He was working again.

Tablet in hand. Back straight. Optics focused.

You'd been standing next to him for several minutes. Silent. Watching. And... clearly plotting something.

"If you're going to say something, say it," he said calmly, without looking up.

You tilted your head slightly.

A smile. That same one. Dangerous.

"You know..." you drawled lazily. "Sometimes I think you like the reports more... than me."

Pause.

Magnus's finger hovered over the screen for a second. But he said nothing.

You took a step closer.

"Although no..." you added a little quieter, "at least the reports reciprocate your feelings."

Silence. Heavy now.

He slowly put the tablet down. Very carefully. Too carefully. That was a bad sign.

He stood up. Slowly.

"Repeat." Calmly. Too calmly.

You lifted your chin slightly.

"What? You really don't like it?"

And the next second—he grabbed you. Sharply. Without warning.

You didn't even have time to react before the world turned upside down—

And in an instant, you were thrown over his lap.

Your upper body was closer to the edge of the platform. Your lower body was completely resting on his legs. And his hand held you in place. Hardly. No chance to escape.

"Magnus—!"

You flinched.

But he didn't even move.

"You wanted a reaction."

His voice dropped. Heavier.

"You got it."

And before you could say anything else—

A slap.

Sharp. Clear. Metal on metal. His palm touched your butt with professional precision.

It wasn't painful to the point of breaking—but enough for a sharp wave of sensation to course through your body.

You froze for a second.

He didn't let go.

His hand remained there. Gently squeezing. Controlling.

"Maybe now you'll think twice," he said quietly, "before provoking me like this."

Another short, tense moment of silence.

You exhaled slightly. Your spark sped up.

And he... He felt it.

His fingers tightened a little on your armor.

"Or..." he added, almost in a whisper, "is that what you wanted?"

And in his voice there was that same dangerous note that always made your head spin.