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"It's a little warm." Sighed Alec, sounding distant. Today had been long and draining for him, Magnus knew, and he was so ready to cuddle his boyfriend to sleep.
"Take your sweatshirt off sweetheart you might cool down a little." Magnus replied, folding some clothes near the bed where Alec sat perched on the edge. When he received no reply he looked up from his arduous chore at Alec who was staring blankly at the floor. "Alexander?"
"Yeah?" Alec looked up.
"What's wrong baby are you tired?" Magnus inquired, abandoning his task and walking over to Alec. Standing between his legs he placed his hands on Alec's face who protectively snaked his arms around Magnus's waist.
"Long day." Alec mumbled. Magnus pitied him and knew his ignorance of the sweatshirt suggestion was due to his insecurities. For some awfully inexplicable reason, Magnus had come to notice his beloved taking more and more interest, and more concerningly the time to criticise, his image and seek reassurance from Magnus. Today had just been one of those days Magnus guessed, but Alec refused to talk when he was upset at the best of times so mentioning it was off limits. It was okay - Magnus knew how to work around it.
"Pretty face getting you in more trouble huh?" Magnus teased, and although no audible laugh was heard Magnus felt Alec shake with a breath of amusement beneath his hands. It had become clear Alec had finished talking for the day. "Don't worry darling just get ready for bed and I'll be right there I promise."
Magnus left for the kitchen to grab a glass of water and a couple of snacks incase Alec needed them later, expecting his boyfriend to be changed into his pyjamas by the time he got back, but surprisingly he wasn't. This mildly alarmed Magnus but he knew Alec just needed a gentle push.
"Baby I'm gonna need you to get ready for bed if you're wanting cuddles." He whispered, placing his retrieved items on the nightstand and taking a seat next to Alec. Alec looked at him for a moment and nodded, before scurrying off to the bathroom to change as if Magnus hadn't seen him a thousand times before. By the time Alec came back, Magnus had turned off the light in favour of two small bedside lamps, and the mirrors in the room were suddenly miraculously obstructed.
Alec crawled into Magnus's arms, who brought them as close as physically possible to pepper kisses across his boyfriend's face and stroke his hair. Whispering sweet nothings to Alec usually lightened his mood and so he went for it.
"You're so beautiful baby." Magnus whispered, looking into Alec's eyes and combing through his hair. "I wish I could just have you in here to myself forever because you're so gorgeous."
Alec gave a sleepy smile and managed to whisper "Love you." And Magnus knew his efforts didn't go unrewarded. He could never rid Alec of his insecurities but he could make him cheer up without confronting the situation which would make his boyfriend shut down entirely.
"I love you too honey." Magnus said. "So much. Do you need water or anything baby?"
Alec shook his head and snuggled into Magnus's chest with a sleepy half smile on his face and kissed whatever exposed skin was within reach. Magnus tightened his hold on Alec and kissed his forehead, letting his lips linger and falling asleep with them pressed to Alec's temple who slept peacefully attached to his boyfriend and forgot all about his feelings for anything other than Magnus.