Dancing on My Own

Hand in Hand

"Yes?" Alec murmured back and Magnus nodded pulling Alec to his chest his fingers resting on his neck and gently playing with his hair. "A million times yes. Yes, I will dance with you, Alexander. As you fall in love when I enter a room I will lose my breath because of how amazing you are. You keep telling me you aren't good at this sort of thing but I would have to disagree. From the very start, you worried about what I wanted and you worried about your heart and your son's heart. That to me shows true commitment. So my answer is yes Alexander. I will be your person and I will love you as much as you will allow me too." Alec shifted to bury his face into Magnus's neck and he whispered "stay with me tonight?" Magnus kissed Alec's head murmuring "I will always stay with you, Alexander." After taking just a moment longer alone together Alec stood and grabbed Magnus by the hand heading back downstairs a smile on his face. Jace whistled as they came into the living room and Alec glared at him. Maryse smiled at them while she bounced Max on her lap. Robert turned slightly and nodded before continuing to say what he was saying before Alec and Magnus came downstairs. "Anyways I have no choice Maryse I don't care what you do with this house you know that but if you're not going to live here then someone has to be responsible for it and Alec doesn't make enough as is to support it. If you leave then I am taking the house back simple as that." Maryse passed Max to Simon gesturing for them to go upstairs and play and Alec let Magnus sit in the open chair while he rested against the armrest and he crossed his arms over his chest as he spoke. "What mom leaves and sorry Alec and Max go find your own place I am tired of  supporting the thing I broke is that it?" Robert sighed "Alec I gave you months to figure it out. You knew this was coming. The deal was either you get it taken care of by the time your mother leaves and the house is yours and if not I take it back since it's in my name. You had time Alec I am sorry." Alec laughed rolling his eyes. "I have heard that before. I am sorry I am not out on my own like Jace or Izzy but if you haven't noticed I have been keeping this roof over mom's head and raising my family." Robert looked at Maryse and then back at Alec saying softly "no Alec you haven't. When your mother found he bills you tried to hide from her so she wouldn't worry she helped and then eventually when she transferred to work strictly as your nanny and at the bakery, for no cost, Luke tried to step in but she refused and I stepped in and have been stepping in for several months now. I am sorry but I won't pay this house off with no help Alec and you showed you can't afford the cost." Magnus looked at Robert as he put a hand gently on Alec's hip to let him know he was there and Magnus raised his voice "may I offer my opinion?" Maryse smiled gratefully at him as did Luke but Robert shook his head "look I am happy my son has you but this is a family matter." Alec used the voice Maryse knows as his authoritative business voice. It is one that is rarely used and one that Magnus has yet to hear. Magnus quickly shifted mindsets from concerned boyfriend to business owner and crossed his legs leaning back making a gesture. "What I am hearing is that for Alec to stay soul owner of this house without concern is that he either needs to have enough income or have someone who is working with him on the payments so that you are not taking up the slack. If I am correct then I am also assuming that if Alec shows you he can do this in either of those ways you would put the house in his name." Magnus tilted his head waiting for a response from Robert but all Robert did was nod so Magnus stood gracefully and reached into his pocket and held his wallet in his hands. "Consider it done. Alec will have enough income to make sure the house does not fall back onto you payment wise because the house will be Alec's." Magnus pulled out a card holding it out to Robert and turned to go sit back down "we can discuss the details on Monday but I now must ask you to either drop this subject and enjoy the great night we were having or leave because I hate to say it but this isn't appropriate when you have guests. You're lucky it's me because god knows how someone else would have reacted." Jace smirked taking a sip of his beer and Luke leaned back proud someone stood up to Robert. Alec smiled at Magnus who winked. Robert did exactly that he dropped the subject and the adults spent the night cutting and playing some card game. 

While the others either stayed up chatting, drinking or saying goodbyes for the night Alec sat by his bedroom window holding a sleeping Max in his arms humming softly. Magnus excused himself and wished Simon, Izzy, Jace, and Clary a goodnight seeing as Maryse already headed to bed and Robert left not to long ago. Magnus stood in Alec's doorway and whispered "go put him to bed Alexander." Alec glanced over shaking his head and continued to just sit holding Max to his chest. Magnus moved to enter the room before shutting the door behind him. "Alexander?" Alec looked over at Magnus and offered a smile "this was the first thing I ever did with Max you know? The day I found him I wrapped him in my jacket and the only thing that would calm him down was being held against my chest as I hummed. I have done this every day since then." Magnus smiled and kissed Alec's head before gently taking Max from his arms "you're tired, Alexander. I will put him to bed." Alec gently kissed Max's hand before moving to get up as Magnus left to go put Max in his room. Alec changed and climbed into bed sighing. He didn't have time to think about how to ask Magnus what he was going to do come Monday because Magnus was already slipping into a pair of Alec's sweats and a t-shirt by the time Alec noticed he was back. Magnus climbed in beside Alec and murmured "I can get you this house Alexander but only if you want me to." Alec rolled to lay on his side so he could face Magnus "how?" Magnus faced Alec and gently grabbed his hand squeezing it. "in order to show you have an income you would have to be earning it or be in a household that is earning enough to cover the price your father has listed. He can either sell me the house or you can become part of my household." Alec opened his mouth "Magnus I can't ask you to do either one of those it's too much." Magnus shook his head "let me finish." He stroked Alec's cheek before continuing. "We can show your father our intent." He grabbed one of the many rings he normally wears off his finger but Alec grabbed his hand quickly "Magnus.." Alec had started to tear up and Magnus shifted to prop himself up as he murmured "Alexander.. well I am afraid I never did find out your middle name, anyways, Alexander I know how hard it can be to run a business from scratch and I can't begin to imagine what it's like to raise a child on my own but I have seen you do it without hesitation. So I am offering without hesitation probably the craziest thing you'll ever do. Well besides kiss me and then run but that's in the past. So Alexander.." He held up the ring and then made eye contact with Alec. "On Monday if you'll have me we get married legally and then legally what is mine is yours. I will add your name to the restaurant and my name would be associated with the bakery. By doing so not only would we become one of the most popular businesses but your dad wouldn't have control over you. He would lose Alexander you would win. You would be the one dancing and this time you wouldn't be alone." Alec looked at the ring and then at Magnus tears slipping down his cheeks as he tried to speak "Magnus I can't ask you to do this. We have only known each other a short time...I'm not ready..what if someone finds out we jumped into this..your name will be ru.." Magnus shook his head pressing his lips to Alec's gently. "I am not asking you to make this jump and be the perfect husband Alec. I am asking you to be my partner. Yes legally we will be married but no one has to know the reality. The reality is Alec we can be married and still date. Still get to know one another. Still, explore one another. This is for you. For your family. For Max. I have more in my life than I know how to handle at times and if I can see you smile without stress shrouding that smile then I am perfectly ok with this decision. Don't worry about my name because my name would be lucky to have you be a part of it and anyone who doesn't agree doesn't need to associate with me because I don't need them to be happy." Alec covered his mouth crying silently and Magnus kissed his temple staying silent so that Alec could think and Alec choked out through the tears "that ring isn't going to fit me, Magnus." Magnus laughed happy tears sitting in his eyes. "We can buy a new one you loveable idiot." Alec wiped his tears and nodded "ok. Yes Magnus I'll have you." Magnus leaned down to kiss Alec slowly and Alec kissed him back happy to know he would be ok and not have to rely on his father anymore and his mother could go explore the world as she wanted, but that didn't stop him from thinking of what could happen since he agreed to this. One thing he knew for certain though is he looked forward to falling madly in love with Magnus because maybe one day they could have a real wedding. A wedding because they loved each other and wanted the world to see that. He hoped for that one day but for now, he is going to enjoy the here and now and right now he had the best person he could ever have by his side willing to jump into the deep end and learn how to swim together. Hand in hand.