Author's Note: Okay guys, this is it. The end.

I can't thank you all enough for the reviews and support. You are all wonderful people and I send you virtual hugs and love.

Hope you enjoy! :)

They made it out of bed eventually. Sort of.

Alec hated to admit it, but Magnus had been completely right about the whole "honeymoon" thing. The next few days kind of blurred together. They didn't leave the condo very much at all (unless you count venturing back out to the hot tub, which Alec didn't).

It was nice. More than nice, really. Sure, sometimes Alec woke up at dawn and had to remind himself that no, he did not have to walk back to the Institute and do training, but it was becoming much easier to convince himself to fall back asleep. Especially since he was with Magnus.

Vacation was just…comfortable.

They spent quite a bit of time watching the Food Network, Magnus getting excited and goading Alec into trying to bake (in which he completely ruined a meringue, but fared slightly better with a tray of cupcakes). It wasn't exactly five-star dining, but it was fun watching Magnus's enthusiasm as he tried to emulate whatever it was on TV. Without the aid of magic, nonetheless-at least until he failed and decided that it was okay to cheat "just this once".

Alec complained that the excess of food and lack of training was going to make him fat, and Magnus took any opportunity to suggest an "alternative" mode of exercise.

He had to admit that in that sense, he was grateful for the age gap, for every year of experience that Magnus had. It was intimidating at first, of course, but by the Angel was it fantastic.

Somehow, it was more than just sex. Yes, the sex in and of itself was more than satisfying, but Alec liked how he could sense how much Magnus cared about him. They didn't say the "L" word very often, but Alec could see it in Magnus's eyes, feel it in his touch. And at that moment, when they let go and everything fell away, Alec knew that Magnus knew.

So yes, there was the passionate kissing and sweat-slicked skin and racing heartbeats and fingers that dug into skin, into bedsheets and countertops and couch cushions, that twisted into hair and mouths that gasped for air and begged and screamed…

But then there was more. There was the way that Magnus kissed him good morning. The way that they lay together for hours, just listening to each other breathe.

It was how easy it was to make Magnus laugh. It was watching the Travel Channel, thinking of places to go next. It was laying on the couch, the bed, the floor, and talking about life. Talking about people who would be better off dead, people who made life worth living, people they missed. Talking about family, friends, members of the Downworlder community, of the Clave. Talking about the past. About things that made them laugh, made them cry. Things they regretted. Talking about hopes and dreams and fears. Things that they wanted. Things that they were grateful for.

So when they prepared to leave the condo, Alec felt like a different person. It had only been a week, but it felt like years. He pulled on his coat and stepped into his boots, taking a minute to search for his hat and gloves, shaking his head when he saw that Magnus was holding them.

"Are you ready?" Magnus handed Alec the gloves and watched as he pulled them on.

Alec shrugged. "I've got my stele."

Magnus rolled his eyes. "Alexander, I would hope that you think well enough of me to trust that I'm not going to march us straight into a nest of Demons."

"Well, that's good. I didn't pack my bow, and I've only got one seraph blade."

Magnus snorted. "Sarcasm coming from you? I certainly hope that's due to my influence, and not that upstart brother of yours." He pulled Alec's hat onto his head and bent down to kiss him. "Shall we?"

Alec flushed. "Okay. Where to?"

Magnus opened the door and they stepped outside, squinting against the sunlight. "Honestly, I haven't the foggiest idea."

Alec locked the door and pulled it shut. "So what, you're just going to Portal us somewhere random?"

"I'll pick somewhere, but I don't want to overthink it. It'll be spontaneous. More fun that way."

They made their way down to the lodge to check out, stopping for one last cup of hot chocolate and a kiss or two in the coat room, just for good measure. The sun was starting to sink below the horizon as they stepped outside.

Alec shivered as the wind picked up. "So, have you decided?"

Magnus smiled. "Perhaps. Does it matter?" He held out his hand.

Alec took it. "I suppose not."

As long as I'm with you.