A fact. Alec loved Magnus’ hands. There was something so amazing in the simple fact how different they were depending on what Magnus was doing with them.
They could be powerful. Alec witnessed it almost every day, looking at Magnus while he was using his magic. Something as simple as a palm could generate something as strong as to destroy something or someone. They could heal at the same time.
They were gentle. His skin weren’t rough or calloused and maybe that’s why Alec liked so much to be touched by them. The smooth skin against his calloused hands gave him reassurence while needed. When they were on his cheeks, gently stroking, he could feel comfort washing over him. When they were wrapped around other parts of his body he felt love.
They were simply beautiful. The bronze skin was highlighted by all of the rings Magnus wore. Alec would never admit it, but when Magnus was sleeping he usually circled one of his fingers around his boyfriend’s ring finger imagining the one special ring that would grace his hand. Maybe not now but in the future. Yes. In the future.
And Alec never missed an opportunity to worship them. He loved lacing his fingers with Magnus’. He loved lifting the warlock’s hand to his lips kissing softly his knuckles. He loved taking Magnus’ rings off his fingers. He loved tracing shapeless patterns on his palm, feeling the oh so smooth skin under them.
So when Magnus lifted his hands and put them on his cheeks, while reassuring him that he will be back he couldn’t help but nuzzle into them, knowing that this touch, this simple feeling would be something that Alec would never get tried of feeling loving because it grounds him in a way that only Magnus can.
It’s barely past eight in the morning when Izzy unlocks the door to her own little corner of the Institute, a hybrid of a workshop and an office. It’s a recent development, entirely of Alec’s doing after she mentioned wanting to get back into weapon engineering. So far the immersive work has been a great source of joy and pride for Isabelle, allowing her to focus, reinvigorate despite the difficult tasks, grow even stronger in her recovery.
She loves the space he’d put together for her under her guidance - one part of it includes a large desk, a loveseat in the corner and a couple of shelves with all the books she could list. The other half is comprised of a work bench currently cluttered with misshapen pieces of metal that in the end will come together as her double-arrow crossbow, as well as her tools and materials, most of those safely stored away in large cupboards tucked against the stone walls.
Hanging her jacket over the back of the swivel chair, Izzy sets her hands on her hips, mentally compartmentalizing everything that begs for her attention - finishing all the budget amendments for the Head to include in this month’s report, finally getting done with that stubborn blueprint for tracking arrows, and if she’s feeling extremely productive - kicking Clary’s ass in double-handed staffs training.
She sets to work after putting her hair up into a messy bun, but she barely gets a few sentences into the report, when there’s a knock on her door - three quick raps, easily recognizable as her older brother.
“Come in,” she answers, a subtle sort of excitement blooming through her chest. She hasn’t had the chance to see him properly lately, as they’ve both been busy with respective work; it would be a lie to say she doesn’t miss him.
The door creaks open and Alec pokes his head into the office, cell phone trapped against his ear, his other hand busy with a tray holding two coffee cups to go. He hums to let the person on the other side of the call know he’s listening, eyebrows drawn together in focus.
“Are you busy?” he mouths to Izzy and she shakes her head ‘no’ vigorously, causing a couple of rebel curls to slip out, messily framing her face. There’s an almost imperceptible quirk of his mouth, a smile anyone not aware of Alec’s habits would miss entirely.
He shoulders the door closed and wraps up the conversation after everything seems to be confirmed, perching on the edge of her desk as he does so. Izzy rounds the piece of furniture, also choosing to lean against the sharp edge, since it feels less professional and just more like the two of them talking.
It’s when she notices the outfit in its full glory - dress pants patterned with dark green plaid, cropped above his ankles and tapered at the bottom - a definite statement piece if Izzy knows anything about fashion (and she does). The rest of the outfit is black - polished wingtip oxfords, a dress shirt buttoned to the top and a long coat thrown over his shoulders.
While it’s still elegant in a way that fits Alec’s personal style of comfort and practicality, it makes her brother seem like he stepped off the runway no more than two minutes ago. There’s a presence to him, the confidence of a leader, quiet control alongside his usual sternness and the watchful way he holds himself; all of it is softened by his ruffled hair and the subtle silver glitter of jewelry.
“Look at you! You’re giving me a run for my money as the best-dressed Shadowhunter in NY, big bro,” she greets him with a quip, oxblood-colored lips stretching into a cheeky grin. “Note that I graciously said ‘Shadowhunter’.”
A full smile blooms on Alec’s face as he casts down his eyes in almost unconscious modesty, but she can feel him settle comfortably against the words. Just a while ago, at any personal comment she would make, he’d curl in on himself and bristle the spikes stuck in his armor; he’d snap and huff and roll his eyes, anxiety moving through him in jagged ways. The ever-famous eye roll is still a popular classic, but now it’s usually directed at Jace or Clary after some sort of reckless shenanigans, at Izzy when she gets into trouble, and often at all the Shadowhunters he’s got to keep in check.
He’s different these days, yet somehow the same.
“Oh, I know, nobody’s taking Magnus’ crown on that front,” Alec answers with a quiet chuckle, then stretches the arm holding the coffee towards her. “Got you your favorite one.”
Izzy takes the cup with her name messily scribbled on it in black marker, recognizing the logo from a small hole-in-the-wall café that makes the best lattes. Just one sip warms her from the inside, all of the rich flavors making her eyes dip closed for just a moment.
Alec’s watching her already when she opens them again - there’s a pleasant expression on his face that she can’t fully interpret, the edges of all the emotions blurring together. She raises her eyebrows in a silent question, but Alec just takes a gulp of his own coffee, eyes drifting towards the work table across from him.
“So, how is my favorite sibling doing?” Alec asks nonchalantly as he crosses his ankles with a sly smile, clearly in no rush to leave; Izzy doesn’t want him to anyway.
She laughs into the lip of her cup and leans over to lightly smack him on the shoulder.
“Better not tell that to Jace, huh?” she teases, taking another sip of her coffee.
Alec pulls his shoulders into a shrug, one corner of his mouth curved up. “What the ears don’t hear, the heart doesn’t grieve over.”
“Mister Lightwood, that’s mean!” Izzy feigns offense in the name of her other brother, hand poised over her lips in mock-shock.
Alec laughs at that, throwing his head back, eyes crinkling into adorable crow’s feet at the corners.
“‘Mean’ is my middle name, according to some people around here.”
“No, that’s Gideon.”
The joke earns Isabelle a slow look of disapproval, then Alec sighs theatrically and reaches for her drink as if he has no other choice. “I got you coffee because I love you, but now I need to rethink that decision.”
“No!” Izzy slips out under Alec’s arm in fits of laughter and he gives another half-hearted attempt at pulling her back, fingers snagging in the collar of her shirt. She lets herself be drawn closer until she’s able to wrap her arms around Alec beneath his coat, careful of her drink she’s still holding onto.
She tucks herself up against her brother’s side, just the perfect size to rest her head on his shoulder. Alec’s arms come up around Isabelle and she feels the safest she could ever be, in the embrace of the person that was always stood by her, even in her darkest moments when all she could think about was yin fen and the pain it caused. He never judged her for anything, instead took care of her and loved her all the same. Truthfully, she probably wouldn’t even be here without him.
It’s nothing she didn’t know already, but the realization makes her chest hurt with all that she feels - love, gratitude, faith, so much more than that. She’s always looked up to him; from the very first day she remembers, Alec was right by her side, holding her little chubby toddler hand, training with her when they were big enough to do so, always listening to her even when he was worn down himself. She knows he would do anything for her - give up all that he has to keep her smiling.
She’d do the same for him without hesitation.
Alec’s been miserable until Magnus came into his life - frustrated, terrified, stuck inside the cage this society built around him. And perhaps she wasn’t able to be the one to pull him out of that, to help him realize he’s so much more than a soldier and a son - someone who deserves his own happiness and the space to spread his wings; she’s still glad to be there for him, watch him flourish and grow into the person he was always meant to be.
He may seem different, but he’s the same Alec she’s known forever, just happy.
Of course, they’ve had good moments where they laughed together and sassed each other, and had days where everything seemed alright, but there was always an underlying current of something missing. Alec would never mention it, but she could see it in the slouched angle of his shoulders, in the way he stood rigidly with his eyes trained on the floor each time their parents spoke to him, in the way he’d come from training with bruised skin and reddened eyes.
Now, he talks to Izzy more - about his life, about himself and the way he feels, even if some details stay forever a secret, huddled close to his heart. She’s completely okay with that - she’s just glad he knows he can confide in her whenever he needs to.
He tells her about his dates and life with Magnus, promises to take her sightseeing in Rome with them the next time they go, gossips about Clave executives and all the dumb laws he has to try and fix with the Council’s help; he mentions his better contact with mom and laughs about somehow lucking out again to find himself friends with people like Luke, Cat, Maia, and Simon.
Izzy talks too - she mentions the mundane meetings and how sometimes it gets hard, but she pulls through, for herself and for others. She talks about hanging out with Maia and Simon as well, about training Max to be the best he can. Once she confesses how strange it is to be back in the swing of things, yet how ecstatic that makes her.
She tightens her grip around Alec’s chest, swallowing around the cluster of emotions stuck in her throat, just as he drops a kiss on top of her head.
“What are you thinking, Iz?” he asks, affection and genuine curiosity easy to spot in his tone, low and rumbling beneath her ear.
She glances up at him, smiles wide and honest, considering all the words wanting to be said, all the ‘thank you’s and ‘I’m sorry’s and all the secrets he doesn’t know yet, but someday will.
“I’m glad to have you by my side, big brother.”
His expression softens, becomes vulnerable in the way he allows himself to be only around those who mean the world to him. Setting his cup on the edge of her desk, Alec kisses her forehead, his hands warm against the sides of her face.
“It’s always been us against the world, hasn’t it?” he hums after a moment of quiet.
And he’s right; it’s always been them, Alec and Izzy, a brother and a sister who disagree on everything, except how much they love each other.
The thing about having a hidden competitive streak was thatsometimes it reared its head around those you loved, or around those who alsohad a hidden competitive streak, and things got… messy.
Unfortunately, Magnus was both; the man he loved, and theman with the streak equalling his.
Since the war with Valentine ended for good, Magnus and Alechad found themselves with more work than ever before; rebuilding burned bridgeson top of normal day-to-day problems really was a full-time job, and their timetogether had been mostly limited to nights in the loft, dinner if they werelucky. Thankfully, Alec had officially moved in, and Maryse had moved back toNew York with Max, so she could, at her insistence, cover the position of Headovernight and Alec could “have some quality time” with his boyfriend.
It also meant that Maryse and Izzy could tag team Alec, andget him to tap out for a full day off once in a while.
Alec thought that nothing could beat nights in, eatinghomecooked food, dancing together on the balcony, and generally being wrappedup in each other’s company. And while it didn’t beat it, necessarily, holdingMagnus’s hand on a chilly late-autumn early-evening as they explored a nearby fairwas a level all on its own.
The cold air surrounded them, Alec aware of his nose andcheeks turning pink, as he watched the tips of Magnus’s ears do the same. Theywandered booth to booth, looking at local crafts like the mundanes were doing,and Alec had never felt so happy to be among them, the people he devoted hislife to protecting. Wrapped up, he didn’t even need to glamour his runes, andMagnus guided them, happily chatting to stall owners he’d known throughout the years.Holding hands, they looked like any normal couple, and Alec was delighted tonotice that no one spared two men being affectionate a second glance; not thatit would have stopped him, anymore. He was proud to hold Magnus’s hand, and hisheart.
Magnus’s sharp intake of breath made Alec look up from thehandmade snake-adorned ring he’d been contemplating.
“Alexander, what do you say to a little… friendlycompetition?”
Alec snorted. “I’d say I’d thought we were well pastfriendly, Magnus. Competition?”
Magnus pointed to a row of stalls they hadn’t explored yet.Lights shone from every one, electronic sounds mixing in the atmosphere. Alecsmirked, looking at Magnus’s barely restrained glee out of the corner of hiseye.
“You’re on, honey.”
The restraints broke, and Alec swore he’d collect the lightof a thousand suns just to keep that look on Magnus’s face.
“Rule 1: no magic.”
“That’s fair,” Magnus grinned. “Rule 2: no runes.”
“Just straight-“Alec made some kind of gesture with his hand, searching for the words “-play, no tricks, orcheating.”
“Alexander, please never say the words ‘straight play’ to meever again.”
Alec snorted, unable to contain the smile on his face and helooked up towards the sky. “Gay play then? Fair play. Whatever. What’re thestakes?”
“If I win, you can’t wear a shirt in the house for a week,”Magnus said.
Alec cocked an eyebrow. “You thought of that quick,” hesaid. Magnus smirked.
“It’s something I’ve been after for… since I met you. If youwin?”
Alec grinned. “If I win, I’m gonna cook a huge meal for us,and I want to see you wash the dishes. By hand.”
Magnus gasped, placing his free hand over his chest. “You’rea cruel man, Alexander. Menial labour? Tsk. All I wanted was some light ogling.”They both broke into gentle laughter, sparkling eyes not betraying the ragingfire of competitiveness sparked within them.
It was a close fight, spanning two and a half hours andtwelve different games, but as much as Alec didn’t want to say out loud, Magnuswas the clear winner. How he’d won at a strength test, Alec would never understand,given that Shadowhunters literally had superhuman strength, but it’d been kindaworth it to see Magnus’s biceps ripple under his Henley.
Alec was grateful the loft was always warm. And that hereally, truly didn’t mind – he knew how attracted Magnus was to his chest inparticular, and he loved how wanted he felt every time Magnus paid anyattention to it. They strolled away from the fair, a giant teddy under one ofMagnus’s arms and the other wrapped around Alec’s waist. Alec’s arm rested inan L-shape on Magnus’s back, fingers idly toying with the hair at the nape ofhis neck.
“Just admit it, Alexander.”
“Never.”
“Admit it.” Magnus smiled. Alec sighed.
“You, Magnus Bane, are the best at carnival games,” hedeadpanned. Fighting back a smile at Magnus’s expectant look, he sighed again. “Andyou’re super handsome and smart and your taste in interior ornamentation is eclectic, not chaotic. Happy?”
Magnus smiled, proudly. “That wasn’t so hard was it,Alexander?”
Alec smiled back, feeling giddy with happiness and childlikejoy. “Very mature. Asshole.”
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS MEGAN TE AMO ASDFGHJLÑ @magnusbicon 💜❤️💛I am so glad I have the chance to talk to you and share with you, I hope you recieve this new year of life full of happiness and that it is amazing for you, wish you the very best always, muchas bendiciones para ti mi amor, del Caribe para ti, have this lil thing I wrote while thinking of you and your fav tropes. 🍻
They were in Magnus room, getting ready for their friday brunch with their friends. Well, Magnus was getting ready, Alec with a pair of jeans and a shirt was good to go.
“You should let me dress you Alexander. You are denying all that beauty from the world by hiding in those hideous clothes” Magnus told him when he opened the door of his loft to left him in. Alec blushed at that, hoping it wasn’t very noticeable. He was so gone for Magnus, even the slightly compliment made him all warm and fuzzy inside. No that Magnus was aware of this, of course. But he hoped that the flirting and the looks he gave to him meant something.
“Um, there’s nothing wrong with my clothes, but thank you. I, um, keep that thought in mind” Alec mumbled.
“What, my dear?” Magnus asked, smiling as he made his way back to his bedroom, Alec trailing behind.
“ Youdressingme” Alec said under his breath really fast, hoping Magnus haven’t heard him. That was not the case, of course, because Magnus smile became a smirk. He got close and patted Alec in the cheek, suddenly very close. “I would hold you to that” he whispered.
“Now, sit and wait for me to finish” he turned around and left a speechless Alec standing in the middle of the room. He got out of his stupor, blushing furiously and went to sit on the bed.
After a few minutes, Magnus turned around, with bronzer defining his sharp cheekbones, kohl highlighting his already warm bright eyes. “I'm just gonna apply some chapstick and then we are ready to go”
At that sight, Alec stopped thinking. And apparently his brain to mouth filter stopped working too, because the next thing he knew he was blurting out, “Can I try it? I wanna have a taste” to Magnus, who looked delighted to show him the benefits of chapstick.
“Sure!” Magnus started, coming to sit next to him on the bed, “this one it’s cherry flavor,I’m sure your dry lips are gonna thank you for you to stop biting th--mphm!” he was promptly interrupted by Alec smashing their mouths together.
Alec didn’t know what prompted him to do it. One moment, he was watching Magnus applying chapstick to his already soft looking, velvety lips, and the next one he lurking forward and taking Magnus mouth in his.
It was the best taste in the world.
Magnus gasped and went very still, clearly surprised at the sudden attack. Alec panicked for a little, thinking maybe he had made a mistake, reading wrong all the signs behind their banter and playful flirting, but then Magnus responded eagerly, tangling his hands in his hair.
Things escalated from there.
Their lips were moving together like the perfect symphony. Magnus mouth was warm against his and he was making this little hums, clearly enjoying himself. Alec took his plump and very delectable bottom lip between his, a low moan escaping at the taste of the combination of the chapstick and Magnus.
He could kiss Magnus forever but, eventually, the need for air became hard to ignore, and when they parted, they were both panting hard, staring at each other with wide eyes, their foreheads touching. Alec ran his tongue through his lips, and Magnus eyes flickered down at the movement. “So” he started, voice breathless, “does this means you like the taste or…” Magnus trailed.
“Oh, I-I like it very much” Alec stammered, “but I should try it again, just to be safe”
“Yeah” Magnus breathed, “you can never be too sure. Come here” he pulled Alec by the neck and crashed their mouths together again.
okay okay so i’m only posting this because my dear sweet megan @confidentalec twisted my arm into doing so. this is the first time i’m posting anything malec that i’ve ever written so please be kind. thank you.
picture alec at pandemonium, leaning back with his elbows resting on the bar, strobe lights catching the beads of sweat dotting his brow and collecting in the hollow of his throat, the top 3 buttons of his shirt undone, exposing his damp chest that’s shimmering with bits of glitter that have also found their way into his hair, tiny bits of silver and gold speckled amongst the dark brown. he drags his tongue over his top lip and tastes the sweet traces of the b-52 shots that magnus had insisted on doing. he takes a deep breath, feels the dance track’s deep bass pulsing through veins and looks around the room at the night’s patrons.
a year ago he never would have pictured himself in a place like this; never would have even allowed the thought to cross his mind. and then he’d met magnus. magnus, who was unlike anyone he’d ever met before, be it shadowhunter, warlock or mundane. magnus who lit the fire inside of him that alec had tried for so long to keep smothered. magnus, who showed him that it was okay to feel the way he did. to have the thoughts and desires that all others in the shadowhunter world frowned upon. magnus, who was the first person in alec’s life that made him feel like was good enough; that just being alec, not alec lightwood, was good enough. a year’s worth of memories flashes through his mind, bringing a smile of contentment to his face.
“hey shadowhunter, you plan on spending the rest of the night watching or are you actually going to join in on the fun?”
alec smirks and looks out at the dance floor in front of him, where magnus twirls izzy around and around before dipping her, her squeal of laughter echoing over the thump thump thump of the music. magnus pulls izzy back up and spins her out towards alec. she grips onto the front of his shirt and tugs insistently.
“come ooooooon, alec. you’re missing a great song.”
alec rolls his eyes and allows izzy to drag him back to the dance floor by his wrist. he laughs when she places her palms on his shoulder blades and shoves him into magnus’ waiting arms before bouncing away, calling out over her shoulder. “you two have fun. i’m going to look for simon and maia.”
magnus rests his hands on alec’s lower back and presses a kiss to the tip of his nose. “hey there.”
alec chuckles and wrinkles his nose. “hey yourself.”
“what were you doing over there all by your lonesome?”
alec shrugs one shoulder and tightens his arms around magnus’ waist. “just thinking.”
“good things, i hope.”
alec nods and kisses magnus’ cheek before resting their foreheads together. “the best things.”
