Roommates & Soulmates

Alec's Attention

Alec was trying to pay attention, but even with the best of intentions, his mind was wondering. It was hard to keep focused on something he cared so little about. Purposely blinking, Alec tried again to listen, tried really hard to keep his mind focused on absorbing the words coming his way, but he failed. Instead, he focused on the speaker. If the words coming from his mouth were of no interest to Alec, the mouth itself was. Those lips he knew of so well, but it was the eyes that never failed to hold his attention. Whenever Alec's husband spoke of history he got this light in his eyes. Magnus was so passionate about the subject that he could talk for hours. The problem was that Alec didn't care much for the past. After all, it was over. Sure, it was important in a 'those who don't learn history are doomed to repeat it' kinda way, but even century old wars and almost forgotten treasure didn't feel like they had any bearing on his life today. Alec did love to see his husband so animated though. It always made him happy to see his husband's face alite with excitement. Alec couldn't help but smile at Magnus's joy, just as he couldn't help but space out when the man went on and on about really old dust.

"You haven't heard a word I've said, have you?"

"Huh?" Alec said, shaking his head a little.

"As I suspected," Magnus replied, his eyes narrowing.

"I love you?" Alec grinned.

"Yeah, you better," Magnus laughed. "Did you at least catch the part about the website?"

"Umm..."

With a sigh, Magnus repeated himself. "I'm listed on the museum's website now. Under most valued volunteer. There's a picture and everything."

"That's great!" Alec exclaimed, throwing his arms around Magnus in a hug.

"Thanks," Magnus smiled, accepting the hug. "Now if only they paid me, I'd be set."

"Pfft," Alec waved his concerns aside.

"Don't pfft a paycheck," Magnus counted.

"Pfft," Alec repeated. Then he gave up on the condescending tone and smiled warmly. "I'm so proud of you. Aren't you glad you decided to work at the museum?"

"Volunteer at the museum," Magnus corrected.

"Life isn't about a paycheck," Alec sighed.

"That's because you've never had to live on one before," Magnus argued. Then with a sigh he added, "What did I marry into?"

Alec laughed, leaning forward to kiss his husband before replying. "Money?"

"Troubles more like," Magnus said with a shake of his head. "You've turned me into a total slacker!"

"I think you needed the break," Alec argued.

"Do you realize that I basically haven't had a job since we got engaged, right?" Magnus replied. "That's over a year! This isn't a break. It's unemployment."

"You've been employed at the museum since we got engaged," Alec reminded him.

"Volunteering your time isn't employment," Magnus replied, in an exasperated voice, as if he was sick of reminding Alec of this. "See there's this huge difference between them. You wanna guess what it is? Oh yes, that's right, a paycheck."

"I'm hungry," Alec said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Don't change the subject," his husband replied, narrowing his eyes, but Alec just smiled innocently and kissed Magnus on the nose before walking towards the kitchen.

"You know sometimes you are real annoying," Magnus's voice called after him.

"Too late," Alec replied as he opened the fridge. "You married me. No take backs."