Christmas day dawned bright and cold but Alec felt only warmth as he picked up his phone, blinking the sleep from his eyes.

From: Magnus, 07.15

Merry Christmas, Alexander.

Alec couldn't help a grin from spreading across his face as he read the text.

He and Magnus had been dating for over two months now, but the butterflies that danced in his stomach every time he got a text from Magnus hadn't disappeared. He didn't think they ever would.

Magnus had developed a habit of waking up early, usually before Alec, so that Alec would wake up to a text from him.

Alec still couldn't believe his luck.

He hadn't even been sure, before Homecoming, if he would ever manage to find the courage to come out. Now, not only had he done that, but he had somehow been blessed with the most incredible boyfriend ever.

To: Magnus, 07.58

Merry Christmas, Magnus. I can't wait until tonight.

He tapped out a quick response before jumping out of bed, shivering as the frigid air caressed his skin.

He pulled his clothes on quickly, choosing his warmest socks and a black woollen sweater. He was just closing his closet as his door banged open, Izzy flying into the room.

"You are not wearing that." She said, frowning, her hands on her hips. "Alec. It's Christmas day."

"Um, yeah. Which means I'm allowed to wear what I want." He countered.

Izzy had been dressing him far too often, as of recent. She seemed to think that every date he had with Magnus required her style input. He would have put his foot down by now, but he secretly enjoyed the looks Magnus gave him whenever he made a little more effort, thanks to her.

"Wrong!" She sang, darting back out of his room. She was back after a few moments, with a shoddily wrapped package in her arms.

"It is Christmas, so you are required to wear whatever I buy you. That's a rule." She winked, shoving the present into his arms.

"We're not supposed to open presents until after breakfast." Alec protested, weakly. He knew she would make him open it anyway.

She clicked her tongue.

"And that, dear brother, is why you will be receiving two presents from your favourite sister today!"

"You're my only sister." He deadpanned.

"Did I say sister? I meant sibling."

"Don't push it."

She grinned as he sighed, ripping through the wrapping paper.

Hmm. It wasn't too bad - that was his first thought. It was a knitted jumper of dark brown wool, he could live with that. His heart sank as he opened it up to reveal a big red bobble sown onto the centre and antlers sticking out from the shoulders.

Izzy giggled at his distraught expression.

"Izzy.Magnus can't see me in this! Its – its – 3-D."

She laughed, sitting next to him and throwing an arm around his shoulders.

"Oh, my dear sweet brother. Magnus is so stupidly in love with you that you can literally wear anything and he would not care." She sighed. "You are so lucky – don't let him go."

Alec blushed. "I don't intend to." He mumbled.

He quickly changed his comfortable, worn black sweater for the reindeer monstrosity, knowing that Izzy wouldn't let up until he did. She grinned and he rolled his eyes, but couldn't fight his small smile.

Ten minutes later they were all downstairs and Alec was feeling a little less ridiculous; Izzy had changed into a glittery golden sweater with a huge red bow sown onto the front and had forced Jace into a white snowman jumper complete with a carrot nose sticking out of it. His golden hair was in disarray and Alec couldn't suppress his grin at his brother's disgruntled expression.

The day passed slowly and lazily, as they ate, opened presents and enjoyed each other's company. It was the one day of the year that Maryse allowed herself to truly relax; and even Robert smiled at Alec.

They hadn't really spoken since Alec's confession, but that wasn't out of the norm. He wasn't very involved in the lives of any of his children. Alec knew that he didn't like his relationship with Magnus, but was thankful that he at least kept his opinions to himself.

It was, in short, a wonderful Christmas. But Alec couldn't help but wish it away.

Every year the Lightwoods threw a Christmas party, inviting all of their closest friends, colleagues and neighbours. It was traditionally a horrific event for Alec, as he had to pretend to be interested in the daughters of his parents work friends and try to keep Izzy and Jace from getting too drunk and doing something stupid. But this year, he couldn't wait for it. This year, Magnus was invited.

He felt increasingly jittery as the day passed; they'd decided not to text each other in order to spend uninterrupted time with their families. Alec wouldn't admit it, but each moment that passed he missed Magnus more.

Finally evening came, and guests began to arrive.

Alec's head snapped up every time the doorbell rang and was teased mercilessly by Izzy and Jace for it.

"You're gonna pull a muscle, Alec." Jace joked.

Alec just glared at him. It was alright for him, and for Izzy. Clary and Simon had arrived already. What was taking Magnus so long? He checked his watch impatiently.

8.04 pm.

Magnus had said he'd be there by 8.

The five of them had claimed a corner of the spacious lounge, in which the furniture had been cleared for guests to mingle. Most of them were milling around the kitchen and dining room however, so they felt comfortable lounging in a circle on the floor.

Clary had teased Jace about his fluffy snowman jumper, but Alec caught the soppy look in her eyes as she sneaked glances at him.

Simon had spluttered and turned red as Izzy had asked him if he wanted to 'unwrap' her.

Alec would have felt as though a warning was needed, but Simon had seemed sufficiently deterred by the twin death glares he and Jace had shot him. He had sat down next to Izzy, but made sure to leave at least a foot of space between them. Alec observed with humour the worried glances he intermittently shot at himself and Jace. Good. Izzy had never made the big brother thing easy for them. At least now she'd chosen a boyfriend whom they could intimidate into abstinence (or so he would tell himself).

The doorbell rang again, but it was only their next door neighbours. Alec shook himself and tried to follow the conversation.

The doorbell rang a few more times but he ignored it. He was itching to text Magnus but forced himself to restrain; he knew that Izzy was watching him and didn't want to justify her knowing glance.

Jace was busy regaling them all with a story Alec was pretty sure involved the taking of highly illegal substances – he wasn't really paying attention, but he wasn't sure how legal substances led to one stripping off all one's clothing and running through the streets with a pair of antlers strapped to one's head.

Jace had been lucky that he'd been on a football trip to New York, and had somehow managed to find his way back to the hotel before any teachers had realised that he was missing.

Alec was marvelling at his brother's ability to narrowly evade trouble when he felt a tugging on the antlers attached to his shoulders. Warm breath tickled his ear, making his breath quicken and his stomach swoop.

"Alexander." It whispered. "What on earth are you wearing?"

He whipped round, not bothering to temper the wide grin that split his face.

Magnus.

He grabbed the lapels of Magnus's coat and dragged him down, feeling the tension evaporate from his body as soon as their lips touched.

Magnus made a small noise in the back of his throat, the one he always made when he was both surprised and pleased of Alec initiating their kisses. He slid his hand around the back of Alec's neck, deepening the kiss despite the awkward angle. He would have been quite happy to have continued, had not one of their friends wolf whistled.

"Get a room!" Jace called.

Alec pulled away, a light blush staining his cheeks.

It was all Magnus could do not to kiss him again.

"Izzy made me wear it." He mumbled, in response to the question.

He grinned. "You look adorable, Alexander."

"Told you!" Izzy sang.

Alec flushed some more, trying to ignoring the way his heart beat faster whenever Magnus called him by his full name.

Magnus straightened up.

"Did someone say…party?" He asked airily.

He reached into the plastic bag he was carrying and with a flourish, drew out a bottle of vodka.

Izzy and Clary whooped, high-fiving.

"Where did you get that?" Jace appraised him, looking impressed.

"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies, dear Jonathon!" Jace's eyes narrowed at the use of his full name.

"You probably don't want to know." Will had come into the room, followed by Jem and Tessa. "If anyone asks, you can plead ignorance." He winked.

"I was against this." Tessa volunteered.

"Ididn't hear you protesting." Will said slyly.

"Because you and Magnus had already gone racing off!" But she was smiling as she chastised him.

Magnus shrugged his coat off and sat down gracefully, pulling Alec down beside him.

"We know you mean well Tessie, but we also know that you will join us in drinking this."

She hit on the arm but grinned ruefully, joining the circle.

"Now." Magnus said, his eyes flickering devilishly. "Who's up for Never Have I Ever?"

Alec and Simon immediately protested, both catching the gleam in Izzy's eyes. He supposed that Simon too, did not wish to hear of Izzy's explicit escapades, at least from before they had gotten together. Alec didn't want to know any of them.

They were, however, grossly outnumbered as the rest of the group cheered at the suggestion.

Will produced shot glasses for each of them and the game began, everyone raising a hand, fingers splayed out.

"Oldest first!" Alec shot in, hastily.

"That means Magnus." Simon countered.

Magnus grinned, kissing Alec on the cheek.

"I will happily allow Alexander to go first."

Alec suppressed a shiver. Why did Magnus have to make everything sound so sinful? Not that he was complaining, but he was sure that he wouldn't be able to sneak him upstairs, not with all the people currently in his house. He swallowed.

"Right. Never have I ever…" he looked directly at Jace. "Run naked down a New York street."

Jace grinned, putting a finger down. "Right Alec, if that's how you want to play it…you're on!"

Alec just smiled at him sweetly.

It was Magnus's go next.

"Never have I ever…" he drawled, casting his gaze slyly around their circle. "Fallen for a friend."

There was a collective grumble as all but two of them put fingers down.

"Hey! What about you guys?" Simon asked, pointing at Jace and Clary.

"We weren't friends when we got together!" Clary protested.

"Yeah." Jace winked.

"Hmm. Fine."

Next was Will, on Magnus's other side.

"Never have I ever had a crush on a teacher."

Jace glared at him as he put another finger down, before turning to grin sheepishly at Clary, who had narrowed her eyes.

Alec didn't miss that both Izzy and Magnus had put fingers down too.

"It was a passing fancy." Magnus whispered in his ear.

When it got to Jace's turn he had only one finger left. Izzy wasn't doing much better with two, Magnus also had three, to everyone's surprise, and everyone else had put only one finger down.

"Never have I ever…kissed a boy." His eyes gleamed devilishly as he directed it at Alec, who put another finger down before turning to peck Magnus on the lips.

To his surprise, everyone except for Jace also put a finger down.

"Simon! When was this?" Izzy's eyes were wide.

"It was…um…" he flushed a deep red, as Clary giggled from across the circle. "Junior high."

He darted a glance at his girlfriend. "Is that ok?"

She laughed out loud, throwing her head back. "Of course, you idiot! I'm just surprised, that's all. Right, my turn!"

She grinned round the circle, her gaze landing on Jace.

"Never have I ever… skipped school because I was hungover."

"You're evil." Jace stated, putting his last finger down. "No-one else?!"

"We can handle our liquor." Magnus said, grinning. He reached for the bottle of vodka and poured out a shot, sliding it across to Jace.

He saluted them before knocking it back with practiced ease, only the hint of a grimace on his face.

The rest of the game passed in a similar way, Clary calling it to an end after Jace swallowed his fifth shot.

Izzy was three down, tied with Will and Magnus, while everyone else had taken one.

Magnus pulled Alec to his feet after Clary had dragged Jace off to the kitchen, telling him that she wasn't going to clean up if he puked.

"That was interesting." Alec said, curling his hand into Magnus's. "There were more than a few things there I wasn't aware of."

Magnus grinned sheepishly. "Will and I were wild thirteen year olds."

"I don't envy Tessa."

"You can't really blame me. I didn't have you to distract me, back then."

Alec blushed at the intense look in his boyfriend's eyes.

They drifted away from their friends, following Jace and Clary to the kitchen in search of something to eat.

It was empty, surprisingly. His parents and most of their friends were in the dining room, and he supposed that Jace was either throwing up or making out with Clary in some secluded corner.

Alec started toward the table but Magnus grabbed his hand, pulling him round.

His eyes were dark and intense as he pulled them against one of the counters.

"I missed you." He murmured, his gaze flicking from Alec's eyes to his lips.

Alec swallowed, butterflies dancing in his stomach. He placed his hands on Magnus's hips, stepping closer.

"I missed you too."

Magnus's mouth curved into a rueful smile.

"I think," he said, reaching a hand up to brush Alec's jaw, sending shivers running through him. "That we are becoming one of those sickening couples whose friends despise them."

"We don't need any friends." Alec knew his voice sounded breathless, but he couldn't have cared less – not when Magnus was pressed up against him, his lips only an inch away.

"No we do not." Magnus whispered.

He leaned forward, his lips brushing Alec's softly.

Alec shivered, his eyes fluttering closed. Magnus pulled back infinitesimally, his fingers reaching to caress Alec's cheek.

He opened his eyes, gazing into Magnus's.

"Will you go to Prom with me?"

Magnus's eyebrows rose.

"You don't need to ask me, Alec. That's kind of a given, when you're dating."

"I know, but I wanted to, officially. The last time didn't go so well…"

Magnus laughed. "But it worked out okay in the end." His eyes sparkled.

"So…is that a yes?"

Magnus grinned, his whole face lighting up. He leaned in to press a quick kiss on Alec's mouth.

"Of course it's a yes. For you, Alec, It's always yes."

Alec kissed him again, hard and enthusiastic, pressing him into the kitchen counter. Magnus's hands slipped into his hair, grasping and pulling softly as Alec's tongue probed his lips. He opened his mouth, gasping as Alec's tongue slid against his.

They got lost in each other, forgetting that there were many, many people in the house at that moment and any of them could walk in.

"Ahem."

A little cough broke them apart, their heads whipping round.

Robert stood awkwardly in the doorway, looking embarrassed.

Alec sprang away from Magnus, his face flushing a deep red.

"Um, dad…we…we were just…"

"Your mom sent me to get more champagne." He interrupted, motioning to the table behind them.

Alec just nodded as his father collected the bottles, frozen where he stood.

Robert paused on his way out, looking back at them.

"Um…you boys have a good evening."

Alec was still frozen after he left, his eyes wide in shock and horror.

Magnus suppressed a grin, moving to take his boyfriends hands.

"Hey. Alec."

Alec heaved a huge sigh, shaking his head.

"That." He whispered. "Was the most mortifying event in my whole life."

Magnus laughed. "You know, I think he's getting used to this." He motioned between the two of them. "He actually shook my hand when I got here."

"He did?" Alec couldn't help sounding sceptical. He didn't think he'd ever heard his father even saying Magnus's name. He always called him 'that boy'.

"Mmhmm." Magnus rubbed soothing circles on his palm. "It's a Christmas miracle."

"Christmas and alcohol." Alec corrected, shaking his head.

"Come on." Magnus laughed, tugging Alec's hand. "Let's go see what trouble the others have gotten into.

Alec just nodded, working on making his blush recede.

"Alec!"

They turned to see Lydia slip out of the dining room, holding the hand of a tall, handsome boy with light brown hair.

He smiled, happy that she'd been able to make it. He'd become fairly close friends with her since Homecoming, and genuinely liked seeing her.

"Hey, Lydia. How are you?" He was grateful for the distraction.

"I'm great, thanks!" She looked shyly up at the boy standing next to her, following Alec and Magnus's questioning gazes.

"This is John. We were friends in middle school, we'd just started dating when his dad's company relocated to Portugal. It's been years, but he'd just moved back here." She smiled, her eyes bright. John met her eyes, grinning back.

"I've heard a lot about you both." He addressed to Alec and Magnus. "It's nice to meet you."

Alec felt a wave of happiness for Lydia. She'd been so good to him, now she deserved to be happy too.

They made their way back into the living room, finding that in their absence, all chaos had broken loose. The bottle of vodka had been emptied, and Jace had sneaked champagne and rum out of the kitchen, taking advantage of the inebriated states of most of the adults in attendance.

He also seemed to have succeeded in getting Clary drunk, a feat for which Alec was sure Jocelyn would make him pay for later.

Even Simon was tipsy, his voice louder than usual and bright spots of red colouring his cheeks.

"Hey! Its's Alec and Magnus! You guys found us! We've been looking for you!"

"A great job you were doing, Samuel. I take it you started looking in the bottle of vodka?"

"Hahahaha! You're funny! Hey guys – Magnus is so funny!" Simon grabbed Izzy from where she was dancing with Tessa and Clary.

"Magnus has always been funny!" Izzy slung her arm round him. "He needs to be, to balance out my dear serious brother!"

"How much have you had to drink?" Alec ignored her comment, casting an eye over the empty bottles around them.

"Not nearly enough! Hey!" She let go of Magnus, waving her arms to get everyone's attention. "I've got such a great idea! We should have a shot contest!"

"No, we really shouldn't." Alec tried to say, but was drowned out by Jace's gasp.

"We should totally have a shot contest!"

"Yes!" Izzy high-fived him. "Couples against couples!"

Magnus bit his lip, grinning.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. We'll go and get some more for us all to drink, ok?"

He turned to Alec and gestured toward the sliding doors that led to the garden.

"Wow." Alec said, when they were outside.

"Mom and dad are going to kill them tomorrow."

"For us, it is rather entertaining though." Magnus glanced back inside, to where they could see Simon and Izzy facing Clary and Jace, a row of shot glasses laid out between them. Will seemed to be officiating, gesturing wildly between sips of his own drink.

"I'm just glad I don't share a bathroom with either of them." Alec laughed. He took Magnus's hand, pulling him away from the house, deeper into the garden.

It was cold, the frozen grass crunching beneath their shoes and their breath curling white in the air around them. But Magnus's hand was warm in his, a crescent moon was hanging low in the sky and there was nowhere else that Alec would rather be.

They stopped beneath a tree, gazing back toward the house.

Music tinkled faintly and Christmas lights glowed but other than that, it was quiet, and dark.

Alec felt Magnus's arms slide around his waist, pulling him flush against his body. He shivered from the juxtaposition of Magnus's warmth and the frigid air around them. He sighed and leaned back into him.

Magnus dropped his head onto Alec's shoulder, turning slightly to nose his neck.

"What are you doing?" Alec tried not to sound too breathless.

"Smelling you." Magnus replied, nosing him.

Alec grinned. "I smell boring." He thought idly of the cologne Izzy had bought him for Christmas, sitting unused back up in his room. He would have to try it out sometime.

"You smell like home." Magnus whispered, his breath tickling Alec's skin.

The shiver that ran through Alec this time, had nothing to do with the cold.

He turned in Magnus's arms, wrapping his arms around his shoulders.

"With you, I am home." He said simply.

Magnus's eyes burned with raw emotion; and Alec was sure his looked the same.

They met in the middle, unable to resist the magnetic pull toward each other.

Alec sighed as Magnus's lips met his, revelling in their softness, in the sweet taste of Magnus that he craved.

He melted against him, until there was no air between them.

This was where he belonged.