Standalones

Gliding on Ice

[co written with @WarmthOfRain ]

"We're going to the skating rink and I will not be taking any criticism," Max says, crossing his arms above his chest as he stands in front of his parents - who are curled up on the couch together, with Alec still snoring.

"I suggested the mundane shooting range but whatever," Rafe replies from the kitchen, where he is making coffee for himself.

Max gestures towards Rafe with his index finger to shut his brother up. "Do not. It's my birthday, my choice."

It took him 3 days to decide where he'd like to spend his 17th birthday. It was either that or Magnus throwing a party for him and he'd rather spend all his birthdays alone than celebrate it at the Institute. Don't get him wrong, he loves his aunts and uncles but he'd rather not get embarrassed in front of all the new transfers - his family has a ritual of reminiscing about his childhood after the cake cutting, which includes passing around all of the most embarrassing stories of him.

"Do you even know how to skate?" Rafe asks Max as he takes a sip from the cup, making a face, the coffee is clearly too hot to be consumed yet.

"Aunt Clary and I used to go to mundane skating rinks together when she babysat us, you used to be there too, dude." Max says and Rafe shrugs.

"We can go anywhere you want, Blueberry." Magnus murmurs against Alec's shoulder, voice slightly muffled. He's curled up to Alec's side, his head on Alec's shoulder as the shadowhunter sleeps with his head thrown back against the pillows.

Rafe shrugs, coming to sit on top of the counter and facing the living room. "I was just suggesting the shooting range so dad could take part too but whatever."

"Did you mean - so dad and you can hit the target every time and blow every mundane's mind there while me and papa sit back and watch you both bask in the glory?" Max retorts, staring at Rafe. This had already happened last year, not that he didn't appreciate his father and his brother being one of the best archers in the shadow world but he'd like to have a little attention to himself on his birthday.

"Okay, no need to argue, kids." Magnus cuts them off. "Rafa, it's Max's birthday so he gets to choose. We can go to the archery arena later."

Rafe rolls his eyes. "Okay then, I just didn't want you and dad breaking your backs in front of all those mundanes--"

"I'll let you know that I'm a very fine skater," Magnus deadpans.

"No magic or rune use on birthdays," Rafe replies. "It's your own rule."

"You wound me, Rafael." Magnus says, "I can skate perfectly fine with or without magic."

Rafael makes a sarcastic face which says 'yeah yeah, sure'. "What about dad, though?"

"Huh?" Alec suddenly flinches. "What?" he blinks his eyes open and looks at Rafe, trying to process his whereabouts.

"Good morning, love." Magnus smiles, pressing a kiss on the side of his head as Alec yawns, rubbing his eyes.

Max clicks his tongue. "Listen, I haven't gone to the ice rink in ages. We're going there, or I'll just go with Alan."

"I thought you broke up with that assho-" Rafe pauses, eyeing Alec who is opening his mouth to say the same old 'language' , "-butthole months ago"

"I did but we're still..." Max hesitates, "Friends."

Magnus raises his eyebrow. "Friends, huh?"

"He is going to break your heart again and you'll be all sulky and upset--"

"--Rafe," Max stares at him, eyes warning.