Magnus is busy adjusting his tie when Alec comes up behind him and slips his hands into his pockets, pulling Magnus back against his hips and resting his cheek against Magnus’s spine.
"Hey, what’s the special occasion?" Alec asks, rubbing little circles against Magnus’s thighs through the fabric of his pants. Magnus has to take a deep breath and focus before he can reply.
"I’m going to talk with your parents." Alec’s fingers freeze in their deliberate motions and Magnus can feel his whole body tense up.
"Ah. May I ask why?" Alec’s tone is neutral but Magnus knows him well enough to hear the tension in his voice.
"Oh, I’m just asking them if I can marry you." Magnus shrugs like it’s no big deal and sighs, untying his tie to fix the knot and completely ignoring Alec’s spluttering against his back.
"You- I- Marry?! Magnus, I- I mean, of course, yes, but- but I’d’ve- ask me first! So I-!"
Magnus turns around and very gently puts one finger against his lips. Alec falls silent, still looking a combination of ecstatic and panicked.
"It’s a general meeting to renew my work agreement with the Clave, Alec dear." And here, Magnus drops a wink at his stunned boyfriend. "But I’ll definitely keep that ‘yes’ in mind for the next time I ask. No take backs, after all."
With a grin on his face, Magnus takes his leave, leaving Alec to stand, stunned and deep red, in front of the mirror.