Sometimes she wondered if the smiling would hurt her face. Granted it did this time due to the bruise, but not for the same reason she suspected. Until he'd come into her life, Magnus rarely smiled. "Alec... as long as you see me, I am happy. You make me happy."

Only to grin more at the comment about being ticklish. "Darling, Alexander... you're ticklish? Duly noted." Bumping her nose into his jaw, the smile melted into a playful smirk.

Then he asked that question. Sitting up a little, she met his eyes and searched them for how serious he was. Lifting her hands, she cupped his face shyly at first before feeling more confident as she leaned in closer. "You really wish to court me? I want that... if that's really what you want."

The idea ran through her like a thrill of electricity. Alec wanted her. Her. The excitement it sent through her made butterflies explode in her chest and flutter in her stomach. Catching one of his hands, she drew it to her lips and kissed the knuckles softly. "I never thought..." She smiled brilliantly and ducked her head.

Finally she lifted her head to look at him in worry. "Your parents don't like me... I'm of foreign decent... Are you really sure?" God, she hoped he was. Lifting her hand, she smoothed his hair back softly. "Because, I promise you... I will never leave your side and support you for life." Breathing in slowly, she nearly said those words she wanted to say so badly.

And she nearly convinced herself not to, until Alec said those things to her about her parents. The stinging in her eyes got ignored in favor of moving to very softly touch their lips for just a split second. "I love you."