Who: Magnus Bane & Alec Lightwood When: Backdated: Mid April Where: A Park What: Magnus plans a picnic date with his husband Rating/Warnings: Family Friendly Status: Complete
Spending time with his husband was one of Magnus Bane’s favorite past times and he would take any opportunity to do so, which was why he had suggested they have lunch together that afternoon. Of course Magnus being Magnus, he hadn’t wanted to settle for lunch at some boring restaurant but had instead decided that the day was so nice that it called for a picnic.
He would fully admit that part of his idea for a picnic had come from his most recent dream, which had thrown him and Alec back to the time during their first vacation together in France. However, unlike in the dream, Magnus had no plans to take their picnic onto a hot air balloon. That hadn’t worked out too well for them there and while Magnus may have enjoyed doing elaborate things, even he could admit that that had been a little too over the top and extremely dangerous.
So instead of hiring a hot air balloon, Magnus had gone over to see Isabelle at The Institute for assistance with what to pack for the picnic. Sure, he could have simply used his magic to conjure the picnic spread, but every now and then he liked doing things the mundane way especially when it came to things for Alec because it felt a little more sincere when he put more work into something instead of snapping his rings fingers.
Once the picnic spread had been decided on and packed, Magnus had thanked Izzy then called Alec to tell him to meet him at a park close to the Institute then made his way over to find a good spot to set up and wait for his husband.
Alec enjoyed their time together. Now that they weren’t having to work at the club as closely, they had the time to indulge in relaxation and each other, although, they were quite good at the latter despite their late nights at the club.
Since they were meeting at a park, Alec decided to dress pretty casually. A black t-shirt, blue jeans and his Shadowhunter boots. They were by far his most comfortable shoes and in case things got weird, he could maneuver in them.
It didn’t take him too long to get to the park without Magnus, although a portal would have been more efficient. He pulled out his phone and texted his husband.
>> where exactly are we meeting in this park?
He glanced around, trying to spot the warlock.
Feeling his phone buzz, Magnus slipped it out of the pocket of his black jeans and smiled upon seeing Alec’s name. Opening the text, his black nailed fingers began typing out a response,
>> I’m under an oak tree on the east side.
Setting the phone down on the blanket, he glanced around to see if Alec was nearby, his yellow cat eyes scanning the various people in his vicinity. He was very much looking forward to seeing what Alec would think of the picnic he’d packed.
Without sending back a confirmation text, Alec began to head in the proper direction. It wasn’t likely for him to get lost or encounter any trouble. So, within a few minutes, he was approaching his husband, a small smile on his face. “So, this is what you’ve been up to, huh?” he asked, as he neared, taking in the set up.
A grin spread across Magnus’ lips as he saw Alec approach and got to his feet and greet his husband, “It most definitely is,” Reaching Alec, he brought a hand up to cup Alec’s cheek and press a quick kiss to his lips before glancing back down at the picnic set up, “I thought we could use a nice peaceful, romantic date.” He snapped his fingers and the candles in the center of the blanket lit, “Don’t worry, they’re safe. I wouldn’t risk burning down the park just to be romantic.”
Alec tilted his head at the comment. “Should I be worried about you committing arson on future dates?” he questioned. Still, he was happy with the layout before him. “This is great, though.” He took a seat and looked at Magnus. “So, what’s on the menu?”
“Ha! No, you don’t have to worry about me committing arson at any time.” Magnus smirked and sat down beside Alec; he had enchanted the ground beneath the blanket so that it was a little softer than usual. “Well, we have a fruit and cheese platter.” He gestured towards the wooden platter of various cheeses and pieces of fruit, “As well as mini quiches and finger sandwiches.” He reached into the picnic basket and removed a bottle, “And of course wine.” He easily popped the cork using magic and filled two glasses then passed one to Alec, “Oh and because I give credit where credit is due, Isabelle helped me.”
Magnus always knew how to surprise Alec. It was one of the best things about him. “Wine...midday, aren’t you just a rebel?” He chuckled and looked over everything, before taking a glass of wine. “I’ll have to send her a text later. For now, let’s enjoy lunch.” He took a sip before giving Magnus a soft kiss on the cheek.
“As they say, it’s five o’clock somewhere,” Magnus smirked and took a sip of his wine as Alec kissed his cheek, “I was thinking, perhaps it’s time for another group vacation. We haven’t done one of those in awhile.” Magnus’ dream about his and Alec’s vacation had brought up memories of the other trips they had all gone on over the last few years and that they hadn’t done anything for awhile, “You and me. Izzy and Simon. Jace and Jesus.” Not only would it be fun to take another trip, but it could give them all a chance to get to know Jace’s new boyfriend better.
“A group trip, huh?” Alec did like traveling with Magnus. “You think Jace’s boyfriend will be up for a trip where he is the outsider?” Sure, he’d get the chance to learn more about Jace’s friends but Alec would be nervous, if in the other’s position. “Five versus one hardly seems nice,” he commented with a smirk.
Magnus could definitely understand where Alec was coming from, “We could always have some more group get togethers before a big trip. We could even go on a double date. The four of us.” He knew that Jace had organized a low key double date recently with Simon and Izzy at the Institute. “That way he’s more comfortable around us all if we do go on a trip.” He took a sip of his wine.
“It’s an idea…” Alec replied before taking another sip of wine. “I don’t see the harm in asking.” He was sure that Paul was getting somewhat acquainted with Simon and Izzy, given that they lived at the Institute, as well.
“Maybe a night out or dinner at the loft.” The weather was getting nicer so they could always have dinner on their roof terrace. One of the many things Magnus enjoyed using the terrace for during the summer. Magnus picked up a few grapes and popped them into his mouth before holding one out towards Alec, “I just hope this works out for Jace. He deserves to be as happy as we are.”
“Guess we’ll have to wait and see.” Alec wanted Jace to be happy, as well, but sometimes things just had a way of not working out. “So...was this lunch just an excuse to talk about Jace?” He questioned. “Cause there’s been way too much of that, if you ask me.”
Magnus laughed and shook his head and he leaned in and pressed a kiss to Alec’s neck near his deflect Rune, “No, that certainly wasn’t my intention.” Although Alec did have a point, “Let’s move on from talking about Jace for now. “I’m curious, have you ever thought about taking a hot air balloon ride?” One that Magnus certainly would not pilot himself.
Alec pondered the idea, and gave a small shrug. “Can’t say that that’s ever crossed my mind before...any reason that you are particularly interested in it?” His eyes drifted up to the sky, searching for a possible hot air balloon, drifting.
“Just the dream I had last night,” Magnus smirked as he watched Alec glance up at the sky, “Don’t worry, there won’t be one touching down in the park any time soon.” He took another sip of his wine, “Remember the vacation we went on after the battle in Idris? Turns out we went to Paris and I tried to impress you with dinner in a hot air balloon. Suffice to say, it didn’t turn out quite the way I’d planned.” Crashing into a sign and making a narrow escape certainly hadn’t been what Magnus had intended when he’d planned that adventure.
“So, I think we shouldn’t arrange for any hot air balloon dates...just to be safe,” Alec replied with a smirk. He didn’t really see how it could be all that exciting, but if such a date got him alone time with his husband, it wouldn’t be so bad. “I prefer these kinds of dates.”
Magnus smiles and leaned a little more into Alec, if that were even possible, “No hot air balloons it is then.” It always made him happiest when he planned something that Alec enjoyed and Magnus knew that one of Alec’s favorite things were quiet, intimate dates like this one, “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” Still smiling he turned his head and pressed a kiss to Alec’s cheek.
Alec smiled, before turning his head slightly to give his husband a soft kiss on the lips. “Now, let’s eat and maybe after, we can take a walk around the park,” he suggested. It’d be a shame for them to not enjoy the beautiful day as much as possible.