The Business Trip

Chapter 13

Alec rolled over in his bed, well maybe not his bed, it was too comfortable to be his bed so it must have been Magnus', due to the sunlight that was seeping through his eye-lids. He only opened his eyes when he realized that the warlock was not lying right next to him. Alec looked around the familiar room before remembering the events of last night and smiling. He got up and put on a pair of Magnus' sweatpants that were in the dresser, he found he was now completely comfortable in places that belonged to his boyfriend without having to be told to make himself at home a thousand times. He marveled at the fact that the townhouse looked almost identical to their apartment in New York, and he was glad he could find his way around. Alec wandered out into the living room and started to smell bacon. He chuckled, remembering a time when he had never tasted bacon, not really.

His sister took after their mother in cooking abilities, so Magnus had opened up his tastebuds to everything. Handmade pizza Raffaele Esposito himself had taught Magnus to make in 18 century Italy, Macaroons he learned how to make after traveling through France, Empanadillas he picked up from Spain, Apple strudel from Austria, Paella he observed the ingredients of in Spain, Swiss chocolate, Pollo de la crema which he claims he invented though Alec was extremely skeptical, Papas a la Huancaina he learned how to make from his time in Peru, and many, many more. Foods from all over the world, you name it, and Magnus could cook it. Alec loved that about him. He loved how each meal came with an interesting background, the history of the dish from Magnus' point of view and a story about how he learned to make it. Food was kinda their way of opening up to each other.

"Mmmm, what smells so good?" Alec hummed, coming up behind Magnus as he was braiding doe and wrapping his arms around him. Alec could see some strawberries peeking out through Magnus' expert bread work, his favorite.

Magnus turned his head for a morning kiss, his finger never stopping their work with the doe. He pulled away and said, "I'm making a strawberry cream-cheese danish with a frosted sugar glaze," He smiled proudly, he loved showing off his masterpieces to Alec because he was always so amazed and awed and it gave him the cutest facial expression.

"That sounds amazing," Alec said, kissing him one more time before untangling his hands from the warlock. Alec went to the fridge and pulled out some cream so he could make coffee. As he was waiting for the hot liquid to finish pouring out of the coffee maker into his cup, he finally noticed the time, "It's 5:57?!" Alec said, surprised. He knew him and Magnus had gone to bed early last night, but he felt so well-rested and it was too bright outside.

"Yes well we did fall asleep quite early after all of that strenuous activity," Magnus enhfisised the last two words suggestively. Alec blushed, "So that gives us a half an hour to get ready while this bakes," he said gesturing to the danish he just put in the oven, "and then I'll portal us to school in time for morning glee rehearsals," he smiled.

"Ok, I'm going to go take a shower," Alec said, agreeing with the plan.

"Alright, I'm going to clean this up and then take a shower," Magnus replied, walking forward a step to kiss Alec on the cheek.

Alec smiled and shook his head while walking back towards the bedroom where the master bathroom was. Magnus smirked, Alec had said that he loved Magnus' magic, but he so often forgot that he could do magic. He waved his hand and the dirty dishes were in the dishwasher, the counters were clean, a timer for the danish was set, and Magnus was free to take a shower, or join in on a shower that was already taking place.

Alec had just stepped into the water, letting the coolness wash over his whole body. He loved cool showers, the water washing away all of his stress and tension, the temperature of his body going down, and the feeling of being clean. With all of the demon hunting that he did, the adrenaline pumping, his heart rate going up, his body temperature rising, his muscles tensing as he drew back an arrow, the dirt and grime and blood that would cling to his skin, showers had become a frequent necessity. Sometimes he would take up to 4 or 5 a day depending on his to-do list, so he had learned to love them. He loved the quiet, the serenity, the isolation. It was always a time he had to himself after a long day of being with other people. The shower was a peaceful place, that is, until he started living with Magnus.