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Looking back, Magnus couldn’t pinpoint exactly when everything had started to go wrong but he could down to the hour and minute when it had all come crashing down around him with crystal clear clarity. It was hard to forget walking in on the woman he had given his heart to and the man who played her fake husband on the latest TV drama making love in the bed that the two of you shared. It hadn’t even surprised him that much, even if it did hurt him to his core. He’d known they were unhappy and that tensions had been high between them the last year so he quietly grabbed his keys from the bowl by the door and headed back out into the night. He had himself on the first flight to New York a few hours later.
Despite the late hour, Ragnor had taken his frantic call and had opened his door and the spare bedroom to him without any complaints. None of his friends had approved of his relationship with the up-and-coming actress but Magnus was stubborn and she was beautiful and at the time, he’d brushed their concerns away. Over the next few days, he’d caught them up to speed on the literal train wreck that had become his life. There were tears and condolences and some truly bizarre pep talks to try and cheer him up but in the end, he knew that the only thing that would heal his broken heart was time and time alone.
Ragnor told him to take it slow – Camille had certainly done a number on his mental state and now that he was free from the she-witch’s clutches, he was starting to see just how bad it had been. When they had moved across the country to Los Angeles so that she could be closer to any potential jobs that came her way, Magnus had truly left his life behind in New York. He’d cut off contact with his friends at her request, even though they were really the only family he had. Before he moved to California, Magnus was known as one of the hottest chefs in the city, despite being barely out of culinary school, and had hosted a handful of highly successful pop ups, the most well received being a venture called Pandemonium, with his partner-in-crime, Alec Lightwood, that people were talking about for months after. He and Alec had already started planning for their future – a fusion restaurant based on one of their recurring events - when Camille had asked him to move and Magnus had found himself unwilling to say no. ‘You love me, don’t you? You want to make me happy? We can be happy together in California,’ she’d said, he could still hear those fateful words echoing loudly inside his mind.
He’d given up everything that day. He’d tried to find a restaurant job when they first arrived in the city, but Camille had complained when he’d come home smelling like smoke and grease and spice. He would go on to quit the one thing he loved most a few months later, falling off the scene completely. Instead, Magnus bounced around to other careers – bookseller, florist, party planner – but ultimately, Camille found fault in all of them and he would only last a few weeks before he’d be forced to try something else.
This lack of a place he could call his in some ways isolated him more than he had realized until he’d been sitting on the airplane back to New York. With no hobby, no job, nothing that made him happy, Magnus hadn’t made any friends or colleagues in California. Sure, he and Camille did go to premieres and cast parties and a handful of other social events but their friends weren’t his friends, they were hers, and most of the time, she was content to forget that her boyfriend was even in attendance. Magnus would linger in the shadows silently (because how many times had she snapped at him that what he was trying to add to the conversation was doing nothing but embarrassing her in front of influential people?) watching as the world passed him by. He’d been lonely, horrifically so, and he hadn’t even noticed that he’d lost his spark because of it.
So that’s how he’d ended up here – at a coffee shop in New York City just before the lunchtime rush. He’d left Ragnor’s apartment early this morning, hoping that a stroll around the city would help inspiration strike. Unfortunately, his head was still empty, and the only thing that he’d managed to come away with was a headache from his lack of caffeine and a craving for something sweet.
There were two people ahead of him in line but Magnus didn’t mind the wait, there was enough mindless chatter on social media to keep him occupied for a while. He was so engrossed in catching up with everything he had missed in his friends' lives that the tap on his shoulder nearly had him shrieking in surprise. Quicky he turned around, ready to give the offender a piece of his mind. Instead, he was shocked at who he found.
“Magnus Bane, well there’s a face I never imagined that I would see again. Are you back for a visit? How’s California treating you? Is it really as glamorous as they say it is?”
Isabelle Lightwood was Alec’s younger sister and they’d quickly become fast friends when Alec had introduced them. While Izzy hadn’t gotten her brother’s skills in the kitchen (rather far from it, if Magnus had to admit. The two bouts of food poisoning was proof enough,) she did have a wonderful sense of fashion that Alec definitely lacked. Izzy had been Magnus’ favorite shopping partner and the two of them attended Fashion Week a couple of times before he’d moved out west.
Seeing Isabelle brought back all sorts of regrets – he missed her and the years he’d cut off her and her brother – but now that he was back in town and free of the woman who tried to control his life, he hoped that he could reconnect. Magnus had thought many times since he’d returned how nice it would be to reach out but his own insecurities stopped him every time. How did you try to rekindle a friendship with the man who used to be your best friend and business partner after ending things so rudely and abruptly?
He gave Isabelle a small smile. “It’s wonderful to see you, my dear! I must admit I’m back in town permanently. California didn’t agree with me, nor did I agree with coming home to find another man in my bed with my girlfriend.”
“That bitch,” Isabelle growled, and the intense support surprised him. “I knew she was cruel but I had hoped she’d get better. I’m so sorry that happened to you, Magnus. If I ever see her again, I’ll make her regret it. No one messes with my friends and lives to tell the tale.”
“I appreciate it but I’d be quite happy if she never set foot in the same city as me again. I’ve missed you all and I’ve missed New York. I’m glad to be back. I know I’ve been a pretty poor friend and I can never apologize enough for cutting everyone out of my life the way that I did…but we should catch up sometime. I… what happened with Camille is making me feel very out of sorts. It would be nice to do something normal. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anything close to normal in my life.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” Isabelle replied, pulling him into a hug. “Yes, it hurt and yes, we missed you, but you thought what you were doing was the best for you at the time. We can’t fault you for that, but we are so glad to have you back. I didn’t even realize you were back in the city – Alec’s not going to believe it.”
“How is your brother doing?” Magnus asked because despite how badly he wanted to, he’d never been able to look up Alec’s endeavors and the future that he’d left behind. “Still in the kitchen, I hope?”
“You must have been living under a rock out there in California,” she said with a laugh. “He’s got two restaurants now and one Michelin star! Actually, what are you doing tonight? We’ve got this thing - Chef’s Night Out - where a camera crew follows a chef and his friends around for food and drinks to kind of see the types of places chefs frequent when they’re not working. Then everyone ends up back at the chef’s restaurant where they’ll then cooks something for their friends and family. You should come! Alec would be thrilled to have you there.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose…and you should probably ask your brother before you invite a stranger to something that sounds pretty intimate,” he replied, his voice trailing off before he dug himself into a deeper hole.
Isabelle snorted and rolled her eyes at his hesitation. “Oh please, you aren’t a stranger and trust me when I say that Alec would want you there. He owes some of his success to what the two of you did with Pandemonium. Please say you’ll come? I’ll drag you there myself if I have to.”
Magnus knew she would, too, so arguing with her at this point wouldn’t do any good. “In that case, if Alexander will have me, then I’d love to be there.”
The mention of her brother’s full name (which Magnus knew he was the only one who used) had her grinning. “Perfect. How about we go together? Do you remember where my place is?” She asked, and Magnus nodded in response. “Fantastic. Meet me there at 7 and we’ll walk over. It’s just a few blocks. I can’t wait to see Alec’s face.”
He didn’t like the idea of surprising his former friend out of the blue but he figured that he needed to trust Isabelle’s opinion of her brother’s reaction would be. The person in front of Magnus stepped away from the counter and he stepped closer, eyes skimming over the board as he tried to figure out what he wanted. “I won’t be late,” he said, not wanting to ignore Isabelle.
“Oh I know you won’t and I’m sure you’ll look fabulous as always. I’ve got to run, but I’ll see you tonight!”
----------
Magnus’ nerves were all over the place as he stepped inside Alec’s restaurant Alicante. Isabelle had caught him up on everything he’d missed while he’d been in California – including Alec’s increasing success and numerous television appearances that had finally landed him here and named him as the most promising up and coming chef in New York City. There was no bell over the door to signal their arrival and the room itself was packed between the film crew and what appeared to be Alec’s own staff members. Instantly, Magnus’ eyes were drawn to the man in question, positioned in the center of the room, gaze focused on a tablet in the producer’s hand as the two likely discussed details for the shoot.
He lingered by the door, wondering not for the first time tonight if this was all a big mistake and contemplating turning tail and rushing back to the relative comfort of Ragnor’s home before he was seen. Isabelle crossed the room, interrupting the two men with a gentle tug on her brother’s arm. He was too far away to hear what was being said but he watched as Alec’s brow furrowed, his eyes widened in surprise and his head whipped around toward the door. Unable to stop himself, Magnus raised his hand and gave a little wave, steeling himself for a poor reaction from his former partner.
Instead, a brilliant grin spread across Alec’s face and he crossed the room in three quick strides, pulling Magnus into an unexpected and tight hug. “You’re really here! I can’t believe it. I thought Izzy was pranking me or something.”
“No, not a prank,” Magnus confirmed, returning Alec’s hug as he caught the familiar scent of the other man’s cologne. “California and I weren’t meant to be. I got back to the city not too long ago, and this time I intend to stay. I ran into your sister while I was getting coffee and she invited me. I don’t mean to intrude on your special day but I couldn’t miss the opportunity to at least stop by and say hello. I’m sure you’re incredibly busy any other time. A chef’s work is never done, after all.”
“You aren’t intruding,” Alec said, pulling back so that he could look the shorter man in the eyes. The grin on his face hadn’t left and that sight alone warmed Magnus’ heart. “In fact, I’m thrilled you’re here. You’re joining us tonight, right? The self-proclaimed prince of partying has to come out for a night on the town, great food, and fantastic drinks.”
“It’s your night, Alexander,” Magnus tried to protest though he already knew his argument was weak. “You should spend it with those most important to you.”
Only then did Alec’s smile falter. “And you don’t think that’s you? Magnus, you’re my best friend. We got into this crazy business together.”
Magnus could only give him a sad smile in response. “I’ve been a horrible friend, cutting everyone off like I did. I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”
“We all make mistakes. I forgive you and you should forgive yourself. There’s no one else, other than my siblings, I suppose, I’d rather have by my side for this wild adventure. So…please? Please say you’ll come with us. I’ve got a fun night planned and I really think you’ll enjoy it.”
With that, any additional arguments that Magnus was going to try to make disappeared from his mind and he knew without a doubt that there was no way that he could say no. Instead, he gently grabbed Alec’s arm and gave it a squeeze. “In that case, there’s nowhere else that I’d rather be.”
The grin returned to Alec’s face and he pulled Magnus into another hug. “Fantastic! Let me introduce you to the team. We’ve got about an hour before we head out, so that’s plenty of time to catch you up on the plan.”
----------
As it turned out, Alec intended to start the night at a place that Magnus knew very well. Their first stop wasn’t for food, but rather some very delicious house made Sangria that had been the cause of many hangovers in his younger days. Church (or more formerly Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium) was a wonderfully weird bar with walls adorned with velvet paintings, religious iconography, and all sorts of other decor that tempted you to sin (though reminded you that maybe hell wasn’t that bad of a place after all.) As their small party grabbed their drinks and slid into the church pews of their reserved table, he couldn’t help but notice how Jace, Clary and Izzy had taken one side while they left the other open for Magnus and Alec.
With the group all settled in, Isabelle grinned at him over the top of Blood of Christ alcoholic slushie. “So Magnus. Why don’t you tell us more about what you’ve been up to. Work in any good restaurants? Surely the food scene out in California wasn’t lacking.”
Magnus shook his head. “None whatsoever, I’m afraid, but tonight isn’t about me. It’s about your brother. I’m rather proud of the success that you’ve found, Alexander. Did you continue with the pop ups after I moved?”
“Yes and no,” Alec replied, letting out a happy sigh as he took a sip of his Sangria. He’d never been much of a drinker, Magnus remembered, but he’d been happy to try whatever cocktail creation his friend would order for him. It took awhile (and quite a few long, drunken nights sitting in Magnus’ living room watching Cutthroat Kitchen) before they’d realized that Alec preferred sweet to strong and after that, there was certainly no turning back. “I didn’t continue with Pandemonium. It didn’t feel right without you by my side. It was our thing, not my thing. I dabbled in a few others, but I really felt like it was time to settle down? So to speak. There was nothing stopping me from doing another pop up, but I really wanted my own permanent place. Alicante was the first…sort of a gourmet take on the flavors my grandparents brought with them.”
“Tell him about the new one,” Clary said excitedly. “It’s called The Institute. Magnus, you have got to go there. I know Alec is my brother in law and I’m essentially required to say it, but even if he wasn’t family, that place is truly incredible. Different menus, different rooms, absolutely to die for cocktails. He really did something special there.”
Never one to be comfortable with compliments, a blush spread across Alec’s face and he dipped his head. “Hey, I didn’t do it alone. You all had a part in it – you too, Magnus, even if you didn’t know it.”
“Me? I was out in California, I had no part in your success.”
Alec merely shot him a grin. “Yes, you. Where do you think I got the idea?”
----------
Next on their list was a tiny little place that was part speakeasy, part Tiki bar. “I had no idea this was back here,” Magnus said, raising his voice to make sure he was heard over the noise in the crowded room. “I must have passed this place a dozen times while I was still in the city and I just thought it was an alley with a pretty floral mural.”
“The first time Maia took us here, I was sure she was leading us to our inevitable deaths,” Jace replied with a laugh as the waitress set their elaborate drinks on the table along with the food that they ordered. Magnus was no stranger to the presentation of a good Tiki drink but there was something about a couple of pineapple fronds and a burning slice of lemon that was nice to see.
“That drink is literally on fire,” Alec pointed out a little incredulously. “How the hell do you drink that?”
Magnus laughed, taking a moment to grab a picture for Instagram before blowing out the flame. “Just like that.” He took a sip of his drink and a smile spread across his face. “God, that’s incredible. You can really tell a lot about a Tiki bar by the quality of their Mai Tai. Most people think it’s one of the more overrated cocktails but it really comes down to the quality of the ingredients – the right rums, the correct measurements, a good Mai Tai should be both strong and sweet.”
“Did you suddenly become an expert on all things Tiki?” Isabelle asked as she stabbed a Shishito pepper with her fork and popped it into her mouth. “Delicious!”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Iz. It’s rude.” Alec chastised before he turned toward Magnus and angled himself so he was speaking to the camera as well. “They change their menu monthly and work in other local businesses or design a menu with a theme or collaboration in mind. Last month, they had tacos on the menu and worked with a local tequila company for the spirits.”
“And it’s all incredible,” Jace added, stealing the plate of peppers, much to the protest of the girls. “You have another plate. These are mine.”
Clary rolled her eyes fondly before she too turned her attention back to Magnus. “You never answered Izzy – I never remembered you being a Tiki connoisseur before.”
“I needed something to occupy my time in California,” he explained, absently spinning his straw around in his drink. “Camille was always out at auditions or on set. I was struggling to find a job and I was bouncing around from place to place trying to find something that made me happy that she approved of and because of that I missed out on having time for a social life. Someone gave me a book about Smuggler’s Cove years ago. It’s always intrigued me so I stopped in one day and I must admit, it was an experience that stays with you. Great theming, fantastic drinks…it makes you forget about everything that’s troubling you. I needed that.”
Alec’s smile shifted into a frown as he scooted closer to Magnus. Their knees were brushing now and that simple contact made Magnus long for more. Alec had always been a source of warmth and comfort for him, in stark contrast to the ice and suffering that he now associated with Camille. After everything he’d been through the last couple of years, Magnus found himself wanting. He wanted to be reminded that there was still good in the world. He wanted to be reminded that he mattered. Even when he’d been with Camille, there had always been a part of his heart that had loved Alec Lightwood.
“I’m sorry that you felt you needed an escape. I wish I could have been there to give you what you needed.”
Yes, Magnus thought to himself, I wish you could have been there too…all I’ve ever needed was you.
----------
Gunshow was next – a place that had opened while Magnus had been across the country so he didn’t know what to expect. The inside was open and inviting, with high ceilings, simple tables and minimal decor. They grabbed a table in the corner, and gave the film crew a few minutes to settle before they placed their order. Alec had asked for seemingly every dish on the menu for them all to share to which Magnus gave him a quizzical look. The man he’d known before wouldn’t have done such a thing. Alec laughed, “I’m treating everyone tonight and we’re supposed to acting like gluttons! Chef’s Night Out after all.”
“I wish I could have been there for at least one of your restaurant openings,” Magnus said idly, stabbing a scallop with his fork and popping it into his mouth. Jace, Clary, and Isabelle were in their own little world at the end of the table, arguing about something that he hadn’t quite picked up on. They were all feeling the effects of the multiple drinks they’d consumed on their excursion tonight and they still had one more stop, plus Alec’s own restaurant, after this one. “I’m sure it was a sight to behold…and I would never miss an opportunity to get a beautiful man to cook me dinner.”
Alec snorted and shook his head. “You would have been the beautiful man making your own dinner. We both know that you would have been deep in the trenches with me.”
“Maybe not,” Magnus mused. “Alicante and the Institute are your passion projects. I would have been there to support you, sure, but I’m just as happy to watch you thrive…like a baby bird taking flight for the first time.”
The other chef’s face twisted into something akin to a scowl. “I am not a baby bird.”
He could only laugh. “You are!” he said, reaching out to pinch Alec’s cheek playfully. “Albeit a very tall, very pretty baby bird. Our pops ups were your nest, and your restaurants are the open skies and the endless possibilities that await.”
“And when is it your turn to take flight? Start a restaurant of your very own, maybe a Tiki bar if that’s what is currently bringing you joy? You certainly have the skills to do so – you know the drinks, the food, I’ve seen how you decorated your old loft, I know you can practically theme it with your eyes closed. You’re back in New York to start over, so start over.”
Magnus closed his eyes as he considered Alec’s words. Could he open his own restaurant? He hadn’t been in the public eye since he left New York. Hell, he’d barely even been in a kitchen. He didn’t have the reputation that Alec had built to back himself up, but there was a possibility that people still remembered him from the Pandemonium days. It would be nice to have something for himself, something that he loved to do, something that he built from the ground up. It could definitely be something to look into for the future. The world was his oyster now that Camille was no longer in his life.
“Maybe,” he said, echoing the thoughts that were going through his mind. “Maybe once I’ve gotten my feet under me, it’s something that I can take a shot at.”
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Their final location was Octopus Bar, somewhere that Magnus was intimately familiar with. This place was a local late night favorite for chefs, opening only after the majority of other restaurants closed. He and Alec had spent many a late night here after culinary school, getting to know others in the industry and planning for their futures. It was at one of these very tables that they’d hatched the plans for their take on the pop up dining experience that would one day become Pandemonium.
They slid into a booth that had been reserved for them for the purpose of filming. The red lighting and familiar decor made Magnus’ heart sing. Here, in a place that had been like a second home to him in his younger years, with his best friend by his side, he felt like he was finally home. Alec ordered for them – a round of drinks that Magnus didn’t hear the name of and a handful of dishes that made his head spin. When the server had walked away, Alec turned to Magnus with a grin on his face. “I’m glad you’re back. I missed you while you were gone. I hoped, well, I had hoped that you were at least happy.”
Perhaps it was the electric buzz from the alcohol running through his veins but before Magnus could stop himself, he reached up to cup Alec’s chin, running a thumb gently over the other man’s cheek.
“I wish I had never left. What happened with Camille…that was the greatest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. I’ve lost valuable time here…with you, with my career, with myself…I regret every day I didn’t live my life for me.”
Alec reached up, his hand grasping Magnus’ wrist gently. Despite the time apart, there was no hate in the other man’s eyes. “Tell me,” he said softly. The restaurant was loud and Alec’s voice was soft but he could hear so clearly it was like they were the only two people in the room. “Tell me what happened.”
Going into this evening, Magnus hadn’t planned on bringing up any of his personal problems. This night fpr Alec. It was meant to celebrate his accomplishments, not whatever troubles had happened out in California. However, in this moment, Alec had asked and if Magnus knew one thing, he knew that he was unable to deny his partner anything. He smiled sadly. “It’s not a pleasant tale,” he said with a sigh. “But it’s a simple one. Boy moved across the country for a girl he thought he loved and who loved him in return. Girl followed her dreams but those conflicted with his own. Boy fell into a deep depression and eventually came home one night to find another man in bed with the girl he loved…and here we are. That boy made the greatest mistake of his life and ruined the best thing he had going for him. He should have stayed in New York and followed his heart. He should have stayed in New York where there was a boy he loved.”
Alec’s eyes softened, the camera, crew, and the rest of their little group were instantly forgotten. The world around them disappeared as his partner grabbed the lapels of Magnus’ jacket and pulled him into a heated kiss. He felt his eyes widen in surprise but soon found his hands wrapped around Alec’s waist, a fistful of t-shirt gripped in one hand. He wasn’t sure how long they stayed there, lost in the moment and each other, before Alec finally pulled away so that he could speak, pressing their foreheads together but leaving their lips apart. “I’d say there’s a boy in New York who loves you too.”
Magnus opened his mouth to speak, a tangled mess of words stpuck inside in his head. Before he could start to voice anything, he heard a cackle from where Isabelle was sitting behind him.
“Finally!” she said when she finally stopped laughing and turned her attention to the others at the table. “Who won that bet?”
“I think that would be Maryse,” Jace grumbled, glancing their way with a glare. “I had hoped you’d at least have the decency to wait until you were behind closed doors, and didn’t make those of us around you unwilling participants of all that unresolved sexual tension and incredibly long overdue PDA. You couldn’t have waited a couple of more hours?”
“What bet?” Alec growled, his hand dropping to rest on Magnus’ knee.
“The bet about when you two would finally figure your shit out,” Isabelle replied, a mischievous glint in her eye. “We had one way back before you moved to California but then that threw a wrench in our plans. When I ran into you in the coffee shop, I could hardly believe it, especially when you accepted the invitation to join us. Of course, I had to call everyone up and inform them and one thing led to another.”
Alec went to reply but suddenly seemed to remember the cameras that were pointed in their direction. Instead, he let out a long-suffering sigh and ran a hand over his eyes. “Was inviting Magnus out tonight just a ploy to get us together?”
“No,” Clary answered this time, with a shake of her head. “We genuinely are thrilled that Magnus is back. He’s our friend too…so yes, we definitely wanted him to celebrate tonight with us but…well, when life hands you lemons…”
“You set your big brother up with the man he’s been crushing on since college.” Isabelle added gleefully.
Alec looked like he was about to argue but Magnus chuckled and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Let them have their fun, darling. After all, I do believe their meddling worked out in our favor.”
----------
When they returned back to Alicante and stumbled through the front door, Alec was immediately moving toward the kitchen. It was his time to shine – they’d enjoyed a night out on the town but it was now time for him to cook for his friends and family.
“Jace, come on,” Alec said, rolling his sleeves up and glancing at his brother over his shoulder. “I need your help.”
“Oh, I don’t think you do anymore,” Jace replied with a laugh, grabbing a chair and pulling Clary onto his lap. “You won’t need me anymore. I’ve been replaced. I think it’s time for you and loverboy over there to reconnect, don’t you think?”
“Jace,” Alec growled, a blush rising to his cheeks. “You promised.”
“That was before Magnus came back to town. You boys have fun now – don’t do anything I wouldn’t do! Also do try to keep it G-rated and Health Department approved. You’re supposed to be feeding us, not putting on a show.”
Alec’s face turned an even more impressive shade of red and Magnus could only laugh before grabbing the other man’s arm to pull him close and bestow him with a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Ignore him, Alexander, I’m more than happy to help you in the kitchen. Why don’t you show me the way and fill me in as to what we’re whipping up? I may not be who you were expecting but I’m sure you’ll find me an acceptable substitute. It may have been years since I last did anything worthwhile in a kitchen, and I may be a little rusty but I’m sure I haven’t lost all of my skills. Just promise to cut me some slack if my julienne isn’t quite up to your standards.”
Alec rolled his eyes as he led Magnus to the kitchen and handed him an apron. “I’m sure your julienne is fine and as it turns out, we aren’t going to be doing any of that tonight. The prep work has already been done for us thanks to my staff. We’re making sliders and fries the way we do it here at Alicante…just what we all need after a night out on the town.”
“Burgers and fries are a classic. I’m sure even I can manage to keep up. Go ahead and show me what makes yours special, Alexander. That is, if you want to let me in on your deep dark culinary secrets.”
Alec blushed and dipped his head. Magnus chuckled but decided to put him out of his misery. “Come on, we’ve got plenty of hungry mouths to feed and these patties won’t cook themselves.”
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Later that night, or morning, as it appeared to be, because the sun was just starting to peak over the skyline in the distance, only Magnus and Alec remained in Alicante. Their friends and family had straggled out and the film crew had packed up half an hour ago, promising to return latre that evening to film the final interview after Alec and his team had had a chance to rest and recover.
Magnus knew it was time to leave, it had been a long day for the chef opposite him, and Alec was no doubt exhausted. But the little voice in the back of his mind was selfish. This is the first time he’d seen Alec in over five years, the first time they’d been alone since Magnus had returned to the city… he wanted more. He wasn’t ready to let Alec go when he’d just gotten him back and in a way he only could have imagined in his dreams.
“So…” he found himself saying, his usually eloquent way with words instantly going up in figurative flames.
“So,” Alec echoed, scratching at the back of his neck idly – a nervous tick Magnus well remembered from their previous time spent together. Neither said anything for a few moments before Alec finally broke, giving Magnus a sheepish smile as he nodded toward the door. “My place isn’t too far from here. I’ve got a stash of chocolate chip cookies I baked yesterday and a gallon of butter pecan ice cream. We should catch up and talk, if you’re not too tired that is.”
Yes, talk, Magnus repeated in his head. Talk about what happened tonight and where they should go from here. He returned Alec’s smile and reached out to grab the other man’s hand, giving it a squeeze as he replied. “I’d like that, Alexander…and I certainly can’t deny you a conversation when you tempt me with delicious treats.”
Alec snorted as he held the door open for Magnus, locking it behind them and offering his arm. “How could I forget? You have the biggest sweet tooth out of anyone I know. If someone wanted to kidnap you, they’d just need to pull up in a van offering free cupcakes and you’d be inside before anyone else knew what was happening.”
Magnus scoffed. “Please, I’m not that easy. It would take free cupcakes and a tiramisu at the very least. Maybe some gourmet dark chocolate if I’m feeling like taking a chance.”
“I’ll have to remember that for the next time you move to California and disappear without a trace.”
Magnus froze in place. While Alec’s words hadn’t been accusatory, he couldn’t help the pain that shot through his heart. He’d been horrible to the people who had cared the most about him… and for what? Promises that would never be kept and the idea of a relationship that was apparently always destined to fail? “Alec – I am sorry, I just…”
“Magnus, it’s alright,” Alec said softly, leading them to a nondescript door next to a family owned Chinese restaurant and unlocking it to let them inside. While Magnus knew that with two successful restaurants, Alec could certainly afford a nicer place in the city, a life of luxury had never suited the other chef. As long as they’d known each other, Alec had been a man of simple desires. From the way he dressed to where he chose to call his home. While this wasn’t the same apartment he’d lived in five years ago, it was definitely similar enough. “I don’t blame you, I’ve already said that. What’s done is done and we should look toward the future, not mourn the past.”
Alec guided them up two flights of creaking wooden stairs that had definitely seen better days to a door at the top illuminated by a single flickering light bulb. “It’s not much,” Alec admitted as he opened the door to let them inside. “But it’s home. It’s close to the restaurant and it had the great foundation for an incredible kitchen. It took some work but I’m happy with it.”
The apartment was dark - with exposed brick walls and numerous bookshelves filled to the brim scattered around the space. There were a few pictures of Alec and his siblings on the walls, joined by a handful of paintings that could only have been gifts from Clary (because Magnus couldn’t imagine Alec walking into an art gallery to pick them out himself.) It was all very on theme with what he knew of his former partner, but a single glance at the kitchen really drove his opinion home.
It was an open concept space – with the kitchen and the dining room smoothly flowing together. A gas stobe, multiple ovens, deep sinks, and ample counter space - it boasted everything and anything a chef could ever need or want. The dining area was separated by a bar top with six stools, something that reminded Magnus of Pandemonium where they would cook for their guests while they were sitting right in front of them. Alec had already thrown his jacket over the chair and was rummaging around in cabinets.
“Make yourself at home,” he said, motioning to a tupperware container on the bar. “Cookies are right there. Ice cream is coming right up…I may even have some chocolate sprinkles around here if you ask nicely.”
“Why Alexander,” Magnus purred, unable to stop himself before the words left his mouth. “If you wanted me to beg, you merely had to ask.”
The spoon Alec had been holding clattered to the ground as he slowly turned toward him. There was a desperate longing in his eyes as he slowly licked his lips. Magnus could only wait with baited breath. “I really want to take you to bed right now.”
“So do it.” Magnus answered, his voice low and rough with need.
Alec was on him in an instant, pushing Magnus against the wall in the blink of an eye. “We should talk,” Alec said, though it was clear from the way he didn’t pull back that he didn’t have any intention of moving.
“Talk later,” Magnus replied, chasing Alec’s lips and pulling him into a kiss. “I’ve waited too long for this.”
“Camille–”
“Is no longer part of my life and never should have been in the first place. It’s always been you, Alexander Lightwood. It’s always been you. I love you.”
Alec inhaled sharply, pressing his nose into the crook of Magnus’ neck as he held him tighter. His partner let out a quiet whimper that had him reaching up to card a hand through the other man’s hair. “Alexander, angel – words, please. If what your siblings say is true, I have reason to believe that you feel the same way. Do you love me too?”
He felt Alec nod against him. “Yes, Magnus, yes. I… I love you too. I’ve always loved you.”
“Then show me, my love,” Magnus replied with a grin. “Show me and finish what you started.”
----------
As they arrived to Alicante the next day, Magnus wasn’t entirely surprised to see that they were seemingly the last to arrive. He’d briefly considered swinging by Ragnor’s place to grab a change of clothes so he wasn’t doing the Walk of Shame, but they opted for a shower together that morning and one thing led to another and by the time they’d gotten out they were already running late. Instead, he’d borrowed a shirt from Alec, choosing the one button up that the other man owned that had even a hint of color, and made a mental note to pull Izzy aside and borrow some of her makeup so that he would be at least semi-presentable for the camera and their friends.
“You ready?” Alec asked, reaching out to grab Magnus’ hand to twin their fingers together. “We don’t have to tell them anything if you want to keep this between us and let it be a secret for a little while longer.”
“Alexander,” Magnus said with a little laugh. “They took bets on when we would ‘figure our shit out.’ I’m fairly certain they already have a fairly good idea of what happened last night. After all, they did manage to leave us alone. Are you okay with them knowing?”
They’d reached the door to Alicante now and Magnus could feel curious eyes glancing their way. The last time he’d been in New York, Alec hadn’t been openly out. He didn’t want to put his best friend, now boyfriend, in any sort of position that would make him uncomfortable just because he wanted to scream about their new relationship from the rooftops. He angled his body so his back was to the window, trying to shield Alec’s abnormally tall form from those inside (at least, to the best of his ability.)
“I want them to know,” Alec said, a smile playing across his lips. “Why would I want to keep you, keep this, a secret? You’re the best thing to ever happen to me. You always have been. I don’t want to hide that away.”
“Oh Alexander,” Magnus said softly, reaching up to cup the other man’s chin briefly before pulling him into a kiss. “You are, and always have been, the best thing to happen to me too and I’m so glad we found our way back to each other…even if we took a rather roundabout way of getting there.”
He was vaguely aware of some muffled cheering coming from inside but he pushed it out of his mind. The only things that mastered at that moment were Alec and the relationship that they were starting to build. When they finally broke apart, he took a second to straighten his boyfriend’s now rumpled jacket.
“Come on,” he said after a moment, grabbing Alec’s hand once more and pulling him toward the door. “Everyone is waiting for us and you, Chef Lightwood, have an interview to give.”
Alec laughed. “Only if you’re right there with me.”