"I want to put this piece in the shoot I think," I chew on my lip, pointing to one of my favourite pieces. A coffee table with intricate cutouts, creating an avant-garde look that I'm quite proud of.

"Alright, any particular set?" The photographer, Tyde, asks. He was highly recommended by Izzy when she and I were discussing my shoot for the line release.

"With the mustard ottoman and the grey loveseat," I instruct, watching as the assistants' piece together my set. Seeing my creations come to life makes my heart pound. This line of items, this brand, has been in the making since I was young. I've always had a dream that my ideas would become something like this. Most designers work under large label brands, but I didn't want that. I didn't want my ideas to be censored, or my work to be used under someone else's name. I wanted my hard work, my thoughts, to be conveyed exactly as I wanted. Exactly like this.

"Everything looks wonderful," Alec's voice says and I can hear the smile in his tone.

"I'm so glad you agreed to do this," placing a kiss on his cheek, I smile at him.

"Of course, oh, by the way, Lia just got in," he explains. I nod and grin, clapping my hands together.

"Could you guys get to work on the second set over there?" I ask two of the young men standing by the cameras as I hand them a slip of paper. "Everything you need to know should be on there. Any questions and you can let me know," nodding, the two of them get to work, moving more pieces into place, creating a set-up that showcases my items beautifully.

"Where would you like me?" Alec asks, smirking. Kissing the corner of his lips, I point behind him.

"There, Catarina will do your hair and makeup, and once you're ready, she'll get Lia." Alec nods and heads over. Finding models for my work was easy when I'm dating the hottest guy to ever grace the earth's surface, and Lia was more than willing to help with one quick phone call. The girl exudes confidence and class, her beauty daunting and exhilarating. It would be good publicity for her, and good business for Alexander with a wealthy sponsor.

"Magnus!" The girl in question comes bounding over, all smiles. I pull her close to me.

"Thank you so much for flying out for this shoot, Lia. You're absolutely amazing," rolling her eyes, she laughs brightly and smiles.

"Anytime. I love your work," she gestures around us to the various pieces scattered in the loft we're shooting in.

"Well, you can take any piece you like as a thank you," I offer, earning an excited squeak. Laughing, I shoo her off to begin working.

Soon enough, everything is ready. Tyde manages to make every shot worthwhile, and as the sets change and the photos are shot, I see my dreams coming to life. I see it all fall into place, and the stresses from the past month fade into the back of my mind.

Alec comes over once the shoots finished. "How did it go?" He asks, pushing his hair back.

"Perfectly. Elle Decor will be impressed with the photos, I think," I can't fight my smile, everything just feels so right that I can't help but be happy. To think that a serious magazine wants to run a feature on my work, on my career and what I love to do is outrageous to me. But maybe, all the hard work is paying off.

"I'm so proud of you," Alexander mumbles into my temple, placing a kiss there as his hand finds my lower back. I hold him, ecstatic that my happiest moments also involve the one man who makes me happiest.

"I'm proud of us," I reply softly, nuzzling into him.

***

"Alexander it's here!" I call up the stairs. A moment later, I hear him come jogging down into the living room. The copy of Elle Decor is in my hands, and on the cover, a photo of Alec and I, seated on a couch that I designed in a room full of my creations. It's been three hectic weeks since the shoot, Alec doing practices and some more local shows, and I preparing for the release that's set for next week.

"Oh my goodness, it looks so professional," he gushes softly, taking the magazine from my hands and smiling at it. His lips move delicately as he reads the cover.

"Brilliant, bold, and refreshing. Vibrant new design line is influenced by the life of Magnus Bane. Capturing the beauty of the world with his own flare, Bane's new line, Efflorescence, will bring modern edge to your home." My chest tightens with each word, excitement and pride rushing through my very bones.

"I did it," I whisper because it feels unreal. After 3 years of intense schooling and late nights, it brought me to this.

"You did it. Magnus, this is amazing," Alec flips to the feature in the magazine. The photos shock me because I can't believe that they're showing off my work. Alec sits on an ottoman in front of my favourite coffee table, wearing an outfit he wouldn't normally be caught dead in. In another, Lia lays across an arm chair, her long hair tight in a pony tail, her outfit complimenting the pieces in the room. It's all very avant-garde, edgy, and new, but it's exactly what I wanted it to be.

"It gives both of us a bit of publicity." I notice, reading over the questionnaire I did for this feature. I talk about my relationship with Alec in it, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel good to talk about. I've felt so insecure lately that being open for once just felt so refreshing and relieving. To be able to talk about being bisexual and being with Alec, about the one person who loves me most in this world, and not feel ashamed, felt right.

"I think this is what the kids call 'making it'." Alec jokes, making me laugh as I look down at the magazine. I think he's right. We are making it.

***

I walk into the office on Monday morning, awake and alive after having gotten up early and shared breakfast with Alec. Today's the day when my pieces will be available.

The strong scent of roses engulfs me as I enter. Everything looks gorgeous, as it always does in the entrance to my building. The floral shop, Efflorescence- which my line is a namesake of- that I've created holds just enough of home to keep me grounded while being new and refreshing to keep me thriving.

Catarina looks up from the bouquet she's making and smiles.

"There are visitors for you in the other room." She tells me, a gleam in her eyes. I'm confused because I wasn't expecting anyone, so as I enter the attached room that now holds all of my new pieces from my Efflorescence line, I'm shocked to see the people waiting for me.

My mother smiles proudly and gestures to everything around her. Beside her is Izzy and Jace.

"What are you guys doing here?" I exclaim as I pull my mother into a tight hug. She laughs and runs her fingers through my hair. Even if I am almost 22 years old, the gesture is welcome and warms my heart.

"You think we'd miss your big debut?" Izzy asks incredulously, a copy of my featured Elle decor in her hands. I laugh and hug her tightly, kissing her cheek. Jace pats my back and grins.

"Way to go, man. You're really doing some great work."

"Thanks, Jace. And thank you guys for coming. The store opens soon, but I'm sure Alec would be happy to entertain you for a couple of hours." I explain, smiling brightly.

"We talked to him already. We're going to find some stuff to do and meet the two of you for dinner." Isabelle smiles and flicks her hair over her shoulder.

"So he already knew? That brat..." I mutter, shocked he was able to keep a secret that long. The three in front of me laugh lightly at my annoyance. Too soon, Catarina tells me she's opening the doors. I'm not worried at first, until she does just that and people start filing in. Raising her brows at the sudden influx of people, my mother leans forward, kissing my forehead before the three of them head out.

"Magnus Bane!" I can hear several people saying my name, asking me questions about my products and wanting to talk. It's all overwhelming, but also everything I could ever ask for.

And then someone winds their arm around me and I look over to find Alexander grinning at me. Together, just like we should be.

"Mr. Bane and Mr. Lightwood, Hello, my names Jennifer Whitaker and I'm with CBS and I'd love to talk with the two of you." An uneasy feeling settles in my chest but I force a smile, stepping forward.

"What about?" I ask politely. She has blonde hair, about shoulder length that frames her sharp face, blue eyes that seem to be seeking. She wears an olive green pencil skirt and matching blazer, her high heels making her about my height. There's a man carrying a camera behind her and she has a microphone in her hand.

"With the rise in fame in the music world on your part, Mr. Lightwood, and you, Mr. Bane, making a name for yourself in the design industry, how have your lives been affected?" I almost sigh in relief. She doesn't ask about our relationship.

"We've both been very busy, but it's most important to us to find time for each other. At the end of the day, it all really comes down to us. The rest of this is great, but Alexander is what really matters." I speak into the microphone she holds in front of my face, trying to control my nerves. She smiles and thanks us before continuing to document the scene around us. I don't waste time to think of what might come of my statement.

People bustle around, looking at my design pieces. They sell like wildfire, going out the door faster than I ever expected, and orders being made on items that quickly sold out. Alec and I answer questions from customers and try to host all day, and by the time 3 rolls around and Catarina is closing the doors, sending the final customers on their way, I'm exhausted.

"Well, come on. We have dinner plans, we should go get ready." Alec rubs my arm, soothingly, pressing his lips against my temple. I hum in response, leaning into him contently. The place is nearly empty, and I feel like for once this is all working out. No one has said a word about my sexuality or punched me for it, which is a plus.

After Catarina leaves, Alec and I lock up and get into his car, turning the AC on and making the drive back to our place. The traffic is mild- as mild as Brooklyn traffic gets- and I'm glad we haven't hit rush hour. Once inside, I head over to our closet in the bedroom.

"What colour are you wearing?" I call back, sifting through my suits. Alec couldn't care less if we showed up in something that doesn't match. I, on the other hand, would be horribly disappointed that I let it happen.

"Whatever colour suit is clean," he replies from the washroom. I can hear the tap running, and I roll my eyes. He may claim he doesn't care how he looks, but that boy is vain. It's like, now that he understands how stunning he is, he realizes he has a responsibility to uphold that. If I wasn't just as vapid, I'd find it annoying.

"You're wearing navy," I instruct, laying the suit out on the bed. I grab my own charcoal one with the cherry-wine coloured accents and get changed. It'd be atrocious to wear the same suit I just worked in all day out to dinner.

Once we're ready, we make our way to the restaurant. It's busy, but we're led to a table rather secluded where all the noise doesn't seem to be an issue. It looks as if my mother and Alexander's siblings have just sat down.

"How'd it go today?" Momma asks, folding her hands and leaning in to listen eagerly.

"Amazing, almost everything sold. It feels so good," I confess, letting a bit of pride seep in. I feel like after the past month, I deserve to be proud. At least of this.

We spend at least two hours talking in the dimly lit restaurant, eating our meals and sharing desserts. Everything, finally, feels balanced. It all feels pretty perfect to me.