{"id":1927,"date":"2018-09-30T20:06:19","date_gmt":"2018-09-30T18:06:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/?p=1927"},"modified":"2018-09-30T20:06:19","modified_gmt":"2018-09-30T18:06:19","slug":"happy-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/happy-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Birthday!"},"content":{"rendered":"
This entry is in the series Shadowhunter AUs<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Author's Note<\/strong>: My take on the \"remember when we were 20 and you had just broken up with your girlfriend and you drunkenly made me promise to marry you if you were single at 30? well happy birthday, jackass, here's a decoder ring I just pulled out of a cereal box. Marry me.\" trope.<\/p>\n

A placeholder\/pinch hit for the Jalec Gift Exchange 2018 for nashcreates, I hope you like this!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Not being particularly fond of the taste of alcohol, Alec rarely drank, and on the few occasions that he did he, he hardly got more than slightly tipsy. <\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone has to make sure your drunk asses get home safe,\u201d was his usual excuse, but Jace and Izzy knew it had mostly to do with Alec\u2019s intense dislike of losing control. They also knew better than to point this out, instead opting to gratefully accepting his services as designated driver. <\/p>\n

Still, after his first boyfriend had introduced him to some concoctions that effectively hid the taste of liquor, there had been a few memorable occasions when Alec had allowed himself to let go, albeit only in the company of people he trusted. Which was why most of these times Jace had been there - including the time that Alec\u2019s relationship with aforementioned first boyfriend had imploded. <\/p>\n

Needless to say, that was one night when Jace was the one making sure Alec got home safe, for which Alec thanked him the moment his head stopped pounding. \u201cPlease tell me I didn\u2019t make a fool of myself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t remember?\u201d Jace\u2019s efforts to keep a straight face failed, and he cracked up even more when Alec winced at the sound of his giggling. Patting his arm, Jace soothed, \u201cYou were the most dignified drunk the Hunter\u2019s Moon has ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec gave him an unimpressed look of utter disbelief, but years of being the recipient of similar glares had inured Jace to them, especially with Alec still looking exactly as if he\u2019d just rolled out of bed hungover. Grinning, Jace held out a giant mug filled to the brink with coffee, laughing when Alec made grabby hands and held it to his face as if it was pure ambrosia. Alec glared over the rim, but after draining half of it, he put the mug down and pulled Jace into a hug. It wasn\u2019t the best smelling hug of Jace\u2019s life, but it was an Alec hug, and Jace automatically relaxed into it, whispering reassuringly, \u201cLike I told you last night, you\u2019ll be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec didn\u2019t need to remember what exactly had transpired to believe Jace\u2019s assurance without hesitation. And that was all they said about that night.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

They\u2019d been in their early 20s then, and Alec did indeed turn out to be okay. By the time his 30th birthday rolled around, he felt as if his life was right on track - he liked his small circle friends, his relationship with his parents was better than it had ever been, and he\u2019d just made Sergeant. The only thing missing was a significant other, at least according to the majority of people around him. Alec had dated a few guys, but none of these relationships had ever felt right, and Alec had never considered himself one of those people who needed to be part of a couple to feel complete.<\/p>\n

Among those closest to him, he\u2019d always thought that Jace was the one who understood this best. After all, with the notable exception of Clary, Jace had been pretty much perpetually single, too, albeit with a string of flings under his belt, while Alec had never seen the appeal of sex for the sake of sex. This came in quite handy, too, on these occasions when a Plus One was required, and they had stopped correcting people who wrongly assumed their were together a long time ago.<\/p>\n

It was also Jace who decided to throw Alec a massive birthday party, although Izzy enthusiastically jumped on the bandwagon. Because his birthday happened to be on a Sunday, they rented out the entire Hunter\u2019s Moon on the Saturday, got Simon\u2019s band to play and invited everyone Alec knew. It was rare that his co-workers, his family and his friends mingled (with the exception of Jace, who belonged in all three categories at once). However, in spite of Alec\u2019s early misgivings, the evening turned out to be a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

The numerous toasts left him feeling pleasantly relaxed, and he accepted some of Maia\u2019s colorful concoctions that tasted almost good. After three of them, Alec went so far as to allow Izzy to pull him onto the improvised dance floor, where they were greeted by cheers. Jace, as usual rather more inebriated than Alec, even threw his arms around Alec\u2019s neck, breath hot against his skin as he yelled over the music, \u201cOooh, Alec, show me your moves!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn your dreams, Herondale!\u201d Alec shot back, but didn\u2019t shake Jace off. He\u2019d been in love with Jace for so long, he\u2019d long since gotten used to his best friend\u2019s casual invasion of his personal space. Still, that didn\u2019t mean it was easy for him to remain impassive when Jace then proceeded to grind against him. Normally he would have extricated himself with some excuse, but as it was, the alcohol was making him feel warm and possibly slightly reckless, so instead Alec ground back, smirking when Jace\u2019s eyes widened in surprise.<\/p>\n

However, Jace had never been one to back down from a challenge, so he quickly recovered. His hands had never left Alec\u2019s neck, and now he trailed them over his shoulders and down his back, settling against his hips, just above his ass. Grinning widely, Jace pulled Alec against himself in one decisive motion, and while Alec was dimly aware that most people he knew were around them, he couldn\u2019t find it in himself to care. Instead he laughed, feeling giddy, and rested his arms on Jace\u2019s shoulders as they continued to move together.<\/p>\n

Alec wasn\u2019t the best dancer, but Jace more than made up for it, and Alec lost himself in the rhythm and the sensation of Jace\u2019s hard body pressed against his. And when the music changed to something slower, neither one of them moved away. Without thinking, Alec pulled Jace into an embrace, and Jace came easily, his head nestled against Alec\u2019s shoulder as they swayed slowly. It never failed to touch Alec how complete Jace\u2019s trust in him was, considering his less than ideal childhood, and he closed his eyes and firmly ignored Izzy\u2019s penetrating stare.<\/p>\n

His sister was the only person who knew how deep Alec\u2019s feelings for his best friend ran, but tonight Alec wasn\u2019t in the mood to be careful. Instead he allowed himself to enjoy the fact that Jace remained more or less permanently attached to him for the rest of the night, on the dance floor and off. He only disappeared once, shortly before midnight, but not before planting a wet kiss on Alec\u2019s cheek and exclaiming happily, \u201cAlmost time!\u201d<\/p>\n

When he returned, his eyes were dancing in a way that would have made Alec very, very<\/em> suspicious on any other day. As it was, however, he felt too buzzed to worry about whatever scheme Jace was hatching. Especially since right then the clock struck midnight, officially ringing in Alec\u2019s 30th birthday, and the whole place erupted into cheers, followed by a rather off-key, but heartfelt rendition of \u201cHappy Birthday.\u201d <\/p>\n

Afterwards Alec was showered in hugs and presents, all of which made him squirm and blush, never being one for the spotlight. He rather preferred to leave that to Jace, who remained conspicuously in the background while Alec tried to accept everyone\u2019s attentions with as much grace as he could muster. They meant well, after all, and it was<\/em> nice to have so many people who apparently cared for him, Alec supposed. <\/p>\n

Even Simon, who was a sentimental drunk and rather loudly proclaimed his hopes to soon call Alec \u201cbrother,\u201d making Izzy blush and Clary elbow him in an unsubtle attempt to get him to shut up. Before Izzy\u2019s possibly-maybe-soon-to-be-fianc\u00e9 could embarrass himself further, Jace finally decided to join the action. With a wide grin that even a tipsy Alec knew spelled trouble, he inserted himself between Alec and Simon, waving his hands to get everyone to shut up. <\/p>\n

\u201cWait, wait, what travesty is this?\u201d he finally proclaimed, ignoring with practiced ease that Alec was shooting him daggers. \u201cThe younger sibling getting married before the oldest? We can\u2019t have that!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026 what?<\/em>\u201d Alec interrupted his best friend, feeling completely at a loss. He could tell that Jace was up to something but had no idea what it might be. He was clutching something in one hand, and before he could move away, Alec made a decisive grab for it. Holding Jace off with one hand, Alec stared at the object in the other in abject confusion. \u201cJace, what. The. Hell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Using his distraction, Jace quickly snatched it back. \u201cAww, spoilsport. I was going to do it properly and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo what properly?\u201d Alec asked, staring his best friend down, surprised to see a flash of embarrassment that was covered so quickly, no one except for Alec probably noticed. \u201cWhat even is that thing? It looks like...\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c...something out of a cereal box?\u201d Jace completed, having regained his composure and smirking up at Alec cockily. \u201cYour insight is uncanny, Mr. Lightwood. This is, in fact, a decoder ring. Remember when we had this detective phase in fourth grade? We had one just like this, and I managed to track it down on eBay, just for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crossing his arms, Alec tried not to feel touched by Jace having obviously gone to quite a bit of trouble for\u2026 whatever this was. Which he still hadn\u2019t explained. \u201cAs much as I appreciate the nostalgic gesture, I still don\u2019t understand why<\/em> you\u2019re holding a fucking decoder ring-\u201d Language<\/em>, someone interrupted, but Alec barely heard them, too distracted by Jace\u2019s next actions,\u201d - and now you\u2019re getting down on one knee. Jace, Jace<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n

Fighting a sudden surge of panic, Alec tried to get Jace back to his feet, but Jace swatted him away. Recognizing the determined glint in his best friend\u2019s eyes, Alec subsided, knowing there wouldn\u2019t be any peace until Jace had gotten whatever this was out of his system. Sighing, he shook his head, which Jace took as the signal to press on, his voice taking on a pompous, rehearsed tone, \u201cAlec Lightwood. You have been my best friend forever, and we\u2019ve been through so much together. And almost ten years ago, on a very depressed and very drunk night, nursing a broken heart, you made me promise that you wouldn\u2019t be single when you turned 30.\u201d<\/p>\n

At some point during the speech, Alec\u2019s heart had started to hammer, memories he\u2019d repressed starting to flood back in. Had he really done that? Yes, he had, his head on Jace\u2019s shoulder, his heart on his sleeve, and of course Jace hadn\u2019t forgotten. From the glint in Jace\u2019s eyes, he could tell that his best friend knew exactly what was going through his head right now. Alec fought the urge to hide his face in his hands, suddenly all too aware of the audience surrounding them, their expressions ranging from confusion (his co-workers) to utter glee (most of his friends and especially his traitorous sister). <\/p>\n

\u201cSo. Alec. My bestie. My ride-or-die.\u201d Obviously Jace wasn\u2019t done yet, so Alec swallowed and steeled himself for the unavoidable. \u201cWill you take this incredibly awesome decoder ring and marry me?\u201d<\/p>\n

They were staring at each other unblinkingly, a clear challenge in Jace\u2019s eyes, and Alec knew he was just waiting for Alec to fold. Well, that wasn\u2019t going to happen. Years of one-upmanship had Alec square his shoulders before clasping his hands in front of his chest and declaring with exaggerated emotion, \u201cYes! Of course I will.\u201d Jace\u2019s facade flickered, so Alec doubled down, although it came out more sincerely than he\u2019d intended, \u201cI mean, you obviously need someone to look after your dumb ass, and that\u2019s always been my job anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, he grabbed the ring from Jace\u2019s still-outstretched hand and jammed it on his left pinky, wincing when it jammed, because it was obviously meant for much smaller fingers. Around them people were murmuring, there was even some cheering, as part of their audience apparently decided that this was the kind of proposal Jace and Alec would actually go for. Not that Alec was paying them much heed, his attention still fixed on Jace, who was staring back at him, speechless for a change. <\/p>\n

However, the next moment he narrowed his eyes, and Alec realized with a sinking feeling in his stomach that this wasn\u2019t over yet. Scrambling to his feet, Jace grabbed his hand, squeezing it so tightly that Alec had to hide a wince, and replied sweetly, \u201cWell, good thing then that you like my ass. And now it\u2019ll be yours - forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alec was unable to suppress a blush, but he managed to hold Jace\u2019s gaze, using their locked hands to pull him closer until he could wrap his free arm around him, bringing their bodies together. As he lowered his head, Alec saw with satisfaction that Jace\u2019s eyes widened, his tongue flicking out nervously. In the background he heard a voice that could only belong to Izzy say, \u201cWell, fucking finally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally?<\/em> Pulse racing, Alec still expected Jace to cave, right until their lips met.<\/p>\n

A shock ran through Alec, and he could feel Jace stiffen against him, his mouth unyielding. Alec was about to move away, laugh it off and pretend it wouldn\u2019t be even harder to continue being just friends<\/em>. Before he could, however, Jace\u2019s lips softened, his arms coming up to wrap around Alec\u2019s neck as if it was the most natural thing in the world, and then they were actually kissing.<\/p>\n

A proper kiss, too, one that left Alec breathless, his tongue sliding against Jace\u2019s, his body aware of every inch of Jace pressed against him, down to the bulge he felt growing against his thigh. Blood rushing downwards, heat curled in his stomach, and Alec could easily have continued kissing Jace forever. And from the fervor with which Jace was responding, it seemed he shared Alec\u2019s enthusiasm, the thought alone enough to make Alec feel light-headed with the possibility that this might actually be real<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Was it, though? Tearing himself away, Alec stared down at his best friend, taking in how positively, breathtakingly wrecked<\/em> he looked. He also made no move to step away, a myriad of emotions flickering over his expressive face, and Alec\u2019s heart felt as if it would burst with emotion. He\u2019d never wanted anything in his life as much as he wanted Jace, which wasn\u2019t new - but for the first time he allowed himself to hope that maybe, possibly, Jace might want him back.<\/p>\n

Ignoring the catcalls from the peanut gallery, Alec swallowed and forced himself to ask hoarsely, \u201cIs it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs what?\u201d Jace replied, voice equally low. His hands had found Alec\u2019s collar, sliding under it almost absentmindedly, his palms hot against Alec\u2019s skin.<\/p>\n

It was rather distracting, and Alec had to clear his throat. \u201cIs your ass mine? For\u2026 forever?\u201d<\/p>\n

His voice broke at the last word, but any embarrassment he might have felt evaporated immediately, because Jace was raising himself to his tiptoes until they were eye-to-eye. He was smiling, warm and intimate, as if they were all alone in the world. But then Jace had always been better at rolling with the punches than Alec. <\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d he whispered, the single word sending shivers down Alec\u2019s spine. \u201cI guess I am. Maybe I always have been.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jace kissed him like a promise, like an oath, and Alec knew he wanted to keep kissing him for the rest of their lives. Still, he broke away, grinning when Jace tried to chase after his lips, and rested their foreheads together. \u201cWell, you\u2019ve always been slow on the uptake, Herondale. You better get me a real ring, though.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got yourself a deal, Lightwood.\u201d This time the cheering around them was deafening, and after a heartbeat of staring at each other, Jace and Alec broke into laughter. Breathless, Alec tightened his hold and swung Jace around, both of them giddy with happiness.<\/p>\n

It was definitely the best birthday of Alec\u2019s life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This entry is in the series Shadowhunter AUs<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Alec's 30th birthday party turns out somewhat differently than he'd expected.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[228,197],"tags":[295,299,307],"series":[325],"class_list":["post-1927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alec-lightwoodjace-wayland","category-shadowhunters","tag-audience-teen","tag-genre-slash","tag-warning-au","series-shadowhunter-aus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1927"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1927\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1928,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1927\/revisions\/1928"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1927"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/shirasade.net\/fiction\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=1927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}