Malec One Shots

39. Speakeasy

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Song ~ Leisure - All Over You
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Whenever Alec had asked about past eras, Magnus had answered any questions he had in meticulous detail. So far Alec had asked about the French Renaissance, and Victorian England. There were some others, but frankly Magnus wished to forget about those times. Cough cough, Peru. Currently Alec was on the task of asking about 1920's New York. As in speakeasies, mob bosses, prohibition, the Wall Street crash. Magnus thought he rather enjoyed that time. He missed his old speakeasy. Back then when prohibition was a thing, America was classed as 'dry' but in the small parts of New York there were streets and speakeasies awash with cheap booze and wine, even homemade liquor that had all sorts of dangerous chemicals in. Magnus had a good collection of drinks. Nothing but the best for Magnus Bane.

Magnus was snapped out of his thoughts by Alec shaking him. "Magnus, you zoned out." He hummed, tapping a rhythm onto his shoulder. "I guess I did. What were you saying?" Said Magnus, pushing the thoughts of it into the back of his mind. "I asked if you had a speakeasy. You are the dramatic, rule breaker, bad boy, type of man." And then the memories came flooding back. How it was disguised as a small wig shop, how the frequent raids from the police had led to its downfall. 'Book Club' Magnus thought to himself fondly. The last time he disguised the place was as a book club that had the bar changed into bookshelves, stools into long end tables, glasses of sparkling champagne and moonshine and whatever he had into teacups and saucers of tea worthy of your grandma's china cabinet. "Why yes. I did have one. It was rather brilliant too." Magnus smiled at his boyfriend, who had that stupid permanent grin on his face. "What was it called?" "Mr Dry's." Magnus laughed to himself, thinking of how smart he felt back then when he had the idea of the name. Even back then he was snarky as ever. "Was it here in Brooklyn?" Alec sidled closer, resting his chin in the palm of his hand. "Not far, we could visit where it used to be, if you'd like?" Magnus watched Alec's face light up, and as they both got to their feet the buzzer rang out. Alec got the door. It was Isabelle, paired with Jace, Clary, and Simon. They were all wearing normal clothes. "Magnus texted us, where are we going?" Said Alec's younger sister, tapping her heeled boot on the carpeted hallway floor. "Magnus' speakeasy." Alec turned to look at Magnus confusedly, who was shrugging on his canvas jacket.

Alec was ready to go, he forgot to take his shoes off when he came home from the institute, so once Magnus had gotten to the door the six of them went. They could've portalled, but it was a nice day, and not too cluttered either. Once they'd arrived, they found that the old building had been boarded up since the 20's. Paint was peeling from the wooden boards, thanks to some teens who had oh so carefully spray painted a penis on the front. Both Magnus and Alec rolled their eyes. With a swift flick of his hand the boards came off, and everyone stepped through the unhinged door. It was dusty, dingy, and still reeked of stale moonshine and spoiled wine; a stench Magnus knew all too well. He led the other five through a narrow hole in a still-reinforced but dented slit panel, and into a thin hallway hidden behind it. The place was trashed as Magnus remembered, and the crystalline chandelier was reduced to shards of glass and powdered silver in the centre of the room. The floor was sticky with centuries old alcohol, memories stuck there like bugs in amber. Memories flashed back, memories of the vampire girl, Polly, the vampire girl who stood with Camille. Memories of Max the bartender, and Alfie. Alfie who was one of his good friends, Alfie who'd tried to commit suicide when the Wall Street crash happened and he lost his love.

When Magnus raised his hands they were engulfed in bright blue flames and crackling yellow sparks. The chandelier seemed to lift itself and glue back together, reattaching itself to the ceiling. Tables dissipated into nothingness and new mahogany ones returned in their favour. The sticky sheen to the floor dissolved, like water trickling into dirt, and the floorboards became polished and shone a light brown. Artificial lighting hung from the ceiling, dim bulbs glowering a warm orange. Gas lamps appeared on each end of the tables, and the bar started to restore itself. Its marble counter melded back together, each crack reversing itself. Glass bottles of old and badly labelled alcohol were switched to new bottles of alcohol, and were neatly arranged on the shelves that had just seemed to appear. Magnus walked past the tables and into a back room, and once he walked back out he was holding a glass of red wine. "1678. Thank god the barrel wasn't smashed like the others. Lucky I kept a cellar beneath the cellar for all the good stuff." He passed the glass around, letting everyone have a taste. Alec was one for red wines, red wines and chocolate liqueur. Magnus drank anything that had a high alcohol content. Once he got the glass back empty, Isabelle had drained every last drop, he grabbed a rag from behind the bar and washed it out. Once that was done and he'd put the glass away, he led everyone out. "You four can go to the institute, dress for the 1920's, flapper dresses, sharp suits, slicked back hair. As for Alec and I, we will go home and work something to wear out. Tell everyone they're welcome. Nine thirty sharp, be there." Magnus winked, opened a portal, and stepped into it with Alec. When they were home Magnus ran to the bedroom kicking his shoes off quickly and hanging his jacket up haphazardly. Alec took his time with his own shoes and coat, making sure they were tidy before going into the bedroom.

Magnus had the wardrobe doors wide open, and clothes were already strewn all over the bed and floor. "I'm sure I put it somewhere." Alec heard Magnus mumble, and he just carried on rooting through his clothes. He was kneeled down and clutching something velvet and extremely reflective. Was that even possible? He wasn't going to ask. Alec made his way over and took Magnus into his arms, pulling him back from the explosion of clothes. It was the exact opposite colour scheme to Alec's wardrobe. "I'm sure you have something. Suits. We're wearing suits, right? You have plenty of those." Alec whispered warmly into Magnus' ear, and the warlock relaxed in his arms. "There was this one suit I liked but I must have thrown it out." Magnus leaned back, his hair catching between Alec's lips. Oh the joys of having puffy quiffed hair and a boyfriend who when hugging from behind basically eat it. Once Alec had let go, Magnus pulled out a suit from his still-growing collection and laid it out on the bed. It was a light grey, save for the small handkerchief in the breast pocket. That was black. Once Magnus had his outfit ready, he lifted a blue hand and another suit appeared into his hand. It wasn't one of his own, it was new and surprisingly not as crazy for Magnus' taste. It was all black, even the shirt, and a blood red for the handkerchief in the breast pocket. He handed it to Alec. "This is yours. Try it on, I think I got your size correct." He chortled, turning to his own suit. Alec went to the bathroom and changed. Magnus was right, it fit perfectly. He fastened cuff links onto his shirt sleeves and pulled the blazer sleeves down over them. He sprayed some aftershave on the collar of his shirt and some on his wrists before walking out to see Magnus. The warlock had tidied and was currently applying silvery glitter and highlight to his face, he smiled at Alec through the reflection in the mirror. Once he'd finished he stood. "Wow." Was all he said before padding over to Alec to press a gentle kiss to his cheek. "I rang everyone. It's going to be busy. Remind me not to give Raphael any plasma." He narrowed his eyes, before turning to the bedroom doorway and making a portal. It was nine thirty already? How long did Alec take? Maybe it was down to the fact that he had trouble fastening the cuff links, whatever.

The couple stepped through and saw a band of shadowhunters dawdling at the entrance. There was a group of what looked like faeries stood a bit away from them, keeping their distance. "Come in, come in." Magnus directed towards the hidden entrance, and everyone went inside. The place was moderately filled already, with Isabelle, Clary, Jace, and Simon stood at the bar. Maia was bartending surprisingly, and realisation dawned on Magnus that he didn't hire one. Bless her, she was amazing. People were dancing in the main area of the room, and a band was performing upbeat jazz music that had even the grumpiest werewolf or nixie tapping their feet. Alec tapped Magnus in the shoulder before going to the bar. He shared what looked like a joke to Maia, who laughed and poured two glasses of wine before handing them over. She winked in Magnus' direction just as Alec turned and walked towards him. He gave him the wine and they sat at a table. "I know we just sat, but care to dance?" Magnus got to his feet again and held a hand out to Alec. "I can't dance Magnus." Alec argued, shaking his head. "Follow my lead, then." Magnus pulled Alec up and to the dance floor where a seelie with turquoise tentacles for hair was having a lot of fun dancing with a silver haired werewolf girl. Ah cute LGBT downworlders made the world go round. Magnus pulled Alec toward him and the two held each other while moving. The song was quite upbeat, and Magnus had no problem sliding along with Alec and twirling him at whatever chance he got. Alec was actually having a lot of fun. After one particularly dizzying turn, Alec regained his composure to see Maryse smiling in his direction at the situation. She'd never seen her son that happy. Robert, on the other hand, was gulping down a large tumbler of what looked like whiskey on the rocks. The upbeat song faded to nothing, and after a round of applause a slower song played. It was smooth and calming and Alec found himself pressing closer to Magnus and resting his hands on the warlock's waist. Magnus' arms were around Alec's neck, and they were close enough to rest their foreheads together, which they did. They swayed together for what felt like an eternity, and even if it was, Alec wouldn't give it up for the world. He loved Magnus with all his heart. Once the song ended another upbeat one played again, and the couple retreated to their table to drink their wine. Maryse walked towards them, and Alec braced himself for a lecture. "You two were beautiful up there. The most handsome couple dancing." She said, and rested a hand on Alec's shoulder. Alec was filled with a sense of pride.

The party lasted till quite late, with Magnus having to kick a bunch of rowdy vampires off site when they refused to leave at Maia's request as she tidied up the bar. Magnus and Alec portalled home a little tipsy from all the wine, and ended up kissing messily on the sofa. Their suits landed on the floor piece by piece, and the fabric mess trailed to the bedroom.