Alec walks into work with a scowl on his face. He's dead tired, and looking forward to this week being over with. They're finally at the end of their ninety day shift, and on top of him being sick of waking up so damned early everyday, he is also dealing with being sexually frustrated. He and Magnus have been seeing each other almost daily outside of work, but they have yet to move their relationship to the next level. They are exclusive with one another, but whenever their make out sessions start to progress, Magnus stops everything. Alec is starting to get a serious case of blue balls and it's killing him. He's never said anything to Magnus about it; he's too afraid of coming off sounding like a dick. He respects Magnus' boundaries, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Everything else about their relationship is going well. As predicted, Aline knew all along about Magnus' sexuality, due to her relationship with Magnus' mother, and Magnus did mention that Chief has known since day one. Magnus still isn't comfortable about mentioning it to any of the other guys at work, much to Alec and Aline's prompting. But once again, that's Magnus' decision, and Alec isn't going to go against that. He respects him too much to push the subject any further. Aline also knows about Alec and Magnus' relationship. They've been on a few double dates with her and Helen. Actually, Helen's older brother Mark has volunteered to be a sperm donor so Aline and Helen can start their family. That has been a process in itself and Magnus and Alec have definitely been kept in the loop, much to Alec's distaste. To him, hearing about all their conception attempts is very nauseating, while Magnus looks genuinely interested.

Alec takes it all in stride since they've become such close friends, but it takes some effort.

Magnus has also met Clary, Jon, and Holly. He adores Clary and Holly, but Jon has scared the ever living shit out of Magnus. The first time they met, Jon went all protective big brother on him, and gave Magnus 'The Speech'. Alec was there during it, and even he has to admit that it was quite terrifying. Magnus was so shaken up after their first meeting, that he made Alec promise to teach him self defense. The training sessions have been rather fun, and Magnus is a fast learner, however, the lessons also didn't help with Alec's little predicament. Alec has been taking cold showers for months, and it's getting old pretty quick.

Alec has also met Magnus' best friend, Ragnor Fell. Ragnor is originally from London and went to the same boarding school as Magnus. He's now living in New York as a Junior Account Executive Broker on Wall Street. Alec and Magnus met him at JJ's one morning about two weeks ago, and Ragnor is one grumpy Brit. Judging just from the two hour conversation Alec had had with the man, he seems to fit in at Wall Street seamlessly. The guy has been working on Wall Street for a little over a year, and he has more accounts than any other junior executive. He's also scary as fuck! Where Magnus was worried about Jon, Alec is more concerned over the brooding Englishman killing him. Although Ragnor has a very grumpy demeanor about him, he tends to look at Magnus with a brotherly affection. Alec can tell that the two are as close of friends as he, Clary, and Jon are.

Alec is brought out of his thoughts by the sound of Magnus and Aline arriving. Alec nods his head acknowledging the two, then sets to work on inspecting their ambulance for the day. He makes sure the vehicle is stocked, clean, then calls dispatch for their starting milage and shift change information. Once he's completed his morning tasks, he notices Magnus hovering off to the side. Magnus takes a quick look around then walks over, puts his arms around Alec's waist, and gives him a sweet kiss.

"Is everything alright, darling? You seem tense this morning," Magnus inquires once he lets Alec go.

"I'm fine," Alec sighs out, rubbing his hand over his forehead. "I'm just tired and I'm ready for this rotation to be over and done with."

"Just four more days, then you are free to sleep in for the next ninety days." Magnus smirks. He's fully aware of Alec's aversion to waking up early. He did tell Magnus that he wasn't always like this. Back in high school, he loved waking up early, doing his MMA training, or going out in the backyard of his parents' home and firing off arrows, but now, he just can't seem to want to get out of bed before noon. "I'll even take you out for a cup of coffee when we get off tonight, if you'd like, of course."

This causes Alec to smile. Magnus knows of his dependency on coffee, and instead of trying to break him of this particular habit, he enables him. To Alec, that just makes him even more perfect.

"You certainly know a way to a man's heart, don't you," Alec mutters as he's looking up into those beautiful golden-green eyes.

"Well, you are the first man I've dated that has such an addiction to caffeine. However, I do love keeping my man happy," Magnus admits with laughter in his eyes.

'Now if we could do other things, I'd be even more happy!' Alec wants to say. Quelling the urge, he leans his head on Magnus' shoulder and laughs instead.

~oOo~

Throughout their day at work, Alec sends a few texts to Jon and Clary, plays a few board games with Magnus, Aline, Jordan, and a few other guys, then sits down and starts reading a book. It's hard to concentrate on the words, though. His brain just keeps returning to thinking about Magnus. When he's trying to read the same paragraph for the fourth time and can't remember what's happened in this entire chapter so far, he considers simply giving up.

He's still debating this when one of the guys runs in the common room shouting that there is a box of kittens outside, causing everyone to get up to go take a look. Once they're all outside, they do in fact find a box of kittens. There appear to be about eight in the litter. They're all either solid white or solid gray, with the exception of one, that is a mixture of both. All of the guys reach in and grab one while Alec stands back and watches. He doesn't want to get attached to any of the kittens because he knows he can't take any of them home. Their appartment has a very strict 'No Pets Allowed' policy. He looks up to see Magnus walking over to him with the gray and white tabby.

"Look at this little guy! He's so adorable!" Magnus exclaims with joy in his eyes, "I'm definitely taking this one." He cradles the little animal close to his chest and looks around with slightly narrowed eyes, almost like he's convinced someone's going to steal the kitten from him. Which, of course, causes Alec to chuckle and pet the little guy. Magnus lets him, albeit slightly begrudgingly.

"Shouldn't we take them to a vet or something? They all look too small to be away from their mother," Alec states as he's still scratching the kitten under it's chin.

"There was a note attached to the box. It said that the kittens are seven weeks old, but the owner couldn't take care of them. The poor mother died, but the owner didn't want to take them to a shelter, saying that they were too afraid that the kittens wouldn't be put in good homes." Magnus shakes his head. "It appears that everyone is taking one home with them."

"Why don't you and I take it to the vet when we get off, just so we can make sure that this little guy is healthy, then I'll take you to the pet store so we can get it some food and other necessities," Alec offers, still petting the kitten. Alec loves animals, he wanted to get a pet growing up, but his parents wouldn't allow it. They thought Alec, Izzy, and Jace wouldn't actually take care of it, and it would have been up to his parents to take on that responsibility.

"You'd be willing to do that for me?" Magnus asks, looking away from his new little fur baby.

"Of course I would." Alec furrows his brows. "I love doing things to keep my man happy," he whispers and throws an inconspicuous wink towards his boyfriend, which causes Magnus to throw his head back in laughter. Alec could listen to his boyfriend's laugh everyday for the rest of his life and never get tired of hearing it. That is when Alec realizes - and comes to terms with - the fact that he is slowly starting to fall hopelessly in love with the man standing before him.

~oOo~

Once their shift ends, they head towards a vet's office that Alec looked up online. Alec's getting ready to make his right hand turn when Magnus shouts out a 'no'. Alec looks over at his boyfriend like the man has completely lost his mind.

"Why on god's green earth do you not want me to turn?" Alec questions.

"Because, I promised you coffee from JJ's, and I intend on keeping that promise," Magnus states, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Just pull in, I'll have you hold the kitten while I run in and get your coffee." Magnus almost thrusts the small animal into his face, looking like he's making a big sacrifice by doing so. Alec just rolls his eyes and pulls into JJ's. Magnus hands Alec the kitten, then quickly exits the car.

"Your new daddy is a wittle on the scawy side isn't he?" Alec says using a baby voice. "Yes he is! Yes he is!" He then proceeds to pull the kitten towards him and gives him a kiss on the top of his head. The kitten snuggles into Alec's chest, purrs, and takes a little nap. Alec can't help but to internally gush at all of the cuteness.

"Here you go, my..." Magnus is cut off by a shushing noise, as Alec points to the sleeping kitten. Magnus' eyes light up, and mouths 'Awwwww!', then carefully shuts the car door, and they drive off.

Once at the vet, they walk up to the front counter, sign in, then wait. At this point, Magnus has the kitten in his arms, Alec has his cup of coffee in one hand, while the other is stroking the kitten's head.

A few minutes pass before they're being called into a room. They walk in, give the vet all of the information they are able to, then she does her examination on the kitten. She does confirm that the kitten is, in fact, a he, and she asks what they want to name him.

"Chairman Meow!" Magnus automatically says. Alec and the vet turn around and burst out laughing at the pun, in Alec's case, although the vet might just be surprised by the sheer ridiculousness of the name.

"Well Chairman Meow, it's very lovely meeting you today," the vet says as she grabs his little paw to shake. "Your daddies seem to love you already," she adds, which causes Alec to blush.

"Actually, he's just Magnus' baby. I'm not allowed to have pets at my place," Alec explains while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Nonsense, Alexander, he is our kitten. He's attached himself to you, just as much as he's attached to myself," Magnus responds, which causes Alec to blush even more. The vet laughs, then proceeds to give the Chairman his vaccinations.

Once they finish up, Magnus pays and schedules Chairman's next appointment for his booster shots, then they head over to the pet store.

At the store they buy him everything he needs, food, a dish, litter and a litter box, a few toys, a collar with a bell on it, and a small bed. Magnus is especially excited about the box the small bed comes in, immediately gushing about the cat videos he's seen online about cats and cardboard boxes. Alec helps Magnus get everything up to his apartment. Magnus lets Alec know that he's going into the kitchen to feed Chairman Meow, fill his water dish, and pull out left overs from the night before to heat up. He walks into the living room where Alec and the Chairman are, and begins to set out a small kitty play area for the Chairman, then sits down on the couch.

"So, my parents wanted me to ask you if you would be available to meet and have dinner together in about three weeks," Magnus says with a little uncertainty. This causes Alec to tense up slightly, but the more he thinks about it, the more he wants to meet them. This is also the first relationship that Alec has been in where his significant other has presented the idea, and he's comfortable enough to even consider wanting to meet their parents.

"Yeah we can do that, when do they want to get together?" Alec asks.

Magnus' eyes widen in surprise by Alec's response. Then he goes to the kitchen to grab his calendar. The two men look through it to find out when their days off are going to be in three weeks, and Magnus calls his parents.

While Magnus is on the phone, Alec hears the microwave beep, so he goes to the kitchen to grab their dinner. After he's given the Chairman some love, of course. Walking back into the living room, he sees Magnus animatedly talking to his parents. Alec chuckles, gives Magnus a kiss on the cheek, and sets the food down on the coffee table. He retreats back to the kitchen to get both of them something to drink. Alec doesn't exactly know when he started feeling comfortable enough to just make himself at home in Magnus' house, but Magnus has never said anything about it, and doesn't seem to mind. He hears Magnus ending the call with his parents as he walks back in with their drinks.

"So is everything all set up?" Alec asks.

"Yes, we're going to have dinner with them on Thursday the thirteenth." Magnus takes a sip of his drink and continues, "My parents are really looking forward to meeting you." Alec smiles and starts eating his dinner.

"Oh, did Jordan mention to you that we're all going out to Kaelie's Thursday night? We usually go out at the end of every rotation to just unwind and hang out before we start the new shift schedule."

Magnus swallows before answering. "He did, I already told him that I'd be there. I assumed that you would be going as well."

Alec nods. "I'm assuming that we're just going as friends then?" Alec asks with a little uncertainty, causing Magnus to sigh in exasperation.

"Alexander, I know that you want me to come out to everyone, but I'm just not ready yet." There's a certain uncomfortable heaviness that comes with the topic, and it settles between them heavily. Alec nods quickly and changes the subject.

They end up talking about Chairman Meow and his sudden burst of energy as he's currently running around the entire house at full speed. Then they move on to other light topics. When Magnus makes no effort to be himself around their coworkers, Alec can't help but to feel like he is Magnus' dirty little secret. The concept is fun at first, but now his insecurities are getting the better of him.

After they finish their dinner, they play with Chairman Meow, who seems to have gained a demonic amount of energy. Eventually, Alec helps Magnus clean up. As they wash their dishes together, they share a few light kisses. Then Alec says his goodbyes to the Chairman, which consist of him picking up the tiny kitten, snuggling him towards the crook of his neck, and kissing his little head. He puts the Chairman back in his little bed, and turns to face his smiling boyfriend. Alec pulls Magnus into an embrace and gives him a slow, passionate kiss. Before the kiss can escalate, Alec pulls back and walks out the door, insecurities still weighing heavily on his mind.