Brooklyn Revival (completed)

Chapter 23- Dinner Date

The men didn't take too long in the store, Alec already planning what they were going to have and the ingredients that they needed. They had decided that because they had pasta for lunch, he would make something lighter. Alec had picked a chicken fajita and stuffed peppers recipe that he had found online, making sure that he followed the ingredients list thoroughly. Magnus tried not to laugh when Alec couldn't find certain items and had to make 'substitute' decision. Magnus also tried to point out that a red onion substituted for a yellow onion wasn't that bad but Alec still grumbled about it.

When they had gotten home, Alec set to work instantly, with the cauliflower rice, as Magnus put the rest of the shopping away. He smiled at the concentration on Alec's face. He was frowning as he took the leaves off and started cutting the cauliflower up.

"Baby... you don't have to look so serious. Try and relax." Magnus smiled, trying to ease him a little as he kissed his cheek. "Let me get you some wine."

"I just want to get this right." Alec looked at him and smiled too before nodding. He set to work, adding the cauliflower chunks to the food processor before pulsing it exactly as the recipe instructed. He beamed when he looked into the bowl to see he had done it correctly, even though he knew it was a simple recipe to do.

Magnus had busied himself with opening a bottle of wine that they had brought, pouring them a glass each. Alec was glad that Magnus had listened to him and gone for the more expensive option as he knew this one tasted amazing. He handed Alec a glass and smiled when Alec looked at him.

"Thank you." Alec said before they both took a sip. Magnus hopped up, onto the kitchen side, and looked at him.

"You're welcome. Anything I can do to help?" He asked as he looked around.

"Nope. You just sit back and relax." Alec said before going in between his legs and kissing him softly. Magnus ran his fingers through Alec's hair and frowned before breaking the kiss, pulling out something from Alec's hair.

"How do you have radish in your hair? We didn't buy any, did we?" Magnus asked, confused as he looked in the bag.

"That's not radish. That's red onion." Alec said as he looked at Magnus like he was crazy. He sighed when he saw Magnus' apologetic smile. "I brought radish instead of red onion, didn't I?"

"Afraid so, pup." Magnus said softly.

"Pup?" Alec frowned before shaking his head.

"Hm... Panda?" Magnus smirked.

"No." Alec pouted as Magnus laughed and kissed him. "Well... dinner's ruined."

"Don't be silly. It's an onion. How about you just make it without?" Magnus suggested. Alec was looking skeptical so he decided to try something else. "Okay. Imagine I'm allergic to onion instead. Then you would need to leave it out. So just do that."

Alec smiled and nodded, happy to go with that suggestion. He set the oven on and started to sorting the peppers out.

"Please, let me help. I don't like sitting back and doing nothing." Magnus sighed as he watched. He winced a few times as Alec nearly cut off his fingers.

"Okay... I'll do the chicken and cauliflower rice. Can you finish off with the peppers and add them to the muffin tin so they stand up?" Alec asked, seeing Magnus hop down off the side and move him away from the knife.

"I'll cut the chicken for you first." Magnus smiled, taking out another chopping board and a bigger knife as he set to work on slicing the chicken up into thin strips.

"How do you do that?" Alec asked, watching intently at how thin Magnus made the chicken, making it look effortless.

"Years of cooking and looking after myself. Even when I did live with my dad, he wasn't around much and never ever cooked for me." Magnus shrugged like it was no big deal, even though it hurt him deeply to think about his father. As much as he despised him, he was still family and the only person he had a blood connection to on this earth. Now he had no one like that. Alec could see the look in Magnus's eyes though, knew that look of loneliness and heartache as he went towards him and kissed him roughly.