As promised, a quick update.

J is for Jewelry

"Jewelry, who needs it?" Alec mumbled, leaning back against his chair and tipping the cup of coffee into his mouth. Across from him sat Simon Lewis, eyeing a Mundane woman with light interest. They were both eyeing her. Alec because he thought it was insane to have that much amount of jewelry in one hand. Honestly, did somebody need one ring for each finger, three bracelets and a very large bangle? It must have been heavy. Simon, on the other hand, was only watching her because she had a small dog tucked into her bag and, for his second reason, because Alec pointed out her choice of accessories.

"Must be heavy," Simon said, pushing his coffee away from him. It was always odd, Clary mused once, how he and Alec developed such a strange relationship. Neither acknowledged each other as friends, well, not aloud, anyway. But they didn't hate each other, and Alec was actually pretty open about Downworlders. Given that he'd been dating one for quite some time now.

It had started out a year ago when Clary and Jace had gotten married and Simon was still sixteen. Being with Alec didn't feel like he was being with an old friend, it felt like he was being with someone very young. Time had been very kind to Alec, his features remained gentle, and if there were any signs of aging then it wasn't very obvious. To Simon Alec looked like he could pass off as twenty one if he wanted to - when in truth Alec was probably about in his mid-twenties. Maybe being inlove with an immortal had that effect on people.

Alec looked across the table at Simon and tried not to roll his eyes. Even after the few months they'd started to hang out just at the café a few blocks down Magnus's apartment, nothing had changed. Except, maybe, that now Alec was bothering Simon with his surprising chats. More like babble, but Simon enjoyed the company.

Strange pair, the two of them. Maybe they were friends, in a way. Like how Simon was friends with Jace. Right.

"Look at that one," Simon raised his chin and snickered as a tall figure strode down the street, each finger – except the actual ring finger – adorned with rings, the middle one holding two. Bangles clung to his wrists and a large chain hung around his neck, his belt buckle shimmering in the sun. "Oddest one I've seen all day."

Alec choked on his coffee and glared at Simon as Magnus Bane stopped at their table – they were sitting outside – and quirked his eyebrow at Simon, having heard his comment.

"What? You started it." Simon huffed and Magnus just shook his head. He leaned down towards Alec, very close, and even after years of being together, Alec still flushed at their proximity. Very soon Magnus had straightened up, patted Alec's head and nodded at Simon before he went on his very happy way of strutting down the road, people giving way for the infamous Bane.

"Shut up, Lewis." Alec murmured into his coffee as Simon pointed out an older woman this time who wore rings that were too large for her bony hands.

"Alec, do you see this?" It was eight in the evening now and Magnus had pulled Alec to one of the more secluded parts of Central Park. He snapped his fingers and candles lighted up a table that hadn't been there before.

Alec, in question, focused his eyes on Magnus. It wasn't hard. Magnus wasn't shimmering or glittering. His hair was simply styled and Alec was sure that if he raked his fingers through them they would be soft and wouldn't get stuck because of the gel. "What's that?"

Magnus put his hand in the air and waited for Alec to comment on anything. Alec frowned. "Yes, I see that you're wearing an insane amount of rings. I'm used to them, by the way."

The warlock couldn't help but laugh at that. "Is that all? Don't you think one finger is missing a ring?" He raised an eyebrow and Alec leaned forward on the table and his brows knitted together.

"You have two rings in your middle finger and none in your ring," He pointed out, not knowing where this was going.

"Do you know why?" Magnus said with a glint in his eyes.

"You forgot to put the extra there?" Alec tried with a slight smile.

Magnus shook his head. "I'm saving it for something special,"

At this, though, Alec drew back a bit, his blue eyes confused. Weren't they special? How could he even- "What?" was all he managed before Magnus snapped his fingers and he slid out of his chair, hauling Alec to stand as well before he dropped to a knee and held a box up to the Shadowhunter.

And there, in his golden-green eyes, Alec saw everything. But Alec's eyes were now on the simple band of gold that lay in the middle of the box. The gems on the band reflected the faint gold from the candles and Alec looked back, his eyes meeting Magnus's.

"Alexander Lightwood," Magnus looked extremely serious. "Will you-"

"By the Angel," Alec said, his voice rising. He gripped Magnus by the collar of his expensive shirt and then kissed him.

As the kisses finally paused, Magnus slipped the ring into Alec's finger and then raised his own right hand.

Alec twined his fingers with Magnus's, marvelling at the beauty of the simple gold ring and also amazed at how beautiful it looked on Magnus – set for one purpose. All the other rings, even the bangles, were gone. There was only the single ring that matched Alec's own in the same exact finger.

Their foreheads touched and Alec realized that yes, he very much needed this piece of jewelry.

"Yes, I'll marry you." He whispered, a smile lightning up his face.

This is by far my favorite chapter. I was grinning when I wrote this. Sooooo. Any thoughts?