Rock Bottom

Progress

It didn't quite feel real. Alec could barely contain his excitement. He'd done it, and he'd never ever have to do it again! He was euphoric, a before and after in black and white. The world felt bigger somehow, and all his to explore now that he had his driver's license.

Before he'd even exited the testing building Alec had texted his boyfriend to tell him the news. It had been a few months now that Alec had been sure he had a boyfriend, and so far there had been no downside. In fact, knowing he had Magnus made all the problems of daily life feel less substantial, almost as if it made him stronger. Any day he got to see Magnus was a good day guaranteed.

Even if he was elbow deep in dirt.

"From that smile on your face I take it you have plans with Magnus later," Abby teased him as they did landscaping on Charlotte's most recent retail investment.

"Yeah," Alec mumbled, turning slightly red.

"You're just adorable," Abby chuckled.

"Adorably mobile," Alec added, grinning. They'd been working with Charlotte nearby until now, so Alec had put off too much non-work conversation so as to avoid Charlotte's productivity glare.

"Does that mean?" Abby asked.

"Yep," Alec smiled. "I passed yesterday."

"Congratulations!" Abby squealed at him.

"Took me over a month to book another test, but this time I didn't screw it up," Alec replied.

"If we're exchanging news then I have some too," Abby added. "I went to the bank last friday and got a re-approval for a mortgage. Given my income it's not much, but it's a start."

"That's wonderful!" Alec exclaimed. "Still gonna need a roommate?"

"Definitely," Abby said. Then added after a moment, "Do you wanna come house hunting with me? I'm still working on getting a realtor, but when I do we could go together. If you want. Might be fun."

"Yeah sure," Alec replied, eagerly.

They had to get back to work after that, if nothing else to avoid Charlotte overhearing the topic, and returning to give them her disappointed look which cut worse than any yelling session. Maybe it was a mother thing, but that woman made disappointed ten times worse than mad.

Alec hadn't seen his actual mother for quite a while now. Months at least. He hadn't kept track. Life had just happened all at once for him, and he hadn't kept a calendar.

Why was he thinking about this? He'd already decided he couldn't forgive them. They weren't part of his life anymore so he had to put it from his mind. Better to think of Magnus and focus on his future. They were his past.

The work day ended and Alec made his way home, via carpool. He'd have to do some research on car models before going out to buy one. But that was a problem for tomorrow. Today he had plans with his boyfriend.

Magnus picked him up at home after dinner. Alec couldn't help but smile the moment he heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it!" Alec said, quickly jumping up to run to the door.

"Hi," Alec said softly once he saw Magnus. Without entering the house, Magnus gently stroked Alec check. He did this quite often as far as Alec could tell. It felt nice, but Alec still wasn't sure what the look in Magnus's eyes meant when he did this.

"You ready?" Magnus asked. Alec nodded.

"Are you hungry Magnus?" Tessa's voice came down the hall. "There's some left if you like, and next time you are always welcome to join us for dinner."