Daily Malec Fix Two

4. We're Closer Than You Might Think

"Papa, is he really a shadowhunter?" Max asked, giving Moth a questioning look.

"I think he is." Alec nodded. "Moth, who were your parents?" 

"Who cares? They sure as hell don't care who I am." He sighed. "They left me."

"My mom left me too!" Max cheered. 

"Max," Rafael shook his head at his little brother. "Most people aren't happy about that fact."

"Why?" Max looked between his dads. "If she hadn't left me, Daddy and Papa would be stuck with only you. They would be so sad."

"Gee. Thanks. That's so much better." Rafael raised his eyebrows at Alec. "Dad, seriously?"

"Max, we'd be happy..." Alec stopped himself. "Ummm?"

Magnus wrapped his arm around Alec's shoulders. "We love both of you and would be sad if either of you was gone."

Alec touched Magnus's hand in thanks. "Boys, go to the kitchen and make a snack please."

Rafael tapped Max's shoulder. "Race you." 

The boys took off and laughter followed them. 

"Moth, we need to know." Alec said gently as he sat down again next to the boy. 

"I don't want to talk about it." Moth looked away from them. 

"Nobody ever wants to." Magnus sat on the coffee table in front of them. "Trust me."

"Yeah, sure, whatever." Moth rolled his eyes and waved his hand at Magnus. "Like you, Mr. Wealthy Beyond Compare has had a single hardship."

Magnus exchanged a look with Alec and they shared an internal laugh so as not to hurt Moth's feelings. 

"What?" Moth snorted. "Did they have a shortage of glittery black shirts at the store or something?"

"Actually that has happened." Magnus looked mournful. "It was a damn tragedy."

"It was sad." Alec patted Magnus's knee. "Not situation." He winked at Moth, "the fact that this grown man was almost in tears over it."

"It was an emotional day." Magnus wiped at a fake tear. "It was the same day, well you know what day it was."

"Are you kidding me?" Moth shouted, frustrated. "You are ridiculous. Have you ever had a fucking bad day?! Ever?!"

Magnus and Alec were smart enough to stay silent. They let the silence grow until Moth broke down. 

"I was the bastard son of a bastard who never loved my mom. He had a "real"  family. The Lightwoods. Apparently, they are the only ones who matter. I'm just the throwaway kid." Moth's voice was near yelling volume by the end of his speech.

"Did you say Lightwood?" Alec's eyes were huge and he shared another look with Magnus. 

"Yeah, Robert Lightwood is my father." Moth groaned. "Can I be alone now?"

Alec's mind raced with questions but he could tell that Moth was near tears and he did not want to cry in front of them. He understood it and now he could see why maybe they were so similar. 

"Why don't I show you to your room." Magnus stood up and put his arm out toward the hallway. Moth stood up and followed him. 

Alec didn't move even when Magnus came back to him. "My dad."

"I'm so sorry Alexander. I can't begin to understand how you're feeling right now but I'm here." Magnus wrapped his arms around his husband and kissed his head. "Take my strength. It's all yours."

Question: Your favorite nickname?