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Magnus is pissed, to put it lightly.
Alec’s job obviously comes with a certain amount of unavoidable risk, but that’s exactly why they’d established standards to ensure good communication. They’re not rules, per se, but expectations. Pre-discussed agreements so Magnus would know if Alec was safe. That way, if Alec was injured, Magnus could rush to his side to help.
Their very first agreement? Alec would check in with Magnus as soon as he returned to the Institute after missions.
It’s been over eight hours since Alec left for a mission—and Magnus has yet to receive a single text from his boyfriend.
He’s had to stop himself from storming the Institute several times. The first time was the hardest; restraining himself was easier after he heard from Isabelle. She assured him everyone was alive and that Alec was safely in his office with a mountain of paperwork.
Shortly after that Magnus’ worry turned to anger. Alec was safe, healthy. So why wasn’t he texting?
Now, Magnus sips his martini, the only thing that’s keeping his temper even partially under control, and checks his phone again. No new messages. Two minutes till ten pm.
Alec was supposed to be home at nine, but apparently he’s breaking all the rules tonight.
He better enjoy it because he has two minutes before Magnus seeks him out and makes him regret everything.
The clock ticks to 9:59.
One minute left for Alec to rush in, apologize for everything and beg for forgiveness that Magnus will, eventually, give him.
Magnus checks his phone again. The lock screen is a photo of Alec smiling at him, sleepy and warm, and it temporarily quiets Magnus’ whirlwind of upset. Then he sees the time. Ten o’clock, and still no messages from Alec.
He stands, martini vanishing mid-movement so he can snap his fingers and change his outfit. He adorns himself in red and black, all sharp lines and hard edges. The moment Alec sees him, he’ll know what to expect.
A quickly-crafted portal deposits Magnus onto the sidewalk outside the New York Institute. It looms over him, not quite as menacing now that his beloved controls it.
His beloved who is in so much trouble.
Magnus waits with arms crossed and chin held high to be greeted. The shadowhunters know he’s here, no Downworlder passes through the wards undetected.
It’s unsurprising when Isabelle opens the door for him. She studies his outfit with a raised eyebrow as he notes her ichor-free dress. Clearly she’s had time to do things like shower and text a worried boyfriend.
“Isabelle,” he says cordially, remembering that she was the one to inform him of Alec’s safety.
“Magnus. Come to get Alec?”
His fingers twitch at the mention of Alec. He doesn’t want to be so angry, but when it comes to Alec’s safety, it’s hard to stay calm. That Alec hadn’t messaged him even once—about the mission or that he’d be home late or about anything at all—only adds to that flame of frustration.
“He’s in his office.”
Isabelle keeps stride with him, telling him about the mission as they walk. All the shadowhunters made it out alive, but not uninjured. They’d found a group of mundanes working with a warlock to summon a greater demon. Alec, she explained, was working his way through the stack of paperwork that came with a messy mission.
Magnus plays along, keeping his tone civil and cracking jokes to diffuse the tension, but the stiffness in his muscles refuses to ebb. Finally, they reach the Alec’s office.
“Don’t be too hard on him, he’s had a long day,” Isabelle advises before continuing on down the hall.
He takes a moment to pause, to breathe and try to relax. He won’t explode at Alec. He’ll simply explain why he’s angry, and they’ll work it out together. They always do.
Magnus knocks. When no answer comes, he opens the door and peeks inside.
Alec is at his desk, slumped over a pile of paper, drooling on what’s probably an important document. Soft snores reverberate through the room.
Magnus sighs, anger dissipating, and steps inside. He shuts the door behind him. Perhaps, Alec had a good reason for not messaging, but he’s working himself too hard if he’s falling asleep at his desk.
Magnus crosses the room on quiet feet and reaches out to brush the hair back from Alec’s forehead. Alec makes a sleepy sound, shifting closer to Magnus without opening his eyes.
“Time to wake up,” Magnus encourages, tracing his fingers down Alec’s cheek.
The shadowhunter grunts, turning his head like he’s trying to burrow into the desk the way one would a pillow. Then, probably realizing it’s not a pillow, he grunts and lifts his head. Sleepiness clings to Alec’s features as he blinks owlishly at Magnus. “Magnus?”
“Let’s get you to bed, darling.”
Alec makes another sleepy noise before straightening up. Magnus’ hand drops to his side. Admiring the shifting of Alec’s muscles as he stretches is a small reward after surviving the stress of the day. “What time is it?”
“Just after ten,” Magnus answers, keeping his voice carefully absent of any emotion.
Alec grimaces. There’s a spot of drool on the paper he’d been sleeping on, and Magnus snaps his fingers to clear it, earning an apologetic smile. “Thank you, and I’m sorry. I was going to text, I was thinking about it when I took a break, but…”
“Your break turned into a nap?”
“Yeah. I put my head down for two seconds and passed out.” He sighs, looking at the messy stack of papers on his desk. “I should finish these.”
Magnus purses his lips, considering magicking the paperwork into an active volcano. He refrains, barely, and loops his arms around Alec’s waist instead. He places a soft kiss to the side of Alec’s neck, making him gasp and tilt his head, giving Magnus more room. Always so responsive.
Magnus kisses just below Alec’s ear. “Come home.”
“I guess these can wait till tomorrow.” Alec tilts his head, pouting his lips in question, asking for a kiss. Magnus obliges him as a reward for the concession.
It’s difficult to pull away when Alec melts into him, all hot strength and desire, but Magnus forces himself to take a step back. Alec needs sleep.
Magnus sends Alec’s paperwork back to the loft before opening a portal for them to step through. When Alec starts unbuttoning his shirt, Magnus lies back on the bed to watch, magicking his clothes into a silk robe and clearing away his makeup. He’s not tired, but he’s always ready to cuddle Alec.
“You don’t seem angry,” Alec says, shrugging off the shirt.
“You need to rest. My anger can wait.”
Alec’s face scrunches, but Magnus is distracted by the way he’s stepping out of his jeans.
“So… you’ll be angry in the morning?” Alec asks, pulling on a thin cotton t-shirt as he crosses to the ensuite bathroom. Magnus is torn between wanting to ravish him and wanting to hug him and never let go.
“It’s incredibly likely.”
The shadowhunter doesn’t respond until he’s back in the bedroom. He crawls onto the bed to rest on Magnus’ chest and press a kiss over his heart. “Forgive me?”
Magnus tugs him closer, nuzzling Alec’s hair. “I will.” He waves a hand to turn off the light. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
“I love you.”
“And I love you, sayang.”
There’s a long moment of silence before Alec speaks again. “We still have to talk in the morning, don’t we?”
Magnus stifles a laugh against Alec’s hair. “Yes, I believe we do.”
“Okay.”
“Sleep now,” Magnus breathes, brushing his hand down Alec’s back. Alec is warm and heavy above him, even better than a weighted blanket.
It doesn’t take long for Alec’s soft snores to fill the room, slowly lulling Magnus to sleep.
Magnus wakes up to an empty bed. He can’t help but wonder if Alec woke up early just to run away, postponing the conversation they need to have. But then the bedroom door opens and Alec enters, holding a silver tray with a sheepish expression. “I made pancakes.”
“Breakfast in bed?” Magnus asks with a smile. He sits up, using magic to freshen himself up before accepting the tray. “You’ve gone all out.”
The pancakes smell divine so Magnus doesn’t hesitate to dive in as Alec climbs back into bed beside him. “I really am sorry about yesterday.”
After swallowing a bite of delicious pancake, Magnus sets his fork down and turns to meet Alec’s gaze. “I was worried when I didn’t hear from you all day, knowing you were on a mission. I was this close to breaking into the Institute just for information.” Alec’s eyes widen, but Magnus isn’t done yet. “Thankfully, Isabelle had time to answer her phone and let me know you were okay. We agreed on communication, Alexander. This wasn’t it.”
It hurts to see the obvious guilt wash over Alec’s expression. His gaze falls, his hands curling into the blanket. “I know, I’m sorry.”
“I’m not saying this to shame you or make you feel bad. I just want to know how we can avoid it in the future. I don’t want to control you, but it kills me not knowing if you’re safe.”
Alec reaches for him and laces their fingers together. “I know, I agreed to communicate because I don’t want you to be worried. I messed up, I won’t do it again, I promise.”
Magnus nods, taking another bite of pancake to chew while he thinks. He wants to believe Alec. “Okay.”
“You could, uh, if you’re worried about it, you could… punish me? If you wanted.”
Magnus blinks, wishing Alec would meet his eyes. “Punish you?”
“Yeah. Like, so you know that I know I’ve done something wrong; so you know I won’t do it again.”
“Alec, I’m not sure—”
“Please,” Alec says, voice rushed. “I want to know that we’re okay. I want to show you—I want this.”
Magnus hesitates. At least Alec is looking at him now, something pleading in the crease of his brow. The blush lighting his cheeks is both adorable and intriguing.
“What kind of… punishment are you suggesting?”
Alec starts tracing patterns over Magnus’ hand with his thumb. “You could, uh, spank me.”
Heat sparks in Magnus’ gut. “Would that really be a punishment, darling?”
“Yes?”
Magnus imagines it: Alec bent over his lap, ass red with Magnus’ handprint. “Would you like to kneel for me now?”
He hears Alec’s breath catch. “Yes, please.”
This part, at least, is familiar. Magnus summons a cushion. “On your knees beside the bed. Remember your safeword?”
Alec nods and leans forward to catch Magnus’ lips in a quick kiss before he gets off the bed. He kneels on the cushion and peers up at Magnus.
“I’ll spank you after I’m done eating this delicious breakfast you prepared for me. Would you like some?”
“Yes, please.”
Magnus cuts off a small piece of pancake and picks it up between his finger. He dips it in chocolate sauce, Alec’s preferred topping, and lowers it to Alec’s mouth.
“Thank you, sir,” Alec murmurs after he swallows.
Magnus smiles, focusing on the breakfast Alec has prepared. He alternates between feeding Alec and offering sips of water in between his own bites. He can feel the air growing tense around them as the peaceful morning turns into something deeper. Desire burns under his skin, mental images of Alec over his lap, but he doesn’t rush. He takes his time enjoying the food and ensuring Alec does too.
“Thank you, darling, the breakfast was wonderful,” Magnus says when they’ve finished food. Alec beams up at him, and Magnus runs out of patience. He magicks the tray to the kitchen and sits back against the headboard, pushing the blanket and sheets down to his feet. Then he pats his thigh. “Undress and get up here.”
Alec’s movements are fast and efficient. They’re not meant to arouse, but Alec is, in and of himself, arousing. Especially when he’s naked and lying across Magnus’ lap. Magnus can just make out the red tips of his ears where his face is pressed into the sheet.
“Good boy,” Magnus praises, brushing a palm down Alec’s spine. Alec, utter temptation that he is, shivers.
He rests his hand against Alec’s bare ass, appreciating the firm muscle and soft skin. He lets his other hand rest on Alec’s thigh, drawing small hearts with his thumb. Slowly, the tension drains out of Alec’s body, until he’s resting limply across Magnus. Good boy.
“Tell me what you’re being punished for.”
Alec squirms before quietly relenting, “I didn’t call you after the mission.”
“And?”
“I didn’t tell you I’d be home late.”
Magnus lightly pinches Alec’s ass. “That’s right. And why do I expect you to call me after missions or when you’ll be home late?”
“So you know I’m safe.”
“Good, you know I care very much about your safety.”
“I know.” Alec’s voice is little more than a whisper, muffled against the mattress.
“Now, thank me for punishing and absolving you.”
Magnus lifts his hand and brings it down with a cupped palm to amplify the loud smack. Alec’s hands curling into the sheets are the only signs he’s affected. “Thank you, sir.” Alec’s voice is just the slightest bit rough, muffled by the sheets.
Magnus does it again. And again. And again. Each time, he alternates sides. Each time, Alec thanks him. Each time, his skin gets a little redder.
Between the control that Alec so easily hands over, his marked up skin, and his little noises, it doesn’t take long for arousal to tent Magnus’ boxers. He ignores it despite Alec’s hip being pressed against it. Alec’s cock is equally hard against his thigh.
His hand comes down again, jostling Alec enough to draw moans from both of them.
“Thank you, sir.”
Magnus slides his left hand from Alec’s thigh, up his back, to tangle in his hair. He gives a gentle tug, directing Alec to lift his head. He glances back at Magnus over his shoulder, and Magnus goes still. Alec’s face is flush, his pupils dilated. But what really gets Magnus’ attention are the tears stunning his cheeks.
A hot jolt of shame goes through Magnus because Alec is utterly delectable like this.
Magnus releases Alec’s hair, brushing a thumb under his eye to wipe away a tear. “Do you need to safeword?”
Alec shakes his head, the movement jerky and desperate. “No, I’m good.”
When Magnus hesitates, Alec lets out a soft whine. Magnus takes a deep breath. “Five more, alright?”
“Yes, sir.”
Magnus slides his hand slowly down Alec’s neck, over his shoulders, then his back, working slowly down his body until it’s returned to his thigh. He pauses just long enough to tease before bringing his other hand down with a flat palm. The sound isn’t quieter, but the impact has Alec jolting and moaning. He likes the added pain.
“Thank you, sir.”
He does it again three more times, drawing intoxicating noises from Alec’s lips. For the final strike, Magnus brings his hand down right at the center of Alec’s ass, hard. Alec tenses, knuckles going white as he makes a choking sound.
Magnus is about to check on him again when he feels the wetness on his thigh. He can’t resist chuckling, softly petting Alec’s cherry-red butt. “Couldn’t help yourself, darling?”
“Sorry,” Alec gasps, sounding more sated than apologetic.
“I wasn’t going to let you come today, as part of your punishment,” Magnus lies, lightly scratching his nails over the reddest part of Alec’s right cheek. He hears the shadowhunter’s sharp inhale. “I’m rather disappointed you ruined my plans, but I’m sure you’ll make it up to me.”
Alec moans. “Please, sir. Let me make it up to you.”
“Go on then.”
His shadowhunter scrambles up, turning to face him. His face is still red and tear-stained, and Magnus can’t resist pulling him in by his chin for a deep kiss.
Magnus lowers his hands to the bed and waits to see what Alec will do. He pauses, and Magnus can practically see his mind working as Alec asses him, figuring out where to start.
Then Alec’s face smooths in a familiar look of determination. His hands go to the tie holding Magnus’ robe together. One solid tug has it falling open.
Alec scoots down Magnus’ body to straddle his calves. He leans down, and Magnus can feel the heat of Alec’s breath on his cock. It’s infuriating.
Alec looks at him with hazel eyes wide and pleading. “May I?”
“Oh, pretty boy,” Magnus murmurs, carding his fingers through Alec’s hair. “You may.”
The permission is all Alec needs to take Magnus inside his mouth. The heat is wet and silky and perfect, and Magnus grips a little tighter at Alec’s hair.
Alec swallows around him a few times, Magnus’ handprints still visible on his exposed ass, and Magnus comes down his throat with a low groan.
“Am I forgiven?” Alec asks, popping off Magnus’ cock, looking thoroughly debauched. Magnus uses his grip on Alec’s hair to tug him in for a long, slow kiss.
When he draws back, slowly releasing Alec’s lower lip from between his teeth, he nods. “You’re forgiven, and I trust you to call next time.”
“Will I get a reward if I do?” Alec asks as he curls into Magnus, their naked bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces.
“Knowing you’re safe and getting an excuse to spoil you? Alexander, there’s nothing I’d like more.”