Chapter Thirty One - Oh My Goodness.

They were stood outside Magnus's front door, shivering, cold but happy. As they stood outside the door, Magnus took the opportunity to kiss Alec, pinning the Shadowhunter against the door. Alec smiled, leaning in and accepting the kiss. "Magnus. Open the door." He murmured as they pulled back for breath.

"I can't." Magnus shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't have the keys."

"You mean you locked yourself out of your own home?" Alec laughed, eyeing the pockets on Magnus's clothes as though he knew the keys were there. "No. You just have to find your set of keys." Magnus grinned wickedly.

Alec smiled, "Do I get a clue?" He asked eyeing Magnus's pockets again.

"Yes. They aren't on me so stop eyeing me like that, unless you want another kiss!" Magnus replied laughing as Alec blushed scarlet.

"Okay," Alec said, hurriedly running his hands through his own pockets to make sure Magnus hadn't slipped them in there while they were kissing. "Do I get any other clues?"

Magnus grinned, "A few lyrics."

"Lyrics?"

"Yes, these lyrics. 'I'll leave the door on the latch, if you ever come back, if you ever come back, there'll be a light in the hall and the key...' That's all you get." Magnus replied with a smirk, "You won't get it out of me." Alec sighed, "Are they out here with us?"

"Maybe." Alec rolled his eyes at his boyfriend and began to pace as he thought about it. Running a hand through his hair he moved to look inside the plant pot that was in the corner of the landing. No keys. He glanced over his shoulder at Magnus, he shook his head at Alec. "Fine." Alec huffed with a pout.

'Think, Alexander, think!' He thought, running a hand through his hair. He hadn't really listened to music much but he was almost certain he'd heard those lyrics at some point. "I'll the door on the latch... if you ever come back. If you ever come back." He muttered, moving towards the front door. He pushed on it. It was shut tight. He sighed. "There'll be a light in the hall." He glanced up. The light was on. "And the key..." His feet caught on something and he stumbled, barely catching himself. He looked down, Magnus's door mat. Which was usually on the other side of the door. He smirked over at Magnus, his eyes narrowed, Magnus stared blankly at him. "And the key... under the mat!!!" He exclaimed, picking up the mat. A set of keys glinted in the light up at him and he scooped them up with a grin. "Found them!!" He cheered, glancing over at Magnus.

Magnus grinned, "Good singing too." He commented, Alec flushed a deeper shade of scarlet. Alec turned to the lock and placed the keys in the lock and turned them.

Alec was frozen to the bone as he and Magnus stumbled into the apartment. The living room was in darkness but from the street lamp outside the window Alec could see the snow that was already beginning to fall. He turned to face Magnus but the warlock was no longer stood beside him, Alec frowned, "Magnus?" He called as his eyes scanned the dark room trying to find out where Magnus disappeared to. "Magnus, where are you?" The lights in the room suddenly turned on and Magnus leapt out from behind the sofa with Chairman Meow cradled tightly in his arms, "Surprise!!!" Magnus yelled, grinning as Alec jumped in shock. "We did it Chairman! We surprised him!!!" Magnus cheered, raising the cat above his head. Alec stuck his tongue out at them both as he let his eyes look around the room. The photos of him and Magnus were back in their places and a huge glittery banner that read: 'Welcome home Alec!' Was spread across the ceiling, Alec smiled. To him, this was home.

He moved towards Magnus and kissed the warlock's cheek, "I love it." He said and Magnus beamed. A loud indignant meow sounded and Alec glanced down at Chairman Meow, "My baby Chairman!" Alec exclaimed taking the cat from Magnus, Chairman Meow instantly began purring loudly. "By the Angel I missed you! Both of you!" Just then Alec's phone buzzed and he handed Chairman Meow back to Magnus for a moment as he pulled his phone from his pocket. It was a text from Isabelle:

Isabelle: What did I tell you? It will all work out in the end. I'm happy for you the two of you. x

Alec smiled as he replied: Thanks Iz. He sent the text and switched his phone off. "Isabelle." He stated as he saw Magnus's questioning look, Magnus nodded and smiled.

Alec took Chairman Meow back from Magnus with a laugh as Magnus exclaimed, "I always knew you loved that cat more than me!!" Alec sat down on the sofa and Magnus joined him, letting Alec's head rest in his lap as Chairman Meow balanced on Alec's chest. Magnus smiled, running his fingers through Alec's hair, Alec found himself feeling soothed by the motions and he let out a yawn. Magnus smiled, "Sleep if you want. I'll still be here when you wake." Alec smiled sleepily and let his heavy eyelids drift shut. The last thing he was aware of was Magnus's lips pressing against his before he fell into a deep sleep.

*****

Magnus's fingers continued to run through Alec's dark hair as the Shadowhunter finally fell asleep. Magnus smiled down at Alec's sleeping figure, he looked adorable. He waited until Alec started lightly snoring giving Magnus that all clear that his boyfriend was truly fast asleep. He glanced down at Alec's right hand where the silver band of the Lightwood family ring encircled his index finger. He smiled to himself as an idea popped into his head; it was Alec's birthday tomorrow he realised, as he slowly slid himself out from underneath Alec's sleeping form, careful not to wake him as he placed a pillow under his head. He leaned over Alec and lightly kissed him on the cheek before heading towards the front door of the apartment, grabbing his coat on the way.

The night was dark and although Magnus was tired and wanted to go back inside and curl up in the sofa besides Alec, he forced himself to walk on through the snowy night. A light dusting of snow crunched underfoot as he headed down 14th Street and came to a stop outside a door. The paint was peeling off the wood in patches, flakes littering the top step. He paused, debating his options and wondered if Alec had remained asleep or if he'd followed him. Magnus hoped he was still asleep. He cast a glance around his empty surroundings and knocked on the door. He stood with his hands in his pockets waiting, before the door finally opened and casting one more glance around him, he slipped inside.