SHAPESHIFTED (✓)

10. The Beginning of a New Day

The chirping of birds and cooing of tropical koels woke up Magnus from his sound sleep. The gentle golden rays peeking from the branches of trees fell on his face, making his caramel skin glow like a pure shade of gold. He blinked a few times to adjust to the morning brightness, once he did, he noticed a heaviness around his waist. He looked around and saw Alec sound asleep beside him, he was lying on his stomach, his one arm wrapped around his waist, head tilted towards the right, the other hand resting below his head supporting it. A relaxed, warm smile was on his face even when he was deep asleep.

Magnus looked at him, and a smile crept on his face at the sight of Alec sleeping like a small child. He gently turned towards him, careful enough to not disturb his hand and his sleep, the sight of him was breathtaking. He looked too adorable.

He reached his hand towards him, and fixed the flocks of his hair falling on his temple, gently and carefully. 'What is it that is making me do things I locked away centuries ago? I'm not gentle, I'm not caring, this is not me, people fear me. I'm only doing it to get my answers, but then, what is this unknown pull I'm having towards you, what are you doing to me shadowhunter!?' he thought, his fingers still playing with the flecks of his hair.

Alec stirred in his sleep when he felt a light feathery touch around his temples. He slowly opened his eyes only to find Magnus' chocolate brown eyes looking at him and his fingers playing with his hair. He blinked a few times to adjust to the rays of the sun falling directly into his eyes.

Magnus was too lost in his thoughts that he didn't realize that the shadowhunter beside him had woken up. Once he did, he gave him a warm smile. "Morning darling!"

Alec looked at him, his cheeks becoming pink. "Magnus, you're staring!"

"I'm not staring, I'm gazing, there's a difference."

"It's creepy!"

"It's not creepy, it's, well... adorable and romantic if you ask me!"

Alec groaned and hid his face with his hand. That's until he realized that his other arm was wrapped around Magnus' waist, he quickly unwrapped it and started apologizing under his breath. His face was a bright shade of red by now.

"Woah! Hey, calm down. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, Alexander. Relax, sweetheart!" He ran his fingers through his hair, gently stroking his scalp and pampering him to calm his hyperactive nerves, which worked and Alec relaxed under his touch. He had no idea from where this side of him came out, but he was glad that Alec was relaxed. He withdrew his hands and turned on his back to enjoy the nature and early morning.

"Ugh, Magnus.." Alec said in a whisper.

"Hmm.." Magnus said without looking at him.

"Umm.., please don't stop, I.. liked whatever you were.. doing.." he trailed off, too embarrassed to form words.

Magnus looked at him with a hint of worry and sympathy in his eyes, which was rare for him. He sighed and started stroking his hair again.

"Alexander, no offense but, I feel like you are not cared enough by your family, they don't acknowledge your efforts. I'm sorry if I'm being-"

"Magnus, it's okay. I'm a shadowhunter, a leader, and the eldest one in my family. They love me. I know that they do, but I'm supposed to be the responsible one, I'm supposed to take care of others, and not the other way around, it'll make me weak."

Magnus was completely dumbfounded by his confession. 'Oh, Lilith! How much more broken can you get, you poor nephilim!' he thought.

"Alexander, darling, love doesn't make you weak, it makes you stronger. There's a difference between pretending to be strong and actually being strong. Hiding your emotions can lead you to insanity. I'm not saying that you're not strong, you are, but, you have your needs too, everyone has. Everyone wants to be loved. I can see that right now, and I can also see that you are not used to getting pampered or cared for or complimented." Magnus said, trying his best to hide the disgust and bitterness in his tone because deep down, he hated every single word, every single letter that came out of his mouth.