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Alec’s never been one to celebrate his birthday. Magnus knows this, he has for years. His first birthday after Magnus met him came just before their first kiss. He hadn’t even known, or he would’ve tried to at least acknowledge it in all his other attempts to woo Alec before that crashed wedding. Then they were trying to stop Valentine from ending the world, among other things, so there was no time to celebrate, even belatedly. When Magnus’ came around, Alec was very quiet about it. He made Magnus dinner, they stayed in together. It was very unlike Magnus, but very much like Alec, so he was happy to make the compromise.
He had time to prepare for Alec’s next birthday. He made a meal from scratch, decorated the whole apartment, and invited his siblings to the party. Alec was certainly confused, but he appreciated the effort. He told Magnus they never really had parties when they were little, which made sense to Magnus, both by what he knew about Alec’s parents and how Isabelle reacted when he suggested a celebration.
For Alec’s 25th, he went all out. He was on good terms with Maryse by then, so he convinced her, the one with the least busy schedule, to be his right hand with all the invites. He had Alec’s entire family, Max included, and some of their downworld friends and allies assembled for a surprise at the apartment. Izzy and Jace snuck everyone in while Magnus took Alec for an evening walk. Alec somehow never saw it coming, and ended the night very drunk and very happy in bed beside Magnus.
But then they adopted the boys and Alec became more subdued again, convincing Magnus they should focus their energies into giving the boys the big parties every year so they could have the childhoods they themselves never got the chance to. Magnus respected it, even if it went against every fiber of his being to not lavishly celebrate the day his husband was brought into the world. They’d still hand the boys off to Izzy or Jace or Maryse for the evening so they could have the nights to themselves, but it wasn’t nearly as crazy as what they did for the boys. Well, crazy isn’t right, they were definitely crazy, just more… intimate than the parties Magnus had gotten used to before Alec. He wouldn’t trade it for the world, though. Every aspect about Alec and life with him is perfect.
They’re a day past Max’s latest birthday party, his 5th. Magnus can’t believe how fast he’s growing up. A night before, everyone was in their home, Madzie making balloon animals that are still strewn about the apartment. Now, Alec’s away on emergency business, and the boys are both asleep in bed. Or so Magnus thought.
Max trots into his apothecary, rubbing at his eyes. He doesn’t say anything, just climbs up and plops himself right into Magnus’ lap.
“Can’t sleep?” Magnus coos.
The boy shakes his head. “No.”
“Do you want another story?”
He shakes his head again, eyes fixed on a balloon that’s dangling over Magnus’ desk. “We never have parties for you or dad.”
“I guess not,” Magnus replies.
“Why not?” Max looks up at him with pleading eyes.
“We prefer to celebrate you. We have our own nights in, when you and your brother visit aunt Izzy and uncle Jace.”
“Can we stay next time?”
“We could do something with the four of us, I’m sure.” Magnus smiles.
“A party? With everyone? Dad’s birthday is soon.”
“It is.”
Max jumps off his lap. “I’ll talk to Rafe, and Izzy and Jace, and Catarina.”
“Ah-” Magnus cuts him off quietly. “In the morning.”
“Fine,” Max replies dramatically. “I can though? Would dad be mad?”
“He wouldn’t be mad.” Magnus shakes his head softly. “Not if it’s his family.”
Magnus isn’t aware that the boys have said anything until he gets a message from Jace after he and Clary babysit.
So Max convinced you to bring parties back for Alec’s 30th, huh?
He proposed the idea, but hasn’t said anything since. He didn’t understand why we hadn’t had any parties for ourselves.
Smart kid.
Hey, you know it wasn’t my idea.
I know, I know. But you might want to coordinate with your kids a bit here. He told us he was planning on telling Iz and Simon and mom among others.
I’ll get on that. I hope they were good for you otherwise
Always!
By the time Magnus gets the boys alone, they already have a lot of it set up. Max had informed their entire family over various visits, as Magnus learned over the passing weeks as he got more messages. Rafe got them to relay the message to their closest downworld friends. They’d also worked together on a list of party needs- balloons, cake, drinks that they could have, snacks- all things they know Alec enjoys. They tell Magnus he should assemble a playlist and give him permission to summon anything he needs if he doesn't have time to help them get it. But he decides to give the boys the whole experience, taking them out shopping with Izzy, who becomes their partner in crime. She hides everything in her room at the Institute until the day comes. The boys are so excited, Magnus is sure one of them is going to break the secret at some point, but they never do. Magnus goes to bed on the eve of Alec’s birthday more excited than he has been in years.
He already has Alec’s morning coffee ready when he wakes up.
“Morning,” Alec says tiredly, taking the cup.
“Happy birthday.” Magnus beams back, sliding back into bed and kissing Alec softly.
“Thank you.” Alec gives him another quick kiss, sipping from the mug. “Did you figure out where the boys are going tonight? We never talked about it.”
“Oh, Isabelle is going to take them at the Institute. She has the day off, so she told me she’d take them for ice cream and such. Said we could bring them as soon as possible if we wanted.”
“I at least want breakfast with them.”
“Sounds good to me. I can go get them up, you get yourself up?” He studies Alec, who nods. “Great. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Alec’s waiting at the table with his coffee when the boys come running out, both barreling into him.
“Happy birthday!” They chime in unison as Max hands him a homemade card. Not even Magnus had known about that one.
“Thank you,” Alec replies happily, giving them both a kiss on the head.
“I hope you and papa have a great day,” Rafe says, catching Magnus’ eye.
“I’m sure we will. I hear you have a fun day planned with aunt Izzy.”
“We do!” Max chimes.
Magnus ruffles his son’s hair. “Ok, who wants waffles?”
Breakfast is smooth and joyful. Magnus summons extra syrup and berries, and the boys sing to their dad. It’s similar to many birthday mornings they’ve had in the past, but Magnus can’t help but feel extra joy knowing what they have planned ahead. The boys are very eager to get out of their hair, and Magnus can’t help but laugh at the way that confuses Alec. But they still keep a lid on it, getting the boys to the Institute and Izzy’s capable hands shortly after lunch. Now comes the hardest part of all for Magnus- the home stretch.
Isabelle stands in the reception area of the Institute. She still remembers setting up for her brother’s wedding a little over five years ago like it was yesterday. Now she’s watching that brother’s sons run around, setting tables with paper dishes and disposable cutlery. That was Magnus’ request, because he didn’t want anyone doing dishes, even himself. And, “it’s safer for the boys that will definitely want to help.”
Clary comes in with the ladder she’d requested, and she climbs it with the banner their mom had made, reaching for the ceiling.
“I got it, Iz,” Jace says, holding the ladder so she can get down. Before he can climb up himself, the banner is hung perfectly. They both look at Max, who grins.
“You’ve been holding out on us,” Jace teases him.
“He’s still learning,” Rafe replies, hugging his brother.
“Can we see the cake?” Max asks excitedly.
“Of course you can.” Izzy smiles. “Why don’t you go to the kitchen with Clary? When you come back you can get the finishing touches.”
They both nod emphatically, following Clary out.
“So what’s the plan to get Alec here?” Jace asks in between blowing up a balloon.
“I’ll send Magnus a fire message and he’ll tell Alec we have an emergency here, supposedly.”
“Oh, Alec’s not gonna like that.” Jace smirks.
“He’ll get over it when he realizes the hoax.” Izzy shrugs.
“Probably. Especially when he figures out it was his kids’ idea. He was just telling me the other day how grown up they are already.”
“They take after their dads. But they still have a lot of kid in them.”
“They do,” Jace responds, pinning up the balloon. “I think we’re set. We just have to wait for the cake now.”
Magnus takes Alec out for dinner and a long walk around New York, decidedly staying relatively near the Institute, knowing what’s coming. Sure enough, he catches a fire message, which catches Alec’s nervous attention.
Go time is all it says, and so the ruse begins.
“It’s your sister. She needs us at the Institute.”
“Us?” Alec questions. “Are the boys ok?”
“Well, she said she needs me. And she didn’t say they weren’t, but you’re already with me, so I figured you’d want to see whatever it is that’s going on.”
“I guess.” Alec groans. “You’re kidding me. Of all days.”
“Hopefully it’s something quick. She knows we have plans, she wouldn’t have called if it weren’t an emergency.”
“I know. Let’s just go. You should make a portal, it would be faster.”
“True.” Magnus smirks, portalling them just outside of the Institute.
Alec opens the door. The war room is empty apart from a few of Izzy’s Shadowhunters that neither of them actually know by name. But they obviously know who Alec and Magnus are.
“Is my sister here?” Alec asks one of them, and they point down the hall. Alec only nods, and Magnus can tell he’s already preparing himself for the worst. He would feel bad about it if he could, but he actually doesn’t. Alec deserves the love he’s about to be showered with. Magnus pulls out his phone behind Alec, telling Izzy that they’re in the building. He keeps up the ruse, checking training rooms and her office. By the time they get to the reception hall, Alec’s frustrated, and Magnus is maybe starting to worry about keeping him in the dark this long. But then Alec opens the door, and everything lights up.
“Surprise!!” The crowd yells. Alec’s gaze meets the ceiling, then the flurry of balloons including a 3 and 0, then Magnus.
“Should’ve seen that coming. This your idea?” he asks.
“Oh, I wish,” Magnus replies, nodding to their kids in the front of the crowd. They take the cue to run up to Alec, swarming him with hugs. Alec picks them both up individually, squeezing them in a tight hug.
“Happy birthday, dad.” Rafe beams, looking up at him.
“We wanted to throw you a party,” Max chimes.
“We wanted to surprise you.”
“You did.” Alec grins, hugging them both again.
Izzy jogs up with a party hat she straps to Alec’s head. He rolls his eyes, but keeps it on, because both of his kids are delighted by the sight.
Happy birthday, big bro.” She gives him a hug. “Max told me the plan before Magnus did. The boys have been helping us all day. It was their idea.”
“So that’s why you wanted to go so early, huh?” Alec beams down at them, and they only shrug innocently. “Well, thank you. I love it.”
The boys giggle again, running off. Music starts and Alec greets the rest of his family and friends.
“So how long has this been in the works?” He asks Magnus once things settle a bit.
“Since Max’s birthday, pretty much. He got up the next night when you were gone and asked why we never had parties for us. Then he said yours was soon. I didn’t hear anything else for a couple weeks until he apparently told your brother.”
“I guess he was determined. Sounds like somebody else I know.” He gives Magnus a kiss.
“I have no idea who that would be.” Magnus smirks back. “The Institute was Isabelle’s suggestion, that way the boys could help her and I would be in charge of you.”
“So you’re telling me you had very little part in planning a party?” Alec smirks.
“I was definitely more hands off than usual, yes,” Magnus replies, wrapping an arm around his waist. “But I think it worked out fine.”
“It definitely did.”
Hours of snacks and cake later, Alec finds his mother in the crowd, carrying an asleep Max in her arms. Rafe trails behind her, looking to be on his way there too.
“He been out long?” Alec asks.
She shakes her head. “Ten minutes, maybe. I was just about to set them up in their guest quarters.”
“I got it, mom,” he replies, gently taking his son from her. Max stirs, but only lays his head back into Alec’s chest. He leads the way down the hall, finding the room he knew Izzy leaves open for when they stay. He tucks them both into the bed, sitting down on the edge.
“Are you enjoying the party?” Rafe asks.
“I am. You two did a great job, thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Max was so excited, I think he wore himself out.”
Max only grumbles a response, making them both laugh.
“We’ll be ok, you can go back to the party.” Rafe settles himself into the bed.
“You sure?”
He nods. “Two stories tomorrow?”
“You’re getting good at negotiating, you know that?”
Rafe grins at him, giving his dad one more hug. Alec leaves both with a kiss on the forehead before he shuts the light.
Once Alec is back in the banquet hall, there’s much more alcohol involved, and it becomes more and more like the birthdays past. Magnus portals them home in the wee hours of the morning, leaving the kids in Maryse and Luke’s capable hands. The night hadn’t gone entirely the way Alec had expected, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. He went to sleep in Magnus’ arms, reminiscing on the best birthday yet.