Chapter Text
Alec didn’t really have anything he needed to buy for his stay. There was already a fully set up en-suite with toothbrush, toiletries and as much soap and shampoo anyone would ever need. Magnus had left him to make some calls, probably to his assistant he kept messaging and chatting to. Richard? Randall? He couldn’t remember listening to the name, but it was unimportant right now. What was really important was making sure he could put familiar scents around the temporary room ready for tomorrow. He swallowed hard and ran his hands through his hair. He could smell vague hints of musk mixed in with whatever cleaning products were being used by the cleaner. The thought of being able to smell the Alpha’s scent filled him with anticipation but he wasn’t sure how he’d react, he’d only ever lived with Omega’s and his guardians never really smelt of anything he found appealing. He’d have to dull Magnus’ with his own…
So now he was lying on the bed, wrapped up in the towels from the bathroom while looking at the ceiling. He never in his wildest dreams imagined he’d be here right now, he imagined he’d be in the clutches of some god-awful Alpha. There was still parts of him that reminded him he didn’t actually know Magnus and that a lot of the ideas he had were from his own deductions and imagination. The apartment as well as his guardian’s keen interest to con him showed he was extremely wealthy. There was so much he wanted to discover, he wanted to know the man behind the money.
Moving from the bed now he took out the few belongings he had from his backpack and decided he’d done enough to wake up comfortably tomorrow in his new room. Slowly opening the door he listened out for the others voice. It was faintly coming from the room he’d chosen and he could hear Magnus moving things about while talking. Alec took the time he had to explore a little more. He kept a wide berth to the master bedroom and instead wandered around the loft apartment. Opening the balcony doors and stepping out to breathe in the air.
It was extremely high up and he made a point to keep from the edge as he walked along the side. A set of steps took him to the roof space and where it was laid out almost like a garden, a private space that was hidden under verandas and ivy. It was beautiful. He knew he’d spend more time out here than anywhere else in the house on good days. Back at the home he’d never had a garden. Lilith was keen to keep them all in once place where they could be seen, giving them a garden was almost like giving them an open space and room to escape. He thought back to where he’d been only yesterday and took a deep breath in the cool air.
“Is everything okay?”
Alec startled a little, like his mind was telling him he shouldn’t be up here without permission, but then he remembered where he was and smiled turning to where Magnus was at the top of the steps. Being outdoors suited him, his skin took on a beautiful glow and he looked even more stunning. “Almost perfect” He chuckled and turned back to look out over the edge to the city skyline. Sitting down on one of the cushioned chairs that were set up there.
“Only almost?”
Alec could hear the teasing tone and shrugged with a grin, leaning his head back and closing his eyes to simply relax and enjoy the breeze. He heard the chair beside him shift and opened one eye to where Magnus was twiddling his thumbs, he seemed eager to say something but unsure how to. “Is your friend out for my blood?”
Magnus seemed taken aback by the question but then laughed softly and looked away to the view, avoiding Alec’s gaze as he took in the sight of the Alpha behaving differently to most he’d encountered, almost shyly. “Only because of the situation…Which I’m sure you understand”. Alec nodded and let his eyes linger on the rings on Magnus’ fingers. “He’s dropping by a little later to make his own decision”.
Alec tensed and nodded, feeling a little awkward again now as he thought on how he’d be expected to prove himself once more. He’d had plenty of experience with playing the part, this morning he woke thinking he’d never have to do it again. Jumping slightly he hadn’t even noticed Magnus was looking at him, his hand holding his own now on his knee.
“Just be yourself...as you are with me...I don’t want the Alexander that Valentine and Lilith portrayed...I want the Alexander I see before me now”
Alec frowned and shook his head, laughing almost but holding it back. This was the Alexander that no one had ever wanted to see before, had ever had an interest in knowing. If he was to drop all guard now and act ‘naturally’ maybe the other would think he was faking it for his benefit. “I don’t want to see him” He spoke out, wondering if the request made him selfish but this was the time to say what was on his mind. While this was all new and there would be no surprises for Magnus when and if the time came for him to say no or reject anything offered to him. He almost expected something negative, but there was barely a reaction from the Alpha.
“Okay” Magnus simply smiled at him and stroked his thumb across the back of his hand before he stood up. “I’ll keep him in the kitchen, you have free reign of the rest of the apartment”.
“Oh you don’t have to-” Alec tried to protest that he didn’t need the whole place but Magnus pretended not to hear him and left down the stairs, leaving him to the comfortable breeze and wicker chair he pulled his feet up, looking through the reinforced glass panel, that was built into the wall, out to the city below. “Daft Alpha” He chuckled to himself and closed his eyes.
----
When Raphael arrived, Alec was glad that he was kept away, remembering that the assistant was an unmated Alpha as well. He didn’t necessarily think he’d be interested in him, but he also knew their second genders would make them look twice at each other while they were both single, or so he’d been told, and he only wanted to look at Magnus…
The study had been packed into boxes now, the cupboards all pushed to one side of the room where Alec could get into the closet and the area around it easily. There would be men around later to help move the furniture between rooms for him. The moment the closet was clear he’d taken a few minutes to simply sit inside with his legs crossed, looking around the walls and the ceiling. Trying to get a feel for everything and the atmosphere, he tried it with the door shut and thought it would be too snug and too little oxygen, especially if he was to go into heat inside, he hadn’t had much experience with what a natural heat would be like but from what he’d read, it wouldn’t be pleasant. A curtain across the door maybe, or if Magnus might change it to a stable-type door. One split into two doors, a top and bottom.
For now however, the door was open and he was in the process of laying down soft furnishings that Magnus had given him permission to keep for himself. His trusted jumper with the frayed cuffs and holes in the hood was in the middle of it all, letting his natural scent seep into the surroundings. He hadn’t pulled it from his bag since he arrived. He wanted Magnus to detect his skin before his old clothes.
He could hear muffled talk from the kitchen, along with the smell of the coffee machine that had brewed, meaning Raphael drank coffee, Magnus had told him already that he had a cup in the morning then stuck to tea or alcohol in the evenings. He’d noticed a glass missing from the mini-bar in the sitting room which meant he was having the latter. He clambered out of the closet and looked back before he shut the door to it, smiling and pleased with his progress so far.
Dusting off his joggers at the knees he wandered out into the living room, picking up the glass of juice he’d poured for himself earlier, taking a sip as he rocked from ball to heel on his feet. Humming to the music that was playing softly in the background. It was very spacious being here alone, he knew he wasn’t technically alone, but it felt like it while Magnus was shut away with his assistant.
----
“You know I’m just being rational here...I’m not here to tell you to kick him out… just be cautious okay?” Raphael was drinking from his coffee, unlike Magnus he didn’t care about drinking it in the evening, he worked into the long hours of the night so that Magnus didn’t have to. “You’ve given him his own room and free reign of the house...maybe if you set a few ground rules I’d feel better about it…”
Magnus pushed his hand through his hair and let it linger on the back of his neck as he looked away from his empty glass. “Ground rules I’ll think of...but now I have the opportunity I don’t want to rush this or...push him...he’s so different to how the letters have portrayed him, it’s both a shock and relief” He’d fallen for Alec’s looks and the idea of him at the party, that much was clear. The innocence he felt radiating from him as well as the sudden need to take care of him.
The Alec in his home was still the same from the party, only now he seemed...normal...in the best possible way, not unattainable but far from easy. He had been lost in his own mind when he’d missed Raphael approaching him, causing him to tense at the touch to his shoulder. It was hard for a lesser Alpha to make him jump, but it was still unnerving to have even the closest of friends catch him off guard. One of the many things he hated about his second gender was he was constantly alert. Raphael had put that down to the fact he wasn’t actively seeking a mate and had spent no time for himself, only on his business for so long. Even his previous sexual encounters had been brief and unfulfilling. He needed to wind down and breathe...he hoped Alec would be the oxygen he craved.
“Have you thought about what you’ll do if your body rejects his scent? Or the other way round? It’s a completely common thing...I mean there’s medacines-”
“-Raphael...I don’t even want to think about that right now” He groaned softly and pinched the bridge of his nose, the idea that he’d make Alec uncomfortable with his scent after all this time didn’t bare thinking about. “Just focus on making sure the movers are here soon” Magnus poured himself another whiskey from the decanter. He refused to think of the idea of Alec rejecting him now, they’d come too far and he was far too invested. They’d both made it clear to each other they were interested, the hints they’d gotten from each other was enough to believe that wouldn’t be something they’d have to worry about.
“They’ll be here…” Raphael set down his coffee cup and was scrolling through his phone now, Magnus knew he was stubborn, he always had been, but this time it was justified. When his friend had first arrived he’d listed all the cons to keeping Alec in his life. Most of them being a lack of trust that the Morgensterns had created. Nothing of Alec’s behaviour had roused any suspicion on his intentions. “Take tonight to keep talking to him...get to know him okay? As I said before, I’m just worried…” Raphael put his hand to Magnus’ chest, over his heart and frowned. He was always protective of him and his feelings, but Magnus had never been in love before, it was time he learnt on his own without being coddled.
------
Alec has spent the afternoon on the roof terrace, spread out in front of him on the table were floor plans he’d come across in the office. He hadn’t been snooping and Magnus had practically given them to him when he’d sought out permission to look over them. He’d always been fascinated with inner workings and the detail that went into designing buildings and rooms. He liked the structural drawings and traced the ruler drawn lines with his fingertips, avoiding smudging them but managing to get a few ink and pencil traces on his skin. It was just a shame there were no measurements and there had clearly been some work done since it was built.
Downstairs there were men in moving the office and bedroom around, he’d come up for the peace and quiet, it wasn’t the warmest day to sit outside, he had a blanket wrapped around his shoulders and a beanhat on but it was mild and somewhere to have some peace. He smiled when he saw the door that connected the master bedroom to what was to be his room. He liked the idea of having the Alpha just a door away. Magnus was having a lock put on his side, so he could have the option of privacy. They were also uncovering the connecting door to the en-suite that was shared between the current study and the guest room. Then in turn covering up the door in the guest room once it was made into the office. Everything seemed so much easier to do when you had a bit of money, things were done quicker...
He knew he had a goofy smile on his face when Magnus came out onto the terrace to join him, two hands slid onto his shoulders and gave them a squeeze through the blanket. They were warm and the rings on Magnus’ fingers were solid against his muscle. He tilted his head back and hummed happily when the Alpha, as if by instinct, leant down and pressed his lips to his forehead, it was very familiar. “They’re gone now...the room is yours” He smiled against his skin and Alec let go of one of the edges of the paper, letting it curl back up.
----
Following Magnus down, he walked straight to his new room and pushed open the door. The bed from the guest room was now in the centre and the first thing that caught his eye was the split door to the closet, to his first real nest. He walked over and ran his hands over the wooden surface, grinning round at how he hadn’t even realised Magnus heard his request and how fast it had been actioned. Now he could only half close it when he got too stuffy without it being fully open.
“Thank you…” He could see the Alpha still stood in the doorway, almost waiting for permission to come into his room. He moved now to the bed and lay back on it with a sigh. “I’m still waiting to wake up-” he turned facing Magnus before his stomach let out a loud and demanding growl, he laughed out loud as Magnus creased a little as well at the interruption.
“Pizza?”
“Yes please” Alec chuckled and stayed on his bed for a bit longer while Magnus left the room, they’d have plenty of time to talk later.
----
The two of them sat cross legged on the large sofa in the living room as they ate their pizza, Magnus had gone for a hawaiian while Alec was enjoying his caramelised onion, spinach and feta cheese. At first they had a documentary on the TV about how aliens were connected to the ancient structures in Egypt. It was something he was both fascinated and confused by at the same time, eventually he’d turned his attention away from the man with the fancy suit and crazy hair waving his arms around as he spoke, instead focusing on the man beside him.
“Valentine and Lilith” He spoke softly, gauging the other’s reaction and smiling when he seemed to stop chewing and look away from the TV as well. Magnus slowly turned down the volume and gave Alec his instant attention. “They adopted me when I was younger...raised me with some other omega children...they had a special home for us...one where we could grow and learn without being alone or...fear of being used” He snorted a little looking back at the irony of it all. “I wasn’t blind… I noticed things, little things that didn’t add up and how kids were leaving once they came of age, how some of them would be picked up by older men and women….” He shook his head. “Some were hapy just to be able to leave”
“Alexander..”
“It’s okay Magnus” He placed his hand on Magnus’ between them on the sofa. “I’m okay...I’ve kept my wits all this time and they still managed to trick me….use me just like they used the others...I’ve been in the company of so many Alpha’s between meeting you and really meeting you...I can’t help but thank circumstances for us coming together… you being so rich that they couldn’t dream of giving me to anyone else”
“You aren’t a possession...you belong to no one Alexander” Magnus was holding Alec’s hand now fully between them, his thumb over the top of his hand in almost a contradictive sign of possessiveness. Alec recognised it as mainly being protective.
“You’re right, I don’t…” Alec smiled and wished Magnus didn’t wear such a serious expression all the time. His smile was a beautiful thing, he told him so and enjoyed the blush that had formed on the Alpha’s cheeks, it was uncharacteristic of someone so powerful, but it was wonderful to see. He’d really hit the jackpot with Magnus, he could’ve ended up with any of the Alpha’s who had been courting him. Something in his stomach still wanted to prove that he was worth all the unwanted trouble that he’d already been through.
He leant forward and watched Magnus’ eyes widen a little before he closed his own, he wanted to kiss Magnus for various reasons running through his head. His movement was stopped by a finger to his lips. He opened his eyes and swallowed a lump in his throat as Magnus moved his finger and stroked his whole hand to cup his cheek.
“Alexander...I would love nothing more than to kiss you...but I also want the moment to feel right...for both of us…” He smiled regretfully and Alec couldn’t help but feel how sincere he was being, there was no embarrassment, Magnus made him feel completely at ease with the rejection. Almost like he knew the confusion running through Alec’s mind.
Alec smiled and placed the pizza box on the table, shuffling closer and pressing his lips instead to Magnus’ cheek, letting it linger, there was a flutter of excitement in his stomach and he moved back, stroking his hand up Magnus’ neck. “You’re sweet” He didn’t mean it to sound patronising and luckily the other man didn’t seem to take it as such, he simply blushed and shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve been cooped up with work for most of my life...you’ve been kept away from the world...I think we could both learn from each other and try and figure this all out together…”
Alec listened to the smooth voice and the words that came from Magnus as he couldn’t help but nod in agreement, discovering how the world really worked around him was a much more exciting concept with Magnus by his side.
He turned away and settled at the other’s side, letting Magnus’ fingers comb through the hairs on the back of his head and the quiet hum of the television send him to sleep.
-----
Alec began to stir from his sleep, he kept his eyes closed as he stretched out his limbs and pushed his arm up under his pillow, pressing his face into it. He breathed in and could finally pick up on the various scents around him. It made him feel warm at the underlying musky scent that was unmistakably Magnus’. He remembered moving to bed last night after falling asleep on the sofa, Magnus had woken him up after an hour so he didn’t cramp up or strain anything in the position he was in.
He leant across to the bedside table in an attempt to flick on the light, the room itself was pitch black from the heavy blackout curtains covering the window. He cursed inwardly as he knocked something off with a loud clunk, wincing as he hoped he hadn’t broken anything. There was a minute’s silence before he managed to flick the switch. As he was sitting up, there was a knock at the door.
“Alexander? Are you okay?” Magnus’ voice through the door. Alec smiled and rubbed his hands over his face as he responded that he was fine, the door creaked open part way and he smiled seeing Magnus’ face slip through the gap. “I got breakfast if you’re hungry”
Alec put his hand instinctively to his stomach and nodded, still not one hundred percent awake but ready to get up and eat. He pushed his hand back through his hair in a half arsed attempt to tame it, getting out from the covers and cracking his spine with a groan. Magnus was already gone from the door, so he took the time to grab his joggers and slip them on. His feet dragged as he left the room.
There was something sweet smelling in the air and he caught sight of the brown paper bags on the table. Please tell me its… He opened one up while Magnus wasn’t in sight and groaned again, this time in joy as he saw muffins looking back at him, the bag was still warm meaning they were fresh. Of course they are, Magnus will have ordered them freshly made . He chuckled and closed his eyes as he simply enjoyed the new aromas around him. A strong smell of a sandalwood musk, like a strong smelling incense. It was most definitely of Magnus, he’d detected the hints of it before now when they were together and embracing each other’s wrist glands.
“Oh…” He heard Magnus behind him and turned to see his nostrils flare slightly, he must be detecting Alec’s now as well, he turned to face him, muffin forgotten for the time being as they slowly approached each other, stopping just a few feet apart. “Would it be rude to comment on how you smell?” Magnus seemed nervous and Alec found it endearing as he reached out and took his hand.
“Strange...but not rude” He smiled a little coyly and simply held the Alpha’s hand in his own, closing his eyes to take it all in as he watched the older man do the same. It was such a rich and pleasant smell. His guardians had warned him that smelling an Alpha’s scent would cause him all sorts of problems and he would slowly lose his mind. He understood how much they bent the truth now. There wasn’t instant arousal in the air, he didn’t want to throw himself at Magnus’ feet and offer himself up to him, it was a simple calm, peacefulness and he understood now why they needed each other in their lives. A warmth was beneath his skin and he finally felt the hint of anxiety that had been living in his body for the last couple of years leave him. Being here amongst everything that was Magnus finally felt like home.
“I’ll only say how grateful I am that you want me in your life” Magnus’ words were quiet and he gave his hand a squeeze before moving to the table, starting to lay out the breakfast as if nothing had happened. Alec was glad his guardians warnings about Alphas were wrong in Magnus’ case as well. He hadn’t jumped him or tried to force himself on him instantaneously, he’d remained the gentleman he knew him to be.
“Magnus” Alec moved to him and wrapped his arms around his waist, kissing his shoulder. “Let’s make a deal to stop thanking each other okay?” He chuckled as Magnus turned his head with a grin.
“Understood”
As Magnus left to bring in the morning coffees, Alec didn’t miss the newest addition of a vase of red roses to the dining table, the card sticking from the label simply adorned with a decorative ‘A’.