Chapter Text
Alec felt his body slowly coming round, he stretched out his arms and legs, feeling the kinks in his back correct themselves after what must have been a deep and comfortable sleep. When his brain caught up with his body, he remembered why the sleep was so good. It was because he was in a bed much larger than he was used to sleeping in and even the quality of the sheets was far better than he had ever experienced before.
He curled his fingers around the plush pillows and drew them closer, he’d already pulled one beneath him in the night, using it as something to wrap himself around as he’d been left feeling a little confused and slightly sick when he’d finally put his head down to rest. Opening his eyes and looking up at the ceiling he took in the fact the room was still dark but there was a sliver of light coming in from the curtain, telling him it was most definitely morning now.
The apartment was silent though and he took a moment to reflect on everything that had happened last night. When Valentine had come home excited and a little pale, he’d felt his heart sink. Lilith had got him to pack his things into his backpack and it wasn’t until they were on the road that he was told he’d be coming here. There had been so many people courting him since he turned 21 that he had lost track of who even lived where, so there was no chance of even recognising the building as they pulled up.
He had been convinced it was Hodge, or that creepy eccentric guy with the ponytail, but the moment Magnus stepped out of that lift? Alec felt his stomach flutter and smiled brightly, pulling the pillow over his stomach to grip it and sighed softly, almost dreamily, because he’d spent nights dreaming that Magnus would want to court him. Ever since that night at the Gala he’d been smitten, he had been the only one there who didn’t look at him like he was an object to buy and when he’d been close, almost touching him he could see how he had affected the older man.
Alec heard movement somewhere in the apartment and lifted his head to look over by the door. He could see the shadow of someone at the bottom and saw them as they seemed to pace back and forth before leaving entirely, he sat up slowly. Knowing it had to be Magnus, he wondered if he was too polite to wake him. The clock on the bedside table read 11:47 and it was probably the longest time Alec had ever slept in for.
Magnus had been gentle and kind with him, the way they spent time breathing in each others scents and how he’d held him felt too good to be true. This could be the exactly what he’d been dreaming of and he didn’t want to go back to Valentine and Lilith, ever.
Climbing out of bed he grabbed his backpack, pulling out his clothes for the day before he got changed quickly, checking his hair in the mirror he made sure it was at least reasonably tame considering how much he seemed to have burrowed into the pillows in his sleep. He needed to speak with Magnus before he called his guardians to come and get him again. There were clear signs Magnus knew very little about what was happening.
Alec couldn’t wait for his senses to be back to normal so he could take in the surroundings a little bit better, also to know how Magnus truly felt would be helpful. He opened the door and peered through, there was no sign of Magnus and he was glad he’d left his feet bare as he crept out, he wanted to see the Alpha before he saw him. He heard faint talking in the kitchen and slowly walked over, taking a peek inside he bit his bottom lip to hold back a smile. Magnus was stood with his back to him, he had a hands-free device on his ear and was talking away animatedly but quietly. He was in his robe with long silk trousers on.
Alec hadn’t even known Magnus was courting him, he’d asked Lilith multiple times about the other man, wanting to know if he’d even tried to contact them, but he’d always been left with cryptic answers. In theory they should have listened to who he wanted in his life instead of who they wanted. The relief was like a floodgate when he’d seen him and now he needed to know everything, he wanted to learn everything about Magnus Bane and experience everything. Walking over now he wrapped his arms around the Alpha from behind, feeling him jump in surprise before he pressed his cheek to the back of his head.
“I’ll call you back...” Magnus’ voice was quiet and incredibly calming and Alec brought his arms round a little tighter. “Morning. Did you sleep well?” Alec felt the Alpha’s hands stroke up his forearms until they were covered with his own. He took a moment to just breathe in everything, not ready to let go so soon.
“Mmhmm” Alec finally replied and moved back only when Magnus shifted, letting him turn round in his arms but let his hands stay on his waist, just lightly resting them there. “Thank you” He looked over Magnus’ face and saw the way he looked back at him, there was little room for mistake in seeing just how attracted to him Magnus seemed to be, he didn’t need scents to know that.
“Are you hungry?” Magnus had a hand on his shoulder, stroking it with his thumb. “I was going to order something but I haven’t gotten round to it yet, I wasn’t sure when you’d be awake” Alec just watched him as he spoke and was a little confused by what he was saying, his face must’ve given him away because Magnus chuckled to himself. “I’m sorry I’m not a very good cook...are you okay waiting until I’ve showered then we can look at the menu? There’s some strawberries in the fridge if you want something while you wait?”
Alec nodded and let his eyes close as Magnus moved out from in front of him, he placed his palms on the counter top where the other had been leaning, giving himself a moment, he’d never been so fascinated with anyone in his life, especially an Alpha. All the ones he had previously met had been stereotypical jocks or old businessmen who had been sleeping around all their lives before finally deciding they needed an heir. Magnus was different, he delicately moved around him like he was made out of glass. Alec understood it was because he was a sweet and caring soul.
The only problem with that, was that Alec wasn’t as fragile as he seemed to think. He was nervous and a little timid but he wasn’t as most male Omega’s were expected to be. He could play the part for his guardians and previous suitors because of the others. He’d seen how they behaved and acted, their personalities in such contrast to his own but he didn’t see this as a disadvantage. He just had to be careful around his peers, but with Magnus he felt safe being himself.
Opening the fridge he spotted the strawberries but there was also other berries and on the table he’d already seen a fruit bowl. He grabbed a few different items and lay them out on the side, using his brain to pick out the right cupboard based logically on where they would always be in a kitchen. The last thing he wanted was for Magnus to think he’d been routing round.
It took Alec around ten minutes to prepare a bowl of fruit salad, putting yogurt he’d seen in the fridge in a bowl as well onto the kitchen table. He couldn’t hear the shower in the other room through the walls but he was glad he’d given himself enough time so it would be a surprise. He didn’t need Magnus ordering food in when he was capable of preparing them both something quick and easy, he wasn’t used to an easy life and didn’t want needless money spent on him. He wasn’t a whizz in the kitchen either but he was resourceful and determined for Magnus to want to keep him around.
Alec stopped and wondered for a moment if Magnus had even known he was coming last night, all the signs pointed to no. The fact he had said to leave with it being late, and how he thought his guardians were coming back for him. He also thought to when he ordered Sushi. Alec didn’t really like it and seafood would always make him feel sick, but he’d eaten it anyway because he was so desperate to please that he hadn’t cared at that point. Swallowing and running hands over his face he tried to think how to even approach the subjects on his mind. He had one day left until his scent glands had fully regenerated and knew the whole apartment would be a bombardment of smells.
Alec sat on the high stool by the counter, looking over the fruit he’d prepared and put his head in his hands. If Magnus wasn’t ready for him to be here, he’d have to find somewhere else to go. Looking up he heard the door to the bedroom shut and the sound of feet padding on the wooden floors. Magnus entered the room, his face just as made up as it had been when he walked in earlier, if not more. The eyeliner was one of his striking features, Alec would love to see him without it, but to see him with it was beautiful in itself.
“Alexander. You didn’t have to” Magnus spoke quietly as he approached the table, Alec separated the two bowls, placing one beside him to show Magnus he’d rather he sat next to him at the table instead of across. They both sat in relative silence, Magnus was on his phone looking through what Alec could just see from the corner of his eye was emails, but looking closer he knew it was just a distraction, it was hard to tell with an Alpha, but Magnus was nervous. Chewing on a piece of pineapple he decided it was now or never.
“When Valentine dropped me off last night...he didn’t intend on picking me up” Alec noticed how Magnus seemed to straighten up where he sat, his phone being pushed to one side showing he had his full attention. “They told me-” He stopped and turned now to look at the Alpha, his deep brown eyes, losing himself for a moment. “-They told me that I was going to move in with my mate” He tried to keep eye contact but had to look away, especially when Magnus’ brow furrowed clearly in confusion. “I’m sorry that they didn’t tell you the full story”
“They didn’t tell me anything”
Alec looked down as he felt Magnus take one of his hands in both of his own. Looking back to him. “They didn’t tell me it was you, but I hoped it was” He wanted to smile at his confession, as ridiculous it might seem to Magnus right now, but the Alpha was looking even more lost than before. “I thought you weren’t interested in me…that you hadn’t tried but-” Alec sighed and took his hands away, it was hard to put into words the way he felt without sounding insane.
“Not interested? I have done everything you asked of me. Alexander..this...is all very new for me please tell me where I’ve gone wrong”
Alec opened his mouth and instead of talking stood up. “Everything I?” He shook his head, trying to think back through the countless Alpha’s that his guardians had introduced him to, made him dine and converse with. Not one of them had been Magnus, last night was most definitely the first time he’d seen him since the Gala. “I haven’t asked you for anything” He swallowed and looked back where Magnus was still sat down, his brow still furrowed.
“The suits, the spa treatments...the breaks away, the meals out?” Magnus seemed to be raising his voice, Alec just hoped it wasn’t in anger but putting two and two together in his head about what Magnus was saying, he knew exactly what had been happening…
“The suits I wore to meet the multiple Alpha’s courting me...the spa treatments would prepare me for their viewing…” Alec went to speak but he could see Magnus’ eyes turn a little glassy, he felt his own begin to sting. Out of everyone, he’d asked his guardians for Magnus, in return they’d exploited and conned him into paying for the expenses towards other men after his hand. “I’m sorry” Alec swallowed a lump in his throat and Magnus slid off the stool, walking slowly towards him. He felt the urge to curl his body down and look away, as any of the other Omega’s he knew would’ve done, but instead he stood strong and kept eye contact. “I asked for you...that night at the Gala I asked them who you were…” Alec’s voice came out a little more broken than he’d hoped. “I wanted you to want me” He didn’t even feel the tear slip down his cheek until Magnus raised his hand to stroke it away with his thumb.
“I wanted you the moment I laid my eyes upon you. I didn’t think I’d ever want anyone this much and so fast…” Magnus was looking at him so intently and Alec believed every word he said.
“How long did you pay them?”
“That’s not important...what’s important is now and how we make the most of the best situation we could’ve asked for, especially after all of the lies” He smiled and Alec couldn’t help but smile back. He turned his head to take in the faint trace of Magnus’ scent that he could smell, humming softly as he did. There was still a lot to talk about, a lot of questions to ask and answer, but for the first time since last night, Alec felt content. “I have to call my assistant...just to figure a few things out with this...new arrangement” He wasn’t sure how Magnus was so calm in all that he’d just learnt.
Alec raised his brow and tried to keep a straight face. “I’m just an arrangement to you?” the corners of his lips twitched which betrayed him and Magnus gave him a smirk, stepping even closer so that their chests were almost touching. Alec felt fingers delicately thread through his unruly hair, he wanted to lose himself in the feeling but it was much too soon.
“I think we’ve established you’re more than that…”
When Magnus excused himself Alec let out a deep breath. It was a revelation to hear that Magnus had indeed been interested in him for just as long and now the prospect of trying to make this work with him was once again making his heart beat faster in his chest.
While he’d been the object of a lot of Alpha’s affections, it had all been for show. He knew how Valentine and Lilith worked, he’d seen it with the others who had lived with them over the years as he grew up in their home. Draw in the unsuspecting Alpha’s, have them court for as long as possible making sure to keep the money for themselves, before leaving them high and dry on the doorstep of a random choice. Alec thought back to some of the creeps he’d met and could only shudder at the thought of being with any one of them. This tactic had caught him off guard though, to have them up front take from Magnus with him receiving nothing in return seemed almost bizarre, he was eager to find out how they managed to pull it off, but at the same time he was just as keen to forget about them and enjoy his new life.
Alec cleared away the breakfast and left the kitchen, he could hear Magnus in his room talking away on the phone, the tone was mostly hushed but from Alec gathered he seemed to be explaining the situation to someone. By the time the older Alpha had come back into the room, he was rubbing his palms together and seemed eager to make him comfortable.
Alec was taken on a tour of the penthouse apartment. There were three bedrooms, an office, kitchen, large bathroom and then the living space which was all open plan and lead to a decent sized balcony area. Magnus had given him a choice of which room he wanted to choose for himself. The bedrooms were all spacious and looked great, but what really caught Alec’s eye was the office. The room had a large cupboard inside that Alec immediately warmed to. He felt a little nervous asking but when Magnus told he could literally choose any. He knew that was the one he wanted.
“My office?” Magnus seemed a little amused, the reaction good considering Alec was asking the Alpha to move everything entirely around.
“I like this…” Alec stepped up to the door of the wardrobe and placed his hands on it, already running through his mind what he could fill the space with. It was a perfect square with a low ceiling. With everything taken out it would be cosy, he was even debating asking Magnus if he could take one of the sofa cushions in here.
He could feel eyes on him and knew Magnus was watching him curiously, the Alpha had told him he was still learning when it came to second genders. He turned his head and smiled over, resting his cheek against the wood. “I want to fill it with comfortable cushions and throws...once I’ve scented them” Alec bit his lip, trying to keep back the smile as Magnus seemed even more confused.
“Like a reading corner?”
Alec hummed and shook his head a little, unable to get the full movement while his face was to the wood. “No…It’s an Omega thing...it’ll help me relax” He could easily put Magnus out of his misery, but to him it was something unspoken, something where instincts took over, he already felt such a calm from being close to what was to become his very own and very first nest. He’d seen the others in the house he shared with his guardians, taking the smallest of corners and under their beds. Alec had never taken a space for himself and just the thought of having one in the home of his potential mate was his idea of perfect. It also made his inner Omega breathe a breath a calm.
“I’ll have to make more calls...will you be okay in the bedroom you slept in until we’ve moved things around?” Magnus was already putting his phone to his ear and Alec nodded, moving to his knees and staying close to the cupboard door with his eyes closed. There was a thrumming in the back of his head which he knew was where he was coming down from the drug taken for his heat. He needed to go to his temporary room and scent everything he could, if he didn’t he’d have nowhere to retreat to when his sense of smell came back tenfold in the initial day and he’d be surrounded by the foreign smells.
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Magnus felt his nerves all over the place, his conversation with Raphael had gone both well and disastrous. He spent a lot of the time arguing with his friend that Alec would be okay in his home, that he trusted him. After hearing of the fraud, Raphael had gone on a warpath finding out more about everyone involved, so he trusted Alec very little. Magnus wished he could see him and then he’d understand how wrong he was about the Omega.
Magnus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. It was all moving so fast, he’d gone from not wanting a mate, to obsessing over Alec the moment he saw him. Now he was here, sitting in his office asking to have the room as his own and Magnus was feeling a little overwhelmed. He sniffled a little and wiped his eyes, not really sure why he was brought to tears but smiled as he realised they weren’t through sadness.
From what Raphael had mentioned, Magnus really needed to get his head down and read up on Omega’s more. He said that Alec was probably wanting the room with the closet so he could make a nest, something that was common with Omega’s. It was like a safe haven where they would accumulate things that gave them comfort and peace. He was a little ashamed he’d never even heard of them doing this. It showed how little he knew and he needed to prove to Alec he was a caring and loving Alpha worthy of him. His work had taken over his entire life up until this point, he needed to get a better grip on society.
Magnus noticed Alec had left the office and could hear him in the second bedroom rustling around. He remembered he only had a small backpack with him and grabbed his tablet, knocking on the bedroom door. He listened and heard movement get closer, stepping back as the door opened. Alec was red in the face and breathing a little heavier while holding a pillow from the bed in his arms. Magnus was going to ask but decided not to, “I know you didn’t come with many of your belongings...please get whatever you need” He held the tablet to him, watching Alec take it.
“Sorry, am I not allowed to use some of your things?”
Magnus frowned and shook his head. “You can use whatever you like...I just didn’t know if you needed a few things of your own, like a new toothbrush...some more clothes?”
“I don’t really need much...” He bit his lip looking a little nervous and Magnus remembered their discussion. That there was little money spent on him for the long run by his parents, the image he had built up of Alec enjoying everything materialistic and designer was starting to disappear. He began to realise he didn’t really know the Omega at all...