Jace had finally left Magnus' apartment to take a walk and the Warlock was lounging on his sofa sipping on a drink enjoying the peace and quiet, wishing Alec was there with him now that the blond nuisance was finally gone.

Just then his doorbell rang, shattering the silence and Magnus sighed getting up to answer the door, muttering under his breath. "I should have known it wouldn't last long."

"That was a short walk blon-" He started saying before seeing the boy in front of him. "Alec?" Alec was standing there, as if the universe had heeded his hidden wish and summoned him to Magnus' side. There was a strange expression on his face, like desire mixed with fear and determination at once. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" He asked, because surely it was too good to be true. Alec couldn't have come there just to see him.

Without saying a word, Alec grabbed Magnus by the hem of his shirt and kissed him hard, pushing him back against a wall.

Magnus' eyes widened in surprise but then he closed them and kissed him back surrendering. He always loved kissing Alec after all.

But then the Shadowhunter raised his hands in his chest and started unbuttoning his shirt, and his eyes opened once more. "Alexander, wait." He pushed him back gently, and taking the message Alec stopped immediately and let him go.

The Nephilim's former determination slipped away and he looked nervously at him. "I'm sorry. I thought you'd want this."

"Alexander..." Magnus sighed. "Is that what you think of me? That this is the only thing I care for?" He said trying to conceal the hurt in his voice, but his eyes couldn't lie.

"No!" The Nephilim exclaimed urgently, wishing to make things right again. "No." He said softer, "Of course not... It's just that..."

"I understand you may feel uneasy since this is your first relationship." Magnus said patiently. "But you have to understand Alec. You're not the only one that feels vulnerable."

Alec looked at him in disbelief and Magnus went on. "I know I'm too much to handle for most people. You were shocked by the number 17.000 but the thing is... It's not my fault the number is so vast. No one lasted, no one ever really wanted to stay with me. I just... I kept trying. I didn't want to be alone."

"Magnus..." Alec muttered reaching out to touch his face softly. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Please Alexander, don't pity me." He said looking away.

"No. Magnus, look at me."

The tone in his voice made the Warlock look up, but what he saw on Alec's eyes wasn't pity, just tender fondness.

"I don't pity you Magnus. I pity those 17000 fools, who couldn't see what they had and let it go. And I'm sorry you had to go through so much pain. You deserve so much more. You deserve to be happy."

"Wha…t?" Magnus muttered staring at him, unable to believe he could mean those words, but also unable to find a lie in those sincere hazel eyes looking back at him.

Alec took a step closer and hugged him tightly. "I know I couldn't possibly compete with all those people, and I'm sure you've been with a thousand others better than me in many aspects, but if there's one thing I can do, is this." He muttered to his ear, the whispered words making Magnus weak in the knees. "I promise I won't leave you. I won't push you away. Never again. No matter how tough things get, I'm going to fight for you. For us. So you don't have to be afraid anymore."

"You seriously mean that?" Magnus whispered hugging him back tightly.

"I do. I really, really do. Don't you want me to mean it?" Alec said, letting him go to look at him face. "I thought you were all for effort." He smiled to lighten the mood.

Magnus smiled back at him, allowing himself to hope once more. "I am."

"Good." The Nephilim told him, leaning close, bringing their foreheads together.

Magnus closed his eyes, sighing contently, and when he opened them again, Alec was still looking at him, waiting, a loving look on his beautiful hazel eyes. The Warlock's heart skipped a beat at the look in the Shadowhunter's face, a look he hadn't seen directed at him in ages.

There was pure desire there, but also endless fondness, and maybe even love. Feeling the same things himself, Magnus brought a hand up, to softly caress and cup Alec's face, and closed the distance between them, bringing their lips together at last, in a sweet, soft kiss.