Chapter Text
Magnus closes his eyes, dwelling in the feeling of Alec's fingers brushing gently over his shoulders before he unfastens the single necklace Magnus wore today. The following kiss sends goosebumps over his skin. Another long day is over, and still, Magnus yearns for more. For more Alec, for intimacy and release. But that's not a desire his husband shares in the same way. It's something Magnus is slowly starting to accept. He wishes he would have known that it wouldn't last. But he stole those precious moments, didn't realise that he took something that wasn't freely given. Unlike the caress of Alec's fingers running over his sides, his bare chest pressing against Magnus’ back for a brief moment. It's bliss, still lingering when Alec pulls back again way too soon.
Magnus wouldn't try to seduce him anyway. His soul hasn't fully latched onto the pregnancy news yet, but his mind doesn't let him act as if nothing is different. Maybe he should mention it more, but he doesn't want to put pressure on Alec, either way. Yes, he still thinks it's too early to have a child, but if Alec decides to have the baby, Magnus will be on board, one-hundred per cent. He just wants Alec to be happy for once, and Magnus will fall in love with every child of theirs. He just knows.
Alec doesn't seem happy right now, however. Not when he's out of the public eye. He's a damn good actor, granted, strong and convincing, friendly and attentive when the situation asks for it. But that facade fades a little whenever it's just the two of them. Then, he confesses that he's been feeling sick all day and that the vomex is making him tired. It's not that much openness, but probably pretty vulnerable for someone raised by Maryse Lightwood.
Alec didn't let anything of his current state slip when he had a phone call with Jace earlier while laying down during the short time of their lunch break. Not that Magnus did eavesdrop on purpose. Alec left the door to their bedroom open, well knowing that Magnus was within earshot.
It was nice to hear him banter with his brother and sister-in-law. He seemed lighter afterwards despite the briefness of it all. How will he react when they step out of the private jet, a yellow New York taxi waiting for them to drive them into the city that is the closest to a home Alec has ever had? Magnus can't help but smile at the image the thought conjures up in his mind's eye. Maybe New York will finally give them room to breathe.
Magnus already fixed dinner with the Lightwood siblings and their significant others. He plans to ignore his father's directive. It was such a shabby excuse. ‘Concentrating on his new family.’ Magnus could kick himself. He should have known better than to let that order pass without commenting on it. But he was still struggling with everything that happened on their wedding day. They still are. This is such a mess. But as much as he wants to make his father bleed for the part he played in it, Magnus knows that Asmodeus has the upper hand. All Magnus can do is bring as much distance as possible between them and make sure that Alec is never alone in a room with him ever again.
He wishes Alec wasn't that subservient to authority. He doesn't blame him. His husband was raised as a soldier, has never been free to make his own decisions beyond the strict rules of the Clave and his parents. But he has the potential for it. He showed it at their first wedding and with his speech. Magnus wants to see Alec soar. He will do everything in his power that he can, against all resistance and ricochets.
The Remembrance Day speech has sparked some controversy. Alec hasn't mentioned it yet. He probably has more personal things to worry about than stick in the mud people who reject his outstretched hand just because he doesn't deny where he is coming from. But that's freedom of speech. As much as the discussion pains Magnus, he wouldn't want it any other way. He just hopes it won't weigh his husband down. Alec's life is hard enough as is.
“Are you coming?” Alec asks, already hogging the bedspread. He will wrap it around them as soon as Magnus’ head hits his biceps. Magnus knows that. He craves to lie in Alec's arms tonight. It's there, in the dark privacy of their bedroom, that he can feel the bond between them, everything outside of their little bubble falling away and out of existence. Nearly.
“Of course,” he replies and gets ready quickly. He can feel Alec's eyes on him, warm and appreciative. A little apprehensive, too. Does he fear Magnus expects sex from him, now that the storm between them is slowly calming down?
They haven't talked about that part yet. Maybe it's for the better. They both got hurt in the process. Yes, communication is key, but how does the saying go? Talk is silver, silence is golden. Maybe they just bury that conversation with the corpse of their sex life and never address it again. As long as they kiss and hold each other, Magnus is content. He's had his fair share of sexcapades. Having Alec by his side is more important than short lived ecstasy.
Magnus slides under the blanket and into Alec's arms. He places a kiss on Alec's chest before he settles down, the warmth of his skin burning into Magnus’ cheek. Nothing is truly bad when they are this close, nothing separating them from each other.
For the first time today, Magnus fully relaxes. Alec's heart beating in his ear, the steady rise and fall of his chest lulling him in, Alec's strangely still existent trust wrapping around him warmer than any blanket ever could. His lips are tender when he presses a kiss on the top of Magnus’ head. Magnus understands now why Alec cried last night. He feels the same, exhaustion and relief pulling his chest tight. He sheds some tears of his own. He's glad that they don't have to always be strong around each other.
Yes, their relationship has started messy, but all the fractions caused by others put aside, they are really good together. And they have the potential to be good for each other, too. So much, Magnus knows. Maybe it's the undying romantic in him, but he wants a happy ending. They both are in desperate need of one.