Chapter Text
Alec nods through the inspector's stream of words. The man clearly feels superior to him, alpha-splaining things to Alec that he learnt in his freshman year at college. He smiles anyway, accepting the slightly condescending description of his own work. But if that's what it takes for Magnus to get the permit to reopen the Pandemonium after the big reconstruction done based on Alec's plans, so be it.
“Your use of the space is very imaginative,” the inspector says. Towards Magnus. Alec can barely suppress an eye roll.
“Well, I only had the space, my wonderful architect had the vision,” Magnus replies without missing a beat.
It's flattering, but they both know that this was a team effort. Magnus never misses an opportunity to let him shine, however. He's been his greatest cheerleader over the past two years. And long before that.
“Maybe I should find a diligent omega, too. It surely made the whole ordeal way cheaper,” the inspector says and puts his signature under the approval certificate.
Alec can feel a surge of anger coming from Magnus’ side of the bond. He puts his hand on the small of his alpha's back and gives the inspector his most winsome smile.
“I'm sure you will find a fitting mate,” Alec says sweetly. He doesn't care what that alpha thinks. He won't change a knothead's mind on a single occasion. It's not worth risking the permission. The big opening party is already planned for. Magnus would lose a lot of money if anything torpedoed his tight schedule. Being defended by his alpha isn't really high on Alec's priority list. He just needs this meeting to be over.
He's so damn tired, and the scent of the inspector is torturing his olfactory nerves. He can't remember a single alpha smell that bad to him in a very long time.
Thankfully, Magnus gets the hint and quirks a smile as he takes the papers from the other alpha's hands.
“You could come to our big opening,” he says, sweet as wild honey. “I'm sure there will be plenty of potential partners to choose from.” He pushes a leaflet into the other alpha's hand and shows him to the door.
Alec slumps down on one of the stools at the bar and quirks a smile at Maia behind it.
“Tough day?” the barkeeper asks.
Alec shrugs. “Normal, but I'm tired.”
“Is anything with the pups?”
Alec shakes his head. “No. I'm just restless. Having it all comes at a price. And my surprise heat made the last two weeks a little more stressful than it would've been anyway.”
“I can imagine. But the inspection went through, right?”
Alec chuckles. “Yes. With flying colours and ringing notes.”
“Congratulations! I knew you could do it,” the feisty omega smirks.
“My first solo project,” Alec says, pride spreading in his chest. It's not only on his side, it also comes over the bond from Magnus. Alec can smell it, too, his alpha's scent soothing the edges of his fraying soul. Alec doesn't even know why he's so knackered. He got eight hours of sleep last night. Uninterrupted sleep. Since the boys built their own nest on Rafael's bed, they only seldomly return in the middle of the night, waking him up. Morning cuddles are mandatory, of course, but other than that, the family nest is Magnus and his alone.
“If that doesn't earn you a partner offer…” he hears Magnus’ voice from behind.
“It's only one finished project, babe.”
“It's a prestige project, and Lydia said there's a free spot,” Magnus states. “Maia, I think it's time for a celebration. Mix us some Piña Coladas, please.”
“It's 11 in the morning,” Alec says, raising an eyebrow.
“Oh, it's happy hour somewhere, my love,” Magnus smirks. “Make them virgins,” he adds towards Maia with a wink of his eye.
“Coming right up, boss,” she says.
Alec quirks a smile at her as Magnus sits down next to him.
“Seriously, Alexander. It's time to take this step. You're more than ready.”
Alec suppresses a sigh. He had postponed that conversation, but with just another heat over and no shift in his scent proclaiming a pregnancy, he supposes, Magnus is right. They tried to conceive. They failed. He's probably too old or his last pregnancy left undiagnosed damage. He should start planning his future now, one that doesn't include more pups. But it's hard. He had been elated when Magnus finally agreed to it. His alpha doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all. He surely didn't cry lonely tears over it, covering them up with pretending he was watching a sad movie when his alpha called him in worry.
To this day, they've never closed their bond. It's a constant presence, a comforting one. Granted, it's often only in the background now, only big emotions sloshing over. As it should. Neither of them would get anything done if it were like at the beginning when Alec did not always know if he had feelings of his own or only second-hand emotions from Magnus. He can zoom in on the bond, of course, if he concentrates. But he barely spies on his mate. They trust and love each other. And Magnus is his own man. So is Alec.
“What's wrong?” Magnus asks, a frown pulling on his eyebrows. “You seem… exhausted.”
Alec gives him a lopsided smile. “I am.”
“You should lie down then. You know how comfortable the sofa in my office is,” Magnus offers.
“Nah. I gotta go back to work, and a nap won't cut it,” Alec says and takes the cocktail glass from Maia's hands. He raises it to Magnus.
“To us,” he says.
“To us,” Magnus repeats with the proudest of smiles. “This has come together nicely. I can't wait for the public to see it,” he says after taking a sip, eyes roaming over the club.
“I hope it'll bring you the revenue you were hoping for,” Alec says. Magnus invested so much money. It would be terrible if it were to end up as a pet project without obtaining a return.
“It will. I'm sure of it. Enough to buy you a partnership,” Magnus says.
Alec feels anger forming in his gut but he pushes it away before it can spill over into the bond. It's not Magnus’ fault that his original plans fell through. That his body failed him, once more. Because it is his fault. They got Magnus tested. If he had a proper omega, he'd already be a father by now. Not that Alec would voice his thoughts out loud. It is what it is, and Magnus is too good of a man to rub salt into the wound. Besides, Magnus loves their pups as if they were his own. That's a fact. But Alec sees the looks, the pity in the eyes of family, friends, and acquaintances. He's not stupid. Two years after bonding, as true mates at that, is a damn long time not to have offspring to show for. Maybe that's why Magnus is pushing him gently on the career ladder. If Alec were a well-established businessman, no one would question why their family isn't expanding. It would look like a choice and not an irony of fate.
It's not that Alec doesn't want to become a partner. It's just that, once again, he has no real choice. It's a logical step, having a withered uterus and a supportive mate. However, it would be by the grace of Magnus. Unless they sell the house and move over to Magnus’ place. At least, that would be his choice to make. His alpha hasn't pushed once, even though he has to go over to exchange his wardrobe every few weeks, the fashionista that he is. There isn't that much space in Alec's old fitted wardrobe.
“Alexander?” Magnus’ voice cuts through his brooding. “Are you sure you're not coming down with something?”
Alec chuckles. “Yeah, I'm alright. I should just get some groceries on my way home and cook for a change. We've lived off takeaway and ready meals for too long.”
“There's no shame in feeding our family like that. You're a working father, and so am I. It'll all go back to normal after the re-opening. You'll see.”
Alec nods and downs the rest of his cocktail before getting up. There's no use in postponing going back to work. Maybe he can clock out earlier if he manages his quota. A man can dream.
“See you tonight?” Alec asks.
“I'll try to make it home for dinner,” Magnus promises. Alec knows he will. Family meals are holy to his alpha, and they try to have at least one every day.
Alec shrugs into his jacket and grabs his briefcase. “I'll make tortellini bake,” he says. It's not really cooking, but with a side salad, it will feel like it.
“I can't wait,” Magnus says and accepts the goodbye kiss that Alec presses on his lips, cupping his neck right over the mating bite.
“Bye, Maia,” Alec calls before he leaves the club, walking straight to the next subway station. If he has lunch on his desk, he might even have time to drop by their favourite bakery and buy a piece of each of their favourites: cherry for Magnus, apple for himself, blueberry for Max and pecan for Rafael. Yeah. He'll do that. They have a reason to celebrate, after all.
It's a new beginning. Alec may not get everything he ever wanted, but he has everything he needs.