Work Text:
“This is stupid,” Alec muttered, fingers tight around the steel hilt of the dagger hidden in his jacket pocket. He missed his bow. He missed his seraph blade. It felt wrong walking around at night, practically unarmed. He felt naked without his weapons.
Even with his night vision rune active, there were too many dark corners where demons might be hiding, waiting to jump out at them. Unarmed as they were, running would be their best chance. An unappealing option for Alec, unthinkable for his companions. Izzy would probably resort to stabbing the things with her heels, and Jace would rather die trying to strangle a demon with his bare hands than run from a fight. Thank the angels Jace and Izzy had, at least, had the sense to activate their runes before heading out for the night.
Izzy glanced over at him, snowflakes glittering in her dark hair. “This is fun. This is what fun feels like, Alec.”
“I don’t like it,” Alec said, partly because walking around unarmed on the longest night of the year felt like asking for trouble, partly because it was what he was expected to say.
If he were being completely honest, there was a strange excited fizzing in his stomach, like a shaken-up soda. Excitement. For a party. Who had he become?
Jace gave him an all-knowing look, like he understood everything Alec hadn't voiced.
“You will,” Izzy teased, bumping his arm with hers. “And you know Magnus won’t let anything happen within his wards.”
“You’re lucky I trust the High Warlock.”
If anyone else had deigned to ban weapons from their winter solstice masquerade ball, they wouldn’t be going anywhere near it. Except, perhaps, on an official mission to clean up whatever inevitable disaster occurred.
“We’re lucky you have a crush on the High Warlock,” Jace waggled his eyebrows, earning himself an elbow to the ribs. Jace grunted, but didn’t fight back which meant he knew he deserved it.
When they turned onto Magnus’ street, his usually-unobtrusive building was adorned with enough Christmas lights to brighten the whole street. A giant inflatable Santa in a sled pulled by 12 plastic reindeer took up most of the front yard, rainbow fairy lights twinkling around every window.
Snow dusted every road and sidewalk in New York, piled up in huge drifts along the sides, but the walkway to Magnus’ building was spotless. There was no salt, no snow or ice, just clean pavement. It wasn’t the most practical use of magic, but Alec had to appreciate Magnus’ dedication to being a good host.
Alec’s heart thumped faster in his chest, but Izzy caught his sleeve before he could forge ahead. “Masks first, warlock boyfriends second.”
“Not my boyfriend,” Alec grumbled, pulling his mask over his face,
Izzy’s was bright red, gems sparkling around the eyes, a real rose glued to one corner. Jace’s was a gilded filigree that hid very little of his face, but complimented his eyes. Alec’s mask was, predictably, the simplest. It was midnight-black, darker even than his runes, and smooth to the touch. He wasn’t sure what material Magnus had used for it, but it was far too nice to be plastic.
Izzy’s eyes widened. “Your mask.”
Alec touched the edge, wondering if it was upside-down. “What about it?”
“It’s… just look.” Izzy pulled a compact from some hidden pocket of her dress and opened it to show his reflection.
The formerly black mask was a swirling iridescence, shot through with the occasional azure spark.
So much for simple.
Alec touched one of the blue sparks, half expecting to feel the zing of magic, but the mask felt the same as before. “Magnus.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“It’s pretty neat,” Jace agreed. “Is it a glamour?”
Now that they were within Magnus’ wards, Alec was free to storm ahead, leaving his siblings to fend for themselves as he took the stairs two at a time because the elevator seemed too slow.
The door to Magnus’ loft was wide open, holiday music and a cacophony of voices drifting out into the hallway. The noise set Alec’s nerves on edge, but he didn’t allow himself to hesitate.
Inside, the party was in full-swing. Winter-themed decor was everywhere, entirely too bright and colorful for Alec’s tastes, but probably what most people considered stylish. Or maybe it was garish and over the top. Izzy would know.
Alec ignored the tinsel and fairy lights and decked-out Christmas trees (of which there were several) in favor of searching for Magnus. Dozens of downworlders were already in attendance, donning a wide variety of masks, some made of real plants (seelie) or adorned with magic (warlocks).
Alec gave none of them more than a cursory glance as he moved through the crowd. Magnus had to be here somewhere.
Something touched his arm, and Alec spun, instinctively reaching for his blade, only to relax when he came face-to-face with Magnus.
His mask was enchanted like Alec’s, its delicate filigree pattern making the magic appear to dance over his face. His outfit was black and blue, with lacy cutouts, silver jewelry adorning his hands and ears, matching the intricate buttons of his waistcoat. His hair was streaked through with blue the same shade as his magic.
Magnus looked like some mystical winter sprite, and that seemed more worth celebrating than the winter solstice.
“Shadowhunter,” Magnus greeted with a smile like warm caramel, voice softening what might have been a condemnation from anyone else. “I could have sworn the invitation said this is a weapons-free event.”
It felt wrong to part with his only weapon in a sea of strangers, with varying levels of magic and contempt for Nephilim, but Alec held out his knife. Magnus wouldn’t let anything bad happen. “It was for the walk over, lots of dark alleyways.”
“I’ll return it at the end of the night,” Magnus promised, his fingers brushing Alec’s. The tingling of his skin was so distracting that Alec almost missed Magnus using magic to banish his knife to places unknown. “Now that that’s sorted, shall we get drinks?”
Alec followed Magnus into the kitchen where it was quiet enough that he didn’t have to raise his voice to be heard. “You lied about my mask.”
“Did I?” Magnus held out a wineglass of something dark and bubbly. Alec accepted it, though he’d been too busy watching Magnus’ elegant fingers to notice what drink he’d poured.
“When you showed it to me before, it wasn’t doing… this.” Alec gestured at his face as he took a sip. Cream soda. His favorite. Of course.
“Ah, that wasn’t a lie, it was a surprise,” Magnus said, sipping his own, more alcoholic, drink. “Do you want me to stop it?”
Alec took another sip. The mask was flashier than he was used to, and he was certain it was going to attract stares. On the other hand, it covered most of his face and with his runes glamoured, not many people would recognize him.
And Magnus’ enchantment was beautiful. He couldn’t stop staring at the way it shimmered and sparked in Magnus’ mask.
“No,” he decided. “It's okay.”
Magnus’ smile was more stunning than any mask could ever be. “Only okay? I’ll try not to take that personally.”
“It's very nice.”
“Be still my beating heart.” Magnus set a hand with sparkly silver nails over his chest. “Such high praise.”
Alec’s cheeks burned under his mask. “Shut up and be grateful.”
“Yes, sir,” Magnus quipped with a little salute, winking one glittery eyelid. “Head of the Institute, sir.”
“I’m leaving.”
Alec’s breathing stuttered as Magnus pressed against his side, winding their arms together. “I don’t think you’re going anywhere.”
Alec hid his smile behind the rim of his cup. Honestly, he was pretty damn happy where he was.
Magnus, it turned out, was a great distraction from insecurities. Talking to him, Alec was able to forget about how extravagant his mask was. And if anyone stared at them, it was probably just to admire Magnus. Alec could relate.
He was having a surprisingly good time, considering his general distaste of crowds and noise. And then Magnus was whisked away to deal with some seelie issue Alec didn’t fully understand, leaving him alone in the living room, trying not to feel self-conscious.
He’d found his siblings in the crowd, but they looked like they were having fun dancing and flirting, and Alec didn’t want to ruin that. He also didn’t want to wander off when Magnus had promised a quick return. Better to stay where he was. Even if that meant being surrounded by strangers, trying to look busy so he didn’t have to socialize.
It didn't work.
“Did you expect him to be this possessive?”
If not for the familiarity of Raphael's voice, Alec wouldn’t have recognized him. A crimson mask covered most of his face, and his normally slicked-back hair was unusually messy. His red mask and matching tie were more color than Alec had ever seen on him, but he supposed he wasn't one to talk.
“What?”
Raphael smirked, fangs glinting. “Magnus loves making a statement.”
“The party?”
“Your mask.”
Alec swallowed hard. “What kind of statement?”
“I think you already know.” Raphael sipped his blood, and Alec had to look away. If Magnus had provided it, the blood was ethically-sourced. But from whom? “I didn't think this was your kind of thing.”
“I could say the same to you.”
Raphael sighed. “I'm only here so Magnus won't spend the next decade complaining that I never attend his parties.”
Alec thought that was as good a reason as any. He, too, was only there for Magnus. “How did you recognize me?”
“The mask, mostly. And your scent.”
Were vampires allergic to not being creepy?
Thankfully, Magnus chose that moment to reappear. His shirt was more rumpled than when he'd left, but he looked otherwise unaffected. “I should have known the only two introverts in attendance would find each other.”
“You made him easy to find,” Raphael said. “You're being too subtle, by the way.”
Raphael was gone before he could offer an explanation.
Magnus huffed, nose wrinkling. “That’s the first time I’ve ever been accused of being too subtle.”
With Magnus back, there was no reason to stay in the too-warm, over-crowded living room. With his heartbeat in his ears, Alec asked, “Can we go on the balcony?”
“Of course.”
The balcony was blissfully empty. Alec greedily inhaled the cold, snow-scented air, a reprieve after the party’s nauseating mix of perfumes and colognes.
Magnus leaned against the balcony’s halfwall. “Are you alright?”
“Just needed a minute away from everything. What happened with the, uh, seelie?”
“Overconsumption led her to believe it would be a good idea to grow mushrooms in my bathroom. She’s been escorted home and the mushrooms have been transplanted.”
Alec barked a laugh. He could talk to Magnus forever, listen to his hundreds of stories, without getting bored. He’d never met someone like that before.
“What were you and Raphael talking about?”
Alec leaned his elbows on the balcony wall, looking out at the city. It was aglow with Christmas lights and lit-windows. It was actually kind of pretty to see from above. “Our mutual aversion to parties.”
“And what is it about my party that you find so unpleasant? I’ll do my best to remedy it.”
“It’s a party,” Alec said bluntly, enamored by the amused curve of Magnus’ lips and how his eyes practically sparkled when he smiled. Forget about the lights, Magnus was far prettier.
“Surely there’s something I can do to make it more enjoyable for you?”
Was he flirting? Alec hoped so, but it wasn’t like he had a lot of experience in that department.
“You are.”
Hopefully his mask would hide his blush.
“Too subtle,” Magnus murmured, barely audible, seemingly as much to himself as Alec. His fingertips caressed Alec’s cheek, thumb resting just under the bottom of the mask. “Is this too subtle?”
Even Alec could take a hint that overt.
He answered by leaning forward and pressing his lips to Magnus’. Kissing Magnus, Alec realized, was far better than he’d thought it would be. And he had, admittedly, spent a lot of time thinking about it.
He started to lean back, wanting to make sure Magnus was enjoying it too, but Magnus stopped him with a hand on Alec’s neck, tugging him back in. That was confirmation enough.
Alec cupped Magnus’ face, feeling the edges of his mask and the soft, warm skin of his cheeks. His senses were flooded with Magnus — his touch and scent and taste.
When Magnus tilted his head, their masks clicked together. Alec pulled back, smiling at the little sound of complaint Magnus made and the love-drunk look on his face, to push their masks atop their heads, Magnus’ first and then his own.
As soon as the masks were out of the way, Alec dove back in. It was Magnus’ fault, really, for looking at him like that with slick lips and large pupils and long eyelashes.
Alec grabbed at Magnus’ jacket, curling his fingers into surprisingly soft fabric, tugging Magnus closer. He wanted to feel Magnus everywhere, pressed against him from head to toe.
His blood felt like lava in his veins, rushing and molten, just on the edge of too much. But all he wanted was to keep kissing Magnus, to keep feeling like this. To taste Magnus’ skin. To explore Magnus with his gaze and fingers and lips.
Someone cleared their throat, rudely shattering the perfect moment. “Uh, Magnus? Sorry to interrupt, but a werewolf just challenged a vampire, and you should probably get in here.”
Magnus sighed against Alec’s lips. “The High Warlock’s job is never done. Wait for me?”
Alec nodded, not trusting his voice. He pulled his mask down, hiding behind it, as Magnus went back inside.
Then he turned toward the horizon and let himself grin until his face ached.
“Finally,” Magnus exclaimed as he closed the door behind the last party guest.
Well, the last one aside from Alec, who’d been personally invited to stay. His siblings had left a while ago, through a portal because Alec wasn’t letting them walk back alone and unarmed, with waggling eyebrows and knowing smirks.
“I was worried I might be stuck playing host all night.”
Alec took off his mask to raise an eyebrow. He’d spent most of the party with Magnus, but it hadn’t felt like enough, and they hadn’t kissed again. But finally, finally, they were alone. Anything could happen. “You’re tired of a party? Are you sick? Do you have a fever? Come here, let me check.”
“I'm never tired of a good party. However…”
Alec’s spine tingled, which was something he hadn’t known spines could even do, as Magnus backed him against the nearest wall. A hand found Alec’s hip, thumb slipping under the edge of his shirt to rest against his skin. With his other hand, Magnus tossed his mask over his shoulder where it vanished before it could hit the floor, and reached for Alec’s. Their fingers brushed as he took the mask and sent it to wherever its partner was.
With the masks gone, Alec could see every perfect detail of Magnus’ face, from the mole above his eyebrow to the curve of his lips. Lips that Alec could remember feeling against his own. Lips that he really wanted to kiss again.
“I’d rather do this,” Magnus murmured, yanking Alec in by the lapels of his jacket and kissing him like he’d been dying for it.
Alec wanted to spend the rest of his life kissing Magnus. Which was exactly why he had to place a hand on Magnus’ chest and gently push him back. “Hey.”
Magnus smiled up at him, eyes warm and mischievous. “Hello.”
Alec’s heart fluttered, and he had to look away before he forgot everything in favor of kissing Magnus again. “What, uh, what is this?”
“You’re going to have to be a little more specific.” Magnus tugged at Alec’s jacket, too light to be a demand. “What is what?”
Alec swallowed, wishing his nerves would stop vibrating. “This. Us. This isn’t a one-night thing, is it?”
Pain lanced across Magnus’ expression before giving way to something soft and sweet. Magnus stepped closer, their shoes brushing, and cupped Alec’s face. “No, Alexander. This isn’t a one-night thing. This is — everything. Whatever you want it to be.”
Relief was a warm balm to Alec’s insides. He leaned into Magnus’ hands, stealing a quick kiss, marvelling at being allowed to. He felt himself smiling, wide and unabashed. “Everything sounds good.”
Maybe parties weren’t so bad, after all, if they ended like this.