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Alec looks around him. There are people everywhere, enjoying the sunshine and the festivities, dressed in all the colours of the rainbow, in more sober black, white, grey and purple, in shorts and skirts, in flowing dresses and tiny tank tops, in high boots and bare feet, with fabulous wigs or hair streaked in various colours. There seems to be glitter everywhere, as well as signs and banners with statements from overtly to subtly political.
It would be almost overwhelming if it weren’t for his boyfriend’s hand in his, keeping him grounded. This is Alec’s first Pride event but Magnus’s third. They have been boyfriends for just over six months and Alec is head over heels.
Their first I Love Yous were said after four weeks, though Alec was already dying to tell him after two days. It was Jace who told him to have a little cool. As it turned out Magnus had fallen for him just as hard and was scared to come over as too much. They know now that relationships take effort, especially in the area of communication. But they are trying and so far succeeding very well.
“The concession stands are over there.” Magnus points to where there are a large number of flags flying over white tipped tents.
“Come on, I want to buy you a pin,” he continues, tugging on Alec’s hand.
Alec’s attention is briefly taken by a man who is wearing almost nothing but a thong and a cowboy hat, and a very large amount of glitter. He winks at Alec who flushes, quickly turning to follow Magnus. He came out when he met Magnus and is still getting used to allowing himself to look at other men and appreciate them openly.
“I saw some great ones last year. I hope the same stall is here this year.” He pushes his way through the crowds, Alec trailing behind, his hand gripping onto Magnus’s.
“Aha, here it is,” Magnus exclaims, stopping at a stall with what seems like a million different types of pins. Magnus puts an arm around Alec’s shoulder, pulling him close. He gives him a quick kiss on his cheek, then turns back to the stall.
“See anything you’d like?”
Alec scans the merchandise. His eyes keep getting drawn to a particular part where the colours symbolise something that he discovered about his sexuality once he and Magnus had got together. It was quite the revelation for both of them, but Magnus has been super supportive. Alec had been aware that he wasn’t like Jace. He admired men, he felt an attraction towards them but no desire to leap into bed like Jace did with all his dates. He always thought he just had to meet the right person.
But then he met Magnus and that didn’t change anything. They spent many long nights going down research rabbit holes before landing on the label asexuality. Alec is still discovering where he lies on the spectrum but neither he nor Magnus are in a hurry to give himself a microlabel.
Alec gives his boyfriend an even tighter hug as he thinks about the relief he felt that he wasn’t an anomaly, a weirdo who couldn’t even feel sexually attracted to the most beautiful, amazing person he has ever met. The person that he has fallen in love with and quite frankly wants to spend the rest of his life with. No, he’s not abnormal, he’s just different and, as Magnus said, “it’s a good thing.” Alec believes him because he trusts him totally, and because Magnus shows him every day how much he loves him.
“I think I want this one.” Alec reaches for a pin with the three letters ACE written in black on a heart that is grey, white and purple.
“Excellent choice, darling.” Magnus indicates to the seller that he wants to buy it.
He pins it onto Alec’s purple crop top, patting him on the chest, then leaning in and kissing him sweetly on the lips.
“I’m so proud of you, Alexander,” he murmurs.
“I’m proud of myself too.” Alec has that kilowatt sunshine smile on his face.
Magnus marvels at how it is possible to keep falling more in love with this amazing man. He has a feeling it will never stop. Alec is it for him. The ring burning a hole in his pocket reminds him of the forever he hopes to have with the love of his life, Alexander Gideon Lightwood.