AN's: Sorry this took so long it's been a rough real life this week. Hope you enjoy this last chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Peace of mind, warmth in heart, joyful soul is what you give me.

"Still going strong out there." Alec turned away from the windows just as another flash of lightning lit up the sky. Thunder rumbled overhead as he settled back down on the floor, stretching out on the shag rug in front of the fire. He snagged another grilled cheese (his third) off the plate and grinned at Magnus' raised eyebrow. "What? I was hungry when I got here and then we worked up an appetite."

Magnus bit his lip, smiling into his (second) mug of tomato soup. "I suppose we did."

Alec picked up his own mug, dunking it into the creamy mixture and sighing when he took a bite. "This is the perfect meal for a night like this." He chewed thoughtfully as Magnus hummed in agreement. "But I'm sorry I didn't get to try what you were making earlier."

"There will be plenty of other times for you to try my famous pasta puttanesca." Magnus set his empty mug on the tray and moved to curl up next to Alec on the pillows he'd arranged. He leaned his head on Alec's shoulder, feeling warm and full in so many ways.

Alec moved his arm to wrap around him. "Friday night is date night then?"

Magnus smiled, snuggling closer as he sighed. "That can certainly be arranged, darling."

Alec rested his cheek against Magnus' hair, a soft smile on his lips as he stared into the fire- his eyelids growing heavy…

…he jerked awake at the sound of his phone ringing. Blinking, he looked around the loft. The fire was low, rain still pattered against the window, and Magnus was fast asleep on his chest. The clock on the far wall showed that it was nearing midnight. Alec hated to move and contemplated ignoring the shrill ringing, but thought better of it. Gently, he moved from beneath Magnus. The warlock stirred but did not wake, burying his face in the pillow Alec had replaced his body with. Alec smiled to himself, already missing the warmth and weight of him on his chest as he picked up his phone. His smile fell when he saw he had two missed calls from his mother. There was also a text from Izzy saying not to worry- everything was fine, but their mother had called looking for him and wasn't very happy.

He hung his head as he hit the call back button, bringing the phone to his ear as he headed into the kitchen. His mother picked up on the first ring.

"Alec, I'm glad you were able to deign to return my call."

Alec ignored the terseness in her voice as he sat at the island counter. "Mother. Did you need me for something?"

"It's not me who needs you, Alec. It's the Institute, not to mention your brother who is being held captive and here you are taking a night off to do god knows what with that…that…"

Alec cut her off, rubbing his eyes with his free hand and willing the headache that was sure to come away. "Magnus, Mother. His name is Magnus. And I'm certain the Institute can survive without me for one night. Now was there something of importance you needed?"

"If by importance you mean ruining our family name…"

"I think you did a fine job of that yourself," Alec interrupted again. "Good night, Mother." He hung up, tossing the phone a few inches away as he rubbed at his eyes, sitting for some time with his head in his hands in the dimly lit kitchen.

"Is everything alright?" Magnus' voice was soft against his ear, his arms coming around Alec's waist from behind.

Alec leaned back into him, eyes still closed. "Everything's fine. Just…my mother…you know…"

Magnus tightened his embrace. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Alec responded, sighing so sadly that Magnus moved to stand beside him, cupping his face in his hands. Alec opened his eyes and there was so much hurt and need swimming in them that Magnus felt his heart clench.

"Oh, Alexander." Magnus grazed Alec's cheeks with his thumbs before brushing his lips against his, wanting to comfort him. Alec sighed against his mouth, letting his mind go hazy as he sank into the kiss. He turned on the stool he was sitting in, pulling Magnus closer so that he was standing between his legs. Magnus' fingers moved to Alec's hair, the familiar heat coiling low in his stomach as he felt Alec harden against him. He wanted nothing more than to sink to his knees right there and take Alec into his mouth in the middle of his kitchen. To show him how treasured and wanted he was. Instead, he pulled away, pressing their foreheads together. He knew that wasn't what Alec needed right then.

Perhaps later…

Smiling a little wickedly at the thought, he kissed Alec's nose and rubbed the back of his neck. "How about a midnight snack? I had made a chocolate mousse pie, but we fell asleep before I remembered to bring it out."

He danced away from Alec's tightening grip and the shadowhunter let out a little growl. "That's not exactly what…" He paused as he took in Magnus' words. "…chocolate pie you say?"

Magnus chuckled as he took the pie out of the fridge and set it on the counter. He handed Alec a fork. "Chocolate cures all. Dig in, love."

Alec smiled, doing just that and Magnus had to bite his lip at the little moan Alec let out at the first bite. It was akin to the sounds he had made earlier in the tub. To distract himself, he started regaling Alec with stories of his travels over the years and soon they were talking and laughing and had consumed almost half the pie.

"So is that where you learned to cook?" Alec asked between forkfuls. "Traveling the world?"

Magnus nodded, taking a sip of water before setting the glass down next to the pitcher he had poured them. "Here and there. Pasta and chocolate mousse are hardly gourmet dining but you pick up different things."

"Why though? When you can just…" Alec made a gesturing wave of his hand and snapped his fingers.

Magnus huffed out a laugh and repeated the gesture. "This, as you say, gets boring after a while. I like working with my hands."

"I've noticed." Alec smirked around another bite of pie and Magnus couldn't help the full laugh that echoed in his belly.

"Be careful, Alexander. That was dangerously close to flirting."

"I think we crossed that bridge already," Alec said, looking at Magnus from beneath his eyelashes as he made a show of licking his fork clean.

"Even so… am I in trouble." Magnus shook his head fondly as he wrapped what was left of the pie up and began wiping down the kitchen counters.

Alec watched him in silence, taking in the way he moved- with such easy fluidity. He thought of how he had walked in on Magnus earlier. "When did you learn to dance?"

Magnus tossed the dish towel behind the sink and gave a shrug as he reached for his glass again. "I don't even think I remember…but I've always loved it. Why? Like what you saw earlier?" He sipped his water with a wink.

"You know I did."

Magnus didn't miss the way Alec's eyes grew darker, his voice lower. He put the glass down and came around the counter. "Come on then. Let's see what you've got." He grabbed Alec's hand and led them back into the living room, snapping his fingers along the way as that same upbeat tempo filled the room.

Alec's eyes widened as he shook his head. "Woah, no no no- I don't dance."

Magnus stood in front of him with a raised eyebrow. "You never learned?"

Alec shrugged, looking everywhere but at Magnus and suddenly feeling like a big, lumbering oaf. "It's not exactly on the course list at the academy."

"Nonsense." Magnus shook his head. "I've seen the way you fight, Alexander. No one is more in control of your body than you are."

"That's different," Alec argued. "It's work. Life or death. It's not for show."

Magnus shook his head again. "Dancing is only for show if you want it to be." He snapped his fingers again and the music changed to a softer melody. He trailed a finger up Alec's arm and moved around him. "Otherwise it's about you and the music and…letting go."

Alec closed his eyes a moment, remembering another time in this loft when Magnus had circled him. Then he had been confused and afraid. Now, he was just uncertain.

"I've never been good at letting go," he admitted, unsure why after everything that had happened that night he suddenly felt insecure.

Magnus stood in front of him again, placing his hands low on his hips. "You're better than you think. Do you trust me?"

Alec opened his eyes to find Magnus' cat eyes gleaming back at him, open and full of promises. "You know I do." He placed his hands on Magnus's shoulders, as he let out a breath.

Magnus pressed closer, lifting his head to whisper in Alec's ear. "Move with me."

It started slow, gently swaying together as the tempo continued to pick up. Magnus took Alec's hands in his, never breaking eye contact as he took him through the steps. Alec was surprised to find himself picking it up fast and soon they were twirling, twirling, twirling…laughter echoing through the loft until Alec felt dizzy, tripping over his feet and bringing them down onto the rug in front of the fire again.

Alec knew before they hit the floor that it was just one of the many times he had fallen that night. He looked over at Magnus, laughing beside him and rolled over on top of him. Magnus' chuckles died away at the look on Alec's face.

"Alexander?"

Alec brought his hand up to touch Magnus' face, eyes shining and heart beating rapidly. "Magnus…I…you…" Alec didn't know how to put into words what he was feeling. All he knew was that despite everything going on, all the darkness and the loss…when he was with Magnus he felt...lighter. Happy.

Magnus brought his own hand up, knuckles gently brushing Alec's cheek. Everything Alec wanted to say Magnus saw in his eyes. "I know, Alexander. Me too."

Alec smiled, pressing Magnus into the carpet as he kissed him with everything he had. Magnus matched him kiss for kiss and breath for breath and heart for heart.

Outside the storm had finally settled. There would be more…many more, but they would face them together- finding in each other peace, warmth, joy…and love.