Bloodlines: An Alec and Magnus (Malec) Fanfiction

Chapter 1

"Cheers!"

I shake my head at Magnus's raised mug, amused.

"We can't cheers coffee." I protest, taking a sip of my drink. When I first became a vampire, I lost my appetite for coffee, but I'm glad it's back, as it's something a little less inconspicuous to order at a café."

"We can do anything we like, Alexander, my dear. Because," he grins. "We have been to hell and back these past six months. We can cheers the Mortal freaking Cup, if we want!"

"If you think the shadowhunters would let us even touch the Mortal Cup, you're out of your mind." I drawl.

But I can argue really. This past half year has probably been the hardest of my life, and I know it hasn't been easy for Magnus either. We broke up, I Turned into a vampire, almost died, got warlock blood — Magnus's blood — and became a hybrid. We killed Sebastian and paid the price when we were forced to go to war with the faeries. I was cursed, banished, had my runes stripped and shadowhunter blood drained, took on my new role on the Council. I've moved into and out of this apartment more times than I can keep track of.

We really have been through hell. It's been tough, and draining, and emotional. But, ultimately, it has been worth it to be here now. To be right in this moment.

Silently, I thank every force in action in the universe — the Angel, fate, destiny, luck — that has brought me here. How amazing is it that the universe has formed perfectly so that I could be here, drinking coffee with my boyfriend on the sofa. A few months ago, my curse meant I couldn't even be here. This time last year, I'd never met Magnus, would never have imagined this could happen. Crazy.

"To surviving hell!" Magnus laughs, but I raise my mug solemnly.

"To a future so infinite and so amazing that these last few months will be drops in the ocean."

Magnus smiles, his face softening. "I'll drink to that."

Then he taps his mug against mine, the clink of ceramic like a bell toll in the heavy spring air.

The room is thick with the smell of incense and burning candles. It's relaxing — if a little soporific — as is the sound of rain hitting and running down the windows. I wrap my arms tighter around Chairman Meow, who purrs in satisfied response, and lean into Magnus. The air feels warm, and spiced in a way reminiscent of Christmas, like ginger and cinnamon. The fire crackles, the flames licking the wood, like fingers reaching up and curling back down to the grate. Magnus's arm encircles my shoulder and I lean closer, hanging onto his hand, which rests by my collarbone.

It's just so nice, finally being here and present, as stupid a thing that sounds to be thankful for. Last year though, when I was cursed, it occurred to me how much a person can bring comfort. I never knew I could be homesick for a person, not a place before. But apparently my home isn't the Insititute, or here even; it's just wherever Magnus happens to be.

"Hey, Magnus? What day is it?" I ask, my voice sounding lazy and drawn out, though it's only about seven.

"Urm, Tuesday. Why?" Magnus replies.

"It's date night."

Date night is a tradition that started way back when. Before Magnus and I officially started going out, our dates were few and far between. Tuesday was the only night Jace didn't keep me training until late, and I could sneak out without arousing suspicion. My time with Magnus was limited, to say the least. So we concocted 'date night', a set time put aside once a week for a few hours to enjoy each other's company, and get to know each other better, undisturbed. It was all very mundane — or as mundane as it could be -; we saw a film, got dinner, whatever. The promenade, the Rockefeller centre, the music halls and art galleries — you name it, we went. We avoided Nephilim and Downworlder-frequented places, to avoid word getting out before we were ready, before we were really a thing. Maybe it's a stupid tradition, and maybe we should've given it up when I moved in and we were no longer pressed for time together. But it's become routine and, besides, it's fun.