Malec Moments

Christmas in London

Magnus had always loved London this time of year. The snow had started falling two days ago and was gradually building higher and higher. Gusts of wind had caused the snow to drift in unprotected places, and when combined with the blanket of snow adorning the trees, the entire city looked like a winter wonderland.

Of course, wintry London had been much more spectacular when Magnus had lived there. In those days, no snow removal trucks were casting a gray gloom on the piles of snow. The tracks left by horses and carriages were far more aesthetically pleasing. Though the hazy smog had improved somewhat in the century that had passed.

Magnus had only returned to London once, briefly for the wedding of Tessa Gray and Jem Carstairs several years previously, since leaving all those years ago, and was therefore wistfully surprised by the changes to the city he had loved. His memories were of a bygone era, a romanticized London, not the modern city that more resembled New York than its 1870's self. For this reason, Magnus migrated toward the older parts of the city, the parts that had not changed dramatically.

Magnus decided this was the year he would take Alec to London for Christmas. The London Institute was well known for their Christmas parties, and Magnus rather thought it would do Alec some good to visit other Institutes. He knew how much Alec had enjoyed being in charge of the Institute when they had returned from Idris after defeating Sebastian, and that he had secretly liked overseeing Simon's training. He also knew that the Clave highly recommended first-hand knowledge of other Institutes for anyone wishing to play an active role in running one, if Alec ever decided that was his calling.

The timing of this trip was significant. Magnus had wanted to bring Alec for many years, as one more way to show Alec his past, to immerse Alec in his history in every way possible, but it had never worked out. He knew that very soon, their chances would be somewhat restricted. Jace and Clary were expecting their first child, and Izzy and Simon were soon to be married. Magnus knew that Alec would not want to miss Christmas with his family, especially as their families expanded.

Magnus hired a horse-drawn carriage and driver for the day. It was an old-fashioned carriage, black with red velvet interior and it took little imagination for Alec to be transported more than a hundred years back in time. He could picture Magnus in this setting, attending parties at some of the grand houses they passed. Alec drew back the red curtain overhanging the window so he had a view of the city as they rode along.

The temperature was chilly, and Magnus produced a black and red checkered blanket to cover them. Alec huddled close to Magnus, who gladly enveloped his husband in his arms, protecting him from the cold.

They stopped on Blackfriars Bridge, which was festively decorated with holly and pine trimmings and large, red bows. The Thames was covered in a thin layer of ice-capped with snow, giving a poetic, scenic view from the bridge.

Magnus showed Alec the former home of Woolsey Scott, the werewolf who started the Praetor Lupis. He had confessed to Alec years ago that Alec had been correct in his suspicion that Woolsey had been one of Magnus's many lovers, so at least that awkwardness was averted.

Magnus received a bit of a shock when he discovered the home he had shared with Camille had been torn down. There had been a fire many years ago and the owner had elected to demolish the building instead of making repairs. The space stood empty, with grass and weeds growing high. It seemed that the final connection between Magnus and Camille was officially severed. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. Camille had been an important part of his life for several years and he had loved her. But it had been a long time. He supposed he mostly just felt nostalgic.

They took a ride into the country outside London so that Magnus could show Alec Chiswick Mansion, the country home that had belonged to Benedict Lightwood when Magnus had lived in London. He didn't know who owned the home now or if it was still part of the Lightwood family. Alec wondered if the family had lost the home, and if so, when. Had it been part of his parents' punishment by the Clave, or had it been sold years before?

The black iron gates were locked, denying them entrance. Magnus offered to use magic to get them in, but Alec refused. He didn't feel right about breaking in, even if it had once belonged to his family, and maybe still did. He had never been there, and his curious side did want to visit it, but he hesitated, not knowing why.

Alec felt a jumble of emotions related to his family's house. He felt anger at his parents for getting in trouble with the Clave and a sense of guilt for what his ancestor had done in this place. He also felt a kind of wistful nostalgia, though he didn't understand it.

In the end, they climbed back into the carriage without venturing past the black gates. The view from the road would have to suffice.

When they returned to the Institute, Alec was grateful for a place to warm himself. The London Institute was different from the New York Institute, which had been his home most of his life. The London counterpart was darker and more difficult to navigate, and older.

Alec sat on their bed, which Magnus had magically enlarged to accommodate both of them the previous night. He was wrapped in a blanket with a steaming mug of hot chocolate warming his hands. He smiled at Magnus as he exited the bathroom.

Magnus was dressed similarly to how he had been more than three years ago when they had visited Cape May for their first anniversary. His dark hair hung loosely around his face, and he wore a 19th-century formal suit with black pants, waistcoat and jacket and a white shirt with frills at the neck and sleeves. Alec thought he looked striking, the perfect picture of an English gentleman. And he fell in love with Magnus a little bit more.

He felt his face flush at the thought.

"What?" Magnus said, noticing the blush, and not understanding the meaning.

Alec shed his blanket, sat his mug down, and rose from the bed. He wrapped his arms around Magnus's waist and said, "I love you. That's all."

Magnus's face split into a grin and he kissed the tip of Alec's nose. "Right back at you," he said with a wink.

Alec squeezed Magnus tightly before releasing him to get dressed. He had allowed Magnus to pick a suit for him to wear, though he had demanded it be modern. He had not lived in the 19th century and felt that he would look stupid trying to pull off that look.

Once Magnus was satisfied with Alec's appearance, they headed to the formal ballroom of the Institute for the annual Christmas party. Magnus and Alec had done little exploring of the Institute since their arrival the previous day, mostly just a tour from the current residents. Consequently, he had no idea what to expect of the ballroom and the party. Magnus had told him very little about the annual London Christmas party, wanting it to be a surprise for Alec.

They entered the room through two enormous ornate gilded doors. The scene inside was breathtaking. The room itself could probably hold three or four of the largest rooms in the New York Institute. The expanse was massive. There were fifteen-foot tall Christmas trees in each corner of the room, each with different decorations. One tree was covered in red and gold trimmings, another had purple and green and blue with peacock feathers. Images of angels adorned the most prominent tree in the room, twenty-five-foot blue spruce that stood directly in the center of the room. Strands of pine garland trailed between the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling, and decorated the walls.

A large buffet ran along one wall with more food than Alec thought he had ever seen in one place. The tables were piled high with numerous roasted turkeys, various potato dishes, vegetables, and cranberries. Traditional Christmas Puddings, jam cakes, assorted cookies, and pies were available for dessert. The Institute had certainly pulled out all the stops for this Christmas feast.

Servers dressed in starched black pants and white suit coats with white gloves carried silver trays of hors d'oeuvres, champagne, and wine glasses. They weaved their way expertly through the milling crowds of people, all sipping drinks and chatting merrily.

The guests were all dressed at the height of fashion, perfectly tailored suits, and elaborate designer gowns. Alec recognized some of the faces from the battle on Brocelind Plains many years ago. The high-profile leaders of many of the Institutes around the world were present, accompanied by their families. Several members of the Council were present, though his father, Robert Lightwood, was not. They mingled with the guests, casually talking as if they were old friends, though Alec didn't know many of them personally. Magnus had such a big personality, he fit in with ease, even with perfect strangers.

The tinkling of piano keys filled Alec's ears. He wondered how he had missed the gigantic black lacquer grand piano seated against a wall when he had first entered the room. The person playing it seemed to be nearly as skilled as Jace, Alec thought.

Magnus took his hand and made a little bow toward the dance floor. Alec smiled, setting his champagne glass on an empty table and let Magnus lead the way. Magnus took Alec in his arms in a traditional dance pose for the Waltz. Alec's grin widened as he was instantly transported back to their first date at Magnus's apartment and how they had danced the night away.

Their relationship had changed and grown so much since that time. Alec had been so afraid of people finding how he was gay that he almost ruined their relationship before it had a chance to get started. And now, he was dancing with Magnus, his husband, in front of everyone and he couldn't care less what they thought about it. He knew he owed Magnus for that, for helping him feel comfortable in his skin, for not being afraid to show the world that he was in love.

Eventually, as always, Magnus dropped the formal dancing, choosing instead to wrap his arms around Alec's waist and simply sway on the spot. Alec was lost in the magic of the moment with Magnus. The party was just as grand as he had always heard it was, and nothing could top being there with Magnus.

When they finally broke apart, swiping a couple of flutes of champagne from the drink table, Magnus leads Alec to a secluded area of the room. They were partially hidden behind a huge tapestry and one of the grand Christmas trees.

Magnus smiled at him and said, "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas to you," Alec replied.

Alec saw Magnus's finger twitch slightly and then his eyes broke their hold on Alec's, drifting up to look at something above Alec's head. Alec's gaze followed and he realized that Magnus had conjured a bundle of mistletoe, which was hanging lazily in the air, unsupported, above him.

Alec smiled up at him as a mischievous grin spread across Magnus's face. "I guess now we have to kiss," Magnus said with a wink of his eye.

Alec draped his arms around Magnus's neck and said, "I thought you'd never ask." He closed the space between them, pressing his lips to Magnus's as Magnus's arms encircled his waist and pulled him close. Magnus kissed him, over and over again, long, slow kisses, the kind that told Alec he was loved and that this would become a lot more heated later when they were alone.