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Magnus and Alec had been together for a while now. If you were to ask them how they felt about each other, both would confidently respond that the other was the love of their life. So now, after a few years together, Magnus had decided that it was time for them to take the next step in their relationship.
He’d spent hours planning everything, making sure that it would all be perfect for Alec- he didn’t want a single part of this day to go wrong. He’d even made sure that everyone Alec cared about would be present. And yes, that did mean the dreaded task of talking to his boyfriend’s parents… that had probably been the most difficult part of this whole thing, especially knowing the way Maryse and Robert Lightwood felt about him. He’d destroyed their oldest son’s chances of “continuing the family legacy” in the traditional way they’d expected of him, in their eyes.
But really, the truth was, it hadn’t been Magnus’ fault. All he’d done was fall in love, after all- Alec had been gay the whole time.
As expected, the conversation with the Lightwoods hadn’t gone particularly well. Magnus had tried his best- cooking for them, providing his finest wine, doing everything he could to impress his (hopefully) future parents-in-law. And yet they spent the whole night watching him suspiciously, and when Magnus had revealed his intentions, Maryse looked like she was about to faint.
“You… want to…” she spluttered, not quite able to get the words out.
“I want to marry your son, yes,” Magnus supplied smoothly, keeping his tone gentle so that he couldn’t be accused of challenging her or becoming aggressive.
Robert put a hand on his wife’s elbow, muttering something to her. “If you don’t mind, Mr. Bane, I’d like to have a quick word with my wife in private?” he requested.
“Oh, of course. I should check in on Alexander anyway- he asked me to keep him updated.” Magnus turned and strode out of the dining room, heading to his room. Once there, he sat down heavily on his bed, sighed sadly, and reached for his phone to text Alec.
This dinner isn’t going as well as I’d hoped, Alexander. It’s quite anxiety-inducing, if I’m entirely honest. -M
I’m so sorry, Magnus. I did tell them to go easy on you… they haven’t said anything too bad, have they? -A x
Oh, no, no- it’s not that. Your mother does keep glaring at me as though she wishes me dead, though, so that’s about as much of a wonderful experience as it sounds. -M
Are you still with them? -A x
Not currently. They asked for a moment to discuss something in private. So I’ve taken a moment in the bedroom to allow them to talk. -M
Call me? -A x
Magnus didn’t need telling twice. He quickly pressed the call button, holding the phone up to his ear, and felt himself relax almost instantly when he heard his boyfriend’s voice through the phone.
“Hey, Magnus…”
“Hey yourself.”
Alec hummed softly, the sound just at soothing as it ever was, even through the phone. “How’s it going?”
“Your mother hates me.” Magnus whined dramatically, flopping back against his bed. “She hates me, and she’ll never accept our relationship.” he complained.
Alec paused, concern laced in his voice when he next spoke. “Magnus… did she say that? That she’d never accept us?” he asked.
Magnus sighed. “No,” he admitted. “But I could just tell from the way she looked at me.”
“Magnus, listen to me,” Alec said gently.
“I’m listening.”
“Everything will be fine. My mother will come round, I promise. And if she doesn’t from your persuasion, I’m sure I could convince her,” he reassured his boyfriend gently. Magnus couldn’t answer with anything but a soft, anxious whine. “I know she’s a lot to handle, but I believe in you.”
“Your belief means the world to me, dear Alexander,” Magnus admitted quietly.
“Good. You should probably go back out there, right? Can’t stay here talking to me all night.”
“No, I know.” Magnus sighed. “I love you. I’ll text you later, when they leave.”
“Please do. I love you too.”
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When Magnus went back out to Alec’s parents, their mood seemed to have changed somewhat. They seemed… happier, lighter. Maryse was even smiling at Magnus, which was wholly unusual and slightly alarming for the warlock.
“Magnus, could you sit down?” Robert requested gently, gesturing to Magnus’ armchair while he and Maryse sat on the couch.
“Look, Mr. Lightwood, I…” Magnus tried to speak, but he found his voice choked as the thought of losing Alec, of his parents taking him away, rose unbidden in his mind. He quickly stopped, shaking his head a little.
“If you’re about to apologise, don’t.” Maryse told him. “Robert and I have been discussing this matter, and we’ve come to a decision.”
Robert nodded, reaching over and clasping his wife’s hand. “So, you want our blessing to marry Alec, correct?” Magnus nodded quickly, unable to get out more than that, so Robert smiled and nodded too. “Okay. Well, as you can imagine we have a few concerns. But provided you address those with us at a later date, we have decided that we are happy to give you our blessing.”
Magnus had to hold back tears of joy at that, a wide grin spreading across his face. “You really mean that?” he asked, needing that extra confirmation.
Maryse nodded once. “We’ve discussed it, and judging from the devotion you’ve showed towards our son and the way Alec feels about you, it would be worse all round to say no- I don’t think Alec would ever speak to us again if we did,” she admitted.
Magnus’ eyes lit up, and he stood up quickly to shake Robert’s hand and offer Maryse a quick hug. “Thank you, so much! Alexander is the love of my life, I swear no harm will come to him from me. Or from anyone, when he’s with me,” he promised.
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“What’s going on?” Alec toyed with the edge of the blindfold that had been tied around his eyes, wanting to take it off and see what was going on. Jace sighed and lightly tapped the back of his fingers with one hand.
“No, keep that on. I am under strict instruction to not spoil the surprise, Magnus said he’d turn my toes into frogs if I did.” Jace’s complaint made Alec laugh, shaking his head. While he knew Magnus wouldn’t do that to Jace, the idea of him being so scared of a threat from his parabatai’s boyfriend that he’d deliberately keep something secret from him was kind of funny.
“Alright, alright.” Alec chuckled softly, bringing his hands down to leave the silk covering alone. He felt Jace’s strong hands on his shoulders, guiding him somewhere, until they stopped suddenly. Jace knocked twice, waited a moment, then opened the door and guided Alec through.
“Okay… three, two, one… surprise!” The blindfold dropped, and Alec found himself stood in Magnus’ living room among everyone he cared about. Clary stood beside Isabelle in the corner, Simon nearby. Maryse and Robert- Alec found himself a little surprised and impressed that Magnus had managed to convince his parents to turn up- stood with some other Shadowhunters, while Magnus himself…
Magnus was coming towards him. He looked absolutely stunning, and Alec’s breath caught in his throat when he saw him. “My darling Alexander…” he whispered.
“Magnus. Hi.” Alec’s throat felt tight, and he struggled to get even those two words out.
“Enjoying the surprise, darling?” Magnus asked, gesturing around them at the party he’d arranged.
“Magnus, it’s beautiful…”
“Well, Alexander… I have one more surprise for you.” Magnus lifted his glass, tapping one long fingernail against the side of it so the chimes echoed around the room to get everyone’s full attention. He made sure everyone was focused on him, and then… got on one knee in front of Alec.
“Magnus?” That whisper was the only thing Alec could manage to say.
“Alexander. Alec. My darling. The love of my life… will you marry me?”
Alec gasped, tears springing to his eyes as he covered his mouth with one hand and nodded quickly. “Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”