Crowns ~ Alec Lightwood

Good Graces

"Good news! The core is off the ley line grid and free of demonic corruption!" Magnus informed happily.

The three shadowhunters smiled lightly. Magnus noticed how the mood was somber compared to his joy. Alec quietly thanked him for the good news.

"Alrighty, then..." Magnus said awkwardly, "I'll make myself scarce."

The trio gave him a smile of reassurance. They thought he was upset because of their own reactions.

"We just got a fire message from Mom," Izzy explained, "She's "dropping by" for an impromptu "family dinner.""

"That's a lot of air quotes," he commented.

"Mom doesn't just drop by for anything," Alec said simply.

"We're thinking it has something to do with our parents. They're finally making their divorce official."

"My condolences."

"It's for the best," Izzy sighed, "Problem is, instead of just being sad like a normal person, she starts trying to fix everyone around her."

Alec nodded in agreement, "Which usually includes grilling her children on everything she thinks is going wrong in their lives."

Magnus smiled lightly as he saw Rory's look of dread. He clapped his hands together, "So...where are you holding this suspenseful dinner?"

"Definitely not here," Izzy stated, "The Institute tends to bring out her inner inquisitor."

"How about my place?" Magnus offered.

Alec started to disagree but Magnus pushed his point. The two men glanced towards Rory as they spoke about the venue.

"It might not be so bad," Rory inputed, "She's been wary around me ever since she learned of my magic. Dinner at a warlock's place might help build relations. That is...if you want me to be there."

"You're definitely going!" Izzy stated, "Besides, if you're there, maybe mom wouldn't have time to grill us as much."

Alec scoffed and Rory laid a hand on his arm. She shrugged, "What do you think?"

He sighed and turned to Magnus, "Are you sure it's okay if we take your place?"

"Of course!"

Rory cling to his arm, "Look...clearly this is important to you. Therefore, it's important to me. I promise...everything will go great."

-

"Are you sure this is exactly half a cup?"

"It's not rocket science, Alec."

"If that's we're true, there wouldn't be instructions."

She laughed lightly as he poured the ingredients into the pot. He wiped his hands off with a dish towel, "This is an old family recipe. Izzy and I found it right after my grandmother died. My mother was inconsolable until the day we made this stew...that was the first time I saw her smile."

She grinned and hugged his waist from behind, "You're a sweet man."

She moved her head around his shoulder and noticed a vegetable in his hair, "And you're even more adorable with a radish in your hair."

She moved to his side and pulled it out. The second she turned back around to him, he shoved a spoonful of stew in her mouth.

She yelped in surprise and chewed the potatoes in it. She tasted the flavor instantly and tried to hold back her grimace. She kept the food in her mouth since she refused to swallow it.