Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Alec Lightwood walked into the law firm of James, Penhallow, & Clark knowing three things: he was probably about to get fired, his beloved sister was a persistent pain in the ass when she wanted to be, and he wouldn't survive either of these things without industrial-strength coffee.

As if by magic, his assistant, Greta, arrived at the elevator with a steaming cup of coffee and a weary smile. Alec thanked her and took the cup, preparing himself for the impending news. He reminded himself that he could manage any situation, provided he took a sip of caffeine first to calm his nerves.

"How bad?"

"Mr. James is retiring."

Alec felt his heart stop before it began beating so hard he felt it might burst from his chest. "Really?''

Greta nodded, trying to keep her excitement in check.

"There's an email floating around, talking about him spending more time with his grandchildren. But the scuttlebutt is that Mrs. James is getting ready to divorce him if he doesn't retire soon."

"Interesting."

Greta followed his long stride into his office. "Maybe that's why Jia called you for a meeting."

"Highly doubtful."

"It could be! You're the hardest-working lawyer here. The only other person is―"

"Don't say his name," Alec muttered as he hung his winter coat up on the hook near his door. "You'll summon him."

"I'm just saying the youngest senior partner in firm history has a nice ring to it, boss."

Alec let himself smile. Just this once. "Yeah, it does."

He let the potential advancement of his career carry him through his early morning emails. Even the inanity of some of the requests couldn't touch the high he was riding. Sure, the likelihood of becoming a senior partner was low. But it was there. Nothing could touch his mood…

…except his sister.

>>> Don't forget your date tonight.

>>> Hard to forget when you remind me every hour of every day, Izzy.

>>> Just relax and have fun, Alec.
>>> David is hot and funny.

>>> You met him at the gym. He could be a serial killer for all you know.

>>> Way to be an optimist, big bro.

>>> I said yes, didn't I?
>>> Just remember, if I die, I want to buried in my black sweater.

>>> I'm setting that thing on fire the first chance I get.

>>> That sweater got me through college!

>>> Exactly. College. Something that happened over a decade ago.

>>> I have to go now. Some of us what work to do.

>>> Love you too.
>>> Don't get anything on your tie!

The text conversation left him too antsy to sit still, forcing Alec to straightened out his suit and tie before heading to the meeting with Jia fifteen minutes early. He constrained himself not to speedwalk to his scheduled appointment, instead slowing his pace to get his spiraling thoughts under control.

As he approached the senior partners' wing, Mrs. Marion Laurdisen, Jia's executive secretary, held up a wrinkled finger as she continued on with her phone call. Alec nodded in acknowledgement, taking a seat in the waiting lounge, trying not to let his nerves show. As he took a deep breath and scanned the bustling office, he wondered which scenario awaited him behind the sleek glass doors of Jia Penhollow's personal suite.

The sound of dress shoes walking on the imported marble flooring drew Alec's notice. He stiffened when Magnus Bane stepped into the waiting area. Magnus looked flawless in his fitted suit of deep burgundy. Alec consistently found himself irritated by Magnus's impeccable appearance. Even on his worst day, Magnus always looked exquisite.

"Bane."

Magnus nodded at him in greeting, his face barely concealing his annoyance. "Lightwood."

"Here to speak with Jia Penhallow?" Alec didn't bother with pleasantries; it would just devolve into barbs if he tried.

"Always straight to business, aren't we?" Magnus raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "She summoned me this morning. Said something about the new client."

"She called me in too." A sinking feeling filled his gut.

"Mrs. Penhollow will see you now," said Mrs. Laurdisen, pointing to Jia's office.

"Good morning, gentlemen. Thank you for coming in so promptly." Jia motioned for them to take a seat. Alec perched on the edge of his chair with his back ramrod straight. "As you may already be aware, Bernard James is set to retire at the end of the month."

Alec attempted to portray a mournful demeanor, despite the challenge of evoking such sentiment, given that Bernard James was a crotchety old man stuck in his ways. He had been allergic to anything progressive or innovative, making him a horror to work with. Alec was pleased to see him go, and if he knew Magnus at all, the other attorney was just as glad.

"As a parting gift to the firm, Bernard announced at the last partners meeting that he was able to potentially bring in one last client. The Herondale Corp."

"Isn't the Herondale Corp suing the Morgenstern group for antitrust violations?"

"Yes, Alec. That's why I called both of you in." Jia leaned back in her chair. "Imogen Herondale is dissatisfied with the former representation of her company. She has taken us on temporarily as her legal counsel to help try this case. If we're successful, she'll retain us as the company's full-time lawyers."

"You want us to compete for the right to handle this case," Magnus stated.

Competition was nothing new between the two of them; they competed all the time. Who completed the most billable hours. Who could score the most wins at trial. Who could resolve the most cases without going to court. They even went so far as to judge who gave better end-of-the-year bonuses to their staff. Everything was a battle that needed to be won.

It hadn't always been this way.

Once, they had been friends. Best friends. But James, Penhallow, & Clark had only one junior partner position open at a time when they were fighting to make names for themselves. The competitive nature of their profession quickly strained their relationship, turning camaraderie into rivalry. The pressure to excel transformed their once supportive partnership into a contentious tug-of-war, each striving not just for professional recognition but also for validation of their worth. Days filled with petty arguments and nights filled with bitter silences soon spelled the end to years of friendship.

They have been enemies ever since, even after they both earned their places in the firm.

"Not a competition but a collaboration."

"I don't think that will be possible. Mr. Lightwood and I have two vastly different legal styles."

"I know there's been some history between you, but I hope you'll be professional."

"Mr. Bane is correct," Alec pressed, his anxiety growing. This was a horrible idea. "We haven't worked together since law school. Our past makes this collaboration a conflict of interest."

"Regardless of the circumstances, this is the task that lies ahead of you." Jia drummed her fingers on the edge of the desk. "It's simple, gentlemen. Do well, and I'll make you senior partners."

"The board…"

"The board has already agreed," she said easily.

"I still feel it would be more effective if I took on this case alone."

"Let me be frank. We created a second junior partner position in this firm to keep the two of you from becoming our competition. You're both the most talented lawyers from your graduating class." Jia leaned forward, resting her folded hands on the desk. "But your hatred of each other has prevented us from using you effectively."

Before either of them could respond, Jia held up her hand, stopping them in their tracks. "Our client will receive the two of you because I promised her our best legal minds. So I need you both to get a tighter rein on your horses and suck up whatever animosity you have for each other for the duration of this case. Am I making myself perfectly clear?"

"Yes, Jia."

"Crystal," Magnus said, the word forming as if he tasted something sour.

"You both will be lead counsel. Assemble your team and familiarize yourself with this case. I want a preliminary report on your strategies by the beginning of next week."

Jia then proceeded to pick up her tablet and begin reading, clearly dismissing them. Alec stood, almost too shocked to move, before turning to leave her office.

"Oh, and boys?" Alec and Magnus stopped at the door, nearly colliding. They glared at one another before turning back to their boss. "Try not to kill each other until after the trial."

Alec and Magnus walked in silence, lost in their own thoughts. No matter how Alec reframed the situation in his mind, handling this case without Magnus's cooperation was impossible. He wanted the position of senior partner. He knew that Magnus wanted it too. They needed to work together.

However, the prospect of resolving this matter amicably vanished the instant Magnus spoke. They couldn't even make the short walk to the elevators without arguing.

"I'll handle voir dire. You can do closing."

Alec couldn't help his temper flare. "Just like that, huh?"

"What is your problem, Lightwood? You always preferred closing arguments."

Alec found himself more shocked that he remembered than upset that Magnus was commandeering the case already. "That was back in law school."

"Fine then. You handle witness testimony, and I'll do the closing."

"You can't just make decisions like this on your own, Magnus. This is my case, too." Alec rubbed a hand tiredly over his face. "This is never going to work."

"So you're giving up then?"

"Like hell." He wouldn't let anything come in the way of his promotion, not even the likes of Magnus Bane.

"That's what I thought." Magnus jabbed the button to the elevator. "Gather the people you want on the team, and we'll meet in the conference room at noon. At least, if that's okay with you, counselor."

Alec hated his mocking tone, and his expensive shoes, and his goddamn fancy hair. "That's fine," he said, his teeth clenched.

"Fine."

Alec was so consumed by anger that he didn't even realize he hadn't stepped on the elevator until the doors closed on Magnus's knowing smirk. Rolling his eyes, Alec made his way to the stairs, needing the exertion to shake off the ridiculous situation he found himself in.

The climb helped him calm the anger festering inside and clear his thoughts. He returned to his office with three realizations: this was a pivotal moment, Magnus played a crucial role in its success, and the only way to turn this moment into reality was to dedicate himself to the task at hand.

Like so many aspects in his life, Alec knew he was going to have to suck it up and endure.

>>> Remember to fix your hair before going out!

Alec couldn't help but smile at his sister's text.

His life may implode any minute now, but at least he had a date tonight.

Chapter Text

This was the last time he ever let Izzy fix him up.

Hot David was forty-five minutes late and gave no sign of showing. There was no call to tell him that he was running behind or text to say he hit traffic. Nothing. It was an unglamorous end to one hell of a day.

Frustration bubbled within him; he had made the effort tonight, and now he felt like a fool waiting for someone who clearly didn’t value his time. Alec glanced at his watch again, biting back the urge to leave. As he shifted in his seat, he pondered whether he should just cut his losses and head home, where at least he could control his own evening.

Alec was just about to call it when Magnus Bane, the other half of his current ire, made his way through the restaurant with the grace of a dancer, artfully dodging waiters with full trays full of drinks and food. To his horror, he realized his co-counsel was making a beeline for his table.

"What the hell are you doing?" Alec watched incredulously as Magnus slid into the seat across from him, settling in as if he were welcome. "I'm meeting―"

"Act casual, Alec." The smile on Magnus's face didn't quite reach his eyes. "Booger Brent is here, sitting in the corner about three tables over."

It took everything in Alec not to glance in that direction; his body was suddenly on high alert.

Brent Latimer had been a mistake back in law school. Magnus had warned him not to do it, but Alec had been too distracted by his smile to heed the warning. What should have been a one-night stand had ended up being a three-month relationship from hell.

"I overheard him blabbing on his phone at the bar about coming over here. I figured if I'm sitting at your table, you wouldn't have to exchange niceties since he's always hated me. Sorry about the date, by the way. It sucks to be stood up."

"I didn't get stood up." He absolutely had, but he wasn't about to admit that aloud.

"Sure," Magnus said, not looking convinced at all. He picked up the menu and began scanning through the appetizers. "I'm just going to sit here until your date arrives or Brent leaves."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you helping me? We've been at each other's throats all day. Hell, for the past few years."

Magnus lowered the menu for a moment, his expression surprisingly serious. "No one deserves this."

Alec was unsure of how to respond to that statement. He found himself at a loss for words, grappling with the unexpected depth of Magnus's concern. After a brief pause, he finally managed to say, "I appreciate it, really, but I don’t want to impose."

Magnus shrugged slightly, a hint of a smile returning to his lips. "Sometimes, helping someone is just the right thing to do. Besides, I'm never going to let Brent get the satisfaction of winning."

Unbidden, Alec remembered his ex-boyfriend's smug face on a particularly balmy summer evening. "It was only one game night, Magnus."

Magnus closed the menu with an audible snap. "He cheated, Alec! He cheats at everything—on game night, on his exams, on you."

Alec grimaced. "Thanks for that."

"I'm just saying that he doesn't get to catch you at a vulnerable moment to make himself feel better. He has never been worthy of your time."

It hit him then—a wave of nostalgia about how they used to be. It was a time filled with laughter and shared dreams, moments that felt effortless and true. Now, he couldn't help but wonder if they could recapture that same magic, if only for an evening.

Still, a part of Alec wanted to tell Magnus no thanks, get up, and go home, drowning his misery in the safety of his own apartment. But another part of him, a part that he thought had long atrophied and died, wanted to see what an evening with this version of Magnus would be like. It was a tempting prospect. He hesitated, weighing his options, but the curiosity began to outshine his fears.

"One drink," Alec said as he pretended to scan the specials on his own menu. "And you have to order something to make this look legit."

Magnus smirked, clearly pleased that his plan had worked. "Of course, counselor."

One glass of wine…

Alec watched in amusement as Magnus carefully picked the tomatoes from his salad and discreetly placed them to the side. Some things never changed. At least he wasn't secreting them away in a napkin like he used to.

"Here," Alec said, holding his hand out expectantly for the plate. "I'll take the tomatoes."

Magnus handed him his plate without a word. Alec carefully slid the tomatoes off from the side of the plate onto his own. Before handing it back, he selected the cucumbers from his own salad and set them on the other's.

"You remembered." If he didn't know better, he could have sworn Magnus was blushing.

"Muscle memory." Alec couldn't help but grin. They had done this exchange countless times before. "Besides, it's kind of difficult to forget. Your love of pizza but hatred of tomatoes is something I'll never understand."

"Pizza sauce and tomatoes are totally different things."

"They're the same, Magnus. They're literally the same."

"Not if they're on pizza."

"By your reasoning, ketchup should be acceptable."

Magnus placed a hand on his chest in mock outrage. "That's blasphemy, Alec. Take it back."

"If you say that I won this argument, then I will."

"Let's not be hasty."

Led to two…

"Booger Brent is one of your worst exes."

Alec sighed, running his fingers through his already messy hair. "He really is. Although he isn't as evil as Alan."

"Ah, yes." Magnus delicately swirled his wine around in his glass, the picture of decadence. "Ass-wipe Alan."

Alec gave him a long look. "Did you nickname them all?"

"Of course I did. Had to keep track of them somehow."

"You act like your choices in romantic partners have been somehow better than mine."

Magnus took a sip of his wine. "Because they are, darling."

"Need I remind you about George? Imasu?" Alec inquired, crossing off the names with his fingers. "Camille?"

Magnus glowered at Alec over his wineglass. "Low blow, Alec. Low blow."

Out of the corner of his eye, Alec saw Brent throw cash on the bar and head toward the exit. He should say something to Magnus, he knew. But as the waiter delivered their entrées, Alec decided that a few more minutes in the other man's company couldn't hurt.

It'd be an awful waste of a good meal.

Led to a third…

Alec felt a pleasant buzz spreading through him that made the restaurant lights glow. He glanced around, taking in the soft hum of conversations and the laughter echoing from nearby tables.

For a night he was determined to endure, Alec found himself surprisingly enjoying himself. Perhaps it was the rich-tasting wine or the delicious food, but he harbored a secret suspicion that it was the company.

"Still have a sweet tooth?" Magnus quipped, raising an eyebrow as he gestured towards the dessert menu.

While the conversation had flowed smoothly, Alec's common sense reared its ugly head, advising him to end the night before their comfortable atmosphere collapsed under the weight of their typical natures. Miraculously, they'd gone without fighting for a couple of hours, but he knew it was only a matter of time.

He hesitated, glancing at the menu as if it held the answers to the questions swirling in his mind. "A little," he replied, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty, aware that one wrong word could reignite their usual banter into something more volatile.

"It's alright, Alec. I know we're pushing the limits of each other's company." Magnus ran his finger along the edge of his near-empty wine glass, his gaze somewhere far away. "Tonight surprised me. I've enjoyed myself."

Alec felt a warmth spread through his chest at Magnus's words, but the weight of their unspoken tension hung heavy in the air. "Me too," he admitted, hesitating as he searched for the right words. "I didn't expect to feel this... companionable."

"Just like old times."

His stomach clenched, the cold rapidly replacing the buzz underneath his skin from the wine. Alec forced a smile, trying to push aside the bittersweet memories that flooded his mind. "Yeah, just like old times," he echoed.

Before either of them could further ruin the moment, their waiter stopped by the table, clearing the empty dishes.

"Sirs, tonight we're offering the Canelés de Bordeaux as our signature dessert. Can I offer either of you a taste?"

"Sure, we'll take two," Alec said.

Magnus looked over at him in surprise. In truth, Alec was surprised himself, but he refused to examine it too closely. As the waiter walked away to fetch their desserts, Alec caught Magnus's curious gaze, and an unspoken understanding passed between them.

Tonight, they would continue to enjoy each other's company until one of them called it quits.

The competition was no different from any other they had had before.

"How long do you think it'll take before Mrs. James finds out about Bernard's mistress?"

"Oh, Alec. Like there's anyway that woman doesn't already know."

And just like that, they were back to the effortless flow of conversation, the warmth returning.

Chapter Text

"Sirs," the waiter gently pressed as he stopped in front of their table. "I don't mean to interrupt, but the restaurant will be closing in fifteen minutes."

Surprised, Alec glanced around the restaurant only to find that it was mostly empty except for the staff who had begun to clean up the tables. Looking down at his watch, he realized it was fast approaching midnight.

"We apologize," Magnus said smoothly, quickly covering his own shock as he reached for the check. "Time got away from us."

Alec grabbed the other end before Magnus could completely take it. He tugged at the black check presenter, but Magnus held fast.

"I'll cover dinner, Alec. Never fear."

"Nonsense. You've done me a favor; it's the least I can do."

Magnus gripped the presenter tighter. "Please, it's my treat. You've had a rough evening."

"I insist." Alec refused to let go, calling on every stubborn gene in his body to keep it from Magnus's hold. "You helped me out tonight. Besides, these kind people would like to close up before the end of the year."

Magnus clearly disapproved of the use of that particular argument, but he quickly let it go.

Alec attempted to suppress a smirk, but his efforts were unsuccessful as Magnus's expression became increasingly dour. He knew there would be retribution in his future.

"Thank you, Alexander," Magnus said through gritted teeth.

Alec's stomach flipped. It had been years since he'd heard Magnus call him by his full name. After their falling out, it had been either "Alec" or "Lightwood". The sound of his name sent the same pleasant shock through his system now as it did all those years ago. It didn't matter that it was said in derision.

They made their way out of the restaurant, thanking the staff as they left. The moment the chill of the cold air hit Alec's face, he was forcibly reminded of all that had transpired that evening. The laughter and camaraderie faded, replaced by a heavy silence. Alec took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weight of the past, but the memories lingered, just as vividly as the warmth of the restaurant had.

"Walk with me?" Magnus's voice was soft, almost a whisper.

Alec didn't know what to say to the surprising offer. Although he had a few days off from the office over the weekend, he had planned to intensify his trial preparations to complete his report to Jia before the deadline. But the fatigue he felt hours before had drifted away with dinner, and any thought of working threatened to bring it back.

For once, he didn't want to give in to the reasonable choice.

Alec felt more connected to Magnus than he had in years, possibly due to the wine still coursing through his veins or the festive atmosphere that enveloped them. It didn't matter to him why; he wanted to keep it, to savor this time with Magnus just a little bit longer.

"Alright."

The streets of Manhattan were humming with activity, despite it being a wintry Friday night. Alec and Magnus dodged drunk partygoers and couples walking hand in hand as they made their way to other destinations. As the crowd dwindled, they slowed their pace, allowing them to walk shoulder to shoulder.

"What happened to us, Magnus?"

The moment the question slipped out of his mouth, Alec wanted to take it back. He thought that Magnus would hedge the question, not wanting to spoil the mood. But as he looked over, all he saw was Magnus standing still, his body rigid and his expression mournful. Something eased inside of Alec even as he prepared himself for the answer. Maybe he wasn't the only one who missed what they used to be for each other.

Magnus released a slow, measured breath and finally met Alec's gaze, the sorrow in his eyes unmistakable. "Do you want the truthful answer or the easy one?"

Alec swallowed hard. "The truth."

Magnus looked up, staring at the falling snow against the skyline of New York. He was beautiful like this, the tiny snowflakes catching on his eyelashes, the backdrop of the city lights making him shine. "There was a point, back when we were first-years at the firm, when I realized I was falling in love with you."

Alec's breath caught, but Magnus continued on without noticing, his eyes still focused upwards. "It terrified me. You were my best friend since college, and I didn't want to ruin it all by catching feelings. So, I tried to continue on as if everything was normal. But the harder I tried, the worse it got. You were just so…

"Neurotic? Brooding?"

Magnus turned back to him then, his golden-brown eyes staring at him intensely. "…wonderful."

"I couldn't help it," he added softly, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his voice. "You made everything else seem dull in comparison."

The admission hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken emotions. Alec wanted to reach out and brush the snow off Magnus's cheeks. Years ago, he could have. Now, the chasm between them seemed too wide to cross. He clenched his hands to ward off temptation before he forcibly shoved them into the pockets of his overcoat.

"When the position of junior partner opened up at the firm, I thought we would be fine. It was nothing we couldn't handle. But then things changed."

It would be easy to lay the blame solely at Magnus's feet. But that would be a lie, and Alec had stopped lying to himself long ago.

That year hadn't been good to him. He had come out to his parents and gotten their frigid coldness in return. They didn't disown him outright, as it would have appeared too chaotic to their elite circle, but it was a damn close call. Over the subsequent years, with scar tissue slowly building to cover that wound, Alec sometimes wished they had.

Alec had wanted to prove to himself that he was worthy of the Lightwood name by earning that junior partner position at James, Penhollow & Clark. The thought of it consumed him, becoming his entire focus. After making that fateful decision, everything unraveled. He had neglected his siblings, his health, and, most noticeably, Magnus.

"Distance seemed like the only way to salvage anything," Alec replied, more to himself than to Magnus.

Magnus nodded, a self-deprecating smile on his lips. "I distanced myself from you. The fact that you were also pushing me away made it easier. I rationalized it as being temporary and thought we'd be back to normal once the firm's competition was over. But by the time we finished, it was too late. We had damaged each other too deeply. There wasn't anything left to salvage."

Alec wasn't proud of his behavior back then.

The pressure at the firm had been intense, making law school feel like a cakewalk. Long hours, tedious grunt work, and dealing with his family life imploding had shredded every scrap of Alec's patience, made all the more difficult when the one person he wanted to lean on was his biggest source of competition. The more they battled for the coveted spot of junior partner, the more they pushed each other's buttons, exploiting weak spots to get ahead. The fights that followed were blowouts, leaving raw nerves and irrevocable damage to their relationship.

As tensions escalated, Alec found himself questioning whether the partnership was worth the emotional toll it was taking. Each confrontation felt less about the job and more like a personal vendetta, further complicating an already fragile friendship dynamic. "I had hoped that it'd all settle down, and we'd go back to the way it used to be."

"We were fucking idiots."

That startled a laugh out of Alec, the sound bittersweet to his ears. "Yeah, we were."

The words did not magically fix them. Too much had happened for either of them to go back to the way they once were. But Alec felt lighter for his confession. A brief sense of relief washed over him, as though acknowledging their mistakes had lifted a burden from his shoulders. Still, the lingering tension in the air reminded him that healing would take time, and the journey back to normalcy was far from over if he chose to pursue it.

They stood there for a moment, lost in each other's gaze, before Alec realized that Magnus was shivering. Without a word, he unwound the scarf around his neck and draped it around Magnus.

"I can't take this," Magnus said, holding onto the scarf.

"You're not taking it. I'm offering it."

"What will you wear?"

"I'll be fine." Magnus gave him a look that indicated he didn't believe a single word he said. "I'm not the one shivering due to my fashion choices. Just take the damn scarf."

"Art demands sacrifices."

"Because frostbite is so chic."

Magnus laughed as he deftly wrapped the black scarf around his neck, hiding half his face. There was no other word to describe him other than adorable. "Thank you, Alec."

"Alexander." Alec felt his ears burn at the admission. He could only hope he could blame the reddening of his ears on the weather. "I like it when you call me Alexander."

"I always thought you just tolerated it."

"You were the only one who could say it without reminding me of my parents' scolding me."

Magnus smiled, lighting up the night. "Alright. Thank you, Alexander."

They walked for a while longer, enjoying each other's company, until the snow decided to put an end to their evening together. As the flakes began to fall more heavily, Alexander pulled his overcoat tighter around his body. "I guess we should head back before we get buried in snow," he suggested, glancing at Magnus. "Still in Brooklyn?"

"As if I'd ever leave."

"I'll take you home."

Magnus scoffed. "I'm a big boy, Alexander. I can make it home all by myself."

"Humor me." Don't end this yet, he thought.

Magnus' expression turned indiscernible. "Fine, darling. If you insist."

Flagging down a taxi was surprisingly easy especially given the weather. Manhattan flashed by as they made their way through the city before beginning to cross over the Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn. As the skyline of the city receded in the distance, Alec glanced at Magnus, who was quietly observing the passing lights with a soft smile.

"You know," Alec said, breaking the comfortable silence, "I absolutely won tonight."

"There is no 'absolutely' about it. The snow ended things, making it a draw. No one won."

"Says the person who lost."

"If that's the reason you're taking me home, feel free to get out of the taxi now."

"We're still crossing the bridge!"

Magnus shrugged, a smile threatening to spread across his face. "I'd lend you my scarf for the walk back, but it's quite comfortable."

Alec chuckled. "I bet it is."

All too soon they were pulling up outside of Magnus's building. Before Alec could stop him, Magnus paid the cabby for the ride and his return trip home. It was alright, Alec reminded himself. He'd get his revenge some other time.

Alec stepped out of the taxi behind Magnus to watch him inside safely. Before climbing the building’s entrance steps, Magnus began to unravel the scarf, but Alec placed his hand over his to stop him from completely removing it. Magnus suddenly stilled beneath Alec’s touch, glancing at him with a question in his eyes. Saying nothing, he allowed himself a moment to enjoy the warmth of Magnus's skin before winding the scarf back around the other man's neck.

"Keep it. It looks better on you anyway."

Uncertainty lingered in Magnus's eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"I feel like a broken record, but thank you, Alexander." Magnus opened his mouth to say something else but must have thought better of it, shaking his head slightly before giving Alec a crooked smile. "Have a good night."

Alec nodded. "G'night, Magnus."

"Goodnight, Alexander."

Just as Magnus was about to step through the doors into the lobby of his building, Alec called out. "Hey, Magnus."

Magnus paused with his hand on the door and turned to face him. His expression was still hesitantly open. "Yes?"

"I was falling in love with you, too. I just thought—I thought you should know."

A moment of silence stretched between them, filled with an unspoken weight that seemed to hang in the air. Even from a distance, Alec could see the thousands of emotions crossing over Magnus's face, his hand tightening on the door handle. Finally, Magnus seemed to settle on a soft, rueful smile. "Thank you for telling me, Alexander."

Alec nodded, pulling his coat collar up against the sudden chill that invaded his body. He watched in the cold as Magnus disappeared inside, a faint outline through the frosted glass doors.

"You alright there, buddy?"

Sighing, Alec ducked into the taxi, rattling off his address back in Manhattan.

The cabby turned up the heat, blasting stale, dry air throughout the car. Alec rubbed his hands together to warm them quicker, his thoughts back on the curbside.

Of all the ways he planned for tonight to go, spending the evening talking with Magnus Bane hadn't been one of them.

It had been so simple to slip into their old patterns, like slotting puzzle pieces back into their rightful places. Maybe they'd return to sniping at each other the moment they set foot into the office on Monday, tonight becoming nothing but a distant memory. It was the easy answer, as Magnus had said, to sink back into their rivalry.

But Alec didn't want that. In all honesty, he had missed Magnus.

Tonight, the muted ache he felt at losing Magnus ignited into a longing that left him breathless. Maybe it was foolish to hope that they could start their friendship again. Still, a part of Alec clung to the idea that tonight had sparked something new, a glimpse of what their relationship could become if they chose to embrace it. He could almost envision the warmth of Magnus's smile and the easy humor they used to share, a comforting reminder of their bond.

As he contemplated the possibilities, Alec felt a surge of courage; perhaps tonight was the first step toward mending what had been broken.

Maybe—just maybe—there was something to salvage after all.

Chapter Text

Alec was feeling somewhat hopeful when he stepped into the office Monday morning. He and Magnus had exchanged a few texts over the weekend. They hadn't discussed much, just sharing brief details about their days and Magnus sending pictures of his cats.

It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Coffee was already waiting on his desk, although Greta wasn't in sight. Alec shrugged. He was in too positive of a mood to worry about it. He took a sip of the steaming brew, feeling the warmth spread through him. As he settled into his chair, he couldn't shake the feeling that this week held the promise of something new.

After settling down at his desk, Alec began to pick through his mail when he caught sight of Magnus's portion of their strategies report to Jia. The marked "sent" on this copy piqued his curiosity even more. They had both decided to meet this morning to ensure they were in agreement. Why had Magnus already sent the report over before they had a chance to talk?

Whatever good mood he had been in vanished as he read the first few pages of the strategies report. The sour taste of betrayal lingered in his mouth. If Magnus believed he would allow this to happen, he had another thing coming.

Alec stormed out of his office, making a beeline to Magnus's, walking past Greta, who was trying to get his attention. Bypassing his assistant completely, he opened the door to find Magnus just settling in.

The case was high-stakes, and Alec couldn't afford to let their history overshadow their professional obligations. He would be measured. He would be calm and in control. He would—

"Have you lost your mind?!"

"Good morning to you too, Alec." Magnus sat behind his desk, laying files in stacks beside his computer.

"I know that you like to play fast and loose with certain aspects of the law, but this is outrageous."

"What are you talking about?"

"The strategies laid out in this proposal are so egregious, they border on illegal. What were you thinking? I can't—no, I won't have my name attached to something like that."

Magnus grabbed the file Alec was waving around and quickly read through the notes. As if he didn't know what it already said, Alec thought bitterly.

"This is the argument for the Pendersen and Castillo trial." Magnus held the file up so Alec could take it. "It's not even my case."

"That doesn't mean you can charge in and— Wait. What?"

"My intern gave you the wrong file." Magnus sighed as he tossed the file into the corner of his desk when Alec made no move to take it. "It's likely that she recalls the previous instance in which we switched cases. You buried my office under an avalanche of paperwork. She was not amused. She doesn't understand how meticulous you can be with details. Or, apparently, that we're working the Herondale Corp case together."

It felt as if the string holding him up snapped as the anger rushed out of him. Alec fumbled with his words, not sure of what to say. "I'm sorry, Magnus. I overreacted." He glanced down at the offending file and noticed Lorenzo's name on it for the first time. "I thought we had come to an understanding the other night, but when I saw the case file—

"You thought I was taking advantage of the situation to step out ahead."

"Magnus, I—"

Magnus held up a hand. "It's alright, Alexander. It's not like I didn't also come into this with my own misgivings getting in the way."

"Still, I shouldn't have assumed."

Magnus sat back in his chair, looking up at Alec with a guarded expression. "Listen. We're going to fumble this a time or two. We haven't worked together in a long time, and our reputation for animosity toward one another isn't going to disappear overnight. All I can promise you is that I'm going to do my best to make this work between us."

"Me too. I promise not to freak out again."

"I don't know about that. I think you're going to freak out soon enough."

"What makes you say that?"

"That case is still ongoing, and they're stuck in the discovery phase." Magnus turned back to his computer, a smile threatening to break out across his face. "I'll buy you breakfast for a month if you record yourself ripping into Lorenzo for his sloppy work."

How did Magnus still know him so well?

"Not a chance," Alec replied as he pivoted and left.

Magnus's laughter followed him all the way back to his office. Alec felt his stomach do strange little somersaults at the sound. It's just relief, he told himself. Nothing more.

Working together as joint lead counsel for their upcoming case felt weird.

Alec knows that he and Magnus have a reputation around the firm as being enemies. They have a tendency to avoid each other like the plague, if possible. Often argued at the drop of a hat when they couldn't. Still, he was sure that his own reputation afforded him some sense of stability. Stability, however, could easily unravel under the pressure of this high-profile trial. As he glanced over at Magnus, who was engrossed in his notes, he couldn't shake the feeling that their uneasy alliance might either forge a newfound respect or create an even fiercer rivalry.

Sharing an office for the duration of the trial had seemed like a beneficial arrangement to demonstrate their commitment. So they had come up with a plan to alternate working in each other's offices, showing their team and their coworkers that they could collaborate without bloodshed. The first attempt at this unconventional partnership was met with mixed reactions, as colleagues whispered behind closed doors, unsure of what to expect.

One of the junior associates assigned from his staff had slipped a piece of paper into his daily breakdown with a note that said, "Blink twice if you've been brainwashed."

The logic was flawed, but the sentiment appreciated.

As the days progressed, however, it became clear that their initial fears were unwarranted; the two of them began to find common ground, turning their competitive nature into a source of mutual motivation. They settled into a routine, and that routine felt good. Better than good. It felt amazing. Being in Magnus's presence soothed the frayed edges of his inner chaos. It always had.

Magnus set a new cup of coffee in front of Alec, and he thanked him with a brief nod before going back to the current set of motions the Morgenstern attorneys were trying to pass off to the judge. Most of it was nonsense, but Alec didn't want to be caught off guard if somewhere buried under pages of frivolous claims was something that could be used against them.

"The new theory among the interns is that we're possessed," Magnus said as he took a seat on Alec's leather couch. Magnus had made the glass coffee table and seating area his domain.

"I thought it was brainwashing."

"That was three weeks ago. You're behind on the times, Alexander. Keep up."

Alec raised an eyebrow. "Possessed, huh? So, should I be worried about any exorcisms during the next team meeting?"

Magnus chuckled, leaning back and crossing his arms as he scanned the various legal documents scattered around the room. "Probably."

"We're not that bad." Magnus gave him a look. "Okay, maybe a little."

"The accounting department has a hidden calendar that tracks the days since our last fight."

Alec rolled his eyes. "Let me guess. Simon?"

"But, of course, darling."

At that one little word, Alec felt a flutter in his stomach again. He couldn't help but appreciate the warmth in Magnus's tone, a mix of affection and playful sarcasm. "He probably has a countdown going," Alec replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Which is why we can't fight for another three days," Magnus paused, glancing down at his watch. "And five hours."

"What?" Gauging the expression on Magnus's face, he had done something mischievous. "Please don't tell me you got in on the bet about us fighting."

"Not me, exactly. Elias is my proxy."

Alec couldn't decide whether to burst into laughter or slam his head against his desk. He settled for running a tired hand down his face. "What am I going to do with you?"

"I could think of a few things," Magnus said with a wink.

Alec could feel the rise of a blush coloring his face. Hurriedly, he went back to reading, hoping that Magnus didn't notice. He knew better than to take it personally. Magnus was a natural flirt; it was part of his charm. However, Alec couldn't help but feel slightly giddy due to the recent flirtatious comments.

It made him do something dangerous. It made him hope.

Chapter Text

The feelings that Alec has for Magnus seem to grow with each new day, no matter how hard he tries to shove them down. Alec attempted to reason with himself. He told himself that their friendship was enough, that complicating things with romance could ruin what they had built together. Yet, every stolen glance and lingering touch only deepened his longing, making it increasingly difficult to ignore the truth of his heart.

So he did the only sensible thing he could think of. He called Isabelle.

Unfortunately, a triple homicide had her neck deep in things Alec would rather not think about.

Without his sister's wise counsel, Alec had few options. Max was too young to understand his dating life. Maia, his one friend outside of work, was on a boat in the middle of the ocean. And Andrew, while not an attorney for James, Penhollow, & Clark, still worked close enough within the vicinity of Magnus to make things uncomfortable. Which left him with only one option: his brother, Jace.

"I've been waiting for this moment my entire life," Jace said as bits of taco fell out of his mouth. Alec leaned back to get out of the spray zone.

"Giving me dating advice?"

"Well, yeah. You always go to Izzy when clearly I'm the better choice."

"Your track record says otherwise."

Jace waved that away. "Think of my extensive experience in relationships as help for your dating problems."

"You're hiring baristas again, aren't you?"

Jace's eyes briefly glazed over. "I'm drowning in applications."

"The holiday crush must be brutal."

"Tell me about it," Jace muttered before coming to his senses. He wadded up his taco wrapper and threw it at Alec. "Don't change the subject. I know your games."

Alec didn't know where to start. "I think I'm in love with Magnus Bane again," he said in a rush. "Or still. Honestly, I'm not sure if I ever stopped."

"Tell me something I don't know."

Alec threw the discarded wrapper back at his brother. "That's helpful, Jace. Truly."

"So what's the problem? From the group chat, I've gathered that things have been pretty good between you guys lately. Why not just ask him out?"

"They have been good. Better than good." Alec sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I like being by his side again. We're finally working together like I always hoped we would. I don't want to ruin it by bringing up my feelings."

"You're overthinking this."

Alec laughed, sarcasm dripping from every note. "No kidding."

"It's simple, Alec. What do you want with Magnus?"

"I want to explore what we could be, to see if there's still something worth fighting for," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "No, I know it's worth fighting for. I'm just uncertain if he is willing to give it a shot."

"The Magnus I knew back then would have stolen the moon for you if you asked. Something tells me that hasn't changed."

"It's not the same. We haven't been like that in a long time."

"But you could be that again if you'd stop running scared and ask him out." Jace nudged him slightly. "The worst thing that can happen is that you remain friends. I'm sure your coworkers would thank you."

"Probably," Alec laughed, thinking of the haggard interns. He sobered quickly. "What if I ruin everything?"

Jace shrugged, biting into another taco. "What if you got everything you've ever wanted?"

His brother's words resonated deeply within him. "This is going to blow up in my face."

"If he means something to you, a little pain is worth it."

"He's means everything."

"Then, I think my job here is done." Jace beamed, a piece of shredded lettuce stuck to his chin. He clapped Alec on the shoulder, the picture of pride. "Go get your man."

Alec promptly went back to the office, ready to put his plan into action, when he realized Magnus wasn't there. He deflated a little until he remembered it was an odd day, which meant that they were convening in Magnus's office to go over logistics. Closing arguments were fast approaching, so they needed to be at the top of their game. Alec rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the tension invading his body, before gathering his things and his courage and making his way over to Magnus's office.

Magnus greeted Alec with a smile that rivaled the sun.

"Sorry, I'm late," Alec said as he made his way over to his dedicated corner, his heart pounding in his chest. "Lunch ran a bit longer than I anticipated."

"No need to worry, Alexander. I just got in myself."

Alec felt a wave of relief wash over him as he settled into his chair. The warmth in Magnus's voice eased his nerves, and he couldn't help but return the smile, though the flutter in his stomach remained.

They worked together in companionable silence, dotted occasionally with questions or clarifications. The hours slowly faded into one another, the steady sound of typing filling the office. As Alec pulled himself from reading as the lines were beginning to blur together, his eyes naturally fell to Magnus. Gazing at Magnus now, his full concentration dedicated to the task at hand, did something to Alec. He wanted Magnus's attention on him; he wanted to be pinned underneath his intense gaze. He wanted, and wanted, and wanted.

Screw it. A little pain was worth it.

"Let's have dinner."

Magnus hummed an affirmative note. He didn't look away from his computer screen, steadily typing at the keyboard as he went over the notes on their closing arguments. Without breaking eye contact with the screen, he rolled over slightly to his desk drawers, pulling out a stack of takeout menus.

"You pick tonight," he said distractedly, immediately going back to typing.

His heart in his throat, Alec almost lost his nerve, doubts clouding his resolve. But as Magnus bit his lip in concentration, an old habit formed back in college to keep himself from cursing in the library, Alec couldn't help but feel endeared.

He craved this man with a desperation that frightened him.

"No, Magnus. I mean, let's go out to dinner." Alec braced himself. "Like a date."

Magnus stopped typing, slowly turning to stare at Alec. "Alexander?"

Stomach tied in knots, Alec reached across the desk and gently grasped Magnus's hand. "Let's go to one of those diners like we used to. One of the ones with the cracked vinyl seats and questionable kitchen safety. We can ignore work and just talk. Get to know each other again."

Alec briefly tightened his hold, emotion clouding his words. "I know we can't go back, no matter how much we want to. We're different people now. But I think—I think we could have something better this time.

"I'm terrified of losing you again. But I'm even more terrified of not knowing if we could be more if we tried."

Magnus stared at him, searching his face for something. He opened his mouth to answer when there was a knock on the door. Alec was able to snatch his hand away just as Magnus's assistant, Elias, stepped into the office.

"Sorry to interrupt," Elias said, glancing between the two of them with raised eyebrows. Alec felt a rush of disappointment, but he quickly masked it with a slight frown, hoping to convey a sense of normalcy despite the sudden tension.

"Is it urgent?" Magnus asked, his tone shifting to one of professional concern. Elias nodded, the gravity of the situation becoming apparent as he walked into the office and closed the door behind him.

Alec's heart sank further; he had been hoping for a moment alone with Magnus to discuss their feelings, but it seemed the universe had other plans.

"It seems there's been a development in the case. One of our main witnesses, Allison Wright, might recant her testimony. The investigators think the Morgensterns have gotten to her."

Alec cursed. "Closing arguments are tomorrow. I thought we put in safeguards to prevent witness tampering."

"We did. Extensive ones." Magnus pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "But it looks like they were able to work around our precautions."

"We need to talk with her."

Magnus nodded, turning to his assistant with orders. "Get on the phone with her lawyer. She's going to try and dodge your call, but keep at it until you get someone on the phone. Come get me once you've gotten through."

Elias nodded, heading toward the door with his orders.

"And Elias, keep this quiet. I don't want to panic anyone until we get the full scope of what's happening. The last thing we need is Jia breathing down our necks."

"Of course."

The door closed with a click of finality. Too many things were happening at once, and none of them was something Alec wanted to concentrate on. The weight of uncertainty pressed down on him, and he knew that the hours ahead would be crucial for understanding the tangled mess they were now embroiled in. What he wouldn't give to go back five minutes to when he was holding Magnus's hand.

"Alexander, about what you said earlier…"

"We'll talk about it later," Alec said, more sternly than he intended. He took a deep breath before glancing over at Magnus with what he hoped was a softer expression. "We need to handle this now. The case has to come first."

For a moment, Magnus turned away, his body tense, as if preparing himself to be toppled at any moment. When he turned back to Alec, his facade was clearly in place, the warmth gone from his eyes. "Of course you're right. Let me pull up the transcripts of her testimony and see what we have to deal with."

Alec opened his mouth to say something, anything, but promptly shut it when the words wouldn't come.

The two of them got to work, the intimate moment between them thoroughly ruined. Both were aware that something had shifted irrevocably between them. The silence echoed throughout the office, deepening with every page they turned, and Alec couldn't shake the feeling that the closeness they'd shared was now just a faint memory.

Chapter Text

Alec panicked.

He couldn't help it. Elias's interruption and the subsequent fiasco with their witness had given him ample time to think. And think. And think some more. Had it not been for the trial, he would have completely lost his common sense and quit his job just to avoid the humiliation of seeing Magnus again. As it was, he accidentally ran an extra five miles on his morning run, completely lost in the sensation of burning muscles and spiraling thoughts.

Alec thought he was playing it cool, though. The interns suspected only mild discordance and had mercifully stopped discreetly sprinkling holy water on him as he passed by.

But he knew that pretending everything was fine and running every time he got a glimpse of Magnus was only going to get him so far. Something had to give.

On a relatively quiet Tuesday, three days before the expected announcement of a verdict, everything came tumbling down.

Alec was going over briefing notes with Greta, preparing for his next solo case, when a persistent knock sounded at the door. He felt his gut fall into a tailspin. He knew that knock well. Too stunned to move from behind his desk, Greta answered the door for him.

In the doorway stood Magnus, dressed in a tailored suit of exquisite deep blue, holding himself as if armed for battle, a look of pure determination on his face. His eyes, however, were not trained on Alec but on Greta.

"I will personally give you $1000 if you leave right now and guard this door with your life for the next twenty minutes." To show he wasn't joking, Alec watched as Magnus pulled a check from his jacket pocket with a flourish and held it out to Greta.

Greta glanced between Alec and Magnus before walking out the door, completely bypassing the check. She whispered, "This is for your own good, Alec," before closing it. Her expression had been remorseful, but all Alec could see was betrayal. She had left him alone with the one person he was trying to avoid. He didn't want to do this now. Or ever.

Ignoring propriety, Magnus rounded the desk and said, "I've been trying to talk with you for two days now, Alec. You've been avoiding me."

"I've been busy. We have a trial to win, remember?"

"Oh, I remember. It's kind of challenging to do my job when my co-counsel flees every time I enter a room."

"I wasn't fleeing, per se. It's more like I'm trying to avoid this conversation." Magnus stiffened, and Alec inwardly sighed. This is what he was hoping to prevent. He shuffled through his papers, not daring to look up at Magnus, afraid to see the rejection in his eyes. "It's alright, Magnus."

"Alec―"

"I know I sprung the idea of us at the absolute worst time."

"Alec."

"Now that we've gotten the witnesses all squared away, these last few days of the trial are crucial, and we need to keep all of our attention—".

"Alexander!" Alec's eyes shot up at Magnus's outburst. It was an inelegant gesture for a man who prided himself on grace. He seemed to have doubled down on his resolve, and Alec was struck with how beautiful he was even when frustrated. "If you'd let me answer, I'd tell you that I would love to go out to dinner with you."

Alec froze, afraid to breathe the wrong way and this would all come crashing down. "Really?"

"Yes, really," Magnus said with a tentative smile. He took a step closer, crowding into his personal space. "And just to make sure there is no room for error, I mean as a date."

Alec chuckled. He felt giddy, almost too afraid to hope that this was real. "Thank you, counselor."

"You're welcome."

They both stood there, smiling foolishly at each other, the urge to touch growing stronger by the second. "You mentioned earlier that things might be better this time around. I think you're right."

"Wait," Alec said, patting his pockets. "Where's my phone? I need to record this."

"I mean it, Alexander." Magnus lightly slapped him on the arm. "We're not the same people anymore. But I want this. I want you."

"I'm still stuck on you saying I'm right."

Magnus gave him an unimpressed look. "Remember it clearly because I'm not saying it again."

With a smile on his face, Alec grabbed Magnus by the lapels of his jacket, drawing him closer. He pressed his forehead against Magnus's. "I want you, too. So much."

"Good," Magnus murmured, their lips just inches apart. "Because if you didn't, it would make this extremely awkward."

"I'm going to kiss you now," Alec whispered against his mouth. Magnus surged forward, barely letting him finish his sentence. The kiss was electric, sending shivers down Alec's spine. It was better than all those nights spent dreaming about this very moment.

As they broke apart, both breathless and grinning, Magnus's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Now that was worth remembering," he teased, his voice low and sultry.

"I take that as a challenge, Mr. Bane."

"By all means, please do, Mr. Lightwood."

The sound of feet shuffling broke through their romantic bubble. A crowd of concerned interns seemed to have congregated outside of Alec's office door, whispering loudly their worries about their bosses. He sighed. The moment has been enjoyable while it lasted.

"The children are worried."

"Let them sweat. It builds character."

"Something tells me that they might break down my door."

Moving closer, Magnus straightened Alec's tie, his hands fussing with the knot. "So we're doing this, right? You and me?"

It hit Alec then that Magnus was nervous. Perhaps he was experiencing the same level of anxiety as Alec himself. "I didn't want to ruin it all by catching feelings," Magnus had said.

Alec caught Magnus's hand fiddling with his tie and placed it against his own heart, covering it with his palm. "We're doing this. No more fear. No more pretending. Just you and me."

"I don't want to mess this up again, Alexander. I couldn't bear to lose you again."

"We're going to mess up, Magnus. That's just the nature of the beast. But this time will be different because we're not going to push each other away when things get rough. We're going to fight for it—fight for us."

Magnus smiled, his golden eyes gleaming with happiness, the tension easing from his shoulders. "When did you get so wise?"

"Was it during the part when you said I was right?"

A soft kiss was pressed to his cheek. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Chapter Text

The trial ended in victory.

While the final word on their positions as senior partners hadn't officially come through yet, two bottles of expensive champagne had showed up in the conference room during wrap-up, delivered personally by Jia Penhollow with handwritten notes congratulating them on their success with the case.

The case was over. Their temporary partnership had come to an end. And Alec found himself excited about the future because this time around, Magnus would be by his side. He was even excited through the tedious process of debriefing the case. Well, sort of.

As their last joint collaboration, he and Magnus had decided to do the debriefs together.

There was nothing sexy about a case debrief.

But Magnus had slowly been migrating from the guest armchair to the couch where Alec was sitting, inching his way closer every few minutes. Alec observed with amusement, eagerly anticipating Magnus' next move. Finally, with a playful grin, Magnus plopped down beside him, their shoulders touching. "You know," he said, his voice a low murmur, "celebrating a victory calls for more than just paperwork."

"Oh yeah? What did you have in mind?"

Magnus raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eye. "How about we break open that bottle of champagne we got from Jia and toast to our success?" He suggested, leaning in slightly as he spoke, the warmth of his presence forming an unspoken promise.

"I have a better idea," Alec replied, closing the distance between him and Magnus for a light kiss. The kiss lingered for a moment, electrifying and sweet, before Alec pulled back.

Magnus appeared slightly dazed, touching his lips gently before locking eyes with Alec. The expression in his eyes was intense, focusing on Alec's mouth right before he pounced.

Alec crashed against the back of the couch as Magnus swung his body over Alec's, straddling him with his long legs wrapped snugly around his waist. Alec's heart raced as he felt the heat of Magnus pressing down on him. The air between them crackled with anticipation, each breath heavy with unspoken desires, as Magnus leaned in closer, a playful smile dancing on his lips. Alec’s mouth went dry, unable to form words. Just then, without warning, Magnus pressed his lips to Alec's in a searing kiss that activated every nerve ending, leaving them both gasping for more.

Their bodies moved together, pressed tightly against one another as their kiss turned to one of desperation. Alec's hands found their way to the nape of Magnus's neck, fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as if to erase any distance between them.

"I knew it!"

The sudden interruption made them both freeze. In slow motion, they turned to the entrance of Alec's office. There stood Simon at the doorway, frantically pointing his finger in their direction while covering his eyes with his other hand.

Magnus sighed and moved from straddling Alec's lap to sitting next to him. Alec mourned the loss of his warmth immediately. "Simon, you can look. We're not having sex."

"Not for lack of trying," Alec mumbled.

Simon peeked through his fingers to make sure they were decent before dropping his hand. A wide grin stretched across his face. "I totally knew you guys were a thing. So, how long has it been? Four, five years? Clary says you guys have been together since college, but there's no way the sexual tension lasts that long. She just wants to win the pool and―"

Alec held up a hand to stop him. "Wait. There's a betting pool on me and Magnus dating?"

"Of course there's a pool! Isabelle started it. Or maybe Jace? It's been going for the better part of the decade, I think. I got in on it two weeks after I started working here." His gaze flitted back and forth between them. "Neither of you knows about the pool? Like half the people in the office assume you're hiding your relationship just to spite them out of money."

A slow grin spread across Magnus's face. "There's an idea."

"Magnus, no."

"Think of all the cash we could make."

"I'm not hiding you. Not even to win a bet."

Magnus beamed, closing the space between them. "Well, when you put it that way…"

"It's like I'm not even here."

Alec sighed through his nose. Was the universe so opposed to his desire to simply kiss his boyfriend in peace? "Why are you still here, Simon?"

"I need all the details, man! When did you guys finally realize you were made for each other?"

Alec rolled his eyes, his cheeks flushing slightly. "It wasn't exactly a lightbulb moment, Simon. It took time—plenty of awkward moments and petty arguments." Magnus chuckled, leaning closer, his presence warm and reassuring.

"No, but seriously. How long have you guys been together? I got a new amp riding on this bet."

Alec and Magnus looked at each other before shrugging. "Tuesday," Alec said.

"Tuesday... of this week?!"

"We move at our own pace, Sherwin."

"I mean, sure. Glacial slowness is a pace."

"I'll have you know that climate change is making glaciers melt at an alarming rate," Magnus said. The hand on Alec's knee slowly caressed further up his leg. Any higher, and Alec was going to embarrass himself. Magnus gave Simon a smile that the Cheshire Cat would be envious of. "Which means, if you don't leave right now, you're going to see something your innocent eyes can't handle."

Simon looked stricken, holding up his hands in surrender. He was halfway out the door, uttering over his shoulder, "I'm already gone."

Magnus sighed as the door closed, pressing his forehead to Alec's shoulder. "How long do you think it'll take for everyone to know that we're together?"

As Magnus finished his sentence, Alec felt his phone vibrate. A slew of personal messages from Izzy had blown up his phone. The number of emojis alone was enough to make Alec grimace as he scrolled down to find actual texts.

>>> FINALLY!!!
>>> I can't believe you finally hooked up with Magnus Bane and didn't tell me!!!
>>> Tell him no one will ever find his body if he hurts you again.

"She really shouldn't say that in text," Magnus said as he read Izzy's messages over his shoulder, resting his chin there. "That's inculpatory evidence."

Alec snickered. "I'll be sure to tell her."

"I'm just saying. If she's planning my murder, she'll need to hide it better."

"Will she need to murder you in the future?"

Magnus gently turned Alec's face to his own, his smile soft and eyes warm. "No, she won't."

Alec had to kiss him then; he had to taste the sincerity on his lips.

They fell into the kiss. It was a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, where the world around them faded away, leaving only the sweetness of their touch.

Alec needed more; he needed to be closer. He softly laid Magnus back to rest against the arm of the couch, slotting his body between Magnus's spread thighs. As he deepened the kiss, Alec could feel the rhythm of Magnus's heartbeat matching his own, each pulse echoing the desire that had built up between them. Their breaths mingled, creating a heady feeling of urgency that enveloped them both.

"Wait, Alexander," Magnus said breathlessly. "We can't."

Alec pulled back from kissing Magnus's neck, a faint bruise forming along his jaw. Alec wanted to devour him. "We really can."

"The first time we have sex is not going to be in the office." Reluctantly, Magnus pushed at Alec's chest until he let him up. He stood up unsteadily from his place on the couch, sending a tiny thrill through Alec that he could have such an effect on him. "I know we're both workaholics, but that's a little much even for us."

"I thought too much was your middle name."

"And I thought you were a romantic, Alexander. Clearly I misjudged you."

Alec's smile turned wicked, grabbing Magnus's hand before he could get too far and tugging him back into his lap. He secured his hands around Magnus's waist to keep him firmly in place. "That's not what you were saying a few moments ago."

"It's not that I don't want to do this," Magnus said, a hint of vulnerability in his tone as he pulled back from another kiss. "I just don't want to make any more missteps. The moment should be special."

The soft sandalwood scent of Magnus lingered in the air, surrounding Alec in a sense of comfort and yearning that he had never felt before. "It'll be perfect because it'll be us."

Magnus's eyes softened as he ran his fingers through Alec's hair. "I'm going to ruin you for all other men, Alexander Lightwood."

"Magnus, don't you know?" Alec gently caressed Magnus's cheek, staring deep into his eyes. For the first time in his life, Alec's heart felt full. "You already have."