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It was a quiet evening in the heart of New York City. The neon lights from the nightlife around them blinked like eager, curious eyes, but inside Magnus Bane’s apartment, things were peaceful. At least, they had been—until Alec Lightwood made his way to the bar and poured himself his third drink of the night.
Magnus watched, leaning casually against the doorframe of the kitchen. He raised an eyebrow as Alec filled his glass again, not bothering to measure the alcohol this time. The Shadowhunter was still new to the world of drinking, and Magnus wasn’t sure if that was something to be amused by or worried about.
“Alec…” Magnus said slowly, trying to gauge how concerned he should be. “I think that’s enough, don’t you?”
Alec, in the midst of pouring, glanced back at him with an unsteady smile. “What’s enough? I’m fine. I’m great! You don’t know me, I can handle this.”
Magnus stepped closer, inspecting Alec’s posture. His back was straight, but his movements were a bit jerky. He’d never seen Alec quite like this before—usually the Shadowhunter was so controlled, so… rigid. But tonight, something was off. His grip on the glass was a little loose, like he was just a step away from spilling it.
Magnus let out a small laugh. “You’re barely standing, darling.”
“I’m totally standing,” Alec insisted, his voice a touch too loud. He straightened up to show Magnus just how capable he was, but the effect was more of a wobbly attempt at dignity. “I’ve been on more dangerous missions than this. I’m a Shadowhunter, Magnus. I—”
“—you can’t hold your liquor?” Magnus interrupted, grinning now. He crossed his arms and took a seat on the nearby couch, already thinking about how much fun it would be to let Alec keep going for a bit longer.
“I can hold my liquor!” Alec declared, a little too forcefully. He took a large gulp from his glass, and his eyes immediately widened. “Woah, okay. That’s strong.”
Magnus was trying to hide his amusement behind a carefully constructed smirk. “You don’t say.”
Alec slumped into the armchair, looking like he was starting to enjoy the warmth spreading through his chest. His gaze softened, and then he looked over at Magnus with a goofy grin that made the warlock's heart flutter a little, despite himself.
"You know," Alec said, his words a bit drawn out, "you look really good tonight." He squinted at Magnus, as if trying to process the thought. "I mean... you always look good, but tonight, like... really good. I—I like your shirt. It’s very… um, sparkly? No, wait, that’s not the word I meant—"
Magnus burst out laughing. "I'm glad you think so, darling. But I think you might be seeing things. Or more likely, feeling things." He raised an eyebrow at Alec, who was now leaning a bit too far to the side in the armchair, looking like he might just fall right off.
"No! I’m just..." Alec’s face was a picture of determination. "I’m just saying you’re amazing, and I like… spending time with you. A lot. Like, more than anyone else."
Magnus’ heart gave a little lurch. He sat up straighter, suddenly interested in the direction the conversation was taking. “Oh? What’s so special about me, then?”
Alec blinked and stared at him for a long moment, like he was trying to process the question. His eyelids were half-lidded, and his lips had the telltale hint of a smile, though it was a little sloppy. “I dunno… You’re like, cool. And you’re smart. And you’ve got these weird magic powers, and it’s… it’s cool. I like being around you, okay?”
Magnus was touched, but also very amused. He leaned forward, crossing his legs with an exaggerated flourish. "Alec Lightwood, you know how to make a warlock feel special."
Alec’s face flushed. "No, no, I mean it," he slurred, his voice softening. “I’m just... not good at saying stuff. You know how it is. But you… You make everything better. Like, when you smile? I just… I don’t know, it’s like I could fight anything. Or, you know, hug a bear.” He tilted his head, as if considering the logistics of hugging a bear. “Maybe not a bear, but you know what I mean.”
Magnus snorted. “Alec, darling, you’re too drunk to be making sense.”
"I’m not that drunk!" Alec protested, sitting up straighter again—only to immediately topple forward into Magnus’ lap.
“Woah, hey!” Alec yelped, wide-eyed, before relaxing into the new position. “This is nice.”
Magnus tried to shift him off, but Alec simply wrapped his arms around Magnus' neck like he was an anchor in the middle of a storm.
“You’re so comfy," Alec murmured, his voice muffled by Magnus' shirt.
Magnus couldn’t stop laughing now. It wasn’t just that Alec was drunk, it was that he was being so ridiculously affectionate about it. “Alec, I think we need to get you into bed before you start calling me a ‘human pillow’ or something.”
Alec looked up at him, squinting again, as though he were trying to read Magnus' expression. “But I like being close to you,” Alec said seriously, his voice slow and deliberate. “And you smell good. Like... like a combination of magic and... deliciousness." He made a vaguely appreciative gesture with his hand, as though the air around Magnus were an actual buffet of scented air.
Magnus grinned. “You’re a charmer when you’ve had a few drinks.”
Alec’s face lit up. “I am, right? I should get drunk more often. You’ll love me even more.”
“Well, let’s not test that theory too quickly, shall we?” Magnus said, trying to adjust his posture while still keeping Alec comfortably in his lap. “Though I have to admit, I’m enjoying the company.”
Alec was nodding, but his eyes were drooping. “Magnus?” he asked softly.
“Yes, Alec?” Magnus asked, his heart softening at the rare moment of vulnerability.
“I’m really glad you’re here,” Alec mumbled. “Like, really glad. I don’t know how I’d do this without you.”
Magnus’ smile faltered for just a second. Alec wasn’t usually so open, and certainly not when it came to matters of the heart. He brushed a hand through Alec's hair, his fingers gentle against the Shadowhunter's messy locks. “I’m glad I’m here too, Alec,” he said, his voice quiet. “I’ll always be here, you know?”
Alec looked up at him again, eyes suddenly wide and serious. “Promise?” he whispered, his voice thick with sincerity and a little bit of sleepiness.
Magnus kissed his forehead softly. “I promise.”
Alec’s breath hitched, and for a moment, he just stayed there, nestled into Magnus’ chest, as if trying to hold onto that one fragile truth.
“Stay with me,” Alec murmured, his voice barely audible.
Magnus held him tighter, a warm chuckle escaping him as he whispered back, “Always, Alec. I’ll stay with you.”
Alec made a soft sound of contentment, the kind of sound that only someone who truly felt safe could make. And for once, Alec wasn’t the one in control. But that was alright. After all, in this moment, the only thing that really mattered was the warmth of his boyfriend’s arms and the promise of a good night’s sleep.
And as Magnus softly brushed his fingers through Alec's hair, he smiled to himself, knowing that, no matter what happened, he would always stay.