Beauty and the Beast ~ a malec fanfiction

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"Hey." Alec said quietly.

Magnus looked up suddenly and let a smile spread onto his face.

"Alexander. I was starting to wonder if you would show."

"Well," Alec scratched the back of his neck with a nervous laugh. "it'd be a bit awkward if I was you one who invited you and didn't even come."

Magnus rose up with a slight chuckle.

"Indeed."

Alec has no idea what to do but look at the floor and smile to himself.

They stood in silence for a few moments before Magnus cleared his throat and stood up straight.

"We came out here to read books and go for a walk, so shouldn't we?" Magnus raised an eyebrow and held out his paw.

Alec raised his head and confidently placed his hand on Magnus'.

"Yes. Let's."

They began to walk through the garden, their shoes crunching on the fresh snow. The trees around them were coated in the stuff, the branches swaying under the weight of it, close to breaking point. Thin, long icicles were hanging from any place they could, edges or benches and bridges, even from the small buds of the ever growing roses. As they walked, the clouds parted and the snow had ceased. The light and warmth coming down from above started to melt the winter world around them. They could hear the soft drips falling and landing on the ground. The light made the snow sparkle and shine. It was the most beautiful place that Alec had ever seen.

He and Magnus paused on a bridge and stared out across the frozen lake.

"Have you ever thought about ice skating here?" Alec said with a smile and a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Do I look like the type of person who could stay on the ice?" Magnus smirked.

Alec laughed, his hand once again instinctively rising to cover his mouth. Magnus frowned slightly, watching the action. At his gaze, Alec froze and tensed up.

"Now what did I say about your laugh?" Magnus said.

Alec, against everything his body was telling him to do, took away his hand and stared at his feet.

"Please look up at me."

Alec obediently looked into Magnus' eyes and his body relaxed when he saw that the prince wasn't angry in any way.

"I'm just trying to help you see how beautiful you are." Magnus said softly.

Alec's heart skipped a beat. Why? He thought to himself.

To avoid the awkward air that had quickly grown around the two, Alec rushes away and crouched down in the snow. He gathered up a large amount in his arms and stood up, turning towards Magnus. Still looking at him, Magnus' eyes suddenly widened with a slight fear.

"Now now, there's no need for-"

He was interrupted by the lump of snow that had just been thrown in his face. He couldn't see anything, but he could hear Alec's loud and joyous laughter, the noise echoing around the empty space. Magnus wipes his eyes slowly and watched as the boy in front of his doubled over with contagious giggles.

Magnus shook his head and narrowed his eyes. In Alec's moment of vulnerability, Magnus found the perfect opportunity to make a whole group of snowy ammunition. Seizing one of the balls he had made, he aimed and threw it so it hit the back of his head and the snow dripped under his shirt and down his bare back.

He screeched and shook his shirt, trying the get the snow out, and Magnus was almost concerned until he heard more choked laughter escape his lips. Magnus couldn't help but laugh along.