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Part 2 of Familia Ante Omnia Series, Part 47 of Pride Month Ficlets 🌈
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2023-06-18
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A Good Fit

Summary:

"Can't sleep?" Magnus asks. Alec chuckles quietly, looking at his fiancé standing in the doorway to their en-suite.

"No. I'm too pumped," he smirks.

Magnus cocks an amused eyebrow as Alec returns his eyes to his reflection in the mirror.

"I can't believe they will be gone tomorrow," he says.

 

[Part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. Mind the tags!]

Notes:

#18 for Pride Month 2023 – multifandom, multi OTPs, familial or platonic relationships, and introspections. Join me in celebrating the queer community and the fandoms we share. 🌈
...

I already missed these guys. 😅 Thank you, Susan, for betaing this one-shot. 💜

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

"Can't sleep?" Magnus asks. Alec chuckles quietly, looking at his fiancé standing in the doorway to their en-suite.

"No. I'm too pumped," he smirks.

Magnus cocks an amused eyebrow as Alec returns his eyes to his reflection in the mirror.

"I can't believe they will be gone tomorrow," he says.

Magnus walks closer and hooks his chin over Alec's shoulder, his arms wrapping around Alec's waist.

"You've waited for this day for so long," Magnus says.

Alec lets out a deep sigh. "Yeah," he breathes. "It's still weird. And exhilarating." He chuckles. "They did a pretty good job last year. I feel a little guilty to yeet them now."

Magnus hums in acknowledgement.

Alec leans back into Magnus' chest and keeps on looking in the mirror.

"I hope you'll like how I look after surgery."

"I will always love how you look, Alexander."

"Yeah, yeah," Alec chuckles.

"I mean it."

Alec nods. "I know," he says, vulnerable eyes meeting Magnus' in the mirror. "Thank you for going through all of this with me. I know the next few weeks will be challenging. I can't thank you enough, and Izzy and Cat..."

Magnus presses a kiss on Alec's shoulder before he replies, "That's what family is for. We will take good care of you and Max while you're recovering."

"Not being allowed to lift him is the worst of it all. I hope he won't be weirded out by all of it."

"Kids adjust quickly to changes. I remember Mina when Tessa changed the colour and length of her hair. Her first reaction was intense, but that only took a few hours and she was okay. And you've seen how cautious Max always is with the twins. We just tell him that he needs to be as tender with you as he is with the babies, and you'll cuddle a lot to make up for you not carrying him."

Alec exhales slowly. "Yeah. It's gonna be fine."

***

Alec wakes up, his head filled with candy floss. The beeping of the pulse oximeter only adds to his confusion. But then, he manages to pry his eyes open, and he remembers.

His arms still feel too heavy to lift, and the bandages and compression binder don't make it look that different to the last time he looked down at himself before the anaesthetist put him under.

"How…?" Alec tries to speak but trails off, his throat dry as parchment paper.

"Oh, hello there," a woman says. A nurse judging by her scrubs. Alec can't get her face into focus enough to recognise her. It doesn't matter. They were all nice during his check-in and surgery prep.

"Everything went well. The surgeons are very happy with the results."

Alec's lips curl into a tired smile. Magnus insisted on him getting the best doctors and a private room, no discussion allowed, the price not important. It's an early wedding gift. Alec's argument that grooms usually don't give presents to each other was lovingly ignored. Alec guesses he'll be grateful for it over the next few days. And always.

"Magnus?" he whispers.

"Your partner will be here soon. Just let yourself wake up a little further, get some liquid in you, hm?"

Alec nods. He knows now who the nurse is. The short one with the freckles. He's in good hands.

"Okay," he agrees.

***

The second time Alec wakes up, it is to someone combing their fingers through his hair. He opens his eyes, already smiling. He'd recognise that body wash anywhere.

"Hey," he croaks.

"Hello, love. How are you?"

"Tired," Alec chuckles.

"Any pain?"

"I think they drugged me pretty good. I can't feel a thing."

"Good," Magnus says and presses a kiss against his forehead.

"Where's Max?"

"With Jace at the playground."

"I miss my little munchkin," Alec pouts.

"He misses you too. But it's only for a few days until the drains are pulled."

"I know," Alec sighs groggily. "But can't you bring him in?"

"You need to rest now, honey. It's all gonna be alright."

Alec nods, his eyes already closed again.

***

One day later

"You've got visitors," Magnus singsongs as they enter.

"Daddy!" Max calls and nearly falls out of Magnus' arms.

"Steady, Maxie. Don't hurt yourself," Alec says, smiling at his little boy. He adjusts his mastectomy pillow and pulls up his blanket to hide the drains from Max's sight and grabby hands.

"Daddy," Max all but shrieks again. They haven't slept apart since Alec weaned him.

"Be careful, blueberry. You remember what we talked about?" Magnus asks. The little boy brushes his hand carefully over Alec's hair. "Right. Daddy needs gentle touches. Very gentle touches."

Alec beams at his son as Magnus lies Max down at the side of the bed where he snuggles against him. Alec brushes his hand over his back.

"I missed you two so much," he says and accepts Magnus' kiss. "How was your night?"

"Short but good. He asked for you a lot, wanted to cut his breakfast short to come here."

"My poor baby," Alec says, sad that he can't move to kiss his boy.

"How are you doing?" Magnus asks.

"Good enough. They still give me painkillers but the anaesthesia has tapered off. It hurts. But it's bearable."

Magnus quirks a smile. "You look tired."

"I slept in intervals, woke up a million times. But that was to be expected. My back is killing me. The pillows are great, though. Jem was right. But I can't wait to get home."

"When the drains are pulled. So be good and heal fast," Magnus smirks.

Alec grins. He was against the luxury treatment at first, but the thought of Max pulling on the drains convinced him to stay in the hospital for a few days. He still hopes he's on the fast side of healing. He misses his home, his partner and his son. He was a bit teary in the morning, but the nurse said that was normal. It's a very emotional thing and a big surgery. He's allowed to feel off.

But not now. Now, he'll look at Max's favourite book with him and make his boy smile for a few minutes before they have to say goodbye again. They both need it.

***

Five days later

Alec bobs nervously on his feet, his face happy and anxious all at once. He smiles at Jace, who grins back over the phone he's holding to capture this moment for eternity. Alec prays that this was all worth it, that he will be pleased with the results when the bandages come off.

"Ready for the unveiling?" the doctor asks.

Alec grins from ear to ear. "Yeah," he breathes. "Did you press the record button?"

"Yes," Jace chuckles and rolls his eyes fondly.

The doctor removes the compression binder, and Alec's heartbeat speeds up. He's grown impossibly still all of a sudden, staring at himself in the mirror. What if it looks terrible?

"Oh my god!" he presses out when the bandages are gone. He shivers, tears brimming his eyes as he takes himself in.

The doctor is talking but the words don't really register. Alec is too entranced by his reflection in the mirror. He can watch Jace's video later to gather info.

Is this really him? It looks strange and yet, so familiar. Dreamlike. Probably because he's only ever seen himself like this while being asleep.

His chest is still a healing landscape but where bumps of fat and glandular tissue used to be, he's flat, his nipples perfectly placed, the areolas the size a man should have.

Alec feels tears pricking his eyes, a giddy feeling claiming his whole body. He giggles and cries, all the emotions sloshing through him needing an outlet. He barely notices the drains being pulled.

"What do you think?" Alec asks, turning to Jace when he's free to do so.

"You look amazing, Alec!"

Alec can see the honest smile on his best friend's face. He means it. His chest finally looks like it was always supposed to be.

It's still weird as he gazes down at himself, his brain trying to put one and one together but failing. But that's no surprise. If babies adjust fast to changes, the adult brain needs a bit longer. He's lived with his breasts for so many years, hated them, hid them, used them. They were always there, and now, they're gone. He doesn't miss them, but his brain does. Not for long, he hopes.

"You should wear the compression vest for two more weeks apart from showering. Don't lift your arms above shoulder level and no heavy lifting or rush movements until our next appointment, okay? Nothing strenuous," the doctor says.

Alec nods. Not lifting Max will be the worst, but they have made a good schedule so that he'll never be alone for too long with his boy, and he prepared a few things before he left for the hospital like a changing spot where Max can climb to on his own and freezer meals. It's going to be okay.

"See you in another week," the doctor says.

"Yes. Thank you so much," Alec croaks. There are no words that could express his gratitude.

***

"Daddy!" Max calls and runs through the living room.

"Be careful, blueberry!" Magnus warns from behind. "Go easy on Daddy."

Max slows down, stopping in front of Alec, looking at him with wide eyes, his arms stretched out to be lifted into his father's arms.

"Hi, Maxie. Just let me sit down, and then we can cuddle, okay? I can't pick you up just yet."

Max nods. "Daddy owie?" he asks.

"Yes. But it's gonna be better soon, Max," Alec says and takes a seat on the bench they put into the entrance hall to change the boy's shoes. He opens his arms and Max cautiously snuggles against his chest.

"Oh, you're the best at giving gentle hugs," Alec praises him. Max smiles up at him.

"Daddy cuddie," he says.

"Yes. I love cuddles. Especially with you, Maxie. But there'll be loads of people here to snuggle with you while I'm healing."

"Cat!" the boy says.

"Yes, and Auntie Izzy."

"Iffy!" Max calls out, his hand hitting Alec's chest as they flail with excitement.

"Careful, Rambo," Jace says when he sees Alec wincing. Max's lips start quivering.

"It's okay," Alec says before his son can start crying. "I'm alright. I just need to take a shower. I fear I stink. Can you show Uncle Jace your new building blocks?"

Max presses a wet kiss on Alec's cheek and grabs his godfather's hand, pulling him to his playpen in the living room.

"Hey, honey. Are you really okay?" Magnus asks when he's out of earshot.

"Yes. I'm fine."

"Do you want help with the showering?"

"If you're not disgusted by me."

Magnus rolls his eyes and leans down for a kiss.

"It can't be worse than your stinky T phase."

Alec chuckles. "I think it might give it a run for its money. Baby wipes just get you so far."

"Catarina made a new batch of my sandalwood shampoo," Magnus smirks.

Alec moans quietly. It's his favourite scent on Magnus. And the thought of Magnus massaging it into his scalp is heavenly. Taking a shower with his man, too. And after, he'll smell so good, the scent of hospital and sickness surely being washed away too.

***

A few months later

Alec has just finished shaving when Magnus sticks his head through the bathroom door.

"We gotta go in thirty minutes. Is Max ready?"

"Yes. Just check on his diaper."

"O–okay," Magnus presses out, fidgeting with his rings.

"Why are you so nervous?" Alec chuckles.

"I don't know. Maybe I don't want to miss the flight to our wedding," Magnus replies.

"We've got plenty of buffer time, Magnus. We'll get bored at the airport."

"I know," Magnus huffs. "I just want everything to go smoothly."

Alec smiles at his fiancé and pulls him into a kiss.

"It will be perfect. Because it's you and me," he speaks against Magnus' lips.

"Right," Magnus chuckles and trails his fingers over Alec's chest. He's loved doing that ever since the breasts were gone. Alec hadn't even known how often Magnus had refrained from touching him there in the past, only ever doing it with clear permission, which had been given few and far between, especially after Max's birth. His breasts had been touched so much while feeding his baby boy. He couldn't take more.

Nursing had been hard in the beginning but it grew into just another function of his body. It wasn't easy on hyper-dysphoric days, but apart from those, it was like kissing his boy or cuddling him, changing a diaper and holding his hands during his first walks. A thing he, as his father, just did without thinking too much about it. That everyone around him was accepting and supportive surely helped.

"You were worried a lot about me nursing, weren't you?" Alec asks, not really knowing why.

"Why would you think that?" Magnus asks gently, not meeting his eyes.

"You never put pressure on me either way, accepted my decisions, but… I don't know. It's a gut feeling. We never really talked about it."

Magnus takes a moment to answer.

"When you first told me you were planning to try, I was taken aback. It just never occurred to me that you would want to. You hated your chest so much. But when I saw you nursing… I knew you were a stubborn guy and worried you would push yourself. But then I realised this was my fear not yours. I had a good talk with Helen back then and asked her for her professional expertise. She told me that most of the things you were struggling with in the beginning, the mothers in her care struggled with too. She convinced me that you'd weighed all the pros and cons. After that, I saw you were okay with it on most days. What I wanna say is: I was worried, yes, but I trusted you to make the right decision for Max and yourself."

Alec quirks a smile. "All in all, it was the right one for us. But I'm also glad to never do it again."

"I can imagine," Magnus chuckles.

"I love my chest now. It feels right."

"I love your chest too," Magnus says, wiggling his eyebrows.

Alec snorts. "That's not really a secret," he teases.

"What can I say? I have a very handsome soon-to-be-my-husband. I can't wait to see you in your tux."

Alec smiles. He's not full of himself, but he's pretty sure Magnus will be blown away. This suit fits even better than the one he wore to Jace's and Izzy's weddings last year. It finally sits right.

"I gotta check on Max's diaper. Get ready, my love," Magnus says and presses a quick peck on Alec's lips.

Alec chuckles and glances into the mirror. Not only does the suit fit right. Even half-naked, his body fits too.

Finally.

Notes:

Thank you for reading. 💜