Here it is my first entry for Malec week 2016. Day 1: family day. This is about Alec and Magnus getting Rafael and seeing how he adjusted to becoming a family.

Malec Week 2016 Day 1: Family Day- Becoming a Family.

Alec Pov- "Should we go try to talk to him again? Maybe I should make him a snack? Do you think he's cold? I should get him a blanket" I said watching our new five-year-old son sitting on our couch silently.

"Alexander calm down. I'm sure Rafe just wants some space. He's not used to being in a place like this so he needs time to adjust. He will only feel more awkward if you keep crowding him" Magnus said watching me.

He grabbed me by the elbow pulling me out of the living room and into the kitchen. I felt a little uneasy when Rafael was out of my sight. "Maybe one of us should stay with him. What if he gets scared and none of us are there to comfort him?"

Magnus stopped in front of the coffee maker and poured us both a cup before he put the mug in my hands. "Calm down Alec. I keep telling you that we need to give Rafael time to adjust and room to breathe." "That's hard to do when we've worked so hard to get him here."

Magnus and I have been spending weeks going back and forth from New York to Buenos Aires trying to bring Rafe home with us. I was there on important business when I first met him. I was walking down the street heading back to the Buenos Aires Institute when a small figure grabbed my wallet and ran off with it. I ran after him surprised at how fast he could run.

It took me a few seconds to realize that I was robbed while being glamoured. It had to be a downworlder who robbed me because no mundane would have been able to see me. When I finally jumped onto a roof and cut the kid off in an alleyway I was shocked to see a little five-year-old boy just looking up at me terrified.

I took him back with me to the institute and we found out his parents were killed during the Dark War. No one had any documentation of his name so for a while we just called him 'the boy'. I still have no idea how he has managed to survive up to this point. Who took care of him while he was a baby? Why did they abandon him and when?

I asked Rafael to tell me but he didn't even really know. It's not like he says a lot of stuff anyway. He still sees Magnus and I as strangers so he isn't comfortable enough to say more than a couple words to us. He trusts us enough to live with us though so that has to count for something.

"It's his first day in a new home. He needs some peace and quiet to be able to get comfortable. Tomorrow Max will meet him and I'm sure that will overwhelm him so for now we just need to let him do what he wants" Magnus said walking back out to the living room. I sighed following him but ended up running into his back from him suddenly stopping.

I looked up at him confused before looking over his shoulder seeing what he was looking at. Rafael was standing by the TV stand holding a picture in his hands. I'm pretty sure it was our recent family photo that we took with Max. He was looking down at it looking lost in thought.

"The boy in the picture is your brother" Magnus said making Rafael flinch from his sudden appearance. He looked up at us before setting the picture back down on the stand. "Why does he have blue skin" he asked softly. When we first met Rafe he didn't know how to speak English. Magnus put a spell on him that makes everything he says come out as English since my Spanish wasn't the best.

"He's a warlock like me" Magnus said moving over to sit on the couch.

I followed him sitting next to him but leaving a spot for Rafe to sit in between us. He seemed to hesitate on taking the spot before he silently climbed up and got comfortable between us. I smiled running my fingers through his dark hair. I don't know if he liked me doing it but it was something Max loved so I couldn't help it.

Rafael glanced up at me silently before looking up at Magnus. "You don't have blue skin." He shook his head "no but not all warlocks do. They come in all shapes and sizes. My friend Ragnor had green skin, white hair, and horns on his temples."

Rafael blinked, looking like he was trying to imagine such a strange creature but couldn't. "Your brother is a little self-conscious about his skin though so maybe when you meet him tomorrow you shouldn't ask him about it" Magnus said smiling down at him. Max may only be three but he understands that he's not like everyone else in his family. His parents don't have blue skin and it bothers him sometimes.

Rafael looked down at his feet hanging off the couch, no longer asking any questions. Magnus met my eyes frowning slightly before looking back down at him "do you have any other questions? You don't have to worry about making us mad. We won't get mad at you."

Now who was the one pestering him? And after that big talk about giving him space and letting him adjust. Still I was curious on wither or not he had any questions. I wanted him to be comfortable living with us.

Rafael stared at his feet for a moment before looking up at me "why did you adopt me?" I was taken back by the question and I could see Magnus was as well. "Because we didn't want you to have to fight alone on the streets anymore." "guys don't adopt kids together" he said softly.

Oh so that was how it was. He was wondering about Magnus's and my relationship. I never really explained to him how Magnus and I love each other. We just told him that we were going to be his parents and take care of him from now on.

"Alec and I adopted you together because we are in love. I know two guys being together must seem weird to you but believe me it's perfectly normal" Magnus said smiling at him. It was normal to us anyway. Society and the Clave still had a hard time fully accepting it.

"Do you not like that two guys in love are raising you" I asked, a little worried. I didn't want our relationship to make him more uncomfortable than he already was. I wanted him to be able to look past our genders and see us as his parents. Even without the struggle of him accepting us being gay; getting to parent status will be a long road.

Rafael was silent for a long moment before shrugging. "I don't mind" he said softly. I smiled happy that he wasn't uncomfortable with it. Magnus smiled at him too before standing up "it's getting late. How about we show you to your room and tuck you into bed."

He nodded silently before jumping off the couch. We stood up with him leading him down the hall until we got to his bedroom. Magnus turned on the light and Rafael looked around surprised. This was his first time seeing his room and I was hoping it wasn't overwhelming.

Magnus used his magic to make the walls look like the starry night sky of Buenos Aires. The moon shown bright making a nightlight for Rafe since he was afraid of the dark. His bed was small black oak with a blue comforter and some small pillows.

"What do you think? Is it too much" Magnus asked; watching him nervously. I was nervous as well. I wanted Rafael to feel comfortable sleeping in his own room. Living on the street I'm sure he's never had a bed to himself let alone a bedroom.

Rafael looked around silently before looking up at us. "I like it. Thanks." Magnus and I both smiled relieved. "Can we tuck you in" I asked walking over to his bed. He hesitated for a moment before walking over to the bed as well.

I picked him up in my arms and pressed my lips to the top of his head. Rafe closed his eye; his little fists clenching onto my T-shirt. I pulled my face away to look him over for a moment before smiling and laying him down on the bed. Magnus came over and pulled the covers over him, tucking them in around him so he would be all snug.

"Do you want a cup of water or some hot milk" he asked, sitting on the bed and rubbing Rafael's head. Rafe kept his eyes closed, leaning into Magnus's gentle touch before shaking his head no. Magnus nodded before leaning down and kissing his forehead whispering softly "Buenas Noches mi Corazon."

Rafael opened his eyes looking up at him before just nodding silently. I smiled watching them and once Magnus stood up we turned off the bedroom light making the moon and stars shine bright. Rafael looked around the room before his eyes slowly started to drift to sleep. We watched him for a moment before quietly taking our leave.

I left the door open a crack before grabbing Magnus's hand and walking with him to our bedroom. "So far so good right? He seemed to be comfortable." Magnus nodded pulling me into our bedroom before wrapping his arms around my waist. "I think he's going to feel right at home here."

"Do you think he's really okay with having two dads? It was hard to tell what he was thinking" I asked laying my head on his shoulder. Magnus shrugged still holding me. "I think he just needs some time to get used to it just like everything else. I'm more concerned on how he will react around Max."

I sighed letting him go and walking over to the closet to pick out some pajamas. "I'm sure Max is going to bombard him with questions. He's at that age where he does nothing but ask questions." Magnus nodded "believe me I know. I had to listen to them all during magic training."

"We just need to sit Max down and tell him to give his brother some space. I don't know if he will listen to us but it's still best to warn him. We don't want Rafael to get scared and tell the Clave that he doesn't want to live with us." Magnus shook his head "please don't even bring up the Clave to me right now."

We have been having a lot of problems with them lately. You would think Magnus being on the Con-clave board would make us great candidates for parents but no. Since Magnus was a warlock they weren't comfortable with the thought of him raising a Shadowhunter child. My father made the argument that if I can raise a warlock child then Magnus should be able to raise a Shadowhunter.

The Clave had no choice but to let us have him but I'm sure they're just waiting for us to screw up once so they have an excuse to take him from us. If Rafael tells them that he doesn't want to live with us, then they will gladly take him somewhere else. I hope it never comes to that. It may have only been a month or so but I have already fallen for my precious son and can't imagine not having him.

Magnus and I both changed into our Pajamas before climbing into bed. Magnus wrapped his arms around me from behind, spooning me. "Are you sure he will be okay? What if he has another nightmare" I asked frowning.

Magnus brushed his fingers through my hair before kissing the side of my temple. "We have the door open so if he cries we'll be able to hear him." "Should we go to him if he does cry" I asked, not wanting him to be weirded out by us running to comfort him. "You're overthinking things Alexander" Magnus said softly before his body relaxed and he fell asleep.

I looked back at him thinking about what he said before facing ahead again. "Goodnight son" I whispered softly before closing my eyes as well and letting sleep take over me.

"Why ain't he talking" Max asked watching his new older brother from the kitchen. Rafael was sitting on the couch again looking down at the floor. Max just got back from spending the night with his grandmother and he was all hyped for meeting his new brother. Maybe a little too hyped.

"You need to give your brother space okay? We're going to take you over there to talk to him but if he starts feeling bad then you need to leave him alone. He isn't used to our family yet so we need to make him feel as at home as possible" I said crossing my arms.

He nodded happily before dashing for the living room. "I said wait" I called after him but it was no use. Once Max had his mind set on something then it was set. He wanted to talk to his new brother so he was going to talk to his new brother.

Magnus and I quickly followed him into the living room. He was now standing in front of Rafael, both of them looking at each other silently. Rafael scanned Max with his eyes, looking surprised at just how blue Max really was. "Hi Rafael I'm Max" Max declared cheerfully.

Rafael just stayed silent but nodded slightly as if saying hello. "You don't talk much do ya" Max asked making me sigh. Here we go with the twenty questions. Rafael shrugged in response and Max smiled climbing onto the couch and sitting next to him.

"How about I make us some breakfast" Magnus asked smiling. "How do pancakes sound?" Max clapped excitedly "yay papa's pancakes!" Rafael glanced away blushing slightly and I frowned watching him "what's the matter Rafe?"

He glanced back at me staying quiet before looking away again frowning. Magnus frowned "you don't have to be shy. Tell us what's on your mind." Rafe stayed silent for a few more minutes before looking at Magnus asking "what's a pancake?"

We all stared at him a little shocked. Even Max was looking at him like he grew a second head. "You never had pancakes" he asked. Rafe blushed again looking away and I quickly walked over to him and got to his level grabbing his hands. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about son."

He has lived on the street for years. I'm sure all he could get his hands on were fruit and bread. I highly doubt there was a pancake stand he could take from. Magnus smiled at him "I'll make some pancakes and you'll see what they are. Come help me Max" he said holding his hand out for Max's.

Max jumped off the couch grabbing Magnus's hand and heading to the kitchen with him. "Make the pancakes, don't conjure them up Magnus" I called out to him. "Way to take fun out of breakfast Alexander" he called back to me. I rolled my eyes before looking back at Rafael smiling "you feeling okay?"

He didn't answer me. He was looking at his hands inside mine. They were so small compared to mine and were pretty much eaten up. "I'm sorry" he said softly.

I frowned slightly "sorry for what?" He glanced away "for not talking to Max. I… I've never had a brother so I don't know what to say to him." He's never had any family before. I bet he feels like this with all of us, not just Max.

"You don't have to jump in and be the big brother right away. I know you need time to adjust and we are more than willing to give it to you. Max is stubborn so I can't promise that he will leave you alone but he also won't push you. Take your time okay?"

He nodded squeezing my hands "I had another nightmare" he said softly. I frowned squeezing his hands back. While on the street Rafe has seen many scary things children his age should never see. Demons and creatures of the night. Shadow world being that no one else believed were there.

It's no surprise that he would get nightmares after living with the sight for so long and not knowing how to handle it. That must be terrifying to see things no one else sees and feel like you're going crazy. Anyone would have trouble with that but a five-year-old defiantly.

"You know that you can come get Magnus and I when you have scary dreams right? We won't get mad at you or anything so don't hesitate on asking us for help. We want you to feel safe and if you're having nightmares then we will do everything we can to make them go away."

Rafe looked into my eyes looking lost in thought before nodding silently. I smiled at him before letting go of one of his hands and standing up. "Come on, let's go set the table for breakfast." He nodded getting off the couch and not letting go of my hand as we made our way to the dining room.

Magnus Pov- Rafael loved pancakes. Normally when we tried to feed him he would take a couple nibbles, say he's done and then I would catch him sneaking food out of the fridge when he thought I wasn't looking. Now though he was scarfing down pancakes acting as if it would be his last meal ever. Alec had to tell him to chew slower a couple times for he wouldn't choke.

Pancakes huh? I have to add that to the very tiny list of things Rafael likes. So far the only things on the list was speaking Spanish, Spanish lullabies, and now pancakes. I noticed that he also likes to look up at the stars. One of the nights when I was staying with him in Buenos Aires I caught him sitting by a big window and just looking up at the moon and stars.

That's what inspired me to make his room into a star gazing paradise. I can't really tell if he liked it since he didn't show much interest but I'm sure he'll tell me if he does or not, in time.

Rafe finally stopped eating and he sat back in his seat staying quiet again. Alec and I looked at each other before Alec smiled at him "so Rafe, we were thinking of showing you around New York today. Maybe take you to all of Max's favorite places and see which ones you like too. Who knows, maybe we will find a special place just for you."

"Park! I wanna go to the park" Max cheered smiling. I nodded "the park is one of the places we have planned." Rafael's face seemed to pale a little at the mention of the park making me frown. "Is something wrong Rafe?"

He glanced up at me for a moment before shaking his head no. "Are you sure" Alec asked, leaning over and rubbing Rafael's arm. He nodded looking at the table and not saying a word. He was a lot more talkative yesterday but I'm sure Max being here is making him shy.

We finished up breakfast before I gathered all of Max's things he likes to bring with him when we go out. I asked Rafael if he would like to bring anything but he just shook his head no. Alec walked out of our bedroom holding a pair of small shoes with holes in them. I've tried many times to use magic to keep them together but they always ended up falling apart again.

"I think the first thing we need to do is go to the store and buy Rafe some shoes" Alec sighed. "Why go to the store when I can just conjure up some shoes" I asked getting ready to do just that. Alec grabbed my arm stopping me. "We talked about this already Magnus. No more conjuring stuff up. It's a bad influence on Max."

I rolled my eyes at this but just dropped my hands to the side. "Fine then I won't conjure up a pair of shoes." Alec nodded before going to Max's room to grab a couple more things. I looked down the hall whistling before quickly flicking my wrist and making the entire young boy section at the shoe store appear in our living room.

Rafael gasped in surprise when the shelves of shoes came out of nowhere. I have done magic for him before but never anything this big. I could see it in his eyes that he was impressed. Max clapped laughing "yay papa used magic."

Alec came back out holding Max's sippy cup and he dropped in when he saw that his living room was now a shoe store. His stunned expression turned to fury as he glared at me. "Magnus Bane! You promised and broke it not even two seconds later."

I smiled at him "correction Alexander, I told you I would not conjure up a pair of shoes. This is way more than a pair so I never broke my promise." I could tell by the look on his face that Alec was imagining himself strangling me. I blew him a kiss before grabbing Rafe by the shoulders and directing him to a chair.

"Do you know what kind of shoes you want" I asked looking around on the shelves. He looked around before shaking his head no. I thought for a moment before grabbing a pair of black tennis shoes. "Let's try these on" I said sitting on the floor and putting them on his feet.

I tied the laces before smiling up at him. "What do you think?" Rafael looked down at the shoes with a blank expression. He wiggled his toes and kicked his heels together before shaking his head no.

"No huh" I asked before getting up again looking through the options. Alec watched me crossing his arms before sighing and giving in. He walked over to the shelves looking before grabbing a pair of Velcro shoes "here try these on him." I nodded taking them from him before sitting back down in front of Rafael.

I took the other shoes off of him before replacing them with the ones Alec picked out. I strapped the Velcro before looking up at him. "Okay how about these?" Rafael stared at me hesitantly before looking back down at the shoes.

He did the same process of wiggling his toes and clapping his heels together. This time though when he clapped his heels little lights on the shoes lit up in red and blue. Rafael's eyes widened at the colors and he clapped his feet together again making them light up again. "Do you like those" I asked smiling up at him.

He didn't answer me. He was too lost in making the shoe lights come on over and over again. I couldn't help but smile more at that. It always amazed me how such small things can capture a child's heart.

"Looks like he likes those ones. Now can you please put the shoe store back and pay for the shoes" Alec asked looking at me. I nodded flicking my wrist and making everything vanish. Max walked up to Rafe looking at his shoes and when they let up again he laughed also thinking they were cool.

"Max Michael Lightwood-Bane. If I ever see you do something like papa just did you will be grounded for the next decade" Alec said crossing his fingers. Max pouted crossing his arms but he didn't argue. He knew better than to try.

"Park now" he asked looking between us. I nodded before looking at Rafael "ready to go?" He looked up at me before nodding and standing up. The shoes lit up as he walked making him even more over the moon about them.

I smiled watching him before picking up Max and gathering all his stuff. "Let's get going." Alec nodded and held his hand out for Rafael's. Rafe looked at Alec's hand for a hesitant moment before grabbing it and we all headed out.

When we got to the park I was surprised to see there weren't a lot of people. Usually there were always kids running around but today it was calm and quiet. That's for the best though. We don't want Rafael to get overwhelmed.

The moment I put Max down he ran over to Rafael grabbing his hand and pulling him over to the playground. For three years old that kid was strong. Though it doesn't help that Rafe is only skin and bones at the moment.

I watched them go play before sitting on a bench smiling at Alec. "You gonna sit with me and watch our children play together?" Alec crossed his arms avoiding eye contact with me. "I'm not really happy with you right now. You went against what I asked you."

"Yes I did I admit that but did you see how happy Rafe was? Who knows if we would have found those shoes If we went to the store. Besides it would have taken forever and I hate shopping for kid shoes." Alec looked at me over his shoulder trying to look like he was still angry but he obviously wasn't.

"I'll remember that the next time you drag me with you on one of your shoe shopping trips. We are usually in the store for hours." "Hey if I'm going to buy designer shoes then they're going to be the perfect pair. That takes time to find."

Alec rolled his eyes before giving in and sitting next to me on the bench. I smiled wrapping my arm around him and nuzzling my face in his soft black hair. "You forgive me right?" "Don't I always" he asked smiling up at me.

I smiled back at him and leaned down kissing him. He kissed me back smiling before turning his head to watch the kids. I laid my head on top of his watching them as well. "Do you think Max likes Rafael?"

Alec nodded "he seems to like him. I don't know how Rafe feels about Max yet though." I nodded "he seems like he's getting more and more comfortable with him." I smiled slightly pointing near the swing set "now would you look at that."

Alec looked and smiled seeing Rafael pushing Max on the swing. He still had the blank hesitant face expression but he was playing with his brother so that was progress. Alec cuddled closer to me smiling happily "Thank you so much Magnus."

I looked down at him surprised "for what?" He smiled up at me "for allowing us to adopt Rafe. For allowing me to have an amazing family that I just fall more and more in love with every second. None of this would have been possible if I didn't have you. My happiness is all because of you."

I smiled before kissing Alec happily. "It's not a one-way street you know? I can truly say that I have never been happier in my life than I am with you and the boys." Alec's smile grew at my words but it fell when he heard a scream.

We both shot up onto our feet seeing that the kids were no longer by the swings. We both looked at each other feeling panicked before we ran into the playground area. "Max, Rafe where are you" Alec yelled looking around. "Daddy" Max's voice frantically called from a little bit away.

We ran to where we heard his voice and stopped in front of him when we saw him standing by some playground tunnels. "Max what happened? Where's your brother?" Max frowned pointing inside of the tunnel.

Alec and I looked at each other confused before I stepped in front of the tunnel. "You're not slim enough to fit in here Alec. I'll see what's wrong, you take Max to the bench okay?" Alec watched me hesitantly before nodding and picking up Max, going back to the bench.

I watched him go before crawling into the tunnel happy that I was thin enough to fit. Rafael was sitting in the middle of the tunnel with his knees to his chest and his hands to his ears. It was a little dark but I could still see the tear tracks going down his face.

"What's the matter mi pequeño angel" I asked, calling him 'my little angel' in Spanish. He looked over at me with wide eyes, tears streaming down. "Don't like tunnels. Monsters are in tunnels."

I frowned at this "did you use to sleep in the park when you lived on the streets?" He nodded closed his eyes tight. "Monster pulled me into a tunnel. It was so scary."

It must have been a demon. They made it a habit of pulling people into dark places. This poor kid has dealt with more demons and monsters than any kid his age should. It's not hard to see why simply going into a tunnel would bring back bad memories.

I scooted in closer to him before wrapping my arms around him and pulling him close. His eyes widened before he looked up at me. I smiled down at him moving some of his hair out of his face. "It's alright to be scared Rafe. I'm scared of demons too."

It wasn't a complete lie. I wasn't afraid of all demons. Just one and I never wanted to see him again.

Rafe looked surprised that I was afraid. I guess to him the idea of Alec and I being afraid of anything was hard to believe. Alec and I weren't untouchable. So many things hurt us and we don't really have control over them but we don't let them keep us from living.

"I know tunnels can be a little scary. I know the dark can be scary. You don't have to fear them though mi pequeño angel." I held up my hand making it brighten up the tunnel with blue fire.

"There's always light in dark places. You just need to know where to look." Rafe watched my fire before looking up at me. "I can't make fire" he said softly.

I extinguished the flame smiling "it doesn't have to be fire. Light comes in many forms. Hit your feet together." Rafael looked at his feet before clicking them together and making them light up.

His eyes lit up in aw before he looked up at me. I smiled down at him saying "see what did I tell you? Light can come in many forms." Rafael look at his shoes again before grabbing my hand.

I squeezed his hand before leading him out of the tunnel. We made our way back to Alec and Max and Alec got to his knees grabbing Rafe by the face and looking him over. "Are you okay? You're not hurt are you?"

Rafael shook his head "I'm fine… can we go home? I'm a little tired." Alec looked a little shocked that Rafe called our apartment home. He nodded wiping the tear tracks off Rafael's face with his thumb. "Of course baby, let's go home."

Later on Alec and I laid in our beds looking up at the ceiling and thinking about our first day together and a full family. After we came home from the park Max and Rafael spent hours playing hide and seek. Rafe was really good at hiding and whenever he found Max he would laugh. Actually laugh and smile.

After letting him and Max help me make dinner (which was a huge mess) we all sat in the living room and I played some old Spanish records I had lying around. I learned something amazing about Rafael; he loved to dance. As soon as we turned on the music he was up on his feet and twirling around laughing. Max thought it looked fun so he joined in as well.

"I say our first day of having two kids was a success" I said turning on my side and smiling at Alec. He smiled back at me laying his arm under his pillow. "There were a couple bumps in the road but it went great. I hope we can help Rafael not be so afraid of the park."

I cuddled closer to Alec smiling. "I bet with Max there to help him he will get over it sooner or later." Alec nodded putting his forehead to mine and closing his eyes. I closed mine too, about to fall asleep when a little knock at the door made us both look up.

"Come in" Alec said sitting up. The door slowly opened and Rafael peeked in frowning. "I-I'm sorry." I shook my head holding my arms out to him. "No need to be sorry mi pequeño angel. Come here and tell us what's wrong."

Rafe hesitated before walking up to the bed and climbing in. I picked him up and set him between Alec and I. Alec ran his fingers through Rafael's sweaty hair. "Did you have another nightmare" he asked soothingly. Rafe nodded looking down at his hands in his lap.

"I don't want to be alone" he said quietly. I laid back down wrapping an arm around him. "We won't leave you alone then. You can sleep with us tonight alright?"

He looked between us. "Really?" Alec nodded pulling him into his arms, still running his fingers through his hair. "Of course. We're your parents so we will do anything to make our baby feel safe."

He laid in Alec's arms keeping silent and I watched him thinking before lowly starting to sing him a Spanish lullaby. Rafe looked over at me when he heard the song before cuddling against Alec's chest closing his eyes. I sang the song to its end and I smiled when I saw how relaxed Rafael looked.

Alec smiled leaning down and kissing his head. "We love you our little angel." Rafe leaned more into Alec before whispering "night daddy, Buena Noches Papa." I looked at Alec who looked at me seeming just as surprised.

Papa and daddy. He's never called us that before. Alec smiled kissing the top of his head and I watched him drift off to sleep smiling. "Buena Noches mi Corazon."