Dancing on My Own

Yes

That day in Alec's bedroom was a much-needed step in their relationship. Magnus was proud of Alec for that step and was willing to take it as slow as Alec wanted. What Magnus didn't expect was to get invited to Alec's place for a small dinner with everyone in Alec's family a few weeks later. Magnus did, however, assume Alec meant as a friend so he was ready to play that part if it was what Alec needed. He knocked on Alec's front door wearing simple black shorts and a short-sleeved button-up shirt that was casual enough for the occasion but not casual enough to break his sense of style. He hummed softly holding the bottle of wine he brought and some sparkling grape juice for Max in his bag. He smiled softly when Max and Izzy answered the door. Music could be heard softly in the background and Izzy gestured towards the back yard. "He's outside cooking with the rest of us. Let me take these." She reached for his bag while Max skipped back towards the yard after waving to Magnus as a sign of hello. Magnus chuckled softly and stepped outside leaning against the porch railing looking around. He saw Jace sitting on a blanket next to who he assumes is Clary. Simon was sitting with them chatting away meanwhile Maryse was sitting at a table with who he thinks is Luke but he didn't know who the other man was. He shrugged and turned his head to watch Alec at the grill. He was wearing a pair of navy blue shorts with a white button-up short sleeve top. The backyard wasn't huge but it was enough space for a family to enjoy each other's company. Magnus must have been staring because the next thing he knew Izzy was clearing her throat pushing a drink into his hand. "Go say hi to him and give him a refill." She gestured to the glass in his hand then over to Alec before walking past Magnus down the few steps it took to get off the porch and over to Jace, Clary, and Simon. He looked over at Alec again before walking towards him and he said softly to Alec's back "need a refill?" Alec visibly perked up at the sound of Magnus's voice and he closed the grill turning to face Magnus with a bright smile on his face. "Hey" he murmured to Magnus softly pulling him into a brief hug before taking the glass making a gesture as thanks. "Why don't you go get a space at the table for us and just leave a little spot for Max" Magnus glanced at the table where Maryse and the others were sitting before nodding and he headed that way. He smiled when everyone looked his way and he sat near Maryse leaving a small space for max there. "She grinned and held her hand out. "You must be Alec's friend Magnus. It's lovely to properly meet you" He smiled before gently shaking her hand and he nodded. "Yes Alec's friend and its lovely to finally meet the wonderful mother who raised Alexander." Maryse laughed pointing to Luke "this is my partner Luke and that is Alec's father Robert." She pointed at Robert upon saying his name and both men made a small gesture as Alec came over with all the food. "Mom do not be telling my boyfriend embarrassing stories about me." Magnus looked up quickly when Alec said the word boyfriend his eyes wide. He went to say something as Max took his seat next to him and everyone was looking between Alec and Magnus waiting to see if either of them were going to react but Alec seemed oblivious of Magnus's facial expression. He got Max a hot dog, fruit, and chips to eat before sitting down and noticing how silent it was he looked up laughing "guys I might bake for a living but I do know how to cook so please eat." He hummed grabbing a plate to get his own food. Maryse looked at Magnus briefly then over at Robert. Alec looked up again when no one said anything or made a move to get food. "What is it?" Jace smirked and grabbed a plate while Magnus cleared his throat. "You uh called me your boyfriend" he lowered his voice slightly because of sitting next to Max and Alec laughed. "That's what you are isn't it?" Magnus nodded slightly and gestured to Max and Alec raised his eyebrows before smirking. "Hey monkey who is Magnus to daddy?" He waited for Max to answer and looked at Magnus as Max said happily "Mags and daddy are together." Alec nodded "that's right Monkey and what does that mean?" Max set his chip down to smile happily at Magnus "that daddy and Mags care for each other lots and lots like auntie Izzy and uncle Simon do." Magnus smiled softly at Max before turning to look at Alec pride shining bright in his eyes. '"Alexander..I.." Alec set his plate down and passed Magnus one as he pulled him into a kiss "hush so we can eat before it gets cold." He pulled away and started to eat and he groaned softly the second his mother and sister started asking a million questions. 

After eating Jace and Simon were cleaning up the table and Alec was talking with his dad while Magnus helped Maryse with the dishes. Magnus had trouble hearing all of what was being said but he did catch Alec saying "it doesn't matter when I announce it. It isn't anyone's choice but mine and Magnus's....of course, he knew about Max. It isn't like I hid it from everyone I just didn't announce it in some big grand gesture and that's my choice." There was a pause while Robert looked towards Magnus briefly before turning and speaking again and Magnus could see Alec roll his eyes. "You know you would know about it sooner if you hadn't left. You would know about it if you made more of an effort with me rather than just my son. So you are right I never publically said anything but my family knew and that's what matters. Either accept it or move on it doesn't change my decision father." Alec shifted his stance and shook his head "I know it isn't about Magnus being a guy. I know. We have had this discussion but he isn't like that. He isn't some fling I sleep with because I am stressed ok. He means more than that. He's like you know a galaxy or whatever. I love him.... well I think I do." Magnus dropped the glass he was washing and Maryse startled and Alec and Robert turned to look at what happened. Magnus cleared his throat shaking his head moving Maryse out of the way so she didn't cut herself and he grabbed a rag. "I am so sorry I don't know what happened. I will replace it." He briefly made eye contact with Alec before looking down to clean up the mess he made. Alec pushed past his dad checking on his mom before grabbing Magnus by the wrist. "Hey it's alright let me help" Alec helped Magnus clean up the glass and grabbed Magnus's hand when he noticed a small cut. "Let' go clean this up" he gently held Manus by the hand and took him upstairs to his bathroom.

Upon getting into the bathroom Magnus sat on the edge of the tub while Alec kneeled in front of him with a first aid kit. "What was that Magnus?" Magnus shook his head not wanting to admit he was listening in on the conversation. Alec gently cleaned the small cut before putting a bandaid on it and pressing a gentle kiss to it. "I meant what I said to him you know. I am not sure how much yet or what to call it but I think..no I do love you Magnus and you are my boyfriend or galaxy." Magnus teared up and laughed cupping Alec's cheek "my moon and my stars you loveable idiot. I am sorry for listening in but he didn't say much during dinner and I wanted to be sure you were alright. I'm sorry about breaking your glass I was just.." he sucked in a breathe when Alec kissed him gently.  "Stop talking about the glass. stop saying sorry" he rested his forehead against Magnus's closing his eyes whispering "you'll have to help me with this because I haven't been very good at it in the past." Magnus cupped Alec's cheek and murmured back "you are doing beautifully so far." Alec pulled away to look at Magnus  offering a small smile "I never got to ask you properly before announcing it as I did at dinner so hear me out." He grabbed Magnus's hand taking a deep breath before speaking. "When I first met you there was this mysterious yet intriguing aspect to you. I got sucked into your charm as if you were magic, but I had the wrong idea about you. I saw the suits and the restaurant and I thought here goes another fling with a guy that won't ever see me for me. The truth is though Magnus you were like the air I was searching for. You call me your moon and stars but you are like the fresh breath I have been searching for. My entire life I never felt completely myself. I saw my parents love each other and love each of their kids, myself included. I watched them fall out of love and I watched as my mother fell back in love. I watched my siblings find their one and it was as if I was in a room full of people dancing and I was dancing alone. When I adopted Max he became my person. My one special thing and then the bakery happened. Max was maybe 3 at the most when I started having these flings. I did it out of stress but that kinda ruined the whole prospect of being with someone because my family while they supported me didn't agree with how I behaved but they had someone and I didn't. I love my son more than anything you know that but I wanted someone to hold me. I wanted to be like my sister who could walk into a room and Simon would fall in love all over again. I want to be like my brother who loves so deeply its as if he needs Clary to survive. I'm not saying let's go get married but what I am saying is dance with me. Be my air. Be my person Magnus and I will love you so deeply that when you walk in the room it's like I am falling in love all over again. I want to be that courageous man you first saw running a bakery open and proud and with a son. I want to hold hands and kiss because that's what people do. I want this. No more baby steps we do this. Together. I was never one to do things without thinking but sometimes overthinking can be the single thing to destroy everything I am trying to protect. Help me not overthink. Teach me to love. Dance with me Magnus. Be my breath of fresh air." Magnus was speechless which isn't normal and Alec at some point in the middle of him talking had put both his hands on Magnus's face cupping his face and he searched Magnus's eyes for an answer. Magnus let out the breath he must have been holding and he whispered one word. "Yes."