Snow was falling as Alec walked to Magnus's apartment in Brooklyn. Despite the layers of warm clothing he was wearing, the cold fund its way through and his teeth chattered. He walked huddled against the wind, his arms folded to his chest.
Magnus was waiting for him at the door. Mistletoe was hanging just past the doorframe. Magnus pulled Alec into the warm apartment and into his arms. Alec's weight closed the door as Magnus pushed him against it. Magnus said, "There's mistletoe. This is completely necessary," before tipping Alec's face upward with his fingertips and leaning down to brush Alec's lips. Alec's hands wrapped around Magnus's neck and the kiss turned urgent. Finally, Magnus broke away. "There will be more time for that later. First, I have a present for you." Magnus helped Alec with his coat, then led him to the couch.
As Alec sat on the couch, Magnus headed for the kitchen. "I have some hot chocolate for you." A moment later, Magnus returned, mugs in hand. He handed one to Alec and said, "Be careful. It's really hot."
"Heat doesn't bother me much. Shadowhunters have to develop an immunity to a lot of things." He still nearly burned his tongue when he took a sip. "It's really good, but it's different from what I've had before." Alec had his cold hands wrapped around the warm mug and he looked at Magnus over the rim of it.
"I like to counteract the sugar with spice, so I put in a little cinnamon."
They sat at opposite ends of the couch with their legs stretched towards each other. When Magnus finished, he set his empty mug on the coffee table. "I made you something," he said. "I'll be right back." He brushed his hand against Alec's leg befire he stood. While Magnus was gone, Alec got the present from where his coat was lying on the floor. When Magnus came back, Alec was sitting on the couch, the gift box in his lap.
A similar box was in Magnus's arms when he returned. They traded gifts and Magnus said, "After you." Alec tore away the paper and opened the box. Iniside was a dark blue sweater made of soft wool. "I made it myself," Magnus said. "No magic."
Alec smiled and leaned toward Magnus. He kissed him softly and noticed that Magnus's lips tasted like cinnamon and Alec's lips were chapped from the cold. "Thank you. This is funny because I got you a sweater too. Only, I didn't make it. I don't know how."
As Magnus opened the gift, he saw that silvery threads were woven into the sweater, adding just a touch of sparkle. Magnus pulled Alec into his lap. "I love it. I love you." Magnus slid down until they were lying on the couch.
"I love you, too." They were joined, and Alec wished they could stay like this forever.
