Chapter Text
“To those of you unfortunate enough to have been picked for tonight’s duty shift, please rest assured that next year your names will be withdrawn from the selection process.”
Alec stood on the raised platform, hands clasped firmly behind his back, and addressed the crowded ops room. It was painfully obvious which shadowhunters had drawn the short straw and been unlucky enough to have to work on the quietest night of the year. Their resigned faces stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the crowds of people excited to head out for a night of freedom. Alec knew exactly what it felt like. For many years he’d volunteered to take on the night shift, having nowhere better to be, and being fully prepared to spend the evening with a good book and disturbingly silent monitors.
Under his parents’ leadership it was an open secret that this particular shift was decided largely by who was in their bad books. One of Alec’s first actions as head was to implement a lottery system instead. It was a move that was extremely popular, except of course with his parabatai who was one of the unfortunate few to have his name selected.
Alec’s eyes flitted across to Jace who was standing with his arms firmly crossed and a scowl on his face that could probably be seen from outer space. Unsurprisingly, despite his best efforts, which started with calling in favours and ended in thinly veiled threats and intimidation, he hadn’t succeeded in finding anyone to swap with him. Alec couldn't help but feel it would do him good to not have everything his own way for once.
Snapping his attention back to the crowds he could see the ops room starting to become impatient and restless and decided to move things along. To be fair, he had the added incentive of knowing Magnus would be arriving soon and had promised him a ‘spooktastical’ evening of fun, whatever that meant.
“On a final note.” Alec straightened his spine, assuming his best leader persona. “Whilst I hope the rest of you enjoy your evening, please be aware that any repeat of last year’s bad behaviour will be looked upon very poorly.”
Alec glared at the Proudfoot twins, who had been arrested last year following an incident with too much seelie wine and a public fountain. It was with some degree of satisfaction that he noted that the pair of them looked suitably sheepish.
“So all that’s left to say is enjoy your evening. Dismissed.” As Alec stepped down from the platform, the crowds parted as he walked briskly to his office. He let the excited chatter wash over him knowing that he only had a small amount of paperwork to finish before he too could escape for the night.
………..
Alec had barely started on the first report when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” Alec shouted out, the smile on his face fading when he realised it wasn't Magnus arriving but Clary instead.
Granted, he got on better with her these days but nonetheless, he really didn't want to deal with her begging to let Jace off his shift. Where Alec had a lifetime of developing immunity to his parabatai’s puppy dog eyes, Clary had yet to develop that skill.
Clary threw herself onto the chair in front of the desk, her brow furrowed.
“Before you start, no, there is no way I’ll change Jace’s shift. He was selected fair and square.” Alec decided that nipping things in the bud was probably the best strategy, not even making eye contact with Clary, instead focusing his attention back on his paperwork.
“Oh yeah. I know,” Clary replied distractedly and her confused tone made Alec lookup.
“Then?” Alec raised an eyebrow, not entirely sure he really wanted to know what was bothering her.
Although things had improved, Clary Fray was still a trouble magnet and Alec was really, really, looking forward to spending an evening with Magnus without the threat of work interrupting.
“Honestly?” Clary took a deep breath, only continuing when Alec, despite his better judgement, nodded for her to continue. “Look, I'm a bit confused.”
Rather than answer, Alec tilted his head to one side and watched as Clary, never one to stay still for more than a second, sprang to her feet and began pacing the room.
“There’s hardly anyone on duty tonight.” Clary frowned.
“Uh-huh.”
“It’s just, well, it’s Halloween. Surely that’s the busiest night for The Institute.” Clary paused her pacing and looked at him.
“Excuse me?”
“Well, you know, demons and spirits and witches and things…” Clary’s voice faded away as Alec couldn't help roll his eyes. Sometimes, with the way Clary excelled at her training, he forgot that, unlike the rest of them, she’d only recently become a Shadowhunter.
“Mundane nonsense,” Alec replied trying, and likely failing, to keep the contempt out of his voice.
“Oh. I thought..” Clary began to speak again, only this time she was interrupted by a far more welcome intrusion.
“Halloween is the quietest night in the Shadoworld, my dear,” Magnus said and Alec couldn't help but smile at the sight of his boyfriend leaning against the door frame, a look of amusement on his face.
“The vampires refuse to get involved in any way whatsoever as it’s far too cliche, the werewolves like to play it down as they find all the Wolfman films very derogatory and the seelies are far too busy getting drunk in their own realm.”
“So surely that’s the perfect night for demons to take advantage.” Clary, as ever, was determined to not concede the point.
“Even demons have standards.” Magnus laughed as he walked into the room and round the desk to press a kiss on the top of Alec’s head. “Also, it goes back centuries. Halloween, as the mundanes know it, is a relatively recent invention, you know. There are many who subscribe to the tradition of Halloween, or Samhain to give it its old name, as more of a New Year celebration.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Fray,” Alec said as Clary slumped down on the chair again. “If I were you, I’d join someone on a night out or get a good book.”
“Hey, you can join us, if you like.” Simon bounced into the room. Alec wasn't even slightly surprised and, more worryingly, was getting accustomed to the vampire’s presence. Secretly he approved that ever since they’d begun dating, Simon and Isabelle were rarely apart for long. Not that he’d ever admit it. “When I found out, I said to Izzy ‘it‘s just like Buffy’ and can you believe it, she’s never even seen it, so obviously time for a marathon.”
“What’s a Buffy?” Alec mouthed to Magnus and Magnus shook his head affectionately.
“Not you too, dude. Seriously?” Simon looked aghast.
“Ah Simon, Alexander’s knowledge of pop culture is somewhat of a work in progress.” Magnus laughed, laying his hand on Alec’s shoulder and squeezing gently.
“Makes sense, I suppose,” Clary said looking more than a little disappointed. “I guess I was just expecting demons and so forth or, you know, at the very least, ghosts.”
Alec snorted derisively.
“What?” Clary snapped.
“Ghosts don't exist, well at least not in the way mundanes think about them.’ Alec explained, deciding to keep things simple rather than get into the ghost that protected the London Institute.
“Actually that’s not strictly true, darling,” Magnus said and Alec looked up at him in disbelief. “Granted, they are rare but they are very much real.”
“Come on, Magnus, don't encourage her,” Alec muttered.
“What can I say, Alexander? It’s the truth. I've seen one with my own eyes.” Magnus shrugged and Alec was sure he saw a look of sadness in his boyfriend’s eyes before it was instantly replaced with a look he was far too familiar with. A look that said Magnus had had an idea and, in all likelihood, a suitably ridiculous one.
“In fact I have a plan for how I can prove it to you.” Magnus grinned and Alec had to resist shaking his head. “If you don't mind putting your plans on hold for this evening, you two and the delightful Isabelle are cordially invited to a seance at Casa Bane.”
“Listen, I'm not sure..” Alec began to protest.
“Nonsense, it’s an excellent plan. One thing that the mundanes do have correct is that tonight the veil between worlds is at its thinnest and there is someone I've always wished for you to meet.” Magnus waved off his concerns with a flick of his hand.
Alec wanted nothing more than to argue back but, seeing the hopeful look in his boyfriends eyes, he found it impossible to say no.
“Wonderful. Well then, shall we meet up in an hour, I have a few things to arrange first.” Magnus didn't give anyone a chance to argue before he kissed Alec again and headed out, his face a picture of excitement.