get sick,” Asmodeus sighs. “I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

Alec hasn’t known Magnus long enough to catch on to something like that. But he does remember how Magnus reacted when Asmodeus was hospitalized—worried enough to drop everything and return to New York immediately that first time, and going so far as to agree to a marriage he hadn’t wanted the second time.

Suddenly, Alec hopes Chairman Meow is fine. And he hopes Magnus is too.

“Should I call the building security?” Alec suggests as the car slows down, stalled in traffic. “I’m sure they have a spare key.”

“No,” Asmodeus shakes his head. “I don’t want to involve other people. It’s not a good look. Not for you. Not today.”

“I don’t care,” Alec replies firmly.

“I do,” Asmodeus insists as the light changes. He leans forward toward the driver. “Please, drive faster.”

They make it to Brooklyn soon, but not nearly as soon as they’d like. When they finally reach Magnus’ loft, the three flights of stairs feel like thirty. Alec doesn’t bother knocking; he uses his own key.

Asmodeus pushes past him, rushing straight to Magnus' room. They find Magnus sitting on the floor by the bed.

Alec freezes—not because he’s shocked. He’s seen Magnus cry so much lately that it no longer shocks him. But he freezes because Asmodeus doesn’t seem surprised either; he walks to Magnus as if finding your child having a random breakdown is entirely expected.

“Magnus,” Asmodeus calls, dropping to his knees beside him and grabbing his face. “Look at me. Breathe with me.”

When he lifts Magnus’ face, Alec holds back a gasp. His beautiful face, so radiant in its coffee-brown makeup a few hours ago, now looks wet and messy. His eyes are red and swollen, dark kohl smeared down his cheeks, and his lips are bitten and bloody. He’s still in his robe, his hair exactly as it was when Alec left. Alec wonders how long he’s been crying.

“Make it stop,” Magnus hiccups, his voice barely audible through his sobs. “Bapak, make it stop.”

Asmodeus’ arms fall limp around Magnus, and he sighs heavily. “Oh, Magnus.”

“What’s going on?” Alec asks, worry and confusion tight in his voice. “Is he okay?”

Asmodeus looks up from the floor, his eyes weary and dark. He shakes his head. “Could you close the door and give us some space?”

Oh.

Alec’s not sure what else to do, so he nods and follows Asmodeus’ request, stepping out of the room and closing the door quietly behind him.

In the living room, he finds Chairman Meow perched on the couch, watching him. Alec sits beside the cat. “Do you know what’s going on?”

The cat doesn’t respond, but Alec has a strange feeling he knows. That’s why the feline keeps coming to his room at night, curling up with him. He knows about Magnus’ pain.

The worst part is, it seems Asmodeus knows too. Asmodeus knows about the crying. 

And Asmodeus hid it from him. 

Chapter Text

It’s been an hour.

After Magnus was found crying in his bedroom, Asmodeus asked Alec to wait outside, so he’s been sitting alone in the living room ever since. For an hour now. 

Lily texts to say she’s managed to convince everyone that Asmodeus wasn’t feeling well and that Alec had taken him up to the suite to rest—a plausible excuse that’s held for the last hour. Now, people are apparently asking for Alec.

He knows he has to go back. He gave a big fucking speech about making people feel included and then he just abandoned them. He feels absolute shit about it. He feels worse about abandoning Magnus and Asmodeus when they clearly need him.

Fifteen more minutes pass before Asmodeus finally slips out of Magnus’ room, looking absolutely exhausted.

Alec stands up at once. “Is he okay?”

“He’s finally fallen asleep,” Asmodeus exhales heavily. “Lily messaged me. They’re looking for you.”

“It doesn’t matter—”

“It does matter, Alec,” Asmodeus says firmly. “You’re the CEO now. It matters more than ever.”

Alec nods. He knows. God, he knows.

“Is he okay?” he asks again, glancing back toward the bedroom door.

Asmodeus sighs, deeper this time. “He didn’t tell you, did he?”

“Tell me what?” Alec’s confusion grows.

“I told you he can be difficult,” Asmodeus says, his voice edged with frustration. “You—you said the two of you talked before the wedding.”

“Not about this.” Alec shakes his head, feeling lost.

Asmodeus pinches the bridge of his nose. “Go back to the party. We’ll talk when you get back.”

“You seriously can’t expect me to go enjoy a party right now,” Alec replies, incredulous.

“I’m not asking you to enjoy it,” Asmodeus explains patiently. “I’m asking you to be there. I’ll stay here with Magnus. He’s not going to wake up until morning.”

Alec checks his watch. It’s almost 10 PM. He bites his lip. “He usually wakes up around two and cries in his workshop.”

“I see,” Asmodeus says, he doesn’t look surprised at all. 

“Why does he cry?” Alec presses, his frustration mounting. Nobody’s telling him a damn thing.

Asmodeus places a reassuring hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently. “We’ll talk when you get back, son, I promise. Go.”

Reluctantly, Alec leaves.

It’s a good thing Alec goes back when he does, because the moment he steps in, he’s ambushed. People flock to congratulate him, to cozy up, or, in Aldertree’s case, to demand if he’s lost his mind.

Alec expected this, of course. But he hadn’t anticipated dealing with all of it while the image of Magnus in the loft weighs so heavily on his mind.

His family checks on him, and he feels a rush of gratitude for their presence tonight. He tells them Asmodeus felt unwell and is resting upstairs with Magnus—a lie they immediately accept, which only adds to his guilt.

Lily, visibly relieved to see him back, does her best to get him a little breathing room amidst the crowd. Alec tries to stay present, listening as Diego expresses quiet concerns about taking over Alec’s former role as COO, as Aldertree rants about the expansion plans, as Jia shares stories of her time working with Asmodeus when he was a young CEO, and as Vivian recounts her latest hiking trip.

Through all these conversations, his thoughts keep drifting back to Magnus.

What’s wrong? What didn’t Magnus tell him? Why didn’t he?

Though, if he’s being honest, the why isn’t that surprising. They’re practically strangers despite being married for nearly four months. It’s not shocking that Magnus has kept things from him, not when Alec himself didn’t open up about Max until recently.

Asmodeus is another story. He could’ve told Alec, right? They are not strangers. So, why didn’t he say anything? 

Did he not trust Alec with it? Or worse—did he think that if Alec knew the truth, he wouldn’t want to marry Magnus?

Alec isn’t sure which thought stings more.

Because whatever this is, it’s clearly been going on for a while, and Asmodeus knows. He could have told Alec before the wedding. Not as a warning—not like that. But as a courtesy.

When Alec finally returns to the loft, it’s well past 3 AM. As much as he didn’t want to stay behind, he knew he should be the last to leave, bidding farewell to everyone who came for him. After making sure his parents and siblings got home safe—their tipsy happiness making him even more grateful for their support—he heads back alone.

Inside, the loft is dark and silent. He briefly wonders if Asmodeus left as well.

Alec walks to Magnus’ room and cracks the door open. Magnus is still asleep, clutching a pillow close to his chest. Alec quietly shuts the door, exhaling in relief. At least Magnus didn’t wake up to cry tonight, likely worn out from earlier.

He heads to his own room, eager to shed the expensive clothes that feel more burdensome than celebratory now. When Alec opens his bedroom door, it isn’t empty.

Asmodeus is sitting on the edge of the bed, stroking Chairman Meow, who is curled up on Alec’s pillow. Alec’s eyes widen slightly. 

“This is your room, then,” Asmodeus observes, glancing around before his gaze returns to Alec. His voice is heavy. “You’ve been lying to me.”

Alec's stomach twists. He can’t imagine a worse day for Asmodeus to find this out—on the very day he entrusted Alec with the company. He knows he can’t lie again, not now. Not after this.

“Yes,” Alec admits quietly.

“Why?”

Alec sighs, the weight of everything pressing down on him. “Because...I don’t know. We thought it would make you happy.”

“You thought lying to me would make me happy?” Asmodeus scoffs, the disbelief clear in his voice.

“What did you expect?” Alec bursts out, frustrated. “Did you think Magnus and I would fall in love just because we’re living together? Because we’re married? It doesn’t work like that.”

“I know it doesn’t work like that,” Asmodeus snaps, his patience thin. “I didn’t expect you two to magically fall in love. I’m not an idiot, Alec. But I expected you to at least try. To be honest—with each other and with everyone else. Not...whatever farce you two have been playing at.”

Alec feels his face flush, shame simmering inside him. Asmodeus isn’t wrong, and that only makes it harder to bear.

“So, it’s all been a lie, then?” Asmodeus presses, shaking his head in dismay. “The dates, the photos, the pet names, the gifts...the cufflinks. Just a big, elaborate lie?”

“I don’t know!” Alec shouts, anger bubbling over. “I don’t know what’s a lie and what’s the truth. I don’t know anything about your son, because he won’t tell me a damn thing!”

Asmodeus sighs heavily, a weary look in his eyes. He pauses, then changes the subject. “How did it go? The party?”

Alec blinks, caught off guard by the question although grateful for the chance to compose himself. He takes a deep breath. “It was fine. No one suspected anything. Lily convinced everyone you weren’t feeling well, and that Magnus was looking after you.”

“Good.” Asmodeus nods. Though, in reality, it was the other way around. “That woman deserves a raise.”

“She does,” Alec agrees.

“Well,” Asmodeus mutters to himself, chuckling dryly, “not my problem anymore.” He looks back up at Alec. “Why don’t you get changed, and we’ll talk?”

“Okay,” Alec says quietly. Despite how tired he feels, he wants to talk. He needs answers, and maybe Asmodeus can help him get them.

Asmodeus leaves, taking Chairman Meow with him, giving Alec the space he needs. Alec changes out of the suit and takes a hot shower, not caring about the late hour. Once he’s dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, he feels a bit refreshed, though no less drained.

He finds Asmodeus in Magnus’ workshop, sitting on the couch Magnus so often cries on. In his hand, Asmodeus twirls a small box—the ring. He studies it thoughtfully, lost in his own contemplation.

“You know what I’ve always wondered,” Asmodeus says, his gaze still on the ring as he swirls a glass of whiskey in one hand. Another glass waits on the table for Alec. Thank God. He can’t do this sober. “I wonder if you and I would still be friends if you’d joined Java much earlier when my wife was still alive.”

“Probably not,” Alec replies, leaning against Magnus’ desk and taking the drink. “I heard you had a goatee back then. What were you thinking?”

“Probably not,” Asmodeus agrees, allowing himself a faint smile. He shakes his head. “I was a lot like you, you know. I didn’t go looking for friends—not when I had my whole world right next to me.”

Alec feels a pang at that. Asmodeus had all he needed, just in one person. Alec himself hasn’t gone looking for friends, but not for the same reason. Asmodeus had love filling his life; Alec, well…He’s always felt it slipping through his fingers. Jace and Izzy are his world, yes, yet he still finds himself searching, hoping for more. And failing every time, just as he did with Magnus.

“I couldn’t have joined back then anyway,” Alec murmurs, trying to keep the mood light despite the tightness in his chest. “I was, what, in tenth grade?”

“Still would’ve been a good addition.”

“That’s child labor,” Alec points out, making Asmodeus laugh.

“I think you would’ve liked me much better back then,” Asmodeus smiles faintly. “I was a different man.”

“I like you just fine,” Alec mumbles into his drink. “Stop fishing for compliments.”

Asmodeus barks out a laugh, his gaze distant as he smiles at the ring. “She would’ve liked you. God, she would’ve liked you so much. She loved a man who could make her laugh.”

Alec studies him, watching the way Asmodeus speaks of his wife—with so much love, so much admiration. Even after all this time, the memories are vivid, as if she is right there between them.

If Alec’s honest, it’s one of his favorite things about Asmodeus. It’s one of the reasons Alec wanted to marry Magnus too, one of those many quiet reasons that never quite made it to the list. He’d hoped Magnus would be like his father in that way, that he’d love with the same unwavering devotion. Make Alec feel that deeply adored.

A silly thought, really.

“Why does he cry?” Alec asks for the third time that night.

Asmodeus exhales heavily. “Magnus…Magnus struggles with grief.”

“Because of his mom?” Alec asks, confusion knitting his brow.

He understands how painful it must be to lose a parent at such a young age. He gets it. But it’s been so long—more than a decade now. Surely, he can’t still be crying over her like that.

“Not just his mom,” Asmodeus shakes his head. “He’s lost too many people too soon, and it changed him.”

“Oh,” Alec says softly.

“When my wife died, it hit him deeply,” Asmodeus continues, closing his eyes. “He’s always been such a mama’s boy, you know? And it was so quick and so sudden...the four months we got with her felt like four minutes.”

Alec knows that feeling all too well. He’s always told himself that if he had just a little more time with Max, things would be better. Just a year more. At least a month. Even a week. He would’ve loved Max so much more and told him just how much his brother meant to him. It’s not enough. It’s never enough.

“He struggled badly after she passed. He was so young—just a child. It didn't get any less difficult as he got older, either. Especially his early teenage years weren't easy for him, so all he did was yell at me and pick fights with me, trying to make me angry,” Asmodeus chuckles now, though Alec knows it must have been different back then. “I…I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t deal with it properly. I was trying to make sense of my own grief, and I handled Magnus’ poorly. He was struggling in school, picking fights, and getting detention. When it was time for high school, changing his school to give us both a false kind of reprieve, was easier than sitting down and talking to him and helping him.”

Alec bites his lip. “You were grieving too. You did the best you could at the time.”

“I could’ve done better,” Asmodeus sighs. “It helped, though. The new school. He made new friends and started over. Magnus is not like us, Alec. He loves being among people. He takes joy in making connections. He got close to one of them. He does that, you know. He clings to people when he likes them too much and forgets all about himself.”

Alec can’t relate to that, not with how Magnus has been with him, but he nods anyway.

“The boy he was friends with—a good boy, really—Magnus brought him home a few times too,” Asmodeus says, smiling sadly. “He died when he went back to Mexico for the summer holidays. Some kind of kidnapping thing. Magnus was devastated.”

“Christ,” Alec swears quietly. “I can imagine.”

“It brought back everything he felt when Saroja passed,” Asmodeus sighs. “And it became even worse. He refused to talk to me. He wouldn’t talk to anyone. His anger turned into alienation. I would’ve killed for him to yell at me like he used to before, but he just shrank back into himself. And then he just left.”

“To Europe,” Alec says, because he knows. Because that’s when he joined Java, just after Magnus left. No wonder Asmodeus clung to him like a lifeline, replacing one son with another.

Alec should feel bad about it, maybe even a little offended, and yet he doesn’t. Asmodeus still chose him, and not someone else. He feels good about that. To be chosen.

“I shouldn’t have let him go, Alec,” Asmodeus shakes his head now, very serious. “It was my greatest mistake. I will always regret it. I shouldn’t have let him go. He said he wanted to study abroad, and I let him.”

“A new environment would’ve been good for him,” Alec tries to reason. “You did what was good for him.”

“I did what was good for me,” Asmodeus growls to himself. “I couldn’t…I couldn’t see him like that—so broken and so alone. I couldn’t deal with him, so when he wanted to leave, I let him. I never should’ve done that. Because when he came back, he was more broken than ever before.”

Alec bites his lip. “He fell in love, didn’t he?”

Because what else could it be? Alec has thought about this more than he’d like to—why someone like Magnus is single and why he wouldn’t want to get married. It’s because he’s heartbroken. It’s because he’s loved, and he’s had enough. He has nothing more to give to Alec—or to anyone.

“He told you about her?” Asmodeus looks shocked.

“No,” Alec almost laughs. “I…I saw the ruby ring. I assumed it was for someone.”

“These aren’t rubies. It’s chalcedony,” Asmodeus says, holding the ring closely. “And Magnus didn’t give it to that wretched girl. I gave this to my wife.”

“Uh,” Alec says awkwardly.

“Did you know the only time Magnus came back to see me, to talk to me even, was to ask for this?” Asmodeus chuckles bitterly. “He was going to propose to her. With my wife’s ring!”

“I take it you don’t like her?” Alec asks dryly.

“She wasn’t good for him,” Asmodeus shakes his head firmly. “However broken he was, she made it worse. Some people are like that, Alec. They don’t help you heal. They hurt you more.”

“You should’ve given it to him,” Alec says, not knowing why he’s defending Magnus. “It was his choice.”

“One day,” Asmodeus sighs heavily. “When you have children of your own, you will know. Sometimes you have to protect them from themselves.”

It sounds like some bullshit only parents would say. Alec tries not to roll his eyes.

“This is what inspired him to make jewelry, you know,” Asmodeus chuckles, clutching the ring to his chest. “Saroja loved this. Not because I gave it to her, but because of what it meant. She struggled more with our migration than I did. She missed our home deeply. I went all the way back to Jakartha to have this made for her—stones from her hometown, crafted by the people who spoke her language, and metals from her neighborhood. She cherished it with her life, and Magnus wanted to replicate it. All he wanted was to make her smile, just like I did. He tried to replicate the ring with all his toys. Then, when he was older, he kept drawing more and more rings. It turned into a whole thing. He promised that when he was older, he’d make her a ring just like this. But she…she was gone before that. After all this, I couldn’t believe he’d give it away to some girl he met in Paris. I was furious.”

“He was in love,” Alec points out carefully. 

“Oh, it wasn’t love, trust me,” Asmodeus chuckles darkly, shaking his head. “Maybe from his side, but she didn’t love him. You don’t break the people you love.”

“So, you didn’t let him marry her,” Alec crosses his arms in annoyance now.

“I said no, but he didn’t listen to me,” Asmodeus says quietly. “He’s stubborn, you know. He was going to do it anyway—bought a ring that cost a fortune to show her how much he loved her because that’s the only way she understood love—through devotion.”

“Oh,” Alec replies quietly. “She…she said no?”

Asmodeus sighs. “She died.”

“Jesus fuck,” Alec exclaims before he can stop himself.

“Some kind of boat accident in the south of France,” Asmodeus waves his hand dismissively, as if he doesn’t want to delve into it. “Magnus…well, he was inconsolable.”

“It must have been very difficult for him,” Alec says, unsure of what else to say. 

“She hurt him,” Asmodeus sighs heavily. “She hurt him a lot—when she was there and then when she wasn’t.”

“Does he…does he still love her?” Alec asks, swallowing tightly.

“I think you’ll have to ask him that,” Asmodeus shrugs.

“You shouldn’t have forced him to marry,” Alec says in response.

“And do what instead?” Asmodeus demands. “Let him be alone for the rest of his life?”

“You did!” Alec accuses. “You never married again. Maybe Magnus wanted to do the same.”

“What I felt for my wife was love; this was devotion. It’s not the same,” Asmodeus shakes his head. “Besides, Magnus was so young when it happened, Alec. He had graduated from university and had his whole life ahead of him. And he had never been loved—not the way my wife and I wanted him to be. I can’t let Camille be the end of him. I couldn’t let him think that’s what love feels like.”

Then why would you ask him to marry me? Why me? What made you think I could give him that? 

“It’s ironic, isn’t it?” Asmodeus chuckles tiredly. “All I wanted was for him to be rid of her and be happy. Now he’s stuck with her forever.”

“Maybe…maybe you should be happy,” Alec manages to say. “That he still loves her. Even now. That he has so much love to give.”

Asmodeus looks at him then. “Love has to go somewhere, Alec. Keeping it all to yourself hurts you more than not having any of it.”

“Is that why he cries?” Alec asks quietly. “Because of all of this?”

“I can’t explain that to you. I barely understand it myself. I miss people too, you know. I’ve lost my wife, my parents, and my home. But Magnus…it’s different for him,” Asmodeus sighs. “His therapist says he has some kind of grief disorder. I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense to me.”

Alec supposes it didn’t. Most parents don’t want to understand the problem; they just want to fix it.

“All I know is that my Magnus has a big heart,” Asmodeus exhales deeply. “Saroja and I loved him so much. We gave him all the love we had because we knew our Magnus had a big heart, and we tried to fill it as much as we could. But I suppose we didn’t realize that the big heart also meant it could carry a lot of pain too.”

“It’s not your fault,” Alec says, because he does believe that. He knows Asmodeus could’ve done better, as most parents could. The truth is,you can’t fix your children or make their problems go away. You can only hold their hand while they try to do it themselves.

They fall into a shared silence after that, the weight of everything spoken and unspoken settling between them. 

Alec feels the exhaustion begin to creep in, the kind that’s bone-deep—not just from what he’s learned but from the relentless questions it brings. What to do with it, how to hold it all, how to be what Magnus might need. 

Asmodeus looks at him sadly. “I really thought you knew all of this.”

Alec can’t help but laugh at that, fighting a yawn. “Do I look like someone who knew all of this?”

“Well,” Asmodeus says, looking anxious all of a sudden. “What now?”

“What do you mean?” Alec asks.

“Now that you know?” Asmodeus gestures vaguely. “What now?”

Alec frowns before it hits him. “Jesus Christ, do you think I’m gonna leave him?”

Asmodeus shrugs at that.

“Because of what? Because he cries over the people he lost and doesn’t know how to move on?” Alec demands. “What kind of person do you think I am?”

“Someone who is too good,” Asmodeus says quietly. “I’m afraid Magnus hasn’t realized that yet. Now, I fear he will never realize it because he is too stuck in the past.”

Alec doesn’t know what to say to that. He doesn’t think he’s too good for Magnus or for anyone, for that matter. If he was, he wouldn’t be alone like he is right now, right? His eyes start to droop, the exhaustion and the weight of the conversation taking him.

He feels a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll talk in the morning. Get some rest.”

Alec doesn’t fight it. He takes himself to bed, knowing he needs a clear mind to listen to any more of this or to respond without saying something stupid.

When he wakes up again, it’s not to crying; it’s to yelling.

God, this family is so dramatic.

Alec rubs his eyes as he makes his way to the living room, where the voices are growing louder—coming from inside Magnus’ room.

“Will you stop yelling at me?” Magnus groans loudly. “I just woke up.”

“You’re lucky I didn’t wake you up in the middle of the night to do it,” Asmodeus hisses. “I know last night was difficult, Magnus, but you’ve acted extremely selfishly. Alec and I had to rush home from the party—”

“Oh, I’m sorry my mental breakdown put a damper on your party,” Magnus scoffs.

“It’s not just a party, and you know it. It’s one of the most important days of Alec’s career, and you’ve ruined it because you couldn’t be bothered to be honest with your husband.”

“I wouldn’t have to bother with anything if you hadn’t forced me to get married!” Magnus snaps, and Alec winces at that.

“You and I both know I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, Magnus,” Asmodeus points out angrily. “You’re acting as if I grabbed you by the neck and dragged you down the aisle. You could’ve said no. If you didn’t want to marry Alec—or anyone—I wouldn’t have forced you. I would’ve been heartbroken and disappointed, but I wouldn’t have forced you! And I know you know it.”

Alec bites his lip, feeling like he should walk away. He really should.

“You shouldn’t have married him at all if you intended to live like this—keeping secrets and pretending for my sake!” Asmodeus says sternly. “Alec deserves better than that.”

“You think I want to live like this?” Magnus yells.

“I don’t know what you want, Magnus!” Asmodeus yells back. “And I don’t know how to help you anymore!”

“Then stop trying!” Magnus shouts. 

“I can’t!” Asmodeus says tiredly. 

“Just go home, bapak,” Magnus replies, sounding exhausted.

“They are not coming back, Magnus,” Asmodeus whispers to his son. “Not Camille. Not Raphael. Not your mother. They are gone, and they’re not coming back. But there are people in your life who are very much alive and still love you—people who will love you if only you’d give them a chance.”

“You should go,” Magnus says again, his tone flat.

“I will,” Asmodeus replies, his voice stern once more. “Because you shouldn’t be talking to me; you should be talking to Alec.”

“You can’t tell me what to—”

“I can, and I just did,” Asmodeus snaps. “You will talk to him, and you will talk to him today. Do you hear me? I said, do you hear me? ”

“Yes.”

“Go wash your face first; you look like a raccoon,” Asmodeus grumbles before opening the door. He spots Alec standing outside and closes the door behind him. “Hey.”

“Uh,” Alec replies awkwardly. “Good morning?”

“Are you going to work?” Asmodeus asks gently.

“Uh,” Alec stammers, trying to gather his thoughts. “Yeah. Can’t miss my first day.”

“Okay,” Asmodeus nods. “He will talk to you when you come back home. If he doesn’t, you call me, okay?”

Alec isn’t sure how he feels about that. Magnus will probably be mad that Asmodeus took his side.

“Okay,” Alec replies anyway.

“Come see me later if you want to talk more?” Asmodeus suggests with a tired smile. “We can talk, yes?”

“Okay,” Alec agrees again. 

Alec doesn’t speak to Magnus before he leaves for work—not that he usually does, since Magnus is typically still asleep. Besides, Magnus doesn’t leave his room. For all Alec knows, he might have gone back to sleep.

At work, Alec tries to stay focused. His morning is spent talking to Lily about the response to yesterday’s event—thankfully, it’s positive. He has lunch with Diego to discuss the possibility of taking on the COO position, even temporarily. It feels strange to have lunch with someone other than Asmodeus. Alec misses him already, and it’s only been a day.

He spends the afternoon and evening in R&D, working with the team to gather information for the upcoming board vote on the expansion. They’re putting together a team to send to London for field research, and Alec hopes their efforts will make a difference. He’s so focused that he doesn’t even realize it’s well past 5 p.m. until the staff start leaving one by one.

OKay, maybe he was a little aware of the time and stalled intentionally. Because he’s afraid to go back to the loft. 

Asmodeus may have thought Alec wanted to leave Magnus—but Alec doesn’t want to leave him. Nothing’s really changed for him; if anything, he feels a strange clarity now. Things make a little more sense, and it only makes him want to stay even more. 

What if Magnus doesn’t feel the same? What if now, with everything out in the open, Magnus is tired of pretending and wants to grieve in peace? What if he wants Alec out?

Eventually, Alec leaves the office, driving aimlessly through the cold, smoking in his car. When the winter chill becomes too biting, he heads back to the loft, where he finds Magnus in the living room, obviously waiting for him.

Magnus opens his mouth as if to speak, but closes it again, uncertain.

Alec clears his throat. “Can I…can I shower first?”

Magnus nods, and Alec retreats, taking longer than usual in the shower, stalling as the hot water turns his skin pink. Finally, he pulls on a pair of sweats and his favorite hoodie, bracing himself as he heads back out. He finds Magnus in the kitchen, waiting with a steaming mug.

“I made you coffee,” Magnus says, holding up Alec’s mug. 

“Thanks,” Alec replies, taking the mug and taking an immediate sip. 

They settle onto the couch in a quiet, heavy silence. Alec turns to face Magnus, while Magnus tucks his legs beneath him, resting his hands on his lap. Neither of them speaks, even if both of them know this conversation needs to happen.

Alec hesitates. “We don’t have to talk right now if you’re still…If you’re not ready, we don’t have to do this.”

Magnus sighs, holding out his phone. “I’m supposed to text him after we talk.”

Alec frowns, the frustration creeping into his voice. “Magnus, I don’t want you to talk to me just because you feel you have to.”

The thought nags at him—how much of their relationship, their moments together, were things Magnus did out of obligation? Was it all just for Asmodeus? The shopping trips, the late-night talks, even buying a new suit. Had those been choices Magnus made for himself, or because he felt forced?

“I do want to talk to you, Alexander,” Magnus says, his voice quiet but sincere. “I just…I don’t know how. My friends, my father—they’ve always known. I’ve never had to explain this to anyone, so I don’t know where to begin.”

Alec bites his lip, searching for the right words. “If it helps, your father told me some things.”

Magnus raises an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

Alec meets his gaze. “I’m so sorry about all the people you’ve lost. I know how empty that probably sounds, but I am.”

Magnus’s expression softens, and he nods slightly. “Thank you.” His voice is almost a whisper, weighted with an emotion Alec can’t fully grasp. “I suppose this must all seem very silly to you.”

“It’s not silly,” Alec replies firmly, shaking his head. “People grieve differently. There’s no right way.”

Magnus looks away, swallowing, as if processing Alec’s words. The silence between them is thick, yet somehow, for the first time, Alec feels like they’re moving forward.

"Are you…are you mad at me?" Magnus asks, so softly Alec almost doesn’t catch it.

"Not for this," Alec shakes his head. "But I do wish you had told me sooner."

Magnus’s eyes drop. "Sorry." 

"You have to tell me these things, Magnus," Alec says seriously. "If not as your husb…as someone who’s married to you, at least as someone who lives with you. I mean, I told you about my shellfish allergy, remember?"

Magnus snorts, a small, amused noise. "This is not the same."

"This could get you hurt," Alec presses. "What if you have a panic attack while you’re crying in the middle of the night?"

Magnus looks at him, his expression unreadable.

Alec’s cheeks redden, realizing how much he’s revealed. He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’ve…I’ve seen you cry."

"I know."

Alec blinks, caught off guard. "What?"

"I know you’ve seen me," Magnus says, his voice soft yet steady. "I can tell when someone’s watching."

"Oh," Alec mutters, a bit sheepishly.

Magnus’s gaze shifts, a flicker of something sad in his eyes. "But you never brought it up or came into the workshop. I thought…" He hesitates, taking a breath. "I thought maybe you didn’t want to involve yourself in it, which is fine, really. I wouldn’t blame you. It’s not an easy thing to—”

"Magnus," Alec cuts in gently.

Magnus bites his lip. "But you didn’t ask me about it. It only made me want to tell you less. I thought…I thought maybe you didn’t care."

Alec winces. "Magnus, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way."

"It’s not your fault," Magnus says, shaking his head. "It’s not your responsibility either."

Alec hesitates, his voice softening. "I saw the ring, you know. I thought…I thought maybe it was for an ex or something. Like, someone you’d wanted to marry instead of me. I didn’t want to make things more awkward."

Magnus lets out a choked laugh, catching Alec off guard. "Camille would’ve hated it if I’d proposed with that ring."

"Your father told me about her," Alec says carefully.

Magnus snorts, a little bitterness in his voice. "Let me guess, he called her a raging bitch."

"Close," Alec says with a faint smile, then turns serious. "It's awful, what happened to her. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Magnus gives a small, tired nod. "Thank you," he says quietly, like he's said it a thousand times before. "That's more empathy than I’ve ever gotten from my father."

"It’s different for parents, I guess," Alec offers. "It’s hard for him to see her as someone you loved when all he sees is someone who hurt you."

Magnus looks at him, his gaze sharp and a little guarded, and Alec suddenly feels the weight of his words. He flushes. "Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that."

Magnus sighs, his shoulders slumping a little. "She did hurt me," he admits, his voice low. "Quite a bit, actually. I didn’t realize it at the time—or maybe I didn’t want to—but I’m old enough now to know it wasn’t…very healthy, what we had."

Alec hesitates, then asks the question lingering in his mind. "Do you still miss her?"

Magnus’s gaze drops, and Alec immediately regrets asking. He knows he doesn’t really want to hear the answer.

"Of course I miss her. I miss her every day," Magnus murmurs, his tone raw. "The same way I miss my mom…and others."

"Your friend?" Alec asks softly. "From Mexico?"

Magnus’s face tightens, and he shakes his head. "I don’t want to talk about them, Alexander. I know I’m supposed to talk to you about how I feel, but…I don’t want to tell you what it was like or what they meant to me. I can’t. Not now. Not unless you want me to cry into your chest."

You can,  Alec wants to say.  I want you to.  

"Okay, sorry, you don’t have to," Alec says quickly, reassuring him. "Will you tell me about…why you cry? Your dad said something about a disorder?"

Magnus sighs again, this time heavier, as if the weight of Alec’s words adds to the burden he's already carrying.

"You don’t have to if you don’t want to," Alec adds quickly.

Magnus looks down, his fingers fidgeting with the fabric of his shirt. "I find it…very hard to explain," he admits. "Especially to you."

"Why me?"

Magnus hesitates. "Because you’ve lost someone too," he says quietly. "And yet…you function like a normal person."

Alec frowns, his brows knitting together. "You don’t think you do?"

"Normal people don’t have breakdowns every other day, Alexander," Magnus chuckles, a bitter edge in his voice. "Normal people don’t avoid new connections out of fear that they’ll lose them eventually."

Alec swallows tightly, choosing his words carefully. "Is that…is that why you didn’t want to get married?"

Magnus’s expression shifts, a mixture of exhaustion and sadness. "Bapak thinks it’s because I refuse to move on from Camille," he says, almost as if he's quoting something he's heard many times before. "But it’s not that. I know she’s not coming back. I know none of them are coming back. I’m not…I’m not stupid. I’m just…in pain."

Alec looks at him, his concern deepening. "Doesn’t…doesn’t therapy help? With your…with your, um, condition?"

Magnus sighs, as if the word "condition" itself is a heavy load. "My therapist calls it Complicated Grief."

"Oh," Alec murmurs, processing the term. "Isn’t…isn’t all grief complicated?"

Magnus’s mouth quirks into a faint smile. "I asked the exact same question when she introduced me to the term the first time."

"How long have you been going to therapy?" Alec asks, gently. "If it's okay to ask."

Magnus gives a small nod. "On and off since my mother passed away," he replies. "Steadily since I got back to New York a few years ago."

"And…it helps?"

"Yes. Of course, it does. It used to be much worse before. It’s manageable now."

Alec's mind races. If this is what "manageable" looks like, he can't imagine how things were before. "So… is that why you're like this?" he asks, hoping it's not insensitive. "Because of the condition?"

Magnus sighs, eyes drifting. "I don’t know why I am like this, Alexander," he says quietly. "All I know is that I don’t want to be like this."

Alec swallows, feeling the weight of Magnus’s words. "I can understand that."

Magnus shifts, looking down at his hands, his voice barely above a whisper. "Grief is strange, you know? When someone you love is gone, they don’t just disappear. They leave pieces of themselves with you. But they also…take parts of you with them—parts you never get back." He looks up, his expression unreadable yet vulnerable in a way Alec rarely sees. "You lose them, and in some way, you lose pieces of yourself too."

Alec listens in silence, his chest tight. 

"Maybe it’s not a bad thing. If there’s a lot of grief, it means there was a lot of love,” Alec notes carefully. “And carrying that love sounds impossible.” 

“So is letting go," Magnus sighs, rubbing his face tiredly. “But it’s not just about the ones I’ve already lost." 

“No?” Alec asks.

"The hardest part is trying to let anyone else in,” Magnus tells him, his voice catching. “Because every time I do, I think about how one day, I could lose them too. I’m terrified of letting people get close, of trusting them, just to have them leave and take more pieces of me with them."

He looks down again, almost as if he’s bracing himself against the thought. "It's easier to keep a distance, to make sure I don’t care too much. But then…" he trails off, and Alec sees something break through the surface—a flicker of loneliness, raw and unguarded.

Alec’s voice is soft. "But then you end up carrying all of it alone."

Magnus gives a faint nod, his gaze somewhere far away. "There are moments it feels like too much, like I’m walking around with pieces of people, parts of me, all tangled up. I can’t let them go, but I can’t hold them all, either." He takes a shaky breath. "Every time I meet someone new, it’s like I’m balancing between wanting to reach out and wanting to keep them far enough away. Because losing someone again? I don’t think I could bear it."

Alec watches Magnus, feeling a pang of something he can’t quite name—a mixture of understanding and helplessness. For him, loss has always pulled him closer to the people he loves. After Max passed, he found himself clinging even more tightly to Jace and Izzy, wanting to make sure they never doubted how fiercely he loved them, hoping to protect them from any shadow of the uncertainty Max might have felt. 

Alec knows it’s different for everyone. Especially for someone like Magnus, whose father said he has a big heart—a heart that should have been filled with love has instead been weighed down by loss. 

Alec realizes that for Magnus, every new connection must feel like a risk, like one more risk to be left behind.

"I don’t want to be in pain every time I remember my mother," Magnus continues, voice wavering. "She made me so happy, and I'd like to remember her that way. And while I miss Raphael so terribly…I want to make more friends. I'd actually like that."

Alec’s face softens. "You  have  made new friends," he points out. "Izzy is going around telling everyone you’re best friends now."

Magnus’s face brightens a little at that, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "I’m very grateful for that, you know. For introducing them to me."

"Don’t jinx it—they still have plenty of time to give you the ick," Alec teases, smiling.

Magnus chuckles, the sound soft and a little uncertain. "I am trying, Alexander. I promise you."

"I don’t doubt it," Alec shakes his head.

Magnus’s gaze drops to his hands, fidgeting slightly. "I’ve…I’ve dated too," he confesses quietly. "Since Camille."

“Yeah?” Alec swallows, nervous for some reason. 

“I like being in love,” Magnus says in a whisper. “Even with Camille. Even when it was awful, it was still good. I miss that.”

Alec’s heart twinges, and he tries to keep his expression neutral. "Things didn’t work out with the others?"

Magnus shrugs. "Not really. Either it moved forward, and they didn’t like me because of all this, or I didn’t like them, and it never moved forward at all."

Alec hesitates, then presses on. He has to know. "Is that why you married me? Because you were tired of…all that?"

The words feel heavy as they leave his mouth, and a cold, uneasy thought creeps into his mind. 

Had Magnus chosen him because he was easy? Because he was right there, someone who wouldn't challenge him or force him to confront what he wanted? 

Had Magnus given up on love altogether, and Alec was simply the person who happened to be there when he did? 

The thought twists inside him, a gnawing insecurity that makes him feel small. He’s terrified that maybe…maybe that’s all he was to Magnus—a choice made out of exhaustion, not out of want.

Magnus looks at him, a shadow of vulnerability in his gaze. "I married you because I didn’t want to be alone," he says softly. "I don’t want to be alone. I hate it. Bapak says I’m very good at it, but…you can hate something you’re good at, right?"

Alec gives him a small, understanding smile. "You can."

Alec’s smile fades into something softer, something that holds more understanding than he’s willing to say out loud. He gets it—more than Magnus could probably know. He didn’t marry for love either; he married because he was tired of the silence that filled his life, tired of coming home to emptiness. Even if their marriage was fake, even if it was built on a foundation of convenience, it was something. 

In his own way, he’d married Magnus because he didn’t want to be alone, either. The irony wasn’t lost on him, and yet, for the first time, he felt less alone in that feeling, knowing Magnus understood it too.

God, they’re a pair, aren’t they?

Magnus studies him for a long moment in the silence, his gaze heavy. Finally, he bites his lip. “You don’t have to do this, Alexander.”

Alec frowns. “Do what?”

“This,” Magnus says, gesturing between them. “This isn’t what you signed up for. I wasn’t entirely honest with you.”

Alec blinks, taken aback. “What are you talking about?”

Magnus’s voice is steady, even if there’s an underlying weight. “We agreed on five years…but if you want out, you’re allowed to leave. You can leave right now…if you want to.”

“Leave you?” Alec clarifies, and Magnus nods. Alec can’t help a snort. “Can you imagine the headlines? Leaving you right after I became CEO?”

Magnus winces. “I’ve dragged you into this mess, haven’t I?”

“It’s not a mess and I came into this willingly,” Alec insists, inching a little closer. “Magnus, listen—this doesn’t change anything. We can still live together, be…friends. And if you want, we can still walk away after five years. No strings, just as we planned.”

“Really?” Magnus swallows nervously. 

Alec nods, then adds, a little hesitantly. “Or…we don’t have to leave. We could just stay like this. Plenty of people do. Two friends, living together, sharing a life. No pressure, just…being there.”

It’s true. 

He’d rather be friends with Magnus forever than be in a relationship with someone else for a year or two, only to watch it fizzle out like it always does. Because with Magnus, he feels things—sometimes not great things, like frustration and anxiety, and even those embarrassing, lingering thoughts of desire. God, how complicated it all is! 

But still, Magnus makes him feel. More than anyone else he had ever met. 

Alec wouldn’t mind carrying that emotional weight for the rest of his life. Surely, he can handle some feelings.

Magnus’ eyes search his face now. “You’re…okay with that? Really?”

“More than okay,” Alec says with a small smile, deciding to throw in a joke to lighten the mood. “And hey, who knows? Maybe you’ll fall in love with me, and this whole thing will turn out to be a lot less complicated.”

Magnus presses a hand to his chest, feigning deep sincerity. “I’ll do my best to fall in love with you, then.”

Okay, maybe they shouldn’t joke about these things. 

“It’s all good, Magnus,” Alec reassures gently. “I promise.”

Magnus nods, twisting his fingers in his lap. “I’m sorry about the party last night.”

“You should be—I missed Sabrina Gardner’s performance,” Alec huffs, earning a small laugh from Magnus. “But honestly, I didn’t want to be there anyway. You know that.”

Magnus softens. “How did your speech go?”

Alec grins at that. “Oh, my mom recorded it. Wanna see?”

Magnus’s eyes brighten with genuine interest. “Yes, please.”

Alec pulls out his phone and finds the video, shuffling a little closer to Magnus so they can both see. The screen lights up, showing Alec at the podium, his voice steady and passionate, conviction evident in every word. In the background, his mother’s quiet, proud sniffles can be heard too, making Alec chuckle. 

Alec hardly glances at the screen. Instead, he watches Magnus, who is fully absorbed, his gaze fixed on Alec’s image with a quiet admiration Alec hadn’t expected to see. 

Alec’s heart tightens unexpectedly, and a thought crosses his mind, quiet but persistent.

As selfish as it feels, he wonders that if something were to happen to him, would Magnus feel Alec’s absence as deeply as he feels the losses of his past? 

He wonders if Magnus would cry for him too.

Chapter Text

It doesn’t change anything—and it changes everything.

They were right. A little communication does fix things. Well, not everything. They’re still who they are, still pretending to be married, still pretending to be a couple. But they’re something new too. They’re two people who no longer have to fake being happy or pretend to like each other. They actually are happy. They genuinely do like each other.

After the events of that takeover party and the morning that followed, Alec’s dynamic with Magnus shifts completely. It’s not as if the wall between them has crumbled; it still stands, sturdy as ever. But now Alec understands why it’s there in the first place. Now, he feels he has permission to climb over it, to reach Magnus when he needs to.

Their routines go back to normal once the secrets and shame have been stripped away. They share dinner every night now, and Alec can’t help but feel content about it. Sometimes Magnus cooks, other times they order takeout, exploring new places and establishing favorites. Alec has a soft spot for the Indian place in Bay Ridge, while Magnus leans towards the Korean spot in Flushing. 

On Sundays, after Alec returns from church, they go out together, continuing their weekly ritual from before, but it’s no longer a commitment. They do it because they want to. Because they can. 

Fridays at Hunter’s Moon are still part of their rhythm. Sometimes Magnus skips it if he’s not feeling up to it, but now he doesn’t bother with fake excuses. He simply says, “Not today,” or gives a slight shake of his head. Alec understands immediately. They’ve reached a place where unspoken words, small gestures, and worn-out smiles convey everything they need to say.

Magnus is talking to his father again. Alec had been worried, more than either Magnus or Asmodeus. Then he realized that fights followed by forgiveness were just part of their relationship. Families, he supposes, have their strange ways. One day they’re at each other’s throats, the next, they’re sitting side by side, watching Shark Tank.

The three of them don’t spend time together, though. It’s awkward now that Asmodeus knows the truth about their marriage. Alec still visits Asmodeus in Tribeca, mostly to discuss work, shit talk Aldertree, and occasionally, to make the other man lose a round or two of poker. Magnus spends time with his father separately, and they do their own thing. The unspoken arrangement suits everyone fine.

Amidst all of this, Alec has found himself researching Complicated Grief, usually in the quiet of his office. He doesn’t entirely understand it yet, but he’s learning. Part of him wants to visit Luca again, though he suspects it wouldn’t be warmly received. Besides, he’s determined to figure this out on his own.

The crying itself—something Alec now recognizes as Magnus’ coping mechanism rather than a concern—hasn’t happened since the party. Alec worries that Magnus might feel embarrassed now that he knows the truth. Or maybe it’s simply that the holiday season has kept them both unusually busy. Magnus spent a week in London with friends, while Alec was with Jace and Clary after Christmas. Throughout that week, he couldn’t shake the hope that Magnus was okay, that he’d found space to be himself and take care of himself.

When Magnus returned, just after New Year’s, he joined Alec to celebrate with his siblings. If his siblings thought it was strange that Magnus missed their first New Year’s together, they didn’t mention it. 

He’s fairly certain by now that Jace, Izzy, and even their spouses suspect nothing is wrong between him and Magnus. He’s not sure if that realization brings him relief or something else.

It’s Karaoke Night at Hunter’s Moon, and the theme is “Heartbreak Hour.” Alec gets spectacularly drunk and belts out an epic rendition of Careless Whisper. By the end, Magnus insists on making him drink two glasses of water before he’s bundled into the back of a cab by his concerned siblings.

“You didn’t sing,” Alec mumbles, leaning toward Magnus, a slight accusation in his tone.

“I didn’t,” Magnus replies with a soft chuckle. “I couldn’t possibly follow that performance, Alexander. It would’ve been humiliating.”

“I was good,” Alec hums to himself, still basking in the memory of his “triumph.” But a thought lingers: maybe Magnus didn’t sing because he wasn’t thrilled about the Heartbreak Hour theme. Alec makes a mental note that they should pick something cheery for the next Karaoke night. Maybe Disney—although Jace would be absolutely insufferable.

The rest of the cab ride is quiet. Magnus stares out the window the entire time, watching the snow drift down under the streetlights, lost in thought. January in New York is brutal, and the icy roads stretch their trip back to Brooklyn into an endless journey.

“You good?” Alec asks softly as they finally step into the loft.

Magnus, who immediately curls up on the couch and pulls Chairman into his arms, sighs deeply. “I hate winter.”

“Oh,” Alec says, grabbing a glass of water and moving to sit beside him.

“It makes everything worse,” Magnus murmurs, tapping his temple as if to convey the strain, though he doesn’t elaborate further.

“Oh,” Alec repeats, cursing himself for his lack of words. He gulps down the water, trying to sober up enough to say something meaningful. He wishes he could do something—anything—to make things better. He wishes he could control the weather. 

“I’m sorry,” he says at last, feeling the weight of his own helplessness.

Magnus gives a faint, almost apologetic smile, his gaze drifting to the side. “I’m not normally like this, you know. I don’t…I don’t cry often. It just gets worse during winter.”

“Oh,” Alec says again, catching himself. Clearing his throat, he tries for something more. “Why…why is it worse in winter?”

Magnus sighs tiredly, almost reluctant to explain. “Because I have seasonal depression. It…it makes it harder to keep things in check. Easier to cry, I suppose. I don’t know how to explain it.” He looks at Alec, uncertain. “But I promise, it’ll get better soon, Alexander. We just have to get through January. You won’t have to put up with this for much longer.”

“Magnus,” Alec interrupts, his voice urgent. “I’m not waiting for this to be over.”

“But I’m normally not like this,” Magnus says, rubbing his forehead. “Normally, I’m…normal.”

Alec manages a gentle smile. “Even if you weren’t, that wouldn’t be a problem, you know.”

Magnus huffs a quiet laugh, but his eyes look distant. “But I ruin the holidays.”

“Capitalism ruins the holidays, not you,” Alec replies. “I promise, Magnus, it’s not a bother.”

Magnus looks at him thoughtfully. “Maybe…maybe next winter I could go somewhere else. I could visit London or stay with Bapak.” There’s a hesitation in his voice, almost as if he’s testing the idea on Alec.

“You…you don’t want to be here?” Alec asks, unable to hide the worry in his voice. “This is your home.”

Magnus raises an eyebrow. “But you live here too.”

“Should I go away then?” Alec asks, only half-joking.

“No!” Magnus snaps, his tone softening almost instantly. He sighs. “I should go. I’m the problem.”

The way he says it, so matter-of-factly, breaks something in Alec. He wonders if Magnus has heard those words before—if he’s been told, time and again, that he’s a problem to be dealt with.

“You’re not a problem,” he says gently. “Not to me.”

Magnus smiles, a bit hesitant. “But—”

“Even if you were, I happen to like problems,” Alec says, grinning. “Or have you not met Jace and Izzy?”

Magnus chuckles tiredly and shakes his head.

Alec’s expression softens. “How about this: we’ll both go away next winter. Somewhere warm, like Dubai or Thailand or Morocco.”

Magnus looks at him, half-amused, half-disbelieving. “You can’t just leave. You have a job.”

“So do you,” Alec counters, a little defiant.

Magnus raises an eyebrow. “I can work from anywhere.”

“So can I.” Alec scoffs back. “You haven’t seen me in a Zoom meeting, Magnus. I’m a pro.”

Magnus laughs, but his voice turns serious. “Alexander, you don’t have to—”

“We can talk about it,” Alec says, his tone gentle but firm. “I just…I don’t want you to leave because you feel like you’re bothering me. Because you’re not. Is that why you left for London?”

Magnus bites his lip, looking away, and it’s answer enough.

“Magnus,” Alec sighs. “You didn’t have to.”

Magnus’s gaze softens into resignation. “It was getting bad.”

“I can handle ‘bad,’” Alec assures him. “Next time, when things start to feel like that…just tell me. We’ll figure something out together. You don’t have to leave. And you definitely don’t have to hide.”

Magnus is quiet, but a small, hesitant smile begins to form. “I do like Thailand quite a bit.”

“Oh?” Alec grins. “I’ve never been.”

Magnus gasps dramatically. “We have to fix that.”

“Then I guess we’ll go together,” Alec says with a laugh. “Next winter can go to hell.”

Magnus studies him with a hint of doubt, his voice quiet. “I guess you’ll have to stick with me through this one, huh?”

Alec’s heart aches. Whoever made Magnus feel this way—like he has to second-guess his place in people’s lives—deserves a smack on the head. Maybe with a chair. 

“Of course,” he says, as genuinely as possible. “And it’s not something I ‘have to’ do. You’re not a burden, Magnus.”

They fall into a comfortable silence after that, and before long, they head to bed. Alec drifts into sleep, the alcohol keeping him blissfully unaware of any more tears Magnus might have shed. Before, he would’ve hoped Magnus didn’t cry. But now, he thinks differently.

He hopes Magnus cried if he needed to—and that he felt safe enough to do it without guilt.

The week after New Year’s is a blur of activity. Both Alec and Magnus are back at work, each juggling their own demanding schedules. Alec spends his days in back-to-back meetings, catching up with different teams and keeping a pulse on the company. As its public face, he’s needed everywhere. While he doesn’t mind connecting with staff, he could do without the endless press events and appearances that Maia and Lily keep lining up for him.

Most nights, after dinner with Magnus, he retreats to his room, pouring over notes in preparation for the board meeting at the end of the month. The London expansion vote looms, and he’s working to secure the majority. Of the twelve board members, Alec has six votes confirmed: himself, Asmodeus, Jia, Vivianne, Amina, and Chloe. He’s close to winning Diego’s support too, but Diego has reservations about the timing, despite taking on the COO role after Jia’s encouragement. The rest are uncertain. And Aldertree, Alec suspects, is out there rallying opposition.

Fiona and Griffin — two board members who always vote in sync — could tip the scales. Alec has a dinner planned with them later in the week, hoping Aldertree hasn’t already got to them. 

Magnus, meanwhile, is wrapped up in a special project for a high-profile client who’s driving him to the edge. Every day, Magnus tells him about a new complaint, rolling his eyes as he recounts the client’s endless demands for revisions. 

Alec hadn’t realized that marriage would mean having someone to share all the small irritations with, a companion who listens and understands. It’s…nice.

Later that week, Alec is hunched over his laptop, reading through a list of Diego’s concerns and jotting down strategies, when he hears a soft knock at the door.

“Hey.” Alec sets his laptop aside, looking up. “Need something?”

Magnus stands in the doorway, one hand tugging the belt of his royal blue robe. “I need a volunteer.”

Alec groans, half-laughing. “Magnus.”

Magnus arches a brow. “You’re the one who told me to ask if I needed help.”

“Not for this,” Alec mutters, remembering the last time he ‘volunteered’ to help the other man. “Last time, you tried to pierce my ear.”

“It was a clip-on, Alexander,” Magnus retorts, rolling his eyes. “Anyway, I’ve been trying to do this on my own for an hour.”

Alec sighs. “Are you sure you need me?”

“Absolutely,” Magnus replies, crossing his arms, clearly determined. “Besides, I help you with your work all the time.”

Alec lifts an eyebrow. “Oh, right. Like when you added the sparkles effect to my presentation?”

Magnus nods sincerely. “You’re welcome.”

Alec laughs and gets to his feet, shaking his head. “Fine, but make it quick. I need to get back to work.”

Magnus grins triumphantly, pulling Alec into his workshop where his tools are scattered across the table — a telltale sign of his mounting frustration.

“Is this what you’re working on?” Alec asks, picking up a delicate, impossibly thin golden chain. He holds it up, examining the fine detail. “I’ve never seen anyone wear a necklace this thin before.”

Magnus hums distractedly, rummaging through a pile of materials. “It’s not a necklace,” he chuckles. “It’s a belly chain.”

Alec raises a skeptical eyebrow. “A belly chain? What even is that?”

Magnus, thoroughly amused, glances over. “Exactly what it sounds like, Alexander. It’s a chain meant to be worn around the belly.”

“That can’t be a thing,” Alec says, shaking his head with disbelief. “People actually wear chains on their stomachs?”

Magnus smirks, enjoying Alec’s incredulity. “Yes, indeed. There’s a whole world out there.”

“Guess you learn something new every day,” Alec mutters, placing the chain back on the table carefully, realizing it’s probably worth more than he assumed.

Magnus sighs, running a hand through his hair. “The issue is getting the size just right. It’s supposed to sit low on the hips, so the fit has to be perfect.”

“Did you get the measurements?” Alec asks, his gaze sweeping over the tools in the room. 

“Yes, but I need to add a touch of slack,” Magnus says with a frustrated frown, pulling out a small pile of similar chains. “I’m using a lobster clasp, but it needs to be positioned precisely.”

Alec has no idea what a lobster clasp is, but he nods anyway. “Right. So, what do you need from me?”

“I have a few of these belly chains from previous designs, and we need to try them on to make sure I’ve got the clasp positioned perfectly,” Magnus explains, sorting through the pile.

“Isn’t that something your client would need to do?” Alec asks, a bit uncertain. A thought crosses his mind, and he glances at Magnus suspiciously. “Wait…You’re not gonna put this on me, are you?”

Magnus laughs, shrugging off his robe. “No, don’t worry,” he says with a grin. “But, fortunately for me, my client and I have similar measurements, so I can test the fit myself. Saves me another round of complaints, you see.”

Alec barely hears a word coming from Magnus’s mouth. His gaze is riveted on the other man, who’s now striding around the workshop in just his silk pajama pants, having abandoned his robe. Alec knows Magnus likes to keep the room warm, cranking up the heater to its max setting, but surely it’s not warm enough to make him break into an instant sweat — yet, here he is, sweating profusely.

“Alexander,” Magnus says, walking back to him. “Shall we?”

“Um,” Alec stammers, swallowing dryly. “What exactly am I supposed to be doing here?”

Magnus passes him one of the chains, his fingers brushing against Alec’s as he explains, “I need your help putting these on. The clasp is extremely tiny, you see, so I can’t get it myself.”

“Right,” Alec manages, swallowing again, his throat feeling tight. “So, you want me to…”

“Yes, please.” Magnus flashes him a smile that, to Alec, feels both merciless and impossibly charming. “Just be careful with the clasp. It’s very delicate. You might need your nails to open it.”

“Okay,” Alec says, almost in a whisper. He doesn’t know why he’s holding his breath, but his chest feels tight. “Let me…let me see.”

He crouches beside Magnus and wraps the chain around his bare waist, immediately realizing why trying it on himself wasn’t an option. The chain is so slim, it seems almost impossibly small. Alec half-wonders if Magnus’s client is one of those super skinny models, because who else has a waist this tiny?

He fumbles with the clasp, but his position is awkward and straining his back, so he lowers himself fully onto his knees, his face now level with Magnus’ hip. He’s focusing on the clasp, trying to steady his hands, when Magnus shifts slightly, glancing down.

“Got it yet?” Magnus asks.

Alec makes the mistake of glancing up, and the sight that greets him sends his pulse racing. There’s something breathtaking about the angle — Magnus looking down at him, skin luminous in the workshop’s soft light. Alec’s certain Magnus’ ethereal glow is courtesy of the many bottles of oils and lotions he keeps meticulously arranged on his vanity. 

He clears his throat, focusing back on the clasp with renewed intensity, his fingers trembling ever so slightly. “Yeah, almost got it. Just…hold on.”

When Alec finally gets the clasp secured, Magnus walks to the floor-length mirror in his workshop, examining himself with a frown. He shifts his hips left, then right, juts them out, then pulls them back, as though searching for the right angle to see how the chain falls. Alec flushes and quickly looks away. 

Stop being a creep,  he scolds himself.  Magnus is working and needs your help.

“It’s a little loose,” Magnus sighs, turning back to Alec. Alec carefully unclasps it, his fingers brushing against Magnus’s warm skin. Magnus hands him a different chain. “Let’s try this one.”

This new chain is different from the last, gleaming in rose gold with intricate, diamond-cut links that catch the light in fine, delicate patterns. Its texture is slightly rougher to the touch, and it’s heavier, and more substantial than the airy, barely-there gold of the last one. 

Alec feels a shiver run through him as he wraps it around Magnus’s waist again, fingers grazing over the smoothness of his skin. The sensation sends goosebumps up Alec’s arms. It’s strange — he’s touched Magnus’s bare skin before. His face, his arms, his hands. 

But this…this is different. 

His hands at Magnus’s waist feel almost forbidden, like he’s glimpsing a piece of Magnus he isn’t supposed to.

God, I shouldn’t want to lick that tiny birthmark under his belly button, Alec thinks. This is definitely wrong.

“This one’s even looser,” Magnus grumbles, not even bothering to check the mirror this time. “Hold on, I’ll get another.”

Alec’s focus narrows to the task. He breathes through his mouth, carefully unclasping one chain and fastening another. He’s murmuring a quiet Hail Mary under his breath, trying not to pop a boner. The whole ordeal feels like high school all over again, ugh.

“You look very serious,” Magnus observes with a soft chuckle.

“Gotta focus to get this right,” Alec mutters, carefully removing the chain and accepting another from Magnus. 

Magnus hums at that. “How’s work today?”

“Same old,” Alec shrugs, welcoming the casual conversation to steer his mind away from its current track. “I miss your dad, though.”

Magnus laughs. “You’re welcome to quit your job and join him in his orchid garden.”

“Oh God, he’s still on that?” Alec chuckles.

“I spent last week with him online, trying to find the right seeds he wanted,” Magnus grumbles. “Took us an hour to figure out you don’t plant orchids with seeds. We must put an end to this, Alexander.”

Alec laughs, shaking his head. “I think it’s nice he’s found a new hobby. Honestly, dealing with orchids sounds better than putting up with Aldertree.”

And then…Magnus’s fingers are suddenly in Alec’s hair, brushing gently through the strands, and Alec’s mind short-circuits. 

Oh, shit. Oh, fuck. 

“Are you still anxious about the board meeting?” Magnus asks softly, his fingers moving in gentle strokes, soothing and electric at once.

Alec clears his throat, trying to keep his composure. “Uh, yeah…a bit. I’m working on getting Diego on board.”

“Oh, no, did I interrupt you?” Magnus asks, sounding genuinely concerned.

“No, no,” Alec replies quickly, forcing himself to look up—and then instantly regrets it.

Magnus immediately pulls his hand back and clears his throat. “I thought I saw a bald spot.”

“What?” Alec squeaks, reaching up to check his hair. If he’s actually losing hair, his dad’s going to hear about it. Why do the Lightwoods have to pass down the worst genes?

“You’re fine, Alexander, it was probably just the lighting,” Magnus chuckles, moving back to the mirror and fiddling with the chain. This one sits nicely on the other man’s waist, Alec observes, but he doesn’t point it out. He doesn’t want this to stop. 

Magnus frowns at himself in the mirror. “I quite like this. But this one’s a bit tight, though. We don’t want it to be too snug—there has to be some wiggle room, you know.”

“Huh, yeah,” Alec agrees quickly. His heart picks up at the thought of getting his hands on Magnus’s waist again. “Let’s try this one.”

God, he’s so very gay and he’s so going to hell. His homophobic relatives were right. 

Alec wipes his hands on his t-shirt again, feeling a little embarrassed at how sweaty he’s getting. He grabs another chain, focusing on the task in front of him. “Sorry, my hands are sweaty.”

Magnus exhales softly, his tone warm and unaffected. “I don’t mind.” He’s always so considerate, so nice. It only makes Alec feel more guilty for being so…distracted. “Do you have plans for tomorrow?”

“Not really,” Alec mutters, struggling again with the tiny clasp. “Do you?”

Magnus grumbles in response. “I have to go to an art exhibit tomorrow. Ragnor is forcing me to attend.”

Alec’s expression shifts, a smile pulling at his lips. “He’s back?” he asks, knowing how much Magnus enjoys when his friends visit from London.

“Just for the week,” Magnus hums. “That’s why I need to get this sorted today.”

Alec finishes fastening the chain with a victorious sigh. “I’m sure tomorrow will be fun.”

Magnus walks back to the mirror, but then turns back to face Alec, his expression thoughtful. “Would you like to join me?”

Alec pauses for a moment, his brain going blank at the sudden question. The impulse to stand up and walk over to Magnus, to just be close to him, is overwhelming. But then, realization hits him, and he looks up at Magnus, trying to process what’s being asked. “Tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Magnus smiles, his eyes lighting up. “For the art gallery.”

Alec hesitates, feeling a little out of place at the thought of being around Magnus’ friends. “You sure you want me there? I…I don’t know a lot about art.”

“Most people don’t,” Magnus reassures him with a wink. “They’re just there for the free booze.”

Alec laughs, the tension in his shoulders easing as he nods. “Okay then. I can come.”

“Wonderful,” Magnus claps his hands together in delight before inspecting himself in the mirror again. “I think this one works, Alexander.”

Alec furrows his brow, because he’s an ass who thinks with his dick. “Are you sure? We can try another one.”

“No, this works,” Magnus says, his voice soft and content. He smiles warmly at Alec. “I don’t want to bother you further. Just help me get this off?”

Alec takes his time, removing the chain slowly, not wanting to rush. When it’s finally done, he stands up, his knees aching slightly. It’s a good kind of sore, though. He misses it—he misses this feeling, being on his knees for someone. 

So, it’s not entirely his fault that when he goes back to the bedroom, he jerks off immediately. 

The image of a half-naked Magnus, the way his skin had felt under Alec’s fingertips, the memories of their closeness, the longing to be on his knees for someone and get his mouth on them…All of it hits him all at once. 

It’s not his fault, really. Not at all.

Later that night, when Alec gets up to use the bathroom, he quietly checks on Magnus, who’s peacefully asleep next to Chairman Meow. He looks so serene, lost in a deep sleep, and Alec can't help but wonder if Magnus is likely to wake up tonight to visit the workshop. 

He doesn’t think so. Magnus looks well-rested tonight. 

Alec’s thoughts drift for a moment, and for some reason, he finds himself wondering if Magnus had jerked himself off to sleep tonight, too. Is that why he is sleeping so peacefully?

That doesn’t seem likely either. Magnus has always struck Alec as someone who’s above all that, and besides, he doubts Magnus is a creepy weirdo like him. 

The next morning, Alec sends a quick text to Magnus, asking for the plans for the art exhibition, and lets him know that he’ll meet him there after work. 

When Alec arrives at the gallery, he’s immediately struck by the upscale crowd. So this is what Magnus’ world looks like: art and sophistication, not drunken nights at Hunter’s Moon like Alec’s usual crowd.

The theme of the exhibition is "Petals and Possibilities," an exploration of flowers through creativity. Alec walks through the space with champagne in one hand and Magnus’ hand in the other.

It’s not the first time they’ve held hands; in fact, they’ve done it plenty of times. Every time they’re in the presence of others—whether at Hunter’s Moon with Alec’s siblings or at dinner with Asmodeus—they find each other’s hand. And every time, it feels the same. Good. It feels good. More than good, really. There's a rightness to it, something Alec finds himself gravitating toward each time.

Even through the fabric of the gloves, he can feel the softness of Magnus' hand, the cool weight of his rings, the slight twitch in his fingers whenever he’s excited—like now, as they pause to take in a new painting that captures them both. 

Alec realizes that he likes holding Magnus’ hand. It’s not just because Magnus’ hand is beautiful, or because it’s Magnus, though both of those are true. It’s more than that. Alec likes the simple act of holding someone’s hand—and being held back. There’s something uniquely grounding about the feeling of someone’s hand clasped in his, a reminder that he’s not alone in this room, or in any room. It’s a strange yet beautiful way of telling the world, I belong to this person, and they belong to me.

So even if it's just for show, Alec likes it. He likes it even more because, every time he holds out his hand, Magnus takes it without hesitation. And every time, it makes Alec hope—hope that maybe Magnus likes it too.

They run into Ragnor briefly, who’s busy socializing, trying to drum up interest in the art and get people to buy the pieces. Alec can’t help but wish Magnus' other friends were here too—the two women, Tessa and Catarina. They’re always so nice to him. Apparently, Tessa’s in London, and Catarina’s working late.

“You should’ve brought your dad," Alec chuckles and points to a painting of purple orchids.

As he leans in for a closer look, he notices a small plaque next to the painting, detailing the artist’s name and age. Apparently, every piece on display tonight is by young artists, all under 30, each bringing a fresh, unpolished perspective to the art world. Alec finds himself intrigued, impressed by the boldness and creativity of the works around him. It’s a stark contrast to the polished, corporate side of things he’s used to.

Magnus smirks at him. "Oh, I did ask him. Ragnor specifically told me to bring him so he could convince Bapak to buy something."

Alec furrows his brow. "He didn’t come? Is everything okay?"

"He didn’t want to," Magnus replies with a light roll of his eyes. "Something about not wanting to see us pretend in front of everyone."

Alec bites his lip, uncertain for a moment. He doesn’t think they’re pretending, not at all. He genuinely enjoys being with Magnus, especially outside the loft, learning more about each other’s lives. 

Magnus squeezes his arm, as if sensing Alec’s thoughts. "Hey, it’s alright. I’m pretty sure we saved him a lot of money tonight."

They continue walking around the art exhibit, gliding past various works as they engage with the crowd and exchange small talk. Alec’s attention shifts to a particular painting that catches his eye.

“Oh look,” Alec points out immediately. “It’s your favorite.”

Magnus’s gaze follows Alec’s finger, landing on the lotus flowers depicted in the painting. A soft smile forms on his lips as he admires the delicate image. “It’s my mother’s favorite, actually. She was named after them.”

Alec’s eyes widen in surprise, and he looks back at the painting, absorbing the colors and brushwork. The lotus blossoms are painted in pristine white, their petals soft and delicate against the rich green of the pond’s water. The morning light is just beginning to hit the surface, casting a golden glow on the flowers and making them appear almost ethereal. Alec tilts his head, genuinely impressed. “They’re really pretty.”

Magnus takes a sip of his champagne as his gaze shifts to Alec, and he smiles. “Did you know, in Islam, the lotus is described as a flower that blooms in paradise?”

Alec knows this—not about the lotus and paradise thing, but he knows that Magnus’ family follows Islam. It’s one of the first things he learned, one of the first contrasts he noticed between Asmodeus and Alec himself. Not that they practiced two different religions, but that Alec had faith and Asmodeus didn’t. Asmodeus had shared that he’d never really grown up with religion, but Magnus’ mother had, and she’d raised him with it. 

Magnus isn’t religious, Alec knew that for a fact—a rare occasion where Magnus seemed to have taken more after his father than his mother. Alec couldn’t help but wonder, though, how much of it was rebellion, and how much was simply who Magnus had always been. Either way, Alec respected it. Magnus’ beliefs, or lack thereof, didn’t change how he felt about him. 

“Were you religious when you were growing up?” Alec asks, his curiosity piqued as he looks at Magnus, wanting to understand more about his past.

Magnus shakes his head slowly, his fingers absentmindedly playing with the stem of his champagne flute. “Not really. But I did listen to my mother talk about it. She’s the one who taught me that nature is God’s gift, and we should treat it with love and respect.”

“She’d love that Java won the Corporate Sustainability Award last year,” Alec jokes, and the lighthearted comment makes Magnus laugh, the sound rich and genuine. Alec feels a sense of warmth spread through him, as though the laughter itself is its own kind of award. 

“How about you?” Magnus asks, shifting his gaze to Alec. “What does the Bible say about flowers?”

Alec blinks, caught off guard by the question. “I have no idea,” he chuckles. “I mean, I know there’s a mention of a fig tree somewhere, but I don’t know much. I’m not that kind of religious.”

“What kind of religious are you then?” Magnus raises an eyebrow.

“The go-to-church-on-Sunday kind of religious, not the I’ll-tell-you-what-to-do-with-your-body kind of religious.”

“Well, thank God for that,” Magnus laughs and Alec can’t help but join him.

"Are you two quite done giggling?" Ragnor’s voice cuts through the conversation, and he approaches them with a look of disapproval. He glares at Magnus. "You were supposed to bring your father with you."

"Stop robbing the poor man, Ragnor," Magnus scolds playfully, then turns to Alec with a grin. "Besides, Alexander here is much better company."

Alec tries not to beam at that. Ragnor doesn’t seem pleased, though. He scowls at Alec, sizing him up with an appraising look, as if he’s about to pass judgment. "I heard you’re opening branches in London."

Alec freezes for a moment, looking at Magnus in surprise. He didn’t know Magnus talked about him with his friends. The thought makes him feel a little giddy, like he's a part of Magnus’ world in a way he wasn’t before.

"Was I not supposed to tell anyone?" Magnus asks in concern.

"No. No, it’s fine," Alec reassures him quickly, and then turns back to Ragnor. "We are hoping to expand, yes. But it’s not finalized yet."

Ragnor shudders dramatically, as if the very idea offends his soul. "You are desecrating our nation’s heritage!"

"What heritage?" Magnus raises an eyebrow, making a face. "Don’t make me lecture you about colonialism again, Cabbage."

Ragnor huffs, exasperated. "I just mean that corporate greed knows no bounds."

Alec can’t help but laugh softly. "It’s not greed. We’re actually trying to create more jobs."

"See, Ragnor?" Magnus points at Alec, clearly pleased. "They’re doing good."

Ragnor hums in response, his gaze shifting back to Alec with a knowing look. "Well, if your husband is so interested in doing good," he says slowly, a mischievous glint in his eye, "why don’t you buy a painting and support the young artists who are represented here?"

"Okay," Alec nods, gesturing toward the painting behind him. "What about this one?"

Ragnor blinks in surprise, and Magnus does too, clearly caught off guard.

"Pardon me?" Ragnor frowns, his confusion evident.

"The one with the lotus flowers," Alec explains. "Can I buy that one?"

"Yes. Yes. Of course!" Ragnor nods immediately, his tone more upbeat now. "That’s actually a very special piece, done by a young Pakistani immigrant from right here in Brooklyn."

"Cool," Alec smiles. "I’ll take that one then."

“Excellent! I’ll be right back with a contract," Ragnor hums and hurries off toward the back of the gallery.

Magnus, however, looks horrified as soon as Ragnor is out of earshot. "Alexander," he hisses, his voice low. "We have to leave before he comes back."

Alec frowns in confusion. "Why?"

"You’re not seriously buying that," Magnus says incredulously.

"Yes, I am," Alec responds. "I thought that’s why we’re here."

"We’re here for the free booze!" Magnus groans. "You don’t have to buy anything. I promise. Ragnor is just being Ragnor."

"It’s okay," Alec replies with a smile, turning his gaze back to the painting. "I thought you liked it?"

"Yes, well, I do—"

"Then we’ll buy it," Alec shrugs. 

"You didn’t even ask how much it costs!" Magnus says in disbelief. 

"I don’t have to," Alec smirks.

Magnus rolls his eyes. "You know, you always dress like a hobo, and it makes me forget how rich you are."

"Who are you calling a hobo?" Alec asks, patting his suit. "This is Hugo Boss."

"You’ve worn Kiton now, so this is hobo," Magnus quips, his tone teasing. He then looks at Alec tiredly. "Seriously though, you don’t have to buy it just because I like it."

Alec looks back at the painting, studying it for a moment. "Well, I like it too," he says softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "This will go nicely over the dining table, don’t you think?"

Magnus finally cracks a smile. "Yes, I think so too."

Ragnor returns with the paperwork, and Alec signs it after a quick read-through. 

Ragnor winks at Magnus, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Bring him to more shows, will you?” he teases. Magnus just rolls his eyes, waving him away before they head out.

As they walk back to the car, they wrap their coats tighter against the chilly night air. Magnus, however, can't resist chiding Alec. “Honestly, Alexander, you’re terrible at this. Not haggling? Something tells me you’re a rookie.” 

Alec grins at that. “Well, I did acquire something pretty expensive recently.”

Magnus raises an eyebrow, amused. “Oh, and what was that?”

“You,” Alec replies, his smile widening.

Magnus gawks, then shoves him playfully. “Jerk!”

Alec chuckles, tugging at his scarf. “Come on, Magnus, it’s not like I bought a sports car or something.”

Magnus’ eyes light up, catching onto the idea. “Is that something you’d like to buy?”

Alec shrugs, thinking back to the posters on his childhood bedroom walls. “I always wanted to when I was a kid, yeah.”

“Then why haven’t you?” Magnus frowns, genuinely curious.

Alec shrugs again. “I mean, it’s not exactly practical in the city. Also, you can’t drive a sports car to work without looking like a douchebag”

Magnus rolls his eyes. “You just bought a painting, Alexander. Practicality is clearly not the point here.”

“Paintings are different; they’re sophisticated,” Alec says, still holding onto some semblance of reasoning. “Collecting cars feels like…I don’t know, greed, maybe? And I’m a CEO now, Magnus. Appearances matter.”

“Oh, who cares?” Magnus waves his gloved hands dismissively. “You should buy one if you want one.”

Alec chuckles and shakes his head. “Okay, sure.”