A/N First time they celebrate Alec's birthday together! 

Magnus was not the one to panic. He was relaxed, cool and composed. Except when he didn't know what to get his non-official Shadowhunter boyfriend a present for his birthday when they've only been on eight dates. Magnus was not counting. Definitely not.

To make matters worse, he recieved a phone call from the Institute and Magnus sighed furiously. "Yes? Which wards are broken? Who's dying?"

"What?" it was a slightly unfamiliar voice, "No. It's -"

"Who am I talking to by the way?" Magnus interrupted.

"Oh, Jace Herondale. Alec's parabatai."

"Ah, the famous Trace Herondale," Magnus said.

"Pardon?"

"Alec speaks of you a fair bit. But I always forget your name and think it's Trace," Magnus said lightly.

"Well, it's Jace," the Shadowhunter said and then there was an awkward silence.

"A reason for your call?" Magnus asked, "Or couldn't resist me after Alec swooned about me? If that's the case, I must apologise and say that I'm too infactuated with Alexander to notice anyone else."

"Couldn't resist you?" Jace echoed, "Alexander?"

"Well I am highly desirable," Magnus said, "And Alec's full name is Alexander I belive."

"Wha- I mean it is," Jace shook his head, "I wasn't calling about any of that. It's Alec's birthday."

"I know, might've crossed my mind once or twice." That was an abhorrent understatement.

"Would you like to come out for lunch with us?" Jace asked, "With you being his boyfriend and all?"

"Is that how Alec refers to me?" Magnus ignored Jace's question.

"As a boyfriend? No. He just says Magnus with this gooey voice. But you've been seeing each other for three months?"

"Seven weeks," Magnus corrected, "And I don't quite know our relationship status yet."

"Well then," Jace said, "As a good friend of Alec, why don't you come for lunch?"

"I'm not sure Maryse and Robert would appreciate the fact their son is gay, let alone the fact he's dating a degenerate warlock and has invited said warlock to lunch," Magnus said, trying his best to not sound spiteful, "I'd hate to ruin his birthday."

"It's with just me and Izzy," Jace said, "Mom and dad are busy."

"Ah okay then," Magnus decided, "Where and when?"

Jace gave him the details and was about to hang up.

"Wait," Magnus said, "I'm very experienced in this field, but Alexander is rather new for me and well... I don't think a cashmere sweater or a gold ring will interest him very much."

"Probably not," Jace agreed, confused, "Why are you telling me this?"

"I really don't want to ask you this," Magnus contemplated, "But what is a good gift for Alec? I don't think buying him knives will be very romantic."

"Magnus, I'm like the worst person to ask this," Jace said when he realised Magnus was asking suggestions for birthday presents, "But whatever you get, I'm sure Alec will love it, because you got it for him. You don't want to hear how much he talks about you."

"I'm flattered," Magnus said, "Well thanks? I guess. See you, Trace."

"It's Jace."

But Magnus had already hung up and sat sprawled on the sofa, mind working to find Alec a suitable present. An idea snapped into his head.

Magnus then got himself ready for the lunch, with a dark blue turtle-neck T-shirt, black jeans, and a black blazer which contained dark blue glitter. His hair was in spikes, blue highlights at at the end of the spikes, a soft black eyeshadow and threw on some jewellery to finish the look: two long silver chains that dangled just below his chest, the amethyst necklace Alec got him lying closer to his heart, two rings in his left hand and three on his right, a silver bracelet with blue topaz encrusted in them and a silver stud and earcuff.

He created a Portal to said destination and realised he was early for once, waiting on the arrival of his Shadowhunter company. They turned up five minutes later, and Magnus realised Alec's sister may fuel his need to look good, with her also having an excellent fashion sense, with a black asymetrical skirt and a tucked in pink shirt, completed with an amazing jacket that Magnus needs to inquire about.

However, Alec was the one to catch his eye, with his fraying jeans and a goddamn dark blue T-shirt that highlighted all of his muscles so perfectly and Magnus was tempted to kiss him until they were both drowsy. But Magnus didn't think that was a good thing to do in front of one's siblings.

"Hello," he greeted them cheerily and recieved smiles from all of them, Alec's being the biggest.

"Glad you can make it," Isabelle said and held her hand out, "Izzy."

Magnus shook it, "I know. Alec talks a lot about you two."

"Probably not as much as he talks about you. Honestly. I'm surprised he hasn't got a poster that says 'Magnus, High Warlock of My Heart' in his room," Jace said and earned himself a slap on the shoulder. Magnus didn't mind that little statement.

"Jace!" Alec muttered.

"I'm not lying," Jace said and Magnus found himself smiling, thinking of other Herondales.

"I'm quite flattered," Magnus said, hoping it would help Alec not look like a tomato. It didn't help.

"Boys," Izzy sighed, walking ahead with a confidence. Oh, Magnus was going to have to up his game. They followed, Magnus and Alec slightly dragging behind as Magnus caught Alec's wrist to pull him into an alley. Magnus leaned back agaist the brick wall, and used his hold on Alec's hand to pull him closer.

"Happy birthday," Magnus whispered.

"Thank you," Alec whispered back and Magnus kissed him softly, hands looped around the Shadowhunter's neck.

Magnus could just about hear Jace's voice, intending to be louder so that it can be heard: "By the Angel. This is not how I thought Alec's relationship was going to go. I expected roses and candle-lit dinners. Not making out in an alleyway."

Alec pulled back from the kiss, embarrassed. This was the first time they'd kissed in public, but in all fairness, the only visitor in the alleway was a bin far down.

"We can carry this on later," Magnus winked, earning a deep, desparate sound from Alec. "Come on, Alexander."

The nip to Alec's lower lip and the Shadowhunter's reponse to it did not help, but eventually they caught up to a waiting Jace and Izzy.

"There's something about an alleyway make out that's quite special," Magnus whispered to Jace as Izzy and Alec walked ahead, Izzy obviously teasing Alec as he was blushing, "You'll learn, Trace."

"You've had your time to, haven't you?" Jace said quite pointedly.

"Excuse me?"

Jace shook his head, "Alec... He's just... He's so good, Magnus. Don't break his heart. He doesn't know exes, flings, or anything. He is... He's-"

"Is that what you think this is? A fling?" Magnus snapped, "I've been around a while, but that doesn't mean I just throw myself at handsome strangers."

"I don't know what it is, Magnus," Jace said sharply, "All I know is that Alec deserves the world and that I love him, and that no one should hurt him."

"I care about him," Magnus said simply, understanding that Jace wasn't having a dig at his past, but rather he cared for Alec at such a deep level, as only parabatai could, "I won't let anyone hurt him."

"Glad we have that in common," Jace said and then shook his head, "I'm sorry for snapping and making comments about your past. I don't think that about you. I suck at apologies, but I... Alec means a lot to me, and he's so happy with you. I don't want this to be some kind of a high before everything crashes."

"I - Look, Jace, I don't know what I'm to Alec, but I've never felt what I've felt for Alec with anyone else. And that's not my flattering lie to everyone I see. I mean it. I want this to work just as much as he does."

"Great," Jace mumbled, "Again, sorry."

"Don't mention it again," Magnus smiled, "We really need to go."

And with that they entered the restaurant, Alec beaming, Izzy wondering what took them so long (Jace said, "Just discussing mens' fashion. I do need a new jacket.")

Neither of the Lightwoods bought that excuse, but brushed it off, and ate, a continuous banter between the four of them, Magnus not feeling out of place with Nephilim, but happy. He didn't think it was possible for such casual chatter, but this set of Shadowhunters, like Will and Jem and all those Nephilim, were a total surprise, especially Alexander Lightwood.

After the restaurant, Magnus managed to convince Alec to head to the loft, and after an evening of kisses, Magnus gave Alec a slim, silver chain.

"It's not grandeur," Magnus said, "But I've enchanted it to keep you safe, so that you'd always be able to look after the ones you love. Happy birthday." And so that you'd always come back to me. Magnus didn't add that bit. If was a feeling too intense, too soon.

"It... I don't know my jewellery, Magnus," Alec said, "But your magic is in it. That's a piece of you always with me. That's the best present I could ask for, Magnus. And the chain in beautiful."

Magnus sighed happily, thinking Alec may disregard Magnus' demonic magic, but really, when had Alec ever made him feel that way? It was stupid, Magnus knew, and smiled. "You sweet talker, come here."

And they kissed for an eternity more, before Alec finally pulled away, looking tired. "Thank you for coming to lunch today, and for my present."

"It was nothing," Magnus smiled, sitting up from the sofa, his hair no longer in spikes and his blazer a heap on the floor. His other clothes, unfortunately, still remained intact. Another day.

"Bye, Magnus, see you soon," Alec said apologetically, "I have Patrol."

"Go do your job, Shadowhunter," Magnus said, opening the door with a flick of his wrist and grinned as Alec fastened the necklace around his neck, "See you."

"Bye, Magnus."

A/N Hope you liked that! Please leave a vote and/or a comment! Thank you for reading! And the bits with Jace and Magnus... Do you guys enjoy that? I feel like there's so much about Jace cockblocking Malec but not enough where he's caring about Alec and the relationship... What do you think

Love, IC ❤️