happy belated birthday, miss @sunnyalec. you are so sweet and like a little sister to me and i’m so lucky to know you. i hope you enjoy this lil gift and i hope your birthday (and year) are super special 💞
READ ON AO3
Alec taps his foot on the ground, looking around the now empty theater as the stage crew clears the stage and gets the props back in order for tomorrow’s show. He glances back down to his handwritten notes and sighs. Meeting Magnus Bane was not something he’d expected to be doing today.
It’s been almost 4 years of writing Broadway show reviews for the New York Times. Alec fell in love with the idea of it while studying English in college, and worked his ass off freelancing to make it to where he is today - and he can’t say he isn’t in love with his career.
Alec had always loved the theater but never been quite talented enough to participate in the show, so being paid to go watch performances and be able to honestly critique them, giving praise where it’s due and being critical of how shows can do better, means everything to him.
Magnus Bane is - well. Izzy would call it a crush, but Alec calls it admiration. Magnus Bane has been a Broadway legend since he was eight and played a background dancer in Annie. He’s talented, mesmerizing and gorgeous, and every time Alec sees a show with him in it, he has a hard time looking away.
Magnus is...magical.
And he knows Alec is coming to review the revival of Hairspray tonight, in which Magnus is playing Link Larkin.
Not only that, but Magnus had had his agent come up to Alec after the show and invite him into Magnus’ dressing room, telling him that Magnus insisted on giving some quotes for Alec’s article.
It was a lot to take in for tonight. Between Magnus’ stellar performance and getting to finally meet the man, it’s overwhelming.
“Mr Lightwood?” someone asks, causing Alec to look up. It’s Ragnor Fell, Magnus’ agent, who’d approached him about fifteen minutes ago. “He’s ready to see you.”
Alec nods and stands up, willing his heart to stop racing in his chest. They walk through into the backstage hallway and past multiple dressing rooms and makeup stations. Alec has been backstage for many shows before, but this feels more important.
Alec is about to meet someone he’s idolized for a while now.
Ragnor stops in front of a door with a sign that says “Magnus Bane - Link Larkin” and knocks once before opening it.
“Magnus? I’ve brought Alec Lightwood to see you,” Ragnor says, poking his head in. He opens the door wider and gestures for Alec to walk inside.
Ragnor closes the door behind him as Alec’s eyes land on Magnus, who’s leaning against his vanity, drinking some tea.
He’s even more beautiful in person, is the first thing Alec thinks. He’s dressed in a soft grey t-shirt and a pair of dark jeans, clearly ready to go home and relax. There’s still some makeup around his eyes and his hair is still styled up. I’s a little hard to breath in the small dressing room.
Magnus is regarding him with soft, bright brown eyes. Alec clears his throat, disregarding the butterflies in his stomach and sticking his hand out.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr Bane,” he says. Magnus grins, shaking his hand.
“Please, call me Magnus,” he replies. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Alec Lightwood.”
“Really?” Alec can’t help but ask, and Magnus chuckles.
“Yes really,” Magnus says, blowing softly over the steaming mug in his hand. “Your reviews are always very honest, yet so powerful.”
Alec is helpless but to flush at the praise.
“I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time,” Alec says before grimacing. “I hope that’s not weird to say.”
Magnus shakes his head, still smiling at Alec as if his company alone brings Magnus joy.
“That’s not weird at all,” Magnus says. “It’s actually quite sweet.”
Alec chews on his lip, suddenly overwhelmed with the need to tell Magnus how much his work has meant to him.
“When you performed as Benedick in the The Center’s LGBT Much Ado About Nothing production, it was incredible, Magnus,” Alec says. “I’ve had such a hard time my entire life thinking I couldn’t be both gay and successful, and watching you on stage that night, taking your bows and being so open and free I just -” Alec sighs. “It moved me.”
Magnus’ expression changes to one of awe as he watches Alec. He looks down, seemingly a little flustered himself. Alec thinks he’s made his crush on Magnus practically transparent at this point, but he’d needed to tell Magnus in case he never got the chance to again.
“A Shakespeare fan, hm?” Magnus says airily.
Alec nods slowly.
“How oft when thou, my music, music play’st upon that blessèd wood whose motion sounds with thy sweet fingers, when thou gently sway’st the wiry concord that mine ear confounds, do I envy' those jacks that nimble leap to kiss the tender inward of thy hand, whilst my poor lips, which should that harvest reap, at the wood’s boldness by thee blushing stand,” Magnus says, voice strong and confident.
Alec meets his gaze, feeling like the air’s been knocked out of him after hearing Magnus recite one of his favorite sonnets. He’s studied Shakespeare before and knows a few word for word.
“To be so tickled they would change their state and situation with those dancing chips, o'er whom thy fingers walk with gentle gait, making dead wood more blest than living lips. Since saucy jacks so happy are in this,” Alec continues.
“Give them thy fingers, me thy lips to kiss.” Magnus finishes, softly.
They look at each other for a minute, the air between them charged.
“I have to say, Alec, and I hope I’m not being too forward,” Magnus starts, standing up properly and putting his mug down, “my reasons for inviting you backstage tonight weren’t strictly professional. I’ve been reading your reviews for a while and I saw you at the Tonys last month and I just needed to meet you. I hope that’s okay.”
“That is more than okay,” Alec quickly says. There’s no way Izzy’s going to believe him when he tells her about tonight.
Alec suddenly feels bold, thinking that just maybe Magnus might say yes if Alec asked, so he has to try -
“Would it be okay if I got some quotes from you anyway? It’d help my review and maybe - maybe after we could get some food? Or something?”
Magnus takes another step closer. Alec’s heart is pounding so hard he’s positive Magnus can hear it. He’s even more beautiful up close and Alec wants to know everything behind the man who commands all the attention on stage.
“If you give me a moment to grab my coat, then I could give you some quotes during dinner,” Magnus says, tilting his head to the side with a coy smile.
“Yeah,” Alec says with a smile. He has a feeling this is going to be his best review yet.
happy birthday @sunnyalec!!! i hope you’re having a great day like you deserve 💖 ( read on ao3 )
The loft was quiet, but in a kind of peaceful way. It was the kind of quiet that signalled things to come, and given the events that were due to take place that evening, he supposed that assessment wasn't too far off. Shadowhunters very rarely went in for things like parties. Everything in Alicante was about protocol and ceremony. There was a ritual to things. But apparently someone had deemed it a time for celebration, after all the things the New York Institute had faced down in the last few months. There were quiet a few officials portaling in from Idris, who would no doubt be arriving at that very moment. Alec couldn't help but be reminded of his own almost wedding.
Thankfully, no one was getting married that night. He'd left Izzy in charge of greeting the new arrivals and fled the Institute for some peace to get ready. Alec had known himself well enough to know that if he stayed in the Institute, he was going to be far more nervous than he needed to be before the evening got started. Instead he'd gone to Magnus’, who'd gladly agreed to let him get ready there.
The steady flow of the shower could be heard from the bathroom next door as Magnus himself was getting ready for the party. Alec would call it progress that some of the Downworld representatives had been allowed to attend the event, but it was only really because Alec had his put his foot down. But at least he was being allowed to make the change. And on a personal level, there was something comforting about knowing his boyfriend would be there. Being able to take Magnus, to stand in a place that he never thought he could be accepted with Magnus blatantly at his side… the thought alone made the hint of a smile spread to his lips. He really got to do this, to have this, to be happy. It felt like some sort of impossible dream, but if it was, Alec never wanted to wake up.
Doing up the last button on his shirt, Alec pulled at the cuffs, straightening the sleeves out as he moved over to Magnus’ dresser. The large mirror there afforded him a good view of how he looked. Given that Izzy had helped him pick the shirt out, he hoped it was acceptable enough for the party. She'd even looked out a set of sparkling silver cufflinks to set things off. It would complete the look, or so she'd said. He didn't really understand what it was about shiny things.
To be fair, Magnus seemed to specialise in shiny things. His entire dresser was an assortment of makeup and jewelry, with everything from necklaces to earring and bracelets. Izzy had said he knew how to accessorize, which Alec didn't doubt, other than the part where he didn't really know what it meant. He'd been hiding parts of himself away for so long that experimenting had hardly seemed like an option. How could he, when at any moment someone might be able to work out his big secret if he dressed the wrong way? Not that he really thought clothing had anything to do with it, but blending in had seemed easier. And eventually, it had become comfortable. Safe.
Alec wasn't sure he wanted to be safe anymore.
He trailed his fingers along the dresser, moving a few of the rings around the wooden surface, examining them slowly. Magnus didn't do anything by halves, but there seemed to be a huge array of styles and colours on the dresser. Rings set with stones, rings shaped like animals, big ones, small ones, flat ones… and then there, right in the middle, Alec's eyes caught on one he was sure he'd seen Magnus wearing before. It was an oval shape, engraved with a cursive M. He picked it up, turning it in his hands before cautiously sliding it onto one of his fingers. He held his hand out, examining how it looked there. It was different, but definitely not in a bad way.
“See something you like?”
Alec turned around, seeing Magnus standing in the door to the bathroom. He was dressed in a pair of deep burgundy red pants, a dark shirt loosely around his shoulders. His hair was still damp and unstyled, and Alec didn't think he'd seen anyone more beautiful. Alec smiled softly, and shrugged.
“Other than you?” Magnus laughed openly, a sound full of such joy and love that it made Alec's heart sing. How had he been lucky enough to get all this? Maybe there really was an angel looking out for him somewhere.
“Yes, other than me,” Magnus replied dryly, moving closer, reaching out for Alec's hand. He held it up in the air, examining the length of his fingers, thumb caressing the curve of the metal of the ring. Alec swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn't know why he was so worried. They'd held hands before. This was nothing new. And yet it felt different somehow. Special.
“Sorry, I should have asked,” Alec said after a moment, immediately reaching to pull the ring off. “You can have it -”
“No,” Magnus cut him off, stilling his free hand where it was. After a moment, they somehow ended up holding hands, the ring still sitting on top, on full display to the evening sun. “It suits you.”
Alec flushed a little, stretching his fingers out a little, turning it in the light. “You think so?”
Magnus nodded, before looking up, meeting Alec's eyes. Alec felt his heart squeeze. There was such a deep affection in those eyes, something that made it all the harder to remember they were going out to a party that night, not staying wrapped up in each other for the evening.
“You should wear it tonight,” Magnus suggested.
“Magnus I couldn't -”
“You could,” Magnus immediately contested. “And if you like it that much, I will gladly take you ring shopping whenever you want.”
Alec turned his hand a little again, squeezing onto Magnus’ hand. Did he like it? It felt a little odd, especially given he'd never really worn any rings before. But it didn't feel wrong and… well, part of Alec wanted to wear something like that, something that Magnus had bought him. Something to remind those stuffy Clave officials of exactly who they were talking to.
“I love you,” Alec said after a moment, and Magnus smiled, leaning up for a kiss. The gesture was sweet but passionate all at once, and if Alec wasn't already in love, he was sure that one moment would have made him fall all the deeper.
“I love you too,” Magnus replied as he pulled away, a thumb brushing across Alec's cheekbone. Alec couldn't help but pull Magnus a little closer, embrace him a little tighter. The world might be crazy, and sometimes he might not feel like he had much, but at least he had Magnus. No matter what, he would always have Magnus.
He didn't need a ring to remember that. Magnus was home, his safe harbour in a world that didn't always make sense. And that was more valuable than all the precious metal in the world.
