Fading Scars: A Series of Malec One Shots

Hush, Little Blueberry

"Got your coat on?" Alec peered around the corner and saw little Max struggling to pull on his winter jacket, chasing the sleeve around in circles. Alec rolled his eyes and smiled. "Need some help, bud?"

"No daddy. I got it," Max said. He finally caught his sleeve and slipped his arm into it, zipping up the jacket. "I did it, daddy!"

"Good job, Max! High five!" Alec laughed when Max's tiny, chubby blue hand hit his own. "Ready to go to Taki's and get uncle Jace's food?"

Max threw his arms in the air and cheered. "Yay! Taki's! Carry me, dad!" He reached up for Alec, wiggling his tiny fingers. Alec couldn't say no to his adorable child. It was impossible.

Scooping up Max in his arms, Alec carried him out to the car airplane style, making jet noises and swirling him around. Max thought this was hilarious. He giggled and held his arms out on either side of him, quite enjoying the fact that his dad is pretending that he's a plane.

When Alec tried to get Max into his car seat, Max began to cry and struggle. "Remember what uncle Jace said what happens if you fuss when you don't get into your car seat?"

Max determinedly point at the front window. "I'll fly out the window!"

Alec's mouth dropped open. "Is that what he-I'm having a talk with your uncle when we get back. He might get a time out." This made Max giggle and cover his mouth. "Alright. All strapped in. If you're good today, you might get a treat later. How does that sound?"

Max clapped his hands. "Treat!"

Alec smiled. Max was one of the very few people that could make him genuinely smile (aside from Magnus and Rafe. Jace just got on his nerves).

They pulled out of the institute parking garage (which had been a recent upgrade; Shadowhunters couldn't run everywhere they went) and wove in and out of traffic. Unfortunately, the car couldn't be glamored so Alec had to abide by mundane traffic laws. He hated it. Brooklyn traffic was terrible.

After only driving for a few minutes, Alec found himself caught behind a string of vehicles lined up on the road. Car horns honked. People yelled at one another. It was chaos. Brooklyn was always chaos.

"Daddy, where's papa?" Max asked from the backseat.

"Papa's in Idris with Rafe. They're visiting grandma for a little bit. Do you miss papa?" Alec looked in the rear view mirror and smiled. Max was sucking his thumb as he nodded. "Papa and Rafe will be home soon, blueberry."

Max smiled and began to tap his foot against Alec's seat. "Daddy, I want to be a Shadowhunter like you and uncle Jace."

Alec frowned. "We'll see, Max. We'll see."

"Okay," Max tapped his feet again and moved his thumb around his mouth. "Are we trapped, daddy?"

Alec smirked. Max pronounced trapped like "twapped" and he sounded adorable. "No. There's just a lot of cars here today. Everyone's busy."

"Okay," Max said, not bothering to question Alec further. "I want noodles from Taki's."

Alec nodded. "If I have some money leftover then I'll get you some noodles."

Max continued to suck his thumb. "Okay," was all he said. "I want juice with my noodles."

"Whatever you want, Max. We're at Taki's!" Alec laughed when Max clapped his hands and cheered. "Remember the rules?"

Max nodded. "Don't leave daddy's sight and hold his hand at all times."

Alec kissed his forehead. "That's my boy. Now let's go get you some food."