riverviewlogs | My darling, you were wonderful tonight

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My darling, you were wonderful tonight

who: Alec Lightwood and Magnus Bane
what: Date Night
when: February 14th
where: A romantic restaurant and a club where they can slow dance most of the night
warnings: Will probably be NC17 eventually

Most of Alec's life was divided into 'before meeting Magnus' and 'finding happiness with the man I love'. Before dating Magnus, he never paid attention to Valentine's day. It'd been a Mundane holiday that he only acknowledged as a reason to give his siblings and Jace candy... or a day to notice so that they could get more sugar later when the holiday treats went on sale.

This year was his first with Magnus, which meant that he needed to think up something special. Not the type of special he planned for his husband's birthday or anniversary, but something memorable where the two of them could be alone without Izzy or Jace rolling their eyes over how often he sighed over Magnus. Every date was special, of course, but Alec had decided on simplicity for their first Valentine's together

Dressed in his favorite suit, he smiled as he held open the door of the restaurant for his husband. There'd be gifts later, something more cute than traditional that he'd thought his husband would like and something more romantic for later. Leaning in he stole a kiss before nodding for Magnus to go inside. "Did I mention that you look wonderful tonight?"

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With the topic of Pride decided on, Magnus turned his focus to the present date rather than a possible future; then again, Alec was talking about a different possible future at present. It was amazing that after they'd spent so long dancing around the topic of their future together they were finally able to imagine it together. "I don't want a diamond," he amended, imagining himself with a typical wedding ring that Mundane wives wore and shuddering slightly at the thought. "Warlocks rarely marry, so we don't have any traditions," he continued, and he assumed that Alec didn't need an explanation as to why. Most often, warlocks only married other warlocks, and even that was a bit of a rarity. And honestly, warlocks tended to be such solitary beings that they didn't have the strong customs that other creatures of the Shadow World had developed.

Mind shifting back to the topic of sweaters, he hummed while sipping his wine. "You look lovely in dark green, dearest. I hope you know that I love you in anything to choose, whether it's black sweaters or rainbow feather boas." Grinning at the thought of Alec wearing such a bold item, his eyebrows lifted as he had a thought. "You've already gotten more adventurous with fashion since we came here."

Arching an eyebrow when his husband shuddered, he couldn't help teasing Magnus. "My taste in jewelry isn't that bad. I'd choose something you'd like." But he knew that a diamond really wasn't right for Magnus. The right ring would either be something plain, like the Shadowhunter ring he now wore, or something as vibrant as Magnus. A brightly colored stone that reflected the light he'd brought into Alec's life. Kissing Magnus' knuckles, he smiled at his husband. "That doesn't mean there aren't other traditions you'd like to have. If we're going to get married again, it should be with all the details we both have always wanted." This was their first marriage even if they couldn't remember their first wedding. They should make sure that it had all the special details they wished for.

Fighting back a smile, he tried to look grumpy, as he reached for his own glass, hoping that he could use it to hide his amusement. "You want me to wear a feather boa." He really shouldn't give Magnus those kinds of ideas, but his husband already had it and he knew that eventually he'd charm Alec into saying yes. "I didn't know my lack of clothes counted as being 'adventurous with fashion'."

"No, your taste isn't bad at all," he agreed, though he did find it amusing that Alec had more of an eye for things that suited his family rather than himself. That was typical of Alec, though, always thinking of others and allowing himself to get by with bare essentials, whether that be clothes or attention. "But I'm not sure the kind of selection they'd have here." Watching as Alec kissed his hand, he smiled softly and tilted his head to one side. He imagined that, if Alec had his way, any ring or other marriage item would be unique compared to a diamond on a gold band. And the mention of being married again, of having a wedding they could both remember, did make him want to exchange something at the altar. "I want you to give me something that you'd love to see me wear," he explained, trying to put his thoughts into words that made sense when his love for Alec was often inexplicable. "A ring, or a necklace, or anything that represents us together."

Laughing brightly, he leaned back in his chair to make room for their food to be placed on the table. Even though they were here for a romantic dinner, Magnus found that his attention was hardly on the meal aspect of the evening; Alec was far more captivating. "Only if it's a feather boa and nothing else," he said with a wink and a grin even though he hadn't thought about it until Alec mentioned wanting it. Licking his lips, tasting wine and thinking of Alec, Magnus raised a suggestive eyebrow. "Well walking around shirtless in leather pants was definitely an adventure."

Alec knew that he really wasn't as awful with fashion as Izzy said. The problem was that he preferred things that were comfortable for himself. When shopping for his family or even things that he thought Magnus would like to see him wear, he had proven that his tastes weren't as terrible as his sister claimed. But that didn't mean it'd be easy to find something right for the wedding. That was something that was meant to last a lifetime.

More than a lifetime, he realized with a pang of something he refused to think about on their date.

Making a thoughtful sound, he brushed his finger over the Lightwood ring his husband wore. "Not a ring. I can't find one that's more important than this." There was too much history and tradition caught up in it for him to find something that could have more symbolism. Shadowhunters gave their loves their family ring. Nephilim might exchange other rings, but for Alec this one was a sign of all the dreams he'd never thought he could have. Family rings were for a Shadowhunter's great love. Magnus was the only one he could imagine wearing the ring. "Should we get something that matches?" Would that be romantic or creepy? Alec wasn't sure since he loved wearing what items he could from Magnus' wardrobe.

Thanking the waiter as he set down their plates, Alec looked away to hide his smile at the waiter's reaction to the feather boa suggestion. The being hurried away and Alec made a note to leave him a good tip for having to listen in to the details of their sex life. "I didn't know you wanted me to dress up like a showgirl," he deadpanned, hoping that the comment wouldn't give Magnus ideas. "I walk around shirtless in leather pants all the time. That's normal."

Magnus turned his hand over so he could catch Alec's, slotting their fingers together and giving his husband's hand a tender squeeze. He knew how big of a step it had been for Alec to offer his family ring—a symbol of his past and his future wrapped up together with his surname. Having always seen what family and blood and traditions meant to Shadowhunters, Magnus still found himself stunned that he had managed to woo the one gay Nephilim who didn't detest Downworlders and all they stood for.

"Would you like to match?" he asked with mild surprise. He hadn't considered it, if only because their personal styles were vastly different, but there were simple options that would work for the both of them. It felt traditionally mundane as well, to be a married couple with some sort of matching item to tie them to one another as spouses. "I hadn't thought of it, but I'm not opposed."

Unaware of the waiter's reaction, Magnus took a bite of his food and hummed in approval; it was a mistake when Alec's comment made him choke on the mouthful. Barely containing laughter, he managed to swallow and washed down both the food and his mirth with a sip of wine. "Oh darling, I'd love you dressed up as anything if you were having fun with it," he pointed out with a smirk. Though most of Magnus' fantasies revolved around Alec naked and doing a variety of activities, he wouldn't say no to some fun garments in the bedroom. "Training doesn't count," he pointed out with a dismissive wave, "Even if you look dreamy the entire time."

Smiling brightly when Magnus caught his fingers, he leaned in and gave his husband a kiss. He doubted that anyone other than Magnus or another Shadowhunter would understand why that simple ring meant to much. That knowledge gave it more meaning to Magnus, which made the gift even more special to Alec. Magnus had been hurt by Shadowhunters for centuries. He had dozens of reason to not give Alec a chance, yet he'd agreed to a date and later to marry him.

"I would like to match. I want to give you something special as a wedding gift, but I want what we exchange during the ceremony to match." But maybe Magnus wouldn't... "If you want them to." He hoped that Magnus would agree and hadn't suggested it simply because Alec might want it. Shadowhunters always used matching symbols for the most important bonds. Since they couldn't share runes, then a symbol would be the next best thing.

Trying to hide a laugh when Magnus reacted to his comment, he tried to look like he hadn't noticed his husband choking since it might result in Alec getting zapped. Taking a bite of his dinner, he waited for Magnus to regain his breath. "I'm willing to try it, depending on what you'd want me to wear." Not a showgirl outfit, but he'd consider something else that wasn't so uncomfortable. He tried - and failed - not to look too smitten when Magnus said he was dreamy. "I don't mind being shirtless in leather because I'm used to it. If you want me to wear outfits like that more often, you can ask."

Humming in thought, Magnus squeezed Alec's hand before pulling it back so he could use it to eat his meal. The thought of having something that matched pleased him, too, not only because it was a traditional notion that felt like it would make their marriage equal to any other, but also because it would be an obvious mark of their belonging together. "I'd like something that matched, too," he said, already thinking about possibilities he didn't want to voice in case they ended up being impossible and thus disappointing.

The continued topic of Alec dressing up had Magnus interested even though he'd never given it much thought. He loved Alec, loved his terrible sweaters or his beautiful suits, because he cared more about the person wearing the clothes than any garments themselves. "I've never considered you wearing any particular costume," he said, clearing his throat because now it was like a floodgate had been opened in his mind and he was imagining several possibilities. "I like when you feel confident, and I wouldn't want you dressed as a woman." Not because he was opposed to that, but he sensed that it wasn't something that would interest Alec. "Unless you want to?"

Shifting his attention to his dinner, he took a few bites while considering what might work for matched items that they could exchange. "They'd have to be something that wouldn't get caught in a fight." He was thinking aloud, considering what might work. Izzy didn't worry about those possibilities but Alec was more cautious. "Unless you could do something with magic to make that more difficult?" He knew that Magnus could cast spells on jewelry but not what was possible other than the one on Camille's ruby.

Pretending he didn't notice his husband's reaction to the thought of costumes, he took another sip from his glass. Swallowing harder than needed when Magnus suggested possible outfits. He was about to automatically say no, and then reconsidered. No, he didn't want to wear things like Izzy did. He wouldn't be comfortable in the fashions she wore, but he kept thinking of those shorts Magnus had worn to the party.

"You like my gear," he offered, still trying to decide on his feelings toward the second half of Magnus' suggestion. "I like how you look at me when I wear suits." If Magnus considered suits as sexy on him as Alec did when Magnus wore them, then that was something he wanted to explore. Taking another bite, he worked over the rest carefully, trying to phrase his explanation the right way. "I liked some of the things that you wore for Halloween. I wouldn't mind trying things like that, but I don't want to dress up as a woman."

“Rings do seem like the obvious choice.” There was a reason that mundanes had been using them as symbols of commitment for so long; they were simple and unobtrusive yet easy to see without needing to flaunt them. “Perhaps a bracelet, if it was a tight enough bangle that it didn’t hang too far from your wrist.” He was considering some magical options, and though he would naturally imbue any gift with every protective charm he knew, it would be a cumbersome spell to make it not catch on an enemy without also being difficult to prevent it from slipping away from Alec during a fight.

Magnus nodded, bottom lip pressed to the rim of his wine glass as he contemplates Alec in his gear. “Yes, I love how strong and self-assured you are when you wear it.” Half of the appeal, along with the stunning figure Alec cut in all-black leather, was the aura he gave off while wearing it. “And I love the formal suits to contrast your usual attire, which I also love.” The pattern was clear: Magnus loved clothes as long as Alec was wearing them, or more accurately, loved Alec in any clothes. Muffling a groan into his forkful of food, Magnus focused on chewing so he wouldn’t choke; Alec in lace shorts sounded like something out of his own dark dreams. “You’re already giving me ideas for later tonight.”

Humming thoughtfully, he considered the options that Magnus suggested. He'd already been thinking of something like a bracelet as a wedding gift, but Alec hadn't thought of wearing one himself. "What about a necklace? If the chain got caught, it could snap. Which would be safer than my hand getting caught." He sometimes worried about it with a ring, but it was a risk he'd lived with for years after he'd been given the family ring. "Maybe a tracking spell on the pendant if it does get lost?"

Would a necklace be too much like the gift Magnus had given Camille? "Unless that would bring up bad memories."

Smiling when Magnus explained why he liked the gear and the suits, Alec reached over to brush his fingers along his husband's arm. "The suits aren't as bad as the ones I had to wear for Clave events. You listen when I say it's uncomfortable." Which really was the easiest way to convince Alec to wear something. If the fabrics were soft and the cut wasn't restricting, he'd usually agree. Magnus was the only one who had figured that out.

Eyebrows sneaking upward in alarm, he was ready to offer Magnus a glass of water when he realized that his husband's reaction wasn't potentially hazardous. He almost rolled his eyes at himself when he felt a little too warm as a flush started creeping across his skin. "I - uh - " He'd already said it. There was no reason to be embarrassed. Magnus wouldn't think the idea was weird or that there was something wrong with wearing something like those shorts. Looking down at his plate, he told himself to quit being shy. Magnus had always told him that he shouldn't be embarrassed by the things he was curious about. "I'd like to try it, but it might not be attractive on me."

Magnus nodded at Alec's logic even if he couldn't quite keep a pout out of his expression at the thought of a necklace being ideal for how easy it was to lose. It was true that he could track it and make sure that the item in question was safely returned, but it was still the principle of the matter. "A tracking spell and anti-theft curse in the case of it being lost." He'd have to figure out the mechanics of that since it was trickier to teach jewelry how to bite than it was with a wallet. Tilting his head to one side, he frowned and shook his head. "No, not at all. Being with you is about making new memories."

Looking down at Alec's fingers, admiring how strong they were yet how gentle his touch was, Magnus chuckled at the comparison. "You also tend to wear suits in much more enjoyable settings when I'm around than you do when it's for reasons to do with the Clave," he pointed out, confident that the difference in scenarios was one reason for a contrast in experiences.

The topic of suits was quickly tabled in favor of the increasingly possible reality of Alec wearing lace shorts in the near future. "Darling, you'll look absolutely stunning," he insisted, already thinking about the right pattern of lace to combine with the perfect shade of blue that always made him think of Alec. "I only have one condition that you let me spoil you entirely and prove how gorgeous I know you are."

Noticing Magnus' reaction, he started reconsidering the bracelets. He was already planning one for Magnus. If his husband was able to put enough magic into the metal... "What if the bracelet wasn't a bangle?" he asked slowly, remembering the different pieces of jewelry he'd seen Magnus and Izzy wear. "Or if it had a spell like my ring so that it becomes bigger if needed." Then, if his hand was caught, he could still slip away. "If that wouldn't be difficult. I don't know how the Iron Sisters cast the spell on the family rings."

Flushing slightly, he knew that Magnus was partially right. The reason why the suits didn't bother him was because he wanted to be with Magnus. Something that he'd never felt during any of the Clave meetings or the social gatherings his parents forced him t participate in. "Who's with me is probably the most important reason why."

Surprised by how quickly Magnus brushed aside his worries about the lace, Alec realized he was still blushing. "Aren't I a little - " Magnus looked beautiful in anything he wore. He was always confident and graceful in whatever outfit he chose. Alec didn't have that kind of grace, no matter what runes he might use. "You can spoil me, but I think I'll look silly."

Edited 2018-04-04 22:54 (UTC)

Magnus hummed as he considered the magic that would be necessary to make a bracelet that could resize itself or change shape. "That's possible. It would be easier to have it change between two set sizes, though. While I am both magnificent and talented, I'm no Iron Sister," he pointed out with a smirk. "I couldn't bend adamas to my will even if we managed to find some." But he was already considering the magic of Izzy's bracelet and how it could become several different weapons; it would be worth it to look through his collection of spellbooks to see if such a feat was possible for a warlock to perform.

Continuing to mull it over in the back of his mind, designs flitting in and out of his imagination, Magnus smiled across the table and gazed into Alec's eyes. "you'd definitely make any High Warlock business more enjoyable if you joined me for meetings while wearing a suit," he said, echoing Alec's sentiment. "Then again, it seems like those days are finished now that this is our home. High Warlock of the Quarantine does have an epic ring to it, though, I must admit," he added with a chuckle that was partially muffled by his wine glass as he took a sip from it.

Eyes widening as Magnus caught on to what Alec hadn't said, he cocked his head to one side. "A little... too beautiful to words? A little stay in my dark night sky? A little overly endowed for lingerie?" He grinned and set down his glass in favor of holding Alec's hand. "You'd never look silly, sayang. You arouse me in holey sweaters, you can certainly do it in revealing lace."

He knew that there were limits to Magnus' magic and to what skills his husband might have. Even with how long Magnus had studied, he couldn't know every spell or every type of magic. "Two sizes could work. The one I'd wear regularly and an 'escape' size that would allow me to slip my hand free." Alec wished he knew more about magic or even jewelry so that he could help Magnus figure out the ideal wedding band for them. "I wouldn't expect you to use adamas. Our rings, even wedding rings, are silver. We only use adamas for weapons."

Smiling at his husband, he was about to focus on his meal again, but paused when Magnus mentioned being High Warlock. "Do you miss being a High Warlock?" Alec didn't miss being a Shadowhunter. He'd always hated killing and the danger that his siblings always threw themselves into. Here he could still protect people without that constant worry hanging over him. But Magnus might miss his old position even if after dating Magnus for months, Alec wasn't exactly sure what a High Warlock's duties were. "If you want to go back to it, I'm sure we could figure out a way."

Alec wasn't as insecure as he'd been in the past, but he still couldn't quite understand the appeal of an overly tall, occasionally clumsy Shadowhunter wearing lace. He knew he cleaned up well, especially with a little help from more fashionable beings, but he couldn't help thinking he'd look silly in the lingerie.

Whatever comment he would have made about not really being the type for that kind of outfit disappeared at Magnus' words. The sounds turned to a stutter when Magnus mentioned the last reason for the lingerie being an issue. Usually they didn't mention subjects like that outside of the clubs they enjoyed on their more risque dates. Threading his fingers between his husband's, he fought back a blush. "Now I'll have to try it, Karissima. I have to try to live up to that praise and prove that you're right about how I'll look in lace."

Magnus nodded, fingers twitching with the desire to conjure up a spellbook so he could research immediately, but that would be both rude to Alec and probably alarming to the other restaurant patrons. "There are jewelry designs that would slip free without the need for a spell," he mumbled as he thought about how the magic could be put to better use. Humming, eyes glazed as he considered the possibilities, he snapped back to the conversation with a bright smile. "Yes, silver. Surprisingly the more rare of the popular precious metals. I always found it curious that Nephilim wore gold for weddings but the rings are silver." He smiled, absentmindedly rubbing his thumb over the Lightwood ring on his finger. "But there's a poetry to sealing a union with a metal with hidden value."

Giving Alec a searching look, Magnus shook his head. "No, I don't miss it. It was a thankless job. No offense," he added, considering that all of the people how had hired him without a hint of gratitude had more often than not been Shadowhunters. "Being the High Warlock didn't shield me from discrimination. Actually, it often gave me a front-row seat for it." Smiling, he brushed a finger along the inside of Alec's forearm. "Besides, I can be useful here. We both can."

His eyes traced the blush that spread over Alec's face and down his neck, turning him an adorable shade of pink. Magnus sighed, pleased that he could still have that effect on his husband, and confident it wasn't embarrassment since he hadn't raised his voice high enough for anyone else to hear him. "You'll do it without even trying, gorgeous," he said with a wink before laughing brightly.

Alec fought back a smile when he noticed how his husband's fingers twitched, knowing that Magnus was excited by the idea of a new project to work on. Their lives were filled with magic, but not the type of challenges that Magnus had been used to when he was High Warlock. This would probably excite Magnus as much as the wedding plans. "Is that why you compare me to silver?" He had done it a few times, and had hinted at it in the journal he'd given Alec, but there might be more reasons than just silver being rare. "I don't know why we use silver instead of gold, but it is stronger. Maybe it holds magic better than gold."

Without realizing it had been there, something eased in Alec's shoulders. Until Magnus had answered, he hadn't realized how nervous he was that his husband might miss that life. "It also had terrible hours and was hard on the floors," he teased, not wanting to think of the 'pet warlock' comment Magnus had made almost a year ago or how much he'd worried over people thinking Magnus' magic had no limits. No one here tried to push Magnus so far that he depleted his magic. Almost shivering at the touch, Alec caught Magnus' hand, brushing a quick kiss against his knuckles. "I hope we can. Lux will be a good place, once we make it work."

The blush brightened and he almost suggested that they skip the rest of dinner, but he knew that anticipation would make the night better. Making a thoughtful sound, he smiled at his husband. "Dinner, dancing and then we see if you can magic up something special for me to wear tonight."

Being somewhat lost in his thoughts, Magnus was caught by surprise when Alec asked about the comparision to silver. Of course he had no memory of making the connection outloud to Alec, but he had thought it many times. Jace was quite literally the golden boy of the Lightwood family and the New York Institute, shining and fierce and blond; Alec was more subtle and strong, burning in his own way that was easy to see if only someone knew how to appreciate him. "There is a history of silver working best with magic. Like you said, it is stronger and less malleable to the will of others."

Laughing and nodding, Magnus told himself to think nothing of the way Alec relaxed with his answer, not wanting doubt to creep in. They supported each other, and he felt confident that Alec would support him in any warlock endevor he might undertake; but it was true that life for them as individuals and a couple was much easier when they were far from New York. "It's hard to insist on improving a job's hours when there is no clear schedule to begin with," he teased back, smiling softly at the tender kiss to his hand. "We will make it work. But tonight, no more talk of work or the future beyond the morning. I want to enjoy everything about these moments with you."

He pulled on Alec's hand just enough to kiss the palm and then untangled their fingers so they could eat—at the rate they were going, the meal would go cold while they flirted. "A perfect night together in every way, even if I have to behave and keep my hands to myself while we dance," he added with a wink.

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