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"But Dad! Everyone from school is going trick or treating tonight! Please!" Rafael begged Alec, who just wanted one night of peace from his two children, but he certainly wouldn't be letting them out at night on Halloween.
"You can keep asking me son, but the answer will always be no. Halloween is dangerous, especially being in New York at night." Alec said for at least the 10th time tonight. Rafael huffed and stormed off in the direction of Magnus.
"PAPAAAAAAA!" Rafael shouted, running into the bedroom.
"What is it little one?" Magnus asked, putting down the book he was reading.
"I'm not little one! I'm 9 and a half!" Rafael said to his dad, crossing his arms. "Max is the little one, he's only 7.
Magnus chuckled at Rafael, ruffling his hair as he awaited for him to speak.
"Dad won't let me take Max trick or treating. He says it's too dangerous." Rafael spoke, a sad tone in his voice as he pouted his lips. Magnus got on his knees so he was at height with his son.
"He's right, it is dangerous. But i'm sure if we get you both dressed up and he sees how great you look, he can't say no then!" Halloween was Magnus's favourite time of the year and the fact that Alec didn't approve of it made him furious.
Rafael's little face lit up which made Magnus grin. "But we need to keep it a secret from Dad, can you do that for me?" Magnus asked and Rafael nodded, pressing a finger to his lips and shushing.
"Let me go and talk to him for 10 minutes, go and get Max and read him a story. You can pick from the library!" Magnus asked and Rafael bounded off towards the living room where Max was half wrestling with Church, who was playfully batting his paws at him and licking all over his face.
"Alec, are you alright? You seem down." Magnus asked, curling up next to Alec on the sofa. Alec was intensely reading a book as Chairman Meow stirred next to him, stretching and clawing Alec's leg.
"I hate this time of year. Halloween is so dark, dingy, depressing." Alec scoffed, pulling the blanket up over his lap more.
"Alexander," Magnus begun quietly. "I don't want to have an argument, but I think you're being a little selfish. We have two sons to think about now, they've been excited since the beginning of the month about Halloween. This is what kids get like, they hype up these special events. It's supposed to be fun, Alec and they're so happy and excited about it." Magnus spoke softly and Alec shrugged his shoulders, not answering his fiancé.
"Is this about Max?" Magnus asked and immediately regretted it. Alec always got so defensive when he spoke about Alec's little brother, who died 9 years ago.
"I can't believe how much I still miss him. There's still a part of my heart that's missing without him." Alec confessed, his voice gravelly as he distracted himself by rubbing Chairman Meow's tummy. He purred loudly.
"Did you ever take him trick or treating?" Magnus asked and Alec nodded, turning away from Magnus, worried he'd notice the tears building in his tear ducts.
"Every year." Alec's voice broke and Magnus immediately cuddled into his fiancé.
"Darling, it's ok to be sad. I'm sorry if I was harsh, i'm just worried the boys will feel your bad vibes. I need you to put on a brave face for them." Magnus cooed and Alec wiped his eyes, sniffling his nose and cuddling up to Magnus.
"It's ok, I'm ok Magnus. Just a moment of weakness." Alec said, kissing Magnus on the cheek before going into the kitchen to cook dinner. This was the perfect excuse to get the kids ready with Alec distracted.
*
45 minutes later and Max's hair was spray painted a dark, glittery blue shade. Magnus had also painted a galaxy onto his face. Completing his look were a pair of blue devil horns.
"Max, I don't mean to be rude kiddo, but what is your costume?" Magnus asked his son, sitting on the floor opposite him.
"I don't know Papa, I just wanted to be the night sky. It's pretty." Max said, he almost looked a little disheartened.
"Well I bet you that you're the best night sky out there tonight. Plus the devil horns." Magnus said, looking at his youngest son, looking proud as punch.
"Put your hands up or I'll shoot you!" Rafael jumped out from the walk in wardrobe, bow and quiver in hand. He pointed at his little brother and his father, giggling. He had smeared black face paint all over his cheeks in stripes.
"Look at you, little archer boy! You should really ask your Dad how to use that properly though." Magnus chuckled.
"Is Dad ok, Papa? Is he sad?" Max asked, his eyes big as he scratched his head, now covered in blue paint.
"He's not feeling too great little man, but I tell you what will make him feel better?" Magnus said enthusiastically to his younger son, wiping his hand with a face wipe to get rid of the paint.
"What? What is it?" Max asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Both of you go show your Dad how great you look. I'm sure it'll cheer him up! Hey, he might even come trick or treating with us!" Magnus clapped his hands together, watching his two sons go rushing towards Alec who was sat back on the sofa in the living room, engrossed in a book.
"Hey Dad! Look at our costumes!" Rafael and Max said, jumping up and down enthusiastically in front of their Dad. Alec couldn't help but smile. 10 years ago, he was an angry closeted teenager who was in love with his best friend, Jace. Now, aged 27 he was extremely happy, engaged to the guy of his dreams with two adorable, wonderful adopted sons. He was brought back into reality as Max jumped onto his knee, cuddling up to him.
"Max, you look like a blueberry. And Rafe, you remind me of me when I was little." Alec complimented his sons and they both smiled at him.
"Please let me take Max trick or treated with Papa? Pleaseeeeee Dad! Can you come too? Please please PLEASE?!" Rafael begged, grinning his teeth at Alec. Alec chuckled softly at the persistence of his older son and felt how tightly his younger son was cuddling him.
"Surely you can't say no to these cute faces?" Magnus said, picking Rafael up and sitting down, popping the boy on his lap.
"I guess I can't," Alec said, smiling.
"Really?! Thanks Papa for convincing Dad! C'mon, let's go!" Rafael said, pulling at Magnus's hoodie and Alec's sweater.
"Go and get yours and your brothers coat and we'll be with you in a minute." Alec said to Rafael and they both climbed off their parents laps and headed for the hallway.
"I love you." Alec said, kissing his fiancé on the lips hard.
"I love you too, I hope you realise how happy you've made them." Magnus replied, beaming.
"And I hope you realise how happy you've made me, bringing those two boys into my life." Alec said as he kissed Magnus once more before getting up and heading towards the hallway to find his two sons. Magnus watched, wondering how he got so lucky.