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Alec presses a kiss to Magnus' cheek, eliciting a soft smile from his husband. It sends butterflies through his stomach. Even after a full year together, it doesn't grow old. Alec could kiss him anytime. It's addictive, a visceral response to being in Magnus' orbit, just like the happiness that always radiates off his husband's face when he receives this kind of affection.
It's no different to Alec's reaction whenever Magnus kisses him, but it's so much rarer than the other way around. Alec doesn't want to probe but sometimes, he wonders why. Why the man who is filled with so much love, who puts so much thought into every detail of a date or trip to make it perfect for Alec, who puts Alec's pleasure over his own, why a person like him wouldn't initiate kisses way more often.
It's a riddle, but Alec isn't sure if he should try to solve it. He knows there are things from his past that Magnus doesn't want to touch, and Alec respects that.
—
It's a stupid coincidence that unearths the truth.
"I know I put it here somewhere," Magnus says.
"When did you last see it?" Alec asks.
"In the 1860s, maybe?"
Alec snorts. "Was that even in this house?"
Magnus nods and calls his magic to his palms, murmuring an old memory spell as he moves his fingers through the air. A memory bubble pops up, floating in the air. The apothecary doesn't look much different. It must be the part of the loft that has been untouched by the multiple redecorations and movements around the globe.
Alec's stomach clenches when he sees Camille sitting at Magnus' desk. Magnus stands next to her. He leans in, his lips pursed in clear intent and then, Camille averts her face and gets up.
Present Magnus sighs. "No, it wasn't then. Maybe…" He swirls his fingers through the air and the bubble morphs into another scene, same place, other people. Save Magnus, Alec has never seen them before. The woman bumps her shoulder triumphantly against Magnus'. He smiles at her, then looks at the man next to him with sparkling eyes, leaning in but stopping himself before he gets too close. Magnus' lips twitch slightly, then his face settles into the mask that Alec knows just too well.
Magnus switches through a few scenes until he finds the right one. Alec is glad that it takes some time, enough to put the broken pieces of his heart back together again. Magnus rolls his eyes, oblivious of Alec's realisation.
"Of course, it's in my storage," Magnus exclaims. He moves his hands through the air and a moment later, the amulet is in his hands.
Alec pulls him into his arms and places a gentle kiss against Magnus' temple. Magnus huffs a laugh in surprise. One day, Alec hopes he will feel confident enough in his love to kiss him whenever he feels like it. Until Magnus does, it's for him not to hold back.