The law is the law. Maybe...

Chapter 19 - Handcuffed

Magnus' eyes widened. He opened the door and invited the man in.

"Are you Alexander's dad? He's still sleeping. What did you say to him yesterday? He was in a complete emotional breakdown."

"I know, that's why I'm here. Does my son allow you to call him Alexander? - asked Robert, surprised, - I didn't tell him anything, he told me about everything. And I wish he'd done it sooner. I felt he needed me and I got on a plane immediately. I didn't know he wasn't alone..."

"He was alone. He called me around midnight, his voice was hoarse from crying, and I came over. He didn't say anything, I thought the conversation had gone badly. Did you travel all night?"

"Yes, I mean during the day. Time zone..."

As Robert entered the apartment. He immediately noticed how cozy the small apartment was. They sat down at the kitchen counter, Magnus made coffee and looked in the fridge, which was quite empty.

"I guess I can't offer you breakfast, but Alexander always has coffee. How do you drink it?"

"Black. Thank you."

"Just like Alexander."

"If I understand correctly, you don't live here." Robert said cautiously. He tried not to cross the line into personalities.

"No. And neither has Alec for a long time. When he was recovering from the shooting, he was staying with me. He's just moved back in."

"Oh, I see. So that's when you found out you were in love with each other?"

"Not really, but it's a long story. Alec will tell you. I'll go and wake him up now." said Magnus, but halfway to the bedroom he turned back.

"Robert, I just want you to know that if you hurt him in any way, you'll have to deal with me. He's more fragile than he shows." said Magnus in a low, calm voice.

Robert nodded slowly in surprise. Magnus had convinced him at that moment that he loved his son. He was grateful to fate that Alec had opened up to him.

"Thank you Magnus."

"For what?"

"That you love him." Robert said.

Magnus nodded with a small smile on his lips and headed for the bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed, watching the peacefully sleeping Alec for a while. He brushed a lock of hair from his forehead and placed a light kiss on his lips. Alec smiled, eyes still closed, and returned the kiss as he put his arm around Magnus and pulled on top of him in one easy movement.

"Good morning. I want to wake up like this every day. Do we have time for some cuddles? Or more?" murmured Alec in a voice hoarse with sleep.

"I see you're feeling better."

"Because you're here with me... I was a total mess. Thank you for coming." Alec whispered into Magnus' ear as he began to nibble on his earlobe.

"Honey, as much as I'd love to go on, the truth is your Dad is out here in the kitchen."

"What?" jumped Alec in a moment.

"You go, I'll get dressed. I brought some clothes in my backpack last night."

Alec climbed out of bed, stuck his head out the bedroom door and looked at his father. He was sitting at the kitchen counter, holding the cup of coffee between his palms and trying to hide his wide grin behind the cup. He couldn't. Alec went over and sat down opposite him at the counter. His father put the other cup in front of him, which was also filled with black coffee. Alec took it between two palms, raised the cup to his lips and tried to hide his wide grin, embarrassment and blush behind the cup. He couldn't. The two tall, black haired men, almost lookalikes of each other, sat facing each other, holding the same kind of cups, from which they drank the same kind of coffee. They looked into each other's eyes, and their eyes sparkled. For a moment, time stood still. Then Alec spoke.