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malecsecretsanta · 8 years ago

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Merry Christmas, @onefootintheboilinghotlava!

Title:My Heart Smiles. Rating: M Pairing: Magnus/Alec POV: 3rd Summary:Magnus is an interior designer who is dreading going to his yearly Christmas party and Alec a waiter who has dealt with more than enough Christmas cheer to last a lifetime. But when the two set eyes on the other across a crowded restaurant are they going to be destined for more when the festive season is over? Disclaimer: The whole concept of Shadowhunters © the satan that is CC, don’t sue because the contents of my bank account is only worth next to nothing in US$. Also and I can't stress this enough I don't give permission for this or any other of my stuff to be reposted on Goodreads or anywhere else. If I find out it is I'll be pissed. Plot mostly based on fiction…i.e not real….but a girl can wish<3 Author Notes: Hope that my prompter likes it!! Currently unbeta'd. Comments and Kudos = pwp and cookies :D

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Pandemonium Interior design was known as one of the best-known firms in the business if not in the city for bringing the dreams of your décor to life no matter how difficult or impossible that it may seem. It was something Magnus was proud of. He loved his job and owning his own firm seemed to make it that much better, helping Clients to make their dream home that much more unique or personal no matter what it entailed. His staff were also known as the best in the business, but the other three lead designers were also his best friends that he had met at different points in his life but together they seemed to be his rock in the crazy world that their business was only a speck of.

Still, all his friends had managed to elevate themselves into the business long before he considered making his own firm. Back when he was just a graphic interior designer for a construction company and it had seemed like much more his kind of thing. Whether it was through various magazines or internships at other well-known firms, when he had made sure to mention it to them one particularly drunken night they had all jumped at the chance to work with him as long as he went through with it. All the incentive that he had needed.

Aside from when Camille, his supposed girlfriend and Junior designer at the time, had had to be fired for sleeping with three clients and a supplier, which had been the only hiccup on their way to notoriety, the firm was gathering more and more success each and every year. Growing in popularity to the point that they got applications for internships almost every semester from different universities around the city which made Magnus happy that he was helping someone to gain experience in the industry.

The only thing he really hated about his job, aside from his friends constantly prying into his none existent love life at each staff meeting and the late nights, was the forced socialising with the rest of the big shots in the industry. At least once a month without fail he’d get the forwarded email from his PA Elias marked important with an invitation to a big dinner at any number of the five-star hotels or three Michelin star restaurants dotted around the city. They were really networking events disguised as occasions to brag about the next big trend they had set, their big editorial pictured in vogue, their most famous client that had signed on the dotted line or their partnership with a brand name furniture store.

Honestly, Magnus knew how important it was to go to that kind of event to maintain those ties in an industry when it really was about who you knew but it never stopped him trying to talk his way out of it every chance he got. Deleting reminders from Elias, making appointments with clients out of town on the exact date of the dinner, even having the odd vacation just so he didn’t have to subject himself to the narcissism of it all. Most of the time Catarina or Ragnor would thankfully cover for him, with even Raphael making the odd appearance to make his name better known. Though the young Latino would be reluctant the whole time and always walk out before the main course could be even served. Not that Magnus could blame him.

But there was an unspoken rule in the Office that when it came to the annual Christmas party that he couldn’t squirm his way out of it since they were all expected to attend, so he had to share the pain with them. His PA Elias would always make sure his schedule was clear that time, no matter how Magnus tried to find people to make dinner dates or even in the worst case medical appointments to go to, the next time he looked at his calendar they would be rescheduled leaving him reluctantly accepting his fate.

This year, the night before the dreaded event found him, unfortunately, staying late working through the pile of paperwork he needed to fill out for suppliers that Elias had set in front of him before he left, a glass of scotch sat beside his laptop and a half eaten box of sushi acting as his dinner for the night. It was a task that he and the others often took in turns, renewing supplier orders and paying deposits for the whole office’s projects, but of course, he would end up drawing the short straw this time.

He groaned as he added a few invoices to the pile slowly accumulating at the other side of his desk to be filed by Elias in the morning before reaching for his scotch, the only thing that made this tediousness seem bearable. He was just about to take a sip when he heard a knock at the open glass door into his office, causing him to look up wearily a little surprised to see Raphael’s figure in the doorway holding a glass tumbler in his hand.

“Well, looks like I’m not the only one burning the midnight oil. You might as well come in.” Magnus said, putting both his pen and scotch down as he reached for the bottle in the bottom drawer of his desk while his friend came into the office with a smile that only just hid the bone-deep tiredness he must be feeling.

Raphael was the youngest lead designer in the firm, but his reputation definitely proceeded him with each project he put his mind to, due to the fact that he fixated on every little detail to make sure it was perfect. Something his clients seemed to love him for. Magnus had known him since high school when the other had moved from Mexico to New York and Magnus had been helping Raphael look after his brothers. A kind of bond had grown between them and a kind of friendship that no-one really understood when you looked at the two of them since they really were the exact opposite of the other. Still, Raphael had managed to whizz through school quicker than Magnus had expected and ended up with an internship at Catarina’s firm at the time so it had made it easier for him to move to Magnus’ when the time was right.

Raphael set his glass down on the desk, pushing his sleeves up to his elbows and rubbing his tired eyes as he sunk down into the chair on the other side of Magnus’ desk, the other topping up his own glass before pulling Raphael’s towards him with a bejewelled finger.

“Yes well I needed to double check some details of a shipment urgent enough that I can’t rely on email but given the supplier is in Stockholm I need to hang around until their opening time which because of the time differences won’t be until at least two am.” Raphael sighed, taking a glance at his watch to double check the time before giving Magnus a smile of thanks as his glass was set in front of him.

“I’m surprised you didn’t manage to wrangle Sherman into staying behind to do it for you. I’m sure he would have done had you asked and maybe fluttered those pretty eyelashes at him.” Magnus said, raising an eyebrow at the other while replacing the bottle in his drawer as Raphael flushed at the insinuation over his glass.

Raphael’s latest PA Simon had only started a couple of months ago after his old one Lily had quit, but already the younger was making a good impression. He was a ball of enthusiasm and optimism in an ill-fitting suit which was a breath of fresh air among all the workaholics and grumps like Ragnor on a bad day when Dot forgot to make his tea the right way. But it had gradually become clear to everyone, well their group of friends anyway, that Raphael was less his usual snarky self around the other, there had even been rumours curtsey of the other PAs that they were sure they had seen Mr Anti-Social attempting to flirt with the other. Unfortunately, they had been caught before they could see Simon’s response but from the flush on his cheeks and rumoured smile when Raphael started ranting at them to leave had made it clear he’d left quite an impression on the other.

“He needed to leave for his night job besides I let him leave early…” Raphael said, avoiding Magnus’ gaze as he downed a mouthful of scotch, making him splutter since he wasn’t much of a drinker like Magnus was.

“Will you be dragging him along tomorrow night? Because honestly watching the two of you toing and froing with your smiles and bad attempts at flirting might just be entertaining enough to make this thing bearable.” Magnus smirked behind his own glass as Raphael narrowed his eyes at him.

“Like you would invite Elias to come with you mean? No, I didn’t think so. Besides he’ll be working his other job then too and even if he wasn’t I still wouldn’t invite him along so he can be intimidated by you, Ragnor and Cat watching us like we are a walking soap opera.” Raphael snarked.

“Fine, then I won’t go. I don’t get why you don’t just ask him out already….” Magnus said, gaze on his scotch as he downed a heavenly mouthful.

“Because it’s not your business. But don’t be fooled into thinking you aren’t going, because you will be. Even if Cat has to drag you there like she did last year.” Raphael smirked, catching a glimpse at the shudder that ran through Magnus’ body at the memory.

He had been stubborn and hadn’t wanted to go at all, he’d ended up in bed with the door locked and a pillow over his ears as his friends had rung him constantly. He’d only gone to answer the banging at the door to get it to stop but had got tackled by Ragnor and dragged back into his apartment. He’d been made to change and then Catarina had dragged him viciously by the sleeve of a twenty thousand dollar Armani suit into the venue. Needless to say, the sleeve still wasn’t the right length again.

“Ugh don’t remind me.” Magnus sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“Yes, poor you never mind we have to put up with these people every month when you play hooky.” Raphael sniffed, swirling his drink.

“And I always make up for it by buying the first round every time we go out,” Magnus said indignantly.

“Uh huh. Anyway, as much fun as being teased and teasing you is I should probably get back to my office to hopefully call the Stockholm supplier. Maybe if I’m lucky someone will be there early enough for me to leave a message so I can get home before midnight.” Raphael said, wrinkling his nose as he downed the last mouthful of scotch from his glass and got to his feet.

“Goodnight Raphael,” Magnus called after him as the other disappeared down the darkened corridor, leaving him sighing as he pushed a piece of sushi between his lips with one hand and rubbed his tired eye with the other before reaching for the next piece of paperwork that needed his attention.

The Clave Restaurant was like one of those posh restaurants that you could walk past without giving it a second glance but was well known by every foodie and critic in the city as one of the best places to get high-class food. Mostly curtsey of Chefs Jocelyn and Luke Garroway, their daughter Clary and their sous chef Lydia Branwell, the latter of whom had as much of a reputation as the restaurant itself because of her soufflé that had won some award in Europe at a competition from years ago. But this was the place that acted as Alec’s workplace though he had never seen himself working in a place like that to get him through school let alone him even needing to juggle work and studying in the first place.

Usually, he loved his job when his mind wasn’t fixated on the essay he needed to write, the practicals he needed to take or the theory tests that seemed to be the bane of his very existence no matter how much he studied, but then again Medical school wasn’t exactly supposed to be easy. Unfortunately when it came to any of the three big popular seasons in the industry, Valentine's day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, was when he began to question his sanity and why he hadn’t stuck to just being a barista instead.

So to be standing at the bar staring at the restaurant lit up with Christmas lights in every corner, tinsel along the edges of the shelves and the bar itself while a couple of Christmas trees sat in the window near one of their bigger tables trying to entice people to book yet another last minute Christmas parties that thankfully drowned out the indie covers of carols had him groaning. Though that was in no small part down to the sounds of drunken patrons singing very off-key Christmas carols at the top of their lungs, leaving him wishing they’d gone to the karaoke bar down the street like he’d heard them trying to coax him into to save his ears.

But when it came to the Christmas season this wasn’t the only such party he’d had to deal with since the beginning of December and he highly doubted for a second that it would be the last, but for some reason there always seemed to be more bookings for the week leading up to Christmas. As though they wanted to enjoy their last night together before the break. Which was all well and good if you were enjoying yourself, but not so much if you have to be the one to serve them.

“That one of your tables?” His sister Isabelle asked from beside him, pulling him from his thoughts about how he could give them shots of water instead of vodka in the hopes of sobering them up to normalcy, to look at where she was playing the bartender on the other side of the bar for the night. He couldn’t help but envy her for it, at least she didn’t have to deal with the customers.

“Yup…” Alec sighed miserably, tapping his fingers against his tray as he slid it off the bar when Lydia called out for service from the kitchen.

“Got groped yet?” Isabelle grinned, giving him her innocent eyes at the look that he gave her at enjoying his pain.

“Twice. I’ve also had five phone numbers thrust at me and a proposition of marriage from a woman old enough to be Mom’s mom. I really hate working during the Christmas party season.” Alec said, brushing past her through the doors at the back as Lydia called out for service again only this time with a whole lot less patience.

When he arrived Simon was already there putting a table's worth of desserts on two trays and offered him a smile as he passed him on the way out. Back into the ensuing chaos of loud chatting, clattering utensils against plates and his rather festive table now singing a dirty version of ‘Jingle bell Rock’ loud enough to cause Alec to flush. He only hoped Alaric or Hodge would be able to handle them until he was done with his current table.

“Which table?” Alec asked once he’d pushed five festive looking sundaes on one tray and three portions of Christmas cake on the other.

“Table 16. You think you’ll be able to handle Table 3’s starters too?” Clary asked from the other side of the hatch now that Lydia seemed to have gone to tackle some of the specials, practically barrelling Raj over.

“Sure, just to put them on real quick,” Alec said, Clary handing over two plates of scallops which he added to the less full tray before he picked the trays up with steady hands and used his back to push the double doors open. He turned around slowly to make his way through the restaurant towards the right tables.

He then dropped off the starters in Jace’s section but was stopped from leaving by the next table over who wanted repeat orders of their Martinis even if they seemed like they had had more than enough. Still, they retained enough sobriety to not be cut off yet so he made a note of them on the in-house computer system for Isabelle to get on as soon as she had the chance while he walked back towards the loud table to start piling up dirty plates and glasses.

“Not gonna join us hot stuff?” The woman who had proposed to him before asked as he added her plate to the pile, stilling when her fingers curled around his index finger in a suggestive manner that caused her fellow partiers to cackle with glee. Alec slowly extracted his finger from hers and tried to keep his composure as he turned to her.

“I’m sorry miss, I’m going to be working for the rest of the night. Not that it should stop you enjoying yourself.” Alec said, flashing the bright customer friendly smile that Isabelle always said made hearts melt while he added another couple of empty cocktail glasses to the tray.

He heard a few of them crooning about how lovely he was as he picked up both trays and retreated to the back to hand over the dirty plates to Raj so he had a chance to breathe. When he reappeared all his other tables had full plates and glasses for the time being giving him an extended breather as he moved behind the bar to help Isabelle with some of the increasing orders.

“Jace back from his break yet? Because I could really do with mine before I collapse from hunger.” Alec asked making the house cocktail of the night on auto pilot while Izzy practically coated the top of a Christmas special cocktail in edible glitter.

“Check for yourself.” Izzy quipped as she jerked her head in the direction of a table which he knew was another Christmas party only in Jace’s section. His brother seemed to be sat in one of the younger women’s lap letting her feed him her cocktail and giving him doe eyes while the rest of the gushed over him.

“Student teachers, honestly,” Izzy said, rolling her eyes causing Alec to sigh as Hodge appeared to distribute some of the cocktails while Will disappeared into the back with another pile of dirty dishes.

“Does Clary know?” Alec asked, pouring a beer into a glass while Izzy opened a bottle of champagne and put it on a tray with two glasses to be taken to the right table.

“They are on a break again. I’m surprised you didn’t figure that out from all his moaning and complaining. Still, I doubt that will stop her from giving him a piece of her mind if she finds out.” Izzy shrugged, as though it was no big deal with her big brother and best friend had fallen out yet again. Though with how many times they had done the dance of breaking up, getting back together and breaking again Alec could understand her nonchalance.

“You mean when she finds out because I doubt Simon will be able to keep his mouth shut,” Alec said, putting a beer on another tray and sliding the tray towards Izzy as she finished up some champagne cocktails.

“Maybe, still I’m sure Simon could always cover you while you take your break. I mean don’t you need to study?” Izzy asked as Luke appeared from the kitchen to grab another couple of bottles of red wine for what was turning out to be one of their best-selling dishes of the season.

“I’ll go ask him in a minute after I’ve dropped off these drinks but I’m not holding my breath,” Alec said, picking up the tray of champagne cocktails for the table that Jace and his fan club were at from the look of the receipt.

“Well hello there…”A blonde woman flirted while Alec started to give out their drinks and gather empty glasses.

“Oh I wouldn’t bother Beth, he’s as straight as a bendy straw.” Jace grinned causing Alec to narrow his eyes at him and hit him pointedly on the back of the head. Immediately Jace seemed to realise what he’d said and what trouble he was in as he jumped off his girl of the night’s lap with an apologetic look at Alec.

“Sorry, Polly duty calls. I’ll see you later.” Jace flirted, pecking a kiss to the owner of the lap he’d been reclining in while picking up the few remaining empty glasses before following Alec back towards the bar.

“And for that, you’re covering my break that I’m taking now. Good luck with the table of bastardised carol singers.” Alec said, setting his own tray down before brushing past Jace in the direction of the double doors that led to the staffroom as well as the kitchen.

He let out a breath of relief in the otherwise empty staff room, stretching his aching arms over his head while his fingers curled into fists to ease the twinge of cramp. This was always the part that he looked forward to on nights like this, being able to have half an hour of silence where no-one was trying to hit on him and his ears weren’t assaulted by Christmas carols. There was only so many times he could hear Rocking around the Christmas tree before he wanted to kill someone.

With his arms now bent so his hands were behind his head he made his way towards his locker to grab his dinner and the books he needed to study. True he could have easily got a meal from the kitchen, something that Jace and Isabelle exploited every night they were working, but he knew Lydia wouldn’t thank him for interrupting her so he’d always make something himself during the busy months. He held his books close to him and the container complete with a fork in his other hand as he settled at his usual table with his back to the vending machines after taking a glance at his watch to work out how long he had before he needed to get back. But after Jace had been slacking his brother would just have to deal. He opened his book to where he’d left his notes as a bookmark and opened his container, a fork full of pasta quickly finding its way behind his lips as his gaze rested on the textbook.

When he had first accepted his place at Cornell instead of going to Harvard to be a lawyer like his mother wanted she hadn’t been able to accept that he was veering off the path that she had always visualised him following. Though admittedly he hadn’t really helped things by coming out to her not long after his graduation ceremony, but it had been freeing to know that no matter what her feelings about his sexuality or his life choices he would finally be out of her control. But he hadn’t expected her to be so vindictive about it either.

From his first semester in his Freshmen year, he’d been cut off financially from his parents and the trust fund they had been setting aside for him. It had left him looking frantically for a job, any job, while his savings slowly began to dwindle away. At one point he was working every other day at a bookshop, every morning at a café and his current job as a waiter/bartender every night between all his lectures and tutorials. In honesty, he was surprised that he hadn’t burned out much sooner than he had done. The end of his second year had been when it became too much; when he’d called Isabelle in a panic since he had two clashing shifts and a paper with no idea what to do.

Isabelle had been the one to tell him to pick a job and just one job to stop it happening again, but at the same time, she and Jace had moved in with him to help elevate the stress from his finances which had really helped.

Since then he’d had the day to worry about his classes and studying and the nights to work in the insanity of the restaurant outside, using his couple of breaks to refresh his mind with studying for the next day. Even if his bedtime was so much later than his body craved, the money was enough to justify his exhaustion, making him grateful for those few rare nights that he managed to get off. But it was often around the time of midterms and early mornings after working spent finishing papers that he began to hate working himself into the ground just to survive.

It didn’t take him long to finish his pasta and downing a cola from the vending machine to keep his energy levels up while familiarising himself with as much of his Advanced Biomedical Sciences research the next day as he could absorb. Once he had enough he pushed the books and container into his locker, threw the can away and again paused to catch his breath before going back out into the insanity.

Thankfully it seemed like while he was studying the shift was coming to an end as Hodge and Alaric were escorting out the last few drunken stragglers from the two Christmas parties out the otherwise empty restaurant. Isabelle was moving dirty glasses from the bar where they’d been left into the dishwasher as Alec helped Jace pile up the remaining dirty plates to take back to the kitchen before putting chairs up on the tables, the tablecloths of which would be changed the next day before the restaurant opened. Simon started the sweep up of loose bits of food while Will followed him with a mop for spills and stains, making Alec relieved for the late night well deserved drink that Isabelle handed him.

“So before you guys start to leave just a reminder about tomorrow night,” Hodge said from behind his own shot of apple vodka that he never drunk otherwise.

“What about tomorrow night?” Isabelle frowned from behind her tumbler of Baileys that she was swirling hard enough to make the ice clink against the glass.

“I did send everyone an email but fine. We’ve been booked up for a private function so we’re going to need all staff on deck no matter what time off you may have planned. The crowd is going to be very exclusive and it could mean big business for us in the future if they agree to make it a yearly or even a possible monthly arrangement.” Hodge said, grabbing the bottle of apple vodka to pour himself another, it had definitely been one of those kinds of nights.

“So we’ll definitely be working double time tomorrow then.” Alec murmured around his shot of peach schnapps.

“So we’d better go home and sleep…” Isabelle agreed, downing the contents of her glass and leading the way to the staffroom.

Isabelle pulled her hair out its bun once her jacket was over her uniform and her bag over her shoulder, stifling a yawn as she leant against Alec’s shoulder when he closed his own locker. The pair heard Clary and Jace arguing, again, about being on a break so it looked like Simon had definitely said something the table of student teachers. Great one, Simon.

Alec rubbed his eyes as he just steered Izzy past the drama and out the back door of the restaurant, the two of them wanting their beds more than the need to let Jace try and drag them onto his side. The blonde could easily handle himself anyway no matter what happened.

After a long night, Magnus woke to the loud clink of a coffee mug on his glass desk as he rubbed his eyes and pushed himself back upright into his chair as his fingers curled around the cup. It definitely looked like yet again he had fallen asleep at his desk, not really surprising when he had continued to push himself in the hopes of getting everything done so he could have the day off to prepare himself for that night. Looks like that wasn’t going to happen after all.

He tilted his head back against the back of his chair as he guided the mug to his lips and downed a big mouthful of coffee, glad when the liquefied caffeine burned his tongue as it helped to wake him up faster. Even if his taste buds were going to be dead when it came to his meal that night it was definitely worth it.

“How much did you have left to do? I might be able to tie up loose ends while you change.” Elias offered from where he was hovering at the other side of his desk, obviously knowing better than the engage with Magnus until he’d had his first sip of coffee. Smart man.

“It all just needs filing, to be honest. But you do need to check in with the Carstairs-Herondale’s for me about the progress of their attic before you do anything else. But whatever you’re doing I’m not moving an inch until I’ve finished this coffee.” Magnus said, taking another sip of his coffee as he fished a post it with Jem’s number on it from the several on his monitor to hold out to Elias.

“No problem Mr Bane,” Elias said, gathering the pile of paperwork to him and taking the post it from Magnus before leaving the office.

Magnus pulled a pack of makeup wipes from the top drawer of his desk as he set his coffee down for a minute to rid his skin of all yesterday’s makeup before he even considered changing after his coffee. The last thing he needed was walking trough the office building looking a mess, he did have a reputation to uphold after all.

A couple of wipes and the remainder of his coffee later, he reluctantly pushed himself out his chair, pausing to stretch his back before going to grab his spare suit and the few bits of make up and underwear he kept at the office in case of such a thing, before going to the showers in the gym downstairs.

He had done this more times than he would like to admit, sleeping at his desk, but it always left him way too exhausted to go across town to change only to come back. Though sleeping at his desk left him exhausted period compared to a night in his comfy bed that he honestly can’t remember the last time that he used. Definitely a sign that he needed to reacquaint himself with it that night. He managed to stifle a yawn as he pushed himself into the changing rooms which were otherwise empty to hang up his fresh suit before stripping off the day before’s as the shower heated up.

He made a note to himself to make Elias take his dirty suit to the dry cleaners on his break as he walked under the jets of hot water which seemed to ease and soothe his aching muscles from the awkward position he had been sleeping in. With a squirt of shampoo/conditioner and another of body wash he already felt ten times better, more like his self and less like the walking dead formerly known as Magnus anyway. Once he turned the water off he wrapped a towel around his waist and went to dress, taking a while to style his hair and reapply his makeup before feeling satisfied enough to be seen by staff and his friends at their lunch meeting.

He gathered yesterday’s clothes into a bag and made his way towards the elevator, checking his phone for texts and flashing the odd smile at everyone who entered or passed as he walked back towards his office. He set the bag holding the dirty suit on Elias’ desk as he passed it on the way into his office, sinking back into his chair and relieved to see a fresh coffee waiting for him and last night’s sushi packaging and used glass tumbler were gone. It made it so much easier for him to make his way through his emails and reply to those missed calls and voicemails of which as always there were many.

The morning flashed by in a flurry of yet more calls, emails and Elias appearing and disappearing with people he had appointments scheduled with. His friends then spent their supposed lunch meeting teasing Raphael about how Simon had brought him his favourite lunch and all issuing deadly threats to Magnus if he didn’t turn up that night. All of which he didn’t doubt that they would follow through with to make a point if nothing else.

But Ragnor’s PA Dot appeared, while Magnus was trying to arrange their yearly Christmas get together at his since there were fewer and fewer days that all of them would be around, to tell Ragnor his client was waiting. They parted to their own offices where they sorted out their get together via email and reminded Magnus of the arrangements to meet at the restaurant that night half an hour before the dinner was due to start.

Sooner than Magnus had been expecting the sun was setting over the horizon out his window and Elias was practically herding him out the office to make sure he got ready at home. His PA even tagged along to keep an eye on him like Catarina had threatened him within an inch of his life to keep Magnus on a short leash until they got the restaurant. She really did know him so well.

“Yes, yes I’m going! No need to push Elias, It’s not like I can climb out a window to escape is it?!” Magnus huffed once they walked into his apartment, throwing his briefcase onto the couch on the way towards his bedroom.

“Not that I wouldn’t put it past you.” Elias murmured under his breath though it was still loud enough for Magnus to hear and cast him a warning glare before closing the door to his room behind him with a swift pointed thud.

Fortunately, he had already decided what he was going to wear having decided at the weekend while putting off sourcing a particular shade of purple paint for a rather demanding client. At least he didn’t have to waste time looking through his closet umming and ahhing but it did leave him with enough time to shower and fixate on every other detail of his outfit. While there was always someone who made a point of staring at him for wearing makeup or the amount of jewellery that he wore, he’d made it a kind of game for himself to make things more interested.

Instead of the smart suit that he usually wore around the office he had decided to do something else, something more out there and probably destined to have Catarina trying to throw him out. Either that or frog-march him back to his apartment to make sure that he changed into something decent for the occasion, whatever happened at least it would mean he didn’t have to be there.

He’d settled on an outfit more suited for going out on the town, a crimson red shirt with the buttons open from his abs and a black leather blazer over the top, a pair of skin tight black jeans held up with a belt and boots that definitely put another couple of inches on his height. His hair and make-up were done to perfection and he’d added enough jewellery to bring people’s attention to him, especially his torso that was being caressed by the extra long necklaces he was wearing. Add to that the fact he hadn’t shaved for a couple of days and it was perfect, he looked less a high and mighty senior interior designer and more like the real him.

Elias was banging on the door and yelling about the time once he’d finished doing his eye makeup again to make sure it was his best causing him to only just restrain a smirk. His PA had no idea what he was going to see when he opened that door, best put him out of his misery.

“Elias, stop worrying! I’m ready.” Magnus said, opening the door and brushing past his PA to grab his wallet, phone and keys from the kitchen counter while his PA stood there wide eyed.

“Are…..are you sure you want to wear that sir? Shouldn’t you maybe…go change into something else?” Elias rambled from behind him causing Magnus to flash him a sly smirk as he made his way towards the door with the other now on his heels.

“Oh believe me I am more than sure that I want to wear this. Now let’s go before Catarina starts threatening to castrate me via text for being late again. Be a love and lock up for me will you?” Magnus grinned, throwing his keys at the other man who only just managed to catch them as he sashayed out the door without a backwards glance. Oh, tonight was going to be fun alright.

Alec had thankfully managed to catch up on his studying after a few more hours than he would usually have got of sleep before his shift started that night. Thankfully Izzy had had classes all day and Jace had slept straight through after coming home at 3 am probably after making up things with Clary, either way, it had given Alec some much-needed silence only just kept at bay by the acoustic covers he’d been playing through his earphones on a loop.

Even though he’d been reluctant in case Clary had spent the night without him being told, which wouldn’t be the first time, he had woken Jace before dinner so he had time to get ready and sort out his routine of calling Clary as soon as he was awake. Izzy had come back from her last class of the day not long after Alec had finished making dinner, kissing him on the cheek as she passed him on the way to her room with her bowl of Bolognese.

They’d eaten quickly as they always did every night they were working, Jace washing up since he was ready while Alec kept banging on the door to hurry Izzy up from hogging the shower. It took a while but soon all three of them were ready and on their way via subway towards the restaurant with Alec’s ears filled with his study playlist in the hope that things would stick while his siblings leant against the poles talking amongst themselves. Well more likely Izzy was lecturing Jace about messing Clary around and that she wouldn’t help him again, even though they all knew she would because she only ever wanted to see the pair happy.

They made it to the restaurant a half hour before opening, the three helping Simon, Tessa and Will set up while Lydia seemed to be lecturing everyone in the Kitchen about the importance of the night which Alec really didn’t envy them of. Hodge was pointing out things that needed changing, tables to be moved and champagne glasses to be filled before the customers started showing up.

Thankfully Izzy and Alec had been put on bar duty which made Alec relieved; after the night before he wasn’t sure he’d had enough politeness left in him to go through that again. Everything looked about as ready as it was going to get and Alaric was soon opening the doors as Alec and Izzy were pouring the last couples of glasses of champagne.

The customers began to come in small groups, with the odd person appearing alone before merging into a group, each one taking a glass of champagne from the bar before they moved towards those they knew. Izzy seemed to be in her element flashing the odd flirtatious wink and pushing the few glasses with strawberries to those people she was interested in getting to know better, almost like her version of beacons so she could keep a close eye on them.

Alec rolled his eyes and kept his customer friendly smile on his lips certain that like every event before that they would be seen as the hired help that they were too high and mighty to be interacted with if food or drink wasn’t involved. Not surprised by the odd flirtatious smile that was cast Izzy’s way.

“Would you stop that!” Alec murmured under his breath as another group left the bar.

“Oh relax Alec! It’s just a bit of fun, I’m not planning on luring them into the alley for an orgy or anything.” Izzy huffed, smirking at the way Alec flushed red at her words.

“You sure about that?” Alec asked, casting her a look in retaliation.

Izzy glared at him and smacked him in the ribs when no-one was watching, causing him to curse and offer an apologetic look that she seemed determined to ignore.

Alec kept his gaze on the crowd which was now starting to slow down to a trickle though found his eyes immediately resting on one figure that had his heart racing. He was walking with someone who dressed like a university professor, a blonde woman dressed in a conservative black Stella McCartney Suit and a Latino man whose smile seemed to fall a little as his gaze rested on Simon who nearly tripped when their gazes met.

Compared to everyone else in the room who was dressed in expensive suits and dresses that seemed to make them blur so they became mere faces in the crowd they all paled in comparison to that man. He looked like he didn’t care about what people thought, about him dressing less than traditionally or about the looks he was getting. He looked like sin personified with all the skin of his chest and abs open to everyone who wanted to look, his jeans looked like they had to be painted on and the only bit that even resembled a suit was the black leather blazer over his shirt. But from one glance at that caramel skin Alec knew he was going to be next to useless for the rest of the night, he wasn’t going to be able to stop himself looking he just knew it.

“…Alec?” Izzy asked, her voice seeming to cut through his thoughts of his tongue on that man’s torso and bring him back to reality, though she could obviously see that he was reacting to seeing someone from his body language alone.

“What?” Alec asked, softly swallowing as his mouth seemed to get dry the closer the man got as he kept his gaze on him.

Izzy tilted her head at him before following his gaze out into the crowd of partygoers to the four figures approaching the bar all chatting among themselves as they picked up a glass of champagne each. A smile appeared on her lips as she made sure to push one of the few remaining glasses with a strawberry bobbing among the fizzy wine towards the man that her brother couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from. She got a wink of thanks while Alec flushed beside her and let his gaze move to his feet.

She watched the way the other man paused at the bar with his glass up to his lips frozen as his gaze lingered on her blushing brother’s form with interest. It only lasted a minute before he was being pulled away by the woman in his group who seemed to be hissing at him about what he wasn’t wearing.

“Looks like you’ve found yourself an admirer Alec…” Izzy teased as Alec seemed to blush even deeper at her calling attention to the fact while rubbing his thumb at the palm of his hand, his nervous tic that made her grin just a little bit more.

“Shut up…” Alec said weakly as he left her to overlook the bar while he grabbed some more glasses and a couple more bottles of champagne in shaking hands as he let out a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself.

He’d never felt that fluttering in his heart before, that bone-deep craving to get to know someone or that aching in his lips that wanted to know what the other’s tasted like. Let alone ever be so flustered to the point that he couldn’t even make himself look the other man in the eye while blushing like a school boy. Since he had come out he’d only dated a couple of times and that was more because they never got passed the first date not to mention they had been picked out by his mother who’d tried to be accepting but her taste and his were so different that there had been no point.

There was definitely no denying that that man, the one who seemed to demand attention by the way that he stood out in the crowd of suits, was definitely his type though how he knew without the two of them so much as exchanging a word he honestly had no idea. He let out another steadying breath in the hope of calming his racing heart as he brought the tray of empty glasses complete with two bottles of champagne to the main section of the bar to distract himself from Izzy’s knowing look.

Thankfully his sister didn’t push anymore as she helped him fill up the glasses, though he didn’t doubt for a second that that would be the last time he hears of it for the rest of the night.

His gaze kept flicking to rest on the man’s leather clad back like a moth to a flame in the crowd and he knew that he was definitely without a doubt going to have embarrassed himself to a complete stranger by the time the night was over.

Magnus sipped at his champagne, the sweetness of the strawberry tingling his taste buds as he tried to make himself pay attention to what his friends were saying to the Californian big shot who seemed to think that next season’s colours were going to be black and white. Oh please talk about the most boring colour scheme known to man! But his mind kept wandering to rest at the bar where the rather attractive bartender was pouring champagne into more glasses with the woman beside him that had given him his champagne, who was pretty obviously his sister helping him.

She was definitely the more extrovert of the two by the way she had boldly interacted by pushing a glass in his direction, compared to the rather angelic man that had flushed under his gaze and barely said a word.

There was something mysteriously attractive about the man that wasn’t just to do with his impeccable awe-inspiring looks not that he would deny that that was definitely that made him stand out. His hazel eyes seemed to have been fixated shyly on Magnus like he had never experienced that kind of reaction to someone before, almost afraid of what would have happened if he had been caught. Though he was definitely the taller of the two siblings and probably the more muscular as was obvious by the way his white work shirt and black waistcoat seemed to be pulled tight against his form, especially around his arms. His hair was an artful mess held in place by gel but the curve of his neck, those cheekbones and jawline made Magnus sure that if he had any interest in following through with it, he would make a breathtaking model.

But he didn’t seem to see how attractive he really was no matter how much he had been told as much when he looked in the mirror like he had been worn down by someone else’s opinions to the point that what he saw staring back at him was less than perfect. Made all the more obvious by the way he seemed to try and make himself as small as possible that had Magnus wanting to hit whoever had dared to tell him he was less than perfect in the face.

“Magnus?” A voice interrupted his thoughts of what that man would look like on his bed minus a stitch of clothing as his lips worshipped him the way he deserved. He looked back at his friends and just knew that he’d missed out on the entire conversation which he was sure was tedious anyway.

“I’m sorry, what was that? I wasn’t listening…” Magnus said around another mouthful of champagne which he was hoping to down as quickly as possible so he had the chance to actually speak to that beautiful angel this time.

“You’ll have to excuse him, Cecil, he was up late working the last few nights and he must be still feeling the exhaustion. Why don’t you email the details to me and I’ll pass them on to him to consider?” Ragnor said with that ever present democratic yet calming persona he often used when he knew Magnus was away with the faeries. Ah, his dear cabbage was always a life saver.

Cecil nodded stiffly, taking Ragnor’s card when it was offered him to before disappearing into the crowd surrounding them. Magnus’ gaze immediately rested back on the bartender who was making a complicated looking cocktail, only pulled back to reality when Catarina snapped his name in that warning tone that he knew meant he was in trouble.

“Hm?” Magnus asked, reluctantly looking at his friends again that were giving him incredulous looks.

“What is it with you? I know you find him pretentious on any given day but at least you usually pretend to pay attention to what he’s saying.” Ragnor said casting him a look to match Catarina’s tone while Raphael seemed to be looking in the direction of the bar with a knowing look.

“I think Magnus has a bit of eye candy on the brain.” Raphael quipped, jerking his head in the direction of the bar before Magnus could defend himself. The bartender in question had his back to the room showing the tight black silk of his waistcoat against his muscular back and his ass looking amazing in that pair of black dress pants that had Magnus so close to drooling it was ridiculous.

“Really Magnus?! We’re here for business, not pleasure” Catarina hissed, glaring at him over her champagne flute.

“And if I play my cards right, I might just manage to have both.” Magnus shrugged, not that he had any intention of cutting straight to the part where he asked the man into the bathroom for a quickie which was about as cliché as it got at a Christmas party it was embarrassing.

“I thought after what happened Camille you said you were officially off the dating market,” Raphael said, his gaze moving from the bar towards where Simon was weaving among the crowd taking empty glasses from other people on a tray.

“And I thought you said you weren’t ever going to date period. But I guess we’re both bound to go back on our word huh Raphael?” Magnus said, clearing his throat and tilting his head in Simon’s direction knowingly causing his friend to narrow his eyes at him. “Now if you’ll all excuse me I feel like I need something stronger before the speeches start.”

He made sure to leave them before any of them tried to dissuade him from going towards the man. They knew his disaster of a love life as closely as he did any of theirs and he was sure they weren’t looking forward to having to pick up the pieces, not that he could foresee anything like that happened but he was renown for wearing his heart on his sleeve.

He managed to weave through the crowd with most of the people around him parting like the red sea to get away from him, leaving him a clear path towards the bar. The bartender was now on his own, making cosmos for a couple of wives that were wittering among themselves about the long hours, the flirtatious PAs and the personal trainers they were fucking causing Magnus to roll his eyes.

“I’ll have a Raspberry Daiquiri when you have a moment darling.” Magnus said, setting his empty champagne glass on the bar causing the bartender to freeze when he spotted him but swallow and nod as he murmured “Coming right up sir.”

Magnus toyed with his rings as he watched the wives take their cosmos and disappear into the crowd to find the group of other wives hiding a table in the corner, leaving Magnus alone with the angel in disguise.

“So, what’s a pretty face like yours doing at such a tedious event like this?” Magnus asked, leaning against the bar while the bartender grabbed the right ingredients for his cocktail.

“That is most definitely the worst pick-up line I have ever heard.” The bartender said, though his complexion was flushing a little and he was fighting a losing battle with the smile on his lips. A smile that seemed destined to make his features look even more breathtaking.

“Perhaps but It brought a smile to that beautiful face so I’d say it was worth it.” Magnus smiled, causing the bartender to bite his lip as he shook his head in disagreement. “I’m Magnus by the way.”

“Alec.” The bartender replied, pouring all the ingredients into the shaker.

“Hm, short for Alexander?” Magnus asked, watching mesmerised as Alec’s nimble fingers screwed the shaker closed.

“Yeah, but the only person who calls me that is my Mom.” Alec sighed, shaking the shaker between his hands leaving Magnus’ admiration moving to those arms.

“Hm, well I prefer Alexander personally, I’ve never been one for shortening a given name especially if it’s a particularly beautiful name. It seems like such a waste.” Magnus shrugged as Alec put the shaker aside to prepare his glass.

“So Magnus isn’t short for anything then?” Alec fished, causing Magnus to grin but shake his head.

“Oh no, It’s just Magnus. Well unless you speak to one of my friends anyway and even those names aren’t particularly flattering depending on what mood they are in.” Magnus sighed as Alec poured the concoction into his glass.

“Um hm, well I think you’re needed at your table now before the meal starts,” Alec said, sliding his glass towards him as the head of a London firm seemed to be getting ready to start the opening speech of the night.

“I’ll be seeing you later then Alexander, don’t go anywhere,” Magnus said with a flirtatious wink and graze of his fingertips against the back of Alec’s hand before picking up his drink and making his way towards the table that his friends had picked. Not that it stopped him from feeling the burning sensation of Alec’s gaze on his back or his fingertips tingling from touching Alec’s skin.

Alec let out a deep breath that he hadn’t even known he had been holding as he followed Magnus’ path amongst the various tables towards one in Simon’s section, his fingers were practically shaking at Magnus’ touch against his skin. He bit his lip as he tuned out the monotonous speech filled with cheesy jokes to start preparing the gathering list of drink orders on the computer system.

Anything to keep his mind of Magnus. After all, he seemed like the kind of guy that flirted with every bartender. Still he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy the attention which he usually saw being lavished on Jace and Izzy. He could understand why they liked it so much and why it seemed to have an addictive kind of tinge to it.

Izzy reappeared from making the rounds with the few remaining glasses of champagne and taking orders, setting the tray of empty glasses aside to start helping Alec with the orders though he could feel her gaze rested on him as if she had been watching what had happened between him and Magnus.

“So I miss anything? Any sordid meet ups? Gossip? A certain man in leather that you’ve been drooling over, coming over here and flirting with you?” Izzy asked pouring a few shots that Alec was sure it was a bit too early for. But whatever the customer wanted they got.

“His name is Magnus.” Alec blurted out before he could stop himself, flushing as he set a tray of cocktails down for Jace to take to the right table.

“Oh really? So there was some flirting going on then?” Izzy teased, though Alec didn’t miss the slight knowing smirk on her lips.

“Izzy, don’t!” Alec hissed as Jace came to grab the tray but not low enough for their brother miss

“Don’t what? What have I missed?” Jace asked, causing Alec to curse under his breath as he made a Gin and Tonic in the hopes that both his siblings would let it go. Not that they would, they were like a dog with a bone when it came to his love life.

“Alec has himself an admirer which I’m beginning to think is mutual…” Izzy sing-songed as Alec put the Gin and Tonic on the tray pointedly.

“Oh really? And who’s the lucky guy?” Jace asked with a smirk that made Alec want to slam his face into the bar top.

“The guy in the leather,” Izzy said, pointing their brother in the direction of where Magnus was sat with his colleagues.

“Wow Alec, he’s definitely your type I’ll give you that.” Jace grinned, letting his gaze move over Magnus as he sized him up.

“Aren’t you supposed to be delivering drinks?” Alec hissed with a deadly glare.

“And I will after you’ve told me what you’re going to do next,” Jace said, completely ignoring the tray for the moment.

“There’s nothing to do. He probably flirts with anyone that serves him alcohol...” Alec huffed which earned him looks from both his siblings that always appeared when he diminished his self-worth around them.

“Or maybe he wants to get to know the hot bartender. Come on, Alec you’ve spent enough time single and you aren’t exactly an ogre, it’s impossible with our gene pool. Just flirt or even ask him out before the night is out. You won’t regret it.” Izzy said poking Alec in the chest with her finger.

“Izzy’s right and you know it Alec. You are a looker that he would be lucky to have. If you haven’t asked him out or got a number by the end of the night we will step in.” Jace said, finally picking the tray him before leaving the bar to deliver his drinks.

“So no pressure then.” Alec sighed under his breath.

“You know we only do it because we care and we want you to be happy Hermano. So if I were you I’d be coming up with a plan.” Izzy said, passing him to grab some more olives for garnishes from the kitchen leaving Alec wondering what he did in a former life to warrant having two such pushy siblings.

Magnus spent most of the various speeches and a fair bit of the meal with his gaze on Alec trying to figure out a way to get a number of maybe even a date from the other man. His friends had long since realised that he was a lost cause when it came to conversations related to actual work, leaving him to his ponderings of Alec while they took over. Yet he wasn’t the only one at the table with his attention elsewhere if the way that Raphael’s gaze seemed to be following Simon’s figure as he wove between tables with plates was anything to go by.

Usually, Magnus would be encouraging Raphael to actually do something about this building thing with his PA while they were out of the office, but with his attention rested on Alec, he didn’t really pay much attention. It would probably only be another wasted effort like the past twenty times but once things were on track with him and Alec maybe he might be able to play matchmaker.

He was about to sip his second Raspberry Daiquiri curtsey of Alec’s sister when he spotted Simon making his way around the bar while Alec cast one last longing look in Magnus’s direction before disappearing through a set of double doors behind the bar causing him to frown.

“What is it, Magnus?” Catarina asked as he straightened up his chair as the loss of Alec in his eye line seemed to bring him back to reality.

“Alec’s gone….” Magnus sighed.

“Alec?” Rangor asked.

“The bartender dear, pay attention. He’s probably just gone on his break Magnus. I don’t blame him after all the drinks he’s been making.” Catarina soothed.

“Then I might just be able to talk to him while he’s on his break,” Magnus said downing the remainder of his Daiquiri and setting the glass down as he got to his feet.

“Oh come on Magnus why are you acting like some kind of Casanova like when you were with Camille. You’re acting desperate my friend and it isn’t a good look on you.” Ragnor said, rolling his eyes behind his old-fashioned cocktail.

“Do not talk to me about that woman. Alec is nothing like her.” Magnus glowered leaving the table before he said something he regretted and making his way towards the bar where Simon was making a rather large order of Appletini cocktails for the table of Wives probably but he stopped when he spotted Magnus stood there.

“Mr Bane, you wanting another Daiquiri?” Simon asked, pouring some vodka into a glass.

“Call me Magnus when we’re out the office Sion you’re making me feel old. But no, I was actually hoping you might be able to let me out back so I could speak with Alexander.” Magnus asked as he leant against the bar.

“Only employees are allowed back there sorry. Why do you want to speak to Alec anyway?” Simon asked, putting the finished cocktails on a tray and pushing them forward for the next available waiter to take.

“Well, I suppose a similar question in response to that could be why are you making heart eyes at Raphael? The answer is kind of just as obvious.” Magnus said, watching Simon stutter as he tried to come up with the words to deny it. “Oh, Shannon there’s no need for that, how about a trade?”

“What kind of trade?” Simon asked suspiciously as he started pouring some glasses of white wine.

“You let me through the back to speak to Alexander and I’ll help you with Raphael. I’d say that’s a fair enough trade don’t you?” Magnus asked, examining his nails for chips.

Simon bit his lip in thought but nodded as he led Magnus through the double doors after making sure someone else was covering the bar.

“First room on the left is the staff room, he’ll probably be in there,” Simon said, leaning against the doorframe as Magnus looked at him for directions.

“Thank you, Shawn. Come see me at the office during your break on Monday and I’ll help you come up with a plan for Raphael.” Magnus said with a smile before following the corridor towards the room that Simon had mentioned.

He hovered in the doorway as he took in the room before him. It definitely looked bigger than the staff room at the office, only the décor was drabber as if the designer had been more fixated on the restaurant itself and the kitchen instead of the spaces for the staff. The walls were a plain magnolia paint and the floor vinyl with a tile print. There were several sets of tables and chairs dotted around and a wall made up of lockers near the kitchenette. From his professional opinion, it was appalling but it seemed to brighten up when he spotted Alec sat at a table in the corner near the three vending machines.

The black haired beauty was eating chicken salad from a plastic container with a fork; his gaze rested on the rather thick textbook on the table in front of him and earphones sprouting from his pocket to his ears. Aside from the uniform he could have easily looked like just another student in a library and Magnus wished he had met him when he was at school. He moved towards Alec’s table and rested a hand on the page Alec was reading causing him to look up with his fork halfway to his lips, setting the fork back in the container and remove the earphones when he met Magnus’ gaze.

“I never thought a staff room could look so drab even with your alluring presence in it Alexander but I was definitely proved wrong.” Magnus flirted as Alec bit his lip.

“Magnus. Erm…what are you going back here?” Alec asked, toying with his salad with his fork nervously.

“Just thought I could chat with you while you’re on your break darling. Unless you would prefer that I leave you alone to your studying?” Magnus asked, with a smile.

“What? No, no of course not. I just….won’t you be missed by your party?” Alec asked while Magnus pulled a chair up to his table and sat down.

“Not nearly as much as you would think. Besides I’d much rather get to know you instead of speculation about next season’s colour schemes, if that’s ok?” Magnus asked, gesturing for Alec to keep eating which the younger did eagerly.

“Sure, I mean not that there is really that much to tell,” Alec said through a mouthful of salad.

“Now I’m fairly sure that’s not true. For instances, what is it that you are studying?” Magnus asked, watching Alec blush as he closed his textbook to show the title ‘Gray’s Anatomy’.

“I’m at medical school. But trying to study for my midterms while working wasn’t exactly my brightest idea in the world.” Alec said with a soft smile.

“You thought about your speciality?” Magnus asked curiously as Alec stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork.

“I haven’t fixed on one yet but I am thinking paediatrics. I’ve always been good with kids.” Alec admitted, spearing a few pieces of lettuce and a cherry tomato on his fork.

“Well, no matter what department you choose I’m sure you’ll be a great doctor.” Magnus smiled, trying to push thoughts of Alec holding children in those muscular arms away. Nothing was destined to make him melt more.

Alec flushed at the compliment and looked at him from under his eyelashes causing Magnus to amend that thought. No, that look definitely seemed to be doing the trick alright.

“What about you? What is that you do?” Alec asked, pulling the tomato off his fork with his teeth.

“I run my own interior design firm with my friends that I came with tonight. I’m surprised you didn’t pick that up from all the conversation that was going on.” Magnus teased with a smile.

“Well to be honest aside from my work I wasn’t really paying attention,” Alec admitted as he pulled the rest of the food from his fork into his mouth before setting the fork down.

“That is understandable since it can get tedious, though I do have to wonder if there is maybe another reason as to why you weren’t paying attention,” Magnus asked.

“Well I couldn’t stop looking at you, so there’s that,” Alec said shyly.

“Well, I couldn’t stop looking at you either. I mean I’ll probably get into trouble with my friends for not paying attention but when I have your beautiful self in front of me who can resist looking at a bartender in front of me?” Magnus flirted.

“I should probably be getting back so Simon can have his break, as much as I would love to stay here all night talking to you,” Alec said, getting up from his chair to push his empty container and book back into his locker.

“Well, why don’t we exchange numbers and maybe sometime soon meet for a drink when you have a free night? If you have no objections I mean.” Magnus asked, offering Alec his phone as he got up too,

“No, no objections at all. It’s a date.” Alec smiled, bowling Magnus over with the pure beauty that lit up his face when he smiled.

Magnus kept his gaze fixated on Alec’s face as the other added his number to his contacts and texted himself so he had Magnus’ number.

“I’ll call you later then Alexander and we can work out the details for that date,” Magnus said, taking his phone back and pecking a kiss on Alec’s cheek once the phone was back in his pocket.

Alec seemed to flush even more as he led the way out the room and down the corridor towards the doors that led back into the restaurant. But before they could even reach the door Alec’s hand was around Magnus’ wrist stilling him and causing Magnus to turn and look at him.

Alec licked his lips as he rested a hesitant hand on Magnus’ cheek almost waiting for the other to tell him to stop before leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his lips. It was a kiss filled with the sweetness and innocent that Magnus had always imagined a first kiss from Alec would have.

He returned it gently, afraid that if he tried to deepen it that they would quickly lose all semblance of control. But before he could stop himself his hands were rested on Alec’s waist pulling him close into his personal space. It didn’t take much to steer Alec towards the wall beside him until his back was rested against it; for the kiss to quickly lose that sweetness and turn into something deeper and filled with a craving for more that had been fizzling under the surface since their gazes had first met. Alec’s fingers were now curled tightly in his hair the deeper the kiss got, their lips now parted and Magnus’ tongue teasing against Alec’s. The taller was practically panting into Magnus’ mouth when Magnus slid a thigh between Alec’s legs and Alec’s head rested back against the wall in pleasure and ecstasy.

Magnus pulled away to press a chaste kiss to Alec’s red swollen lips and flash him a wicked smile as Alec’s fingers continued to slide through his now messed up hair.

“Well well Alexander, I’ll definitely be looking forwards to that date now if I can expect more of those kinds of kisses.” Magnus murmured, pecking another kiss to Alec’s lips because he really couldn’t help himself before taking a step back to part them.

“Me too.” Alec breathed as he pushed himself away from the wall to straighten his clothing and appearance so he didn’t look so completely debauched. He offered Magnus another of those blinding smiles before leading Magnus through the doors.

Magnus couldn’t stop the smile on his lips as he made his way back towards his table, winking at Alec who bit his lip to restrain his smile as he took over from Simon. Yet when their gazes met again Alec was letting that smile shine before he was hit by the girl, who was most definitely his sister who brought Alec back to reality causing the elder to flush from whatever she was saying to him.

It left Magnus watching the two wistfully as Simon brought over their next round of drinks that had obviously been ordered when Magnus was getting to know the rather beautiful Alexander.

“So?” Catarina asked, around her mouthful of tiramisu as she offered Simon a smile when he put a glass of Pinot Gris down in front of her.

“So what my dear Catarina?” Magnus asked, winking at Simon when he set a double Gin and tonic down in front of him.

“How did it go with Alec the bartender?” Catarina asked, rolling her eyes.

“Oh, you mean the delightful Alexander? You should know me well enough to know that I don’t kiss and tell my dear.” Magnus said over his glass.

“Since when?” Ragnor scoffed with a smirk that showed just how much he had had to drink. Though it was justified considering how much detail he had gone into when he and Camille had been together.

“Since now Cabbage. So what did I miss while I was gone?” Magnus asked, keeping his attention on Catarina as Raphael’s gaze rested over his shoulder on Simon’s departure in the direction of the bar to have his break and Ragnor sipped his merlot like he was a man dying of thirst.

“Fine, I’ll tell if only to distract me from those two.” Catarina sighed, sipping her wine after setting her spoon down into her empty bowl.

“And that is definitely why you are my favourite darling.” Magnus smiled as he toasted her with his glass.

For the rest of the night, Alec struggled to keep his concentration on his work and his gaze off Magnus as his lips continued to buzz with the feel of Magnus’ kiss against his own. Thankfully Izzy was picking up his slack after he’d told her that not only did he have Magnus’ number but had also been asked out.

But by the time it was closing time most of the crowd from the party had moved elsewhere to continue the festivities at other bars while a few lingered at their tables drinking something stronger as a night cap and catching up with those they hadn’t had the chance to speak to before. Thankfully Magnus and his group were still one of the groups at their table, though two were drinking coffees in an effort to try and sober them up a little before they left while Magnus and the woman opposite were nursing the last of their drinks while deep in conversation. Probably about what Magnus had missed while he was talking with Alec out back.

Alec had been left alone at the bar supervising those remaining as he emptied the dishwasher of the fifth load of the night, putting clean glasses back on their respective shelves and pausing every so often to wipe excess water away with a rag. Hodge had started to herd those remaining to the till to pay what they owed before they left while Jace, Simon and Will began the overall clear up.

Alec set the glass he was holding on the right shelf before moving toward the till thankfully most of the meal had been prepaid with the booking leaving just the extra drinks and any other extras needing to be paid up for. The whole time he kept his customer friendly smile on to ignore the way his body seemed to be aching with exhaustion at still being awake at this time not to mention his feet were killing him and a headache was building.

“Ah, Alexander…”

Magnus’ voice pulled his thoughts from the pain and misery to where Magnus was stood at the bar in front of him while his friends were pulling on coats and the woman trying to call a cab while keeping an eye on the other two.

“Magnus, hi again. You paying up the last of your bill?” Alec asked as Magnus pulled an expensive looking leather wallet out his jacket pocket and leant his elbows on the bar.

“Yes, my punishment curtsey of Catarina for not paying attention though I’d say that is fair if it means I get to be in your presence again before I leave.” Magnus sighed, resting his chin on one hand and twirling his credit card between his index and middle finger.

“So you were at table ten, which comes to thirty dollars for extras,” Alec said after bringing the information up on the touch screen till before entering the right code into the credit card machine and offering it to Magnus.

“The others must have drunk a lot while my mind was otherwise engaged, either way, it was worth it,” Magnus said, flashing him a flirtatious smile as Alec took the card from him and swiped the card before offering him the handset for the pin.

“Definitely worth it,” Alec said loud enough for only Magnus to hear and flash him another flirtatious smile as he handed the handset back and replaced his credit card in his wallet. He took the receipt Alec offered him and put his wallet back into his pocket.

“Well, I best be off. Being the second relatively sober of the group I need to help Catarina get Ragnor and Raphael home.” Magnus said, his eyes flicking longingly on Alec’s lips as though wanting to kiss him goodbye before settling on guiding Alec’s hand to his lips instead. “Goodnight Alexander, see you soon.”

“’bye Magnus,” Alec said softly as Magnus let his hand go and watched Magnus’ leather clad back retreat towards the door pushing the Latino man who looked like he was going to wax poetically about someone out into the street.

But once the door was closed behind them and Alec was going to return to emptying the dishwasher, he felt his phone buzz from where he’d been keeping it in his pocket all night. He unlocked it to see the text he’d sent himself from Magnus’ number and another more recent text from that same number waiting for him. He quickly added the number to his contacts before opening the message.

From: Magnus <3 ’And I’m definitely hoping that date is sooner than later Alexander. Sleep well x’

Alec only just restrained the urge to blush as he sent a quick reply,

To: Magnus <3 ’Missing you already x’

He then pushed the phone back into his pocket and turned his remaining energy to the few tasks that he needed to do before he could finally go home to his bed and dream of just what his and Magnus’ first date would be.

Fin.

#onefootintheboilinghotlava #malecsanta16 #*fic16 #*gifts16

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malecsecretsanta · 8 years ago

Text

Merry Christmas, @bellahexlestrange!

Read on AO3

Possibly, Maybe

The first box shows up three days after the charity bake off. It is shiny and golden and a dozen phallic cookies in all shapes and sizes line the inside. There’s a phone number taped to the lid and Alec is pretty sure he knows exactly who it belongs to.

“Wow,” Jace says. “The attention to detail is amazing. I never got the hang of royal icing.”

“The sprinkles are a nice touch,” Isabelle agrees. She reaches for the biggest, veiniest one and bites off the head. Moaning softly, she says, “oh my god, they’re almond shortbread. And the royal icing definitely has honey in it.”

“Really?” Jace sounds intrigued, though Alec is sure he’s hesitant to eat a dick.

Isabelle takes another bite of her cookie and makes another borderline inappropriate noise. “If you don’t want them, Alec, I will gladly eat them all.”

“Bane did technically beat us at the bake off,” Alec says. “It shouldn’t surprise you he knows how to bake.”

“He tied us,” Jace corrects. “A tie is not beating us.”

Alec shrugs his shoulders, but doesn’t argue it. He picks up a golden cookie with a detailed foreskin and stares at it. He’s not sure if Magnus is coming onto him or taunting him, but he figures it would be rude to let the cookies go to waste.

It is every bit as delicious as Isabelle made it out to be.

Alec doesn’t call, though he thinks about it all night and all weekend.

Will takes pity on Alec and lets him into Cardale’s Coffee even though the shop isn’t set to open for another ten minutes. The snow is starting to build up, seemingly out of nowhere, but Alec has waited in far worse weather to get far worse coffee. He tries to keep it local when he can. It only seems fair since he’s struggling to make ends meet in his own hometown bakery.

The lights stay off in the front of the shop, though the machines start to hum to life as Will flips switches down the line and finishes filling up the small pastry display. They’re all homemade with love, from Sophie’s Sweetie Pies and Alec stares at them a little resentfully.

“The regular?” Will asks.

Alec nods. He clears his throat and asks, “how well do you know Magnus Bane?”

“He kissed me at a party once to make his ex jealous,” Will says. He looks at Alec with amusement, briefly, before turning his attention to the espresso machine. “We go back. He’s a decent guy. Makes the best pâte à choux I’ve ever had. Profiteroles, eclairs, beignets, you name it.”

“I tried his eclairs at the bake off,” Alec says. “I’m surprised he didn’t win.”

Will finishes making the Americano and snaps the lid on the togo cup. “You clearly didn’t make it in time to taste any of Sophie’s scones,” Will says, amused. He hands the cup over and asks, “What did he do to you?”

Alec’s fingers tighten around the cup. “Nothing,” he lies. “I was just curious.”

Will looks at Alec like he doesn’t quite believe him, but doesn’t push. “It’s on the house,” he says, nodding towards the coffee. “We both know you’ll be back before the end of the day, anyway.”

Despite himself, Alec smiles sheepishly.

There’s another golden box waiting for Alec when he gets back from his burger run and he has to balance his burger and drink in one hand as he reads the note taped to the lid. It has an address and a time written in an elegant scrawl followed by a simple question mark.

Alec’s throat goes dry and his stomach feels like it’s tying itself in knots. He crumples the note up in his pocket and drops into his desk chair hard to shove his face full before he has to get back in the shop to give Isabelle a break. He tries to avoid the box sitting in front of him, but even Alec can’t ignore the call of iced lemon bread forever.

He’s pretty sure he’s going to have to give in and go on a date with Magnus, or at the very least give him a call explaining why all of this is a terrible idea. He’s just not sure he’s ready to do either of those things.

It’s kind of nice to be pursued romantically, even if it is with baked goods and the knowledge he owns his own bakery.

“You should go out with him,” Isabelle says casually. She’s watching him wash the last of the dishes of the day, but she doesn’t move to help because she got her nails done this morning, Alec, you know this .

Alec wishes he could pretend he didn’t know what she meant, but he knows it would be a useless venture. “You could ask him out if you’re so fascinated with him.”

“I’m not the one who got caught making out with him at the charity bake off after party,” Isabelle says with a wicked grin. “Don’t you think you’re sending him kind of mixed signals?”

“I’m eating his baked goods, even though I literally eat nothing but baked goods all day, every day,” Alec says. “What more could he possibly want from me?”

Isabelle holds her hand up in a loose fist and pushes her tongue against the inside of her cheek, pushing it out.

Alec throws a dish towel at her and glares. “I’m not that easy. I can’t be bought with dick shaped cookies.”

“Jace said the lemon bread looked like it had jizz drizzle,” Isabelle says. She sounds ecstatic and Alec hates her a little bit.

“And that is exactly why Jace isn’t allowed near any of the icing tips or the icing, because he makes everything sexual,” Alec snaps. His cheeks flush and he washes the dishes more aggressively than he needs to. “You can go home. I can finish up here.”

“But then I wouldn’t get to tease you, big brother,” Isabelle says sweetly.

There’s a box of conchas from Pan de Molde sitting on the kitchen counter and Jace swears loudly. “How many people did you almost hook up with at the bake off, Alec, and why is that asshole Santiago sending you baked goods?”

Clary stifles a laugh behind her hand, but not before Alec can shoot her a dark look. “That was actually my fault,” she says. “Simon gave them to me at a discount because they’re three days old.”

“This is a house that bakes, Clary,” Jace says, though it doesn’t stop him from taking a concha and waving it at her. “We don’t need more baked goods coming through those doors unless they’re Little Debbies.”

“Jace has a thing for Zebra Cakes,” Alec explains when Clary just looks confused. He touches Jace’s back, nudging him gently, before getting stuff ready for spaghetti. “Are you staying for dinner?”

“Sure,” Clary says. She climbs onto a barstool and takes a concha. “I’m not good at being subtle, so I’m just going to ask: are you going to call Magnus or can he just expect you at Cardale’s Coffee tomorrow for your date?”

“You have a date with Magnus?” Jace asks, sounding scandalized.

“How do you know about that?” Alec asks. It’s hard not to sound panicked when his heart is pounding in his chest and he nearly drops the pots and pans. “And I don’t know, I haven’t decided yet.”

“Magnus and I go way back,” Clary says, shrugging her shoulders. “He was getting worried you’d changed your mind about being interested.”

“Alec is interested,” Jace says. He folds his arms over his chest and stares at Alec. “You’re going on that date. You know how I know that? Because it’s at Cardale’s and you have coffee flowing in your veins instead of blood.”

Alec opens his mouth and closes it again. “I just don’t think it’s - maybe it’s not - I really don’t - “

“The fact you can’t come up with a single argument is proof enough,” Jace says. He looks at Clary. “Tell Magnus he’ll be there.”

“I don’t have anything to wear?” Alec tries quietly, but Jace just laughs at him and hollers for Isabelle.

Alec loads the dishwasher while Clary lounges on his bed and Isabelle goes through his closet. He knows he should yell at them both but he doesn’t have it in him. Really, the stress of of it all is making him want to crawl into a hole and die but he doesn’t think either of his siblings would let him get away with that.

“Your sister is a terrible influence on my girlfriend,” Jace comments idly as he puts the last of the leftovers in the fridge.

“She’s your sister, too,” Alec says. He turns on the dishwasher and leans against the counter. “I thought you liked the confidence Clary has been showing since Izzy introduced her into the wonderful world of hooker boots and adult toys?”

“They’re just going through your stuff like you’re not even here,” Jace says, frowning. “A few months ago, Clary was terrified of you and now she’s laying on your bed.”

“I am aware of the violation of my privacy,” Alec says.

“You have Izzy and me as siblings,” Jace says, crossing the small kitchen to clap his hand on Alec’s back. “Any privacy you thought you had was just an illusion.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Alec mutters darkly. He checks his watch and sighs. “They need to hurry up so I can go to bed. It’s my turn to open the shop and I have to go on a stupid date.”

“A fun date,” Jace says. “You could have fun. You could get coffee and fall in love. Like that song. Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop. ”

“I am so not related to you,” Alec says with a heavy sigh.

Jace just laughs.

Alec gets to Max’s Magnificent Creations at exactly four in the morning. It gives him time to turn on the lights and start the first batch of doughnuts and pastries. He doesn’t mind being at work this early in the morning. The city is quiet around him and there’s no traffic, though even Cardale’s doesn’t open until six in the morning so Alec is left to use Jace’s Keurig for a quick fix until then.

It’s easy to get lost in the work, but Alec has been doing this for so long now. Doughnuts and pastries and muffins in the morning, fresh baked bread by ten and closed by four in the afternoon. They do good business, though they could certainly do better. It’s hard to run the shop with just three people most of the time. Alec wouldn’t change any of it.

Jace yawns loudly when he makes his way in fifteen minutes late, but he’s got two togo cups from Cardale’s Coffee and it’s not like Alec would consider firing him even if he didn’t.

“Shoulda bought a sports bar,” Jace says as he pulls his apron off the rack and pulls it on. “Wouldn’t have to open until noon at the earliest, close by two in the morning…”

“Never have time to take your girlfriend on dates,” Alec replies. “Have to learn how to make bar food and mix drinks…”

“Mixing drinks sounds like a fun skill to have,” Jace says. “None of this premade in a bottle crap for twice the price.”

Alec shakes his head and takes a sip of his coffee. It’s still hot and exactly the way Alec likes it. The door chimes in the front of the shop and Alec sighs heavily. “Go work the counter, I’ll finish up in here.”

“Jerk,” Jace mutters, but he takes one last drag of his coffee before acquiescing.

Eleven o’clock comes quickly, but the day always moves fast when there are things to pull from the oven and decorate or customers to help. The last stretch to eleven thirty drags though, and Alec can’t stop looking at his reflection in the oven and trying to smooth his hair down and brush the flour off his jeans.

“I should have brought a change of clothes,” Alec says when Jace pokes his head back into the kitchen.

“You should move your ass with those French loaves,” Jace says. “You look fine. Don’t be such a girl.”

“I’ll telling Izzy you said that,” Alec huffs. “And Clary.” He does bring the fresh loaves out to go in the display, but it only takes three minutes and Alec is staring at his watch again in the kitchen. He walks back into the front of the shop. “Can I be half an hour early?”

“No, you freak,” Jace sighs. He itches his forehead with the back of his wrist and sighs harder. “Your fretting is going to drive me insane, Alec, I swear to god.”

“I’m not fretting,” Alec says. He stops playing with his watch and looks at Jace almost guiltily. “I feel sick. I should cancel. I’m going to cancel.”

Jace throws his hands up in the air. “Go! Just go! Go get a coffee and wait. Don’t put out on the first date!”

“Jace!” Alec says, cheeks flushing. “We’re not going to have sex in Cardale’s of all places!”

“Don’t do it in the alley, either!” Jace reprimands. He shoves Alec’s back gently. “I can run the shop by myself until Izzy gets here. Get gone.”

Tugging his apron off and smoothing his hair down again, Alec looks at Jace anxiously. He opens his mouth to second guess this again, but Jace silences him with a glare. “Don’t burn the shop down. There’s more banana nut muffins in the kitchen, but we’re out of pistachio.”

“Go!” Jace snaps.

Alec does.

It’s a five minute walk to Cardale’s from Max’s on a good day, but when the wind is biting and there is slush on the ground, Alec can make it there in half that time. It’s the best part of having the shop on the street they do: there is always fresh, hot coffee around the corner. Alec lives for fresh, hot coffee.

“Hey, Jem,” Alec says when the doorbell chimes, signaling his arrival. “Usual, for here.”

“Alright,” Jem says. He doesn’t bat an eyelash or ask why Alec is hanging out in the middle of the work day, because he’s not nosy like other folk at Cardale’s Coffee . He hums along with the music as he works on the Americano and Alec flops down in an armchair in the back corner.

Alec’s stomach doesn’t settle down, even after Jem delivers him the mug. The shop is quiet, just some middle aged women gossiping in front of the window and the low thrum of classic rock on the radio. He feels like he’s going to throw up.

Jem brings Alec another cup before Magnus shows up, and all the extra espresso is making his heart pump like mad in his chest and his fingers tap an irregular beat on the table.

Magnus just looks amused. “Am I late?”

“I’m bad at waiting,” Alec says. He gestures at the armchair in front of him vaguely. “They’re more comfortable than the tables.”

“Let me get something to drink and I’ll be right back,” Magnus says, smiling fondly. He touches Alec’s shoulder lightly before moving past him to go to the counter.

Alec knocks back the last of his coffee and slumps down into the armchair. This was a terrible idea.

Magnus, it turns out, likes frou frou coffee. There’s caramel and whip and chocolate shavings on the top and Alec looks at Magnus incredulously as he takes a sip.

“How do you look like you do when you drink that ?” Alec asks.

“How do you look like you do when you eat baked goods all day?” Magnus counters.

“I run a lot,” Alec says. “And punch things. Jace and I went halfsies on one of those couple’s gym memberships.”

Magnus quirks an eyebrow, but looks amused. “Whatever works.”

Alec pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. “I’m sorry. I’m bad at dates. I haven’t been on a real one since…” He wants to say high school, but that was with Lydia to keep his parents happy, but then there was the guy with the goatee that Isabelle tried to set him up with. “It’s been a while.”

“You’re doing fine, darling,” Magnus says. “The coffee is probably just getting to your nerves.”

Taking a sip of his third cup, Alec hums. “There’s two extra espresso shots in each one. My heart is going to explode out of my chest at this rate.”

“Well, I promise to be devilishly handsome at your funeral,” Magnus says. “Maybe I’ll make some petit fours.”

“Don’t let Izzy hear you say that,” Alec says with a laugh. It helps, he thinks. He’s starting to feel more relaxed, even if he can’t stop drumming his fingers against the arm of his chair.

Magnus had this affect on Alec the night of the bake off, too. Even after putting his heart into it and losing, there was just something calming about being around Magnus. Though, they really shouldn’t have gotten as far as they did in the guest bathroom at Gideon and Sophie’s.

“I rather like having you all to myself,” Magnus says, “though I’m open to the idea of meeting your family in the future.”

Alec nearly chokes. “You’ve met Jace and Iz,” he says, setting his mug down carefully. “There’s no rush to meet my parents, believe me.”

“And your brother, Max? Your shop is named for him, is it not?” Magnus asks.

The air rushes out of Alec’s lungs, and he’s glad he set his mug down because he’s sure he would have dropped it otherwise. It never gets easier, no matter how many times someone asks. “That’s,” Alec starts, but he can’t find the words.

“Oh,” Magnus says. He looks stricken, almost ashamed for not realizing his mistake. “I’m sorry, Clary didn’t tell me - “

Alec doesn’t know what to do with his hands, so he digs his nails into his palms. He doesn’t trust himself to hold his cup right now, not without spilling it all over himself. “It’s fine, you didn’t know.”

Magnus reaches out and takes Alec’s hand in his own, squeezing gently. “It’s okay if you want to talk about it. It’s okay if you don’t.”

“I have to go,” Alec says, quietly. He rubs his hands over his face, and ignores Magnus’ sounds of objection. “I’m sorry, it’s not you, I swear.” He shoves a twenty dollar bill in Magnus’ outstretched hand for Jem, please and he’s out the door before he even finishes pulling his coat on.

Alec is pretty sure there isn’t going to be a second date.

When he gets home, Alec texts Jace I’m fine, not feeling well, going home to lay down and finishes off the too sweet moscato Clary had left after her and Jace’s last date night in the apartment.

Get some , Jace texts back, and Alec laughs bitterly as he pulls the blankets over his head and prays for death.

Alec is waking up from his unintended nap when Jace and Isabelle get home. He wants to pull the covers up over his head, but instead he rolls out of bed and makes his way to the living room to ask how the day went.

Jace narrows his eyes, scrutinizing Alec’s naked chest for signs of hickies, before nodding his head. “Okay, so, you guys didn’t hook up. Do I need to go murder him?”

“No,” Alec says. He sits on the couch and sighs heavily. “I think I had too much caffeine on top of already being anxious and I’m pretty sure I freaked out and scared him off.”

“I’m sure it wasn’t that bad,” Isabelle says, soothingly. She sits on the couch by Alec and pats his knee gently. “You’re very cute, even when you are being a freak.”

“He asked about the name of the shop and I ran away,” Alec says, defeated. He hides his face in his hands, and the silence in the room is deafening. “I’m a goddamn idiot.”

“You’re not,” Isabelle says softly, squeezing Alec’s knee. “Jace got shitfaced and cried into Clary’s bosom and she still kept him after that.”

Alec shakes his head, but there’s nothing for him to say. He’s ruined his chances with Magnus and he knows it. The least he can do is apologize.

Smart Tarts is long since closed by the time Alec finishes baking and boxing up his muffins, though it only takes a quick text to Clary to get the address he needs. He’s never texted her outside of a group chat discussing dinner and movie plans, though if she’s surprised, she doesn’t let it show.

He calls an Uber because it’s too cold to walk, and the driver side eyes the box in Alec’s lap almost the entire drive. Alec hands him a business card with a friends and family sticker, promises him a discount if he comes by the shop sometime this week, and then he’s out the door as soon as they roll up in front of Magnus’ building.

It’s probably the second biggest mistake Alec’s made in his life, but he presses the buzzer and asks Magnus to let him in anyways.

Magnus is wearing grumpy cat pajama bottoms and there’s no make up on his face, but he looks just as stunning as he always does. “Chairman Meow and I were just about to watch a Bridezillas marathon,” Magnus says, opening the door and letting Alec in.

“I’m sorry,” Alec says. He’d prepared a speech on his way over, but somehow he’s forgotten every single word. “For earlier. For this entire week. For the bake off. I’m sorry. I am so bad at being a person with emotions and I don’t always respond the way I should and I get defensive at the worst times or I do beyond inappropriate things with strange men in my cousin’s bathroom - “

“Shhh,” Magnus says. He taps one elegant finger to Alec’s lips to silence him, and waits until Alec relaxes to move it. “Hi, I’m Magnus, I own a bakery and live alone with my cat because I have a love affair with glitter and when I can’t sleep because of insomnia, I bake at three o’clock in the morning.”

Alec smiles softly and offers the box of muffins to Magnus as a lame offering. “I’m Alec, I too own a bakery, though I don’t have glitter and I live with my brother and sister.”

“This sounds like an excellent start,” Magnus says. He takes the box from Alec, and leads him to the couch slowly. “These smell amazing, by the way. What are they?”

“Caramel macchiato,” Alec says. “Izzy has been begging me to make them for weeks, and you seemed like the kind of guy to like it. All I know about you is that you like sweet things.”

“That’s why I like you,” Magnus says with a wink. He sits on the couch and pats the spot next to him, which Alec sits in eagerly. He kicks his feet up on the coffee table and grabs a muffin. “Can you stay for a while?”

“If you don’t mind,” Alec says. He grabs a muffin and leans back on the couch, shoulder to shoulder with Magnus. It’s surprisingly warm, despite the little contact between them.

Magnus moans when he takes a bite of his muffin, and his head hits the back of the couch overdramatically. “Oh my god, these are amazing. I’m keeping you around for as long as possible.”

Alec flushes and relaxes into Magnus’ side. He takes a bite of his own muffin and thinks, yeah, he’d be okay with that.

“Look who is doing a walk of shame,” Isabelle says gleefully, in the morning. She’s awfully alert for someone who hates mornings and Alec’s cheeks flush.

“It’s not like that,” Alec says. His hair is still wet from his power shower and nothing Alec does to it will smooth it down. He gives up and pulls on his apron. “I feel asleep on his couch.”

“Right,” Isabelle says with a lascivious wink.

“Okay, he made some cocktails,” Alec says. He wants to scowl, but he he can’t fight the dumb smile on his face. “We watched Bridezillas and we might have made out a little . But I fell asleep on the couch and he put a blanket on me and that’s it. I mean it.”

“So I don’t have to hide a body?” Jace asks.

Alec stops in his tracks and stares at the snow shovel in Jace’s hands. “Please tell me you were using that for the intended purpose.”

Jace winks, too, a bad habit he’d picked up from Isabelle. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Please just get back to work,” Alec groans. “I’m sorry I’m late, you can heckle me at home when there aren’t baked goods to sell.”

Jace claps Alec’s back and Isabelle’s laugh carries through the small shop. As much as they drive him crazy, Alec can’t imagine doing this with anyone else.

By lunchtime, a golden box filled with cherry turnovers shows up by the shop with a note taped to the lid. The only word is Dinner?

Alec’s heart flutters in his chest in a way he’s pretty sure isn’t healthy and he smiles.

#bellahexlestrange #malecsanta16 #*fic16 #*gifts16

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malecsecretsanta · 8 years ago

Text

Merry Christmas, @freewheelingbisexualbane!

This piece includes quotes from "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore.

Read on AO3

We Should All Believe In Santa Claus

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

With wisps of vibrant magic, the paper sleigh, and eight tiny paper reindeer leaped off their tabs in the pop-up book and flew around the living room. Max took in a gasp as he watched in wonderment before Santa arrived back to his rightful place in the book. The little boy’s giggle was delightful and infectious even as he clapped his little blue-skinned hands together, clearly excited for what the next page would bring. Magnus chuckled and pressed the softest kiss to the child’s cheek, which made Max let out a bright laugh and he wiggled in Magnus’ lap where they sat on the couch so he could return the cheek kiss with a smile.

Alec watched his husband entertaining their youngest from across the room as he and their older son Rafael worked to hang stockings on the gas-heated hearth which was filling the room with enough warmth that Alec felt stuffy in his dark gray sweater. Still, he continued to decorate the mantle as Rafael straightened the stockings, seeming to pay special attention to his younger brother’s so the glitter paint that said “Max” was straight and ready to be filled with small presents. Though Alec was trying to tune out the tales of Santa Claus, he couldn’t ignore Max’s glee with each page turn and eventually, he glanced back toward the couch and attempted a smile.

“Dad,” 10-year-old Rafael whispered in exasperation, “don’t ruin this for him. You know he loves Santa.”

Sighing quietly, Alec went back to dangling and wrapping strands of popcorn on a string around the framed photos and other trinkets on the mantle. He cast Rafael a sidelong look and softly smiled. “You know it would help if you still believed in him,” Alec gently chided his son.

Rafael shrugged. “Maybe, I do,” he replied cooly. “Just not in the way Max does.”

“You believe in Santa Claus?” Alec whispered dubiously, brow knitting in disbelief.

“I believe there are a lot of kids who need to believe in him. I don’t need to, but it is a nice idea to have an old man who comes down the chimney with presents for everyone.”

Alec started to argue but was cut off when he heard small footsteps quickly approaching and turned just in time to catch Max and pull him up with an exaggerated groan before setting the young warlock on his hip. “Hey there, punk,” Alec greeted with a chuckle before swinging them around to look at the hearth. “What do you think, huh? Festive enough for your liking?”

Max let out a titter of a giggle. “What’s ‘festive’?” he asked while gripping Alec’s sweater.

Always forgetting that a six-year-old’s vocabulary was limited, Alec scrunched his face in thought. “Uh,” Alec hummed as he struggled to think of simpler terms. “It means--”

“It means do you think Santa will like what we’ve put up for him?” Magnus interrupted as he approached with a slow smirk that made Max’s face light up and Alec swallow his frown of disapproval.

“Santa’s going to love it!” Max hooted and shook the front of Alec’s sweater. “Isn’t he, Dad, isn’t he?”

Alec gave a soft smile. “Of course he is, punk.”

“Which is why we should shut this off,” Rafael added as he took up a small remote and turned off the gas for the fire which died down before it was quenched. “Santa doesn’t come down chimneys with fires in them.”

Alec struggled to not roll his eyes. “Good point,” he conceded as he sat Max down on the floor. “I think it’s time for bed,” Alec announced before glancing to Rafael. “Make sure he puts toothpaste on the toothbrush this time, okay?”

“I know how to brush my teeth!” Max countered, clearly affronted, before he took off running toward the bathroom the boys’ rooms shared.

Rafael started after his younger brother with a little roll of his eyes. “Yeah, you do, so stop trying to eat the toothpaste when I’m not looking or Santa’s going to bring you coal!” he shouted as he sped up.

When the boys were out of the room, Alec let out an aggravated deep breath and shook his head. “I don’t like lying to him,” he said, which was the complaint he’d been lodging every year about Santa Claus.

“Alexander,” Magnus began in a soothing tone, “he’s at the peak of his imaginative prowess. Let him have this while he can.”

Alec scowled. “So that he can be disappointed and heartbroken when he learned every Christmas has been a fraud and he begins to wonder what else we’ve lied to him about?”

Taking a slow breath, Magnus folded his hands and gave Alec a lopsided tight smile of knowing. “We are not your parents,” he bluntly whispered. “He will not be devastated by this one white lie, I promise you.”

“You better be right,” Alec grumbled before his frown eased up and he shook his head, staring after their children, “or I’ll never forgive myself.”

Magnus held open his hands and Alec relaxed before placing his own fingers against them. “Let’s go tuck them in,” Magnus said as he met Alec’s gaze and closed his hands to hold Alec’s. “Santa has a lot of work to do, tonight.”

Nodding in defeat, Alec allowed Magnus to lead the way to the boys’ bedrooms. They always traded off on who did the tucking in with each boy before crossing over to turn off the light. Tonight was Alec’s turn with Max for the tucking in and he knew he had to go along with Santa for just a little longer. “Hey, punk,” Alec said warmly as he entered the room where Max had already climbed up onto his twin-size bed with a castle headboard. “Did you brush your teeth?” he asked and Max smiled wide with his teeth showing and nodded. Alec then tilted his head as he helped Max under the covers. “Did you eat the toothpaste this time?”

“No, Rafael made me spit,” the little warlock huffed with disappointment. “Good,” Alec said with a smile as he tucked Max in and kissed his horned forehead. “You ready for Christmas?” Alec asked and Max nodded excitedly which made Alec chuckle. “Okay, well get some good sleep so you can wake me and Papa up in the morning for all the presents under the tree.”

With that, Alec stood up, gave his little blue boy a lingering look and retreated toward the door.

“Hey, Dad?” Max’s voice piped up, sounding urgent.

“Yeah, punk?” Alec prompted as he turned back.

Max took a deep breath as if he was making a big decision before he spoke. “You should turn on the fireplace.”

“Why’s that?” Alec asked with a confused furrow of his brow.

“Because Rafael said that Santa doesn’t come down chimneys with fires and he shouldn’t come here. You and Papa can get us presents. Santa should have more presents for kids who don’t have dads.”

Alec wasn’t certain what ached more, his chest or his cheek from biting down to hold back his bewildered laugh at the benevolence of his youngest. He nodded slowly. “I’ll turn it on, punk,” he replied softly. “I’ll tell Papa that we can’t rely on Santa this year.”

Max nodded in sleepy triumph. “Thanks, Dad. I love you,” he said with a yawn. “Love you, too, punk,” Alec said, feeling his chest ache again as he went to meet Magnus in the hall.

Magnus was just leaving Rafael’s room when a look of concern crossed his features and he approached Alec with outstretched hands. “Alexander, are you alright?”

Alec chuckled softly. “I’m fine, but our son just made me want to believe in Santa Claus.”

“Did he now?” Magnus had that unsure look as he took Alec’s arms. “Well, he must have said something quite miraculous.”

“Yeah,” Alec agreed eyes rolling upward as he started to feel the emotion pinching the corners of his eyes. “He wants me to turn on the fireplace so Santa won’t stop here. He thinks we should get him presents so Santa can give his away to kids without dads.”

There was a moment where Magnus stared as the words sunk in and Alec just nodded slowly before going to Magnus for a hug. “Well, thank goodness for Santa,” Magnus whispered and Alec could hear the smugness in this tone. Alec let out a soft chuckle filled with emotion and pulled back to head past Magnus toward Rafael’s room. “But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,” Alec mimicked Magnus’ reading tone from earlier as Magnus looked at him with a proud grin. Alec winked as he held onto Rafael’s doorframe as he and Magnus recited the last line together.

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

#freewheelingbisexualbane #malecsanta16 #*fic16 #*gifts16

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malecsecretsanta · 8 years ago

Photo

When Magnus and Alec take the photo for the annual Christmas card, Rafael likes to be helpful while Max has some fun.

Merry Christmas, @acederekshale!

#acederekshale #malecsanta16 #*art16 #*gifts16

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malecsecretsanta · 8 years ago

Text

Merry Christmas, @magsbane!

Read on AO3

Unfinished Duet

Chapter 1

It was a beautiful night. The sun sunk behind the horizon, and the sky bloomed in pink and gold. The moon hung, suspended on wires from the Great Unknown, smiling down at the city in a reverie, a kind of great longing falling from her in soft white light. The lights in every window twinkled, and headlights blared through the near darkness, and the sea of stars rose and fell, waves of light falling through the window and casting long shadows on the walls.

Rafael sat on the couch, his feet dangling out from under the thick blue blanket he’d draped over himself, a book of brilliant illustrations open on his lap. He was smiling to himself, looking down at a bright blue watercolor painting of a whale splashed onto the page like it was swimming across, like it had flipped onto its stomach and was floating right by. Then he turned the page, and he was looking down at a snarling black bear standing on its hind legs, claws raised.

From behind the closed double doors, soft laughter drifted out into the living room, and Rafael looked up, for just a moment, and in the corner of his eye, he saw the pink in the sky and the shape of a bird falling down into the city; and then he went back to his book, back to the great black bear, and in his mind, it roamed the forest, nose twitching as it sniffed across the ground and up a great oak tree, teeth bared.

And then Alec was there, on the floor in front of Raphael, and then Magnus was there, too, and he held Rafael to him, turning him to face away from Alec, whispering to him, “You’re okay, Rafael, you’re okay.” Raphael clung to Magnus, face pressed into the crook of his shoulder, and they were all crying; Rafael into Magnus’ shoulder, Magnus into his, and Alec into his empty hands. They were all crying, and Magnus was whispering to him, saying, “You’re okay, Raphael, you’re okay,” over and over again, like it was just between them, like some sort of promise.

Outside, the sky was black except for the light reflected by the moon, and somewhere deep in the woods, the great black bear rose again.

Chapter 2

Red sparks danced across the wall in the alley, and Magnus wielded his magic with the art and grace of a practiced poet; sure and steady, brilliant, bright, and unyielding. His hands cut through the air with practiced ease, and his eyes glowed yellow or gold or green.

(“Magnus?”

Magnus’ long silk robe fell to the floor, and when he turned, it flew up around his ankles, then settled back around his feet as he looked at Alec.

“Yes, Alexander?”

“What color are your eyes?”

Magnus furrowed his brow.

“I mean, your real eyes. Sometimes they look yellow, but sometimes they’re more green or gold.”

Magnus looked at Alec, sitting on his bed, on his brand new maroon silk sheets, his hair ruffled, head tilted ever so slightly to the side. And Magnus breaks out in a smile that could rival the sun.

“Well, I like to think they’re more like liquid gold. But maybe you should take a closer look.”)

Magnus lowered his hands, and a satisfied smirk spread across his lips. He turned on his heel, and for a split second, it looked as though he might fall, like he’d spun too fast and caught himself off guard; but then he extended his arm, the smirk back on his face.

"I believe we had a deal?"

The man in front of him, long blond hair tied back, eyes glinting, reached into his pocket. A thin silver chain emerged, and as he raised it, a small locket appeared at the end. He hesitated a moment, then dropped the locket into Magnus’ outstretched hand. Magnus glanced down at it and smiled a bit softer than before, and it that fraction of a second, the man pulled a short blade from under his coat, and he raised his hand. The blade cut through Magnus’ chest, and blood fell like rain on the muddy street.

Then the man was gone, and Magnus looked down at the blood soaking his long overcoat, his heart hitting his ribcage like it had something very important to say. Magnus decided it didn’t, and he turned away.

Magnus walked down the streets, the occasional group passing him, and cars continued to drive by, spraying rainwater across the sidewalk. Motors roared, and music became louder then faded as Magnus walked farther, his shoes slowly seeping up water and soaking his socks. His feet ached, and his knees kept almost giving way, and he kept reaching out for the wall to steady himself.

A young couple passed him, going in the opposite direction, and one of the women said, “See? I told you I was fine. I told you. I told you I knew what I was doing.” She spoke a little too loudly, and they both watched Magnus, glancing over their shoulders once he was behind them.

Magnus didn’t seem to notice. He just kept walking, hand sliding along the brick wall of a pharmacy that had closed hours ago, fingers skating along the surface, blood catching in the grout. Magnus was about five feet from the corner of the next street when his knees buckled and he caught himself on the wall. He closed his eyes for a moment and breathed in, then slowly exhaled and lowers himself to the ground. His hands shook as he pulled his phone out of his pocket, and it took several tries before he successfully hit the call button. It only rang once before Alec answered.

“Are you okay?”

“Alexander.” Magnus’s voice was shaky and thin, and after a moment of silence, Alec spoke again.

“Magnus, are you all right?”

Magnus let another moment pass before he responded.

“Alec, I need your help.”

“Where are you?”

Magnus looked up at the street sign.

“Corner of second and… the big one.”

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.

The minute Jace and Izzy were through the door, Alec ran down the stairs and out onto the street.

It was unusually chilly for an early autumn night, and Alec’s cheeks grew red with the cold, his breath white and misty in front of him. His boots splashed on the wet sidewalks, and his bow thumped against his side as he ran around laughing mundanes, all chattering and ambling along despite the cold. Alec ran down street after street, turned corner after corner, until he reached a little pharmacy with flashing green lights and saw Magnus huddled up against the wall. He looked up as Alec approached, and Alec fell to his knees beside him, reaching out and undoing the buttons on Magnus’s bloody coat.

Magnus just watched Alec; didn’t say anything, even when Alec spoke to him, whether in comfort or in question; didn’t move, didn’t try, anyway; just laid there against the wall and watched Alec clean the blood off of his body until Alec buttoned his coat back up. Alec continued to speak to him as he helped him to his feet and into a cab, and he let Magnus lean against him the entire way home.

Izzy and Jace were asleep on the coach when they walked through the door, and Alec helped Magnus across the floor to their bedroom, helping him lay down on the satin sheets. He left the light off as he got undressed and crawled into bed, sliding over to Magnus’s side and wrapping his arm around him.

Magnus’ eyes were already closed, and Alec listened to the sound of his gentle snoring as he himself drifted off to sleep.

Rafael and Max were sitting on the couch with Jace and Izzy, peering over Jace’s shoulder as he read from one of Max’s books, laughing when he gave the characters voices of their own. Jace paused whenever the text ended, arms raised in some wild gesture, nodded at Max to turn the page, then picked up where he left off.

All four of them were in their pajamas, and Isabelle was holding a mug if steaming tea, sitting in the corner of the couch so none of them ‘accidentally’ spilled it, and she watched them with mild amusement. Every now and then, when Rafael and Max laughed, or when Jace’s voice rose, she glanced over at the bedroom door. She didn’t know what happening on the other side; there was only ever the occasional bit of muffled laughter.

From the minute Alec and Magnus had gotten home the night before, it had been like this; Alec and Magnus in the bedroom, doors closed, and Isabelle and Jace in the living room with Max and Rafael.

The curtains had been drawn against the rising sun, and Alec lie under the satin sheets of the king sized bed, watching Magnus sleep, curled up underneath a pile of blankets, his head on the pillow next to Alec’s. It was silent in the bedroom except for the sounds that carried in from the living room; Jace’s voice, Max and Rafael’s laughter. Alec smiled to himself as Jace did an over exaggerated version of “And I’ll huff, and I’ll puff,” and Magnus’ eyelids fluttered open.

“Hey.”

Magnus closed his eyes again and snuggled up against Alec’s side.

“Mmh.”

Alec smiled at him, very softly, and brought his hand up to run his fingers through Magnus’ hair. Magnus mmh’d again, and found Alec’s other hand with his own.

They lay there, hands clasped under the sheets, looking into each other’s eyes, and Alec knew, and Magnus knew Alec knew, and they didn’t say anything. They early morning sun played with flecks of gold on their cheeks, and it got caught in their hair, and it filled the room with a gentle warmth. Laughter filtered in from the other room along with Jace’s voice and Isabelle saying, “Tea! Tea!”, and they smiled ever so softly at each other as Alec ran his fingers through Magnus’ hair.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, the room grew warmer, and Magnus’ eyes shone a little brighter, and he smiled a little more, and Alec smiled a little more, and they just kept looking at each other because they both knew and there was nothing else to do.

Chapter 3

Isabelle sat in the corner of the couch, drinking a mug of steaming tea. Next to her, Jace was reading to Rafael from a big book of stories, all the very best, every other page a drawing. Rafael was looking out the window, not at the pages, and didn’t smile when Jace made a slightly strained attempt at giving the stepsisters gravely voices.

Aside from Jace’s voice, it was completely silent. Only the little lamp on the end table was the only light on, giving off just enough light for Jace to read by, and the sun was setting, painting the sky pink and gold, the moon gone.

Isabelle took a sip of her tea as Jace skipped Little Red Riding Hood and started Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rafael leaned back against the couch. Isabelle closed her eyes, and Jace read on; Jack and the cow, Jack and the beans, Jack and the giant. Jace turns the page, and Jack climbs back down the beanstalk, and hands his mother the golden harp, and she’s so proud. She’s so proud of him, and then Jace runs out of words, and he turns the page again and starts a new story, one about a little girl with long locks of golden hair. But as she tastes each bowl of porridge, Isabelle sees Jack scrunching up his nose when it’s too cold, when it’s too hot, when the chair’s too hard, when it’s too soft, and she sees Jack lying in bed when the bears get home, and she sees them tearing him to pieces.

Chapter 4

It was a beautiful night. The sun fell behind the horizon of the city, painting the sky in pink and gold, streaked with lines of deep blue, and it was in these that the moon shone, piercing and full, smiling as if in a reverie while she looked up toward the heavens, a kind of great joy radiating from her and falling over the city in white light. No stars could be seen, but lights twinkled in every window, and headlights blared through the near darkness, and the sea of stars rose and fell, waves of light falling through the window and casting long shadows on the walls.

Raphael and Max sat on the couch, books open in their laps, Max’s an explosion of color, Raphael’s all shades of deep blues and browns. They were both leaning back against the couch, Max’s feet curled up under the thick blue blanket they’d draped over their laps, Raphael’s feet dangling out from under it. Every now and then, Max would giggle and turn the page, and Raphael would glance up at him for just a moment before turning back to his book, and silence would settle over them once again, broken only by the gentle laughter that occasionally floated out into the living room from behind the closed double doors.

Max set down his book and stood, the blanket falling off of the couch, and walked toward his little cup of milk on the kitchen table as Rafael turned the page to a painting of a great black bear. For a moment, it was completely silent except for the sound of his feet on the carpet. And then the entire loft shook.

Raphael looked up at Max, who was halfway to the kitchen, and looking right back at him. From the other room, footsteps pounded their way down the hall, and stop just as the front door burst open.

Framed in the doorway stood a woman with black hair, and eyes that gleamed in reflection. She was broad-shouldered, and the muscles in her arms rippled as she knocked an arrow and raised her bow. Artemis smiled a smile that said she knew she’d already won, and her entourage, still in the hall, all bared their teeth like they knew.

Raphael’s eyes flicked back and forth between Max and Artemis, the look on his face the one he’d worn the day he’d met Magnus and Alec. Max, ten feet away, looked up at Artemis through long eyelashes, eyes wide. But Artemis wasn’t looking at Max; her gaze was locked on a point on the other side of the room, and her eyes gleamed. Staring right back at her was Alec; empty handed, defenseless, and frozen where he stood.

“Max, Raph, come here.”

Raphael set his book down and began to push off the blanket. Max turned and took several hurried steps toward Alec, away from Artemis, his bare feet padding on the carpet.

Alec raised his arm and sprang forward as Max fell.

Raphael froze, and Artemis lowered her bow and watched as Alec ran toward Max and fell at her feet, taking Max into his arms, running his hands over Max’s face, frantically speaking to him, holding Max’s head in his lap. Artemis smiled. She stepped forward into the loft, and with an almost lazy flick of her hand, waved her entourage in behind her. They streamed in, ignoring Alec and Max on the floor and Raphael on the couch, scouring the room and spilling over into the next. Raphael watched them go past, his eyes always returning to Alec, and he wrapped his arms around his knees and sunk back into the couch, and he could hear footsteps in the hallway, and in Magnus’s office, and in Magnus and Alec’s bedroom.

Alec looked up at Artemis, but didn’t move away from Max. Bow at her side, Artemis moved around them and strode into the living room. Raphael’s eyes moved to her the second her foot hit the floor, and he curled in on himself as she stepped closer, shifting his gaze to the carpet.

“Leave him alone.”

Artemis ignored Alec and stopped in front of Raphael, bending down to pick up his book from the floor. She reached out to hand it to him.

“Good book. Just wait ‘til you get to the end.”

When Raphael didn’t take it, she dropped it onto the couch next to him.

One of her people emerged back into the living room carrying a tiny glass jar containing a single yellow flower that appeared to be levitating inside the glass. They handed it to Artemis, just a foot in front of Raphael, but they don’t look at him.

Artemis smiled. “We’re done here.”

She turned on her heel, strode past Alec, and when she reached the door, she flashed Raphael a smile over her shoulder before disappearing down the hall. Her entourage followed, and seconds later, the loft was still, and Raphael’s gaze fell back on Alec and Max, tears sliding down his face.

From behind the bedroom doors, he could once again hear footsteps; but this time, they were muffled and slow. It felt like a very long time before Magnus emerged, leaning against the wall and breathing heavily, an open gash on his cheek, dripping blood down onto his chin.

Magnus caught Alec’s eye for a fraction of a second, then shifted his gaze to Raphael, pushing off of the wall and stumbling toward him. Magnus sunk onto the couch on Raphael’s side, opposite Alec, and reached out to take Raphael into his arms, holding him close and turning him away from Max.

“You’re okay, Raphael, you’re okay.”

Raphael clung to Magnus, and even as Magnus’s tears fell onto Raphael’s shoulder, he continued to whisper words of comfort, his eyes on Alec who sitting on the floor in their living room, Max’s head in his lap, his tears painting Max’s face.

“You’re okay, Raphael, you’re okay.”

Magnus kept whispering it, like it was some sort secret, some sort of promise, over and over again, and Raphael buried his face in the crook of Magnus’ shoulder, like he was whispering it back, like they’d never let go.

Outside, the sky was black except for the light reflected by the moon and the ever shining lights of the bustling city. The full moon hung high in the sky, smiling down at the city in a reverie, a kind of great longing falling from her in soft white light, casting long shadows on the walls of the loft, playing in Rafael’s hair, reflected in Magnus’ eyes.

It was a beautiful day. The sun shone high in the sky, and it smiled down at the meadow in laughter, seeming to reach out with wispy hands to coax the grass into growing. It looked down at the grassy hills, and the dying flowers all leaned toward it, clinging to the last warm day they’d live to see.

A great oak stood on the edge of the meadow, surrounded by tall, proud sycamores as its bark grew old and wrinkled, and its branches drooped. The leaves it had left were brown and brittle, but it clung to them, catching the sunlight and soaking it up like it was the last it would ever get. It was tall, taller than any other that had ever grown in that meadow, and while it was not the oldest, it was weathered and beaten, and the ground around it was littered with fallen branches.

The great oak stood alone, a great distance from the surrounding sycamores, its shadow falling uninterrupted, and sitting in the shade it cast in the tall grass, leaning against its withered trunk, were Alec and Magnus, arms around each other, alone.

Magnus was leaning against Alec’s side, his head on his shoulder, his left arm around Alec, and he was looking at Alec’s face, a very small smile on his lips; Alec’s smile. His right hand was clasped in Alec’s in his lap, and despite the angle, Alec was looking back at him, right into his golden-green eyes.

(Alec laughed, a little embarrassed, but certainly not unwilling, as Magnus walked over to the bed and sat down beside him. Magnus’ eyes were wide, and he was leaning in toward Alec like this was absolutely nothing. Alec could feel himself blushing, but he leaned in toward Magnus until their foreheads were touching, and he looked into Magnus’ eyes. They were beautiful, his eyes.

“It might take a while.”

Magnus laughed ever so softly, and closed his eyes for just a second, and Alec was almost afraid they’d be brown when he opened them again. But they weren’t, and Magnus smiled at him, that little smile he reserved for Alec.

“I think I’ll manage.”

Alec smiled back, and they sat there like that, smiling, staring into each other’s eyes, until Alec’s back started to hurt from twisting over to the side, and it was only then that he said, “Golden-green. Definitely golden-green.”)

Alec squeezed Magnus’ hand, and gave him the faintest little nod, and Magnus turned to look at the headstone in front of them.

It was new; you could tell it was new, that it hadn’t been there long. The earth around it had been dug up, and the grass hadn’t really started to grow back yet, and the stone was still smooth and dark, a single brittle brown leaf resting on top. There were three words and two dates engraved on its surface, nothing else. It had been one of the very few times Alec could recall when Magnus hadn’t known what to say. And Alec didn’t think he’d ever have words for any of it, so they’d left it like that; three words, and two dates. And it was worse that way.

Alec and Magnus looked at the headstone, and maybe they weren’t thinking the same thing, maybe they weren’t thinking about anything at all, but tears began falling down Alec’s face, and Magnus put his hand on Alec’s cheek the way he had a hundred times before.

“I don’t want you to go.”

Magnus smiled a very sad smile, and he looked at Alec in the way Alec had sworn he’d never get used to.

“Alexander…”

Magnus looked at Alec like that, just looked at him as he cried, and his hand slipped from Alec’s cheek to his lap. Magnus still smiled at him, Alec’s smile, even as his arm around Alec grew still, and Alec held his hand a little harder and watched as the smile faded from Magnus’s lips. Magnus looked up at him with those beautiful golden-green eyes, and he just kept looking, much the way he always did when it was late enough, when he’d had enough to drink. He just kept looking at Alec, and Alec let him, the way he always did.

#magsbane #malecsanta16 #*fic16 #*gifts16

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malecsecretsanta · 8 years ago

Text

Merry Christmas, @highwarlockkareena!

I hope you enjoy this fic as much as you did with the mini ficlet I sent you before :D Happy holidays!

Read on AO3

Just another day for the High Warlock of Brooklyn

The doorbell rang just as Magnus settled his tea tray onto the dining table. He sighed and looked at Chairman Meow, who was laying sleepily on the couch.

‘The High Warlock can never take a tea break now, can I?’ Magnus walked towards the door and peered at the peephole. He opened the door and greeted.

‘Isn’t my favourite werewolf in town? What can I do for you, Luke? Hello Maia.’ Magnus gestured them towards the dining table and magic-ed the door close behind them. The two werewolves followed Magnus and sat down.

‘Tea? Coffee? I was just about to have a well-deserved tea break, when you two dears interrupted.’ Magnus waved his hand, as a few more teabags and the coffee machine started brewing another pot of coffee. Luke remained stern, while Maia grinned at the notion of tea break.

‘May I have some of those delicious biscuits as well? And I want honey in my tea, is that alright, Magnus?’ Without waiting for Magnus’ reply, Maia already started to pour tea into the extra teacups and took a sip.

‘Sure, darling. So what’s the matter?’ Magnus held his own tea and leaned back on his chair.

‘We were on patrol this morning when we came across a dead vamp just outside of Jade Wolf. It was a few miles away and we should’ve smelt the blood or something, yet the vamp was drained of his blood and it got strong traces of garbage all over it somehow, masking it with the surrounding. It would’ve fooled mundane, but it’s certainly not to the level of intending to fool werewolves. I’ve called Raphael, but it went straight to voicemail, so I texted Simon just in case.’ Luke stated all of it before he finally took his cup of coffee and took a gulp. By then, a plate full of red velvet cupcakes had also appeared (out of thin air) in front of Maia and she did not hesitate to start devouring them.

‘Well, you should actually call Lily. Raphael and Simon were called away just last night to the Seelie Court, seems they have some minor unsettled business with the fae from the war. I’ll send a fire message to Dumort, so that when the sun sets, they could send one over to Jade Wolf and see if they recognize the dead vamp? What else do you plan on asking me for?’ Magnus answered, as he flickered his fingers and sent out a small flame into the air, sending the fire message off to Lily.

‘Actually, we were hoping that you could help us transfer the body for the vamps to examine later? Luke kinda wanna examine the body right away, but seeing that it’s obviously a vamp AND drained of his blood, we didn’t wanna seem rude towards the Clan. We only moved the body and settled it inside the cold room of Jade Wolf.’ Maia said with her mouth still chewing the second cupcake.

Before Magnus could reply, the voice of Beyonce’s Work blared through the loft and Maia almost choked on her cupcake. Magnus quickly snatched his phone and answered the call.

‘Yes Lily…Sorry that I woke you up…could you or Jacob…Sure, Maia’s with me. Any rouge around this month? Yeah’ okay, I will send them over in a while. Tell Raphael he owes me another one when he’s back. Or Maia and you owe me one then? See you in a bit.’ Magnus hung up and stood up from the table.

‘Well, I’m sure you two heard the whole conversation. So may I kindly accompany you two back to Jade Wolf for the body and Maia would come with me to deliver the body to Dumort? Lily is waiting for us and unfortunately I still have an appointment this afternoon.’ Luke nodded and quickly stood up as well. Only Maia pointed at those cupcakes and asked.

‘Can I bring the remaining to Lily as well? She LOVES cupcakes! And Magnus where the hell do you get these cupcakes? They are amazing! Also, I’m sure you can just throw me at Dumort, Lily and I could handle it.’ She said excitedly.

‘You two already text each other all the damn time, regardless of day or night…Teenagers…’ Luke muttered.

‘Don’t be so grumpy and stern, wolf dad.’ Maia shoved Luke lightly on the shoulder, while Magnus had already conjured a portal up in the loft.

‘Maia dear, I will bring the cupcakes for Lily later. Leave these on the table, they are for Alec tonight. Now, let’s go.’ Magnus gestured for the two werewolves to step into the portal first.

‘Well you two behave and call Luke when you discover anything from the body or records. I will see you next time.’ Magnus waved goodbye to Lily and Maia, shortly after helping to open the portal for them to deliver the body and Maia to Hotel Dumort.

Magnus stepped back into the loft, just as the doorbell rang again. Magnus glanced over to Chairman Meow, who was rolling on the floor which was covered in sunlight and sighed.

‘So Mr. Darhk, what can I do for you?’ As Magnus opened the door, it revealed a white man in a suit, holding a cane in his hand.

‘Mr. Bane, I’m here to request a container that would preserve whatever liquid put inside could maintain its effects through different temperatures and environment.’ The man walked a few steps into the loft, as Magnus closed the door behind him.

‘Well, it should cost more than twenty million dollars, dependent on how long will you need it to maintain its effects? As well as how large do you need the container to be?’

‘It should be around four litres, but if it won’t cost too much of a difference for it to be five litres, that’d work as well. Is it possible to keep its effects for a year or so?’ The man pondered for a second. Still, the amount caught Magnus’ attention. Since vampires’ blood tended to be thicker than normal human blood, the amount seemed fitting to the drained vampire of Luke and Maia discovered earlier. Though other than this, Magnus did not have any proof that this man was in any way related to the dead vamp.

‘A year or so… and five litres…It should be around thirty millions, or that much of worth, depends on what are you offering as payment. So how soon do you need it?’

‘As soon as possible, Mr. Bane. I’d even like it right away, if that’s possible.’

‘Well this is a tall order, Mr. Darhk. What about you come back for it in an hour, but that’d cost another fifty million dollars, if that’s alright with you?’ Magnus gave another once-over on his client, as the man took out a small velvet bag from his pocket. The man picked out a few things from the bag before laying his hand in front of Magnus with a handful of sapphire gem stones.

‘I’ll pay you five more ruby when I come back for the container? Do we have a deal, Mr Bane?’

‘Sure. I’ll see you in an hour then.’ With that, Magnus waved the client out of the loft. He kept his gaze on the man, as the man walked out of the building and walked away. Magnus turned back around to examine the sapphires on his table and flickered a wave of magic onto the gems, which blazed red in return. He quickly conjured a glass bottle and threw the gems into it, locking it up and sealing the bottle with magic.

He dialled Luke’s number right away.

‘Is Maia still hanging with Lily? Has she told you what they found from the body? Well, I just got a client that required a container to hold an amount of liquid close to a vampire’s blood. The gems would explode with a certain vicinity of a vampire, which I’m guessing it’s just a precaution that if I contact some other vampire about this client or something. Yeah the man seems mundane. Raziel knows where the heck he knew about vampire and supernatural creatures, at least he knows about magic as well, apparently? Could you send someone to scent the gems he left in the loft? I mean, I can only track the man’s location at the exact moment, but not re-track where he had been. Besides, if you could get an identity on the man, this might even be part of your daytime job anyway. Okay, I’ll see you in a bit.’

While waiting for Luke to come over, Magnus tracked the stranger’s location through the gems anyhow. The man went about his day as a usual businessmen around New York. Still, Magnus got to see the man answering a call, which he only seemed to be answering in one word to the other person, at a coffee shop uptown.

In a city as big as New York and people in the modern age so used to things that they didn’t really understand, it could be a total coincidence that Magnus’ client was related to the dead vampire outside of Jade Wolf. Magnus had more than some clients that were entirely mundane but either believe too much in ‘magic’ or like this Mr. Darkh that got a sense of something beyond human understanding existed but knew their boundaries to not get in too deep with it. The latter kind of people were usually harder to deal with and Magnus spent sufficient time to test out their intentions, before fulfilling their requests. Magnus trusted his instincts and through the years had taught him things rarely happen just as a coincidence, less so when he was involved.

Soon, the doorbell rang and after making sure it was Luke behind the door, Magnus let him in.

‘You want me to come with you, or keep me on call the whole time?’ Magnus waved to the general direction of the bottle on the table to Luke. Luke took a look at the gems inside and sniffed for a while before answering Magnus.

‘Since you’re even offering, I’d bet we’re lucky that this is one of your less busy days. What do you think about this case so far?’

‘Considering that he asked for preserving the liquid, I’d say it could be related to testing it on humans or trying to find a way to implant the vampire’s abilities without being harmed by daylight. It’s not like no one had ever tried to do this before, but with a dead vamp in front of your door…We might just be thankful that Maia and Lily are such bffs with each other.’ Magnus flickered his magic and showed Luke what the client was up to at the moment.

‘Well I could sense something odd with the gems, not just the magic covering them, but something not so natural? It’s hard to tell…Did you try to sense them with your magic?’ Luke’s brows furrowed, as he analysed the scents on the gems.

‘Hmm interesting, I haven’t gotten to that.’ As Magnus closed his eyes to sense the features and vibe surrounded the gems, Luke continued to analyse the case.

‘So basically we have a mundane who’s draining vampire’s blood, just to test it out on human or something? That’s it? If that’s the case, it’d be easy to track down the man in question, but..’

‘But you can’t throw him either under the Clave’s laws or the mundane ones. But considering he was wealthy enough to pay me for the job, maybe there’s still some mundane records you can track, to see if this has anything illegal mangled with?’ Magnus blinked open his eyes suddenly and paused his reply to Luke. He took a step closer to the bottle of gems, opening the bottle with his hand and took out one of the sapphires.

‘Well that weird scent is certainly strong, now that you have it out in the open.’ Luke commented, as he also walked closer to the gem and Magnus.

‘Either the gem or the man himself has travelled through time… hmm now this is more interesting than I thought it’d be…’ Magnus put the sapphire back into the bottle and headed for one of his classic-looking bookshelves.

‘But how? I don’t know that there’s a way to travel through time in the Shadow world at all? How do you even know the scent is from time travelling?’

‘The world is larger than what we know of…It’s never completely impossible for something to happen, mostly you just need more time, which would be what most people don’t have. I’ve seen objects and people having this scent around them not too long ago. Might even need to call a friend of mine to be on this case actually…He’d fit perfectly to hold this weird client of mine pay for his crimes, without it being the Shadow world’s laws or the mundane ones, okay or maybe that’d be his friend. Or we could just do this in the Downworlder’s way?’ Magnus looked amused at the gems, as he scrolled through his phone without glancing at it.

’So should I run back to the station to hit up some records now? Or you need me to do some id check with the man right now, so that we can be more sure of what identity he has been using recently?’ Luke asked.

‘See if you can get his id on the way, that’d help. But it should work even if you can’t get it. I’ll let you know if I need backup or something go unexpectedly. This should be it for now, Luke.’ Magnus conjured up a to-go mug filled with hot coffee somehow and handed it to Luke.

‘Extra coffee for your day, detective Alpha.’ Magnus gave Luke a mock salute, as the werewolf walked towards the door.

‘See you around, Magnus. Thanks for everything.’ With that, Luke sprinted out of Magnus’ building and back to his day job.

Magnus was just picking through his storage for the container that the client required, as Beyonce’s voice rang through the loft once more.

‘Yes Lily?’ He dragged the phone to his ear with magic, too lazy to actually walk out to the main room.

‘So the vamp was drained while undead? Eww…the length of these horrid people would go to…Sorry you two darlings had to deal with such horrible facts… but that makes sense, since the bad guy here wanna use vampire blood to test them on humans or something. If he killed the vampire before taking the blood, it’d be meaning less to him. If we’re lucky, I should wrap this up before the sun sets, if you wanna come along with Maia for some more cupcakes? I think I deserve a break after this case anyway. See if you guys can find where the dead vampire was from and maybe let them know the man is gone and I’ll make sure the killer pays for it. I’ll hold him captive till you, or Raphael comes over. Let me know when you got more info, bye Lily.’

Hanging up on the phone, Magnus picked the container out of the storage and sat it beside the bottle of gems. Glancing around the loft, Magnus saw that Chairman Meow had decided to join Church in sitting on top of his bookshelves and overlooking Magnus walking around like two hawks.

‘I swear, sometimes I wonder if you two really are just two cats…I mean, I love you two regardless, but it’d make me feel better if you two would act more like cats that love me as well.’ Magnus sighed as he restarted the kettle and picked another cup out from the cupboard. While waiting for it to boil, Magnus made another call.

‘Hey Cisco? Yeah’ it’s been a long while but I got someone that’s called Mr. Darhk here and he’s been draining vamp’s blood for god knows what experiments. Do you guys know about him and time travelling? So do you guys want him? It’s alright, I don’t need reinforcement, you can just come and grab him later. Or I could deliver him right to you as well? I’ll keep you posted then, see you around.’

Phone finally set aside on the table, Magnus poured himself a cup of tea and sat down on the table. The sun had just started to set outside, allowing Magnus the perfect view of the city without any reflection of the sun being too bright for the eyes. He took in the view, feeling content somehow. This had been one of the less stressed days for him, mostly. He hated the days where the clients were listing their demands and ranting non-stop to him the most. As depressing as it was to have a vampire dead by a mundane’s hand, he had witnessed way worst to feel particularly downed by the case. He wondered often enough when would mundanes and shadowhunters realize the cruel acts they committed against other kinds have brought so much more sorrow and hatred into the world. With all these thoughts in his head, Magnus took another sip of his tea and leaned back into the chair.

When Magnus finished his first cup of tea, the doorbell rang once more, just as Magnus’ phone chirped at the very same time. Glancing at the phone, the name ‘Alexander’ appeared and Magnus instinctively went and grab the phone first. Yet the doorbell chirped once more and seeing it was Damien Darhk right outside of the loft, Magnus decided that finish the case up seemed a better option.

‘Hello again, Mr. Darhk. The containers are prepared as you wish.’ Magnus greeted the white man into the loft and gestured towards the general direction of the table, where four glass bottles were set. Darhk walked towards the bottles and picked one up for closer examination.

‘I wouldn’t mind if you would like to test them out before paying me the rest for them.’ Magnus added, trailing right behind Darhk and watching closely of the other man’s move.

‘That’d be lovely.’ Darhk took out a flask from his suit jacket and poured all of it into the bottle. He closed the lid and examined the liquid through the glass for a while. Magnus could identify the liquid as vampire blood right away, as the brownish red and thicker nature of it showed, as well as the heavy iron-stain smell in the loft appeared immediately after Darhk opened the flask.

Feigning ignorance, Magnus asked. ’So what is the function that you wish to maintain within this liquid, if you don’t mind me asking. After all, as a creator, I do take an interest of how my “inventions” are used and whether or not they are satisfying others or not.’

‘Mr. Bane, your curiosity is not appreciated in this case. Here is the promised price for your hardwork. Good day. ’ Darhk replied coldly, as he took out five more rubies from his pocket and settled them on the table. He proceeded to pick up the four bottles and walked towards the door.

‘Same goes for you, though. Murdering a friendly species of mine is very much not appreciated here at my loft, not to mention this isn’t likely to be your first murder.’ Magnus’s voice rang dangerous and deep through the loft, as Darhk opened the door. An arrow-shaped wave of yellow mist hit right on Darhk’s back while Magnus’ voice was still ringing. However, it didn’t seem to cause an effect on Darhk, as the man only turned back swiftly and posed as ready to fight. Magnus continued to send out flashes of magic, while Darhk dodged every one of them without breaking a sweat. Stepping up his game, Magnus blazed forward a few set of strings towards Darhk’s hands and legs, binding him for maybe more than a second.

‘You don’t think you can beat me on your own, Mr. Bane?’ Damien Darhk laughed darkly as he got out of the strings Magnus had bounded him in with ease, whilst continued fighting back. Without answering, Magnus threw out another ball of red flames towards the man, yet got hit with an light breeze of blue that completely distinguished the red flames. Blinking through his cat eyes, Magnus set down another spell into the loft’s floor, while his hands waved upwards for another wave of magic aiming for Damien Darhk. Before the magic could hit, a golden flash appeared and bound Damien Darhk with the a set of handcuffs and tied him to one of the columns in the loft. Magnus flashed a blue mist in front of himself for protection, but pulled it down seconds later, as the flash revealed himself.

‘Hey there, Mr. Bane. Cisco sent me to deliver the guy.’ A young man stopped before Magnus and held out his hand, grinning widely.

‘Well, well, well. Wally West, it’s been so long that now you’re a speedster as well? Goodness gracious, this is awesome. I’m sure Barry appreciates all the help you provide?’ Magnus beamed at the man in the yellow and red shirt and held his hand. Both seemed to be ignoring the white hair white man being held captive until someone coughed at the door.

‘As glad as I am to see that you didn’t require our backup, would someone introduce us to your friend and maybe explain a little as to what’s happening? Lily still wants to question the killer first.’ Maia, who was looking amused at the two men, crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe of the loft.

‘Come on in, Maia. This is what some called as a speedster, mundane with the ability to travel as fast as…well this world allows really. This is Wally West, from Central City. Wally, this is Maia Roberts, a werewolf and the second in-command of the New York Pack. And I believe we have a fellow vampire just down the building, who’s called Lily and the temporary head of the New York Clan.’ While Magnus was introducing, Maia and Lily who had just arrived as the sun finally set completely sat down on the table, glancing between Wally and Damien Darhk.

‘So there ARE vampires AND werewolves? So cool!!! I can’t wait to ask Jesse if they have vampires and werewolves on their earth as well!’ Wally, meanwhile, exclaimed excitedly and extended his hands to the two ladies.

‘Okay we can all go over discovering new worlds around us later, but we got a villain on our hands to deal with. So let’s do some good old questioning before we all chat and talk about superpowers or something?’ Magnus pointed towards the man bounded to the columns and gestured for the three to walk up as well.

‘So Mr. Darhk, how do you come across with a vampire anyway?’

‘That damn vamp attacked me first. It was rather my luck that I got a speedster on my side to save me and was smart enough to investigate after someone who could be as fast as he was. These demons are better off dead anyway.’ The man answered coldly, seemingly not afraid of the four people in front of him and the fact that he was held with a column. Maia punched him right on the arm to break it, while Lily kicked right onto his shin at the same time.

‘Mr. Darhk, from what I’ve heard you done, I’m sure you are much more of a demon than anyone else in this loft right now.’ Wally turned serious for once, while admiring the smooth punches the two ladies had given. Giving one more glance to Darhk, Magnus flickered his fingers to release a light blue mist surrounding Darhk, that seemed to have frozen the man in motion. Magnus led the other three a little further to the balcony and sat down on the beach chair set there.

‘I don’t think he’d give us anymore information, the flasks alone should be proof enough of how he drained the vampire’s blood. I’m sure Luke can do blood test and double-check it’s the vampire’s blood. Also, it won’t do us any good if he hears any more of our conversation, because right now we’ve a slight issue. Which of you three should take Darhk? Lily, I understand that you guys should take Darhk for murdering the vamp, but maybe listen to what Wally had to say here first? There’s more to this wicked man here than killing a vampire.’ Magnus gestured towards the speedster, who flushed at his words and stretched his back nervously.

‘So hmm…I’m not sure if I’m gonna explain this perfectly, but this man used to be from the League of Assassins and he had planned to blow up cities and murdered quite a few of my friends’ friends. Also, with his ally granting him the ability to time travel, he’s currently a highly wanted time criminal and I’d appreciate if you guys would allow me to take him to my friends who could travel in time for justice?’

Maia and Lily seemed a little confused with Wally’s words and Magnus was about to chime in and explain everything a little better, Beyonce’s voice blasted through the loft for Raziel knows how many times that day.

‘Oh Barry, you’re with the Arrow? That’s actually marvellous, there’s something I need to ask of you, before maybe handing Darhk to you guys. Would you be alright with meeting a few of my friends, including one from the NYPD? I think that’d make understanding easier between both sides? Alright, I’ll send them over in a bit. Also, I have a date tonight, so I’ll give Cisco a device which he could vibe open a portal to send my friends back. As much as I love seeing you guys, my boyfriend is more important than any of you, that alright with you? Sure. Deal.’

‘Okay, so why don’t we just meet with everyone, to make this easier? Maia, please call Luke and tell him to come over? I believe you need to head back to Hunter’s Moon soon. Lily, is there anyone else to hold the fort in Dumort? I believe Raphael and Simon should be returning soon, but…Wally, I think travelling through portal would be safer to deliver the criminal right now, than to travel just with the speed force.’ Just as Magnus finished talking, the two tabbies had walked to his feet and while Chairman licked gently at him, Church basically clawed at his pants.

‘Church, you little old grump…I swear you two like Alexander or any guest more than me. Why do I even have you around?’ Magnus sighed at the two kitty cats. Wally cooed at the sight of the two cats though, he knelt down and patted on Chairman’s head.

‘Can I take a picture with them, Magnus?’ Magnus nodded at the request and the clinking sound of the keyhole could be heard by everyone in the loft. Everyone turned to stare at the door, which was gradually opened and revealed one Alec Lightwood.

Alec froze at the sight in front of him. Having both Maia and Lily at Magnus’ loft and the two cats making an appearance, along with a stranger man in what was obviously a costume, not to mention a seemingly dangerous white man being tied to the column.

‘Am I…interrupting something?’

Magnus beamed at the sight of Alec and walked towards him to give him a peck in front of everyone. As used with PDA as Alec had grown to be, Alec still flushed for the number of people still in the room and looking at them. Regardless, he melted a little at Magnus’ kiss on his cheek and smiled a little.

‘Hey there, Magnus.’ Alec whispered softly, meaning it to be heard only by Magnus.

‘Happy to see you, darling. These idiots will be leaving shortly, don’t worry.’ Magnus’ composure seemed to brighten up at the mere presence of Alec, as he teased the rest of the group.

‘So what’s going on? Anything I can help with?’ Alec asked, paying more attention to the man tied down and nodded at Maia and Lily.

‘Well Maia, why don’t you call Luke first? Alec, we’re just finishing up a case here. Magnus helped us caught someone who murdered a vampire not too far from Jade Wolf and now we’re waiting for Luke, so that we can all go visit Magnus’ friend and to hand over the murderer.’ Lily explained cheerfully, as Maia called Luke on her phone.

‘And darling, this is Wally West, from Central City. He’s here because this case involves speedsters and time travels, this…criminal here messed with them first. Hence, they all need to meet with each other and negotiate which side the criminal will belong to.’ Magnus tugged Alec forward to meet Wally, who had been standing at the side and stared at Alec (well more like staring at his bow and quiver because the last person he met with those gears…was Oliver Queen). Magnus waved his hand in Wally’s face.

‘Wally. Wally West. Hey Jesse’s here!’ Only then did Wally reacted and stuttered.

‘Oh hi…hmmm you’re Magnus’ boyfriend then? You…do well with archery?’

‘It’s what I grew up training in. And yes, I’m Alec Lightwood.’ Alec shrugged before holding his hand forward for Wally. Wally shook it with a little hesitancy, which earned him a slap on the back by Magnus, who was looking amused as ever.

‘My boyfriend here is no Oliver Queen, so ease up. Or else, your mouth ain’t gonna close till you get back to Central City.’

‘So now you know I’m good with archery, what about you, Wally? I’m not sure I completely get what Magnus meant with a speedster here.’ Alec chimed in, trying to ease into the conversation, so that Wally won’t be left hanging awkwardly (somehow it reminded Alec of himself, interacting with people only got easier when Magnus’ around and when those were people Magnus trusted as well).

‘Magnus, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re holding a dinner party here.’ Luke said casually, joining the rest of them, as Maia opened the door for him.

‘Lucian, you always have the best idea. I should totally hold a dinner party for all of you, especially since you are gonna meet everyone over there in a moment. For tonight though, sorry the party is only for Alexander to enjoy my precious self.’ Magnus smirked, though he was already turning around and conjuring a few different ingredients before him, in order to create a safe portal for everyone to get to Central City.

‘Oh god no Magnus, please send us to Central City right away. I do NOT need to see Alec and you resolving those UST. That one time at Hunter’s Moon was more than enough.’ Maia groaned and hurried over to the frozen Damien Darhk with Lily, ready to hold him up through the portal.

‘Alright, everyone play nice with each other okay? Wally, please don’t let Oliver’s broody looks trigger any of them, okay? They are vampires and werewolves after all and this is a prisoner exchange negotiation.’ Magnus said to all of them, as he held Alec right beside him, while the rest began to enter through the portal with Wally and Maia trailing the last.

‘Can I bring Jesse over for a visit sometime? We’d love to just get to know you guys a little better.’ Wally asked, still looking intrigued with Alec (and his bow and quiver).

‘You guys should totally come to Hunter’s Moon, it’s a cool bar! Magnus, thanks for the cupcakes.’ Maia added beside them.

‘No problem, now please leave me and my boyfriend alone. I’ve seen enough of both of you for the day.’ Magnus teased. Alec and him waved a final goodbye to them and finally the loft was silent.

‘That seems an overwhelming day for you, Magnus.’ Alec commented, sitting down on the couch. Chairman Meow dashed towards his lap and just settled there for his naptime.

‘It’s not too overwhelming really, just lots of calls and friends here and there. I’d say it’s better than dealing with troublesome clients who never know what they really want, which already happened this morning. What about your day?’ Magnus curled up beside his boyfriend, content to just bask in Alec’s presence. Alec hummed in respond, leaned back on the couch and automatically smoothing out Magnus’ hair.

‘It ain’t too bad. The new recruits looking fine, but I mean who wouldn’t be fine under Izzy charming yet unforgiving trainings?’ Alec mused over how terrified the new shadowhunters were when Izzy demonstrated what she could do with just a staff.

‘Well you got everyone trusting and believing in you, of course they’re not gonna wreck their jobs.’ Magnus smiled, proud of the reputation Alec had gained from other shadowhunters through the war and after the war.

‘Or they’re all just terrified of my powerful, hundreds years old boyfriend comes hunting them down, if they don’t listen to me.’ Alec joked, as he wrapped his arm tighter around Magnus.

‘Can we just sit here for a while before fussing over dinner tonight?’ Magnus whispered in a voice that Alec almost didn’t hear him. Still, he knew Magnus enough that after such a day filled with much people, Magnus’d need some quiet time to wind down.

‘Of course. Come on.’ Alec tilted Magnus’ chin up to face him and dropped a light kiss on his lips.

‘I’ve missed you.’ Alec murmured to Magnus before continuing to dive his tongue into Magnus’ mouth, hands cradling his head. Magnus straightened up a little, so that he could give Alec better access to deepen the kiss. They made out on the couch until Chairman could no longer sit on Alec’s lap and dashed away.

‘Love you, Magnus.’ Alec breathed the words into Magnus’ mouth.

‘Love you too, Alexander.’ Both of them panting a little from the kissing, foreheads still touching and just breathing in each other.

#highwarlockkareena #malecsanta16 #*fic16 #*gifts16

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malecsecretsanta · 8 years ago

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Merry Christmas, @beatriz_castanon!

#beatriz_castanon #malecsanta16 #*art16 #*gifs16 #*gifts16

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malecsecretsanta · 8 years ago

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Merry Christmas, @magnusandalexander!

Hi Anica. I hope you liked the story, and that it wasn't too far from what you had expected! Happy holidays :D

Read on AO3

Merry Christmas, Doctor Lightwood

Magnus hurried through the big parking lot, pulling his coat tighter around his body to shield himself from the falling snow, thanking any higher power that he would be indoors in just a few minutes. It was dark and cold outside, and he had been foolish enough to think that his coat and thin scarf would keep him warm on the short walk from the subway.

When he finally made it to the main entrance of the building, the swing doors was still going, even though it was 4 pm on Christmas Eve. He quickly made it inside, happy to see a person manning the reception desk so he wouldn't get entirely lost trying to navigate around. Approaching the lady behind the glass, he let a broad smile spread across his face.

"Hi, I'm Magnus Bane, I'm supposed to volunteer here tonight," he said and leaned against the desk supporting himself on his forearms. The lady looked up from her computer screen, sporting a soft smile of her own.

"Mr. Bane!" she said, sounding impossibly chipper, "welcome and thank you so much for coming." She rose from her chair and exited the reception area to approach him with an outstretched hand which he shook firmly. She looked around the big room, seeming to think for a moment before turning back to him and continuing:

"If you go to the end of that hallway there and take the elevator up to the third floor," she said pointing straight ahead, "you should be able to find the way by following the noise. I'll let Doctor Garroway know that you are on the way." Magnus chuckled and thanked her, wishing her a merry Christmas before making his way down the long hallway.

As he left the elevator, the sounds he heard confirmed that the receptionist had been right about the noise. In the opposite end of the corridor a door was open and soft light spilled out of the room and onto the floor just outside. Christmas music was easily recognisable to Magnus as he got closer to the room.

Before he reached it, however, a tall figure blocked the light as he came into the hall, the light (illuminating him) as he sent Magnus a bright smile as he extended his hand and introduced himself: "Hi, I'm Doctor Garroway, but please call me Luke. You must be Magnus."

Magnus quickly shook his hand, before letting the man lead the way into the room. It was not at all how Magnus had imagined it would be. The rest of the hospital might already be a lot nicer than a normal hospital, given that it was made for children, but this room were much warmer and more pleasant.

Inside the music was even louder, the sound of ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ blending with laughter and voices of about twenty kids, scattered around the room. Most of them was wearing their hospital gowns, a few of them attached to a machine or a stand, but all of them looked as happy and excited about the festive events of the evening as any kid would have been.

The room itself was fully decorated. Paper chains dangling from the ceiling, fairy lights hung all over the room, framing the windows and the few pictures hanging on the wall. In one corner of the room a large Christmas tree was tugged away, decorated with handmade ornaments and candy canes and lights in all sorts of colours, while the small piano on the opposite side of the room was covered in Santa figures.

Whilst Magnus took in the room, Luke had gone to turn down the music, successfully gaining the attention of everyone before he introduced him.

"This is Magnus," he said, gesturing with his hand, "he is going to be with us the entire evening. As usual you guys have to come to me or one of the nurses if you are feeling unwell or need anything, but if you are nice to him, I'm sure he'll gladly read you a story and play a game with you guys."

Some of the kids shrugged before going back to whatever they had been doing. Some of them looked at Magnus in awe, mouths open or wide smiles spreading across their faces. One of the boys, perhaps 7 or 8 years old, came over to tug at Doctor Garroway's coat.

"Where is Doctor Lightwood?" he asked, staring up at them with huge brown eyes. "Is he not coming today?" Luke crouched down to get down on her eye level, letting out a small laugh, as he replied: "Yes, Hannah, he is, just not until later. But don't worry, he'll be here!"

It seemed like it was good enough of an answer for the boy as he turned back to join some of the other kids in whatever play they had been in the middle of. Magnus soon found himself seated in a big armchair with half of the kids surrounding him, as he read them Christmas stories from an enormous book one of the kids had handed him almost immediately after he had arrived.

After finishing reading a story about the origin of Santa’s clothes, a few of the kids had started asking him questions about his own clothing, which is how he ended up sitting on the floor while they twisted and turned his rings and necklaces to see them better, fingers ghosting over the bright red material of his silk shirt and the ear cuff that was placed on the shell of his left ear.

He had just finished telling them about how most of his jewellery were gifts from his friends, moving from that topic to talking about what they all wanted for Christmas this year, when the door creaked open.

Everybody, including Magnus, peered up to see a tall man with dark ruffled hair enter the room. Like Luke, he was wearing a long doctor’s coat, but instead of the bland scrubs the rest of the doctors and nurses were sporting, he was wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater Magnus had ever seen, underneath his robes.

It would have been funny, if it wasn't for the fact that all of Magnus attention were caught by the blinding smile that spread across his lips. Not mention the way his eyes shone, or his cheeks that were still a little pink, no doubt a result from having spent time outside in the cold.

The room was suddenly filled with noise, many of the kids getting up from where they were sitting around Magnus, some screeching with delight as the man picked up a few of the first ones to reached him. After taking a few moments to greet them all, he looked around the room, eyes settling on Magnus. As he crossed the room, Magnus stood up to introduce himself.

“Hi, I’m Magnus”, he said, giving him a quick once over before shaking his hand, “you must be the infamous Doctor Lightwood.” If Magnus held on a little longer than necessary, it was not at all on purpose. If his hand was tingling afterwards, he would never tell a soul about it. And he would absolutely deny the fluttering feeling in his stomach caused by the small chuckle the man let out as he answered.

“I guess, that would be me, yes,” he said, hazel eyes locked on Magnus’, ”but please call me Alec.” Magnus was about to say something when Luke walked into the room, after having spent the last half hour doing God knows what, face lighting up as soon as he spotted them.

“Alec! I’m so glad you could make it to work today,” Luke stated as he gave him a short hug.

“You know there’s no place I’d rather be,” he answered looking around at all the kids. “With Max studying abroad, and Izzy and Simon spending the evening with his family for Hanukkah, there’s not much else for me to do,” he continued as he turned his attention back to Luke and Magnus for a moment before adding: “Well, I did drop by your place to wish Jocelyn and the two love birds a merry Christmas earlier today, but I’m seeing them in the morning, so I’d rather be here tonight.”

“Good point, but still appreciated.” Luke looked back and forth between Alec and Magnus, then around the room and back again, before asking: “Could I persuade you two to have everyone ready in the dining area in half an hour? I gotta help in the kitchen.” Alec sent Magnus a glance but nodded in agreement.

After an hour and a half later, and the most amazing Christmas dinner Magnus had had in years, Alec and the two nurses, whom he had only briefly been introduced to, escorted the kids back to the common room, whilst he and Luke stayed behind, making sure everything looked nice and clean. Magnus was just finishing cleaning the tables when he heard his name being called from the doorway. When he looked up, Alec was leaning against the wall, arms folded loosely over his chest.

“Alexander,” he replied, enjoying the way it made Alec’s eyes widen a bit before his face broke out in a huge smile seemingly very pleased by the use of his name, “what can I do for you?” He looked around, only now noticing that Luke had left, and that they were now alone in the room. He resumed the cleaning, keeping his eyes on Alec as he waited for an answer.

“Would you mind joining me in the kitchen when you are done?” he asked, pushing himself off of the wall, hands buried in the pockets of his coat, shoulders raised just a smidge as he walked towards Magnus. “I need to get some things done, and I could use a little help.”

Now completely finished, Magnus smirked as he moved around the table he had just cleaned, only a few feet separating him from the other man. Magnus once again let his eyes travel up and down Alec’s body, this time considerably slower than the first. He willed himself not to laugh out loud at the hideous cat-patterned green Christmas sweater visible underneath the coat, as his eyes met Alec’s once more.

“Oh Alexander,” he said as he took a step towards him, effectively shortening the distance between them, “there’s nothing I’d love more than do things with you in the kitchen.” As he got close enough that their bodies were only inches apart, he swiftly moved around the other man, lightly brushing against Alec’s shoulder, causing Alec to gasp. Magnus’ grin was even bigger as he turned around, walking backwards towards the door as he called out.

“Are you gonna stand there all night or what?”

It turned out that the things Alec need help with were not really that big of a task. In fact it wasn’t really a two-person job, but Magnus was sure as hell not going to complain about getting to spend a little time alone with him.

After Magnus had gotten half a dozen bottles of sparkling cider out of the fridge and put them on a cart, he settled on one of the bar stools on the opposite side of the counter Alec was working at. Magnus leaned forward on his elbows, chin resting in his hands, as he observed him arrange various sorts of homemade cookies on a couple of large plates to bring out for dessert along with the cider, listening to Alec talk about how he and the kids had made them all the day before.

“Who are those for?” Magnus asked pointing at a noticeably smaller, nicely decorated plate with what seemed to be ten carefully chosen cookies on it. Alec who seemed highly concentrated on the task at hand looked up at Magnus for a second before following the direction of his finger to see what he was referring to.

“Santa of course,” he simply replied, not even a hint of amusement in either his voice or on his face, as he returned to divide the rest among the plates. Magnus stared at him for a long moment, somewhat surprised by the answer. When Alec was finished with the plate, he quickly got a big glass out of one of the cabinets, filling it with milk before placing it on the cart.

“Santa, of course, why would I even ask such a dumb question”, he responded, voice almost deadpan as Alec’s had been. It made the other look up at him, eyes searching his for something, no longer able to keep from grinning at Magnus. Magnus chuckled and shook his head as he hopped down from the stool.

“So, Doctor,” he said moving around the counter to retrieve the plates and put them on the cart as well. He got an eye-roll as response, but that didn’t stop him from continuing: “do you have any advice on how to avoid getting sick during the winter?”

Alec who had gone to fetch some glasses for the cider stopped in his tracks, turning to face Magnus, a single eyebrow raised as if to figure out if Magnus was serious or not. When he didn’t get any reaction he turned around to continue where he left off.

“Uuh, I’d say stay away from other sick people, make sure to get your vitamins, and I guess keeping warm is pretty important as well,” he said with a shrug as if he wasn’t entirely sure. Or maybe it was because he was still slightly confused about the question. “Not that being cold makes you sick, but you know, your body can only handle so much at a time, and managing your body temperature while keeping you from getting sick isn’t always possible.”

“Well,” Magnus began, eyes finding Alec’s, as he grabbed the handles of the now full cart, ready to drive it to the common room, “as you can probably see,” he said referring to his lack of sweater or other warm piece of clothing, “I’m not too good at dressing according to the weather. I do however know a few excellent ways to get the temperature rising.”

He started to push the cart towards the doors, once again letting his eyes roam over his body as he added: “If you’re up for it of course.” And with that, and a pointed wink, he was out the door, leaving a slightly stunned Alec behind.

It didn’t take long for Alec to join them in the common room, where he quickly set out to help Luke and one of the nurses get the cider ready for everyone to enjoy. Afterwards he sat down at the piano to play a few songs for them all, letting his long slender fingers glide over the keys.

Meanwhile Magnus had been persuaded to join a few of the older kids in some kind of board game, and while he enjoyed interacting with the young doctor very much, he was determined to keep his focus on the real reason he was here tonight: to make sure that these kids had the most wonderful Christmas despite not being able to see their families.

The time flew by and soon it was time to go to sleep for the youngest of the bunch. Magnus had seen them leave the room a few at a time in company of the other adults, sending them a little wave as they went. Suddenly, he felt someone tugging on one of his sleeves. He looked away from the boys he was currently chatting to, to find a girl wearing a flower patterned hat to cover her head looking back at him.

“Mr. Magnus,” she said, hope evident in her voice, “will you help put up my stocking for Santa?”

His eyes widened as he looked first at the girl, then around the room to see Alec leaning against the door frame, looking at them. There was a small, almost private smile on his lips, and Magnus knew instantly that she had first asked Alec to come help her ask him, and that he had insisted she went and asked Magnus herself.

He agreed immediately, promising the boys that he’d be back, before getting up from his chair. As they followed Alec out the door and down the hallway he felt the warmth spread in his chest as her fingers closed around his, holding his hand tight.

When they got to her room, Alec had gotten the stocking ready for them. Magnus helped her fasten it with a little knot when she had pointed out one of the handles on her dresser to be the perfect spot for Santa to reach it.

When she had given her approval of his work, he retreated to the doorway where he silently observed as Alec got her ready for bed. Afterward Alec spent a few minutes filling out her medical journal, and by the time he joined Magnus, she was almost asleep.

They returned to the common room in time for Magnus to bid the boys goodnight and soon enough they had all been put to bed. Magnus was getting ready go get his coat on the rack when he heard a certain someone say something to him. He spun around on his heel, trying to hid the shock as he faced Alec.

“What did you just say?” he inquired.

“I said, that thing about keeping warm in the winter,” Alec repeated, obviously enjoying the fact that he had caught Magnus off guard, eyes almost shining with mischief.

“What about it?” Magnus asked, heart hammering in his chest. This time it was his turn to raise an eyebrow, watching as Alec put a few things away before walking towards the door, consequently getting closer to Magnus.

“I was just wondering if you’d care to join me for a cup of coffee before leaving?” he said as he walked slowly past Magnus and walk out of the room, “you know, for staying warm.” A few moments passed where Magnus neither moved nor said anything, still not entirely sure what just happened.

“Are you coming or not?” Alec’s voice sounded from the hallway making Magnus snap out of his sudden daze. He smirked as he grabbed his coat and turned off the light in the room.

“I don’t know, doctor, you do seem awfully talented with those hands,” he said as he followed Alec to get to the break room, “if you could show me - just how talented they are, sometime later, I might be.”

#magnusandalexander #malecsanta16 #*fic16 #*gifts16

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