Not By Choice

Chapter Six

EDITED 11/8/2021

June 17, 2017

Jem excused himself pretty quickly after that, Magnus made him a portal back to Buenos Aires where Tessa was waiting for him. Lily came through and ducked out of the bedroom, in search of their eldest son.

While Magnus was not pleased with Alec's earlier attempt at guiding the conversation in a different direction, he indulged him.

"And who is this?" he inquired, looking to Rafael as he covered Alec with the comforter.

The boy crawled to Alec's side and curled up flush against him. Although it hurt immensely, Alec wrapped an arm around the child and looked at Magnus tiredly.

"His name is Rafael and he's five years old," Alec confirmed with a nod. "He doesn't have anyone; he'd been living on the streets for two years. I couldn't leave him."

Magnus perched on the edge of the bed and carded his fingers through Alec's hair. As he did so he used his magic to clean the soot and debris out of the strands.

"You did the right thing, Mi Amor," Magnus reassured him. "He's safe with us, now."

"He's ours," Alec murmured, looking down at the small boy that was watching the two men converse quietly. He was looking at them with wide eyes. He had a hand fisting Alec's still torn and dirty shirt, but he seemed comfortable in the bed at the side of a man that he trusted implicitly.

"Yes, he is, darling." Magnus leaned down to press a kiss to his husband's lips. "You've brought us yet another treasure."

Magnus reached out with his fingers and stroked Rafael's cheek with the tips of his fingers, using his magic to gently scrub Rafael clean. The child marveled at the blue sparks that spread out over his skin.

"Would you like clean clothes?" Magnus asked him in Rafael's native tongue. "Perhaps some pajamas?"

Rafael looked up at the warlock with wide, disbelieving eyes. He looked to Alec with a heartbreaking hesitance. It was as if he couldn't believe that Magnus's offer was genuine.

"It's alright," Alec reassured him, speaking Spanish flawlessly. "You can say yes. Your clothes are dirty, wouldn't you like something clean?"

Rafael looked back to Magnus and nodded. The movement was almost imperceptible.

Magnus beamed and Alec was a little afraid for the child. Magnus loved to plan outfits for Max and Madzie, both of who enjoyed the attention. Rafael however was not used to such things. Alec hoped that Magnus would go easier on the child and conjure up something simple.

Magnus however, seemed to just be pleased by the affirmative answer and he conjured Rafael a set of pajamas in a soft, cotton-like material. The top was short-sleeved and a nice grey color. The bottoms were long and flowy, in blue.

Rafael looked down at himself in awe, pinching at the new clothes. He then looked down towards his feet and saw that his bright green sneakers still adorned them. He seemed to be content. That is until Magnus reached for the shoes.

"Here, we can take these off," he offered.

Rafael recoiled and yelled. "No!" he cried. "Mine, they're mine."

Magnus held his hands up in a promise not to try and take the shoes again. "Of course, they are," he nodded. "I just thought you might be more comfortable with them off while you sleep. We can put them in your new room if you would like."

Rafael shook his head stubbornly. "No."

He curled his knees up to his chest and held onto his shoes with his hands gripping the toes. He turned more towards Alec, the shoes pressing into his sore side.