alec_lightwood | Early Mornings aren't so Bad (for magna

Whenever Magnus stayed the night, Alec's internal clock seemed to be more aware of time. Normally, he woke up early enough to train but when she was in his apartment, any tendency to roll over and sleep in disappeared. Or they did whenever they slept in separate places. But it seemed that when they were together, after having spent the night together in an intimate way that Alec had barely allowed himself to fantasize about, it seemed that he was more prone to drowse curled up with his...

Fiancee? Could he call her that yet? He hadn't asked her. Not properly at least, but he had the feeling that she knew he would ask and he was certain that she would say yes.

He would have asked her the night before but he wanted Charlotte's permission to court Magna before he dared to propose. Although, he doubted that her answer would stop Magnus from saying yes. She'd probably insist that they elope if anyone tried to stop them from marrying.

Later in the morning, he would go to the Institute and ask, but for now he'd stay in bed, curled up with Magna. Who seemed to be impersonating an octopus in her sleep. Not that he minded. Brushing his fingers through her hair, he flushed slightly as he thought of how his intentions of being a gentleman hadn't quite worked out the way he'd planned.

Not that Magnus had seemed to mind and they had saved some things for their wedding night.

Kissing her forehead, he thought of the night before and how much he loved having her in bed with him when he woke... Maybe he should ask Charlotte for permission to marry Magnus instead of to court her.

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Normally she had nightmares. She dreamed of fire and people dying that she could only assume she knew. Part of her thought it was her mother and father, but she didn't know. Those dreams didn't hurt her tonight. Nothing at all. Nothing but a happy warm haze that left her feeling safe and whole for the first time in her life.

Feeling the first light of the sun filter through the curtains, she moved closer to the solid warmth against her. Slipping her legs softly up his hip, she let her memories faze in and out of consciousness as she relived the memories of the night before. Smiling softly, she hummed a happy sound as she felt his fingers in her hair. Part of her still didn't believe that Alec wanted her... but the doubt had been proven unfounded. Rather efficiently at that.

Opening her eyes slowly, she smiled up at him quietly. Amber gold peeked through dark lashes as she let them adjust and clear. Catching his hand, she turned just a little and kissed into his palm. It felt like a dream. An amazing dream. "Good morning, Alexander..."

Letting her eyes close again, she burrowed herself into his chest flushing just a little at the thought of just how much they'd done together. Turning her head, she pressed her ear over his heart and just listened to the beat. She knew her hair was running wild on her head and really she wasn't sure how she looked at the moment. But being this close... she found it hard to be anything but happy. "I love you."

Watching Magnus' eyes brighten and focus on him, Alec's first thought was how beautiful she was. Not the polished beauty of the other girls he knew, but something that belonged only to Magnus. Others thought she was boyish, but he didn't care if she wasn't fashionable or conventional. Such things didn't matter to him. Her heart and soul were what he'd fallen in love with, not the frilly dresses Charlotte tried to shove Magnus into.

It always made his heart skip when he saw her eyes flash gold and the smiles that she seemed to only give to him. Cupping her cheek after she kissed his palm, he tipped her head up to brush his lips against hers. "Good morning, Magna."

Wrapping his arms around her, Alec smiled and wondered if she could hear how his heart raced at having her close. She had to be able to. Noticing that blush, he lightly traced his fingers over the curve of her ear. "I love you too. You don't... You're not unhappy about last night?"

Finally pulling one hand from clutching the elder, she pushed her hair back and tried to smooth it out. The action caused the shirt to slide off her should and ruck up further on her hip. Not that she'd notice, her focus stayed intently on her hair that she didn't want to look like a rat's nest. When she finally gave up the struggle, she sank down against him and kissed the center of his chest only to lift her head to meet his lips in that soft kiss.

Her eyes fluttered closed before she licked her lips trying to chase the taste of him on her lips. She broke out into a beautiful smile before she let her hand rest against the side of his neck. "I wish every night and morning felt this amazing."

Opening her eyes again, they were shining bright with happiness. "I've never been happier... except perhaps when you told me that you loved me. That has to be the happiest moment." Pausing, she slid her thumb up and down his neck before humming words sweetly. "Je t'aime plus qu'hier moins que demain."

Somehow he managed not to smile as Magnus tried to tame her hair into something that didn't look a dandelion gone to seed. Not that he minded since he couldn't help feeling proud that he was the reason she was so mussed up. He had one her affections and eventually Alec would be asking Charlotte to court Magnus.

Returning that smile, he pulled her close for another kiss, nibbling softly at her lips. "I want that too. If that's what you truly want, I'll ask Charlotte and maybe she'll let us break tradition." His parents would hate the idea, but then they would hate the idea of him marrying anyone but those fluff brained girls they kept throwing at him. Even if they weren't shallow, he still would have avoided them, always feeling uncomfortable with his parents friends for some reason he could never explain.

"I feel the same way, Magna." Brushing his fingers through her hair, he began smoothing out the tangles she'd been worried about before. Repeating those words softly, he pulled away just enough to trace the love rune over her heart. "My heart is yours, Magnus. It has been since we met."

Moving easily into that kiss, she made a happy sound of content. Returning it fully, she slipped the hand on his neck up into his hair. Smoothing it softly, she couldn't stop the mewling noise she made as it ended. Magna wasn't the prettiest girl. She could probably dress more appropriately and let her hair grow longer, she'd be conventionally pretty then. But she wouldn't be her anymore if she did.

"Just promise me... if you take me to all those parties like your parents like to throw and attend... you don't expect me to play nice with the powder puffs they call women there." Teasing him softly, she smiled at him beautifully before kissing him again soft and slow. When she broke it off, she grinned at the fingers in her hair.

"My heart is yours as well and ever has been." She knew the moment she saw him the first time. She knew it even clearer now. Especially when he traced that rune over her heart. Breathing in slowly, she lifted up and slowly traced the same symbol on his chest before kissing the spot reverently. "I really... don't want to leave the bed today..."

Smiling at the noises she made, Alec slowly broke the kiss, brushing his lips along her jaw. "I want you beside me every day for the rest of my life. Every morning like this and every night spent curled up with you."

His parents probably wouldn't speak to him for months, so those parties weren't a concern. At least until their tempers cooled and they started demanding he act like the proper heir."I'm not going to make you go to those parties." Alec hated going to them and only attended the ones that were absolutely necessary because he was the eldest. He wouldn't force Magna to go to them even if his parents would probably have a fit over that decision. "I don't think that the powder puffs will be attending once we start courting... unless they're after Jace." Which would be amusing to watch since Jace had no interest in marrying any of them despite the girls' hopes.

His breath stuttered as she traced the rune against his chest, grinning brilliantly when she placed a kiss on that spot. "I don't want to either, but if I'm going to ask Charlotte, it'd better be soon or she'll start to wonder. I don't want her to lock you up because she thinks I might..." Might have done the sorts of things that they'd enjoyed the night before. "That we might not wait until the wedding."

Shivering softly, her eyes closed a moment as his lips slid over her skin. Breathing in shakily, she cupped the side of his face tenderly. "I want that, Alec. I want to wake up to you and fall asleep in your arms." Everything felt like a marvelous and wonderful dream that she never wanted to wake up from.

Catching his hand gently, she laced their fingers together between their chests. Kissing his fingers, Magnus tipped her head up to nuzzle his cheek. "I wouldn't make you go alone. You just have to keep me safe." Teasing softly, she kissed his Adam's apple soft and sweet. "I don't know what they see in Jace... but I suppose they do have fluff for brains." Winking at him, she lifted up and hovered over him to nuzzle their noses together.

"Do you want me to leave first?" Playing her fingers in his hair, she arched a brow. "Even if I'd rather walk with you... I need to sneak in and not get caught. They're used to me sleeping in." A lot actually. She could sleep a day away when she stayed outside long enough. A bad habit, but it turned into a great excuse to go to see Alec.

His heart skipped for a few beats, then he smiled shyly at Magnus. "Does that mean I should ask if we can marry instead of asking Charlotte if I can court you?" It wasn't the proper proposal and he didn't even have a ring but he couldn't wait. Not when he had her close, wishing for the same thing he hoped for.

Smiling at his love, he gently squeezed her fingers, wondering if they could stay away from the parties so he didn't have to share Magnus with any of his parents' friends. "I'll always keep you safe." Not just from the snobs that his parents invited to parties, but from anyone else who might hurt her. Including those fluff brains that had been chasing after both Alec and Jace. "He's blond, handsome, and rich. Or will be when he's eighteen. For those girls, it's attractive." Even if Jace was arrogant and had no intentions of marrying the powder puffs, they had their hopes and so did their families. He was sure that they hinted subtly and not so subtly to his mother to convince her to marry Jace off.

As Magnus nuzzled him, he tipped his head to kiss the end of her nose. "I don't want you to but you should." Alec didn't like the idea of her walking alone, wanting to spend the time with Magnus and wanting to protect her from anyone who might think she was an easy target. But they had to act proper for now at least and she was a Shadowhunter. "I can call on Charlotte later today and maybe we can spend the afternoon together."

Golden eyes sparked with excitement at his offer. Marriage. She knew that courting led up to marriage, but to hear his propose it... The thought just ran up through her like pleasant electricity. "I don't need to court you, Alec... to know that I want to marry you. I would be honored and... ungodly happy... if you wanted me to marry you."

Her heart raced in her chest at the idea of it. If it all went as well as she knew it would with Charlotte, she could be engaged to the man she loved more than anything within hours. The smile was too much to contain as she beamed at him with pure love and adoration. "I know you will... I love you, Alexander." Now that she could say it... it just didn't feel like she could say it enough. "And I hope you realize... I don't care about money. I just... I want you. That's all I want." She had watched girls chase Alec for years and growled at them internally. But now... now he was hers and it sent an explosion of butterflies through her.

Shivering in happiness, she laughed softly as he kissed her nose. "Just hold me a little bit longer? I don't ever want this moment to end. This is the most alive I've felt in... ever." Kissing his lips softly, she hummed a happy sound at the offer. "I want that. Just you and I."

For a moment, Alec couldn't quite believe that she'd said yes. It was something he'd hoped for since his parents had started hinting that he was old enough to marry, not realizing who he'd instantly think of when their planning began. He'd always loved Magnus, as a friend when the Silent Brothers had brought her to the Institute and then as more than that as they had grown closer. He couldn't imagine anyone else beside him, sharing his life.

Everything he'd dared to hope for...

It felt like he was floating as he returned that smile, awed by the love she felt for him. "I love you, Magna. You're the other half of me." Gently brushing his fingers along her cheek, he gave her a soft, adoring kiss. "I know you don't care about that. I've always known that it wasn't my family's name or the money that mattered to you." If it had, Magnus would have befriended one of the sons from one of the more prestigious Shadowhunter families. Or found someone who cared more about the appearance of wealth than Alec did.

Returning that kiss, he settled his arms around her, amazed that by this evening they could be engaged. "I'll hold you for as long as you want." Forever if that was what she asked. "I can't remember ever being this happy. Except when you said you loved me." Though he was sure that Charlotte would want them to court properly until the wedding. "You might have to sneak away if you want to be alone with me. She'll probably make Will or Jem chaperone us."

Her mind still tugged on her thoughts about how he might change his mind. He might realize she's not what he was really interested in. But then the flashes of memories of the night before crowded them out. The euphoria of being close to him and finding a means of release regardless of her gender told her that he loved her in every way. Not just here and there. Everything.

The thought humbled her as much as it excited her. Alec wanted her. The orphan with nothing. Not even a proper family name. The issue never really revolved around her attractiveness. She'd had enough propositions to know she wasn't the ugly duckling. Not really. And she hoped for Alec's sake, she could clean up enough to pass as a suitable match for him. Not because she thought he'd want her that way... but because he loved his family regardless of how ridiculous they could be. So she would try to be the lady worthy of the Lightwood's eldest son. At least in society.

Moving into his touches, she returned the kiss with a low sigh. "When I first met you... I wanted nothing more than to get to know you and get close to you. I hated parties. I hated all that formal stuff... I loved being around you. I loved climbing up to your window. I loved being myself when I was with you." Smiling softly, she swept his hair back lovingly. "I often wanted to convince you to runaway with me just so I could say I saved you from the gilded cage your parents locked you in. But I am a bit of a kid... and Will and I did read a lot of ridiculously crazy books and stories."

Softly relaxing into his arms, she rested her head on his chest. Closing her eyes, she smoothed one hand down his side idly. Drinking in the soft skin over hard muscle, she queried softly. "Is forever too long?" Sweeping her thumb along the dent in his hip, she felt that warm fuzzy feeling in her head. "I always want you happy." Which might have ended in a pleasant dozing until he mentioned Will and Jem as chaperons. Lifting her head, she stared at him and blinked. "Oh god... you realize if she asks, Will will follow us everywhere just to cause trouble..."

"I'm sorry you went through all my parents... events." It was the politest word he could think of for them since it wasn't just the parties, but the dinners and the balls and all the things that the elder Lightwoods did to gather up power. Power that none of their children wanted but that didn't stop them from having to smile politely for their parents' friends. "I would've hidden in the library with you if I could have."

Leaning into Magnus' fingers, he smiled shyly as he thought of all the times she'd dragged him away to 'safety' when he was supposed to be helping his parents with their plans.
"I love being with you. You made those parties bearable. Most of the time I was hoping you'd rescue me." Kissing her softly, he chuckled at the thought of those books that Will pretended he had no interest in... at least when he was talking to a Lightwood. "I've read a lot of those books too. You'd make a good hero for one of them."

The orphan girl who dressed like a boy to fight evil... and to win the heart of her beloved. It did sound like one of those books. One Alec would have read and thought of Magnus.

Shivering at the feeling of her fingers trailing over his skin, Alec wondered how long they could hide before someone came looking for them. "I don't think so but people would start to wonder what happened to us." And with his luck, it'd either be Will or Jace. Seeing that Magnus had realized something similar, he grinned and gently nipped her bottom lip. "Then I'll have to convince Charlotte that we should get married as soon as possible."

"I'd be sorry, but I am happy I was there... Someone needed to stay by your side and beat the girls off with a stick. They acted like you were the fox running from the hounds. Very disconcerting." And she had given a few girls black eyes for their troubles. Threading her fingers through his hair, she smiled quietly at the image of hiding in the library with him. "I would've preferred curling up in the library with you. You know... we can still do that now. Hiding in the library is a good habit."

A happy small smile pulled at her lips as she heard Alec affirm what she hoped to be true. She hoped her 'rescues' were well received. And it seemed they were. "I would spend days before parties coming up with plans and excuses just for that purpose. You know that?" Returning the kiss, she cupped his chin lovingly in her hand. "As long as you're the love interest in whatever shape or form... I refuse to be a hero without you."

Magnus thought nothing of herself. Not like that. She was no more than a little orphan that would move heaven and earth for the man she loved. It just felt so thrilling that he returned the love she had for him. Maybe it could be a good story. Maybe.

"Eventually they would." Winking at him, she caught his lips in a soft kiss again before shivering at the nip. Drawing a deep breath, she licked his lips before forcing herself to sit up. Letting her fingers linger on his skin, she let the tips skim the waistline of his pants. "I'd like that... I want to marry you soon. I'd even elope if you wanted." Winking at him, she stretched almost catlike still partially curled into his side. "Getting out of this bed and away from you is proving very hard..."

Isabelle would have kept the most of the gold diggers away from him, but it wouldn't have been the same as having Magnus beside him. When she'd kept those girls away, it had given Alec a a reason to hope that Magnus might see him as more than just a friend. "Watching you keep them in line was one of the best parts of those parties."

Humming softly as she played with his hair, he remembered how often they'd snuck away so that he should show her the latest books he'd found... usually ones on subjects Jace and Izzy thought were boring but Magnus had always seemed interested in. "My library isn't as extensive as the one in the Institute or my parents, but I hope you'll be happy with it."

Returning that smile, he ran his fingers lightly along her spine, wishing they really could stay in bed for the whole day. "Your rescues are what I looked forward to. I always wondered how you'd get me away from those girls... or my mother." His father hadn't been as much of a problem. His interest in his eldest son's life seemed to have faded, focusing instead on Jace and Max. Sometimes he felt guilty for being grateful of that, but it was a relief for Alec to be with Magnus without worrying that his father would demand he find someone 'proper.'

"I'd be disappointed if I didn't get to be the love interest." It wouldn't be a traditional story, but Alec didn't care. As long as they were together, the story would have a happy ending. He wouldn't allow himself to consider any other ending. Charlotte would allow them to marry and he'd ignore his parents' protests. After that, they'd be together for the rest of their lives.

Alec started to press closer as Magnus licked at his lips, letting out a sigh when she pulled away. He began to protest that they could wait a few more minutes before getting out of bed when her fingers moved to his waist. "Magnus... I..." For a moment he forgot what he was about to say or even what she'd been talking about. "I - I'd ask you to elope but I think we'd have a mob waiting for us when we got back."

"Will always says I have the flare for the dramatic. No point in running them off without making it entertaining as well." Her smile was gentle as well as impish. Magnus was likely the only person that could pull that expression off. "Besides... I wasn't letting some girl sweep in and steal you before I had the chance to try first."

Humming softly at him, she lifted a hand to softly trace the side of his face lovingly. "Love... you know what your library has that neither of the others have?" A brow rose just a little as golden eyes sparkled. "You. That makes your library the best in the world."

The flash of pride in her eyes had her sitting up straight and softly smoothing out his shirt almost like a bird posturing. "Yes well, my darling, I put elaborate and colorful planning into each of those rescues." After all, what was a rescue that wasn't fun and exciting. Or at least something to giggle about later. "I don't like sharing you anyway."

Leaning down again, she softly pressed her lips to his forehead. "You're my other half. There would be no other love interest." Slipping her lips along the bridge of his nose, she kissed there before she kissed the corner of his lips. "We are a perfect team, you know that, right?"

The idea of eloping and coming back to a group of angry people made her laugh quietly. "I will never make you go through the torches and pitchforks. Promise." Slipping off of him, she slowly moved to find the pitcher in the room. "Alec... did you want me to ready a bath for you?" It was nothing huge. Something she enjoyed doing if only because she felt like he was hers to love and care for. And after the night they had... he might want to clean up more than just splash water on his face.

His parents had hated that dramatic flare but Alec had loved it. As did his siblings and Will. Gabriel and Gideon... well, they were proper Lightwoods, acting in the manner that his parents would have prefered in their own children. Alec knew part of their annoyance at Magnus was because she had ruined many of the potential marriages that they attempted to set up for him.

Not that Alec minded since Magnus was the only girl he noticed, all the rest seeming dull compared to her. They were probably nice, charming in their own ways, but Magnus had held his heart from the beginning and no one else could steal it away from her. "None of them would have ever stolen me away. I have been yours almost since we met."

Nuzzling at her fingers, he smiled at the thought of Magnus believing he was special. No one else ever made him feel like he mattered in the ways that Magnus did. "I think the same of you, Magna. You make this place my home." The apartment was his, a refuge from his family, but it wasn't until Magnus visited that it felt like it was more than just a place he stayed.

Grinning softly at how proud Magnus seemed of her rescues, he caught her hand and kissed her knuckles. "And I appreciated each one. The only person I wanted to be with is you."

And now that was possible... would be possible when he asked Charlotte since he knew she wouldn't keep them apart. She would probably try to get his parents to agree to the match. Not that it mattered if they did or not. He loved Magnus too much to let their disapproval stop him. "I don't think I'm the hero type, but I know that we are a perfect team. I can't imagine being with anyone else.

"Dealing with the mob would be worth it for you." Their friends would mope and his parents would be livid but he would deal with their anger if he had to. The people who mattered to them would understand why they rushed even as it caused a scandal.

Sitting up when she left the bed, he watching her for a few moments, wishing that they really could spend the day together. Knowing that Magnus would get in trouble if she stayed too long, he got out of bed, moving to her side so he could wrap his arms around her waist. "You don't have to do things like that for me, Magnus. But we both probably should bathe before we go to the Institute."

The pleased quality was sure in her eyes. Knowing that he would only be hers sent a thrill of happiness through her body that reflected in brilliant golden eyes and her smile. "I've been yours that long as well." Moving back to him, she dared to risk a slow soft kiss. Smoothing his hair back, she hummed a happy sound.

"You are my home, Alexander." Nipping at his ear, she smiled that much more as Alec kissed her knuckles. "You're all I've ever wanted in my life, and you make me feel like I belong." Not that Charlotte was bad to her... they'd been nothing but good to her. But Alec made her feel like she actually belonged in the shadowhunting world. Or maybe just the world in general.

"I think together we could be a great hero team." Winking at him gently, she moved off to check the bath tub tipping her head. It was never fun to make a bath, but bathing was fun. Whether or not she would get to bathe hadn't really occurred to her. Though that was forgotten as Alec said 'both'. Turning her head to the man she loved, she grinned a little. "Wouldn't it take more time for us to wait for the other to bathe?"

Leaning into his side, she moved her hand to slide over one of the runes on his abdomen. "I want to do things for you, Alec... I don't see it as work."

"You do belong, Magna." He knew that many of the other npehilim made her feel like an outsider. She lacked a Shadowhunter name, or would until their wedding, and little was known about her past. Such things caused gossip and Shadowhunters were too bound by tradition to not be wary of someone like Magnus even when the strange circumstances around her weren't her fault. "With me, at least."

Shaking his head over the thought of being a hero, he wasn't sure if that was something he wanted. Jace and Will seemed to love adventure, but Alec was quieter, following along to protect his friends than because of a need for glory. "I'd rather be a team and leave the heroics to others."

Flushing as he realized what could be implied with that 'both' he couldn't help thinking of what had happened the night before. Glancing over at the tub, he wondered if they both could fit even though he knew that he shouldn't even consider things like that. "It would." Before logic could catch up to him, he blurted out those thoughts. "Maybe we should bathe together."

Blushing brightly, he was about to apologize when he fingers brushed over his stomach, muscles flexing beneath her hand. "I - If you want to. I don't want you to think you have to do things for me."

"I know... I have always felt like I belonged with you." Reaching up, she pulled him down and kissed his lips softly. Her body thrummed with the energy of knowing how close he was to her. Letting her eyes close, she let out a warm sigh again his lips. But it couldn't last as she lowered off of her toes till her feet were flat on the floor again. "I hope I've always made you feel that as well."

Her fingertips drifted to trace another mark as her eyes smiled for her this time. "We'll always be a team. I'll even let Jace join once in a while when imperative or he promises to play nice." Tilting her head back, she grinned at him like a Cheshire cat. "Deal?"

The mirth suddenly changed to surprise as he said 'bathe together'. Her world suddenly seemed to stop spinning altogether. Blinking a few times, she felt her breath hitch at the mental image before her expression shifted to a brilliant smile. "You want to?" The eagerness wasn't hidden on her face as she searched his. In the end, she nearly bounced with energy.

"I want to. In both cases." Turning her head, she kissed at his shoulder before pulling away. It would take a bit to fill the tub, but she was driven. "I'll be right back." Catching his hand, she squeezed it lovingly before bounding off to fill up the tub.

It took a bit. After all, she needed to warm some of the water before it was ready for them both. Where she never cared for excessive scents, she did put sandalwood oil into the water before it was finally finished and ready. Testing the temperature, she looked accomplished then glanced at him. "Go ahead and get in... do you still want me to join you? I don't have to, you know..."

Humming softly at the kiss, he almost pulled her closer, then realized that the height difference made kissing difficult for her even when he did lean down to meet her part way. He was tempted to pick her up, but then he would probably carry her to the bed so they could spend the day together instead of letting her go. "You have, Magna. You've always made me feel like I'm someone important no matter what others might think."

He let out a slow breath as she found another rune, fingers sliding over sensitive skin. "Jace never plays nice. He just says he will." Which wasn't true, but his parabatai rarely got along with Magnus. Not that he thought that they hated each other... it was something else but Alec couldn't figure out what. "But I'll keep him in line when we need him."

When Magnus stared at him, not answering his suggestion, Alec was certain that he'd gone too far. She would be offended that he'd been so forward. Then, she smiled and his fear slipped away, replaced by shy happiness. "I want to."

It still felt odd to let her fuss when they were in his apartment. He was used to having to do things for himself and Magnus was a guest. But she seemed to truly want to help so he kissed the top of her head as she pulled away, looking for clothes for them both. He shook did the best he could to make the things Magnus had worn the night before look presentable, then found another shirt for her to wear in case she didn't want change into them right away.

He carefully avoided thinking of sharing the bath with her until she spoke, a blush creeping across his face as he realized that he would be naked in front of her. "I still want you to join me. If you want."

Trying to ignore his nervousness, he moved to the tub, pulling off his shirt and trying not to think about her watching him as he stepped out of his pants. Letting out a slow sigh he got into the tub before finally looking at Magnus. "Do you want to join me?"

"You will always be important to me... that I swear." No matter what. Even if she had to start finding things to stand on just to kiss him. It may feel amazing to disappear in his arms with her size... it wasn't so awesome to practice standing on her toes like a ballerina for longer than she could stand. Graceful as she was, she had no desire to follow said fine art of dancing.

"If we must keep him." Sighing dramatically, she knew exactly why she was just as guilty of starting battles with Jace. It was all due to the way Alec's eyes followed him more often than not. But now if she thought back on all those times... Alec's eyes always transferred to her. And part of her wondered why she'd never noticed it before.

That realization on top of his desire to bathe with her had her moving quickly and happily. And when he finally moved to get in the bath, her mind really focused on what that meant. Molten gold eyes watched as the clothes slid off of his body. Her heart pounded in her chest as she nearly forgot how to breathe. So when he said he wanted her to join, she had to really bring her mind into focus. "I want to... so dearly."

Breathing in slowly, the blush ran up into her face and along her neck as she unbuttoned his shirt. As it fell open, she gently shrugged it off and tried not to notice how bare she was. Instead, she stepped into the tub and gently settled between his legs, her back to his bare torso. Her breath caught as feeling his so close... the smell of him and sensation of miles of skin open to her own bare skin.

"I... this... I love feeling this close to you..." Her pupils dilated as so much had to be processed at once in his arms.

Magnus would always be important to him and he'd do everything possible to make her feel special. He loved his family completely and would do almost anything for them, but Magnus was the other part of his soul. He might focus on his kin at times, but his attention always returned to her. She was the one who made him feel like he belonged. "I love you."

He'd felt her eyes on him as he undressed, but he tried not to think too much on it, afraid his nervousness would get the better of him. But once he settled into tub, his shyness eased as he waited for her to decide if she'd join him. When she began unbuttoning the shirt, he gave her an adoring smile, his gaze not leaving hers until she neared the tub.

Magnus was beautiful, slim and graceful, just as Alec had guessed from the glimpses of her he'd had while giving her the mark on her back. Offering her a hand to help her into the tub, his eyes were bright with love and desire, kissing the back of her neck as she rested her back against his chest. Slipping his arms around her, he closed his eyes, memorizing the feeling of having her close, bare skin against his own, surrounded by warm water.

"I love it too." Nuzzling at her hair, he let out a slow sigh before pressing another kiss to her neck. "I'd like to do this all the time when we're married."

"I love you." Her expression softened and warmed in ways it only did for Alec. No one got to her like the dark haired Lightwood got to her. Will used to tease her that it was the uncanny similarities between them that she was so fascinated by. Admittedly she liked the dark hair and blue eyed combination, but Will was not even remotely desirable to her. She had been at the Institute before Will. Seeing him barge into the Institute crying only told her one thing... he needed someone to watch over him much like she had. But it wasn't the same way that Alec affected her.

Alec ran through every part of her body making her want to keep him close and just love him. She wanted to care for Will and keep him alive. She wanted to follow Alec to the ends of the earth and fall over the edge with him. Which was the feeling that settled her heart as his eyes finally slid over her.

Nervousness laced through her only to make her shiver just a little as her hand slid into his gently. Tipping her head as he kissed her neck, she sighed softly. Letting her eyes close as she reveled in his warmth and touch, she gently pulled his arm about her waist. Her breath caught as she pressed Alec's hand palm flat against her stomach. "I want that too... If I had my way, I'd say this was the only way we should ever take a bath."

In some ways Alec wished he hadn't waited to ask if he could court her but in others he was grateful they had taken their time. There were no doubts that she was the right one for him, no way that his parents could say he was too young since he was now officially an adult. Some might protest that Magnus was too young, but if Charlotte approved, then no one would be able to stop them from being together.

But waiting meant that they hadn't had a chance to be together like this, something he'd been almost too afraid to want until he'd blurted it out by accident. Now he couldn't imagine not wanting to have his love in his arms, together in a way that everyone else would think of as scandalous.

Smiling as Magnus caught his hand, he blushed brightly as she placed his hand against her stomach. His fingers curled reflexively, accidentally teasing smooth skin. "If that's what you want, Magnus, then that's how it'll be." Laughing softly, he nipped at her ear. "Except when we're at the Institute. I don't want to shock Charlotte."

His stomach muscles rippled and tensed under his hand. Humming a happy sound, she splayed her hand lightly over his. The feeling of his hands on her couldn't be replaced or duplicated. Everything Alec did... from the touch of his hand to the sound of his voice left her trembling with need.

But she kept a hold on it as best she could. Right now she just wanted to feel his arms about her and stay close to him. It didn't matter if the world saw it as scandalous... All she knew was how beautiful the moment remained in her minds eye as she cuddled against his chest.

"You spoil me. You know that?" Grinning happily, she ended up mewling as those lips met the shell of her ear. Snuggling deeper into his chest, she attempted bury herself there. The idea of always being this close to him sent a rush of happiness flooding through her. "But I do want that. I want it so very badly." She'd easily agree to the daring suggestion. "I love you so much...."